Showing papers in "Fisheries in 2013"
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources1, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences2, Louisiana State University3, United States Geological Survey4, University of Massachusetts Amherst5, United States Fish and Wildlife Service6, University of Guelph7, University of Winnipeg8, Illinois Natural History Survey9, University of Alabama10, Smithsonian Institution11
TL;DR: Comparison of modern to background extinction rates reveals that gastropods have the highest modern extinction rate yet observed, 9,539 times greater than background rates.
Abstract: This is the first American Fisheries Society conservation assessment of freshwater gastropods (snails) from Canada and the United States by the Gastropod Subcommittee (Endangered Species Committee). This review covers 703 species representing 16 families and 93 genera, of which 67 species are considered extinct, or possibly extinct, 278 are endangered, 102 are threatened, 73 are vulnerable, 157 are currently stable, and 26 species have uncertain taxonomic status. Of the entire fauna, 74% of gastropods are imperiled (vulnerable, threatened, endangered) or extinct, which exceeds imperilment levels in fishes (39%) and crayfishes (48%) but is similar to that of mussels (72%). Comparison of modern to background extinction rates reveals that gastropods have the highest modern extinction rate yet observed, 9,539 times greater than background rates. Gastropods are highly susceptible to habitat loss and degradation, particularly narrow endemics restricted to a single spring or short stream reaches. Compil...
172 citations
TL;DR: Prospects for the “collapse” of Asian Carp in the Illinois River through intensive fishing are explored and a dynamic simulation model is developed to compare the performance of existing and alternative removal strategies for theinois River.
Abstract: Invasive Asian Carp are threatening to enter Lake Michigan through the Chicago Area Waterway System, with potentially serious consequences for Great Lakes food webs. Alongside efforts to keep these fishes from entering Lake Michigan with electric barriers, the state of Illinois initiated a fishing program aimed at reducing their densities through intensive commercial exploitation on the Illinois River. In this study, we explore prospects for the “collapse” of Asian Carp in the Illinois River through intensive fishing. Based on a meta-analysis of demographic data, we developed a dynamic simulation model to compare the performance of existing and alternative removal strategies for the Illinois River. Our model projections suggest that Asian Carp in the Illinois River are unlikely to collapse if existing harvest rates are kept below 0.7 or fishing continues to be size selective (targeting only fish >500 mm or <500 mm) or species selective (targeting mostly Bighead Carp), although their biomasses cou...
73 citations
TL;DR: Current conceptual models are expanded to identify three potential pathways of risk between surface water threats associated with increased natural gas development and life history attributes of brook trout: hydrological, physical, and chemical.
Abstract: Expansion of natural gas drilling into the Marcellus Shale formation is an emerging threat to the conservation and restoration of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations. Improved drilling and extraction technologies (horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing) have led to rapid and extensive natural gas development in areas overlying the Marcellus Shale. The expansion of hydraulic fracturing poses multiple threats to surface waters, which can be tied to key ecological attributes that limit brook trout populations. Here, we expand current conceptual models to identify three potential pathways of risk between surface water threats associated with increased natural gas development and life history attributes of brook trout: hydrological, physical, and chemical. Our goal is to highlight research needs for fisheries scientists and work in conjunction with resource managers to influence the development of strategies that will preserve brook trout habitat and address Marcellus Shale ga...
67 citations
TL;DR: For example, the Fisheries Act, passed by Parliament in 2012 and supported by new regulations in 2013, stipulate that habitat will now be protected only for fish that are considered part of a fishery or that support fishery.
Abstract: Revisions to Canada's national fisheries legislation have eviscerated the country's ability and responsibility to protect most fish habitat. Changes to the Fisheries Act, passed by Parliament in 2012 and supported by new regulations in 2013, stipulate that habitat will now be protected only for fish that are considered part of a fishery or that support a fishery. The habitats of most freshwater fish species in Canada, including the majority of threatened and endangered fishes, will no longer be protected. Contrary to responsible management practices for the protection of native fishes, the act now inadvertently prioritizes habitat protection for some nonnative species—even hatchery-produced hybrids—as long as they are part of a fishery. Changes to the Fisheries Act were not supported by scientific advice (contrary to government policy) and are inconsistent with an ecosystem-based approach to management. Politically motivated dismantling of habitat protection provisions in the Fisheries Act erases...
61 citations
TL;DR: Bycatch avoidance in the U.S. Sea Scallop Fishery is a constraint to achieving optimum yield of scallops as discussed by the authors, and a collaborative, iterative approach to bycatch reduction that balances fleet objectives is proposed.
Abstract: Bycatch of Yellowtail Flounder in the U.S. Sea Scallop Fishery is a constraint to achieving optimum yield of scallops. Between 2000 and 2009, in-season bycatch closures of prime scallop grounds resulted in economic losses over US$100 million. To address this constraint, we collaborated with the scallop fishing industry to implement a bycatch avoidance program in the Nantucket Lightship harvest area in 2010. Vessels shared near real-time location information about bycatch amounts during fishing activities. We compiled the information, identified bycatch hotspots, and provided daily advisories to vessels on the fishing grounds. Catch per tow of Yellowtail and fishing effort in high bycatch regions significantly declined after the fleet received the advisories. The fleet harvested the target scallop allocation worth US$40 million while catching only 32% of the Yellowtail bycatch limit. This program continues as a collaborative, iterative approach to bycatch reduction that balances fleet objectives w...
56 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that monitoring programs generally have low statistical power for detecting linear temporal trends and it is argued that often management should be focused on different definitions of trends, some of which can be better...
Abstract: Monitoring to detect temporal trends in biological and habitat indices is a critical component of fisheries management. Thus, it is important that management objectives are linked to monitoring objectives. This linkage requires a definition of what constitutes a management-relevant “temporal trend.” It is also important to develop expectations for the amount of time required to detect a trend (i.e., statistical power) and for choosing an appropriate statistical model for analysis. We provide an overview of temporal trends commonly encountered in fisheries management, review published studies that evaluated statistical power of long-term trend detection, and illustrate dynamic linear models in a Bayesian context, as an additional analytical approach focused on shorter term change. We show that monitoring programs generally have low statistical power for detecting linear temporal trends and argue that often management should be focused on different definitions of trends, some of which can be better...
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a Slocum glider was deployed in a real-time ocean observatory to demonstrate how mobile listening assets could be dynamically reallocated in response to the mesoscale physics of the coastal ocean.
Abstract: Physical processes in the coastal Mid-Atlantic create a complex and dynamic seascape. Understanding how coastal fishes respond to this complexity has been a major motivation in establishing coastal biotelemetry arrays. Most coastal arrays maximize the probability offish detection by positioning hydrophones near geophysical bottlenecks. The development of a real-time ocean observatory allows for synchronous mapping of dynamic hydrographic structures important to coastal fishes. These observations provide important context for interpreting the impact of oceanographic features on the behavior of telemetered animals. In a proofofconcept mission, we deployed a Slocum glider in a real-time ocean observatory to demonstrate how mobile listening assets could be dynamically reallocated in response to the mesoscale physics of the coastal ocean. The Slocum glider detected four Atlantic Sturgeon Acipencer oxyrinchus oxyrinchus that were in a shallow, well-mixed, and relatively warm and fresh water mass in a r...
46 citations
TL;DR: This work summarizes what is known about data quality and sampling efficiency of the most commonly used gears for surveying these species, and describes the accuracy of relative abundance and size-related metrics for each gear.
Abstract: We review the peer-reviewed literature regarding sampling of the three most commonly managed ictalurids: Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish For each species, we summarize what is known about data quality (accuracy and precision) and sampling efficiency of the most commonly used gears for surveying these species We identify research needs and provide information to guide gear selection based on different sampling objectives To rank gear-specific sampling efficiency (catch/h and catch/person-h), we report median catch rates and the interpolated 25th and 75th percentiles of published means We also describe the accuracy of relative abundance and size-related metrics for each gear For Channel Catfish, tandem baited hoop nets provide the most efficient (11–24 fish/net/tandem set, 20–60 fish/person-h) and accurate samples Low-frequency electrofishing provides the most efficient samples of Blue Catfish (23–373 fish/h, 21–113 fish/person-h) and Flathead Catfish (19–62 fish/h, 21–
43 citations
TL;DR: Examples that link down- scaled climate change scenarios to fish populations for two common types of problems: strategic spatial prioritization of limited conservation resources and deciding whether removing migration barriers would benefit a native fish also threatened with invasion by a nonnative competitor are presented.
Abstract: Fisheries professionals are increasingly tasked with incorporating climate change projections into their deci- sions. Here we demonstrate how a structured decision frame- work, coupled with analytical tools and spatial data sets, can help integrate climate and biological information to evaluate management alternatives. We present examples that link down- scaled climate change scenarios to fish populations for two common types of problems: (1) strategic spatial prioritization of limited conservation resources and (2) deciding whether removing migration barriers would benefit a native fish also threatened with invasion by a nonnative competitor. We used Bayesian networks (BNs) to translate each decision problem into a quantitative tool and implemented these models under historical and future climate projections. The spatial prioriti- zation BN predicted a substantial loss of habitat for the target species by the 2080s and provided a means to map habitats and populations most likely to persist under future climate projec- tions. The barrier BN applied to three streams predicted that barrier removal decisions—previously made assuming a sta- tionary climate—were likely robust under the climate scenario considered. The examples demonstrate the benefit of structuring the decision-making process to clarify management objectives, formalize assumptions, synthesize current understanding about climate effects on fish populations, and identify key uncertain- ties requiring further investigation.
43 citations
TL;DR: Despite a wealth of laboratory and field studies demonstrating predator recognition learning in fishes, only a handful of studies have attempted to assess potential poststocking benefits, and these suggest mixed results, the goal is to highlight possible causes of this apparent contradiction.
Abstract: The success of current fish restocking efforts is often hampered by poor poststocking survival of hatchery-reared juveniles. As a result of hatchery selection, combined with a lack of ecologically relevant experience, hatchery-reared fishes often fail to recognize and respond to potential predators following stocking into natural waterways. One commonly proposed method to enhance potential poststocking survival is to condition hatchery-reared fishes to recognize predators prior to stocking. However, despite a wealth of laboratory and field studies demonstrating predator recognition learning in fishes, only a handful of studies have attempted to assess potential poststocking benefits, and these suggest mixed results. Our goal is to highlight possible causes of this apparent contradiction. A survey of the behavioral ecology literature highlights the exceptional degree of sophistication of predator recognition learning among prey fishes. Moreover, an emerging body of literature suggests that how lon...
35 citations
TL;DR: In response to an intense social media campaign led by international conservation groups, Green politicians, and recreational fishers, the Australian government imposed a moratorium on the operations of a large factory trawler as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In response to an intense social media campaign led by international conservation groups, Green politicians, and recreational fishers, the Australian government imposed a moratorium on the operations of a large factory trawler. This moratorium overrode the government's own independent fisheries management process by making amendments to its key environmental legislation just days prior to the commencement of fishing by this vessel. Concurrently, the government announced a comprehensive review of Australia's fisheries management legislation. Whereas science is usually deployed in support of conservation in natural resource conflicts, in this case science-based fisheries management advice took a back seat to vociferous protest by interest groups, perpetuated by the media (in particular social media), ultimately culminating in a contentious political decision.
TL;DR: This work synthesizes some of the available information on smartphone and tablet use for data collection and education and explores some current uses and future opportunities for these devices in fisheries.
Abstract: Smartphones and digital tablets are used to collect data for agricultural, geographical, and medical research. Science professionals find these devices attractive because they contain many useful hardware accessories (e.g., camera, Global Positioning System [GPS], accelerometer) and the capacity to access and customize software applications (apps). To enhance student learning, some educators are also integrating tablets into curricula for both indoor and outdoor course work. Recently, fisheries professionals have begun using these devices for data collection and public outreach and awareness. With new waterproofing technology, cases, and peripheral adapters, smartphones and digital tablets are continually becoming more relevant for data collection and education in fisheries. Here, we synthesize some of the available information on smartphone and tablet use for data collection and education and explore some current uses and future opportunities for these devices in fisheries. Overall, our objectiv...
TL;DR: The farming, in proximity, of aquaculture species from different trophic levels, and with complementary ecosystem functions, so that one species’ excess nutrients are recaptured by the other crops and synergistic interactions among species occur.
Abstract: The Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network (CIMTAN) is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council strategic network that was initiated in 2010 It was triggered by the fact that aquaculture, though the world fastest growing food production sector, is associated with environmental, economic, and societal issues Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) offers an innovative solution for the environmental sustainability, economic stability, and societal acceptability of aquaculture by taking an ecosystem-based management approach IMTA is the farming, in proximity, of aquaculture species from different trophic levels, and with complementary ecosystem functions, so that one species’ excess nutrients are recaptured by the other crops and synergistic interactions among species occur CIMTAN is providing the interdisciplinary research and development and highly qualified personnel training in the following linked areas: (1) ecological design, ecosystem interactions, and biomit
TL;DR: In 2012, an ad hoc committee was established to explore online fisheries science communication and how social media platforms can be utilized by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), and a survey was disseminated to all AFS units (chapters, sections, divisions) and student subunits to better understand the current use of social media within the AFS as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Social media platforms are effective tools used to help communicate and increase involvement in cultural, political, and scientific circles. In 2012, an ad hoc committee was established to explore online fisheries science communication and how social media platforms can be utilized by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). A survey was disseminated to all AFS units (chapters, sections, divisions) and student subunits to better understand the current use of social media within the AFS. A relatively high response rate (82%) provided some confidence in the survey results—namely, that nearly 69% or more of units and subunits used social media. Facebook was the dominant platform used (59%; all others < 15%) and almost exclusively (97%) for the purpose of communication. Education, outreach, and member recruitment were other reasons for social media use. Finally, whether units currently use social media or not at all, it was recommended that AFS-led workshops and assistance would increase the usefulness ...
TL;DR: Testing whether electrofishing 40 times the mean wetted channel width was sufficient for estimating species richness and developing precise metrics for Atlantic Forest streams in southeastern Brazil shows that 40 channel widths were not sufficient to estimate species richness in those systems.
Abstract: Knowledge of the adequacy of field sampling protocols is critical for detecting species and assessing biological conditions. Several studies have been conducted to determine the appropriate electrofishing distance for estimating fish assemblage richness in temperate North American streams. We tested whether electrofishing 40 times the mean wetted channel width was sufficient for estimating species richness and developing precise metrics for Atlantic Forest streams in southeastern Brazil. We sampled 32 sites with differing gradients, substrates, and anthropogenic pressures. Our results show that 40 channel widths were not sufficient to estimate species richness in those systems, presumably because of the high number of rare species. However, 40 channel widths were sufficient for applying other metrics of assemblage condition (e.g., number of common species, percentage of tolerant individuals, percentage of Characiform species, percentage of Siluriform species, percentage of water column species, p...
TL;DR: A recent project evaluating changes in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) growth, condition, and recruitment in the Great Lakes is used as a case study to illustrate how thoughtful data management approaches can enhance and improve research.
Abstract: Proper data management (applying coordinated standards and structures to data collection, maintenance, retrieval, and documentation) is essential for complex projects to ensure data accuracy and accessibility. In this article, we used a recent project evaluating changes in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) growth, condition, and recruitment in the Great Lakes as a case study to illustrate how thoughtful data management approaches can enhance and improve research. Data management best practices described include dedicating personnel to data curation, setting data standards, building a relational database, managing data updates, checking for and trapping errors, extracting data, documenting data sets, and coordinating with project collaborators. The data management actions taken ultimately resulted in a rich body of scientific publication and a robust database available for future studies. Investing in data management allowed this project to serve as a model for taking the first steps toward ...
TL;DR: The theme for the 142nd annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society was “Fisheries Networks: Building Ecological, Social, and Professional Relationships,” and that provided a hook to reflect on how studies of ecological networks have developed and how they can be used to inform fisheries research.
Abstract: The theme for the 142nd annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) was “Fisheries Networks: Building Ecological, Social, and Professional Relationships,” and that provided me a hook to reflect on how studies of ecological networks have developed and how they can be used to inform fisheries research. Ecological networks, as we know them, date back to the pioneering studies of Raymond Lindeman around 1940 (Illustration 1). He studied Cedar Creek Bog in Minnesota and made a detailed model of nutrient cycling expressed as energy flows (Lindeman 1942). For this, he used thermodynamic principles to evaluate and understand ecosystem functioning, and through this he established the field of trophic dynamics. The study of energy flows and concepts he introduced, such as food chains, food webs, ecological transfer efficiency, and energy pyramids, now provide core elements of community and ecosystem ecology.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated length measurement error (herein, referred to as "error") and digit preference from fish studies conducted on the Colorado River and Little Colorado River in Arizona.
Abstract: A fundamental aspect of fisheries science is measuring body length. Humans are inherently prone to error despite systems and provisions made to reduce it. We evaluated length measurement error (herein, referred to as “error”) and digit preference from fish studies conducted on the Colorado River and Little Colorado River in Arizona. Empirical error estimates varied among fish species and generally increased with fish size. We identified a digit preference for numbers ending in zero and five, which was exacerbated with larger sizes. Error effects on growth estimates were largest for fish recaptured after a short time, and we suggest guarding against the error phenomenon by removing data from fish captured and recaptured within a minimum of 30 days. Human, situation, and specimen induced error factors are described. Fisheries professionals should be cognizant of error factors, especially in situations when high precision and accuracy are required and results have important management implications.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provided their own analysis using corrected economic parameters and suggest that, had the buyback not taken place, industry profits from 2006 to 2009 would have been $22-25 million lower.
Abstract: The increasing interest in maximum economic yield (MEY) as a management target has been accompanied by considerable debate as to how MEY should be determined. Different interpretations as to how economic costs are treated may lead to different outcomes. For example, a recent paper by Wang and Wang (2012b) provided a retrospective analysis of a recent buyback program in a major Australian fishery aimed at moving the fishery to MEY and concluded that greater economic benefits would have been achieved had the buyback not taken place. However, the economic assumptions underlying this result are debatable. In this article, we provide our own analysis using corrected economic parameters and suggest that, had the buyback not taken place, industry profits from 2006 to 2009 would have been $22–25 million lower. These new findings are placed in the context of the events that led to the buyback taking place and we conclude that the buyback resulted in substantial benefits to the industry.
TL;DR: The seventh edition of the Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico (Page et al. 2013) continues the effort established by the six earlier editions to standardize the names of fishes as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The seventh edition of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico (Page et al. 2013) continues the effort established by the six earlier editions to standardiz...
TL;DR: Some of the better-documented infectious diseases that likely contribute to significant losses among free-ranging fishes in the Salish Sea and the environmental and ecological factors that may affect the population-level impacts of disease are reviewed.
Abstract: As in marine regions throughout other areas of the world, fishes in the Salish Sea serve as hosts for many pathogens, including nematodes, trematodes, protozoans, protists, bacteria, viruses, and crustaceans. Here, we review some of the better-documented infectious diseases that likely contribute to significant losses among free-ranging fishes in the Salish Sea and discuss the environmental and ecological factors that may affect the population-level impacts of disease. Demonstration of these diseases and their impacts to critical and endangered resources provides justification to expand pathogen surveillance efforts and to incorporate disease forecasting and mitigation tools into ecosystem restoration efforts.
TL;DR: The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as mentioned in this paper collects high-quality data from sites distributed throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, for 30 years.
Abstract: Large spatiotemporal-scale fisheries research amid pervasive environmental change requires scientific resources beyond the capabilities of individual laboratories. Here we introduce the aquatics program within a novel institution, the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), poised to substantially advance spatiotemporal scales of inquiry in fisheries research. NEON will collect high-quality data from sites distributed throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, for 30 years. Data products will include hundreds of metrics that comprehensively quantify the biological, chemical, and hydrogeomorphic attributes of streams, lakes, and rivers in the observatory network. Coupling observations from NEON terrestrial, atmospheric, and airborne programs will facilitate unique inquiries in ecohydrology. All NEON-generated data will be rigorously quality controlled and posted to an entirely open-access web portal. Proposals that expand the observatory scope through addition...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss writing actions that may be considered a violation of integrity in the context of traditional manuscript sections (introduction and discussion, methods, and results) and define integrity as consistency of actions that reflect honesty and truthfulness.
Abstract: Publishing research is the final step in the scientific process and is used as the primary means for disseminating research findings to the scientific community. Publishing can embody many personal motivations (e.g., gratification, seeing a finished product in print, desire to further science) for authors as well as professional benefits (e.g., promotion, tenure, future funding opportunities). As the scientific workforce and competition for jobs and funding increase, publishing productivity has become a driving factor for many authors, which may lead to writing practices that violate integrity. In this essay, we discuss writing actions that may be considered a violation of integrity in the context of traditional manuscript sections (introduction and discussion, methods, and results). We define “integrity” as consistency of actions that reflect honesty and truthfulness. Writing the introduction and discussion can be compared to an artistic creation because the rendition of the data may vary depend...
TL;DR: A stewardship-based monitoring and assessment program was developed by the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society as mentioned in this paper to assist sturgeon recovery initiatives in the lower Fraser River ( British Columbia).
Abstract: Sturgeon (Acipenseridae) stocks worldwide are generally in decline, with many populations close to extirpation. One prominent species, the White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) with spawning populations distributed throughout three large, western North American watersheds (the Sacramento, Columbia, and Fraser rivers), has experienced population declines in the past decade. In 2003, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada designated all six populations of White Sturgeon in Canada “endangered.” To assist sturgeon recovery initiatives in the lower Fraser River (British Columbia), a stewardship-based monitoring and assessment program was developed by the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. A descriptive population model was developed to provide reliable annual population estimates by size/age group and location, based on tag release and recapture data collected by trained volunteers. As of January 2011, the population estimate (from 40- to 279-cm fork length) was 44,71...
TL;DR: In the field of ecology, biologists go to tremendous lengths to determine whether species are present in an area, from visual surveys and traps to hidden cameras and expensive angling operations.
Abstract: Ecologists go to tremendous lengths to determine whether species are present in an area, from visual surveys and traps to hidden cameras and expensive angling operations. But imagine the possibilit...