Change in Seagrass and Algae Coverage off the Coast of Tobacco Caye, Belize in Relation to COVID-19 Pandemic-Associated Overfishing of Reef Fishes

Seagrass meadows are some of the most productive marine ecosystems globally, recognized for having high primary and secondary productivity. They are also one of the most efficient carbon sinks in the world and serve as a nursery habitat for many marine animals, including herbivorous fish. Herbivorous fish play a vital role in maintaining coral health, as they prevent algae from outcompeting reef-forming corals. Anecdotal reports from staff at the Tobacco Caye Marine Station suggest that overfishing during the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted local herbivorous fish populations, many of which also forage in nearby seagrass meadows. The abundance and distribution of seagrass and benthic algae may exhibit changes in response to reductions in herbivory. We conducted a study to test the hypothesis that the flora composition of seagrass meadows around Tobacco Caye has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly in response to a decline in the herbivorous fish populations. Three replicate 0.5m x 0.5m quadrats were taken at 25m intervals over a 100m transect in May 2024 and compared to similar data collected in 2017. The results suggest there was a change in the flora of the seagrass meadows from 2017 to 2024, with the average percent cover of seagrass decreasing and the average percent cover of algae increasing from 2017 to 2024. These findings are consistent with potential reductions in the herbivorous fish populations, as reported by staff at Tobacco Caye Marine Station.