Long Term Monitoring Programs at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary The monitoring program encompasses the following resources and topics of concern determined to be of significant importance to Gray's Reef during the planning of the designation and subsequent establishment of the management and research studies plan; fish populations, benthic invertebrates, oceanographic conditions, sediment transport and visitor use. Permanent transect lines (100 M), marked each meter, are placed at two distinctively different habitats in the Sanctuary. One is on an area of flat live bottom and another located along a high relief ledge. This is a permanent study area that can be occupied over time to characterize changes and reflect differences in the biota between habitats. Fish populations are monitored through the use of visual transect swims, video transects and random point counts. This data supplements on going Marine Resource Monitoring Assessment and Prediction Program (MARMAP) trapping studies and the stratified random design used in Parker's video transect method that provides more comprehensive coverage of the sanctuaries habitats. Since 1998 Gray's Reef began participating in Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) fish counts which gives both scientists and recreational divers a position to monitor and publicize the health of, and threats of areas in Gray's Reef. Invertebrates are monitored with random point counts and permanent line. Sampling protocols will be reviewed to determine the most effective means to provide information on seasonal and long term changes in species abundance and overall community structure. Invertebrates are monitored with random point counts and permanent photo quadrats stationed along the line. Sampling protocols will be reviewed to determine the most effective means to provide information on seasonal and long term changes in species abundance and overall community structure. Oceanographic conditions are monitored through data logger temperature sensor's that can collect data for up to six months. GRNMS has two of these units that will allow annual temperature profiles to be generated. Their is a realized need for data on salinity and turbidity to help further characterize the water masses influencing the sanctuary. Means to acquire these instruments will continue to be explored. Sediment movement has been hypothesized to play an important role in the stability of live bottom communities. By monitoring the permanent study sites in the sanctuary in relation to sediment depths and the associated effects on the biota much information can be gained in this regard. GRNMS will also seek means for researcher's to address this topic through larger scale research efforts. Visitor use is monitored through periodic boat survey's. Statistical models are being developed from this data and hopefully provide needed information on recreational fishing pressure and general use. Article written on Gray's Reef Live-Bottom Reef Fish Monitoring