Marine conservation on paper

Conservation actions and ecological context: optimizing coral reef local management in the Dominican Republic

Over the past few decades, coral reef ecosystems have been lost at accelerated rates as a result of global climate change and local stressors. Local management schemes can help improve the condition of coral reefs by enhancing their ecosystem recovery capacity. Caribbean conservation efforts include mitigation of local anthropogenic stressors, and integrating social participation. Here, we analyzed the case of the Bayahibe reefs in the Southeastern (SE) Dominican Republic to identify conservation actions and illustrate a conceptual example of local seascape management. We assessed reef health indicators from 2011 to 2016. Overall, our results show increases in total fish biomass, in both commercial and herbivorous fishes. Mean live coral cover was 31% and fleshy macroalgae was 23% after multiple disturbances such as Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac (2012), Mathew (2016) and heat stress presented in the study area in 2015. We also described actions taken by stakeholders and government institutions, including the implementation of a policy declaring an area of 869,000 ha as a marine protected area (MPA), enhanced water quality treatment, local restrictions to vessel traffic, enforcement of fishing regulations, and the removal of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.). In addition, a restoration program for the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was established in 2011, and currently has eight coral nurseries and six outplanting sites. Considering the biology and ecology of these reefs, we observed good results for these indicators (live coral cover, fish biomass, and water quality) in contrast with severely degraded Caribbean reefs, suggesting that optimizing local management may be a useful example for improving reef condition. Our results provide an overview of trends in reef condition in the SE Dominican Republic and could support current strategies to better protect reefs in the region. Given that Caribbean coral reefs face extreme challenges from global climate change, management measures may improve reef conditions across the region but stronger policy processes and increased scientific knowledge are needed for the successful management of coral reefs.

Dolphins in a Scaled-Down Mediterranean: The Gulf of Corinth's Odontocetes

The Gulf of Corinth is a 2400-km² semi-enclosed inland system (a mediterraneus) in central Greece. Its continental shelf areas, steep bottom relief, and waters up to 500-900m deep offer suitable habitat to neritic and pelagic species. We used photographic capture-recapture, distribution modelling, and direct observations to investigate the abundance, status, habitat preferences, movements, and group size of four odontocete species regularly observed in the Gulf, based on five years (2011-2015) of survey effort from small boats. Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) are more abundant (1324 individuals, 95%CI 1158-1515) than was determined from previous estimates. Striped dolphins appear to be confined to the Gulf, where they favour deep and oligotrophic waters, and were encountered in single-species and mixed-species groups. Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) (22 individuals, 95%CI 16-31), individuals with intermediate pigmentation (possibly striped/common dolphin hybrids) (55, 95%CI 36-83), and a single Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) were only encountered in mixed-species groups with striped dolphins. Short-beaked common dolphins constitute a discrete conservation unit (subpopulation), and based on the current estimate, would qualify as Critically Endangered according to International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) (39 animals, 95%CI 33-47) occur in single-species groups; they prefer continental shelf waters and areas near fish farms in the northern sector, and several animals appear to move into and out of the Gulf. Additionally, we contribute records of marine fauna and an assessment of the fishing fleet operating in the Gulf. Our study shows that the importance of this vulnerable marine environment has been underestimated, and management action must be taken to mitigate human impact and ensure long-term protection.

La science au service de la conservation au parc marin du Saguenay‑Saint-Laurent : Comment mieux comprendre permet de mieux protéger

Résultant d’une vingtaine d’années d’études, de support du milieu régional et de négociations, la création du parc marin en 1998 peut être considérée comme un événement important dans le domaine de la conservation du milieu marin, au Québec comme au Canada. Située à la confluence de l’estuaire du Saint-Laurent et du Saguenay, la région couverte par le parc marin est reconnue comme étant un lieu particulier à plusieurs égards. Les écosystèmes estuariens qu’on y retrouve sont d’une grande richesse, mais sont également soumis à plusieurs sources de pression.

L’atteinte des objectifs énoncés lors de la création du parc marin exige le recours à une gamme d’outils comme la gouvernance, la science et l’éducation. La recherche scientifique est inscrite au sein même du mandat légal du parc marin, ce qui témoigne de son importance comme outil de conservation. Mais pour que la science puisse rendre service à la conservation, il est nécessaire de diffuser les connaissances au public. Par ailleurs, puisque la science ne détient pas toujours de certitude devant la complexité des écosystèmes, il importe parfois de recourir à la gestion adaptative et au principe de précaution. Le rapprochement entre les divers joueurs, comme les scientifiques, les gestionnaires, les communautés et les visiteurs, est essentiel afin que les connaissances scientifiques puissent orienter les actions de conservation, la gestion des activités et susciter l’adhésion aux objectifs du parc marin. Beaucoup de chemin a été parcouru depuis l’établissement du parc marin il y a dix ans, mais l’intégration des connaissances scientifiques aux actions de conservation de ce milieu exceptionnel que constitue le parc marin demeure toujours un important défi.