Development of Visual Aids to Identify
Changes in the Essential Fish Habitat of
Some Species in FMPs’ Management Units
 Dr. Alida Ortiz
 Capt. Juan M. Morales (Juanky)
 Raul Omar Ortiz Arroyo
 Capt.Marcos Hanke
 Project will conduct field visits to mangroves , sea grasses,
sponge beds, coral reefs, rocky and soft bottoms.
 Most of the stations were selected considering fishing charter
reports for more than 20 years , on the eastern side of PR.
Reports include areas were juvenile fishes have been landed
 To document the presence of juveniles on typical habitats and
other habitats not so well studied, for example high
sedimentation areas like river mouth.
 OBJECTIVE :
 Create a formal snapshot EFH report , for CMFC
managed species including forage species.
 All stations will provide bottom /substrate basic
characterization and a list of species associated to
each station.
*Coral *Rock/Dead coral *Sand *Algae
*Grass * Sponges *Mud *Rubble
Field Work Details:
 Underwater camera on fix mount and chum(fish) 3 feet
away
 Random observation free dives and with SCUBA
AREAS SELECTED
- R -Close by to Fajardo river mouth area
- MM -Medio Mundo area(Ceiba)
- MANGLE1 (Ceiba)
STATIONS MAP
CEIBA
FAJARDO
R1, Gopro2078(Fajardo)
 Fishes observed on the top of the reef structure(R1),
first attempt :
1-Pluma Porgy - Calamus pennatula
2- Squirrelfish (gallo) -Holocentridae
3-Four eye butterfly- Chaetodon capistratus
4-Doctorfish - Acanthuridae
5-Parrotfish (more than one species) - Scaridae
6-Grunts - Haemulidae
7-Mackerel - Scomberomorus sp.
8-Schoolmaster snapper – Lutjanus apodus
9-Lane Snapper - Lutjanus synagris
10- Blue runner - Carangidae
11-Graysby – Epinephelus cruentatus
12-Hogfish- Lachnolaimus maximus
13-Goatfish - Mullidae
14-Lionfish - Pterois sp.
15-Yellowtail Snapper - Ocyurus chrysurus
16-Mutton snapper – Lutjanus analis
17-Damiselfish – Pomacentridae
17 species mainly juveniles
R1,Gopro1238,11238(Fajardo)
 Fishes observed on the R1 reef structure,







second attempt:
-Graysby – E. cruentatus
-French angelfish - Pomacanthus paru
-White grunt - Haemulon plumierii
- Squirrellfish - Holocentridae
-Doctorfish - Acanthuridae
-Lane snapper – L. synigaris
-Yellowtail Snapper – Ocyurus chrysurus
R2,Gopro2107(Fajardo)
 Fishes observed on the R1 reef structure,
second attempt:
-Grouper specie* unidentify
-Graysby Grouper - E. cruentatus
- Pluma porgy - Calamus pennatula
-School of fishes* unidentify
-Mutton Snapper - L. analis
-Redhind Grouper – Epinephelus guttatus
NOTE: On this observation area we try to use a construction metal rod ,to use as reference for size and
image cover. This technique show many problems, due to the fact that the fishes were scared and
didn’t approach the chum like expected .
R3,GOPRO1242, 11242,
21242,31242 and 41242
List of fishes observed:
-Graysby Grouper - E. cruentatus
-Lane Snapper - L. synagris
-Grunt - Hemulidae
- Jacks - Carangidae
-Doctor fish - Acanthuridae
-Tarpon – Megalops atlantica
-Mutton Sanaper – L. analis
-Damiselfish - Pomacentridae
R4,Gopro2109(Fajardo)
 List of fishes observed:
-Lane Snapper – L. synagris
-Pluma porgy – Calamus pennatula
-Jack Creavalle - Carangidae, Caranx hippos
-Blue runner – Carangidae, Caranx crysos
-Bumper jack – Carangidae, caranx chrysurus

Note: Very poor visibility
R5Gopro538,10538,20538(Fajardo)
List of fishes observed on R5:
-Foureye butterfly - Chaetodon capistratus
-Yellowtail Snapper – Ocyurus chrysurus
-Damiselfish - Pomacentridae
-Lane Snapper – Lutjanus synagris
-Mojarra - Gerreidae
- Grunts- Heamulidae * 2 different species
-Coney Grouper- Cephalopholis fulva
-Pluma porgy – Calamus pentulata
-Doctor fish - Acanthuridae
-Parrot fish - Scaridae
-French angelfish – Pomacanthus paru
-Triggerfish ?- Balistidae
-Bandedbutterfly - Chaetodontidae
Note: This is the nearest station to the Fajardo river mouth. Capt.Hanke capture 3 juvenile red groupers
during past fishing trips
R5
Bottom Composition
coral 5%
Rock/Dead coral
Sand 83%
alge
Grass
Sponges 5%
Mud
Ruble*mix w/mud 7%
Other
R5 Bottom Example
MM1,Free dive and SCUBA
(Gopro1107)
 Fishes observed :
1-Spiny Lobster – Panulirus argus
16-Conch- Strombus gigas
2-Long-spined Sea Urchin – Diadema antillarum
3- Southern sting ray- Dasyatis americana
4- Lion fish - Pterois sp.
5- Gray Snapper- Lutjanus griseus
6- Trumpetfish - Aulostomidae
7- Goatfish – Mullidae
8- Parrot fish - Scaridae
9- Foureye Butterfly - Chaetodon capistratus
10- Doctor fish – Acanthuridae
11-Yellowtail Snapper – Ocyurus chrysurus
12-Redhind Grouper – E. gutatus
13- Arrow crab – Stenorhynchus seticornis
14-Damiselfish- Pomacentridae
15- Blue head Wrasse- Thalassoma bifasciatum
Note: Random observations free diving and SCUBA tanks. Mix substrate(Sea grass , coral , sponges, rocks and sand)
MM1, Quadrant C(Reef surrounding)
MM1, Around Main Structure
BOTTON COMPOSITION
coral
Rock/Dead coral
Sand 1%
Algae
Grass 99%
Sponges
Mud
Other
MM2,Gopro2110,12110
 List of fishes observed :
1-Jacks- carangidae
2-Lane Snapper - L.synagris
3- Pluma Porgy – Calamus pennatula
4-Parrotfish – Scaridae * multiple species
5-Spadefish
6-Doctorfish – Acanthuridae
7-Yellowtail Snapper – Ocyurus chrysurus
8-Trumpetfish – Aulostomidae
9-Goatfish - Mullidae
10-Yellow jack – Carangidae
MM2
Bottom Composition
Coral 5%
Rock/Dead coral
Sand 58%
Algae
Grass
Sponges 29%
Mud
Rubble 25%
MM3,Gopro514,10514,20514
 List of fishes observed:
1-Grunts – Haemulidae *2 species
2-Gray Snapper – L. griseus
3-Yellowtail snapper- Ocyurus chrysurus
4-Graysby Grouper- E. cruentatus
5-Moray eel – Muraenidae
6-Porkfish – A.virginicus
7-Damiselfish - Pomacentridae
8-Mutton Snapper – L. analis
9-Pufferfish – Tetraodontidae
10- Hogfish – Lachnoiaimus maximus
11-Barjack- Carnax ruber
12-Yellow Jack – Carangidae
13-Spined Pufferfish - Tetraodontidae
MM3(Medio Mundo,Ceiba)
Bottom Composition
Coral 1.25%
Rock/Dead coral
Sand
Algae 0.75%
Grass
Sponges 7%
Mud
Wreck w/ mud 96.25%
MANGLE1
Gopro511,10511,20511,30511
 List of fishes observed:
1- Goliath grouper - E. itajara
2-Gray Snapper – L. griseus
3-Tarpon – Megalops atlanticus
4-Porkfish – A. virginicus
5- Grunt(Tomtate) – Haemulon aurolineatum
6-Lane snapper – L. synagris
7-Mutton Snapper – L. analis
8-Jack Crevalle - Caranx hippos
NOTE : Multiple juveniles of different species including forage species(SCUBA and free dive
observations and supported by uderwater fix mount)
MANGLE 1
Bottom Composition
Coral
Rock/Dead coral
Sand
Algae o.5%
Grass 0.5%
Sponges
Mud 99%
Other
Forage Species in one
cast net Throw (Fajardo River)
Forage Species in one cast
(Fajardo, Palomino)
Family: Clupeidae
Anchovies Species in One Cast
Fajardo River
Family : Clupeidae
Anchovies Species(Fajardo
Family: Clupeidae
river)
Balyhoo
(Fajardo River)
Family : Hemiramphus balao
Spanish Sardine
Family: Clupeidae
( Fajardo River )
Spanish Sardine
May,June and July Massive Run
Blackfin Tuna
Bait fish ?
QUESTIONS ?
Development of Visual Aids to Identify
Changes in the Essential Fish Habitat of
Some Species in FMPs’ Management Units
 Dr. Alida Ortiz
 Capt. Juan Marcos (Juanky)
 Raul Omar Ortiz Arroyo
 Capt.Marcos Hanke
 Project will conduct field visits to mangroves , sea grasses,
sponge beds, coral reefs, rocky and soft bottoms.
 Most of the stations were selected considering fishing charter
reports for more than 20 years , on the eastern side of PR.
Reports include areas were juvenile fishes have been landed
 To document the presence of juveniles on typical habitats and
other habitats not so well studied, for example high
sedimentation areas like river mouth.
 OBJECTIVE :
 Create a formal snapshot EFH report , for CMFC
managed species including forage species.
 All stations will provide bottom /substrate basic
characterization and a list of species associated to
each station.
*Coral *Rock/Dead coral *Sand *Algae
*Grass * Sponges *Mud *Rubble
AREAS SELECTED
- R -Close by to Fajardo river mouth area
- MM -Medio Mundo area(Ceiba)
- MANGLE 1 (Ceiba)
STATIONS MAP
CEIBA
FAJARDO
List of All Species
1-Pluma Porgy - Calamus pennatula
2- Squirrelfish (gallo) -Holocentridae
18-French angelfish - Pomacanthus paru
3-Four eye butterfly- Chaetodon capistratus
4-Doctorfish - Acanthuridae
19-White grunt - Haemulon plumier
20-Grouper specie* unidentify
5-Parrotfish (more than one species) - Scaridae
21-School of fishes* unidentify
6-Grunts - Haemulidae
22-Redhind Grouper- Epinephelus guttatus
7-Mackerel - Scomberomorus sp.
8-Schoolmaster snapper – Lutjanus apodus
23- Jacks - Carangidae
24-Tarpon – Megalops atlanticus-
9-Lane Snapper - Lutjanus synagris
10- Blue runner - Carangidae
25-Jack Creavalle - Carangidae, Caranx hippos
26-Bumper jack – Carangidae, caranx chrysurus
11-Graysby – Epinephelus cruentatus
27-Foureye butterfly - Chaetodon capistratus
12-Hogfish- Lachnolaimus maximus
28-Mojarra - Gerreidae
13-Goatfish - Mullidae
14-Lionfish - Pterois sp.
29-Coney Grouper- Cephalopholis fulva
30-Triggerfish ?- Balistidae
15-Yellowtail Snapper - Ocyurus chrysurus
16-Mutton snapper – lutjanus analis
31-Bandedbutterfly - Chaetodontidae
17-Damiselfish – Pomacentridae
List of All Species 2
32-Spiny Lobster - Panulirus argus
33-Conch- Strombus gigas
34-Long-spined Sea Urchin - D. antillarum
43-Yellowtail snapper- O. chrysurus
35- Southern sting ray- Dasyatis american
44-Moray eel – Muraenidae
36- Gray Snapper- Lutjanus griseus
45-Porkfish – A.virginicus
37-Trumpetfish - Aulostomidae
46-Pufferfish – Tetraodontidae
38- Goatfish – Mullidae
47- Hogfish – Lachnoiaimus maximus
39- Arrow crab – Stenorhynchus seticornis
48-Spined Pufferfish – Tetraodontidae
40-Blue head Wrasse- Thalassoma bifasciatum
49-Grunt(Tomtate) –H.aurolineatum
41-Spadefish- Ephippidae
50-Goliath grouper - E. itajara
42-Yellow jack – Carangidae
** Plus Multiple forage species
MM2 Station
Bottom Composition
Coral 5%
Rock/Dead coral
Sand 58%
Algae
Grass
Sponges 29%
Mud
Rubble 25%
MM2,Gopro2110,12110
 List of fishes observed :
1-Jacks- carangidae
2-Lane Snapper - L.synagris
3- Pluma Porgy – Calamus pennatula
4-Parrotfish – Scaridae * multiple species
5-Spadefish
6-Doctorfish – Acanthuridae
7-Yellowtail Snapper – Ocyurus chrysurus
8-Trumpetfish – Aulostomidae
9-Goatfish - Mullidae
10-Yellow jack – Carangidae
Forage Species in one
cast net Throw (Fajardo River)
Anchovies Species in One Cast
Fajardo River
Family : Clupeidae
QUESTIONS ?