Larval fish dispersal in the Florida Current

Western boundary currents of the North Atlantic Ocean may transport larval fish considerable distances, resulting in unusual reports of tropical fish along the New England coast. The Florida Current is an example of such a strong current, flowing northward past the Florida Keys and along the eastern shore of Florida. Quarterly cruises across a 27N latitudinal transect of the Florida Current have been conducted since 2001 on the R/V F.G. Walton Smith, collecting physical oceanographic data in order to determine the total transport of water at this location. Biological sampling was added during the 10-11 September and 23-24 November 2009 cruises. This data complements the physical oceanographic findings so that the current’s effect on larval distribution and seasonal variation can be assessed. Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) measurements and ichthyoplankton samples were collected at stations from the Florida Coast to Little Bahama Bank. Samples were collected at nine stations using ten-minute neuston tows with a 500 µm mesh net. Each sample was sorted, fish were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, and their distribution at each station was determined. Larvae of over thirty families, including those ecologically and commercially valuable, such as Serranidae, Scombridae, Lutjanidae, and Istiophoridae, were identified, and their distribution is discussed. Results from this study can provide a time series for larval distribution along this transect, and create a baseline for future research in this area.

To observe variation in ichthyoplankton abundance and composition across the Florida Current