A study was initiated to examine the potential impacts of reduced abundance of exploited reef fish species on herbivores, macroalgae, and corals. Surveys were performed inside and outside of the RNA to characterize relationships between different trophic level organisms inhabiting the coral reef ecosystem. No significant differences in the abundance of herbivorous fish and urchins or in the abundance of exploited fish species in the shallow, lowrelief hard-bottom communities were observed inside vs. outside the RNA. Evaluating and understanding trophic changes that may occur related to the RNA will require a long-term research and monitoring effort. Future surveys will be necessary to determine if changes have occurred in the proportions of major coral reef ecosystem components and to help determine if the implementation of the RNA results in balanced benthic communities at DRTO.