Fish Assemblages on High Latitude Coral Reefs: A Work in Progress

David S. Gilliam
Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (NSUOC), National Coral Reef Institute, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, Voice: (954) 262-3634 Fax: (954) 262-4098; Gilliam@ocean.nova.edu

Brian D. Ettinger
NSUOC, Voice: (954) 262-3619, Ettinger@ocean.nova.edu

Richard E. Spieler
NSUOC, Voice: (954) 262-3613, Spielerr@ocean.nova.edu

In an effort to promote reef fisheries management and conservation, NSUOC and NCRI has initiated a comprehensive baseline survey of the reef fish assemblages of Broward County, Florida. Using SCUBA, divers conducted quantitative surveys of the fishes associated with these high latitude reefs. Stationary visual surveys were conducted over 180 sites along 20 east-west transects spaced every quarter mile along the coast. These transects crossed each of the three reef lines that run parallel to the coast. The three reef lines are generally referred to, with increasing depth and distance from shore, as the first (4-8m depth), second (7-18m), and third reefs (+12m). On each transect, three sites on each reef line were surveyed. These sites included the east and west reef edges and a site in the center of the reef. Species richness, abundance and fish size (TL) ranges were analyzed and compared within each reef line and between transects. It appears there are differences in fish abundance as well as species richness between the three reef lines. The first reef generally has lower fish abundance and richness than the second or third reefs. However, these conclusions are preliminary and will be strengthened as more of the Broward reefs are surveyed.