Document Type
Article
Abstract
In 1975, during photographic surveys of the continental shelf using the johnson-Sea-Link Research Submersible, scientists from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution discovered high relief pinnacles at depths of 70-100 m that were living coral reefs composed entirely of the ivory tree coral Oculina varicosa. Various research ensued including studies on coral growth rates, community structure of associated invertebrates and fishes, effects of upwelling, bioerosion, sediments, geology, and taxonomic studies of fish, decapods, mollusks, echinoderms, sipunculids, pycnogonids, and amphipods. During the 1970s these deep-water reefs were teeming with large populations of grouper, snapper, and amberjack. Fishing pressure from both commercial and recreational fishermen was intense, and by the early 1990s the fish populations and the coral had been severely impacted. Legislation in 2000 designated a 300 nmF (1029 km2) Oculina Coral Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) which prohibits use of anchors, bottom trawls, bottom longlines, dredges, fish traps and pots (Figure 1).
Publication Date
2000
Recommended Citation
This manuscript is an author version with the final publication available and may be cited as: Reed, J. K. (2000). Oculina coral banks of Florida: conservation and management of a deep-water reserve. In P. Hallock & L. French (Eds.), Diving for science in the 21st century: proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences twentieth annual symposium (pp. 2-4). Nahant, MA: American Academy of Underwater Sciences.
Comments
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 1378.