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Tropical Marine Ecology Program

Patch Reefs

The harvesting of marine resources accounts for approximately 20% of The Bahamas’ GDP. The fishing effort is concentrated on a few specific species, particularly the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), the queen conch (Strombus gigas), and the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). In recent years, there has been a decline in the abundance and size of these commercially important species, and stakeholders are concerned that it is a direct result of overfishing. In response, the Bahamian government proposed a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in 2000 in an attempt to protect declining fish populations and ecologically important habitats.

One of the proposed MPAs is directly adjacent to the Cape Eleuthera Institute campus and encompasses numerous patch reefs as well as coastal flats. Patch reefs are small, isolated coral reefs that serve as a critical transitional habitat for many commercially important species, including the Nassau grouper and Caribbean spiny lobster. Because of their proximity to shore, patch reefs are prime fishing grounds for artisanal fishermen, rendering them especially vulnerable to fishing pressure. Additionally, because patch reefs often serve as habitats for juvenile fish, over exploitation of these habitats can have a cascading effect on entire populations.

The patch reef research project at the Cape Eleuthera Institute focuses on both the ecological and the human aspects of commercial fishing in The Bahamas. Since 2003, Island School students working with Cape Eleuthera Institute researchers have conducted field studies on the abundance and distribution of commercially important species on patch reefs around Cape Eleuthera. Findings indicate that there has been a significant shift in the population structure of Nassau grouper. The proportion of sub-adults is increasing while the proportion of adults is decreasing, a trend indicative of growth overfishing. Population data for all species surveyed has been incorporated into geographical information systems (GIS) to study the spatial variation in the distribution and abundance of commercially important species both within and outside the boundaries of the proposed MPA. Following the establishment of the south Eleuthera MPA, this information will allow a “before and after” assessment of the efficiency of the MPA in reestablishing fish populations.

Marine protected areas can be effective fisheries management tools, though their success depends on acceptance and support from local communities. As a result, the Cape Eleuthera Institute has supported local fisheries stakeholders in the establishment of the South Eleuthera Fishermen’s Association (SEFA). SEFA provides a forum for fishermen to discuss their fishing needs and practices in relation to existing and proposed regulations and allows effective communication between the fishing industry, government policy makers, NGOs, and researchers.

Cape Eleuthera Institute is proud to support the mission of the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF) to promote a sustainable relationship between Bahamians, visitors, and the marine environment.