Developing a baseline assessment for 3 fish spawning aggregation sites in the Honduran Caribbean

Most commercial groupers (Epinephelidae) form fish spawning aggregations (FSA),
exhibiting temporally precise and recurrent gatherings for the purpose of spawning,
following the full moon. In order to verify the existence of FSAs in Roatan (Honduras), this
study examines data obtained from three years of underwater visual monitoring of
Mycteroperca tigris, Mycteroperca venenosa, Mycteroperca bonaci, and Epinephelus
striatus. This research analyzed their aggregation patterns, size distributions, and
behaviors across three distinct sites in Roatan: Cordelia Banks, Man of War, and Sandy
Bay. In Cordelia Banks, a multi-species FSA involving all four species was documented
during the spawning seasons of March and April, with peak aggregations occurring
between 4 and 8 days after the full moon. Meanwhile, in Sandy Bay, M. tigris
predominates, with a spawning season spanning February and peak aggregations noted
between 6 and 9 days after the full moon. This study not only confirms the presence of
two FSAs in Roatan at Cordelia Banks and Sandy Bay but also identifies Man of War as
a significant spillover site for M. tigris from Sandy Bay. This research represents the first
scientific validation of FSAs in Honduras and establishes a critical baseline for the
management and conservation of these vital ecological resources.