Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Inside and Outside a Caribbean Marine Protected Area

AbstractRecent widespread shallow coral reef loss has led to calls for more holistic approaches to coral reef management, requiring inclusion of all ecosystems interacting with coral reefs in management plans. Yet almost all current reef management is biased towards shallow reefs, and overlooks that many reef species can also be found on mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; reefs 30 −150 m). This study presents the first detailed quantitative characterisation of MCEs off Cozumel, in the Mexican Caribbean and provides insights into their general state. We investigate whether MCEs within the marine park have similar ecological communities to mesophotic reefs outside protection, despite widely recognised shallow reef impacts outside the protected area. Results show some taxon specific differences in MCE benthic communities between sites within the protected area and areas outside; although overall communities are similar. Regardless of protection and location, and in contrast to shallow reefs, all observed Cozumel MCEs were continuous reefs dominated by calcareous macroalgae, sponges, octocorals, and black corals. Hard corals were present on MCEs, but at low abundance. We found that 42.5 % of fish species recorded on Cozumel could be found on both shallow reefs and MCEs, including many commercially-important fish species. This suggest that MCEs may play a role in supporting fish populations. However, regardless of protection status and depth we found that large-body fishes (>500 mm) were nearly absent at all studied sites. MCEs should be incorporated into the existing shallow-reef focused management plan in Cozumel, with well informed and implemented fisheries and harvesting regulations.

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Assessing mesophotic coral ecosystems inside and outside a Caribbean marine protected area

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.180835 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 180835 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Erika Gress ◽

Maria J. Arroyo-Gerez ◽

Georgina Wright ◽

Dominic A. Andradi-Brown

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Fish Species ◽

National Park ◽

Large Body ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Reef Management ◽

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems ◽

Shallow Reef ◽

Black Corals

Widespread shallow coral reef loss has led to calls for more holistic approaches to coral reef management, requiring inclusion of ecosystems interacting with shallow coral reefs in management plans. Yet, almost all current reef management is biased towards shallow reefs, and overlooks that coral reefs extend beyond shallow waters to mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m). We present the first detailed quantitative characterization of MCEs off Cozumel, Mexico, on the northern Mesoamerican Reef in the Mexican Caribbean, and provide insights into their general state. We documented MCE biodiversity, and assessed whether MCEs adjacent to a major town and port, where coastal development has caused shallow reef damage, have similar benthic and fish communities to MCEs within a National Park. Our results show that overall MCE communities are similar regardless of protection, though some taxa-specific differences exist in benthic communities between sites within the MPA and areas outside. Regardless of protection and location, and in contrast to shallow reefs, all observed Cozumel MCEs were continuous reefs with the main structural habitat complexity provided by calcareous macroalgae, sponges, gorgonians and black corals. Hard corals were present on MCEs, although at low abundance. We found that 42.5% of fish species recorded on Cozumel could be found on both shallow reefs and MCEs, including 39.6% of commercially valuable fish species. These results suggest that MCEs could play an important role in supporting fish populations. However, regardless of protection and depth, we found few large-body fishes (greater than 500 mm), which were nearly absent at all studied sites. Cozumel MCEs contain diverse benthic and fish assemblages, including commercially valuable fisheries species and ecosystem engineers, such as black corals. Because of their inherent biodiversity and identified threats, MCEs should be incorporated into shallow-reef-focused Cozumel National Park management plan.

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Movement patterns of four coral reef fish species in a fragmented habitat in New Caledonia: implications for the design of marine protected area networks

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsn165 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 50-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Olivier Chateau ◽

Laurent Wantiez

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Fish Species ◽

Coral Reef Fish ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Marine Reserve ◽

Fragmented Habitat ◽

Marine Park ◽

Reef Fish Species

Abstract Chateau, O., and Wantiez, L. 2009. Movement patterns of four coral reef fish species in a fragmented habitat in New Caledonia: implications for the design of marine protected area networks. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 50–55. Acoustic telemetry was used to examine the patterns of fish movements between a marine reserve and two unprotected reefs separated by large areas of lagoon soft bottoms (900–2000 m) in the South Lagoon Marine Park of New Caledonia. Four commercial fish species (Epinephelus maculatus, Plectropomus leopardus, Chlorurus microrhinos, and Scarus ghobban) were studied for 17 months (45 fish). Nine fish (20%) were detected on reefs other than the reef onto which they were released. Four patterns of inter-reef movement were identified during the survey, including home range relocations, movements larger than the scale of the study, many inter-reef movements within the study area, and punctual excursions outside the daily home range. The information gathered in this study demonstrates the ability of the fish to carry out medium-scale movements in a fragmented habitat. Consequently, the effectiveness of the reserve to protect the entire population is probably limited for these species. Because all the identified patterns implied at least one movement across the reserve boundaries, our results support the hypothesis that the Larégnère Marine Reserve, part of the South Lagoon Marine Park, could benefit the adjacent fished area through spillover.

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Length-weight relationships of 10 fish species from Shengsi Ma'an Archipelago Special Marine Protected Area, East China Sea

Journal of Applied Ichthyology ◽

10.1111/jai.13398 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 1231-1233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. Wang ◽

C.-W. Li ◽

Z.-H. Wang ◽

J. Zhao ◽

S.-Y. Zhang

Keyword(s):

East China Sea ◽

Fish Species ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

East China ◽

China Sea

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Preliminary assessment of surf-zone and estuarine line-fish species of the Dwesa-Cwebe Marine Protected Area, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v54i1.1059 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jan A. Venter ◽

Bruce Q. Mann

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Law Enforcement ◽

Fish Species ◽

Protected Area ◽

Surf Zone ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Fish Populations ◽

Estuarine Fish ◽

Catch Per Unit Effort ◽

Preliminary Assessment

A preliminary assessment of surf-zone and estuarine line fish was carried out in the DwesaCwebe Marine Protected Area (MPA), on the Wild Coast, South Africa. The purpose was to provide baseline data on inshore line-fish stocks in the MPA. A total of 28 species was recorded, of which 53% have a conservation status reflecting some concern and 43% are endemic to southern Africa. This highlights the value of the MPA for protection of important line-fish species. Within the MPA, localised differences were detected in species diversity, size frequency and catch per unit effort between unexploited and illegally exploited areas. These differences were more prominent in slow growing, long-lived species. It thus appears that illegal exploitation is negatively affecting fish populations within the MPA, which counteract and potentially could eliminate the benefits of fish protection typically associated with no-take MPAs. These results highlight the need for improved law enforcement and better communication with neighbouring communities to increase awareness. It is further recommended that the current no-take status of the MPA should be maintained. In addition, baseline fisheries information was collected on certain fish species that could be used to inform future conservation management of the MPA.Conservation implications: The Dwesa-Cwebe Marine Protected Area is unique and important for the conservation of key surf zone and estuarine fish species. However there is a significant risk to the fish populations due to illegal exploitation. Key interventions should include enhanced law enforcement but, more important, the creation of alternative livelihoods and long term sustainable benefits to local communities.

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KONDISI LINGKUNGAN DAN TERUMBU KARANG DI DAERAH PERLINDUNGAN LAUT PULAU PRAMUKA, KEPULAUAN SERIBU

BAWAL Widya Riset Perikanan Tangkap ◽

10.15578/bawal.3.2.2010.115-121 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Andri Warsa ◽

Baiq Ida Purnawati

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Marine Biota ◽

Environmental Condition ◽

Coral Reef Ecosystem ◽

Fishing Activity ◽

Coastal Resource ◽

Line Intercept ◽

Reef Ecosystem

Kawasan Kepulauan Seribu merupakan bagian dari wilayah Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, terletak pada posisi geografis antara 106°25’-106°40’ BT dan 05°24’-05°45’ LS. Daerah perlindungan laut adalah daerah yang ditutup secara permanen di mana semua kegiatan penangkapan ikan dan kegiatan lain dilarang. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui kondisi lingkungan di daerah tersebut pada bulan April dan Juli 2007. Pengamatan kondisi ekosistem terumbu karang dilakukan dengan metode transek garis (line intercept transect) sepanjang 50 m sejajar garis pantai dan pengamatan kondisi oseanografi lima stasiun pengamatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kondisi oseanografi di daerah perlindungan laut Pulau Pramuka layak untuk kehidupan biota laut dengan konsentrasi oksigenterlarut berkisar antara 2,55-4,19 mg/L, salinitas berkisar antara 32-32,5o/oo, kecerahan berkisar antara 2-10 m, dan derajat keasaman (pH) berkisar antara 7,85-7,99. Kondisi kesehatan karang adalah sedang dan baik dengan persentase tutupan karang berkisar antara 30-75%. Seribu Islands region located at 106°25’-106°40’ E and 05°24’-05°45’ S which is a part of Jakarta Province. Marine protected area is a closed site permanently where extractive activity is prohibited, mainly fishing activity and the aim of this program is to conserve coastal resource. The aim of this research was to know environmental condition of Pramuka Island marine protected area at Seribu Islands. The research was done at marine protected area of Pramuka Island in April and July 2007. Monitoring of coral reef ecosystem was done with line intercept transect method along 50 m parallel with shore line and oceanography condition at 5 stations. The result of this research shown that oceanography condition at marine protected area of Pramuka Island was suitable for marine biota life with dissolved oxygen between 2.55-4.19 mg/L, salinity between 32-32.5o/oo, transparency between 2- 10 m, and pH between 7.5-7.99. Coral reef healthy condition is medium and good with percent covered between 30-75%.

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