Southern African Marine Linefish Species Profiles
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SOUTHERN AFRICAN MARINE LINEFISH SPECIES PROFILES B.Q. Mann (Editor) - drawings by N. Kistnasamy and D. Hattingh - OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Publication No. 9 SEPTEMBER 2013 FRONT COVER: A shoal of slinger (Chrysoblephus puniceus) over a coral reef in the St Lucia Marine Reserve near Sodwana Bay (Camilla Floros) BACK COVER: Brindle bass (Epinephelus lanceolatus) (Darrell Hattingh) The Investigational Report series of the Oceanographic Research Institute presents the detailed results of marine biological research. Reports have appeared at irregular intervals since 1961. All manuscripts are submitted for peer review locally and abroad. The Special Publication series of the Oceanographic Research Institute reports on expeditions, surveys and workshops, or provides bibliographic and technical information. The series appears at irregular intervals. The Bulletin series of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research is of general interest and reviews the research and curatorial activities of the Oceanographic Research Institute, uShaka Sea World and the Sea World Education Centre. It is published annually. These series are available in exchange for relevant publications of other scientific institutions anywhere in the world. All correspondence in this regard should be directed to: The Librarian Oceanographic Research Institute P O Box 10712 MARINE PARADE 4056 Durban, South Africa SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Publication No. 9 SOUTHERN AFRICAN MARINE LINEFISH SPECIES PROFILES B.Q. Mann (Editor) - drawings by N. Kistnasamy and D. Hattingh - Published by South African Association for Marine Biological Research PO Box 10712 Marine Parade, Durban, 4056 SOUTH AFRICA Copyright 2013-09-30 ISBN 978-0-620-58185-1 i ABSTRACT This publication is a compilation of species profiles for 139 important marine linefish species from 38 families caught in southern African waters, including both teleosts and elasmobranchs. It provides a comprehensive update of a previous edition published in 2000. Where available, referenced information for each species is presented on distribution, movement, habitat, feeding, reproduction, biometrics, fishery, biological reference points, stock status, vulnerability, current regulations, management considerations and research requirements. Each profile is intended to be an up-to-date summary of what is currently known about the species in order to help users, managers and scientists to determine effective management plans, to ensure the future conservation and sustainable use of each species. The profiles are also intended to highlight the research needed to support the effective management of southern Africa’s marine linefish resources. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Previous editions of the “Visboekie” have proved to be extremely useful and it is my hope that this new edition will prove to be equally useful in guiding linefish research and management in southern Africa. The enthusiasm and hard work of all the marine scientists who contributed towards the compilation and review of the species profiles contained in this book are gratefully acknowledged. In particular, I would like to single out some of my colleagues at ORI; namely Jade Maggs, Stuart Dunlop and Sean Fennessy who went beyond the call of duty in this regard. Also a big thank you to Bernadine Everett for her assistance with formatting, checking and printing the final draft. Prideel Majiedt and Kerry Sink from the South African National Biodiversity Institute, Sven Kerwath and Chris Wilke from the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Colin Attwood from the University of Cape Town are thanked for their assistance throughout the extended duration of this project. Financial support from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research and the South African National Biodiversity Institute is gratefully acknowledged. Finally, I would like to thank my wife Judy Mann for her support and encouragement during the many long hours it took to edit this book. ii CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ ii FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... v MARINE LINEFISHING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA ................................................................................................... v STATUS OF THE LINEFISHERY ........................................................................................................................... vi HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ................................................................................................................................... vii SPECIES CONSIDERED ...................................................................................................................................... vii CRITERIA EVALUATED........................................................................................................................................ vii LINEFISH SPECIES PROFILES ............................................................................................................................. 1 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................... 296 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES ......................................................................................................................... 337 INDEX OF COMMON NAMES ............................................................................................................................ 339 APPENDICES I Affiliations of authors and referees who contributed to this publication ......................................................... 341 II Abbreviations and symbols used in this book ................................................................................................ 342 iii FOREWORD In an age of instant gratification, instant responses, virtual media and vicarious experiences, it is a rare privilege to be writing a foreword for a good old-fashioned paper book. This book is filled with up-to-date, relevant and interesting information on the linefish of southern Africa and as such it will become, like its predecessors, the ‘go to’ publication for everyone interested in the conservation of our precious linefish resources. What makes this publication special is the collaborative nature of its development – linefish researchers from around South Africa have freely contributed their knowledge to the individual species profiles. We all share a passion for our fish and by sharing their expertise these researchers will be enabling everyone interested in southern African marine linefish to contribute towards their conservation and wise management. Without good scientific information, it is impossible to effectively manage natural resources. This book places into the hands of fishermen, managers, scientists and anyone else interested in fish, the information that they need to make wise decisions about linefish management. Although this hard copy format will become a treasured resource on the desk of anyone interested in fisheries management, it will also be produced as an electronic, searchable database and perhaps even an app, both of which will make the data even more accessible. South Africa has a good track record of linefish conservation, our research is good, our network of marine protected areas should remain sacrosanct and our management efforts should always be guided by good science and be fairly implemented. I would like to thank all of the members of the Marine Linefish Research Group (MLRG) who willingly gave of their time to write “their” species profiles, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) for funding the development of the project and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) for funding most of the time spent on compiling the book. In particular I would like to thank Bruce Mann, a senior scientist at the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), for his commitment to the future of South Africa’s linefish. Ultimately this book is a labour of love for fish and a plea to all those concerned to use the information wisely and to make the best possible decisions to ensure the future of South Africa’s linefish resources. Judy Mann Chief Executive Officer, SAAMBR The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) provided some of the core funding for the work presented in this publication through its Threatened Species Programme. SANBI’s Marine Programme catalysed this updated publication in partnership with the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Marine Linefish Research Group (MLRG). SANBI has a mandate to monitor and report on the status of biodiversity as specified in the Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004). This project was led by ORI and benefits from the scientific expertise