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Melanie McField / WWF

Status

Status

Data

Data Needs

Fish bite rate data are available from only a few sites

Additional fish grazing data are needed at a wider

in the region.

variety of sites in the MAR.

Herbivorous fish grazing rates measured in 2000 at

Ideally, both bite rate metrics could be collected in a

twelve AGRRA sites in Belize ranged from 1.4 bites/

MAR-wide pilot study, accomplishing a comparison

minute/m2 to 13.4 bites/min/m2 46. Fish grazing rates

of the metrics and allowing an assessment of their

relationship (if any) to other indicators [e.g., Fish

on patch and other shallow reefs generally tend to

Diversity (S2), Coral:Algae Ratio (S5), Fish Abundance

be higher than grazing rates on deeper fore reefs.

(S6), Herbivorous Fish Abundance (F11), Fleshy

Parrotfish can represent over half the fish grazing on

Macroalgal Index (F13)].

a reef.

Ultimately,  we  recommend  that  a  preferred

In Akumal, Mexico, fish herbivory rates were particularly

methodology for the region be agreed upon and

low in 1997, likely contributing to the high abundance

incorporated into monitoring programs, particularly in

of macroalgae found on these reefs.

MPAs.

Approximately 34% of Lobophora variegata assays had

fish bites (in 24 hrs), and 48% of Thalassia testudinum

assays were either bitten or eaten, averaged over

a one-year study in patch reefs at Glover's Reef

(1998/99)45. These rates were considered fairly low,

particularly for a marine protected area.

F14

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