These tow sequences give us a mechanism to effectively quantify and describe plankton abundance and distribution over seasonal, diurnal, and tidal patterns. When the tow is completed, the nets are brought on board, rinsed, and emptied into collection jars. Samples are immediately preserved and labelled for subsequent laboratory analyses. The bongo nets function much like the zooplankton nets described above i.e. the net mesh filters out animals of a desired size range. The bongo tows provide another method for quantifying larval fish distribution and abundance over seasonal, diurnal, and tidal patterns.
Quadrant counts provide abundance estimates for small fishes which live in the reef interstices.
In this case, we counted adult naked gobies and striped blennies. Palace Bar Reef is the main study site for our research examining these fishes' life histories, population dynamics, and predator-prey interactions. When the pots are retrieved, carapace length and sex are recorded for each animal. Crab pots provide estimates of adult Blue crab abundance and distribution patterns around the reef over time. Blue crabs prey on oysters and intermediate reef fishes and are important diet items for pelagic predators such as Striped bass.