You are here: Home › Ecosystems › National Marine Sanctuaries › Characterization and Ecological Monitoring at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Characterization and Ecological Monitoring at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
ISSUE: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) is one of many live–bottom reefs scattered across the continental shelf from North Carolina to north–central Florida. These reefs support many hard–bottom associated species that are targets of both commercial and recreational fishermen.
Management plans currently exist for both Gray’s Reef NMS and reef fish species associated with the Sanctuary, but several scientific issues remain, including the dependency of species and habitat with in GRNMS on resources and processes acting outside the sanctuary. Addressing these issues could lead to more effective management of both the Sanctuary and surrounding marine habitats.
APPROACH: Studies are underway that contribute to the ecological characterization
of Gray’s Reef NMS. Data on fish assemblages and benthic community structure
are collected and analyzed to evaluate the function of the Gray’s Reef
ecosystem. Data are collected on larval, juvenile, and adult fishes,
as well as their diets and movements. Research is primarily field based,
but many analyses are completed in the laboratory. Of particular interest
are the use of stable isotopes to elucidate trophic pathways along the
southeast U.S. coast and the use of genetics to identify larvae of commercially
and recreationally important fishes.
Research at Gray’s Reef NMS also is being integrated with the observational and modeling components of SouthEast Area Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS) to address the research and management needs of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas along the southeast U.S. coast. In particular, the physical transport model developed as part of SEACOOS will be used to determine the source larvae arriving at Gray’s Reef NMS and the fate of larvae spawned there. This information will be critical to understanding the dependence of the sanctuary on areas outside its boundaries.
OUTCOME: The outcome of these efforts will lead to
a greater understanding of the Gray’s Reef ecosystem and will improve
management of Gray’s Reef NMS, as well as other protected areas along
the southeast U.S. coast. Read more...
For more information please contact Jon Hare at jon.hare@noaa.gov.