2004

Observations of a Nassau Grouper Spawning Aggregation Site In Little Cayman, Including Multi-Species Spawning

Whaylen, L., Pattengill-Semmens, C.V., Semmens, B.X., Bush, P.G. and M.R. Boardman

This paper summarizes the finding from the 2002 REEF Grouper Moon Project, which documented the characteristics of a newly discovered Nassau grouper spawning aggregation. At its peak, over 5,000 Nassau grouper were present at the site. Significant contributions include the visual and video documentation of four nights of spawning of Nassau grouper, the description of crepuscular and lunar movements and color phase shifts in the grouper, and the documentation of courtship/spawning behavior in ten additional species. This paper was also presented at the 2002 Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Meeting.

Environmental Biology of Fishes
70: 305-313
2004
Program: 
Grouper Moon Project

Standardized Visual Counts of Goliath Grouper off South Florida and Their Possible Use as Indices of Abundance

Porch CE and AM Eklund

This paper evaluates two sets of fisheries-independant data on Goliath grouper populations in Florida. The datasets include the REEF Survey Project database and personal observations from a professional spearfisher. Because all harvest of this species was prohibted starting in 1990, fisheries-independant data like these are critical to understanding change in the populations, including any recovery that may be occuring. The paper also provides information on standarization techniques that can be applied to the REEF data.

Gulf of Mexico Science
2004(2): 155-163
2004
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

The Goliath Grouper in southern Florida: assessment review and advisory report

Report prepared for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the National Marine Fisheries Service

Kingsley, M.C.S., ed.

REEF data were one of three datasets used in the most recent stock assessment of the Goliath grouper, a species that is currently protected from harvest due to very low numbers in the 1980s. Because this species is not fished, fisheries managers must use fisheries-independent datasets and the REEF database represents a valuable source of this information.

Southeast Data and Assessment Review
vii + 17 pp.
2004
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project
PDF Version

2003

Conservation and management applications of the REEF volunteer fish monitoring program

Pattengill-Semmens, C.V. and B.X. Semmens

This paper reviews the role of partnerships in the success of REEF's program. Several examples of how REEF has used partnerships are presented. These include monitoring program parternships, data sharing and the use of data by others, the conservation contributions of the REEF program, and the educational component of partnerships.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Journal
81: 43-50
2003
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

The status of reef fishes in the Cayman Islands (B.W.I.)

In: J.C. Lang (ed.) Status of Coral Reefs in the Western Atlantic: Results of Initial Surveys, Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program

Pattengill-Semmens, C.V. & B.X. Semmens

This paper is the result of a 1999 AGRRA expedition to the Cayman Islands coordinated by the Marine Education and Environmental Research Institute (MEERI). The paper uses the REEF database (over 1,200 surveys from the Cayman Islands) and the AGRRA fish data to provide an updated species list for the Islands, a comparison between islands (Grand Cayman and Little Cayman) and sites (33 sites), and an analysis of the relationships between herbivorous fishes and algal cover. Thanks to the REEF database, 44 species were added to the list of fishes known to occur on the Islands. A site's location (windward or leeward) appeared to be an important factor in community composition. Additionally, many species had significantly higher abundances on Little Cayman, including groupers which is probably an indication of the difference in anthropogenic impacts between the two islands.

Atoll Research Bulletin
Vol. 496., pp. 226 -- 247
2003
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

Volunteer Fish Monitoring in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

2002 Final Report

REEF

This report summarizes the 2002 data from REEF's annual assessment of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. A total of 37 sites from Key Largo through the Dry Tortugas are monitored each year with REEF's Advanced Assessment Team, to evaluate status, trends and the effect of no-take reserves.

2003
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

2002

Evaluating the use of roving diver and transect surveys to assess the coral reef assemblages off southeastern Hispaniola

Schmitt, E. F., T. D. Sluka, and K. M. Sullivan-Sealy

The utility and biases of the Roving Diver Technique (RDT) and transect visual surveys are evaluated for use in rapid assessments off southeastern Hispaniola. Both methods are similar in recording the most abundant species, while a greater number of rare species (especially fishery-targeted species) are recorded with the RDT. The methods are found to be complementary, and are suggested to be used together when conducting rapid assessments of fish assemblages, especially to detect over-fishing. Click here to read full abstract.

Coral Reefs
21: 216-223
2002
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

The reef fish assemblage of Bonaire Marine Park: an analysis of REEF Fish Survey Project data

Pattengill- Semmens, C.V.

A total of 362 species have been reported from 77 sites around Bonaire and the neighboring Klein Bonaire. This makes the Bonaire Marine Park one of the most species rich areas in REEF's database. The paper also showed that the composition of species (presence and abundance) on Klein Bonaire and Bonaire are distinct. In addition to providing data for site characterization, the thousands of surveys in REEF's database will provide a baseline against which future change can be assessed. This paper provides the most comprehensive species list published to date for the Park.

Proceedings 53rd Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
53: 591-605
2002
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project

2001

Distribution and sighting frequency of reef fishes in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Jeffrey, C.F.G., C. Pattengill-Semmens, S. Gittings, and M.E. Monaco

This study analyzed species richness, distribution, and sighting frequency of selected reef fishes to describe species assemblage composition, abundance, and spatial distribution patterns within and among regions in the Florida Keys NMS. This report is the result of work being done on the biogeography of reef fishes by NOAA's Biogeography Office.

Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series MSD-01-1. US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Silver Spring, MD.
51 pp.
2001
Program: 
Volunteer Fish Survey Project
PDF Version

Pages