Numbering the Nassau Grouper: A WebQuest for 6-8th Grade (Science)
Designed by Loris Chen (tworiversnj@aol.com)

Epinephelus striatus  (photo by Craig Dahlgren)

Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Teacher Page

Introduction

You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is to determine the best way to rebuild the Nassau grouper population. Your team has been invited to make a presentation at an international conference where other teams will be competing for project funding.  Will your presentation earn your project funding? 

The Task

The population of Nassau groupers may be declining.  Old-timers fishing along the reefs of Belize recall a time when thousands of Nassau groupers would spawn in giant columns many meters deep. In 1991, dwindling numbers made the Nassau grouper a candidate for the endangered species list in the United States and it became protected in U.S. controlled waters. However, Nassau grouper populations may be continuing to decrease in prime spawning areas such as the reefs of Belize.  The Nassau grouper is economically important to many fisheries operating in the Caribbean. The decreasing population of Nassau groupers is of great concern to those who rely on the fish for an income.

Your task is to:

1. find out what has caused the decline in the Nassau grouper population in Belize
2. investigate methods for reversing the population trend
3. present a proposal that will increase and sustain Nassau grouper populations so that they do not become threatened, endangered, or extinct

Your presentation must include graphics and visual organizers.  Presentations may be in the form of PowerPoint or overhead projector transparencies.
   

The Process

 
 Your team will:

1. research the biology of the Nassau grouper
2. research the geographic distribution of the Nassau grouper
3. research the human uses of the Nassau grouper
4. research sustainable harvesting methods that have been proposed by Green Reef
5. develop a plan to study the effect of one sustainable harvesting method
6. create a presentation to secure funding for your study

Divide the tasks 1 though 4 among your group members so that each person has one research task.   Work together to complete tasks 5 and 6.

Task 1. The Biology of Epinephelus striatus

The Question:  Why is the population of Nassau groupers so sensitive to current fishing practices?

Explore the spawning habits of the Nassau grouper at the NOAA Office of Protected Resources website.

Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Epinephelus striatus

The Question:  Where are Nassau groupers found?

Create a map showing the geographic distribution of these two species by entering the species name at the OBIS Portal.  At the portal, enter the scientific name of the Nassau grouper.  Select "all databases."  When the database search is complete, select "map geographic location."  Once the map appears, you may change its orientation by using the menu below the map.

To find the names of the location where these species have been collected, use the scientific name search at Fishbase.  How does geography explain the occurrence of the species?    What geography related factors have influenced the population of the Nassau grouper? Look for clues at Reef Briefs.
 

Task 3. Human uses of Epinephelus striatus

The Question:  What uses do humans have for Nassau groupers?

To learn more about human uses of the Nassau grouper visit the Green Reef website.   Learn more about the economic importance of the Nassau grouper.  How have fishing practices affected the population?  Are there other factors that have placed stress on the Nassau grouper population?

Task 4. Sustainable Harvesting Methods

The Question:  What are some possible sustainable harvesting methods?

The harvesting of the Nassau grouper is economically important to small-scale fisheries in the Caribbean.  Learn more about plans to rebuild grouper populations at NOAA and Green Reef.

Task 5. The Plan

Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan will need the following parts:

1. Research question- State in question that your research project will answer.
2. Background information- Provide information that someone would need to know in order to understand your plan.  Be sure to cite sources of information.  This is the place to put information about seahorse biology, geographic distribution, human uses of the Nassau grouper, and sustainable harvesting methods. 
3. Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected outcome of your project
4. Materials-  What you will need to conduct your research or implement your project and why these are essential
5. Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct your research
6. Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link this to Nassau grouper survival and sustainability of the Nassau grouper populations.  Show a cause and effect relationship.

Task 6. The Presentation

Now it's time to sell your plan.  There's only so much money to go around.  Will your presentation convince the foundation to fund your plan?  Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids. These might include maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation may be done use a computer-based presentation program or overhead transparencies. 

Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.

Evaluation

Your score for this project will be 40% based on your individual research notes and 60% based on the group's plan and presentation.

Conclusion

Conservation of a species is complicated by human needs and wants for products that use those species.  Sustainability is the concept that current needs may be met without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  What human needs or wants are met by the harvesting of Nassau groupers?  What where some of the economic considerations that you needed to understand?  What where some of the cultural considerations that you needed to understand?  What actions can you personally take to save the Nassau grouper?  What actions could your class take to save the Nassau grouper?
 
Although the Nassau grouper is protected in United States controlled waters, it is not protected in Belize.  Find out what is being done in Belize to protect this and other important reef species by visiting Green Reef.

Credits & References

 Nassau grouper photo by Craig Dahlgren from NOAA at www.nurp.noaa.gov/Spotlight%20Articles/spawn.html. 

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page