- Titusville, Florida USA
- We currently have projects in Kenya, the Mediterranean, and the UK. Projects include marine protected area biodiversi... moreWe currently have projects in Kenya, the Mediterranean, and the UK. Projects include marine protected area biodiversity, shark ecology in Kenya, and marine microplastics. Additionally, I work at the interface of religion and marine ecology, developing resources to motivate particularly the global Christian community to engage in marine conservation.edit
From Journal of Ecotheology - exposition of key Biblical themes on the marine research and conservation.
Ghost crab (Ocypode species) burrow densities have been previously used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact. This study aimed to assess the burrow density of Ocypode species (O. ryderi and O. cordimanus) at four sites across Watamu... more
Ghost crab (Ocypode species) burrow densities have been previously used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact. This study aimed to assess the burrow density of Ocypode species (O. ryderi and O. cordimanus) at four sites across Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya. Two sites were in front of hotel complexes (denoting a high
degree of urbanisation), and two were in front of residential housing among coastal scrub (denoting a low degree of urbanisation). The findings reveal significantly higher burrow densities at sites in front of residential housing, which was the less developed area. This provides further evidence that Ocypode burrow densities can be used, where
other methods would be impractical, to estimate the impact of some human activities along beach fronts, such as at Watamu Marine National Park.
degree of urbanisation), and two were in front of residential housing among coastal scrub (denoting a low degree of urbanisation). The findings reveal significantly higher burrow densities at sites in front of residential housing, which was the less developed area. This provides further evidence that Ocypode burrow densities can be used, where
other methods would be impractical, to estimate the impact of some human activities along beach fronts, such as at Watamu Marine National Park.
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Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) are an important coral reef fish, both economically and ecologically. Intense fishing pressure has been shown to decrease the abundance and average size of this species. Marine reserves have been... more
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) are an important coral reef fish, both economically and ecologically. Intense fishing pressure has been shown to decrease the abundance and average size of this species. Marine reserves have been suggested as areas which can ameliorate the effects of intense fishing pressure and protect the size, abundance, and reproductive output of targeted species ; as well as provide benefits to fisheries outside of the reserve. This benefit will be through export of biomass by larval transport and/or adult emigration. The benefits of a marine fishery reserve in the central Bahamas, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), were evaluated with regard to these factors. Seventy-four sites among four coral reef and hard-bottom habitat types were sampled along the northern Exuma Cays from Sail Rocks to Staniel Cay, a distance of approximately 90 km. Habitats were selected within, north and south of the park. Groupers are known to be associated with coral reef and hard-bottom habitats, thus it was hypothesized that habitat type might influence grouper distribution in addition to fishing pressure. Underwater visual censuses were completed using ten 20-m x 5-m transects at each site. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate differences in density and biomass relative to protection and habitat type. The average biomass and size of Nassau grouper was statistically greater inside the ECLSP than outside. There was no significant difference in the average biomass among habitat types. The average biomass of Nassau grouper at sites within 5 km of park boundaries was more similar to sites inside the park than sites greater than 5 km. It is suggested that this is due to the movement of individuals across park boundaries. Reproductive output (no. eggs ha-) was over six times higher inside the ECLSP than outside. We conclude that : 1) the ECLSP is adequately protecting Nassau grouper resources , 2) habitat was relative unimportant in affecting their distribution, and 3) the ECLSP is exporting Nassau grouper biomass across park boundaries .
The relatively little-studied fish fauna off southeastern Hispaniola was rapidly assessed using a combination of visual survey techniques including transects and roving diver surveys. It was found that when combined, both methods... more
The relatively little-studied fish fauna off southeastern Hispaniola was rapidly assessed using a combination of visual survey techniques including transects and roving diver surveys. It was found that when combined, both methods provided a more complete overall species assessment than either method was able to provide in isolation. Being able to conduct rapid species assessments is becoming increasingly more important as a conservation tool. Data on species composition , sighting frequency, and abundance of all fishes were collected using both methods. Abundance was recorded in four logarithmic-based categories (roving diver method) while the number of fishes were counted within 40-m 2 transects (transect method). Both methods were similar in recording the most abundant species, while a greater number of rare species (especially fishery-targeted species) were recorded with the roving diver method. The most abundant groupers were Cephalo-pholis cruentata and C. fulva. The most abundant parrotfishes were Scarus taeniopterus, Sparisoma auro-frenatum, and Scarus iserti. The most conspicuous differences between fishes off southeastern Hispaniola and elsewhere in the tropical western Atlantic were the low abundance and smaller size of harvested species such as groupers, snappers (Fam. Lutjanidae), and grunts (Fam. Haemulidae). With the roving diver method, more time could be spent surveying (instead of placing transect lines), resulting in a greater number of species being recorded. Additionally, well-trained volunteers can adopt the roving diver method as part of their regular diving program. Transect surveys were able to provide information such as length (biomass) and actual density measures that were not recorded in roving diver surveys. Thus, these methods were complementary and should be used in conjunction when conducting rapid assessments of fish assemblages, especially to detect the effects of overfishing.
Reefs on India’s west coast have been little studied. We report on surveys conducted on this coast. Percent coverage of major benthic groups were determined using line intercept transects. Coral diversity was low... more
Reefs on India’s west coast have been little studied.
We report on surveys conducted on this coast.
Percent coverage of major benthic groups were
determined using line intercept transects. Coral
diversity was low relative to other coral reef habitats
in India with 20 species observed. Bottom coverage
was dominated by algae, ranging from 24a63%. Coral
cover was low (<1%) at southwestern sites with
central sites having up to 34% cover. Significant
coral bleaching was observed at Grand Island, Goa.
Southwestern sites had significant barnacle and
mussel communities. These rocky reefs differ
significantly from the other main coral reef locations
in India. These coral communities are clearly
impacted by anthropogenic and environmental
factors. These lower diversity reefs withstand
significant stress, especially from sedimentation and
may indicate the future of high stressed continental
coral reefs.
We report on surveys conducted on this coast.
Percent coverage of major benthic groups were
determined using line intercept transects. Coral
diversity was low relative to other coral reef habitats
in India with 20 species observed. Bottom coverage
was dominated by algae, ranging from 24a63%. Coral
cover was low (<1%) at southwestern sites with
central sites having up to 34% cover. Significant
coral bleaching was observed at Grand Island, Goa.
Southwestern sites had significant barnacle and
mussel communities. These rocky reefs differ
significantly from the other main coral reef locations
in India. These coral communities are clearly
impacted by anthropogenic and environmental
factors. These lower diversity reefs withstand
significant stress, especially from sedimentation and
may indicate the future of high stressed continental
coral reefs.
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Research Interests: Fisheries and Aquaculture
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Research Interests: Fisheries and Aquaculture
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Chapter 1: Marine Parks and the goals of the Exuma Grouper Project
Chapter 2: Assessment of marine habitats
Chapter 3: Assessment of Grouper Assemblages
Chapter 4: Management Recommendations and Future Research
Chapter 2: Assessment of marine habitats
Chapter 3: Assessment of Grouper Assemblages
Chapter 4: Management Recommendations and Future Research