Publication Date:
2021-07-13
Description:
Functional linkage between reef habitat quality and fish growth and production has remained elusive. Most current research is focused on correlative relationships between a general habitat type and presence/absence of a species,an index of species abundance, or species diversity. Such descriptive information largely ignores how reef attributesregulate reef fish abundance (density-dependent habitat selection), trophic interactions, and physiological performance (growth and condition). To determine thefunctional relationship between habitat quality, fish abundance, trophic interactions, and physiological performance, we are using an experimental reef system inthe northeastern Gulf of Mexico where we apply advanced sensor and biochemical technologies. Our study site controls for reef attributes (size, cavity space, and reefmosaics) and focuses on the processes that regulate gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) abundance, behavior and performance (growth and condition), and the availability of their pelagic prey. We combine mobile and fixed-active (fisheries) acoustics, passive acoustics, video cameras,and advanced biochemical techniques. Fisheries acoustics quantifies the abundance of pelagic prey fishes associatedwith the reefs and their behavior. Passive acoustics and video allow direct observation of gag and prey fish behavior and the acoustic environment, and provide adirect visual for the interpretation of fixed fisheries acoustics measurements. New application of biochemical techniques, such as Electron Transport System (ETS) assay,allow the in situ measurement of metabolic expenditure of gag and relates this back to reef attributes, gag behavior, and prey fish availability. Here, we provide an overview of our integrated technological approach for understanding and quantifying the functional relationship between reef habitat quality and one element of production – gag grouper growth on shallow coastal reefs.
Keywords:
Ecology
;
Management
;
Fisheries
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
book_section
,
TRUE
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
105-116
Format:
124
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