South Atlantic MPA: year 4 of a pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed reserves.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed implementation of eight marine protected areas (MPAs) between Cape Hatteras, NC and the Florida Keys to protect seven species of grouper and tilefish, all members of the deepwater snapper-grouper complex. During 2008, the NOAA Fisheries Laboratory in Panama City, FL completed the fourth annual survey of five of the proposed MPA sites with three main objectives: 1) establish pre-closure estimates of species composition and fish abundance, especially for species of grouper and tilefish; 2) describe habitat features; and 3) document the relationship between habitat and species assemblages. Gear employed during the surveys included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a stationary video camera array. Four of the seven targeted reef fish including snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), speckled hind (E. drummundhayi), warsaw grouper (E. nigritus), and blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) were observed in 2008. Relative fish abundances varied between proposed MPAs. None of the target species had the highest abundance of fishes observed; however other species of the snapper/grouper complex such as vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens), tomtates (Haemulon aurolineatum), striped grunts (Haemulon striatum), and amberjack (Seriola spp.) were among those most frequently observed. Lionfish (Pterois volitans) densities were exponentially higher in the 2007 and 2008 surveys compared to the 2004 and 2006 surveys. Lionfish also showed comparable densities to the most abundant grouper, scamp (Mycteroperca phenax). As expected, lionfish and grouper densities increased with increasing habitat complexity. This study presents a unique opportunity to examine proposed MPA sites before implementation of fishing restrictions, thus providing fishery managers with robust pre-closure data upon which efficacy evaluations of closures can be made.

1) to establish pre-closure estimates of species composition and fish abundance, especially for species of grouper and tilefish.

2) To describe habitat features;

3) document the relationship between habitat and species assemblages.

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