Characterization of fish communities and associated benthic habitats in the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER)

Located at the southeastern end of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) is a collection of several existing protected areas, including Cas Cay/Mangrove Lagoon, St. James, and Compass Point Salt Pond Marine Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries (MRWS). The marine areas of the STEER include a diverse array of habitats, including coral reefs, lagoons, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, which support numerous fish and shellfish species. In addition, STEER is an important recreational and commercial resource for the island of St. Thomas. The adjacent watershed is considered highly impacted and urbanized, with numerous sources of point and non-point pollution, leading to concerns about potential contamination and its effects on the marine resources. To fill knowledge gaps and inform management of the STEER, several complimentary projects were developed in coordination with STEER's Core Management Team, including an assessment of biological communities and chemical contamination within the STEER.