Assessment of fish populations and habitat on Oculina Bank, a deep-sea coral marine protected area off eastern Florida
2009
A portion of the Oculina Bank located off eastern Florida is
a marine protected area (MPA) preserved for its dense populations of the ivory tree coral (Oculina varicosa),
which provides important habitat for fish. Surveys of fish assemblages and benthic habitat were conducted inside and outside the MPA in 2003 and 2005 by using remotely operated
vehicle video transects and digital still imagery. Fish species composition, biodiversity, and grouper densities
were used to determine whether O. varicosa forms an essential habitat compared to other structure-forming
habitats and to examine the effectiveness of the MPA. Multivariate analyses indicated no differences in fish
assemblages or biodiversity among hardbottom habitat types and grouper densities were highest among the most complex habitats; however the higher densities were not exclusive to
coral habitat. Therefore, we conclude that O. varicosa was functionally equivalent to other hardbottom habitats. Even though fish assemblages were not different among management
areas, biodiversity and grouper densities were higher inside the MPA compared to outside. The percentage of intact coral was also higher inside the MPA. These results provide initial evidence demonstrating effectiveness of the MPA for restoring reef fish and their habitat. This is the first study to compare reef fish populations on O. varicosa with other structure-forming reef habitats and also the first to examine the effectiveness of the MPA for restoring fish populations and live reef cover.
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