The red hind spawning site was the previous site for Nassau grouper spawning aggregations, suggesting that certain features of this reef are important as spawning habitat for commercially important serranids and possibly other species. We are developing a research program to systematically survey the physical and biological characteristics of grouper spawning habitat in the Virgin Islands to improve the management of these commercially important species. Marine Fishery Reserves are areas in which fishing is permanently prohibited. This is a first for the Virgin Islands and an impressive victory for the Red Hind and other grouper species. Marine Fishery Reserves, such as this, allow commercially important species to grow to a larger breeding size than when fishing pressure is intense.
Large size is extremely important in fishes for maximizing egg production.
Our studies have suggested that these protected areas can provide both economic and conservation benefits at the expense of short-term fishery yields.