'%Healthy Reefs for Healthy People - A Guide to Indicators of Reef Health and Social Well-being in the Mesoamerican Reef Region%'%by Melanie McField and Patricia Kramer%

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Usefulness

Status

A strength of this indicator is that it can respond to

Herbivorous parrotfish biomass in the MAR averages

management actions (i.e., if fishing pressure changes,

1302 g/100m2, with greater biomass on reef crests

(1390 g/100m2) than on fore reefs (1267 g/100m2).

changes will be observed in fish abundance).

The MAR average is lower than the Caribbean average

Parrotfish tend to have relatively small home ranges.

value (2074 g/100m2)9.

Therefore their abundances tend to be fairly consistent

At many reefs, few herbivorous fishes greater than 20

under constant conditions and are reflective of

cm in length are found9.

conditions in the immediate reef area.

Data Needs

Data

Herbivore biomass can vary naturally with depth and

habitat type, and is also affected by abundance of

Data from the ongoing regional AGRRA survey will

predators.

enhance our understanding of the natural distributions

of herbivorous fish and biomass in relation to reef

For some species, like the largest parrotfish (rainbow

location, reef type and condition, and predator

parrotfish), their abundance also depends on the

abundance.

availability of mangroves for critical (obligatory)

nursery habitat.

A comparison of the herbivorous fish biomass within

and outside MPAs in the MAR is needed. Such an

Herbivorous fish abundance is easy and inexpensive

analysis could help focus management efforts on

to monitor.

highest priority areas.

If increased protective measures are implemented,

the effectiveness of these measures needs to be

tracked.

Bob Steneck

F11