DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ecological and Functional Roles of Commercially Important Rabbitfish Species in a Marine Environment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ecological and Functional Roles of Commercially Important Rabbitfish Species in a Marine Environment The ecological and functional roles of commercially important rabbitfish species in a marine environment Ameer Ebrahim BSc (Hons) A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2019 School of Biological Sciences Abstract Herbivorous fishes have consistently been found to have a significant positive impact on the resilience of coral reefs. Their feeding and foraging actions shape the capacity of reefs to both resist, and recover from, disturbance. Relatively little is known, however, about which ecological features in particular influence their distributions, movements, and foraging behaviours. Furthermore, the manner in which their biomass is altered by human actions remains poorly understood. Understanding and appreciating these key factors may help improve global management strategies of fisheries and coral reef habitats. Overall, this thesis provides a framework to establish the ecological functions of commercially important herbivorous fishes. This will not only help authorities establish effective management strategies to curb fishing pressure, but will also provide an indication of the capacity of reefs to resist or recover from disturbances that lead to algal dominance. At present, there is a noticeable gap in the literature pertaining to the ecological role that individual herbivorous fish species play; contemporary research instead focusses on their overall contribution. To bridge this gap and to render this research relevant to management efforts in the Seychelles, this thesis explored the distribution, ecological functions, and spatial ecology of key rabbitfish species in this archipelago of the Indian Ocean. Rabbitfishes are a crucial food source to the majority of the Western Indian Ocean region, comprising the bulk of their artisanal fisheries. In the Seychelles, in particular, they constitute over 60% of the total artisanal catch and, notably, there are no measures aimed at management of stocks currently being implemented or enforced. This thesis demonstrates that the overall distribution of herbivorous fishes is shaped by the habitat characteristics of individual reefs, and not by the presence of marine reserves. Species level analyses on rabbitfishes reveal that they were also influenced by the features of reef habitats, but not the conservation status of individual reefs. Furthermore, this research reveals that fishes from different functional groups occupy distinct reef habitats, suggesting that this may lead to spatial separation in the ii distribution of different forms of herbivory, and possibly reef resilience, in the Seychelles. This thesis investigated the ecological functions of rabbitfishes, focussing on their foraging rates and substrate preference, among diverse sites with varying benthic habitats. It reveals that rabbitfishes display both browsing and grazing traits, indicating possible functional complementarity between species. This is an important distinction as it implies that the conservation of different species may result in distinct shifts in the competitive dominance of coral and algae. Finally, this thesis examines the spatial ecology of the most commercially important fish species of the artisanal fishery in the Seychelles: the shoemaker spinefoot (Siganus sutor); it investigated whether they act as a mobile link between networked habitats, and whether their movements differed between day and night. Detection patterns reveals them to be diurnal herbivores, with only rare nocturnal movements. Furthermore, their movements are influenced by seagrass and coral abundance. Identification of such links between networked habitats are relevant for the purposes of implementing effective fisheries and habitat management strategies, and have a crucial bearing on sites around the archipelago which are to be declared marine reserves. iii Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. iv Publications during candidature Peer-reviewed papers Ebrahim, A., Martin, T. S. H., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D., Tibbetts I. R. (2020) Differences in diet and foraging behaviour of commercially important rabbitfish species on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Coral Reefs. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-01918-6 Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J. P., Mumby, P. J., Tibbetts I. R. (2020) The commercially important Shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows. Journal of Fish Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14297 Conference abstracts Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J. P., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D., Tibbetts I. R. Reef features, not marine reserves, shape the distribution of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs in the Seychelles (Oral presentation). Workshop on status of Seychelles coral reefs, reef resilience and coral reef restoration, Seychelles. Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J. P., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D., Tibbetts I. R. Reef features, not marine reserves, shape the distribution of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs in the Seychelles (Oral presentation). The Eleventh Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Symposium, Mauritius. Manuscripts in prep for peer-review Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J. P., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D., Tibbetts I. R. Reef features, not marine reserves, shape the distribution of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs in the Seychelles v Manuscripts in prep for peer-review included in this thesis Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J.P., Mumby, P.J., Olds, A.D., Tibbetts I.R. (submitted to the Journal of Fish Biology) ‘Reef features, not marine reserves, shape the distribution of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs in the Seychelles This work was incorporated as Chapter 2 Contributor Statement of contribution Ameer Ebrahim Designed study (70%) (Candidate) Conducted fieldwork (80%) Conducted analysis (80%) Wrote and edited paper (70%) Jude P. Bijoux Designed study (20%) Wrote and edited paper (5%) Peter J. Mumby Designed study (5%) Conducted analysis (20%) Wrote and edited paper (5%) Andrew D. Olds Wrote and edited paper (10%) Rodney Melanie Conducted fieldwork (20%) Ian R. Tibbetts Designed study (5%) Wrote and edited paper (10%) vi Publications included in this thesis Ebrahim, A., Martin, T. S. H., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D., Tibbetts I. R. (2020) Differences in diet and foraging behaviour of commercially important rabbitfish species on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Coral Reefs. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-01918-6 This work was incorporated as Chapter 3 Contributor Statement of contribution Ameer Ebrahim Designed study (70%) (Candidate) Conducted fieldwork (80%) Conducted analysis (60%) Wrote and edited paper (70%) Tyson SH. Martin Conducted analysis (30%) Wrote and edited paper (5%) Peter J. Mumby Designed study (20%) Conducted analysis (10%) Wrote and edited paper (5%) Andrew D. Olds Wrote and edited paper (10%) Rodney Melanie Conducted fieldwork (20%) Ian R. Tibbetts Designed study (10%) Wrote and edited paper (10%) vii Ebrahim, A., Bijoux, J. P., Mumby, P. J., Tibbetts I. R. (2020) The commercially important Shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows. Journal of Fish Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14297 This work was incorporated as Chapter 4 Contributor Statement of contribution Ameer Ebrahim Designed study (70%) (Candidate) Conducted fieldwork (60%) Conducted analysis (70%) Wrote and edited paper (75%) Jude P. Bijoux Designed study (20%) Conducted fieldwork (20%) Conducted analysis (20%) Peter J. Mumby Designed study (10%) Conducted analysis (10%) Wrote and edited paper (5%) Rodney Melanie Conducted fieldwork (10%) Ian R. Tibbetts Wrote and edited paper (20%) viii Contributions by others to the thesis Tibbetts IR, Mumby PJ, Bijoux JP, and Olds AD contributed to the conception and design of this research, advised on methods and analyses, and provided critical comments on the thesis and all the associated manuscripts that have been submitted for peer-review.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Endoparasitic Helminths of the Whitespotted Rabbitfish
    Belg. J. Zool. - Volume 126 ( 1996) - 1ssue 1 - pages 21-36 - Brussels 1996 Received : 13 September 1995 ENDOPARASITIC HELMINTHS OF THE WHITESPOTTED RABBITFISH (SIGANUS SUTOR (Valenciennes,1835)) OF THE KENYAN COAST: DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE HOST POPULATION AND MICROHABITAT USE ALD EGONDA GEETS AND FRAN S OLLEVIER La bora tory for Ecolo gy and Aquaculture, Zoological lnstitute, Catholic University of Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven (Belgiwn) Summary. The parasitic fatma of the alimentary tract of adult whi tespotted rabbitfish, Siganus sutor, sampled in December 1990 at the Kenyan coast, was in vestigated. Fi ve endoparasites were fo und: the di genean trematodes Opisthogonoporoides hanwnanthai, Gyliauchen papillatus and 1-/exan.gium sigani, the acanthocephalan Sclerocollum rubrimaris and th e nematode Procamm.alanus elatensis. No uninfected fish, nor single species infections occurred. Parasite population data showed ve1y hi gh prevalences for ali endoparasites, ranging from 68. 18 % to 100 %. G. papi/lat us occurred with the hi ghest mean intensity, 201.68 ± 12 .54 parasites per infected fi sb. The parasites were over­ di spersed within their host's population and frequency distributions generall y fitted the n egative binomial function. The relationship between host size and parasite burden showed that smaller fish were more heavil y infected. The infection with O. hanumanthai and H. sigani decreased significant­ ly with total length of S. su tor. Study of th e associations between parasites showed that the iutensi­ ties of the three digenean species were significantly positi ve!y correlated. Possible transmi ssion stra­ tegies of the di genea and impact of the feeding habits of S.
    [Show full text]
  • DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS of the 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project
    DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project March 2018 DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project Citation: Aguilar, R., García, S., Perry, A.L., Alvarez, H., Blanco, J., Bitar, G. 2018. 2016 Deep-sea Lebanon Expedition: Exploring Submarine Canyons. Oceana, Madrid. 94 p. DOI: 10.31230/osf.io/34cb9 Based on an official request from Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment back in 2013, Oceana has planned and carried out an expedition to survey Lebanese deep-sea canyons and escarpments. Cover: Cerianthus membranaceus © OCEANA All photos are © OCEANA Index 06 Introduction 11 Methods 16 Results 44 Areas 12 Rov surveys 16 Habitat types 44 Tarablus/Batroun 14 Infaunal surveys 16 Coralligenous habitat 44 Jounieh 14 Oceanographic and rhodolith/maërl 45 St. George beds measurements 46 Beirut 19 Sandy bottoms 15 Data analyses 46 Sayniq 15 Collaborations 20 Sandy-muddy bottoms 20 Rocky bottoms 22 Canyon heads 22 Bathyal muds 24 Species 27 Fishes 29 Crustaceans 30 Echinoderms 31 Cnidarians 36 Sponges 38 Molluscs 40 Bryozoans 40 Brachiopods 42 Tunicates 42 Annelids 42 Foraminifera 42 Algae | Deep sea Lebanon OCEANA 47 Human 50 Discussion and 68 Annex 1 85 Annex 2 impacts conclusions 68 Table A1. List of 85 Methodology for 47 Marine litter 51 Main expedition species identified assesing relative 49 Fisheries findings 84 Table A2. List conservation interest of 49 Other observations 52 Key community of threatened types and their species identified survey areas ecological importanc 84 Figure A1.
    [Show full text]
  • Updated Checklist of Marine Fishes (Chordata: Craniata) from Portugal and the Proposed Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf
    European Journal of Taxonomy 73: 1-73 ISSN 2118-9773 http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.73 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2014 · Carneiro M. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9A5F217D-8E7B-448A-9CAB-2CCC9CC6F857 Updated checklist of marine fishes (Chordata: Craniata) from Portugal and the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf Miguel CARNEIRO1,5, Rogélia MARTINS2,6, Monica LANDI*,3,7 & Filipe O. COSTA4,8 1,2 DIV-RP (Modelling and Management Fishery Resources Division), Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Av. Brasilia 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 3,4 CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] * corresponding author: [email protected] 5 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:90A98A50-327E-4648-9DCE-75709C7A2472 6 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:1EB6DE00-9E91-407C-B7C4-34F31F29FD88 7 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:6D3AC760-77F2-4CFA-B5C7-665CB07F4CEB 8 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:48E53CF3-71C8-403C-BECD-10B20B3C15B4 Abstract. The study of the Portuguese marine ichthyofauna has a long historical tradition, rooted back in the 18th Century. Here we present an annotated checklist of the marine fishes from Portuguese waters, including the area encompassed by the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf and the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). The list is based on historical literature records and taxon occurrence data obtained from natural history collections, together with new revisions and occurrences.
    [Show full text]
  • Solomon Islands Marine Life Information on Biology and Management of Marine Resources
    Solomon Islands Marine Life Information on biology and management of marine resources Simon Albert Ian Tibbetts, James Udy Solomon Islands Marine Life Introduction . 1 Marine life . .3 . Marine plants ................................................................................... 4 Thank you to the many people that have contributed to this book and motivated its production. It Seagrass . 5 is a collaborative effort drawing on the experience and knowledge of many individuals. This book Marine algae . .7 was completed as part of a project funded by the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation Mangroves . 10 in Marovo Lagoon from 2004 to 2013 with additional support through an AusAID funded community based adaptation project led by The Nature Conservancy. Marine invertebrates ....................................................................... 13 Corals . 18 Photographs: Simon Albert, Fred Olivier, Chris Roelfsema, Anthony Plummer (www.anthonyplummer. Bêche-de-mer . 21 com), Grant Kelly, Norm Duke, Corey Howell, Morgan Jimuru, Kate Moore, Joelle Albert, John Read, Katherine Moseby, Lisa Choquette, Simon Foale, Uepi Island Resort and Nate Henry. Crown of thorns starfish . 24 Cover art: Steven Daefoni (artist), funded by GEF/IWP Fish ............................................................................................ 26 Cover photos: Anthony Plummer (www.anthonyplummer.com) and Fred Olivier (far right). Turtles ........................................................................................... 30 Text: Simon Albert,
    [Show full text]
  • Accepted Manuscript
    ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT miR-24 is involved in vertebrate LC-PUFA biosynthesis as demonstrated in marine teleost Siganus canaliculatus Cuiying Chen1#, Shuqi Wang1#, Mei Zhang1, Baojia Chen1, Cuihong You1, Dizhi Xie2, Yang Liu1, Óscar Monroig3, Douglas R. Tocher4, Khor Waiho1, Yuanyou Li2* 1 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China. 2 College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. 3 Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS-CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain 4 Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK. Present address: College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT # These authors contributed equally to this work. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: [email protected]; tel/fax number: +86 20 85283529. 1 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ABSTRACT Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of lipid metabolism. However, the miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanism on long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis in vertebrates remains largely unknown. Here, we address a potentially important role of miRNA-24 (miR-24) in the regulation of LC-PUFA biosynthesis in rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus. miR-24 showed significantly higher abundance in liver of rabbitfish reared in brackish water than in seawater for fish fed vegetable oil diets and in S. canaliculatus hepatocyte line (SCHL) cells incubated with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) than the control group. Similar expression patterns were also observed on the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (srebp1) and LC-PUFA biosynthesis related genes.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea 2 7
    Metamorphoses: Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea 2 7 B. S. Galil and Menachem Goren Abstract Six hundred and eighty alien marine multicellular species have been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, with many establishing viable populations and dispersing along its coastline. A brief history of bioinvasions research in the Mediterranean Sea is presented. Particular attention is paid to gelatinous invasive species: the temporal and spatial spread of four alien scyphozoans and two alien ctenophores is outlined. We highlight few of the dis- cernible, and sometimes dramatic, physical alterations to habitats associated with invasive aliens in the Mediterranean littoral, as well as food web interactions of alien and native fi sh. The propagule pressure driving the Erythraean invasion is powerful in the establishment and spread of alien species in the eastern and central Mediterranean. The implications of the enlargement of Suez Canal, refl ecting patterns in global trade and economy, are briefl y discussed. Keywords Alien • Vectors • Trends • Propagule pressure • Trophic levels • Jellyfi sh • Mediterranean Sea Brief History of Bioinvasion Research came suddenly with the much publicized plans of the in the Mediterranean Sea Saint- Simonians for a “Canal de jonction des deux mers” at the Isthmus of Suez. Even before the Suez Canal was fully The eminent European marine naturalists of the sixteenth excavated, the French zoologist Léon Vaillant ( 1865 ) argued century – Belon, Rondelet, Salviani, Gesner and Aldrovandi – that the breaching of the isthmus will bring about species recorded solely species native to the Mediterranean Sea, migration and mixing of faunas, and advocated what would though mercantile horizons have already expanded with be considered nowadays a ‘baseline study’.
    [Show full text]
  • Microbiome Patterns Across the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Rabbitfish Siganus Fuscescens
    Microbiome patterns across the gastrointestinal tract of the rabbitfish Siganus fuscescens Shaun Nielsen, Jackson Wilkes Walburn, Adriana Vergés, Torsten Thomas and Suhelen Egan Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia ABSTRACT Most of our knowledge regarding the biodiversity of gut microbes comes from terrestrial organisms or marine species of economic value, with less emphasis on ecologically important species. Here we investigate the bacterial composition associated with the gut of Siganus fuscescens, a rabbitfish that plays an important ecological role in coastal ecosystems by consuming seaweeds. Members of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and delta- Proteobacteria were among the dominant taxa across samples taken from the contents and the walls (sites) of the midgut and hindgut (location). Despite the high variability among individual fish, we observed statistically significant differences in beta-diversity between gut sites and gut locations. Some bacterial taxa low in abundance in the midgut content (e.g., Desulfovibrio) were found in greater abundances on the midgut wall and within the hindgut, suggesting that the gut may select for specific groups of environmental and/or food-associated microorganisms. In contrast, some distinct taxa present in the midgut content (e.g., Synechococcus) were noticeably reduced in the midgut wall and hindgut, and are thus likely to be representative of transient microbiota. This is the first assessment of
    [Show full text]
  • Nutritional Characteristics and Feeding of Rabbitfish (Siganus Guttatus) in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon Systems
    Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A and B & Hue University Journal of Science 5 (2015) 561-569 D doi: 10.17265/2161-6256/2015.12.015 DAVID PUBLISHING Nutritional Characteristics and Feeding of Rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon Systems Nguyen Quang Linh1, Tran Nguyen Ngoc2, Kieu Thi Huyen2, Ngo Thi Huong Giang2 and Nguyen Van Hue2 1. Center for Incubation and Technology Transfer, Hue University, 07 Ha Noi Street, Hue City 47000, Vietnam 2. University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung Street, Hue City 47000, Vietnam Abstract: The research aimed to investigate for lagoon foodweb and dietary composition for rabbitfish in different stages (larvae, fingerlings and grower). Data were collected from two experiments using basic methods in field and laboratory. Experiments were structured on 2,000 larval head, 500 each tanks for nursery and 90 heads of three groups were collected in different seasons to laboratories for analysis of feeding intake and food compositions. Results showed that the number of omnivorous species, including animals, plants and organics, have been identified and grouped in 39 genera, 30 families, 23 sets, 8 classes and 6 branches. Animal groups have been identified as 18 breeds, 18 families, 13 lines, 3 classes and 3 animal species of industry animal. Plant foodweb, mainly Bacillariophyta, have accounted for 27 genera and 67.5% of total expenditure vegetation eaten by the rabbitfish. For the animal feed industry joint foot, Arthropoda have the highest number of 15 varieties, accounting for 83.3% of the animal’s nutritional ratio. Organic residues as food for species have the highest prevalence in digestive tract (94.4%).
    [Show full text]
  • University of Guam-4H Rabbit Fish (Manahak) Project 2014-2015
    University of Guam-4H Rabbit Fish (Manahak) Project 2014-2015 May 2015 Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop St., Ste. 1400 Honolulu, Hawai’i, 96813 Photo on cover from NOAA Photo Library. Photo taken by David Burdick. A report of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813 Prepared by Cliff Kyota. © Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 2015. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council ISBN 978-1-944827-51-9 Funded by the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund through the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council • wpcouncil.org 1 Contract Number: 13-SFFII-01 Award Period: 12/01/2013- 12/1/2014 (extended through Ap ril 2015) Project Title: Guam Manahak Project Recipient Name: University of Guam- 4H Youth Development Program Pls/PDs: Cliff Kyota Purpose Harvesting of manahak has been low in recent years. This reduction in harvest could be related in several factors: 1) resource depletion; 2) less fishing; 3) less reporting; and/or, 4) less fishable areas due to MPAs. However, it is also believed that juvenile rabbit fish are subject to high levels of predation from other fish species, as well as subject to mortality from starvation related to lack of juvenile habitat. Project Scope Traditional fisherman and 4H youth development program members (4H club members or youth) will work together to raise 1,500 manahak for a duration of 5-6 months. Once the stocks reach maturity, the project participants will properly measure the weight and length of each manahak, and then apply a conventional mark and recapture tag prior to release at a predestinated site.
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring Functional Groups of Herbivorous Reef Fishes As Indicators of Coral Reef Resilience a Practical Guide for Coral Reef Managers in the Asia Pacifi C Region
    Monitoring Functional Groups of Herbivorous Reef Fishes as Indicators of Coral Reef Resilience A practical guide for coral reef managers in the Asia Pacifi c Region Alison L. Green and David R. Bellwood IUCN RESILIENCE SCIENCE GROUP WORKING PAPER SERIES - NO 7 IUCN Global Marine Programme Founded in 1958, IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature) brings together states, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 100 members in all, spread across some 140 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The IUCN Global Marine Programme provides vital linkages for the Union and its members to all the IUCN activities that deal with marine issues, including projects and initiatives of the Regional offices and the six IUCN Commissions. The IUCN Global Marine Programme works on issues such as integrated coastal and marine management, fisheries, marine protected areas, large marine ecosystems, coral reefs, marine invasives and protection of high and deep seas. The Nature Conservancy The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Conservancy launched the Global Marine Initiative in 2002 to protect and restore the most resilient examples of ocean and coastal ecosystems in ways that benefit marine life, local communities and economies.
    [Show full text]
  • BIOT Field Report
    ©2015 Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Science Without Borders®. All research was completed under: British Indian Ocean Territory, The immigration Ordinance 2006, Permit for Visit. Dated 10th April, 2015, issued by Tom Moody, Administrator. This report was developed as one component of the Global Reef Expedition: BIOT research project. Citation: Global Reef Expedition: British Indian Ocean Territory. Field Report 19. Bruckner, A.W. (2015). Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Annapolis, MD. pp 36. The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) was incorporated in California as a 501(c)(3), public benefit, Private Operating Foundation in September 2000. The Living Oceans Foundation is dedicated to providing science-based solutions to protect and restore ocean health. For more information, visit http://www.lof.org and https://www.facebook.com/livingoceansfoundation Twitter: https://twitter.com/LivingOceansFdn Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation 130 Severn Avenue Annapolis, MD, 21403, USA [email protected] Executive Director Philip G. Renaud Chief Scientist Andrew W. Bruckner, Ph.D. Images by Andrew Bruckner, unless noted. Maps completed by Alex Dempsey, Jeremy Kerr and Steve Saul Fish observations compiled by Georgia Coward and Badi Samaniego Front cover: Eagle Island. Photo by Ken Marks. Back cover: A shallow reef off Salomon Atoll. The reef is carpeted in leather corals and a bleached anemone, Heteractis magnifica, is visible in the fore ground. A school of giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis, pass over the reef. Photo by Phil Renaud. Executive Summary Between 7 March 2015 and 3 May 2015, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted two coral reef research missions as components of our Global Reef Expedition (GRE) program.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigation of the Implications of Different Reef Fish Life History Strategies on Fisheries Management, Final Technical
    Investigation of the implications of different reef fish life history strategies on fisheries management Final Technical Report 10 50 8 6 40 4 30 Frequency 2 20 Fork Length (cm) 0 10 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 Total Length (cm) 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Age (yrs) Back-calculated Individual length at age Observed data Assessment Management Advice Biological Fishery Fishery Management Sampling Sampling Regulations Catch Growth Natural Recruitment Mortality Operating model August 2004 Front cover: Length-based and age-based assessment methods for Lethrinus mahsena (left) and Siganus sutor (right). Images available from Fishbase: www.fishbase.org (Froese and Pauly, 2000) Document to be cited as: Wakeford, R.C., Pilling, G.M., O’Neill, C.J. and A. Hine. (2004). Investigation of the implications of different reef fish life history strategies on fisheries management. FMSP Final Tech. Rep. MRAG, London. 139pp. Final Report – Administrative Details DATE COMPLETED: 31/03/2004 TITLE OF PROJECT R7835: Investigation of the implications of different reef fish life history strategies on fisheries management PROGRAMME MANAGER / Professor John Beddington INSTITUTION MRAG Ltd 47 Prince’s Gate London SW7 2QA FROM TO REPORTING PERIOD 01/04/2001 31/03/2004 AUTHORS OF THIS REPORT Dr Robert Wakeford, Dr Graham Pilling, Mrs Catherine O’Neill, Mr Adrian Hine R7835 Effects of fish life history strategies on management Page i Page ii R7835 Effects of fish life history strategies on management Acknowledgments Thanks go to Dr Geoff Kirkwood and Dr Chris Mees for their helpful consultations during the project and Dr Ashley Halls for his assistance in part of the analyses.
    [Show full text]