Showing papers in "Bulletin of Marine Science in 2017"

Fishers' perceptions on the Chilean coastal TURF system after two decades: problems, benefits, and emerging needs

Abstract: Territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) are becoming a widely promoted tool to enhance the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. In 1991, Chile established a national coastal TURF policy that gave legal authority to assign exclusive access rights to artisanal fisher organizations. In 2014, there were several hundred TURFs decreed to fisher organizations in different biophysical and socioeconomic settings. To date, research assessing TURF implementation has generally been based on a few case studies and have had mixed results. Here, we present results from a survey of 535 fishers from 55 different artisanal fisher organizations. The survey consisted of three open-ended questions that explore users' perceptions of the main problems, benefits, and improvements concerning assigned TURFs. We also sampled 55 presidents of artisanal fisher organizations to explore how they perceived the accomplishments of TURFs. Main key problems, as perceived by fishers, include increased costs associated with surveillance and poaching, and the variability and sometimes lack of financial returns. Despite strong price drops in exported species, TURFs have provided incentives for innovation and stewardship, and fishers are generally unwilling to relinquish them. In fact, fishers define TURF benefits in multiple dimensions, which include conservation/ ecological and territorial empowerment. Fisher presidents stress that although expectations of economic benefits have not been fully realized, territorial empowerment is a critical benefit. Through the analysis of fishers' perceptions on solutions to TURFs' problems, we highlight the development of stocking activities, combining TURFs with marine reserves, food traceability, and what we call BIO+ seafood— products that have associated biodiversity benefits.

Shining a Light on Fish at Night: An Overview of Fish and Fisheries in the Dark of Night, and in Deep and Polar Seas

Abstract: In aquatic environments, what one observes during the day can differ substantially by night. The species composition and associated ecological processes that occur during the day are often different than night. In polar seas and at great depths, "night" can span, months, years, and beyond. Teleosts and elasmobranchs have evolved unique sensory and behavioral modalities for living in darkness. As a consequence, fishers have adopted unique strategies for exploiting fish at night or in dark systems. We propose that neglecting the night has led to an incomplete understanding of aquatic organismal ecology, population/community dynamics, and ecosystem function with consequences for fisheries conservation management. To address this knowledge gap and stimulate the exchange of new data and ideas on behaviors, patterns, and processes relating to fish and fisheries in darkness, Fish at Night: an international symposium was held in Miami, Florida (USA), from 18 to 20 November, 2015. Here, we synthesize the findings from the symposium, providing an overview on the state-of-knowledge of fish studies in the dark, identifying critical information gaps, and charting a course for future research. We focus our commentary and synthesis on six areas: (1) nocturnal fish behavior and ecology; (2) fishing, fisheries, and enforcement; (3) deep and polar seas; (4) diel fish distribution and abundance comparisons; (5) methods for studying fish in darkness; (6) human threats to fish at night; and (7) larval fish at night. Taken together, we attempt to "shine a light" on fish at night, generating a greater interest and understanding of fishes and fisheries during darkness.

Nocturnal patterns in fish chorusing off the coasts of Georgia and eastern Florida

Abstract: Fish chorusing is a major component of the marine acoustic environment, and much of this chorusing activity happens at night. These nocturnal sounds are commonly associated with reproductive behavior. For many co-occurring taxa, increases in vocal activity may intensify acoustic competition within a constrained signaling environment; for nocturnal species, there is a limited time window for these critical behaviors, and competition to be heard by conspecifics likely increases. Using passive acoustic recording units deployed in the nearshore waters off Georgia and eastern Florida, we evaluated the nocturnal acoustic habits of fishes and examined how the sounds from nocturnal fish chorusing contribute to the overall soundscape. We examined long-term spectrograms for spatial and temporal patterns of fish calling. Black drum [Pogonias cromis (Linnaeus, 1766)] and toadfish (Opsanus sp.) dominated the nocturnal acoustic scene, but calls of other identified [e.g., red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766); silver perch, Bairdiella chrysoura (Lacepede, 1802)] and unidentified calling species also occur. We examined the acoustic indices of entropy, acoustic diversity, and acoustic complexity to compare nocturnal and diurnal fish calling activity across the region. When sustained fish chorusing activity increases, entropy and acoustic diversity decrease, but acoustic complexity increases. With the acoustic differences in composition of nocturnally- and diurnally-active species groups, there is a different nocturnal soundscape than during the day. Passive acoustic surveys represent an exciting approach to understand the nocturnal reproductive activity of coastal fishes.

Horizontal distribution and habitat of Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, larvae in the waters around Japan

Abstract: Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF), Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844), is highly migratory and capable of traversing large distances throughout the North Pacific Ocean. The majority of spawning activity has been reported only from the Sea of Japan and western parts of the Pacific Ocean. We have conducted larval surveys in these areas since 2009 ("late period"), and used generalized additive models (GAM) with presence/absence data to analyze larval distribution with respect to oceanographic conditions, such as sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration. Here, we compare our survey data with some historical data collected from 1979 to 1988 ("early period"). In total, 9192 individual PBF larvae were collected from 1979 to 2015, and body lengths ranged from 2 to 11 mm. In the early period, the relatively higher probability area for the presence of PBF larvae in the Pacific Ocean was wider than that in the Sea of Japan. However, in the late period, the relatively higher probability area for presence in the Sea of Japan was wider than in the early period. The spline function of sea surface temperature for PBF larvae was lower in the early period than in the late period, though large uncertainty in the Pacific Ocean in the late period was observed. These results suggest that the change in the distribution pattern of PBF larvae may be caused by ocean warming.

Diel, lunar, and seasonal spawning patterns of the Atlantic goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, off Florida, United States

Abstract: The diel, lunar, and seasonal timing of spawning in Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein, 1822) in the United States is highly specific, occurring at night during new moon phases of August, September, and October. We derive these patterns from four lines of evidence apparent on spawning sites during the known spawning season: (1) from the transitory appearance of fish aggregations; (2) from simultaneous recordings of goliath grouper nighttime calls and nighttime vertical ascents that were far more frequent during the new moon phase than on the full moon; (3) from collections of goliath grouper eggs (genetically verified) at night downstream from known spawning sites; and (4) from significantly higher frequencies of both hydrated oocytes (indicating imminent spawning) and postovulatory follicles (indicating recent spawning) in ovarian biopsies taken from goliath grouper captured on spawning sites during new moon phases relative to full moon phases. We suggest that dark-night spawning is an adaptation minimizing egg predation by several species of scad [Decapterus punctatus (Cuvier,1829), Decapterus tabl Berry,1968, and Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier,1833)] and herring [Sardinella aurita Valenciennes,1847 and Etrumeus teres (DeKay,1842)] that are abundant on goliath grouper spawning sites.The seasonal spawning of goliath grouper, late summer–early fall, coincides with habitat conditions considered ideal for settlement of early juveniles in mangrove nurseries.

Marine protected areas in Cuba

Abstract: Cuba has recognized that conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is a priority. One of the main strategies it has developed is the creation of the National System of Protected Areas (Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas, or SNAP), which includes an important marine component. Here, we present the current status of the Cuban marine protected areas (MPAs) and their challenges and prognoses. To date, 105 MPAs have been proposed; they cover 25% of the Cuban insular shelf. Of these, 57 have been legally incorporated into the system and 13 more are being managed to its standards, a total of 70 have some degree of implementation. About 30% of the Cuban coral reefs, 24% of the seagrass beds, and 35% of mangroves are legally protected by SNAP. The main challenges are insufficient financing and the difficulty of reinvesting profits generated within these areas. Prohibited fishing practices and capture of protected species are the principle issues that affect MPAs. The priorities for the immediate future are to assess the value of ecosystem services, strengthen connections with fishing communities, and achieve greater integration with other sectors to guarantee the proper management of tourism and fisheries in and near MPAs for the benefit of sustainable development.

Nocturnal migration reduces exposure to micropredation in a coral reef fish

Abstract: Tropical Atlantic reef fishes in the family Haemulidae (grunts) remain quiescent on reefs during the day and migrate to seagrass beds or sand flats at night. Hypothesized advantages of such nocturnal migrations are increased food availability and/or decreased predation risk. Here, we tested predictions of an alternative hypothesis that nocturnal migrations of French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum (Desmarest, 1823), reduce exposure to blood-feeding gnathiid isopods. The departure of grunts from the reef coincides with increasing gnathiid activity. In field experiments, subadult fish placed in cages and deployed on the reef at night harbored significantly more gnathiids than those placed in the seagrass habitat. However, this was not the case during the day when gnathiid activity in all habitats is low. In another experiment, the timing of return to the reef was determined to coincide with the postdawn decrease in gnathiid activity. Estimates of cumulative gnathiid exposure at two sites revealed that grunts remaining in reef habitat at night would experience an average of 3 and 44 times more gnathiids than if they spent the night in the seagrass bed, and could reach more than 300 gnathiids on a single fish. In a final field experiment, even recently-settled (<2 cm) juvenile grunts were infested by gnathiids, supporting previous laboratory experiments showing that a single third-stage gnathiid will infest and kill grunts of this size. Combined, these findings suggest that nocturnal feeding migrations of French grunts and ecologically similar fishes result in reduced exposure to blood-feeding gnathiid isopods.

An overview of Cuban commercial marine fisheries: the last 80 years

Abstract: There is an urgent need to assess the status of fisheries in tropical waters, where fishing has targeted hundreds of species in complex ecosystems. Using a catch-based method, originally described by Food and Agriculture Organization staff to assess the status of global fisheries, the present study provides an overall, historical view of Cuban commercial marine fisheries to aid both fishery planners and managers. Here, I update a version of previous reviews of commercial marine fishery resources, providing a coherent picture of the Cuban landings in the Exclusive Economic Zone during the last 80 years. The data set examined revealed that, after a sustained catch increase between the mid-1950s and 1985, there was a marked decline of landings. Currently, 20% of fishery resources are fully exploited, 74% are overexploited, and 5% are collapsed. More worrisome is the increasing trend of overexploited and collapsed stocks and the declining trend in fully exploited and developing stocks since the 1980s. Only mullet (Mugilidae), a previously collapsed fishery resource, has shown signs of recovery. Overfishing is not the only factor associated with these declines; environmental degradation likely has also played a role. Regardless, Cuban fisheries are now at a critical stage. The immediate steps that should be adopted by fishery managers to achieve sustainability and long-term economic returns are to control and reduce fishing effort, to reestablish strict enforcement of fishery regulations, and to change damaging fishing practices.

Nocturnal and crepuscular behavior in elasmobranchs: a review of movement, habitat use, foraging, and reproduction in the dark

Abstract: It is commonly assumed that elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) are most active during dark periods (dawn, dusk, night). However, this assertion has not been critically evaluated. It is also unclear whether dark periods are primarily utilized for the performance of important life-history events, such as mating. If this were the case, low-light periods would be of significance to elasmobranch conservation as some anthropogenic activities (night fishing, lighting) could disproportionately impact fitness of species that are more active in the dark. Here, we review and summarize previous studies on elasmobranch behavior during nocturnal and crepuscular periods focusing on patterns of movement, habitat use, foraging, and reproduction. A review of 166 studies provided mixed results for widely-assumed increased elasmobranch activity when dark. Frequency of foraging and horizontal movement (distance travelled, activity space) were reported as greater only during crepuscular periods in the majority (>50%) of reviewed studies (28 of 43 and 78 of 125 studies, respectively), a pattern not evident during night. No pervasive patterns emerged for increased habitat use or reproductive behaviors during dark. We did not find any particular habitat type consistently supporting increased activity during dark, nor did we find evidence that higher trophic level elasmobranchs were more active when dark. Thus, generalizations about increased elasmobranch activity during dark periods are currently not supported. While research on the behavior of elasmobranchs during dark periods has been increasing, many knowledge gaps remain and we present a set of research priorities to assist in the development of future investigations.

Reproductive Life History Characteristics of Invasive Red Lionfish ( Pterois volitans ) In the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract: With invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.) increasing throughout the western North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico (GOM), it is important to define life history characteristics to help understand the invasion and potential effects on receiving ecosystems. Although some aspects of reproduction are known elsewhere in the invaded range, little is known in the northern GOM [nGOM; Florida Keys (24.66°N) to south Texas (26.00°N)]. In the present study, gonadosomatic index (GSI) calculations were based on 4527 red lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) specimens (April 2012–March 2015). Male and female GSI peaked from May to October, corresponding with macroscopic gonadal assessments of reproductively active females. Histological examination of ovaries from 355 females found they were spawning capable during all months. Males (n = 211) were spawning capable in all months except March, the only month in which no actively spawning females were present. A significantly higher percentage of reproductively active females was found from May to December. Lionfish reached 50% maturity at a small size (166.6 mm TL, females; 145.2 mm TL, males). Mean relative batch fecundity (n = 71) was 92 eggs g–1 gonad-free body weight (GFBW) and was highest in August (207 eggs g–1 GFBW). The population spawning frequency was estimated to be every 2.5 d over 11 mo in the nGOM, corresponding to a maximum potential annual output of 2,332,490 eggs for an average sized (188.6 g) female. These reproductive characteristics are similar to invasive lionfish in tropical waters, although nGOM reproductive output appears higher. Our results represent the most comprehensive reproductive data on lionfish in their invaded range, and provide a baseline for management in the nGOM.

Fishing, pollution, climate change, and the long-term decline of coral reefs off Havana, Cuba

Abstract: Understanding temporal and spatial variation of coral reef communities allows us to analyze the relative effects of local stressors, such as fishing and eutrophication, and global stressors, such as ocean warming. To test for spatial and temporal changes in coral reef communities, we combined recent benthic and fish surveys from 2016 with long-term data, dating back to the late 1990s, from four zones located at different distances from Central Havana, Cuba's largest population center. These changes may indicate the shifting importance of local vs global stressors affecting reef communities. Regardless of the distance from Havana, we found that coral cover was uniformly low (approximately 10%), whereas macroalgal abundance was often high (approximately 65%). Similarly, fish biomass was low across zones, particularly for herbivorous fishes (approximately 12 g m–2) that are critical ecological drivers of reef structure and coral resilience. Analyses of longer-term trends revealed that coral cover near Havana has been below about 10% since at least 1995, potentially because of local stressors. In contrast, reefs farther from Havana maintained relatively high coral cover (approximately 30%) until the early 2000s, but declined more recently to approximately 15%, putting them near the Caribbean-wide average. These distinct spatial and temporal trajectories of reef communities may be the result of the expansion of local stressors away from Havana as the human population increased, or as fishers ventured farther away to exploit new resources. Alternatively, the more recent decline of reefs farther from population centers may have resulted from increasingly frequent global stressors, such as bleaching events and hurricanes.

Vulnerability of nearshore tropical finfish in Cuba: implications for scientific and management planning

Abstract: Coastal areas of Cuba harbor rich biodiversity that provide a variety of important ecosystem services, including fisheries production. High-value invertebrate fisheries in Cuba are managed on the basis of scientific assessments, but comparable data and analyses are lacking for the much larger number of exploited finfish species. However, dramatic declines in finfish catch despite minimal management restrictions suggests resource depletion, and the need for scientific and management attention. To prioritize finfish for such attention, we conducted productivity-susceptibility analyses (PSA) for 34 species within each of Cuba's four fishery management zones. The resulting 136 estimates of vulnerability to overfishing revealed few differences in species-specific scores among zones, despite ecological and socioeconomic heterogeneity along the Cuban coast. Vulnerability scores were generally low, although this relative metric does not necessarily mean that overfishing has not occurred. Spatial differences in catch composition relative to the vulnerability scores underscore potential differences in socioeconomic vulnerability of fishing communities based upon their reliance on different species. Therefore, our PSA results should be used to prioritize research, monitoring, and stock assessment efforts, as well as management actions, within each fishing zone to conserve locally important resources, recover those that are depleted, sustainably develop those that are underutilized, and promote ecological and socioeconomic stability across Cuba as it confronts the challenges of a changing world.

Impacts of TURFs and marine reserves on fisheries and conservation goals: theory, empirical evidence, and modeling

Abstract: Unsustainable fishing in marine systems creates fisheries management and conservation challenges, with implications for ecosystem health, livelihoods, economies, and seafood supply. Thus there is a need for management approaches that can support productive fisheries and healthy ecosystems. Property rights, and particularly spatial rights or territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs), are increasingly proposed as a solution. It has been suggested that TURFs may align fishers' incentives with long-term stewardship, resulting in improved yields and positive conservation outcomes. Here we examined this idea by reviewing existing theoretical and empirical evidence for TURF performance in achieving both fisheries and conservation goals, and find equivocal evidence that TURFs can consistently deliver on this promise. We then explored the potential to improve outcomes by implementing no-take marine reserves with TURFs ("TURF-reserves"). We evaluated theoretical and empirical evidence in the literature and develop a simulation model to examine tradeoffs for achieving conservation and fishery objectives. With our model, we examined different management regimes (e.g., open access vs TURFs), harvest controls within the TURF (e.g., selectivity and harvest rate restrictions), and varying reserve sizes. We found that combining reserves with TURFs does not eliminate the tradeoff between fisheries and conservation goals if the TURF already effectively controls fishing pressure. However, given the results from our literature review, many TURFs may not achieve effective fisheries management. Thus, TURF-reserves may be better able to balance fisheries and conservation goals relative to TURF-only systems, but outcomes will depend on target species mobility, TURF size, and fishing intensity outside the TURF-reserve.

Nassau grouper migration patterns during full moon suggest collapsed historic fish spawning aggregation and evidence of an undocumented aggregation

Abstract: Many fish species migrate to form fish spawning aggregations. The temporal and spatial predictability of these migrations and spawning aggregation locations makes species vulnerable to overfishing, as the majority of an adult population within a large region may be harvested quickly with minimal effort. Historically, the Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus (Bloch, 1792), was an important fishery species throughout its range, but due to spawning aggregation overfishing, it is now rare in many reef ecosystems. In The Bahamas, stocks continue to decline despite the implementation of spawning aggregation protections. While more Nassau grouper spawning aggregations have been reported in The Bahamas than any other country, very few have been validated, and the dynamics of spawning migrations to and from these sites is poorly understood. Here, we used acoustic telemetry to describe, for the first time, Nassau grouper migrations along Andros Island, The Bahamas, which is bordered by one of the longest barrier reefs in the world. We report the likely extirpation of a historically important spawning aggregation and suggest Nassau grouper are migrating to a previously undocumented spawning location. Fish migrated in groups during the January 2015 full moon along the barrier reef shelf edge traveling roundtrip distances of 71.5–260.3 km [x = 164.5 (SD 65.7) km, n = 9]. These results are critical to assess the efficacy of current management strategies in The Bahamas. Thus far, all known spaning aggregations have been reported to the scientific community by fishers. Data from our study, however, suggest the presence of a potential spawning aggregation informed by passive telemetry and warrants further investigation.

Geographic and depth distributions, ontogeny, and reproductive seasonality of decapod shrimps (Caridea: Oplophoridae) from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract: Presented here is the first description of the geographic and depth distributions of pelagic decapod shrimps in the area located around the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) samples collected from April to June 2011. This information is important in ecosystem models investigating trophic effects of the spill because pelagic decapod shrimps are consumed by organisms occupying higher trophic levels. One of the most abundant and diverse groups is the family Oplophoridae; however, past research on their distribution and reproductive biology has been limited. In the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), all previous studies have been conducted at Standard Station (27°N, 86°W). The present study: (1) provides data from a larger area of the northeastern GOM, where oplophorids have never been studied; (2) allows for comparisons of distributions and abundances of oplophorid species in both the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones by using a continuous data set; and (3) compares assemblages from two distinct bathymetric environments, slope (200- to 1000-m bottom depth) and offshore (>1000 m). Our post-spill data set can be compared with data obtained during future Deep Pelagic Nekton Dynamics (DEEPEND Consortium of the GOM) cruises to monitor changes, or lack thereof, in the assemblage after exposure to Deepwater Horizon oil and dispersants in the water column.

Upwelling promotes earlier onset & increased rate of Gonadal development of four coastal herbivores

Abstract: Upwelling can lead to physiological adjustments in organisms to cope with changing physical and biological conditions. Physiological heterokairy describes changes in the physiological itinerary of an animal, typically in response to environmental variability. We determined the effects of upwelling on the onset and rate of gonadal development in the herbivore intertidal fish, Scartichthys viridis (Valenciennes, 1836), and subtidal Mollusca, Fissurella maxima G. B. Sowerby I, 1834, Fissurella cumingi Reeve, 1849, and Fissurella latimarginata G. B. Sowerby I, 1835. In animals from an area with upwelling, gonadal tissue was detected in individuals with a body size smaller than counterparts from a non-upwelling zone. Further, the rate of gonadal tissue growth was higher in animals from an upwelling zone. This heterokairy may be a consequence of constant exposure to higher energy resources in animals from upwelling areas.

Mitogenomic investigation reveals a cryptic lineage of Crocodylus in Cuba

Abstract: The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier, 1807), is the most widely distributed crocodylian in the Americas, and coexists with the endemic and critically endangered Cuban crocodile, Crocodylus rhombifer Cuvier, 1807. Although these species are morphologically distinguishable, previous studies have shown that they are more genetically related to each other than either of them are to continental C. acutus. Here, we characterize the mitochondrial genome of Cuban C. acutus and analyze the resulting data relative to previously published whole mitochondrial genomes to reconstruct patterns of variation and phylogenetic placement within Crocodylus. We sequenced 13,776 basepairs, representing 82% of the entire genome including five (COI, COII, ATP8, ND3, ND4L) of the 13 protein-coding genes and 16 of the 22 tRNAs. Independent gene analysis of nucleotide diversity and genetic distance of Tamura-Nei demonstrated that the 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, and COI genes are the most conserved in Crocodylus, while ND6 was the most variable (approximately 9%). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Cuban C. acutus forms a well-supported sister relationship with C. rhombifer, in contrast to continental C. acutus that clusters with Crocodylus intermedius Graves, 1819. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that Antillean C. acutus represents a cryptic lineage with genetic divergence at the species level. The ability to fully evaluate the taxonomic status of the Caribbean lineage of C. acutus still requires more comprehensive population samplings across the range as well as nuclear DNA sequence data. Of more immediate consequence, our results provide important information to be integrated into current Crocodylus conservation strategies in Cuba.

Scaling territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) in Belize

Abstract: Belize recently committed to establishing territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs), called "managed access" in Belize, throughout its territorial waters. While more remains to be done to ensure that scaling is successful, this national commitment and the design of a national system of managed access areas are important milestones in the expansion of rights-based fishery management in Belize. Theoretical work and empirical studies have yielded principles for scaling conservation innovations, many of which were applied in Belize over 3 yrs to achieve these milestones. Two pilot sites were established in 2011 and encompassed varied ecological and social conditions to maximize learning applicable to scaling to diverse sites. Participatory processes were used to identify fishery management challenges as perceived by fishers, managers, and other stakeholders, and to build consensus on solutions. A scaling team consisting of fishers, scientists, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and government representatives with dedicated resources for scaling was formed. Our case study suggests that scaling principles derived from theoretical considerations and empirical analysis have contributed to the scaling of managed access in Belize, which is expected to result in significant conservation, social, and economic benefits. This in turn suggests that these principles may be relatively robust and perhaps can be applied elsewhere to scale conservation initiatives. Our case study also suggests that careful consideration of new information and changing conditions accompanied by appropriate decisions and changes in tactics and strategy are important for successful scaling.

Decentralized mangrove conservation and territorial use rights in Ecuador’s mangrove-associated fisheries

Abstract: Territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) represent a form of spatial co-management to secure access rights for communities while simultaneously supporting marine conservation. In Ecuador, a TURF system emerged in many mangrove-associated fisheries after the government enacted legislation in 1999 favoring decentralized mangrove conservation. In communities where custodias (mangrove concessions) were implemented, members of local fishing associations have defined access privileges for certain fisheries within the boundaries of their concession. The present study explores the tradeoffs that emerged through the interaction between informal customary norms in fishing and the formal TURF system associated with custodias. Combining fishery data and ethnographic insights about Ecuador's fishery for mangrove cockles Anadara tuberculosa (G. B. Sowerby I, 1833) and Anadara similis (C. B. Adams, 1852), I evaluate outcomes of fisher empowerment, perceptions of success, fishery productivity, and tradeoffs. I argue that empowering fishers with stewardship rights is critical for successful TURFs in Ecuador. Custodias have strengthened access rights and created conditions that promote habitat health with implications for fishery productivity and economic benefits derived from larger catch and shell sizes. On the other hand, custodias limit access and fisher mobility, resulting in the reconfiguration of fishing space and displacement of independent fishers from their customary grounds. Moreover, secure access rights do not necessarily provide incentives for individuals to harvest shells according to the size regulations imposed by current policies. Understanding the benefits and limitations of this integrated approach to coastal management may provide valuable insights for other forms of spatially-explicit marine governance and fisheries co-management.

Fishing in the dark: the science and management of recreational fisheries at night

Abstract: Recreational fishing is a popular activity around the globe, generating billions of dollars in economic benefit based on fisheries in marine and inland waters. In most developed countries, recreational fisheries are managed to achieve diverse objectives and ensure that such fisheries are sustainable. While many anglers fish during daylight hours, some target fish species during the night. Indeed, sensory physiology of some species makes them vulnerable to capture at night, while being more difficult to capture during the day. However, night creates a number of challenges for recreational fisheries assessment and management. In some jurisdictions, fishing is prohibited at night (through both effort and harvest controls) or there are specific restrictions placed on night fisheries (e.g., no use of artificial lights). Here, we summarize the science and management of recreational fisheries at night covering both inland and marine realms. In doing so, we also provide a review of different angling regulations specific to night fisheries across the globe, as well as the basis for those regulations. We discuss the extent to which there is both need and opportunity to actively manage anglers who are targeting fish at night and how this differs from fisheries that occur during lighted periods. We provide two case studies, one for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, 1836) and one for walleye [Sander vitreus (Mitchill, 1818)], for which nighttime closures have been used as a fisheries management tool to control effort and harvest (illegal harvest in the case of the sturgeon case study). Based on the synthesis, we conclude that natural resource management agencies should decide if and how they need to manage recreational fisheries at night, recognizing the practical challenges (e.g., compliance monitoring, stock assessment) with doing so in the dark.

The importance of understanding self-governance efforts in coastal fisheries in Peru: insights from La Islilla and Ilo

Abstract: Understanding self-governance efforts in small-scale coastal fisheries may hold the clue to establishing effective coastal fisheries policies or strengthening existing ones. Here, we explored the diversity and the rationale behind the self-devised control rules implemented by two groups of coastal fishers in Peru, and the pathways to promote compliance under self-governance systems, as a prerequisite to sustain such efforts. We drew on an exploratory methodological approach and used semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire, designed following Ostrom's socio-ecological system (SES) framework, to characterize each experience. A compliance framework was used to identify the pathways and factors driving compliance. Results showed a variety of informal control rules have been set and used by fishers, from catch limits to patrolling activities. Each addresses specific fisheries governance and management issues. Results also showed that setting control rules has not been a one-time event; instead, it is an evolving learning process. Furthermore, both traditional (La Islilla) and non-traditional (Ilo) SES frameworks have built their own ways to promote compliance and sustain self-governance efforts. These two experiences provide insights for understanding self-governance of coastal fisheries, with particular attention to identifying ways to improve the governability of small-scale fisheries through cogovernance type arrangements.

Diurnal patterns in Gulf of Mexico epipelagic predator interactions with pelagic longline gear: implications for target species catch rates and bycatch mitigation

Abstract: Bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries is of substantial international concern, and the mitigation of bycatch in the Gulf of Mexico has been considered as an option to help restore lost biomass following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The most effective bycatch mitigation measures operate upon a differential response between target and bycatch species, ideally maintaining target catch while minimizing bycatch. We investigated whether bycatch vs target catch rates varied between day and night sets for the United States pelagic longline fishery in the Gulf of Mexico by comparing the influence of diel time period and moon illumination on catch rates of 18 commonly caught species/species groups. A generalized linear model approach was used to account for operational and environmental covariates, including: year, season, water temperature, hook type, bait, and maximum hook depth. Time of day or moon phase was found to significantly alter catch rates for 88% of the taxa examined. Six taxa—swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758); tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier Peron and Lesueur, 1822); silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis Muller and Henle, 1839); oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco, 1833); bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus Lowe, 1841); and escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum Smith, 1843)—exhibited higher catch rates at night, while eight taxa—skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis Linnaeus, 1758); wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri Cuvier, 1832); white marlin [Kajikia albida (Poey, 1860]; dolphinfish (Coryphaena sp.); yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares Bonnaterre, 1788); rays (Pteroplatytrygon violacea Bonaparte, 1832, Mobulidae sp.); lancetfish (Alepisaurus sp.), and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans Lacepede, 1802)—had higher daytime catch rates. These results reveal that shifts in effort between daytime and nighttime fishing (which are highly correlated with shifts between yellowfin tuna and swordfish targeting strategies) could have substantial, species-specific effects on bycatch rates. Whether driven by fishery conditions, market influences, or management measures, such temporal shifts in the timing of pelagic longline sets may have important implications for species-specific conservation goals and warrant further consideration.

Status and conservation of manatees in Cuba: historical observations and recent insights

Abstract: The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of reduced numbers and habitat loss. Existing information about this species in Cuba is limited, but it can be synthesized into useful guidance for strategies to protect and rehabilitate this population. Anthropogenic threats have been reported to have had detrimental effects on manatees since 1970, with a major factor being illegal hunting. Information obtained through interviews of fishers, and boat and aerial surveys has identified the Ensenada de la Broa and Hatiguanico River on the Zapata Peninsula as important areas for manatees. Historically, manatees frequented rivers and other freshwater habitats, but currently they are encountered primarily in estuarine and coastal waters, which makes availability of fresh water an important consideration. There is a pressing need to gather additional and more reliable data on the abundance, distribution, and health of Antillean manatees in Cuba as a basis for more effective and efficient initiatives to protect and rehabilitate this population.

Fostering fisheries management efficiency through collaboration networks: the case of the Kanan Kay Alliance in the Mexican Caribbean

Abstract: After decades of implementation of territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) and other fisheries management measures around the world, it is clear that monitoring their progress and results in biological and socioeconomic terms is necessary, and that involving fishers in the design and implementation will improve their likelihood of success. However, what receives less attention is the importance of multistakeholder collaboration, communication, and shared vision that increase management implementation capacity and effectiveness, while achieving an efficient use of the limited resources available to fisheries managers. Five years ago, an initiative called "Kanan Kay Alliance" emerged in Mexico: a voluntary, multistakeholder collaborative network formed by 40+ organizations (fishing cooperatives, government, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and philanthropic foundations). The alliance established a shared vision and collaborative work plan focused on the establishment of fish refuges (no-take zones) within TURFs across the Mexican Caribbean. The Kanan Kay Alliance offers a unique opportunity for dialogue, promotes value-added collaborative actions, and reinforces key initiatives. This collaborative model grounds management measures in a participatory and inclusive way, fostering their effectiveness and efficiency, as well as potential for reaching scale. Here we document the establishment of the Kanan Kay Alliance and provide recommendations for the replication of similar initiatives.

Does coastal light pollution alter the nocturnal behavior and blood physiology of juvenile bonefish (Albula vulpes)

Abstract: Light pollution is a prevalent, but often overlooked, ecological concern in a variety of ecosystems. Marine environments are subjected to artificial lighting from coastal development, in addition to offshore sources, such as fishing vessels, oil platforms and cruise ships. Fish species that rely on nearshore habitats are most significantly impacted by coastal light pollution, as they are often limited to nearshore habitats due to predation risk in deeper offshore waters, particularly as juveniles. Juvenile bonefish [Albula vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)] inhabit the nearshore environment, and are therefore exposed to coastal lighting and other watershed development impacts. Here, we assessed juvenile bonefish behavior and physiology in the presence of two common light sources: constant street lighting (high pressure sodium) and intermittent car headlights (H4 halogen). The behavioral responses were compared with a night and day control, whereas physiology was compared only with a night control. Each behavioral trial had two time periods: light and recovery (2 hrs each). Physiology (blood glucose and whole body cortisol) was assessed after an overnight 8-hr exposure. The results suggest that there is no effect of light pollution on the swimming behavior or whole body cortisol of juvenile bonefish, but that both forms of light pollution resulted in elevated blood glucose concentrations (a simple stress indicator) relative to controls, with constant light glucose levels being significantly higher. Further research is needed to understand the ecological consequences of light pollution on bonefish and other coastal marine fish using additional endpoints, assessing fish over longer time periods, and ideally combining data from the laboratory and the field.

Territorial use rights in fisheries of the northern Pacific coast of Mexico

Abstract: Critical understanding of territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) are examined through the lens of research on the fishing cooperatives of the northern Pacific coast of Mexico. I contend that the argument for TURFs is problematic in implying that closing access, excluding others from a territory or resources, provides the basis for adopting measures that lead to sustained use and stewardship, or conservation. The success that the fishing cooperatives of the area have achieved in co-managing their lobster fisheries is indeed due in part to the concession system that allocates exclusive territorial use rights to individual cooperatives. But that is only one part of a complex bundle of institutional and resource features of the TURFs that contribute to their success. Further analysis shows that the concession fisheries fit well-known criteria for successful small-scale "commons" management. However, the risk of over-simplification remains. The functioning and achievements of the cooperatives are also very specific to local histories, ecologies, and the larger socio-political environment, which calls for greater depth and interdisciplinarity in analysis and application.

An overview of Cuban seagrasses

Abstract: Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of Cuban seagrasses, including distribution, status, threats, and efforts for their conservation. It has been estimated that seagrasses cover about 50% of the Cuban shelf, with six species reported and Thalassia testudinum K. D. Koenig being the most dominant. Seagrasses have been studied primarily in three areas in Cuba (northwest, north-central, and southwest). Thalassia testudinum and other seagrasses exhibit spatial and temporal variations in abundance, and updating of their status and distribution is needed. The main threat to Cuban seagrass ecosystems is low seawater transparency due to causes such as eutrophication and erosion. High salinities limit their distribution in the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago, partly the result of freshwater dams and roads. Seagrass meadows play important ecological roles and provide many ecosystem services in Cuba, with efforts underway to preserve this ecosystem. Research and management projects are directed toward integrated coastal zone management, including a ban on trawl fisheries and the extension of marine protected areas to contain more seagrass meadows. In addition to updating species distributions, it is urgent that managers and researchers in Cuba examine the resilience of this ecosystem in the face of climate change.

Electronic tags reveal the hidden lives of fishes

Abstract: The past six decades have seen the emergence of new electronic tag technologies enabling scientists to remotely study the behavior of fishes in a wide variety of aquatic habitats. This revolution began in the 1950s and 1960s with the first studies utilizing acoustic and radio transmitters to actively track fish movements. Subsequent decades saw the development of passive monitoring systems enabling researchers to scale up the number of individuals followed, and the duration and spatial extent of tracking studies. Recent decades also have witnessed the increasingly-widespread use of sophisticated satellite transmitters to quantify fish movements in remote parts of the ocean beyond the range of fixed listening arrays. Most recently, high-frequency sampling devices incorporating accelerometers and other novel sensors have given us unparalleled new and detailed insights into fish behavior. All of these technologies have yielded important insights into fish spatial behaviors, and shown that many species are most active at night, or in deep waters, but we need better ground-truthing to reveal the full context and purpose of these spatial patterns. Recent advances in animal-mounted cameras have provided important ground-truthing breakthroughs, allowing us to see behavior and habitat use from the fishes' own perspective. However, current generations of animal-mounted cameras are reliant on natural light, or use artificial light overlapping the visual spectrum of most fishes. To see what fishes are doing at night, we need to develop new animal-mounted cameras using far red spectrum light, or high-frequency sound, to illuminate the view field without impacting natural behavior.

Genetic structure of natural and broodstock populations of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, throughout the Florida Keys

Abstract: Caribbean populations of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum (Philippi, 1845), have undergone two mass mortality events since the 1980s that have caused 93%–100% of individuals on any given reef to perish. Subsequently, coral recruitment and survival declined, in part due to algal overgrowth and an increase in secondary metabolites associated with macoalgae. For long-term macroalgal biomass removal, supplementation of D. antillarum via translocation, captive-rearing and release, or both, must be considered. This project aimed to (1) compare genetic diversity of Diadema antillarum (Philippi, 1845) from six reef locations in south Florida ranging from Biscayne National Park to the Dry Tortugas, and (2) determine whether two broodstock populations of mixed ancestry contain variation indicative of natural Florida populations. We found little genetic differentiation among natural locations and between natural and broodstock populations (highest pairwise F ST was 0.0066). Moreover, genetic diversity was similar among all natural and broodstock populations (allelic richness and heterozygosity ranged from 22.6–24.4 and 0.937–0.956, respectively). Additionally, a Structure analysis suggested that all samples compose a single genetic cluster. These data suggest that natural populations of D. antillarum are genetically similar throughout the Florida Keys, from Dry Tortugas National Park through Biscayne National Park, and that captive-bred individuals could be used for reintroduction as part of a plan to re-establish healthy urchin populations throughout the Florida Keys.

Trends, drivers, and lessons from a long-term data series of the Asturian (northern Spain) gooseneck barnacle territorial use rights system

Abstract: The Asturian gooseneck barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes Gmelin, 1790) fishery has been managed through territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) since its inception >20 yrs ago. As part of this agreement, fishers are allotted exclusive extraction rights and active participation in management strategies. In return for these rights, fishers are responsible for gathering data on effort and extraction in the fishery. We used the extensive time-series gathered by the fishers to assess the sustainability of the fishery. Additionally, we used survey techniques to explore the social-ecological drivers of this sustainability. The fishery has succeeded in maintaining or increasing catch per unit effort in all TURFs. Furthermore, the system has received public approval, where 73% of the stakeholders indicated that the only way to maintain a sustainable gooseneck barnacle fishery in Asturias is through the current management regime. The system has contributed to the sustainability of the fishery via: (1) creating a window of opportunity for management of the resource; (2) the continuous incorporation of scientific information and fishers' knowledge into management frameworks; (3) empowerment of the resource users; (4) embracing adaptive capacity through flexible management guidelines; and (5) matching management scales with the main life-history traits of the species. As in any dynamic system, the gooseneck barnacle fishery is currently faced with important challenges that might impact its sustainability, indicating that there are no simple recipes for fisheries management. Nonetheless, this system provides a set of basic principles for TURFs, which may be conducive to adaptive and sustainable fisheries.