Baseline characterization of resources is an essential part of marine protected area (MPA) management and is critical to inform adaptive management. Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) currently lacks adequate characterization of several key resources as identified in the 2006 Final Management Plan. The objectives of this characterization were to fulfill this need by characterizing the bottom fish, benthic features, marine debris, and the relationships among them for the different bottom types within the sanctuary: ledges, sparse live bottom, rippled sand, and flat sand. Particular attention was given to characterizing the different ledge types, their fish communities, and the marine debris associated with them given the importance of this bottom type to the sanctuary. Field surveys were conducted during August 2004, May 2005, and August 2005. A total of 179 surveys were completed over ledge bottom (n=92), sparse live bottom (51), flat sand (20), and rippled sand (16). There were three components to each field survey: fish counting, benthic assessment, and quantification of marine debris.
DATA/REPORT DETAILS
Characterization of the Benthos, Marine Debris and Bottom Fish at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
- Published on:
- Science Area(s): Coral, Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments, Habitat Mapping, Marine Spatial Ecology, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation
- Region(s) of Study: Atlantic Ocean, Georgia, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
- Primary Contact(s): chris.jeffrey@noaa.gov, john.christensen@noaa.gov, laurie.bauer@noaa.gov, matt.kendall@noaa.gov
Citation:
Kendall, M.S., L.J. Bauer and C.F.G. Jeffrey
Kendall, M.S., L.J. Bauer and C.F.G. Jeffrey
Data/Report Type:
NOAA Technical Memorandum
NOAA Technical Memorandum
Description
Note to readers with disabilities: Some scientific publications linked from this website may not conform to Section 508 accessibility standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing this electronic content, please contact the lead/corresponding author, Primary Contact, or nccos.webcontent@noaa.gov.