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Data

Data Needs

Pomacentridae (damselfishes), Labridae (wrasses),

Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes and tangs), Lutjanidae

Many different visual censuses have been used in

(sea perches and snappers), Haemulidae (grunts) and

the MAR, but few are directly comparable because

Serranidae (groupers and sea basses)8.

of different methodologies. Analyzing the widely used

The number of species (average of 197) and number of

Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)

families (48-54 families) are rather similar throughout

database for "within-guild fish diversity" provides a

the MAR; however, density and sighting frequencies

feasible option.

differ, depending on location. In the Caribbean, a

REEF data on density and sighting frequency are

total of 768 species has been reported, with Bonaire

available from 2,195 expert surveys in the MAR.

having the highest number of species (338). (These

data may also reflect the fact that more surveys have

Baseline and follow-up data representative of all

been conducted in Bonaire than in other areas)8.

reef types are needed across the region. A region-

wide fish survey was conducted in 2006 in the four

MAR countries. Meta-analyses of older (> 15 years)

publications and records are needed to establish

long-term targets.

S2

Wolcott Henry

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