Fisheries Oceanographic Study Using GIS for Understanding the Changes in the Distribution of Mahi Mahi Based on Tagging Data

The main aspect of this research is to characterize the functional relationships that exist between dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) and their oceanic ecosystem. GIS is being used as a tool to help identify and quantitatively characterize the environmental parameters that appear important in understanding changes in the distribution based on tag and recapture data. This research is a multi-disciplinary study involving fisheries biology, physical oceanography, and remote sensing. Part of this study is the development of image processing and visualization tools to evaluate and merge data that exist in different spatial and temporal resolutions, as well as, different spectral bands. Infrared and ocean color - chlorophyll data will be derived from the AVHRR and MODIS sensor on the NOAA, Aqua, and Terra satellites. Evaluation of the development and coherence in time and space of such physical parameters as ocean frontal boundaries (temperature, chlorophyll, turbidity, etc.) related to coastal plumes, as well as, Gulf Stream circulation features (e.g. meanders and eddies) is a critical aspect of this research. The ultimate goal is to provide diagnostic and predictive bio-physical models on the effects of ocean climate variability to fisheries resource managers and policy makers.