Ecological Evaluation of Sedge Island Marine Conservation Area in Barnegat Bay : Final Report, 2013

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dc.contributor.authorJivoff, Paul
dc.contributor.authorBilinski, Joseph
dc.contributor.authorBelton, Thomas
dc.contributor.authorFerko, Marc
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-07T18:13:24Z
dc.date.available2022-11-07T18:13:24Z
dc.date.issued2013-08-21
dc.description.abstractConservation zones are important for maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems and populations of economically important species. The relative ecological value, especially for economically important species, of the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone (SIMCZ) in Barnegat Bay, NJ was assessed by comparing the following inside the SIMCZ with areas outside the conservation zone: (1) abundance and species diversity of fish and select decapod crustaceans in three habitats (seagrass, macroalgae, and unvegetated) using throw traps, (2) population structure of adult blue crabs using commercial-style traps, and (3) brood production of adult female blue crabs. Throw trap sampling indicates that blue crabs are most abundant in seagrass as compared to unvegetated habitats. Overall, blue crabs are more abundant outside the SIMCZ than inside but the difference does not apply to each habitat, suggesting the habitats inside and outside the SIMCZ are at least equivalent. Inside and outside the conservation area, species diversity is enhanced in both structured habitats as compared to unvegetated areas and is similar inside the SIMCZ as compared to outside. Again, this suggests the SIMCZ is at least equivalent to a comparative area outside the conservation zone. The SIMCZ has greater abundance of adult blue crabs, a sex ratio that is more skewed towards males, and a greater proportion of ovigerous females that are about to spawn and show signs of recent spawning. This suggests that the SIMCZ may provide refuge from fishing, particularly for male blue crabs, and may be an important area for spawning females.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/106919
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherTrenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Healthen_US
dc.rightsThe organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.en_US
dc.subjectNew Jerseyen_US
dc.subjectEcosystem health - New Jersey - Barnegat Bayen_US
dc.subjectBlue crab - Conservationen_US
dc.subjectCrustacea - Conservationen_US
dc.subjectSedge Islands (N.J.) - Conservationen_US
dc.subjectBarnegat Bay (N.J.) - Conservationen_US
dc.titleEcological Evaluation of Sedge Island Marine Conservation Area in Barnegat Bay : Final Report, 2013en_US
dc.title.alternativeBarnegat Bay Year 1 : Ecological Evaluation of Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zoneen_US
dc.typeTechnical Reporten_US

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