Abstract:
The ivory tree coral, Oculina varicosa, is known to form reefs only in deep water (80-100
meters) off the central Atlantic coast of Florida. These unique reefs support high levels of
biodiversity, and provide important spawning habitat for commercially important fish species
such as snappers and groupers. The fragile, slow-growing Oculina reefs are easily destroyed by
bottom trawls, and other types of bottom fishing gear. In 1984 the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council established the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC),
banning all bottom trawling in a portion of the reef system. The protected area was expanded in
1994 to include most of the Oculina reefs. However, recent surveys showed that about 90% of
the reefs have been destroyed, mainly by bottom trawling for rock shrimp. This project is an
analysis of why the Oculina reefs are almost gone despite many years of protection, and what
could be done to improve enforcement and protection of the Oculina HAPC.
Information was collected from literature research, and conversations with several
stakeholders and experts on issues relevant to the Oculina HAPC. Four main policy problems
emerged: a historical lack of enforcement in the rock shrimp fishery, continuing lack of
enforcement in the snapper grouper fishery, insufficient penalties for violations of the HAPC
regulations, and a lack of funding for research, enforcement, education, and outreach. The pros
and cons of six potential solutions to address these problems are discussed: (1) require VMS in
the snapper grouper fishery; (2) establish acoustic monitoring systems in the OECA; (3) increase
penalties for violations of the Oculina HAPC; (4) increase funding for research, enforcement,
education, and outreach; (5) expand the Oculina HAPC; and (6) establish part or all of the
Oculina HAPC as a National Marine Sanctuary. It is important to establish effective protections
for the Oculina HAPC, not only to conserve the remaining Oculina reef ecosystems, but to learn
how to prevent such widespread destruction of other deep-sea coral ecosystems.
