Abstract

Identifying and protecting fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) is a major step in managing future generations of many commercially and recreationally important reef fish species. Although FSAs are documented to be predictable in time and space, that is not always the case. To effectively assess a spawning aggregation status and identify changes over time following fishing or management changes, a robust sampling protocol is essential (Colin et al. 2003, Sadovy de Mitcheson et al. 2020). However, this is something that is easier said than done. The aims of the present study were to investigate the ecological and socioeconomic effects of a seasonal spatial closure to protect annual spawning aggregations at Western Dry Rocks in the Florida Keys. To determine efficacy of this spatial closure, a multi-disciplinary approach was used to monitor change over time. This monitoring focused on three main objectives: (1) documenting changes in behavior, abundance, and size structure of Western Dry Rocks fish aggregations over time, (2) determining changes in age and reproductive output from Western Dry Rocks over time, (3) quantifying how the Western Dry Rocks seasonal closure is affecting stakeholders. For objective 1, underwater visual census (UVC) surveys were used to track changes in fish abundance and length frequency inside and outside the closure, and at aggregation sites.

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