Abstract: Organisms that accumulate calcium carbonate structures are particularly vulnerable to ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA), potentially reducing the socioeconomic benefits of ecosystems reliant on these taxa. Since rising atmospheric CO2 is responsible for global warming and increasing ocean acidity, to correctly predict how OW and OA...
Abstract: Herbivorous and detritivorous fishes interact closely with the epilithic algal matrix (EAM) on coral reefs. While sediment and organic detrital loads within the EAM might influence this interaction, the responses of functionally distinct fishes to changing sediment and organic loads have not been investigated. Aquarium based feeding trials...
Abstract: Concerns relating to continued habitat degradation in the coastal areas around Anguilla, combined with the recognition that ecological data is essential before effective management decisions can be made, led to the initiation of the Anguilla Marine Monitoring Programme in 2007. Now in its tenth year, surveys are undertaken...
Abstract: Coral restoration is gaining traction as a viable strategy to help restore degraded reefs. While the nascent field of coral restoration has rapidly progressed in the past decade, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers of restoration success that may impede our ability to effectively restore coral reef...
Abstract: The reactive oxygen species superoxide (O2 ) is both beneficial and detrimental to life. Within corals, superoxide may contribute to pathogen resistance but also bleaching, the loss of essential algal symbionts. Yet, the role of superoxide in coral health and physiology is not completely understood owing to a...
Abstract: Following recommendations made by a brief ecological study of the invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Anguilla during 2014, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources (DFMR) undertook an extensive year-long population assessment for the species between July 2015 and July 2016. Biometric and stomach content analysis were also...
Abstract: The aim of ecological restoration is to establish self-sustaining and resilient systems. In coral reef restoration, transplantation of nursery-grown corals is seen as a potential method to mitigate reef degradation and enhance recovery. The transplanted reef should be capable of recruiting new juvenile corals to ensure long-term resilience....
Abstract: Connectivity and its role in the persistence and sustainability of marine metapopulations are attracting increased attention from the scientific community and coastal resource managers. Whether protection should prioritize the connectivity structure or demographic characteristics of a given patch is still unclear. We design a three-stage population model to...
Abstract: Three species of sea turtles are regular visitors to the waters surrounding Anguilla: Chelonia mydas; Eretmochelys imbricata; and Dermochelys coriacea. A small number of reports have also been made regarding Caretta caretta sightings, but none of these were confirmed with direct evidence. Biometric measurements of turtles sampled in...
Abstract: Prior to 2014 little research had been conducted on the Anguilla conch fishery aside from indirect data collected by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources (DFMR) during annual monitoring of reef and seagrass areas, or via generic landing site visits and other observations. Due to a suspected...
