rotenone as the primary sampling technique. While rotenone will 
kill most fishes and many of the more cryptic or secretive species, 
it is not a quantitative sampling method; several larger fishes, 
especially sharks, rays, and some pelagic and benthic bony fishes 
will actively avoid rotenone. 
The present study utilized an observational and recording 
technique adapted from Jones and Thompson (1978). The need for 
replicate series sampling precluded the use of ichthyocides. 
Jones and Thompson compared results of their technique in reefs at 
John Pennekamp State Park off Key Largo (Monroe County), Florida 
with Starck's (1968) study using rotenone at Alligator Reef (Monroe 
County), Florida. Their study showed that the observational and 
recording technique of eight replicates per station accounted for 
93.5 percent of the more commonly occurring suprabenthic (above- 
bottom) fishes on Florida reefs. However, the technique did not 
account for the majority of cryptic species. . 
II. MATERIALS, METHODS, AND PROCEDURES 
The assessment of fish populations adjacent to borrow areas 
off Hallandale began in September 1978 and was completed in 
March 1979. Fishes were observed and recorded by a technique 
adapted from Jones and Thompson (1978). The procedure required a 
pair of observers, equipped with scuba, a watch, and an underwater 
writing slate. The divers were allowed 50 minutes to locate and 
record as many fish species as possible within the confines of the 
study area. There were no specific transects. 
The 50-minute diving time was subdivided into five 10- 
minute periods. Species were recorded only once and tallied in the 
specific 10-minute interval in which they were first seen. Fishes 
occurring within the first 10-minute interval were given a score 
of five, those within the second interval a four, etc., to the 
fifth interval for a score of one. The assumption is that the 
species occurring within the earliest time intervals are likely to 
be the most abundant. 
Each diver's species tally at the end of the 50-minute dive 
was considered as one run. There were 10 runs or replicates made 
in the surf zone, 12 runs on the first reef, and 12 runs on the 
second reef. The number of runs was considered sufficient in a 
particular area when no new species were observed in two consecutive 
dives. 
The scores for each species from each run were summed and 
averaged. The values ranged from 0.08 to 5.0. These figures were 
then plotted on a graph against their frequency of occurrence. 
Cutoff points were then assigned five abundance ratings: species 
with values ranging from 0.08 to 0.42 were considered rare (R); 
0.50 to 1.58, occasional (0); 1.67 to 2.75, frequent (F); and 
2.83 to 3.92, common (C). A species with a value ranging from 4.0 
to 5.0 was given an abundant (A) rating. These ratings were then 
compared with those of Courtenay, et al. (1974). 
