DOCSLIB.ORG

Saba Bank Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008 Cover Photo by Jan Den Dulk: Hawksbill Turtle on Unidentified Shipwreck in the Middle of the Saba Bank

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Saba Bank Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008 Cover Photo by Jan Den Dulk: Hawksbill Turtle on Unidentified Shipwreck in the Middle of the Saba Bank Saba Bank Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008 Shelley Lundvall Special Area Management Plan Saba Bank Special Marine Area Management Plan 2008 Cover photo by Jan den Dulk: Hawksbill Turtle on unidentified shipwreck in the middle of the Saba Bank 2 Contents LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................................................... 4 FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 HOW TO USE THE SABA BANK MARINE MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................................................................... 7 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 PART 1: SABA BANK BACKGROUND INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 11 LOCATION AND SITUATION .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................. 17 MARINE HABITATS, FLORA AND FAUNA, AND NATURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................... 18 HUMAN USES .................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 CRITICAL THREATS TO THE SABA BANK ......................................................................................................................................... 28 PART 2 – MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................ 33 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 34 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUES ................................................................................................................................... 35 VISION, MISSION AND GOALS ......................................................................................................................................................... 38 GOVERNANCE ................................................................................................................................................................................. 50 HUMAN RESOURCES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 50 PHYSICAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................... 52 FINANCE ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 STAKEHOLDERS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 54 SUMMARY OF ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 56 PART 3. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 60 KEY ISSUES AND ACTIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 61 EXTERNAL ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 61 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................................................................. 70 IMPLEMENTATION AND REVISIONS .................................................................................................................................................. 72 PART 4: ADDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS. ........................................................................................................................ 73 APPENDIX A: LIST OF MACROALGAE SPECIES ................................................................................................................ 75 APPENDIX B: LIST OF FISH SPECIES ..................................................................................................................................... 80 APPENDIX C: LIST OF GORGONIAN SPECIES ..................................................................................................................... 88 APPENDIX D: STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... 90 Special Area Management Plan LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Red snapper are the second most commercially important fisheries for Saba. ..................... 24 Table 2: IUCN Red List Species found on the Saba Bank. ............................................................. 28 Table 3: IUCN Red List Species found on or adjacent to the Saba Bank. ......................................... 37 Table 4: International treaties and conventions relevant to the Saba Bank. .................................... 50 Table 5: Budget for Saba Bank Management Organization. .......................................................... 54 Table 6: Stakeholders of Saba Bank Management Organization. ................................................... 54 Table 7: Stakeholder consultation methods. ............................................................................... 55 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Mixed reef dominated by gorgonians, with sponges, hard corals, and algae. ...................... 11 Figure 2: location of the Saba Bank .......................................................................................... 12 Figure 3: Maritime zones, showing the territorial waters (12 nautical miles zone) of Saba including about 20% of the Saba Bank, and the EEZ waters encompassing the remaining 80%. ................ 13 Figure 4: The Antilles Current transports tropical waters from the North Equatorial Current north- westward. It is a significant source of warm water for the Gulf Stream system. ......................... 14 Figure 5: The Caribbean current is formed by waters flowing though the Antilles Island chain from the Atlantic into the Caribbean sea. .......................................................................................... 14 Figure 6. Bathymetric chart of the Saba Bank, and the Overall Bank study area. ............................. 16 Figure 7. Depth profile from high resolution bathymetric data in the “Overall Bank” area on the Eastern edge of the Saba Bank. ..................................................................................................... 17 Figure 8. Tiger sharks are quite common on the Saba Bank. ........................................................ 20 Figure 9. Typical habitat of the fore reef slope. Complex hard bottom reef structure with high vertical relief, coral cover is highest in this area. .............................................................................. 20 Figure 10. Inner reef flat zone with low relief and hard “pavement” areas. ..................................... 21 Figure 11. A rare patch of juvenile Queen Conch ........................................................................ 21 Figure 12. A new species of Sargassum found on the Saba Bank, one of many new species of macro- algae found. (Source: D. Littler) ......................................................................................... 22 Figure 13 and Figure 14: Area known as Twin Peaks in July ’07 (l) and Jan ’08 (r). .......................... 22 Figure 15. A typical commercial fishing vessel used for trap fishing on Saba Bank. Note the davit and hydraulic wench mounted to port side behind the wheelhouse. ................................................ 24 Figure 16. The most important fisheries
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Megan E
    University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School November 2017 Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Megan E. Hepner University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the Other Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Scholar Commons Citation Hepner, Megan E., "Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary" (2017). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7408 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by Megan E. Hepner A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Marine Science with a concentration in Marine Resource Assessment College of Marine Science University of South Florida Major Professor: Frank Muller-Karger, Ph.D. Christopher Stallings, Ph.D. Steve Gittings, Ph.D. Date of Approval: October 31st, 2017 Keywords: Species richness, biodiversity, functional diversity, species traits Copyright © 2017, Megan E. Hepner ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to my major advisor, Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, who provided opportunities for me to strengthen my skills as a researcher on research cruises, dive surveys, and in the laboratory, and as a communicator through oral and presentations at conferences, and for encouraging my participation as a full team member in various meetings of the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and other science meetings.
    [Show full text]
  • State of Nature in the Dutch Caribbean: Saba and the Saba Bank
    State of Nature in the Dutch Caribbean: Saba and the Saba Bank Open sea and deep sea (EEZ) Figure 1: Habitats of Saba (Verweij & Mücher, 2018) Wageningen Research recently published fields underwater, Saba is rich with a variety an alarming report on the state of nature of different habitats. Unfortunately, the for the three Dutch Caribbean islands recent Wageningen Research report shows (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius), com- that many of these areas, both above missioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, and below water, are showing signs of Nature and Food Quality. All 33 experts degradation. that worked on this report concluded that the “Conservation status 1 of the Governments are beginning to understand biodiversity in the Caribbean Netherlands that managing nature goes beyond just is assessed as moderately unfavorable to protecting natural assets, but can also very unfavorable”. help promote positive economic growth (Ministry of Economic Affairs, 2013). Saba and St. Eustatius are two special mu- Protecting the environment means pro- nicipalities which make up the Caribbean tecting the services they provide such as Netherlands leeward islands. Saba con- natural coastal protection and recreational sists of the main island, Saba, and a large use for locals and tourists (de Knegt, 2014). submerged carbonate platform, the Saba TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Bank. The Saba Bank is the largest national Biodiversity) recently valued the annual park in the Kingdom of the Netherlands total economic value of nature on Saba at (Saba Bank: 268.000 hectares; Wadden 28.4 million USD (Cado van der Lely et al., Sea 240.000 hectares), and has some of the 2014).
    [Show full text]
  • Plum Piece Evidence for Archaic Seasonal Occupation on Saba, Northern Lesser Antilles Around 3300 BP Corinne L
    Journal of Caribbean Archaeology Copyright 2003 ISSN 1524-4776 Plum Piece Evidence for Archaic Seasonal Occupation on Saba, Northern Lesser Antilles around 3300 BP Corinne L. Hofman Menno L.P. Hoogland Recent investigations on the island of Saba, northern Lesser Antilles, revealed evidence of preceramic occupation in the northwestern part of the island at an elevation of approxinately 400 m above sea level. The inland location of dense midden deposits in a tropical forest environment makes the Plum Piece site unique for studying the preceramic occupation of the Antilles, a period that is otherwise mainly known from coastal settings. The recovered artifacts and the radiocarbon dates support an attribution to the Archaic period of the preceramic Age. The nature of the tools and the restricted number of exploited food sources suggest a temporary, probably seasonal, occupation of the site for a unique activity. _____________________________________ Archaeological investigations on the island coastal exploitation in which shellfish of Saba, northern Lesser Antilles (Figure 1) predominates. The species collected are related during the summers of 2001 and 2002 revealed to the exploitation of specific coastal evidence of preceramic occupation at the site of environments, varying from mangroves to Plum Piece in the northwestern part of the island shallow-water and shallow-reef habitats. dating from approximately 3300 BP. Prior to these investigations a preceramic date of 3155± The atypical location of the site of Plum 65 BP had been obtained from the Fort Bay area Piece in the tropical forest area of Saba at an in the northeastern sector of Saba (Roobol and elevation of 400 m above sea level provides Smith 1980).
    [Show full text]
  • Spp List.Xlsx
    Common name Scientific name ANGIOSPERMS Seagrass Halodule wrightii Manatee grass Syringodium filiforme Turtle grass Thalassia testudinium ALGAE PHAEOPHYTA Y Branched algae Dictyota sp Encrusting fan leaf algae Lobophora variegata White scroll algae Padina jamaicensis Sargassum Sargassum fluitans White vein sargassum Sargassum histrix Saucer leaf algae Turbinaria tricostata CHLOROPHYTA Green mermaid's wine glass Acetabularia calyculus Cactus tree algae Caulerpa cupressoides Green grape algae Caulerpa racemosa Green bubble algae Dictyosphaeria cavernosa Large leaf watercress algae Halimeda discoidea Small-leaf hanging vine Halimeda goreaui Three finger leaf algae Halimeda incrassata Watercress algae Halimeda opuntia Stalked lettuce leaf algae Halimeda tuna Bristle ball brush Penicillus dumetosus Flat top bristle brush Penicillus pyriformes Pinecone algae Rhipocephalus phoenix Mermaid's fans Udotea sp Elongated sea pearls Valonia macrophysa Sea pearl Ventricaria ventricosa RHODOPHYTA Spiny algae Acanthophora spicifera No common name Ceramium nitens Crustose coralline algae Corallina sp. Tubular thicket algae Galaxaura sp No common name Laurencia obtusa INVERTEBRATES PORIFERA Scattered pore rope sponge Aplysina fulva Branching vase sponge Callyspongia vaginalis Red boring sponge Cliona delitrix Brown variable sponge Cliona varians Loggerhead sponge Spheciospongia vesparium Fire sponge Tedania ignis Giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta CNIDARIA Class Scyphozoa Sea wasp Carybdea alata Upsidedown jelly Cassiopeia frondosa Class Hydrozoa Branching
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Assessment of the Commercial Fishery of Saba Bank Wes Toller
    Assessment of the Commercial Fishery of Saba Bank Wes Toller and Shelley Lundvall Saba Conservation Foundation Saba, Netherlands Antilles February 29, 2008 Executive Summary The commercial fishery of Saba Bank, Netherlands Antilles, was assessed for six months from June 1 through November 30, 2007, by conducting port sampling interviews with Saban commercial fishermen to obtain information on fishing effort, gear usage, landings and species composition of catches. Results from our survey are compared to previous studies to provide an updated assessment of the Saba Bank commercial fishery. The fishery can be summarized as follows. A small fishing fleet of approximately ten vessels operates from Fort Bay, Saba Island, and conducts small-scale commercial fishing on Saba Bank. Saban commercial fishermen may participate in either or both of two distinct types of fisheries: a lobster trap fishery and a “redfish” trap fishery. The two trap fisheries account for almost all commercial landings while other fishing methods (e.g. hook & line) make only a minor contribution to total landings from Saba Bank. Specific patterns of effort, landings and catch composition are identified within each trap fishery. Lobster trap fishing is the more prevalent and economically significant Saba Bank fishery. Lobster catch rate is 0.84 lobster per trap-haul and 184 pounds per trip. Catch rates vary significantly with season. Projected annual lobster landings are 184,000 lbs (83.6 mt) with an ex- vessel value of US $1.3 million per year. The lobster trap fishery also harvests a diversity of “mixed fish” (shallow water reef fishes). Average catch rate of mixed fish is 0.5 pounds per trap- haul and 37.8 pounds per trip, with projected annual mixed fish landings of 37,700 pounds (17.1 mt) at an ex-vessel value of US $68,700 per year.
    [Show full text]
  • Priorities in Management Implementation for Marine Mammal Conservation in the Saba Sector of the Yarari Sanctuary
    Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary Authors: A.O. Debrot, J.E. Tamis, D. de Haan, M. Scheidat, J.T. van der Wal Wageningen University & Research Report C097/17 Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary Author(s): A.O. Debrot, J.E. Tamis, D. de Haan, M. Scheidat, J.T. van der Wal Publication date: 30th November 2017 This research project was carried out by Wageningen Marine Research at the request of and with funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the purposes of Policy Support Research Theme ‘Caribbean Netherlands' (project no. BO-11-019.02-054). Wageningen Marine Research Den Helder, November 2017 Wageningen Marine Research report C097/17 A.O. Debrot, J.E.Tamis, D. de Haan, M. Scheidat, J.T. van der Wal, 2017. Priorities in management implementation for marine mammal conservation in the Saba sector of the Yarari sanctuary. Wageningen, Wageningen Marine Research (University & Research centre), Wageningen Marine Research report C097/17. 103 pp. Keywords: Yarari, Caribbean, marine mammal, sanctuary, management, priorities. Client: Ministry of LNV (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) Attn.: Paul C. Hoetjes, Policy Coordinator Nature P.O. Box 20401, 2500 EK The Hague, The Netherlands BO-11-019.02-054 This report can be downloaded for free from https://doi.org/10.18174/428169 Wageningen Marine Research provides no printed copies of reports. Wageningen Marine Research is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Photo cover: Dr. Mark Vermeij © 2016 Wageningen Marine Research Wageningen UR Wageningen Marine Research The Management of Wageningen Marine Research is not responsible for resulting institute of Stichting Wageningen damage, as well as for damage resulting from the application of results or Research is registered in the Dutch research obtained by Wageningen Marine Research, its clients or any claims traderecord nr.
    [Show full text]
  • Experiential Training in Florida and the Florida Keys. a Pretrip Training Manual
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 341 547 SE 052 352 AUTHOR Baker, Claude D., Comp.; And Others TITLE Experiential Training in Florida and the Florida Keys. A Pretrip Training Manual. PUB DATE May 91 NOTE 82p.; For field trip guidelines, see ED 327 394. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055) -- Guides - Classroom Use - Teaching Guides (For Teacher)(052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC04 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Animals; Classification; *Ecology; Environmental Education; Estuaries; *Field Trips; Higher Educatioa; Ichthyology; *Marine Biology; Plant Identification; Plants (Botany); *Resource Materials; Science Activities; Science Education; Secondary Education IDENTIFIERS Coral Reefs; Dichotomous Keys; *Florida ABSTRACT This document is a pretrip instruction manual that can be used by secondary school and college teachers who are planning trips to visit the tropical habitats in South Florida. The material is divided into two parts:(1) several fact sheets on the various habitats in South Florida; and (2) a number of species lists for various areas. Factsheets on the classification of marine environments, the zones of the seashore, estuaries, mangroves, seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and coral reefs are included. The species lists included algae, higher plants, sponges, worms, mollusks, bryozoans, arthropods, echinoderms, vertebrates,I insects, and other invertebrates. The scientific name, common name, and a brief description are supplied for all species. Activities on the behavior and social life of fish, a dichotomous key for seashells, and a section that lists
    [Show full text]
  • Saba% POP 1991 / 599
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Saba% POP 1991 / 599 Includes ¨ Why Go? Windwardside . 624 Rising like an otherworldly peak from the Caribbean, this The Bottom . 629 cloud-shrouded volcanic island – a ‘special municipality’ of Fort Bay . 631 the Netherlands – is as vertiginous as its motherland is flat. Dense vegetation draping Saba’s dramatic crags and Understand Saba . 631 valleys made it the ideal silhouette of Skull Island in the Survival Guide . 632 original 1933 King Kong movie, with some of its scenes set deep in the jungle also filmed here. Amid the foliage, its tiny main villages – commercial center, Windwardside, and cap- ital, the Bottom – harbor enchanting traditional red-roofed, Best Places white-timber houses with forest-green shutters and ginger- to Eat bread trim. ¨ Island Flavor (p630) Below the waterline lies a colorful kingdom of coral teem- ing with sharks, turtles and luminous tropical fish. Scuba ¨ Chez Bubba (p627) diving is renowned here, but there are also opportunities ¨ Brigadoon (p627) for free diving, snorkeling or swimming at one of Saba’s two ocean coves. Saba is an easy day trip from neighboring islands, but Best Places its unique rugged landscape and astonishing aquatic ecosys- to Sleep tems reward longer exploration. ¨ Queen’s Garden Resort (p630) When to Go ¨ Cottage Club (p626) Jul–Sep Due to its elevation, Saba’s weather is refresh- ¨ Selera Dunia (p626) ingly temperate compared to neighboring islands. Oct Each October, the two-week Sea & Learn festival hosts a range of ecological activities. Nov–early Dec Bask in the pre-season rush after the hurricanes clear out.
    [Show full text]
  • FAMILY Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835
    FAMILY Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835 - needlefishes [=Belonini, Ramphistomae, Tylosuridae, Strongylurinae, Rhamphistomidae, Petalichthyidae] Notes: Belonini Bonaparte, 1835:[19] [ref. 32242] (subfamily) Belone [genus inferred from the stem, Article 11.7.1.1] Ramphistomae Swainson, 1838:303, 307 [ref. 4302] (no family-group name) [if a family-group name based on Raphistoma Rafinesque (as Ramphistoma), then invalid, Article 39] Tylosuridae Starks, 1906:781 [ref. 10101] (family) Tylosurus Strongylurinae Fowler, 1925:3 [ref. 1401] (subfamily) Strongylura Rhamphistomidae de Buen, 1926:58 [ref. 5054] (family) Raphistoma Rafinesque [as Rhamphistoma, name must be corrected Article 32.5.3; invalid, Article 39 Petalichthyidae Smith, 1949:129 [ref. 5846] (family) Petalichthys GENUS Ablennes Jordan & Fordice, 1887 - flat needlefishes [=Ablennes (subgenus of Tylosurus) Jordan [D. S.] & Fordice [M. W.], 1887:342, 345] Notes: [ref. 2456]. Masc. Belone hians Valenciennes, 1846. Type by original designation (also monotypic). Misspelled Athlennes by Jordan & Fordice when proposed; corrected by ICZN (Opinion 41). •Valid as Ablennes Jordan & Fordice, 1887 -- (Parin 1967:45 [ref. 10272], Parin & Astakhov 1982:279 [ref. 26258], Yoshino in Masuda et al. 1984:78 [ref. 6441], Collette et al. 1984:336 [ref. 11422], Paxton et al. 1989:341 [ref. 12442], Collette 1999:2152 [ref. 24785], Collette 2003:1105 [ref. 26981], Collette 2003:2 [ref. 27306], Paxton et al. 2006:716 [ref. 28995]). Current status: Valid as Ablennes Jordan & Fordice, 1887. Belonidae. Species Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846) – flat needlefish [=Belone hians Valenciennes [A.], in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846:432, Pl. 548, Tylosurus caeruleofasciatus Stead [D. G.], 1908:3, Pl. 1, Mastacembelus fasciatus Bleeker [P.], 1872:154, Belone maculata Poey [F.], 1860:290, Belone melanostigma Valenciennes [A.] (ex Ehrenberg), in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846:450, Ablennes pacificus Walford [L.
    [Show full text]
  • Fish Identification Guide Depicts More Than 50 Species of Fish Commonly Encoun- Make the Proper Identification of Every Fish Caught
    he identification of different spe- Most species of fish are distinctive in appear- ance and relatively easy to identify. However, cies of fish has become an im- closely related species, such as members of the portant concern for recreational same “family” of fish, can present problems. For these species it is important to look for certain fishermen. The proliferation of T distinctive characteristics to make a positive regulations relating to minimum identification. sizes and possession limits compels fishermen to The ensuing fish identification guide depicts more than 50 species of fish commonly encoun- make the proper identification of every fish caught. tered in Virginia waters. In addition to color illustrations of each species, the description of each species lists the distinctive characteristics which enable a positive identification. Total Length FIRST DORSAL FIN Fork Length SECOND NUCHAL DORSAL FIN BAND SQUARE TAIL NARES FORKED TAIL GILL COVER (Operculum) CAUDAL LATRAL PEDUNCLE CHIN BARBELS LINE PECTORAL CAUDAL FIN ANAL FINS FIN PELVIC FINS GILL RAKERS GILL ARCH UNDERSIDE OF GILL COVER GILL RAKER GILL FILAMENTS GILL FILAMENTS DEFINITIONS Anal Fin – The fin on the bottom of fish located between GILL ARCHES 1st the anal vent (hole) and the tail. 2nd 3rd Barbels – Slender strands extending from the chins of 4th some fish (often appearing similar to whiskers) which per- form a sensory function. Caudal Fin – The tail fin of fish. Nuchal Band – A dark band extending from behind or Caudal Peduncle – The narrow portion of a fish’s body near the eye of a fish across the back of the neck toward immediately in front of the tail.
    [Show full text]
  • Fish Movement in the Red Sea and Implications for Marine Protected Area Design
    Fish Movement in the Red Sea and Implications for Marine Protected Area Design Thesis by Irene Antonina Salinas Akhmadeeva In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia April, 2021 2 EXAMINATION COMMITTEE PAGE The thesis of Irene Antonina Salinas Akhmadeeva is approved by the examination committee. Committee Chairperson: Prof. Michael L. Berumen Committee Co-Chair: Dr. Alison Green Committee Members: Dr. Darren Coker, Prof. Rusty Brainard 3 COPYRIGHT © April 2021 Irene Antonina Salinas Akhmadeeva All Rights Reserved 4 ABSTRACT Fish Movement in the Red Sea and Implications for Marine Protected Area Design Irene Antonina Salinas Akhmadeeva The Red Sea is valued for its biodiversity and the livelihoods it provides for many. It now faces overfishing, habitat degradation, and anthropogenic induced climate-change. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) became a powerful management tool to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems, re-establish their balance, and enhance marine populations. For this, they need to be well designed and managed. There are 15 designated MPAs in the Red Sea but their level of enforcement is unclear. To design an MPA it is necessary to know if it will protect species of interest by considering their movement needs. In this thesis I aim at understanding fish movement in the Red Sea, specifically home range (HR) to inform MPA size designation. With not much empirical data available on HR for Red Sea fish, I used a Machine Learning (ML) classification model, trained with empirical literature HR measurements with Maximum Total Length (L Max), Aspect Ratio (AR) of the caudal fin, and Trophic Level as predictor variables.
    [Show full text]
  • Table S51. Average Net Primary Production Values Reported from Mangrove Forests of South Florida and Eastern Mexico
    Table S51. Average net primary production values reported from mangrove forests of south Florida and eastern Mexico. The values were obtained by several different methods of measurement and reported in different units, but for the table all values have been standardized as discussed in the text. (South Florida data from Odum, McIvor, and Smith 1982. Mexican data from Barriero-Gilemes and Balderas-Cortes 1991; Rico-Gray and Lot- Helgueras 1983.) Forest type g C/m2/yr g dry wt/m2/yr lb/A/yr South Florida Red mangroves 1,934.5 6,248 55,732 Black mangroves 1,533.0 4,952 45,172 Mixed forests 3,029.5 9,785 87,282 Eastern Mexico Red mangroves 153.6 496 4,424 Black mangroves 257.6 832 7,421 Table S52. Estimates of litter fall (as dry organic matter) in several types of mangrove forests of south Florida. Values given for red and black mangrove under “variety of types” include those for riverine, overwash, fringe, and “mature” forests. (Recalculated from data in Odum, McIvor, and Smith 1982.) Annual litter fall 2 Forest type Daily litter fall (g/m2/day) g/m /yr lb/A/yr Red mangrove -variety of types 2.8 1,022 9,116 -scrub forest 0.4 146 1,302 Black mangrove -variety of types 1.3 475 4,237 Mixed forests 2.3 840 7,493 Table S53. Brief sketches of important families of perciform fishes found in neritic or epipelagic waters of the Gulf of Mexico, giving information on recognition characters, habitats, and habits and listing important genera.
    [Show full text]