Over the next several months, Biscayne biologists will be doing their part to contribute data to a reef fish survey effort that spans from the Dry Tortugas up to Martin County. This Reef Visual Census project is a collaborative effort between numerous institutions, including NOAA, the University of Miami, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, and the NPS. Using a highly refined and systematic approach, divers collect information on the occurrences, abundances and sizes of all reef fish seen on a dive. This is a feat that is often easier said than done, given the sheer numbers, fast movements, and/or cryptic nature of many fishes on the reef (see pictures below to get an idea of the challenges of conducting a reef fish census). Biscayne’s team of divers will contribute to this year’s effort by collecting reef fish data at over 140 sites within the park. This long-standing database helps scientists monitor and assess the status of reef fishes throughout south Florida and can be very useful in detecting changes to specific species. (VLM)
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 12:50:00 +0000
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