GEI: A review and meta-analysis of the impact of large-scale estuarine habitat restoration on fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico

Determining if overall ecosystem benefits are achieved for large-scale ecological restoration efforts can be difficult, especially in the context of the ecological function of restored habitats. Fish and shellfish communities, fisheries industries, and individual species and fishers will be directly or indirectly affected by restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Limitations in funding and monitoring capacity/scalability can stifle a comprehensive understanding of restoration benefits. We propose to synthesize existing data to evaluate the impact of large-scale restoration efforts on estuarine-dependent fish populations and their flow-on effects to commercial and recreational fisheries. With a workgroup consisting of representatives from National Estuary Programs, Sea Grant, research institutions, and agencies involved in coastal restoration and fisheries research and management, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research while harnessing existing repositories of restoration projects, census and industry trends, and long-term fisheries-independent and -dependent monitoring data. We will focus on Florida estuaries that are representative of the latitudinal gradient for social-ecological systems across the Gulf of Mexico facing exceptional risks from climate change. The results of this effort will yield crucial insights into the future potential of Gulf restoration actions amidst a rapidly changing climate, fish community, and society.