The Octocoral Fishery in the Southeastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico
The Octocoral Fishery in the Southeastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico MARK CHIAPPONE, PAOLA ESPITIA, LEANNE M. RUTTEN, and STEVEN L. MILLER Introduction with ~1.8 million households owning Conservation Commission (FWC) in The marine aquarium hobby has a saltwater aquarium (American Pet Florida. Regulation of the collection witnessed a resurgence in popular- Products Association, 2014). Within of live tropical, ornamental, and ma- ity within the United States since the the United States, Florida represents rine species in Florida is governed by 2007–09 recession (Bricker et al.1), the largest component of the ornamen- Rule Chapter 68B-42 of the Florida tal fishery, supplying live marine life Administrative Code (FAC). The Flori- 1Bricker J. B., Bucks, A. Kennickell, T. Mach, to the aquarium industry with over 9 da regulations went into effect in 1991 and K. Moore. 2011. Surveying the aftermath of million individual animals per year, and have undergone several revisions, the storm: changes in family finances from 2007 encompassing over 600 fish, inver- affecting bag limits, proper collection to 2009. Working paper 2011–17, Mar. 2011, Fed. Reserve Bd., Finance and Econ. Discussion tebrate, and plant species (Rhyne et techniques, reporting requirements, Ser., 38 p. (Online at https://www.federalreserve. al., 2009). Management of this multi- and area restrictions (and more) for gov/pubs/feds/2011/201117/201117pap.pdf). species fishery is under the authority recreational and commercial marine of the Federal Gulf of Mexico Fish- life collectors (Larkin et al., 2001). The authors are with the Halmos College of Natural Science and Oceanography, Nova ery Management Council, the South With a Saltwater Products License, Southeastern University, 8000 N.
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