Abstract

Between April 2001 and February 2003, 51 fishes were acoustically tagged that included 12 mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis), 18 Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus), 9 yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa), 10 black grouper (M. bonaci) and 2 cubera snapper (L. cyanopterus). Thirteen of these individuals provided information to demonstrate seasonal or inter-annual site fidelity or residency. For some individuals, activity patterns around the fish spawning aggregation site (FSA) appeared to be elevated during reproductive versus non-reproductive periods. Some suggestion of sex-specific variability in activity within the reproductive season was demonstrated among individual Nassau grouper. Results support recent findings that show that while many large-bodied grouper are capable of long distance movement, many may actually reside at or near FSA sites year-round. These findings, if shown to be true, may have substantial implications for the management of many aggregation-forming species

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