Evaluating the role of artificial reefs as hotspots of biological productivity
Implementing Organization
University of West Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$293,991
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
The U.S. Department of Treasury
Funding Program
The RESTORE Act Funds Bucket 5: Centers of Excellence Research Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Environmental Research
Targeted Resources
Fish/Fish Habitats
Project Description
Marine fisheries are second only to tourism as an economic driver in Florida. Valued marine reef fish such as gag grouper are overfished. Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration funds for artificial reefs (AR) off the Florida Panhandle are intended to generate new fishing opportunities and compensate for fishery closures during the spill. Artificial reefs may increase productivity of reef fish stocks in the northern Gulf of Mexico; if so, this enhanced productivity is not accounted for in stock assessment models. Recent studies in other regions suggest this should be assessed based on overall ecosystem productivity, not just the number of fish in a single stock. The goal of this project to examine this issue on recently deployed artificial reefs off Northwest Florida.
Contact
Caffrey, Jane850-857-6089
jcaffrey@uwf.edu
Project Website
None
Location is center of study area