estimate for epibiont production in Jamaica of 180 g m ' 2 yr* 1 , but it is significantly 
less than a published estimate for epibiont production in Barbados. Turtle grass has 
been around since the late Cretaceous, and algae most likely have had a longer history. 
Therefore, epibionts may have been significant contributors since the late Cretaceous. 
1983 0 
Sorensen, C. E. (1983) Relationship of geochemical, biological, and sedimentological 
parameters in basins in Florida Bay, Florida. Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. . 15(1 ):1. 
[ABSTRACT ONLY. NO COPY OF PAPER AVAILABLE. ABSTRACT FROM SCHMIDT (1991).] 
This abstract presents information on recent studies of geochemical (C0 2 , 0 2 , pH, 
salinity), biological, and sedimentological (turbidity, grain size, composition) 
parameters within three basins (Madeira Bay, Captain and Shell Key basins) of Florida 
Bay. Preliminary results indicate that in all basins, as turbidity and pH increase, 0 2 , 
C0 2 and salinity decrease, proximity of sampling sites to tidal channels effects 
sedimentological and geochemical parameters, and faunal and floral distributions which 
effect geochemical parameters are dependent on depth. Between basins, grain-size and 
floral-faunal diversity increases in those basins with “normal" marine geochemical 
parameters. 
1983 - 1984 
Ehrhardt, N. M., D. J. Die, and V. R. Restrepo (1990) Abundance and impact of fishing on a 
stone crab ( Menippe mercenaria) population in Everglades National Park, Florida. Bull. Mar. 
Sci. . 46(2):31 1-23. 
The stone crab ( Menippe mercenaria) supports an important commercial fishery in 
southwest Florida. Heavy commercial exploitation of stone crab stocks in Everglades 
National Park prompted statements of concern about their status of utilization. During 
the 1983 and 1984 fishing seasons, tagging studies, diving surveys and monitoring of 
commercial fishing operations were implemented to assess abundance and rate of 
exploitation of localized stocks. Results indicate that an important stock is centered in 
the area off Cape Sable. The fishing season (15 October - 15 May) corresponded to a 
period between two consecutive recruitment seasons. An adult male stock recruited in 
the spring and summer of 1984 was almost fully utilized during the first 5 months of 
the season. The fishery was subsequently sustained by new 1985 spring recruitment. 
Abundance estimated for different population fractions resulted in similar relative 
seasonal trends. Fishing mortality associated with the 1984 fishing season was 0.751 
while expected natural mortality rate for the same period was 0.939. On an annual 
basis, exploitation rate for the stock is 0.318, which represents a 63.6% level of 
stock utilization. It is concluded that the fishing season may have a dual role of 
protecting berried females during peak summer spawning, as well as acting as a buffer 
against fishing exploitation. Under new regulations all commercial fishing activities in 
the Park ceased as of 31 December 1985. The need for assessment work to study 
population growth under conditions of no exploitation is indicated. 
1983 - 1984 
Harrigan, P. (1986) The food web of the gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus, a stable isotope 
approach. M. S. Thesis. University, of Viriginia, Charlottesville, VA. 117 pp. 
[NO COPY OF PAPER AVAILABLE. ABSTRACT FROM SCHMIDT (1991).] To determine if 
gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus, are dependent on seagrass as a base of nutritional 
support, a combined stomach content analysis and stable carbon and isotope analysis 
was utilized to assess the contribution of various primary organic sources to its food 
web from, each, a seagrass dominated (Florida Bay) and a mangrove dominated 
(Whitewater Bay) area. The results from the stomach contents analysis indicated that 
gray snapper from each food web had similar diets, consisting mostly of shrimp 
276 
