Objective #5: Protect areas with high percent coral coverage, density and/or species richness
% Hard Coral Cover
3%-34%
State park is located there and some protection already exists; there could be a partnership in management with the park service.
Good Habitat, good back reef/intercoastal area, important area for fishing historically. Good connectivity between habitats.
Want to extend to include protection for Bathtub Reef.
With regards to extending the Northern Boundary to Bathtub reef, OFR wanted to focus on the reef tract solely; but there could be exceptions/partnerships with other groups/agencies if it is necessary for protection/area of interest.
% Reef within PU
% Soft Coral Cover
5%-38%
Objective# 6: Protect 20-30% of each type of representative reefs and associated habitats in the SEFCRI region from extractive use (no take)
% Sponge Cover
A. cervicornis Presence
Visual-Include Areas
Artificial Reefs
Visual
Objective #8: Provide increased protection for key reef associated fish species and the habitats upon which they depend for their entire life cycle.
Central St. Lucie Inlet State Park - Higher fish richness. Higher number of fish. Higher coral. Higher % reef.
More ridge compared to the South St. Lucie State Park drawing.
Includes one SECREMP monitoring station.
The differences between these 2 options are probably interchangeable from a conservation perspective.
These can be options A and B for this region. These options will likely achieve objective 1 and 3 for this section of the reef.
Wanted to protect wormrock and colonized pavement.
Group discussed advantages and disadvantages of having the area nearer/further from the inlet.
# Hard Coral Species
Low
% Hard Coral Cover
3%-34%
% Reef within PU
10%
Anchoring Data
Medium-High
Objective# 6: Protect 20-30% of each type of representative reefs and associated habitats in the SEFCRI region from extractive use (no take)
Objective# 1: Protect areas that are unique within the SEFCRI region
# Fish Species
South St. Lucie Inlet State Park- More nearshore hardbottom habitat compared to ridge is in this location vs. the central box. Argue that the ridge might be better quality habitat.
Wanted to protect wormrock and colonized pavement
Group discussed advantages and disadvantages of having the area nearer/further from the inlet.
# Hard Coral Species
% Hard Coral Cover
3%-34%
Objective# 6: Protect 20-30% of each type of representative reefs and associated habitats in the SEFCRI region from extractive use (no take)
% Reef within PU
Distance From Inlets
Ease of Access
Fish Density
Fishing Pressure
Visual
#
N-146 Objectives Considered
Features
Values
Discussion
4
Objective #3: Seasonal protection of spawning aggregations
% Hard Coral Cover
Low (0-1%)
Data and local knowledge: Not necessarily high coral area but high relief area offshore (i.e., fish aggregation are high such as snapper).
Wanted to include artificial reefs to the north and then extended it through the entire ledge.
It was brought to the group’s attention there was a lot of fishing that goes on in the area, depending on what is implemented in the box, it is important to note when moving forward.
Sightseeing diving occurs at 80-100’ fishermen would be happy.
Objective# 6: Protect 20-30% of each type of representative reefs and associated habitats in the SEFCRI region from extractive use (no take)
Artificial Reefs
Visual-Include Areas
Fish Density
Objective #8: Provide increased protection for key reef associated fish species and the habitats upon which they depend for their entire life cycle.
Spawning Aggregations
Visual-Include Areas
5
Objective #3: Seasonal protection of spawning aggregations
# Reef Fish Species
30-56 Species
Maybe trolling would still be allowed and this box would limit box fishing.
Includes 2 reef lines.
Includes artificial reefs to the north.
It is a unique area that stands out.
Later we will go back and identify what’s going on there.
Beach renourishment is also an issue, consider the location of borrow area. If we draw the box over this region, will that affect beach renourishment?
Management plan established for this region would need to determine if beach renourishment would be allowed or not.
