Abstract

In 2001, the Bermuda Marine Resources Division became aware of a potential spawning aggregation of bluestriped grunt (Haemulon sciurus) at the eastern end of the island. Local fishermen reported that, around the new moon in May, catches of bluestriped grunt were substantially higher than the rest of the year. This observation was largely substantiated by analysis of historical landings and samples collected at the site in subsequent years. The gonads of many fish caught at the site around the new moons in May of 2001, 2002 and 2006 were in an advanced state of maturation and a number of fish were in spawning condition. However, it appears that the timing of aggregation formation and spawning is variable, as females with hydrated eggs were also observed around the full moons in May of 2007 and 2008 and the new moons in June of 2007 and 2008. The duration of the spawning aggregation has not yet been determined. In 2005, an amendment to the Fisheries Act 1972 gave the Minister responsible for the Environment the authority to place an immediate prohibition on fishing in any designated fish aggregation area by providing notice to the public in the Official Gazette. Using this legislative provision, a ban on fishing in the bluestriped grunt aggregation area was first implemented in May 2007 for a two month period. The aggregation was also closed to fishing during May and June of 2008 and 2009 in order to allow additional data collection and research.

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