Previous Projects

Fish communities on remnant and restored oyster reefs of East and Escambia Bays: a baseline for assessing restoration success

Healthy oyster reefs provide a variety of ecosystem services that benefit coastal communities and beyond. They support oyster fisheries, improve water quality, and provide important habitats for a diversity of species, including many fisheries species of great social and economic importance. Significant oyster restoration projects continue in the Pensacola Bay system, and the enhancement of fish habitat is a key goal of many projects. However, sampling fish communities on oyster reefs is challenging. This project uses underwater video to describe the fish communities on remnant and restored oyster reefs in East and Escambia Bays. By describing and comparing the fish communities among oyster reefs with different restoration status, depth, substrate type, and locations within the bays, we are identifying the drivers of variation in fish community composition among reefs and across the bays. Evaluating the success of existing restoration projects at enhancing fish habitat is a critical component of guiding future restoration efforts that wish to maximize fish habitat benefits, and returns on restoration investment. Understanding the current fish communities and their responses to restoration efforts will help maximize the health of the Bay's ecosystems, and fishing opportunities for coastal communities around Pensacola Bay.