Coral reef ecosystems, including the surrounding habitats, are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They are biologically important because they provide nursery areas for reef-associated fishes and invertebrates. They are of economic importance, providing goods and services exceeding $375 billion globally each year. For example in the Bahamas, Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) which relies on coral reef habitats as adults but algal nursery habitats as juveniles, is one of the country’s most valuable exports, accounting for more than $61 million in 1998. The Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, and the Queen conch, Strombus gigas, are also extremely important commercial fishery species throughout the Caribbean, but are now endangered because of overexploitation and loss of habitat. The most promising tool for conserving essential fishery habitats such as coral reefs and associated species are marine reserves, where no exploitation is allowed and human impacts are minimized. For example, the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECL&SP), established in 1959 and a no-take reserve since 1986, is one of the oldest marine reserves in existence. A workshop held in conjunction with the Center for Marine Conservation at NOAA's Undersea Research Program's Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC), Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas, determined criteria for the design, selection, and size of a network of marine fishery reserves in the Bahamas.

 

A Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, swimming near the patch reef. Courtesy of C. Dahlgren

A Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in its reef habitat. Courtesy of C. Dahlgren

Researchers supported by the Perry Institute for Marine Science/Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC) are investigating the efficacy of marine reserves to increase the abundance and reproductive potential of spiny lobster, Queen conch, and Nassau grouper. In related studies in the ECL&SP, higher abundances were found inside marine reserves for all three species. In addition, a greater biomass exists for the grouper directly outside of the reserve than in other areas of the Exumas, suggesting that the fish grow larger before leaving the reserve. This greater biomass supports fisheries directly as well as indirectly through enhancement of reproductive success. Biodiversity is also higher within reserves than outside them, as is the quality of genetic traits and life history characteristics.

The government of the Bahamas has recently set aside five more sites for reserve protection, more than doubling the number of marine reserves in the country. Over the next 3 years, the Bahamian government has committed to expanding this marine reserve network to include 20% of marine habitats. Following the Bahamian lead, the U.S. has drafted an Action Plan that will designate 20% of U.S. coral reefs to become marine reserves by 2010.

PIMS/CMRC is located in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas.

An aerial picture of the PIMS/CMRC on Lee Stocking Island, Exuma Cays.

CMRC has conducted and supported marine research in the Caribbean for over 20 years, and is taking a lead role in site assessment, monitoring, and development of community-based management for the marine reserves. This research is important to the U.S. and the entire Caribbean region not only because information obtained through this research is directly applicable to fishery management locally but also because the different life history stages of many species do not adhere to international boundaries. For example, protection and enhancement of a species like spiny lobster in the Bahamas may have direct and/or indirect impacts on fisheries in the Florida Keys. In addition, many of the findings from marine reserve research in the Caribbean are applicable to the development of marine reserves anywhere in the world. CMRC recognizes the importance of marine reserve research and plans on continued support of these projects in the future.