Upcoming Events
MS Project Presentation - Environmental Science and Policy
Apr 26, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Johnson Center Room E (334)
MS Project
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Richard Brown
Date and Time: April 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Location: Johnson Center Room E (334)
Title: Temporal trends in lionfish catch per unit effort (CPUE) transition from stable to increasing following reduced removals in 2020.
Project Director: Dr. T. Reid Nelson
Committee: Dr. Esther C. Peters and Dr. Diego Valderrama
ABSTRACT
Since their introduction, lionfish have negatively impacted ecosystems in the western Atlantic. Eradication of lionfish is unobtainable, but removals have mitigated adverse impacts of high-density populations. To employ adaptative management, understanding population responses to variable regimes is critical. Therefore, to determine population responses to removals within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, I modeled temporal trends in lionfish relative abundance using catch per unit effort (CPUE). Reduced removals in 2020 corresponded with a significant breakpoint where CPUE transitioned from relatively stable to increasing. These results indicate removal programs must employ high levels of sustained effort to control lionfish populations.