1
|
Savage J, Chamberlain A, Fellows M, Jones R, Letessier TB, Llewellyn F, Morritt D, Rowcliffe M, Koldewey H. Big brands impact small islands: Sources of plastic pollution in a remote and protected archipelago. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116476. [PMID: 38781799 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116476] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Remote islands are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, often originating from elsewhere, so it is important to understand its origins, to stop debris entering the ocean at their source. We investigated the origins of beached plastic drink bottles in the Chagos Archipelago, a large remote Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Indian Ocean. We recorded the brands, countries of manufacture, types of drink, and ages of plastic bottles and their lids. The prevalent type of drink was water, with items mostly manufactured in Indonesia, China, and the Maldives. The main brands were Danone and the Coca-Cola Company. We deduced that 10 % of the items originated from ships passing the archipelago, including all the items manufactured in China. The identification of the brands creating plastic pollution in remote MPAs with high biodiversity supports extended producer responsibility, one of the proposed policy development areas of the Global Plastics Treaty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Savage
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, United Kingdom.
| | - A Chamberlain
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - M Fellows
- British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH, United Kingdom
| | - R Jones
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - T B Letessier
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - F Llewellyn
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - D Morritt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
| | - M Rowcliffe
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - H Koldewey
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Centre of Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trevail AM, Nicoll MAC, Freeman R, Le Corre M, Schwarz J, Jaeger A, Bretagnolle V, Calabrese L, Feare C, Lebarbenchon C, Norris K, Orlowski S, Pinet P, Plot V, Rocamora G, Shah N, Votier SC. Tracking seabird migration in the tropical Indian Ocean reveals basin-scale conservation need. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5247-5256.e4. [PMID: 37972589 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding marine predator distributions is an essential component of arresting their catastrophic declines.1,2,3,4 In temperate, polar, and upwelling seas, predictable oceanographic features can aggregate migratory predators, which benefit from site-based protection.5,6,7,8 In more oligotrophic tropical waters, however, it is unclear whether environmental conditions create similar multi-species hotspots. We track the non-breeding movements and habitat preferences of a tropical seabird assemblage (n = 348 individuals, 9 species, and 10 colonies in the western Indian Ocean), which supports globally important biodiversity.9,10,11,12 We mapped species richness from tracked populations and then predicted the same diversity measure for all known Indian Ocean colonies. Most species had large non-breeding ranges, low or variable residency patterns, and specific habitat preferences. This in turn revealed that maximum species richness covered >3.9 million km2, with no focused aggregations, in stark contrast to large-scale tracking studies in all other ocean basins.5,6,7,13,14 High species richness was captured by existing marine protected areas (MPAs) in the region; however, most occurred in the unprotected high seas beyond national jurisdictions. Seabirds experience cumulative anthropogenic impacts13 and high mortality15,16 during non-breeding. Therefore, our results suggest that seabird conservation in the tropical Indian Ocean requires an ocean-wide perspective, including high seas legislation.17 As restoration actions improve the outlook for tropical seabirds on land18,19,20,21,22 and environmental change reshapes the habitats that support them at sea,15,16 appropriate marine conservation will be crucial for their long-term recovery and whole ecosystem restoration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Trevail
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Malcolm A C Nicoll
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW14RY, UK
| | - Robin Freeman
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW14RY, UK
| | - Matthieu Le Corre
- Écologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien, UMR ENTROPIE, Université de la Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 7151, 97715 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Jill Schwarz
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Audrey Jaeger
- Écologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien, UMR ENTROPIE, Université de la Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 7151, 97715 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC-CNRS), 79360 Beauvoir sur Niort, France
| | - Licia Calabrese
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC-CNRS), 79360 Beauvoir sur Niort, France; Island Conservation Society, Pointe Larue, Mahé P.O Box 775, Seychelles; Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre of the University of Seychelles, Anse Royale, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Chris Feare
- WildWings Bird Management, 2 North View Cottages, Grayswood Common, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2DN, UK; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), NSW, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Camille Lebarbenchon
- Université de la Réunion, UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Ken Norris
- Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Sabine Orlowski
- Écologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien, UMR ENTROPIE, Université de la Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 7151, 97715 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Patrick Pinet
- Parc national de La Réunion, Life+ Pétrels. 258 Rue de la République, 97431 Plaine des Palmistes, La Réunion, France
| | - Virginie Plot
- Écologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien, UMR ENTROPIE, Université de la Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 7151, 97715 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Gerard Rocamora
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC-CNRS), 79360 Beauvoir sur Niort, France; Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre of the University of Seychelles, Anse Royale, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Nirmal Shah
- Nature Seychelles, P.O. Box 1310, The Centre for Environment and Education, Roche Caiman, Mahé, Seychelles; The Centre for Environment and Education, Roche Caiman, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Stephen C Votier
- The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tanabe LK, Cochran JEM, Berumen ML. Inter-nesting, migration, and foraging behaviors of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the central-southern Red Sea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11222. [PMID: 37433818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37942-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are migratory with nesting and foraging areas in distinct and often widely separated habitats. Telemetry has been a vital tool for tracking sea turtle migrations between these areas, but tagging efforts are often focused on only a few large rookeries in a given region. For instance, turtle tagging in the Red Sea has been focused in the north of the basin. We tagged five green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a nesting site in the central-southern Red Sea and tracked them for 72-243 days. During the inter-nesting period, the turtles showed high site-fidelity, with a maximum home range of 161 km2. After the nesting season, the turtles migrated up to 1100 km to five distinct foraging locations in three countries (Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Eritrea). Movements within foraging habitats were more wide-ranging compared to inter-nesting movements, with home ranges varying between 1.19 and 931 km2. The tracking data revealed that the creation of a relatively small marine reserve could protect the critical inter-nesting habitat in the Farasan Banks. The results also highlight the need for multinational collaboration to protect migratory corridors and foraging sites of this endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey K Tanabe
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jesse E M Cochran
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dawson W, Peyton JM, Pescott OL, Adriaens T, Cottier‐Cook EJ, Frohlich DS, Key G, Malumphy C, Martinou AF, Minchin D, Moore N, Rabitsch W, Rorke SL, Tricarico E, Turvey KMA, Winfield IJ, Barnes DKA, Baum D, Bensusan K, Burton FJ, Carr P, Convey P, Copeland AI, Fa DA, Fowler L, García‐Berthou E, Gonzalez A, González‐Moreno P, Gray A, Griffiths RW, Guillem R, Guzman AN, Haakonsson J, Hughes KA, James R, Linares L, Maczey N, Mailer S, Manco BN, Martin S, Monaco A, Moverley DG, Rose‐Smyth C, Shanklin J, Stevens N, Stewart AJ, Vaux AGC, Warr SJ, Werenkaut V, Roy HE. Horizon scanning for potential invasive non‐native species across the United Kingdom Overseas Territories. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Dawson
- Department of Biosciences Durham University Durham UK
| | | | | | - Tim Adriaens
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) Herman Teirlinckgebouw Brussels Belgium
| | | | | | - Gillian Key
- GB Non‐Native Species Secretariat Animal and Plant Health Agency York UK
| | | | - Angeliki F. Martinou
- Joint Services Health Unit, British Forces Cyprus Nicosia Cyprus
- The Cyprus Institute Nicosia Cyprus
| | - Dan Minchin
- Marine Research Institute Klaipėda University Klaipėda Lithuania
- Marine Organism Investigations Co Clare Ireland
| | - Niall Moore
- GB Non‐Native Species Secretariat Animal and Plant Health Agency York UK
| | | | | | - Elena Tricarico
- Department of Biology University of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | | | - Ian J. Winfield
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster UK
| | | | - Diane Baum
- Ascension Island Government Ascension Island South Atlantic Ocean
| | - Keith Bensusan
- Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Campus, ‘The Alameda’ University of Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar
| | - Frederic J. Burton
- Department of Environment Cayman Islands Government Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
| | - Peter Carr
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | | | - Alison I. Copeland
- Department of Biosciences Durham University Durham UK
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Government of Bermuda Hamilton Parish Bermuda
| | - Darren A. Fa
- Natural Sciences and Environment Hub, Research Office University of Gibraltar, Europa Point Campus Gibraltar Gibraltar
| | - Liza Fowler
- St Helena National Trust Jamestown South Atlantic Ocean
| | | | | | - Pablo González‐Moreno
- Department of Forest Engineering, ERSAF University of Cordoba Córdoba Spain
- CABI Egham UK
| | - Alan Gray
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Penicuik UK
| | | | | | - Antenor N. Guzman
- U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia Diego Garcia British Indian Ocean Territory
| | - Jane Haakonsson
- Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Campus, ‘The Alameda’ University of Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar
| | | | - Ross James
- Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Government House Stanley Falkland Islands
| | - Leslie Linares
- Field Centre, Jews’ Gate Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society Gibraltar Gibraltar
| | | | | | - Bryan Naqqi Manco
- Department of Environment and Coastal Resources National Environmental Centre Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands
| | - Stephanie Martin
- Government of Tristan da Cunha Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Tristan da Cunha
| | - Andrea Monaco
- Department of Life Sciences University of Siena Siena Italy
| | - David G. Moverley
- Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Apia Samoa
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Stephen J. Warr
- Department of the Environment HM Government of Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar
| | - Victoria Werenkaut
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA‐CONICET – Universidad Nacional del Comahue San Carlos de Bariloche Argentina
| | - Helen E. Roy
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Crowmarsh Gifford UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fang G, Yu H, Sheng H, Chen C, Tang Y, Liang Z. Seasonal variations and co-occurrence networks of bacterial communities in the water and sediment of artificial habitat in Laoshan Bay, China. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12705. [PMID: 35036171 PMCID: PMC8740510 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine bacteria in the seawater and seafloor are essential parts of Earth’s biodiversity, as they are critical participants of the global energy flow and the material cycles. However, their spatial-temporal variations and potential interactions among varied biotopes in artificial habitat are poorly understood. In this study, we profiled the variations of bacterial communities among seasons and areas in the water and sediment of artificial reefs using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and analyzed the potential interaction patterns among microorganisms. Distinct bacterial community structures in the two biotopes were exhibited. The Shannon diversity and the richness of phyla in the sediment were higher, while the differences among the four seasons were more evident in the water samples. The seasonal variations of bacterial communities in the water were more distinct, while significant variations among four areas were only observed in the sediment. Correlation analysis revealed that nitrite and mud content were the most important factors influencing the abundant OTUs in the water and sediment, respectively. Potential interactions and keystone species were identified based on the three co-occurrence networks. Results showed that the correlations among bacterial communities in the sediment were lower than in the water. Besides, the abundance of the top five abundant species and five keystone species had different changing patterns among four seasons and four areas. These results enriched our understanding of the microbial structures, dynamics, and interactions of microbial communities in artificial habitats, which could provide new insights into planning, constructing and managing these special habitats in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Fang
- Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Haolin Yu
- Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Huaxiang Sheng
- Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Chuanxi Chen
- College of ocean and earth sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yanli Tang
- Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenlin Liang
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
|
7
|
Estimating Pelagic Fish Biomass in a Tropical Seascape Using Echosounding and Baited Stereo-Videography. Ecosystems 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-021-00723-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
8
|
Curnick DJ, Feary DA, Cavalcante GH. Risks to large marine protected areas posed by drifting fish aggregation devices. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:1222-1232. [PMID: 33314325 PMCID: PMC8419855 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mapping and predicting the potential risk of fishing activities to large marine protected areas (MPAs), where management capacity is low but fish biomass may be globally important, is vital to prioritizing enforcement and maximizing conservation benefits. Drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) are a highly effective fishing method employed in purse seine fisheries that attract and accumulate biomass fish, making fish easier to catch. However, dFADs are associated with several negative impacts, including high bycatch rates and lost or abandoned dFADs becoming beached on sensitive coastal areas (e.g., coral reefs). Using Lagrangian particle modeling, we determined the potential transit of dFADs in a large MPA around the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean. We then quantified the risk of dFADs beaching on the archipelago's reefs and atolls and determined the potential for dFADs to pass through the MPA, accumulate biomass while within, and export it into areas where it can be legally fished (i.e., transit). Over one-third (37.51%) of dFADs posed a risk of either beaching or transiting the MPA for >14 days, 17.70% posed a risk of beaching or transiting the MPA for >30 days, and 13.11% posed a risk of beaching or transiting the MPA for >40 days. Modeled dFADs deployed on the east and west of the perimeter were more likely to beach and have long transiting times (i.e., posed the highest risk). The Great Chagos Bank, the largest atoll in the archipelago, was the most likely site to be affected by dFADs beaching. Overall, understanding the interactions between static MPAs and drifting fishing gears is vital to developing suitable management plans to support enforcement of MPA boundaries and the functioning and sustainability of their associated biomass.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Curnick
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonRegents ParkLondonNW1 4RYU.K.
| | | | - Geórgenes H. Cavalcante
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and SciencesAmerican University of SharjahSharjahP.O. Box 26666United Arab Emirates
- Institute of Atmospheric SciencesFederal University of AlagoasAv. Lourival Melo Mota, S/N Tabuleiro do MartinsMaceióALCEP 57072–900Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gajdzik L, Green AL, Cochran JEM, Hardenstine RS, Tanabe LK, Berumen ML. Using species connectivity to achieve coordinated large-scale marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112244. [PMID: 33740655 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In the face of increasing anthropogenic threats, coastal nations need to reach common ground for effective marine conservation. Understanding species' connectivity can reveal how nations share resources, demonstrating the need for cooperative protection efforts. Unfortunately, connectivity information is rarely integrated into the design of marine protected areas (MPAs). This is exemplified in the Red Sea where biodiversity is only nominally protected by a non-cohesive network of small-sized MPAs, most of which are barely implemented. Here, we showcase the potential of using connectivity patterns of flagship species to consolidate conservation efforts in the Red Sea. We argue that a large-scale MPA (LSMPA) would more effectively preserve Red Sea species' multinational migration routes. A connectivity-informed LSMPA approach provides thus one avenue to unite coastal nations toward acting for the common good of conservation and reverse the global decline in marine biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gajdzik
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Alison L Green
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jesse E M Cochran
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Royale S Hardenstine
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lyndsey K Tanabe
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Williamson MJ, Tebbs EJ, Dawson TP, Curnick DJ, Ferretti F, Carlisle AB, Chapple TK, Schallert RJ, Tickler DM, Harrison XA, Block BA, Jacoby DM. Analysing detection gaps in acoustic telemetry data to infer differential movement patterns in fish. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2717-2730. [PMID: 33767831 PMCID: PMC7981221 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide array of technologies are available for gaining insight into the movement of wild aquatic animals. Although acoustic telemetry can lack the fine-scale spatial resolution of some satellite tracking technologies, the substantially longer battery life can yield important long-term data on individual behavior and movement for low per-unit cost. Typically, however, receiver arrays are designed to maximize spatial coverage at the cost of positional accuracy leading to potentially longer detection gaps as individuals move out of range between monitored locations. This is particularly true when these technologies are deployed to monitor species in hard-to-access locations.Here, we develop a novel approach to analyzing acoustic telemetry data, using the timing and duration of gaps between animal detections to infer different behaviors. Using the durations between detections at the same and different receiver locations (i.e., detection gaps), we classify behaviors into "restricted" or potential wider "out-of-range" movements synonymous with longer distance dispersal. We apply this method to investigate spatial and temporal segregation of inferred movement patterns in two sympatric species of reef shark within a large, remote, marine protected area (MPA). Response variables were generated using network analysis, and drivers of these movements were identified using generalized linear mixed models and multimodel inference.Species, diel period, and season were significant predictors of "out-of-range" movements. Silvertip sharks were overall more likely to undertake "out-of-range" movements, compared with gray reef sharks, indicating spatial segregation, and corroborating previous stable isotope work between these two species. High individual variability in "out-of-range" movements in both species was also identified.We present a novel gap analysis of telemetry data to help infer differential movement and space use patterns where acoustic coverage is imperfect and other tracking methods are impractical at scale. In remote locations, inference may be the best available tool and this approach shows that acoustic telemetry gap analysis can be used for comparative studies in fish ecology, or combined with other research techniques to better understand functional mechanisms driving behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Williamson
- Department of GeographyKing’s College LondonLondonUK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Emma J. Tebbs
- Department of GeographyKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | - Francesco Ferretti
- Department of Fish and Wildlife ConservationVirginia TechBlacksburgVaUSA
| | - Aaron B. Carlisle
- Hopkins Marine StationStanford UniversityPacific GroveCAUSA
- School of Marine Science and PolicyUniversity of DelawareLewesDEUSA
| | | | | | - David M. Tickler
- Marine Futures LabSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of Western AustraliaPerthWAAustralia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Schwarz JN. Dynamic partitioning of tropical Indian Ocean surface waters using ocean colour data - management and modelling applications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 276:111308. [PMID: 32891983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111308] [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: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, partitioning of the surface ocean into ecologically-meaningful spatial domains has been approached using a range of data types, with the aim of improving our understanding of open ocean processes, supporting marine management decisions and constraining coupled ocean-biogeochemical models. The simplest partitioning method, which could provide low-latency information for managers at low cost, remains a purely optical classification based on ocean colour remote sensing. The question is whether such a simple approach has value. Here, the efficacy of optical classifications in constraining physical variables that modulate the epipelagic environment is tested for the tropical Indian Ocean, with a focus on the Chagos marine protected area (MPA). Using remote sensing data, it was found that optical classes corresponded to distinctive ranges of wind speed, wind stress curl, sea surface temperature, sea surface slope, sea surface height anomaly and geostrophic currents (Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Tukey honestly significantly different tests, α = 0.01). Between-class differences were significant for a set of sub-domains that resolved zonal and meridional gradients across the MPA and Seychelles-Chagos Thermocline Ridge, whereas between-domain differences were only significant for the north-south gradient (PERMANOVA, α = 0.01). A preliminary test of between-class differences in surface CO2 concentrations from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 demonstrated a small decrease in mean pCO2 with increasing chlorophyll (chl), from 418 to 398 ppm. Simple optical class maps therefore provide an overview of growth conditions, the spatial distribution of resources - from which habitat fragmentation metrics can be calculated, and carbon sequestration potential. Within the 17 year study period, biotic variables were found to have decreased at up to 0.025%a-1 for all optical classes, which is slower than reported elsewhere (Mann-Kendall-Sen regression, α = 0.01). Within the MPA, positive Indian Ocean Dipole conditions and negative Southern Oscillation Indices were weakly associated with decreasing chl, fluorescence line height (FLH), eddy kinetic energy, easterly wind stress and wind stress curl, and with increasing FLH/chl, sea surface temperature, SSH gradients and northerly wind stress, consistent with reduced surface mixing and increased stratification. The optical partitioning scheme described here can be applied in Google Earth Engine to support management decisions at daily or monthly scales, and potential applications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jill N Schwarz
- School of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cabral RB, Bradley D, Mayorga J, Goodell W, Friedlander AM, Sala E, Costello C, Gaines SD. A global network of marine protected areas for food. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28134-28139. [PMID: 33106411 PMCID: PMC7668080 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000174117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are conservation tools that are increasingly implemented, with growing national commitments for MPA expansion. Perhaps the greatest challenge to expanded use of MPAs is the perceived trade-off between protection and food production. Since MPAs can benefit both conservation and fisheries in areas experiencing overfishing and since overfishing is common in many coastal nations, we ask how MPAs can be designed specifically to improve fisheries yields. We assembled distribution, life history, and fisheries exploitation data for 1,338 commercially important stocks to derive an optimized network of MPAs globally. We show that strategically expanding the existing global MPA network to protect an additional 5% of the ocean could increase future catch by at least 20% via spillover, generating 9 to 12 million metric tons more food annually than in a business-as-usual world with no additional protection. Our results demonstrate how food provisioning can be a central driver of MPA design, offering a pathway to strategically conserve ocean areas while securing seafood for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reniel B Cabral
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117;
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Environmental Market Solutions Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| | - Darcy Bradley
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Environmental Market Solutions Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| | - Juan Mayorga
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Environmental Market Solutions Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036
| | - Whitney Goodell
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744
| | - Enric Sala
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036
| | - Christopher Costello
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Environmental Market Solutions Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| | - Steven D Gaines
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
- Environmental Market Solutions Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jacoby DMP, Ferretti F, Freeman R, Carlisle AB, Chapple TK, Curnick DJ, Dale JJ, Schallert RJ, Tickler D, Block BA. Shark movement strategies influence poaching risk and can guide enforcement decisions in a large, remote marine protected area. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
| | - Robin Freeman
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | - Aaron B. Carlisle
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
- School of Marine Science and Policy University of Delaware Lewes DE USA
| | - Taylor K. Chapple
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
- Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Hatfield Marine Science Center Oregon State University Newport OR USA
| | | | | | | | - David Tickler
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
- The UWA Oceans InstituteUniversity of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Estimates of marine turtle nesting populations in the south-west Indian Ocean indicate the importance of the Chagos Archipelago. ORYX 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605319001108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractGlobal marine turtle population assessments highlight the importance of the south-west Indian Ocean region, despite data gaps for the Chagos Archipelago. The archipelago hosts nesting hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and green turtles Chelonia mydas, both heavily exploited for 2 centuries until protection in 1968–1970. We assessed available nesting habitat and spatial distribution of nesting activity during rapid surveys of 90% of the archipelago's coastline in 1996, 1999, 2006 and 2016. We quantified seasonality and mean annual egg clutch production from monthly track counts during 2006–2018 along a 2.8 km index beach on Diego Garcia island. An estimated 56% (132 km) of coastline provided suitable nesting habitat. Diego Garcia and Peros Banhos atolls accounted for 90.4% of hawksbill and 70.4% of green turtle nesting. Hawksbill turtles showed distinct nesting peaks during October–February, and green turtles nested year-round with elevated activity during June–October. Estimates of 6,300 hawksbill and 20,500 green turtle clutches laid annually during 2011–2018 indicate that nesting on the Chagos Archipelago has increased 2–5 times for hawksbill turtles and 4–9 times for green turtles since 1996. Regional estimates indicate green turtles produce 10 times more egg clutches than hawksbill turtles, and the Chagos Archipelago accounts for 39–51% of an estimated 12,500–16,000 hawksbill and 14–20% of an estimated 104,000–143,500 green turtle clutches laid in the south-west Indian Ocean. The improved status may reflect > 40 years without significant exploitation. Long-term monitoring is needed to captureinterannual variation in nesting numbers and minimize uncertainty in population estimates.
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Food security remains a principal challenge in the developing tropics where communities rely heavily on marine-based protein. While some improvements in fisheries management have been made in these regions, a large fraction of coastal fisheries remain unmanaged, mismanaged, or use only crude input controls. These quasi-open-access conditions often lead to severe overfishing, depleted stocks, and compromised food security. A possible fishery management approach in these institution-poor settings is to implement fully protected marine protected areas (MPAs). Although the primary push for MPAs has been to solve the conservation problems that arise from mismanagement, MPAs can also benefit fisheries beyond their borders. The literature has not completely characterized how to design MPAs under diverse ecological and economic conditions when food security is the objective. We integrated four key biological and economic variables (i.e., fish population growth rate, fish mobility, fish price, and fishing cost) as well as an important aspect of reserve design (MPA size) into a general model and determined their combined influence on food security when MPAs are implemented in an open-access setting. We explicitly modeled open-access conditions that account for the behavioral response of fishers to the MPA; this approach is distinct from much of the literature that focuses on assumptions of “scorched earth” (i.e., severe over-fishing), optimized management, or an arbitrarily defined fishing mortality outside the MPA’s boundaries. We found that the MPA size that optimizes catch depends strongly on economic variables. Large MPAs optimize catch for species heavily harvested for their high value and/or low harvesting cost, while small MPAs or no closure are best for species lightly harvested for their low value and high harvesting cost. Contrary to previous theoretical expectations, both high and low mobility species are expected to experience conservation benefits from protection, although, as shown previously, greater conservation benefits are expected for low mobility species. Food security benefits from MPAs can be obtained from species of any mobility. Results deliver both qualitative insights and quantitative guidance for designing MPAs for food security in open-access fisheries.
Collapse
|
16
|
Ferretti F, Curnick D, Liu K, Romanov EV, Block BA. Shark baselines and the conservation role of remote coral reef ecosystems. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaaq0333. [PMID: 29532033 PMCID: PMC5842041 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaq0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Scientific monitoring has recorded only a recent fraction of the oceans' alteration history. This biases our understanding of marine ecosystems. Remote coral reef ecosystems are often considered pristine because of high shark abundance. However, given the long history and global nature of fishing, sharks' vulnerability, and the ecological consequences of shark declines, these states may not be natural. In the Chagos archipelago, one of the remotest coral reef systems on the planet, protected by a very large marine reserve, we integrated disparate fisheries and scientific survey data to reconstruct baselines and long-term population trajectories of two dominant sharks. In 2012, we estimated 571,310 gray reef and 31,693 silvertip sharks, about 79 and 7% of their baseline levels. These species were exploited longer and more intensively than previously thought and responded to fishing and protection with variable and compensatory population trajectories. Our approach highlights the value of integrative and historical analyses to evaluate large marine ecosystems currently considered pristine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferretti
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - David Curnick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Keli Liu
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Evgeny V. Romanov
- Centre technique d’appui à la pêche réunionnaise (CAP RUN), 97420 Le Port, Île de la Réunion, France
| | - Barbara A. Block
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lv W, Liu Z, Yang Y, Huang Y, Fan B, Jiang Q, Zhao Y. Loss and self-restoration of macrobenthic diversity in reclamation habitats of estuarine islands in Yangtze Estuary, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 103:128-136. [PMID: 26746380 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, macrobenthic diversity data were collected from intertidal habitats of island wetlands in Yangtze Estuary before and after reclamation. Three survey regions based on habitat features were investigated: protected region, normal region, and self-restored region. The pattern of diversity variation showed a sharp decrease in reclamation sites and an obvious increase in vegetated sites of the self-restored region before and after reclamation. A declining trend in habitat health was observed in reclamation sites, but the degree of perturbation was relatively weaker in protected region than in normal region. The vegetated site showed a better self-restoration of biodiversity than the bald site. These results suggest that reclamation may have a negative influence on biodiversity and habitat health status in the intertidal wetland. Also, there is a possibility of self-restoration in tidal flats disturbed by reclamation and the resistance effect in nature reserve may reduce the disturbances resulting from reclamation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Lv
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Youhui Huang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Bin Fan
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Qichen Jiang
- Shanghai National Engineering Research Center of Urban Water Resources Co.Ltd., Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Yunlong Zhao
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dunne RP, Polunin NVC, Sand PH, Johnson ML. The creation of the Chagos marine protected area: a fisheries perspective(☆). ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2014; 69:79-127. [PMID: 25358298 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800214-8.00003-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
From a fisheries perspective, the declaration of a 640,000 km² "no-take" Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Chagos Archipelago in 2010 was preceded by inadequate consideration of the scientific rationale for protection. The entire area was already a highly regulated zone which had been subject to a well-managed fisheries licensing system. The island of Diego Garcia, the only area where there is evidence of overfishing has, because of its military base, been excluded from the MPA. The no-take mandate removes the primary source of sustenance and economic sustainability of any inhabitants, thus effectively preventing the return of the original residents who were removed for political reasons in the 1960s and 1970s. The principles of natural resource conservation and use have been further distorted by forcing offshore fishing effort to other less well-managed areas where it will have a greater negative impact on the well-being of the species that were claimed to be one of the primary beneficiaries of the declaration. A failure to engage stakeholders has resulted in challenges in both the English courts and before an international tribunal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas V C Polunin
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Newcastle, England
| | - Peter H Sand
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Magnus L Johnson
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Scarborough, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Letessier TB, Meeuwig JJ, Gollock M, Groves L, Bouchet PJ, Chapuis L, Vianna GM, Kemp K, Koldewey HJ. Assessing pelagic fish populations: The application of demersal video techniques to the mid-water environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mio.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
21
|
Sheehan EV, Cousens SL, Nancollas SJ, Stauss C, Royle J, Attrill MJ. Drawing lines at the sand: evidence for functional vs. visual reef boundaries in temperate Marine Protected Areas. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 76:194-202. [PMID: 24075618 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can either protect all seabed habitats within them or discrete features. If discrete features within the MPA are to be protected humans have to know where the boundaries are. In Lyme Bay, SW England a MPA excluded towed demersal fishing gear from 206 km(2) to protect rocky reef habitats and the associated species. The site comprised a mosaic of sedimentary and reef habitats and so 'non reef' habitat also benefited from the MPA. Following 3 years protection, video data showed that sessile Reef Associated Species (RAS) had colonised sedimentary habitat indicating that 'reef' was present. This suggested that the functional extent of the reef was potentially greater than its visual boundary. Feature based MPA management may not adequately protect targeted features, whereas site based management allows for shifting baselines and will be more effective at delivering ecosystem goods and services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E V Sheehan
- Marine Institute, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nel R, Punt AE, Hughes GR. Are coastal protected areas always effective in achieving population recovery for nesting sea turtles? PLoS One 2013; 8:e63525. [PMID: 23671683 PMCID: PMC3643975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are highly migratory and usually dispersed, but aggregate off beaches during the nesting season, rendering them vulnerable to coastal threats. Consequently, coastal Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) have been used to facilitate the recovery of turtle populations, but the effectiveness of these programs is uncertain as most have been operating for less than a single turtle generation (or<20 yr). South Africa, however, hosts one of the longest running conservation programs, protecting nesting loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles since 1963 in a series of coastal MPAs. This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the long-term effect of spatial protection on the abundance of two highly migratory turtle species with different life history characteristics. Population responses were assessed by modeling the number of nests over time in an index area (13 km) and an expanded monitoring area (53 km) with varying survey effort. Loggerhead abundance increased dramatically from∼250 to>1700 nests pa (index area) especially over the last decade, while leatherback abundance increased initially∼10 to 70 nests pa (index area), but then stabilized. Although leatherbacks have higher reproductive output per female and comparable remigration periods and hatching success to loggerheads, the leatherback population failed to expand. Our results suggest that coastal MPAs can work but do not guarantee the recovery of sea turtle populations as pressures change over time. Causes considered for the lack of population growth include factors in the MPA (expansion into unmonitored areas or incubation environment) of outside of the MPA (including carrying capacity and fishing mortality). Conservation areas for migratory species thus require careful design to account for species-specific needs, and need to be monitored to keep track of changing pressures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronel Nel
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jeffery L. ‘We are the true guardians of the environment’: human-environment relations and debates about the future of the Chagos Archipelago. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1467-9655.12034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
24
|
Yang SY, Keshavmurthy S, Obura D, Sheppard CRC, Visram S, Chen CA. Diversity and distribution of symbiodinium associated with seven common coral species in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35836. [PMID: 22567113 PMCID: PMC3342320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chagos Archipelago designated as a no-take marine protected area in 2010, lying about 500 km south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, has a high conservation priority, particularly because of its fast recovery from the ocean-wide massive coral mortality following the 1998 coral bleaching event. The aims of this study were to examine Symbiodinium diversity and distribution associated with scleractinian corals in five atolls of the Chagos Archipelago, spread over 10,000 km(2). Symbiodinium clade diversity in 262 samples of seven common coral species, Acropora muricata, Isopora palifera, Pocillopora damicornis, P. verrucosa, P. eydouxi, Seriatopora hystrix, and Stylophora pistillata were determined using PCR-SSCP of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), PCR-DDGE of ITS2, and phylogenetic analyses. The results indicated that Symbiodinium in clade C were the dominant symbiont group in the seven coral species. Our analysis revealed types of Symbiodinium clade C specific to coral species. Types C1 and C3 (with C3z and C3i variants) were dominant in Acroporidae and C1 and C1c were the dominant types in Pocilloporidae. We also found 2 novel ITS2 types in S. hystrix and 1 novel ITS2 type of Symbiodinium in A. muricata. Some colonies of A. muricata and I. palifera were also associated with Symbiodinium A1. These results suggest that corals in the Chagos Archipelago host different assemblages of Symbiodinium types then their conspecifics from other locations in the Indian Ocean; and that future research will show whether these patterns in Symbiodinium genotypes may be due to local adaptation to specific conditions in the Chagos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Yin Yang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - David Obura
- Coastal Ocean Research and Development Indian Ocean (CORDIO), Mombasa, Kenya
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shakil Visram
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei, Taiwan
- Coastal Ocean Research and Development Indian Ocean (CORDIO), Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Chaolun Allen Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ward-Paige CA, Keith DM, Worm B, Lotze HK. Recovery potential and conservation options for elasmobranchs. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2012; 80:1844-69. [PMID: 22497409 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03246.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Many elasmobranchs have experienced strong population declines, which have been largely attributed to the direct and indirect effects of exploitation. Recently, however, live elasmobranchs are being increasingly valued for their role in marine ecosystems, dive tourism and intrinsic worth. Thus, management plans have been implemented to slow and ultimately reverse negative trends, including shark-specific (e.g. anti-finning laws) to ecosystem-based (e.g. no-take marine reserves) strategies. Yet it is unclear how successful these measures are, or will be, given the degree of depletion and slow recovery potential of most elasmobranchs. Here, current understanding of elasmobranch population recoveries is reviewed. The potential and realized extent of population increases, including rates of increase, timelines and drivers are evaluated. Across 40 increasing populations, only 25% were attributed to decreased anthropogenic mortality, while the majority was attributed to predation release. It is also shown that even low exploitation rates (2-6% per year) can halt or reverse positive population trends in six populations currently managed under recovery plans. Management measures that help restore elasmobranch populations include enforcement or near-zero fishing mortality, protection of critical habitats, monitoring and education. These measures are highlighted in a case study from the south-eastern U.S.A., where some evidence of recovery is seen in Pristis pectinata, Galeocerdo cuvier and Sphyrna lewini populations. It is concluded that recovery of elasmobranchs is certainly possible but requires time and a combination of strong and dedicated management actions to be successful.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C A Ward-Paige
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
SHEPPARD CRC, ATEWEBERHAN M, BOWEN BW, CARR P, CHEN CA, CLUBBE C, CRAIG MT, EBINGHAUS R, EBLE J, FITZSIMMONS N, GAITHER MR, GAN CH, GOLLOCK M, GUZMAN N, GRAHAM NAJ, HARRIS A, JONES R, KESHAVMURTHY S, KOLDEWEY H, LUNDIN CG, MORTIMER JA, OBURA D, PFEIFFER M, PRICE ARG, PURKIS S, RAINES P, READMAN JW, RIEGL B, ROGERS A, SCHLEYER M, SEAWARD MRD, SHEPPARD ALS, TAMELANDER J, TURNER JR, VISRAM S, VOGLER C, VOGT S, WOLSCHKE H, YANG JMC, YANG SY, YESSON C. Reefs and islands of the Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean: why it is the world's largest no-take marine protected area. AQUATIC CONSERVATION : MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 2012; 22:232-261. [PMID: 25505830 PMCID: PMC4260629 DOI: 10.1002/aqc.1248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The Chagos Archipelago was designated a no-take marine protected area (MPA) in 2010; it covers 550 000 km2, with more than 60 000 km2 shallow limestone platform and reefs. This has doubled the global cover of such MPAs.It contains 25-50% of the Indian Ocean reef area remaining in excellent condition, as well as the world's largest contiguous undamaged reef area. It has suffered from warming episodes, but after the most severe mortality event of 1998, coral cover was restored after 10 years.Coral reef fishes are orders of magnitude more abundant than in other Indian Ocean locations, regardless of whether the latter are fished or protected.Coral diseases are extremely low, and no invasive marine species are known.Genetically, Chagos marine species are part of the Western Indian Ocean, and Chagos serves as a 'stepping-stone' in the ocean.The no-take MPA extends to the 200 nm boundary, and. includes 86 unfished seamounts and 243 deep knolls as well as encompassing important pelagic species.On the larger islands, native plants, coconut crabs, bird and turtle colonies were largely destroyed in plantation times, but several smaller islands are in relatively undamaged state.There are now 10 'important bird areas', coconut crab density is high and numbers of green and hawksbill turtles are recovering.Diego Garcia atoll contains a military facility; this atoll contains one Ramsar site and several 'strict nature reserves'. Pollutant monitoring shows it to be the least polluted inhabited atoll in the world. Today, strict environmental regulations are enforced.Shoreline erosion is significant in many places. Its economic cost in the inhabited part of Diego Garcia is very high, but all islands are vulnerable.Chagos is ideally situated for several monitoring programmes, and use is increasingly being made of the archipelago for this purpose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - M. ATEWEBERHAN
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - B. W. BOWEN
- Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, Kane’ohe, Hawai’i. 96744, USA
| | - P. CARR
- BF BIOT, Diego Garcia, BIOT, BFPO 485, UK
| | - C. A. CHEN
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - C. CLUBBE
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK
| | - M. T. CRAIG
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR 00681
| | - R. EBINGHAUS
- Department for Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1 I 21502, Geesthacht I, Germany
| | - J. EBLE
- Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, Kane’ohe, Hawai’i. 96744, USA
| | - N. FITZSIMMONS
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - M. R. GAITHER
- Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, Kane’ohe, Hawai’i. 96744, USA
| | - C-H. GAN
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - M. GOLLOCK
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - N. GUZMAN
- Nestor Guzman: NAVFACFE PWD DG Environmental, PSC 466 Box 5, FPO AP, 96595-0005
| | - N. A. J. GRAHAM
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - A. HARRIS
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - R. JONES
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - S. KESHAVMURTHY
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - H. KOLDEWEY
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - C. G. LUNDIN
- IUCN Marine Programme, Rue Mauverney 28, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
| | - J. A. MORTIMER
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - D. OBURA
- CORDIO East Africa, #9 Kibaki Flats, Kenyatta Beach, Bamburi Beach, P.O.BOX 10135, Mombasa 80101, Kenya
| | - M. PFEIFFER
- RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - A. R. G. PRICE
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - S. PURKIS
- National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA
| | - P. RAINES
- Coral Cay Conservation, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK
| | - J. W. READMAN
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
| | - B. RIEGL
- National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA
| | - A. ROGERS
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - M. SCHLEYER
- Oceanographic Research Institute, PO Box 10712, Marine Parade, Durban, 4056, South Africa
| | - M. R. D SEAWARD
- Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK
| | | | - J. TAMELANDER
- UNEP Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, UN, Rajdamnern Nok Av., Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
| | - J. R. TURNER
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - S. VISRAM
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - C. VOGLER
- Department für Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften Paläontologie & Geobiologie, Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität, Richard-Wagner-Str.10, 80333, München, Germany
| | - S. VOGT
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East, PSC 473, Box 1, FPO AP 96349, USA
| | - H. WOLSCHKE
- Department for Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1 I 21502, Geesthacht I, Germany
| | - J. M-C. YANG
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - S-Y. YANG
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - C. YESSON
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Grüss A, Kaplan DM, Hart DR. Relative impacts of adult movement, larval dispersal and harvester movement on the effectiveness of reserve networks. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19960. [PMID: 21611148 PMCID: PMC3096657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement of individuals is a critical factor determining the effectiveness of
reserve networks. Marine reserves have historically been used for the management
of species that are sedentary as adults, and, therefore, larval dispersal has
been a major focus of marine-reserve research. The push to use marine reserves
for managing pelagic and demersal species poses significant questions regarding
their utility for highly-mobile species. Here, a simple conceptual
metapopulation model is developed to provide a rigorous comparison of the
functioning of reserve networks for populations with different admixtures of
larval dispersal and adult movement in a home range. We find that adult movement
produces significantly lower persistence than larval dispersal, all other
factors being equal. Furthermore, redistribution of harvest effort previously in
reserves to remaining fished areas (‘fishery squeeze’) and fishing
along reserve borders (‘fishing-the-line’) considerably reduce
persistence and harvests for populations mobile as adults, while they only
marginally changes results for populations with dispersing larvae. Our results
also indicate that adult home-range movement and larval dispersal are not simply
additive processes, but rather that populations possessing both modes of
movement have lower persistence than equivalent populations having the same
amount of ‘total movement’ (sum of larval and adult movement spatial
scales) in either larval dispersal or adult movement alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Grüss
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR EME 212 (IRD/Ifremer/Université Montpellier 2), Centre de Recherche Halieutique Méditerranéenne et Tropicale, Sète, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sheppard C. Marine protected areas and pelagic fishing: the case of the Chagos Archipelago. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2010; 60:1899-1901. [PMID: 20971476 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
|