Enhancing fish Underwater Visual Census to move forward assessment of fish assemblages: An application in three Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas

AbstractMonitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n=4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 30 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50m) and site (~1000m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Interestingly, eDNA results recorded higher species richness outside the MPA while visual surveys observed the opposite pattern. This result is likely caused by swamping effects of high fish abundance in MPAs that reduce detection probabilities of pelagic and intertidal taxa. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

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Tutupan karang dan komposisi ikan karang didalam dan luar kawasan konservasi pesisir timur Pulau Weh, Sabang

DEPIK ◽

10.13170/depik.3.2.1468 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Riany Hastuty ◽

Yonvitner . ◽

Luky Adrianto

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Visual Census ◽

Marine Protect Area ◽

Underwater Visual Census ◽

Protect Area ◽

Reef Fish Species ◽

Composition Point

Abstract. The study was conducted onApril to October 2013 in marine protected areas of Weh Island. The samplings were done at10 siteswhere 6 sitesare situatedinside of conservation areas, while 4 sites are situated outside of conservation areas. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate coral covers andreef fish composition. Point intersept transect(PIT), underwater visual census (UVC) and fish catches were used to examine coral covers, abudance and biomass of reef fish. The results showed that average of coral covers, abudance and biomass of target fishes inside conservation were 54%, 1,662 ind/ha and 408.78 kh/ha, respectively, while than outside conservation was 33.05%, 1,058 ind/ha and 307.77 kg/ha, respectively. Total of reef fish species and the catch were increased from previous years, for example there are 60 species in 2010 and it was increased to 83 species in 2013. In addition the fishermen catches were increased slightly from 3.03 kg/trip in 2008 to 3.6 kg/trip in 2013. It is concluded that the coral condition and reef fish composition in the conservation are much better compared to outside of conservation areas.Keywords : Marine protect area; reef fish; Weh Island Abstrak. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada April sampai Oktober 2013 di Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Pesisir Timur Pulau Weh yang terdiri dari 10 stasiun dimana 6 stasiun berada didalam kawasan konservasi dan 4 stasiun diluar kawasan konservasi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai persentase tutupan karang dan komposisi ikan karang. Sampling menggunakan transek titik dan underwater visual sensus (UVC) dan hasil tangkapan.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rata-rata kondisi tutupan karang, kelimpahan dan biomassa ikan target dikawasan konservasi yaitu 54%, 1.662 ind/ha dan 408,78 kg/ha, secara berurutan, sedangkan diluar kawasan konservasi adalah 33,05%, 1.058 ind/ha dan 307,77 kg/ha biomassa ikan target.Jumlah jenis ikan karang di kawasan konservasi meningkat, yaitu 60 jenis tahun 2010 menjadi 83 jenis pada tahun 2013 dan rata-rata hasil tangkapan tahun 2008 yaitu 3,03 kg/trip dan tahun 2013 yaitu 3,6 kg/trip. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa kondisi karang dan komposisi jenis dan ukuran ikan lebih baik di dalam kawasan konservasi berbanding diluar kawasan.Kata kunci: Kawasan Konservasi; Ikan karang; Pulau Weh

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eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0238557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0238557

Author(s):

Zachary Gold ◽

Joshua Sprague ◽

David J. Kushner ◽

Erick Zerecero Marin ◽

Paul H. Barber

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Fish Species ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Marine Reserve ◽

Marine Ecosystem ◽

Site Occupancy ◽

Visual Methods ◽

Visual Census ◽

Underwater Visual Census ◽

Promising Alternative

Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n = 4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 23 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50 m) and site (~1000 m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

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Ecosystem-Based Management in Fiji: Successes and Challenges after Five Years of Implementation

Journal of Marine Biology ◽

10.1155/2011/940765 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Stacy D. Jupiter ◽

Daniel P. Egli

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Fish Biomass ◽

Fishing Pressure ◽

Visual Census ◽

Underwater Visual Census ◽

Visual Distance ◽

Future Success ◽

Successes And Challenges

In 2005, a network of 3 large, district-wide marine protected areas (MPAs) and 17 village-managed closures (tabu) was established in Kubulau District, Fiji. Underwater visual census (UVC) data of fish biomass and benthic cover were collected between 2007 and 2009 and analysed with PERMANOVA and ANOSIM to assess differences between closed and open areas. High reef fish biomass (>1000 kg/ha) within closures, significantly elevated over open areas, was consistently observed from: (1) tabu areas on naturally productive reefs within visual distance from villages; and (2) the large, long-term permanent closure located away from fishing pressure. Factors that may have contributed to low fish biomass within closures include small size of closures; noncompliance with management rules; and disclosure of management success to fishers from villages with high reliance on fisheries products. Future success of the network depends on improving awareness of management rules and ensuring implementation within a broader ecosystem framework.

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KONDISI IKAN KARANG FAMILI CHAETODONTIDAE DI DAERAH PERLINDUNGAN LAUT DESA BAHOI KECAMATAN LIKUPANG BARAT KABUPATEN MINAHASA UTARA

JURNAL ILMIAH PLATAX ◽

10.35800/jip.2.3.2014.9121 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 92

Author(s):

Jacqline Laikun ◽

Ari B Rondonuwu ◽

Unstain N.W.J. Rembet

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Visual Census ◽

Fish Family ◽

Marine Life ◽

Reef Condition

The coral reefs are a sundry of marine life. Which one is reef fish in family Chaetodontidae. This fish is indicator of the coral reef condition. The aim from the research is : discover of spatial distribution of the reef fish family Chaetodontidae and find out of the intercourse of reef fish family Chaetodontidae with the coral reef presence based on growth of coral form. The research was do in the coral reef at Marine Protected Areas in Bahoi Village District of West Likupang North Minahasa Regency, on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014. The research is using to do the surveying method. The data is collecting distribution of the fish Chaetodontidae (amount from species and individuals to using by technic visual census). The total of reef fish family Chaetodontidae those found in Marina Protected Areas in Bahoi Village is about 20 species, with total of the individuals at a depth of 3 meters and 10 meters is (56,66 and 57,33 individuals/150m2). Keywords : Coral reefs, Chaetodontidae, Bahoi ABSTRAK Terumbu karang merupakan tempat berbagai macam biota laut. Salah satu Ikan karang adalah ikan famili Chaetodontidae. Ikan ini merupakan ikan indikator terumbu karang. Tujuan dari penelitian ini : mengetahui kelimpahan dari ikan karang famili Chaetodontidae. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Daerah Perlindungan Laut Desa Bahoi Kecamatan Likupang Barat Kabupaten Minahasa Utara, pada hari selasa, tanggal 23 Desember 2014. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survey. Data yang dikumpulkan adalah kelimpahan ikan Chaetodontidae (Jumlah spesies dan individu dengan menggunakan teknik sensus visual). Jumlah ikan karang famili Chaetodontidae yang di temukan di Daerah Perlindungan Laut Desa Bahoi berjumlah 20 spesies, dengan jumlah individu pada kedalaman 3 meter dan 10 meter berjumlah (56,66 individu/150m2 dan 57,33/150m2 individu). Kata kunci : Terumbu karang, Chaetodontidae, Bahoi 1Bagian dari skripsi 2Mahasiswa Program Studi Manajemen Sumberdaya Perairan FPIK-UNSRAT 3Staf pengajar Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan Universitas Sam Ratulangi

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Fish assemblages in a coastal bay adjacent to a network of marine protected areas in southern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Oceanography ◽

10.1590/s1679-87592016121306403 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 295-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

André Pereira Cattani ◽

Fábio Gonçalves Daura Jorge ◽

Gisela Costa Ribeiro ◽

Leonardo Liberali Wedekin ◽

Paulo César de Azevedo Simões Lopes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Fish Fauna ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Environmental Data ◽

Fish Assemblage Structure ◽

Principal Coordinates ◽

Coastal Bay

Abstract Baía Norte (North Bay) in Santa Catarina State is considered a typical coastal bay and is surrounded by a network of Marine Protected Areas. The objectives of this study were to describe the composition of the demersal fish assemblage, identify seasonal and spatial structures on a fine scale and evaluate the role of habitat descriptors and abiotic variables affecting the fish assemblage structure. Seasonal samplings were conducted in 2005, using bottom trawls in six pre-established areas in Baía Norte in summer, fall, winter and spring. Simultaneously with each trawl, environmental data were collected with a multiparameter probe. Temporal and spatial differences in fish abundance were tested by a PERMANOVA. To illustratethe differences detected graphically we ran a canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). The influence of environmental variables on the fish fauna was evaluated using a Distant Based Linear Model (DistLM) with Akaike's information criterion (AIC). A total of 9,888 specimens, distributed in 27 families and 62 species, were collected. Citharichthys spilopterus was the most abundant species. PERMANOVA detected differences for abundance between seasons, areas and interaction among all the factors. The DISTLM selected temperature and pH. The results highlight seasonality as an important factor in the structuring of fish fauna of the study place.

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Effectiveness of Brazilian Marine Protected Areas for macro and mesopredators fish species

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26676 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sara B Kennedy ◽

Carlos W Hackradt ◽

João L Feitosa ◽

Fabiana C Félix Hackradt

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Management Tools ◽

Underwater Visual Census ◽

Marine Food Webs ◽

Top Predators ◽

Spatial Management ◽

Mean Size ◽

Fish Group ◽

Marine Food

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important spatial management tools for fish populations by protecting them completely or partially from extractive human uses. As a result an increase of fish density, biomass and size of target species are readily observed within their limits. In this work we aimed to verify the effectiveness of Brazilian MPAs regarding the protection of macro and mesopredators fishes, due to the high fishing pressure exert above them. Four MPAs located within coral reef zones were selected, and were collected using underwater visual census, following a Beyond-BACI design. Inside MPAs were observed higher abundance (F=2,06; p<0,05), biomass (F=1,7; p<0,05) and mean size values (F=1,8; p<0,05) for macrocarnivores fish group only. Although not significant, greater mesopredator abundance was observed outside protected areas, however higher biomass was found inside MPAs. These results suggest that despite the conservation objectives by which MPAs were created for they are effective in providing safe refugee from fisheries for high trophic level species such as serranids. In the absence of top predators mesopredators species increased in numbers, revealing how fisheries can affect the top down regulation of marine food webs.

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