Marine Ecosystem Event Response and Assessment (MEERA). Community based reporting and response to events in the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem : final report (May 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011).

Abstract

This is a program that utilizes community based reporting ("community observers") for early response to events in the coral reef ecosystem in the Florida Keys. As population growth continues to increase and large-scale restoration efforts are implemented throughout South Florida, there is an increasing concern that human activities may cause, or exacerbate, episodic marine events such as harmful algal blooms or diseases of reef organisms. To determine the impact of events and whether anthropogenic links exist requires that information about the frequency, distribution, extent, duration, and mechanism be obtained. A total of 514 reports were received from May 1, 2010 - March 15, 2010. The majority of reports involved invasive species, algal blooms or discolored water, fish disease or fish kills, and coral disease or bleaching. Other reports included several mortality events, sea turtle strandings, and a wide variety of other “unusual observations.” Sources included a wide variety of researchers, State and Federal agency personnel, residents, fishermen and divers, marine educators, and ecotourism groups.