Fisheries habitat of the Virgin Islands region of ecological importance to the fishery resources of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve

Boulon, Ralf

Ten habitat types in eight locations adjacent to the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve were selected and sampled for their resident assemblages of commercially important fish species. It is recognized that fishery stocks are distributed and interact without any consideration of man-made boundaries and thus, areas adjacent to the Biosphere Reserve may be ecologically important to the fishery stocks within the Biosphere Reserve. Habitat types which could have high ecological importance can be divided into two groups; nursery habitats (development and recruitment source for adjacent habitats) and reproductive habitats (production of eggs and larvae to supply nursery habitats). However, given the planktonic phase of most reef fish larvae and the migratory nature of the pelagic species of fish as well as conch and lobster. it is difficult to assess the actual influence of any particular reproductive site on the adjacent habitats. The area sampled with the greatest potential for affecting fishery stocks in the Biosphere Reserve is the Coral Bay/Hurricane Hole area on St. John. Its importance as a nursery/juvenile refuge habitat is well documented and its location to windward (up current) of a large portion of the Biosphere Reserve makes the inter-relationship very strong. It is strongly recommended that this nursery/juvenile refuge habitat be considered as a protected area. particularly the Hurricane Hole portion of Coral Bay, as the National Park Service does have control over the coastland bordering these bodies of water. Although the actual influence is not quantifiable, certain offshore habitats with high reproductive value (raised bank pavement for lobsters and fish; deep algal plains for conch) must also be considered in trying to put together the overall picture. These offshore habitats occur in both the United States and British Virgin Islands and may affect one as well as the other due to our proximity. It is therefore recommended that the Virgin Island s Biosphere Reserve concept be expanded to consider Rome of the adjacent areas which may be inter-related with fishery stocks within the Biosphere Reserve. Research on actual inter-relationships. protection from development and management for sustainable yield are all of high importance.