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Reyier E, Ahr B, Iafrate J, Scheidt D, Lowers R, Watwood S, Back B. Sharks associated with a large sand shoal complex: Community insights from longline and acoustic telemetry surveys. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286664. [PMID: 37327239 PMCID: PMC10275426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Offshore sand shoals are a coveted sand source for coastal restoration projects and as sites for wind energy development. Shoals often support unique fish assemblages but their habitat value to sharks is largely unknown due to the high mobility of most species in the open ocean. This study pairs multi-year longline and acoustic telemetry surveys to reveal depth-related and seasonal patterns in a shark community associated with the largest sand shoal complex in east Florida, USA. Monthly longline sampling from 2012-2017 yielded 2,595 sharks from 16 species with Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae), blacknose (Carcharhinus acronotus), and blacktip (C. limbatus) sharks being the most abundant species. A contemporaneous acoustic telemetry array detected 567 sharks from 16 species (14 in common with longlines) tagged locally and by researchers elsewhere along the US East Coast and Bahamas. PERMANOVA modeling of both datasets indicate that the shark species assemblage differed more across seasons than water depth although both factors were important. Moreover, the shark assemblage detected at an active sand dredge site was similar to that at nearby undisturbed sites. Water temperature, water clarity, and distance from shore were habitat factors that most strongly correlated to community composition. Both sampling approaches documented similar single-species and community trends but longlines underestimated the shark nursery value of the region while telemetry-based community assessments are inherently biased by the number of species under active study. Overall, this study confirms that sharks can be an important component of sand shoal fish communities but suggests that deeper water immediately adjacent to shoals (as opposed to shallow shoal ridges) is more valuable to some species. Potential impacts to these nearby habitats should be considered when planning for sand extraction and offshore wind infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Reyier
- Herndon Solutions Group, LLC, NASA Environmental and Medical Contract, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
| | - Bonnie Ahr
- Herndon Solutions Group, LLC, NASA Environmental and Medical Contract, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joseph Iafrate
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Douglas Scheidt
- Herndon Solutions Group, LLC, NASA Environmental and Medical Contract, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
| | - Russell Lowers
- Herndon Solutions Group, LLC, NASA Environmental and Medical Contract, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Watwood
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Brenton Back
- Herndon Solutions Group, LLC, NASA Environmental and Medical Contract, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
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Farmer NA, Powell JR, Morris JA, Soldevilla MS, Wickliffe LC, Jossart JA, MacKay JK, Randall AL, Bath GE, Ruvelas P, Gray L, Lee J, Piniak W, Garrison L, Hardy R, Hart KM, Sasso C, Stokes L, Riley KL. Modeling protected species distributions and habitats to inform siting and management of pioneering ocean industries: A case study for Gulf of Mexico aquaculture. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267333. [PMID: 36178939 PMCID: PMC9524655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) provides a process that uses spatial data and models to evaluate environmental, social, economic, cultural, and management trade-offs when siting (i.e., strategically locating) ocean industries. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector in the world. The United States (U.S.) has substantial opportunity for offshore aquaculture development given the size of its exclusive economic zone, habitat diversity, and variety of candidate species for cultivation. However, promising aquaculture areas overlap many protected species habitats. Aquaculture siting surveys, construction, operations, and decommissioning can alter protected species habitat and behavior. Additionally, aquaculture-associated vessel activity, underwater noise, and physical interactions between protected species and farms can increase the risk of injury and mortality. In 2020, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was identified as one of the first regions to be evaluated for offshore aquaculture opportunities as directed by a Presidential Executive Order. We developed a transparent and repeatable method to identify aquaculture opportunity areas (AOAs) with the least conflict with protected species. First, we developed a generalized scoring approach for protected species that captures their vulnerability to adverse effects from anthropogenic activities using conservation status and demographic information. Next, we applied this approach to data layers for eight species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including five species of sea turtles, Rice’s whale, smalltooth sawfish, and giant manta ray. Next, we evaluated four methods for mathematically combining scores (i.e., Arithmetic mean, Geometric mean, Product, Lowest Scoring layer) to generate a combined protected species data layer. The Product approach provided the most logical ordering of, and the greatest contrast in, site suitability scores. Finally, we integrated the combined protected species data layer into a multi-criteria decision-making modeling framework for MSP. This process identified AOAs with reduced potential for protected species conflict. These modeling methods are transferable to other regions, to other sensitive or protected species, and for spatial planning for other ocean-uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Farmer
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jessica R. Powell
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - James A. Morris
- NOAA/National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Melissa S. Soldevilla
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lisa C. Wickliffe
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan A. Jossart
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. MacKay
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alyssa L. Randall
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gretchen E. Bath
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Penny Ruvelas
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Regional Office, Long Beach, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Gray
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Lee
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Wendy Piniak
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lance Garrison
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert Hardy
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kristen M. Hart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Chris Sasso
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lesley Stokes
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kenneth L. Riley
- NOAA/National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
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Saltzman J, Graham J, Wester J, White ER, Macdonald CC. #Sawfish: Social media to assess public perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes towards a critically endangered species. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.987909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring population size and dynamics of threatened or low-density species is often both logistically difficult and costly. Recently, social media has emerged as a new tool for species monitoring. In this study, we expand on the use of social media posts as a tool to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution and public perceptions toward the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata. We recorded 442 encounters with smalltooth sawfish from 2018 to 2021 in the form of Instagram posts. We identified locations of encounters within the following regions: Florida Keys, Everglades, South Florida (Miami/Fort Lauderdale), Caloosahatchee River, Bahamas, Upper Charlotte Harbor, Port St. Lucie, Ten Thousand Islands, Tampa, Naples, and Cape Canaveral. We found the greatest number of encounters occurred in the Florida Keys. In addition to spatiotemporal analysis, we used the captions of the posts to assess public attitudes and behaviors toward this charismatic species. This revealed individuals who encounter sawfish feel in general positive about their experience (over half described their encounter using positive language). We also found that sawfish were frequently caught as bycatch when other species (e.g., shark, tarpon, bonefish) were being targeted. Notably, in 12.6% of cases where sawfish were caught, they were being directly targeted. We also identified specific problematic or illegal handling behaviors from image and caption analysis. In addition to captured sawfish, we found sawfish are also frequently observed by beachgoers, boaters, and divers— however, in many cases these encounters may not be reported.
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Matley JK, Klinard NV, Barbosa Martins AP, Aarestrup K, Aspillaga E, Cooke SJ, Cowley PD, Heupel MR, Lowe CG, Lowerre-Barbieri SK, Mitamura H, Moore JS, Simpfendorfer CA, Stokesbury MJW, Taylor MD, Thorstad EB, Vandergoot CS, Fisk AT. Global trends in aquatic animal tracking with acoustic telemetry. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 37:79-94. [PMID: 34563403 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic telemetry (AT) is a rapidly evolving technique used to track the movements of aquatic animals. As the capacity of AT research expands it is important to optimize its relevance to management while still pursuing key ecological questions. A global review of AT literature revealed region-specific research priorities underscoring the breadth of how AT is applied, but collectively demonstrated a lack of management-driven objectives, particularly relating to fisheries, climate change, and protection of species. In addition to the need for more research with direct pertinence to management, AT research should prioritize ongoing efforts to create collaborative opportunities, establish long-term and ecosystem-based monitoring, and utilize technological advancements to bolster aquatic policy and ecological understanding worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan K Matley
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N8N 4P3, Canada.
| | - Natalie V Klinard
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | | | - Kim Aarestrup
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, 8600, Denmark
| | - Eneko Aspillaga
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Balearic Islands 07190, Spain
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Paul D Cowley
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Michelle R Heupel
- Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Christopher G Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA
| | - Susan K Lowerre-Barbieri
- Fisheries and Aquatic Science Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Hiromichi Mitamura
- Field Science Education and Research Center, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | | | - Colin A Simpfendorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | | | - Matthew D Taylor
- Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia
| | - Eva B Thorstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Torgarden, Trondheim NO-7485, Norway
| | - Christopher S Vandergoot
- Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Aaron T Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N8N 4P3, Canada
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