Managing Atlantic marlin as bycatch under ICCAT. The fork in the road: recovery or collapse

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Peel ◽  
Russell Nelson ◽  
C. Phillip Goodyear
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Extinction Rate ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Important Species ◽  
The Road ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Longline Fisheries

Atlantic billfish (marlin, sailfish and spearfish) are managed under the jurisdiction of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Because they are not commonly a target species, most fishing mortality is generated as a function of bycatch in various commercial fisheries. Billfish are very important species for recreational fisheries. The record indicates that ICCAT has placed its greatest emphasis on managing target fish to maximize their catch for ‘food purposes’ and has not placed the same level of emphasis on maximizing catch for ‘other purposes’, such as for the benefit of recreational fisheries.Stock assessments indicate Atlantic marlin are severely overexploited, with the rates of decline showing no signs of slowing. The primary source of billfish mortality is as bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries for tuna and swordfish. Simultaneous fishing mortality rates that will produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for at least one targeted tuna species is near the extinction rate for blue marlin. Failure to significantly reduce fishing mortality on marlin by restraining effort on target species has led to the collapse of both blue and white marlin stocks and, if continued indefinitely, may lead to extinction of either species. Although ICCAT's charter does not prioritize management between different types of fisheries, commercial or recreational, or among different species of fish within its authority, the de facto result of ICCAT's actions to date has relegated billfish to the role of bycatch species. The needs of the directed recreational billfish industry have been largely ignored.In the absence of responsible action by ICCAT to reduce fishing mortality on marlin, those concerned with the conservation of billfish will be forced to seek alternative conservation and management assistance through The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other protected species options. Compatible management solutions now must be identified and implemented by ICCAT if diverse fishing interests are to coexist and the stocks are to return to MSY. Time and area closures and live releases, coupled with some restraints on targeted effort, may offer a solution most acceptable to all fishing interests.

scholarly journals Estimating biomass, fishing mortality, and “total allowable discards” for surveyed non-target fish

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Shephard ◽  
David G. Reid ◽  
Hans D. Gerritsen ◽  
Keith D. Farnsworth
Keyword(s):  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Sustainable Yield ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Reference Levels ◽  
Total Allowable Catch ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Study Species

Abstract Demersal fisheries targeting a few high-value species often catch and discard other “non-target” species. It is difficult to quantify the impact of this incidental mortality when population biomass of a non-target species is unknown. We calculate biomass for 14 demersal fish species in ICES Area VIIg (Celtic Sea) by applying species- and length-based catchability corrections to catch records from the Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS). We then combine these biomass estimates with records of commercial discards (and landings for marketable non-target species) to calculate annual harvesting rates (HR) for each study species. Uncertainty is incorporated into estimates of both biomass and HR. Our survey-based HR estimates for cod and whiting compared well with HR-converted fishing mortality (F) estimates from analytical assessments for these two stocks. Of the non-target species tested, red gurnard (Chelidonichthys cuculus) recorded some annual HRs greater than those for cod or whiting; challenging “Pope’s postulate” that F on non-target stocks in an assemblage will not exceed that on target stocks. We relate HR for each species to two corresponding maximum sustainable yield (MSY) reference levels; six non-target species (including three ray species) show annual HRs ≥ HRMSY. This result suggests that it may not be possible to conserve vulnerable non-target species when F is coupled to that of target species. Based on biomass, HR, and HRMSY, we estimate “total allowable catch” for each non-target species.

scholarly journals A trap with a twist: evaluating a bycatch reduction device to prevent rockfish capture in crustacean traps

2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Favaro ◽  
Stefanie D. Duff ◽  
Isabelle M. Côté
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Incidental Capture ◽  
Bycatch Reduction ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Catch Rates ◽  
Novel Devices

Abstract Favaro, B., Duff, S. D., and Côté, I. M. 2013. A trap with a twist: evaluating a bycatch reduction device to prevent rockfish capture in crustacean traps. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70:114–122. Bycatch, or the incidental capture of non-target species, occurs in fisheries around the world, with often detrimental ecological consequences. Bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) that increase catch specificity have been used successfully in some fisheries, and the development of such devices remains an important component of the global effort to reduce bycatch rates. We tested novel devices designed to exclude juvenile rockfish (Sebastes spp.) from traps used to catch spot prawns (Pandalus platyceros), a commercially important species in British Columbia, Canada. The devices included reductions in trap opening sizes and novel bent-tunnel openings. Reducing trap opening size did not affect bycatch rates of rockfish or other non-target fish species. In contrast, bent-tunnel BRDs eliminated rockfish bycatch, and two of the bent-tunnel variants also excluded other fish species. However, prawn catch rates were reduced in all modified gear, and large prawns were often excluded more than small prawns. Videos recorded in situ revealed that prawn attempts to enter traps took longer and were more likely to fail in BRD-equipped than in unmodified traps. We conclude that bent-tunnel BRDs have the potential to be useful, but improvements are needed to increase prawn catch to levels similar to that of unmodified traps.

scholarly journals Depleted marine fish stocks and ecosystem-based management: on the road to recovery, we need to be precautionary

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Gårdmark ◽  
Anders Nielsen ◽  
Jens Floeter ◽  
Christian Möllmann
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Marine Fish ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
The Road ◽  
Stock Status ◽  
Ecosystem Based Management ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
On The Road

Abstract Gårdmark, A., Nielsen, A., Floeter, J., and Möllmann, C. 2011. Depleted marine fish stocks and ecosystem-based management: on the road to recovery, we need to be precautionary. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 212–220. Precautionary management for fish stocks in need of recovery requires that likely stock increases can be distinguished from model artefacts and that the uncertainty of stock status can be handled. Yet, ICES stock assessments are predominantly deterministic and many EC management plans are designed for deterministic advice. Using the eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) stock as an example, we show how deterministic scientific advice can lead to illusive certainty of a rapid stock recovery and management decisions taken in unawareness of large uncertainties in stock status. By (i) performing sensitivity analyses of key assessment model assumptions, (ii) quantifying the uncertainty of the estimates due to data uncertainty, and (iii) developing alternative stock and ecosystem indicators, we demonstrate that estimates of recent fishing mortality and recruitment of this stock were highly uncertain and show that these uncertainties are crucial when combined with management plans based on fixed reference points of fishing mortality. We therefore call for fisheries management that does not neglect uncertainty. To this end, we outline a four-step approach to handle uncertainty of stock status in advice and management. We argue that it is time to use these four steps towards an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management.

scholarly journals Can stock–recruitment points determine which spawning potential ratio is the best proxy for maximum sustainable yield reference points?

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Legault ◽  
Elizabeth N. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Sustainable Yield ◽  
Marine Science ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Scatter Plots ◽  
Stock Recruitment ◽  
Spawning Potential Ratio

Abstract Legault, C. M., and Brooks, E. N. 2013. Can stock–recruitment points determine which spawning potential ratio is the best proxy for maximum sustainable yield reference points? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1075–1080. The approach of examining scatter plots of stock–recruitment (S–R) estimates to determine appropriate spawning potential ratio (SPR)-based proxies for FMSY was investigated through simulation. As originally proposed, the approach assumed that points above a replacement line indicate year classes that produced a surplus of spawners, while points below that line failed to achieve replacement. In practice, this has been implemented by determining Fmed, the fishing mortality rate that produces a replacement line with 50% of the points above and 50% below the line. A new variation on this approach suggests FMSY proxies can be determined by examining the distribution of S–R points that are above or below replacement lines associated with specific SPRs. Through both analytical calculations and stochastic results, we demonstrate that this approach is fundamentally flawed and that in some cases the inference is diametrically opposed to the method's intended purpose. We reject this approach as a tool for determining FMSY proxies. We recommend that the current proxy of F40% be maintained as appropriate for a typical groundfish life history.

Spatial variation in fishing intensity and its effect on yield

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Ralston ◽  
Michael R O’Farrell
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Local Density ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Sustainable Yield ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Age Structured ◽  
Effect On Yield

Fishing mortality is rarely, if ever, evenly distributed over space, yet this is a common assumption of many fisheries models. To evaluate the effect of spatial heterogeneity in fishing mortality on yield, we constructed age-structured models that allowed for differing levels of fishing in three regions within the boundaries of a stock and explored alternative assumptions about the life stage in which density-dependent compensation operates. If the fishing mortality rate (F) is not excessive (i.e., F ≤ FMSY defined for the spatially homogeneous case; MSY, maximum sustainable yield), simulations demonstrated that minor to moderate spatial variation in fishing intensity does not impact sustainable yield. However, if fishing mortality is excessive (F > FMSY), spatial variation in fishing intensity often improves yield and can actually produce yields in excess of MSY when compensation occurs after dispersal, and the density-dependent recruitment rate is a function of the local density of adults. The yield premium generated in these simulations by postdispersal density dependence is due to a low level of compensatory mortality in heavily fished areas coupled with dispersal of propagules into these areas from lightly fished adjacent regions.

scholarly journals Correlation-Centric Network (CCN) representation for microbial co-occurrence patterns: new insights for microbial ecology

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengshuo Yang ◽  
Chongyang Tan ◽  
Maozhen Han ◽  
Lin Cheng ◽  
Xuefeng Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Environmental Disturbance ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Metagenome Analysis ◽  
Occurrence Patterns ◽  
Edge Networks

Abstract Mainstream studies of microbial community focused on critical organisms and their physiology. Recent advances in large-scale metagenome analysis projects initiated new researches in the complex correlations between large microbial communities. Specifically, previous studies focused on the nodes (i.e. species) of the Species-Centric Networks (SCNs). However, little was understood about the change of correlation between network members (i.e. edges of the SCNs) when the network was disturbed. Here, we introduced a Correlation-Centric Network (CCN) to the microbial research based on the concept of edge networks. In CCN, each node represented a species–species correlation, and edge represented the species shared by two correlations. In this research, we investigated the CCNs and their corresponding SCNs on two large cohorts of microbiome. The results showed that CCNs not only retained the characteristics of SCNs, but also contained information that cannot be detected by SCNs. In addition, when the members of microbial communities were decreased (i.e. environmental disturbance), the CCNs fluctuated within a small range in terms of network connectivity. Therefore, by highlighting the important species correlations, CCNs could unveil new insights when studying not only the functions of target species, but also the stabilities of their residing microbial communities.

Population dynamics and stock assessment of Hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) along the coast of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-241
Author(s):  
Md Khairul Islam ◽  
Md Humayun ◽  
Manmatha Nath Sarker ◽  
Md Sharifuddin ◽  
M Niamul Naser
Keyword(s):  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Recruitment Pattern ◽  
Weight Relationship ◽  
Tenualosa Ilisha ◽  
Highly Correlated

Stock Assessment of Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) were estimated using FiSAT-II software with length-frequency data collected from different landing centers. The Southeast Coast of Bay Of Bengal, Cox's Bazar. The Von Bertalanffy growth parameters Land K for the species were asymptotic length (L∞) was 51.41 cm, growth rate (K) was 0.75 year-1 and t0 = -0.2 year respectively. The estimated value of total mortality (Z) based on length converted catch curve using these growth parameters was 2.35 year-1.Natural mortality (M) based on growth parameters and mean environmental temperature (T = 27° C) was 1.00 year-1 and fishing mortality (F) was 1.35 year-1. Optimum length of hilsa at first capture (Lc=L50) was 28.36 cm TL. Growth performance indices (ϕ') was 3.30. The estimated value of the exploitation rate (E) using the length-converted catch curve was 0.57. The recruitment pattern of this species was continuous and two peaks per year. The present investigation clearly showed the over fishing (E > 0.50) condition for T. ilisha in Bangladesh. The estimated length-weight relationship for the combined sex was found to be W = 0.0109 L3. Virtual population analysis (VPA) showed that the maximum fishing mortality occurring in the length between 30 to 35 cm with a maximum value in the length of 32 cm that repeatedly indicate high fishing mortality in the T. ilisha. The generalized length-weight relationship was fitted with the pooled data of all monthly samples were BW = 0.029 TL2.718 (R2= 0.833) respectively. The results revealed that all length-weight relationships were highly correlated (r > 0.993). Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) was estimated as 435,554 t. Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 231-241, 2020

scholarly journals Simulation of Human Activity Intensity and Its Influence on Mammal Diversity in Sanjiangyuan National Park, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4601
Author(s):  
Changbai Xi ◽  
Yao Chi ◽  
Tianlu Qian ◽  
Wenhan Zhang ◽  
Jiechen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
National Park ◽  
Western China ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Sustainable Water Resources Management ◽  
Machine Learning Model ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Snow Leopards

The rapid pace of development in western China has brought about inevitable concerns for environmental conditions and their management. The Sanjiangyuan National Park strives to address concerns for sustainable water resources management and biodiversity management, especially for the protection of endangered flora and fauna. In this study, a machine learning model (MaxEnt) was used to predict the human activity intensity and its effects on species in Sanjiangyuan protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The model used human settlements as input and datasets such as terrain factors, climate, and artificial structures as environmental factors. The results showed that human activity intensity was significantly different between the East and the West. The area with the highest human activity intensity was Yushu County in the south area, and Xinghai-Zeku County in the east. By comparing the mammal richness with human activity intensity, we found human–wildlife coexistence in Sanjiangyuan. A detailed analysis on the CITES protected species showed that many important species, such as snow leopards, red pandas, and small Indian civets, occupied areas with high human activity intensity. The national park protects 3/4 CITES species with 1/3 in the area of the Sanjiangyuan region, owing to the relatively low human activity intensity.

CROSSINGS FOR ANIMALS – AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF WILD FAUNA CONSERVATION GYVŪNŲ PERĖJOS – EFEKTYVUS FAUNOS APSAUGOS METODAS / ПЕРЕХОД ДЛЯ ЖИВОТНЫХ – ЭФФЕКТИВНЫЙ МЕТОД ОХРАНЫ ФАУНЫ

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Beben
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Steel Bridge ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
The Road ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Bridge Structures ◽  
Road Systems ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Corrugated Plates

The paper characterizes the problem of preservation of wildlife animals in connection with extension of transportation road systems. The constantly evolving transportation infrastructure in Europe, especially in its Midwestern part, on one hand connects, making it easier for people to travel and ship goods, but on the other hand it irreversibly divides and leaves a painful impress on virgin natural areas (fragmentation of the environment). The paper briefly presents the European Ecological Network Nature 2000 as the European Union program concerning the environmental protection. It enumerates possible types of animal crossings together with their characteristics. Some examples of underpasses, overpasses and crossings on the road surface are also presented. It also presents specificity and phases of designing engineering structures of this type, as well as the most common design errors and their influence over the use of such structures by animals. Finally the soil-steel bridge structures made from corrugated plates are characterized in their function as crossings for animals. The conclusion mentions complexity of the problem of animal crossing construction, which can be of use to designers and constructors of this type of engineering structures. Santrauka Straipsnyje apžvelgtos laukinės gyvūnijos išsaugojimo problemos, susijusios su besiplečiančiu transporto tinklu. Nuolat besivystanti transporto infrastruktūra Europoje, ypač Vidurio vakaruose, viena vertus, jungia ir palengvina žmonių mobilumą,sukuria jungtį su uostais, tačiau, kita vertus, daro didelę žalą natūraliai aplinkai (aplinkos fragmentacija). Straipsnyje trumpai pristatoma Europos ekologinio tinklo ,,Natura 2000“ ES programa, skirta aplinkos apsaugai. Išvardyti galimi gyvūnų perėjų tipai su jiems būdingomis charakteristikomis. Pateikiami požeminių, virš kelio ir perėjų per patį kelią pavyzdžiai. Straipsnyje taip pat apžvelgiama inžinerinių struktūrų projektavimo specifika ir fazės, aptariamos dažniausiai pasitaikančios projektavimo klaidos ir jų įtaka gyvūnams. Galiausiai apibūdinamas dirvos ir plieninių tiltų struktūros, pagamintos iš gofruotų plokštelių, naudojimas gyvūnų perėjoms. Išvadose aptariamas gyvūnų perėjų konstrukcijų problemų kompleksiškumas, į kurį turėtų atkreipti dėmesį gyvūnų perėjas konstruojantys inžinieriai ir dizaineriai. Резюме Анализируются проблемы охраны диких животных в связи с расширяющейся транспортной сетью. Постоянно развивающаяся транспортная инфраструктура в Европе, особенно на западе центральной части Европы, с одной стороны, объединяет людей, облегчает их мобильность, открывает доступ к портам, с другой – наносит непоправимый вред натуральной природе. В статье вкратце представлена программа Европейской экологической сети – Natura 2000, касающаяся охраны окружающей среды. Перечислены возможные типы переходов для животных с их типичными характеристиками. Представлены примеры подземных переходов, переходов над дорогой и по самой дороге. Проанализирована специфика и фазы проектирования инженерных структур, а также часто совершаемых ошибок при проектировании и их влияние на животных. Охарактеризовано применение для переходов животных почвенностальных структур мостов из гофрированных пластин. Проанализирована комплексность проблем, касающихся конструкций для переходов животных, на которые следует обратить внимание инженерам и дизайнерам при констру ировании переходов для животных.

Relationship between catch, effort, CPUE and local abundance for non-target species, such as billfishes, caught by Indian Ocean longline fisheries

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Fonteneau ◽  
Nicolas Richard
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Generalized Additive Model ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Potential Bias ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Longline Fisheries ◽  
The Relationship

This paper analyses the local relationship between effort, catches, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and abundance of target species (such as tunas) and of non-target species (such as billfishes). The Indian Ocean longline fisheries are taken as an example. This paper evaluates the potential bias in the relationship between local CPUE and abundance when fisheries are increasing their fishing effort. A presentation of the Indian Ocean longline fisheries is carried out. A statistical analysis of CPUE is conducted using a generalized additive model which tends to indicate that the local effort is an important component in the statistical behaviour of the local CPUE. A migratory model in which both resources and fisheries are mobile was built. This model simulates the combined exploitation of two species, a target and a bycatch species, both fished at increasing intensity. This model confirms the potential bias as a result of the concentration of fishing effort in areas of high density of the target species. It also suggests that the CPUE of bycatch species may be more heavily biased because of their status. It is recommended that local fishing efforts should preferably be taken into account in order to calculate the CPUE of both target and non-target species.

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