Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is a natural live-bottom reef off the coast of Savannah, Georgia. The reef area teems with marine life, and provides critical habitat and spawning grounds for numerous endangered and threatened species, as well as many species of commercially and recreationally important fish. Working to ensure the health of the reef as a whole will help to keep the important and diverse species that live here thriving.
This project will identify possible areas for protection that have a strong, demonstrated ecological connection to Gray's Reef, benefiting fish populations and recreational fishing interests at the Sanctuary. To find important reef areas that act as a source of juvenile fish for Gray's Reef, we modeled ecological connectivity using larval movement. This will help locate areas that contribute high quantities of fish larvae to Gray's Reef, and replenish pressured fish populations. Protection of these high-contributing areas can address heavy fishing pressure on these species.
This project will identify possible areas for protection that have a strong, demonstrated ecological connection to Gray's Reef, benefiting fish populations and recreational fishing interests at the Sanctuary. To find important reef areas that act as a source of juvenile fish for Gray's Reef, we modeled ecological connectivity using larval movement. This will help locate areas that contribute high quantities of fish larvae to Gray's Reef, and replenish pressured fish populations. Protection of these high-contributing areas can address heavy fishing pressure on these species.
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Where is Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary?Gray's Reef is a Continental Shelf reef situated about 16 miles off the beautiful Georgia coast.
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Bren School of Environmental Science and ManagementThe Bren School develops interdisciplinary solutions to environmental problems, trains environmental leaders, and works for a sustainable future.
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