Funds from this grant award will be used to conduct a pilot study to determine if sirajo gobies can be successfully captured, reared, and released in the rivers of puerto rico to provide forage for…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 4 awarded $284,422 to Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The award funds a pilot study designed to evaluate the feasibility of capturing, rearing, and releasing Sirajo gobies in Puerto Rico's river systems to enhance forage availability for native sport fish species. The Sirajo goby serves a critical ecological function by supporting sport fish populations and connecting marine and freshwater ecosystems; however, it remains absent from current stocking initiatives, which predominantly focus on exotic species introduction.

The project deliverables are structured across two fiscal years: Year One activities include organizing resources and establishing operational capacity, while Year Two encompasses goby rearing and release operations, achievement of captive reproduction capabilities, and success monitoring through electrofishing survey efforts. This formula grant represents a strategic shift in Puerto Rico's fisheries management approach, prioritizing native species restoration and ecosystem connectivity over traditional exotic species stocking protocols.

Funds from this grant award will be used to conduct a pilot study to determine if sirajo gobies can be successfully captured, reared, and released in the rivers of puerto rico to provide forage for sport fish species. The sirajo goby plays a key ecological role in puerto rico s river systems by supporting native sport fish and connecting marine and freshwater ecosystems. Despite its importance IT is not part of current stocking efforts which focus on exotic species. This pilot project aims to organize resources in year one rear and release gobies in year two achieve captive reproduction and monitor success through electrofishing efforts.