According to Phys.org, the main reason behind the closing of Joe Bay was to help the American crocodiles recover from extinction as they were at extinction risk. Now, the bay has been reopened for the visitors on kayaks, canoes or paddle boards. Not only the visitors but now the fishermen are also welcomed for searching snook, tarpon and much more.
Researchers in FIU’s Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC) are now studying the impacts of the long closed for decades Joe Bay and its recreational fishing on Joe Bay’s fish and recreational fisheries. “We haven’t had anything in South Florida closed off to human contact for this long. Being able to evaluate Joe Bay in itself, and how does a fish community respond to being separated from humanity, is a really unique opportunity,” David Stormer from SERC said.
Florida International University reported that the research on decades-long closed Joe Bay was led by Jennifer Rehage, who is an environmental studies professor in university’s Department of Earth and Environment. Jennifer and her research team are using techniques for the study such as using of net hauls, baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys, examining the size, species, and a number of fishes in Joe Bay.
