Researchers at NOAA Beaufort Laboratory have studied reef fish off the southeastern United States since the late 1960's and have addressed both applied fishery issues and basic reef fish ecology.  The Laboratory's Southeast Region Headboat Survey collects fisheries and biological data to support stock management activities.  Approximately 165 vessels are monitored throughout the southeast, and in 1996, biological samples were collected from 37, 435 fishes of 124 species.

These data sets are also used to examine patterns in the fishery and to study the structure and distribution of reef fish communities.

For more information about research at the Beaufort Laboratory, click Beaufort Laboratory.
To learn more about the Headboat Survey, click the Headboat Survey link below.