Abstract

Trap fishing in United States waters occurs in coral habitats in the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Although the numbers of traps fished and the general placement areas of traps are known, there is little information on the exact placement of traps by habitat type, seasonal movement oftraps among habitats, and potential for gear impacts to various habitats such as seagrasses, macroalgae, sponges, and hard and soft corals. We are beginning to examine the placement of traps in relation to habitat types ando in the future, will be conducting underwater surveys of traps and fishing techniques in all three locales to determine potential for habitat damage and for gear or method modifications, if necessary.

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