Buck Island fish and shellfish populations

Tobias, William; Telemaque, Eric; Davis, Michael

Counted reef fish, conch and lobster at Buck Island Reef, St. Croix from November 1985-June 1986. Compared results with previous studies. Also looked at the differences between an area that was somewhat protected from fishing and one which was not protected. Includes a list of fish species with their relative abundance. Based on a comparison of fish community census studies at Buck Island Reef National Monument, an area of limited fishing pressure and Tague bay, St. Croix, an area of unrestricted fishing pressure, Buck Island Reef National Monument reef fishes appeared to be declining at a rate equal to or greater than fishes at Tague Bay. The most abundant group of commercially important reef fish species at Buck Island Reef were the herbivores represented by the Scaridae (parrotfishes: stoplight, princess, redtail and redband) and the Acanthuridae (blue tang and ocean surgeonfish). Mean conch density in the seagrass bed west of Buck Island during the study period was 1 conch/7 square meters. More than 98% of the conch censused lacked a flared lip. The average density of spiny lobster at the west patch reef, north patch reef and south patch reef was 1 lobster/520 square meters, 1 lobster/110 square meters and 1 lobster/1150 square meters respectively. Based on sampling interviews with commercial fisherman and fish trap studies at Buck Island Reef National Monument, it is estimated that over 6,5000 lb of reef fish and 2000 lb. of lobster may be removed from Buck Island Reef waters by 16 fish traps hauled 2x/week. An additional 8,000 lb. of reef fish may be removed in the 29 fish traps set adjacent to Buck Island waters. It was concluded that due to the small size of the protected area at Buck Island, reef fish and shellfish populations are adversely impacted by a relatively small but concentrated commercial and recreational fishing effort both in and adjacent to reef waters.