An Estuarine Reserve
in the Northern Indian River Lagoon, Florida

       Marine sanctuaries have been theorized to serve as fish replenishment zones by protecting spawning stock, providing undisturbed spawning habitat, increasing egg and larvae production, maintaining high quality feeding areas for fish and wildlife, and exporting biomass by migration of juveniles and adults to surrounding waters that are open to fishing. A potential fish replenishment zone exists within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in the waters surrounding Kennedy Space Center, Florida (where public access has been restricted since 1962).  These 'restricted areas' are adjacent to heavily fished areas of the Indian River Lagoon system providing a unique opportunity to test the fish replenishment functions of an estuarine sanctuary. 

Poster Presentation:

Egress of Adult Sport Fish from an Estuarine Fish Replenishment Zone
within Merritt Island National Wildife Refuge, Florida