Many commercially important fish species - like the Nassau grouper - are under threats that endanger their long-term viability. We seek to better understand how these species behave within their habitats, and assess the impact human intervention is having on marine populations.

For example, in the name of mating and courtship, groupers and snappers congregate in large schools of hundreds to thousands of fish every year to reproduce. We closely monitor these massive gatherings, called Fish Spawning Aggregations (FSAs). Specifically, we use FSAs to assess fish population health and uncover how we can preserve these species for decades to come.

You can help! Did you see a Fish Spawning Aggregation while you were on the water? Report it here.

Science-based management is not enough. Communication and outreach are essential to affect behavioral change that supports policies aimed at protecting fisheries – like Nassau grouper and parrotfish - ecosystems and ensuring food security. We also work with local governments, non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners and relevant stakeholders to provide guidance  for the creation or refinement of fishery regulations, marine spatial planning, monitoring and ecosystem-based management.