2S2 



Coasral <& Murine Eco.mlem.y— Our Living Riwtnmes 



20 m 



Key Largo 

 National Marine 

 Sanctuary 



I— Jotin Pennel<amp 

 Coral Reef Slate Park 



Lower ■ 



I- Middle ■ 



Upper 



Fig. 1. The upper, inidiile. and 

 lower Florida Keys. National 

 marine sanctuaries, national parks, 

 national wildlife refuges, and 

 aquatic preserves ;u-e also shown 

 (modified from maps provided by 

 James A. Reed 11, Florida Marine 

 Research Institute). Various colors 

 used simply to delineate designat- 

 ed areas. 



and improved fishing gear and vessel technolo- 

 gy. Although fishing can directly reduce stocks, 

 other human activities also can damage 

 resources and affect fish, including pollution, 

 sedimentation, habitat loss from land-use prac- 

 tices, and vessel groundings. For example, habi- 

 tat changes in Florida Bay have been attributed 

 to water management and land-use practices in 

 southern Florida (Mclvor et al. 1994). 



Fig. 2. Extensive use of resources 

 in the Florida Keys: Looe Key 

 (spur and groove zone). 



Because of insufficient data, population 

 trends and stock condition are impossible to 

 determine for many species. Few fishery-inde- 

 pendent data exist and fishery-dependent data 

 have been limited to a relatively few years, to 

 certain species, or to specific fishery compo- 

 nents. Analyses are complicated because of the 

 many species targeted, the large number of fish- 

 eries operating out of different ports, the num- 

 ber of different fishing methods used, and the 

 many different fishing objectives, especially 

 within the recreational fishery. 



Some fishery trends are apparent despite 

 data limitations. King mackerel (Scomher- 

 omoms cavalki) stocks collapsed in the early 

 1980's, but recovered somewhat after manage- 

 ment measures were implemented. Pink shrimp 

 (Peuaeus duomntm) and grouper (Serranidae) 

 landings have declined, and fisheries for queen 

 conch (Strombiis gigas). Nassau grouper 

 (Epinephelus striatus). and jewfish 

 (Epinephehis itajara) were closed because of 

 reduced stock size. Increased landings reported 

 for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). stone 

 crab (Menippe mercenaria). blue crab 

 (Callinectes sapidus), and yellowtail snapper 

 (Ocyunis civysiinis) mostly reflect increased or 

 redirected fishing efforts. For example, amber- 

 jack became commercially targeted only in the 

 mid-1980"s after king mackerel and red snapper 

 {Lutjaniis campechamts) landings declined. 

 Landings of some species such as mutton snap- 

 per (L. analis), gray snapper (L griseiis}, and 



