FISH andFISHERIES Global conservation status and research needs for tarpons (Megalopidae), ladyfishes (Elopidae) and bonefishes (Albulidae) Aaron J Adams1, Andrij Z Horodysky2, Richard S McBride3, Kathryn Guindon4, Jonathan Shenker5, Timothy C MacDonald6, Heather D Harwell7, Rocky Ward8 & Kent Carpenter9 1Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Mote Marine Laboratory, Charlotte Harbor Field Station, P.O. Box 529, Saint James City, FL 33956, USA; 2Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, 100 E. Queen St., Hampton, VA 23668, USA; 3National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; 4Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA; 5College of Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901, USA; 6Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA; 7Global Marine Species Assessment, Marine Biodiversity Unit, IUCN Species Programme, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; 8Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016, USA; 9Global Marine Species Assessment, Marine Biodiversity Unit, IUCN Species Programme, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA Abstract Correspondence: We assessed the taxonomic diversity, geographic distributions, life history, ecology Aaron J Adams Bonefish & Tarpon and fisheries of tarpons, ladyfishes and bonefishes (members of the subdivision Elo- Trust and Mote Mar- pomorpha), which share many life history and habitat use characteristics that ine Laboratory, make them vulnerable to environmental and anthropogenic stresses in coastal Charlotte Harbor environments. This assessment of Red List status for the International Union for Field Station, the Conservation of Nature reveals three species considered near threatened or vul- P.O. Box 529, Saint James City, nerable, three species of least concern, and 11 data-deficient species. Although the FL 33956, taxonomy of tarpons appears stable, it is less so for ladyfishes and bonefishes. In Tel.: +239 283 4733 aggregate, these species are distributed circumtropically and foray into temperate Fax: +239 283 2466 zones. Although they spawn in marine habitats, larvae of many species disperse E-mail: aadams@ into estuarine habitats, which are declining in area or degrading in quality. Several mote.org species support high-value recreational fisheries, or culturally important small-scale commercial and artisanal fisheries. Nonetheless, no formal stock assessment exists Received 10 May for any species, so improved data collection, information sharing and assessment 2012 techniques should facilitate socio-economic development of individual fisheries. Accepted 20 Dec 2012 Catch-and-release recreational fisheries that promote conservation of tarpon and bonefishes in some regions are promising models to improve the conservation sta- tus of these fishes elsewhere, as well as the economic development of these fishing communities. Most tarpons, ladyfishes and bonefishes likely face significant chal- lenges from anthropogenically mediated habitat loss and alteration, and several are vulnerable to both habitat degradation and overfishing. Broader protection and enhancements to fisheries habitat in all regions will benefit these as well as many other coastal fishery species. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd DOI: 10.1111/faf.12017 1 Conservation status of Elopomorpha A J Adams et al. Keywords Albuliformes, Elopiformes, fisheries conservation, habitat degradation, habitat loss, overfishing Introduction 1 Methods 5 Overview of the Elopomorpha 6 Status of knowledge 7 Elopiformes: Megalopidae: Megalops spp. 7 Elopiformes: Elopidae: Elops spp. 10 Albuliformes: Albulidae 11 Global fisheries for Megalopidae, Elopidae, and Albulidae 12 Megalopidae 12 Elopidae 15 Albulidae 17 Discussion 18 Threats 19 Research and conservation needs 22 Economic incentives for conservation 24 Acknowledgements 24 References 24 part of an assessment of the global status of tar- Introduction pons, ladyfishes and bonefishes for the Interna- Tarpons (Megalopidae), ladyfishes (Elopidae) and tional Union for the Conservation of Nature bonefishes (Albulidae) are distributed globally (IUCN), we assemble the first comprehensive Red among all warm-water seas. Within the subdivi- List classification of these taxa. Overall, biological sion Elopomorpha, representing early stages in the and fisheries knowledge is lacking for the majority basal radiation of teleost fishes (Nelson 2006), of these species, especially in the Pacific and these fishes are of considerable phylogenic interest, Indian Oceans. Still, data for 6 of 17 species were yet several new species have been named only sufficient for this assessment and recommendation recently or are proposed. They have complex life of conservation actions, and for 3 of the 17 spe- cycles involving ontogenetic habitat shifts among cies, there is specific cause for concern due primar- geographically distinct marine and coastal habi- ily to a combination of harvest and habitat loss or tats, the latter of which are vulnerable to destruc- degradation (Table 1). tion or alteration. Their dependence upon coastal We report on our findings, anticipated threats and nearshore habitats, and their value in con- to these species, and suggest future directions for sumptive and recreational fisheries, has generated data acquisition and conservation. This review is concern that harvest and habitat loss and degra- organized to first provide a summary on the gen- dation pose threats to tarpons, ladyfishes and eral status of knowledge (biology, fisheries, bonefishes. Moreover, sympatric distributions and threats) for each family, followed by a broader conservative morphology combine to make taxo- discussion of threats and recommended conserva- nomic identification difficult and create challenges tion measures that encompasses all species. Spe- for management and conservation for ladyfishes cies-specific information on Red List status, major and bonefishes. threats and conservation needs is available in These general concerns are difficult to directly Table 1, and on geographic range in Table 2; associate with specific species because no formal detailed species-specific accounts are available stock assessment exists for any elopomorph. As online (http://iucn.org). 2 © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, F I S H and F I S H E R I E S © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, F I S H and F I S H E R I E S Table 1 Major threats, research and conservation needs for the 17 species addressed in this review. Red List Status: VU, vulnerable; DD, data deficient; LC, least concern; NT, near threatened; Not evaluated = the species is not adequately taxonomically described, so evaluation was not possible; see text for full descriptions of the Red List Status categories. Red List Family Binomial Status Major threats Research and conservation needs Megalopidae M. atlanticus VU Commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries (lethal and sublethal effects), habitat Determination of the direction and magnitude of regional loss (including fragmentation and alteration of freshwater flow) and declines in water population trends, habitat assessment and protection/ quality restoration. M. cyprinoides DD Exploitation (commercial, artisanal and recreational), habitat loss (including fragmentation Information regarding life history, demographics and and alteration of freshwater flow) and declines in water quality; effects unknown harvest levels Elopidae E. saurus LC Exploitation, habitat degradation and declines in water quality (particularly in estuarine Monitoring in areas where fishing continues with little areas and hyper-saline lagoons) regulation is recommended E. smithi DD Exploitation, habitat degradation and declines in water quality (particularly in estuarine Information regarding life history, demographics and areas and hyper-saline lagoons); effects unknown harvest levels E. lacerta LC Exploitation, habitat degradation, and declines in water quality (particularly in estuarine Monitoring in areas where fishing continues with little areas and hyper-saline lagoons) regulation is recommended Conservation status of Elopomorpha E. senegalensis DD The unknown extent of commercial fisheries and the magnitude of harvest suggest a Information regarding life history, demographics and potential threat to this species harvest levels E. hawaiiensis DD Exploitation, habitat degradation and declines in water quality (particularly in estuarine Information regarding taxonomy, population status, areas and hyper-saline lagoons); effects unknown fisheries interactions and potential threats. Future monitoring is needed. E. machnata LC The unknown extent of commercial fisheries and the magnitude of harvest suggest a Monitoring in areas where fishing continues with little potential threat to this species regulation is recommended E. affinis DD Dams and reduced river flow; effects unknown Information regarding taxonomy, population status, fisheries interactions and potential threats A J Adams et al. 3 Conservation status of Elopomorpha 4 Table 1 Continued. Red List Family Binomial Status Major threats Research and conservation needs Albulidae A. nemoptera DD Unknown Information regarding demographics, population status, fisheries interactions and potential threats A. oligolepis DD Likely