Volume 50
Spatial Distribution and Abundance of Larvae of the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, in the Florida Current: Implications for Recruitment to the Florida Keys
Authors
Hawtof, D.B.; McCarthy, K.J.; Glazer, R.A. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 1997
Pages: 94-103
Event: Proceedings of the Fiftiesth-Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Merida
Country: Mexico
Abstract
Identifying the source of recruits to marine fishery stocks is fundamental to developing appropriate management strategies. It has been suggested that the Florida Current serves as a mechanism for transport of queen conch larvae to south Florida from spawning populations elsewhere in the Caribbean. We tested this hypothesis by conducting plankton tows across the Florida Straits from west of the Dry Tortugas towards Cuba in order to determine patterns of queen conch larval abundance and distribution upstream from the Florida Keys. Conch larvae were found exdusively in the Florida Current. Only middle- and late-stage larvae were found. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of an upstream source of larvae, which are transported via the Florida Current towards the Florida Keys.