Abstract

Along the continental shelf of the southeastern United States, areas of live bottom (sponge, soft coral, and macro algal growth) and rocky outcrops provide habitats for many fishes. Managed as the snapper-grouper complex, many of these species are subjected to intense fishing pressure, with black sea bass, red porgy, and vermilion snapper, constituting a substantial portion of the commercial and recreational landings. The Marine Resources Monitoring Assessment and Prediction (MARMAP) program has conducted annual research cruises since 1983 to describe the status of reef fish stocks in the South Atlantic Bight (SAB; Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral). Catch per unit effort (CPUE) and mean length were calculated for the most abundant species captured using standardized trapping gear in three depth zones (Zone 1: 26 35 m: Zone 2: 36 45 m; Zone 3: 46 - 55 m) during 1983 - 1996. There was a significant decline in the CPUE of black sea bass, vermilion snapper and red porgy taken in Zone lduring the study period; however, the CPUE of tomtate, bank sea bass, and gray triggerfish showed a significant increase. The CPUE of black sea bass in Zone 2 declined as relative abundance of gray triggerfish increased. The CPUE of red porgy and vermilion snapper taken at the shelf edge (Zone 3) declined as abundance of gray triggerfish increased. These results suggest that ecosystem overfishing may be occurring evidenced by switches in dominance and relative abundance caused by reduced populations of certain key species. Although significant increases in the mean size of vermilion snapper and black sea bass suggests a slight recovery, efforts to manage species in the snapper grouper complex with traditional methods have not halted the declines in abundance, fish size and community dominance noted since 1983. Protected areas with no fishing (Marine Fishery Reserves) may be a possible solution to overfishing of reef fishes along the southeast coast of the United States.

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