Coral Reef Fisheries

Day 3 restoring ecosystem function

Jim BohnsackSoutheast Fisheries Science CenterNOAA Fisheries, Miami, FL

Human Dimension

Marine EcosystemModel

Biotic Dimension

Physical Dimension(Geology, Oceanography, Climate)

Ecosystem Structure & Function

Ecosystem Goods & Services

- Impacts+ Restoration

Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land (sea).

Aldo Leopold

Conservation goals change

Coral reef Health is the ability for self renewal

Conservation is:developing the understanding and

creating the conditions for self renewal.

(i.e. Science and Management)

Integrity, stabilityand beauty

Red Snapper Fecundity

9,000,000 eggs 9,000,000 eggs

1 Female

10 Yr

12.5 kg

61 cm long

212 Females

3 - 4 Yr

1.1 kg each

42 cm long

“The concept of marine reserves is simple:

If protected from human interference, nature will

take care of itself ”

Deplete Target Species

Bycatch Mortalityof target and

non-target species

CauseHabitat Damage

Colonization & Growth Abundance Diversity

Spillover Reproduction & Dispersal

Nassau Grouper Landings

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88

Year

Cub

a M

etri

c T

ons

0

1

2

3

4

Flo

rida

Met

ric

Ton

s

Cuba

Headboats

Shifting Baseline

Resource Protection Levels

3 Multiple Species 2 Single Species Commercial 1 No Regulations

5 Regional Management Recreational 4 Recreational Consumption

10 Seascape / Landscape 9 Aesthetic Uses Aesthic Use 8 Habitat Protection 7 Endangered Species 6 Non-Economic Species

14 Biotic Ethic13 Ecosystem Function Ecosystem Value12 Ecosystem Structue11 Wilderness Value

Endangered Species

1969 – Endangered Species Act2004 – Marine Turtle Protection Act

Habitat

1996 – Essential Fish Habitat Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act

HAWK CHANNEL

Nearshore

Inshore Patch

MidchannelOffshore

Patch

Reef Flat

Fore Reef

Deep Reef

TransitionFlorida Bay

HawkChannel

FloridaReef Tract

Cross-Shelf Habitat Classification

Non-Game Species

Development of the Biotic Ethic

1905

1924

1927

19641964

1969

2000

1909

1925

1935

1949

1871

1995

1994

1996

1969

1972

1976

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

Year

Co

nc

ep

tua

l Pro

tec

tio

n L

ev

el

Forest Park Srv Leopold NMFS Sanctuary AFS Land Sea

Marine Conservation Ethic

• Frontier Development Ethic

H > E• Romantic Preservation Ethic

H = E

• Utilitarian Conservation Ethic

H E• Ecological Biotic Ethic

E H E H E H E

A conservation ethic requires:

Obligation, Responsibility, Self-sacrifice