tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post2896813847663742649..comments2024-01-03T03:34:52.941-08:00Comments on Haint Blue: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Red SnapperThe Haint Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13556229094835230585noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-81026142044062018722017-05-02T12:12:20.775-07:002017-05-02T12:12:20.775-07:00I think this issue has a large up hill battle beca...I think this issue has a large up hill battle because of the state of other coral reefs across the world. Rep snapper may just be another species that we lose due to the decrease in reefs. This reminds me of the issues surrounding the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. While I was studying there the Prime Minister was looking into dredging more area near it which would effect the reef negatively. There was was a lof to push back by the public however because of the tourism aspects of the reef. I wonder if that would help this issue. By creating some eco tourism the issue could gain some more public attention.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14884057468076290900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-1708234964179636602017-02-27T10:33:31.805-08:002017-02-27T10:33:31.805-08:00It is interesting (and alarming) that coral bleach...It is interesting (and alarming) that coral bleaching and degraded habitat have posed more of a threat to snapper populations in the protected sanctuary areas than illegal harvesting does. As Kathy explains, this is alarming because the enforcement bodies can not combat or regulate acidification or salinity. I think creating habitat artificially and maybe even closing off the corridor between the two adjacent reefs are good alternatives. I wonder, though, how closing off the 15 mile passage might affect the fisheries and travel paths of vessels whose industry depends on that territory. Would it be welcomed to save the snapper, or opposed as a territorial take-over?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04795301747038942488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-8214380268005491002017-02-23T15:33:08.702-08:002017-02-23T15:33:08.702-08:00Marine fisheries seem to always face difficult tim...Marine fisheries seem to always face difficult times and it is apparent in Kathy's post. I think the artificial reef solution would be very beneficial and would could even be used for ecotourism, helping the coastal communities. It seems apparent that this issue is important and affects a lot of people. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803435221753571167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-37649425981992574032017-02-23T10:54:19.557-08:002017-02-23T10:54:19.557-08:00I really like your solution of including the 15 mi...I really like your solution of including the 15 miles in between the two reefs. I think you could combine the two solutions you proposed. That 15-mile stretch can become apart of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary along with adding artificial reefs in that 15 miles. This would create a corridor for the red snapper along with new habitat and protection from overfishing. It is hard to mitigate ocean acidification because basic solutions cannot be added. I feel all we can do to help fisheries in the face of this problem is creating new habitat. Some corals are known to be more tolerant to acidity so hopefully there will come a day where the coral species have adapted to the new ocean acidity. Betsy Baldwinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-38620835030256920662017-02-21T15:12:38.670-08:002017-02-21T15:12:38.670-08:00The situation surrounding the red snapper in the F...The situation surrounding the red snapper in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is one that is not uncommon. Despite being afforded protection by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, there are so many factors that intertwine to contribute to the status of the red snapper that it is hard to control all of them. Coral bleaching is a symptom of a larger problem that virtually everyone contributes to. Managing to control such large issues like acidification that have so many contributors is a massive undertaking in itself and demand for seafood in general continues to increase. After reading the alternatives provided above but also thinking about last week's aquaculture post, I wonder how well the red snapper would fare in aquaculture to relieve some of the demand for the species as well as the ecosystem in the sanctuary. Jennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-35049022044811598612017-02-21T14:26:45.593-08:002017-02-21T14:26:45.593-08:00Kathy makes some great connections between coral b...Kathy makes some great connections between coral bleaching and the life history of the red snapper. This issue will become increasingly important as oceans continue to acidify and warm as a result of global warming. I like the idea of artificial reefs. Like Chris said, there is a great deal of support for this alternative. It would be interesting to do a cost-effectiveness analysis to see how much it costs to implement these artificial reefs, and if the stock numbers increase as a result of more suitable and sustainable habitat. If so, the revenue value of commercial landings might be well worth the cost of implementation. This problem is likely experienced in other fish stocks, making it highly applicable across the board for reef-dwelling fish. Can't wait to see the final product of this research! Caitlin Lashbrooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219022853579038805.post-23540260045198535762017-02-20T20:04:38.199-08:002017-02-20T20:04:38.199-08:00Unfortunately, it seems time and again we see mari...Unfortunately, it seems time and again we see marine fisheries facing difficult times. There is an increase in demand as well as a decrease in supply for wild caught fish species. The National Marine Sanctuaries Act in theory addresses one critical part of preserving natural stocks: habitat protection. Without proper habitat, it is impossible for any species to survive. However, this is one small piece to the puzzle. As described by Kathy, other problems threaten the survival of Red Snapper and other marine species alike. Warming ocean temperatures coupled with pollution are major threats that are even more dynamic and more far reaching than the systemic issues plaguing fisheries management. I think the alternatives offered by Kathy are sound. Artificial reefs are proven to be successful. One other option to look at are the projects that grow coral reefs from the polyp stage as an effort to combat coral bleaching. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03712406810848366946noreply@blogger.com