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Papageorgiou M, Karonias A, Eftychiou A, Hadjioannou L. Understanding the Interactions between Small-Scale Fisheries and the Mediterranean Monk Seal Using Fishermen's Ecological Knowledge. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2164. [PMID: 37443960 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132164] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between fisheries and marine mammals have been well documented in almost all existing fishing gears around the world, often associated with detrimental consequences. Interactions of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) with small-scale fisheries have been previously documented in the Mediterranean; this is a problem that seems to be growing in recent years. The present study aims to understand for the first time the nature and extent of interactions between the Mediterranean monk seal and small-scale fisheries in the Republic of Cyprus. The data were collected by conducting in-person semi-structured interviews, between November and December 2020, with 90 fishermen operating from nine different ports, extending throughout the entire coastline of the Republic of Cyprus. The results revealed minimal interactions between the Mediterranean monk seals and small-scale fisheries. The findings indicate that interactions are more likely to occur at depths of less than 10 m, closer to the coast, with the use of trammel nets and gillnets, and during the spring and summer months. The encounter, depredation and incidental capture rates were calculated at 0.01 (0.95%), 0.005 (0.51%) and 0.0004 (0.04%) per fisher, respectively. Spatiotemporal closed areas are proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios Papageorgiou
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Acropoleos 2, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2101, Cyprus
| | - Anastasis Karonias
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Acropoleos 2, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2101, Cyprus
| | - Athena Eftychiou
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Acropoleos 2, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2101, Cyprus
| | - Louis Hadjioannou
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Acropoleos 2, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2101, Cyprus
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2
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Nicholson K. Entanglement in recreational fishing gear poses a threat to estuarine and coastal dolphins: Animal welfare and population level impacts should guide intervention decision making. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115094. [PMID: 37285612 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Derelict and active fishing gear poses a threat to marine wildlife. This study details Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin entanglements in recreational fishing gear in the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Western Australia between 2016 and 2022. Eight entanglements were recorded, three resulted in death. While concerning from an animal welfare perspective, the impact of entanglements on the viability of the local dolphin population was low. This is as majority of affected individuals were juvenile males. Should entanglements result in the loss of reproductive females, or impact their reproductive success, the population trajectory could quickly change. As such, management decision making should consider population level impacts as well as the welfare of entangled individuals. Government agencies, together with relevant stakeholders, should work together to maintain preparedness to respond to entanglements and take preventative action that lowers the risk of interactions with recreational fishing gear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Nicholson
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia.
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3
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Chan SCY, Karczmarski L, Lin W, Zheng R, Ho YW, Guo L, Mo Y, Lee ATL, Or CKM, Wu Y. An unknown component of a well-known population: socio-demographic parameters of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) at the western reaches of the Pearl River Delta region. Mamm Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00335-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Shreedhar G, Thomas‐Walters L. Experimental evidence of the impact of framing of actors and victims in conservation narratives. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e14015. [PMID: 36301017 PMCID: PMC10092605 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Media narratives play a crucial role in framing marine conservation dilemmas by depicting human actors, such as fish consumers or the fishing industry, as responsible for negative effects of their actions on species and ecosystems. However, there is little evidence documenting how such narratives affect preferences for reducing bycatch. Behavioral science research shows that people can act less prosocially when more actors are responsible for a collective outcome (responsibility diffusion effect) and when more victims need to be helped (compassion fade effect); thus, the media's framing of actors and victims may have a significant effect on preferences. We conducted the first test of responsibility diffusion and compassion fade in a marine context in an online experiment (1548 participants in the United Kingdom). In 9 media narratives, we varied the type of actors responsible for fisheries bycatch (e.g., consumers and industry) and victims (e.g., a single species, multiple species, and ecosystems) in media narratives and determined the effects of the narratives on participants' support for bycatch policies and intentions to alter fish consumption. When responsibility for negative effects was attributed to consumers and industry, the probability of participants reporting support for fisheries policies (e.g., bycatch enforcement or consumer taxes) was ∼30% higher (odds ratio = 1.32) than when only consumers were attributed responsibility. These effects were primarily driven by female participants. Narratives had no effect on personal intentions to consume fish. Varying the type of victim had no effect on policy support and intentions. Our results suggest that neither responsibility diffusion nor compassion fade automatically follows from increasing the types of actors and victims in media narratives and that effects can depend on the type of outcome and population subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Shreedhar
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural ScienceLondon School of Economics and Political ScienceHoughton StreetLondonWC2A 2AEUK
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Mogensen LMW, Mei Z, Hao Y, Hudson MA, Wang D, Turvey ST. Spatiotemporal relationships of threatened cetaceans and anthropogenic threats in the lower Yangtze system. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.929959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The impacts of fisheries interactions on cetaceans can be challenging to determine, often requiring multiple complementary investigative approaches. The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), one of the few Critically Endangered cetaceans, is endemic to the middle-lower Yangtze drainage, a system impacted by multiple anthropogenic pressures. Bycatch mortality is implicated in regional porpoise decline, but the significance and dynamics of porpoise interactions with fishing activities and other threats remain poorly understood. We conducted boat-based surveys to map seasonal distributions and spatial congruence of porpoises and two potential threats (fishing and sand-mining), and an interview survey of fishing communities to understand temporal patterns and drivers of regional fishing activity, across Poyang Lake and the adjoining Yangtze mainstem. Variation in harmful and non-harmful gear use (non-fixed nets versus static pots and traps) between these landscapes might be an important factor affecting local porpoise status. Within Poyang Lake, spatial correlations between porpoises and threats were relatively weak, seasonal porpoise and threat hotspots were located in different regions, and two protected areas had higher porpoise encounter rates and densities than some unprotected sections. However, porpoise hotspots were mostly in unprotected areas, threats were widely observed across reserves, and more fishing and sand-mining was seasonally observed within reserves than within unprotected areas. Compared to null distributions, porpoises were detected significantly closer to fishing activities in summer and further from sand-mining in winter, indicating possible spatial risks of gear entanglement and disturbance. Reported porpoise bycatch deaths are associated with fixed and non-fixed nets, hook-based gears, and electrofishing. Longitudinal patterns in reported gear use indicate that hook-based fishing has decreased substantially and is generally conducted by older fishers, and significantly fewer respondents now practice fishing as their sole source of income, but electrofishing has increased. This combined research approach indicates a continued potential risk to porpoises from changing fisheries interactions and other threats, highlighting the importance of fishing restrictions and appropriate support for fishing communities impacted by this legislation. A potential “win–win” for both biodiversity and local livelihoods could be achieved through wider use of static pots and traps, which are not associated with bycatch deaths.
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Solomando A, Pujol F, Sureda A, Pinya S. Evaluating the Presence of Marine Litter in Cetaceans Stranded in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean Sea). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101468. [PMID: 36290372 PMCID: PMC9598389 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The global distribution and presence of plastic, at all levels of the water column, has made plastic debris one of today's greatest environmental challenges. The ingestion and entanglement of plastic-containing marine debris has been documented in more than 60% of all cetacean species. In light of the increasing pressure on cetaceans, and the diversity of factors that they face, the aim of this work is to provide evidence of the impact of plastic debris on stranded cetaceans, in terms of ingestion and entanglement, in the Balearic Islands for the first-time. Detailed examinations, necropsies, and plastic debris analysis were performed on 30 of the 108 cetaceans stranded between 2019 and 2022. Specimens belonging to five different species, Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Grampus griseus, Balaenoptera physalus, and Physeter macrocephalus, were evaluated. Ten percent of the cetaceans (N = 3) presented plastic debris in their stomach, with one case of obstruction and perforation. Fishery gear fragments (ropes and nets) were found in two adults of T. truncatus, whereas packaging debris (plastic bag, packing straps, and plastic sheets) were found in a juvenile P. macrocephalus. Plastic items analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) reported three polymer types: polypropylene, polyamide, and high-density polypropylene. A total of seven cases of entanglement were recorded during the study, affecting four different species (S. coeruleoalba, T. truncatus, P. macrocephalus, and Megaptera novaeangliae). Only two individuals were freed from the nets, although one died after a week, whereas the rest were already found dead. In conclusion, data collected in the present study provided evidence of plastic ingestion and entanglement in cetaceans of the Balearic Islands for the first-time, thus highlighting the need for the regular examination of stranded cetaceans (as they are top predators) in future research to better understand the effects of these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antònia Solomando
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Interdisciplinary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Francisca Pujol
- Palma Aquarium Foundation, Carrer Manuela de los Herreros i Sorà 21, E-07610 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), E-07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-971172820
| | - Samuel Pinya
- Interdisciplinary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Coxon J, Arso Civil M, Claridge D, Dunn C, Hammond PS. Investigating local population dynamics of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Bahamas and the impact of hurricanes on survival. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00208-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLittle Bahama Bank in the northern Bahamas supports several populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We provide the first estimates of birth rate and age-class-specific apparent survival rates for the local South Abaco population using data from a long-term (1997–2014) photo-identification (photo-ID) study and use the estimated life history parameters in a population viability analysis (PVA) to predict future population trends. Hurricane events are predicted to become more intense due to climate change but knowledge of how hurricanes may impact cetacean populations is limited. Little Bahama Bank is subject to hurricane activity, so we also investigate the potential impact of hurricanes on calf, juvenile and adult survival. Photo-ID data confirmed the existence of a core adult population with relatively high site fidelity in South Abaco, but also evidence of transient animals. Estimated annual birth rate was 0.278 (95% CI: 0.241–0.337). We found strong support for a decline in apparent survival for all age-classes. Estimated survival declined by 9% in adults (0.941 in 1998, to 0.855 in 2013), 5% in juveniles (0.820 in 2000, to 0.767 in 2013) and 36% in calves (0.970 in 1997, to 0.606 in 2013). Evidence that survival was influenced by repeated hurricane activity leading to increased mortality and/or emigration was stronger for calves and juveniles than for adults. PVA simulations of an assumed isolated South Abaco population showed that declines would lead to extinction within decades, even under the most optimistic scenario. Future work should focus on establishing if South Abaco is part of natural source–sink metapopulation dynamics on Little Bahama Bank by assessing trends in abundance in local populations and establishing how they interact; this will be important for assessing their conservation status in a potentially increasingly changing environment.
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Rojas-Bracho L, Taylor B, Booth C, Thomas L, Jaramillo-Legorreta A, Nieto-García E, Cárdenas Hinojosa G, Barlow J, Mesnick SL, Gerrodette T, Olson P, Henry A, Rizo H, Hidalgo-Pla E, Bonilla-Garzón A. More vaquita porpoises survive than expected. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2018, it was estimated that fewer than 20 of Mexico’s endemic vaquita porpoise Phocoena sinus remained, and the species was declining by 47% yr-1. Entanglement in gillnets is the sole threat to the species, and since the last population size estimate, gillnetting has increased in the small area where most vaquitas remain—a 12 × 24 km area in the Gulf of California near San Felipe, Mexico. We conducted research efforts in 2019 and 2021 in that area to estimate the minimum numbers of adults and calves and look for any signs that vaquitas are unhealthy. Through expert elicitation, we estimated between 7 and 15 unique individuals were seen in 2019 and 5-13 were seen in 2021. Calves were seen in both years, and all vaquitas appeared healthy. Population projections from the last full survey indicated that more vaquitas have survived than expected. We suggest that these surviving adult vaquitas may have learned to avoid entanglement in gillnets. These vaquitas and their calves provide hope that the species can survive. However, given the high levels of illegal gillnetting and the theft of equipment which hindered our monitoring efforts, and with only around 10 individuals remaining, survival can only be assured if vaquita habitat is made gillnet-free.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rojas-Bracho
- PNUD/Sinergiaen en la Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Ensenada, BC, México
| | - B Taylor
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - C Booth
- SMRU Consulting, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
| | - L Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LZ, UK
| | | | - E Nieto-García
- Comisión Natural de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Ensenada, BC, México
| | | | - J Barlow
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - SL Mesnick
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - T Gerrodette
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - P Olson
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - A Henry
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - H Rizo
- Museo de la Ballena y Ciencias del Mar, La Paz, BC 23000, México
| | - E Hidalgo-Pla
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - A Bonilla-Garzón
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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Robinson JA, Kyriazis CC, Nigenda-Morales SF, Beichman AC, Rojas-Bracho L, Robertson KM, Fontaine MC, Wayne RK, Lohmueller KE, Taylor BL, Morin PA. The critically endangered vaquita is not doomed to extinction by inbreeding depression. Science 2022; 376:635-639. [PMID: 35511971 PMCID: PMC9881057 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm1742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In cases of severe wildlife population decline, a key question is whether recovery efforts will be impeded by genetic factors, such as inbreeding depression. Decades of excess mortality from gillnet fishing have driven Mexico's vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) to ~10 remaining individuals. We analyzed whole-genome sequences from 20 vaquitas and integrated genomic and demographic information into stochastic, individual-based simulations to quantify the species' recovery potential. Our analysis suggests that the vaquita's historical rarity has resulted in a low burden of segregating deleterious variation, reducing the risk of inbreeding depression. Similarly, genome-informed simulations suggest that the vaquita can recover if bycatch mortality is immediately halted. This study provides hope for vaquitas and other naturally rare endangered species and highlights the utility of genomics in predicting extinction risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A. Robinson
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher C. Kyriazis
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sergio F. Nigenda-Morales
- Advanced Genomics Unit, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity (Langebio), Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav); Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho
- Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas/SEMARNAT; Ensenada, Mexico
- PNUD-Sinergia en la Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Ensenada, B.C., México
| | - Kelly M. Robertson
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA ; La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael C. Fontaine
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD; Montpellier, France
- Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé (CREES); Montpellier, France
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen; Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert K. Wayne
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kirk E. Lohmueller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Barbara L. Taylor
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA ; La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Phillip A. Morin
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA ; La Jolla, CA, USA
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Trade-offs between bycatch and target catches in static versus dynamic fishery closures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2114508119. [PMID: 35058364 PMCID: PMC8795534 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114508119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidental catch of threatened species is still one of the main barriers to fisheries sustainability. What would happen if we closed 30% of the ocean to fishing with the goal of reducing bycatch? Analyzing 15 different fisheries around the globe, we found that under static area management, such as classic no-take marine area closures, observed bycatch could be reduced by 16%. However, under dynamic ocean management based on observed bycatch and closing the same total area but fragmented in smaller areas that can move year to year, that reduction can increase up to 57% at minimal or no loss of target catch. While there have been recent improvements in reducing bycatch in many fisheries, bycatch remains a threat for numerous species around the globe. Static spatial and temporal closures are used in many places as a tool to reduce bycatch. However, their effectiveness in achieving this goal is uncertain, particularly for highly mobile species. We evaluated evidence for the effects of temporal, static, and dynamic area closures on the bycatch and target catch of 15 fisheries around the world. Assuming perfect knowledge of where the catch and bycatch occurs and a closure of 30% of the fishing area, we found that dynamic area closures could reduce bycatch by an average of 57% without sacrificing catch of target species, compared to 16% reductions in bycatch achievable by static closures. The degree of bycatch reduction achievable for a certain quantity of target catch was related to the correlation in space and time between target and bycatch species. If the correlation was high, it was harder to find an area to reduce bycatch without sacrificing catch of target species. If the goal of spatial closures is to reduce bycatch, our results suggest that dynamic management provides substantially better outcomes than classic static marine area closures. The use of dynamic ocean management might be difficult to implement and enforce in many regions. Nevertheless, dynamic approaches will be increasingly valuable as climate change drives species and fisheries into new habitats or extended ranges, altering species-fishery interactions and underscoring the need for more responsive and flexible regulatory mechanisms.
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Allman P, Agyekumhene A, Stemle L. Gillnet illumination as an effective measure to reduce sea turtle bycatch. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:967-975. [PMID: 33000519 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13647] [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: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The growing demand for fish around the world is an immediate threat to marine megafauna that are unintentionally captured in commercial and artisanal fishery operations. Bycatch mitigation strategies, such as turtle excluder devices, circle hooks, and net illumination, have successfully reduced this risk in some fisheries. We explored the effectiveness of gillnet illumination to reduce sea turtle captures in 2 artisanal fisheries (Mankoadze and Winneba, Ghana) under normal fishing conditions. We first quantified sea turtle bycatch in Ghana's artisanal gillnet fishery from 15 boats for 12 months. We then quantified catch of targeted species and sea turtle bycatch from 20 boats for 15 months (7427 net sets). For 10 of these boats, we placed a Centro Economy green light (1 LED) at each 10-m interval on the net. We also quantified target catch and sea turtle bycatch from 30 boats for 8 months (2250 net sets). In 15 of these boats, a Centro Deluxe green light (3 LEDs) was installed at 15-m intervals. Boats with economy lights and those with deluxe lights both exhibited an 81% decrease in sea turtle captures (W = 1, p < 0.001, n = 20; W = 215, p < 0.001, n = 30, respectively) compared with control boats without lights. Illuminated nets resulted in fewer turtle catches for leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) (p < 0.05 for all species). Target catch (mass) (W = 53, p = 0.853 n = 20; W = 76, p = 0.449, n = 23) and value (W = 50, p = 1, n = 20; W = 69, p = 0.728, = 23) were not different across treatments. Our study affirms net illumination can reduce capture rates of 3 species of sea turtles, including the imperiled leatherback. Gear modification methods can successfully reduce bycatch if they are affordable and have broad applications for multiple species in different fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Allman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL, 33965, U.S.A
| | | | - Leyna Stemle
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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12
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Paterson JE, Carstairs S, Davy CM. Population-level effects of wildlife rehabilitation and release vary with life-history strategy. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.125983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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13
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Owen K, Sköld M, Carlström J. An increase in detection rates of the critically endangered Baltic Proper harbor porpoise in Swedish waters in recent years. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.468] [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)
- Kylie Owen
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring Swedish Museum of Natural History Stockholm Sweden
| | - Martin Sköld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring Swedish Museum of Natural History Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Mathematics Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Julia Carlström
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring Swedish Museum of Natural History Stockholm Sweden
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Durden WN, Stolen ED, Jablonski T, Moreland L, Howells E, Sleeman A, Denny M, Biedenbach G, Mazzoil M. Abundance and demography of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: A robust design capture-recapture analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250657. [PMID: 33909689 PMCID: PMC8081176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuarine system along the east coast of Florida are impacted by anthropogenic activities and have had multiple unexplained mortality events. Given this, managers need precise estimates of demographic and abundance parameters. Mark-recapture photo-identification boat-based surveys following a Robust Design were used to estimate abundance, adult survival, and temporary emigration for the IRL estuarine system stock of bottlenose dolphins. Models allowed for temporary emigration and included a parameter (time since first capture) to assess evidence for transient individuals. Surveys (n = 135) were conducted along predetermined contour and transect lines throughout the entire IRL (2016-2017). The best fitting model allowed survival to differ for residents and transients and to vary by primary period, detection to vary by secondary session, and did not include temporary emigration. Dolphin abundance was estimated from 981 (95% CI: 882-1,090) in winter to 1,078 (95% CI: 968-1,201) in summer with a mean of 1,032 (95% CI: 969-1,098). Model averaged seasonal survival rate for marked residents was 0.85-1.00. Capture probability was 0.20 to 0.42 during secondary sessions and the transient rate was estimated as 0.06 to 0.07. This study is the first Robust Design mark-recapture survey to estimate abundance for IRL dolphins and provides population estimates to improve future survey design, as well as an example of data simulation to validate and optimize sampling design. Transients likely included individuals with home ranges extending north of the IRL requiring further assessment of stock delineation. Results were similar to prior abundance estimates from line-transect aerial surveys suggesting population stability over the last decade. These results will enable managers to evaluate the impact of fisheries-related takes and provide baseline demographic parameters for the IRL dolphin population which contends with anthropogenic impacts and repeated mortality events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Noke Durden
- Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
| | - Eric D. Stolen
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Teresa Jablonski
- Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lydia Moreland
- Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
| | - Elisabeth Howells
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Anne Sleeman
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Matthew Denny
- Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station, St. Augustine, Florida, United States of America
| | - George Biedenbach
- Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station, St. Augustine, Florida, United States of America
| | - Marilyn Mazzoil
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
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15
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Luck C, Jessopp M, Tully O, Cosgrove R, Rogan E, Cronin M. Estimating protected species bycatch from limited observer coverage: A case study of seal bycatch in static net fisheries. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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16
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Chen R. Transient inconsistency between population density and fisheries yields without bycatch species extinction. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:12372-12384. [PMID: 33209295 PMCID: PMC7663084 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the great advantages of marine reserves in solving bycatch problems by maintaining the persistence (i.e., avoid extinction) of endangered species without sacrificing the fisheries yields of target species. However, transient phenomena rather than equilibrium states of population dynamics still require further research. Here, with a simple and general model, the transient dynamics of the target fish species are investigated under management which minimizes extinction risk of the bycatch species. An interesting finding is that fisheries yields can strongly fluctuate even if population density both inside and outside marine reserve only slightly varies (or vice versa), leading to transient inconsistency between the population densities and fisheries yields. This finding suggests that population density dynamics of the target fish species cannot be used to predict the transient phenomena of fisheries yields (or vice versa) in fisheries management. However, the unpredictability can be receded as the sensitivity analyses show that a large marine reserve size and low escapement rate can shorten the transient duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renfei Chen
- School of Life ScienceShanxi Normal UniversityLinfenChina
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17
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Hunt TN, Allen SJ, Bejder L, Parra GJ. Identifying priority habitat for conservation and management of Australian humpback dolphins within a marine protected area. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14366. [PMID: 32873830 PMCID: PMC7463025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing human activity along the coast has amplified the extinction risk of inshore delphinids. Informed selection and prioritisation of areas for the conservation of inshore delphinids requires a comprehensive understanding of their distribution and habitat use. In this study, we applied an ensemble species distribution modelling approach, combining results of six modelling algorithms to identify areas of high probability of occurrence of the globally Vulnerable Australian humpback dolphin in northern Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP), north-western Australia. Model outputs were based on sighting data collected during systematic, boat-based surveys between 2013 and 2015, and in relation to various ecogeographic variables. Water depth and distance to coast were identified as the most important variables influencing dolphin presence, with dolphins showing a preference for shallow waters (5-15 m) less than 2 km from the coast. Areas of high probability (> 0.6) of dolphin occurrence were primarily (90%) in multiple use areas where extractive human activities are permitted, and were poorly represented in sanctuary (no-take) zones. This spatial mismatch emphasises the need to reassess for future spatial planning and marine park management plan reviews for NMP. Shallow, coastal waters identified here should be considered priority areas for the conservation of this Vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim N Hunt
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia.
| | - Simon J Allen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6109, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
- Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars Bejder
- Aquatic Megafauna Research Unit, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
- Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Manoa, HI, 96734, USA
| | - Guido J Parra
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
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18
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Authier M, Galatius A, Gilles A, Spitz J. Of power and despair in cetacean conservation: estimation and detection of trend in abundance with noisy and short time-series. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9436. [PMID: 32844053 PMCID: PMC7416721 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many conservation instruments rely on detecting and estimating a population decline in a target species to take action. Trend estimation is difficult because of small sample size and relatively large uncertainty in abundance/density estimates of many wild populations of animals. Focusing on cetaceans, we performed a prospective analysis to estimate power, type-I, sign (type-S) and magnitude (type-M) error rates of detecting a decline in short time-series of abundance estimates with different signal-to-noise ratio. We contrasted results from both unregularized (classical) and regularized approaches. The latter allows to incorporate prior information when estimating a trend. Power to detect a statistically significant estimates was in general lower than 80%, except for large declines. The unregularized approach (status quo) had inflated type-I error rates and gave biased (either over- or under-) estimates of a trend. The regularized approach with a weakly-informative prior offered the best trade-off in terms of bias, statistical power, type-I, type-S and type-M error rates and confidence interval coverage. To facilitate timely conservation decisions, we recommend to use the regularized approach with a weakly-informative prior in the detection and estimation of trend with short and noisy time-series of abundance estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Authier
- Observatoire Pelagis UMS3462 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France.,ADERA, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anders Galatius
- Department of Bioscience - Marine Mammal Research, Åarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anita Gilles
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Büsum, Germany
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Observatoire Pelagis UMS3462 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France.,Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
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19
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Cárdenas Hinojosa G, de la Cueva H, Gerrodette T, Jaramillo-Legorreta AM. Distribution of the acoustic occurrence of dolphins during the summers 2011 to 2015 in the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9121. [PMID: 32509451 PMCID: PMC7245336 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Baseline knowledge of spatial and temporal distribution patterns is essential for cetacean management and conservation. Such knowledge is particularly important in areas where gillnet fishing occurs, as the Upper Gulf of California, which increases the probability of bycatch of cetaceans. In this area, the vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) has been widely studied, but the knowledge of other cetaceans is scarce and based on traditional visual survey methods. We used data collected by an array of acoustic click detectors (C-PODs) during the summers 2011 to 2015 to analyze the distribution of dolphins in the Vaquita Refuge in the Upper Gulf of California. We recorded 120,038 echolocation click trains of dolphins during 12,371 days of recording effort at 46 sampling sites. Based on simultaneous visual and acoustic data, we estimated a false positive acoustic detection rate of 19.4%. Dolphin acoustic activity varied among sites, with higher activity in the east of the Vaquita Refuge. Acoustic activity was higher at night than during the day. We used negative binomial generalized linear models to study the count of clicks of dolphins in relation to spatial, temporal, physical, biological and anthropogenic explanatory variables. The best model selected for the response variable included sampling site, day-night condition, and vertical component of tide speed. Patterns in the spatial distribution of predicted acoustic activity of dolphins were similar to the acoustic activity observed per sampling season. Higher acoustic activity was predicted at night, but the tide speed variable was not relevant under this condition. Acoustic activity patterns could be related to the availability of prey resources since echolocation click trains are associated with foraging activities of dolphins. This is the first study of the distribution of dolphins in Mexico using medium-term systematic passive acoustic monitoring, and the results can contribute to better management to the natural protected area located in the Upper Gulf of California.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cárdenas Hinojosa
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México.,Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Horacio de la Cueva
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Tim Gerrodette
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Armando M Jaramillo-Legorreta
- Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Ensenada, Baja California, México
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20
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Cabanillas-Gámez M, Bardullas U, Galaviz MA, Rodriguez S, Rodriguez VM, López LM. Tryptophan supplementation helps totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) juveniles to regain homeostasis in high-density culture conditions. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2020; 46:597-611. [PMID: 31820206 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-019-00734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
High-density culture brings with it chronic stress situations that affect fish welfare. In order to evaluate the effect of tryptophan (Trp) levels on the response to stress, Totoaba macdonaldi juveniles were stocked at low (13.5 kg m-3) and high (27.0 kg m-3) densities (32.5 and 56.4 kg m-3, respectively, at the end of the experiment) in 100-L tanks and fed for 63 days with experimental diets containing different Trp levels: control diet CD0.42 (0.42%) and three supplemented diets with 0.99, 1.55 and 2.19% (0.99Trp, 1.55Trp and 2.19Trp, respectively) (three tanks × density × diet). The high-density stocking fed with CD0.42 diets showed significantly increased blood parameters. Trp decreased catalase (CAT) activity in low- and high-density stocking, while the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed no difference. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) content decreased, and the serotonin turnover ratio (5-HIAA:5-HT) increased in the brains of fish fed with the CD0.42 diet. Indeed, Trp-supplemented diets helped to restore homeostasis in high-density growth conditions as evaluated by the hematological and plasma parameters as well as the serotonergic activity. When the fish were provided a diet containing moderate Trp levels, plasma cortisol increased under high-density conditions. However, no differences were observed among stock densities when totoaba were fed with the 2.19Trp diet. Notably, survival was unaffected by both Trp or densities, but weight gain (WG) decreased with the dietary Trp levels in the high density culture. In sum, Trp supplementation decreased the parameter values linked to stress response on totoaba juveniles cultured at high stock densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cabanillas-Gámez
- Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 3917, Playitas, Ensenada, 22860, B.C., México
| | - Ulises Bardullas
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 3917, Playitas, Ensenada, 22860, B.C., México
| | - Mario A Galaviz
- Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 3917, Playitas, Ensenada, 22860, B.C., México
| | - Sergio Rodriguez
- Unidad de Química en Sisal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo S/N, Sisal, Hunucma, 97356, Yucatán, México
| | - Verónica M Rodriguez
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Querétaro, México
| | - Lus M López
- Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 3917, Playitas, Ensenada, 22860, B.C., México.
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21
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Tulloch V, Grech A, Jonsen I, Pirotta V, Harcourt R. Cost-effective mitigation strategies to reduce bycatch threats to cetaceans identified using return-on-investment analysis. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:168-179. [PMID: 31538354 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Globally, fisheries bycatch threatens the survival of many whale and dolphin species. Strategies for reducing bycatch can be expensive. Management is inclined to prioritize investment in actions that are inexpensive, but these may not be the most effective. We used an economic tool, return-on-investment, to identify cost-effective measures to reduce cetacean bycatch in the trawl, net, and line fisheries of Australia. We examined 3 management actions: spatial closures, acoustic deterrents, and gear modifications. We compared an approach for which the primary goal was to reduce the cost of bycatch reduction to fisheries with an approach that aims solely to protect whale and dolphin species. Based on cost-effectiveness and at a fine spatial resolution, we identified the management strategies across Australia that most effectively abated dolphin and whale bycatch. Although trawl-net modifications were the cheapest strategy overall, there were many locations where spatial closures were the most cost-effective solution, despite their high costs to fisheries, due to their effectiveness in reducing all fisheries interactions. Our method can be used to delineate strategies to reduce bycatch threats to mobile marine species across diverse fisheries at relevant spatial scales to improve conservation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivitskaia Tulloch
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Alana Grech
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian Jonsen
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Vanessa Pirotta
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Rob Harcourt
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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22
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Brownell Jr RL, Reeves RR, Read AJ, Smith BD, Thomas PO, Ralls K, Amano M, Berggren P, Chit AM, Collins T, Currey R, Dolar MLL, Genov T, Hobbs RC, Kreb D, Marsh H, Zhigang M, Perrin WF, Phay S, Rojas-Bracho L, Ryan GE, Shelden KEW, Slooten E, Taylor BL, Vidal O, Ding W, Whitty TS, Wang JY. Bycatch in gillnet fisheries threatens Critically Endangered small cetaceans and other aquatic megafauna. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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23
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Souza ECA, Bernard E. Setting priorities in biodiversity conservation: An exercise with students, recent graduates, and environmental managers in Brazil. AMBIO 2019; 48:879-889. [PMID: 30448994 PMCID: PMC6541666 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-018-1116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Facing a global biodiversity conservation crisis, urgent decisions are needed but prioritization is challenging. We analyzed how students, recent graduates of Biology, Law, and Engineering, and environmental managers in Brazil ranked ten conservation actions. Reduction in habitat loss and in overexploitation, and in situ protection were consensual top priorities. Freshmen students have similar priorities, which change as their courses advance. Biologists, engineers, and lawyers agree about only two priorities, but not in a consensual order. Biologists gave little importance to financial resources; managers much higher, and lower to action plans. Flagship species and ex situ protection were least priorities for all. Prioritization was influenced by educational level and experience and some priorities are counterintuitive. Our study reinforces the need to assess inter-groups differences, so conservationists could anticipate tendencies of single group decisions. Gaps in the conservation-oriented education of potential decision-makers must be filled, so their decisions could be more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle Cordeiro Azevedo Souza
- Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Ciência Aplicada à Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua Nelson Chaves s/n Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua Nelson Chaves s/n Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Enrico Bernard
- Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Ciência Aplicada à Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua Nelson Chaves s/n Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil.
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24
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Bouchard C, Bracken C, Dabin W, Canneyt O, Ridoux V, Spitz J, Authier M. A risk‐based forecast of extreme mortality events in small cetaceans: Using stranding data to inform conservation practice. Conserv Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Colin Bouchard
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
- UMR Ecobiop, UMR 1224, INRA University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour Saint‐Pée sur Nivelle France
| | | | - Willy Dabin
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
| | - Olivier Canneyt
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
| | - Vincent Ridoux
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
- Centre d’Étude Biologiques de Chizé, UMS 7372 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs Villiers‐en‐bois France
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
| | - Matthieu Authier
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle, cnrs La Rochelle France
- Adera Pessac Cedex France
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25
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Jaramillo-Legorreta AM, Cardenas-Hinojosa G, Nieto-Garcia E, Rojas-Bracho L, Thomas L, Ver Hoef JM, Moore J, Taylor B, Barlow J, Tregenza N. Decline towards extinction of Mexico's vaquita porpoise ( Phocoena sinus). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190598. [PMID: 31417757 PMCID: PMC6689580 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a small porpoise endemic to Mexico. It is listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered because of unsustainable levels of bycatch in gillnets. The population has been monitored with passive acoustic detectors every summer from 2011 to 2018; here we report results for 2017 and 2018. We combine the acoustic trends with an independent estimate of population size from 2015, and visual observations of at least seven animals in 2017 and six in 2018. Despite adoption of an emergency gillnet ban in May 2015, the estimated rate of decline remains extremely high: 48% decline in 2017 (95% Bayesian credible interval (CRI) 78% decline to 9% increase) and 47% in 2018 (95% CRI 80% decline to 13% increase). Estimated total population decline since 2011 is 98.6%, with greater than 99% probability the decline is greater than 33% yr-1. We estimate fewer than 19 vaquitas remained as of summer 2018 (posterior mean 9, median 8, 95% CRI 6-19). From March 2016 to March 2019, 10 dead vaquitas killed in gillnets were found. The ongoing presence of illegal gillnets despite the emergency ban continues to drive the vaquita towards extinction. Immediate management action is required if the species is to be saved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando M. Jaramillo-Legorreta
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Cardenas-Hinojosa
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico
| | - Edwyna Nieto-Garcia
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Jay M. Ver Hoef
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Jeffrey Moore
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Barbara Taylor
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jay Barlow
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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26
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Manlik O, Krützen M, Kopps AM, Mann J, Bejder L, Allen SJ, Frère C, Connor RC, Sherwin WB. Is MHC diversity a better marker for conservation than neutral genetic diversity? A case study of two contrasting dolphin populations. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:6986-6998. [PMID: 31380027 PMCID: PMC6662329 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is essential for populations to adapt to changing environments. Measures of genetic diversity are often based on selectively neutral markers, such as microsatellites. Genetic diversity to guide conservation management, however, is better reflected by adaptive markers, including genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Our aim was to assess MHC and neutral genetic diversity in two contrasting bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) populations in Western Australia-one apparently viable population with high reproductive output (Shark Bay) and one with lower reproductive output that was forecast to decline (Bunbury). We assessed genetic variation in the two populations by sequencing the MHC class II DQB, which encompasses the functionally important peptide binding regions (PBR). Neutral genetic diversity was assessed by genotyping twenty-three microsatellite loci. We confirmed that MHC is an adaptive marker in both populations. Overall, the Shark Bay population exhibited greater MHC diversity than the Bunbury population-for example, it displayed greater MHC nucleotide diversity. In contrast, the difference in microsatellite diversity between the two populations was comparatively low. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that viable populations typically display greater genetic diversity than less viable populations. The results also suggest that MHC variation is more closely associated with population viability than neutral genetic variation. Although the inferences from our findings are limited, because we only compared two populations, our results add to a growing number of studies that highlight the usefulness of MHC as a potentially suitable genetic marker for animal conservation. The Shark Bay population, which carries greater adaptive genetic diversity than the Bunbury population, is thus likely more robust to natural or human-induced changes to the coastal ecosystem it inhabits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Manlik
- Biology Department, College of ScienceUnited Arab Emirates UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Krützen
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Anna M. Kopps
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Janet Mann
- Department of Biology and Department of PsychologyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of Columbia
| | - Lars Bejder
- Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaKaneoheHonolulu
- Aquatic Megafauna Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life SciencesMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Simon J. Allen
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Celine Frère
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - William B. Sherwin
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Aquatic Megafauna Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life SciencesMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
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Rojas-Bracho L, Gulland FMD, Smith CR, Taylor B, Wells RS, Thomas PO, Bauer B, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Teilmann J, Dietz R, Balle JD, Jensen MV, Sinding MHS, Jaramillo-Legorreta A, Abel G, Read AJ, Westgate AJ, Colegrove K, Gomez F, Martz K, Rebolledo R, Ridgway S, Rowles T, van Elk CE, Boehm J, Cardenas-Hinojosa G, Constandse R, Nieto-Garcia E, Phillips W, Sabio D, Sanchez R, Sweeney J, Townsend F, Vivanco J, Vivanco JC, Walker S. A field effort to capture critically endangered vaquitas Phocoena sinus for protection from entanglement in illegal gillnets. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Autenrieth M, Hartmann S, Lah L, Roos A, Dennis AB, Tiedemann R. High-quality whole-genome sequence of an abundant Holarctic odontocete, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Mol Ecol Resour 2018; 18:1469-1481. [PMID: 30035363 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a highly mobile cetacean found across the Northern hemisphere. It occurs in coastal waters and inhabits basins that vary broadly in salinity, temperature and food availability. These diverse habitats could drive subtle differentiation among populations, but examination of this would be best conducted with a robust reference genome. Here, we report the first harbour porpoise genome, assembled de novo from an individual originating in the Kattegat Sea (Sweden). The genome is one of the most complete cetacean genomes currently available, with a total size of 2.39 Gb and 50% of the total length found in just 34 scaffolds. Using 122 of the longest scaffolds, we were able to show high levels of synteny with the genome of the domestic cattle (Bos taurus). Our draft annotation comprises 22,154 predicted genes, which we further annotated through matches to the NCBI nucleotide database, GO categorization and motif prediction. Within the predicted genes, we have confirmed the presence of >20 genes or gene families that have been associated with adaptive evolution in other cetaceans. Overall, this genome assembly and draft annotation represent a crucial addition to the genomic resources currently available for the study of porpoises and Phocoenidae evolution, phylogeny and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke Autenrieth
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hartmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ljerka Lah
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Anna Roos
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alice B Dennis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ralph Tiedemann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Beal A, Rodriguez-Casariego J, Rivera-Casas C, Suarez-Ulloa V, Eirin-Lopez JM. Environmental Epigenomics and Its Applications in Marine Organisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/13836_2018_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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30
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Thomas L, Jaramillo-Legorreta A, Cardenas-Hinojosa G, Nieto-Garcia E, Rojas-Bracho L, Ver Hoef JM, Moore J, Taylor B, Barlow J, Tregenza N. Last call: Passive acoustic monitoring shows continued rapid decline of critically endangered vaquita. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 142:EL512. [PMID: 29195434 DOI: 10.1121/1.5011673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The vaquita is a critically endangered species of porpoise. It produces echolocation clicks, making it a good candidate for passive acoustic monitoring. A systematic grid of sensors has been deployed for 3 months annually since 2011; results from 2016 are reported here. Statistical models (to compensate for non-uniform data loss) show an overall decline in the acoustic detection rate between 2015 and 2016 of 49% (95% credible interval 82% decline to 8% increase), and total decline between 2011 and 2016 of over 90%. Assuming the acoustic detection rate is proportional to population size, approximately 30 vaquita (95% credible interval 8-96) remained in November 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Armando Jaramillo-Legorreta
- Instituto Nacional de Ecologia y Cambio Climatico/SEMARNAT, Coordinacion de Investigacion y Conservacion de Mamiferos Marinos, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico , , ,
| | - Gustavo Cardenas-Hinojosa
- Instituto Nacional de Ecologia y Cambio Climatico/SEMARNAT, Coordinacion de Investigacion y Conservacion de Mamiferos Marinos, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico , , ,
| | - Edwyna Nieto-Garcia
- Instituto Nacional de Ecologia y Cambio Climatico/SEMARNAT, Coordinacion de Investigacion y Conservacion de Mamiferos Marinos, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico , , ,
| | - Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho
- Instituto Nacional de Ecologia y Cambio Climatico/SEMARNAT, Coordinacion de Investigacion y Conservacion de Mamiferos Marinos, CICESE Camper 10, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico , , ,
| | - Jay M Ver Hoef
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, Washington 98115, USA
| | - Jeffrey Moore
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, USA , ,
| | - Barbara Taylor
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, USA , ,
| | - Jay Barlow
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, USA , ,
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Soldevilla MS, Hildebrand JA, Frasier KE, Aichinger Dias L, Martinez A, Mullin KD, Rosel PE, Garrison LP. Spatial distribution and dive behavior of Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whales: potential risk of vessel strikes and fisheries interactions. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2017. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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