Abstract

Characterizing long-term movement patterns and space use is vital for developing a robust understanding of spatial ecology and for informing effective spatial management. Short-term active tracking has shown that a diverse array of coral reef fishes have predictable daily movement patterns within well-defined home ranges. While short-term tracking is informative regarding daily movement patterns, long-term data provide insight into the stability of these spatial use patterns. In this study, we examine the long-term (multi-year) variation in home range space use and movements of a top-predator on Caribbean coral reefs, the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus). For most of the year adult Nassau grouper are territorial and solitary, however they migrate around winter full moons to form massive spawning aggregations. Nassau grouper are currently listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to overfishing of their spawning aggregations throughout their range. Short-term tracking shows that Nassau groupers are site attached, occupying relatively confined home ranges, making them good candidates for spatial protections. We examine the movements of Nassau grouper in the Cayman Islands by examining the frequency of acoustic detections and depth recordings at hydro-phones located within the home range of tagged fish.

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