Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Libro de Resumenes
Auspiciado por:
WHALE SHARKS
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
HARTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR GULF OF MEXICO STUDIES AT TEXAS A&M
UNIVERSITY CORPUS CHRISTI
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
RED SNAPPERS
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, CENTER FOR FISHERIES AND
DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE
PROGRAMA
AVA
66
Lunes, 5 de noviembre
Ceremonia de apertura
08:30
Invitados ilustres
08:40
08:50
Nelda Martinez
Dr. Luis Cifuentes,
Dr.Larry D. McKinney
Conferencia magistral
09:00
10:00
Dr.Larry D. McKinney
Leroy Creswell
Receso de caf
* Estudiante
10:45
Patterson III,
William F
11:00
Stunz, Greg
11:15
Puritz, Jonathan
11:30
Truchon,
Stephen
11:45
Chvez, Ernesto
A.
12:00
12:15
12:30-14:00
Powers, Sean
Lindberg, William
Receso de almuerzo
Gill, David *
14:10
Mikuni, Nariaki
14:20
Box, Stephen
14:30
Chollett, Iliana
14:40
Salas, Silvia
14:50
Keithly, Walter
15:00
Bretos, Fernando
15:10
Burrows, Felicity
M.
15:20
Tizol, Rafael
15:30
Baldwin,
Kimberly
15:40
Bonilla, Sara
15:50
Blackman,
Katherine
* Estudiante
ii
4:00pm
Receso de caf
Will Heyman,
Session Chairman
Don de Maria,
Fisher, Florida USA
Mitchell Lay, Fisher,
Antigua and
Barbuda
Angelica Mendez,
Fisher, Guatemala
Andres Maldonado,
Fisher, Puerto Rico
Benny Gallaway,
Scientist, USA
Patrick McConney,
Moderator
Eddie Toomer,
winner; Mitchell
Lay, Committee
Chair
16:20
16:40
16:50
17:00
17:10
17:20
17:45
18:00
Clasura
20:00
20:00
Martes, 5 de noviembre
Sesiones
paralelas
Michaels, Bill
08:15
Babcock, Elizabeth
08:30
Benson, Kristopher
* Estudiante
iii
08:45
Fujita, Rod
09:00
Karnauskas, Mandy
09:15
Cooper, Wade
09:30
Keithly, Walter
09:45
Nowlis, Josh
10:00
Receso de cafe
10:15
Richardson, Laura
10:30
Heyman, William
10:45
Pavlowich, Tyler
Mahon, Robin
11:10
Selliah, Neetha
11:20
Maharaj, Ben
11:30
Sidman, Charles
11:40
Lorenzen, Kai
11:50
Garner, Steven B.
12:00
Lashley, Derrick *
12:10
Wallen, Kenneth
12:20-14:00
Receso de almuerzo
* Estudiante
iv
"Pez len" (Moderadores: James Morri, NOAAs y Lad Akins, REEF) (auspicada por NOAA)
14:00
Tester, Pat
14:10
Wilcox, Christie
14:20
14:30
Diaz, Nicholas
14:40
Chapman, Jennifer
14:50
Bolaos, Nacor
15:00
Ricardo G-Lozano
15:10
McCreedy, Cliff
15:20
Chevalier, Pedro
15:30
Fernndez, Alexis
15:40
Eddy, Corey *
15:50
Dark, Emily *
16:00
Receso de caf
16:20
Caballero, Hansel
16:30
Curtis-Quick,
Jocelyn
16:40
Dahl, Kristen
16:50
Sealy, Shekira
17:00
Fogg, Alexander *
17:10
Lazarre,
Dominique *
17:20
Ali, Fadilah
17:30
Green, Stephanie
17:40
Selwyn, Jason
* Estudiante
19:00-21:00
Caf Socio-econmico
Abril-Howard, Omar
Adams, Chuck
La contribucion del uso de arrecifes artificales para las economias costeras de Florida
Aiken, Karl
Alcolado, Pedro
Resiliencia en crestas arrecifales del este del golfo de Bataban, Cuba, y sus factores
determinantes
Ali, Fadilah
Andrino, Sergio
Annandale, Senifa
Arney, Rachel
Artero, Cline
Baldwin, Kimberly
Ballesteros, Carlos
Bauer, Laurie
Bayuelo, Verena
Beaufort, Ocane
Bertelsen, Rodney
Box, Stephen
Burton, Michael
Chalifour, Julien
Chapman, Jennifer
La invasin del pez len crece sin cesar en la reserva marina Bacalar Chico, Belice
Chong Snchez,
Fabiola *
Acondicionamiento del caracol Strombus pugilis, linnaeus, 1758 con dietas formuladas
en laboratorio
Coelho, Eleine
Coxey, Mariana
Fidelidad espacial de meros juveniles, Epinephelus itajara, en reas manglares implicaciones para su conservacin
De los Angeles,
* Estudiante
vi
Maria
educacin ambiental
Delgado, Gabriel
Dimens, Pavel
El uso de un soporte para llenar el vaco de informacin dada por los peces grandes
Dolan, Tara
Downey, Charles H.
Downey-Wall, Alan
Caracterizacin de la dieta composicin del pez len, Pterois volitans, en Turneffe Atoll,
Belice
Eck, Alicia
Reserva marina de arrecife de glovers (GRMR) traza el camino a seguir para mejorar la
gestion amp en Belice
Eckert, Ryan J.
Embesi, John
Composicion de la comunidad bentonica asociada a una estructura de petroleo, HI-A389-a, ubicado dentro de Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Eristhee, Newton
Eristhee, Newton
Faletti, Meaghan
Figueredo Martn,
Tamara
Figueredo Martn,
Tamara
Forbes, Trisha
Translocacin y repoblamiento del caracol pala, Strombus gigas en el sector centro del
rea marina protegida Seaflower, Colombia
Forde, Romel
Froehlich, Catheline
Garcia, Andres
Una comparacin de fidelidad al sitio y el uso del hbitat del huachinango en dos
arrecifes artificiales en el sur de Texas utilizando telemetra acstica
Gervain, Paul
La utilizacin de los DCP como un instrumento para observar los corrientes marino
Giglio, Vincius
Mero guasa, Epinephelus itajara en los arrecifes naturales y artificiales en Brasil: una
encuesta participativa
Gonzlez, Marian *
Gourdin, Franck
Dieciocho reas protegidas de la regin del gran Caribe listados por las partes bajo el
protocolo SPAW
GranadosDieseldorff, Pablo
Gray, Jana
Gundam, Madhuri
Harms, Chelsea
Hernndez, Oscar
Qu papel juegan las diatomeas en la alimentacin del caracol rosa Strombus gigas?
Hurtado, Julio *
* Estudiante
vii
Acciones implementadas para el control del pez len (Pterois sp.) en el Parque
Nacional Arrecife De Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mxico
Joginipelly, Arjun
Kumar *
Johnston, Michelle
Los peces len (Pterois volitans/miles) del ocano Indo-Pacfico invaden el Santuario
Marino Nacional Flower Garden Banks en el noroeste del Golfo de Mxico
Keithly, Walter
Evaluacin del programa de cuotas de pesca en la pesquera de pargos rojo del Golfo
de Mjico: cambio de perspectiva de los pescadores
Kelly, Michael
Kitchens, Larissa
Knowles, Lindy
Kormanec, Marshall
Labban, Shamanti
Legare, Bryan
Lozano-Beltrn,
Germn
Aspectos poblacionales de las jaibas roja (Callinectes bocourti) y azul (C. sapidus) de
la zona noroccidental de la cinaga grande de Santa Marta, caribe Colombiano
Lundy, Agnessa
Madden, Hannah
Evaluacin del xito de la reproduccin del ave rabijunco etreo en la isla de San
Eeustaquio
Mahon, Robin
Matos, Daniel
McCoy, Croy
McGlaun, Kimberly
McNaught, Michelle
Mellinger, Julie
Merten, Wessley *
Moncada, Felix
Efecto de las vedas en las poblaciones de tortugas marinas en Cuba. caso de estudio:
sur de la Isla de la Juventud
Monnereau, Iris
Moretzsohn, Fabio
Mulcahy, Lisa
Nuttall, Marissa F.
* Estudiante
viii
Golfo de Mxico
Olaya-Nieto, Charles
W.
Ecologa trfica del guabino (pisces: eleotridae) en el mar Caribe Cordobs, Colombia
Composicin isotpica de 15N y 13C del tejido de esponjas como indicador del impacto
de aguas residuales humanas sobre los sistemas arrecifales de la isla de San Andrs,
Caribe Colombiano
Pattengill-Semmens,
Christy
Pelc, Robin
Pena, Maria
Peterson, Mark
Pilnick, Aaron
Pitt, Joanna
Los esfuerzos para desarrollar una trampa especial para el pez len para su uso en el
entorno marino de las Bermudas
Quinn, Norman
Randall, Landes *
Caractersticas del hbitat de peces voladores (familia Exocoetidae) larvas en del norte
Golfo de Mxico
Rangel Medrano,
Jose David
Variacin del ADN mitocondrial del caracol pala strombus gigas en el Archipielago de
San Andrs, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de Biosfera Sea Flower
Renan, Ximena
Renchen, Gabrielle
F.
Traduciendo datos cientficos al saber: educando partes interesadas sobre los impactos
de trampas
Renoux, Romain
Reynolds, Emily
Richardson, Laura
Richardson, Laura
Robertson, Morven
Rojas, Anthony
Rojas, Anthony
Rojas, Anthony
Rose, Kathryn
Rossard,Thibaud
Etologa alimentar del pez len Pterois volitans en Guadeloupe (Antillas menores)
* Estudiante
ix
Rupe, Blake *
Salas, Silvia
Samuels, Coretta
Santos-Valencia,
Josefina
Octupus (Octopus maya) biomass evaluation in the Yucatan peninsula during 2012
Schrer-Umpierre,
Michelle
Schwartzkopf,
Brittany
Sedberry, George
Segura-Guevara,
Fredys F.
Simpson, Nikola
Spear, Natalie
Streich, Matthew
Swenarton,
MaryKate
Trotta, Kristina*
Valls, Henri
Vasquez, Diana
Diseando una rea de pesca artesanal exclusiva - una alternativa viable para los
pueblos de la Moskitia Hondurea
Wang, Huabo *
Wilson, Rich
Wood, Jehroum
Zimmermann,
Danielle
Una comparacin de la estructura trfica entre los arrecifes artificiales del Golfo
noroeste de Mxico
* Estudiante
7:00 - 8:15am
Sesin
paralela
Brul, Thierry
08:40
Ferreira,
Beatrice
08:50
Bertoncini,
thila
09:00
Moulton, David*
09:10
Miller, Skylar *
09:20
Nunez, Enrique
09:30
Hicks, David
09:40
Quattrini,
Andrea
09:50
Donaldson,
Terry
10:00
Receso de caf
Luckhurst, Brian
E.
10:40
Bozec, YvesMarie
10:50
Dromard,
Charlotte
* Estudiante
xi
Ajemian,
Matthew
11:20
Jarrell Wetz,
Jennifer
11:30
Lindberg,
William
11:40
Kingon, Kelly*
11:50
Benson,
Kristopher
12:00
Barans, Charles
Videos ultra cortos, por hora, para establecer residencia a largo plazo de
peces de profundidad (benticos) en un rea de arrecife artificial
12:10
Borges Souza,
Jose Manuel
12:20
Tarnecki, Joseph
12:50-1:30pm
Receso de almuerzo
Excursiones
13:30 - 18:00
*13:00 - 18:00
13:30 - 18:00
13:30 - 18:00
19:30
Castro
Gonzalez,
* Estudiante
xii
Erick Richard
08:30
Clark, Randy
08:45
Harvey,
Olando
09:00
Fulton, Stuart
09:15
Mrquez
Llauger,
Lzaro
09:30
Prada, Martha
09:45
Eck, Alicia
10:00
Receso de caf
Wolfs, Esther
10:45
Kyne, Fabian
11:00
Nash, Harriet
11:15
Torres-Irineo,
Edgar
11:30
Khan, Zaidy
11:45
Brugneaux,
Sophie
12:00
Hurley,
Shannan*
12:10
Davila,
Claudia
12:25-14:00
Receso de almuerzo
Russell, Martin
14:15
Appeldoorn,
Richard
14:30
Heppell, Scott
* Estudiante
xiii
14:45
Canty, Steven
15:00
GranadosDieseldorff,
Pablo
15:15
AguilarPerera,
Alfonso
15:25
Ruffo,
Ashley*#
15:35
Bueno,
Leonardo*
15:45
Ellis, Robert*
16:00
Receso de
caf
Heyman,
William
16:20
16:35
SchrerUmpierre,
Michelle
16:50
Semmens,
Brice
17:05
Taylor, Chris
17:20
Nemeth ,
Richard S.
17:35
Sadovy,
Yvonne
Yvonne
Sadovy and
Martin Russell
17:50
19:30-20:30
Rios,
* Estudiante
xiv
Veronica
08:30
Horsford, Ian
08:45
Shivlani,
Manoj
09:00
Olsen, David
09:15
Alegra,
Andrs
09:30
Truelove,
Nathan*
09:40
Noguez
Nez,
Mariana *
09:50
Santana,
Pablo
Alberto*
10:00
Receso de
caf
Nunez,
Mayra
10:45
Berry,
Charlotte A.
11:00
Hill, Ronald
11:15
Tewfik,
Alexander
11:30
Rogers,
Arlenie
11:45
SantosValencia,
Josefina
12:00
Japaud,
Aurlien
12:10
Melendez,
Laila *
12:20
BravoReyes,
Mara*
12:30-14:00
Receso de almuerzo
* Estudiante
xv
Beltre,
Marcia
14:20
Tuz-Sulub,
Armin
14:30
Guggenheim,
David
14:40
Hill, Ronald
14:50
Glenn, Hilary
15:00
Louon, Laura
BrownPeterson,
Nancy J.
15:30
Matheu,
Helose
15:40
Fssler,
Sascha
16:00
Receso
17:00
17:30
* Estudiante
xvi
RESMENES
RESUMEN
En el Archipilago de San Andrs, Providencia y Santa Catalina (RB Seaflower), la pesca artesanal est
ligada fuertemente por tradicin a la cultura de sus nativos, quienes han ejercido la pesca y agricultura
para su sustento diario. Principalmente se realiza sobre las plataformas adyacentes a las islas, se lleva a
cabo en embarcaciones de madera y/o fibra de vidrio, con tamaos desde los 12 hasta los 28 pies, con
autonoma de 50 millas aproximadamente. El aumento del esfuerzo pesquero sobre los ecosistemas que
soportan esta pesquera, ha generado que el pescador artesanal deba desplazarse a zonas de pesca ms
distantes para garantizar una buena produccin. Debido a esto, los pescadores artesanales han venido
desarrollando faenas de pesca con un tiempo promedio de 8 a 15 horas, con una captura entre 5 a 100 kg,
dejando el producto pesquero en la cubierta, expuesto al sol o en algunos casos cubiertos con una manta.
Este comportamiento se ha venido realizando porque los pescadores han considerado poco importante el
proceso de la cadena de fro, ya que culturalmente nunca se ha desarrollado esta prctica para estos
periodos de tiempo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue disear una cava que garantice la cadena de frio y
promueva las buenas prcticas para estas faenas. El material de fabricacin fue la fibra de vidrio reforzada
con resina polister y espuma de poliuretano. En prueba realizada en campo se puedo determinar que la
perdida de temperatura de la cava en condiciones ambientales normales (20 a 29 grados Celsius), fue de
un grado por hora. La aplicacin de cadena de frio mejorara, las condiciones del producto pesquero.
PALABRAS CLAVES: R.B. Seaflower, cavas, cadena en fro, faena de pesca, producto pesquero
ABSTRACT
Florida reportedly has more permitted artificial reefs that any other state in the US. Artificial reefs have
been deployed in state and federal waters all along the Gulf and South Atlantic Coast of Florida. A long
history of deployment programs has been met with strong support by local communities who derive
significant economic benefit from the use of the reefs by both commercial and recreational user groups.
Some reefs meet local demands, while other artificial reef deployments attract users from around the state
and the nation. Some recent large ship deployments are good examples of artificial reef programs that
have created a reputation for artificial reefs in Florida as premier dive destinations, while other reefs
continue to provide access to local anglers and divers. The users of the reefs create economic activity as
they purchase fuel, supplies, lodging and other items necessary for the utilization of the artificial reefs.
Many non-residents utilize the reefs, who bring in new dollars to the local economies. Key user groups
include both private boaters and the fore-hire sector. The economic contribution of these artificial reef
users can be significant to the local economies where the use occurs, as well as the overall economy of
Florida. This poster provides an overview of the studies that have been conducted with the goal of
quantifying the economic activity and impacts associated with artificial reef use in Florida.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reefs, economic, impact
ABSTRACT
The Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, is a commercially important fish classified by the IUCNs red
list as endangered. The vulnerability of this grouper relates to its reproductive behavior and lifespan.
During winter full moon days, it migrates annually through the coral reefs of the Western Atlantic to
reach various traditional sites to spawn in aggregations of thousands of individuals. Such predictable
behavior -tracked down by local fishers for decades- has the persistence of its aggregations at risk due to
intense fishing pressure to levels of severe decline to extirpation. In Mexico, one of the oldest and
shallowest sites is located off the Mahahual coast, in the Mexican Caribbean. After more than 60 years of
timely arrivals, the grouper aggregation stopped arriving to the traditional site in 1996. Fishery authorities
established a temporary ban for protection in 1997, but the aggregation did not show up during the
following reproductive seasons. During January 2013, this work explored evidences of possible recovery
of the aggregation after more than 15 years of apparent protection. The survey included semi-structured
interviews to veteran fishermen and visual underwater inspections on site. The use of various fishing
gears (hook and line, spear gun, gill nets), uncontrolled fishing effort, and a lack of proper surveillance
and enforcement by authorities, and the influence of a cruise ship pier nearby severely affected the
aggregation persistence on site. This work certifies this aggregation site is no longer used by this grouper.
KEYWORDS: Nassau grouper, Reproduction, Mexico, Conservation, Management
ABSTRACT
A major impediment to understanding the function of offshore benthic marine habitats to fish production
has been the ability of researchers to study assemblages situated in these generally inaccessible
environments. In general, fish associate with complex benthic environments, however these habitats range
in size (m2 100s of km2), and are often located in offshore waters at depths beyond most recreational
and scientific diving limits (30 m) or at depths where bottom time is extremely limited. These
characteristics have limited the ability of fisheries researchers to effectively sample these regions.
Louisiana and Texas artificial reef programs have reefing sites dominated by toppled or cut-off oil and
gas platforms, which are several orders of magnitude larger than artificial reefs in the eastern GOM (e.g.,
pyramids). In this study, we describe a ROV-based visual assessment protocol for estimating reef fish
abundance and diversity over a myriad of artificial reef types along the Texas coastal bend. Given the
deeper habitat and high relief (some 40-50 m from bottom to top) of these structures, we integrated
sampling methodologies previously used for both large and small habitats. We discuss some of the
challenges and constraints associated with using micro ROVs as well as potential future avenues of
research.
KEYWORDS: artificial reef, remotely operated vehicle, reef fishes, Red Snapper
RESILIENCE IN REEF CRESTS OF THE EAST OF THE GULF OF BATABAN, CUBA, AND
PROBABLE DETERMINING FACTORS
RESILIENCIA EN CRESTAS ARRECIFALES DEL ESTE DEL GOLFO DE BATABAN,
CUBA, Y SUS FACTORES DETERMINANTES PROBABLES
RSILIENCE EN CRTS ARRECIFALES DU LEST DU GOLFE DE BATABAN, CUBA, ET
SES FACTEURS DTERMINANTES PROBABLES
PEDRO M. ALCOLADO1, HANSEL CABALLERO2, ARIAGNA LARA1, NSTOR REY-VILLIERS1,
LILIAM ARRIAZA1, GLADYS M. LUGIOYO1, PEDRO ALCOLADO-PRIETO1, SUSEL
CASTELLANOS1, SUSANA PERERA3 and ALAIN RODRGUEZ-GARCA1
1
Instituto de Oceanologa, 1a, No. 18406, Rpto. Flores, Playa, La Habana, Cuba. alcolado@ama.cu
2
Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Avenida 1a esquina a 60, No. # 6002, Playa, Ciudad Habana.
3
Centro Nacional de reas Protegidas, Calle 18, No. 4114, Playa, La Habana, Cuba.
ABSTRACT
The degree of resilience of six reef crest sites was compared at the east of the gulf of Bataban, Cuba.
Three of them were located at the north of the gulf of Cazones (Northern Stretch), while the remaining
ones at west of Cayo Largo (Southern Stretch). Those of the Northern Stretch were Cazones beacon, north
of the crest of Diego Prez key and Diego Prez beacon. The remaining sites were those of the Rico key,
Los Ballenatos reefs, and Hijos de Los Ballenatos reefs. The AGRRA biological indicators were applied.
The Northern Stretch presented the most resilient crests, mainly that of Cazones beacon. Those of the
Southern Stretch did not reveal signs of resilience. Several interrelated factors were apparently more
linked to resilience. Four of them were considered as driving forces: shelter from waves, usual cyclonic
revolving water circulation in the Cazones cove, nutrient input from the great Zapata swamp and deep
water, and the abundance of the herbivore sea urchin Diadema antillarum. Triggered by these driving
forces, the remaining factors apparently were: less effect of waves and sediments; stabilization of live
coral fragments; favorable benthic macro-algae indices; some retention of nutrient and plankton;
increased coral heterotrophic feeding; better conditions for recruit settlement and viability, and for coral
re-sheeting; faster coral growth and recuperation; and better thermal conditions against coral bleaching.
Unexpectedly, in these specific conditions, herbivore and carnivore fish average biomass and density did
not reveal to exert a clear influence in inferred higher resilience at Cazones beacon reef crest.
KEYWORDS: coral reef, resilience, driving factors, Cuba
RESUMEN
Xel-H es un parque marino privado localizado en el Caribe mexicano, que se encuentra protegido de la
extraccin pesquera furtiva, alberga cerca del 20% de la ictiofauna arrecifal de la regin. En el 2009,
fueron colocados 105 refugios arrecifales de piedra, observando un aumento en el la riqueza de especies y
nmero total de organismos, sin embargo se desconoce si la causa de este incremento se debi a los
arrecifes artificiales o a otros factores. En este estudio se evalu el efecto de los arrecifes artificiales sobre
la estructura comunitaria de peces en el parque Xel-H. Se realizaron censos visuales por la tcnica de
transectos fijos con una envergadura de 100x5, distribuidos en 17 transectos a los largo de la caleta. Se
estimaron los descriptores ecolgicos de riqueza, abundancia, y diversidad (H). Se categorizaron las
especies de la comunidad en: Dominantes, Frecuentes, Comunes y Raras de acuerdo a su abundancia y
frecuencia de ocurrencia. De las 63 especies censadas, Haemulon sciurus, H. flavolineatum, Lutjanus
griseus, Acanthurus coeruleus y Abudefduf saxoatilis fueron las mejor representadas con base a su
abundancia y frecuencia de ocurrencia. Los descriptores ecolgicos mostraron variaciones entre
transectos con refugios arrecifales y transectos con sustrato arenoso. Los arrecifes artificiales, suplen la
escasa complejidad coralina que existe en la caleta de Xel-H, propiciando una gran abundancia de peces
en estadio joven principalmente de las familias de Scaridae, Haemulidae, Labridae y Lutjanidae que
utilizan este sitio como rea de crianza, alimentacin y proteccin contra depredadores.
PALABRAS CLAVES: artificial reef, ichtyofaune, xel-ha, management, conservation
ABSTRACT
In Honduras, a usual method for fishing the Caribbean spiny lobster consist of fishers free-diving or with
SCUBA, and using either gaffs or harpoons to spear lobsters upon sight, killing or injuring them before
they can be checked for eggs or assessed as legally sized. While these counterproductive method is
widespread across the Caribbean, the use of artificial reefs known as casitas has proven to be a
sustainable harvesting alternative through out the region, particularly in Mexico. However, whether a
planned project will actually enhance the production of biomass through its use, or simply act as another
fishing device, will depend on the specific set of biophysical conditions present, as well on the efficacy of
chosen management practices. Based on a systematic literature review, we synthesized a series of key
features that have been proven to be or identified as requirements for a successful casita project,
accounting on the biophysical context as well as the corresponding management practices. Surrounding
habitats, depth ranges, benthos composition, and population connectivity constitute basic biophysical
parameters upon which criteria for casitas dimensions and deployment design respond to. Also, a desired
set of management practices should target the respect for minimum size and closed seasons, the protection
of ovigerous females, the definition of clear property rights over the casitas, and a pertinent monitoring
program. We further identified a short list of communities in the Honduran Caribbean with high potential
to enhance this crustaceans productivity in benefit of their local fishermen, and initiated one small-scale
pilot project.
KEYWORDS: Lobster, Panulirus argus, artificial reefs, Honduras
ABSTRACT
The invasive lionfish is a venomous, voracious predator currently causing ecological and economic harm
throughout the Caribbean. Since their confirmation in the Caribbean region over two decades ago, a
variety of management schemes have been established to quell their future spread. Education is a key
aspect which governs the success of any invasive species management program. In the Caribbean, lionfish
education schemes range from simple, local means via posters, brochures and newspapers to television
and radio announcements to more regional and international means via social media and the internet. In
the Caribbean, lionfish education schemes have had varying success rates. The type of media utilised, the
target audience and their literacy levels and reinforcement are instrumental factors which are often
overlooked. Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla and Bonaire represent islands which are all at different stages
of the lionfish invasion and the development of their education schemes. Trinidad and Tobago, newest to
the lionfish invasion, represents an island whereby literacy levels were not taken into account which
affected their further control. Anguilla, an island represents an island where the education scheme
backfired and instilled a fear of lionfish, which meant that lionfish were not being removed and instead
were being set free. Bonaire represents the island with the most established education program in this
study which has built the foundation for its excellent lionfish management scheme. This study highlights
the important role education plays in lionfish management; good education fuels good management,
however when inadequately executed, management is severely hindered.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive species, control, management, education
10
11
RESUMEN
El pez len (Pterois volitans y P. miles) ha estado presente durante los ltimos 20 aos en las aguas del
Atlntico Occidental, sin embargo su presencia en el Caribe guatemalteco fue reportado hasta en el ao
2007, constituyndose una amenaza para el ecosistema de arrecifes, la pesca comercial y de subsistencia
por lo que desde 2012 se han realizado trabajos de investigacin y de mitigacin de los impactos de esta
especie. Las densidades de pez len, reportadas para el Caribe guatemalteco por Andrino (2012) oscilan
entre 0.20 y 0.10 Organismos/m2. Esta informacin sirvi de evidencia del potencial peligro e incentivo a
las organizaciones estales, privadas y acadmicas para promover la investigacin e implementar acciones
para la reduccin de los impactos causados por el pez len. Como estrategia de manejo se ha promovido
la utilizacin de dicho pez capacitando a los pescadores nuevas tcnicas de pesca, manipulacin y
preparacin del pez len. Como parte de las capacitaciones se les ha enseado a realizar buceos de cacera
del pez len a pescadores y personas interesadas en el tema. Estas actividades han ayudado a promover el
buceo en el Caribe guatemalteco y apoyar la economa en las poblaciones pesqueras locales. Uno de los
retos a seguir es promover que los pescadores alcancen darle un uso alimenticio, econmico y ecolgico
ya que ello colaborar directamente a la mitigacin de este pez en los arrecifes del Caribe guatemalteco.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Impactos, reduccion , mitigar, economia, alimenticio
ABSTRACT
Parrotfishes (Scaridae) are important to coral reef ecosystems as bioeroders via production and
distribution of coral sand and as herbivores controlling algal overgrowth. In Hawaii, Scarrids are highly
prized by both commercial and recreational fishermen leading to a decline in their populations and a need
for innovative management techniques. Here we used acoustic telemetry as a new method to monitor
parrotfish movements in a Hawaiian coral reef ecosystem. VEMCO acoustic receivers (VR2W) (n=14)
were deployed in a 1000m2 array at Puak, Hawaii to track fine-scale movements of two common
parrotfish species: Scarus rubroviolaceus (n=8) and Scarus psittacus (n=8). External VEMCO coded
acoustic transmitters (V8-4H) were mounted on each fish and tracked over a four-week period using a
VR2W Positioning System (VPS). Benthic habitats were mapped within the study area (<1-13m) using
scuba-based survey techniques including benthic percent cover and rugosity. Coral (40%) and algae
(25%) were the most dominant substrate types with Porites lobata and turf algae as the most commonly
observed species. Tracking data showed that nine of the sixteen tagged fish remained within the VPS
array after two weeks while the other seven fish transmitters were no longer detected after the first week.
These nine individual fish transmitters were detected between 394 and 10570 times. Multivariate spatial
models were used to determine habitat use patterns and the relative importance of different reef habitats.
This method of acoustically tracking movement of herbivorous fishes will provide managers a more
comprehensive understanding of the relationships between habitat value and use.
KEYWORDS: Parrotfish, Acoustic Telemetry, Puak Hawaii , VR2W Positioning System, SpeciesHabitat Relationship
12
13
ABSTRACT
The red hind, Epinephelus guttatus, is one of the most important commercial reef fish in Puerto Rico. Red
hind form spawning aggregations at predictable sites and times, and this behavior has led to marked
declines in its abundance as a consequence of directed fishing on spawning aggregations. However, this
trend can be reversed by targeting management and assessments toward these aggregations. This is
facilitated if the exact time and location of spawning aggregations are known. In this study we followedup a previous survey of patriarchal fishermen who identified past and present suspected spawning
aggregations sites, with field surveys to confirm their exact location and status. Passive acoustic
monitoring of red hind courtship sounds was made using a boat-based hydrophone and GPS. Plotting of
transect positions with the number and strength of red hind calls allowed the extent of aggregations to be
mapped. This study extended the known area of spawning for one west coast aggregation, confirmed the
presence of another west coast site, tentatively confirmed the predicted absence of aggregations off of
Guanica, and confirmed a new aggregation site (identified by a separate fisherman) off of Mayaguez. The
newly confirmed site off the west coast was subsequently monitored using passive hydroacoustics and
visited by divers. These baseline data will facilitate future surveys to assess spawning stocks with
minimal effort and track their recovery following the establishment of area and seasonal closures.
KEYWORDS: Red hind, Spawning aggregation, Passive acoustics, Mapping, Traditional ecological
knowledge
14
15
ABSTRACT
Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, live in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean from
Florida to the south of Brazil. While their fishing is still allowed in French Guiana, this species is listed as
critically endangered on the IUCN red list and is protected in some countries. It is essential to know the
age structure of the goliath grouper population in French Guiana to be able to suggest appropriate
fisheries management. Groupers are usually aged using their otoliths, which is a lethal method. To avoid
this impact, a non-lethal methodology using dorsal finrays was modified for goliath grouper in French
Guiana. In a tropical environment such as French Guiana the contrast between seasons is not strong and
hence the visualization of the growth zones in the finrays was less than for fish from higher latitudes.
Finrays of French Guiana goliath grouper were therefore cut at various thicknesses to enhance the growth
rings. Although the reading of the finray sections was difficult due to the presence of false annuli or
checks, the annular pattern in the finrays was consistently discernible when finrays were sectioned at
thicknesses between 1.1 and 1.4 mm. Using this method, a total of 200 fish between 38 to 194 cm total
length were aged between 2010 and 2011. Goliath grouper in French Guiana were aged from 1 to 16
years old, with a mean of 4 years old. This highlighted the observation that French Guiana currently
houses mostly a juvenile population of goliath grouper.
KEYWORDS: Goliath grouper, French Guiana, age, finrays
16
17
ABSTRACT
Increasing interest in implementing ecosystem-based management approaches has made stakeholder
involvement vital and has highlighted the need for an effective participatory framework. In this case study
of the transboundary Grenadine Islands, we illustrate how the application of a participatory geographic
information systems (PGIS) approach was successful in developing user-centred, demand-driven
information that could be easily accessed and understood by resource users, whilst also serving the needs
of decision makers. PGIS provided a platform for transparent multi-level and multi-scale communication,
information exchange and problem-solving, allowing for collective agreement on: an appropriate mapping
scale, a locally-relevant habitat classification scheme, resource use profiles and a number of fishingrelated attributes. The high level of stakeholder engagement necessary for successful PGIS not only
provided uniquely useful information, but also created a strong sense of ownership in information
produced, increased inter- and intra-stakeholder understanding, and validated the critical role of
stakeholder participation in research and governance. Furthermore, the GIS framework and its integration
with other freely available easy-to-use information technology applications has provided access to
information for all stakeholders that will allow continued engagement, update and use of information for
multiple purposes in support of an ecosystem-based approach to marine governance.
KEYWORDS: ecosystem-based management, Participatory Geographical Information S, Grenadine
Islands, marine governance
18
19
RESUMEN
La Corporacin para el Desarrollo Sostenible CORALINA en busca de continuar las acciones de
proteccin, conservacin y uso sostenible de los ecosistemas estratgicos y los recursos naturales de la
Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower -RBS-, aun esfuerzos con la Gobernacin del Departamento de San
Andrs, Providencia y Santa Catalina para aumentar el conocimiento y mejorar la gestin frente a la
conservacin y manejo de especies amenazadas y su ecosistema, as como para el mejoramiento del
control de especies invasoras en la RBS. Las acciones a realizar comprenden actividades de estudio y
conservacin de varias especies claves en el Archipilago que incluyen: educacin y sensibilizacin a
travs de jvenes sobre las tortugas marinas; monitoreo de distribucin y abundancia, estudio de aspectos
reproductivos del whelks Cittarium pica; implementacin de un protocolo de monitoreo de peces
arrecifales con nfasis en peces loro (Scarus spp, Sparisoma spp); monitoreo de abundancia de purulos
(postlarvas) de la langosta espinosa Panulirus argus; diseo de estrategias de conservacin y manejo de
tiburones; implementacin un programa de monitoreo de abundancia y generacin de acciones de control
del pez len, as como disear estrategias de estmulo para su consumo. A travs de estas actividades se le
da continuidad a la implementacin de las reas Marinas Protegidas Seaflower y para que se puedan
aprovechar sosteniblemente los recursos naturales y el medio ambiente, a travs de prcticas (culturales,
sociales y econmicas) sensatas con el medio ambiente en la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Archipilago de San Andrs , Providencia, Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower, Areas
Marinas Protegidas, Especies clave
ABSTRACT
Few artificial reefs (ARs) have received intensive, long-term study. In 1999, a small patch (94 m2) AR
was created in an undisclosed location 72 km off the coast of Georgia, United States, in 26 m of water.
Ten-sec videos (77,593) were recorded hourly by up to six diurnally operated cameras viewing ~ 360o.
Through September 2008, 106 taxonomic identifications included 40 benthic resident species, 34 midwater visitors, 12 benthic cryptic species, and 12 supra-benthic nomads. Although the numbers of new
species of each group increased with total number of video observations, the six benthic "resident"
fishes/groups (Haemulon aurolineatum, Rhomboplites aurorubens, Balistes capriscus, Chaetodipterus
faber, Centropristis sp. and Mycteroperca sp.) exhibited unexpectedly low presence (range: 4-50%). A
Generalized Additive Model explained more deviation in residents presence (26.4 2.4%; mean SE)
than a Generalized Linear Model (18.9 2.7%), among 13 covariate terms across species. Year, the
interaction between temperature and salinity and season each explained more variance than water
temperature or salinity, suggesting that yearly and seasonal conditions may have contained multiple
factors not among those measured. Of the six species, only the occurrence of Atlantic Spadefish,
Chaetodipterus faber, showed a significant inter-annual trend (downward) between 2000 (probability =
0.484) and 2008 (0.153) during the spring seasons. Despite their low short-term presence and high
variability, the frequency of observations of resident fishes of the patch reef remained relatively stable
over eight years. This study reinforced the utility of fixed remote video for assessment of long- and shortterm temporal trends.
KEYWORDS: Patch Reef, Fish residency, video monitoring
20
21
ABSTRACT
Located at the southeastern end of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI), the St. Thomas East End
Reserves (STEER) is a marine protected area encompassing 9.6 square kilometers. The marine areas of
the STEER include a diverse array of habitats, including coral reefs, lagoons, seagrass beds, and
mangrove forests, which support numerous fish and shellfish species. In addition, STEER is an important
recreational and commercial resource for the island of St. Thomas. The adjacent watershed is considered
highly impacted and urbanized, with numerous sources of point and non-point pollution, leading to
concerns about potential contamination and its effects on the marine resources. To fill knowledge gaps
and inform management of STEER, several complimentary projects were developed in coordination with
STEERs Core Management Team, including an assessment of biological communities and chemical
contamination within the STEER. In support of this work, field surveys were conducted in June 2012
across coral reef, soft sediment and mangrove habitats to characterize the fish and benthic communities in
the STEER marine ecosystem. Additional field work was conducted to quantify levels of contamination
in sediments and coral tissues. Higher levels of both fish biomass/density and chemical contaminants
were found in Mangrove Lagoon.. The study provides the first spatially comprehensive characterization
of fish and associated benthic habitats in the STEER and will serve as a baseline from which to monitor
changes over time.
KEYWORDS: MPA, St. Thomas, coral reef, mangrove, pollution
RESUMEN
En desarrollo del proyecto Validacin de las nasas tipo hondurea para la captura de langosta espinosa,
Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804), en la zona costera del Departamento del Atlntico, ejecutado por la
Universidad Simn Bolvar de Barranquilla, se colectaron 1353 ejemplares procedentes de faenas de
investigacin con el objeto de determinar la evolucin histolgica de sus ovarios. A cada ejemplar se le
tom informacin biomtrica, peso de las gnadas y estado de desarrollo gonadal. Las muestras fueron
fijadas en formol al 5% y se realizaron cortes histolgicos. El estudio permiti establecer que la langosta
espinosa presenta crecimiento y desarrollo de ovocitos dentro de sacos foliculares en los cuales se llevan a
cabo las etapas de desarrollo ovocitario: previtelognesis y vitelognesis. Los ovocitos vitelognicos se
sitan en la periferia de los sacos foliculares, en tanto que los previtelognicos se localizan en el centro.
Se identificaron clulas en diferentes estados de desarrollo: ovogonias, ovocitos cromatina nuclolo,
ovocitos perinucleolares, alveolos corticales, en inicio de vitelognesis, vitelognicos y ovocitos maduros.
Estas observaciones indican que la langosta espinosa presenta un desarrollo gonadal de tipo asincrnico
en ms de dos grupos, dado que se observ un lote de ovocitos prximo a la puesta y varios lotes ms en
diferentes estado de desarrollo, incluyendo el lote de ovocitos de reserva, caracterstico de las especies de
zonas tropicales que se reproducen durante todo el ao.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Langosta espinosa, Panulirus argus, Desarrollo histolgico, Caribe colombiano
22
23
24
25
ABSTRACT
The Gulf and Caribbean basins are surrounded by 41 territories comprising 28 independent nations.
Variability in fishery management regimes across those jurisdictions suggests that recommended
strategies for improving data-poor stock assessments will meet with mixed success. Recommended
strategies are generally predicated on limited entry and rights-based management providing incentives for
fisher engagement in collaborative research (CFMC/Fisheries Forum, 2011). Such conditions do not exist
uniformly across the region. This analysis comparatively evaluates the following strategies given various
jurisdictional contexts within which they could be applied: maximizing the utility of existing information
for background on fisheries; evaluating current management actions; collecting, augmenting, and
leveraging ongoing fisheries dependent and fisheries independent sampling (e.g., size- and length-based
studies, accounting for 100% of mortality, collection of biological samples from as high a percentage of
the catch as possible, improvements to fisher reporting forms, and incorporation of fisher sampling into
fishery independent data sets); localized development and application of management tools to determine
appropriate harvest control and sustainability targets (e.g., iterative annual catch limits that develop from
precautionary levels to science-based levels as better or more data is collected over time, the spawning
potential ratio approach, decision trees to determine sustainable yields, surplus production models, and
Ecological Risk Assessments for the Effects of Fishing). Finally, new technologies have been
recommended to enhance stock assessments in the context of the relatively data-rich Gulf region, and the
potential of these technologies to allow assessments of data-poor stocks across the Caribbean to
leapfrog to data-rich conditions is also examined.
KEYWORDS: Data-poor, stock assessment, Caribbean, fishery management, Gulf of Mexico
26
27
ABSTRACT
The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large gastropod found throughout the Caribbean including Florida.
Overfishing and habitat loss have led to a Caribbean-wide decline resulting in regional protections. On
Floridas east coast aggregations of conch were previously reported just south of a major shipping port
near Ft. Lauderdale, an unusually high latitude for the species. This study was designed to investigate the
spatial extent and population demographics of the aggregation. In summer 2012, broad scale population
surveys were conducted to document benthic cover and conch distribution and size data along 72 random
transects stratified across four habitats within 2 km north and south of the inlet. Younger conch were
found throughout the study area, but mostly in the colonized pavement west (CPW) while old conch were
exclusively at one CPW site south of the inlet. Significantly more conch were found on the CPW south
habitat than any other. Benthic cover data analyses suggests that CPW south may have a unique
community composition dominated by macroalgae and sand. In summer 2013, the CPW south habitat was
surveyed using cross-shelf transects measuring conch extent and demographics. Five hundred and twenty
five conch were found resulting in a density of 495 per hectare. Confirmed mating sightings, females with
eggs, and solitary egg masses were found indicating mating in this nearshore habitat is successful. Future
research should include expanded broader-scale surveys to determine if other aggregations exist and
monitoring to examine the effects of environmental change on this vulnerable species.
KEYWORDS: conch, queen, demographics, Florida, habitat
28
29
ABSTRACT
Photo-identification (photo-iD) is a widely utilized approach on a variety of marine species including
marine mammals, sea turtles and cartilaginous fish, providing a single non-invasive mark-recapture
technique, which is critical for threatened species such as the goliath grouper (GG), Epinephelus itajara.
Photographic records came from the Participative Survey Program of Projeto Meros do Brasil and from
photo/video companies. Recognition of individual animals, used natural marks, mainly spots over the
head of the GG. The free computer-aided photo-identification I3S was used, although some manual
inspection of the photo database was needed. The offshore archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (National
Marine Park), located 186nm off northeastern Brazil (0350 S, 3225 W), provided the most important
data that allowed long time analyses, betweenApril 2004 and May 2013, where six different GG were
registered in 84 different days. Results showed that GG were observed at 11 different dive sites. From
April 2004 to November 2006, four different GG were in the area, disappearing in the following years,
where the fifth specimen was observed from December 2007 to January 2012, being then replaced by the
sixth specimen in October 2012, registered for the last time in May 2013. Caverna da Sapata and Ilha do
Meio where the most visited places by the fifth specimen along 49 months, which also migrated distances
of 11km within at least 4 days, between these sites. The Project intends to start a telemetry tagging study
to refine the information on a well-known spawning area in south Brazil.
KEYWORDS: fish behavior, endangered species, mark-recapture, grouper, South Atlantic
WORKING TOWARDS A CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES WITH THE CONSET BAY
FISHING COMMUNITY IN BARBADOS
TRABAJANDO EN PRO DE UN CDIGO PARA LA PESCA RESPONSIBLE CON LA
COMUNIDAD PESQUERA DE CONSET BAY EN BARBADOS
VERS UN CODE POUR LA PCHERIE DURABLE AVEC LA COMMUNAUT DE PCHE DE
CONSET BAY LA BARBADE
KATHERINE BLACKMAN1, NEETHA SELLIAH1, TRAVIS SINCKLER2, PATRICK MCCONNEY1,
DONNA KING-BRATHWAITE2, and SHELLY-ANN COX1
1
Centre for Resource Management and Environmental The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
Campus St. Michael , BB11000 Barbados katherine.blackman@cavehill.uwi.edu
2
Policy Research, Planning and Information Unit,Ministry of Environment and Drainage, 1st Floor S.P.
Musson Building Hinks Street Bridgetown BB11144 Barbados
ABSTRACT
Sustainable fisheries are fundamental to livelihoods in the coastal fishing community of Conset Bay.
Fishing is part of the cultural maritime heritage of the area. Acknowledging the importance of fisheries,
and the need for a collaborative approach in which fisheries stakeholders and the wider community play
active roles in sustainable fisheries management, a code for promoting sustainable fisheries at Conset Bay
was formulated. The local sustainable fisheries code was a component of the project Up-scaling
Sustainable Resource Management in Coastal Watershed Communities of Barbados National Park and
System of Open Spaces. It was collaborative effort by the Government of Barbados, United Nations
Environment Programme and The University of the West Indies. The development of the Code was
participatory. The contents of the Code were developed through collectively reviewing the FAO Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and documents related to small-scale fisheries. A video was
produced in which fisherfolk inform the wider community of the importance of adhering to the CCRF.
Semi-structured interviews were done and discussions were held with the Conset Bay advocacy group, a
core group of interested fisherfolk, to decide upon the key principles of the Code. At the end of the
participatory process, nine principles emerged which were fully supported by fisheries stakeholders. A
poster was created and plans have been made for promoting uptake by the wider community. This
experience of learning-by-doing to build capacity and stewardship in a fishing community contains
lessons for future participatory processes and approaches to scaling up the Code.
KEYWORDS: Conset Bay, fisheries code, fisherfolk, sustainable, Barbados
30
31
RESUMEN
Desde la aparicin del pez len en Amrica y su rpida dispersin por el Caribe, varios pases han
realizado esfuerzos por controlar esta especie invasora. En Colombia se observ por primera vez en
diciembre de 2008 y desde ese momento varias autoridades ambientales, e instituciones de control e
investigacin lideradas por el Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible MADS, CORALINA,
INVEMAR, Parques Nacionales y la secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca del Departamento Archipilago,
con portes de las Universidades, iniciaron acciones de educacin, investigacin, control y manejo. Los
aportes internacionales recibidos en el marco del primer Taller de Estrategia Regional para la atencin
del Pez len llevado a cabo en Cancn, Mxico en 2010 con representantes de 20 pases y por el taller de
formacin de formadores, en captura, manejo y disposicin de pez len llevado a cabo en Bahamas 2012
con representantes de 9 pases, brindaron informacin valiosa para la formulacin de un plan nacional
denominado PLAN PARA EL MANEJO Y CONTROL DEL PEZ LEN Pterois volitans EN EL
CARIBE COLOMBIANO y posteriormente en la formulacin del PROTOCOLO PARA LA
CAPTURA, EXTRACCIN Y DISPOSICIN FINAL DEL PEZ LEN, EN COLOMBIA que incluye
el tema del consumo como estrategia de control, algo que en el Colombia tiene el apoyo del Gobierno
Nacional y requiri soportes tcnicos y legales para su adopcin, la cual se llev a cabo mediante la
Resolucin No. 0675 de 20 de junio de 2013 del MADS. Hoy se continua trabajando con las autoridades
ambientales de todo el pas en el control de esta especie y en la capacitacin sobre los protocolos de
monitoreo que se vienen promoviendo en todo el Caribe
PALABRAS CLAVES: Pez leon, invasion, control, manejo, consumo
32
33
ABSTRACT
Artificial reefs are structures deposited on the seabed in order to create new habitat for flora and fauna,
the composition and structure of the fish community is positively influenced by the complexity of
artificial habitat. Structural complexity was determined seven artificial reefs and estimated biomass of
fish communities that inhabit them. Structures was observed that more structurally complex surface
showed better development of benthic flora and fauna (The Barcaza and The Huichol), the results indicate
that the structures capable of supporting a high biomass and are essentially different the Barcaza and the
Huichol. Biomass was estimate by the 23 most abundant species of fish in the 7 studied artificial reefs.
Site having the maximum value of biomass is the barge (285 g/m2). Santana I and biomass present the
Huichol intermediate (183 and 163 g/m2, respectively), the barge Santana III and V, II and III, exhibit
lower biomass (Figure 62). The species Lutjanus griseus, Megalops atlanticus, Selene vomer, Lutjanus
jocu and Chaetodipterus faber, is contributing 80% of total biomass. The fishery important species are
composed of the families Carangidae, Ephippidae and Haemulidae are the most important and abundant
in most of the reefs studied, the rest of the families are represented by 10 species in which stand out for
their market value appreciated Lutjanidae andCarangidae.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, Fish community, Biomass, Habitat Structure, Mexico
ABSTRACT
In 2010, the National Marine Park of the Bay Islands was created with an area of 16,000 hectares. This
park has extensive live corals coverage: a natural breeding area for a great variety of marine organisms. It
is an evidence for local fishermen, that there is a need in this park to create, define and delimit areas
which are essential for the protection and the conservation of fisheries resources. Artisanal fishermen of
Guanaja and Punta Gorda face different challenges in their livelihood, consequently they have expressed
interest in learning about the functioning of the Cuban Casitas (lobster shadows), which are artificial
shelters that enable sustainable fishing of spiny lobster and the improvement of their economy. According
to research already conducted in the region of the Mesoamerican Reef, this artificial shelter initiative
should consider three factors -biological, ecological and social- before its application. This knowledge
will ensure the success or failure of the project. The fishermen of Punta Gorda and Guanaja communities
consider that the first step is to be legally registered into an association of Artisanal Fishermen, in order to
participate in the management and get better benefits of productive projects. Another important factor that
fishermen consider essential is the declaration of a pilot area as an exclusive fishing area, managed by
members of Fishermen's Associations. Besides, they recognize the importance of establishing criteria to
make an equitable distribution of benefits within the association, developing regulations and marketing
the product under the guidance of responsible seafood consumption.
KEYWORDS: Management, Fishermen, Associations, economy, resources
34
35
ABSTRACT
Ensuring the sustainable use of wild caught fisheries is a global priority in the 21st century. Effective
marine management however comes with an associated cost that many developing nations cannot afford
directly. Development banks and non-governmental organizations have frequently picked up the bill for
helping to improve fisheries management. These interventions are often framed in the context of
biodiversity conservation, such as protecting corals reefs in areas where fishing is a principal threat. This
approach however is vulnerable to cycles in conservation vogue and ultimately limited by the availability
of philanthropic funding. Here we use the Spiny Lobster fishery in Honduras as an example of how some
newly developed management tools, including real time analysis of vessel monitoring systems and the
implementation of traceability schemes, can have economic, social and ecological benefits for the fishery.
We then frame this in the context of an economic model that recasts the improvement of a struggling
fishery as a potential investment opportunity. Parameterized with historic catch data and fishing costs
collated from the existing fishery and using projections for changes in catches and costs, including those
of implementing the management toolbox, we show that restructuring the fishery and improving
compliance provides not only better returns for the members of the fishery, but also returns to external
investors who pay for the reform. This model can demonstrate to stakeholders the potential benefits of
change whilst at the same time showing impact investors that there is a viable investment opportunity to
improve struggling fisheries.
KEYWORDS: Panulirus argus, Spiny Lobster, Triple Bottom Line, Central America
36
37
RESUMEN
Pese a la implementacin de acciones para desarrollar en la Pennsula de Yucatn una pesquera de
pepino de mar sustentable, a poco ms de diez aos de haber surgido el inters por la extraccin y
comercializacin de este recurso, la preocupacin por el agotamiento de las poblaciones y los conflictos
sociales surgidos en torno a su pesca han ido en aumento. Este estudio registra a travs de entrevistas
semi-estructuradas y cuestionarios, las perspectivas y actitudes de pescadores regularizados sobre las
estrategias de manejo establecidas en los primeros aos de pesca. Se observa una inconformidad respecto
a la forma en que la autoridad ha aplicado las regulaciones y acciones de ordenamiento. En general se
percibe que las regulaciones y sanciones por su incumplimiento se aplican solo a pescadores con permiso
de pesca, limitado sus ganancias y favoreciendo a quienes pescan de manera ilegal. Esto y la percepcin
de que la autoridad no sanciona a quienes pescan de manera ilegal, ha causado que tanto pescadores
ilegales como regularizados desarrollen en la prctica una pesca que asemeja ms una pesca de acceso
abierto que una pesca de fomento. Se concluye que para que se pueda lograr una pesca comercial
sustentable es necesario mejorar el entendimiento entre las autoridades involucradas y pescadores, as
como incentivar adecuadamente las prcticas de pesca sostenible. Nota: se desea someter este trabajo al
concurso de GCFI Premio para Estudiante ms Destacados por Logro Acadmico
PALABRAS CLAVES: pepino de mar, Pesquera, perspectivas , manejo, Yucatn
38
39
ABSTRACT
Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares, support commercial and recreational fisheries in the northern Gulf of
Mexico (GOM). Recreational anglers and commercial longline fishers target Yellowfin Tuna year-round,
but primarily during summer months (May September). Despite the abundance of the species in the
region, little is known regarding their reproductive biology in the northern GOM. Samples of opportunity
were collected from 2000 2011, predominately at summer fishing tournaments, while monthly sampling
began in summer 2012. Preliminary analysis of data from 100 females and 89 males suggests gonadal
recrudescence begins in some females as early as February, while active spermatogenesis occurred in all
males captured in February (n=12). Actively spawning females (containing hydrated oocytes or those
undergoing oocyte maturation) were found from May through September, although some females were no
longer spawning capable in August and September. All males captured were actively spawning
(spermatozoa in ducts) from May September. Spawning frequency of females during the May
September spawning season is estimated to be every 1.45 days. However, no actively spawning females
were found with 24 h postovulatory follicles, suggesting most Yellowfin Tuna do not spawn on a daily
basis.
KEYWORDS: Yellowfin Tuna, reproductive biology, Scombridae, Gulf of Mexico, spawning
40
41
RESUMEN
En el sureste del Golfo de Mxico, 21 especies de mero constituyen uno de los principales recursos
pesqueros de la plataforma continental de la Pennsula de Yucatn (Banco de Campeche). Debido a la
explotacin excesiva de estas especies ocurrida durante las ltimas dcadas, fue necesario imponer a la
pesquera de mero de esta regin una veda estacional permanente (15 de febrero-15 de marzo) a partir de
2007 y una talla mnima de captura (36.3 cm de longitud total) a partir de 2010. Sin embargo estas
medidas de manejo pesquero fueron establecidas nicamente con base a la biologa reproductiva de la
especie ms abundante en las capturas (Epinephelus morio), sin considerar el aspecto multiespecfico del
recurso. En el presente estudio se analiza la estrategia reproductiva (sexualidad, ciclo reproductivo, tallas
de primera madurez y de inversin sexual y comportamiento reproductivo) de las seis principales especies
de mero (Epinephelus guttatus, E. morio, Mycteroperca bonaci, M. microlepis, M. tigris y M. venenosa)
explotadas en el Banco de Campeche. Los resultados obtenidos ponen en evidencia similitudes, pero
tambin diferencias en la ecologa y la biologa reproductiva de estos meros. En particular, las variaciones
observadas se relacionan con: la poca y zona de desove, talla de primera madurez y conducta
reproductiva de las especies, las cuales deberan ser consideradas para adecuar la legislacin pesquera
vigente, con el fin de fomentar una pesca responsable del recurso mero del Banco de Campeche.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Biologa reproductiva, Regulacin pesquera, Epinephelidae, Banco de Campeche
42
43
ABSTRACT
The Bahamas has a productive spiny lobster (Panularis argus) fishery and is ranked the 5th largest
exporter of lobster tails globally. Though thefishery seems stable, sustainability concerns have been
ascertained, such as illegal harvesting of undersize lobsters and during the closed seasons. To improve
management and sustainability of the lobster fishery, The Bahamas Department of Marine Resources, The
Bahamas Marine Exporters Association, The Nature Conservancy, and conservation partners are working
with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to implement a fishery improvement project (FIP) for the Bahamian
lobster fishery. The FIP aims to work with stakeholders to advance the fishery toward meeting the
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard for sustainable fisheries while retaining a healthy
ecosystem. AnMSC pre-assessment was initially done that compared the current fishery status against the
MSC standard for sustainable fisheries and identified gaps where improvement is needed. FIP activities
include collecting fisheries dependent data; conducting outreach efforts; improving monitoring,
enforcement and management strategies and; performing a stock assessment. Currently, the Bahamas has
implemented a catch certificate program; a zero tolerance policy within the BMEA against the harvesting
and buying of illegal size lobsters; conducted both an Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated and lobster
stock assessments and; established a Government approved Spiny Lobster Working Group that will
advise the Government of effective strategies that can influence policy making and improved
management and governance. Results of the FIP will include improved documentation and management
of lobster stocks, sustained lobster populations and, good stewardship of the marine environment.
KEYWORDS: Management, fishery, FIP
44
45
ABSTRACT
In August 2007, the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) was first sighted in Cuba, and in
less than two years was able to establish itself around the island. The invasive lionfish population in Cuba
was studied since its initial sightings, particularly their feeding ecology, which is the subject of this paper.
We present the results of 2117 stomach content analyses of lionfish captured in 5 different areas (48 sites
total) between the years 2009 and 2013. The captures were accomplished mostly in coral reef habitats,
with a minority in seagrass habitat. The stomach content of different size classes of fishes was identified
and quantified. Four analysis methods were used: frequency of occurrence, percent by volume, percent by
number and Index of Relative Importance (IRI). The results show the relation between sample sizes and
entities found. The 19,4% of the stomachs analyzed were empty. The specie did not show a preference
with respect to the feeding time, due to the high level of identifiable entities in the stomachs. We found
differences in stomach content among the different zones. The diet comprised, in order of preferred prey,
by: fish, crustaceans and mollusks. The most important fish families comprising the lionfish diet were
Pomacentridae, Labridae, Gobidae, Mullidae y Achanturidae. The most important crustaceans groups in
the lionfish diet were penneid shrimps and the order Mysidacea. Our results confirm that lionfish is a
generalist species.
KEYWORDS: lionfish, Cuba, invasive species
46
PRELIMINARY RESULTS: SCREENING OF CIGUATERA TOXINS FOUND IN INDOPACIFIC LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) IN ST. CROIX, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
RESULTADOS PRELIMINARES DE LA DETECCIN DE CIGUATOXINAS EN EL PEZ
LEN DEL INDOPACFICO (PTEROIS VOLITANS) QUE HABITA ST. CROIX (ISLAS
VRGENES ESTADOUNIDENSES).
RSULTATS PRLIMINAIRES : EXAMEN DES TOXINES CIGUATERIQUES TROUVES
DANS DES POISSON-LIONS DE L'INDO-PACIFIQUE (PTEROIS VOLITANTS) SAINTECROIX, ILES VIERGES AMRICAINES
BERNARD CASTILLO1, KYNOCH REALE-MUNROE1, ALISON ROBERTSON2, and JOHN
RUBATTINO3
1University of the Virgin Islands RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, VI 00850 US bcastil@live.uvi.edu
2
Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory Dauphin Island AL 36528 US
3
CORE Foundation Charlotte Amalie VI 00802 VI
47
ABSTRACT
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a food borne illness caused by the consumption of fish that contain
ciguatera toxins (CTXs). Typically, ciguatera fish poisoning symptoms include gastrointestinal and
neurological effects. Ciguatera toxins are secondary metabolites that are produced by marine
dinoflagellates, more specifically, of the genus Gambierdiscus. Local government agencies and
environmental groups have encouraged the consumption of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois
volitans) whose white flesh tastes similar to a snapper or grouper. Our preliminary results showed that
40% (N=20) of the lionfish tested from the west end of St. Croix indicated the presence of CTX in their
tissue. Results also showed that 15% of the tissue samples had levels above the 0.1 ppb FDA guidance for
consumption.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish, St. Croix, USVI, Ciguatera, Virgin Islands
48
49
ABSTRACT
The National Natural Reserve of Saint-Martin represents about 3 054 hectars of natural marin, terrestrial
and lake areas protected since september the 3rd of 1998. The managment of the areas was entrusted to
the Association de Gestion de la Rserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin, according to a Managment
Plan setting and prioritizing managing goals for 5 years. These managing goals are to promote the
improvment of knowledges on protected areas, to control the anthropological impacts, to extend the
managment to new areas, to restore degraded backgrounds and populations, to promote environmental
ducation, to optimize the use of ressources and to develop rgional coopration.. The Conservatoire de
lEspace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres owner of these protected areas has also entrusted the
managment of 14 ponds on the french part of the Island. Conservancy and management developed by
both entities in rcent years has been recently recognized and rewarded by a double labelling from
RAMSAR (2011) and SPAW (2012) protocols. These dual certification is rewarding the work performed
the last 15 years and opens new opportunities to the manager, as well as for the MPA.
KEYWORDS: MPA, Saint-Martin, management, SPAW, RAMSAR
50
51
ABSTRACT
Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) pose one of the greatest threats to the health of reefs and their
associated fisheries throughout the Tropical Atlantic and Caribbean. Although complete eradication of
this invasive species is no longer thought possible, stabilising or halting population growth and further
spread through targeted removal efforts is considered to be a viable management strategy. With no natural
predators, high fecundity and early maturity, removal efforts need to target all life stages of lionfish, and
at regular intervals. Developing a market for lionfish meat provides consistent removal effort, however,
effort is typically biased towards larger individuals. With enormous interest from the dive industry in
contributing to population control efforts, lionfish tournaments have risen in popularity. In Placencia,
Belize, a lionfish tournament has been held annually since 2011. However the impact of these events on
lionfish population density and structure remains unknown, and therefore the benefit of these tournaments
to lionfish management in Belize is yet to be determined. In 2013, lionfish population density assessments
were conducted at two dive sites before, directly after and one month following the tournament. The
results of this study examine the primary hypothesis that lionfish population density would be
significantly reduced by the tournament, but the population would be fully recovered within one month.
The study also discusses how the size distribution of the lionfish population is affected by the tournament
and presents recommendations for tournament management and further research.
KEYWORDS: lionfish, management, tournament, Belize
52
53
RESUMEN
Las pesqueras se encuentran explotadas intensamente a nivel mundial y casi la mitad de los recursos
estn sobre explotados. Mas de mil millones de personas dependen las pesqueras de los arrecifes
coralinos, cuyos beneficios netos en bienes y servicios, entre los que se incluyen las pesqueras, ascienden
a US$30 mil millones. Las capturas del Golfo de Mxico y el Caribe, registran un poco mas de 60
especies, pero el nmero real de especies seguramente es mayor que 100. Infortunadamente la gran
mayora de las especies explotadas no ha sido evaluada an. El nivel de rendimiento mximo sostenible
de la regin se estima en 2.65 millones de toneladas, con una biomasa de 5.3 millones; infortunadamente,
los rendimientos actuales y la biomasa sugieren una reduccin del 30%. La tercera parte de estas cifras
corresponde al Golfo de Mxico. Los principales indicadores de sobreexplotacin son, una reduccin en
el tamao promedio de los peces capturados y una reduccin gradual en la captura por unidad de esfuerzo,
asociadas a alta presin de pesca. Aparte de la intensidad de la pesca, el impacto del clima y la
contaminacin sobre los arrecifes coralinos, contribuyen al agotamiento de los recursos pesqueros de los
arrecifes. Adicionalmente, las prcticas de pesca destructivas y otras actividades como el turismo,
contribuyen a reducir la productividad del ecosistema de arrecife coralino. Por lo tanto, la perspectiva de
las pesqueras de los arrecifes coralinos estar condicionada por las tendencias y actitudes polticas,
sociales y econmicas.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesqueras, Rendimiento pesquero, Sobrepesca, Diversidad de las capturas,
Evaluacion
54
55
ABSTRACT
The mapping of costs is central to marine spatial planning, which is based on identifying trade-offs
between the achievement of conservation targets (e.g. protect certain amount of the available reef) while
minimising the costs to the users that dependend on the ecosystem (e.g. avoiding setting a no-take area in
the best fishing sites). Mapping costs is an easy task on land, where each property has a dollar value and
an associated land acquisition cost. In the sea, opportunity costs are commonly used, and areas where
more fishing effort occurs have a larger cost and should be avoided when setting a reserve. Spatial fishing
effort is largely available for industrial fisheries from logs or satellite tracks, but spatially explicit
information is generally not available for artisanal and small scale fisheries. Here we propose a method to
quantify the cost of an artisanal fishery based on biological (location of fishing grounds based on satellite
imagery), physical (wave exposure that restricts the access to rough locations) and economic (fuel
consumption from home port) constraints. Lower costs are associated to habitats not targeted by the
fishery, areas where the sea is generally rough, and regions far away from port and therefore expensive to
get to in terms of fuel. We demonstrate the method in the Honduran Miskito Cays, where a marine
protected area will be established and new artisanal fisheries are to be developed. By mapping the costs of
the fishery we minimize the socioeconomic impacts of conservation activities and avoid expensive
conservation mistakes.
KEYWORDS: artisanal fisheries, wave exposure, fuel prices, habitat mapping, marine spatial planning
56
57
ABSTRACT
The 2012 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan called for a baseline
ecological assessment to characterize fish and benthic communities in order design and implement a
research area to investigate the impact of fishing and diving within the Sanctuary. We implemented a
three-year study of fish and benthic invertebrate communities on the East and West Flower Garden Banks
using three complementary techniques: 1) scuba and technical diving to characterize benthic and fish
communities on the coral reef at depths between 18-46m; 2) remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to survey
depths greater than 46 m (an area that represents 98% of the sanctuary); and 3) fishery acoustics (sonar) to
survey fish biomass in the water column across all habitat types and depth strata. This comprehensive
study revealed a coral reef community that is one of the least impacted coral reef ecosystems in the US
western Atlantic region. Diver surveys found significantly greater biomass of apex predators in highrelief, upper-mesophotic reefs >31m deep. The ROV surveys documented high abundance of snapper and
grouper species associated with structured habitats and provided density estimates of deep coral species in
the region. Fishery acoustic surveys identified consistent biomass hotspots within regions of the shallow
and upper mesophotic coral reef and over deep coral reefs. The study coincided with the arrival and
establishment of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish. Simulation studies using these baseline data and
further research on fishing effort are recommended to determine the most appropriate implementation of a
research area within the sanctuary.
KEYWORDS: Reef fish, benthic habitat, ROV, fish acoustics, reserve design
58
ABSTRACT
Catch-Survey Analysis is a stage-based stock assessment method often used when age structure or catchat-length information are limited or unavailable. The method partitions the data into pre- and post-recruit
time series. Abundance and fishing mortality are estimated from observed time series fit. Miller et al.
2011 extended the method in including a stock recruitment (S/R) function for estimating management
reference points directly from the model. We further modified the method to include stage specific natural
mortality (M) and an option to force the S/R relationship and/or M using an environmental time series.
Results include 1) management reference points MSY, SPR, FMSY, UMSY for western and eastern Gulf of
Mexico blue crab stocks, and 2) a test for improved model fits when incorporating environmental forcing.
Neither stock was found to be overfished or undergoing overfishing and better model fits were
achieved using precipitation to force (reduce) M in the eastern stock.
KEYWORDS: blue crab, stock assessment
60
ABSTRACT
The Caribbean spiny lobster fishery is the most valuable in the Caribbean. There are concerns that
invasive lionfish could affect the profitability of the industry, but ecological interactions between the two
species are not well understood. Previous work found an inverse relationship between the number of
lionfish and number of lobster in lobster traps (condos) but they could not assess whether this was caused
by lionfish displacing lobsters or vice-versa. We examined the behaviors of lionfish and lobster
competing for an artificial shelter. In experimental trials, lobsters were introduced to the arena 48 hours
before the introduction of either a lionfish or a trophically equivalent native fish, the graysby grouper
Cephalopholis cruentata. Reciprocal experiments (i.e., fish before lobster) and single-species control trials
were also conducted. Lobsters spent significantly more time outside of the shelters and more time
roaming when a lionfish was present, indicating the lobsters were displaced from the shelter. However,
shifts in lobster behavior were not observed in the presence of the native graysby. These findings suggest
that competition for shelter with invasive lionfish could negatively affect the abundance of lobsters found
in condos, resulting in negative socioeconomic impacts for countries with large lobster fisheries such as
The Bahamas.
KEYWORDS: lionfish, lobster, displacement, invasive, fishery
ABSTRACT
Invasive pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans/miles complex, were first reported in the Gulf of Mexico
(GOM) in 2009 and since then have quickly become established on GOM artificial and natural reefs.
Lionfish densities on northern GOM artificial reefs are currently among the highest reported in the
western Atlantic (~10 fish 100 m-2), while their densities on natural reefs are an order of magnitude
lower. As part of a broader study examining their impacts on native reef fishes, lionfish (n = 452) were
collected with spears by SCUBA divers from March to August 2013 to evaluate differences in their
feeding ecology at artificial versus natural reefs (depth range 20-40 m). Mean SE total length of lionfish
samples from artificial reefs was 231.9 3.0 mm, and was 211.9 5.8 mm from natural reefs. Diet
analysis revealed 83.6% of stomachs had prey present, with fifty-four percent of samples containing
identifiable prey that consisted primarily of fish (88.6% of total dry mass) from 13 families. Of
identifiable fish prey, 11.8% by mass consisted of juvenile vermilion snapper, an important fishery
species. Diet was significantly different between natural and artificial reefs (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001),
with lionfish captured at artificial reefs having higher percentages of non-reef associated benthic fishes
and decapod crustaceans in their stomachs. Ongoing diet work is focused on examining seasonal and
ontogenetic effects on lionfish diet, while changes in reef fish community structure and habitat utilization
in response to invasive lionfish are being examined in complimentary research.
KEYWORDS: invasive species, lionfish, Gulf of Mexico, diet, artificial versus natural reefs
62
63
ABSTRACT
Since 2010 the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) has been reported along man-made structures and
mangroves in Floridas Indian River Lagoon (IRL), one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the US.
Stressing the importance of mangroves as critical fish habitat, this study aims to examine the nature of
this veracious predators use of mangroves in the IRL. The objectives of this study are to examine site
fidelity, micro-habitat characteristics, demographics and diet composition. This is done through a survey
and tagging effort in Fort Pierce Inlet area, as well as the collection of specimens in mangroves
throughout the IRL. Additionally, specimens are collected throughout the IRL in a variety of habitats and
offshore in order to compares size frequencies, diet and reproductive capacity. The purpose of this study
is two-fold: to provide valuable ecological data on lionfish in a recently invaded and biologically critical
estuary and to provide baseline data for local research and effective removal strategies.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish, mangroves, estuarine, biodiversity, invasive
64
65
RESUMEN
La educacin ambientalbusca armonizar las relaciones que se establecen entre el hombre y el medio
ambiente, promoviendo acciones educativas para garantizar un mejor uso de los recursos naturales. La
experiencia en el campo de la Educacin Ambiental alcanzada por Cuba es alta, existen un gran nmero
de organismos que contribuyen con sus acciones a eliminar o minimizar los problemas ambientales
existentes en las comunidades pesqueras as como la explotacin sostenible de los recursos pesqueros. En
la actualidad es evidente que los problemas ambientales tienen su fundamento en fenmenos sociales y
por tanto los cambios en este sentido tienen que modificar radicalmente las formas de apropiacin de la
naturaleza y sus transformaciones tecnolgicas en comparacin con las formas tradicionales, as como la
influencia social en la gestin de pesqueras sostenibles. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar
los resultados obtenidos a partir de la aplicacin de un programa de educacin ambiental en comunidades
pesqueras de la regin occidental del archipilago cubano a partir de: aausencia de normas en su relacin
con el medio ambiente, poco conocimiento de la vida en el mar y su relacin con la costa, deterioro
ambiental y falta de conciencia y gestin propia ante los problemas de la comunidad. Se aplica una
metodologa de investigacin cientfica accin participacin.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Environmental education, sustainable fisheries, fishing communities, Cuba
66
67
RSUM
Arriv dans les Antilles franaises en 2010 le poisson lion y est maintenant omniprsent. Sa prolifration
rapide en fait une menace pour lquilibre des cosystmes marins rcifaux et pour les rendements de la
pche professionnelle. Considrant ces ravages potentiels, le Comit Rgional des Pches de Guadeloupe
mis en place un programme de lutte afin dimpliquer les marins professionnels dans la stratgie du
contrle de la prolifration de cette espce invasive travers des pches commerciales et la
consommation du poisson lion. En raison du positionnement trophique du poisson lion, il pourrait tre
vecteur de la ciguatera. Cest pour cela quavant dencourager sa commercialisation, le risque de
ciguatoxicit a t valu par des analyses sur la chair du poisson, doubles par une enqute
pidmiologique auprs des premiers consommateurs volontaires. Les analyses ont t ralises sur des
chantillons de Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthlemy. Les rsultats obtenus montrent une
absence totale de ciguatoxines en Guadeloupe. En revanche, Saint-Barthlemy, un chantillon sur deux
a rvl la prsence de ciguatoxines avec des concentrations comprises entre 0,01 et 0,413 ppb. En
consquence, une rglementation diffrencie doit tre instaure, autorisant la commercialisation dans
larchipel Guadeloupen et interdisant la commercialisation dans les de Saint-Martin et SaintBarthlemy. Ces premiers rsultats ont t partags avec des pcheurs et gestionnaires des Petites Antilles
lors dun atelier rgional organis en Guadeloupe le 10 et 11 juillet 2013. Les rsultats des premires
tudes et les changes ont dmontr la ncessit dtendre et dapprofondir les dpistages dans les rgions
risque, de disposer de tests rapides et fiables et de mieux comprendre la corrlation entre concentration
de CCTX et lapparition de symptmes dintoxication.
MOTS CLS: Lionfish, ciguatera, Antilles
USING A LANDING CRADLE TO FILL THE DATA GAP LEFT BY REALLY BIG FISH
EL USO DE UN SOPORTE PARA LLENAR EL VACO DE INFORMACIN DADA POR LOS
PECES GRANDES
L'UTILISATION D'UN BERCEAU POUR COMBLER LE VIDE DE DONNES DONNE PAR
LES GROS POISSONS
PAVEL DIMENS, MARCUS DRYMON, and SEAN POWERS
Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 United States
pdimens@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
In 2006, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) began conducting bottom longline surveys along the north
central Gulf of Mexico. The data gathered from these surveys are used to make ecological connections
between organisms and their environment, as well as inform stock assessment models and the resulting
management decisions. While DISL has caught and gathered data on thousands of fish since beginning
the program, the gear available on the vessels did not allow for accurate measurements on large species
that could not be safely boated. While encounters with these large fish provide valuable catch and effort
data, our inability to boat them precludes precise measurements and maturity status determinations. To
address these limitations, in 2010 the DISL developed a low-cost landing cradle to safely lift large fishes
onto the deck of the boat. The implementation of this cradle has resulted in accurate length measurements
of an additional 74 large coastal sharks across 8 species. The addition of a spring scale in 2013 has
provided weight data for 14 large sharks that would otherwise have gone unweighed. Our preliminary
results demonstrate how the integration of a landing cradle into longline surveys provides researchers a
safe platform for accurately inserting intramuscular tags, getting precise (mm)length measurements,
taking blood and tissue samples, and getting proper sex and sexual maturity information. Given current
harvest restrictions (for example, closure of the commercial fishery for Sandbar shark Carcharhinus
plumbeus), the landing sling is an additional tool researchers can employ to gather increasingly important
life history data for shark populations recovering from overexploitation.
KEYWORDS: Fish, Methods, cradle, shark, sampling
68
69
ABSTRACT
An expansion is underway of a nuclear power plant on the shoreline of Biscayne Bay, Florida, USA; the
effects of its construction and operation on surrounding marine habitats and fishes are unknown. The
fringing intertidal mangrove stands that border the power plant property are critical habitat for a number
of fish species of ecological and commercial importance. The present study examined data gathered as
part of an ongoing monitoring survey of mangrove fish communities. Our objective was to determine the
adequacy of the survey to detect fish community changes, should they occur, at three spatial scales. Using
seasonally-resolved data recorded during 477 fish surveys over a 5-year period, power analyses were
performed for three metrics: fish diversity, fish density and the occurrence of two ecologically-important
fish species (Lutjanus griseus and Floridichthys carpio). Results indicated that the monitoring study at
current sampling intensity allows for detection of a < 30% change in fish density and diversity metrics in
both the wet and the dry season. However, sampling effort is insufficient in either season to detect a <
30% change in species-specific occurrence metrics for the two important fish species examined. More
effective monitoring strategies could be achieved by increasing sampling intensity within each season
until effort allocation is sufficient to detect 30% change for each metric after only one year of post-impact
sampling. Responsible monitoring practices are increasingly important in light of cumulative impacts to
the coastal zone resulting from hydrological alteration, coastal development and water quality
degradation, among others.
KEYWORDS: mangrove, assessment, fish assemblage, monitoring, power
70
71
ABSTRACT
Fishery-independent surveys provide a means to acquire standardized abundance and diversity data that
are adequately replicated over time and space. The standardization of these surveys control gear and/or
sample-related variability which allows researchers to assess the impact of seasonality, habitat, and a
variety of other factors that affect abundance fluctuations of fisheries species. Following the Southeastern
Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) protocol we recently implemented a vertical
longline (VLL) survey for demersal fishes inhabiting artificial reefs of the Texas coast. These reefs are
dominated by cutoff and toppled oil and gas platforms which vary in complexity, size, water depth and
distance from shore. Three hook sizes (15/0, 11/0 and 8/0) were used to sample reefs varying between 30
and 60 m total depth. A subset of the deployments was accompanied by a GoPro camera to supplement
catch data with visual estimates of abundance, depredation events, and escapes. Neither hook size nor
drop order affected the number of fish captured or seen, suggesting there was no enhanced baiting by
larger gear or prolonged deployment times. The abundance and diversity of catch per deployment was not
affected by the addition of the GoPro camera. Preliminary results show a positive correlation between
fish size (total length and weight) and hook size while diversity decreases as hook size increases. Our
findings indicate that vertical longline surveys are a valid assessment tool for estimating fish abundance
on Texas artificial reefs. However, as has been demonstrated elsewhere, VLL gear tends to target Red
Snapper.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, vertical kongline, red snapper, Texas, demersal fish
72
73
ABSTRACT
Scaridae (parrotfishes) represent a common family of herbivorous fishes on Caribbean reefs. They play a
major role in controlling the algal dynamics of the reef benthic communities and are widely exploited by
Caribbean fisheries. In this study, we stated the hypothesis that the coexistence of the different species of
Scaridae is allowed by the diversity of their trophic niche. To investigate this fact, a study was conducted
on seven species of Scarids, abundant on the reefs of Guadeloupe. Stomach content analyses were
coupled with stable isotope analyses (13C/12C and 15N/14N ratios) to determine their trophic niches.
Contributions of sources in the fish diet were estimated using a mixing model. These fishes presented
small 15N differences whereas they showed more scattered 13C values, which imply the use of
diversified sources of carbon. Among the seven studied species, three types of trophic niche were found.
A first group of fishes, constituted by Sparisoma chrysopterum, S. rubripinne and Scarus iseri, mostly
used macroalgae, especially algae at a juvenile stage present in the turf. Sparisoma viride, Scarus vetula
and S. taeniopterus were grouped together due to their common use of living coral as protein intake along
with macroalgae. Finally, Sparisoma aurofrenatum presented a specific diet, principally based on the
assimilation of algal turf. The seven scarid species ingested and assimilated differently the food items
present on the reef, presenting different trophic niches. This diversity could allow them to share food
resources without competitive interactions.
KEYWORDS: Scaridae, stomach content analysis, stable isotope analysis, trophic niches, Caribbean reefs
GLOVER'S REEF MARINE RESERVE (GRMR) CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD FOR
IMPROVED MPA MANAGEMENT IN BELIZE
RESERVA MARINA DE ARRECIFE DE GLOVERS (GRMR) TRAZA EL CAMINO A SEGUIR
PARA MEJORAR LA GESTION AMP EN BELICE
RESERVA MARINE DE GLOVER REEF (GRMR) TRACER LA ROUTE SUIVRE POUR
AMLIORER MARIN PROTG LA ZONE GESTION AU BELIZE
ALICIA ECK1, ROBIN COLEMAN2, and JULIO MAAZ2
Belize Fisheries Department Glover's Reef Marine Reserve 1st Floor Coastal Zone Multi plex Building,
Princess Margarite Drive Belize, Belize eck.allie@gmail.com
2
Wildlife Conservation Society 1755 Coney Drive Belize Belize Belize
ABSTRACT
Up to a couple of years ago, all the Belize fishing waters were managed under an open-access system.
Under this system, fishers are driven by a race to fish with little regard to regulations, as their primary
objective is to maximize profits in the shortest length of time. The number of licensed commercial fishers
in Belize has increased steadily, and fishers target two fully-exploited species, conch and lobster. The
increasing number of fishers translates to insecure livelihoods, unstable incomes, and diminishing local,
sustainable sources of protein. GRMR is one of two marine reserves in Belize managed under a rightsbased regime called managed access that was introduced in mid-2011. This program provides traditional
fishers a secure, dedicated share of a fishing area. It encourages fishers and local communities to become
stewards of the marine reserve, by ensuring that they benefit from conserving the resources leading to
resource sustainability and secure livelihoods. Managed access strengthens the role of the fully-protected
replenishment zones by improving patrols through better planning and reporting, and increasing penalties
via a three strike rule. Preliminary results are very positive, showing an increase in catches and catchper-unit-effort (CPUE) of conch over the past three years. The number of infractions, as well as their
gravity, has also been reduced. These results are attributed to better enforcement and a more responsible
cohort of fishers using the atoll. Encouraged by these improvements, the GRMR staff continues to work
with its partners to seek innovative ways to strengthen management effectiveness of the reserve.
KEYWORDS: Rights-based management, Belize, open access, replenishment zones
74
75
ABSTRACT
In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed a case of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP)
from a Gag Grouper caught in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). As a
response, researchers from FGBNMS and University of Texas Marine Science Institute sampled 12
species of fish around the FGBNMS for ciguatoxins. The analysis by FDA resulted in high levels of
ciguatoxins in 13% of the sampled fish, leading FDA to issue a letter of guidance to seafood processors
recommending they avoid purchasing large carnivorous reef fish caught near FGBNMS. In 2011,
FGBNMS researchers were notified of another CFP case from the consumption of Grouper caught within
the sanctuary, which was confirmed by the FDA. This led FGBNMS and FDA to begin a collaborative
study to reexamine ciguatera in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The study is examining the
concentrations of ciguatoxins in a variety of carnivorous reef fish species, as well as concentrations of
ciguatera causing dinoflagellates (Gambierdiscus spp.) found on algae. Ongoing opportunistic fish
sampling is currently underway, looking at various species of Snapper, Grouper, Jack, and Mackerel, and
invasive Pacific lionfish, as well as other commercially and recreationally important species. In order to
more fully understand the human health issues of consuming fish caught in the sanctuary, FGBNMS
researchers are also investigating mercury levels of sampled fish species.
KEYWORDS: Ciguatera, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Gambierdiscus, Gulf of
Mexico, mercury
76
77
ABSTRACT
Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), the largest reef fish in the western Atlantic, was once relatively
common throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Due to overfishing and loss of juvenile habitat, it is
considered critically endangered (IUCN). However, under total protection since 1990, population
recovery is occurring is the southeastern US. Spawning aggregations are now forming on the shelf off
southeast and southwest Florida. Aggregations of 20 to over 100 individuals occur on specific sites, both
artificial and natural sites, from late July through October. In an effort to determine the nature of
spawning migrations, we implanted 40 adult goliath grouper with ultrasonic transmitter tags (VEMCO 69
kHz V16-P coded transmitters) on known spawning sites in 2010 and 2012. Tagged fish were tracked as
they moved through the Florida Atlantic Coast Telemetry array of VEMCO VR2 and VR2W ultrasonic
receivers. Results indicate that adult goliath grouper are relatively sedentary during non-spawning months
(mean monthly distance moved = 1.98 km 0.6) but moved significantly more prior to aggregation
formation in July (18.5 km 8.56). Tagged fish moved more during spawning months compared to nonspawning months. Multiple individuals were tracked moving long distances (> 300-km) between
residence reefs and spawning sites. Site fidelity to aggregations was high: 84.2% of tagged fish returned
to the site of tagging after one year and 77.8% returned after two years. Our study utilizes long-term
tagging data of individual fish to aid in understanding the movement patterns of a large fish species of
special conservation concern.
KEYWORDS: grouper, spawning, movement, aggregation
78
79
ABSTRACT
Data collection within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fish sanctuaries have traditionally been done
by teams of scientist with specialized skills. The Caribbean Fish Sanctuary Partnership (C-FISH)
Initiative has, so far, initiated the Community-based Live Fish (CLIF) methodology in five fish
sanctuaries or MPAs in Jamaica and one in the Eastern Caribbean. This methodology involves fishers,
wardens and community members, utilizing activities similar to fishing methods they already employ in
the trap fishery within their respective islands. CLIF involves catching fish using traditional fish traps
over a one month period, with two day soak times. Fish were anesthetised using a natural product (clove
oil), identified, weighed, and measured. After recovery from the anesthetic, fish were released using a
specially designed container to ensure safe transition to the reef without being predated on. Here we
present preliminary results from the first round of CLIF monitoring in fish sanctuaries in Jamaica
(Oracabessa, Bluefields, Salt Harbour and Galleaon). Mean fish biomass per trap inside the sanctuaries
ranged from 0.18 0.05kg 0.46 0.08kg, Bluefields and Oracabessa respectively; While mean fish
biomass per trap outside the sanctuaries ranged from 0.09 0.04 kg 0.42 0.17 kg, in Oracabessa and
Galleon respectively. All things being equal the value of fish catches to a fisher using ten traps (7 traps
inside the sanctuary and 3 traps outside) over a period of one month, based on current market prices,
ranges from US$ 140.40 269.76 in Bluefields and Galleon respectively.
KEYWORDS: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), fish sanctuaries, community-based fish monitoring,
80
81
ABSTRACT
Since its introduction to the western Atlantic and Caribbean the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans)
has undergone a population explosion which threatens the ecosystems it is invading. Determining the diet
of invading lionfish among the various habitats where they are found is critical for understanding the
ecological effects of the invasion. Our study combined a diet analysis and experimental transplant
experiment of lionfish found on the hardbottom habitats of Florida Bay. During June and July 2013 we
collected and analyzed the stomach contents of lionfish (n = 32) associated with limestone solution-holes
north of Marathon, FL. Prey found in collected stomachs was composed predominantly of teleost fishes,
although we also found a significant number of crustaceans in the diet (38% by number). Of the
identifiable teleost prey consumed, Gobiidae was the dominant prey item followed by Haemulon;
palaemonid shrimp were the most common crustacean in the diet. For the transplant experiment we
captured lionfish (n = 4) and released them at unoccupied solution holes. Prey communities were
monitored by divers on SCUBA for six weeks and compared to solution holes where lionfish were
already present (n = 5) and control holes without lionfish (n = 9). The presence of lionfish significantly
reduced the number of all juvenile fishes (< 5-cm) after just 3 weeks, while the addition of lionfish to
unoccupied holes reduced the number of palaemonids by 41%. Our study of lionfish in Florida Bay adds
to the mounting evidence on the ecological effects of this novel invasive predator.
KEYWORDS: lionfish, diet, invasion, ecology
82
83
ABSTRACT
The goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara occurs along the Brazilian coast where intensive fishing has led
to its severe population reduction. The species is considered as critically endangered (CR A2bcd)
according to IUCN red list criteria and it is protected by federal law since 2002. Under the Projecto
Meros, a national effort funded by Petrobras Ambiental, biological samples were gathered along the coast
for over 10 years. Otoliths and spines were collected from individuals found dead or killed by ilegal
fishing (after environmental police interception) or during research tagging operations (non letal
collection of spines or rays). The sampling area ranges from 07 54 to 29 32, and ocurred in both
estuarines and reef or open sea areas. A total of 80 otoliths and 52 spines were read from individuals
measuring 19 to 220 cm TL. The minimum age observed was 0 and the maximum 25 years. Juvenile fish
up to 4-5 years remained in estuaries while older fish were found at sea. VBGF parameters were
L=295.26, K=0.06, t0=-1.0. The low K value reflects the low percentage of older individuals causing
less inflection of the curve. The projected age at weight curve indicates that fish could live up to 50 years
if allowed to attain the maximum weigth recorded in the past, which was almost twice as heavy and the
average maximum recorded in our sample.
KEYWORDS: goliath grouper, age, growth, spines, endangered
84
85
ABSTRACT
Recreational fisheries are very popular around the world, being catch and release increasingly preferred.
Few studies have been carried out concerning recreational fisheries in Cuba, and not one of them has
focused on the socio-economic characteristics of the activity. The aim of this research is (1) to
socioeconomically characterize recreational fisheries in Jardines de la Reina and (2) to evaluate visitors
perception concerning natural resources conservation. 93 recreational fishermen from 13 countries were
interviewed, mainly from United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina and United States of America. The sample
was dominated by males, 41 to 50 years old, married and with university degrees. 37 % had visited
Jardines de la Reina before, 4 times average. These repeaters currently consider the area in better
environmental conditions than in previous visits. Recreational fishery is ranked good or excellent by
interviewees and 100 % of them would recommend Jardines de la Reina as a fishing destination. The
main attraction is the abundance of target species (first, tarpon (Megalops atlanticus); second, bonefish
(Albula vulpes) and third, permits (Trachinotus sp.). It could be concluded that Jardines de la Reina are in
a good environmental conservation status. Recreational fishery is compatible with the conservation status
of protected area and is ranked as excellent and with international recognition by visitors. Jardines de la
Reina exceed the expectation from recreational fishermen when visit the area.
KEYWORDS: recreational fisheries, catch and release, socio-economics, conservation, management
86
87
ABSTRACT
The Barbados deep-water snapper fishery peaks during July-October, the off-season when the major
migratory pelagic species are scarce. It is a multi-gear fishery, using traps and handlines. Three snappers
are most often caught: silk snapper (Lutjanus vivanus), vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) and
queen snapper (Etelis oculatus). However, little is known about many aspects of the Barbados snapper
fishery, including most ecological characteristics, location of the fishing grounds, current fishing
techniques and the socio-economic circumstances of active fisherfolk. Limited knowledge of the socialecological fishery system makes it difficult to monitor, thus having implications for adaptive management
by the state and stewardship by other stakeholders. This research aimed at understanding aspects of the
Barbados deep-water snapper fishery as a social-ecological system. It examined what ecological changes
such as in habitat or climate could have impacted, or may impact, the social system of the fishery. It also
investigated social changes and their ecological or fishery impacts such as due to fluctuating numbers of
fishers, shifts in harvest and post-harvest demographics and socio-economics, changing fishing and
marketing methods or technological innovations. External factors, such as energy costs and climate
change were also considered. A better understanding of social-ecological relationships within small-scale
fisheries should result in interventions and practices that contribute more to sustainable fisheries and
livelihoods. Well-managed small-scale fisheries are vital for small islands that depend heavily on the
ocean for resilience and their future.
KEYWORDS: Barbados, deep-water, fishery, snapper, social-ecological system
88
89
ABSTRACT
Many data-limited stock evaluation methods are now available, but they typically do not estimate current
stock abundance or biomass associated with the production of maximum sustainable yield. Instead, they
provide a variety of fishery performance indicators that can be used together to estimate stock status and
the sustainability of current levels of fishing. I will present a framework for using data-limited methods to
assess the status of coral reef ecosystems with respect to fishing, characterize stock vulnerability to
fishing, estimate stock status, and evaluate the sustainability of fishing in order to develop management
guidance. I will also present a case study from Belize of how this framework can be used to inform
adaptive management through a transparent and participatory process.
KEYWORDS: data limited, assessment, adaptive management
90
91
ABSTRACT
Small pelagic fish species have traditionally formed a critical part of annual fishery landings in many
areas of the Caribbean. These species continue to lead other species groups in the combined total landings
for the region, as well as in the Dutch Caribbean. They are not only of great importance as high quality
human food, but also as bait species for fishingThey further form a vital part of the marine food web, and
constitute a key food source for endangered species such as the whale shark and many cetacea. Even so,
their ecological and economic importance the species concerned have been relatively little studied. In this
study we compile and review the available information on small pelagic species for the Dutch Caribbean
EEZ. This work follows as a priority action point from the 2010 EEZ management plan adopted by the
Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Dutch waters of interest cover a combined area of more than
90.000 km2 and span a multitude of hydro- and oceanographic regimes and depths from the intertidal to
more than 4000 m. Because of the lack of information specific to the Dutch Caribbean, it was also
essential to compile information based on studies done elsewhere. Wide-ranging ecological connectivity
of these often trans-boundary migratory fish stocks, which represent a little-known and potentially
underutilized resource, as well as the narrow association of these species to broad regional oceanographic
features and phenomena, further dictated the need for an inclusive regional approach in this study.
KEYWORDS: Dutch Caribbean, pelagic fish, fisheries
92
93
ABSTRACT
High discard rates combined with release mortality may impede stock recovery of red snapper. However,
discard estimates in the recreational fishery are based solely on self-reporting by fishermen. In this study,
we estimated reef fish catch and discard rates through direct observation of charterboat operations in the
for-hire recreational fishing sector during 2012-2013. Captured reef fish were identified, weighed, and
measured. Gear description, fishing coordinates, reef type, and fishing time also were recorded. Both the
retained and discarded red snapper catch were subsampled on each trip (n=54) for sex determination and
aging. Mean ( SE) discards per trip (21.1 2.1) and mean red snapper discards per trip (16.6 1.9)
declined significantly with depth (mean = 35.9m 1.3) but were not significantly different between open
and closed seasons. During open seasons, smaller younger red snapper (mean TL = 474 mm, modal age =
3 yr) were discarded live in favor of larger older fish (mean TL = 645 mm, modal age = 7). Overall, red
snapper comprised nearly 80% of all reef fish discarded in the northern GOM, with 90% of total red
snapper discards occurring at depths <43m. Red snapper also constituted the largest percentage (65%) of
regulatory discards when targeting other species during red snapper closed seasons. Captains were able to
reduce red snapper catch rates (-22.2 fish trip-1) by changing gear types and locations but were not able to
significantly reduce total discard (+1.8 fish trip-1) or red snapper discard rates (-4.2 fish trip-1) during
closed seasons.
KEYWORDS: bycatch, discard, reef fish, red snapper
RSUM
De faon grer le parc de DCP en Guadeloupe, les dispositifs ont t quips dun GPS et dun systme
de transmission des donnes. Celles-ci ont t traites afin de disposer dinformations sur la direction des
courants et dindications sur leur intensit autour de lle. La mthodologie utilise est explique et
discute. Un exemple de carte des courants autour de la Guadeloupe est prsent. Lintrt dquiper les
DCP de GPS et de traiter les donnes ainsi gnres est illustr partir dexemples. Il sagit non
seulement de limiter les dbris en mer par perte de matriel, mais aussi de dvelopper des connaissances
nouvelles sur la courantologie proche de la cte et de permettre dtudier ses effets sur la migration des
grands poissons plagiques dans la zone exploite laide de DCP.
MOTS CLS: DCP, FAD, Courants marins, Guadeloupe
94
95
ABSTRACT
Developing survey strategies for rare and threatened species is often limited by access to sufficient
individuals to acquire information needed to design appropriate conservation measures. The goliath
grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is a globally threatened reef fish. In Brazil, fishing has been prohibited over
11 years and one of the policy prescriptions attached to the fishing ban has been the amalgamation of data
to subsidize species recovery and management solutions. Herein we report habitat use and abundance of
E. itajara in Brazil drawn from a participatory survey proposed by Projeto Meros do Brasil, which
engaged volunteer divers in data-collection. A total of 188 sightings were recorded between 2005 to 2011,
reporting 306 individuals and three aggregations sites. Habitat type influenced the occurrence of E.
itajara regarding total length and depth. This study underscores the importance of developing
conservation measures addressing specific habitats and locations to enhance population recovery.
Artificial structures (shipwrecks and manmade reefs) are strategic habitats that must be considered as
highly sensitive areas to E. itajara conservation policies. We suggest the enforcement of surveillance, as
well as, creation and implementation of marine protected areas as a key strategy for the conservationof E.
itajara, especially high relief sites with relevant species aggregations.
KEYWORDS: volunteers survey, collaborative research, marine conservation, endangered species,
Epinephelidae
ABSTRACT
Data on small-scale fisheries in the Caribbean are very limited. This is particularly true for reef-associated
fisheries where data are often unavailable or landings are aggregated with non-reef species. Nevertheless,
information on reef fisheries is necessary for management, where the level of exploitation and economic
gains must be determined to implement effective policy at the appropriate scale. This study investigated
the economic value of reef-associated fishing in three types of communities (fishing, tourism and a mixed
fishing/tourism community) within three countries (St. Kitts and Nevis, Honduras, Barbados) across the
Wider Caribbean. The results show the enormity of the value of reef-associated fishing to some Caribbean
communities as well as the diversity in the fisheries between sites. Communities with access to expansive
shallow shelves and those that exploit and export high valued species earned significant revenues from
the reef. Reef-associated fisheries also act as an important social safety net for many persons in the region
especially communities where few employment alternatives exist. The results highlight the need for
managers to recognise the importance of understanding the drivers of economic activity within reef
fisheries as these factors are also likely to affect fishers response to management interventions.
KEYWORDS: Economic valuation, reef fisheries
96
97
ABSTRACT
Few quantitative studies of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) reproduction have been conducted on
species from offshore natural hard bottom (NHB) banks in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Reproductive
potential is an important component of fisheries management and can help identify stock status. Data
from previous studies largely depended on specimens of red snapper from artificial habitats (AH). This
study compares reproductive potential of red snapper from AH and NHB habitats, as NHB habitats are
thought to be historical centers of abundance for this species. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) is
indicative of energy a fish invests in reproduction per body weight; thus larger GSI corresponds with a
greater reproductive effort. Red snapper reach peak fecundity at ages >10 yr, but mature as early as age 2.
Other studies found age 2-3 red snapper dominate AHs, whereas older individuals are normally found
inhabiting NHBs. Red snapper for this ongoing study were collected in 2009-2013 from three NHB sites
and two AH sites with vertical long lines and single hook lines. All female red snapper were measured for
total length, total weight, and eviscerated body weight. Ovaries were removed, weighed, and preserved
for preparation of histological slides. Mean GSIs were plotted against time to examine seasonal changes
in reproductive effort among sites. Results indicate that NHB sites exhibited higher mean GSI than AH
sites (ANOVA, p <0.0001) during peak spawning season. We hypothesize these differences are attributed
to older fish at NHB sites investing more energy toward reproduction and less energy toward growth.
KEYWORDS: Red snapper, reproduction, natural banks, artificial habitat, Gulf of Mexico
98
99
ABSTRACT
According to Article 7 of the SPAW Protocol (Cartagena Convention, UNEP Caribbean Environment
Programme), Contracting Parties shall establish a list of protected areas to create a regional network of
protected areas and develop cooperation programmes. The purpose of this List is to identify those areas
that are of particular importance to the Wider Caribbean region, that are to be accorded priority for
scientific and technical research pursuant to Article 17, and that are to be accorded priority for mutual
assistance pursuant to Article 18, as well as to protect the listed areas from activities that would
undermine the purposes for which they were listed. 18 Caribbean Protected Areas from six countries
fulfiling the common guidelines and criteria adopted by the Parties and established pursuant to Article 21,
are now listed under the SPAW Protocol. All significantly contribute to the conservation of marine and
coastal biodiversity in theCaribbean, while targeting various and complimentary features, habitats and
species. A specific database (http://www.spaw-palisting.org) has been developed and is managed by the
Regional Activity Center for the SPAW Protocol (SPAW-RAC)to compile data on the protected areas
listed and allow for specific statistics and analyses. A dedicated cooperation programme (2013-2014) is
currently being developed by the SPAW Secretariat with CaMPAM and the SPAW RAC, in consultation
with Parties and interested partners in order to support the 18 PAs and to promote the listing of other PAs
under SPAW. Contact: franck.gourdin.carspaw@guadeloupe-parcnational.fr
KEYWORDS: SPAW, Protected Area, cooperation programme, Caribbean, UNEP CEP
BEYOND AGGREGATED CATCH DATA: INTRA-ANNUAL DYNAMICS OF THE DATAPOOR MUTTON SNAPPER (LUTJANUS ANALIS) FISHERY AT GLADDEN SPIT, BELIZE
MS ALL DE LAS DATOS AGREGADOS DE CAPTURA: DINMICAS ESTACIONALES DE
LA PESQUERA DEFICIENTE EN DATOS DE PARGO CRIOLLO (LUTJANUS ANALIS) DE
GLADDEN SPIT, BELICE
AU-DEL DES DONNES AGRGES DE CAPTURE: DYNAMIQUES INTRA-ANNUELLES
DE LA PCHERIE PAUVRE EN DONNES DE VIVANEAU SORBE (LUTJANUS ANALIS) DU
GLADDEN SPIT, BELIZE
PABLO GRANADOS-DIESELDORFF1, WILLIAM HEYMAN2, and BRENDAN ROARK3
Marine and Coastal Geography Applied Biodiversity Science NSF-IGERT Doctoral Texas A&M
University 810 Eller O&M Bldg. MS 3147 College Station, TX 77843 USA pablogd3@gmail.com
2
Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 4103 S Texas Ave # 211 Bryan Texas 77802 USA
3
Department of GeographyStable Isotopes Geosciences Facility 3147 TAMU College Station Texas
77843 USA
1
ABSTRACT
Since the 1950s, artisanal fishers have harvested mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) at Gladden Spit,
southern Belize Barrier Reef. However, fishery data collections started until 1998 and analyses of fishery
statistics have been sparse. The fishery targets the peak of the species spawning aggregations, which
recurs annually in March-June, 10-12 days around the full moon days. In order to characterize for the first
time the size, age, and maturation structures of reproductive mutton snapper at Gladden Spit, we followed
a stratified balanced sampling design to survey the landings of the fishery between -2 and 7 days relative
to full moon (drfm) in March-June 2011. We measured, weighted, and macroscopically examined the
gonad state of 5,047 individuals and randomly collected 115 pair of sagittae for age determination.
Relative abundances of mutton snapper varied significantly in relation to drfm and among months.
Individual sizes ranged between 315-905 mm TL, weights 0.5-11.8 kg, otolith-based ages 2-16 years, and
von-Bertalanffy-growth-model projected ages 2-50 years. PERMANOVAs revealed significant monthly
variations in the size, age, and maturation structures of aggregating individuals. Older individuals
dominated in March-May, while younger individuals in June. Most males were mature throughout the
season, while most females were predominantly immature in June. Our results suggest that the
reproductive output from mutton snapper that aggregate to spawn at Gladden Spit is seasonally structured,
a life-history characteristic that must be considered in stock assessments and management strategies for
mutton snapper in Belize and elsewhere in the western Atlantic.
KEYWORDS: Data-poor fisheries, reef fish spawning aggregations, Lutjanidae, age and growth,
maturation
100
101
ABSTRACT
Several artisanal fisheries across the Caribbean have historically targeted recurrent and massive fish
spawning aggregations (FSAs) of valuable snappers. For example, artisanal fishers have harvested mutton
snapper (Lutjanus analis) from the Gladden Spit (Belize) FSA site since the 1950s. Catches have
contributed considerably to national food and economic securities. Faced with rising illegal foreign
fishing, and concerned about the vulnerability of FSA to overexploitation, the Government of Belize
partnered with stakeholders from southern Belize to co-manage the area, declaring a multi-use marine
reserve at Gladden Spit in 2000. In 2010-2012, we engaged with stakeholders to holistically evaluate the
status of the fishery, re-construct its socio-ecological history (1950-2011), and analyze all existing
quantitative fishery data (1991-2010), in addition to new data collections from intensive collaborative
field work in 2011. We show that catch per unit effort, individual sizes, and sex ratios have been
relatively constant throughout the recent history of the fishery (1999-2011). Analyses also captured a
sharp reduction in total landings and fishing effort in the 1990s, parallel to a rapid growth in the tourism
industry. Although annual landings have fluctuated over time, this FSA fishery has persisted for over 60
years and landings are highly dependent on external socio-economic factors, the life-history strategies of
mutton snapper, and the resilience of the species to environmental stressors. We suggest that the mutton
snapper fishery at Gladden Spit can persist, so long as the existing locally-driven resource monitoring and
adaptive co-management continue to guide conservation and management.
KEYWORDS: Reef fish spawning aggregations, co-management, Small-scale fisheries, data-poor
fisheries, Fisher knowledge
102
FISHING DERBIES FOR INVASIVE LIONFISH: A TOOL FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND
POPULATION CONTROL
DERBIES DE PESCA DE PEZ LEN INVASOR: UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA LA
PARTICIPACIN PBLICA Y EL CONTROL DE LA POBLACIN
CONCOURS DE PCHE POUR LES POISSONS-PAPILLONS INVASIVE: UN OUTIL POUR
L'ENGAGEMENT DU PUBLIC ET LE CONTRLE DE LA POPULATION
STEPHANIE GREEN1 and LAD AKINS2
Oregon State University Department of Zoology 3029 Cordley Hall Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2914 USA
stephanie.green@science.oregonstate.edu
2
Reef Environmental Education Foundation 98300 Overseas Highway Key Largo Florida 33037 USA
103
ABSTRACT
Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/ P. miles) have established dense populations throughout the
Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. This marine predator invasion is now among the most
destructive in history, and resource managers are actively devising strategies to suppress their
populations. An effective tool for increasing local awareness of the invasion is the creation of lionfish
fishing derbies, but whether derbies are an effective means to control local lionfish populations, and the
area over which they may affect control, remain unknown. We evaluated the magnitude and scale of
lionfish population suppression achieved during single day fishing derby events located in Green Turtle
Cay, Bahamas and in Key Largo, Florida held over a two year period (2012-2013). Using pre- and postderby in-water assessments of lionfish density, measurements of derby catch, and surveys of derby
participant fishing effort and location, we found that derby participants affected a greater than 60%
reduction in lionfish densities within the 100-150km2 derby areas, compared with pre-derby levels.
Crucially, population suppression was isolated to the area where the derby occurred. The size distribution
of lionfish observed in both derby areas was significantly smaller in the second year of the study
compared with the first, providing further evidence that derbies are 'fishing down' local invasive
populations. Our work indicates that these single day events can be an effective strategy for suppressing
the invasion at a local scale. The results of this effort may be used to better inform resource managers and
lionfish control programs throughout the region.
KEYWORDS: Pterois volitans, outreach and education, fishing tournament, coral reefs, invaive species
control
ABSTRACT
Most Caribbean nations depend almost exclusively on imported petroleum for electricity generation,
leaving them vulnerable to the volatility of international oil prices. The problem is compounded in small,
remote coastal communities which are typically reliant upon small, inefficient diesel generators, energy
from which is the most expensive to produce. Given their profound vulnerability to the climate impacts of
fossil fuel consumption, including sea level rise and the frequency and strength of storm events,
Caribbean nations have a strong vested interest in shifting to renewable energy sources. Small leveroperated pivoting-float (LOPF) buoys generate electricity using wave energy and present an opportunity
to provide coastal communities with reliable, clean energy without the need for large-scale deployment,
major transmission infrastructure or prohibitive capital investment. Electricity generation from LOPF
buoys is already cost-competitive with diesel generation: A typical 5kW buoy can realize a return on
investment in 3-5 years. LOPF buoys can be installed in waters with a depth from 5- 50 m of water depth
and can generate sufficient power even in moderate wave heights of 0.5-1 m. LOPF buoy technology can
also help with costal coral reef restoration efforts. Connected to an underwater metal lattice, LOPF buoys
can provide the necessary current to significantly accelerate the accretion of calcium carbonate from
seawater, resulting in the rapid creation of a foundation upon which coral reef communities can naturally
rebuild. Such underwater structures are also being used as an alternative to jetties and groins to prevent
erosion and help beaches restore themselves.
KEYWORDS: coral reefs, energy, restoration, buoy, Caribbean
104
105
ABSTRACT
Underwater video is currently being used by many scientists within NMFS to observe, identify, and
quantify living marine resources. Processing of video sequences is typically a manual process performed
by a human analyst. Partial automation of this time consuming and labor intensive analysis process will
make data from underwater video more cost effective and available in a more timely fashion. This work
introduces a technique for automatic fish classification in underwater video. The technique is based on a
series of processing steps. Background processing is used to separate moving objects from the still
background. Object tracking is used in order to associate different views of the same object found in
consecutive frames. This step is especially important since successfully recognizing and classifying one
of the views as a species of interest allows marking all views in the sequence as that particular species.
Feature extraction using Fourier Descriptors is used to extract characteristic information from the shape of
each identified object. Finally, a nearest neighbor classifier is used to classify identified objects as one of
the species of interest. Results demonstrate the performance of the proposed technique in terms of correct
classification and false alarms for three species, namely trigger fish, red grouper, and yellow tail snapper.
KEYWORDS: Computer classification, trigger fish, grouper, snapper, underwater video, background
subtraction, tracking
106
107
ABSTRACT
Fisheries management in the Eastern Caribbean has traditionally been characterized by Government led
top-down governance regimes. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Grenada lack the resources
to effectively and consistently conduct surveillance and enforcement activities at all protected or
conservation areas. It has therefore become imperative to develop governance systems that are
compliance based and rely on the resources users and stakeholder to sustainably manage these resources.
Within the past few decades, there has been a global shift from the conventional top-down government
driven governance system to a more holistic bottom-up, stakeholder driven co-management arrangements.
In order for stakeholder led co-management to be successful, three critical criteria must be met. Firstly, all
legitimate stakeholders must be given an opportunity to participate; secondly, there must be a clear and
shared understanding of the objectives; and thirdly, there must be a genuine devolution of power to the
stakeholder organization established to manage the resources. As part of the Caribbean Challenge,
Grenada has pledged to protect 25% of its near-shore marine and coastal areas by the year 2020. This
paper focuses on the governance arrangement utilized over the past three years for the management of
three of Grenadas declared marine protected areas. Particular attention is given to lessons learnt; that is,
what worked and what did not work using the co-management approach.
KEYWORDS: Co-management, Marine Protected Area, Governance, Fisheries Management
108
109
RESUMEN
Strombus gigas habita de aguas a 60 m de profundidad, asociado a praderas marinas y diversos fondos
arenosos. Sus poblaciones estn sobreexplotadas, especie protegida por CITES y desde los aos 80 se
trabaja en su gestin pesquera y domesticacin acucola. Para juveniles se han formulado algunas dietas,
desconocindose an sus requerimientos nutricionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el papel de
las diatomeas en la alimentacin de S. gigas y cmo hiptesis: Es S. gigas es una especie selectiva en su
alimentacin. Se analizaron heces de caracoles en la maana (8am) y tarde (2pm) y sedimentos, con
microscopa ptica y electrnica. Los caracoles colectados en la maana, no tuvieron produccin de
heces, slo en la tarde. La riqueza especfica de diatomeas fue: 94, en sedimento 62 y en heces 44. Los
gneros con mayor nmero de especies en heces: Amphora (17), Cocconeis (11) Mastogloia y Navicula
(9) y las ms abundantes: Paralia capitata (72%) y Seminavis robusta (19.3%). Las heces presentaron
adems foraminferos, cladoceros y coppodos. El sedimiento tuvo como especies dominantes: Seminavis
robusta y Paralia capitata. El anlisis de similitud mostr diferencia en la abundancia de diatomeas en
sedimento entre horas, pero no en los caracoles. El anlisis de abundancia relativa mostr que P. capitata
se distribuye homogeneamente en sedimento y caracoles, mientras S. robusta present variacin. Los
resultados muestran el papel importante de las diatomeas en la alimentacin de S. gigas y la probable
selectividad de esta especie, aunque los resultados an no sean concluyentes
PALABRAS CLAVES: feeding, habitat, diatoms, behavior, Queen conch
110
111
ABSTRACT
U.S. fisheries are considered some of the best managed in the world. Yet over half of the nations stocks
or stock complexes have not had stock assessments so their overfished or overfishing status is unknown.
In the Gulf and Caribbean region, governance capacity is limited and fisheries management decisions are
often made with little information. How can this situation be addressed? Managers of salmon fisheries
have taken advantage of their life-history strategy to increase sampling efficiency for stock assessments.
Since fish return to their natal creeks to spawn each year, intensive studies of the stock structure can be
conducted efficiently in time and space during spawning runs. Following the same logic, we pose that
fisheries managers faced with snapper and grouper assessment of many species that aggregate to spawn,
should invest stock assessment resources at the time and location of these spawning aggregations. If it is
assumed that some portion of the stock comes to spawn each year, accurate counts at multiple sites can
offer direct measures of the overall population size. Similarly, age, length, and sex frequency data, and
size-specific fecundity can be gathered efficiently at spawning aggregation sites. Recent findings indicate
that many spawning sites share common geomorphological characteristics, (i.e. reef promontories on
shelf edges) and that many sites serve multiple members of the snapper-grouper complex. Assessing
many data poor stocks might be accomplished efficiently by monitoring multi-species spawning sites
through grouper and snapper spawning seasons. Shift the paradigm - let them come to you.
KEYWORDS: Data-poor fisheries, stock assessment, spawning aggregation, snapper-grouper complex,
fisheries
112
113
ABSTRACT
Conventional stock assessment methods have been ineffective for determining the population status of
queen conch throughout the Caribbean, mainly due to the lack of fishery-independent data. We examined
queen conch populations on the northeastern coast of St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands, using a radial survey
sampling technique with sample sites stratified by depth, habitat type, and management regime,
encompassing both open and closed fishing areas. We completed 503 radial surveys and located 4773
conch, representing a cumulative density of approximately 302 conch per hectare. Densities of conch
were highest in open fishing areas outside of Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM) boundaries
due to larger areas of available seagrass habitat and high numbers of juvenile conch. Densities of adult
conch were highest inside the BIRNM on macroalgae and sand where many were observed mating and
laying egg masses. The St. Croix East End Marine Park had the lowest densities of conch, despite an
abundance of apparently suitable habitat. Overall length frequencies showed a bimodal distribution,
driven largely by conch found within the BIRNM. Length distributions by habitat were variable but
showed a trend toward larger conch in reef, macroalgae, and sand habitats compared to a more even
distribution in seagrass.
KEYWORDS: Queen conch, U.S. Virgin Islands, radial survey, density, habitat
114
115
ABSTRACT
Catch and effort and biological data were collected from commercial fishing trips, at-sea stop and search,
and processing plants in Antigua and Barbuda. The objectives were to: 1) determine important fisheryrelated biological parameters for the spiny lobster (size of maturity, breeding periods, length-weight
relationships, etc.); 2) appraise previous and current management regimes (minimum size, compliance
with regulations, open access versus limited entry); and 3) determine trends (catch and effort, carapace
length, etc.) and status of the fishery. In terms of size, sexual dimorphism was detected, with male
lobsters being significantly larger than females (p < 0.05). The mean size of recruitment into the SCUBA
fishery was significantly larger than for the trap fishery (p < 0.05); however in both cases the mean value
was greater than the minimum legal size of 95 mm carapace length. The size of female maturity was also
larger than the minimum legal size and defined as the size at which 50% of females have mated (i.e., bear
spermatophore) plus those that were egg-bearing. Despite this it was considered important to maintain the
current minimum size regime given that it was already a widely accepted harmonised management
measure throughout the member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. In terms of status
and trends, no significant negative trends were detected for mean size of lobster landed or mean catch per
unit effort. Based on the fore mentioned results, the lobster fishery was considered sustainable at the
current level of fishing, if growth-overfishing is minimises.
KEYWORDS: Caribbean spiny lobster, Antigua and Barbuda, fisheries management, maturity, Panulirus
argus
116
117
ABSTRACT
Here, we show the development and evaluation of bioinformatic analyses for the mitochondrial genome
assembly, and for the detection of mitochondrial molecular markers for phylogeographic studies in the
Caribbean king crab Mithrax spinosissimus (Brachyura: Decapoda: Mithracidae). This crab is an
overexploited species that inhabit coral and rocky reef ecosystems from the Caribbean sea and the Florida
Keys in USA. The purpose of this work is focused in the conservation genetics of this species because of
their ecological -biological control of benthonic algae- and economical -in artisanal fisheries in the
caribbean sea-, features that they play into the ecosystems where they inhabit. Collections of M.
spinosissimus muscle tissue were taken from October 2011 to March 2012, in three different coral and
rocky reef ecosystems in Colombia. Genome sequencing and assembly from one of the Colombian
specimens were obtained by using the NGS technology GS-FLX 454. Mitochondrial DNA genome
organization was performed and it was compared with information from genetic databases -GenBank,
NCBI. We found 13 protein-coding mitochondrial genes, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a putative
mitochondrial control region. We also amplified sequences from the mitochondrial regions COI and
control region (1200 bp each, approximately), and we found too a preliminary population genetic
structure of M. spinosissimus in the Colombian islands. We expect to generate data from the molecular
ecology and evolutionary aspects of M. spinosissimus to be useful in conservation genetics for this
species. Also, we expect to carry out management recommendations derived from the population
structure analyses.
KEYWORDS: Mitochondrial genome assembly, phylogeographic studies, Mithrax spinosissimus, coral
and rocky reef ecosystems, Caribbean Sea
118
119
ABSTRACT
In the Caribbean, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816) and A. cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816) are major coral
species for reef bioconstruction. Since the 80s, the populations of these species are decreasing and are
now classified as critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN). To implement the development of an efficient and sustainable restoration method of the
endangered populations, the genetic status of populations should be known. Recent studies, mainly
conducted on the reefs of Florida and the Greater Antilles concerned the structure and the dynamics of
Acropora populations, while the genetic status of the populations in the Lesser Antilles remain unknown.
In this context, for these two species, a genetic study of some populations was realized on five reefs of
Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Results of this study suggested that the populations were genetically
distinct and had a larval recruitment on a spatial limited scale and that they need local conservation
measures. In addition, results show that A. cervicornis populations are rare and genetically undiversified.
However, a small genetic divergence between some individuals of these species and for the first time, the
presence of the hybrid A. prolifera colonies on one reef, would suggest that the introgression of some
genes from A. palmata to A. cervicornis could give an evolutionary potential to the genus Acropora.
KEYWORDS: Caribbean corals, population genetic, Acropora palmata, Acropora cervicornis
120
121
ABSTRACT
Fish recognition and classification are challenging when performed on video data obtained in noncontrolled environments (NCEs) such as in natural waters. Many NOAA Fisheries surveys use
underwater cameras to gather video data for this purpose, which facilitate the analysis of fish populations.
Since the amount of data is large, manual data analysis is insufficient. Automatic processing tools are
necessary. Most techniques that extract features from fish are in two categories. In the first, features are
specific to fish but not necessarily to a particular species. Yet, such measurements are often unreliable
when extracted from video obtained in NCEs, since they strongly depend on the aspect of fish with
respect to the camera. In the second, features are generic and may include texture and shape descriptors.
Such features do not target specific species of interest. In this paper, we present an automatic technique
using Gabor filters to extract characteristic features from two important species, namely, Epinephelus
morio (which has a vertical band located at the tale) and Ocyurus chrysurus (which has a long horizontal
line that runs across the body). The proposed algorithm is tested on 200 frames, each containing several
fish and non-fish regions. The detection rate is 70.6% for Epinephelus morio and 80.3% for Ocyurus
chrysurus, while 23.5% of the undetected Epinephelus morio cases do not have a visible tail band, and
16.7% of the undetected Ocyurus chrysurus cases do not have a visible straight body line. The false alarm
rates are 3.8% and 2.1%, respectively.
KEYWORDS: Automated fish classification, automated fish feature extraction, image processing,
Epinephelus morio, Ocyurus chrysurus
122
ABSTRACT
While the southeastern United States and Caribbean generally suffer from a paucity of fisheries data with
which to carry out formal stock assessments, management advice can sometimes be obtained with limited
data, provided they contain sufficient resolution over space or time. Here we present two case studies,
which were originally motivated by the need to generate management advice under severe data
limitations. The first example focuses on the impact of the Haitian fishery at Navassa Island, where a
SCUBA fish monitoring survey was carried out over the span of a decade. Community-level indicators of
ecosystem status were estimated using a Bayesian framework which accounted for the artifacts of
sampling. Despite the small sample size and the relatively short time series, significant trends emerged
and these were in agreement with anecdotal observations of the level of fishing pressure. The second
example relates to the spatial management of two rarely-encountered grouper species in the South
Atlantic. While a plethora of data sources are available for this region, these data sets are largely
incoherent in both space and time, and detection rates of the study species are extremely low. By
incorporating all data into a generalized linear modeling framework, we were able to produce a map of
probability of occurrence across the entire South Atlantic. These results are being used to guide the design
of marine reserves intended to protect these species. Both of the methodologies presented here could be
applied to other fisheries in the region where similar data limitations exist.
KEYWORDS: data-limited fisheries, size spectra, marine reserve, Bayesian statistics, SCUBA survey
ABSTRACT
The shrimp industry is by far the largest income generator among the Gulf of Mexico commercial
fisheries. Since the 1990s, however, it economic viability has rapidly deteriorated due, primarily, to an
increasing import base and a concomitant decline in the price of the harvested product. The harvesting
component of the industry has responded to the economic decline by significantly reducing effort
primarily via a large decline in the number of vessels targeting shrimp. While the impacts on the
harvesting sector associated with increasing imports and declining output price have been theoretically
and empirically analyzed in a number of studies, the impacts on the processing sector have not been
considered in great detail. On one hand, domestic shrimp processors may benefit from higher imports as
they present an additional source of raw material that can potentially be used in domestic processing
activities. However, imported processed shrimp may also compete directly with domestically processed
product. Direct competition between imported and domestically processed shrimp becomes more likely as
overseas processors increasingly move to value-added processing activities. The purpose of this paper is
to examine the impact of imported shrimp on the Gulf of Mexico shrimp processing sector. The analysis
will be conducted by product form and with an emphasis placed on changes in marketing margins and
subsequent changes in market structure.
KEYWORDS: Shrimp, processing, adaption
124
125
WALTER KEITHLY1, JUAN AGAR2, FLAVIA TONIOLI3, MANUEL VALDS PIZZINI4 and
MIGUEL ROLN5
1
Louisiana State University 101 Woodin Hall Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 United States
walterk@lsu.edu
2
Social Science Research Group, NOAA Social Science Research Group,Southeast Fisheries Science
Center, National Marine Fisheries Serv Miami FL 33149 United States
3
Cooperative Institute, NOAA Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies
(CIMAS),Rosenstiel School of Marine and Miami FL 33149 United States
4
University of Puerto Rico Mayagez Puerto Rico 00681-9266 United States
5
Caribbean Fisheries Management Agency 268 Munoz Rivera Ave., Suite 1108 San JuanPuerto Rico
00918-1920 United States
ABSTRACT
The paper describes the experience of the first attempt to establish a catch share program in the U.S.
Caribbean. It also examines the reasons behind fishermen?s hesitancy to participate in the deep-water
snapper catch share program. Our analysis shows that these programs may not be a suitable management
tool for the U.S. Caribbean given high transaction costs. High decision-making costs were the main
impediments for the establishment of the program. However, the process may have been a positive
experience because it encouraged fishermen and managers to work together to find solutions suited for
their local circumstances.
KEYWORDS: catch share program, management, snapper, U.S. Caribbean
ABSTRACT
On January 1, 2007 the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council implemented the red snapper
individual fishing quota (IFQ) program to reduce overcapacity and mitigate, to the extent possible, derbyfishing conditions. The program also sought to increase market stability, eliminate fishing seasons,
increase flexibility for fishing operations, facilitate enforcement, improve safety at sea, and enhance the
net social, economic, and biological benefits from fishery. This paper discusses the findings of a mail
survey used to investigate fishermens attitudes and perceptions towards the program to assist in the
Council mandated 5 year review of the IFQ program. The study found that participants with large
shareholdings tended to be very satisfied with the IFQ program, whereas those with small shareholdings
were the least satisfied with the program. About 65% of respondents stated that they did not make any
major capital investments or dis-investments since the onset of the program. The study also found that the
industry believed that the IFQ program had reduced derby-fishing conditions. Additionally, medium and
large shareholders, as well as western Gulf shareholders, agreed that the IFQ program had increased
harvesting flexibility and decreased crowding on fishing grounds.
KEYWORDS: individual fishing quota, red snapper, shareholders
126
127
ABSTRACT
Sportfishing, a sustainable form of ecotourism, can bring socioeconomic benefits to local economies as
and conserve local marine resources. Caribbean nations show great potential to capture these benefits by
expanding or promoting their areas, but this is dependent on having effective and responsible
management of gamefish (highly migratory) species. TBF is engaged with stakeholders to collect relevant
data to demonstrate the potential for the development of sportfishing in Caribbean nations and raise
awareness of the benefits that sportfishing can accrue. Discourse with relevant stakeholders and local
officials are also intended to encourage their active participation in fisheries management issues and
engage officials to promote sportfishing and conservation in their respective nations. Highlighting the
potential for nations to capture these many benefits as well as relevant fisheries management issues is also
intended to ensure that nations maximize socioeconomic benefits for stakeholders through responsible use
of their marine resources. TBF also intends to demonstrate that sportfishing offers a much more viable,
sustainable means of accruing benefits for its citizens than some of the current practices in place in many
Caribbean nations.
KEYWORDS: Sportfishing, Caribbean, conservation, gamefish
128
129
ABSTRACT
Underwater video is currently being used by many scientists within NMFS to study fish populations and
to do a census of species. The Southeast Fisheries Science Center uses such systems to assess populations
of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. The manual nature of this analysis is time consuming and labor
intensive. The goal is to develop software tools and algorithms to automate fish counting in underwater
video. The main step is to recognize the presence of fish in the images and track the locations of
individual fish from frame to frame. Recognizing the presence of fish is achieved via a histogram
thresholding technique. Tracking is performed using a simple linear motion model. This allows automated
counting of the number of fish in a time segment and exporting information about each fish. The relative
size and shape of each individual fish changes as its location and viewed aspect change. However, most
of the fish imaged will be moving against a more or less stationary background, and that motion is used to
aid in detection. Enumerating fish targets imaged during a given time period requires tracking the location
of each individual through the subset of images where it appears so that it is not counted multiple times.
After each region containing fish is isolated, region growing is used. This makes possible the accurate
counting of the number of fish and rejection of isolated regions which are not fish. Results demonstrate
the performance of the proposed fish counting technique.
KEYWORDS: Computer counting, underwater video, background subtraction, tracking, census
130
131
ABSTRACT
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are highly migratory cosmopolitan fish that are currently managed as
a single panmictic stock in the Atlantic Ocean; however, our understanding of the migration patterns and
connectivity of Atlantic populations is minimal. Naturally occurring chemical tracers in otoliths provide
valuable information that is widely used to classify populations and reconstruct environmental histories of
fishes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the otolith microchemistry of young-of-the-year (YOY)
yellowfin tuna to determine whether chemical signatures are distinct across different putative spawning
areas in the Atlantic Ocean. YOY yellowfin tuna otoliths were collected from 5 locations in the Atlantic
Ocean (Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Martinique, Dominican Republic, and Gulf of Guinea) in 2012 and 2013
and trace elemental and stable isotopic analyses will be conducted to investigate regional variation in the
chemical composition of otoliths. In this paper, we present preliminary results from the first year of our
study and evaluate the feasibility of using these natural tracers to discriminate juveniles from different
nursery areas. This research is ongoing and we will extend our sampling into 2014 and 2015 at all
locations. After we establish our baseline of natal signatures, these data will be used to assign adult
yellowfin tuna from the Gulf of Mexico to their nursery of origin. Results of this study will ultimately
provide an improved understanding of the stock structure and movement of yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic
Ocean.
KEYWORDS: yellowfin tuna, trace elements, stable isotopes, otolith chemistry, Atlantic Ocean
132
133
ABSTRACT
Red snapper is an important recreational and commercial finfish in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Red
snapper inhabit several different habitat types: low-relief artificial structures, toppled and standing oil and
gas platforms, and natural banks located on the mid-shelf and the shelf-edge. Red snapper populations are
currently managed as a single stock both east and west of the Mississippi River. Nieland et al. (2007)
reported a decline in ages of red snapper across the Louisiana commercial fishery indicating the
population may be overfished and undergoing overfishing. The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management
Council has set of a goal of reaching maximum sustainable yield by 2032. This study will compare age
structure of red snapper from both a low-relief artificial habitat and a natural shelf edge bank, respectively
in the East Cameron Oil Lease Planning Area (n=135) and at Bright Bank (n=92). Otoliths were collected
from red snapper at each habitat over a period of three years with quarterly research trips. The otoliths
were sectioned and read using marginal increment analysis according to Beckman et al (1988). This study
will address differences in size-at-age, weight-at-age, and the age distribution at each habitat. Previous
studies have reported significant differences in age and growth parameters between artificial habitats and
natural banks. This analysis will help define biological reference points as well as the quality and role of
both habitats. Unbiased age estimates will give fishery managers tools to make informed decisions about
the best methods to regulate the red snapper fisheries.
KEYWORDS: Red snapper, habitat, artifical, age, growth
134
135
ABSTRACT
This study seeks to address some of the significant information gaps relating to the reef fishery of the
main island of St. Vincent. Data on fishers, fishing practices, fishing effort, catches and marketing were
collected largely by interviewing reef fishers using a standardised questionnaire. Landing sites around the
entire island were visited and approximately 60% of reef fishers identified at each site were interviewed.
There are approximately 250 reef fishers in St. Vincent concentrated around the landing sites and reef
fishing is the primary source of income for most. The common fishing gears utilised are the handline (3-9
hooks) and the palangue which carries 30-400 hooks and is left to soak for up to two hours unattended.
Other gears include the trammel net, spearguns and fish traps. The predominant boat type used is the
pirogue; fishing takes place approximately 10-20 km from the landing sites and around the Grenadine
islands of Bequia, Mustique and Balliceaux. A crew of 2-3 is typical of the reef fishery and reef fishing is
done all year, three to six days a week. The most commonly caught fish include snapper, grouper, cavalli,
barracuda, amber fish and butter fish. Typical catch rates are an estimated 3700 kg per fishing vessel
annually. Most fishers indicated that the size and the abundance of the reef fish are declining.
KEYWORDS: reef, fishery
136
137
ABSTRACT
The emergence of lionfish as a bycatch species in deep water fishing grounds of the commercial spiny
lobster fishery indicates a need to extend the efforts to monitor and cull lionfish present to deep water
habitats. Catch data was collected from a commercial lobster vessel to determine the geographic
distribution, length frequency, catch rates of lionfish, as well as the potential impacts on lobster catch
rates. Locations and depths were recorded for each trap sampled; and each organism caught was identified
and measured. Lionfish were present in 21.4% of the traps; with mean catch rate of 0.38 fish/trap. Mean
catch rates of legal lobsters decrease from 1.82 to 0.59/trap when lionfish are present. Traps provide a low
effort/high yield option for culling lionfish in deeper waters that are not targeted by normal removal
efforts. While this method could be helpful in reducing lionfish numbers, lionfish presence leads to
reduce lobster catch rates, negatively impacting fisher profits.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive, lobster fishery, bycatch, impacts
138
139
ABSTRACT
Artificial reefs are very popular with U.S. recreational fishers and divers, and are used to enhance
commercial harvests internationally. Florida has one ofthe largest artificial reef programs in the nation,
with 33 counties having local programs. To date, there have been approximately 2,500 deployments of
various materials along the Florida Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The Florida Sea Grant Program
has developed a comprehensive extension and research program to provide artificial reef program
coordinators and stakeholders with technical information that will enable them to plan, construct, and
manage reefs in an efficient and environmentally responsibel manner possible. Sea Grant extension
activities have included a number of statewide and regional conferences and workshops to provide the
best possible technical information to the artificial reef community. Research has been conducted on the
ecological function and potential fishery management implications. Furthermore, economic analyses have
been conducted to document angler and diver utilization of reefs and the economic activity generated by
artificial reef use.
KEYWORDS: artificial reefs
ABSTRACT
The Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area (SFMA) is a federally permitted, large-area artificial reef
system in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, designed and constructed to test a bottleneck hypothesis for
juvenile gag. Gag have a spatially stage-structured life history, with juveniles (ages 1-4) occupying patch
reefs on the shallow continental shelf. Prior experiments demonstrated density-dependent habitat selection
and growth, with the tension between mortality risk and growth potential favoring available shelter as a
primary element of habitat quality. The SFMA is 259 km2 on the shallow shelf, enhanced with 500
conservation reefs designed and randomly distributed to improve growth rates and survivorship of
juvenile gag. The SFMA is not a no-take marine protected area. Instead, locations of small conservation
reefs are not publicly known, which in combination with small reef size and wide dispersion is a passive
constraint on directed fishing. The evaluation plan involves monitoring reefs offshore that bracket the
region, a tagging study and comparisons of gag growth and mortality rates between the SFMA and
adjacent, unenhanced shelf areas. Those parameter estimates will be inputs for spatial modeling of habitat
effects on gag population dynamics.
KEYWORDS: artificial reef, bottleneck hypothesis, spatial dynamics, habitat quality
140
141
ABSTRACT
The goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara, historically overfished throughout its range, has recovered
substantially in US waters since a harvest moratorium was put into place in 1990. The perspectives of
diverse stakeholders on the goliath grouper and its management were investigated using an online survey
of 5882 respondents and a facilitated workshop. Goliath grouper were commonly encountered by reef
fishers and recreational divers around the Florida coast. Commercial reef fishers considered goliath
encounters undesirable or neutral, while over half of recreational fishers and a large majority of nonspearfishing divers found encounters desirable. Many commercial reef and recreational spear fishers have
modified their location choice and fishing practices to minimize incidental catch of goliath and
depredation of catch by goliath from fishing gear. Commercial reef and recreational spear fishers
perceived negative impacts of goliath on biodiversity, while recreational anglers and sightseeing divers
perceived a positive contribution of goliath to. Commercial and recreational fishing stakeholders on
average disagreed with the harvest moratorium and preferred opening a strictly regulated fishery, while
sightseeing divers and members of conservation organizations strongly agreed with the moratorium. A
limited take for research was viewed neutrally by all groups. The workshop provided further, in-depth
consideration of stakeholder perspectives.
KEYWORDS: Goliath grouper, stakeholders, survey, participation, co-management
142
LITERATURE REVIEW AND GAP ANALYSIS ON THE SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF NONEXTRACTIVE STRESSORS ON CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS
REVISIN DE LA LITERATURA Y EL ANLISIS DE LAS DEFICIENCIAS EN LAS
FUENTES Y LOS EFECTOS DE LOS FACTORES DE ESTRS NO EXTRACTIVOS EN LOS
ECOSISTEMAS DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL
REVUE DE LA LITTRATURE ET ANALYSE DE L'CART SUR LES SOURCES ET LES
EFFETS DES FACTEURS DE STRESS NON EXTRACTIVES SUR LES COSYSTMES DES
RCIFS CORALLIENS
LAURA LOUON1 and MANOJ SHIVLANI2
University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149 USA llouon@rsmas.miami.edu
2
NTVI 10600 SW 131 Court Miami FL 33186 United States
143
ABSTRACT
This study reviews literature as it relates to non-extractive activities and their impacts on coral reef
ecosystems, including tourism-related activities such as trampling, snorkeling and diving, and boating,
and coastal development-related effects such as sedimentation, habitat alteration, and nutrient
enrichment.The study then utilizes Geographic Information Systems to conduct a gap analysis as it relates
to areas/regions, stressors, and trends, thereby identifying areas/regions that may be under-represented in
non-extractive activities studies and lacking in appropriate management actions and listing the stressors
that may be yet poorly understood and thus warranting greater research and management efforts.
KEYWORDS: Coral reefs, non-extractive activities, recreation, gap analysis, coral reef management
144
145
ABSTRACT
Following the fish pot ban in Bermuda in 1990, a fishery-independent diver census program was
established to monitor the expected recovery of reef fish populations. A modified form of the BohnsackBannerot visual census protocol was used. The dominant herbivore species on Bermudas reefs are
parrotfishes (Scaridae) and surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) and these populations were released from
fishing mortality when the ban took effect. As line fishing was still permitted after the ban, populations of
predators such as groupers and snappers continued to be exposed to fishing pressure. Census data
collected over nine years indicated that the biomass of parrotfishes (five species) and surgeonfishes (two
species) increased by factors of 2.67 and 3.37 respectively, with substantial recoveries occurring in six
species but not in striped parrotfish (Scarus iserti). There was also a significant increase in body size of all
herbivores except blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus). In contrast, there was no significant increase in the
biomass of the coney (Cephalopholis fulva), an abundant small grouper, as line fishing pressure continued
to exert fishing mortality on this population.
KEYWORDS: Fish pot ban, Scaridae, Acanthuridae, Coney, Bermuda.
146
147
ABSTRACT
We assessed the breeding success of Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus on St. Eustatius,
particularly in relation to predation at the nest. We conducted weekly surveys at five sites during 20122013 and measured chick and adult morphometrics. Apparent nest success ranged from 55-100% across
five breeding areas, while apparent fledge success ranged from 63-100% at those same locations. We
used cameras and baited rat traps to document the presence of predators at nest sites. Predation rates
captured on cameras were low (ca. 200 images of predators from ca. 263,000 images over 11 weeks).
Cameras documented cats and rats at accessible nests. Although we could not confirm the cause of egg
loss or the death of some chicks, the presence of cats and rats suggests that additional effort be expended
to accurately measure their impact.
KEYWORDS: Tropicbird, St Eustatius, nesting, predation
148
149
ABSTRACT
Many initiatives and institutions aimed at addressing transboundary ocean governance in the Wider
Caribbean Region (WCR) have emerged over the past several decades. These were assessed during the
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) process for the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME)
Project, which took place in two phases between 2006 and 2013.While there has been considerable
activity towards regional ocean governance, initiatives have suffered from fragmentation and other
weaknesses. The CLME Project chose to focus much of its attention on strengthening regional ocean
governance in the WCR. The approach involved developing a conceptual framework for regional ocean
governance, conducting a number of assessments and learning by doing activities within the context of
this framework, and ultimately developing a regional ocean governance operationalization framework for
adoption by the concerned states. This sequence of activities is described and evaluated. The proposed
regional ocean governance framework comprises a nested set out governance arrangements that may
focus on particular issues or geographical area. The framework recognises that while the wider Caribbean
region is a single Large Marine Ecosystem many issues must be dealt with at multiple geographical and
organisational skills (to achieve subsidiarity). Many parts of the framework already exist but need to be
strengthened and better linked to each other. A particular weakness is the lack of an overarching
coordinating and policy development mechanism for oceans in the region. Options for, and constraints to,
the establishment of such a mechanism are considered.
KEYWORDS: Institutions, governance, regional, EBM, policy
150
151
152
153
RSUM
A partir de 1960, la rgion Carabes cherche dvelopper la pche des grands poissons plagiques du
large en particulier pour rduire lexploitation trop intense des plateaux insulaires. Le Dispositif de
Concentration de Poissons (DCP) est peru comme un moyen dexploiter ces ressources. Le prsent
papier tente de rpondre cette question : le dveloppement des DCP a-t-il permis de redployer lactivit
de pche vers les ressources du large et ainsi de rduire leffort sur les plateaux insulaires ? Pour y
rpondre, le dveloppement de la pche aux DCP est compar entre 3 les (Guadeloupe, Dominique,
Martinique). Il montre quen Guadeloupe et en Martinique 300 navires pratiquent la pche autour des
DCP soit respectivement 39 et 33 % des navires actifs, alors que 59 et 61 % des pcheurs professionnels
font de la pche la nasse. A la Dominique, 45 % des navires font du DCP et seulement 15 % de la nasse.
Une comparaison avec le nord-ouest de la Martinique, montre que la largeur du plateau insulaire ne peut
expliquer cette diffrence. Ds lapproche du plein dveloppement de la flottille DCP, une amorce de
repli sur le plateau se manifeste en Martinique. Trois raisons sont voques par les pcheurs et examines
ici, pour expliquer cette volution: la saturation du march en produit plagique, lirrgularit de la pche
aux DCP (saisonnalit des prises et des courants entrainant limmersion des DCP) et laugmentation du
cot du carburant. Tous ces lments suggrent que le dveloppement de la pche aux DCP ne peut
entrainer une rduction de leffort de pche sur le plateau que si des mesures de rgulation de la flottille
sont simultanment mises en uvre.
MOTS CLS: DCP, ressources, exploitation, effort de pche, plateau insulaire
PORTRAIT OF THE DEEP WATER SNAPPER FISHERY IN PUERTO RICO DURING 19882012
SEMBLANZA DE LA PESQUERA DE PARGOS DE AGUAS PROFUNDAS EN PUERTO RICO
DURANTE 1988-2012
UN PORTRAIT DE LA PCHE DE LA CREVETTE VIVANEAUX PUERTO RICO AU
COURS DE 1988-2012
DANIEL MATOS-CARABALLO1, LUIS RIVERA-PADILLA1, JESS LEN-FERNNDEZ1,
GLIZETTE O. ARROYO-MORALES2, and LUCIA T. VARGAS-DINIZARD
1
DNER Fisheries Reseach Laboratory P.O. Box 3665 Mayaguez, PR 00681 USA
matos_daniel@hotmail.com
2
Universidad Adventista de las Antillas P.O. Box 118 Mayaguez PR 00681-0118
ABSTRACT
The deep water snapper has been the most important finfish fishery in Puerto Rico since 1970s. During
the mentioned 1970-1990, there were approximately 25 fishing vessels 40 feet length or larger dedicate to
deep water snapper fishery. From 1990s to the present there was observed that approximately 100
fishing vessels of 22-25 feet length has been used successfully for the deep water snapper fishery. This
fishing activity occurs around the Puerto Rico. The fishing time duration of the fishing trip is
approximately 10-12 hours. There are five species of deep water snapper in Puerto Rico, silk snapper
Lutjanus vivanus, blackfin snapper Lutjanus bucanella, queen snapper Etelis oculatus, vermillon snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens and cardinal snapper Pristipomoides macrophthalmus. During the 1970-1990,
silk snapper was the most important species of deep water snapper landed in pounds in Puerto Rico.
However, since 1995, the queen snapper has been the most important landed species in pounds. Thus
Since 2005, the deep water snapper fishery was protected by the Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources (DNER) and the NOAA Fisheries DNER. Both agencies established a yearly
closed season from October 1st to December 31st. This paper will show the trends in deep water snappers
landings data, biostatics data and fishing census for deep water snapper during 1988-2012. Also, we will
discuss the closed season to protect the resources established by NOAA Fisheries and the DNER and the
trend observed after five years of the closed season establishment.
KEYWORDS: Deep water snapper fisheries, landings, Puerto Rico
154
155
ABSTRACT
Coral bleaching and disease are recognized as major drivers of coral reef decline globally and are
increasing in prevalence, regularity and severity with global climate change. Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs) are a leading strategy in the conservation of biodiversity and are increasingly being used with the
new aim of enhancing resilience in the face of global climate change. This study compared the prevalence
of bleaching, disease and compromised health states in scleractinian (stony) and milleporid (fire) corals at
60 monitoring sites, within and outside of MPAs within the Cayman Islands, to determine if resilience
was increased (and therefore prevalence lower) within MPAs. Overall, the study found that the
Caymanian MPAs did not enhance the resilience of reef building corals to bleaching and disease, with the
prevalence of white plague actually higher within MPA sites overall (MPA: 1.31% 0.39 S.E., nonMPA: 0.88% 0.22 S.E.). However, the prevalence of compromised health states and growth anomalies
were reduced within MPA sites. Disease prevalence was patchy and varied according to island and aspect.
Prevalence was highest on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (combined disease: 13.10% 1.19 S.E. and
10.91% 1.53 S.E.), on southern coasts. Key diseases and hosts were typical of the wider Caribbean;
white plague, yellow band disease, dark spot disease and dark spot syndrome, were recorded at the
highest prevalence within important reef building species. Mean bleaching prevalence during the study
was low (3.97% 0.56 S.E.), with an increase at the deep sites (6.52% 0.94 S.E.).
KEYWORDS: Marine protected areas, coral disease, reef resilience, bleaching, Cayman Islands
156
157
ABSTRACT
Several species of marine mammals are known to interact with commercial fishing operations in the Gulf
of Mexico. Depredation can have negative consequences for fisherman through loss of fish, bait, or gear
which devalues catch and can result in injury to marine mammals through gear entanglement or
retaliatory actions of fisherman. Depredation of catch by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was
observed from June 2011 to March 2012 while onboard commercial reef fish fishing vessels in the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Texas and Florida (n=177 sets, 489 hours). Atlantic
spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) were near fishing vessels however none were observed depredating
or directly interacting with vessels. Depredation of catch by bottlenose dolphins occurred during 12.2% of
fishing time and during 20.9% of sets. Of 124 total bottlenose dolphins sighted 120 were observed
depredating catch. Atlantic spotted dolphins were near fishing vessels 0.91% of fishing time. Data was
analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests with dependent variables of statistical management zone
(SMZ) and fishing gear or target fishery. There were no differences in depredation among gear types
(p=0.6163, F=0.49). Juvenile dolphins were observed more in SMZ 6, near Tampa, Florida than in other
SMZs (p=0.0004, F=4.85, n=177). Atlantic spotted dolphins were seen more frequently in SMZ 5 and 6
than in other SMZs (p=0.0357, F=2.45, n=177). Bottlenose dolphins were commonly sighted near fishing
vessels off the coast of Texas and Florida and when present both adults and juveniles frequently
depredated catch of commercial reef fish vessels.
KEYWORDS: Fisheries interaction, marine mammals, Lutjanidae, Delphinidae
A MIXED MANAGEMENT APPROACH - ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND FISH SANCTUARIES TOWARDS FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT
UN ENFOQUE DE GESTIN MIXTA - ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES Y SANTUARIOS DE
PECES - A INCREMENTAR LA PESCA
UNE APPROCHE DE GESTION MIXTE - RCIFS ARTIFICIELS ET LES SANCTUAIRES DE
POISSONS - VERS LA MISE EN VALEUR DES PCHES
MICHELLE MCNAUGHT
The CARIBSAVE Partnership 2 1/2 Kingsway, Unit 27 Devon House East Kingston, 19 Jamaica
michelle.mcnaught@caribsave.org
ABSTRACT
Traditionally wildlife management was either Custodial or Manipulative Management both of which,
though acceptable are highly subjective. Artificial reefs are a common example of manipulating a fish
population arguably by aggregating fish or increasing the biomass. However, if the artificial reef is
deployed within a protected area (custodial), then the outcome is more important than the mechanism.
With Jamaicas inshore fisheries severely depleted, its Government has taken steps towards reversing this
by implementing 14 Special Fishery Conservation Areas or fish sanctuaries. One such is the Bluefields
Bay SFCA where artificial reefs were deployed towards enhancing its fisheries populations. In this reef
limited sanctuary, 350 modules of EcoReefs, designed to mimic elk horn corals, were anchored in a
section (~416m2 in area) of sand patch completely surrounded by seagrass, at a depth of approximately
8m. The baseline survey showed a low fish species richness and density of 2 and 0.014fish/ m2
respectively. Whilst post deployment at 6 and 7 months the fish species richness and densities increased
significantly to 16 and 6.72 fish/ m2 and 17 and 13.65 fish/ m2 respectively. Two years later the density
is sustained and this exceptional large gathering of fish remains protected from the threats of fishers while
being able to attain larger body sizes and in turn increased fecundity. This coupled with the spill over
effect; the artificial reef can function to generate income from eco-tourism to the benefit of the fishers and
other community members whilst sustainably financing the management of this community-based
sanctuary.
KEYWORDS: Fish sanctuary, artificial reef
158
159
ABSTRACT
Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) live in estuaries along the east coasts of North and South America. They
are an important species in Gulf of Mexico estuaries supporting important commercial and recreational
fisheries while providing critical ecosystem services including serving as a critical food item for many
federally and/or state listed species including Whooping cranes and Kemps Ridley turtles. The abundance
of blue crab is in turn influenced by predation, fisheries, and changes in freshwater inflow. Declines in the
population levels of blue crabs can lead to potential negative impacts on species which prey on the
juveniles and adults. Therefore understanding the growth of early juvenile stages of blue crab is needed to
estimate critical life history parameters and for development of stock assessment models for management.
However, determination of blue crab growth parameters is complicated by an inability to age individuals
directly, discontinuous growth, and the influence of environmental conditions. Furthermore, the tracking
of growth through time using traditional externally applied tags cannot be accomplished because of the
molting process. We used internally implanted coded wire tags (CWT) in a mark recapture study to
monitor growth of crabs released into the wild. Data collected during the study was used to describe and
parameterize growth processes across different size classes and environmental conditions. Various models
are presented that describe the growth of juvenile blue crab. Methods developed and used in this study
should be applicable to other subtropical and tropical crustacean species utilized in commercial and
recreational fisheries.
KEYWORDS: blue crab, growth, modeling, Callinectes sapidus, juvenile
160
161
ABSTRACT
We used a combination of conventional mark and recapture data (n=35 recaptures), satellite data (n=2
transmitters), and surface drifter data (n=144) to examine dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) movements
relative to the Bahamian archipelago. Movement speeds and headings were dependent upon the location
of tagging. Movements within the Bahamas were to the south within the archipelago in the Tongue of the
Ocean (TOTO), Northeast Providence Channel, and Exuma Sound (ES), ranging from 4-23 days at liberty
(DAL). However, the majority of dolphinfish released in the TOTO showed little net dispersal (< 1 km)
after 5-77 DAL with only 3 movements to locations outside. Emigration from the Bahamas toward the
U.S. east coast was not random and occurred most frequently for fish released north of Great Abaco and
Eleuthera Islands; fish were recaptured near Cape Canaveral, FL, Charlestown, SC, Wilmington and
Hatteras Bight, NC, and southeast of Georges Bank after 14-58 DAL. Fishery-dependent and
independent movements, and surface drifters, revealed dolphinfish enter the Bahamas via the Northwest
Providence Channel in the west, north of the Little Bahama Bank, northeast of Eleuthera to Long Island,
and east from north or south of Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. Understanding the movements of
dolphinfish relative to the Bahamas should facilitate regional stock assessments by revealing regional
stock connectivity in space and time. Importantly, these observations are potentially key for
understanding large scale dolphinfish movements and stock structure in the northwest Atlantic and
northern Caribbean.
KEYWORDS: Dolphinfish, movements, migrations, Bahamian Archipelago, mark and recapture
162
163
ABSTRACT
To increase sustainability and profitability of FAD fisheries in the fishing community of Barrouallie,
within the framework of CRFM/JICA collaboration of the Caribbean Fisheries Co-management project
(CARIFICO), the Fisheries Division of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) have started a pilot activity focusing on the introduction and development of
co-management. Co-management is considered an effective way of fisheries management and the social
cohesion among fishermen is identified as an important attribute contributing to the success of comanagement. However, in Barrouallie, the question is how to strengthen the social cohesion. In this
study, an approach to strengthen the social cohesion is identified from the experience of Okinawa in
Japan, that is the social cohesion is strengthened by the economic activities they share, which include
marketing of fish, fuel and fishing gear supply, financial service, and by the management of fisheries
centers which provide landing and marketing facilities, fishermen?s locker and workshop. To verify this
approach, fisheries cooperatives in Okinawa, which are main fisher organizations to conduct those
activities and co-management, are studied, and questionnaire survey of Okinawa fishermen are
implemented. The applicability of this approach to Barrouallie is also verified by questionnaire survey of
Barrouallie fishermen. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of this approach, following to this study,
monitoring indicators are suggested for Barrouallie pilot activity, which will apply this approach and
continue for five years.
KEYWORDS: co-management
164
165
RESUMEN
Las tortugas marinas constituyeron un recurso pesquero para Cuba hasta el 2007, cuya pesquera estaba
controlada por varias medidas regulatorias para la proteccin y conservacin de estas especies,
recomendadas por el Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras. Tenindose en cuenta que estas medidas deben
evaluarse para conocer sus efectos en la recuperacin de las poblaciones, y que el monitoreo llevado a
cabo durante 30 aos en la playa El Guanal (sur de la Isla de la Juventud), posibilita analizar el impacto
de algunas de estas medidas sobre la anidacin en esa playa, este trabajo tiene como objetivo, determinar
el efecto de las vedas establecidas sobre las poblaciones anidadoras de tortugas verde y caguama en el sur
de la Isla de la Juventud. Con este propsito, se realiz un anlisis de la captura (comportamiento para el
periodo, y por periodo de veda) y la anidacin (para cada especie por periodo) en cuatro etapas: PVI
(1982-1987), PV2 (1988-1994), PV3 (1995-2007) y PV4 (2008-2011), que representan un periodo de
veda diferente. Se comprob que la variacin anual de la captura de tortuga verde y caguama muestra
para todo el periodo una disminucin en el tiempo para ambas especies vinculadas con las vedas
establecidas, mientras que en la anidacin se observ una variacin de la anidacin para ambas especies
segn las vedas.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Season closures, catch, loggerhead turtles, sea turtles, green turtle
166
167
ABSTRACT
GulfBase is a portal on research resources in the Gulf of Mexico, developed in 2002 by the Harte
Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Its goal is to provide free access to
information on the Gulf to researchers, policy makers and the public, to insure the long-term sustainable
use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. It currently contains information on over 2300 researchers,
493 institutions, 500 projects, 583 conferences and events related to the Gulf, besides hundreds of islands,
reefs, bays, etc. GulfBase hosts several databases, including the Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico
(BioGoMx) database, a comprehensive biotic inventory covering over 15,000 species. The Deepwater
Horizon oil spill in 2010 has made clear the need to know what resources are available, who are the
experts are, and to be better prepared for disasters. As a result, several new products are coming to
GulfBase, including: 1) BioGoMx partnered with IUCN Red List to augment information on Gulf species
and develop a directory of experts; 2) inventory of ocean assets (research vessels, ROVs, gliders, etc.), in
partnership with the Gulf of Mexico University Research Collaborative (GOMURC), to increase
collaborations and for improved response to ocean events; and 3) Directory of Education and Outreach
(E&O) Professionals, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA). Additionally, a new
website with new features is expected to be released in early 2014.
KEYWORDS: Research, collaboration, disaster preparedness, conservation, online portal
168
169
ABSTRACT
Education and outreach activities can promote environmental stewardship and help build awareness and
understanding of marine protected areas (MPAs). Education is an essential component of building
compliance and enhancing MPA enforcement, but marine reserves often lack the necessary staff, time,
experience and funding. Recent experience in Belize shows volunteer educators can be a useful resource
for building MPA education and outreach efforts. In CaMPAMs Caribbean MPA Management Capacity
Assessment, Belize Fisheries Department staff managing South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR)
identified outreach and education as the priority area for capacity building and assistance. Given
implementation funding for activities with schools via a GCFI-NOAA Cooperative Agreement, the MPA
manager called for an expert volunteer to first help design a new outreach and education plan for
SWCMR. Once in the field, the volunteer conducted a needs assessment with local schools. A Reef
Keeper Workbook and a presentation about SWCMR were created. These were piloted in the classroom,
guest lectures were given by MPA staff and outdoor environmental activities were held for school
students. An informal learning assessment was made indicating student knowledge and understanding
about MPAs improved. The project was completed with minimal use of MPA staff time and resources,
yet it resulted in increased visibility for the reserve, meaningful contact with local schools, and materials
and activities that can be built upon in future. Lessons learned about the steps in working with education
volunteers can help enhance the success of other such MPA education programs in the Caribbean.
KEYWORDS: Volunteer, education, marine protected areas, Belize, South Water Caye
170
171
ABSTRACT
This paper provides detailed descriptions of aggregation formation and mass spawning of the Bermuda
chub (Kyphosus sectatrix). Spawning coloration and gamete release of K. sectatrix was observed and
filmed at the Grammanik Bank, a deep spawning aggregation site used by many different species located
on the southern edge of the Puerto Rican shelf 10 km south of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
Underwater visual surveys using technical Nitrox and closed circuit re-breathers were conducted from
December 2002 to March 2013 and documented spatial and temporal patterns of movement and
aggregation formation along 1.5 km of mesophotic reef. The largest aggregations of K. sectatrix (> 200
fish) were observed on the Grammanik Bank January to March from 0 to 11 days after the full moon with
peak abundance from 60 to 80 days after the winter solstice across all survey years. Aggregation
formation of K. sectatrix coincided with the spawning season of Nassau (Epinephelus striatus) and
yellowfin (Mycteroperca venenosa) groupers. These spatial and temporal patterns of aggregation
formation and spawning suggest that K. sectatrix, an herbivore, may also be a transient aggregating
species. On several occasions chubs were observed both pair spawning and mass spawning. Color
patterns and behaviours associated with aggregation and spawning are described. This represents the first
report of a Kyphosid species aggregating to spawn and illuminates a portion of the poorly understood life
history of the Bermuda chub.
KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregation, spawning coloration, reproductive behavior, Kyphosidae, Virgin
Islands
RESUMEN
Strombus gigas tiene importancia pesquera en el Caribe, pero sus poblaciones estn sobreexplotadas,
trabajndose su acuacultura y repoblacin. Su comportamiento y uso del hbitat ha sido poco estudiado
(Berg, 1975; Stoner, 2002 y Bissada et al., 2010). El objetivo de este trabajo: Conocer el uso del hbitat y
comportamiento de S. gigas y sus variaciones estacionales, mensuales y diurnas en adultos y juveniles.
Las actividades de comportamiento y hbitat se observaron de 8-17h en transectos de 100 m (eneronoviembre 2012), contabilizando caracoles: reposo, movimiento, alimentacin y cpula-desove. Con
marcado-recaptura, se determin el rea utilizada.hora-1 (8, 12 y 16h) en secas y lluvias. El anlisis del
comportamiento estacional mostr diferencia significativa del reposo entre nortes y secas-lluvias en
adultos. Alimentacin y movimiento fueron diferentes en lluvias con respecto a secas y nortes en adultos.
Los juveniles se alimentan y se mueven diferentemente en las tres pocas. A nivel mensual, la
alimentacin, movimiento, reposo y cpula presentaron diferencias significativas. Reposo en adultos
present un pico en marzo-julio y en juveniles este se observ: enero-febrero y octubre-diciembre. La
alimentacin fue similar en juveniles y adultos. La alimentacin y movimiento en un ciclo diurno mostr
diferencias, aumentando de 10 a 14 h. El reposo es alto de 8-10h. Los caracoles utilizan un rea de 0.86
m2.h-1, aumentando en lluvias a 1.1 m2 y disminuyendo en secas (0.55 m2). El rea utilizada por un
caracol en el da vara significativamente, de 0.44m2 (8h) a 1.67m2.h-1 (16h). Conocer el uso del hbitat y
sus variaciones diurnas, estacionales en las diferentes fases del ciclo de vida son valiosas para adecuar los
programas de conservacin, y cultivo de esta especie.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Comportamiento, mensual, diurno, estacional, caracol rosa
172
173
th
ABSTRACT
Until recently, efforts to assess and manage fisheries have been directed primarily at a minority of stocks
with relatively rich conventional data resources. In its most recent amendment, the US fisheries law
clarified that all stocks need annual catch limits, prompting interest in how to manage the majority of
fish stocks, which have not yet been formally assessed. These stocks are disproportionately represented
in the tropics, where few formal assessments have ever been conducted. Recent proposed approaches
have focused on life history correlates in the hopes of determining stock status without local data. I
propose alternative approaches. We can cast deeper by supplementing conventional data with ecological
and economic datasets that are not normally considered in the assessment process. We can cast more
widely by considering ranges of potential status and examining them in terms of risk management. In
doing so, fundamental trade-offs among performance characteristics are identified and analyzed across a
range of policy options. Examples of these approaches will be provided from several stocks from the US
Caribbean. The spiny lobster fishery has potential to be formally assessed using conventional techniques
if data from the local fishing community are included. The red hind and yellowtail snapper fisheries lack
sufficient data for a formal conventional approach. However, inclusion of non-conventional data and
examination of all data in a risk management framework allow us to evaluate the likely sustainability of
recent catch levels. These analyses highlight that we can give far more useful scientific advice to
managers of data-poor fisheries.
KEYWORDS: Data-poor fisheries, Caribbean fisheries, spiny lobster, red hind, yellowtail snapper
174
175
RESUMEN
El caracol reina es de larga vida y de crecimiento lento, convirtindolo vulnerable a la explotacin
insostenible; por estas razones fue incluido en Apndice II de CITES. El caracol es utilizado en
restaurante y en la gastronoma local, especialmente en las sopas de mariscos y ceviche. La pesquera de
caracol llego a convertirseen la segunda ms importante para Honduras seguida de la pesca de langosta,
luego de la decisin delcierre de esta pesquera en el pas; el gobierno cumpliendo los requisitos de
CITES inici el "Programa de Investigacin Cientfica del Caracol Reina del Caribe" siendo este ao el
sptimo y no cuenta an con ningn plan de gestin o un dictamen de extraccin. La cadena de mercado
del caracol es abastecida legalmente por el estudio cientfico, y es vendido a plantas procesadoras de
pescado certificadas por el gobierno para comprar caracol a estos barcos del estudio. El producto de mejor
calidad es exportado a Estados Unidos, que presenta la mayor demanda de exportacin, como tambin
hay exportaciones a Guatemala y a El Salvador, se cree que estas exportaciones provienen de
desembarques ilegales fuera de muelle. La captura ilegal de Guatemala y Honduras forma un 20% del
total de exportaciones de caracol registradas por Belice. El caracol que deriva la de pesca artesanal por
subsistencia, proviene mayormente de Islas de la Baha, Tela y Ceiba, la cual abastece a restaurantes,
hoteles y mercados de la zona.Con nuevas alternativas de comercio de pesca sostenible (captura de
caracol por apnea), y creando comercios con otras especies sostenibles se evitara la sobreexplotacin y el
comercio ilegal de caracol dando nuevas oportunidades de mercado al pas.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Caracol reina, cadena de mercado, pesca ilegal, pesca sostenible
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177
RESUMEN
Se estudi la ecologa trfica del Guabino en el mar Caribe Cordobs, Colombia, analizando estmagos
de individuos capturados entre enero y diciembre, con tallas entre 20.0-38.1 cm de longitud total (LT) y
peso total (WT) entre 68.0-538.0 g. Se estim el Coeficiente de vacuidad, Grado de digestin, Frecuencia
de ocurrencia, Frecuencia numrica, Gravimetra y el ndice de importancia relativa (IIR). El 58.6 % de
los estmagos se encontr vaco y el 11.7 % de las presas estaban frescas, 73.3 % medio digeridas y 15.0
% digeridas. Se identificaron tres grupos alimentarios: Peces, Crustceos y Otros, siendo Peces el grupo
ms frecuente (69.6 %), encontrndose en casi todos los meses del ao, excepto en mayo, el ms
abundante (66.7 %) y con mayor composicin en peso (86.9 %). El IIR present valores de 60.5 % para
Peces. Los resultados obtenidos permiten inferir que el Guabino es un pez de hbitos alimenticios
carnvoros con tendencia piscvora.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Alimentacin, Dieta, Hbitos alimentarios, Mar Caribe
ABSTRACT
Virgin Islands spiny lobster resources were evaluated through a cooperative research project between the
Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) and Virgin Islands Fishermen. Virgin Islands fishermen
tagged over 5,000 spiny lobsters, carried out observers who measured entire catches and recaptured nearly
10% of the lobsters tagged. Additionally, historic data on landings and port sampling were assembled and
analyzed for status of resources. The results were used to provide resource management recommendations
to the CFMC.
KEYWORDS: Spiny lobster, Virgin Islands, fishermen, collaboration
178
179
ABSTRACT
St. Thomas Grouper landings have been nearly constant since the 1980s seldom deviating more than one
standard deviation from the mean. St. Thomas fishermen report that following the protection of the Hind
Bank MCD in 1999, they are catching more and larger fish. In 2010 the Caribbean Fishery Management
Council set an allowable catch limit of 51,999 lbs based on recent average landings. In 2013 the CFMC
announced that the ACL had been exceeded and that the fishery would be closed in December of 2013.
Fishermen asked whether this quota was appropriate to the fishery and necessary to protect the resource?
The St. Thomas Fishermens Association commissioned a resource evaluation. Based on the results, the
STFA proposes that quotas be set annually based on a census of the spawning aggregation. This approach
was presented at the August 2013 CFMC meeting. An evaluation of this approach is presented.
KEYWORDS: Grouper, Virgin Islands, management, fishery
180
181
ABSTRACT
Rare species are an important conservation target, and can provide key insights regarding the processes
driving patterns in regional diversity. However, while many studies of Caribbean reef fish assemblages
have examined patterns in richness, few have focused specifically on the rarity. The abundance and
composition of rare species within assemblages may be influenced by evolutionary history, biogeography,
and habitat specificity within taxa. Anthropogenic impacts may also influence the prevalence of rare
species. We use observations from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) Fish
Monitoring Project to characterize patterns in rarity throughout the Caribbean basin. The REEF Fish
Monitoring Project is a large, multi-decadal citizen science effort that has generated over 120,000 diver
hours of reef fish species observations across the Caribbean. Using these data, we assess rarity patterns
throughout the region, and compare these to expectations based on species ecology, evolutionary
histories, and habitat characteristics.
KEYWORDS: Reef fish, diversity, Reef Environmental Education Foundation, citizen science, rarity
182
183
ABSTRACT
In the absence of extensive historical fisheries data and information on ecological condition, present-day
snapshots of these factors can be compared to generalizations from similar fisheries to provide initial
management guidance. Here, we present a study that examines artisanal fishers catch, and uses details of
species composition and size structure to inform ecosystem-based management. This study was
conducted in the community of Buen Hombre, located within Montecristi National Park, Dominican
Republic. The artisanal coral-reef fishery is accessed by approximately 30 fishermen each day. Principal
fishing methods are spearfishing while either freediving or compressor diving, in addition to some fish
traps and hand lines. Between June and August of 2013, we collected 60 videos of daily harvests. Videos
were used to identify fish to family level and count the number of individuals harvested. Using batch
weights and videos, we are able to determine or estimate the following characteristics of the catch: total
biomass, total number of fish, biomass by family, number of fish per family, and the average size per
individual fish. The size of harvested fish can be compared to known relationships between size and
growth, reproductive potential, and ecological function, such as grazing in herbivorous fish. In the context
of EBM, these comparisons can be used to weigh the impacts of various fishing practices and fishing
effort on growth overfishing, reproductive overfishing, or functional overfishing i.e. altering fish
populations to where they cannot adequately perform their ecological function.
KEYWORDS: Data-limited, EBM, coral-reef fisheries, size structure
184
185
ABSTRACT
A number of socio-economic assessments and monitoring programmes have been implemented at coastal,
fisheries and Marine Protected Area (MPA) sites throughout the Caribbean as components of Global
Socio-economic Monitoring Initiative for Coastal Management (SocMon) projects implemented by the
Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies, at The University of the West Indies, Cave
Hill Campus, Barbados. Goals and objectives for assessment and monitoring have focused on differing
socio-economic aspects of these sites including collection of baseline data to inform marine conservation
and sustainable use of resources; assessment and monitoring of primary socio-economic activities;
assessment of current and potential alternative livelihood activities and options; informing management
planning and development of management strategies; determining trends in perceptions and attitudes
towards MPAs, their management and impact on surrounding communities; collecting data for
monitoring impacts of present and proposed development in coastal areas as well as to guide strategies to
mitigate the impacts of planned development on MPAs; developing core indicators to assist with
decision-making and effective management of MPAs; and developing socio-economic profiles of
fisheries. This paper synthesizes eighteen SocMon studies from 2005-2013 to determine inter alia
regional awareness of peoples dependence on costal and marine resources, perceptions of resource
conditions, threats to marine resources, use levels, status of governance and common SocMon variables
used for assessment and monitoring in the English-speaking Caribbean. Quantitative and qualitative data
have been used to build a socio-economic picture of coastal sites and MPAs in the region.
KEYWORDS: Socio-economic monitoring, Caribbean, coastal, fisheries, MPAs
ABSTRACT
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was one of the largest marine spills in the world (McNutt
et al. 2011), leaked 7.94 x 1081.11 x 109 L of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico, and lasted for
84 days. The estimated peak flow was 1.552 x 107 L d-1 (Ryerson et al. 2012). At its maximum, the
surface expression of the discharge covered 62,159 km2 (Norse and Amos 2010). This response included
use of 2.9 x 106 L of Corexit dispersant (Place et al. 2010) that was applied at the surface and the 1500 m
deep subsurface leak at the wellhead. At the 2010 American Fisheries Society (AFS) meeting in
Pittsburgh, a symposium was held to address response, recovery and research efforts following this
historic spill. Subsequently, the editors of this new book, brought together experts researching the Exxon
Valdez, Ixtoc I and DWH spills at the 2011 AFS meeting in Seattle for a symposium. This forum
presented timely information regarding large-scale oil disaster impacts to North American marine
ecosystems. There are 15 chapters of peer-reviewed manuscripts presented in three sections:
Ecotoxicology of fishes impacted by oil-derived compounds, Oil impacts to physical habitat in coastal
ecosystems, and Population and community dynamics following oil spill disasters. The estimated release
date for the book, which will be published by CRC Press, is January-February 2014.
KEYWORDS: Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, Book, fisheries, habitats
186
187
ABSTRACT
Hypoxic waters with critically low levels of dissolved oxygen are well established in coastal regions in
the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM). These dead zones, largely associated with massive freshwater
outflows from river systems such as the Mississippi and Atchafalaya deltas, have the potential to disrupt
biological systems including some of the nations most productive and important fisheries. Hypoxia was
discovered East of the Mississippi in the NGOM in 2011; however, much of the spatial and temporal
extent of this dead zone has yet to be fully quantified. In July of 2012 and 2013 we recorded surface and
bottom dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity values using a SeaBird CTD (conductivity,
temperature, depth instrument) at a subset of 56 total stations located East of the Mississippi River.
Despite not finding hypoxic conditions (<2 mg/l) in 2012 and 2013, the lowest dissolved oxygen (3.10
mg/l) and salinity (20.26 psu) levels were recorded at stations proximal to Biloxi Marsh, Mississippi.
Preliminary analysis indicate that the 2011 opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway may have enabled
hypoxic conditions to develop because of a substantial influx of nutrient rich freshwater into the Biloxi
Marsh Area. We tracked this influx by using satellite imagery to analyze changes in chlorophyll
concentrations and surface salinity levels. Cumulatively, these data indicate that elevated nutrient levels
and water column stratification from the spillway outflow in addition to high summer surface
temperatures potentially caused the 2011 dead zone east of the Mississippi.
KEYWORDS: Hypoxia, NGOM, oxygen, chlorophyll, salinity
188
189
ABSTRACT
The shift in resource management from single-species foci to a broader ecosystem framework has been
championed by many researchers and is now reflected in policy mandates by several countries. Utilizing
the fish and invertebrate community that occur on or near natural and artificial reef bottom in the northern
Gulf of Mexico, which support many economically important species whose management is highly
controversial, we developed a fishery independent survey that assesses multiple exploited species at
various trophic levels. Cognizant of the limited resources available to fisheries independent sampling, we
designed our assessment to focus on measuring parameters of the ecosystem with a direct and proximate
connection to exploited species that cannot be measured by remote sensing (e.g. primary production).
Key elements of our design are: (1) a randomized sampling back-bone, (2) detailed knowledge of the
sampling universe through habitat mapping, (3) measurement of exploited and non-exploited species
through synoptic sampling using multiple gears, many of which are used by the fisheries, whose
selectivity can be assessed, (4) the ability to collect specimens for age determination, and (5)
measurement of trophic linkages through stable isotope or gut content analysis. Using this approach, we
successfully monitored all major offshore life stages of exploited species (e.g., red snapper, gray
triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and greater amberjack), their predators (e.g., sharks) and their prey (e.g.
shrimp, crabs, small baitfish) for three years, 2010-2013. Using these data, we assess the connection
between artificial and natural habitat coverage and fisheries biomass.
KEYWORDS: Multi-gear, trophic interactions, longline, habitat mapping
190
191
ABSTRACT
Next-generation sequencing and associated technologies have transformed genetics and its applications in
biology. Instead of a handful of genetic markers, populations/species/individuals can now be screened at
thousands of genetic markers spread across an entire genome. The unprecedented increase in number of
easily accessed genetic markers allows dramatic increases in precision and power of estimating traditional
population genetic parameters (e.g., genetic variability, connectivity, divergence) and, more importantly,
now allows elucidation of adaptive portions of the genome (i.e., genes responding to selection and
adaptation). Here, we focus on Restriction Site Associated DNA Sequencing (RADseq), a widely used
approach that easily can be applied to non-model organisms, and provide a brief outline of the RADseq
methodology. Examples from ongoing research projects at HRI and TAMUCC will then be discussed to
demonstrate the utility of RADseq to answer a wide variety of questions in different marine species.
KEYWORDS: NGS, RAD, connectivity, evolution, molecular ecology
192
193
ABSTRACT
Extensive bleaching of Montastrea annularis spp. group and several other scleractinian species occurred
on the reefs within the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park of Cozumel after the passage of
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Rina. Bleaching was noted at depths of 10 - 40m and in a variety of
scleractinian species. Considering that local dive guides had not observed bleaching prior to the storm and
the sea surface temperature did not exceed the local bleaching threshold, it is likely that the extensive
rainfall associated with Rina lowered salinity sufficiently via subsurface freshwater springs to cause
bleaching in susceptible species. This suggests the necessity to monitor not only subsurface sea
temperature but also subsurface salinity in localities where freshwater springs occur.
KEYWORDS: Hurricanes, coral damage, salinity, coral bleaching, marine protected area
194
195
ABSTRACT
Queen Conch Strombus gigas is a large gastropod of significant economic importance across the Greater
Caribbean region and currently considered as a commercially threatened species. To complement the
genetic connectivity patterns for this specie through the Caribbean region, a primer pair flanking an AT
rich mitochondrial region obtained from whole genome shotgun sequencing of S. gigas genome was used
for assess the genetic diversity of queen conch populations from Archipelago of San Andres, Old
Providence and Santa Catalina (ASPSC). Average nucleotide and haplotype diversity within S. gigas
were found to be high. The neighbor joining tree of these haplotypes showed the presence of two different
mitochondrial groups suggesting the possibility that two mitochondrial lineages of S. gigas are distributed
through the ASPSC atolls. Remain to explore whether these haplotypic differences explain the high
intrapopulation diversity previously reported in queen conchs from ASPSC and the distribution of these
two mitochondrial groups in other Caribbean regions which would be crucial for selecting better fishery
management rules.
KEYWORDS: Population genetics, Sea Flower Biosphere Reserve, Mitochondrial DNA, Genetic
diversity,
196
197
ABSTRACT
Trap fishing is one of the most common activities in the Florida Keys. Traps have been identified as a
source of lobster mortality, marine debris, entanglement of cetaceans and sea turtles, and loss of coral, but
public awareness and recognition of these impacts is limited. The State of Florida has attempted to
address these environmental impacts through three management efforts: the Lobster Trap Certificate
program, gear modifications, and derelict trap removal. In recognition of the limitations of the
management actions, state researchers have conducted extensive cooperative research with commercial
fishermen to understand the nature of trap interactions with the environment. As our next step, we will
conduct an educational outreach program to translate data to knowledge, making information on trap
impacts more accessible to the stakeholder community. The stakeholder community is comprised of a
broad audience including commercial and recreational fishermen, dive operators, and the conservation
minded public. We will conduct a series of workshops for commercial fishermen, seminars for the general
public, and utilize social media to reach a broader cross-section of the stakeholder community. It is
anticipated that the primary challenges to the education campaign will be effectively engaging diverse
stakeholder groups and overcoming a culture that is resistant to change. The goal is to determine if
expanding knowledge of trap induced environmental damage will allow managers and stakeholders to
develop solutions that will reduce trap impacts and loss, thus promoting sustainable fishing practices and
resource protection.
KEYWORDS: Lobster traps, environmental impacts, outreach, education
ABSTRACT
1,500 mollusc species, 350 decapod crustacean species, 81 echinoderm species and 30 species new to
science : those are the first results of the inventories carried out in Guadeloupe and Saint-Martin in 2012,
that are already confirming the exceptional biodiversity of those French overseas territories. Those
inventories led by the National Park of Guadeloupe and the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve were
funded by the French Ministry of Ecology and the European Union. French and American universities,
the French National Museum of Natural History and the Florida Museum of Natural History have
combined their efforts and know-how to complete this unprecedented scientific mission successfully. A
total of 60 scientists, naturalists and protected areas managers and staff have worked in the field for over a
month.Numerous sampling techniques have been implemented to prospect each ecological niche, day and
night (underwater vacuum filtering and brushing baskets, dredging, baited traps, yabby pumps and soil
sifting). Thus, marine protected areas managers will be provided with baselines to build conservation
actions upon. Researchers aim to establish a new generation collection with molecular sequencing that
will feed in scientific publications. The taxonomic groups that have been surveyed through these
campaigns play a key role in the functioning of tropical marine ecosystems, and there is a need to build a
better knowledge of their diversity to preserve them better. In that regard, complimentary inventories of
marine biodiversity must be developed, including other poorly studied compartments (deep sea) but also
other groups (sponges, bryozoans and ascidians).
KEYWORDS: biodiversity, inventories, MPA, Saint Martin, Guadeloupe
198
199
ABSTRACT
There has been relatively little study of the efficacy of decommissioned oil and gas platforms as artificial
reef habitats for various species of fish in the Gulf of Mexico. A variety of fish species have been
reported to occur on these structures; but the species biomass distribution and community structure has
not been studied thoroughly. Hydroacoustic and video surveys are being conducted quarterly during a
two-year study from June 2013 to June 2015 to gain information about the differences between the
community structures of the two toppled and two standing platforms located approximately 130 km off
the coast of Louisiana in the northern Gulf of Mexico, at 90 m depth. The decommissioned platforms in
our study are a part of the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program (LARP) and have been in place since 2002.
Stereo-cameras will be utilized for the video surveys, allowing us to post-process the lengths and
frequencies of the fishes recorded. Hydroacoustics will be used to define the spatial distribution of fish
biomass. Determination of the community structure differences between the sites will allow for further
understanding of how artificial reef structures in the Gulf of Mexico impact the ecology of the fish
communities. Additional data collection will allow us to gain more knowledge both about these
structures and their roles and applications for management of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, biomass, species, ecology, fisheries
ABSTRACT
To examine the potential impact of recreational and artisanal fisheries on reef ecosystems in the Cayman
Islands (where there is no commercial fishing), the level of fishing pressure was investigated by using
structured questionnaires directed at fishers. Illegal fishing pressure was investigated using marine
enforcement officer reports spanning 1993-2010. Within a monthly period, fishers reported catching
14,968 fish on Grand Cayman and 5205 fish on the Sister Islands (88% and 80% of which were reef fish,
respectively). The mean catch size was 72 (SD 152) fish month-1 on Grand Cayman, and catch size was
significantly higher for respondents targeting reef fish than for those targeting pelagic species (MannWhitney U test, P <0.01). The mean number of days spent fishing month-1 ranged between 5.1 (SD 6.5)
and 8.4 (SD 7.4). While Lutjanids were caught in greatest numbers, of greatest concern were the
numbers of herbivores extracted. Fishing effort was non-uniformly distributed around the islands (Chisquare tests, P <0.01) being aligned closely with fringe reefs, populated areas and shore access points.
Poaching in the MPAs and other illegal fishing activities remain an issue, with the queen conch
(Strombus gigas) representing the major target organism. Despite major support for the idea of marine
environmental management, over 50% of interviewed fishers believed that enforcement of marine park
laws is currently inadequate. The impacts of artisanal and recreational fishing is often overlooked; this
study indicates that both practices are significant in the Cayman Islands, with the potential to influence
reef resilience and ecosystem functioning.
KEYWORDS: Recreational fishery, artisanal fishery, questionnaires, fisheries management, Cayman
Islands
200
201
ABSTRACT
Marine Protected Areas may be a viable solution for survival of coral reef communities, providing refugia
from overfishing and habitat degradation, increasing resilience against stressors from invasive species and
climate change. MPAs are predicted to benefit adjacent areas by larval export and net migration. The
Cayman Islands Department of Environment, in collaboration with Bangor University, Wales and The
Nature Conservancy, through a three-year Darwin Initiative project has conducted a detailed review of the
current Marine Protected Areas of the Cayman Islands to determine whether they are optimal in size and
area, appropriately located, and provide maximum resilience in the face of present day threats.
Established in 1986, the no-take areas are distributed around each island, covering approximately 14% of
Caymans shallow shelf. MPA performance has been assessed at 62 sites around all three Islands on
standard reef health parameters. Results suggest that MPAs maintain a degree of reef resiliency in
Cayman. However, the Islands have experienced declines in reef health reflecting regional trends, notably
extensive hard-coral mortality, substantial loss of acroporid branching corals and key grazer Diadema
antillarum, and changes in reef fish communities. In order to address present day local and regional
threats, a comprehensive process of MPA enhancement planning was undertaken which incorporated a
locally defined Marine Ecological Gap Analysis (including creation of an Environmental Risk Surface,
identification of conservation targets, and generation of optimum conservation model outputs using
Marxan), socio-economic/biological decision support tools, extensive stakeholder liaison and
consideration of internationally recommended best practices for MPA network design.
KEYWORDS: Marine protected areas, MPA design and planning, stakeholder collaboration, fisheries
management, Cayman Islands
ESTIMATING MARINE RESERVE EFFECTS THROUGH QUANTIFICATION OF MACROALGAL BIOMASS, CAYMAN ISLANDS
ESTIMACION DE LOS EFECTOS DE LAS RESERVAS MARINAS POR MEDIO DE LA
CUANTIFICACION DE BIOMASA DE MACROALGAS, ISLAS CAIMAN
ESTIMATION DES EFFETS DES RESERVES MARINES EN RELATION A LA
QUANTIFICATION DE LA BIOMASSE DE MACROALGUES
LAURA RICHARDSON1, CROY MCCOY1, and JOHN TURNER2
Department of Environment, Cayman Islands, Bangor University, UK , Cayman Islands
Laura.Richardson@Gov.Ky
2
Bangor University, UK
ABSTRACT
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely considered to aid resiliency to hard-coral/macroalgal phase
shifts. To determine the effectiveness of an established marine reserve in Grand Cayman, algal biomass
was compared within and outside the reserve. Between November-December 2010, macroalgae was
extracted from five 0.25m2 quadrats at 12 shallow reef sites at an 8-10m depth (4 sites MPA, 8 nonMPA), samples identified to genus and weighed to attain mean biomass measures per site. A total dryweight of 544.45g was collected (mean biomass at sites ranged from 3.47-6.26g West-MPA; 3.80-5.90g
North-non-MPA; and 6.82-26.05g South-non-MPA), with Dyctiota, Halimeda, Lobophora, filamentous
turf algae and other turfing algae comprising total biomass at most sites. Reserve effect was not detected
(P>0.05), though variability between sites based on aspect differentials were observed. Biomass was
significantly higher in the South than North and West (P<0.05), which exhibited similar biomass values
(P>0.05). Species composition varied between sites with southern sites displaying a significantly different
algal community structure (P<0.05), driven by comparatively minimal biomass of Lobophora,
consistently large proportion of Halimeda and a greater biomass of turf algae than the North and West.
Differences in biomass around the island may indicate natural variation between reefs of different
exposures determining habitat complexity, reef fish populations, nutrient levels and available spores for
algal recruitment. Intra-habitat variation may be responsible for concealing reserve effect in the West.
Similarly, algae around the island may have reached a size refuge whereby keystone herbivores no
longer graze upon them and thus minimal effect would be evident.
KEYWORDS: Marine protected areas, macroalgae, phase shift, extraction, Cayman Islands
202
203
RESUMEN
Las casitas (refugios artificiales) han sido largamente utilizadas en las pesqueras de langosta P. argus
de Cuba y el Caribe mexicano. Debido al xito que ha tenido el uso de estas estructuras en las pesqueras
de langosta, en aos recientes se han introducido tambin en Belice y en la costa de Yucatn. En 2005 se
introdujeron 120 casitas en Celestn Yucatn, con el fin de agregar langostas en reas cercanas a la costa
con poca disponibilidad de refugios naturales y adems con miras a disminuir los riesgos que representa
para la salud, el buceo con compresor. El objetivo de este trabajo fue hacer una primera evaluacin de la
capacidad de agregacin de estas casitas. Durante la veda de langosta 2012 se hicieron cuatro campaas
de buceo y se revisaron un total 94 estructuras (80%). Se registro el tipo de fondo y se tomaron
parmetros fsico-qumicos de los sitios, se cont el nmero de langostas observadas, se midieron los
organismos y se registr la flora y fauna asociada. El 90% de las estructuras se encontraron en fondo
compuesto por arena y pastos y el 10% en fondo de conchuela y pastos. En el 54% de las casitas se
observaron entre 1 y 8 langosta (22.5 promedio), la longitud media de las langostas fue de 12 cm de
longitud abdominal y el peso medio de 100 g. Las especies encontradas dentro de las casitas con mayor
frecuencia fueron: tiburn gata Ginglymostoma cirratum, chacch Haemulon plumieri y ngel
Pomacanthus arcuatus . El nmero de langostas promedio observadas y la riqueza especfica de las
casitas fue menor a valores observados en refugios naturales rocosos de zonas aledaas.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Casitas, refugios artificiales, langosta, Panulirus argus, costa de Yucatan
ABSTRACT
Bermuda is a small, densely populated oceanic island with a broad range of marine stakeholder groups,
and recreational fishing in its various forms is an important part of the local lifestyle. Spatial data
gathered during a recent survey of recreational fishing was analysed using Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) to produce a geospatial map of recreational fishing intensity. A more detailed analysis of
lobster diving and spear fishing activities utilised reported catch and effort data from these two groups of
licensed recreational fishers. The distribution of catches was mapped in GIS using the grid-based
reporting system for these fisheries. Further, spear fishing catches at the species level were compared to
published geospatial maps of target species density. Profiles of these specialized user groups were
developed based on their reported catch and effort, information from the recreational fishing survey and a
targeted questionnaire. It was interesting to note skewed distributions of catch and effort even within
these specialized sectors. Data indicate that recreational lobster divers and spear fishers in Bermuda do
not appear to be having a large impact on local marine resources, as these in-water fisheries have a small
number of participants who typically have small catches. However, these very specialised resource users
utilise particular areas and have a high stake in the management of Bermudas marine environment.
Accordingly, they should be given due consideration during marine spatial planning. This analysis will
inform management, help prioritise enforcement activities and contribute to the development of a marine
spatial plan for Bermuda waters.
KEYWORDS: Recreational fishing, lobstering, spear fishing, Bermuda, marine spatial planning
204
205
RESUMEN
A principios de 2013, se otorgan los primeros permisos de pesca comercial, para la explotacin de pepino
de mar, Isostichopus badionotus y Holothuria floridana, en el estado de Yucatn, con base a estudios
cientficos con el enfoque tradicional de pesca. En la temporada 2006-2007 se otorgaron 6 permisos para
pesca de fomento, el inters comercial del sector pesquero llev a la expedicin de 176 permisos con un
total de 557 unidad de pesca en 2013, la cuota inicial fue de 556 t la cual se increment a 1671 t,
respectivamente. Los permisos otorgados en 2013 tienen una vigencia de 2 aos, con un perodo de pesca
de 12 das y una cuota de 250 kg/ lancha, aplicando como medida precautoria una veda con temporalidad
indefinida para las especies, con base a la estimacin de biomasa. Los permisos de pesca establecen que
los pescadores y buzos sean de las mismas comunidades de la zona de pesca. Este enfoque ha generado,
pesca ilegal, procesamiento clandestino, conflicto de intereses en el sector pesquero y las autoridades.
Ante esta situacin, se propone un enfoque ecosistmico procurando rea marinas protegidas, que
involucre la superposicin de la productividad en la poblacin, la conservacin de la biodiversidad y los
aspectos socioeconmicos. Proponiendo zonas de no pesca y/o, rotacin de reas cerradas a pesca;
estandarizacin del proceso de secado y servicios tursticos de buceo que mejore sus ingresos y calidad
de vida, conjuntamente con las comunidades de pescadores dentro de las reas protegidas, aledaas y las
autoridades.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Pepino de mar, Isostichopus badionotus, enfoque ecosistmico, reas protegidas,
206
207
ABSTRACT
The high demand for sea cucumbers in Asian markets and the increasing need for alternative livelihoods
in Belize led to the creation of a new fishery. This paper assesses the socioeconomics, population
structure, distribution, and abundance of two species of sea cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus, and
Holothuria mexicana). Sea cucumbers have been fished in Belizean waters for the past 20 years but
legally only since 2009. It is now a popular fishery where 13% of respondents noted sea cucumber fishing
as their primary fishing activity. With a Total Allowable Catch of 182,750 pounds per annum, the rush
has created new markets and prices. Although fishers know very little about the sea cucumbers, they
noticed a decrease in catch and the need to travel farther to fish. To assess the density, abundance and
distribution, 32 randomly selected sites along the coast of Belize were surveyed in 2012. Mean length was
20.5 cm for H. mexicana and 22 cm for I. badionotus. Mean adult weight was 562 g for H. mexicana and
346g for I. badionotus while body wall data for H. mexicana was 487 g. The largest number of
individuals ranged from 170-300 cm for H. mexicana and 140-220 cm for I. badionatus. A total of 124 H.
mexicana individuals and 108 I. badionatus were quantified, with mean densities of 12.9 and 1.8 ind./ha
respectively.
KEYWORDS: Socioeconomic, sea cucumber, Belize, abundance, density
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209
RESUMEN
La langosta espinosa Panulirus argus es uno de los principales recursos pesqueros del archipilago de
San Andrs, Providencia y Santa Catalina. Los Cayos del sur (Cayo Bolvar y Cayo Albuquerque) son las
zonas de mayor influencia de los pescadores artesanales de San Andrs. Recientemente, se ha notado una
disminucin de las capturas provenientes de Cayo Bolvar, probablemente como resultado del aumento en
la frecuencia e intensidad de pesca. Con el objetivo mejorar el conocimiento de la abundancia y
distribucin de este organismo nos y dar una aproximacin al estado del recurso, se realizaron en los
cayos Bolvar (34 estaciones) y Alburquerque (38 estaciones) monitoreos de distribucin y abundancia de
la langosta espinosa mediante reconocimientos visuales en trayectos errantes a profundidades menores de
20 metros. Se determin la densidad para cada tipo de fondo y con ayuda de tcnicas geoestadsticas,
como el kriging, se analizaron las variables correlacionadas espacialmente correspondientes a la
informacin obtenida del tipo de fondo en los cuales se encontraba langosta. La desidad estimada para la
langosta fue de 0.7 Ind/ha para el cayo bolvar y 3.36 Ind/ha para Bolvar; siendo el sustrato Arenas con
escombros coralinos con mayor nmero de langosta avistadas para ambos cayos. Las densidades
estimadas estn por debajo de valores reportadas para otras reas del Caribe como Mxico y Cuba. Es
mucho lo que falta por conocer acerca de la especie en cuestin; es necesario hacer nfasis en el estudio
del nmero, tamao y estructura por rea de las poblaciones de aguas profundas para estimar el verdadero
estatus poblacional.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Langosta Espinosa, Distribucion, Abundancia, SEAFLOWER, Densidad
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211
ABSTRACT
The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas is an online data discovery and access tool that allows users to browse a
growing collection of ecosystem-related datasets visualized as map plates. Thematically, the Atlas
provides updated long-term assessments of the physical, biological, environmental, economic and living
marine resource characteristics that indicate baseline conditions of the Gulf of Mexico. These data
provide crucial support to restoration and monitoring efforts in the Gulf. A multi-agency executive
steering committee including members from international, federal, state, and non-governmental
organizations was formed to guide Atlas development and to contribute data and expertise. The Atlas
currently contains over 230 maps in 70 subject areas. Each map plate is accompanied by a descriptive
summary authored by a subject matter expert and each data set is fully documented by metadata in
Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant standards. Source data are available in native
formats and as web mapping services (WMS). Datasets are also searchable through an accompanying
Map Catalog and RSS feed. The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas is an operational example of the philosophy
of leveraging resources among agencies and activities involved in geospatial data as outlined in the US
Department of Interior and FGDC "Geospatial Platform Modernization Roadmap v4 - March 2011". We
shall continue to update and add datasets through existing and new partnerships to ensure that the Atlas
becomes a truly ecosystem-wide resource.
KEYWORDS: Gulf of Mexico, ecosystem, restoration, geospatial, data access
212
213
ABSTRACT
Yellowtail parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) have been historically documented since the 1960s to gather
at a fish spawning aggregation (FSA) site at a reef promontory (65 ft) on the western border of Reef Bay,
St John, USVI. S. rubripinne aggregate to spawn year-round on a daily basis and during afternoon hours
only; however, visitation rates by individual fish is unknown. The main objective of this study was to
determine the frequency and duration of FSA visitation for acoustically tagged individuals (N = 25)
through a passive array of hydroacoustic receivers (12 Vemco VR2Ws). About half (12 of 25) of tagged
individuals frequented the historical FSA and two new sites were discovered within Reef Bay, one
northwest of the historical site and one on the eastern border of the bay. No individuals visited all three
sites, but individuals did frequent either the western or the eastern side of the bay. Five fish visited both
western FSA sites, two fish visited only the northwestern site, and five fish visited only the eastern site.
Individuals did not display a consistent pattern for FSA visitation or duration.
KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregation, parrotfish
214
215
ABSTRACT
The first and only global database on fish aggregations has been developed by Science and Conservation
of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA). It contains information on fish aggregations including biological and
habitat characteristics, current status, management, traditional knowledge and exploitation history. Over
the past 12 years, we have been developing this comprehensive tool to assist in understanding fish
aggregations. The database has a unique record entering process whereby records can be entered via a
drop down and multiple selection menus. These parameters have been developed to keep a consistent
dataset that can be easily analysed. Newly entered records undergo quality checking before being made
available on the searchable web database. The database now has over 900 records available in table form
or for visualisation using Google Earth.
KEYWORDS: Aggregation, database, spawning, fish, reproduction
ABSTRACT
In January 1971, C. Lavett Smith, a renowned North American ichthyologist, witnessed a spectacular
event off the coast of Bimini, Bahamas. He witnessed a massive gathering of Nassau groupers about to
spawn of somewhere between 30,000 and 100,000 fish. His was the very first underwater observation of a
reef fish spawning aggregation reported in the scientific literature and the largest ever reported for the
species. The site has not been revisited by scientists since this first report. Given that the Nassau grouper
is currently being assessed under the Endangered Species Act, USA, SCRFA felt it was timely to
resurvey the site. In January 2013, Brad Erisman joined Casuarina McKinney-Lambert to revisit Smith's
site. Between 25-30 January over the full moon phase when the species is known to aggregate, Brad and
Casuarina re-surveyed an extensive area covering 4.5 linear miles that encompasses Smiths 1971 survey
area. Dr. Smith kindly advised us for this project. Over 6 days of surveys they found only 5 Nassau
groupers, none of which showed any evidence of spawning. Local fishermen commented that the
aggregation had disappeared by the early 1980s and that grouper had not been a focus of seasonal fishing
in the area for a long time. There were no fishermen to be seen. We sadly concluded that the site reported
by Smith, an important baseline for the species, was long gone.
KEYWORDS: Aggregation , Nassau, disappeared, The Bahamas
216
217
ABSTRACT
Fishing efficiency has been measured in many different ways, including successful fishing trips. This
success, according to different scientists, in addition to the performance of fishers, depends on the state
of the exploited resources and on climatic conditions. Hence, under the assumption that changes in fishing
efficiency may reflect changes in resource abundance and availability, a performance index analysis
contrasting two periods (1992 and 2010) was undertaken. Fishing communities in the Yucatan coast were
considered as a case study. Information from log-books provided by fishing cooperatives of those
communities was used to undertake such analysis. Data includes information of daily catch per fishers
and species; information on species prices was also obtained. Categories were defined according to catch
and landed value of the main target species (lobster, octopus, and grouper): above average, average and
below average. Results showed differences between fishing years and communities. During 1992 a high
percentage of fishermen were distributed on the average and above the average in the analyzed
communities. In 2010 a high percentage of fishermen were observed below the average. These results
suggest decrease on fishermen performance between the analyzed years. Differences between
communities in terms of landed value were defined by the selection of target species in their fishing trips
as differences in prices of species are important. We discussed these results under the current
management framework and suggest some indicators that could help to monitor resource exploitation.
KEYWORDS: Fishers Performance, small-scale fisheries, Yucatn, fishing efficiency
218
219
ABSTRACT
Small-scale fisheries are dynamic and evolving socio-economic sectors throughout the world, often
employing labour intensive harvesting, processing and distribution technologies to exploit marine and
inland fishery resources to meet the demands of international and domestic markets. These interactions
are typically embedded within a variety of often poorly documented institutional arrangements for
stewardship that govern or guide the management of fisheries systems through community or
organisational collective action. The paucity of research in this area within small-scale fisheries has
resulted in major gaps in knowledge and information. Our understanding of marine fisheries stewardship
by individuals, organisations and communities in the Caribbean is not well developed. Understanding
collective action and the roles that fisherfolk organisations may play in stewardship is essential given an
increasing interest in co-management, other means of fisheries governance and the ecosystem approach to
fisheries (EAF). The attention now being paid to the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations
(CNFO) by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and other organisations is evidence of
this trend. Understanding the roles that fisherfolk organisations may play will be critical to success. This
research examines the nature of stewardship in fisherfolk organisations in Guyana and Dominica, and the
potential for enhancing stewardship within them by investigating individual and collective action that
may lead to improved management of resources to the benefit of the fishing industry.
KEYWORDS: Small-scale fisheries, stewardship, fisherfolk organisation, collective actions
220
221
RESUMEN
El caracol trompillo Busycon perversum es un gasterpodo de concha grande con abertura y torsin hacia
la izquierda. Es una especie comn en la Baha de Campeche situada al oeste de la Pennsula de Yucatn,
Mxico. Esta especie es abundante y constituye la segunda en importancia en la pesquera de caracol en
esta regin. La biologa reproductiva de esta especie es muy importante para proponer medidas de
regulacin pesquera, con este fin, se realizaron muestreos de la poblacin por medio de transectos lineales
y buceo autnomo de abril de 2009 a marzo de 2010. Los machos alcanzaron la madurez sexual a los
190mm y las hembras a los 210mm. La proporcin de hembras se increment de acuerdo con la talla,
dominando las hembras en las tallas mayores, lo cual podra sugerir hermafroditismo protndrico. El
periodo reproductivo se present de mayo a diciembre con mayor intensidad de julio a septiembre,
coincidiendo con el decremento de la temperatura del agua. El mayor evento de ovoposicin se observ
de agosto a septiembre. Las puestas estn constituidas por cpsulas ovgeras ovales en forma de cadena.
En cada puesta se contaron de 54 a 137 cpsulas, cada una con dimetro de 27mm y 47 embriones en
promedio.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Madurez sexual, Perodo reproductivo, Ovoposicin, Protandra, Busycom
222
223
ABSTRACT
The Nassau grouper was an economically and ecologically important species of Caribbean coral reefs but
is now listed as Endangered by the IUCN. In Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands stocks have
declined dramatically and several spawning aggregations were fished to extinction. However, two sites
within the US EEZ have recently been found with Nassau grouper aggregating during the reproductive
season, the Grammanik Bank (GB) and Bajo de Sico (BDS). For the 2012-2013 spawning season a joint
study was conducted for the two sites to characterize and assess these spawning aggregations. At both
sites, visual census and passive acoustic techniques were used to estimate spawning population size and
compare the temporal patterns of the aggregations. At BDS simultaneous acoustic (Vemco) tags and a
grid of passive acoustic recorders were employed to describe the spatial dynamics. Preliminary results
showed the maximum number of Nassau grouper observed at BDS was approximately half of that at GB.
Passive acoustic data (BDS only) coincided with the survey data but with much greater temporal
resolution and coverage. Nassau grouper that were surgically implanted with tags at depth by rebreather
divers seem to be residents of the BDS seamount. The occurrence of fish at the main spawning site as
determined from preliminary analysis of passive acoustic data coincided with the detected presence of
internally tagged fish This study provides an analysis of multiple technologies applied to studying
endangered spawning aggregations.
KEYWORDS: Nassau grouper, Puerto Rico, USVI, courtship-associated sound, tagging
224
225
ABSTRACT
Information was gathered on seasonal variation of two condition factors of red snapper, Lutjanus
campechanus, taken from the Louisiana (LA) continental shelf banks. Red snapper were collected from
September 2011 to October 2013 from three natural banks on the LA shelf, those being Jakkula, McGrail,
and Bright, and one artificial reef in the East Cameron Artificial Reef Planning Area. The two condition
factors chosen were the liver-somatic index (LSI) and caloric density. LSI was calculated as the
proportion of liver weight to eviscerated body weight. Caloric density of fish muscle tissue was estimated
directly with a Parr 6200 oxygen bomb calorimeter. In general, LSI began to increase from DecemberMarch, peaked in May, and declined thereafter until October. LSI differed between natural and artificial
reefs, and the LSI was higher in females, indicating more energy invested towards reproduction. The
caloric density of red snapper exhibit a similar pattern to that of the LSI, but the trends were not as clear,
owing to significant annual variability. The caloric density was higher in 2012 compared to 2013,
indicating that red snapper were able to store more energy within their muscle tissues in 2012. The caloric
density of red snapper from the sites with coral substrate (Bright and McGrail) was generally lower from
that of the non-coral substrate sites (Jakkula and East Cameron). Red snapper appear to be using energy
stores from both the liver and muscle tissue for reproduction and the site-specific differences seen may be
attributable to dietary and environmental factors.
KEYWORDS: Caloric density, Liver-somatic index, Red snapper, Gulf of Mexico
226
227
ABSTRACT
A deepwater (>300m) demersal fishery developed off the southeastern U.S. in the 1980s, targeting
wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) in sponge-coral and hard-bottom habitat. Declining populations and
increasing regulations in shallow-water fisheries provided incentive for fishermen to develop alternatives.
Rapid expansion in the wreckfish fishery led to a management plan that includes gear restrictions, a
spawning closure, an annual catch limit and individual quotas for the commercial fishery. The plan was
amended recently to include a bag limit, seasonal closure and annual catch limit for the recreational
sector. U.S. management has resulted in a small sustainable fishery for wreckfish, in contrast to other
parts of its wide range where the fishery has collapsed. Several species that are economically important in
other parts of the world are caught with wreckfish in the U.S. but no management has been developed for
them, as they are considered bycatch. Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus), red bream (Beryx
decadactylus) and barrelfish (Hyperoglype perciformis) are, like wreckfish, desirable species that grow
slowly and are long-lived (30, 69, 85 and 78 years, respectively). Because of their biology and limited
habitat, they can be easily overfished. Genetic studies on some of these species show connectivity
between the U.S. and other areas of the world where they are fished in targeted fisheries. Those fisheries
could result in depletion of U.S. stocks if local recruitment is dependent on distant populations. Regional
management should be developed for the U.S. that considers all of the species landed and fisheries in
other parts of their range.
KEYWORDS: Polyprionidae, Berycidae, Scorpaenidae, Centrolophidae, Blake Plateau
228
229
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on one component of the project Up-scaling Sustainable Resource Management in
Coastal Watershed Communities of Barbados National Park and System of Open Spaceswhich focused
on conducting apreliminary institutional assessment and strengthening initiative inthe fishing community
in Conset Bay, St. John, Barbados. The project was acollaborative effort by the Government of Barbados,
United Nations Environment Programme and The University of the West Indies. Using the Institutional
Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, the past and present governance situation was reviewed
through desktop study and both formal and informal interviews with key fisheries stakeholders and
Conset Bay fisherfolk. The review indicated that while this community is close-knit and socially
cohesive, past initiatives including the establishment of cooperatives and fisherfolk organisations had
failed. Yet, the interest in collective action to form and sustain a fisherfolk organisation remained
relatively strong. In order for fisherfolk to effectively engage with other fisheries governance stakeholders
and resolve existing fisheries issues, the project attempted to assist the community to identify some
governance mechanisms most suited to current conditions. The community determined that an informal
group of interested members was the best option and the Conset Bay advocacy group was formed. A
number of capacity building activities were conducted to engage and strengthen the group. The group set
out to accomplish some specific objectives. The paper concludes with an evaluation of progress what
was achieved? what were the lessons learned?
KEYWORDS: Conset Bay, Institutions, fisherfolk, Barbados
ABSTRACT
Invasive lionfish have been shown to have many deleterious effects on native reef fish populations in the
western Atlantic, reducing recruitment by up to 80% and prey fish biomass by 65%. Few studies have
been able to compare baseline fish recruit communities before and after the invasion. With historical data
going back over a decade, we look at the differences in community structure before and after the lionfish
invasion at seven sites around Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Recruitment of 16 species of native reef fishes was
recorded during standard transect surveys at two depths (~4m and ~15m) within each site. Significant
differences in the abundance of some species were found across survey years, with 2002-2004 typically
having similar abundances and 2013 being most different from the others. Nonmetric multidimensional
scaling was used to compare overall community structure. We found differences in the structure of recruit
communities across this decadal time scale; with some species being more frequently observed post
invasion while others were more common prior to the invasion. Its currently unclear if the lionfish
invasion (ca. 2008 at Turneffe) is the primary factor for the observed shift in community structure or if
other factors are the primary driver (e.g. Hurricanes, coastal development, bleaching events etc.). Future
manipulative studies need to be performed to determine the primary causes of the shifts in fish
communities that are currently being observed at Turneffe Atoll.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish impacts, recruitment, coral reefs, community structure, invasive species
230
231
ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, researchers have increasingly used passive acoustics to discover and monitor fish
spawning aggregations (FSAs) in terms of both species presence and relative abundance. A growing
library of species-specific vocalizations made on spawning sites has aided these survey efforts. However,
because most Caribbean reef FSAs occur at remote locations and in deep (>40 m) water, coupled visual
and acoustic observations during spawning have proven difficult to collect. Since 2002, scientists and
volunteers from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the Cayman Islands
Department of Environment (CIDOE) have been studying a shallow (30 m) and easily accessible multispecies FSA on the west end of Little Cayman, Cayman Islands, through the Grouper Moon Program
(GMP). In February 2013, GMP personnel deployed a continuously recording passive acoustic
hydrophone at the FSA site, and subsequently monitored nightly spawning behaviors of aggregating
species through both visual surveys and underwater video over a 5-day period. During this period the
hydrophone recorded vocalizations from Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), red hind (Epinephelus
guttatus), black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) and yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa). Here
we report on the link between temporal patterns in species-specific aggregate vocalizations and
observations of courtship and spawning behaviors.
KEYWORDS: Nassau grouper, Passive acoustics, spawning behavior, fish sounds
232
233
ABSTRACT
Fisheries are an important source of food, income and cultural identity for many Caribbean coastal
communities. While reef fisheries resources in the Caribbean are frequently overexploited, pelagic
resources may generate alternative economic benefits to coastal communities and possibly divert pressure
from reef fish resources. The key to the efficient harvesting of thinly-distributed pelagic fisheries
resources is the use of fish aggregation devices man-made structures that float on or just below the
surface of the ocean and attract pelagic fish. Historically, FADs were deployed by individual fishers or
close-knit groups who then managed exploitation of the aggregated fisheries resources. More recently,
governments and other organizations have deployed public FADs that are not associated with exclusive
use rights in an attempt to make the technology more widely available. Public FADs may, however, be
exploited less efficiently and also give rise to new conflicts related to crowding of fishers around them.
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, Florida Sea Grant, and the Dominica and St. Vincent and
the Grenadines Fisheries Divisions have partnered to implement an integrated data collection, analysis,
and engagement process to strengthen cooperation among fishers and between fishers and government
stakeholders to support the co-management of FAD fishery resources. The results are being used to
strengthen data collection, enhance local outreach capabilities, and offer recommendations that can assist
the efforts of Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and other Caribbean governments to support comanagement of their developing FAD fisheries.
KEYWORDS: Pelagic Fisheries, Socio-economics, Stakeholder Engagement, Fish Aggregation Device
234
235
ABSTRACT
The common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) supports important commercial and recreational fisheries
in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is a relatively long-lived species with a late age-at-maturity, thus a
comprehensive understanding of the status of the thresher shark population is essential to guiding
sustainable management decisions. The purpose of this study was to use oxytetracycline (OTC) tagging
to validate the band pair deposition rate in thresher shark vertebrae. OTC is absorbed by calcifying
structures in the thresher shark vertebrae so that time-at-liberty can be correlated to the number of band
pairs deposited post tagging for direct validation. OTC tagging occurred off southern California from
1998-2012. A total of 2,137 thresher sharks were tagged with conventional tags and 1,445 of these
animals, ranging in size from 56 to 309 cm fork length (FL), were injected with OTC. Vertebrae from 57
OTC-tagged and recaptured animals ranging from 58 to 168 cm FL at the time of tagging have been
returned. Twenty-six of these samples are from individuals at-liberty for over one year, with a maximum
time-at-liberty of 1,389 days (3.8 years). Annual vertebral band pair deposition rates are currently being
determined and will be used to estimate growth rates of the thresher shark at multiple life stages. This
information can be used to provide accurate age and growth models for the common thresher shark in the
northeast Pacific Ocean and provide information necessary for accurate stock assessments.
KEYWORDS: Age and growth, common thresher shark, oxytetracycline (OTC), validation
236
237
ABSTRACT
Artificial reefs are an important marine habitat type supporting a variety of reef fish and associated
populations in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. These reefs can consist of a variety of materials, but the
most common in this region is oil and gas platforms. After many decades in service entire ecosystems
have developed around the relatively large structures, in what would otherwise be a featureless bottom,
meriting them remaining as reefs. Our research group is encouraging what we consider wise scientific
practices in reefing these structures; however, much work is still needed to determine what makes the
"best" reefs. We have partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Artificial Reef Program to asses fish
community structure associated with artificial reefs at several reef sites varying in depth, distance from
shore, complexity of materials, and number of structures. These also include before-after comparisons of
newly reefed structures. Specifically, we are examining vertical distribution patterns of fish, seasonal
habitat use, and how physical differences among sites (e.g., water depth, distance from shore, type,
number of and complexity of structures) affect species abundance and richness. This presentation will be
an introduction to oil and gas platforms as artificial reefs, the pros and cons of this practice, and set the
stage for a series of technical presentations that will detail our recent results of ROV, diver-based surveys,
and vertical longline fishery independent sampling summarizing two years of research studying these
structures compared to natural banks.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reefs, reef fish, red snapper, Oil and Gas Platforms, ROV
238
239
ABSTRACT
Red snapper were sampled from 2009-2011 at natural (n=35) and artificial (n=28) reef sites as part of a
broader study of reef fish feeding ecology at natural versus artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Stomachs (n=708) were extracted and their contents preserved for gut content analysis, while muscle
tissue samples (n=200) were dissected and frozen for IR-MS analysis (d13C, d15N, and d34S). Fortyeight percent of stomachs had identifiable prey. An unplanned factor was incorporated into the study
when the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DHOS) occurred in summer 2010. Fish length (PERMANOVA,
p=0.028), habitat type (PERMANOVA, p=0.028), and the DHOS (PERMANOVA, p=0.004) all
significantly affected red snapper diet, but interactions between habitat type and the DHOS
(PERMANOVA, p=0.010), and length and the DHOS (PERMANOVA, p=0.020) also were significant.
Diet differences associated with red snapper total length were attributable to ontogenetic shifts among
size classes. The DHOS effect was driven by a decrease in zooplankton contribution to snapper diet and
greater amounts of benthic prey items. Stable isotope data indicated an increase in red snapper trophic
position (15N enrichment, ANOVA, p<0.001) and an increase in benthic versus pelagic prey (34S
depletion, ANOVA, p<0.001) post-spill. Results clearly indicate the DHOS affected red snapper diet and,
potentially, prey resources. Study results also confirm the utility of stable isotope analysis to infer aspects
of reef fish trophic ecology.
KEYWORDS: Red snapper, oil spill, artificial reefs, diet, trophic
ABSTRACT
Since 2007, we have been surveying historical and reported reef fish spawning agregations (FSAs) in the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Over the 6 years we have documented geomorphologies
common among several species-specific FSAs. Using coordinated fishery acoustic and diver visual
surveys, we have also found significant elevated densities of fish at some of the reported sites, including
elevated densities of black grouper and cubera snapper, several hundred permit to over 2000 gray
snappers exhibiting (and have confirmed over several years, the absence of fish from other historical
FSAs). While aggregations have been found, spawning has yet to be observed at any aggregation. Since
2012, we implemented a new wide-swath fishery multibeam sonar system that has increased the search
volume in our FSA surveys by orders of magnitude while allowing us to map seafloor topography at the
FSA sites. We will provide an update on this research effort, with specific comments on the importance of
these data to regulatory review process for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
KEYWORDS: Reef fish spawning aggregations, fishery sonar, marine sanctuaries
240
ABSTRACT
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) in the Gulf and Caribbean is geographically variable, difficult to diagnose
and is generally managed by local knowledge. CFP is under reported in endemic areas by as much as 90%
and the requirements to report it are not universal or uniform. Anecdotal information about CFP and its
effects are widespread and in some cases confound and contradict scientific explanations. The promotion
of recreational and commercial harvesting of invasive lionfish poses a unique dilemma to the region
where managers are now seeking lionfish-specific data on ciguatoxicity. We describe a current project to
obtain broad-scale ciguatoxin levels for lionfish from the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. These data will
be used to further inform managers on the probability of CFP from lionfish in their region. We also
provide the state of science on CFP research including how to identify the microalgae that produce
ciguatoxins, monitoring and detection methods and the challenges and limitations of current ciguatoxin
testing methods.
KEYWORDS: Ciguatera fish poisoning, lionfish, management, detection
242
243
ABSTRACT
The Sea Grant College Program at the University of Florida, The Billfish Foundation, the Gulf and
Caribbean Fisheries Institute, and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism have partnered to offer
Caribbean-based marine resource and fisheries professionals a four-month training opportunity at the
University of Florida, USA. Topics include fisheries management, stock assessment, data analysis
methods, or geospatial technologies. Applicants must possess a bachelors degree and be employed by a
resource management ministry or government agency located in a CRFM member state. Each year, the
successful candidate will be matched with Florida Sea Grant-affiliated faculty at the University of Florida
whose expertise aligns with their professional interests. The selected candidate will apply knowledge
gained to advance an ongoing or proposed project of their choosing that is related to a marine resource or
fishery management need identified by their ministry or government agency. Mr. Randel Thompson, a
fisheries biologist with the St. Kitts and Nevis Department of Marine Resources, was selected as the first
recipient of this fellowship, offered spring 2013. Mr. Thompson applied the skills learned to identify
ways that GIS can aid in the planning and management of fish aggregation devices. Mrs. Anginette
Murray, a marine analyst with the Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, has been selected to
receive the fellowship starting in spring 2014. This training opportunity supports our collective mission to
promote greater collaboration, synergy, and the sharing of knowledge among organizations that manage
and promote the sustainability of shared Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean fishery resources.
KEYWORDS: Fellowship, training opportunity, professional development
ABSTRACT
La mayor parte de los recursos pesqueros de Cuba se encuentran plenamente explotados y se encuentran
bajo un sistema de manejo y administracin que implementa y controla las medidas regulatorias para
lograr la sostenibilidad de la actividad pesquera. Aun as y bajo el efecto de mltiples causas las capturas
de forma general han experimentado un decremento sostenido. Esta situacin ha obligado a las
autoridades cubanas a establecer los principios bsicos que permitan la sostenibilidad en el tiempo de los
recursos pesqueros sin renunciar a los beneficios econmicos que esta actividad significa para el pas
garantizando una gestin pesquera participativa que contemple el equilibrio de intereses y orientada a la
conservacin y aprovechamiento racional de los recursos.
PALABRAS CLAVES: Fisheries, fisheries policy, Cuba
244
PROTECTED AREAS AND FISHING ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE
MEXICAN CARIBBEAN. WHAT NEEDS TO BE LEARNED?
REAS PROTEGIDAS Y ACTIVIDADES DE PESCA EN EL GOLFO DE MXICO Y EL
CARIBE MEXICANO. QU HAY QUE APRENDER
DES AIRES PROTGES ET DES ACTIVITS DE PCHE DANS LE GOLFE DE MEXIQUE
ET DANS LES CARABES MEXICAINES. QUEST-CE ON DOIT APPRENDRE?
EDGAR TORRES-IRINEO, SILVIA SALAS, JORGE EUAN-VILA, LEOPOLDO PALOMO EVA
CORONADO, and DANIEL QUIJANO
Cinvestav Unidad Mrida Km. 6, Antigua Carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73-CORDEMEX. Mrida,
Yucatn 97310 Mxico edgar.torres@mda.cinvestav.mx
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ABSTRACT
The use of exclusion zones as management tools in fisheries for habitat protection and for species
conservation has a long history around the world. The growing popularity of Marine Protected Areas
(MPA) and the potential benefits about species conservation and to environmental aspects is widely
acknowledged. However, little analysis accounting for enforcement and the impact that this protected
zones has on the users of marine resources is less clear. Given the current interest in MPAs, the debate is
also growing. In this study a reflexion on the impact of these protected zones on fishers is placed based on
data collected through a Vessel monitoring system. An analysis was undertaken to assess the level of
incursion fishers make on protected areas; six month of data collected on daily basis, in four states, were
used for such analysis. The results show that fishers can cross these areas for transit or for fishing
activities. The proportion of areas used for fishing varies from state and type of fisheries. Biogeographic
conditions and state of the fisheries in each case can force fishers to invade some areas while searching
for their target species. A discussion is presented addressing the need to evaluate the effect of protected
areas on coastal communities and the advantage of involving fishers and communities in the decisionmaking process to implement MPAs.
KEYWORDS: MPAs, Vessel Monitoring System, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, fisheries management
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ABSTRACT
Recreational highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries can achieve long-term sustainable growth through
domestic and international tourism. Despite the economic opportunities provided by recreational HMS
fishing, socioeconomic impacts have generally been understudied. This report provides a baseline for the
economic importance of recreational HMS fishing in Colombia. Data were gathered for this report
through detailed surveys distributed to recreational anglers in Colombia in the fall of 2012. Survey
responses were analyzed and compared to the results from a similar study performed by The Billfish
Foundation (TBF) in the Northern Caribbean. Findings show that Colombian anglers are willing to spend
a considerable amount of money to pursue sport fish species, and that many opportunities are available to
expand not only the current recreational fishing industry, but also the conservation efforts surrounding
that industry. By expounding upon these results, this report offers insight to recreational HMS fisheries
managers who must tackle significant challenges in developing effective regional management strategies.
The ultimate goal of this report aligns with TBFs mission to improve the standing of recreational fishing
and associated tourism industries as an economic priority.
KEYWORDS: Billfish, Colombia, recreational fisheries, economic impacts, HMS
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ABSTRACT
Understanding ecologically relevant patterns of connectivity, defined as the extent to which populations
in different parts of a species range are linked by the exchange of eggs, larvae, juveniles or adults is an
important factor for helping managers build ecological resilience into marine protected areas. We took
advantage of a recently developed microsatellite multiplex protocol to perform a study of genetic
connectivity in Panulirus argus between advective and retentive oceanographic regions in the Caribbean
sea. We used a biophysical model to predict which oceanographic regions had the highest and lowest
levels of larval self-recruitment within the Caribbean seascape and explored associations between genetic
population structure and dispersal barriers in these locations. Our results suggested that sites in Panama
and Andros Island in the Bahamas, both located in oceanographic regions with large offshore gyres, were
consistently distinct from the rest of the sites in our study. Sites located near the mean surface flow of the
Caribbean current were consistently genetically similar to each other. No evidence of genetic isolation by
distance was found. These findings suggest that oceanographic or environmental drivers rather than
geographic distance more likely influence spatial patterns of geneflow in Caribbean spiny lobsters.
Additional research is required to clarify the temporal levels of genetic connectivity among spiny lobster
populations in advective and retentive oceanographic regions in the Caribbean.
KEYWORDS: Connectivity, conservation, genetics, biophysical, model
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ABSTRACT
The usefulness of fish community metrics as indicators for Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
(EBFM) has been mostly investigated in temperate systems. Here, we use 415 coral reef-surveys spanning
the Caribbean to assess and compare the potential of four simple fish community metrics, i.e. fish
biomass, fish density, mean fish weight and species richness, to separate fishing effects from natural
variation at both local (10s of kms) and broad (100-1000s of kms) spatial scales. We found that these
metrics differed considerably in redundancy, environmental correlates and the spatial scales underlying
metric-environment associations. Mean fish weight and fish biomass were largely redundant and sensitive
to fishing at both spatial scales, although mean fish weight was better at specifically detecting fishing
effects than fish biomass. Fish density and species richness were also largely redundant but sensitive to
temperature over broad scales and to macro-algae and relief height over local ones. This redundancy was
likely driven by environmental effects on species richness, ultimately affecting fish density. In contrast,
mean fish weight and fish density exhibited little redundancy, indicating that they were driven by
fundamentally different processes. All four metrics were negatively correlated with macro-algae over
broad scales, supporting the value of macro-algae as an indicator of the integrity of entire reef
ecosystems. Finally, most of the metric-fishing covariance operated over broad scales, highlighting the
need for a Caribbean-wide view of resource status to prevent shifting baselines. Our study clarifies the
utility of simple fish community metrics as indicators for EBFM in the Caribbean.
KEYWORDS: Indicators, fisheries, fish metrics
RESUMEN
Los Cayos de La Moskitia Hondurea, son un sistema de 53 cayos arenosos que estn rodeados de
arrecifes de coral y pastos marinos.Por dcadas, los recursos marinos asociados con estos
ecosistemasprincipalmente la langosta espinosa y el caracol gigante, han sido objeto de aprovechamiento
por parte del sector industrial. Como mtodo de extraccin se emplean buzos, principalmente gente
indgena. El buceo para la extraccin de langosta es la principal fuente de empleo e ingreso en esta regin
postergada del pas. Pero tambin la principal causa de invalidez y muerte. La preocupacin por los
costos sociales del buceo, llev a un acuerdo regional para prohibir la prctica en todo Centro Amrica.
Aunque la medida est orientada a salvaguardar vidas humanas, crea una enorme incertidumbre por la
prdida de empleos y la vulnerabilidad de la economa local en la regin de la Moskitia. En vista que a la
fecha existen pocas alternativas para los pueblos Miskitos, los mismos puebloshan decidido utilizar el
cierre de la pesca industrial de langosta, como oportunidad para desarrollar nuevas pesqueras,
sostenibles, rentables y ms seguras.Utilizando ciencia marina, tecnologa de punta y el conocimiento
ancestral de los pescadores, se ha diseado un rea de Pesca en los cayos de la Moskitiaque permitir de
forma exclusiva la pesca artesanaly el uso preferente de los recursos por las comunidades locales.
Retomando sus prcticas tradicionales mediante mtodos que promuevan la conservacin de la
naturaleza y los servicios ecosistmicos, as como la promocin del desarrollo econmico local, se
asegura la recuperacin de las pesqueras y su disponibilidad a futuro, y se mantiene el potencial
econmico para los pueblos de la Moskitia.
PALABRAS CLAVES: La Moskitia, pesca artesanal, buceo, comunidades, prcticas tradicionales
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ABSTRACT
Survey instruments are essential tools for gathering socio-demographic and psycho-metric data relevant to
fisheries management. However, recent trends in several social science disciplines show a significant
decrease in response rates, particularly within the context of mail and email surveys. As part of the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Departments (TPWD) Statewide Survey of Licensed Anglers our research sought to
a) provide insight on the success of different collection methods as evidenced in response rates, b)
understand the most effective method for acquiring a representative sample of licensed Texas anglers, and
c) develop a socio-demographic profile of response and non-response anglers. Using data collected from
licensed Texas anglers, we conducted an experiment that involved a comparison among three treatment
groups; a) surface mail-only survey distribution (n= 697), b) an email-only invitation (n=784), and c) a
combination of mail-only and email-only invitations (n=407). Effective response rates varied widely
across treatments ranging from 64% for combination mode to 29.9% for email-only and a low of 20% for
the traditional surface mail-only methods. Comparisons of socio-demographics across treatments showed
significant differences in age, gender, income, and ethnicity. The generalizability of data obtained through
survey methods is dependent on the ability of the instrument to capture a representative sample of the
population. Results illustrate the need to consider the efficacy of survey methodology in attempts to
obtain sufficient and representative data intended to inform fisheries management. They also shed light on
the ability of mixed-mode surveys to buoy declining response rates in traditional mail only
methodologies.
KEYWORDS: Anglers, generalizability, non-response, questionnaires, demographics
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ABSTRACT
The fish in the order Scorpaeniformes posses potent venoms that cause neuromuscular and cardiovascular
symptoms through the activation of sodium channels, calcium influx into cells, and the release and
depletion of acetylcholine from presynaptic neurons. Although these venom compounds have the
potential to mimic ciguatoxin in detection bioassays, thus disrupting our ability to accurately test for
ciguatera in venomous species, they are harmless to fish consumers. While it is know that the venom is
present in the spines, no research has sought investigated if venom proteins exist elsewhere in the fish.
Proteins were extracted from the spine, skin, muscle and liver tissues of fish using four buffers used by
previous studies to extract ciguatoxin samples: phosphate-buffered saline, 70% methanol, 100% methanol
and 100% acetone. Western blotting with stonefish antivenom was used to detect the presence of venom
proteins in tissues from invasive Pterois volitans, introduced Cephalopholis argus, and native Acanthurus
triostegus (a non-Scorpaeniformes control). Venom proteins were most highly expressed in the spines of
the venomous Scorpaeniform species, with decreased but detectable expression in skin and muscle
tissues. These proteins were detected strongly in both the saline and 70% methanol extracts, suggesting
the possibility that these proteins or other venom compounds contaminate ciguatoxin tests. The next step
of this research, clarifying the affect of venom toxins on ciguatera bioassays, will increase the accuracy of
ciguatera detection in Scorpaeniform species, potentially expanding the fishery for invasive lionfishes as
well as other commercially relevant Scorpaeniformes.
KEYWORDS: Lionfish, ciguatera, ciguatoxin, Scorpaeniformes, venom
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ABSTRACT
It is crucial to understand how nature contributes to ones economy and wellbeing in order to make wellfounded decisions when managing the economy and nature by protecting marine areas. This research was
to deliver sound scientific insights that guide decision-making regarding protecting Bonaires ecosystems
and the management of its economy. By assigning economic values to ecosystem services of Bonaire,
this draws attention to economic benefits of biodiversity and highlights the growing costs of biodiversity
loss and ecosystem degradation. The study addresses the most relevant ecosystems and ecosystem
services for Bonaire and applies a range of economic valuation and evaluation tools. By surveying over
1,500 persons, including tourists, fishermen, local residents, and citizens of the Netherlands, this study
estimated the willingness of individuals to pay for the protection of Bonairean nature. Scenario analysis is
conducted about effective strategies to protect the ecosystems of Bonaire. This study intensively involved
stakeholders, which facilitated data collection while building capacity in applying the concept of
ecosystem services among the target audience. The total economic value of ecosystem services provided
by the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Bonaire is $105 million per year. In the scenarios it becomes
very clear that it is more efficient to prevent extensive environmental damage than trying to revitalize the
environment while there are still threats at hand. With the current threats unmanaged, the TEV of
Bonairean nature will decrease from $105 million today to around $60 million in ten years time and to
less than $40 million in 30 years.
KEYWORDS: Socio-economic valuation, MPA, willingness-to-pay, Ecosystem services, values
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ABSTRACT
Artificial reefs are man-made structures that are used to create habitat in locations where there is little
natural hard bottom habitat (coral, limestone, etc.). In the Gulf of Mexico, structures used to create
artificial reefs include decommissioned oil and gas platforms, tanks, ships, and concrete. The ecosystem
structure, and consequently the trophic assemblage, can differ among artificial reefs based on differences
in individual site characteristics, such as structure type. This study examined the trophic structure of the
fish community at thirteen artificial reef structures in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico along the Texas
coast. These reef sites were predominately composed of oil and gas platforms (either cutoff or toppled),
but some reefed ships were also included in the analysis. In order to characterize and determine if
differences existed between structure types, we analyzed video data collected using a remotely operated
vehicle (ROV). A trophic level and trophic guild were assigned to each fish species identified using data
from FishBase. No significant differences were found in overall mean trophic level among individual reef
sites and structure types. The two most dominant trophic guilds present at all three structure types (cutoff
rigs, toppled rigs, and ships) were piscivores and invertivores, though this was likely biased by large size
and thus visibility of these groups. Additional analyses from on-going surveys should provide a more
comprehensive assessment of artificial reef trophic structure and include characteristics such as structure
age and proximity to other artificial reef or natural bank sites.
KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, trophic level, trophic guild, ROV survey, structure type