The waters along Florida’s coastline attract millions of recreational anglers and thousands of commercial fishers. Marine Fisheries Research biologists study the fish and invertebrates found in the state’s saltwater environments, gathering data important for the management of these species. The section’s research includes collecting and analyzing fishing data, monitoring species status and abundance, investigating biological information, and breeding and rearing certain species to enhance or rebuild their populations.
SECTION OVERVIEW
Highlights on Current Research
Gulf Fishery Independent Survey of Habitat and Ecosystem Resources (G-FISHER) Project funded by the RESTORE Program
Driven by a need for more comprehensive data on reef-associated fishes, the Marine Fisheries Management group launched a project to improve fisheries-independent monitoring data in the Gulf of Mexico.
Movement Ecology and Reproductive Resilience of Gag in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Spurred on by concerned anglers, the Marine Fisheries Management group launched a study to try and determine the reason behind a notable decrease in the number of male gag grouper found in the Gulf of Mexico.