Abstract

This study evaluated parrotfish populations across Florida’s Coral Reefs to determine if their fishing protected status has provided a natural demographic that may support their ability to control macroalgal communities. Reef fish monitoring data from 2012-2016 were compiled to compare estimated abundance, densities, percent occurrence, and length frequencies between each established region. Parrotfish density was highest in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas and lowest in SE Florida. Striped parrotfish were the most abundant parrotfish in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas and comprised approximately 46% of total estimated parrotfish abundance in all regions combined. Fishes between 5-10 cm were the most frequent size class in every region and comprised approximately 46.3% of total parrotfish frequency when all regions were combined. The majority of large parrotfish (> 20 cm) occurred in protected or closed to fishing areas. The Florida Keys contained the most large parrotfish. Next steps are to analyze temporal differences and investigate parrotfish demographic associations with the presence and abundance of large predatory species.