Abstract
Sarasota Bay, on Florida’s central Gulf Coast, is an ecologically significant estuarine system with diverse habitats such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and sand flats. This study focuses on the bay's fish populations, particularly those serving as prey for the resident bottlenose dolphin population (Tursiops truncates).
During the Eugenie Clark Field Research and Leadership Skills Fellowship of summer 2023, we assessed the abundance and diversity of dolphin prey fish species in Sarasota Bay, utilizing data previously collected from a long-term fish monitoring program started by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) researchers in 2004. Findings were compared to existing literature to identify trends and changes over time.
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of dolphin prey fish species’ abundance and diversity in Sarasota Bay throughout the summer of 2023. The data revealed a prevalence of pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) and notable fluctuations in prey abundance and diversity. These findings corroborate historical data, emphasizing the crucial role of certain prey species in the diet of Sarasota Bay’s resident bottlenose dolphins. This research aims to provide insights into the current status of dolphin prey fish in Sarasota Bay, essential for understanding trends in biodiversity and abundance. It will inform ecosystem-based management and conservation strategies, aiding marine conservation groups, fisheries management, and policymakers to support the bay’s ecological balance and promote the long-term sustainability of bottlenose dolphins.