1
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Galligan BP, McClanahan TR. Tropical fishery nutrient production depends on biomass-based management. iScience 2024; 27:109420. [PMID: 38510133 PMCID: PMC10952041 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The need to enhance nutrient production from tropical ecosystems to feed the poor could potentially create a new framework for fisheries science and management. Early recommendations have included targeting small fishes and increasing the species richness of fish catches, which could represent a departure from more traditional approaches such as biomass-based management. To test these recommendations, we compared the outcomes of biomass-based management with hypothesized factors influencing nutrient density in nearshore artisanal fish catches in the Western Indian Ocean. We found that enhancing nutrient production depends primarily on achieving biomass-based targets. Catches dominated by low- and mid-trophic level species with smaller body sizes and faster turnover were associated with modest increases in nutrient densities, but the variability in nutrient density was small relative to human nutritional requirements. Therefore, tropical fishery management should focus on restoring biomass to achieve maximum yields and sustainability, particularly for herbivorous fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan P. Galligan
- Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa, Karen, Nairobi 00502, Kenya
- Loyola University Chicago, Department of Biology, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
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2
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Temporal analyses of the fish functional arrangement of Celestún coastal lagoon, in Yucatan, Mexico. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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3
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Benoit DM, Chu C, Giacomini HC, Jackson DA. Size spectrum model reveals importance of considering species interactions in a freshwater fisheries management context. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Benoit
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Cindy Chu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Fisheries and Oceans Canada Burlington Ontario Canada
| | - Henrique C. Giacomini
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry Aquatic Research and Monitoring Section Peterborough Ontario Canada
| | - Donald A. Jackson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
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4
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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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5
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Hadj-Hammou J, McClanahan TR, Graham NAJ. Decadal shifts in traits of reef fish communities in marine reserves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23470. [PMID: 34873242 PMCID: PMC8648868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine reserves are known to impact the biomass, biodiversity, and functions of coral reef fish communities, but the effect of protective management on fish traits is less explored. We used a time-series modelling approach to simultaneously evaluate the abundance, biomass, and traits of eight fish families over a chronosequence spanning 44 years of protection. We constructed a multivariate functional space based on six traits known to respond to management or disturbance and affect ecosystem processes: size, diet, position in the water column, gregariousness, reef association, and length at maturity. We show that biomass increased with a log-linear trend over the time-series, but abundance only increased after 20 years of closure, and with more variation among reserves. This difference is attributed to recovery rates being dependent on body sizes. Abundance-weighted traits and the associated multivariate space of the community change is driven by increased proportions over time of the trait categories: 7-15 cm body size; planktivorous; species low in the water column; medium-large schools; and species with high levels of reef association. These findings suggest that the trait compositions emerging after the cessation of fishing are novel and dynamic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeneen Hadj-Hammou
- Lancaster University Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Tim R McClanahan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Marine Programs, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA
| | - Nicholas A J Graham
- Lancaster University Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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6
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Osuka KE, Stewart BD, Samoilys MA, Roche RC, Turner J, McClean C. Protection outcomes for fish trophic groups across a range of management regimes. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113010. [PMID: 34628347 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113010] [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: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) improve conservation outcomes across anthropogenic pressures can improve the benefits derived from them. Effects of protection for coral reefs in the western and central Indian Ocean were assessed using size-spectra analysis of fish and the relationships of trophic group biomass with human population density. Length-spectra relationships quantifying the relative abundance of small and large fish (slope) and overall productivity of the system (intercept) showed inconsistent patterns with MPA protection. The results suggest that both the slopes and intercepts were significantly higher in highly and well-protected MPAs. This indicates that effective MPAs are more productive and support higher abundances of smaller fish, relative to moderately protected MPAs. Trophic group biomass spanning piscivores and herbivores, decreased with increasing human density implying restoration of fish functional structure is needed. This would require addressing fisher needs and supporting effective MPA management to secure ecosystem benefits for coastal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy E Osuka
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK; CORDIO East Africa, Mombasa, Kenya.
| | - Bryce D Stewart
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK
| | - Melita A Samoilys
- CORDIO East Africa, Mombasa, Kenya; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ronan C Roche
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - John Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Colin McClean
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK
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7
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Bucol AA, Abesamis RA, Stockwell BL, Lowe JR, Russ GR. Development of reproductive potential in protogynous coral reef fishes within Philippine no-take marine reserves. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1561-1575. [PMID: 34312862 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14861] [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: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Empirical evidence for increases in the reproductive potential (egg output per unit area) of coral reef fish in no-take marine reserves (NTMRs) is sparse. Here, we inferred the development of reproductive potential in two species of protogynous reef fishes, Chlorurus bleekeri (Labridae: Scarinae) and Cephalopholis argus (Epinephelidae), inside and outside of Philippine NTMRs. We estimated key reproductive parameters and applied these to species-specific density and length data from 17 NTMRs (durations of protection 0-11 years) and paired fished sites (controls) in a space-for-time substitution approach. For C. argus, we also used density and length data collected almost annually over 29 years from a NTMR and an adjacent control at Apo Island. The results suggest that C. bleekeri can develop 6.0 times greater reproductive potential in NTMRs than controls after 11 years of protection, equivalent to approximately 582,000 more eggs produced 500 m-2 inside NTMRs. Enhancement of reproductive potential in C. argus was not evident after 11 years in the space-for-time substitution. At Apo Island NTMR, reproductive potential of C. argus increased approximately 6-fold over 29 years but NTMR/control ratios in reproductive potential decreased through time (from 3.2 to 2.4), probably due to spillover of C. argus from the NTMR to the control. C. argus was estimated to produce approximately 113,000 more eggs 500 m-2 inside Apo Island NTMR at the 29th year of protection. Ratios of reproductive potential between NTMR and controls in C. bleekeri and C. argus were often greater than corresponding ratios in density or biomass. The study underscores the importance of species-specific reproductive life history traits that drive variation in the development of larval fish subsidies that originate from NTMRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abner A Bucol
- Silliman University-Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, Dumaguete City, Philippines
| | - Rene A Abesamis
- Silliman University-Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, Dumaguete City, Philippines
| | - Brian L Stockwell
- School of Agriculture, Geography, Ocean, and Natural Sciences, The University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
| | - Jake R Lowe
- College of Science and Engineering and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence and ARC Centre of Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Garry R Russ
- College of Science and Engineering and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence and ARC Centre of Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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8
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Goetze JS, Wilson S, Radford B, Fisher R, Langlois TJ, Monk J, Knott NA, Malcolm H, Currey‐Randall LM, Ierodiaconou D, Harasti D, Barrett N, Babcock RC, Bosch NE, Brock D, Claudet J, Clough J, Fairclough DV, Heupel MR, Holmes TH, Huveneers C, Jordan AR, McLean D, Meekan M, Miller D, Newman SJ, Rees MJ, Roberts KE, Saunders BJ, Speed CW, Travers MJ, Treml E, Whitmarsh SK, Wakefield CB, Harvey ES. Increased connectivity and depth improve the effectiveness of marine reserves. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:3432-3447. [PMID: 34015863 PMCID: PMC8360116 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine reserves are a key tool for the conservation of marine biodiversity, yet only ~2.5% of the world's oceans are protected. The integration of marine reserves into connected networks representing all habitats has been encouraged by international agreements, yet the benefits of this design has not been tested empirically. Australia has one of the largest systems of marine reserves, providing a rare opportunity to assess how connectivity influences conservation success. An Australia-wide dataset was collected using baited remote underwater video systems deployed across a depth range from 0 to 100 m to assess the effectiveness of marine reserves for protecting teleosts subject to commercial and recreational fishing. A meta-analytical comparison of 73 fished species within 91 marine reserves found that, on average, marine reserves had 28% greater abundance and 53% greater biomass of fished species compared to adjacent areas open to fishing. However, benefits of protection were not observed across all reserves (heterogeneity), so full subsets generalized additive modelling was used to consider factors that influence marine reserve effectiveness, including distance-based and ecological metrics of connectivity among reserves. Our results suggest that increased connectivity and depth improve the aforementioned marine reserve benefits and that these factors should be considered to optimize such benefits over time. We provide important guidance on factors to consider when implementing marine reserves for the purpose of increasing the abundance and size of fished species, given the expected increase in coverage globally. We show that marine reserves that are highly protected (no-take) and designed to optimize connectivity, size and depth range can provide an effective conservation strategy for fished species in temperate and tropical waters within an overarching marine biodiversity conservation framework.
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9
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Wambua S, Gourlé H, de Villiers EP, Karlsson-Lindsjö O, Wambiji N, Macdonald A, Bongcam-Rudloff E, de Villiers S. Cross-Sectional Variations in Structure and Function of Coral Reef Microbiome With Local Anthropogenic Impacts on the Kenyan Coast of the Indian Ocean. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:673128. [PMID: 34248882 PMCID: PMC8260691 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.673128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs face an increased number of environmental threats from anthropomorphic climate change and pollution from agriculture, industries and sewage. Because environmental changes lead to their compositional and functional shifts, coral reef microbial communities can serve as indicators of ecosystem impacts through development of rapid and inexpensive molecular monitoring tools. Little is known about coral reef microbial communities of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). We compared taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities inhabiting near-coral seawater and sediments from Kenyan reefs exposed to varying impacts of human activities. Over 19,000 species (bacterial, viral and archaeal combined) and 4,500 clusters of orthologous groups of proteins (COGs) were annotated. The coral reefs showed variations in the relative abundances of ecologically significant taxa, especially copiotrophic bacteria and coliphages, corresponding to the magnitude of the neighboring human impacts in the respective sites. Furthermore, the near-coral seawater and sediment metagenomes had an overrepresentation of COGs for functions related to adaptation to diverse environments. Malindi and Mombasa marine parks, the coral reef sites closest to densely populated settlements were significantly enriched with genes for functions suggestive of mitigation of environment perturbations including the capacity to reduce intracellular levels of environmental contaminants and repair of DNA damage. Our study is the first metagenomic assessment of WIO coral reef microbial diversity which provides a much-needed baseline for the region, and points to a potential area for future research toward establishing indicators of environmental perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Wambua
- Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre (PUBReC), Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya.,Department of Biological Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Hadrien Gourlé
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Etienne P de Villiers
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Oskar Karlsson-Lindsjö
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nina Wambiji
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Angus Macdonald
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Erik Bongcam-Rudloff
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Santie de Villiers
- Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre (PUBReC), Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
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10
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Rojo I, Anadón JD, García-Charton JA. Exceptionally high but still growing predatory reef fish biomass after 23 years of protection in a Marine Protected Area. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246335. [PMID: 33556064 PMCID: PMC7870052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help replenish fish assemblages, though different trophic levels may show diverse recovery patterns. Long-term protection is required to achieve total recovery but poaching events may prevent the achievement of full carrying capacity. Here, we have analysed the effect of long-term protection on the entire reef fish community and the different trophic levels in the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA (SE Spain; SW Mediterranean Sea) in order to assess their recovery patterns after 23 years of protection. We compared the values for carrying capacity obtained with the maximum values achieved at regional scale, and we assessed the effect of a reduction in the surveillance over a few years, during which poaching events increased, on the recovery patterns. We found that, overall, biomass of fishes increased with time while density diminished. In particular, piscivorous and macro-invertivore fish increased while the other trophic groups remained constant or declined, suggesting top-down processes. For the entire study period, those trophic groups were approaching carrying capacity; however, when accounting only for the period in which enforcement was high and constant, they grew exponentially, indicating that full carrying capacity may have not been achieved yet. When compared to other Mediterranean MPAs, the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA showed values for biomass that were disproportionately higher, suggesting that local factors, such as habitat structure and associated oceanographic processes, may be responsible for the dynamics found. Our results help to understand the potential trajectories of fish assemblages over a consolidated MPA and highlight empirically how the reduction of surveillance in a period may change the recovery patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rojo
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Daniel Anadón
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Zaragoza, Spain
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11
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Relationships between a common Caribbean corallivorous snail and protected area status, coral cover, and predator abundance. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16463. [PMID: 33020553 PMCID: PMC7536437 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73568-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As coral populations decline across the Caribbean, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the forces that inhibit coral survivorship and recovery. Predation by corallivores, such as the short coral snail Coralliophila abbreviata, are one such threat to coral health and recovery worldwide, but current understanding of the factors controlling corallivore populations, and therefore predation pressure on corals, remains limited. To examine the extent to which bottom-up forces (i.e., coral prey), top-down forces (i.e., predators), and marine protection relate to C. abbreviata distributions, we surveyed C. abbreviata abundance, percent coral cover, and the abundance of potential snail predators across six protected and six unprotected reefs in the Florida Keys. We found that C. abbreviata abundance was lower in protected areas where predator assemblages were also more diverse, and that across all sites snail abundance generally increased with coral cover. C. abbreviata abundance had strong, negative relationships with two gastropod predators—the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and the grunt black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis), which may be exerting top-down pressure on C. abbreviata populations. Further, we found the size of C. abbreviata was also related to reef protection status, with larger C. abbreviata on average in protected areas, suggesting that gape-limited predators such as P. argus and A. surinamensis may alter size distributions by targeting small snails. Combined, these results provide preliminary evidence that marine protection in the Florida Keys may preserve critical trophic interactions that indirectly promote coral success via control of local populations of the common corallivorous snail C. abbreviata.
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12
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Karisa JF, Obura DO, Chen CA. Spatial heterogeneity of coral reef benthic communities in Kenya. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237397. [PMID: 32845883 PMCID: PMC7449394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial patterns of coral reef benthic communities vary across a range of broad-scale biogeographical levels to fine-scale local habitat conditions. This study described spatial patterns of coral reef benthic communities spanning across the 536-km coast of Kenya. Thirty-eight reef sites representing different geographical zones within an array of habitats and management levels were assessed by benthic cover, coral genera and coral colony size classes. Three geographical zones were identified along the latitudinal gradient based on their benthic community composition. Hard coral dominated the three zones with highest cover in the south and Porites being the most abundant genus. Almost all 15 benthic variables differed significantly between geographical zones. The interaction of habitat factors and management levels created a localised pattern within each zone. Four habitats were identified based on their similarity in benthic community composition; 1. Deep-Exposed Patch reef in Reserve areas (DEPR), 2. Deep-Exposed Fringing reefs in Unprotected areas (DEFU), 3. Shallow Fringing and Lagoon reefs in Protected and Reserve areas (SFLPR) and 4. Shallow Patch and Channel reefs (SPC). DEPR was found in the north zone only and its benthic community was predominantly crustose coralline algae. DEFU was found in central and south zones mainly dominated by soft corals, Acropora, Montipora, juvenile corals and small colonies of adult corals. SFLPR was dominated by macroalgae and turf algae and was found in north and central zones. SPC was found across all geographical zones with a benthic community dominated by hard corals of mostly large colonies of Porites and Echinopora. The north zone exhibits habitat types that support resistance properties, the south supports recovery processes and central zone acts as an ecological corridor between zones. Identifying habitats with different roles in reef resilience is useful information for marine spatial planning and supports the process of designing effective marine protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Furaha Karisa
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya
| | | | - Chaolun Allen Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, Tung Hai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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13
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Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Mediterranean Shallow Coastal Fish Communities along a Gradient of Marine Protection. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12061537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The importance of habitat factors in designing marine reserves and evaluating their performance over time has been regularly documented. Over three biennial sampling periods, we examined the effects of vegetated coverage and habitat diversity (i.e., patchiness) on fish density, community composition, and species-specific patterns along a gradient of protection from harvest in the shallow Spanish southern Mediterranean, including portions of the Tabarca marine reserve. With the exception of two herbivores (Sarpa salpa and Symphodus tinca), vegetated cover did not significantly affect fish densities, while habitat diversity was an influential factor across all three sampling periods. Overall, fish density was more positively associated with more continuous vegetated or unvegetated habitats, and was greatest in areas of highest protection (Tabarca II – Isla Nao site). These patterns were usually observed for four abundant fish species (Boops boops, Chromis chromis, Oblada melanura, and S. salpa). Fish community composition was distinct in the most protected portion of the Tabarca reserve, where it was also most stable. Our findings align with previous investigations of the Tabarca reserve and its surrounding areas, and demonstrate its continued effectiveness in conserving fish biomass and habitat. Together with effective management, marine reserves can facilitate greater species abundance, more stable biological communities, and resilient ecosystems.
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14
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Using Artificial-Reef Knowledge to Enhance the Ecological Function of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations: Implications for Fish Abundance and Diversity. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8050332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As the development of large-scale offshore wind farms (OWFs) amplifies due to technological progress and a growing demand for renewable energy, associated footprints on the seabed are becoming increasingly common within soft-bottom environments. A large part of the footprint is the scour protection, often consisting of rocks that are positioned on the seabed to prevent erosion. As such, scour protection may resemble a marine rocky reef and could have important ecosystem functions. While acknowledging that OWFs disrupt the marine environment, the aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of scour protection on fish assemblages, relate them to the effects of designated artificial reefs (ARs) and, ultimately, reveal how future scour protection may be tailored to support abundance and diversity of marine species. The results revealed frequent increases in abundances of species associated with hard substrata after the establishment of artificial structures (i.e., both OWFs and ARs) in the marine environment. Literature indicated that scour protection meets the requirements to function as an AR, often providing shelter, nursery, reproduction, and/or feeding opportunities. Using knowledge from AR models, this review suggests methodology for ecological improvements of future scour protections, aiming towards a more successful integration into the marine environment.
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15
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Changing role of coral reef marine reserves in a warming climate. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2000. [PMID: 32332721 PMCID: PMC7181733 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15863-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems are among the first to fundamentally change in structure due to climate change, which leads to questioning of whether decades of knowledge regarding reef management is still applicable. Here we assess ecological responses to no-take marine reserves over two decades, spanning a major climate-driven coral bleaching event. Pre-bleaching reserve responses were consistent with a large literature, with higher coral cover, more species of fish, and greater fish biomass, particularly of upper trophic levels. However, in the 16 years following coral mortality, reserve effects were absent for the reef benthos, and greatly diminished for fish species richness. Positive fish biomass effects persisted, but the groups of fish benefiting from marine reserves profoundly changed, with low trophic level herbivores dominating the responses. These findings highlight that while marine reserves still have important roles on coral reefs in the face of climate change, the species and functional groups they benefit will be substantially altered. It is unclear whether rapid climate change will alter the effectiveness of marine reserves. Here Graham et al. use a 20-year time-series from the Seychelles to show that marine reserves may not prevent climate-driven shifts in community composition, and that ecological responses to reserves are substantially altered.
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16
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Easter EE, Adreani MS, Hamilton SL, Steele MA, Pang S, White JW. Influence of protogynous sex change on recovery of fish populations within marine protected areas. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02070. [PMID: 31903628 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly implemented as a conservation tool worldwide. In many cases, they are managed adaptively: the abundance of target species is monitored, and observations are compared to some model-based expectation for the trajectory of population recovery to ensure that the MPA is achieving its goals. Most previous analyses of the transient (short-term) response of populations to the cessation of fishing inside MPAs have dealt only with gonochore (fixed-sex) species. However, many important fishery species are protogynous hermaphrodites (female-to-male sex-changing). Because size-selective harvest will predominantly target males in these species, harvesting not only reduces abundance but also skews the sex ratio toward females. Thus the response to MPA implementation will involve changes in both survival and sex ratio, and ultimately reproductive output. We used an age-structured model of a generic sex-changing fish population to compare transient population dynamics after MPA implementation to those of an otherwise similar gonochore population and examine how different features of sex-changing life history affect those dynamics. We examined both demographically open (most larval recruitment comes from outside the MPA) and demographically closed (most larval recruitment is locally produced) dynamics. Under both scenarios, population recovery of protogynous species takes longer when fishing was more intense pre-MPA (as in gonochores), but also depends heavily on the mating function, the degree to which the sex ratio affects reproduction. If few males are needed and reproduction is not affected by a highly female-biased sex ratio, then population recovery is much faster; if males are a limiting resource, then increases in abundance after MPA implementation are much slower than for gonochores. Unfortunately, the mating function is largely unknown for fishes. In general, we expect that most protogynous species with haremic mating systems will be in the first category (few males needed), though there is at least one example of a fish species (though not a sex-changing species) for which males are limiting. Thus a better understanding of the importance of male fish to population dynamics is needed for the adaptive management of MPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Easter
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA
| | - M S Adreani
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, California, 91330, USA
| | - S L Hamilton
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, California, 95309, USA
| | - M A Steele
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, California, 91330, USA
| | - S Pang
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, California, 95309, USA
| | - J W White
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, 97365, USA
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17
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Vanderklift MA, Babcock RC, Boschetti F, Haywood MDE, Pillans RD, Thomson DP. Declining abundance of coral reef fish in a World-Heritage-listed marine park. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15524. [PMID: 31664119 PMCID: PMC6820736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most robust metrics for assessing the effectiveness of protected areas is the temporal trend in the abundance of the species they are designed to protect. We surveyed coral-reef fish and living hard coral in and adjacent to a sanctuary zone (SZ: where all forms of fishing are prohibited) in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park during a 10-year period. There were generally more individuals and greater biomass of many fish taxa (especially emperors and parrotfish) in the SZ than the adjacent recreation zone (RZ: where recreational fishing is allowed) — so log response ratios of abundance were usually positive in each year. However, despite this, there was an overall decrease in both SZ and RZ in absolute abundance of some taxa by up to 22% per year, including taxa that are explicitly targeted (emperors) by fishers and taxa that are neither targeted nor frequently captured (most wrasses and butterflyfish). A concomitant decline in the abundance (measured as percentage cover) of living hard coral of 1–7% per year is a plausible explanation for the declining abundance of butterflyfish, but declines in emperors might be more plausibly due to fishing. Our study highlights that information on temporal trends in absolute abundance is needed to assess whether the goals of protected areas are being met: in our study, patterns in absolute abundance across ten years of surveys revealed trends that simple ratios of abundance did not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A Vanderklift
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Russell C Babcock
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Fabio Boschetti
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Michael D E Haywood
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Richard D Pillans
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Damian P Thomson
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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18
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Olson JC, Appeldoorn RS, Schärer-Umpierre MT, Cruz-Motta JJ. Recovery when you are on your own: Slow population responses in an isolated marine reserve. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223102. [PMID: 31600245 PMCID: PMC6786604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic isolation is an important yet underappreciated factor affecting marine reserve performance. Isolation, in combination with other factors, may preclude recruit subsidies, thus slowing recovery when base populations are small and causing a mismatch between performance and stakeholder expectations. Mona Island is a small, oceanic island located within a partial biogeographic barrier—44 km from the Puerto Rico shelf. We investigated if Mona Island’s no-take zone (MNTZ), the largest in the U.S. Caribbean, was successful in increasing mean size and density of a suite of snapper and grouper species 14 years after designation. The La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR) was chosen for evaluation of temporal trends at a fished location. Despite indications of fishing within the no-take area, a reserve effect at Mona Island was evidenced from increasing mean sizes and densities of some taxa and mean total density 36% greater relative to 2005. However, the largest predatory species remained rare at Mona, preventing meaningful analysis of population trends. In the LPNR, most commercial species (e.g., Lutjanus synagris, Lutjanus apodus, Lutjanus mahogoni) did not change significantly in biomass or abundance, but some (Ocyurus chrysurus, Lachnolaimus maximus), increased in abundance owing to strong recent recruitment. This study documents slow recovery in the MNTZ that is limited to smaller sized species, highlighting both the need for better compliance and the substantial recovery time required by commercially valuable, coral reef fishes in isolated marine reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack C. Olson
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Richard S. Appeldoorn
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | | | - Juan J. Cruz-Motta
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States of America
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19
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Estrada-Saldívar N, Jordán-Dalhgren E, Rodríguez-Martínez RE, Perry C, Alvarez-Filip L. Functional consequences of the long-term decline of reef-building corals in the Caribbean: evidence of across-reef functional convergence. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190298. [PMID: 31824686 PMCID: PMC6837220 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Functional integrity on coral reefs is strongly dependent upon coral cover and coral carbonate production rate being sufficient to maintain three-dimensional reef structures. Increasing environmental and anthropogenic pressures in recent decades have reduced the cover of key reef-building species, producing a shift towards the relative dominance of more stress-tolerant taxa and leading to a reduction in the physical functional integrity. Understanding how changes in coral community composition influence the potential of reefs to maintain their physical reef functioning is a priority for their conservation and management. Here, we evaluate how coral communities have changed in the northern sector of the Mexican Caribbean between 1985 and 2016, and the implications for the maintenance of physical reef functions in the back- and fore-reef zones. We used the cover of coral species to explore changes in four morpho-functional groups, coral community composition, coral community calcification, the reef functional index and the reef carbonate budget. Over a period of 31 years, ecological homogenization occurred between the two reef zones mostly due to a reduction in the cover of framework-building branching (Acropora spp.) and foliose-digitiform (Porites porites and Agaricia tenuifolia) coral species in the back-reef, and a relative increase in non-framework species in the fore-reef (Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides). This resulted in a significant decrease in the physical functionality of the back-reef zone. At present, both reef zones have negative carbonate budgets, and thus limited capacity to sustain reef accretion, compromising the existing reef structure and its future capacity to provide habitat and environmental services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Estrada-Saldívar
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Ciudad Universitaria 3000, CP 04510 Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Eric Jordán-Dalhgren
- Coral Ecology Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Rosa E. Rodríguez-Martínez
- Coral Ecology Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Chris Perry
- Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
- Author for correspondence: Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip e-mail:
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20
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McClanahan TR, Kosgei JK. Outcomes of gear and closure subsidies in artisanal coral reef fisheries. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse K. Kosgei
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Coral Reef Conservation Project Mombasa Kenya
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Kaplan KA, Yamane L, Botsford LW, Baskett ML, Hastings A, Worden S, White JW. Setting expected timelines of fished population recovery for the adaptive management of a marine protected area network. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01949. [PMID: 31188493 PMCID: PMC9285580 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive management of marine protected areas (MPAs) requires developing methods to evaluate whether monitoring data indicate that they are performing as expected. Modeling the expected responses of targeted species to an MPA network, with a clear timeline for those expectations, can aid in the development of a monitoring program that efficiently evaluates expectations over appropriate time frames. Here, we describe the expected trajectories in abundance and biomass following MPA implementation for populations of 19 nearshore fishery species in California. To capture the process of filling in the age structure truncated by fishing, we used age-structured population models with stochastic larval recruitment to predict responses to MPA implementation. We implemented both demographically open (high larval immigration) and closed (high self-recruitment) populations to model the range of possible trajectories as they depend on recruitment dynamics. From these simulations, we quantified the time scales over which anticipated increases in abundance and biomass inside MPAs would become statistically detectable. Predicted population biomass responses range from little change, for species with low fishing rates, to increasing by a factor of nearly seven, for species with high fishing rates before MPA establishment. Increases in biomass following MPA implementation are usually greater in both magnitude and statistical detectability than increases in abundance. For most species, increases in abundance would not begin to become detectable for at least 10 years after implementation. Overall, these results inform potential indicator metrics (biomass), potential indicator species (those with a high fishing : natural mortality ratio), and time frame (>10 yr) for MPA monitoring assessment as part of the adaptive management process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Kaplan
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, Coastal and Marine Sciences InstituteUniversity of California DavisOne Shields AvenueDavisCalifornia95616USA
- California Department of Fish and WildlifeMarine Region350 Harbor BoulevardBelmontCalifornia94002USA
| | - Lauren Yamane
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, Coastal and Marine Sciences InstituteUniversity of California DavisOne Shields AvenueDavisCalifornia95616USA
- California Department of Fish and WildlifeMarine Region350 Harbor BoulevardBelmontCalifornia94002USA
| | - Louis W. Botsford
- Department of WildlifeFish and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California DavisOne Shields AvenueDavisCalifornia95616USA
| | - Marissa L. Baskett
- Department of Environmental Science and PolicyUniversity of California DavisOne Shields AvenueDavisCalifornia95616USA
| | - Alan Hastings
- Department of Environmental Science and PolicyUniversity of California DavisOne Shields AvenueDavisCalifornia95616USA
| | - Sara Worden
- California Department of Fish and WildlifeMarine Region350 Harbor BoulevardBelmontCalifornia94002USA
| | - J. Wilson White
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeCoastal Oregon Marine Experiment StationOregon State UniversityNewportOregon97365USA
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22
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Rojo I, Sánchez-Meca J, García-Charton JA. Small-sized and well-enforced Marine Protected Areas provide ecological benefits for piscivorous fish populations worldwide. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 149:100-110. [PMID: 31271903 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many piscivorous fish species are depleted and/or threatened around the world. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are tools for conservation and fisheries management, though there is still controversy regarding the best design for increasing their ecological effectiveness. Here, on the basis of a weighted meta-analytical approach, we have assessed the effect of 32 MPAs, distributed worldwide, on the biomass and density of piscivorous fishes. We analysed the MPA features and the biological, commercial and ecological characteristics of fishes that may affect the response of species to protection. We found a positive effect on the biomass and density of piscivores inside MPAs. This effect was stronger for the biomass of medium-sized fishes (in relation to the maximum size reported for the species) and the density of large and gregarious species. The size of the no-take zone had a significant negative impact on both response variables and differed according to the level of enforcement, with smaller no-take zones having higher levels of enforcement. Thus, MPAs help to protect piscivorous fish species, with smaller, but well enforced reserves being more effective for the protection of the local populations of piscivorous fishes throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rojo
- - Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Julio Sánchez-Meca
- - Departamento de Psicología Básica y Metodología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - José A García-Charton
- - Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología. Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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23
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Social-ecological alignment and ecological conditions in coral reefs. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2039. [PMID: 31053708 PMCID: PMC6499785 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09994-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex social-ecological interactions underpin many environmental problems. To help capture this complexity, we advance an interdisciplinary network modeling framework to identify important relationships between people and nature that can influence environmental conditions. Drawing on comprehensive social and ecological data from five coral reef fishing communities in Kenya; including interviews with 648 fishers, underwater visual census data of reef ecosystem condition, and time-series landings data; we show that positive ecological conditions are associated with ‘social-ecological network closure’ – i.e., fully linked and thus closed network structures between social actors and ecological resources. Our results suggest that when fishers facing common dilemmas form cooperative communication ties with direct resource competitors, they may achieve positive gains in reef fish biomass and functional richness. Our work provides key empirical insight to a growing body of research on social-ecological alignment, and helps to advance an integrative framework that can be applied empirically in different social-ecological contexts. The relationships between people can have important consequences for the systems they depend on. Here the authors show that when coral reef fishers face commons dilemmas, the formation of cooperative communication with competitors can lead to positive gains in reef fish biomass and functional richness.
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Samoilys MA, Halford A, Osuka K. Disentangling drivers of the abundance of coral reef fishes in the Western Indian Ocean. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4149-4167. [PMID: 31015995 PMCID: PMC6468081 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Understanding the drivers of the structure of coral reef fish assemblages is vital for their future conservation. Quantifying the separate roles of natural drivers from the increasing influence of anthropogenic factors, such as fishing and climate change, is a key component of this understanding. It follows that the intrinsic role of historical biogeographical and geomorphological factors must be accounted for when trying to understand the effects of contemporary disturbances such as fishing. LOCATION Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania, Western Indian Ocean (WIO). METHODS We modeled patterns in the density and biomass of an assemblage of reef-associated fish species from 11 families, and their association with 16 biophysical variables. RESULTS Canonical analysis of principal coordinates revealed strong country affiliations of reef fish assemblages and distance-based linear modeling confirmed geographic location and reef geomorphology were the most significant correlates, explaining 32% of the observed variation in fish assemblage structure. Another 6%-8% of variation was explained by productivity gradients (chl_a), and reef exposure or slope. Where spatial effects were not significant between mainland continental locations, fishing effects became evident explaining 6% of the variation in data. No correlation with live coral was detected. Only 37 species, predominantly lower trophic level taxa, were significant in explaining differences in assemblages between sites. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Spatial and geomorphological histories remain a major influence on the structure of reef fish assemblages in the WIO. Reef geomorphology was closely linked to standing biomass, with "ocean-exposed" fringing reefs supporting high average biomass of ~1,000 kg/ha, while "lagoon-exposed fringing" reefs and "inner seas patch complex" reefs yielded substantially less at ~500kg/ha. Further, the results indicate the influence of benthic communities on fish assemblages is scale dependent. Such insights will be pivotal for managers seeking to balance long-term sustainability of artisanal reef fisheries with conservation of coral reef systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melita A. Samoilys
- CORDIO East AfricaMombasaKenya
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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25
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Buckley SM, McClanahan TR, Quintana Morales EM, Mwakha V, Nyanapah J, Otwoma LM, Pandolfi JM. Identifying species threatened with local extinction in tropical reef fisheries using historical reconstruction of species occurrence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211224. [PMID: 30759107 PMCID: PMC6373906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the species that are at risk of local extinction in highly diverse ecosystems is a big challenge for conservation science. Assessments of species status are costly and difficult to implement in developing countries with diverse ecosystems due to a lack of species-specific surveys, species-specific data, and other resources. Numerous techniques are devised to determine the threat status of species based on the availability of data and budgetary limits. On this basis, we developed a framework that compared occurrence data of historically exploited reef species in Kenya from existing disparate data sources. Occurrence data from archaeological remains (750-1500CE) was compared with occurrence data of these species catch assessments, and underwater surveys (1991-2014CE). This comparison indicated that only 67 species were exploited over a 750 year period, 750-1500CE, whereas 185 species were landed between 1995 and 2014CE. The first step of our framework identified 23 reef species as threatened with local extinction. The second step of the framework further evaluated the possibility of local extinction with Bayesian extinction analyses using occurrence data from naturalists’ species list with the existing occurrence data sources. The Bayesian extinction analysis reduced the number of reef species threatened with local extinction from 23 to 15. We compared our findings with three methods used for assessing extinction risk. Commonly used extinction risk methods varied in their ability to identify reef species that we identified as threatened with local extinction by our comparative and Bayesian method. For example, 12 of the 15 threatened species that we identified using our framework were listed as either least concern, unevaluated, or data deficient in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red list. Piscivores and macro-invertivores were the only functional groups found to be locally extinct. Comparing occurrence data from disparate sources revealed a large number of historically exploited reef species that are possibly locally extinct. Our framework addressed biases such as uncertainty in priors, sightings and survey effort, when estimating the probability of local extinction. Our inexpensive method showed the value and potential for disparate data to fill knowledge gaps that exist in species extinction assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Buckley
- Australia Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Tim R. McClanahan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Victor Mwakha
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Jatieno Nyanapah
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Levy M. Otwoma
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - John M. Pandolfi
- Australia Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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26
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Thiault L, Kernaléguen L, Osenberg CW, Lison de Loma T, Chancerelle Y, Siu G, Claudet J. Ecological evaluation of a marine protected area network: a progressive‐change
BACIPS
approach. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L. Thiault
- National Center for Scientific Research PSL Université Paris CRIOBE USR 3278 CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD Maison des Océans 195 rue Saint‐Jacques 75005 Paris France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL 98729 Moorea French Polynesia
- Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle PALOC UMR 208 MNHN‐IRD 75231 Paris France
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES) and Centro de Conservación Marina Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Alameda 340 Santiago Chile
| | - L. Kernaléguen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus) Deakin University 3220 Geelong Victoria Australia
| | - C. W. Osenberg
- Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia 140 E. Green St. Athens Georgia 30602 USA
| | - T. Lison de Loma
- National Center for Scientific Research PSL Université Paris CRIOBE USR 3278 CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD Maison des Océans 195 rue Saint‐Jacques 75005 Paris France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL 98729 Moorea French Polynesia
| | - Y. Chancerelle
- National Center for Scientific Research PSL Université Paris CRIOBE USR 3278 CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD Maison des Océans 195 rue Saint‐Jacques 75005 Paris France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL 98729 Moorea French Polynesia
| | - G. Siu
- National Center for Scientific Research PSL Université Paris CRIOBE USR 3278 CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD Maison des Océans 195 rue Saint‐Jacques 75005 Paris France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL 98729 Moorea French Polynesia
| | - J. Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research PSL Université Paris CRIOBE USR 3278 CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD Maison des Océans 195 rue Saint‐Jacques 75005 Paris France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL 98729 Moorea French Polynesia
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27
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Barrett LT, de Lima A, Goetze JS. Evidence of a biomass hotspot for targeted fish species within Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/pc18034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Namena is Fiji’s oldest and second largest no-take marine reserve, and has relatively high abundance and biomass of targeted fishes within its boundaries due to a high level of protection since its creation in 1997 (formalised in 2005). Following anecdotal reports of exceptionally high fish abundance at the Grand Central Station dive site within Namena, we conducted a 500-m meandering diver-operated video transect along the main reef formation, to obtain abundance, length and biomass estimates for fish species targeted by local fishers. Our census revealed extremely high diversity, abundance and biomass (11436kgha−1) of targeted fishes. While demersal reef fishes were present at higher densities than on typical fished reefs in the region, they were dwarfed by aggregations of reef-associated pelagics, namely the barracuda Sphyraena forsteri (5540kgha−1) and the trevally Caranx sexfasciatus (4448kgha−1). These estimates are comparable to those of historically unfished or ‘pristine’ locations, an unexpected finding given the historical fishing pressure within the reserve before its establishment and ongoing pressure in surrounding fished areas. This finding presents Grand Central Station as a useful reference site for ecologists and managers, and highlights the ability of protected coral reefs to support or attract very high densities of fish.
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28
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McClanahan TR, Muthiga NA. Geographic extent and variation of a coral reef trophic cascade. Ecology 2018; 97:1862-1872. [PMID: 27859162 DOI: 10.1890/15-1492.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trophic cascades caused by a reduction in predators of sea urchins have been reported in Indian Ocean and Caribbean coral reefs. Previous studies have been constrained by their site-specific nature and limited spatial replication, which has produced site and species-specific understanding that can potentially preclude larger community-organization nuances and generalizations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the extent and variability of the cascade community in response to fishing across ~23° of latitude and longitude in coral reefs in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The taxonomic composition of predators of sea urchins, the sea urchin community itself, and potential effects of changing grazer abundance on the calcifying benthic organisms were studied in 171 unique coral reef sites. We found that geography and habitat were less important than the predator-prey relationships. There were seven sea urchin community clusters that aligned with a gradient of declining fishable biomass and the abundance of a key predator, the orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus). The orange-lined triggerfish dominated where sea urchin numbers and diversity were low but the relative abundance of wrasses and emperors increased where sea urchin numbers were high. Two-thirds of the study sites had high sea urchin biomass (>2,300 kg/ha) and could be dominated by four different sea urchin species, Echinothrix diadema, Diadema savignyi, D. setosum, and Echinometra mathaei, depending on the community of sea urchin predators, geographic location, and water depth. One-third of the sites had low sea urchin biomass and diversity and were typified by high fish biomass, predators of sea urchins, and herbivore abundance, representing lightly fished communities with generally higher cover of calcifying algae. Calcifying algal cover was associated with low urchin abundance where as noncalcifying fleshy algal cover was not clearly associated with herbivore abundance. Fishing of the orange-lined triggerfish, an uncommon, slow-growing by-catch species with little monetary value drives the cascade and other predators appear unable to replace its ecological role in the presence of fishing. This suggests that restrictions on the catch of this species could increase the calcification service of coral reefs on a broad scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R McClanahan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Bronx, New York, 10460, USA
| | - N A Muthiga
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Bronx, New York, 10460, USA.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, POB 99470 - 80107, Mombasa, Kenya
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Muthukrishnan R, Fong P. Rapid recovery of a coral dominated Eastern Tropical Pacific reef after experimentally produced anthropogenic disturbance. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 139:79-86. [PMID: 29773316 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.05.008] [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: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Local anthropogenic stressors such as overfishing, nutrient enrichment and increased sediment loading have been shown to push coral reefs toward greater dominance by algae. In a few cases this shift has been temporary, with the ability to recover to a healthy coral-dominated community after disturbance, suggesting some systems have considerable resilience. However, an understanding of the circumstances under which reefs may recover is only beginning to emerge. We monitored recovery of a coral-dominated reef in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) after cessation of a ∼6 month multiple stressor experiment (with herbivore exclosure, nutrient addition, and sediment addition). We observed substantial recovery from small-scale disturbances, though there were differences in both the extent and temporal dynamics of recovery between treatments. Plots that had been caged showed the largest recovery in absolute terms and recovery was quite rapid, while nutrient and sediment addition plots were slower to recover. We also observed different recovery patterns depending on the type of algae that replaced coral during or after disturbances. Macroalgae that established during manipulation were almost completely removed within 2 weeks, revealing that a significant proportion had covered still-living coral. Turf algae persisted longer, but were almost completely replaced by regenerating coral within 18 months. Very little crustose coralline algae were apparent during manipulations, but coverage did increase during recovery. This rapid recovery of corals after simulated anthropogenic disturbance to ETP reefs underscores the value of management of local stressors for short-term recovery and perhaps as a buffer for longer-term global stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan Muthukrishnan
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Current address University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
| | - Peggy Fong
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Goetze JS, Langlois TJ, McCarter J, Simpfendorfer CA, Hughes A, Leve JT, Jupiter SD. Drivers of reef shark abundance and biomass in the Solomon Islands. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200960. [PMID: 30059525 PMCID: PMC6066198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Remote island nations face a number of challenges in addressing concerns about shark population status, including access to rigorously collected data and resources to manage fisheries. At present, very little data are available on shark populations in the Solomon Islands and scientific surveys to document shark and ray diversity and distribution have not been completed. We aimed to provide a baseline of the relative abundance and diversity of reef sharks and rays and assess the major drivers of reef shark abundance/biomass in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands using stereo baited remote underwater video. On average reef sharks were more abundant than in surrounding countries such as Fiji and Indonesia, yet below that of remote islands without historical fishing pressure, suggesting populations are relatively healthy but not pristine. We also assessed the influence of location, habitat type/complexity, depth and prey biomass on reef shark abundance and biomass. Location was the most important factor driving reef shark abundance and biomass with two times the abundance and a 43% greater biomass of reef sharks in the more remote locations, suggesting fishing may be impacting sharks in some areas. Our results give a much needed baseline and suggest that reef shark populations are still relatively unexploited, providing an opportunity for improved management of sharks and rays in the Solomon Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S. Goetze
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley Campus, Western Australia, Australia
- Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Tim J. Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences (M470), Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joe McCarter
- Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Regional Program, Suva, Fiji
| | - Colin A. Simpfendorfer
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries & Aquaculture, and College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alec Hughes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Regional Program, Suva, Fiji
- Coastal and Marine Management, Munda, Solomon Islands
| | - Jacob Tingo Leve
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Regional Program, Suva, Fiji
| | - Stacy D. Jupiter
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Regional Program, Suva, Fiji
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Cinner JE, Maire E, Huchery C, MacNeil MA, Graham NAJ, Mora C, McClanahan TR, Barnes ML, Kittinger JN, Hicks CC, D'Agata S, Hoey AS, Gurney GG, Feary DA, Williams ID, Kulbicki M, Vigliola L, Wantiez L, Edgar GJ, Stuart-Smith RD, Sandin SA, Green A, Hardt MJ, Beger M, Friedlander AM, Wilson SK, Brokovich E, Brooks AJ, Cruz-Motta JJ, Booth DJ, Chabanet P, Gough C, Tupper M, Ferse SCA, Sumaila UR, Pardede S, Mouillot D. Gravity of human impacts mediates coral reef conservation gains. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E6116-E6125. [PMID: 29915066 PMCID: PMC6142230 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708001115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs provide ecosystem goods and services for millions of people in the tropics, but reef conditions are declining worldwide. Effective solutions to the crisis facing coral reefs depend in part on understanding the context under which different types of conservation benefits can be maximized. Our global analysis of nearly 1,800 tropical reefs reveals how the intensity of human impacts in the surrounding seascape, measured as a function of human population size and accessibility to reefs ("gravity"), diminishes the effectiveness of marine reserves at sustaining reef fish biomass and the presence of top predators, even where compliance with reserve rules is high. Critically, fish biomass in high-compliance marine reserves located where human impacts were intensive tended to be less than a quarter that of reserves where human impacts were low. Similarly, the probability of encountering top predators on reefs with high human impacts was close to zero, even in high-compliance marine reserves. However, we find that the relative difference between openly fished sites and reserves (what we refer to as conservation gains) are highest for fish biomass (excluding predators) where human impacts are moderate and for top predators where human impacts are low. Our results illustrate critical ecological trade-offs in meeting key conservation objectives: reserves placed where there are moderate-to-high human impacts can provide substantial conservation gains for fish biomass, yet they are unlikely to support key ecosystem functions like higher-order predation, which is more prevalent in reserve locations with low human impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua E Cinner
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Eva Maire
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Marine Biodiversity Exploration and Conservation, UMR Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-CNRS-UM-L'Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer 9190, University of Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Cindy Huchery
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - M Aaron MacNeil
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5, Canada
| | - Nicholas A J Graham
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Camilo Mora
- Department of Geography, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822
| | - Tim R McClanahan
- Global Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460
| | - Michele L Barnes
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822
| | - John N Kittinger
- Center for Oceans, Conservation International, Honolulu, HI 96825
- Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Life Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Christina C Hicks
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie D'Agata
- Marine Biodiversity Exploration and Conservation, UMR Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-CNRS-UM-L'Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer 9190, University of Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
- Global Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460
- Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, UMR-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-UR-CNRS ENTROPIE, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
| | - Andrew S Hoey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Georgina G Gurney
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - David A Feary
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ivor D Williams
- Coral Reef Ecosystems Program, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI 96818
| | - Michel Kulbicki
- UMR Entropie, Labex Corail, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Perpignan, 66000 Perpignan, France
| | - Laurent Vigliola
- Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, UMR-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-UR-CNRS ENTROPIE, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
| | - Laurent Wantiez
- EA4243 LIVE, University of New Caledonia, BPR4 98851 Noumea cedex, New Caledonia
| | - Graham J Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Rick D Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Stuart A Sandin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Alison Green
- The Nature Conservancy, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | | | - Maria Beger
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, QLD 4074, Australia
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- Fisheries Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822
- Pristine Seas Program, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036-4688
| | - Shaun K Wilson
- Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, Perth, WA 6151, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Eran Brokovich
- The Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 6775323 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Andrew J Brooks
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6150
| | - Juan J Cruz-Motta
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez 00680, Puerto Rico
| | - David J Booth
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Pascale Chabanet
- UMR ENTROPIE, Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, CS 41095, 97495 Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion (FR)
| | - Charlotte Gough
- Omnibus Business Centre, Blue Ventures Conservation, N7 9DP London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Tupper
- Advanced Centre for Coastal and Ocean Research and Development, University of Trinidad and Tobago, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I
| | | | - U Rashid Sumaila
- Fisheries Economics Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and Liu Institute for Global Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Shinta Pardede
- Global Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460
| | - David Mouillot
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Marine Biodiversity Exploration and Conservation, UMR Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-CNRS-UM-L'Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer 9190, University of Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
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Suchley A, Alvarez-Filip L. Local human activities limit marine protection efficacy on Caribbean coral reefs. Conserv Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Suchley
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Puerto Morelos Quintana Roo Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Puerto Morelos Quintana Roo Mexico
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Campbell SJ, Edgar GJ, Stuart-Smith RD, Soler G, Bates AE. Fishing-gear restrictions and biomass gains for coral reef fishes in marine protected areas. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:401-410. [PMID: 28776761 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Considerable empirical evidence supports recovery of reef fish populations with fishery closures. In countries where full exclusion of people from fishing may be perceived as inequitable, fishing-gear restrictions on nonselective and destructive gears may offer socially relevant management alternatives to build recovery of fish biomass. Even so, few researchers have statistically compared the responses of tropical reef fisheries to alternative management strategies. We tested for the effects of fishery closures and fishing gear restrictions on tropical reef fish biomass at the community and family level. We conducted 1,396 underwater surveys at 617 unique sites across a spatial hierarchy within 22 global marine ecoregions that represented 5 realms. We compared total biomass across local fish assemblages and among 20 families of reef fishes inside marine protected areas (MPAs) with different fishing restrictions: no-take, hook-and-line fishing only, several fishing gears allowed, and sites open to all fishing gears. We included a further category representing remote sites, where fishing pressure is low. As expected, full fishery closures, (i.e., no-take zones) most benefited community- and family-level fish biomass in comparison with restrictions on fishing gears and openly fished sites. Although biomass responses to fishery closures were highly variable across families, some fishery targets (e.g., Carcharhinidae and Lutjanidae) responded positively to multiple restrictions on fishing gears (i.e., where gears other than hook and line were not permitted). Remoteness also positively affected the response of community-level fish biomass and many fish families. Our findings provide strong support for the role of fishing restrictions in building recovery of fish biomass and indicate important interactions among fishing-gear types that affect biomass of a diverse set of reef fish families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Campbell
- RARE, Jl, Gunung Gede 1 No. 6, Taman Kencana, Bogor, 16151, Indonesia
| | - Graham J Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rick D Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - German Soler
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Amanda E Bates
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K
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Castro-Sanguino C, Bozec YM, Dempsey A, Samaniego BR, Lubarsky K, Andrews S, Komyakova V, Ortiz JC, Robbins WD, Renaud PG, Mumby PJ. Detecting conservation benefits of marine reserves on remote reefs of the northern GBR. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186146. [PMID: 29117191 PMCID: PMC5695593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is the largest network of marine reserves in the world, yet little is known of the efficacy of no-fishing zones in the relatively lightly-exploited remote parts of the system (i.e., northern regions). Here, we find that the detection of reserve effects is challenging and that heterogeneity in benthic habitat composition, specifically branching coral cover, is one of the strongest driving forces of fish assemblages. As expected, the biomass of targeted fish species was generally greater (up to 5-fold) in no-take zones than in fished zones, but we found no differences between the two forms of no-take zone: 'no-take' versus 'no-entry'. Strong effects of zoning were detected in the remote Far-North inshore reefs and more central outer reefs, but surprisingly fishing effects were absent in the less remote southern locations. Moreover, the biomass of highly targeted species was nearly 2-fold greater in fished areas of the Far-North than in any reserve (no-take or no-entry) further south. Despite high spatial variability in fish biomass, our results suggest that fishing pressure is greater in southern areas and that poaching within reserves may be common. Our results also suggest that fishers 'fish the line' as stock sizes in exploited areas decreased near larger no-take zones. Interestingly, an analysis of zoning effects on small, non-targeted fishes appeared to suggest a top-down effect from mesopredators, but was instead explained by variability in benthic composition. Thus, we demonstrate the importance of including appropriate covariates when testing for evidence of trophic cascades and reserve successes or failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Castro-Sanguino
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yves-Marie Bozec
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alexandra Dempsey
- Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Annapolis, United States of America
| | - Badi R Samaniego
- School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Katie Lubarsky
- State of Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, United States of America
| | - Stefan Andrews
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Valeriya Komyakova
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Juan Carlos Ortiz
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - William D Robbins
- Wildlife Marine, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip G Renaud
- Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Annapolis, United States of America
| | - Peter J Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Community- and government-managed marine protected areas increase fish size, biomass and potential value. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182342. [PMID: 28806740 PMCID: PMC5555630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Government-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) can restore small fish stocks, but have been heavily criticized for excluding resource users and creating conflicts. A promising but less studied alternative are community-managed MPAs, where resource users are more involved in MPA design, implementation and enforcement. Here we evaluated effects of government- and community-managed MPAs on the density, size and biomass of seagrass- and coral reef-associated fish, using field surveys in Kenyan coastal lagoons. We also assessed protection effects on the potential monetary value of fish; a variable that increases non-linearly with fish body mass and is particularly important from a fishery perspective. We found that two recently established community MPAs (< 1 km2 in size, ≤ 5 years of protection) harbored larger fish and greater total fish biomass than two fished (open access) areas, in both seagrass beds and coral reefs. As expected, protection effects were considerably stronger in the older and larger government MPAs. Importantly, across management and habitat types, the protection effect on the potential monetary value of the fish was much stronger than the effects on fish biomass and size (6.7 vs. 2.6 and 1.3 times higher value in community MPAs than in fished areas, respectively). This strong effect on potential value was partly explained by presence of larger (and therefore more valuable) individual fish, and partly by higher densities of high-value taxa (e.g. rabbitfish). In summary, we show that i) small and recently established community-managed MPAs can, just like larger and older government-managed MPAs, play an important role for local conservation of high-value fish, and that ii) these effects are equally strong in coral reefs as in seagrass beds; an important habitat too rarely included in formal management. Consequently, community-managed MPAs could benefit both coral reef and seagrass ecosystems and provide spillover of valuable fish to nearby fisheries.
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Global analysis of depletion and recovery of seabed biota after bottom trawling disturbance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:8301-8306. [PMID: 28716926 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1618858114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bottom trawling is the most widespread human activity affecting seabed habitats. Here, we collate all available data for experimental and comparative studies of trawling impacts on whole communities of seabed macroinvertebrates on sedimentary habitats and develop widely applicable methods to estimate depletion and recovery rates of biota after trawling. Depletion of biota and trawl penetration into the seabed are highly correlated. Otter trawls caused the least depletion, removing 6% of biota per pass and penetrating the seabed on average down to 2.4 cm, whereas hydraulic dredges caused the most depletion, removing 41% of biota and penetrating the seabed on average 16.1 cm. Median recovery times posttrawling (from 50 to 95% of unimpacted biomass) ranged between 1.9 and 6.4 y. By accounting for the effects of penetration depth, environmental variation, and uncertainty, the models explained much of the variability of depletion and recovery estimates from single studies. Coupled with large-scale, high-resolution maps of trawling frequency and habitat, our estimates of depletion and recovery rates enable the assessment of trawling impacts on unprecedented spatial scales.
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Goetze JS, Januchowski-Hartley FA, Claudet J, Langlois TJ, Wilson SK, Jupiter SD. Fish wariness is a more sensitive indicator to changes in fishing pressure than abundance, length or biomass. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 27:1178-1189. [PMID: 28140527 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the most sensitive indicators to changes in fishing pressure is important for accurately detecting impacts. Biomass is thought to be more sensitive than abundance and length, while the wariness of fishes is emerging as a new metric. Periodically harvested closures (PHCs) that involve the opening and closing of an area to fishing are the most common form of fisheries management in the western Pacific. The opening of PHCs to fishing provides a unique opportunity to compare the sensitivity of metrics, such as abundance, length, biomass and wariness, to changes in fishing pressure. Diver-operated stereo video (stereo-DOV) provides data on fish behavior (using a proxy for wariness, minimum approach distance) simultaneous to abundance and length estimates. We assessed the impact of PHC protection and harvesting on the abundance, length, biomass, and wariness of target species using stereo-DOVs. This allowed a comparison of the sensitivity of these metrics to changes in fishing pressure across four PHCs in Fiji, where spearfishing and fish drives are common. Before PHCs were opened to fishing they consistently decreased the wariness of targeted species but were less likely to increase abundance, length, or biomass. Pulse harvesting of PHCs resulted in a rapid increase in the wariness of fishes but inconsistent impacts across the other metrics. Our results suggest that fish wariness is the most sensitive indicator of fishing pressure, followed by biomass, length, and abundance. The collection of behavioral data simultaneously with abundance, length, and biomass estimates using stereo-DOVs offers a cost-effective indicator of protection or rapid increases in fishing pressure. Stereo-DOVs can rapidly provide large amounts of behavioral data from monitoring programs historically focused on estimating abundance and length of fishes, which is not feasible with visual methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S Goetze
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley Campus, Western Australia, 6485, Australia
| | - Fraser A Januchowski-Hartley
- Department of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- UMR 248 MARBEC/250 ENTROPIE, Institut de recherche pour le développement, Batiment 24, Université de Montpeller 2, 34095, Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Labortaoire d'Excellence CORAIL, France
| | - Tim J Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Shaun K Wilson
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Department of Parks and Wildlife, Marine Science Program, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia
| | - Stacy D Jupiter
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Program, 11 Ma'afu Street, Suva, Fiji
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Hackerott S, Valdivia A, Cox CE, Silbiger NJ, Bruno JF. Invasive lionfish had no measurable effect on prey fish community structure across the Belizean Barrier Reef. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3270. [PMID: 28560093 PMCID: PMC5446774 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive lionfish are assumed to significantly affect Caribbean reef fish communities. However, evidence of lionfish effects on native reef fishes is based on uncontrolled observational studies or small-scale, unrepresentative experiments, with findings ranging from no effect to large effects on prey density and richness. Moreover, whether lionfish affect populations and communities of native reef fishes at larger, management-relevant scales is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of lionfish on coral reef prey fish communities in a natural complex reef system. We quantified lionfish and the density, richness, and composition of native prey fishes (0-10 cm total length) at sixteen reefs along ∼250 km of the Belize Barrier Reef from 2009 to 2013. Lionfish invaded our study sites during this four-year longitudinal study, thus our sampling included fish community structure before and after our sites were invaded, i.e., we employed a modified BACI design. We found no evidence that lionfish measurably affected the density, richness, or composition of prey fishes. It is possible that higher lionfish densities are necessary to detect an effect of lionfish on prey populations at this relatively large spatial scale. Alternatively, negative effects of lionfish on prey could be small, essentially undetectable, and ecologically insignificant at our study sites. Other factors that influence the dynamics of reef fish populations including reef complexity, resource availability, recruitment, predation, and fishing could swamp any effects of lionfish on prey populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Hackerott
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.,STEM Department, The College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands
| | - Abel Valdivia
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America.,Oceans Program, Center for Biological Diversity, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Courtney E Cox
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America.,Smithsonian Marine Conservation Program, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Nyssa J Silbiger
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - John F Bruno
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America
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40
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McClanahan TR, Muthiga NA. Environmental variability indicates a climate‐adaptive center under threat in northern Mozambique coral reefs. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. McClanahan
- The Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs Bronx New York 10460 USA
- The Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs P.O. Box 99470 Mombasa Kenya
| | - Nyawira A. Muthiga
- The Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs Bronx New York 10460 USA
- The Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs P.O. Box 99470 Mombasa Kenya
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41
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Houk P, Tilfas R, Luckymis M, Nedlic O, Ned B, Cuetos-Bueno J, McLean M. An applied framework to assess exploitation and guide management of coral-reef fisheries. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Houk
- UOG Station; University of Guam Marine Laboratory; Mangilao Guam 96923 USA
| | - Ronny Tilfas
- Kosrae State Fisheries Office; Lelu Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia 96944
| | - Marston Luckymis
- Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization; P.O. Box 1007 Lelu Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia 96944
| | - Osamu Nedlic
- Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization; P.O. Box 1007 Lelu Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia 96944
| | - Bruno Ned
- Kosrae State Fisheries Office; Lelu Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia 96944
| | | | - Matthew McLean
- UOG Station; University of Guam Marine Laboratory; Mangilao Guam 96923 USA
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42
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Valdivia A, Cox CE, Bruno JF. Predatory fish depletion and recovery potential on Caribbean reefs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1601303. [PMID: 28275730 PMCID: PMC5332153 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The natural, prehuman abundance of most large predators is unknown because of the lack of historical data and a limited understanding of the natural factors that control their populations. Determining the supportable predator biomass at a given location (that is, the predator carrying capacity) would help managers to optimize protection and would provide site-specific recovery goals. We assess the relationship between predatory reef fish biomass and several anthropogenic and environmental variables at 39 reefs across the Caribbean to (i) estimate their roles determining local predator biomass and (ii) determine site-specific recovery potential if fishing was eliminated. We show that predatory reef fish biomass tends to be higher in marine reserves but is strongly negatively related to human activities, especially coastal development. However, human activities and natural factors, including reef complexity and prey abundance, explain more than 50% of the spatial variation in predator biomass. Comparing site-specific predator carrying capacities to field observations, we infer that current predatory reef fish biomass is 60 to 90% lower than the potential supportable biomass in most sites, even within most marine reserves. We also found that the scope for recovery varies among reefs by at least an order of magnitude. This suggests that we could underestimate unfished biomass at sites that provide ideal conditions for predators or greatly overestimate that of seemingly predator-depleted sites that may have never supported large predator populations because of suboptimal environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Valdivia
- Center for Biological Diversity, 1212 Broadway Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Courtney Ellen Cox
- National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - John Francis Bruno
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wilson Hall, 120 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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43
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Pais MP, Cabral HN. Fish behaviour effects on the accuracy and precision of underwater visual census surveys. A virtual ecologist approach using an individual-based model. Ecol Modell 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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McClanahan TR, Graham NAJ. Marine reserve recovery rates towards a baseline are slower for reef fish community life histories than biomass. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 282:20151938. [PMID: 26702040 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological baselines are disappearing and it is uncertain how marine reserves, here called fisheries closures, simulate pristine communities. We tested the influence of fisheries closure age, size and compliance on recovery of community biomass and life-history metrics towards a baseline. We used census data from 324 coral reefs, including 41 protected areas ranging between 1 and 45 years of age and 0.28 and 1430 km(2), and 36 sites in a remote baseline, the Chagos Archipelago. Fish community-level life histories changed towards larger and later maturing fauna with increasing closure age, size and compliance. In high compliance closures, community biomass levelled at approximately 20 years and 10 km(2) but was still only at approximately 30% of the baseline and community growth rates were projected to slowly decline for more than 100 years. In low compliance and young closures, biomass levelled at half the value and time as high compliance closures and life-history metrics were not predicted to reach the baseline. Biomass does not adequately reflect the long-time scales for full recovery of life-history characteristics, with implications for coral reef management.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R McClanahan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - N A J Graham
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
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Williams ID, White DJ, Sparks RT, Lino KC, Zamzow JP, Kelly ELA, Ramey HL. Responses of Herbivorous Fishes and Benthos to 6 Years of Protection at the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area, Maui. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159100. [PMID: 27462981 PMCID: PMC4963024 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to concerns about declining coral cover and recurring macroalgal blooms, in 2009 the State of Hawaii established the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area (KHFMA). Within the KHFMA, herbivorous fishes and sea urchins are protected, but other fishing is allowed. As part of a multi-agency monitoring effort, we conducted surveys at KHFMA and comparison sites around Maui starting 19 months before closure, and over the six years since implementation of herbivore protection. Mean parrotfish and surgeonfish biomass both increased within the KHFMA (by 139% [95%QR (quantile range): 98–181%] and 28% [95%QR: 3–52%] respectively). Most of those gains were of small-to-medium sized species, whereas large-bodied species have not recovered, likely due to low levels of poaching on what are preferred fishery targets in Hawaii. Nevertheless, coincident with greater biomass of herbivores within the KHFMA, cover of crustose coralline algae (CCA) has increased from ~2% before closure to ~ 15% in 2015, and macroalgal cover has remained low throughout the monitoring period. Strong evidence that changes in the KHFMA were a consequence of herbivore management are that (i) there were no changes in biomass of unprotected fish families within the KHFMA; and that (ii) there were no similar changes in parrotfish or CCA at comparison sites around Maui. It is not yet clear how effective herbivore protection might eventually be for the KHFMA’s ultimate goal of coral recovery. Coral cover declined over the first few years of surveys–from 39.6% (SE 1.4%) in 2008, to 32.9% (SE 0.8%) in 2012, with almost all of that loss occurring by 2010 (1 year after closure), i.e. before meaningful herbivore recovery had occurred. Coral cover subsequently stabilized and may have slightly increased from 2012 through early 2015. However, a region-wide bleaching event in 2015 had already led to some coral mortality by the time surveys were conducted in late 2015, at which time cover had dropped back to levels recorded in the KHFMA in 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivor D. Williams
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Program, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Darla J. White
- Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui Office, 130 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Russell T. Sparks
- Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui Office, 130 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Kevin C. Lino
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Program, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Jill P. Zamzow
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Program, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Emily L. A. Kelly
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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D'agata S, Mouillot D, Wantiez L, Friedlander AM, Kulbicki M, Vigliola L. Marine reserves lag behind wilderness in the conservation of key functional roles. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12000. [PMID: 27354026 PMCID: PMC4931279 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although marine reserves represent one of the most effective management responses to human impacts, their capacity to sustain the same diversity of species, functional roles and biomass of reef fishes as wilderness areas remains questionable, in particular in regions with deep and long-lasting human footprints. Here we show that fish functional diversity and biomass of top predators are significantly higher on coral reefs located at more than 20 h travel time from the main market compared with even the oldest (38 years old), largest (17,500 ha) and most restrictive (no entry) marine reserve in New Caledonia (South-Western Pacific). We further demonstrate that wilderness areas support unique ecological values with no equivalency as one gets closer to humans, even in large and well-managed marine reserves. Wilderness areas may therefore serve as benchmarks for management effectiveness and act as the last refuges for the most vulnerable functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie D'agata
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France.,ENTROPIE, UMR IRD-UR-CNRS 9220, Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Marine Program, Bronx, New York 10460 USA
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Laurent Wantiez
- Université de Nouvelle Calédonie-EA4243 Laboratoire « LIVE » - BP R4, 98851 Nouméa-Nouvelle Calédonie
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA.,Pristine Seas-National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA
| | - Michel Kulbicki
- ENTROPIE, UMR IRD-UR-CNRS 9220, Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex 9, France
| | - Laurent Vigliola
- ENTROPIE, UMR IRD-UR-CNRS 9220, Laboratoire d'Excellence LABEX CORAIL, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
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47
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McClanahan TR, Maina JM, Graham NAJ, Jones KR. Modeling Reef Fish Biomass, Recovery Potential, and Management Priorities in the Western Indian Ocean. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154585. [PMID: 27149673 PMCID: PMC4858301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fish biomass is a primary driver of coral reef ecosystem services and has high sensitivity to human disturbances, particularly fishing. Estimates of fish biomass, their spatial distribution, and recovery potential are important for evaluating reef status and crucial for setting management targets. Here we modeled fish biomass estimates across all reefs of the western Indian Ocean using key variables that predicted the empirical data collected from 337 sites. These variables were used to create biomass and recovery time maps to prioritize spatially explicit conservation actions. The resultant fish biomass map showed high variability ranging from ~15 to 2900 kg/ha, primarily driven by human populations, distance to markets, and fisheries management restrictions. Lastly, we assembled data based on the age of fisheries closures and showed that biomass takes ~ 25 years to recover to typical equilibrium values of ~1200 kg/ha. The recovery times to biomass levels for sustainable fishing yields, maximum diversity, and ecosystem stability or conservation targets once fishing is suspended was modeled to estimate temporal costs of restrictions. The mean time to recovery for the whole region to the conservation target was 8.1(± 3SD) years, while recovery to sustainable fishing thresholds was between 0.5 and 4 years, but with high spatial variation. Recovery prioritization scenario models included one where local governance prioritized recovery of degraded reefs and two that prioritized minimizing recovery time, where countries either operated independently or collaborated. The regional collaboration scenario selected remote areas for conservation with uneven national responsibilities and spatial coverage, which could undermine collaboration. There is the potential to achieve sustainable fisheries within a decade by promoting these pathways according to their social-ecological suitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. McClanahan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Coral Reef Conservation Project, Mombasa, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Joseph M. Maina
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Programs, Coral Reef Conservation Project, Mombasa, Kenya
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environment Decisions, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. J. Graham
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kendall R. Jones
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environment Decisions, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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48
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Zajonz U, Lavergne E, Klaus R, Krupp F, Aideed MS, Saeed FN. The coastal fishes and fisheries of the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 105:660-675. [PMID: 26795842 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Socotra Archipelago is situated in the Gulf of Aden where tropical and "pseudo-temperate" conditions combine to create a unique marine ecosystem. The diversity, ecology, productivity and fisheries of the coastal fish assemblages are still relatively understudied and no update of the scientific knowledge existed. The islands support unique coastal and coral-associated fish assemblages in spite of the limited biogenic reef frameworks. Fish diversity is the highest among comparable Arabian eco-regions, and fish biomass productivity high too by Indian Ocean standards. The production of the once traditionally-managed small-scale fishery is severely declining and whether it is sustainable nowadays is extremely doubtful. At a time when Yemen is torn apart by a severe political and humanitarian crisis it is timely to review and update the current state of knowledge for scientists and managers, and thereby ease access to existing information, facilitating follow-on studies and evidence-based conservation and fisheries management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Zajonz
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Sektion Ichthyologie, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), Tropical Marine Ecosystems Group, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Edouard Lavergne
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Sektion Ichthyologie, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6539, CNRS/IRD/UBO, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin LEMAR, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer IUEM, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280 Plouzané, France; Kyoto University, Field Science Education and Research Center (FSERC), Educational Unit for Studies on Connectivity of Hills, Humans and Oceans (CoHHO), Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rebecca Klaus
- Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), Tropical Marine Ecosystems Group, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Friedhelm Krupp
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Sektion Ichthyologie, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Qatar Museums Authority, P.O. Box 2777, Doha, Qatar
| | - Moteah Sheikh Aideed
- Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), Tropical Marine Ecosystems Group, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Hadhramout University of Science and Technology, Department of Marine Fisheries and Resources, Marine Biology Division, Al-Mukalla, Yemen
| | - Fouad Naseeb Saeed
- Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), Tropical Marine Ecosystems Group, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Environmental Protection Authority, Socotra Branch, Hadibo, Yemen
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Chabanet P, Bigot L, Nicet JB, Durville P, Massé L, Mulochau T, Russo C, Tessier E, Obura D. Coral reef monitoring in the Iles Eparses, Mozambique Channel (2011–2013). ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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50
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Hehre EJ, Meeuwig JJ. A Global Analysis of the Relationship between Farmed Seaweed Production and Herbivorous Fish Catch. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148250. [PMID: 26894553 PMCID: PMC4760753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, farmed seaweed production is expanding rapidly in shallow marine habitats. While seaweed farming provides vital income to millions of artisanal farmers, it can negatively impact shallow coral reef and seagrass habitats. However, seaweed farming may also potentially provide food subsidies for herbivorous reef fish such as the Siganidae, a valuable target family, resulting in increased catch. Comparisons of reef fish landings across the central Philippines revealed that the catch of siganids was positively correlated to farmed seaweed production whilst negatively correlated to total reef fish catch over the same period of time. We tested the generality of this pattern by analysing seaweed production, siganid catch, and reef fish catch for six major seaweed-producing countries in the tropics. We hypothesized that increased seaweed production would correspond with increased catch of siganids but not other reef fish species. Analysis of the global data showed a positive correlation between farmed seaweeds and siganids in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines) but not Africa (Tanzania and Zanzibar), or the Western Pacific (Fiji). In Southeast Asia, siganid catch increased disproportionately faster with seaweed production than did reef fish catch. Low continuity, sporadic production and smaller volumes of seaweed farming may explain the differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. James Hehre
- Sea Around Us Project /Institute for oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Jessica J. Meeuwig
- School of Animal Biology and Centre for Marine Futures, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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