Apr 27, 2017 · Fish that inhabit a coral reef play essential roles in the reef ecosystem, and reefs without fish struggle to recover from bleaching or other events that damage the coral.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning The most commonly reported marine toxin disease in the world is Ciguatera, associated with consumption of contaminated reef fish such as barracuda, grouper, and snapper. Under-diagnosis and under-reporting (especially in endemic areas such as the Caribbean) make it difficult to know the true worldwide incidence of the Marine Toxin …

1 Sharks A balance of predators and prey ensures enough resources for everyone who call the reef home. Though the label “apex predator” doesn’t apply to all sharks passing through a reef, large species like hammerheads and tiger sharks take the top spot in the food chain since they eat smaller “mesopredators” like the whitetip reef shark. Reef sharks (and big fish like grouper) …

Dec 19, 2024 · A new study published in Marine Resource Economics, led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), examines the correlation between fish yield and live coral habitats. Researchers analyzed the yields of nine fisheries dependent on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef from 2016 to 2020.

Feb 15, 2005 · For decades, the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) was one of the most sought-after fish species in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, from the Bahamas to Central America. These large, delicious fish live among coral reefs and have a breeding behavior that makes them especially vulnerable. They come together in aggregations of thousands to spawn …

Jul 16, 2024 · A healthy reef protects coastlines from wave damage, plays a critical role in providing food, boosts the economy, and provides materials for pharmaceuticals. It also houses thousands of species at various stages of their life cycles, providing essential habitat for species ranging from fish to shrimp to sea slugs.

Apr 21, 2022 · Larval dispersal for coral reef fishes “really is the critical component of what hopefully will lead to new spatial management techniques that allow us to do a better job of optimizing both conservation and food security for people who live near reefs,” he says.

May 18, 2023 · The chirps, grunts, and snaps of fish, shrimp, and other reef inhabitants are hallmarks of a healthy coral community rich in animals moving, feeding, calling out to potential mates, and fending off predators.

Oct 15, 2008 · A parade of schoolmaster snapper swims by me, their neon yellow fins directing traffic. Echoing in the background is the rhythmic crunch of striped parrotfish nibbling on coral polyps. I’m chasing brightly colored coral reef fish through turquoise waters during a childhood vacation to the Cayman Islands. Back on land,…

The scale of larval dispersal of marine organisms is important for the design of networks of marine protected areas. We examined the fate of coral reef fish larvae produced at a small island reserve, using a mass-marking method based on maternal transmission of stable isotopes to offspring. Approximately 60% of settled juveniles were spawned at the island, for species with both short …