Abstract

Species that form fish spawning aggregations to reproduce often do so at predictable locations and times, making these species easy targets for exploitation. Caribbean species from the genera Mycteroperca and Epinephelus are often targeted during their spawning seasons, with multiple members of these genera listed as Near-Threatened, Threatened, or Endangered under the International Union of the Conservation of Nature Red List. Since 1993, volunteers with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) have conducted reef fish surveys (species-specific presence/absence and relative abundance), using either SCUBA or snorkeling, at sites throughout the Caribbean. Using these data, we examined trends in the presence and abundance of marine fishes from the genera Mycteroperca and Epinephelus. In particular, we compared trends between locations with management protections in place for aggregating species, such as the Nassau Grouper, versus those without such protections. Our goal is to identify locations with evidence of rebuilding aggregations, and explore causal mechanisms in socio-political and resource management frameworks.

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