The role of closed areas in rebuilding monkfish populations in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract Smith, M. D., Grabowski, J. H., and Yund, P. O. 2008. The role of closed areas in rebuilding monkfish populations in the Gulf of Maine. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1326–1333. The use of fish closures as a management tool to protect juvenile fish habitat and adult spawning grounds has become increasingly popular, although knowledge of the direct effects of marine closures on juvenile fish populations is limited. Given that monkfish landings account for a considerable percentage of the monetary value derived from the groundfish fishery in new England, investigating the factors that influence monkfish population dynamics will assist managers in sustaining this important natural resource. We conducted bottom-trawl surveys to determine the effects of closure status [inside vs. outside the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area (WGMCA)] and habitat type (mud bottom in isolation from gravel or cobble bottom vs. mud that is next to these more complex habitats) on the distribution, abundance, and diet composition of monkfish (Lophius americanus) in the Gulf of Maine. Surprisingly, the abundance of adult monkfish did not differ in vs. out of the closure, and juvenile monkfish were more abundant outside of the WGMCA, where they also exhibited higher feeding intensity and consumed more prey biomass. Monkfish diet and condition results implied that the boulder and ledge bottom is essential monkfish habitat and that these effects were independent of the WGMCA.

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Chronic social disruption following a systemic fishery failure

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1913914116 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 116 (46) ◽

pp. 22912-22914 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Steven B. Scyphers ◽

J. Steven Picou ◽

Jonathan H. Grabowski

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

New England ◽

Gulf Of Maine ◽

Classification Tree ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Social Disruption ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Groundfish Fishery

In the United States, the iconic groundfish fishery for Gulf of Maine cod has endured several dramatic reductions in annual catch limits and been federally declared an economic disaster. Using a repeated cross-sectional survey of fishing captains to assess potential social impacts of the fishery failure, we found that psychological distress and social disruption were pervasive throughout New England fishing communities. For instance, our results indicate that 62% of captains self-reported severe or moderate psychological distress 1 y after the crisis began, and these patterns have persisted for 5 y. Using classification tree analyses, we found that low levels of trust in fisheries management was the most powerful predictor of both initial and chronic psychological distress. Distress was most severe among individuals without income diversity and those with dependents in the household. Compared to other aspects of fisheries, measuring and managing for noneconomic social outcomes and human well-being has lagged behind, even though it is a necessary component of mitigating the adverse impacts of fisheries disruptions.

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Tropical seaweed beds as important habitats for juvenile fish

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf16153 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 68 (10) ◽

pp. 1921 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

S. A. Tano ◽

M. Eggertsen ◽

S. A. Wikström ◽

C. Berkström ◽

A. S. Buriyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Fish Habitat ◽

Juvenile Fish ◽

Visual Census ◽

Seagrass Meadows ◽

Commercially Important ◽

Fish Habitats ◽

Habitat Variables

Seaweed beds within tropical seascapes have received little attention as potential fish habitat, despite other vegetated habitats, such as seagrass meadows and mangroves, commonly being recognised as important nurseries for numerous fish species. In addition, studies of vegetated habitats rarely investigate fish assemblages across different macrophyte communities. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of tropical seaweed beds as fish habitat, particularly for juvenile fish, by comparing their fish assemblages with those of closely situated seagrass beds. Fish assemblages were assessed by visual census in belt transects, where fish were identified and their length estimated, and habitat variables were estimated for each transect. The abundance of juvenile fish in seaweed beds was twice as high as that in seagrass meadows, whereas there was no difference in total, subadult or adult fish abundance. In addition, the abundance of commercially important and coral reef-associated juveniles was higher in seaweed beds, as was fish species richness. Fish assemblages differed between habitats, with siganids being more common in seagrass meadows and juvenile Labridae and Serranidae more common in seaweed beds. These results highlight that tropical seaweed beds are important juvenile fish habitats and underscore the need to widen the view of the shallow tropical seascape.

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A bioeconomic model of marine sanctuaries on Georges Bank

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f00-061 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 1307-1319 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Daniel S Holland

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Gulf Of Maine ◽

Georges Bank ◽

Bioeconomic Model ◽

Seasonal Movement ◽

Southern New England ◽

Modeling Methodology ◽

Spawning Stock ◽

Age Structured ◽

Groundfish Fishery

An empirically estimated fleet dynamics model for New England trawlers is integrated with spatial, age-structured models of primary groundfish species on Georges Banks, southern New England, and the Gulf of Maine. This bioeconomic model is used to explore how permanent marine sanctuaries on Georges Bank might affect catches, revenues, and spawning stock of principal groundfish species in New England. The simulations explore how the location of sanctuaries relative to major ports and their orientation relative to seasonal movement patterns of fish stocks impact their effectiveness and the distribution of benefits across groups of fishers from different ports. The simulation results also demonstrate that the impacts of sanctuaries can vary greatly across species, sometimes increasing yields for some while decreasing yields for others. While the specific results from the simulations reflect the characteristics of the New England groundfish fishery, the modeling methodology and some general conclusions are applicable to other fisheries.

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Predicting bycatch hotspots based on suitable habitat derived from fishery-independent data

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 641 ◽

pp. 159-175

Author(s):

J Runnebaum ◽

KR Tanaka ◽

L Guan ◽

J Cao ◽

L O’Brien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Suitability ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Gulf Of Maine ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

Management Tool ◽

American Lobster ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Suitability Index

Bycatch remains a global problem in managing sustainable fisheries. A critical aspect of management is understanding the timing and spatial extent of bycatch. Fisheries management often relies on observed bycatch data, which are not always available due to a lack of reporting or observer coverage. Alternatively, analyzing the overlap in suitable habitat for the target and non-target species can provide a spatial management tool to understand where bycatch interactions are likely to occur. Potential bycatch hotspots based on suitable habitat were predicted for cusk Brosme brosme incidentally caught in the Gulf of Maine American lobster Homarus americanus fishery. Data from multiple fisheries-independent surveys were combined in a delta-generalized linear mixed model to generate spatially explicit density estimates for use in an independent habitat suitability index. The habitat suitability indices for American lobster and cusk were then compared to predict potential bycatch hotspot locations. Suitable habitat for American lobster has increased between 1980 and 2013 while suitable habitat for cusk decreased throughout most of the Gulf of Maine, except for Georges Basin and the Great South Channel. The proportion of overlap in suitable habitat varied interannually but decreased slightly in the spring and remained relatively stable in the fall over the time series. As Gulf of Maine temperatures continue to increase, the interactions between American lobster and cusk are predicted to decline as cusk habitat continues to constrict. This framework can contribute to fisheries managers’ understanding of changes in habitat overlap as climate conditions continue to change and alter where bycatch interactions could occur.

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OFFSHORE RING STRUCTURES AND IGNEOUS BODIES BENEATH THE CONTINENTAL MARGIN OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES AND THE GULF OF MAINE: EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE NEW ENGLAND HOTSPOT TRACK BETWEEN THE WHITE MOUNTAIN MAGMA SERIES AND THE NEW ENGLAND SEAMOUNTS

10.1130/abs/2016am-287889 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ronald Marple ◽

◽

Robert J. Altamura

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

New England ◽

Continental Margin ◽

Gulf Of Maine ◽

Northeastern United States ◽

Ring Structures ◽

Magma Series

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Wood Pastures: A Transitional Habitat between Forests and Pastures for Dung Beetle Assemblages

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12010025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

László Somay ◽

Viktor Szigeti ◽

Gergely Boros ◽

Réka Ádám ◽

András Báldi

Keyword(s):

Functional Group ◽

Animal Health ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Assemblage Composition ◽

Beetle Assemblages

Wood pastures are home to a variety of species, including the dung beetle. Dung beetles are an important functional group in decomposition. Specifically, in terms of livestock manure, they not only contribute to nutrient cycling but are key players in supporting human and animal health. Dung beetles, however, are declining in population, and urgent recommendations are needed to reverse this trend. Recommendations need to be based on solid evidence and specific habitats. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of an intermediate habitat type between forests and pastures. Wood pastures are key areas for dung beetle conservation. For this reason, we compared dung beetle assemblages among forests, wood pastures, and grasslands. We complemented this with studies on the effects of dung type and season at three Hungarian locations. Pitfall traps baited with cattle, sheep, or horse dung were used in forests, wood pastures, and pasture habitats in spring, summer, and autumn. Dung beetle assemblages of wood pastures showed transient characteristics between forests and pastures regarding their abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity, assemblage composition, and indicator species. We identified a strong effect of season and a weak of dung type. Assemblage composition proved to be the most sensitive measure of differences among habitats. The conservation of dung beetles, and the decomposition services they provide, need continuous livestock grazing to provide fresh dung, as well as the maintenance of wood pastures where dung beetle assemblages typical of forests and pastures can both survive.

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The Role of Communication and Engagement in Airport Noise Management

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116088 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6088

Author(s):

Graeme Heyes ◽

Paul Hooper ◽

Fiona Raje ◽

Ian Flindell ◽

Delia Dimitriu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Priorities ◽

Considerable Effect ◽

Management Tool ◽

Management Activity ◽

Community Attitudes ◽

Management Actions ◽

Aviation Noise ◽

Noise Management

Research suggests that non-acoustic factors can have a considerable effect on community attitudes and opinions towards aviation noise and that these can be influenced through processes of communication and engagement. This paper reviews literature from various fields to identify the key elements of effective practice, using them as a lens through which to assess case study noise management actions conducted at European airports. This analysis found that communication and engagement holds significant potential for noise management, but that this remains largely unfulfilled due to such methods being used as an ancillary management activity, rather than as a powerful tool to aid in the design and delivery of noise management actions. A series of recommendations and research priorities are proposed that could shape the future of noise management, including potential changes to European policy that more explicitly advocate for communication and engagement as a noise management tool in its own right.

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