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Roe P, Hashim AS, Evans V, Sadovy de Mitcheson Y. Status of Napoleon wrasse in Laamu Atoll, Maldives, after three decades of protection. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Napoleon or humphead wrasse Cheilinus undulatus is a large, globally threatened coral reef fish. In recognition of suspected declines and considering its ecotourism importance, the Maldives was the first country to ban its export in 1995. The present study, a quarter-century after the ban, documents the species around Laamu Atoll, southern Maldives, using dive guides and researchers to conduct surveys during commercial dive tourism trips. Data were collected on abundance, body size, and potential spawning sites in 4 habitat types: channels (reef passes to open ocean), inner reefs (reef slopes inside the atoll), outer reefs (reef slopes outside the atoll), and faros (isolated submerged reefs inside the atoll). Abundance was recorded in number of fish per hectare, and fish length was classified as <100 cm, ≥100 cm, or unknown size. Possible spawning aggregation sites were identified based on multiple occasions of temporarily increased fish density associated with large male presence. Mean densities ranged from 6.02 fish ha-1 in channels, 2.65 and 2.29 fish ha-1 in outer and inner reefs, respectively, and 0.73 fish ha-1 in faros. These densities are consistent with those found in unexploited areas in similar habitats elsewhere and indicate successful protection of the species on Laamu Atoll. The data highlight the significance of reef channel habitat for this species as important megafauna and the need for management to conserve both species and channel habitats. The value of non-specialist observers for conducting labour-intensive surveys on large, wide-ranging species is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Roe
- MUI by Six Senses Laamu, Olhuveli Island, Laamu Atoll, Maldives
| | - AS Hashim
- Blue Marine Foundation, South Building, Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA, UK
| | - V Evans
- Blue Marine Foundation, South Building, Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA, UK
| | - Y Sadovy de Mitcheson
- Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA) & IUCN Grouper & Wrasse Specialist Group, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR
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Alós J, Aarestrup K, Abecasis D, Afonso P, Alonso-Fernandez A, Aspillaga E, Barcelo-Serra M, Bolland J, Cabanellas-Reboredo M, Lennox R, McGill R, Özgül A, Reubens J, Villegas-Ríos D. Toward a decade of ocean science for sustainable development through acoustic animal tracking. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5630-5653. [PMID: 35929978 PMCID: PMC9541420 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ocean is a key component of the Earth's dynamics, providing a great variety of ecosystem services to humans. Yet, human activities are globally changing its structure and major components, including marine biodiversity. In this context, the United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to tackle the scientific challenges necessary for a sustainable use of the ocean by means of the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14). Here, we review how Acoustic animal Tracking, a widely distributed methodology of tracking marine biodiversity with electronic devices, can provide a roadmap for implementing the major Actions to achieve the SDG14. We show that acoustic tracking can be used to reduce and monitor the effects of marine pollution including noise, light, and plastic pollution. Acoustic tracking can be effectively used to monitor the responses of marine biodiversity to human-made infrastructures and habitat restoration, as well as to determine the effects of hypoxia, ocean warming, and acidification. Acoustic tracking has been historically used to inform fisheries management, the design of marine protected areas, and the detection of essential habitats, rendering this technique particularly attractive to achieve the sustainable fishing and spatial protection target goals of the SDG14. Finally, acoustic tracking can contribute to end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by providing tools to monitor marine biodiversity against poachers and promote the development of Small Islands Developing States and developing countries. To fully benefit from acoustic tracking supporting the SDG14 Targets, trans-boundary collaborative efforts through tracking networks are required to promote ocean information sharing and ocean literacy. We therefore propose acoustic tracking and tracking networks as relevant contributors to tackle the scientific challenges that are necessary for a sustainable use of the ocean promoted by the United Nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Alós
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
| | - Kim Aarestrup
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - David Abecasis
- Center of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve (CCMAR), Faro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Afonso
- Institute of Marine Research (IMAR/Okeanos), University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Eneko Aspillaga
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
| | | | - Jonathan Bolland
- Hull International Fisheries Institute, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | | | - Robert Lennox
- NORCE Norwegian Research Center AS, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Aytaç Özgül
- Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - David Villegas-Ríos
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), CSIC, Vigo, Spain
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Sill SR, Dawson TP. Climate change impacts on the ecological dynamics of two coral reef species, the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and crown-of-thorns starfish (Ancanthaster planci). ECOL INFORM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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