Genomic Techniques for Reef Fisheries Management

Florida’s coral reef fish populations are under threat due to compounding human pressures. This proposal addresses key challenges in fisheries conservation by employing a multi-faceted approach encompassing habitat suitability modeling, comparative seascape genomics, and larval dispersal kernels across Florida and the Greater Caribbean. four reef fish species, including the Atlantic blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus), doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus), queen parrotfish (Scarus vetula) and yellowtail parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) have been selected for the project. These exploited species are crucial to fisheries management, stakeholders and coral reef resilience. By leveraging habitat suitability modeling, the study will assess the distribution of reef fish populations under various climate change scenarios and anthropogenic pressures. By employing spatial data and comparative seascape genomics will pinpoint adaptive alleles linked to distinct environmental conditions, in addition to revealing population structure and sources of recruitment to Florida’s populations. Furthermore, the project aims to quantify larval dispersal patterns using isolation-by-distance models, shedding light on population connectivity dynamics. By leveraging existing data and collaborations, this study aims to advance our understanding of marine ecosystem responses to anthropogenic stressors and inform conservation strategies in the Greater Caribbean and South Florida, ultimately contributing to preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health in these critical regions.