The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially
characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size
of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster,
Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data
collected on associated benthic composition parameters; 3) To
use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary
for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To
establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To
work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop
data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies
for transference to other agencies and to work toward
standardizing data collection throughout the US states and
territories. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring
and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has been conducting
research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and
2001, respectively. It is critical, with recent changes in
management at both locations (e.g. implementation