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Navarro-Martínez ZM, Armenteros M, Espinosa L, González-Díaz P, Apprill A. Coral reef fish assemblages exhibit signs of depletion in two protected areas from the eastern of Los Canarreos archipelago (Cuba, Caribbean Sea). PeerJ 2022; 10:e14229. [PMID: 36262415 PMCID: PMC9575676 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the impact of marine protected areas on the distribution and composition of fishes is key to the protection and management of coral reef ecosystems, and especially for fish-based activities such as SCUBA diving and recreational fishing. The aim of this research is to compare the ichthyofauna structure in three areas in the eastern part of Los Canarreos archipelago in Cuba with different management schemes: Cayo Campos-Cayo Rosario Fauna Refuge (CCCR), Cayo Largo Ecological Reserve (CL) and non-protected area (nMPA), and considering habitat differences and depth variation. A total of 131 video transects were conducted using diver operated stereo-video (stereo-DOV) in November, 2015 in backreef and forereef along the CCCR, CL and the adjacent nMPA. We recorded 84 species and 27 functional groups suggesting high complementarity of functions. Several multispecies schools were observed along surveys, which explain the biomass peaks in some sites, mainly for Lutjanidae, Haemulidae and Carangidae. A concerning issue was the bare representation of critical functional groups and threatened species. The effect of sites nested within habitats was significant and the most important driver structuring fish assemblages, while MPA condition was not evident. Favorable habitat features (habitat heterogeneity and surrounding coastal ecosystems) are likely enhancing fish assemblages and counteracting the effects of pouching derived from insufficient management. We recommend immediate actions within a strategy of precautionary management including, but not limited to, the appointment of staff for the administration of CL, frequent monitoring and effective enforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maickel Armenteros
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Leonardo Espinosa
- Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna, La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Amy Apprill
- Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
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2
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Bento R, Jabado RW, Sawaf M, Bejarano I, Samara F, Yaghmour F, Mateos-Molina D. Oyster beds in the United Arab Emirates: Important fishing grounds in need of protection. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113992. [PMID: 35939931 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is scarce information on the current importance of oyster beds as fishing grounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to understand the socio-economic value of oyster bed fisheries through questionnaire-based surveys with fishers. Of 106 Emirati fishers interviewed, 67 % use oyster beds due to the proximity to shore, better catch quality, and species abundance. Oyster bed fisheries are recreational and commercial, with handline and fish traps the most common used gears. They provide food for local consumption and cash income. All respondents noticed a fish abundance and size decrease throughout the last decade. Fishers suggest establishing marine protected areas and updating fishing regulations to improve fishing stock status. During the Covid-19 pandemic, oyster fisheries increased, highlighting the value of these fishing grounds for food availability. These fisheries support the local economy and heritage, and urgently need management to ensure the protection of these often-overlooked habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bento
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rima W Jabado
- Elasmo Project, P.O. Box 29588, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Moaz Sawaf
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatin Samara
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fadi Yaghmour
- Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre (Scientific Research Department), Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Depto. Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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3
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Pettersen AK, Marzinelli EM, Steinberg PD, Coleman MA. Impact of marine protected areas on temporal stability of fish species diversity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13815. [PMID: 34342040 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Preserving biodiversity over time is a pressing challenge for conservation science. A key goal of marine protected areas (MPAs) is to maintain stability in species composition, via reduced turnover, to support ecosystem function. Yet, this stability is rarely measured directly under different levels of protection. Rather, evaluations of MPA efficacy generally consist of static measures of abundance, species richness, and biomass, and rare measures of turnover are limited to short-term studies involving pairwise (beta diversity) comparisons. Zeta diversity is a recently developed metric of turnover that allows for measurement of compositional similarity across multiple assemblages and thus provides more comprehensive estimates of turnover. We evaluated the effectiveness of MPAs at preserving fish zeta diversity across a network of marine reserves over 10 years in Batemans Marine Park, Australia. Snorkel transect surveys were conducted across multiple replicated and spatially interspersed sites to record fish species occurrence through time. Protection provided by MPAs conferred greater stability in fish species turnover. Marine protected areas had significantly shallower decline in zeta diversity compared with partially protected and unprotected areas. The retention of harvested species was four to six times greater in MPAs compared with partially protected and unprotected areas, and the stabilizing effects of protection were observable within 4 years of park implementation. Conversely, partial protection offered little to no improvement in stability, compared with unprotected areas. These findings support the efficacy of MPAs for preserving temporal fish diversity stability. The implementation of MPAs helps stabilize fish diversity and may, therefore, support biodiversity resilience under ongoing environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Pettersen
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ezequiel M Marzinelli
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter D Steinberg
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melinda A Coleman
- Marine Ecosystem Research, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Fisheries, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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4
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Swadling DS, Knott NA, Taylor MD, Coleman MA, Davis AR, Rees MJ. Seascape connectivity of temperate fishes between estuarine nursery areas and open coastal reefs. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S. Swadling
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
- Port Stephens Fisheries Institute New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Taylors Beach, NSW 2316 Australia
| | - Nathan A. Knott
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Huskisson NSW 2540 Australia
| | - Matthew D. Taylor
- Port Stephens Fisheries Institute New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Taylors Beach, NSW 2316 Australia
| | - Melinda A. Coleman
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 Australia
| | - Andrew R. Davis
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Matthew J. Rees
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Huskisson NSW 2540 Australia
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5
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Gray CA. Evaluating effects of partial fishing closures on the composition and structure of estuarine fish assemblages. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 175:105571. [PMID: 35151950 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Partial fishing closures are an integral component of contemporary aquatic resource conservation and fisheries management. This study examined whether assemblages of fishes differed between partially closed (PC) estuaries that permit recreational fishing compared to fully fished (FF) estuaries that permit commercial and recreational fisheries. Fish assemblages were quantitatively sampled in a standard and stratified manner using a multimesh gillnet and beam trawl that sampled different ichthyofaunal components in two PC and two FF estuaries across three years, ∼ six to eight years post commercial fishing closure and PC implementation. There was no global support for the hypothesis that assemblages, diversity and numbers of fishes would differ between PC and FF estuaries. Assemblages significantly and consistently differed among individual estuaries regardless of estuary management category. Differences between PC and FF estuaries in terms of numbers of species and individuals were inconsistent across years, with more species (gillnet) and individuals (trawl) occurring in PC estuaries in only one of three years. Only one species (Gerres subfasciatus) was more abundant (gillnet) in the PC category, most likely due to reduced fishery harvests. In contrast, juveniles of three harvested species (G. subfasciatus, Rhabdosargus sarba and Acanthopagrus spp.) occurred in greater numbers (trawl) in FF estuaries, potentially a result of strong recruitment and estuary-specific environmental conditions. This study demonstrated the complexity, and potential scale-dependent ecological and fishery-related constraints, in comparatively examining the effects of different fishery management arrangements on fish assemblages across estuary systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Gray
- WildFish Research, Grays Point, Sydney, NSW, 2232, Australia.
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Knott NA, Williams J, Harasti D, Malcolm HA, Coleman MA, Kelaher BP, Rees MJ, Schultz A, Jordan A. A coherent, representative, and bioregional marine reserve network shows consistent change in rocky reef fish assemblages. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N. A. Knott
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Huskisson New South Wales2540Australia
| | - J. Williams
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
| | - D. Harasti
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
| | - H. A. Malcolm
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - M. A. Coleman
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - B. P. Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre and Marine Ecology Research Centre Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour New South Wales2450Australia
| | - M. J. Rees
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Huskisson New South Wales2540Australia
| | - A. Schultz
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - A. Jordan
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
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7
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Fish assemblages in protected seagrass habitats: Assessing fish abundance and diversity in no-take marine reserves and fished areas. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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McLean DL, Vaughan BI, Malseed BE, Taylor MD. Fish-habitat associations on a subsea pipeline within an Australian Marine Park. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 153:104813. [PMID: 31623860 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Subsea pipelines have been installed in all major hydrocarbon basins across the globe to support the offshore Oil & Gas (O&G) industry. These artificial structures provide hard substratum that can be colonised and utilised by sessile and mobile organisms. The present study utilises industry-collected remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video to assess fish species richness and abundance, and marine growth type, extent and complexity along sections of a subsea gas pipeline, in 56-82 m depth, that traverses the Australian Commonwealth Montebello Marine Park (MMP). A total of 7493 fish from 81 species and 33 families were recorded from 606 analysed 10 m transects spaced across sections of the pipeline. Of these 81 species, 27 are considered fishery-target species in the Pilbara Demersal Scalefish fishery (PDSF), with select commercial fishing activities permitted with authorisation within the Marine Park. A moderate abundance (175) of sub-adult red emperor (Lutjanus sebae), a fishery-indicator species, were observed along the pipeline. Eleven different categories of marine growth habitat were observed, with the pipeline possessing quite uniform coverage of encrusting marine growth (coralline algae, bryozoans, ascidians, etc.) with patchy occurrences of more structurally complex sponges and black/octocoral forms. Fish species richness and abundance of the commercially targeted Moses' snapper (Lutjanus russellii) were correlated positively with increasing cover of sponges. The pipeline itself had very few spans and was never more than fractionally buried. Despite the somewhat homogenous habitats, depths, and position of the pipeline relative to the seafloor, presence of a field joint indent had a positive influence on the abundance of some common and commercially important fish species. This study demonstrates the ecological value of ROV footage obtained during industry inspection operations that were conducted for reasons unrelated to the determination of ecological information. The pipeline offers a corridor of hard bottom habitat within a marine park that facilitates epibiotic growth and the presence of reef-associated species in a region characterised by sandy sediments. Results indicate the potential importance of subsea O&G infrastructure as a habitat for fish, and in consequence, potentially also as structures with value to fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L McLean
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Cnr. of Fairway and Service Road 4, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - B I Vaughan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Cnr. of Fairway and Service Road 4, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - B E Malseed
- Woodside Energy Limited, 11 Mount Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
| | - M D Taylor
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Cnr. of Fairway and Service Road 4, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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9
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Williams J, Jordan A, Harasti D, Davies P, Ingleton T. Taking a deeper look: Quantifying the differences in fish assemblages between shallow and mesophotic temperate rocky reefs. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0206778. [PMID: 30875385 PMCID: PMC6420037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The spatial distribution of a species assemblage is often determined by habitat and climate. In the marine environment, depth can become an important factor as declining light and water temperature leads to changes in the biological habitat structure. To date, much of the focus of ecological fish research has been based on reefs in less than 40 m with little research on the ecological role of mesophotic reefs. We deployed baited remote underwater stereo video systems (stereo-BRUVS) on temperate reefs in two depth categories: shallow (20–40 m) and mesophotic (80–120 m), off Port Stephens, Australia. Sites were selected using data collected by swath acoustic sounder to ensure stereo-BRUVS were deployed on reef. The sounder also provided rugosity, slope and relief data for each stereo-BRUVS deployment. Multivariate analysis indicates that there are significant differences in the fish assemblages between shallow and mesophotic reefs, primarily driven by Ophthalmolepis lineolatus and Notolabrus gymnogenis only occurring on shallow reefs and schooling species of fish that were unique to each depth category: Atypichthys strigatus on shallow reefs and Centroberyx affinis on mesophotic reefs. While shallow reefs had a greater species richness and abundance of fish when compared to mesophotic reefs, mesophotic reefs hosted the same species richness of fishery-targeted species. Chrysophrys auratus and Nemodactylus douglassii are two highly targeted species in this region. While C. auratus was numerically more abundant on shallow reefs, mesophotic reefs provide habitat for larger fish. In comparison, N. douglassii were evenly distributed across all sites sampled. Generalized linear models revealed that depth and habitat type provided the most parsimonious model for predicting the distribution of C. auratus, while habitat type alone best predicted the distribution of N. douglassii. These results demonstrate the importance of mesophotic reefs to fishery-targeted species and therefore have implications for informing the management of these fishery resources on shelf rocky reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Williams
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alan Jordan
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Harasti
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Davies
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tim Ingleton
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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10
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Marine Refugia Past, Present, and Future: Lessons from Ancient Geologic Crises for Modern Marine Ecosystem Conservation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-73795-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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11
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Coleman MA, Cetina-Heredia P, Roughan M, Feng M, van Sebille E, Kelaher BP. Anticipating changes to future connectivity within a network of marine protected areas. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3533-3542. [PMID: 28122402 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Continental boundary currents are projected to be altered under future scenarios of climate change. As these currents often influence dispersal and connectivity among populations of many marine organisms, changes to boundary currents may have dramatic implications for population persistence. Networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) often aim to maintain connectivity, but anticipation of the scale and extent of climatic impacts on connectivity are required to achieve this critical conservation goal in a future of climate change. For two key marine species (kelp and sea urchins), we use oceanographic modelling to predict how continental boundary currents are likely to change connectivity among a network of MPAs spanning over 1000 km of coastline off the coast of eastern Australia. Overall change in predicted connectivity among pairs of MPAs within the network did not change significantly over and above temporal variation within climatic scenarios, highlighting the need for future studies to incorporate temporal variation in dispersal to robustly anticipate likely change. However, the intricacies of connectivity between different pairs of MPAs were noteworthy. For kelp, poleward connectivity among pairs of MPAs tended to increase in the future, whereas equatorward connectivity tended to decrease. In contrast, for sea urchins, connectivity among pairs of MPAs generally decreased in both directions. Self-seeding within higher-latitude MPAs tended to increase, and the role of low-latitude MPAs as a sink for urchins changed significantly in contrasting ways. These projected changes have the potential to alter important genetic parameters with implications for adaptation and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change. Considering such changes, in the context of managing and designing MPA networks, may ensure that conservation goals are achieved into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A Coleman
- Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Fisheries, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
| | - Paulina Cetina-Heredia
- Regional and Coastal Oceanography Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Climate Change Research Centre and ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Moninya Roughan
- Regional and Coastal Oceanography Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Ming Feng
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, M097, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Climate Change Research Centre and ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Grantham Institute & Department of Physics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Brendan P Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
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12
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Harasti D, Lee KA, Gallen C, Hughes JM, Stewart J. Movements, Home Range and Site Fidelity of Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) within a Temperate Marine Protected Area. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142454. [PMID: 26544185 PMCID: PMC4636427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the movement dynamics of marine fish provides valuable information that can assist with species management, particularly regarding protection within marine protected areas (MPAs). We performed an acoustic tagging study implemented within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to assess the movement patterns, home range and diel activity of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus; Sparidae); a species of significant recreational and commercial fishing importance in Australia. The study focused on C. auratus movements around Cabbage Tree Island, which is predominantly a no-take sanctuary zone (no fishing), with an array of acoustic stations deployed around the island and adjacent reefs and islands. Thirty C. auratus were tagged with internal acoustic tags in November 2010 with their movements recorded until September 2014. Both adult and juvenile C. auratus were observed to display strong site fidelity to Cabbage Tree Island with a mean 12-month residency index of 0.83 (range = 0 low to 1 high). Only three fish were detected on acoustic receivers away from Cabbage Tree Island, with one fish moving a considerable distance of ~ 290 kms over a short time frame (46 days). The longest period of residency recorded at the island was for three fish occurring regularly at the site for a period of 1249 days. Chrysophrys auratus displayed strong diurnal behaviour and detection frequency was significantly higher during the day than at night; however, there was no significant difference in detection frequency between different hours. This study demonstrates that even small-scale protected areas can benefit C. auratus during multiple life-history stages as it maintains a small home range and displays strong site fidelity over a period of 3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Harasti
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia
| | - Kate A. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christopher Gallen
- Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia
| | - Julian M. Hughes
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, 2088, Australia
| | - John Stewart
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, 2088, Australia
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13
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Sim VXY, Dafforn KA, Simpson SL, Kelaher BP, Johnston EL. Sediment Contaminants and Infauna Associated with Recreational Boating Structures in a Multi-Use Marine Park. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130537. [PMID: 26086427 PMCID: PMC4472803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-use marine parks achieve conservation through spatial management of activities. Zoning of marine parks in New South Wales, Australia, includes high conservation areas and special purpose zones (SPZ) where maritime activities are concentrated. Although such measures geographically constrain anthropogenic impacts, we have limited understanding of potential ecological effects. We assessed sediment communities and contaminants adjacent to boating infrastructure (boat ramps, jetties and a marina) in a SPZ from the Clyde Estuary in Batemans Marine Park. Metal concentrations and fines content were elevated at boating structures compared to reference sites. Species richness was higher at sites with boating structures, where capitellid polychaetes and nematodes dominated the communities. Changes associated with boating structures were localised and did not extend beyond breakwalls or to reference sites outside the SPZ. The study highlights the benefits of appropriate zoning in a multi-use marine park and the potential to minimise stress on pristine areas through the application of spatial management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian X. Y. Sim
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine A. Dafforn
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, Australia
| | - Stuart L. Simpson
- Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brendan P. Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre and Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia
| | - Emma L. Johnston
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, Australia
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14
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Malcolm HA, Schultz AL, Sachs P, Johnstone N, Jordan A. Decadal Changes in the Abundance and Length of Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in Subtropical Marine Sanctuaries. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127616. [PMID: 26061036 PMCID: PMC4464656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abundance and length of the highly-targeted snapper Chysophrys auratus were compared between sites in 'no take' areas (Sanctuary Zones: SZ), partial protected areas which are fished (Habitat Protection Zones: HPZ), and areas outside (Outside) the Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP), Australia. Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) sampling on shallow rocky reef (15 - 25 m) was conducted annually from 2002 until 2014 in the Austral-winter, covering the decade after these marine park zones were established (2002). Additional deeper sites (25 - 40 m) were sampled in 2010-2011 to assess if findings were more-broadly applicable. Lengths were measured using stereo-BRUVs from 2011-2014. Snapper were significantly more abundant in SZ overall and in most years compared with the other two management types, which did not significantly differ. Snapper rapidly increased after 2 - 3 years protection in all management types, especially SZ. Snapper were present on more SZ deployments than HPZ and Outside after the same period. The positive SZ response in snapper abundance on shallower reef was also found at a broader spatial scale on deeper sites. Again the two fished management types did not show significant differences among each other. There was considerable variation in snapper abundance between years, with strong peaks in 2005, 2009 and 2014 especially in SZ. Abundances remained higher in SZ in the year or two following a strong peak, but decreased to similar abundances to fished areas before the next peak. Snapper length frequency distribution significantly differed between SZ and both fished management types, with more larger snapper within SZ including a higher proportion (58%) that were legal-sized (>25.7 cm FL). HPZ and Outside did not significantly differ from each other, and were dominated by individuals below legal size. Overall, SZ's have positively influenced abundance and length of snapper on these subtropical rocky reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish A. Malcolm
- Marine Ecosystems Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 4297, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Arthur L. Schultz
- Southswell Marine, 204 Schnapper Beach Road, Urunga, NSW, 2455, Australia
| | - Patrick Sachs
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Box 7051, Canberra, ACT, 2610, Australia
| | - Nicola Johnstone
- Solitary Islands Marine Park, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 4297, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
| | - Alan Jordan
- Marine Ecosystems Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Private Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia
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Coleman MA, Bates AE, Stuart-Smith RD, Malcolm HA, Harasti D, Jordan A, Knott NA, Edgar GJ, Kelaher BP. Functional traits reveal early responses in marine reserves following protection from fishing. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Coleman
- Marine Ecosystem Research; Department of Primary Industries; New South Wales Fisheries; PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; 2 Bay Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
| | - A. E. Bates
- Ocean and Earth Science; National Oceanography Centre Southampton; University of Southampton; Southampton SO14 3ZH UK
| | - R. D. Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tas. 7001 Australia
| | - H. A. Malcolm
- Department of Primary Industries; Marine Ecosystem Research; 32 Marina Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
| | - D. Harasti
- Department of Primary Industries; Marine Ecosystem Research; Locked Bag 800 Nelson Bay NSW 2315 Australia
| | - A. Jordan
- Department of Primary Industries; Marine Ecosystem Research; Locked Bag 800 Nelson Bay NSW 2315 Australia
| | - N. A. Knott
- Department of Primary Industries; Marine Ecosystem Research; PO Box 89 Huskisson NSW 2540 Australia
| | - G. J. Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tas. 7001 Australia
| | - B. P. Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre; Southern Cross University; 2 Bay Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
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Lindenmayer DB, Burns EL, Tennant P, Dickman CR, Green PT, Keith DA, Metcalfe DJ, Russell-Smith J, Wardle GM, Williams D, Bossard K, deLacey C, Hanigan I, Bull CM, Gillespie G, Hobbs RJ, Krebs CJ, Likens GE, Porter J, Vardon M. Contemplating the future: Acting now on long-term monitoring to answer 2050's questions. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David B. Lindenmayer
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Emma L. Burns
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Philip Tennant
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales
| | - Peter T. Green
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Melbourne Victoria
| | - David A. Keith
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; The University of New South Wales; Sydney New South Wales
| | - Daniel J. Metcalfe
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship; Dutton Park Queensland
| | - Jeremy Russell-Smith
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research; Charles Darwin University; Darwin Northern Territory
| | - Glenda M. Wardle
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales
| | - Dick Williams
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Sustainable Ecosystems; CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences; Winnellie Northern Territory
| | - Karl Bossard
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Claire deLacey
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Ivan Hanigan
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - C. Michael Bull
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University; Adelaide South Australia
| | - Graeme Gillespie
- Long Term Ecological Research Network; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network; Australia
- Department of Land Resource Management; Flora and Fauna Division, Berrimah; Northern Territory
| | - Richard J. Hobbs
- School of Plant Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; University of Western Australia; Crawley Western Australia
| | - Charles J. Krebs
- Institute for Applied Ecology; University of Canberra; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
| | - Gene E. Likens
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Millbrook, New York USA
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Biology; University of Connecticut; Storrs, Connecticut USA
| | - John Porter
- Department of Environmental Sciences; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Michael Vardon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra Australian Capital Territory
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