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FISH BIOLOGYFISH BIOLOGY PROGRAM Mission Statement The goal of the Fish Biology Program is to
contribute to the successful management of coastal pelagic and reef fish
species. The focus is both national and international, including migratory
coastal pelagic and reef fish species, which form an important component in
United States, Latin America and the Caribbean fisheries.
Success in achieving these objectives will
result in the realization of the stated goal through utilization of acquired
life history and fish physiology data to evaluate and recommend management
strategies for these species.
The Coastal Pelagic Tagging Program and the Reef Fish Tagging Program were initiated in 1990 to obtain information on these species. Volunteer taggers include scientists, charter boat
captains, and commercial and recreational fishermen. Tagging sites extend from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola to the Florida Keys and in the Atlantic from Miami to St. Augustine. A few cobia and greater amberjack
have been tagged in the South Atlantic off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A number of dolphin have been tagged off Africa. Funding for the programs is derived mostly from donations from fishing organizations, both commercial and
recreational. Data from the programs have provided the basis for scientific publications, and 3 successful research proposals. The data have also been utilized by NOAA/NMFS personnel for stock assessments and the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council. Information from the programs has been disseminated to the public during presentations at fishing clubs, in newspaper articles and during guest appearances on radio and television broadcasts.
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Web Site Design: Don Marshall |
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY
