Abstract

Coral reef ecosystems worldwide are undergoing change due to interactive effects of anthropogenic impacts and natural stressors. Within these ecosystems, the assessment of spatial trends in coral reef resources is critical to inform and guide ecosystem management, conservation, and restoration decisions. We used a fishery-dependent data source (NOAA headboat data) and two fishery-independent data sources (NOAA reef fish surveys and Reef Environmental Education Foundation surveys) to assess spatial trends in abundance and length-frequency distributions of multiple fishery targeted species along the FL Keys, USA. Regardless of data source, results from analyses were consistent: species-specific proxies for abundance and length-frequency distributions tended to be lowest and smallest, respectively, in the northernmost Fl Keys (Biscayne National Park area) adjacent to the Ft. Lauderdale / Miami metropolitan area. Results are discussed in terms of likely underlying mechanisms and implications for management

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