Shelf and Shelf-Edge Reefs
of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Along the edge of the West Florida continental shelf exists a broad band of drowned reefs or fossil reefs at water depths ranging from approximately 50 m to over 120 m. These paleo reefs are important ecologically as areas of high biodiversity and as source areas supporting the spawning aggregations of the more economically important reef fish species of the southeastern United States. Yet virtually nothing is known of these ecosystems. Given the potential for human-induced threats to these habitats from fishing impact, oil and gas exploration and development, and water rediversion projects, the need is acute to identify and classify the area into spatially and temporally specific regions.

Research and Education Objectives

Because the shelf-edge reef habitats of the West Florida shelf have been fished for over 100 years, it is possible that direct as well as indirect or incidental impacts have affected their benthic communities and habitat features. Direct effects include anchor, longline, and trawl impacts. Indirect effects may include trophic cascades resulting from the removal of top-level predators like groupers and snappers from the system. Some of these sites have already been mapped using acoustic techniques, such as side-scan sonar and multibeam imagery. This work, conducted by the U. S. Geological Survey, provides the geomorphological basis on which benthic habitat characterization can be developed. The mission objectives for this leg of the SSE Summer 2001 Cruise were to conduct systematic surveys of the different habitat features, with particular emphasis on reef fish spawning aggregation sites throughout this region, and to collect sediment and biological samples for identification and classification of habitat types. Educators will use data from this leg of the cruise to develop an on-line interactive outreach program, with particular components showing the connectivity between inshore and offshore environments.

Controversy Over Marine Reserves in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Marine protected areas (MPAs) of one type or another have been around for millennia, especially in artisinal fisheries worldwide. They are being recommended now in the U.S. by fisheries managers, scientists, conservationists,and fishermen who view them as a means of improving fishery production and reversing the trends that ultimately have led to overexploitation of so many U.S. fished stocks. We feel that they can be important tools in fisheries management and particularly in protecting biological diversity. Yet they remain quite controversial

Indeed, a tremendous controversy arose among different user groups over establishing marine reserves in the N.E. Gulf of Mexico, despite a long history there of using different forms of spatial management (see our review in Fisheries) . In an attempt to diffuse the controversy and provide users with the scientific rationale for establishing marine reserves, we wrote a paper for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in 1999 describing the effects of fishing on spawning populations of gag. This paper–peer-reviewed by many of the scientists in the southeastern United States who work on grouper populations–was intended for the lay audience, and thus distilled a complex body of information into a readable and easily understood form. The paper was also reviewed by a consultant for the Southeastern Fisheries Association, Dr. Trevor Kenchington of Gadus Associates (Nova Scotia), whose response is found on this website (see Kenchington review). Because Dr. Kenchington took such strong issue with our discussion of changes in sex ratio and genetics, we felt compelled to respond. Our response is included here (see Coleman et al. rebuttal).

News articles about the Northeastern Gulf Reserves

Other Controversies

The Tortugas Ecological Reserve
The Channel Island Reserves