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Leonetti FL, Bottaro M, Giglio G, Sperone E. Studying Chondrichthyans Using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1875. [PMID: 38997987 PMCID: PMC11240523 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cartilaginous fish face significant threats due to overfishing and slow reproductive rates, leading to rapid declines in their populations globally. Traditional capture-based surveys, while valuable for gathering ecological information, pose risks to the health and survival of these species. Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) offer a non-invasive alternative, allowing for standardized surveys across various habitats with minimal disturbance to marine life. This study presents a comprehensive review of BRUVS applications in studying cartilaginous fish, examining 81 peer-reviewed papers spanning from 1990 to 2023. The analysis reveals a significant increase in BRUVS usage over the past three decades, particularly in Australia, South Africa, and Central America. The most common BRUVS configurations include benthic setups, mono-camera systems, and the use of fish from the Clupeidae and Scombridae families as bait. BRUVS have been instrumental in studying 195 chondrichthyan species, providing insights into up to thirteen different aspects of the life histories. Moreover, BRUVS facilitate the monitoring of endangered and data-deficient species, contributing crucial data for conservation efforts. Overall, this study underscores the value of BRUVS as a powerful tool for studying and conserving cartilaginous fish populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Massimiliano Bottaro
- Genoa Marine Centre, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Italian National Institute for Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianni Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Emilio Sperone
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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2
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Letessier TB, Mouillot D, Mannocci L, Jabour Christ H, Elamin EM, Elamin SM, Friedlander AM, Hearn A, Juhel JB, Kleiven AR, Moland E, Mouquet N, Nillos-Kleiven PJ, Sala E, Thompson CDH, Velez L, Vigliola L, Meeuwig JJ. Divergent responses of pelagic and benthic fish body-size structure to remoteness and protection from humans. Science 2024; 383:976-982. [PMID: 38422147 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi7562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Animal body-size variation influences multiple processes in marine ecosystems, but habitat heterogeneity has prevented a comprehensive assessment of size across pelagic (midwater) and benthic (seabed) systems along anthropic gradients. In this work, we derive fish size indicators from 17,411 stereo baited-video deployments to test for differences between pelagic and benthic responses to remoteness from human pressures and effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs). From records of 823,849 individual fish, we report divergent responses between systems, with pelagic size structure more profoundly eroded near human markets than benthic size structure, signifying greater vulnerability of pelagic systems to human pressure. Effective protection of benthic size structure can be achieved through MPAs placed near markets, thereby contributing to benthic habitat restoration and the recovery of associated fishes. By contrast, recovery of the world's largest and most endangered fishes in pelagic systems requires the creation of highly protected areas in remote locations, including on the High Seas, where protection efforts lag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom B Letessier
- CESAB - FRB, Montpellier, France
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
- Marine Futures Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Laura Mannocci
- CESAB - FRB, Montpellier, France
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Hanna Jabour Christ
- Marine Futures Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Sheikheldin Mohamed Elamin
- Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Red Sea State University, P.O. Box 24, Port Sudan, Red Sea State, Sudan
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Alex Hearn
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- MigraMar, Olema, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Baptiste Juhel
- ENTROPIE, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, IRD-UR-UNC-IFREMER-CNRS, Centre IRD de Nouméa, Nouméa Cedex, New-Caledonia, France
| | - Alf Ring Kleiven
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817 His, Norway
| | - Even Moland
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817 His, Norway
- Centre for Coastal Research (CCR), Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, P.O. Box 422, N-4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- CESAB - FRB, Montpellier, France
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Enric Sala
- National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA
| | - Christopher D H Thompson
- Marine Futures Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Laure Velez
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Vigliola
- ENTROPIE, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, IRD-UR-UNC-IFREMER-CNRS, Centre IRD de Nouméa, Nouméa Cedex, New-Caledonia, France
| | - Jessica J Meeuwig
- Marine Futures Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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3
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Cambra M, Lara-Lizardi F, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Hearn A, Ketchum JT, Zarate P, Chacón C, Suárez-Moncada J, Herrera E, Espinoza M. A first assessment of the distribution and abundance of large pelagic species at Cocos Ridge seamounts (Eastern Tropical Pacific) using drifting pelagic baited remote cameras. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244343. [PMID: 34793440 PMCID: PMC8601560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244343] [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: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the link between seamounts and large pelagic species (LPS) may provide important insights for the conservation of these species in open water ecosystems. The seamounts along the Cocos Ridge in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) ocean are thought to be ecologically important aggregation sites for LPS when moving between Cocos Island (Costa Rica) and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). However, to date, research efforts to quantify the abundance and distribution patterns of LPS beyond the borders of these two oceanic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been limited. This study used drifting-pelagic baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to investigate the distribution and relative abundance of LPS at Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our drifting-pelagic BRUVS recorded a total of 21 species including elasmobranchs, small and large teleosts, dolphins and one sea turtle; of which four species are currently threatened. Depth of seamount summit was the most significant driver for LPS richness and abundance which were significantly higher at shallow seamounts (< 400 m) compared to deeper ones (> 400m). Distance to nearest MPA was also a significant predictor for LPS abundance, which increased at increasing distances from the nearest MPA. Our results suggest that the Cocos Ridge seamounts, specifically Paramount and West Cocos which had the highest LPS richness and abundance, are important aggregation sites for LPS in the ETP. However, further research is still needed to demonstrate a positive association between LPS and Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our findings showed that drifting pelagic BRUVS are an effective tool to survey LPS in fully pelagic ecosystems of the ETP. This study represents the first step towards the standardization of this technique throughout the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cambra
- Programa de Posgrado en Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Frida Lara-Lizardi
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Alex Hearn
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - James T. Ketchum
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste-CIBNOR, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Patricia Zarate
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- División de Investigación Pesquera, Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Carlos Chacón
- Fundación Pacífico, Sabana Norte, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
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4
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Forrest JAH, Bouchet PJ, Barley SC, McLennan AG, Meeuwig JJ. True blue: Temporal and spatial stability of pelagic wildlife at a submarine canyon. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. A. H. Forrest
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Perth6009Australia
| | - P. J. Bouchet
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Perth6009Australia
- School of Ocean Sciences Bangor University LL59 5AB Menai Bridge BangorUK
| | - S. C. Barley
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Perth6009Australia
| | - A. G. McLennan
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Perth6009Australia
| | - J. J. Meeuwig
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Perth6009Australia
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Espinoza M, Araya-Arce T, Chaves-Zamora I, Chinchilla I, Cambra M. Monitoring elasmobranch assemblages in a data-poor country from the Eastern Tropical Pacific using baited remote underwater video stations. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17175. [PMID: 33057085 PMCID: PMC7560706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how threatened species are distributed in space and time can have direct applications to conservation planning. However, implementing standardized methods to monitor populations of wide-ranging species is often expensive and challenging. In this study, we used baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to quantify elasmobranch abundance and distribution patterns across a gradient of protection in the Pacific waters of Costa Rica. Our BRUVS survey detected 29 species, which represents 54% of the entire elasmobranch diversity reported to date in shallow waters (< 60 m) of the Pacific of Costa Rica. Our data demonstrated that elasmobranchs benefit from no-take MPAs, yet large predators are relatively uncommon or absent from open-fishing sites. We showed that BRUVS are capable of providing fast and reliable estimates of the distribution and abundance of data-poor elasmobranch species over large spatial and temporal scales, and in doing so, they can provide critical information for detecting population-level changes in response to multiple threats such as overfishing, habitat degradation and climate change. Moreover, given that 66% of the species detected are threatened, a well-designed BRUVS survey may provide crucial population data for assessing the conservation status of elasmobranchs. These efforts led to the establishment of a national monitoring program focused on elasmobranchs and key marine megafauna that could guide monitoring efforts at a regional scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica.
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica.
- Museo de Zoología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Tatiana Araya-Arce
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Isaac Chaves-Zamora
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Isaac Chinchilla
- Área de Conservación Marina Cocos (ACMCO), Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marta Cambra
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060-11501, San José, Costa Rica
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6
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Forrest A. The
Panthalassa
project: The future of ocean research for conservation. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Forrest
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Perth Australia
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7
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Sheehan EV, Bridger D, Nancollas SJ, Pittman SJ. PelagiCam: a novel underwater imaging system with computer vision for semi-automated monitoring of mobile marine fauna at offshore structures. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 192:11. [PMID: 31807930 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7980-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Engineered structures in the open ocean are becoming more frequent with the expansion of the marine renewable energy industry and offshore marine aquaculture. Floating engineered structures function as artificial patch reefs providing novel and relatively stable habitat structure not otherwise available in the pelagic water column. The enhanced physical structure can increase local biodiversity and benefit fisheries yet can also facilitate the spread of invasive species. Clear evidence of any ecological consequences will inform the design and placement of structures to either minimise negative impacts or enhance ecosystem restoration. The development of rapid, cost-effective and reliable remote underwater monitoring methods is crucial to supporting evidence-based decision-making by planning authorities and developers when assessing environmental risks and benefits of offshore structures. A novel, un-baited midwater video system, PelagiCam, with motion-detection software (MotionMeerkat) for semi-automated monitoring of mobile marine fauna, was developed and tested on the UK's largest offshore rope-cultured mussel farm in Lyme Bay, southwest England. PelagiCam recorded Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), garfish (Belone belone) and two species of jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella and Rhizostoma pulmo) in open water close to the floating farm structure. The software successfully distinguished video frames where fishes were present versus absent. The PelagiCam system provides a cost-effective remote monitoring tool to streamline biological data acquisition in impact assessments of offshore floating structures. With the rise of sophisticated artificial intelligence for object recognition, the integration of computer vision techniques should receive more attention in marine ecology and has great potential to revolutionise marine biological monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma V Sheehan
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Danielle Bridger
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Sarah J Nancollas
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Simon J Pittman
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
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8
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Letessier TB, Mouillot D, Bouchet PJ, Vigliola L, Fernandes MC, Thompson C, Boussarie G, Turner J, Juhel JB, Maire E, Caley MJ, Koldewey HJ, Friedlander A, Sala E, Meeuwig JJ. Remote reefs and seamounts are the last refuges for marine predators across the Indo-Pacific. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000366. [PMID: 31386657 PMCID: PMC6684043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 1950s, industrial fisheries have expanded globally, as fishing vessels are required to travel further afield for fishing opportunities. Technological advancements and fishery subsidies have granted ever-increasing access to populations of sharks, tunas, billfishes, and other predators. Wilderness refuges, defined here as areas beyond the detectable range of human influence, are therefore increasingly rare. In order to achieve marine resources sustainability, large no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) with pelagic components are being implemented. However, such conservation efforts require knowledge of the critical habitats for predators, both across shallow reefs and the deeper ocean. Here, we fill this gap in knowledge across the Indo-Pacific by using 1,041 midwater baited videos to survey sharks and other pelagic predators such as rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata), mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and black marlin (Istiompax indica). We modeled three key predator community attributes: vertebrate species richness, mean maximum body size, and shark abundance as a function of geomorphology, environmental conditions, and human pressures. All attributes were primarily driven by geomorphology (35%-62% variance explained) and environmental conditions (14%-49%). While human pressures had no influence on species richness, both body size and shark abundance responded strongly to distance to human markets (12%-20%). Refuges were identified at more than 1,250 km from human markets for body size and for shark abundance. These refuges were identified as remote and shallow seabed features, such as seamounts, submerged banks, and reefs. Worryingly, hotpots of large individuals and of shark abundance are presently under-represented within no-take MPAs that aim to effectively protect marine predators, such as the British Indian Ocean Territory. Population recovery of predators is unlikely to occur without strategic placement and effective enforcement of large no-take MPAs in both coastal and remote locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom B. Letessier
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Phil J. Bouchet
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Wales
| | - Laurent Vigliola
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR ENTROPIE, LABEX Corail, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Marjorie C. Fernandes
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
| | - Chris Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
| | - Germain Boussarie
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR ENTROPIE, LABEX Corail, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Jemma Turner
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
| | - Jean-Baptiste Juhel
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR ENTROPIE, LABEX Corail, Nouméa, New Caledonia
- Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, BPR4, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Eva Maire
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - M. Julian Caley
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Heather J. Koldewey
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Conservation Programmes, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Friedlander
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Enric Sala
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Jessica J. Meeuwig
- School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, (M092), Crawley, Australia
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9
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Baited remote underwater video estimates of benthic fish and invertebrate diversity within the eastern Canadian Arctic. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02520-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Murray R, Conales S, Araujo G, Labaja J, Snow SJ, Pierce SJ, Songco A, Ponzo A. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park: the first comprehensive elasmobranch assessment reveals global hotspot for reef sharks. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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11
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Calvert J, McGonigle C, Sethi SA, Harris B, Quinn R, Grabowski J. Dynamic occupancy modeling of temperate marine fish in area-based closures. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:10192-10205. [PMID: 30397458 PMCID: PMC6206187 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4493] [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: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to model the spatial structure of species in the marine environment, however, most fail to account for detectability of the target species. This can result in underestimates of occupancy, where nondetection is conflated with absence. The site occupancy model (SOM) overcomes this failure by treating occupancy as a latent variable of the model and incorporates a detection submodel to account for variability in detection rates. These have rarely been applied in the context of marine fish and never for the multiseason dynamic occupancy model (DOM). In this study, a DOM is developed for a designated species of concern, cusk (Brosme brosme), over a four-season period. Making novel use of a high-resolution 3-dimensional hydrodynamic model, detectability of cusk is considered as a function of current speed and algae cover. Algal cover on the seabed is measured from video surveys to divide the study area into two distinct regions: those with canopy forming species of algae and those without (henceforth bottom types). Modeled estimates of the proportion of sites occupied in each season are 0.88, 0.45, 0.74, and 0.83. These are significantly greater than the proportion of occupied sites measured from underwater video observations which are 0.57, 0.28, 0.43, and 0.57. Individual fish are detected more frequently with increasing current speed in areas lacking canopy and less frequently with increasing current speed in areas with canopy. The results indicate that, where possible, SDM studies for all marine species should take account of detectability to avoid underestimating the proportion of sites occupied at a given study area. Sampling closed areas or areas of conservation often requires the use of nonphysical, low impact sampling methods like camera surveys. These methods inherently result in detection probabilities less than one, an issue compounded by time-varying features of the environment that are rarely accounted for marine studies. This work highlights the use of modeled hydrodynamics as a tool to correct some of this imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Calvert
- School of Geography & Environmental ScienceUniversity of UlsterColeraineUK
| | - Chris McGonigle
- School of Geography & Environmental ScienceUniversity of UlsterColeraineUK
| | - Suresh Andrew Sethi
- U.S. Geological SurveyNew York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
- Fisheries, Aquatic Science and Technology LaboratoryAlaska Pacific UniversityAnchorageAlaska
| | - Bradley Harris
- Fisheries, Aquatic Science and Technology LaboratoryAlaska Pacific UniversityAnchorageAlaska
| | - Rory Quinn
- School of Geography & Environmental ScienceUniversity of UlsterColeraineUK
| | - Jon Grabowski
- Marine Science CenterNortheastern UniversityNahantMassachusetts
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12
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Monk J, Barrett NS, Peel D, Lawrence E, Hill NA, Lucieer V, Hayes KR. An evaluation of the error and uncertainty in epibenthos cover estimates from AUV images collected with an efficient, spatially-balanced design. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203827. [PMID: 30226871 PMCID: PMC6143229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient monitoring of organisms is at the foundation of protected area and biodiversity management. Such monitoring programs are based on a systematically selected set of survey locations that, while able to track trends at those locations through time, lack inference for the overall region being "monitored". Advances in spatially-balanced sampling approaches offer alternatives but remain largely untested in marine ecosystems. This study evaluated the merit of using a two-stage, spatially-balanced survey framework, in conjunction with generalized additive models, to estimate epifauna cover at a reef-wide scale for mesophotic reefs within a large, cross-shelf marine park. Imagery acquired by an autonomous underwater vehicle was classified using a hierarchical scheme developed under the Collaborative and Automated Tools for Analysis of Marine Imagery (CATAMI). At a realistic image subsampling intensity, the two-stage, spatially-balanced framework provided accurate and precise estimates of reef-wide cover for a select number of epifaunal classes at the coarsest CATAMI levels, in particular bryozoan and porifera classes. However, at finer hierarchical levels, accuracy and/or precision of cover estimates declined, primarily because of the natural rarity of even the most common of these classes/morphospecies. Ranked predictor importance suggested that bathymetry, backscatter and derivative terrain variables calculated at their smallest analysis window scales (i.e. 81 m2) were generally the most important variables in the modeling of reef-wide cover. This study makes an important step in identifying the constraints and limitations that can be identified through a robust statistical approach to design and analysis. The two-stage, spatially-balanced framework has great potential for effective quantification of epifaunal cover in cross-shelf mesophotic reefs. However, greater image subsampling intensity than traditionally applied is required to ensure adequate observations for finer-level CATAMI classes and associated morphospecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquomo Monk
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Neville S. Barrett
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - David Peel
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Emma Lawrence
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole A. Hill
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Vanessa Lucieer
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Keith R. Hayes
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Letessier TB, Bouchet PJ, Meeuwig JJ. Sampling mobile oceanic fishes and sharks: implications for fisheries and conservation planning. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 92:627-646. [PMID: 26680116 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tuna, billfish, and oceanic sharks [hereafter referred to as 'mobile oceanic fishes and sharks' (MOFS)] are characterised by conservative life-history strategies and highly migratory behaviour across large, transnational ranges. Intense exploitation over the past 65 years by a rapidly expanding high-seas fishing fleet has left many populations depleted, with consequences at the ecosystem level due to top-down control and trophic cascades. Despite increases in both CITES and IUCN Red Listings, the demographic trajectories of oceanic sharks and billfish are poorly quantified and resolved at geographic and population levels. Amongst MOFS trajectories, those of tunas are generally considered better understood, yet several populations remain either overfished or of unknown status. MOFS population trends and declines therefore remain contentious, partly due to challenges in deriving accurate abundance and biomass indices. Two major management strategies are currently recognised to address conservation issues surrounding MOFS: (i) internationally ratified legal frameworks and their associated regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs); and (ii) spatio-temporal fishery closures, including no-take marine protected areas (MPAs). In this context, we first review fishery-dependent studies relying on data derived from catch records and from material accessible through fishing extraction, under the umbrella of RFMO-administrated management. Challenges in interpreting catch statistics notwithstanding, we find that fishery-dependent studies have enhanced the accuracy of biomass indices and the management strategies they inform, by addressing biases in reporting and non-random effort, and predicting drivers of spatial variability across meso- and oceanic scales in order to inform stock assessments. By contrast and motivated by the increase in global MPA coverage restricting extractive activities, we then detail ways in which fishery-independent methods are increasingly improving and steering management by exploring facets of MOFS ecology thus far poorly grasped. Advances in telemetry are increasingly used to explore ontogenic and seasonal movements, and provide means to consider MOFS migration corridors and residency patterns. The characterisation of trophic relationships and prey distribution through biochemical analysis and hydro-acoustics surveys has enabled the tracking of dietary shifts and mapping of high-quality foraging grounds. We conclude that while a scientific framework is available to inform initial design and subsequent implementation of MPAs, there is a shortage in the capacity to answer basic but critical questions about MOFS ecology (who, when, where?) required to track populations non-extractively, thereby presenting a barrier to assessing empirically the performance of MPA-based management for MOFS. This sampling gap is exacerbated by the increased establishment of large (>10000 km2 ) and very large MPAs (VLMPAs, >100000 km2 ) - great expanses of ocean lacking effective monitoring strategies and survey regimes appropriate to those scales. To address this shortcoming, we demonstrate the use of a non-extractive protocol to measure MOFS population recovery and MPA efficiency. We further identify technological avenues for monitoring at the VLMPA scale, through the use of spotter planes, drones, satellite technology, and horizontal acoustics, and highlight their relevance to the ecosystem-based framework of MOFS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom B Letessier
- Centre for Marine Futures, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia (M470), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Phil J Bouchet
- Centre for Marine Futures, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia (M470), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia (M470), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica J Meeuwig
- Centre for Marine Futures, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia (M470), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia (M470), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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