4 n oviembre 2013- 8 n · Entrega del Premio Gladding 18:00 Clasura 20:00 Recepción informal y palabras de apertura de Robert Glazer, Director Ejecutivo del GCFI ... participaciones

Libro de Resumenes

Auspiciado por:

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

4 noviembre 2013 - 8 noviembre 2013

66ava

Reunión Anual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

El GCFI Desea Expresar Agradecimiento a los

Patrocinadores de la 66ava

Conferencia Anual

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

BLUE FIN TUNAS

TEXAS SEAGRANT AT TEXAS A&M

TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA

PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI

RED SNAPPERS

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, CENTER FOR FISHERIES AND

DEVELOPMENT

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB

INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISH ASSOCIATION

TAMUCC OFFICE OF RESEARCH, COMMERCIALIZATION AND OUTREACH

FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY

PROGRAMA SEA GRANT, UNIVERSIDAD DE PUERTO RICO

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAMS OF FLORIDA, PUERTO RICO AND THE GULF

OF MEXICO

UNOTED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

CARIBBEAN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK AND FORUM

COASTAL BEND BAYS AND ESTUARIES PROGRAM

TAMUCC COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION TEXAS

SALTWATER-FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

GULF OF MEXICO FOUNDATION

* Estudiante i

PROGRAMA 66AVA REUNIÓN ANUAL GULF AND CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS USA 4-8 NOVIEMBRE 2013

Lunes, 5 de noviembre

Ceremonia de apertura

Dr. Alejandro Acosta Jefe del Programa

08:30 Dr. James Franks Jefe del GCFI, Cuerpo Directivo

Invitados ilustres

08:40 Nelda Martinez Alcalde de la ciudad de Corpus Christi

08:50 Dr. Luis Cifuentes, Vice President for Research, Commercialization, and Outreach, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Dr.Larry D. McKinney Director Ejecutivo del Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

Conferencia magistral

09:00 Dr.Larry D. McKinney El equilibro de la naturaleza. Arrecifes de acero y

arrecifes coralinos: compatibles o contrapuestos

Leroy Creswell GCFI, Secretario Ejecutivo; Toque de campana

10:00 Receso de café

"Pesca, investigación y conservación en arrecifes naturales y

artificiales" (Moderadores: Wes Tunnell and Greg Stunz, HRI) (auspicada por HRI)

10:30 Wes Tunnell and Greg Stunz

Introduction and Overview of Natural and Artificial Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico Special Session

* Estudiante ii

10:45 Patterson III, William F

Función ecológica de arrecifes naturales y artificiales en la zona norte del Golfo de México

11:00 Stunz, Greg Arrecifes artificiales del noroeste del Golfo de Mexico como hábitat

para la pesca

11:15 Puritz, Jonathan Herramientas genómicas para la evaluación de los arrecifes naturales y artificiales y la formación de un HRI y TAMU-CC conjunta instalación de genómica marinasMarine Genomics Core Facility

11:30 Truchon, Stephen

Una evaluación de offshore alternativas desmantelamiento plataforma usar servicios de los ecosistemas

11:45 Chávez, Ernesto A.

Las pesquerías de los arrecifes coralinos del Golfo de México y el Caribe

12:00 Powers, Sean Preparando una administracion basada en el ecosystema: pesqueria independiente con un programa de muestras de pezcados de arrecife en el norte del Golfo de Mexico

12:15 Lindberg, William Programa compresivo de arreecife artificial en Florida que

satisface necesidades de las partes interesadas

12:30-14:00 Receso de almuerzo

Sesión paralela: "El pez león en el mercado: oportunidades y

dificultades" (por inivitación) (Responsible: Lad Akins, REEF y

James Morris, NOAA)

"Socioeconomía" (Moderador: Patrick McConney, CERMES)

14:00 Gill, David * El valor económico de la pesca arrecife-asociado estudios de caso países del Caribe

14:10 Mikuni, Nariaki Actividades economicas que portalecen la cohesion social entre

pescadores y promueven el co-manejo

14:20 Box, Stephen Desarrollo de modelos para captar beneficios económicos en una pesquería con baja gobernabilidad, a través del uso de nuevas herramientas de manejo espacial y trazabilidadles

14:30 Chollett, Iliana Mapeando el costo de una pesquería artesanal

14:40 Salas, Silvia Análisis de la eficiencia del pescador en las pesquerías de pequeña escala de la costa de Yucatán, México

14:50 Keithly, Walter El sector procesador de camarones del Golfo de Méjico y su adaptación al aumento de las importaciones

15:00 Bretos, Fernando Intercambios de pescadores para la conservación: un análisis de

lecciones aprendidos

15:10 Burrows, Felicity M.

Mejorar la gestión de las Bahamas langosta de pesca para el futuro

15:20 Tizol, Rafael Estado actual y administración de los recursos pesqueros en Cuba

15:30 Baldwin, Kimberly

Demostrar la eficacia de un sistema de información geografica participativos (SIGP) enfoque en el apoyo a la gestión basada en los ecosistemas marinos de la pescado

15:40 Bonilla, Sara Artisanal fisheries of the bay islands in Honduras: socioeconomic importance and community participation in marine resource management

15:50 Blackman, Katherine

Trabajando en pro de un código para la pesca responsible con la comunidad pesquera de conset bay en Barbados

* Estudiante iii

4:00pm Receso de café

"Forum de Pesdadores" (Moderador: Patrick McConney, CERMES)

16:15 Will Heyman, Session Chairman

Introducción al F4F y la temática del Foro de Pescadores 2013

16:20 Don de Maria, Fisher, Florida USA

El valor del trabajo conjunto de pescadores y científicos

16:40 Mitchell Lay, Fisher, Antigua and Barbuda

Colaboración en torno al tiburón en Antigua and Barbuda

16:50 Angelica Mendez, Fisher, Guatemala

Colaboración de la red de pescadores de Guatemala

17:00 Andres Maldonado, Fisher, Puerto Rico

Juntos en el fondo del océano

17:10 Benny Gallaway, Scientist, USA

Juntos en el fondo del océano

17:20 Patrick McConney, Moderator

Discusión y clausura de la sesión

17:45 Eddie Toomer, winner; Mitchell Lay, Committee

Chair

Entrega del Premio Gladding

18:00 Clasura

20:00 Recepción informal y palabras de apertura de Robert Glazer, Director Ejecutivo del GCFI

20:00 Reunión trinacional sobre ciencias marinas

Martes, 5 de noviembre

Sesiones

paralelas

Excursión del Forum de pescadores (1300-1700)

(Contactos: Will Heyman, ERA Assoc y Mitchell Lay

Caribbean Fisherfolks Assoc)

Taller: Areas protegidas listadas bajo el Protocolo SPAW

del Convenio de Cartagena (auspiciada por PNUMA-

PAC/SPAW RAC, NOAA y GCFI. Contacto: Alessandra

Vanzella-Khouri, UNEP (por invitación)

"Evaluación poblacional y el uso de métodos con pocos datos"

(Moderadores: Bill Michaels y Mandy Karnauskas, NOAA) (auspicada por NOAA)

08:00 Michaels, Bill Construcción de una estrategia para la evaluación de pesquerias con defiecienca en datos en la region del Caribe

08:15 Babcock, Elizabeth La incertidumbre en el cálculo de los parámetros del ciclo de vida para la estimación del estado de las poblaciones con métodos de evaluación de pocos datos

08:30 Benson, Kristopher Evaluación de métodos para mejorar la evaluación de las poblaciones de datos limitados atraves del Caribe

* Estudiante iv

08:45 Fujita, Rod Un marco para la aplicación de métodos analíticos con datos limitados en la gestión pesquera

09:00 Karnauskas, Mandy Generando recomendaciones para el manejo de la pesca en casos de

datos limitados: ejemplos del Atlántico sur de los Estados Unidos y del Caribe

09:15 Cooper, Wade Analisis de una encuesta de captura modificada para la evaluación de cangrejos azules en el norte del Golfo de Méjico

09:30 Keithly, Walter Retos asociados con el establecimiento de un programa de participaciones de captura en una pesqueria de datos escasos: el caso de la pesqueria de pargos y meros de aguas profundas Puertorrique?

09:45 Nowlis, Josh Al lanzar mas profunda y extensamente para evaluar el estado de las

poblaciones de peces cuando los datos son escasos

10:00 Receso de cafe

10:15 Richardson, Laura Las areas protegidas marinas de las Islas Caiman, mejorando un legado de 27 años

10:30 Heyman, William Déjelos llegar a usted: mejorando la evaluación y manejo de pesquerías deficientes en datos en complejos de especies pargo-mero

10:45 Pavlowich, Tyler El uso de detalles actuales de la cosecha de pescadores de arrecifes

coralinos, incluso detalles taxonómicas y de los tamaños, para informar el manejo de pescarías con enfoque al ecosistema en el parque nacional de Montecristi, Republica Dominicana

"Gobernanza y pesquerías recreativas" (Moderador: Graciela Garcia-Moliner,

NOAA CFMC) (auspicada por GCFI)

11:00 Mahon, Robin Evaluar emergentes acuerdos regionales de los océanos en la región

del gran Caribe

11:10 Selliah, Neetha Una iniciativa de evaluación y fortalecimiento institucional para la comunidad pesquera de conset bay en Barbados

11:20 Maharaj, Ben Desde pesquería de acceso abierto a los derechos de uso territorial en (TURF) sistemas de pesca: una perspectiva socio-económica sobre las consecuencias para el sector de la pesca artesanal representa la transición entre los sistemas de gobierno

11:30 Sidman, Charles Estrategia participatoria de co-manejo para el uso de agregadores artificiales que permita la pesca sostenible de peces pelágicos en las comunidales caribeñas de Dominica y San Vicente

11:40 Lorenzen, Kai Perspectivas de los interesados en la gestión de guasa en Florida 11:50 Garner, Steven B. Estimaciones de los observadores a base de pescados de arrecifes de

capturas y de descartes durante abierto y cerrado seasons recreativos de pargo rojo en el norte del Golfo de México

12:00 Lashley, Derrick * Gestión de monitoreo y evaluación de la pesca en pequeña escala utilizando los indicadores de desempeño simples

12:10 Wallen, Kenneth Caída índice de respuesta, metodología de la encuesta, y las implicaciones para la gestión de las pesquerías deTexas


* Estudiante v

"Pez león" (Moderadores: James Morri, NOAAs y Lad Akins, REEF) (auspicada por NOAA)

14:00 Tester, Pat El invasor pez león y envenenamiento por la Ciguatera en el pescado en el Golfo y el Caribe: ¿Qué sabemos realmente?

14:10 Wilcox, Christie Perfil de expresión de proteínas del veneno en pterois volitans: implicaciones para la detección de ciguatoxin

14:20 Castillo II, Bernard Resultados preliminares de la detección de ciguatoxinas en el pez león del indopacífico (Pterois volitans) que habita st. Croix (Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses)

14:30 Diaz, Nicholas Primera evaluación del riesgo de ciguatoxicidad del pez leon en las Antillas Francesas

14:40 Chapman, Jennifer Obstáculos y oportunidades en el desarrollo de mercados comerciales para el pez león invasivo - lecciones aprendidas en Belice

14:50 Bolaños, Nacor Aportes de Colombia a los esfuerzos regionales de los países del gran

caribe para el control del pez león

15:00 Ricardo G-Lozano Estrategia regional para el pez león invasoras en la región del Gran Caribe

15:10 McCreedy, Cliff Control de lionfish en parques nacionales de los Estados Unidos 15:20 Chevalier, Pedro Distribución, abundancia y relaciones ecológicas del pez león (Pterois

volitans/miles: scorpaenidae) en Cuba

15:30 Fernández, Alexis Primeros registros parasitológicos en pez león, Pterois volitans (linnaeus, 1758), para aguas Cubanas

15:40 Eddy, Corey * El análisis preliminar de la población del pez león (Pterois volitans y P. miles) en las Bermudas

15:50 Dark, Emily * Estudio del uso de los manglares estuarinos de la laguna Indian river de la Florida (EE.UU.) por el pez león (P. volitans y P. miles)


16:20 Caballero, Hansel Resultados comparativos de la ecología alimentaria del pez león (Pterois volitans/miles: scorpaenidae) en Cuba: 2009-2013

16:30 Curtis-Quick, Jocelyn

Interacciones entre la langosta caribe, Panulirus argus, y el pez león invasor, Pterois volitans: quien desplaza quien?

16:40 Dahl, Kristen Dieta del invasivo pacífico pez león, Pterois volitans, en arrecifes

naturales y artificiales en el norte del Golfo de México

16:50 Sealy, Shekira ADN mitocondrial (ADNMT) diversidad haplotipo de pez león invasiva en Barbados

17:00 Fogg, Alexander * Pez leon en el Golfo de México norte: distribución y trayectorias de la vida historia de reproducción

17:10 Lazarre,

Dominique *

El pez león captura incidental en los Cayos de Florida langosta pesca

comercialles

17:20 Ali, Fadilah Funciona remover? A una comparación interanual de los esfuerzos de eliminación de pez león en Klein Bonaire

17:30 Green, Stephanie Derbies de pesca de pez león invasor: una herramienta para la participación pública y el control de la población

17:40 Selwyn, Jason Cambios decenales en el reclutamiento de peces de arrecife en el atolón Turneffe, Belice: antes y después de la invasión del pez león

* Estudiante vi

19:00-21:00

Sesion de carteles (auspiciada por University of Texas Marine Science

Institute, and TAMUCC Department of Life Sciences/College of Science and

Engineering) (Coordinador: Read Hendon, USM)

20:00-21:00 Café Socio-económico

Abril-Howard, Omar Diseño, desarrollo y fabricación de cavas isotérmicas para el mejoramiento de manejo post-captura y cadena de frio, en productos pesqueros en el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina

Adams, Chuck La contribucion del uso de arrecifes artificales para las economias costeras de Florida

Aiken, Karl Primera observación de pepinos de mar en la plataforma insular de Jamaica

Alcolado, Pedro Resiliencia en crestas arrecifales del este del golfo de Batabanó, Cuba, y sus factores determinantes

Ali, Fadilah El papel de la educación en el control y gestión del pez león en el Caribe

Andrino, Sergio La infestación y mitigación de los impactos del pez león en el Caribe Guatemalteco

Annandale, Senifa Loro seguimiento (Scarus rubroviolaceus y Scarus psittacus) utilizando telemetría acústica en un sistema de arrecifes de coral de Hawai

Arney, Rachel Evaluando el reclutamiento de peces juveniles a través del uso de las unidades de control estándar (SMURFS) en la Isla del Padre sur Texas alcantarilla arrecife

Artero, Céline Determinación no letal de la edad del mero gigante (Epinephelus itajara) de la Guayana Francesa

Baldwin, Kimberly A participativa de recursos marinos y el uso del espacio-sistema de información para la Granadina Islas: la isla de Sandy Oyster Bed marine protected area

Ballesteros, Carlos Actividades de estudio y conservación de especies claves en el archipiélago de San

Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower

Bauer, Laurie Caracterización de las comunidades de peces, los hábitats bentónicos y contaminantes en las reservas de St. Thomas East End

Bayuelo, Verena Desarrollo histológico de los ovarios de la langosta espinosa, Panulirus argus (latreille, 1804, en la zona costera del departamento del Atlántico, Caribe Colombian

Beaufort, Océane Una técnica de observación desde el litoral para el estudio de la abundancia y de la

distribución de tiburones limón juveniles (Negaprion brevirostris) en la reserva natural de Petite-Terre (Guadeloupe, Antillas menores)

Bertelsen, Rodney Un análisis de los patrones de movimiento de la langosta espinosa: una comparación de dos subpoblaciones que residen al norte y al sur de los Cayos De Florida, Florida, USA

Box, Stephen Refugios artificiales: alternativas económicas para manejar áreas de pesca responsable, proyecto piloto en Punta Gorda y Guanaja, islas de la bahía, Honduras

Burton, Michael Caracteristicas de la edad y el crecimiento de las especies menos comunes de peces de arrecifes del sureste de Estados Unidos

Chalifour, Julien Reserva natural nacional de Saint-Martin: un área marina, terrestres y lacustres

protegida manejada reconocido

Chapman, Jennifer La invasión del pez león crece sin cesar en la reserva marina Bacalar Chico, Belice

Chong Sánchez, Fabiola *

Acondicionamiento del caracol Strombus pugilis, linnaeus, 1758 con dietas formuladas en laboratorio

Coelho, Eleine Producción de biorock por restauración de arrecifes

Coxey, Mariana Fidelidad espacial de meros juveniles, Epinephelus itajara, en áreas manglares -

implicaciones para su conservación

De los Angeles, Pesquerías sostenibles en la región occidental del Archipiélago Cubano: papel de la

* Estudiante vii

Maria educación ambiental

Delgado, Gabriel Demografía influencia el comportamiento reproductivo y la fecundidad del caracol rosado: implicaciones para el manejo de la pesquería

Dimens, Pavel El uso de un soporte para llenar el vacío de información dada por los peces grandes

Dolan, Tara Efectos temporales y de escala como poder para detectar cambios en comunidades de peces de mangle

Downey, Charles H. Rendimiento de los palangres verticales en los arrecifes artificiales de Texas coastal bend

Downey-Wall, Alan Caracterización de la dieta composición del pez león, 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. Intoxicación por ciguatera peces en el noroeste del Golfo de México

Embesi, John Composicion de la comunidad bentonica asociada a una estructura de petroleo, HI-A-389-a, ubicado dentro de Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Eristhee, Newton Un analisis prelinar de seguimiento comunitario peces vivos en cuatro santuarios de pescado en Jamaica

Eristhee, Newton Una evaluación socioeconómica y el sustento de los pescadores en comunidades

adyacentes a Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA ( SIOBMPA ) en la Isla de Granadina de Carriacou

Faletti, Meaghan Un depredador sin igual asechando un nuevo hábitat: análisis alimenticio y prueba experimental de los efectos ecológicos del invasor pez león en la bahía de Florida

Figueredo Martín, Tamara

Pesca recreativa en Jardines de la Reina, Cuba: caracterización y percepción sobre el estado de conservación del area

Figueredo Martín,

Tamara

Metodología para el monitoreo de uso público en áreas marinas protegidas

Forbes, Trisha Translocación y repoblamiento del caracol pala, Strombus gigas en el sector centro del área marina protegida Seaflower, Colombia

Forde, Romel Comprensión de los aspectos de la pesquería de pargo Barbados aguas profundas

como un sistema socio-ecológico

Froehlich, Catheline La diversidad de peces difiere entre densidades variables de tubos de concreto en el arrecife de la isla de South Padre, Texas

Garcia, Andres Una comparación de fidelidad al sitio y el uso del hábitat del huachinango en dos arrecifes artificiales en el sur de Texas utilizando telemetría acústica

Gervain, Paul La utilización de los DCP como un instrumento para observar los corrientes marino

Giglio, Vinícius Mero guasa, Epinephelus itajara en los arrecifes naturales y artificiales en Brasil: una encuesta participativa

González, Marian * Composition and spatial variation in the diet of Lutjanus synagris (lutjanidae: lutjaninae) on the north coast of Yucatan, Mexico

Gourdin, Franck Dieciocho áreas protegidas de la región del gran Caribe listados por las partes bajo el protocolo SPAW

Granados-

Dieseldorff, Pablo

Más allá de las datos agregados de captura: dinámicas estacionales de la pesquería

deficiente en datos de pargo criollo (Lutjanus analis) de Gladden Spit, Belice

Gray, Jana Abundancia y distribución de la marisma almeja Rangia cuneata en la Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Gundam, Madhuri Clasificación automática de peces en video submarino

Harms, Chelsea Análisis de la tasa de digestión de las presas de pescado en el pez león (Pterois volitans)

Hernández, Oscar ¿Qué papel juegan las diatomeas en la alimentación del caracol rosa Strombus gigas?

Hurtado, Julio * Organización del genoma mitocondrial y análisis filogeográficos en Mithrax spinosissimus (crustacea: brachyura), una especie importante en pesquerias

* Estudiante viii

artesanales de crustáceos en el mar Caribe

Jacobo Cabral, Selene Erantzcani

Acciones implementadas para el control del pez león (Pterois sp.) en el Parque Nacional Arrecife De Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México

Joginipelly, Arjun Kumar *

Extracción específica de la especie pescado característica con Gabor filtros

Johnston, Michelle Los peces león (Pterois volitans/miles) del océano Indo-Pacífico invaden el Santuario Marino Nacional Flower Garden Banks en el noroeste del Golfo de México

Keithly, Walter Evaluación del programa de cuotas de pesca en la pesquería de pargos rojo del Golfo de Méjico: cambio de perspectiva de los pescadores

Kelly, Michael Cómo comprender a los accionistas de la comunidad de pesca deportiva del Caribe: el potencial para desarrollo de la pesca deportiva en el Caribe

Kitchens, Larissa Discriminación de señales químicas en los otolitos de juveniles rabil (Thunnus albacares) del áreas de críadero en el Océano Atlántico

Knowles, Lindy Parque nacional 'Bonefish Pond': mayor eficacia de la gestión a través de proyectos de restauración de la comunidad

Kormanec, Marshall Comparación entre la edad y los parámetros de crecimiento del huachinango (Lutjanus

campechanus) tanto en un arrecife artificial como en un arrecife natural al borde de la plataforma continental

Labban, Shamanti La pesquería de arrecife de San Vicente

Legare, Bryan Cuantificar hábitat de ostras (Crassostrea virginica) mediante el acoplamiento de las tecnologías acústicas en bahías y estuarios de Texas quantifier

Lou Allen Hightower, Crystal

Al examinar las concentraciones de mercurio actuales en el norte del Golfo de México red drum

Lozano-Beltrán, Germán

Aspectos poblacionales de las jaibas roja (Callinectes bocourti) y azul (C. sapidus) de la zona noroccidental de la ciénaga grande de Santa Marta, caribe Colombiano

Lundy, Agnessa El establecimiento de coral acropora viveros largo de las Bahamas

Madden, Hannah Evaluación del éxito de la reproducción del ave rabijunco etéreo en la isla de San Eeustaquio

Mahon, Robin Evaluación de los mecanismos de gobernanza de Pedro Bank, Jamaica

Matos, Daniel Pargos de aguas profundas de Puerto Rico durante 1988-2012

McCoy, Croy Areas protegidas marinas, resiliencia y prevalencia de las enfermedades coralinas y la salud en peligro de los arrecifes de las Islas Caiman, Caribe del noroeste

McGlaun, Kimberly Depredación de la captura por delfines mulares (Tursiops truncatus)y observación de delfines moteados del atlántico (Stenella frontalis) en el Golfo de México comercial

pesca peces de arrecife

McNaught, Michelle Un enfoque de gestión mixta - arrecifes artificiales y santuarios de peces - a incrementar la pesca

Mellinger, Julie Estudio preliminar de Halophila stipulacea, una especies invasora de fanerógama marina en la Isla De Guadeloupe (Antillas Menores)

Merten, Wessley * Diferenciación espacial de los movimientos dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) en relación con el archipiélago de las Bahamas

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 Es realmente la pesca en los pequeños estados insulares en desarrollo tan vulnerable al cambio climático?

Moretzsohn, Fabio Gulfbase como una herramienta para fomentar la colaboración en investigación y una mejor preparación para los desastres

Mulcahy, Lisa Utilizando educadores voluntarios para aumentar la sensibilización ambiental en AMPS: lecciones aprendidas

Nuttall, Marissa F. Las comunidades de peces asociadas con las zonas biológicas bentónicas en el Santuario Marino Nacional Flower Garden Banks y otros bancos en el noroeste del

* Estudiante ix

Golfo de México

Olaya-Nieto, Charles W.

Ecología trófica del guabino (pisces: eleotridae) en el mar Caribe Cordobés, Colombia

Orozco Toro, Carlos Andres *

Composición isotópica 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 Andrés, Caribe Colombiano

Pattengill-Semmens,

Christy

Los patrones de rareza de los peces de arrecife en la cuenca del Caribe

Pelc, Robin Un análisis conservacionista de los avances y dificultades para lograr una pesca sostenible en Golfo y el Caribe

Pena, Maria Evaluaciones socio-económicos en el Caribe: síntesis de los proyectos SOCMON CERMES implementadas

Peterson, Mark Impactos de desastres de derrames de hidrocarburos a las pesquerías marinas y sus hábitats en américa del norte - un nuevo libro de investigaciónes corrientes sobre

deepwater horizon incluye reseñas de derrames de Exxon Valdez y Ixtoc I

Pilnick, Aaron Visualización de hipoxia en el Golfo Norte de México

Pitt, Joanna Los esfuerzos para desarrollar una trampa especial para el pez león para su uso en el entorno marino de las Bermudas

Quinn, Norman Coral blanqueado en Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel Cozumel, México, tras el paso de la tormenta tropical Rina en Octubre de 2011

Randall, Landes * Características del hábitat de peces voladores (familia Exocoetidae) larvas en del norte Golfo de México

Rangel Medrano,

Jose David

Variación del ADN mitocondrial del caracol pala strombus gigas en el Archipielago de

San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de Biosfera Sea Flower

Renan, Ximena Edad y crecimiento de Epinephelus morio del sur del Golfo de México

Renchen, Gabrielle F.

Traduciendo datos científicos al saber: educando partes interesadas sobre los impactos de trampas

Renoux, Romain Inventario de los crustáceos, moluscos y equinodermos en Guadalupe Y San Martín, Antillas Francesas: una biodiversidad excepcional desconocida

Reynolds, Emily Estudios hidroacústicos, vídeo en permanente derrocado y plataformas de petróleo en el norte del Golfo de México: estructura de la comunidad y las consecuencias para la ordenación de la pesca

Richardson, Laura Impactos de la pesca recreacional y artesanal, Islas Caiman, Caribe

Richardson, Laura Estimacion de los efectos de las reservas marinas por medio de la cuantificacion de biomasa de macroalgas, Islas Caiman

Robertson, Morven Un análisis de la distribución espacial y los impactos de la pesca de la langosta y la pesca submarina para el ocio en las Bermudas

Rodriguez Gil, Luis

Alfonso

Manejo de la pesquería pepino de mar con enfoque ecosistémico en la costa de

Yucatán, México

Rodriguez Gil, Luis Alfonso

Los inconvenientes de la conversión de peso vivo a peso procesado en el seguimiento de las cuotas de la pesquería del pepino de mar, Isostichopus baniodotus, en el estado de Yucatán, México

Rojas, Anthony Descripción de la pesquería, en el archipiélago de San Andrés,Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de la Biosfera Seaflower

Rojas, Anthony Implementación de un programa de medio ambiente y pesca observadores

"SEAWATCHER" en la reserva de Biosfera SEAFLOWER, Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina

Rojas, Anthony Distribución y abundancia de la de la langosta espinosa “Panulirus argus”, en el sector sur del área marina protegida de la reserva de Biosfera Seaflower

Rose, Kathryn Atlas de datos del Golfo de Mexico: descubrimiento y acceso a datos digitales

Rossard,Thibaud Etología alimentar del pez león Pterois volitans en Guadeloupe (Antillas menores)

* Estudiante x

Rupe, Blake * Cuantificación y clasificación de la presencia de basura y desechos marinos encontrados en las costas de Veracruz, Veracruz, México

Salas, Silvia Evaluación piloto de la distribución espacial de embarcaciones artesanales en el

Sureste de México a través de un sistema de monitoreo satelital. Retos y oportunidades

Samuels, Coretta Administración de enhanching dentro de organización fisherfolk

Santos-Valencia,

Josefina

Octupus (Octopus maya) biomass evaluation in the Yucatan peninsula during 2012

Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle

Aplicaciones de gestión de los sonidos de guajil prieto (Mycteroperca bonaci) en las agregaciones reproductivasles

Schwartzkopf, Brittany

Relaciones estacionales de la densidad calórica y el peso del hígado de pargo rojo en los bancos de fondos duros naturales y arrecifes artificiales en el noroeste del Golfo de México

Sedberry, George Pesquerías asociadas con esponjas y corales ecosistemas de las profundidades marinas

fuera de los EE.UU. del sudeste

Segura-Guevara,

Fredys F.

Biología reproductiva de la anchova Mugil incilis hancock, 1830 en el mar Caribe

Cordobés, Colombia

Simpson, Nikola Descripción del esfuerzo de pesca submarina de los arrecifes de Barbados

Spear, Natalie Validación de la edad y crecimiento del tiburón zorro común (Alopias vulpinus) en el noreste del Océano Pacífico

Streich, Matthew La abundancia relativa y estructura de tallas de pargo rojo, Lutjanus campechanus, a través de los tipos de hábitat en el noroeste del Golfo de México

Swenarton,

MaryKate

Biología de la poblaciónde Pterois volitans en lasaguas costeras del noreste Florida

Trotta, Kristina* Pesca recreativa pelágica y crecimiento económico en Colombia

Vallès, Henri La utilidad de variables sencillas derivadas de comunidades de peces de arrecife como indicadores para la gestión de pesca basada en el ecosistema en el Caribe

Vasquez, Diana Diseñando una área de pesca artesanal exclusiva - una alternativa viable para los pueblos de la Moskitia Hondureña

Wang, Huabo * Calidad versus cantidad en el consumo doméstico agregado de mariscos y especies importantes del sureste de los Estados Unidos

Wilson, Rich Lanzamiento del programa de tutoría PNUMA-PAC/CAMPAM: el uso de la experiencia

de gestión de AMP de la región para acelerar la difusión de las mejores prácticas

Wood, Jehroum La incorporación de los SIG en el monitoreo socioeconómico para los administradores costeros (SOCMON)

Zimmermann, Danielle

Una comparación de la estructura trófica entre los arrecifes artificiales del Golfo noroeste de México

* Estudiante xi

Miercoles 6 de noviembre 2013

7:00 - 8:15am Reunión de la membresia de GCFI (Todos son

bienvenidos- Aprenda sobre el GCFI)

Sesión paralela

Taller de NOAA: Evaluación del estado actual y exploración de la aplicación de métodos de evaluación

poblacional con pocos datos en la región del Gran Caribe (Previa reservación)

"Pesquerías Demersales" Moderador: Alfonso Aguilar-Perera, Universidad Autónoma

de Yucatán) (auspiciada por GCFI)

08:30 Brulé, Thierry Estrategia reproductiva de algunas especies de meros del Golfo de

México: implicación para un manejo adecuado de la pesquería de mero en la península de Yucatán, México

08:40 Ferreira, Beatrice

Edad y crescimento del mero Epinephelus itajara en Brazil

08:50 Bertoncini, Áthila

Projeto meros do brasil foto-id: primeras ideas de población y movimientos del mero guasa (Epinephelus itajara, epinephelidae) en el Parque Nacional Marino Fernando de Noronha

09:00 Moulton, David* Movimiento y uso del habitat de los subadultos de tambor rojo (Sciaenops ocellatus) y corvina pinta (Cynoscion nebulosus) en la reserve nacional de investigación estuario de Mission-Aransas

09:10 Miller, Skylar * El análisis preliminar de los patrones de asentamiento de peces de arrecife

en Eleuthera, Bahamas

09:20 Nunez, Enrique Composicion y estructura trofica de la comunidad de peces de los arrecifes del Banco de Campeche, Golfo de México

09:30 Hicks, David Evaluación de communidad peces de seis remanentes coralgal arrecifes de la coasta sur de Tejas

09:40 Quattrini, Andrea

Asociaciones de peces arrecifales de profundidad en las porciones norcentral y nororiental del Golfo de Mexico

09:50 Donaldson, Terry

La ubicación lo es todo: variabilidad del éxito del apareamiento de los peces doncella en un sitio de reproducción afectado por actividades de buceo donde se alimenta a los peces


Sesión "Pesquerías Demersales" Moderador: Pablo Granados-Dieseldorff

10:30 Luckhurst, Brian

E.

Biomasa de los peces en familias scaridae y acanthuridae aumentado

considerablemente despues la prohibición de las nasas en Bermuda

10:40 Bozec, Yves-Marie

Modelar la dinamica de poblaciones de los peces loro en el Caribe

10:50 Dromard, Charlotte

Diversidad de los nichos tróficos entre los scaridae (Guadeloupe, Antillas menores)

* Estudiante xii

"Pesca, investigación y conservación de arrecifes naturales y

artificiales " (continuación) (Moderador: Matthew Ajemian, HRI) (auspicada por HRI)

11:10 Ajemian,

Matthew

Metodología de la encuesta de micro-ROV para arrecifes artificiales

petróleo y gas plataforma sumergidos

11:20 Jarrell Wetz, Jennifer

Estructura comunitaria de peces y abundancia de Texas los arrecifes artificiales: una evaluación preliminar

11:30 Lindberg, William

Justificación y evaluación de un sistema de arrecifes artificiales diseñados para un mayor crecimiento y supervivencia de juveniles del mero gag, Mycteroperca microlepis

11:40 Kingon, Kelly* Las comunidades en los arrecifes artificiales y naturales cercanas,

similares o no?

11:50 Benson, Kristopher

Análisis de las deficiencias de la aplicación de los arrecifes artificiales como la restauración del hábitat

12:00 Barans, Charles Videos ultra cortos, por hora, para establecer residencia a largo plazo de peces de profundidad (benticos) en un área de arrecife artificial

12:10 Borges Souza, Jose Manuel

Influencia de la complejidad estructural sobre la biomasa de la comunidad íctica en siete arrecifes artificiales del banco de Campeche, México

12:20 Tarnecki, Joseph Dieta y ecología trófica de pargo rojo, Lutjanus campechanus, en los arrecifes naturales y artificiales en el norte del Golfo de México

12:50-1:30pm Receso de almuerzo

Sesión paralela: Reunión de la Junta Directiva de la

Sociedad para la Conservación de las Agregaciones Reproductivas de Peces Arrecifales (SCRFA)

Hora de salida y regreso Excursiones

13:30 - 18:00 Padre Island National Seashore *13:00 - 18:00 En barco a observar aves 13:30 - 18:00 Centro de Desarrollo Marino, Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de

Texas

13:30 - 18:00 Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de la Universidad de Texas

* Esta excursion sale mas temprano, a la 1pm 19:30 CINEFISH: Moderador: Elena Kobrinski

Jueves 7 de noviembre 2013

7:00-9:00 Reunión de la Junta Directiva del GCFI

"Ciencia y gestión de las áreas marinas protegidas" (Moderador:

Georgina Bustamante, CaMPAM Network and Forum) (Sesion de CaMPAM) (auspicada por

GCFI)

08:15 Castro Gonzalez,

Área marina protegida Seaflower: avances en la implementación y desafíos hacia el futuro

* Estudiante xiii

Erick Richard

08:30 Clark, Randy Evaluación ecológica de línea de base del jardín bancos Santuario Marino Nacional de la Flor: diseño informar de un área de investigación

08:45 Harvey, Olando

Stakeholder llevó cogestión regímenes de gobierno: el nuevo paradigma para las áreas marinas protegidas en Grenada, West Indies

09:00 Fulton, Stuart Monitoreo de arrecifes de coral con la participación de pescadores en Quintana Roo, México: construyendo capital social para preservar los

ecosistemas marinos

09:15 Márquez Llauger, Lázaro

Coordinated management in a zone under special use and protection in the marine area of the Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba

09:30 Prada, Martha Manejo y conservación de la biodiversidad en los corales y su biodiversidad asociada: un proyecto piloto exitoso de clme en el AMP Seaflower

09:45 Eck, Alicia Reserva marina de arrecife de glovers (GRMR) traza el camino a seguir para mejorar la gestion AMP en Belice


"Ciencia y gestión de las áreas marinas protegidas II" (Moderador:

Erick Castro, CORALINA) (auspicada por NOAA)

10:30 Wolfs, Esther El valor económico total de la naturaleza en Bonaire

10:45 Kyne, Fabian La evaluación del éxito MPA como una función de gestióne

11:00 Nash, Harriet Mapear los bancos del sur de Texas

11:15 Torres-Irineo, Edgar

Áreas protegidas y actividades de pesca en el Golfo de México y el caribe Mexicano. Qué hay que aprender?

11:30 Khan, Zaidy Aprendiendo de las redes de AMP global: buscando mayor participación de las comunidades pesqueras en pequeña escala de mpa diseño, implementación y gestión

11:45 Brugneaux, Sophie

El análisis estratégico regional: una herramienta para facilitar la planificación de las áreas marinas protegidas

12:00 Hurley, Shannan*

El estado actual de las áreas marinas protegidas en el Atlántico Centro-Occidental

12:10 Davila, Claudia

Composición de las pesquerías del Parque Nacional sistema arrecifal Veracruzano


Agregaciones reproductivas de peces (Moderadores: Martin Russell e Yvonne

Sadovy, SCRFA) (auspicada por GCFI)

14:00 Russell, Martin ¿Quieres saber sobre las agregaciones de peces a nivel mundial? tenemos una base de datos web!

14:15 Appeldoorn, Richard

Corroboración del conocimiento de pescadores sobre lugares de agregaciones de desove del mero cabrilla usando técnicas acústicas

pasivas de mapeo

14:30 Heppell, Scott Comportamiento hiperestabilidad y la población disminuye de una agregación de peces marinos

* Estudiante xiv

14:45 Canty, Steven Le dernier des agrégations: validation d'un mérou agrégation de frai existant au Honduras

15:00 Granados-

Dieseldorff, Pablo

Análisis retrospectivo socio-ecológico de la pesquería de agregaciones de

desove de pargo criollo (Lutjanus analis) en Gladden spit, Belice

15:15 Aguilar-Perera, Alfonso

Un obituario para el sitio tradicional de agrupación del mero en el Caribe Mexicano

15:25 Ruffo, Ashley*#

Seguimiento acústico de cola amarilla loro (Sparisoma rubripinne) en agregaciones de desove en reef bay, St. John USVI

15:35 Bueno, Leonardo*

Cuándo el mero guasa, Epinephelus itajara (epinephelidae) se agregan en el sur de Brasil?

15:45 Ellis, Robert* Patrones de movimiento relacionados al desove del mero guasa (Epinephelus itajara) en las afueras de la costa Atlantica de Florida


16:20 Heyman, William

Biogeografía de peces arrecifales que forman agregaciones de desove transitorias en el Caribe: una síntesis para investigación y manejo en el futuro

16:35 Schärer-

Umpierre, Michelle

Agregaciones reproductivas del mero cherna (epinephelus striatus) en el

Caribe de jurisdicción EEUU

16:50 Semmens, Brice

Vinculación de las grabaciones de vocalizaciones de pescado con las observaciones del comportamiento de desove en una agregación de desove de varias especies

17:05 Taylor, Chris Agregaciones reproductivas de peces en los cayos de Florida: actualización

17:20 Nemeth , Richard S.

Los patrones temporales y las características de comportamiento de la formación de agregación y desove en el bermuda chub (Kyphosus sectatrix)

17:35 Sadovy, Yvonne

Adios triste a la agregacion famosa de mero cherna conocida por la descipcion de C. Lavett-Smith

17:50 Yvonne Sadovy and Martin Russell

Conclusiones

# Premio Estudiantil de beca para viajar al GCFI (SCRFA)

18:30-19:30 Recepción en el Acuario del Estado de Texas

19:30-20:30 Cena en el Acuario del Estado de Texas

Viernes, 9 de noviembre 2013

Sesion

paralela

Reunión de mentores de CaMPAM. Coordinador: Rich

Wilson (por invitación)

“Invertebrados" (Moderador: Ronald Hill)

08:15 Rios, Assessment of aggregation capacity of "casitas" (artificial shelters) for

* Estudiante xv

Veronica lobster Panulirus argus in the coastal area of Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico

08:30 Horsford, Ian Biología, estado y actual administración de la langosta espinosa del caribe (Panulirus argus) en Antigua y Barbuda

08:45 Shivlani, Manoj

Communities una historia social de la pesquería de langosta espinosa comercial de los Cayos de Florida y efectos de gestión: lecciones para las comunidades pesqueras sosteniblesune

09:00 Olsen, David Un estudio de la situación de los recursos de las Islas Vírgenes de

langostas a través de una colaboración entre el consejo del Caribe y las islas vírgenes de los pescadores

09:15 Alegría, Andrés

Uso de arrecifes artificiales en la pesquería de langosta espinosa del caribe: revisión de los requisitos biofísicos clave y de las mejores prácticas de manejo para un proyecto exitoso y análisis de su potencial

de desarrollo en Honduras

09:30 Truelove, Nathan*

Estructura genética de la población de la langosta espinosa del Caribe entre los ambientes oceanográficos de advección y retención

09:40 Noguez

Núñez, Mariana *

¿Cómo es el comportamiento del caracol rosa, Strombus gigas y cómo

utiliza su hábitat?

09:50 Santana, Pablo Alberto*

Temporalidad y esfuerzo reproductivo del caracol Strombus gigas


"Invertebrados II" (Moderador: Dalila Aldana, CINVESTAV)

10:30 Nunez,

Mayra

Estudio de la cadena de mercado del consumo nacional de caracol reina

(Strombus gigas) en Honduras

10:45 Berry,

Charlotte A.

Queen conch aggregation demographics and habitat associations near

Port Everglades Inlet, FL

11:00 Hill, Ronald Usando encuestas independientes de la pesqueria para estimar las densidades del caracol rosa, Strombus gigas, en st. Croix, E.E.U.U. Islas Virgenes

11:15 Tewfik,

Alexander

Respuestas de las comunidades de pastos marinos a la reducción de

poblaciones de caracol (Strombus gigas)

11:30 Rogers, Arlenie

Estado de la pesquería de pepinos de mar en Belice

11:45 Santos-Valencia, Josefina

Madurez sexual, estacionalidad reproductiva y ovoposición del caracol Busycon perversum (Linneé, 1758) en la plataforma continental de Yucatán, México

12:00 Japaud, Aurélien *

Estudio de la genética de poblaciones de corales Acropora palmata y Acropora cervicornis de Guadeloupe (Antillas Francesas) para su conservación

12:10 Melendez, Laila *

Desarrollo de modelos de crecimiento juvenil cangrejo azul (Callinectes sapidus)

12:20 Bravo-Reyes, Mara*

Análisis de opinión de pescadores de pepino de mar sobre las regulaciones de pesca establecidas en las costas de Yucatán México


* Estudiante xvi

"Hábitats y ecosystemes" (Moderador: Tom Matthews, FL FWC)

14:10 Beltre, Marcia

Disponibilidad a pagar de los pescadores de sánchez para conservar los manglares del bajo Yuna en la bahía de Samaná, República Dominicana

14:20 Tuz-Sulub, Armin

Análisis preliminar de las poblaciones de pepino de mar, Holothuria floridana y H. mexicana, según el método de marca-recaptura en aguas

de la costa del estado de Campeche, México

14:30 Guggenheim, David

Avanzando sostenibilidad de comunidades costeras y restaurando los arrecifes de coral y las zonas costeras erosionadas en el Caribe con boyas de energía de las olas de pequeña escala

14:40 Hill, Ronald Conexiónes entre hábitats son esenciales para peces del arrecife

14:50 Glenn, Hilary Comparación del potencial reproductivo de pargo rojo, Lutjanus campechanus: hábitats naturales y artificiales en el norte del Golfo de

México

15:00 Louon, Laura Revisión de la literatura y el análisis de las deficiencias en las fuentes y los efectos de los factores de estrés no extractivos en los ecosistemas de arrecifes de coral

"Pelágicos y acuicultura" (Moderador: Jim Franks, USM)

15:20 Brown-Peterson,

Nancy J.

Aspectos de la biología reproductiva del atún aleta amarilla, Thunnus albacares, en el Golfo de México norte

15:30 Matheu, Heloïse

Tiene la colocación de dcp un real efecto sobre la redistribución de la pesca hacia los recursos en mar adentro?

15:40 Fässler, Sascha

Un resumen de los recursos pesqueros de pequeños pelágicos del Caribe Holandés

16:00 Receso

ENTREGA DE PREMIOS Y CEREMONIA DE CLAUSURA

16:15 Entrega de premios a estudiantes

Entrega de beca de participación "Ron Schmied"

Entrega de premios "Por logros relevantes" a estudiantes que otorga el GCFI

Entrega de premios de viaje a estudiantes que otorga el GCFI

17:00 King Fish Trio en vivo

17:30 Toque de campana para clausura

RESÚMENES

Libro de Resúmenes – 66ava - GCFI Corpus Christi, Texas USA 2013

1

DISEÑO, DESARROLLO Y FABRICACIÓN DE CAVAS ISOTÉRMICAS PARA EL

MEJORAMIENTO DE MANEJO POST-CAPTURA Y CADENA DE FRIO, EN PRODUCTOS

PESQUEROS EN EL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE SAN ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCIA Y SANTA

CATALINA

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF INSULATED BOXES FOR

IMPROVING POST-CAPTURE MANAGEMENT AND COLD CHAIN, IN FISHERY

PRODUCTS IN THE ARCHIPELAGO OF SAN ANDRES, PROVIDENCE AND SANTA

CATALINA

CONCEPTION, DÉVELOPPEMENT ET FABRICATION DE CONSERVATEURS

ISOTHERMES POUR L’AMÉLIORATION DE LA MANIPULATION POST-CAPTURE ET DE

LA CHAÎNE DU FROID, POUR LES PRODUITS DE LA PÈCHE DE L’ARCHIPEL DE SAN

ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCE ET SANTA CATALINA

OMAR ABRIL-HOWARD y HEINS BENT HOOKER

Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca gobernacion departamental San Andres islas San Andres Islas,

Colombia,

[email protected]

RESUMEN

En el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina (RB Seaflower), la pesca artesanal está

ligada fuertemente por tradición 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 tamaños desde los 12 hasta los 28 pies, con

autonomía de 50 millas aproximadamente. El aumento del esfuerzo pesquero sobre los ecosistemas que

soportan esta pesquería, ha generado que el pescador artesanal deba desplazarse a zonas de pesca más

distantes para garantizar una buena producción. 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 frío, ya que culturalmente nunca se ha desarrollado esta práctica para estos

periodos de tiempo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar una cava que garantice la cadena de frio y

promueva las buenas prácticas para estas faenas. El material de fabricación fue la fibra de vidrio reforzada

con resina poliéster 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 aplicación de cadena de frio mejoraría, las condiciones del producto pesquero.

PALABRAS CLAVES: R.B. Seaflower, cavas, cadena en frío, faena de pesca, producto pesquero


2

THE CONTRIBUTION OF ARTIFICIAL REEF USE TO THE COASTAL ECONOMIES OF

FLORIDA

LA CONTRIBUCION DEL USO DE ARRECIFES ARTIFICALES PARA LAS ECONOMIAS

COSTERAS DE FLORIDA

LA CONTRIBUTION DE L'UTILISATION DE RECIFS ARTIFICIELS POUR LES

ECONOMIES COTIERES DE LA FLORIDE

CHUCK ADAMS1, WILLIAM LINDBERG

2, and JOHN STEVELY

3

1University of Florida Florida Sea Grant PO Box 110240 Gainesville, FL 32611 USA [email protected]

2University of Florida PO Box 110600 Gainesville Florida 32611 USA

3University of Florida 1303 17th St. West Palmetto Florida 34221 USA

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


3

AN OBITUARY FOR A TRADITIONAL AGGREGATION SITE OF NASSAU GROUPER IN

THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN

UN OBITUARIO PARA EL SITIO TRADICIONAL DE AGRUPACIÓN DEL MERO EN EL

CARIBE MEXICANO

UNE NOTICE NÉCROLOGIQUE POUR UN SITE TRADITIONNELLE DE REGROUPEMENT

DE MEROU DES CARAÏBES MEXICAINES

ALFONSO AGUILAR-PERERA

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5, carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil Mérida, Yucatán 97100 México

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, is a commercially important fish classified by the IUCN´s 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


4

FIRST OBSERVATION SEA CUCUMBERS ON JAMAICA'S ISLAND SHELF

PRIMERA OBSERVACIÓN DE PEPINOS DE MAR EN LA PLATAFORMA INSULAR DE

JAMAICA

PREMIÈRE OBSERVATION DE CONCOMBRES DE MER SUR LE PLATEAU DE L'ÎLE DE

LA JAMAÏQUE

DR. KARL AIKEN and KADEEN DOWE

University of the West Indies Dept. of Life Sciences Mona campus, Kingston, Kingston 7 Jamaica

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Sea cucumbers have gained popularity as a fishery resource in the Caribbean in recent years. This is

largely as a consequence of their overfished status in parts of the Pacific where they are used for food and

traditional medicine purposes for centuries. In the Caribbean they are not consumed except by very small

oriental communities, for example in Jamaica. This study revealed that sea cucumbers have been quietly

fished in Jamaica and exported in small quantities to markets in Hong Kong and Singapore for a

significant period of time. However, there is no known body of information on the biology of sea

cucumbers in Jamaica‟s waters. This is an unsustainable situation, as no fishery can be sustainable if

biological information on the fished species is lacking. A small-scale study of the sea cucumbers was

done between 2012 and 2013. Visual survey techniques were used to assess the animals observed at

representative sites around Jamaica. Results strongly suggest that stocks existing in the areas investigated

were very small. The dominant species were Holothuria mexicana and Actinopyga agassizii. This study

suggests that Jamaican commercial buyers especially since 2010 have been purchasing both fresh and

dried sea cucumbers for exportation. Most nearshore shallow (<10m) areas examined had depauperate

populations possibly due to overfishing. The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and

Fisheries has moved to regulate this fishery and an indefinite ban on sea cucumber fishing and exportation

is in place from 01 September 2013.

KEYWORDS: Sea cucumbers, overfishing, Holothuria, management, Jamaica


5

MICRO-ROV SURVEY METHODOLOGY FOR SUBMERGED OIL AND GAS PLATFORM

ARTIFICIAL REEFS

METODOLOGÍA DE LA ENCUESTA DE MICRO-ROV PARA ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES

PETRÓLEO Y GAS PLATAFORMA SUMERGIDOS

MICRO-ROV MÉTHODOLOGIE DE L'ENQUÊTE POUR HUILE SUBMERGÉ ET PLATE-

FORME GAZ RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS

MATTHEW AJEMIAN, JENNIFER JARRELL WETZ, and GREGORY STUNZ

Harte Research Institute Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Harte Research Institute 314 6300

Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5869 USA [email protected]

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 – 100‟s 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


6

RESILIENCE IN REEF CRESTS OF THE EAST OF THE GULF OF BATABANÓ, CUBA, AND

PROBABLE DETERMINING FACTORS

RESILIENCIA EN CRESTAS ARRECIFALES DEL ESTE DEL GOLFO DE BATABANÓ,

CUBA, Y SUS FACTORES DETERMINANTES PROBABLES

RÉSILIENCE EN CRÊTÉS ARRECIFALES DU LÉST DU GOLFE DE BATABANÓ, CUBA, ET

SES FACTEURS DÉTERMINANTES PROBABLES

PEDRO M. ALCOLADO1, HANSEL CABALLERO

2, ARIAGNA LARA

1, NÉSTOR REY-VILLIERS

1,

LILIAM ARRIAZA1, GLADYS M. LUGIOYO

1, PEDRO ALCOLADO-PRIETO

1, SUSEL

CASTELLANOS1, SUSANA PERERA

3 and ALAIN RODRÍGUEZ-GARCÍA

1

1Instituto de Oceanología, 1a, No. 18406, Rpto. Flores, Playa, La Habana, Cuba. [email protected]

2Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Avenida 1a esquina a 60, No. # 6002, Playa, Ciudad Habana.

3Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, Calle 18ª, 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 Batabanó, 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 Pérez key and Diego Pérez 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


7

INFLUENCIA DE LOS ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES SOBRE LA ESTRUCTURA

COMUNITARIA DE PECES EN EL PARQUE ECOTURÍSTICO XEL-HÁ, QUINTANA ROO,

MÉXICO

INFLUENCE OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS ON FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN XEL HA

ECOLOGICAL PARK, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO

INFLUENCE DE RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS SUR LES POISSONS STRUCTURE

COMMUNAUTAIRE XEL-HA PARC ÉCOLOGIQUE, QUINTANA ROO, MEXIQUE

ALEJANDRO ALDANA MORENO

CINVESTAV-IPN Km. 6 Carretera Progreso, Mérida, Yucatán, México. Merida, Yucatan 97310 Mexico

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Xel-Há es un parque marino privado localizado en el Caribe mexicano, que se encuentra protegido de la

extracción pesquera furtiva, alberga cerca del 20% de la ictiofauna arrecifal de la región. En el 2009,

fueron colocados 105 refugios arrecifales de piedra, observando un aumento en el la riqueza de especies y

número total de organismos, sin embargo se desconoce si la causa de este incremento se debió a los

arrecifes artificiales o a otros factores. En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de los arrecifes artificiales sobre

la estructura comunitaria de peces en el parque Xel-Há. Se realizaron censos visuales por la técnica de

transectos fijos con una envergadura de 100x5, distribuidos en 17 transectos a los largo de la caleta. Se

estimaron los descriptores ecológicos 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 ecológicos 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-Há, propiciando una gran abundancia de peces

en estadio joven principalmente de las familias de Scaridae, Haemulidae, Labridae y Lutjanidae que

utilizan este sitio como área de crianza, alimentación y protección contra depredadores.

PALABRAS CLAVES: artificial reef, ichtyofaune, xel-ha, management, conservation


8

USE OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY: REVIEW

OF KEY BIOPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR A

SUCCESSFUL PROJECT AND ANALYSIS OF ITS POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN

HONDURAS

USO DE ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES EN LA PESQUERÍA DE LANGOSTA ESPINOSA DEL

CARIBE: REVISIÓN DE LOS REQUISITOS BIOFÍSICOS CLAVE Y DE LAS MEJORES

PRÁCTICAS DE MANEJO PARA UN PROYECTO EXITOSO Y ANÁLISIS DE SU

POTENCIAL DE DESARROLLO EN HONDURAS

L'UTILISATION DE RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS DANS LA PÊCHE À LA LANGOUSTE DES

CARAÏBES: RÉVISION DES CONDITIONS BIOPHYSIQUES ET CLÉS ET LES MEILLEURES

PRATIQUES EN MATIÈRE DE GESTION DE PROJET RÉUSSIE, ET UNE ANALYSE DE SON

POTENTIEL DE DÉVELOPPEMENT AU HONDURAS

ANDRÉS ALEGRÍA1 and STEPHEN BOX

2

1Centro de Estudios Marinos (CEM) www.utilaecology.org , Honduras [email protected]

2Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Marine Station Fort Pierce Florida USA

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 crustacean‟s productivity in benefit of their local fishermen, and initiated one small-scale

pilot project.

KEYWORDS: Lobster, Panulirus argus, artificial reefs, Honduras


9

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN LIONFISH CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT IN THE

CARIBBEAN

EL PAPEL DE LA EDUCACIÓN EN EL CONTROL Y GESTIÓN DEL PEZ LEÓN EN EL

CARIBE

LE RÔLE DE L'ÉDUCATION DANS LE CONTRÔLE ET LA GESTION DES POISSONS-

PAPILLONS DANS LES CARAÏBES

FADILAH ALI

University of Southampton 927 Pelican Road, Lange Park Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago

[email protected]

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

DOES REMOVAL WORK? A ONE YEAR COMPARISON OF LIONFISH REMOVAL

EFFORTS AT KLEIN BONAIRE.;FUNCIONA EL CESE?

A UNA COMPARACIÓN INTERANUAL DE LOS ESFUERZOS DE ELIMINACIÓN DE PEZ

LEÓN EN KLEIN BONAIRE

EST-CE QUE LES TRAVAUX D'ENLÈVEMENT? A UNE COMPARAISON DES EFFORTS

D'ÉLIMINATION LIONFISH À KLEIN BONAIRE ANS.

FADILAH ALI

University of Southampton 927 Pelican Road, Lange Park Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive, marine predator, now confirmed in all islands

throughout the Caribbean region. Their generalist diet coupled with their high growth, reproductive and

feeding rates make them one of the worst marine invaders of all time. Lionfish were first confirmed in

Bonaire on October 26th, 2009. Since then an extensive removal program has been established and is

especially successful due to the ease of accessibility via shore diving in Bonaire. However Klein Bonaire,

which is only accessible via boat, receives a significantly lower hunting pressure. A study was conducted

in 2012 whereby the entire coastline of Klein Bonaire was surveyed and data was collected on lionfish

density, behaviour and ecology (general, feeding and reproductive). In 2012 a total of 2240 lionfish were

seen with 893 actually being caught. A year later, this study was repeated to determine the effectiveness

of removal efforts, and whether they were actually making a difference in the lionfish population. In

2013, there was a massive reduction in the number of lionfish seen (854) and caught (542). What is also

commendable is that these removal efforts were conducted by only volunteer divers and that there was an

increase in the efficiency of hunting from a successful capture rate of 40% in 2012 to 65% in 2013. This

study revealed that continuous removal of lionfish is key to their control and shows that lionfish

removals, even by volunteers, can make a difference.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive species, control, management, success


11

LA INFESTACIÓN Y MITIGACIÓN DE LOS IMPACTOS DEL PEZ LEÓN EN EL CARIBE

GUATEMALTECO

THE INFESTATION AND MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF LIONFISH IN THE CARIBBEAN

GUATEMALAN

L'INFESTATION ET ATTÉNUER LES IMPACTS DU POISSON-LION DANS LA CARAÏBES

GUATÉMALTÈQUES

SERGIO ANDRINO

Centro de Estudios del Mar y Acuicultura DIPESCA Edificio T 14 Campus Centras USAC Km 22

Carretera al Pacifico Guatemala, Guatemala 0112 Guatemala [email protected]

RESUMEN

El pez león (Pterois volitans y P. miles) ha estado presente durante los últimos 20 años en las aguas del

Atlántico Occidental, sin embargo su presencia en el Caribe guatemalteco fue reportado hasta en el año

2007, constituyéndose una amenaza para el ecosistema de arrecifes, la pesca comercial y de subsistencia

por lo que desde 2012 se han realizado trabajos de investigación y de mitigación de los impactos de esta

especie. Las densidades de pez león, reportadas para el Caribe guatemalteco por Andrino (2012) oscilan

entre 0.20 y 0.10 Organismos/m2. Esta información sirvió de evidencia del potencial peligro e incentivo a

las organizaciones estales, privadas y académicas para promover la investigación e implementar acciones

para la reducción de los impactos causados por el pez león. Como estrategia de manejo se ha promovido

la utilización de dicho pez capacitando a los pescadores nuevas técnicas de pesca, manipulación y

preparación del pez león. Como parte de las capacitaciones se les ha enseñado a realizar buceos de cacería

del pez león a pescadores y personas interesadas en el tema. Estas actividades han ayudado a promover el

buceo en el Caribe guatemalteco y apoyar la economía en las poblaciones pesqueras locales. Uno de los

retos a seguir es promover que los pescadores alcancen darle un uso alimenticio, económico y ecológico

ya que ello colaborará directamente a la mitigación de este pez en los arrecifes del Caribe guatemalteco.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Impactos, reduccion , mitigar, economia, alimenticio


12

TRACKING PARROTFISHES (SCARUS RUBROVIOLACEUS AND SCARUS PSITTACUS)

USING ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY ON A HAWAIIAN CORAL REEF SYSTEM

LORO SEGUIMIENTO (SCARUS RUBROVIOLACEUS Y SCARUS PSITTACUS) UTILIZANDO

TELEMETRÍA ACÚSTICA EN UN SISTEMA DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL DE HAWAI

SUIVI PERROQUETS (SCARUS RUBROVIOLACEUS ET SCARUS PSITTACUS) EN

UTILISANT LA TÉLÉMÉTRIE ACOUSTIQUE SUR UN SYSTÈME DE BARRIÈRE DE

CORAIL HAWAÏEN

SENIFA ANNANDALE1 and JASON TURNER

2

1Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720 United States

[email protected]

2Marine Science Department, University of Hawai‘i at HIlo 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo HI 96720 United

States

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 Hawaiʻi, 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 Puakō, Hawai„i 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, Puakō Hawai„i , VR2W Positioning System, Species-

Habitat Relationship


13

CORROBORATING FISHERMEN’S KNOWLEDGE OF RED HIND SPAWNING

AGGREGATION SITES USING PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MAPPING TECHNIQUES

CORROBORACIÓN DEL CONOCIMIENTO DE PESCADORES SOBRE LUGARES DE

AGREGACIONES DE DESOVE DEL MERO CABRILLA USANDO TÉCNICAS ACÚSTICAS

PASIVAS DE MAPEO

CORROBORATION DE LA CONNAISSANCE DES PÊCHEURS AU SUJET DE PLACES DES

FRAI AGRÉGATIONS DE MÉROU COURONNÉ EN UTILISANT DES TECHNIQUES DE

CARTOGRAPHIE ACOUSTIQUES PASSIVES

RICHARD APPELDOORN, TIMOTHY ROWELL, MICHELLE SCHÄRER-UMPIERRE, and

MICHAEL NEMETH

Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, PR 00680-9000 USA

[email protected]

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 followed-

up 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

ASSESSING THE RECRUITMENT OF JUVENILE FISH THROUGH THE USE OF

STANDARD MONITORING UNITS (SMURFS) AT THE SOUTH PADRE ISLAND CULVERT

REEF.

EVALUANDO EL RECLUTAMIENTO DE PECES JUVENILES A TRAVÉS DEL USO DE LAS

UNIDADES DE CONTROL ESTÁNDAR (SMURFS) EN LA ISLA DEL PADRE SUR

ALCANTARILLA ARRECIFE.

ÉVALUÉ LE RECRUTEMENT DES JUVÉNILES DE POISSONS À TRAVERS L’USAGE

D’UNITÉS STANDARDS DE SURVEILLANCE (SMURFS) AU RÉCIF EN BUSES DE BÉTON

DE SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS.

RACHEL ARNEY

University of Texas at Brownsville 375 Media Luna Rd #3407 Brownsville, TX 78521 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Artificial reefs along the Texas coast bring millions of dollars in revenue every year through sport fishing

and SCUBA diving, and they have been promoted as a means to enhance fish stocks. In 2011 the Texas

Parks and Wildlife Department deployed 4,000 concrete culverts seven miles off the coast of Port

Mansfield, TX. These concrete culverts can serve as habitat for highly desired sport fish species in the

Gulf of Mexico. Because the means of fish recruitment to artificial reefs is unclear and may be attributed

to direct settlement or movement of larger individuals to the reef sites, the aim of this study was to assess

juvenile fish recruitment at particular culvert reef configurations and compare them with observed adult

fish populations. Standard monitoring units for measuring the recruitment of fishes (SMURF) were used

in this study. Eighteen artificial coral SMURFs enclosed in anti-predator cages were deployed at nine

sites in the artificial reef grid. The structures were placed in discrete habitat types of clumped, patchy,

and bare areas. Because epi-faunal community development on an artificial reef varies seasonally, the

SMURFs were sampled bi-monthly. Analysis of fish recruitment differences at each site was conducted,

and juvenile recruits were quantified by size class to the lowest taxonomic level. The use of SMURFs to

characterize fish recruitment at the clumped, patchy, and bare areas at this artificial reef is useful to

determine its function as an attraction device for larger fish or as habitat for fish settlement.

KEYWORDS: artificial reef, juvenile, recruitment, management, fishing


15

NON LETHAL AGING OF GOLIATH GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA) IN FRENCH

GUIANA

DETERMINACIÓN NO LETAL DE LA EDAD DEL MERO GIGANTE (EPINEPHELUS

ITAJARA) DE LA GUAYANA FRANCESA

DÉTERMINATION NON LÉTALE DE L’ÂGE DES MÉROUS GÉANTS (EPINEPHELUS

ITAJARA) DE GUYANE FRANÇAISE

CÉLINE ARTERO1, DEBRA MURIE

2, LUIS LAMPERT

3, and CHRISTOPHER KOENIG

4

1ONCFS 23 rue des Amethistes BP 45 Kourou, 97310 Guyane Française [email protected]

2University of Florida 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville Florida 32653 United States

3Ifremer Domaine de Suzini BP 477 Cayenne 97300 Guyane Française

4Florida State University 3618 coastal highway 98 St Teresa Beach Florida 32358 United States

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

THE INFLUENCE OF UNCERTAINTY IN LIFE HISTORY PARAMETERS ON THE

ESTIMATION OF STATUS USING LOW-DATA ASSESSMENT METHODS

LA INCERTIDUMBRE EN EL CÁLCULO DE LOS PARÁMETROS DEL CICLO DE VIDA

PARA LA ESTIMACIÓN DEL ESTADO DE LAS POBLACIONES CON MÉTODOS DE

EVALUACIÓN DE POCOS DATOS.

L'INFLUENCE DE L'INCERTITUDE SUR LES TRAITS D'HISTOIRE DE VIE DANS

L'ESTIMATION DU STATUT EN UTILISATION DES MÉTHODES D'ESTIMATION AVEC

PEU DE DONNÉES

ELIZABETH BABCOCK1, ROBIN COLEMAN

2, and MANDY KARNAUSKAS

3

1University of Miami RSMAS 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami, FL 33133 USA

[email protected] 2Wildlife Conservation Society P.O. Box 768, 1755 Coney Drive, 2nd Floor Belize City Belize

3NOAA. National Marine Fisheries Service.Southeast Fisheries Science Center 75 Virginia Beach Drive

Miami FL 33149 USA

ABSTRACT

Many methods for low-data assessment of fishery status require information on life history parameters

such as longevity, size at maturity, asymptotic length and growth rate. For reef fish in the Caribbean,

these parameters may vary greatly between studies. Generally, when low-data methods are used, life

history parameters are taken from the literature, although the reported values may be from locations far

from the fishery being assessed, or in different habitat. Also, correlations between parameters, such as

growth rates and mortality rates, may not be considered. Uncertainty in life history parameters is therefore

a major source of uncertainty in low-data assessment. We used a Monte Carlo method to evaluate the

implications of parameter uncertainty and correlation between parameter values, when using length-based

methods to infer status for the spear gun fishery at Glover‟s Reef, Belize. Despite a large range of

parameter uncertainty, the length-based methods were able to infer that black grouper Mycteroperca

bonaci was overfished, Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus, schoolmaster snapper Lutjanus apodus and

mutton snapper Lutjanus analis were probably overfished, and hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus, stoplight

parrotfish Sparisoma viride, French angelfish Pomacanthus paru and gray angelfish Pomacanthus arcuatus

were probably not overfished. All species except French angelfish were experiencing overfishing across a

range of life history parameters. Incorporating parameter uncertainty through Monte Carlo simulation

allowed us to quantify the uncertainty in the inferred status of the species, and also to identify which

species should be the highest priority for life history studies in Belize.

KEYWORDS: Length-based assessment, Low-data assessment, Monte Carlo simulation, Belize


17

DEMONSTRATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PARTICIPATORY GEOGRAPHIC

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (PGIS) APPROACH IN SUPPORTING ECOSYSTEM-BASED

MARINE MANAGEMENT FOR FISHERIES

DEMOSTRAR LA EFICACIA DE UN SISTEMA DE INFORMACIÓN GEOGRAFICA

PARTICIPATIVOS (SIGP) ENFOQUE EN EL APOYO A LA GESTIÓN BASADA EN LOS

ECOSISTEMAS MARINOS DE LA PESCADO

MONSTRATION DE L'EFFICACIT D'UNE PARTICIPATION SYSTEMES D'INFORMATION

GÉOGRAPHIQUE (SIGP) D'APPROCHE POUR SOUTENIR LA GESTION

ÉCOSYSTEMIQUE DU MILIEU MARIN DE LA PÊCHE

KIMBERLY BALDWIN, HAZEL OXENFORD, and ROBIN MAHON

CERMES University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Bridgetown, St Michael BB 11000 Barbados

[email protected]

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 fishing-

related 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

A PARTICIPATORY MARINE RESOURCE & SPACE-USE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR

THE GRENADINE ISLANDS: THE SANDY ISLAND OYSTER BED MARINE PROTECTED

AREA

A PARTICIPATIVA DE RECURSOS MARINOS Y EL USO DEL ESPACIO-SISTEMA DE

INFORMACIÓN PARA LA GRANADINA ISLAS: LA ISLA DE SANDY OYSTER BED

MARINE PROTECTED AREA

UN MARINE PARTICIPATIVE DES RESSOURCES ET SYSTÈME D'INFORMATION

D'ORIGINE SPATIALE UTILISATION POUR LES ÎLES GRENADINE: LE SANDY ISLAND

OYSTER BED AIRES MARINES PROTÉGÉES

KIMBERLY BALDWIN

CERMES University of the West Indies PO Box 64 Bridgetown, St Michael BB 11000 Barbados

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Ecosystem-based management recognises the variety of spatial interactions within an area, including

humans, rather than considering single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation. To implement

such an approach, a diversity of social, economic and environmental information from all existing sources

is needed in a format that is both appropriate and accessible to all stakeholders. A participatory

geographical information system (PGIS) approach was employed in the transboundary Grenadine Islands

as a conceptual framework to integrate, analyse and share multi-disciplinary and multi-knowledge

information to assist ecosystem-based management. The resulting Grenadines Marine Resource and

Space-use Information System (MarSIS) brings together a variety of information and can be used to

uniquely identify areas important for conservation and livelihood, ultimately assisting ecosystem-based

management and transboundary marine spatial planning. Here the potential of the MarSIS is showcased

using the newly established Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA) in Carriacou,

Grenada as a case study. The utility of PGIS specifically the ways in which information can be brought

together, visualised and analysed to create practical baseline inventories on marine habitats, resources and

associated human activity of the SIOBMPA is illustrated.

KEYWORDS: ecosystem-based management, Participatory GIS (PGIS), Grenadine Islands, Marine

Resource and Space-use Informatio, Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected


19

ACTIVIDADES DE ESTUDIO Y CONSERVACIÓN DE ESPECIES CLAVES EN EL

ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE SAN ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCIA Y SANTA CATALINA, RESERVA DE

BIOSFERA SEAFLOWER

STUDY AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF KEY SPECIES IN THE SAN ANDRES, OLD

PROVIDENCE AND KETHLEENA ARCHIPELAGO, SEAFLOWER BIOSPHERE RESERVE

LES ACTIVITÉS D'ÉTUDE ET DE CONSERVATION DES ESPÈCES CLÉS DANS

L'ARCHIPEL DE SAN ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCIA ET SANTA CATALINA, RÉSERVE DE LA

BIOSPHÈRE DE SEAFLOWER

CARLOS BALLESTEROS1, ERICK CASTRO

1, y HEINS BENT

2

1CORALINA Km 26 Vía San Luis San Andres, SAI Colombia [email protected]

2Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca Ed. Coral Palace San Andrés Colombia

RESUMEN

La Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible CORALINA en busca de continuar las acciones de

protección, conservación y uso sostenible de los ecosistemas estratégicos y los recursos naturales de la

Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower -RBS-, aunó esfuerzos con la Gobernación del Departamento de San

Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina para aumentar el conocimiento y mejorar la gestión frente a la

conservación y manejo de especies amenazadas y su ecosistema, así como para el mejoramiento del

control de especies invasoras en la RBS. Las acciones a realizar comprenden actividades de estudio y

conservación de varias especies claves en el Archipiélago que incluyen: educación y sensibilización a

través de jóvenes sobre las tortugas marinas; monitoreo de distribución y abundancia, estudio de aspectos

reproductivos del whelks Cittarium pica; implementación de un protocolo de monitoreo de peces

arrecifales con énfasis en peces loro (Scarus spp, Sparisoma spp); monitoreo de abundancia de puérulos

(postlarvas) de la langosta espinosa Panulirus argus; diseño de estrategias de conservación y manejo de

tiburones; implementación un programa de monitoreo de abundancia y generación de acciones de control

del pez león, así como diseñar estrategias de estímulo para su consumo. A través de estas actividades se le

da continuidad a la implementación de las Áreas Marinas Protegidas Seaflower y para que se puedan

aprovechar sosteniblemente los recursos naturales y el medio ambiente, a través de prácticas (culturales,

sociales y económicas) sensatas con el medio ambiente en la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Archipiélago de San Andrés , Providencia, Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower, Areas

Marinas Protegidas, Especies clave


20

LONG-TERM RESIDENCY OF BENTHIC FISHES AT AN ARTIFICIAL PATCH REEF USING

HOURLY ULTRA-SHORT VIDEOS

VIDEOS ULTRA CORTOS, POR HORA, PARA ESTABLECER RESIDENCIA A LARGO

PLAZO DE PECES DE PROFUNDIDAD (BENTICOS) EN UN ÁREA DE ARRECIFE

ARTIFICIAL

RÉSIDENCE À LONG TERME DES POISSONS BENTHIQUES DANS UN PETIT RÉCIF

ARTIFICIEL EN UTILISANT DES VIDÉOS ULTRA-COURTS UNE FOIS PAR HEURE.

CHARLES BARANS1, MICHAEL ARENDT

2, and JEFFREY SCHWENTER2

1SCDNR Retired 644 Clearview Dr. Charleston, SC 29412 USA [email protected]

2South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesMarine Resources Division 217 Fort Johnson Rd.

Charleston South Carolina 29412 USA

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 mid-

water 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 short-

term temporal trends.

KEYWORDS: Patch Reef, Fish residency, video monitoring


21

CHARACTERIZATION OF FISH COMMUNITIES, BENTHIC HABITATS, AND

CONTAMINANTS IN THE ST. THOMAS EAST END RESERVES

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES DE PECES, LOS HÁBITATS BENTÓNICOS

Y CONTAMINANTES EN LAS RESERVAS DE ST. THOMAS EAST END

CARACTÉRISATION DES COMMUNAUTÉS DE POISSONS, LES HABITATS BENTHIQUES,

ET DES CONTAMINANTS DANS LES RÉSERVES DE L'EAST END SAINT-THOMAS

LAURIE BAUER, JENNY VANDER PLUYM, TONY PAIT, and IAN HARTWELL

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Consolidated Safety Services 1305 East-West

HIghway SSMC4 Silver Spring, MD 20902 USA [email protected]

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

STEER‟s 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


22

DESARROLLO HISTOLÓGICO DE LOS OVARIOS DE LA LANGOSTA ESPINOSA,

PANULIRUS ARGUS (LATREILLE, 1804, EN LA ZONA COSTERA DEL DEPARTAMENTO

DEL ATLÁNTICO, CARIBE COLOMBIAN

OOVARIAN HISTOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SPINY LOBSTER, PANULIRUS ARGUS

(LATREILLE, 1804), IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF ATLANTIC DEPARTMENT,

COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

DÉVELOPPEMENT HISTOLOGIQUE DES OVAIRES LE LANGOUSTE BLANCHE,

PANULIRUS ARGUS (LATREILLE, 1804), DANS LA ZONE CÔTIÈRE DE L'ATLANTIQUE

DÉPARTEMENT, CARAÏBES COLOMBIENNES

VERENA BAYUELO1, GERMÁN LOZANO-BELTRÁN

2, y ONEIDA GUARDIOLA

3

1Programa de Biología Universidad del Atlántico Km 7 Antigua vía Puerto Colombia Barranquilla,

Atlántico Colombia [email protected] 2Centro de Investigaciones CientíficasUniversidad Simón Bolívar Carrera 54 N° 58-28 Barranquilla,

Colombia Atlántico Colombia 3Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca Colombia

RESUMEN

En desarrollo del proyecto Validación de las nasas tipo hondureña para la captura de langosta espinosa,

Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804), en la zona costera del Departamento del Atlántico, ejecutado por la

Universidad Simón Bolívar de Barranquilla, se colectaron 1353 ejemplares procedentes de faenas de

investigación con el objeto de determinar la evolución histológica de sus ovarios. A cada ejemplar se le

tomó información biométrica, peso de las gónadas y estado de desarrollo gonadal. Las muestras fueron

fijadas en formol al 5% y se realizaron cortes histológicos. El estudio permitió 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: previtelogénesis y vitelogénesis. Los ovocitos vitelogénicos se

sitúan en la periferia de los sacos foliculares, en tanto que los previtelogénicos se localizan en el centro.

Se identificaron células en diferentes estados de desarrollo: ovogonias, ovocitos cromatina nucléolo,

ovocitos perinucleolares, alveolos corticales, en inicio de vitelogénesis, vitelogénicos y ovocitos maduros.

Estas observaciones indican que la langosta espinosa presenta un desarrollo gonadal de tipo asincrónico

en más de dos grupos, dado que se observó un lote de ovocitos próximo a la puesta y varios lotes más en

diferentes estado de desarrollo, incluyendo el lote de ovocitos de reserva, característico de las especies de

zonas tropicales que se reproducen durante todo el año.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Langosta espinosa, Panulirus argus, Desarrollo histológico, Caribe colombiano


23

A LAND BASED MONITORING TECHNIQUE TO STUDY THE ABUNDANCE AND THE

DISTRIBUTION OF LEMON SHARKS JUVENILES (NEGAPRION BREVIROSTRIS) IN THE

NATURE RESERVE OF THE ISLETS OF PETITE TERRE (GUADELOUPE, LESSER

ANTILLES)

UNA TÉCNICA DE OBSERVACIÓN DESDE EL LITORAL PARA EL ESTUDIO DE LA

ABUNDANCIA Y DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN DE TIBURONES LIMÓN JUVENILES

(NEGAPRION BREVIROSTRIS) EN LA RESERVA NATURAL DE PETITE-TERRE

(GUADELOUPE, ANTILLAS MINORES)

TECHNIQUE DE SUIVI À PARTIR DU LITTORAL DE L’ABONDANCE ET DE LA

DISTRIBUTION DES JUVÉNILES DE REQUINS CITRON JUVÉNILES (NEGAPRION

BREVIROSTRIS) DANS LA RÉSERVE NATURELLE DES ILETS DE PETITE TERRE

(GUADELOUPE, PETITES ANTILLES)

OCÉANE BEAUFORT1, SOPHIE BEDEL

2, FRANCK MAZÉAS

3, and CLAUDE BOUCHON

4

1Universite des Antilles et de la Guyane Association Kap Natirel DYNECAR EA 926 BP 592 POINTE-a-

Pitre cedex, Guadeloupe 97159 Guadeloupe (FRANCE) [email protected] 2Kap Natirel Maison Marin, Section Soldat Trois Rivières Guadeloupe 97114 France

3DÉAL Guadeloupe Direction des Ressources Naturelles,Rue Bougainvilliers Basse-Terre Guadeloupe

97100 France 4Université Antilles-GuyaneLABEX Corail Equipe DYNECAR EA 926, BP 590 Pointe-à-Pitre

Guadeloupe 97159 France

ABSTRACT

Observations of lemon sharks are becoming nowadays more frequent in the Réserve Naturelle de Petite

Terre in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles). The purpose of this study was to set up a monitoring protocol to

answer the questions on the distribution and the abundance of juvenile lemon sharks, taking into account

the environmental characteristics of the studied site (no mangrove and presence of beach rock). The

tracking protocol developed is new for shark survey. The principle is to walk along the shore around the

islets (referred transect) and to record each observation of juvenile sharks. In addition, sharks were

captured to be marked with external tags able to be identified by visual information in the field.

Preliminary results showed the presence of 19 juvenile lemon sharks around the islet of Terre-de-Bas.

These individuals, from different age groups, were observed along the transect (except in one site).

However, the tagging of 15 individuals has revealed that each juvenile used specific home ranges that

vary in size and location. This protocol will soon be used in other sites such as the Island of Saint-Martin.

KEYWORDS: Lemon shark, Lesser Antilles, Transect technique, Tagging, Protected area


24

DISPONIBILIDAD A PAGAR DE LOS PESCADORES DE SÁNCHEZ PARA CONSERVAR

LOS MANGLARES DEL BAJO YUNA EN LA BAHÍA DE SAMANÁ, REPÚBLICA

DOMINICANA

WILLINGNESS TO PAY OF SANCHEZ'S FISHERMEN FOR PRESERVING MANGROVES IN

THE BAJO YUNA NATIONAL PARK, LOCATED IN SAMANA BAY, DOMINICAN

REPUBLIC

DISPONIBILITÉ DE PAYER POUR LES PÊCHEURS SANCHEZ POUR PRESERVER LA

BASSE MANGROVE BAY YUNA DANS SAMANA, REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE

MARCIA BELTRE

CODOPESCA Autopista Duarte Km 6 Santo Domingo Este, Santo Doming República Dominicana

[email protected]

RESUMEN

En este estudio se determinó la disponibilidad a pagar de los pescadores de Sánchez para conservar los

Manglares del Bajo Yuna, parque nacional ubicado en la Bahía de Samaná, República Dominicana. Se

realizaron siete (7) viajes de campo entre octubre 2008 y febrero 2010 para conducir entrevistas y aplicar

un cuestionario relativo al Método de Valoración Contingente. Los resultados reportaron que la DAP por

cada pescador es de RD$250.00, para un equivalente anual de RD$311,000.00, tomando en cuenta los

1,244 pescadores que faenan en la comunidad seleccionada. Adicionalmente, el nivel organizativo, la

familia, tenencia de vivienda, el conocimiento del ecosistema y el nivel de dependencia de servicios de

los pescadores entrevistados son variables importantes que afectan su DAP. El valor determinado

representa el 34% de RD$913,800.00, inversión gubernamental anual para manejar los recursos pesqueros

y los manglares en la Bahía de Samaná. Estos resultados validan la factibilidad de un mecanismo de

financiamiento compartido entre beneficiarios directos y las autoridades competentes, lo cual podría

ayudar a la eficacia de la administración del parque nacional del Bajo Yuna.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Parque Nacional, Manglares, Pescadores, Disponibilidad a pagar, Financiamiento

Compartido


25

EVALUATING APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING DATA-LIMITED STOCK ASSESSMENTS

ACROSS CARIBBEAN

JURISDICTIONS EVALUACIÓN DE MÉTODOS PARA MEJORAR LA EVALUACIÓN DE

LAS POBLACIONES DE DATOS LIMITADOS EN TODAS

L’ JURISDICCIONES DEL CARIBE AUDIT DES MÉTHODES DE SUIVI DES POPULATIONS

DE LA RÉGION CARAÏBE, EN VUE DE LEUR OPTIMISATION

KRISTOPHER BENSON

NOAA Restoration Center 4700 Ave. U Bldg. 307 Galveston, TX 77551 USA

[email protected]

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

GAP ANALYSIS FOR THE APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS AS HABITAT

RESTORATION

ANÁLISIS DE LAS DEFICIENCIAS DE LA APLICACIÓN DE LOS ARRECIFES

ARTIFICIALES COMO LA RESTAURACIÓN DEL HÁBITAT

L'ANALYSE DES ÉCARTS POUR L'APPLICATION DE RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS COMME LA

RESTAURATION DE L'HABITAT

KRISTOPHER BENSON

NOAA Restoration Center 4700 Ave. U Bldg. 307 Galveston, TX 77551 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Artificial reef construction is frequently promoted as a habitat restoration technique to benefit reef

fisheries, despite limited scientific understanding of such activities value for fisheries production or in

achieving habitat functions. The present analysis reviews gaps in existing literature and ongoing research

programs that limit consideration for artificial reef construction as a habitat restoration technique to well

understood applications benefiting human uses (diving, recreational fishing) or epifaunal communities

and associated cryptic fish species (e.g., blennies, gobies) living in these communities. Critical questions

in this context include whether artificial reefs serve to enhance production of aquatic species or merely

aggregate individuals from surrounding areas (“attraction vs. production”), thus making them more

susceptible to fishing mortality; and unknown impacts to stocks of commercially and recreationally

significant species on artificial reefs that are not managed for over-exploitation, regardless of whether the

reefs increase fish production or simply attract fish from other areas. Study is also needed to optimize

artificial reef design for specific ecosystem management goals, compare ecosystem service values (ESV)

provided by artificial reefs to ESV of pre-existing habitats, analyze siting to determine if hard bottom or

vertical structure is a limiting factor for fish communities in certain areas where reefs may be placed, and

assess the functional development of artificial structures over time (or whether „full function‟ of an

artificial reef as a fair facsimile of a natural reef is ever achieved with certain construction materials and

designs).

KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, habitat, restoration, reef fish, productivity


27

QUEEN CONCH AGGREGATION DEMOGRAPHICS AND HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS NEAR

PORT EVERGLADES INLET, FL

QUEEN CONCH AGREGACIÓN DE DATOS DEMOGRÁFICOS Y LAS ASOCIACIONES DE

HÁBITAT CERCA DE PUERTO DE ENTRADA EVERGLADES, FL

LAMBIS AGRÉGATION DÉMOGRAPHIE ET LES ASSOCIATIONS D'HABITAT PRÈS DE

L'ENTRÉE DE PORT EVERGLADES, FLORIDE

CHARLOTTE A. BERRY1, BRIAN K. WALKER

1, and RONALD L. HILL

2

1Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Cente 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania Beach, Florida

33004 United States [email protected] 2NOAA/NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center 4700 Avenue U Galveston Texas 77551 United States

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

Florida‟s 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

AN ANALYSIS OF SPINY LOBSTER MOVEMENT PATTERNS: A COMPARISON OF TWO

SUB-POPULATIONS RESIDING NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE FLORIDA KEYS, FLORIDA,

USA

UN ANÁLISIS DE LOS PATRONES DE MOVIMIENTO DE LA LANGOSTA ESPINOSA: UNA

COMPARACIÓN DE DOS SUBPOBLACIONES QUE RESIDEN AL NORTE Y AL SUR DE

LOS CAYOS DE FLORIDA, FLORIDA, USA

UNE ANALYSE DES HABITUDES DE DÉPLACEMENT DE LA LANGOUSTE: UNE

COMPARAISON DES DEUX SOUS-POPULATIONS RÉSIDANT AU NORD ET AU SUD DE LA

FLORIDA KEYS, EN FLORIDE, USA

RODNEY BERTELSEN and TOM MATTHEWS

Florida Fish and Wildlife Consev Comm 2796 Overseas Hwy Suite 119 Marathon, FL 33050 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Using acoustic monitoring technology, we tracked the movements of adult and sub-adult lobsters in two

distinct habitats. The first area is the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve (WSER) south of the Florida

Keys which contains numerous coral and rocky outcrops providing numerous natural shelters. Tagging

studies occurred during the summer between 2003 and 2007 using a total of 143 tags. The second area is

in the Gulf of Mexico north of the Florida Keys. The tagging study occurred during the summer of 2011

using a total of 31 tags. This area is relatively shelter poor but also contains numerous artificial shelters

(casitas) used to concentrate lobsters for fishing. In both areas we deployed arrays of acoustic receivers to

track lobsters fitted with acoustic transmitters. Although technical difficulties reduced the effectiveness of

the tracking array in the Gulf of Mexico, we found that some overall daily movement patterns were

similar in both areas. The daily probability of a spiny lobster shifting its location greater than 300 m was

9% in the Gulf and 10% for similar sized lobsters in WSER. Movement patterns were markedly different.

All Gulf of Mexico lobsters moved to the west (between 225 and 295 degrees) whereas in WSER,

movements could occur in any direction.

KEYWORDS: spiny, lobster, Florida, acoustic, movement


29

PROJETO MEROS DO BRASIL PHOTO-ID: FIRST INSIGHTS OF GOLIATH GROUPER

(EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA, EPINEPHELIDAE) POPULATION AND MOVEMENTS AT

FERNANDO DE NORONHA NATIONAL MARINE PARK.

PROJETO MEROS DO BRASIL FOTO-ID: PRIMERAS IDEAS DE POBLACIÓN Y

MOVIMIENTOS DEL MERO GUASA (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA, EPINEPHELIDAE) EN EL

PARQUE NACIONAL MARINO FERNANDO DE NORONHA.

PROJETO MEROS DO BRASIL PHOTO-ID: LES PREMIERS APERÇUS DE POPULATION

ET DES MOUVEMENTS DU MÉROU (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA, EPINEPHELIDAE) AU

PARC NATIONAL MARINE FERNANDO DE NORONHA

ÁTHILA BERTONCINI1, VINÍCIUS GIGLIO

2, JOHNATAS ALVES

2, and BEATRICE FERREIRA

3

1Universidade Federal Fluminense Instituto Meros do Brasil Travessa Santa Rosa do Viterbo, 32 apto.

602 Niterói, RJ 24241-030 Brazil [email protected] 2Universidade Estadual de Santa CruzPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da

Biodiversi Ilhéus BA Brazil 3Universidade Federal de PernambucoDepartamento de Oceanografia Recife PE Brazil

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 (03°50′ S, 32°25′ 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


30

WORKING TOWARDS A CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES WITH THE CONSET BAY

FISHING COMMUNITY IN BARBADOS

TRABAJANDO EN PRO DE UN CÓDIGO PARA LA PESCA RESPONSIBLE CON LA

COMUNIDAD PESQUERA DE CONSET BAY EN BARBADOS

VERS UN CODE POUR LA PÊCHERIE DURABLE AVEC LA COMMUNAUTÉ DE PÊCHE DE

CONSET BAY À LA BARBADE

KATHERINE BLACKMAN1, NEETHA SELLIAH

1, TRAVIS SINCKLER

2, PATRICK MCCONNEY

1,

DONNA KING-BRATHWAITE2, and SHELLY-ANN COX

1

1Centre for Resource Management and Environmental The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill

Campus St. Michael , BB11000 Barbados [email protected] 2Policy 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


31

APORTES DE COLOMBIA A LOS ESFUERZOS REGIONALES DE LOS PAÍSES DEL GRAN

CARIBE PARA EL CONTROL DEL PEZ LEÓN

COLOMBIA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL EFFORTS THE COUNTRIES WIDER

CARIBBEAN FOR THE LION FISH CONTRO

CONTRIBUTIONS DE LA COLOMBIE AUX EFFORTS RÉGIONALE DES PAYS DES

CARAÏBES POUR LE CONTRÔLE DU POISSON-LION

NACOR BOLAÑOS1, ANA MARIA GONZALEZ

2, DURCEY STEPHENS

1, y ELIZABETH TAYLOR

JAY2

1CORALINA Corporation for the Sustainable Develop San Luis km 26 Via San Luis San Andres Island,

Archipelago COLOMBIA [email protected] 2Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible 3CORALINA Corporation for the Sustainable

Development of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providenc

RESUMEN

Desde la aparición del pez león en América y su rápida dispersión por el Caribe, varios países han

realizado esfuerzos por controlar esta especie invasora. En Colombia se observó por primera vez en

diciembre de 2008 y desde ese momento varias autoridades ambientales, e instituciones de control e

investigación lideradas por el Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible MADS, CORALINA,

INVEMAR, Parques Nacionales y la secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca del Departamento Archipiélago,

con portes de las Universidades, iniciaron acciones de educación, investigación, control y manejo. Los

aportes internacionales recibidos en el marco del primer “Taller de Estrategia Regional para la atención

del Pez león” llevado a cabo en Cancún, México en 2010 con representantes de 20 países y por el taller de

formación de formadores, en captura, manejo y disposición de pez león llevado a cabo en Bahamas 2012

con representantes de 9 países, brindaron información valiosa para la formulación de un plan nacional

denominado “PLAN PARA EL MANEJO Y CONTROL DEL PEZ LEÓN Pterois volitans EN EL

CARIBE COLOMBIANO” y posteriormente en la formulación del “PROTOCOLO PARA LA

CAPTURA, EXTRACCIÓN Y DISPOSICIÓN FINAL DEL PEZ LEÓN, EN COLOMBIA” que incluye

el tema del consumo como estrategia de control, algo que en el Colombia tiene el apoyo del Gobierno

Nacional y requirió soportes técnicos y legales para su adopción, la cual se llevó a cabo mediante la

Resolución No. 0675 de 20 de junio de 2013 del MADS. Hoy se continua trabajando con las autoridades

ambientales de todo el país en el control de esta especie y en la capacitación sobre los protocolos de

monitoreo que se vienen promoviendo en todo el Caribe

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pez leon, invasion, control, manejo, consumo


32

PESQUERÍAS ARTESANALES DEL PARQUE MARINO ISLAS DE LA BAHÍA EN

HONDURAS: IMPORTANCIA SOCIOECONÓMICA Y PARTICIPACIÓN COMUNITARIA EN

EL MANEJO DE LOS RECURSOS MARINOS

ARTISANAL FISHERIES OF THE BAY ISLANDS IN HONDURAS: SOCIOECONOMIC

IMPORTANCE AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN MARINE RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

LES PÊCHERIES ARTISANALES DES ISLAS DE LA BAHÍA AU HONDURAS:

L'IMPORTANCE SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE ET LA PARTICIPATION COMMUNAUTAIRE À

LA GESTION DES RESSOURCES MARINES

SARA BONILLA1 y STEPHEN BOX

2

1Centro de Ecologia Marina Edificio Florencia Oficina 401-403 Tegucigalpa, FCO Honduras

[email protected] 2Smithsonian Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949

Fort Pierce Florida USA

RESUMEN

El manejo del Parque Marino Islas de la Bahía en Honduras se caracteriza por la baja participación de los

grupos locales, principalmente de los pescadores. Con el fin de promover la participación de los

pescadores en la gestión de los recursos marinos y diseñar un programa de manejo que les facilite

conocimientos y herramientas para que sean capaces de liderar acciones de manejo en sus áreas, se realizó

una caracterización social y económica de los pescadores de tres comunidades del Parque. El propósito

del estudio fue comprender el contexto socioeconómico de los pescadores y entender como éste influye

en sus percepciones y preferencias de manejo. Para la caracterización se desarrolló una encuesta

socioeconómica, mediante la cual se recopiló información de 80 pescadores en total. Los resultados de las

encuestas reflejan que el aprovechamiento de los recursos marinos cambia dependiendo de la importancia

socioeconómica que tiene la pesca para cada hogar. En las comunidades en donde la mayoría de los

hogares dependen económicamente de la pesca (>75% del ingreso del hogar proviene de la pesca), los

pescadores se dedican a esta actividad a tiempo completo, tienen un fuerte vínculo con los ecosistemas

marinos y muestran una mejor actitud hacia el manejo y conservación de los mismos. Por otro lado, las

comunidades en las cuales los hogares tienen acceso a otras fuentes de ingreso, los pescadores solo

pescan algunos meses del año, utilizan artes de pesca más dañinas y no respetan las restricciones

establecidas. Los diferentes comportamientos de los pescadores de estas comunidades resaltan la

importancia de diseñar e implementar programas de manejo que reconozcan las condiciones

socioeconómicas de las comunidades, sus percepciones y preferencias de manejo.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Manejo costero, pesquerías artesanales, contexto socioeconómico, manejo

participativo, gobernanza marina


33

INFLUENCE OF STRUCTURAL COMPLEXITY ON THE BIOMASS OF THE FISH

COMMUNITY IN SEVEN ARTIFICIAL REEFS CAMPECHE BANK, MEXICO

INFLUENCIA DE LA COMPLEJIDAD ESTRUCTURAL SOBRE LA BIOMASA DE LA

COMUNIDAD ÍCTICA EN SIETE ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES DEL BANCO DE

CAMPECHE, MÉXICO

INFLUENCE DE LA COMPLEXITÉ STRUCTURELLE DE LA BIOMASSE DE LA

COMMUNAUTÉ DE POISSONS DANS SEPT RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS CAMPECHE BANK, AU

MEXIQUE

JOSE MANUEL BORGES SOUZA1, E ZAVALA

2, JORGE BENITEZ

3, ERNESTO CHAVEZ ORTIZ

1

and ALEJANDRA CHAVEZ HIDALGO1

1IPN-CICIMAR Av. Ipn S/N La Paz , BCS 23096 Mexico [email protected]

2Pemex Ciudad Del Carmen Campeche Mexico

3UNACAR Ciudad Del Carmen Campeche México

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


34

LOBSTER ARTIFICIAL SHELTERS: FINANCIAL ALTERNATIVES FOR RESPONSIBLE

MANAGING OF FISHING AREAS, PILOT PROJECT IN PUNTA GORDA AND GUANAJA,

BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS

REFUGIOS ARTIFICIALES: ALTERNATIVAS ECONÓMICAS PARA MANEJAR ÁREAS DE

PESCA RESPONSABLE, PROYECTO PILOTO EN PUNTA GORDA Y GUANAJA, ISLAS DE

LA BAHÍA, HONDURAS

REFUGES ARTIFICIELS DE LANGOUSTE: ALTERNATIVES ÉCONOMIQUES POUR LA

GESTION RESPONSABLE DE ZONES DE PÊCHE, PROJET PILOTE À PUNTA GORDA ET

GUANAJA, ÎLES DE LA BAIE, HONDURAS

STEPHEN BOX1 and MARIELA OCHOA

2

1Program Coordinator Spatial Ecology of Marine Pr 701 Seaway Drive Fort Pierce Florida 34949 ,

[email protected] 2Especialista en Pesquerias Comunitarias, Centro de Ecologia Marina Colonia el Naranjal, Edificio del

CREDIA. La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras

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


35

MODELING THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF APPLYING NEW SPATIAL MANAGEMENT

AND TRACEABILITY TOOLS TO A LOW GOVERNANCE FISHERY

DESARROLLO DE MODELOS PARA CAPTAR BENEFICIOS ECONÓMICOS EN UNA

PESQUERÍA CON BAJA GOBERNABILIDAD, A TRAVÉS DEL USO DE NUEVAS

HERRAMIENTAS DE MANEJO ESPACIAL Y TRAZABILIDADLES

AVANTAGES ÉCONOMIQUES DE L'APPLICATION DE NOUVEAUX OUTILS POUR LA

GESTION DE L'ESPACE ET DE LA TRAÇABILITÉ DANS UNE PÊCHERIE DE

GOUVERNANCE FAIBLE

STEPHEN BOX1, PABLO CUARON DE GARAY

2, and ILIANA CHOLLETT

3

1Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Marine Station 701 Seaway Drive Fort

Pierce, Fl 34949 USA [email protected]

2Haas School of BusinessUC Berkeley USA

3Marine Spatial Ecology LabsUniversity of Exeter Exeter UK

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

MODELLING POPULATION DYNAMICS OF CARIBBEAN PARROTFISH

MODELAR LA DINAMICA DE POBLACIONES DE LOS PECES LORO EN EL CARIBE

MODÉLISER LA DYNAMIQUE DES POPULATIONS DES POISSONS PERROQUETS DANS

LES CARAÏBES

YVES-MARIE BOZEC1, CAROLINE BAILLE

1, SHAY O'FARRELL

2, JULES M. VAN ROOIJ

3,

BRIAN E. LUCKHURST4, and PETER J. MUMBY

1

1School of Biological Sciences, University of Que College of Life Sciences, University of Exeter St. Lucia,

Qld 4072, Australia Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK , [email protected] 2Global change Institute, University of Queensland St. Lucia Qld 4072, Australia

3University of Groningen Groningen 9747 AA, The Netherlands

4Marine Resources Division, Department of Environmental Protection P.O. Box CR 52, Crawl CRBX,

Bermuda

ABSTRACT

Parrotfish (family: Scaridae) are the dominant herbivores and a major source of ecological resilience on

today's Caribbean reefs. Parrotfish help maintain macroalgae at low levels, thus facilitating coral growth

and recruitment. Unfortunately, parrotfish populations have been depleted in some places by intense trap

fishing and the progressive shift of Caribbean fisheries towards low trophic level species. As a result,

there are growing concerns about the maintenance of functional levels of herbivory on Caribbean reefs

which are also facing a rapidly changing climate. This calls for increased knowledge for effective

management of parrotfish populations. Here we present a demographic model of the stoplight parrotfish

(Sparisoma viride) for exploring the effects of fishing and determining sustainable catch levels of the

species. The model is structured by size and habitat (shallow/deep) and was calibrated using life-history

data and time-series of fish abundances in Bonaire and Bermuda. Model performance and limitations are

presented as a first step towards the development of a robust modelling tool for user-specified

management strategies. In particular, the model was used to assess the response of the stoplight parrotfish

to different catches rate, with particular focus on population size distribution. The model can also be used

to explore the rate of recovery for different scenarios of reduced fishing mortality rates. Restoring and

protecting parrotfish population is likely to mitigate the negative effects of climate change-induced

disturbances on corals, therefore we stress that effective management for functional herbivory is key for

the maintenance of coral reef resilience in the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Sparisoma viride, demographic model, growth transition, density-dependence, fisheries

management


37

ANÁLISIS DE OPINIÓN DE PESCADORES DE PEPINO DE MAR SOBRE LAS

REGULACIONES DE PESCA ESTABLECIDAS EN LAS COSTAS DE YUCATÁN MÉXICO

ANALYSIS OF FISHERMEN OPINION ON SEA CUCUMBER FISHING REGULATIONS

ESTABLISHED ON THE COAST OF YUCATAN MEXICO

ANALYSE DE L'OPINION DES PÊCHEURS DE BECHE DE MER SUR LES REGULACION

DE PÊCHE ÉTABLIS SUR LA CÔTE DU YUCATAN AU MEXIQUE

MARA BRAVO-REYES, ARMIN TUZ-SULUB, y ALFONSO AGUILAR-PERERA

Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan Carretera Mérida - Xmatkuil Km. 15.5 Mérida , Yucatán 97315

México biomar.a@hotmail.

RESUMEN

Pese a la implementación de acciones para desarrollar en la Península de Yucatán una pesquería de

pepino de mar sustentable, a poco más de diez años de haber surgido el interés por la extracción y

comercialización de este recurso, la preocupación por el agotamiento de las poblaciones y los conflictos

sociales surgidos en torno a su pesca han ido en aumento. Este estudio registra a través de entrevistas

semi-estructuradas y cuestionarios, las perspectivas y actitudes de pescadores regularizados sobre las

estrategias de manejo establecidas en los primeros años 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 percepción

de que la autoridad no sanciona a quienes pescan de manera ilegal, ha causado que tanto pescadores

ilegales como regularizados desarrollen en la práctica una pesca que asemeja más 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, así

como incentivar adecuadamente las prácticas de pesca sostenible. Nota: se desea someter este trabajo al

concurso de GCFI Premio para Estudiante más Destacados por Logro Académico

PALABRAS CLAVES: pepino de mar, Pesquería, perspectivas , manejo, Yucatán


38

FISHERMEN LEARNING EXCHANGES FOR CONSERVATION: AN EXAMINATION OF

LESSONS LEARNED

INTERCAMBIOS DE PESCADORES PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN: UN ANÁLISIS DE

LECCIONES APRENDIDOS

ÉCHANGES D’APPRENTISSAGE DES PÊCHEURS POUR LA CONSERVATION: UNE

ANALYSE DES LEÇONS APPRISES

FERNANDO BRETOS1, WILLIAM HEYMAN

2, LEKELIA JENKINS

3, and SHERWOOD H.

PECKHAM4

1The Ocean Foundation 311 NE 86th Street El Portal, FL 33138 USA [email protected]

2Texas A&M University CSA 205D MS 3147 College Station TX 77843 USA

3University of WashingtonSchool of Marine and Environmental Affairs 3707 Brooklyn Avenue, NE Seattle

WA 98105 USA 4Smartfish Madero 2895 La Paz La Paz Baja California Sur Mexico

ABSTRACT

Fisher learning exchanges, in which representatives from different fisher communities are brought

together to share knowledge have emerged as a key tool for improving fisheries management globally.

Organized by fishermen, NGOs and governments to share fisheries challenges and solutions, they are

widely considered to be highly effective. Despite this perception and considerable investment in

producing fisher-learning exchanges, their effectiveness has not been assessed. In order to develop better

understanding of the values and effectiveness and a protocol do so, a National Science Foundation funded

workshop was held atthe National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) entitled Fisher

Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned (FLExCELL) in May 2014.

The workshop brought together fishers, NGOs, government managers, and academics in order to share

their lessons learned for how to best produce fisher learning exchanges, focusing on what has worked best

and what can be done to optimize future exchanges. It became the first ever large-scale analysis of how

best to design and produce fisher-learning exchanges in order to improve fisheries management. This

presentation will share the outcomes of this workshop and present the path forward to enhancing this

widely accepted tool for addressing overfishing and other conservation outcomes.

KEYWORDS: Fisher's exchange, FEK, Learning exchanges


39

ASPECTS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF YELLOWFIN TUNA, THUNNUS

ALBACARES, IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

ASPECTOS DE LA BIOLOGÍA REPRODUCTIVA DEL ATÚN ALETA AMARILLA,

THUNNUS ALBACARES, EN EL GOLFO DE MÉXICO NORTE

ASPECTS DE LA BIOLOGIE DE LA REPRODUCTION DU ALBACORE À NAGEOIRES

JUANES, THUNNUS ALBACARES, DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

NANCY J. BROWN-PETERSON1, JAMES S. FRANKS

2 and GIBSON DYAN

2

1University of Southern Mississippi Dept. Coastal Sciences 703 East Beach Dr Ocean Springs, MS 39564

USA [email protected] 2Center for Research and Development Gulf Coast Research Laboratory University of Southern

Mississippis 703 East Beach Dr. Ocean Springs MS 39564 USA

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

THE REGIONAL STRATEGIC ANALYSIS: A TOOL FOR PLANNING AND ZONING

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

EL ANÁLISIS ESTRATÉGICO REGIONAL: UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA FACILITAR LA

PLANIFICACIÓN DE LAS ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS

L'ANALYSE STRATÉGIQUE RÉGIONALE, UN OUTIL D'AIDE À LA PLANIFICATION DES

AIRES MARINES PROTÉGÉES

SOPHIE BRUGNEAUX and NEIL ALLONCLE

Agence des Aires Marines protégées Quai des douanes Brest, 29200 France sophie.brugneaux@aires-

marines.fr

ABSTRACT

The French Marine protected Areas Agency has been undertaking for several years Regional Strategic

Analyses in each French marine region in order to propose strategies for the planning, zoning and

management of marine protected areas adapted to each territory. Recent analyses were carried out in

French territories in the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana). Regional Analyses proceed

in successive steps. The first stage consists in getting a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge

on the marine area that is spatially localized and of relevance for the study. All existing and available

information (data, expert opinions) is centralized and interpreted in order to identify key elements in

terms of ecological functionalities, remarkable ecological features and cultural heritage, human activities

and pressures that apply on the considered marine area. A GIS database is established that contains all the

gathered elements and synthetic maps are produced. The second stage involves crossing of synthetic

information in order to identify and spatially localize the different stakes observed. Areas concerned by

common stakes can be delineated and the stakes themselves can be ranked inside each homogeneous area.

This step requires particular close consultation and collaboration with the decision-makers and all

stakeholders. Finally, strategic proposals with regard to the design or management of MPAs, management

and protection of marine environment in general and acquisition of knowledge, and tailored to the specific

needs of the territory concerned emerge collectively. We will aim to present the methodology used in

Strategic Regional Analyses and their results on the basis of examples of studies carried out at different

scales.

KEYWORDS: MPA, MPA design, stakes, consultation, planification


41

ESTRATEGIA REPRODUCTIVA DE ALGUNAS ESPECIES DE MEROS DEL GOLFO DE

MÉXICO: IMPLICACIÓN PARA UN MANEJO ADECUADO DE LA PESQUERÍA DE MERO

EN LA PENÍNSULA DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY OF SOME GROUPER SPECIES FROM THE GULF OF

MEXICO: IMPLICATION FOR ADEQUATE MANAGEMENT OF THE GROUPER FISHERY

FROM THE YUCATAN PENINSULA, MEXICO

STRATÉGIE DE REPRODUCTION DE QUELQUES MÉROUS DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE :

IMPLICATION POUR UN AMÉNAGEMENT ADÉQUAT DE LA PÊCHERIE DE MÉROU DE

LA PÉNINSULE DU YUCATAN, MEXIQUE

THIERRY BRULÉ, DORALICE CABALLERO-ARANGO, ARMIN TUZ-SULUB, XIMENA RENÁN

y TERESA COLÁS-MARRUFO

CINVESTAV IPN Departamento de Recursos del Mar U Antigua carretera a Progreso KM.6, A.P. 73

Cordemex Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México [email protected]

RESUMEN

En el sureste del Golfo de México, 21 especies de mero constituyen uno de los principales recursos

pesqueros de la plataforma continental de la Península de Yucatán (Banco de Campeche). Debido a la

explotación excesiva de estas especies ocurrida durante las últimas décadas, fue necesario imponer a la

pesquería de mero de esta región una veda estacional permanente (15 de febrero-15 de marzo) a partir de

2007 y una talla mínima de captura (36.3 cm de longitud total) a partir de 2010. Sin embargo estas

medidas de manejo pesquero fueron establecidas únicamente con base a la biología reproductiva de la

especie más abundante en las capturas (Epinephelus morio), sin considerar el aspecto multiespecífico del

recurso. En el presente estudio se analiza la estrategia reproductiva (sexualidad, ciclo reproductivo, tallas

de primera madurez y de inversión 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

también diferencias en la ecología y la biología reproductiva de estos meros. En particular, las variaciones

observadas se relacionan con: la época y zona de desove, talla de primera madurez y conducta

reproductiva de las especies, las cuales deberían ser consideradas para adecuar la legislación pesquera

vigente, con el fin de fomentar una pesca responsable del recurso mero del Banco de Campeche.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Biología reproductiva, Regulación pesquera, Epinephelidae, Banco de Campeche


42

WHEN DOES GOLIATH GROUPER, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA (EPINEPHELIDAE)

AGGREGATES IN SOUTH BRAZIL?

CUÁNDO EL MERO GUASA, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA (EPINEPHELIDAE) SE AGREGAN

EN EL SUR DE BRASIL?

QUAND EST-CE LE MÉROU, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA (EPINEPHELIDAE) SE

RASSEMBLENT DANS LE SUD DU BRÉSIL?

LEONARDO BUENO1, ATHILA BERTONCINI

1, CHRISTOPHER KOENIG

2, FELICIA COLEMAN

2,

JONAS LEITE1, MAURICIO HOSTIM-SILVA

3 and MATHEUS FREITAS

4

1UFES Instituto Meros do Brasil 261, Sanito Rocha ap 1003 b Curitiba , PR 80050-380 Brazil

[email protected] 2The Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory 2The Florida State University Coastal and

Marine Laboratory Instituto Meros do Brasil 1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia

Ambiental-UFES 3Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo-UFES Instituto Meros do Brasil Instituto Meros do Brasil,

4Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia-UFPR

ABSTRACT

Fishing for the critically endangered goliath grouper (GG) (Epinephelus itajara) has been prohibited in

Brazil since 2002. However, prohibition is likely to be lifted by 2015, despite efforts, information about

their distribution, abundance, or ecology is sparse and no data suggesting that populations have recovered

is available. In this study, we gather sightings-per-unit-effort (SPUE) data on three sites in southern

Brazil using scuba diving surveys and examine seasonal differences in size distribution and reproductive

condition of specimens collected by us or donated by law enforcement officers. Based on data were found

that the SPUE differed significantly with season (p < 0.05), increasing in late spring to become highest

during the summer months. All females sampled during the summer were considered reproductively

ready to spawn while all those sampled during other seasons were either regressing or dormant. What

these data strongly infer is that we have located goliath grouper spawning aggregation sites south the state

of Paraná and north of the state of Santa Catarina and identified summer as the most likely spawning

season. These data, together with size distribution, can help inform stock assessments and therefore the

management and conservation of this fish. Also the first step is to bring new questions and plan more

studies with GG in Brazil.

KEYWORDS: artificial reefs, spawning aggregations, reef fish, endangered species, South Atlantic


43

ENHANCING MANAGEMENT OF THE BAHAMAS SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY FOR THE

FUTURE

MEJORAR LA GESTIÓN DE LAS BAHAMAS LANGOSTA DE PESCA PARA EL FUTURO

AMÉLIORER LA GESTION DES BAHAMAS LANGOUSTE PÊCHES POUR L' AVENIR

FELICITY M. BURROWS1 and WENDY GOYERT

2

1The Nature Conservancy Northern Caribbean Program 6 Colonial Hill Plaza Thompson Boulevard

Nassau, CB11398 Bahamas [email protected] 2Major Buyer InitiativeWorld Wildlife Fund 1250 24th Street NW Washington DC 20037 USA

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

AGE AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF LESSER KNOWN SPECIES OF REEF FISH

FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

CARACTERISTICAS DE LA EDAD Y EL CRECIMIENTO DE LAS ESPECIES MENOS

COMUNES DE PECES DE ARRECIFES DEL SURESTE DE ESTADOS UNIDOS

ÂGE ET LES CARACTÉRISTIQUES DE CROISSANCE DES ESPÈCES MOINS CONNU DE

POISSONS DE RÉCIF DU SUD-EST ÉTATS UNIS.

MICHAEL BURTON, DANIEL CARR, and JENNIFER POTTS

NOAA Fisheries SEFSC 101 Pivers Island Rd. Beaufort, NC 28516 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Ageing studies of species that are abundant in recreational and commercial fisheries landings provide

valuable information about growth and age at maturity. In the southeastern U.S., the Southeast Data,

Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process is a driving mechanism behind which species are the subject

of ageing studies. Since SEDAR‟s inception in 2002, stock assessments have been completed or

scheduled for 20 reef fish species in the South Atlantic, 13 species in the Gulf of Mexico, and 11 species

in the U. S. Caribbean. Age-growth studies are time- and labor intensive, and stock assessment demands

limit the ability of staff to conduct studies on reef fishes that are less abundant in the landings. These

species may nonetheless be important for a variety of reasons (e.g., top predators in reef ecosystem,

indicators of ecosystem health, valuable trophy fish, and commercial value). Species which occur

infrequently in sampled catches require more time to accumulate sufficient biological samples to conduct

a proper ageing study. We attempt in this poster to offer a preliminary look at age-growth characteristics

of four less commonly occurring species of reef fishes: yellowmouth grouper (Mycteroperca

interstitialis), n=391; yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa), n=277; warsaw grouper (Epinephelus

nigritus), n=188; and cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), n=96. All fish were aged using sectioned

otoliths, and growth curves were generated using von Bertalanffy growth models. Information about

growth rates of less common species will be critical to the effective management of those species,

particularly as more common species come under increasing regulations and harvest restrictions.

KEYWORDS: Ageing, stock assessment, less common species


45

COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF THE FEEDING ECOLOGY OF INVASIVE LIONFISH

(PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES: SCORPAENIDAE) IN CUBA: 2009-2013

RESULTADOS COMPARATIVOS DE LA ECOLOGÍA ALIMENTARIA DEL PEZ LEÓN

(PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES: SCORPAENIDAE) EN CUBA: 2009-2013

RÉSULTATS COMPARATIVES DE LA ÉCOLOGIE ALIMENTAIRE DU POISSON LION

(PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES: SCORPAENIDAE) À CUBA: 2009-2013

HANSEL CABALLERO

Acuario Nacional De Cuba 1ra y 60, Miramar Havana, Cuba [email protected]

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

THE LAST OF THE AGGREGATIONS: VALIDATION OF AN EXTANT GROUPER

SPAWNING AGGREGATION IN HONDURAS

LA ÚLTIMA DE LAS AGREGACIONES: VALIDACIÓN DE UN MERO AGREGACIÓN

REPRODUCTIVA EXISTENTES EN HONDURAS

LE DERNIER DES AGRÉGATIONS: VALIDATION D'UN MÉROU AGRÉGATION DE FRAI

EXISTANT AU HONDURAS

STEVEN CANTY

Centro de Ecologia Marina Oficina 401-403 Edificio Florencia Bulevard S Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. -

Honduras [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Cordelia Bank on the south coast of the island of Roatan, Honduras, is a set of offshore banks which has

recently been designated as a site of special importance for wildlife. The 17 km2 area supports thickets of

Acropora cervicornis estimated to cover 60,000 m2, making it one of the largest documented expanses of

this species within the Caribbean. Within the limits of the protected area are grouper and snapper

spawning aggregation sites and aggregations of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezii). As part of

an ongoing study documenting the ecological importance of this area we evaluated the grouper spawning

aggregation during the reproductive season of 2012-2013. We determined that four species: tiger grouper

(Mycteroperca tigris), black grouper (M. bonaci), Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), and yellowfin

grouper (M. venenosa) aggregated during the January full moon, however no spawning was observed.

The local fishery was assessed during this period to determine if large-bodied grouper were being targeted

and landed, none were found. Our results contrast with previous evaluations of other spawning sites in

Honduras which found few individuals aggregating, and suggested sustained overfishing of reproductive

areas by artisanal fishers. Fisheries regulations in Honduras protect Nassau grouper aggregation sites from

fishing between December and March, also protecting other species that share these sites. However

fisheries dependent and independent data show that grouper populations are low in the Honduran

Caribbean and restrictions on grouper fishing may need to be extended to allow for sufficient abundances

to migrate to spawning grounds and successfully reproduce.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries, Spawning aggregation, Grouper, Cordelia Bank, Honduras


47

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: SCREENING OF CIGUATERA TOXINS FOUND IN INDO-

PACIFIC LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) IN ST. CROIX, US VIRGIN ISLANDS

RESULTADOS PRELIMINARES DE LA DETECCIÓN DE CIGUATOXINAS EN EL PEZ

LEÓN DEL INDOPACÍFICO (PTEROIS VOLITANS) QUE HABITA ST. CROIX (ISLAS

VÍRGENES ESTADOUNIDENSES).

RÉSULTATS PRÉLIMINAIRES : EXAMEN DES TOXINES CIGUATERIQUES TROUVÉES

DANS DES POISSON-LIONS DE L'INDO-PACIFIQUE (PTEROIS VOLITANTS) À SAINTE-

CROIX, ILES VIERGES AMÉRICAINES

BERNARD CASTILLO1, KYNOCH REALE-MUNROE

1, ALISON ROBERTSON

2, and JOHN

RUBATTINO3

1University of the Virgin Islands RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, VI 00850 US [email protected] 2Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory Dauphin Island AL 36528 US

3CORE Foundation Charlotte Amalie VI 00802 VI

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

SEAFLOWER MARINE PROTECTED AREA: PROGRESS REPORT ON THE

IMPLEMENTATION AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

ÁREA MARINA PROTEGIDA SEAFLWER: AVANCES EN LA IMPLEMENTACIÓN Y

DESAFÍOS HACIA EL FUTURO ZONE MARINE PROTEGÉE DE SEAFLOWER

PROGRÈS DANS LA MISE EN ŒUVRE D'UN PROGRAMME DE GESTION ET SES DÉFIS À

L'AVENIR

ERICK RICHARD CASTRO GONZALEZ, FANNY HOWARD, y DURCEY STEPHENS LEVER

CORALINA Via San Luis, Bight, Km 26 San Andrés Isla, San Andrés Colombia [email protected]

RESUMEN

El AMP Seaflower, Colombia, declarada en 2005 viene trabajando cuatro componentes: 1) Manejo

adaptativo; 2) Sostenibilidad financiera; 3) Alternativas de vida sostenible, y 4) Monitoreo y análisis. Hoy

cuenta con una delimitación interna, y una reglamentación de uso que incluye zonas de preservación,

conservación, uso especial, uso general y exclusivas de pesca artesanal. Se han fortalecido alianzas con

socios estratégicos para el control y vigilancia, involucrando a pescadores. Actualmente se trabaja en el

programa de voluntarios Team Seaflower como parte del plan de acción de entrenamiento, educación y

comunicación. Se cuenta con instancias de participación, a través de los comités: 1) Interinstitucional, 2)

Usuarios, y 3) Expertos internacionales. Además de un plan de resolución de conflictos. Se trabaja en la

implementación de instrumentos económicos para la sostenibilidad financiera, como: tarifas de ingreso,

pago por servicios ambientales y donaciones. Recientemente se vienen estructurando proyectos

productivos como alternativa de vida para los usuarios (pescadores, jóvenes y mujeres cabeza de familia).

Se ha realizado entrenamientos en emprendimiento y creación de microempresas, y se trabajan proyectos

asociados con pesca deportiva, turismo ambiental, cangrejo negro, zoocriadero de iguanas, procesamiento

del breadfruit y maricultura. Hay avances en el monitoreo y análisis, abarcando la calidad del agua, los

ecosistemas, las especies claves, socioeconómico y efectividad del AMP. Los principales desafíos están

relacionados con la sostenibilidad financiera y los impactos actuales y potenciales derivados del fallo de

la CIJ de la Haya sobre el diferendo limítrofe entre Colombia y Nicaragua, emitido en noviembre de

2012, y que afecta la extensión del AMP, el modelo de manejo, y presume amenazas como la explotación

de hidrocarburos y el incremento de la sobrepesca

PALABRAS CLAVES: MPA, Seaflower, San Andrés


49

THE NATIONAL NATURAL RESERVE OF SAINT-MARTIN: A WELL MANAGED AND

RECOGNIZED MARINE, TERRESTRIAL AND LAKE PROTECTED AREA

RESERVA NATURAL NACIONAL DE SAINT-MARTIN: UN ÁREA MARINA, TERRESTRES

Y LACUSTRES PROTEGIDA MANEJADA RECONOCIDO

LA RÉSERVE NATURELLE NATIONALE DE SAINT-MARTIN: UNE AIRE PROTÉGÉE

MARINE, TERRESTRE ET LACUSTRE GÉRÉE RECONNUE

JULIEN CHALIFOUR

Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin AGRNNSM Résidence les Acacias Anse Marcel, Saint-

Martin 97150 France [email protected]

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 Réserve 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

éducation, to optimize the use of ressources and to develop régional coopération.. The Conservatoire de

l‟Espace 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 récent 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

ALL BOOM AND NO BUST AS THE LIONFISH INVASION PROGRESSES IN BACALAR

CHICO MARINE RESERVE, BELIZE

LA INVASIÓN DEL PEZ LEÓN CRECE SIN CESAR EN LA RESERVA MARINA BACALAR

CHICO, BELICE

L'INVASION DES POISSONS LIONS S'AGRANDIT SANS FIN DANS LE RÉSERVE MARINE

BACALAR CHICO, BELIZE

JENNIFER CHAPMAN, CHARLOTTE GOUGH, JOANNA HUDSON, FRANCES HUMBER and

ALASDAIR HARRIS

Blue Ventures Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road London, N7 9DP UK

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) were introduced to the Atlantic in the 1980s, with the first confirmed sighting

in Belize in 2008. The species is now well established throughout the country, promoting concerns for

threatened fish stocks and overall coral reef health. The mean frequency of lionfish sightings in Bacalar

Chico Marine Reserve, northern Belize, increased between 2011 (1.9 fish/hr ± 0.1 SEM) and 2012 (2.7

fish/hr ± 0.2 SEM), coupled with a significant upward shift in size class frequency distribution

(χ²=333.74, d.f.=4, P<0.01). The majority of sightings (89%) were made on the forereef. Culled lionfish

were dissected to record stomach contents, sex and maturity. A change in diet was observed between

years: in 2011, the majority of prey items were fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish and grouper.

However, in 2012 invertebrates, predominantly shrimp, comprised the majority of the diet. A similar

change in lionfish diet has been observed in Port Honduras Marine Reserve, southern Belize. Results also

confirm that lionfish in Belize reproduce throughout the year. With market development heralded as the

most feasible management solution to prevent lionfish population growth and spread, protected areas may

provide a refuge not only for native species, but also lionfish. Given that consistent removal of more than

one third of the population is required to prevent population growth and expansion, an open-minded

approach to developing alternative management solutions for the invasion within protected areas must be

applied.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, status, management, protected area, Belize


51

ENSURING ENTHUSIASM EQUALS EFFECTIVENESS: FISHING TOURNAMENTS AS A

POPULATION CONTROL TOOL FOR INVASIVE LIONFISH IN BELIZE

ASEGURAR EL ENTUSIASMO EQUIVALE A EFICIENCIA: TORNEOS DE PESCA COMO

UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA CONTROLAR A LA POBLACIÓN DE PEZ LEÓN INVASIVO

EN BELICE

ASSURER L’ENTHOUSIASME ÉQUIVAUT À EFFICACITÉ: TOURNOIS DE PÊCHE

COMME OUTIL POUR CONTRÔLER LA POPULATION DU POISSON LION INVASIVE AU

BELIZE

JENNIFER CHAPMAN1, JAMES R. FOLEY

2, CRISTÍN KEELIN FITZPATRICK

2, CHARLOTTE

GOUGH1, and ISAIAS MAJIL

3

1Blue Ventures Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road London, N7 9DP UK

[email protected]

2Toledo Institute for Development and Environment Punta Gorda Toledo District Belize 3Fisheries Department Princess Margaret Drive Belize City Belize

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

OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL MARKETS FOR

INVASIVE LIONFISH - LESSONS LEARNT FROM BELIZE

OBSTÁCULOS Y OPORTUNIDADES EN EL DESARROLLO DE MERCADOS

COMERCIALES PARA EL PEZ LEÓN INVASIVO - LECCIONES APRENDIDAS EN BELICE

OBSTACLES ET OPPORTUNITÉS DANS LE DEVELOPMENT DES MARCHÉS

COMMERCIAUX POUR LE POISSON LION INVASIVE – LESSONS APPRIS EN BELIZE

JENNIFER CHAPMAN

Blue Ventures Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road London, N7 9DP UK

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

First officially recorded in Belize in 2008, by 2010 invasive lionfish were well established countrywide.

In 2010, despite education campaigns and monthly lionfish tournaments, the lionfish population

continued to grow and expand. In 2011 and 2012, Blue Ventures carried out a study in coastal

communities in northern Belize that showed that although the general public liked the taste of lionfish

meat, there was limited willingness to consume lionfish at home. Demand for lionfish meat existed only

within the tourism sector, though this was low and seasonal. No restaurant served lionfish regularly, as

the disjunct existed where fishers required a guaranteed market, while potential buyers wanted a reliable,

continuous supply. It became clear that a central handling facility was required to provide support for

both suppliers and buyers. A critical step in the process was the identification of a buyer in the USA,

which provided the surety needed for a small fishing cooperative with a strong interest in conservation to

risk investment in the required facility upgrades for export. Significant media coverage following the first

export of lionfish to the USA had the desired effect, prompting the largest fishing cooperative in the

country to purchase and stockpile lionfish fillet for bulk export. While lionfish exports are an important

first step, this targets only the largest individuals. Growth in the fledgling domestic market for lionfish,

which utilises smaller lionfish and increases market access for fishers, will be essential in intensifying

lionfish removal efforts sufficiently to impact upon population growth and expansion.

KEYWORDS: lionfish, market development, management, Belize,


53

LAS PESQUERÍAS DE LOS ARRECIFES CORALINOS DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO Y EL

CARIBE

FISHERIES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND CARIBBEAN CORAL REEFS

LA PÊCHE SUR LES RÉCIFS CORALLIENS DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE ET DANS LES

CARAÏBES

ERNESTO A. CHÁVEZ

Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, I Av. IPN s/n Col. Playa Palo de Sta Rita, El Conchalito

La Paz, BCS 23096 México [email protected]

RESUMEN

Las pesquerías se encuentran explotadas intensamente a nivel mundial y casi la mitad de los recursos

están sobre explotados. Mas de mil millones de personas dependen las pesquerías de los arrecifes

coralinos, cuyos beneficios netos en bienes y servicios, entre los que se incluyen las pesquerías, ascienden

a US$30 mil millones. Las capturas del Golfo de México y el Caribe, registran un poco mas de 60

especies, pero el número real de especies seguramente es mayor que 100. Infortunadamente la gran

mayoría de las especies explotadas no ha sido evaluada aún. El nivel de rendimiento máximo sostenible

de la región se estima en 2.65 millones de toneladas, con una biomasa de 5.3 millones; infortunadamente,

los rendimientos actuales y la biomasa sugieren una reducción del 30%. La tercera parte de estas cifras

corresponde al Golfo de México. Los principales indicadores de sobreexplotación son, una reducción en

el tamaño promedio de los peces capturados y una reducción gradual en la captura por unidad de esfuerzo,

asociadas a alta presión de pesca. Aparte de la intensidad de la pesca, el impacto del clima y la

contaminación sobre los arrecifes coralinos, contribuyen al agotamiento de los recursos pesqueros de los

arrecifes. Adicionalmente, las prácticas 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 pesquerías de los arrecifes coralinos estará condicionada por las tendencias y actitudes políticas,

sociales y económicas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesquerías, Rendimiento pesquero, Sobrepesca, Diversidad de las capturas,

Evaluacion


54

LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES: SCORPAENIDAE) IN CUBA, ABUNDANCE,

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS

DISTRIBUCIÓN, ABUNDANCIA Y RELACIONES ECOLÓGICAS DEL PEZ LEÓN (PTEROIS

VOLITANS/MILES: SCORPAENIDAE) EN CUBA

LE POISSON LION Á CUBA (PTEROIS VOLITANS∕MILES: SCORPAENIDAE),

DISTRIBUTION, ABONDANCE ET RELATIONS ÉCOLOGIQUE

PEDRO CHEVALIER

Acuario Nacional de Cuba Dpto. Acuariología 3ra y 62 Miramar, Playa Habana, Cuba

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

In Cuba, lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) was sighted for the first time in 2007, and by 2009

its distribution range occupied the entire island coast. This species is considered a real threat to native fish

communities in the Caribbean. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between

density, biomass and average size of lionfish populations with similar variables of fish associations in 9

sites in Cuba. Sampling was conducted from 2010 to July 2013. Visual surveys were performed using

underwater visual belt transect survey methodology proposed by Brock (1954). Also explored were

correlations between the composition of the lionfish diet with the variables density, biomass and average

size of prey populations. In this case we used the Index of Relative Importance. The sites that have higher

lionfish density coincided with coral reefs located in protected areas, where reef complexity is high, as is

density of smaller fish, while fishing pressure is almost non-existent. In these areas, the native

carnivorous fish biomass was also relatively high. These results so far show no effective biotic control of

lionfish by large native predators. In places with intense fishing pressure, lower densities of the invasive

species are found. These results suggest that management actions must be implemented in protected areas

to cull lionfish and avoid the establishment of large reservoirs (hot spots) of the invasive species.

KEYWORDS: lionfish, invasive species, Cuba


55

MAPPING THE COST OF AN ARTISANAL FISHERY

MAPEANDO EL COSTO DE UNA PESQUERÍA ARTESANAL

CARTOGRAPHIER LES COÛTS D'UNE PÊCHERIE ARTISANALE

ILIANA CHOLLETT1, STEPHEN BOX

2, and PETER J. MUMBY

3

1University of Exeter University of Queensland Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road Goddard Building,

St. Lucia Exeter, UK [email protected] 2Smithsonian Institution 420 Seaway Dr Fort Pierce Florida USA

3University of QueenslandUniversity of Exeter Goddard Building, St Lucia Geoffrey Pope Building,

Stocker Road Brisbane QLD Australia

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

ACONDICIONAMIENTO DEL CARACOL STROMBUS PUGILIS, LINNAEUS, 1758 CON

DIETAS FORMULADAS EN LABORATORIO

CONDITIONING OF CONCH STROMBUS PUGILIS LINNAEUS, 1758 WITH LABORATORY

FORMULATED DIETS

MATURATION DU LAMBI STROMBUS PUGILIS, LINNAEUS, 1758 AVEC UN RÉGIME

ALIMENTAIRE SOUS CONDITIONS CONTRÔLÉES LABORATOIRE

FABIOLA CHONG SÁNCHEZ1, MARTHA ENRÍQUEZ DÍAZ2, y DALILA ALDANA ARANDA2

1 Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados Km6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso Mérida, Yucatan

97310 Mexico [email protected]

RESUMEN

El caracol Strombus pugilis se distribuye en el Golfo de México y Caribe, siendo una importante fuente

laboral y alimenticia para esta región. En el presente trabajo se evaluó el efecto de alimentos formulados

en la madurez gonádica de S. pugilis y su estadio nutricional utilizando la glándula digestiva. Se

colectaron 133 organismos, acondicionandose durante 104 días a 27.5ºC, con fotoperiodo de 12/12h. Se

alimentaron con dos dietas (D1 y D2) con la misma proporción de carbohidratos y proteínas. La D1

contiene cuatro veces más Halymenia floresia y Spirulina con respecto a la D2. Quincenalmente se

disectaron18 individuos, 6 caracoles por dieta y 6 silvestres, realizándose cortes histológicos del complejo

gónada-glándula digestiva y se utilizó la tinción de Tricromo de Mason modificada. Se determinaron

cinco estadios reproductivos: reposo, gametogénesis, madurez, desove, y postdesove. Se determinó el

estadio nutricional a través del feed index de Frenkiel y Aldana Aranda (2012). La madurez gonádica se

obtuvo con ambas dietas; D1 a los 41 días y D2 a los 40. Se consiguió la madurez gonádica, desove y

producción de masas ovígeras fecundadas; obteniéndose dos masas ovígeras con la D1 y siete con la D2;

la longitud de las masas ovígeras fue de 794±646cm, su peso 2.24±1.29g y su volumen2.67 ±2.5mm^3

,

equivalente a 102646±75303 huevos. Los desoves se registraron por la mañana. La eclosión de larvas

viables se obtuvo a los 5 días, posterior al desove. Estos resultados permiten cerrar el cultivo de Strombus

spp, al conseguir la madurez gonadal y producción de masas de huevos viables en laboratorio.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Strombus pugilis, Reproducción, Nutrición, Desove, Cultivo


57

BASELINE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL

MARINE SANCTUARY: INFORMING DESIGN OF A RESEARCH AREA

EVALUACIÓN ECOLÓGICA DE LÍNEA DE BASE DEL JARDÍN BANCOS SANTUARIO

MARINO NACIONAL DE LA FLOR: DISEÑO INFORMAR DE UN ÁREA DE

INVESTIGACIÓN

BASELINE ÉVALUATION ÉCOLOGIQUE DU FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL

MARINE SANCTUARY: CONCEPTION INFORMANT D'UN DOMAINE DE RECHERCHE

RANDY CLARK1, CHRIS TAYLOR

2, CHRISTINE BUCKEL

2, L, LAURA KRACKER

3, EMMA

HICKERSON4, G.P. SCHMAHL

4 . and GREGORY PINIAK

3

1NOAA/NOS/NCCOS CCMA 1021 Balch Blvd, Suite 1003 Stennis Space Center, MS 28516 USA

[email protected] 2NOAA/NOS/NCCOS CCFHR. 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516 USA

3NOAA/NOS/NCCOS CCMA Silver SpringMD USA

4Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary GalvestonTX USA

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 high-

relief, 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

BIOROCK PRODUCTION FOR REEF RESTORATION

PRODUCCIÓN DE BIOROCK POR RESTAURACIÓN DE ARRECIFES

BIOROCK PRODUCTION POUR LA RESTAURATION DES RÉCIFS

ELIANE COELHO and PAUL ZIMBA

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78412 United States

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The use of electrified metals to aggregate carbonates has been shown to accelerate the growth of

calcareous organisms, such as corals and oysters. This method accelerates coral growth up to 3-5 times

relative to normal rates. The method includes installing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte and

applying an electrical current at a low voltage across the cathode and the anode to induce electrolysis.

This method increases recruitment and enhances growth of calcareous organisms in the vicinity of the

cathode. Pieces of rebar ranging from one inch to six inches were preweighed, then exposed to

experimental conditions for 3-4 weeks. Final weights of rebar were collected, and SEM and

photomicrographs were taken of each sample of these replicated experiments weekly. We evaluated

voltage (intensity and type), and polarity to optimize conditions for carbonate accretion. Initial laboratory

experiments established that direct current resulted in maximal weight increase in carbonates. A second

laboratory experiment was used to determine optimal voltage. Through the analysis of the growth trends

and photographs of the lab structures, the best power source and voltage were chosen that result in 15mm

carbonate accretion over the study period. We built 3 - 4‟x1‟ reefs and deployed these in Packery

Channel, Corpus Christi Bay for 3 weeks to assess efficiency and growth rate in the field.

KEYWORDS: Biorock, electrolysis, oyster, calcium carbonate, restoration


59

A MODIFIED CATCH SURVEY ANALYSIS FOR ASSESSING NORTHERN GULF OF

MEXICO BLUE CRABS

ANALISIS DE UNA ENCUESTA DE CAPTURA MODIFICADA PARA LA EVALUACIÓN DE

CANGREJOS AZULES EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉJICO

UNE ANALYSE DE SONDAGE MIS À JOUR LE CATCH POUR ÉVALUER LES CRABES

BLEUS NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

WADE COOPER1, GLEN SUTTON

2, JOE WEST

3, ROBERT LEAF

4 and RALF REIDEL

4

1Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute , St.

Petersburg, FL USA [email protected] 2Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

3Louisiana Department Wildlife and Fisheries Baton Rouge, LA USA

4Gulf Coast Research Lab Ocean Spring Gulf Coast Research Lab Ocean Spring, MS

ABSTRACT

Catch-Survey Analysis is a stage-based stock assessment method often used when age structure or catch-

at-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

SPATIAL FIDELITY OF JUVENILE GOLIATH GROUPERS, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA, IN A

MANGROVE AREA - IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION

FIDELIDAD ESPACIAL DE MEROS JUVENILES, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA, EN ÁREAS

MANGLARES - IMPLICACIONES PARA SU CONSERVACIÓN

FIDÉLITÉ SPATIALE DES JUVÉNILES DU MÉROU GÉANT, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA,

DANS UNE ZONE DE MANGROVE - IMPLICATIONS POUR LA CONSERVATION

MARIANA COXEY1, EDVALDO COSTA JR.

1, ALBERTO SANTOS

2, RODRIGO MORAES

2,

SÉRGIO REZENDE3, MATHEUS FREITAS

4 and BEATRICE FERREIRA3

1IRCOS R. Samuel Hardman, s/n Tamandaré, PE 55578-000 Brazil [email protected]

2Náutica Cooperativa Brazil 2Náutica Cooperativa Brazil

3UFPE Brazil

4Instituto Meros do Brasil Brazil [email protected] UFPE Brazil [email protected]

ABSTRACT

In northeastern Brazil, the estuarine complex of Rio Formoso (PE), formed by the Ariquindá, Formoso

and Passos Rivers, is enclosed in two Environmental Protection Area (EPA): the EPA of Guadalupe and

the federal EPA Costa dos Corais - the largest marine conservation unit with an extension of over 135 km

of coastline. This area is characterized by a large diversity of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves,

seagrass beds, sand banks and coral reefs that together form a complex network of energy transfer that

sustain shelter and food for several species throughout their life cycle. The federally protected goliath

grouper, Epinephelus itajara, is a mangrove-dependent species that show a remarkable ontogenetic shift

with juveniles being found in mangrove areas and adults on coral reefs, patch or rocky reefs and artificial

structures. To study the distribution and movement of juvenile groupers in different areas of the estuary,

using conventional tagging, we surveyed the artisanal camboa, performed by the fishing communities of

the surrounding area, and used traps manzuá to capture larger juveniles groupers. The results show a large

vulnerability of the goliath grouper with a capture of 0.04 individuals/100m of net by the camboa fishing

and 0.07 individuals/trap. Also, the high recapture rate, 20.4%, helps proving the high spatial fidelity of

the juveniles while in the estuary. This study aims to further define spatial fidelity and distribution

patterns of this species in the area, using acoustic telemetry, as well as to help designing and

implementing new management policies.

KEYWORDS: conventional tagging, recapture, marine protected area


61

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER, PANULIRUS ARGUS, AND

INVASIVE LIONFISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS: WHO DISPLACES WHOM?

INTERACCIONES ENTRE LA LANGOSTA CARIBE, PANULIRUS ARGUS, Y EL PEZ LEÓN

INVASOR, PTEROIS VOLITANS: QUIEN DESPLAZA QUIEN?

LES INTERACTIONS ENTRE LA LANGOUSTE BLANCHE DES CARAÏBES, PANULIRUS

ARGUS, ET LE RASCASSE VOLANTE INVASIVE, PTEROIS VOLITANS: QUI DÉPLACE

QUI?

JOCELYN CURTIS-QUICK1, ELIZABETH UNDERWOOD

2, STEPHANIE GREEN

3, LAD AKINS

4

ALASTAIR HARBORNE5, and ISABELLE CÔTÉ

6

1Lionfish Research & Education Program, Cape Eleu Cape Eleuthera Institute Rock Sound, Eluethera

POBoxEL26029 The Bahamas [email protected] 2Cape Eleuthera Institute Eleuthera The Bahamas

3Zoology Department, Oregon State University 3029 Cordley Hall Oregon State University Dept. of

Zoology Corvallis OR 97331-2914 USA 4Reef Environmental Education Foundation Key Largo Florida USA Marine

5Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Queensland Brisbane Qld 4072

6Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University Burnaby British Columbia Canada

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


62

DIET OF THE INVASIVE PACIFIC LIONFISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS, ON NATURAL AND

ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

DIETA DEL INVASIVO PACÍFICO PEZ LEÓN, PTEROIS VOLITANS, EN ARRECIFES

NATURALES Y ARTIFICIALES EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

DIÈTE DE LA PACIFIC INVASIVE POISSON-SCORPION, PTEROIS VOLITANS, SUR LES

RÉCIFS NATURELS ET ARTIFICIELS DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

KRISTEN DAHL1 and WILLIAM PATTERSON

2

1University of South Alabama Dauphin Island Sea L 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 USA

[email protected] 2University of South Alabama

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


63

INVESTIGATION OF LIONFISH (P. VOLITANS/MILES) USE OF ESTUARINE MANGROVES

IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, FLORIDA, USA

ESTUDIO DEL USO DE LOS MANGLARES ESTUARINOS DE LA LAGUNA INDIAN RIVER

DE LA FLORIDA (EE.UU.) POR EL PEZ LEÓN (P. VOLITANS Y P. MILES).

ETUDE DE L'UTILISATION PAR LE POISSON-LION (P. VOLITANS/MILES) DES

MANGROVES ESTUARIENNES DANS LA LAGUNE DE L'INDIAN RIVER, FLORIDE,

ETATS-UNIS

EMILY DARK1 and JEFFREY BEAL

2

1Antioch University New England Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 40 Avon St

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Inst., Fort Pierce, Fl , USA Keene, NH [email protected] 2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservatino Commission US 1 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Inst. USA

Fort Pierce,

ABSTRACT

Since 2010 the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) has been reported along man-made structures and

mangroves in Florida‟s 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 predator‟s 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

COMPOSICIÓN DE LAS PESQUERÍAS DEL PARQUE NACIONAL SISTEMA ARRECIFAL

VERACRUZANO

COMPOSITION OF THE FISHERIES IN THE NATIONAL PARK REEF SYSTEM IN

VERACRUZ

COMPOSITION DE LA PÊCHE LE PARQUET NATIONAL SYSTÈM DE REEF EN

VERACRUZ

CLAUDIA DÁVILA PATRICIA ARCEO, CÉSAR MEINERS MANDUJANO, y ALEJANDRO

GRANADOS BARBA

Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y ¨Pesquerías Hidalgo 617 Col.río Jamapa Boca del Río , Veracruz 94290

México [email protected]

RESUMEN

En diversas investigaciones donde se evalúa el Índice Trófico Medio (ITM) de las capturas a nivel global

y regional, se ha reportado que el ITM de las capturas ha disminuido. Bajo este contexto, es necesario

esclarecer la situación en la que se encuentran las pesquerías del Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal

Veracruzano (PNSAV), localizado en la costa central mexicana del Golfo de México, donde se desarrolla

una pesquería artesanal multiespecífica, mediante la evaluación de la estructura trófica y contribución

relativa por grupos de especies. Para ello se construyó y analizó una base de datos de registros oficiales

mensuales de pesca comercial por especie de 1998 al 2012, estuvo compuesta por aproximadamente 100

especies. El ITM experimentó un incremento sostenido y se observó la disminución de la captura durante

el mismo período. En cuanto a la contribución relativa, el nivel trófico bajo (zooplanctófagos, detritívoros

y herbívoros) fue relevante al principio y disminuyó con el tiempo, su contribución fue del 12%, en tanto

que el nivel trófico medio (omnívoros) aumentó progresivamente y contribuyó con un total de 46%, por

último el nivel trófico alto (carnívoros) permaneció constante aportando el 42% del total de las capturas.

Se requiere de un estudio más detallado para discutir algunos de los resultados de esta investigación

PALABRAS CLAVES: PNSAV, Índice Trófico Medio (ITM), pesquerias artesanales


65

PESQUERÍAS SOSTENIBLES EN LA REGIÓN OCCIDENTAL DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO

CUBANO: PAPEL DE LA EDUCACIÓN AMBIENTAL

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IN THE WESTERN CUBAN ARCHIPELAGO: THE ROLE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

PÊCHERIES DURABLES DANS LA RÉGION OUEST DE L'ARCHIPEL CUBAIN: LE RÔLE

DE L'ÉDUCATION

MARIA DE LOS ANGELES

Acuario Nacional de Cuba Avenida 1ra calle 60 Miramar, Playa Havana, Cuba

[email protected]

RESUMEN

La educación 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 Educación Ambiental alcanzada por Cuba es alta, existen un gran número

de organismos que contribuyen con sus acciones a eliminar o minimizar los problemas ambientales

existentes en las comunidades pesqueras así como la explotación sostenible de los recursos pesqueros. En

la actualidad es evidente que los problemas ambientales tienen su fundamento en fenómenos sociales y

por tanto los cambios en este sentido tienen que modificar radicalmente las formas de apropiación de la

naturaleza y sus transformaciones tecnológicas en comparación con las formas tradicionales, así como la

influencia social en la gestión de pesquerías sostenibles. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar

los resultados obtenidos a partir de la aplicación de un programa de educación ambiental en comunidades

pesqueras de la región occidental del archipiélago cubano a partir de: aausencia de normas en su relación

con el medio ambiente, poco conocimiento de la vida en el mar y su relación con la costa, deterioro

ambiental y falta de conciencia y gestión propia ante los problemas de la comunidad. Se aplica una

metodología de investigación científica –acción –participación.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Environmental education, sustainable fisheries, fishing communities, Cuba


66

QUEEN CONCH DEMOGRAPHY INFLUENCES REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND

FECUNDITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

DEMOGRAFÍA INFLUENCIA EL COMPORTAMIENTO REPRODUCTIVO Y LA

FECUNDIDAD DEL CARACOL ROSADO: IMPLICACIONES PARA EL MANEJO DE LA

PESQUERÍA

INFLUENCES DE LA DÉMOGRAPHIE COMPORTEMENT EN MATIÈRE DE

PROCRÉATION ET DE LA FÉCONDITÉ: IMPLICATIONS POUR LA GESTION DE LA

PÊCHE

GABRIEL DELGADO, ROBERT GLAZER, and BRITTANI BURTON

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 2796 Overseas

Hwy, Suite 119 Marathon, FL 33050 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) are harvested intensively throughout the Caribbean for their meat, shell, and

pearls. To ensure sustainability, fishery management strategies need to consider the distinctive biology of

the species (e.g. density-dependent reproduction, determinate growth). In this vein, it is unknown if

fecundity is influenced by size and age as in fish and lobster. Therefore, managers need to know if

fecundity declines with age (i.e. thicker lips), and if so, does compensation occur by increasing mating

and spawning frequency. We tracked 22 female conch at Looe Key, Florida and collected all egg masses

laid from June to August 2011. Conch were grouped into age classes based on lip thickness: young adult

11-15mm, adult 15-25mm, very old >25mm. Female fecundity (i.e. the estimated number of eggs in an

egg mass) showed no significant difference among age groups. However, transect surveys of spawning

aggregations throughout the Florida Keys from 2003-2011 showed that young adults did not mate or

spawn as frequently as adults and very old adults (P<0.001). So while age does not seem to affect an

individual‟s fecundity, young adults as a group have lower reproductive output because they do not

engage in reproductive activities as frequently as older individuals. As such, population demographics

play a crucial role in recovery and/or sustainable harvest. This argues for incorporating management

approaches that maximize reproductive output from mature aggregations whose densities exceed

minimum thresholds to avoid Allee effects.

KEYWORDS: queen conch, fecundity, reproduction, age, lip thickness


67

PREMIÈRE ÉVALUATION DU RISQUE DE CIGUATOXICITÉ DU POISSON LION DANS

LES ANTILLES FRANÇAISES

LIONFISH CIGUATOXICITY RISK ASSESSMENT IN FRENCH ANTILLES

PRIMERA EVALUACIÓN DEL RIESGO DE CIGUATOXICIDAD DEL PEZ LEON EN LAS

ANTILLAS FRANCESAS

NICOLAS DIAZ, WIDGY SAHA, et ANTHONY PAUTONNIER

CRPMEM Guadeloupe 2 bis rue Schoelcher Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe 97110 France

[email protected]

RÉSUMÉ

Arrivé dans les Antilles françaises en 2010 le poisson lion y est maintenant omniprésent. Sa prolifération

rapide en fait une menace pour l‟équilibre des écosystèmes marins récifaux et pour les rendements de la

pêche professionnelle. Considérant ces ravages potentiels, le Comité Régional des Pêches de Guadeloupe

à mis en place un programme de lutte afin d‟impliquer les marins professionnels dans la stratégie du

contrôle de la prolifération de cette espèce invasive à travers des pêches commerciales et la

consommation du poisson lion. En raison du positionnement trophique du poisson lion, il pourrait être

vecteur de la ciguatera. C‟est pour cela qu‟avant d‟encourager sa commercialisation, le risque de

ciguatoxicité a été évalué par des analyses sur la chair du poisson, doublées par une enquête

épidémiologique auprès des premiers consommateurs volontaires. Les analyses ont été réalisées sur des

échantillons de Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélemy. Les résultats obtenus montrent une

absence totale de ciguatoxines en Guadeloupe. En revanche, à Saint-Barthélemy, un échantillon sur deux

a révélé la présence de ciguatoxines avec des concentrations comprises entre 0,01 et 0,413 ppb. En

conséquence, une réglementation différenciée doit être instaurée, autorisant la commercialisation dans

l‟archipel Guadeloupéen et interdisant la commercialisation dans îles de Saint-Martin et Saint-

Barthélemy. Ces premiers résultats ont été partagés avec des pêcheurs et gestionnaires des Petites Antilles

lors d‟un atelier régional organisé en Guadeloupe le 10 et 11 juillet 2013. Les résultats des premières

études et les échanges ont démontré la nécessité d‟étendre et d‟approfondir les dépistages dans les régions

à risque, de disposer de tests rapides et fiables et de mieux comprendre la corrélation entre concentration

de CCTX et l‟apparition de symptômes d‟intoxication.

MOTS CLÉS: Lionfish, ciguatera, Antilles


68

USING A LANDING CRADLE TO FILL THE DATA GAP LEFT BY REALLY BIG FISH

EL USO DE UN SOPORTE PARA LLENAR EL VACÍO DE INFORMACIÓN DADA POR LOS

PECES GRANDES

L'UTILISATION D'UN BERCEAU POUR COMBLER LE VIDE DE DONNÉES DONNÉE PAR

LES GROS POISSONS

PAVEL DIMENS, MARCUS DRYMON, and SEAN POWERS

Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 United States

[email protected]

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


69

EFFECT OF SEASON AND SCALE ON POWER TO DETECT CHANGE IN MANGROVE

FISH ASSEMBLAGES

EFECTOS TEMPORALES Y DE ESCALA COMO PODER PARA DETECTAR CAMBIOS EN

COMUNIDADES DE PECES DE MANGLE

L’EFFET DU SAISON ET DE L’ÉCHELLE SUR LA PROBABILITÉ DE DÉCOUVRIR DES

CHANGEMENTS DANS LES ASSEMBLAGES DES POISSONS DANS LES MANGROVES

TARA DOLAN1 and JOSEPH SERAFY

2

1National Marine Fisheries Service University of Miami 1239 Monroe St. NE Washington, DC20017 USA

[email protected], 2National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Dr. Miami, FL

33149

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

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING: DIFFERENTIAL MATING SUCCESS OF WRASSES AT A

MATING SITE IMPACTED BY DIVER FISH FEEDING

LA UBICACIÓN LO ES TODO: VARIABILIDAD DEL ÉXITO DEL APAREAMIENTO DE

LOS PECES DONCELLA EN UN SITIO DE REPRODUCCIÓN AFECTADO POR

ACTIVIDADES DE BUCEO DONDE SE ALIMENTA A LOS PECES

LA LOCALISATION FAIT TOUT : DIFFÉRENCE DE SUCCÈS REPRODUCTEUR DES

LABRES DANS UN SITE DE REPRODUCTION IMPACTÉ PAR LE NOURRISSAGE DES

POISSONS PAR LES PLONGEURS

TERRY DONALDSON, MARYLOU HILDEBRAND STAMAN, and TARYN MESA

University of Guam Marine Laboratory UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Twenty species of wrasses (Labridae) mate either in temporary resident spawning aggregations or in

small groups at Finger Reef, Guam. This site is popular also with groups of scuba divers and snorkelers

that frequently feed fishes. The influence of fish feeding increases the density of most wrasse species

compared to elsewhere. Thus, the mating system of species with increased local densities has changed as

well. Five of these species utilize a system that is lek-like with paired or group spawning within a resident

spawning aggregation. We measured courtship and spawning success rates for three of these species,

Cheilinus trilobatus, Epibulus insidiator and Gomphosus varius. Terminal-phase males of each species

utilize distinctive landmarks and establish temporary territories around them for courtship. They defend

these against rival males, and sneaker initial-phase males, while attempting to attract females that visit the

spawning aggregation site. Males holding temporary territories directly adjacent to the outer reef slope of

this site, where current exposure appears to be greatest, had significantly higher rates of mating success

compared to those males holding temporary territories away from the outer slope or in the interior of the

site. Our results suggest that dominant males within this resident spawning aggregation that defend these

outer reef slope sites successfully against rival males achieve greater mating success through increased

access to females, and that females may be selecting these males on the basis of the location of their

territories.

KEYWORDS: Courtship site, Lek-like behavior, reef fishes, spawning aggregation, Territoriality


71

VERTICAL LONGLINE GEAR PERFORMANCE ON ARTIFICIAL REEFS OF THE TEXAS

COASTAL BEND

RENDIMIENTO DE LOS PALANGRES VERTICALES EN LOS ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES

DE TEXAS COASTAL BEND

LES PERFORMANCES DE LA PALANGRE VERTICALE SUR LES RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS

DU TEXAS COASTAL BEND

CHARLES H. DOWNEY1, TORRI R. KLING

2, MATT AJEMIAN

1, JENNIFER WETZ

1 and. GREG

STUNZ1

1Harte Research Institute Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr. Corpus Christi, Texas

78412 United States [email protected] 2Colorado State University Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 United States

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

CHARACTERIZATION OF DIET COMPOSITION OF THE LIONFISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS,

AT TURNEFFE ATOLL, BELIZE

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LA DIETA COMPOSICIÓN DEL PEZ LEÓN, PTEROIS VOLITANS,

EN TURNEFFE ATOLL, BELICE

CARACTÉRISATION DE RÉGIME COMPOSITION DE LA RASCASSE VOLANTE, PTEROIS

VOLITANS, À TURNEFFE ATOLL, BELIZE

ALAN DOWNEY-WALL, DEREK HOGAN, JASON SELWYN, and PAOLO USSEGLIO

Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M - Corpus , Department of Biology, University of Hawaii -

Manoa

ABSTRACT

Examining the feeding ecology and dietary composition of an invading species is critical for

understanding the impact of the invader on the indigenous populations and community structure. The

indo-pacific lionfish has emerged as the preeminent marine invasive species in the Caribbean. Here we

examined a Western Caribbean reef community at Turneffe atoll in Belize. We visually inspected the

stomach contents of 255 lionfish from 7 sites around the atoll. Sixty-five percent of the lionfish stomachs

contained identifiable individuals, while 19% were completely empty. Four different orders of

invertebrates were identified, and 15 species of teleosts from 11 families. The bluehead wrasse

(Labridae), Thalassoma bifasciatum, and the masked goby (Gobiidae), Coryphopterus personatus,

accounted for 59% of all identified teleost specimens. However, 43% were unidentifiable specimens due

to advanced digestion, DNA barcoding analysis may reveal the identity of these digested contents.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, diet composition, feeding ecology, invasive species, stomach content


73

DIVERSITY OF TROPHIC NICHES AMONG SCARIDAE (GUADELOUPE, LESSER

ANTILLES)

DIVERSIDAD DE LOS NICHOS TRÓFICOS ENTRE LOS SCARIDAE (GUADELOUPE,

ANTILLAS MENORES)

DIVERSITÉ DES NICHES TROPHIQUES PARMI LES SCARIDAE (GUADELOUPE, LESSER

ANTILLES)

CHARLOTTE DROMARD1, YOLANDE BOUCHON-NAVARO

1, MIREILLE HARMELIN-VIVIEN

2,

and CLAUDE BOUCHON1

1DYNECAR Université des Antilles et de la Guyane Laboratoire de Biologie Marine Campus de Fouillole

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe 97159 France [email protected] 2Mediterranean Institute of OceanographyAix-Marseille University Campus de Luminy Case 901

Marseille 13288 France

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 (13

C/12

C and 15

N/14

N ratios) to determine their trophic niches.

Contributions of sources in the fish diet were estimated using a mixing model. These fishes presented

small δ15

N differences whereas they showed more scattered δ13

C 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


74

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 À SUIVRE POUR

AMÉLIORER MARIN PROTÉGÉ LA ZONE GESTION AU BELIZE

ALICIA ECK1, ROBIN COLEMAN

2, and JULIO MAAZ

2

1Belize Fisheries Department Glover's Reef Marine Reserve 1st Floor Coastal Zone Multi plex Building,

Princess Margarite Drive Belize, Belize [email protected] 2Wildlife 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 rights-

based 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 catch-

per-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


75

CIGUATERA FISH POISONING IN THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO

INTOXICACIÓN POR CIGUATERA PECES EN EL NOROESTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

EMPOISONNEMENT DU CIGUATERA POISSON DANS LE NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE DU

MEXIQUE

RYAN J. ECKERT1, ALISON ROBERTSON

2, CHRISTOPHER LOEFFLER

2, EMMA L.

HICKERSON1 MICHELLE A. JOHNSTON

1, and GEORGE P. SCHMAHL

1

1NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 4700 Avenue U Bldg 216 Galveston, TX 77551

USA [email protected] 2FDAGulf Coast Seafood Laboratory 1 AIberville Drive Dauphin Island AL 36528 USA

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

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS AND P. MILES)

POPULATIONS IN BERMUDA

EL ANÁLISIS PRELIMINAR DE LA POBLACIÓN DEL PEZ LEÓN (PTEROIS VOLITANS Y P.

MILES) EN LAS BERMUDAS

UNE ANALYSE PRÉLIMINAIRE DE LA POPULATION DE POISSON-LION (PTEROIS

VOLITANS ET P. MILES) AUX BERMUDES

COREY EDDY1, JOANNA PITT

2, STRUAN SMITH

3, GRETCHEN GOODBODY-GRINGLEY

4 and

JAMES GLEASON5

1University of Massacusetts Dartmouth 285 Old Westport Road Dartmouth, MA 02747 United States

[email protected] 2Department of Environmental Protection Government of Bermuda PO Box CR52 Crawl CRBX Bermuda 3Bermuda Natural History MuseumBermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo PO Box FL 145 Flatts FL BX

Bermuda 4Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences 17 Biological Lane Ferry Reach St. George GE01 Bermuda

5Bermuda Lionfish Task Force Ocean Support Foundation Suite 1222 48 Par-la-Ville Road Hamilton

HM11 Bermuda [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Since the first official sighting of the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in Bermuda nearly

fifteen years ago, anecdotal evidence suggests their population is concentrated at depths greater than 60

feet (20 meters) and is expanding more slowly than in other parts of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.

However, research into the distribution, population status and ecological impact of lionfish in Bermuda

has only recently begun. In 2013, approximately 60 sites in 5 depth bands were surveyed to determine

lionfish and prey fish abundance. In the same period, approximately 200 lionfish were captured by

surveyors, recreational spear fishers and SCUBA divers, and commercial fishermen. Captured fish were

weighed, measured, and dissected to provide otoliths for age and growth studies, and various tissue

samples for further analyses. Based on these efforts, we present a preliminary size distribution, age

structure and gender ratio, a length/weight relationship and a size-at-age based growth curve for the

invasive lionfish population in Bermuda. Preliminary results from stomach content analyses suggest,

among other things, that small crustaceans are the most common prey item. All reported sightings and

captures to date have been compiled to produce a preliminary distribution map. Lastly, one 60 meter site

was visited repeatedly to provide insights toward the rate at which lionfish re-colonize preferred habitat

types. Although still in the early stages, this research highlights some of the ways in which the invasive

lionfish population in Bermuda differs from others in the region.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Bermuda, population structure, feeding ecology, distribution


77

SPAWNING-RELATED MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF GOLIATH GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS

ITAJARA) OFF THE ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA

PATRONES DE MOVIMIENTO RELACIONADOS AL DESOVE DEL MERO GUASA

(EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA) EN LAS AFUERAS DE LA COSTA ATLANTICA DE FLORIDA

MODÈLES DE MOUVEMENT LIÉS À LA REPRODUCTION DES MÉROUS GÉANT

(EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA) DE LA CÔTE ATLANTIQUE DE LA FLORIDE

ROBERT ELLIS1, CHRIS KOENIG

2, and FELICIA COLEMAN

2

1Florida State University 1604 Branch St Tallahassee, FL 32303 USA [email protected]

2Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory 3618 Coastal Highway 98 St. Teresa FL

32358-2702 USA 2Fl

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 non-

spawning 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

BENTHIC COMMUNITY COMPOSITION ASSOCIATED WITH A GAS PLATFORM, HIGH

ISLAND A-389-A, LOCATED WITHIN THE FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL

MARINE SANCTUARY

COMPOSICION DE LA COMUNIDAD BENTONICA ASOCIADA A UNA ESTRUCTURA DE

PETROLEO, HI-A-389-A, UBICADO DENTRO DE FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL

MARINE SANCTUARY

COMPOSITION DE LA COMMUNAUTE BENTHIQUE ASSOCIEE A UNE STRUCTURE DE

PETROLE, HI-A-389-A, SITUE AU SEIN DE FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL

MARINE SANCTUARY

JOHN EMBESI, RYAN ECKERT, EMMA HICKERSON, MICHELLE JOHNSTON MARISSA

NUTTALL, and GEORGE SCHMAHL

NOAA FGBNMS 4700 Ave U Galveston, TX 77550 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The High Island A-389-A (HI-A-389-A) gas platform is located within the boundaries of the Flower

Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The platform

emerges from 124 meters water depth, 185 kilometers southeast of Galveston, Texas, and is 1.6 km from

the coral reef crest of the East Flower Garden Bank. HI-A-389-A was installed in 1981 and has developed

a complex benthic and fish community over the past thirty two years by providing hard substrate within

the water column. Much scientific debate has centered on what role oil and gas platforms and other

artificial reefs play in the larger Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and what their relationship and level of

similarity is to natural coral reefs. FGBNMS research team divers conducted benthic surveys of the

vertical and horizontal structures of the platform to document the biological components from forty

meters depth to the surface. The benthic community of the platform did not resemble the coral reefs of the

FGBNMS and was dominated by fouling organisms. The dominant coral species on the platform was an

invasive species of Tubastraea. Relatively few native hermatypic coral colonies were recorded.

KEYWORDS: platform, coral reef, artificial reef, Tubastraea, Flower Garden Banks


79

A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY-BASED LIVE FISH MONITORING IN

FOUR FISH SANCTUARIES IN JAMAICA

UN ANALISIS PRELINAR DE SEGUIMIENTO COMUNITARIO PECES VIVOS EN CUATRO

SANTUARIOS DE PESCADO EN JAMAICA

UNE ANALYSE PREMINIAIRE DE SUIVI COMMUNAUTAIRE DE POISSONS VIVENT

DANS QUATRE SANCTUAIRES DE POISSON EN JAMAÏQUE.

NEWTON ERISTHEE, OWEN DAY, MICHELLE MCNAUGHT, and SIMONE LEE

The CARIBSAVE Partnership Caribbean Regional Headquarters, Hastings House Balmoral Gap Christ

Church, Barbados [email protected]

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

A SOCIOECONOMIC AND LIVELIHOOD ASSESSMENT OF FISHERS IN COMMUNITIES

ADJACENT TO SANDY ISLAND OYSTER BED MPA (SIOBMPA) IN THE GRENADINE

ISLAND OF CARRIACOU

UNA EVALUACIÓN SOCIOECONÓMICA Y EL SUSTENTO DE LOS PESCADORES EN

COMUNIDADES ADYACENTES A SANDY ISLAND OYSTER CAMA MPA ( SIOBMPA ) EN

LA ISLA DE GRANADINA DE CARRIACOU

A ÉVALUATIONS SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUES ET LA SUBSISTANCE DES PÊCHEURS DE

COMMUNAUTÉS ADJACENTES SANDY ISLAND OYSTER BED MPA ( SIOBMPA ) DANS

L'ÎLE DE CARRIACOU GRENADINE

NEWTON ERISTHEE, ZAIDY KHAN, and OWEN DAY

The CARIBSAVE PARTNERSHIP Caribbean Regional Headquarters,Hastings House Balmoral Gap

Bridgetown, Barbados [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Artisanal fishing has always been an important source of employment for Caribbean coastal communities.

However, reduction in profitability of fishing due to pollution, over-fishing, as well as introduction of

Marine Protected Areas have forced many fishers out of the sector. Attempts to engage fishers in

alternative livelihoods are often unsucessful primarily because of a lack of understanding of

socioeconomic drivers as well as level of interest in a particular suite of supplementary livelihood

strategies. The Caribbean fish sanctuary partnership initiative (CFISH) currently supports several fish

sanctuaries or marine protected areas in the Caribbean Region. Here we present a possible model for

continued engagement of fishers of the Eastern Caribbean in MPA related governance as well as a better

understanding of alternative or supplementary livelihood opportunities of interest prior to interventions to

support these activities. Baseline data was collected through structured and open-ended interviews with

randomly selected fishers after an island wide census of fishers was done in Carriacou. This was followed

by a 1-day stakeholder consultation workshop. A total number of 68 full time and part time fishers were

identified. A total of 40 fishers were interviewed using the C-FISH socio-economic and preliminary

livelihood assessment survey forms. The survey results were validated during a one-day workshop. In

both processes fish aggregating devices (FADS) and fish marketing was rated as the first priority

alternative/ supplementary livelihood option for future funding considerations. Sea Moss farming was

rated as the second priority and eco–tourism tours as third priority alternative/ supplementary livelihood

option.

KEYWORDS: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), alternative/ supplementary livelihoods, fishers


81

NOVEL PREDATOR, NOVEL HABITAT: A DIET ANALYSIS AND EXPERIMENTAL TEST

OF THE ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF INVASIVE LIONFISH IN FLORIDA BAY

UN DEPREDADOR SIN IGUAL ASECHANDO UN NUEVO HÁBITAT: ANÁLISIS

ALIMENTICIO Y PRUEBA EXPERIMENTAL DE LOS EFECTOS ECOLÓGICOS DEL

INVASOR PEZ LEÓN EN LA BAHÍA DE FLORIDA

NOUVEAU PRÉDATEUR, NOUVEL HABITAT: UNE ANALYSE DE LA NUTRITION ET UN

TEST EXPÉRIMENTAL SUR LES EFFETS ÉCOLOGIQUES DE L'INVASION DE LA BAIE

DE FLORIDE PAR LES RASCASSE VOLANTE

MEAGHAN FALETTI and ROBERT ELLIS

Florida State University Department of Biological Science 319 Stadium Dr Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295

USA [email protected]

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

FIRST PARASITOLOGICAL RECORDS AT LION FISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS (LINNAEUS,

1758) FOR CUBAN WATERS.

PRIMEROS REGISTROS PARASITOLÓGICOS EN PEZ LEÓN, PTEROIS VOLITANS

(LINNAEUS, 1758), PARA AGUAS CUBANAS.

LE PREMIER ENREGISTRE PARASITOLOGIQUE À POISSON LION, PTEROIS VOLITANS

(LINNAEUS, 1758), POUR LES EAUX CUBAINES.

RAMÓN ALEXIS FERNÁNDEZ OSORIO1, RAÚL IGOR CORRADA WONG

1, PEDRO

PABLO CHEVALIER MONTEAGUDO1, HANSEL CABALLERO ARAGÓN

1,

ERLÁN

CABRERA SANSON2

1Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Ave. 1ra and 60, Playa, CP 11300, La Habana, Cuba.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The parasitic fauna of 1041 fishes of the invasive species Pterois volitans was studied, captured in

different locations in the Cuban archipelago. The parasites were observed in vivo or permanently fixed for

their description and identification. Prevalence (P), mean intensity (IM) and abundance (A) were

determined. A total of 6 species of parasites was identified: in gills and skin, the protozoan Cryptocaryon

irritans (P=0.19, IM=206, A=0.39), and the crustacean Anilocra haemuli (P=0.09, IM=1, A=0.001). In

intestine and pyloric ceca, the cestode larva Tetraphyllidea gen. sp. (P=0.38, IM=38, A=0.14) and

nematode larva Philometra sp. (P=0.38, IM=1.75, A=0.006); and the nematodes Hysterothylacium

reliquens (P=1.24, IM=4.7, A=0.05) and Spirocamallanus rebecae (P=0.7, IM=5.3, A=0.04). The

majority of the collected taxa has the strategy of a colonization generalist. The locations displaying the

largest infection parameters and composition of species were Guillermo Key and Coco Key (Archipelago

del Rey, on then Cuabn north shore), the area considered the primary point of the invasion. The infection

parameters of P. volitans showed depressed values, if they are compared with other native fish species.

The communities parasites are still far from constituting a control mechanism for P. volitans populations.

KEYWORDS: lionfish, parasitic fauna, Cuba


83

AGE AND GROWTH OF THE GOLIATH GROUPER EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA IN BRAZIL

EDAD Y CRESCIMENTO DEL MERO EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA EN BRAZIL

L'ÂGE ET LA CROISSANCE DU EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA AU BRÉSIL

BEATRICE FERREIRA1, MATHEUS FREITAS

2, EDVALDO COSTA JUNIOR

3, ALBERTO

SANTOS3, VINICIUS GIGLIO

4, MAURICIO HOSTIM-SILVA

5, and SERGIO REZENDE

4

1Universidade Federal de Pernambuco AV ARQUITETURA RECIFE, PE 54410010 BRAZIL

[email protected] 2Universidade Federal do Parana 3Projeto Meros do Brasil

3Projeto Meros do Brasil

4Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz

5Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo

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

METODOLOGÍA PARA EL MONITOREO DE USO PÚBLICO EN ÁREAS MARINAS

PROTEGIDAS

METHODOLOGY FOR THE MONITORING OF PUBLIC USE IN MARINE PROTECTED

AREAS

MÉTHODOLOGIE POUR LA SURVEILLANCE DE L'USAGE PUBLIC DES SECTEURS

MARINS PROTÉGÉS.

TAMARA FIGUEREDO MARTÍN1, FABIAN PINA AMARGÓS

1, LESLIE HERNÁNDEZ

FERNÁNDEZ1, ELENA DE LA GUARDIA LLANSÓ

2, JORGE ANGULO VALDES

2 , YANDY

RODRIGUEZ CUETO1, y ROBERTO GONZALEZ DE ZAYAS

1

1Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costero Cayo Coco Moron Cayo Coco, C de Avila Cuba

[email protected] 2Centro de Investigaciones Marinas Havana Cuba

RESUMEN

La sostenibilidad ambiental de las Áreas Marina Protegidas desde el punto de vista del uso turístico, ha

sido una preocupación del Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, así como de diferentes instituciones

científicas en Cuba. Desde el 2006 se definieron una serie de indicadores y umbrales para el manejo del

uso público en nuestras áreas, siguiendo el enfoque basado en la Capacidad de Carga combinado con el

monitoreo y los cambios. Sin embargo, poco se ha llevado a vías de hecho. Uno de los aspectos que puede

atentar en contra de la realización continuada de los mismos, es la ausencia de protocolos para su

ejecución. Por ello el objetivo del presente trabajo, es proponer métodos que permitan medir y diferenciar,

con carácter comparativo y científico, los indicadores y umbrales que proponen Perera-Valderrama y

colectivo de autores.Se proporcionan diferentes métodos para evaluar los 26 indicadores propuestos. Se

recomienda precisar algunos umbrales para poderlos medir de una manera más certera y se añaden 4

indicadores socio – económicos con los umbrales correspondientes para su análisis. Se recomienda la

aplicación de este protocolo en las áreas marinas protegidas de Cuba, además del Parque Nacional

Jardines de la Reina, para evaluar su efectividad.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Sustainability, public use, marine protected areas


85

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES IN JARDINES DE LA REINA, CUBA: CHARACTERIZATION

AND PERCEPTION ABOUT THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE AREA

PESCA RECREATIVA EN JARDINES DE LA REINA, CUBA: CARACTERIZACIÓN Y

PERCEPCIÓN SOBRE EL ESTADO DE CONSERVACIÓN DEL AREA

PÊCHERIES DE LOISIR À JARDINES DE LA REINA, CUBA. CARACTÉRISATION ET

PERCEPTION DU STATUT DE CONSERVATION DE LA RÉGION

TAMARA FIGUEREDO MARTÍN1, FABIAN PINA AMARGÓS

1, JORGE ANGULO VALDÉS

1, and

RAÚL GÓMEZ FERNÁNDEZ2

1Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costero Cayo Coco Moron Cayo Coco, C de Avila Cuba

[email protected] 2Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de la Habana Calle 16 entre 3ra y 3ra Playa Miaramar

Havana Cuba

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 visitor‟s

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

NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO LIONFISH: DISTRIBUTION AND REPRODUCTIVE LIFE

HISTORY TRAJECTORIES

PEZ LEON EN EL GOLFO DE MÉXICO NORTE: DISTRIBUCIÓN Y TRAYECTORIAS DE

LA VIDA HISTORIA DE REPRODUCCIÓN

ETUDES DU POISSON-LION DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE: DISTRIBUTION

GÉOGRAPHIQUE ET TRAJECTOIRES DE VIE REPRODUCTIVE

ALEXANDER FOGG, MARK PETERSON and NANCY BROWN-PETERSON

University of Southern Mississippi Department of Coastal Sciences 703 East Beach Dr Ocean Springs,

MS 39564 United States [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Since first reported in 2010, non-native lionfish (Pterois volitans, P. miles) invading the northern Gulf of

Mexico (GOM) have increased. Ongoing life history research in the northern GOM relies on the

participation of recreational divers from different regions. Since initiation, more than 2,000 lionfish have

been collected from five northern GOM regions, ranging from 44-419 mm total length (TL). These

regions are: southeast (Florida Keys to north 28°; 14.8%, mean=228.4 mm, range=90-409 mm); northeast

(north 28° to west 85°; 2.9%, 259.7, 94-409), east central (west 85° to west 88°; 65.7%, 202.2, 58-406);

west central (west 88° to west 94°; 15.4%, 258.0, 44-419); and west (west 94° to Mexico border; 1.2%,

228.4, 143-274). Aslionfish are collected from a large area and at times in large numbers, the

examination of fresh specimens is not always feasible. Therefore, some fish used in this study have been

frozen prior to data collection; however, freezing can negatively impact reproductive biology analyses.

As part of a life-history study, we evaluate the effects of freezing and formalin fixation on the wet weight

(g) of gonadal tissue of invasive lionfish. The right lobe fresh weight of 128 gonads, 56 males and 72

females (15 developing, 57 spawning capable), was compared to the preserved weight (after freezing).

There were no differences by gender or gonad developmental phase (paired t-test , all p > 0.700); thus, no

adjustments are required if processed within three weeks of collection. However, freezing can make

reproductive histological interpretations more difficult.

KEYWORDS: Invasive, Lionfish, Pterois, Scorpaenidae, Gulf of Mexico


87

UNDERSTANDING ASPECTS OF THE BARBADOS DEEP-WATER SNAPPER FISHERY AS A

SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM

COMPRENSIÓN DE LOS ASPECTOS DE LA PESQUERÍA DE PARGO BARBADOS AGUAS

PROFUNDAS COMO UN SISTEMA SOCIO-ECOLÓGICO

COMPRENDRE LES ASPECTS DE LA PÊCHE AU VIVANEAU BARBADE EN EAU

PROFONDE COMME UN SYSTÈME SOCIO-ÉCOLOGIQUE

ROMEL FORDE and PATRICK MCCONNEY

CERMES, UWI Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael Bridgetown, 246 Barbados [email protected]

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 social-

ecological 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

FISH DIVERSITY DIFFERS AMONG VARYING PATCHINESS OF CULVERT REEFS IN THE

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND REEF, TEXAS

LA DIVERSIDAD DE PECES DIFIERE ENTRE DENSIDADES VARIABLES DE TUBOS DE

CONCRETO EN EL ARRECIFE DE LA ISLA DE SOUTH PADRE, TEXAS

LA DIVERSITÉ DES POISSONS DIFFÈRE SELON LA DENSITÉ DES BUSES DE BÉTON AU

RÉCIF DE L'ÎLE DE SOUTH PADRE, TEXAS.

CATHELINE FROEHLICH and RICHARD KLINE

University of Texas at Brownsville 80 Fort Brown Brownsville, Texas 78520 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) along the Texas coast is characterized by limited natural coral and

hard structure, where sand and mud bottom are prevalent. Due to the loss of numerous oil and gas

platforms from the “idle iron” policy, placement of hard substrate in the form of concrete and steel

structures has increased at a rapid pace. These artificial reef structures are predicted to increase available

habitat for economically important fishes, such as red snapper Lutjanus campechanus, and other reef

species. Monitoring the artificial reefs is an important step in determining the effectiveness of the

configurations and constructions of reefs, such as culvert reefs. Few studies have reported any

relationship between patchiness of culvert reefs and their assimilated reef fishes. To remedy this gap in

research, an 18 month study monitoring three structurally distinct habitat types is being conducted at the

South Padre Island culvert reef, TX. SCUBA divers are collecting data on species richness and abundance

in bare areas, loosely scattered patches, and dense patches of culverts. Alongside the visual surveys,

SCUBA divers are quantifying red snapper by size class to determine culvert patch size on snapper

populations. Current analysis has shown the highest species richness and abundance on dense patches, yet

the abundance of red snapper has been comparable in dense and loose patches, with hundreds of

individuals observed per patch. From these findings, future reef deployments can be altered to meet

specific structural guidelines determined through this research.

KEYWORDS: red snapper, artificial reef, culvert reef, artificial reef survey, fish survey


89

A FRAMEWORK FOR APPLYING DATA LIMITED ANALYTICAL METHODS TO FISHERY

MANAGEMENT

UN MARCO PARA LA APLICACIÓN DE MÉTODOS ANALÍTICOS CON DATOS

LIMITADOS EN LA GESTIÓN PESQUERA

UN CADRE POUR L'APPLICATION DES MÉTHODES ANALYTIQUES AVEC DONNÉES

LIMITÉES À LA GESTION DES PÊCHES

ROD FUJITA

Environmental Defense Fund 123 Mission Street San Francisco, Ca 94105 USA [email protected]

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

CORAL REEF MONITORING WITH FISHERS PARTICIPATION IN QUINTANA ROO,

MEXICO: BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL TO PRESERVE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

MONITOREO DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL CON LA PARTICIPACIÓN DE PESCADORES EN

QUINTANA ROO, MÉXICO: CONSTRUYENDO CAPITAL SOCIAL PARA PRESERVAR LOS

ECOSISTEMAS MARINOS

LA SURVEILLANCE DES RÉCIFS CORALLIENS AVEC LA PARTICIPATION DES

PÊCHEURS EN QUINTANA ROO, MEXIQUE: CONSTRUCTION DU CAPITAL SOCIAL

POUR LA PRÉSERVATION DES ÉCOSYSTÈMES MARINS

STUART FULTON, JACOBO CAAMAL, CONSTANZA RIBOT, BEATRIZ LUCAS. CITLALI

GARCIA, and LUIS BOURILLÓN EGLÉ FLORES

Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. Calle Carey SM10 M24 L10 Puerto Morelos, Q.Roo 77580 Mexico

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Since 2011 Comunidad y Biodiversidad has been working closely with fishing cooperatives in the central

portion of Quintana Roo, México to establish fully protected marine reserves to restore commercial

fisheries and conserve coral reefs and associated habitats. The general objective is to create a network of

marine reserves along the coast of the State, that are co-managed by fishers and authorities, that serve

multiple purposes, and eventually become essential tools in supporting ecosystem resilience and services.

The process to design, implement and monitor these reserves was developed in collaboration with the

fishers and a multitude of other stakeholders, working under the Kanan Kay Alliance. Although the

project is very ambitious, both in terms of geographic coverage and timing (20% of territorial waters by

2015) and its collaborative approach (the Kanan Kay Alliance is made of 40 institutions), it has been

discovered that the marine reserves are not only key to restoring the natural capital of the reefs, but also

generate social capital particularly regarding the fishing cooperatives' organization, administration,

leadership, marketing, law enforcement and governance skills. A package of incentives has also been

generated, including payment for ecosystem services, to compensate some of the opportunity costs of the

marine reserves. We conclude that this model of work can have dual results and that conservation projects

can benefit greatly by considering both approaches even with controversial tools like fully protected

zones.

KEYWORDS: Fully Protected Zones, co-management, fishers, Mexico, Payment for Ecosystem Services


91

A REVIEW OF THE SMALL PELAGICS FISHERY RESOURCES OF THE DUTCH

CARIBBEAN

UN RESUMEN DE LOS RECURSOS PESQUEROS DE PEQUEÑOS PELÁGICOS DEL

CARIBE HOLANDÉS

RÉVISION DES RESSOURCES HALIEUTIQUES DES PETITS POISSONS PÉLAGIQUES

DANS LES PAYS-BAS CARIBÉENS

SASCHA FÄSSLER, INGRID VAN BEEK, BRAM COUPERUS, DOLFI DEBROT and SVEN

GASTAUER

IMARES Haringkade 1 IJmuiden, 1976CP The Netherlands [email protected]

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

A COMPARISON OF SITE FIDELITY AND HABITAT USE OF RED SNAPPER ON TWO

SOUTH TEXAS ARTIFICIAL REEFS UTILIZING ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY

UNA COMPARACIÓN DE FIDELIDAD AL SITIO Y EL USO DEL HÁBITAT DEL

HUACHINANGO EN DOS ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES EN EL SUR DE TEXAS

UTILIZANDO TELEMETRÍA ACÚSTICA

COMPARAISON DE FIDELITÉ DE SITE ET USAGE D’HABITAT DU VIVANEAU

CAMPÈCHE SUR DEUX RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS AU SUD DU TEXAS UTILISANT

TÉLÉMÉTRIE ACOUSTIQUE

ANDRES GARCIA1, RICHARD KLINE

2, DAVID HICKS

2, CARLOS CINTRA BUENROSTRO

2, and

DALE SHIVELY3

1University of Texas at Brownsville 1135 Milam Ave. Brownsville, Texas 78521 United States

[email protected]

2University of Texas Brownsville One West University Boulevard Brownsville Texas 78520 United States

3Texas Parks and Wildlife Artificial Reef Program 4200 Smith School Rd Austin Texas 784744 United

States

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of artificial reefs is becoming an increasingly important component of fisheries management.

This is particularly true for the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where natural hard substrate is limited and

359 petroleum platforms are scheduled for removal in 2013 due to the “idle iron” policy. This study

compared the performance of two artificial reef configurations off the South Texas coast, the Texas

Clipper and South Padre Island Reefs that differ in material, depth, and distance from shore, with respect

to behavior of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, an important recreational and commercial species.

Snapper were implanted with depth and identification tags. Receivers were moored at each site to record

presence and vertical movements of red snapper. In order to better understand the function of these two

artificial reefs, comparisons of behavior during day and night periods, as well as residency time were

performed to characterize red snapper-artificial reef interactions. In addition, a mark and recapture study

using external dart tags was also used to estimate fishing pressure at each site. Residency time was

significantly higher at the near-shore site as well as angler tag return rate, while the offshore site provided

more usable vertical habitat based on daily recorded depth profiles for each fish. This evaluation of which

reef configuration type provides the better usable habitat for red snapper may serve as a reference for

future artificial reef planning along the Texas coast.

KEYWORDS: Red snapper, artificial feef, acoustic telemetry, site fidelity, residency time


93

OBSERVER-BASED ESTIMATES OF REEF FISH CATCH AND DISCARD RATES DURING

OPEN AND CLOSED RECREATIONAL SEASONS FOR RED SNAPPER IN THE NORTHERN

GULF OF MEXICO

ESTIMACIONES DE LOS OBSERVADORES A BASE DE PESCADOS DEL FILÓN DE

CAPTURAS Y DE DESCARTES DURANTE ABIERTO Y CERRADO SEASONS

RECREATIVOS DE PARGO ROJO EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICOLES

ESTIMATIONS DE POISSONS DE RÉCIF OBSERVATEUR À BASE DE CAPTURES ET LES

TAUX DE REJETS COURS OUVERTS ET FERMÉS SEASONS DE LOISIRS POUR RED

SNAPPER DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

STEVEN B. GARNER1, WILLIAM F. PATTERSON

1, and CLAY E. PORCH

3

1University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

United States [email protected] 2National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fishery Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Dr. Miami. FL

33149 United States

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


94

UTILISATION DES DCP COMME OUTIL D’OBSERVATION DES COURANTS MARINS

FADS USE AS A TOOL TO OBSERVE MARINE CURRENTS

LA UTILIZACIÓN DE LOS DCP COMO UN INSTRUMENTO PARA OBSERVAR LOS

CORRIENTES MARINO

PAUL GERVAIN1 et LIONEL REYNAL

2

1PLKmarine St Claude St Claude, Guadeloupe (FWI) [email protected]

2Ifremer Pointe Fort Le Robert 97231 Martinique (FWI)

RÉSUMÉ

De façon à gérer le parc de DCP en Guadeloupe, les dispositifs ont été équipés d‟un GPS et d‟un système

de transmission des données. Celles-ci ont été traitées afin de disposer d‟informations sur la direction des

courants et d‟indications sur leur intensité autour de l‟île. La méthodologie utilisée est expliquée et

discutée. Un exemple de carte des courants autour de la Guadeloupe est présenté. L‟intérêt d‟équiper les

DCP de GPS et de traiter les données ainsi générées est illustré à partir d‟exemples. Il s‟agit non

seulement de limiter les débris en mer par perte de matériel, mais aussi de développer des connaissances

nouvelles sur la courantologie proche de la côte et de permettre d‟étudier ses effets sur la migration des

grands poissons pélagiques dans la zone exploitée à l‟aide de DCP.

MOTS CLÉS: DCP, FAD, Courants marins, Guadeloupe


95

GOLIATH GROUPER, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN

BRAZIL: A PARTICIPATIVE SURVEY

MERO GUASA, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA EN LOS ARRECIFES NATURALES Y

ARTIFICIALES EN BRASIL: UNA ENCUESTA PARTICIPATIVA

MÉROU, EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA SUR LES RÉCIFS NATURELS ET ARTIFICIELS AU

BRÉSIL: UNE ENQUÊTE PARTICIPATIVE

VINÍCIUS GIGLIO1, JOHNATAS ALVES

1, LEOPOLDO GERHARDINGER

2, FABIANO GRECCO

3,

FELIPPE DAROS3, and ÁTHILA BERTONCINI

4

1Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conserva Ilhéus , BA

Brazil [email protected] 2Universidade Estadual de Campinas Programa de Pós-Graduação Interdisciplinar Ambiente e

Sociedade Campinas SP Brazil 3Universidade Federal do Paraná, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação Curitiba

PR Brazil 4Universidade Federal Fluminense Departamento de Biologia Marinha – ECOPESCA Niterói RJ Brazil

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


96

THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF REEF-ASSOCIATED FISHING: CASE STUDIES FROM THREE

COUNTRIES IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN

EL VALOR ECONÓMICO DE LA PESCA ARRECIFE-ASOCIADO ESTUDIOS DE CASO

PAÍSES DEL CARIBE

LA VALEUR ÉCONOMIQUE DE LA PÊCHE ASSOCIÉES AUX RÉCIFS ÉTUDES DE CAS

DES TROIS PAYS DE LA RÉGION DES CARAÏBES

DAVID GILL1, HAZEL OXENFORD

1, and PETER SCHUHMANN

2

1Centre for Resource Management and Environmental University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus

St. Michael , Barbados [email protected] 2Department of Economics and Finance University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, USA

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


97

A COMPARISON OF REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF RED SNAPPER, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL HABITATS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF

MEXICOUNA

COMPARACIÓN DEL POTENCIAL REPRODUCTIVO DE PARGO ROJO, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS: HÁBITATS NATURALES Y ARTIFICIALES EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO

DE MÉXICOUNE

COMPARAISON DE POTENTIEL REPRODUCTEUR DE SNAPPER ROUGE, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS: LES HABITATS NATURELS ET ARTIFICIELS DANS LE GOLFE DU

NORD DU MEXIQUE

HILARY GLENN, DANIELLE KULAW, and JIM COWAN

Louisiana State University 2231 Energy Coast and Environment Bldg Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA

[email protected]

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

COMPOSICIÓN Y VARIACIÓN ESPACIAL DE LA DIETA DE LUTJANUS SYNAGRIS

(LUTJANIDAE: LUTJANINAE) DE LA COSTA NORTE DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

COMPOSITION AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN THE DIET OF LUTJANUS SYNAGRIS

(LUTJANIDAE: LUTJANINAE) ON THE NORTH COAST OF YUCATAN, MEXICO

COMPOSITION ET VARIATION SPATIAL DU RÉGIME ALIMENTAIRE DE LUTJANUS

SYNAGRIS (LUTJANIDAE: LUTJANINAE) DE LA CÔTE NORD DU YUCATAN, MEXIQUE

MARIAN GONZÁLEZ, THIERRY BRULÉ, JORGE MONTERO, ESPERANZA PÉREZ y TERE

COLAS

CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad Mérida Carretera antigua a Progreso Km 6 Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Los hábitos alimenticios del pargo biajaiba Lutjanus synagris fueron estudiados en tres localidades de la

costa norte de Yucatán, entre febrero 2008 y enero 2009. Los análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo

(frecuencia de ocurrencia; porcentaje en número; porcentaje en peso y coeficiente alimentario) de la dieta

fueron realizados a partir de los contenidos estomacales de 220 individuos colectados en Celestún,

Dzilam de Bravo y Río Lagartos. El análisis comparativo de la composición de la dieta entre localidades

de estudio fue llevado a cabo mediante el cálculo de un índice de similitud y la aplicación de una prueba

de ANOVA multivariado permutado (PERMANOVA). Un total de 64 categorías de presa fueron

identificadas. La biajaiba es un pargo eurífago, carnívoro que se alimenta principalmente de organismos

bentónicos. Los crustáceos decápodos (Peneidea, Brachyura y Natantia indeterminados) representaron las

presas preferenciales mientras que los peces fueron consideradas como presas accidentales. No se observó

una variación espacial en la composición especifica de las presas consumidas pero si en la abundancia de

cada una de ellas en la dieta de la especie. Los individuos de biajaiba presentaron la tendencia a consumir

más camarones (Penaeidae) en la zona oriental (Río Lagartos) que en las zonas central (Dzilam de Bravo)

y occidental (Celestún) de la región de estudio. A lo largo de la costa norte de Yucatán, la biajaiba se

alimenta a partir de las mismas categorías de presa, las cuales son consumidas en proporciones diferentes

según la zona de distribución de la especie.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Régimen alimenticio, Pargo biajaiba, Península de Yucatán


99

EIGHTEEN PROTECTED AREAS FROM THE WIDER CARIBBEAN LISTED BY PARTIES

UNDER THE SPAW PROTOCOL

DIECIOCHO ÁREAS PROTEGIDAS DE LA REGIÓN DEL GRAN CARIBE LISTADOS POR

LAS PARTES BAJO EL PROTOCOLO SPAW

DIX-HUIT AIRES PROTÉGÉES DE LA GRANDE RÉGION CARAÏBE LISTÉES PAR LES

PARTIES AU TITRE DU PROTOCOLE SPAW

FRANCK GOURDIN

SPAW RAC PNG Monteran BP93 Saint Claude, FWI 97120 Guadeloupe

[email protected]

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: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: SPAW, Protected Area, cooperation programme, Caribbean, UNEP CEP


100

BEYOND AGGREGATED CATCH DATA: INTRA-ANNUAL DYNAMICS OF THE DATA-

POOR MUTTON SNAPPER (LUTJANUS ANALIS) FISHERY AT GLADDEN SPIT, BELIZE

MÁS ALLÁ DE LAS DATOS AGREGADOS DE CAPTURA: DINÁMICAS ESTACIONALES DE

LA PESQUERÍA DEFICIENTE EN DATOS DE PARGO CRIOLLO (LUTJANUS ANALIS) DE

GLADDEN SPIT, BELICE

AU-DELÀ DES DONNÉES AGRÉGÉES DE CAPTURE: DYNAMIQUES INTRA-ANNUELLES

DE LA PÊCHERIE PAUVRE EN DONNÉES DE VIVANEAU SORBE (LUTJANUS ANALIS) DU

GLADDEN SPIT, BELIZE

PABLO GRANADOS-DIESELDORFF1, WILLIAM HEYMAN

2, and BRENDAN ROARK

3

1Marine 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 [email protected]

2Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 4103 S Texas Ave # 211 Bryan Texas 77802 USA

3Department of GeographyStable Isotopes Geosciences Facility 3147 TAMU College Station Texas

77843 USA

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


101

RETROSPECTIVE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MUTTON SNAPPER

(LUTJANUS ANALIS) SPAWNING AGGREGATION FISHERY AT GLADDEN SPIT, BELIZE

ANÁLISIS RETROSPECTIVO SOCIO-ECOLÓGICO DE LA PESQUERÍA DE

AGREGACIONES DE DESOVE DE PARGO CRIOLLO (LUTJANUS ANALIS) EN GLADDEN

SPIT, BELICE

ANALYSE RÉTROSPECTIVE SOCIO-ÉCOLOGIQUE DE LA PÊCHERIE DES

AGRÉGATIONS DE FRAI DE VIVANEAU SORBE (LUTJANUS ANALIS) À GLADDEN SPIT,

BELIZE

PABLO GRANADOS-DIESELDORFF1, WILLIAM D. HEYMAN

2, and JAMES AZUETA

3

1Department of Geography Applied Biodiversity Science NSF-IGERT Doctoral Texas A&M University

810 Eller O&M Bldg. MS 3147 College Station, TX 77843 USA [email protected] 2LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc 4103 S Texas Ave #211 Bryan Texas 77802 USA

3Belize Fisheries Department P.O. Box 148 Belize City Belize

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

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MARSH CLAM RANGIA CUNEATA IN THE

MISSION-ARANSAS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

ABUNDANCIA Y DISTRIBUCIÓN DE LA MARISMA ALMEJA RANGIA CUNEATA EN LA


ABONDANCE ET DISTRIBUTION DU MARAIS CLAM RANGIA CUNEATA DANS LA


JANA GRAY, MARIA RODRIGUEZ1, SHANNA MADSEN

2, and WES TUNNELL

1

1Harte Research Institute 5757 S Staples St Apt 4619 Corpus Christi, Texas 78413 USA

[email protected] 2Environmental Cooperative Science Center 750 Channel View Dr. Port Aransas TX 78373 USA 1

ABSTRACT

Rangia cuneata, are brackish water clams that act as key indicator species of freshwater inflow in Texas

coastal watersheds. They are more abundant at the mouth of rivers where they enter into bays. The

Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (MANERR), established in 2006, is one of the

newest in the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERRS) system. Located about 30 miles north of

Corpus Christi, TX, its main purpose is to provide relatively natural settings for long term research. It is

important to know abundance and distribution of R. cuneata to determine habitat quality in coastal

watersheds. The objectives of this project were to determine whether the clams are present in the

MANERR, and, if present, determine preliminary distribution and abundance. This study was conducted

throughout June and July of 2013. The Aransas and Mission River systems were surveyed. A dredge was

used every mile up the river from the mouth, and live and dead R. cuneata were enumerated, when found.

Once a bed of live clams was located, quadrat sampling was used. There were no beds found in the

Mission system. In Aransas River, however, 3 beds were found and surveyed. At each site, 5 quadrats

were taken, and any extra clams found were measured and collected. The data collected did not yield a

clear picture of abundance and distribution, however, R. cuneata are present in small refuge populations

during the current extended drought. Future research should be conducted to determine more detailed

abundance and distribution.

KEYWORDS: Rangia cuneata, freshwater inflow


103

FISHING DERBIES FOR INVASIVE LIONFISH: A TOOL FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND

POPULATION CONTROL

DERBIES DE PESCA DE PEZ LEÓN INVASOR: UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA LA

PARTICIPACIÓN PÚBLICA Y EL CONTROL DE LA POBLACIÓN

CONCOURS DE PÊCHE POUR LES POISSONS-PAPILLONS INVASIVE: UN OUTIL POUR

L'ENGAGEMENT DU PUBLIC ET LE CONTRÔLE DE LA POPULATION

STEPHANIE GREEN1 and LAD AKINS

2

1Oregon State University Department of Zoology 3029 Cordley Hall Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2914 USA

[email protected] 2Reef Environmental Education Foundation 98300 Overseas Highway Key Largo Florida 33037 USA

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 post-

derby 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


104

ADVANCING COASTAL COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY AND RESTORING CORAL

REEFS AND ERODED COASTAL AREAS IN THE CARIBBEAN WITH SMALL-SCALE

WAVE ENERGY BUOYS

AVANZANDO SOSTENIBILIDAD DE COMUNIDADES COSTERAS Y RESTAURANDO LOS

ARRECIFES DE CORAL Y LAS ZONAS COSTERAS EROSIONADAS EN EL CARIBE CON

BOYAS DE ENERGÍA DE LAS OLAS DE PEQUEÑA ESCALA

FAIRE PROGRESSER LA DURABILITÉ DES COLLECTIVITÉS CÔTIÈRES ET

RESTAURATION DES RÉCIFS CORALLIENS ET DES ZONES CÔTIÈRES ÉRODÉES DANS

LES CARAÏBES AVEC DE LA PETITE ËCHELLE ËNERGIE DES VAGUES BOUÉES

DAVID GUGGENHEIM1, PER RESEN STEENSTRUP

2, and MARY PAUL SMITH JESPERSEN

3

1Ocean Doctor P.O. Box 53090 Washington, DC 20009 USA [email protected]

2Resen Energy Strandvejen 194H Charlottenlund 2920 Denmark

3Royal Danish Embassy 3200 Whitehaven St. Washington DC 20008 USA

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 lever-

operated 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


105

AUTOMATIC FISH CLASSIFICATION IN UNDERWATER VIDEO

CLASIFICACIÓN AUTOMÁTICA DE PECES EN VIDEO SUBMARINO

CLASSIFICATION AUTOMATIQUE DE POISSON DANS LA VIDÉO SOUS-MARINE

MADHURI GUNDAM1, DIMITRIOS CHARALAMPIDIS

1, GEORGE IOUP

1, JULIETTE IOUP

1, and

CHARLES THOMPSON2

1University of New Orleans Department of Electrical Engineering New Orleans, LA 70148 USA

[email protected] 2NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Stennis Space CenterMississippi 39529 USA

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

DIGESTION RATE ANALYSIS OF FISH PREY ITEMS IN LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS)

ANÁLISIS DE LA TASA DE DIGESTIÓN DE LAS PRESAS DE PESCADO EN EL PEZ LEÓN

(PTEROIS VOLITANS)

ANALYSE DU TAUX DE DIGESTIO DES PROIES DE POISSON DANS LIONFISH (PTEROIS

VOLITANS)

CHELSEA HARMS

University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Department of Marine Sciences PO Box 9000 Mayaguez, PR 00681


ABSTRACT

Feeding ecology studies have provided valuable insight into the impacts of lionfish on the native reef fish

communities of the Western Atlantic and Caribbean. The lionfish are known to consume over 70 fish

species, but their relative abundance as lionfish prey is strongly site specific. However, the majority of

these studies have been based on morphological identification, usually of partially digested specimens.

Morphological identification can be biased and prone to human error, depending on the digestive level of

the prey item. Additionally, lionfish feed during crepuscular hours, while many lionfish collections occur

at opportune times for researchers and scientists, which usually do not correlate with feeding. The

aforementioned points support the need for quantifying digestion rates for more accurate feeding ecology

studies or for understanding existing biases. This study analyzed the digestion rate of known teleost prey

items in lionfish stomachs, over a given period of time, to provide an estimate of digestion rate at basal

metabolism. Three size classes of lionfish were examined, utilizing ten or more individuals per size class.

Time intervals of 30 minutes to an hour were used to identify digestion rate. Approximately 5+ hours are

required before a known fish prey item is deemed unrecognizable to the species level. Additionally, this

rate is likely dependent on lionfish size and prey size. Faster digestion rates are predicted for more active

lionfish. Studies utilizing morphological identification should structure their experimental design to

incorporate this information to obtain a higher percentage of undigested prey items for analysis.

KEYWORDS: lionfish, digestion, feeding ecology


107

STAKEHOLDER LED CO-MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE REGIMES: THE NEW

PARADIGM FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN GRENADA, WEST INDIES

STAKEHOLDER LLEVÓ COGESTIÓN REGÍMENES DE GOBIERNO: EL NUEVO

PARADIGMA PARA LAS ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS EN GRENADA, WEST INDIES

PARTIES PRENANTES A CONDUIT LES RÉGIMES DE GOUVERNANCE DE COGESTION:

LE NOUVEAU PARADIGME POUR LES AIRES MARINES PROTÉGÉES À LA GRENADE,

DANS LES ANTILLES

OLANDO HARVEY1 and ROLAND BALDEO

2

1Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area Hillsborough Carriacou, Grenada

[email protected] 2Grenada Fisheries Department Melville Street St. George's Grenada

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 Grenada‟s 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

BEHAVIOR, HYPERSTABILITY, AND POPULATION DECLINES OF AN AGGREGATING

MARINE FISH

COMPORTAMIENTO HIPERESTABILIDAD Y LA POBLACIÓN DISMINUYE DE UNA

AGREGACIÓN DE PECES MARINOS

COMPORTEMENT HYPERSTABILITÉ ET LE DÉCLIN DES POPULATIONS D'UN POISSON

MARIN DE L'AGRÉGATION

SCOTT HEPPELL1, BRICE SEMMENS

2, CHRISTY PATTENGILL-SEMMENS

3, PHILLIPPE BUSH

4

CROY MCCOY4, and BRADLEY JOHNSON

4

1Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 104 Nash Hall Corvallis, OR 97330 USA

[email protected] 2Scripps Institute of Oceanography San Diego CA USA

3Reef Environmental Education Foundation Key Largo FL USA

4Cayman Islands Department of Environment Georgetown Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

ABSTRACT

Collapses of marine fish populations are a global concern. Some collapses are attributed to hyperstability,

where catch per unit effort remains stable while the population declines. Hyperstability is difficult to

detect until after a population is depleted, thus nearly all such studies on the hyperstability phenomenon

are retrospective. Using whole-island acoustic arrays to track an endangered, aggregating reef fish on two

Caribbean islands, we demonstrate for the first time behavioral mechanisms that might lead to

hyperstability. We show that: (1) every reproductive-aged fish aggregates each year, (2) older, more

fecund fish aggregate longer, (3) individuals will visit multiple aggregation sites during the spawning

period, yet every fish always aggregates and spawns at a single location, and (4) overfishing extends the

time spent aggregating, increasing vulnerability to harvest as the population declines. This latter finding is

supported by historic accounts from other aggregation sites throughout the Caribbean. Taken together, our

results demonstrate that aggregation sites are a surprisingly complete and persistent geographic bottleneck

for aggregating species, and this bottleneck is a feature that intensifies with depletion. Our results

highlight both the extreme vulnerability of local populations to harvest but the potential for even heavily

harvested aggregations to recover.

KEYWORDS: Nassau grouper, overharvest, recovery, mechanisms of hyperstability, acoustic monitoring


109

¿QUÉ PAPEL JUEGAN LAS DIATOMEAS EN LA ALIMENTACIÓN DEL CARACOL

ROSA STROMBUS GIGAS?

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DIATOMS IN FEEDING OF QUEEN CONCH, STROMBUS GIGAS?

QUEL EST LE ROLE DES DIATOMÉES DANS L'ALIMENTATION DU LAMBI, STROMBUS

GIGAS?

OSCAR HERNÁNDEZ1, MARTHA ENRÍQUEZ DÍAZ

1, IRMA PÉREZ GARCÍA

1, MARIANA

NOGUEZ NUÑEZ2 y DALILA ALDANA ARANDA

1

1CINVESTAV IPN km 6 antigua Carretera a Progreso Mèrida Yucatan, Mèxico

[email protected] 2Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional ACINVESTAV IPN Km. 6 Antigua

Carretera a Progreso Mérida Yucatán 97310 México

RESUMEN

Strombus gigas habita de aguas a 60 m de profundidad, asociado a praderas marinas y diversos fondos

arenosos. Sus poblaciones están sobreexplotadas, especie protegida por CITES y desde los años 80 se

trabaja en su gestión pesquera y domesticación acuícola. Para juveniles se han formulado algunas dietas,

desconociéndose aún sus requerimientos nutricionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el papel de

las diatomeas en la alimentación de S. gigas y cómo hipótesis: Es S. gigas es una especie selectiva en su

alimentación. Se analizaron heces de caracoles en la mañana (8am) y tarde (2pm) y sedimentos, con

microscopía óptica y electrónica. Los caracoles colectados en la mañana, no tuvieron producción de

heces, sólo en la tarde. La riqueza específica de diatomeas fue: 94, en sedimento 62 y en heces 44. Los

géneros con mayor número de especies en heces: Amphora (17), Cocconeis (11) Mastogloia y Navicula

(9) y las más abundantes: Paralia capitata (72%) y Seminavis robusta (19.3%). Las heces presentaron

además foraminíferos, cladoceros y copépodos. El sedimiento tuvo como especies dominantes: Seminavis

robusta y Paralia capitata. El análisis de similitud mostró diferencia en la abundancia de diatomeas en

sedimento entre horas, pero no en los caracoles. El análisis de abundancia relativa mostró que P. capitata

se distribuye homogeneamente en sedimento y caracoles, mientras S. robusta presentó variación. Los

resultados muestran el papel importante de las diatomeas en la alimentación de S. gigas y la probable

selectividad de esta especie, aunque los resultados aún no sean concluyentes

PALABRAS CLAVES: feeding, habitat, diatoms, behavior, Queen conch


110

BIOGEOGRAPHY OF TRANSIENT REEF FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN THE

CARIBBEAN: A SYNTHESIS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT

BIOGEOGRAFÍA DE PECES ARRECIFALES QUE FORMAN AGREGACIONES DE DESOVE

TRANSITORIAS EN EL CARIBE: UNA SÍNTESIS PARA INVESTIGACIÓN Y MANEJO EN

EL FUTURO

BIOGÉOGRAPHIE DE POISSONS DE RÉCIF QUI FORMENT ASSOCIATIONS DE FRAI

TRANSITOIRES AU CARAÏBE: UNE SYNTHÈSE POUR LA RECHERCHE ET GESTION

FUTURES

WILLIAM HEYMAN1, SHINICHI KOBARA

2, SIMON PITTMAN

3, and RICHARD NEMETH

4

1LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 4103 S Texas Ave #211 Bryan, TX 77802 USA

[email protected] 2Department of OceanographyTexas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3146 USA

3Biogeography Branch, Center for Coastal Monitoring and AssessmentNational Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration 1305 East-West Highway Silver Spring MD 20910 USA 4University of the Virgin IslandsCenter for Marine and Environmental Studies 2 John Brewer’s Bay St.

Thomas USVI 00802 USA

ABSTRACT

In order to address the data gap on the biogeography of transient fish spawning aggregations (tFSAs), we

convened the workshop, “Characterization and prediction of transient reef fish spawning aggregations in

the Gulf and Caribbean Region”, as part of the 2009, 62nd Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries (GCFI)

meeting in Cumaná, Venezuela. The workshop, sponsored by National Science Foundation‟s Virgin

Islands Experimental Program for Stimulating Competitive Research (VI EPSCoR), included over 50

participants from 18 countries around the Caribbean. An online follow-up survey was administered to

gather participant-contributed data. A synthesis of the workshop results, couched with an extensive

literature review, is provided herein. This review synthesizes the latest advances in the study of tFSAs in

the Wider Caribbean to: 1) illustrate the current state-of-knowledge; 2) highlight gaps in our

understanding of the geography and ecology of aggregation sites; and 3) suggest future research needs

and conservation strategies. We have compiled multidisciplinary data on 108 tFSAs across 14 States and

Territories in the Wider Caribbean and reviewed the full range of approaches and technologies applied to

study tFSAs. Existing research and associated hypotheses are grouped and examined by data type. We

propose a multi-tiered research framework that provides an incremental approach to information

gathering at individual sites and suites of sites. We advocate applying the framework to facilitate

consistent and coordinated data collection and monitoring across a Wider Caribbean network of tFSAs.

KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregation, Caribbean, fisheries management, reef fish, biogeography


111

LET THEM COME TO YOU: IMPROVING ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DATA

POOR FISHERIES IN THE SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX

DÉJELOS LLEGAR A USTED: MEJORANDO LA EVALUACIÓN Y MANEJO DE

PESQUERÍAS DEFICIENTES EN DATOS EN COMPLEJOS DE ESPECIES PARGO-MERO

LAISSEZ-LES VENIR À VOUS: AMÉLIORANT L'ÉVALUATION ET LA GESTION DES

PÊCHERIES PAUVRES EN DONNÉES DU COMPLEXE VIVANEAUX-MÉROUS

WILLIAM HEYMAN1, SHINICHI KOBARA

2, AND PABLO GRANADOS-DIESELDORFF

3

1LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 4103 S Texas Ave #211 Bryan, TX 77802 USA

[email protected] 2Department of OceanographyTexas A&M University College Station Texas 77843-3146 United States

3Department of GeographyTexas A&M University College Station Texas 77843-3147 United States

ABSTRACT

U.S. fisheries are considered some of the best managed in the world. Yet over half of the nation‟s 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

ASSESSING FISH COMMUNITIES OF SIX REMNANT CORALGAL REEFS OFF THE

SOUTH TEXAS COAST

EVALUACIÓN DE COMMUNIDAD PECES DE SEIS REMANENTES CORALGAL

ARRECIFES DE LA COASTA SUR DE TEJAS

EVALUATION DES COMMUNAUTÉS POISSONEUSES DANS SIX RÉCIFS CORALIENS

ÉTEINTS DE LA CÔTE SUD DU TEXAS

DAVID HICKS1, LIANA LERMA

1, JONATHAN LE

1, THOMAS C. SHIRLEY

2, JOHN W.

TUNNELL2, REBEKAH RODRIGUEZ

1, and ANDRES GARCIA

1

1University of Texas Brownsville Biological Sciences One West University Drive Brownsville, Texas

78520 USA [email protected] 2Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Department of Life Sciences 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi,

Texas 78412

ABSTRACT

Community composition and abundances of fish species were examined from six south Texas banks

including from north to south Baker, Aransas, Dream, Blackfish, Mysterious, and a previously

undescribed bank. These mid-shelf banks are relic coralgal reefs that existed off the south Texas coast

approximately 21,000 to 12,000 years BP but were drowned and buried as a result of Pleistocene

deglaciation and subsequent rise in sea level. Today, the remnant peaks of these reefs protrude 1 to 24 m

above the surrounding sediment from depths of 68 to 84 m with buried portions extending 20 to 30 m

beneath the sea floor. Enumeration and identification of fish species was accomplished by reviewing

video footage from an ROV deployed from the R/V Falkor of the Schmidt Ocean Institute in September

2012. Multiple ROV transects were made across each of the relic banks. Fish abundances were

standardized (relative percentages) to account for differences in sampling effort among the banks.

Community assessments were limited at Mysterious Bank and Blackfish Ridge due to low visibility

resulting from a nepheloid layer suspended across surveyed terraces. The numerically predominant fish

species were Chromis insolata, Stegastes sp., Chromis scotti, Pronotogrammus martinicensis, Lutjanus

campechanus, and Rhomboplites aurorubens. Baker had the highest species richness (31), followed by

Aransas (28), Dream (23) and the undescribed bank (14). Community similarity was highest among the

northernmost banks and distinct from the southernmost bank.

KEYWORDS: Natural reef, deepwater, relic reef, ROV, reef fishes


113

USING FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SURVEYS TO ESTIMATE DENSITIES OF QUEEN

CONCH, STROMBUS GIGAS, POPULATIONS IN ST. CROIX, U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

USANDO ENCUESTAS INDEPENDIENTES DE LA PESQUERIA PARA ESTIMAR LAS

DENSIDADES DEL CARACOL ROSA, STROMBUS GIGAS, EN ST. CROIX, E.E.U.U. ISLAS

VÍRGENES

À L’AIDE DE SONDAGES INDÉPENDAMMENT POUR ESTIMER LA DENSITÉ DE LAMBI,

STROMBUS GIGAS, À SAINTE-CROIX, USA ÎLES VIERGES

HILL RONALD and JENNIFER DOERR

NOAA Fisheries Service 4700 Avenue U Galveston, Texas 77551 USA [email protected]

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

LINKAGES BETWEEN HABITATS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR REEF FISHES

CONEXIÓNES ENTRE HÁBITATS SON ESENCIALES PARA PECES DEL ARRECIFE

LINKAGES ENTRE HABITATS SONT ESSENTIELS POUR POISSONS DE RÉCIF

RONALD HILL, THOMAS MINELLO, and JENNIFER DOERR

NOAA NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center 4700 Avenue U Galveston, TX 77551 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

In coral reef ecosystems, different habitat types interact to support key life stages of juvenile fishery

species and other nekton (mobile fishes, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters). Quantitative comparisons of

nekton densities in adjoining habitat types are useful for estimating habitat use and supporting delineation

of essential fish habitat (EFH). Most comparative studies, however, have examined only a few habitat

types potentially available to nekton, focus on SCUBA-depth strata, or use different assessment methods

in different habitats that cannot be readily compared. We used two methods, visual census transects and

lift nets, concurrently, to compare nekton densities and size classes during two temporally separate

periods, June and October, in four adjoining shallow water coral reef habitat types in waters bordering the

Virgin Islands National Park and Coral Reef Monument, St. John, USVI. Density measures and species

compositions differed between sampling methods although some consistencies were seen. Species

richness and densities varied by season and habitat and size-specific habitat use was documented.

KEYWORDS: Essential Fish Habitat, coral reefs, seagrass, mangrove, reef fishes


115

BIOLOGY, STATUS AND CURRENT MANAGEMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN SPINY

LOBSTER (PANULIRUS ARGUS) IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

BIOLOGÍA, ESTADO Y ACTUAL ADMINISTRACIÓN DE LA LANGOSTA ESPINOSA DEL

CARIBE (PANULIRUS ARGUS) EN ANTIGUA Y BARBUDA

BIOLOGIE, L'ÉTAT ACTUEL ET LA GESTION DE LA LANGOUSTE BLANCHE DES

CARAÏBES (PANULIRUS ARGUS) À ANTIGUA-ET-BARBUDA

IAN HORSFORD, HILROY SIMON, MARK ARCHIBALD, JOHN WEBBER and TREVOR JOSEPH

Fisheries Division Point Wharf Fisheries Complex St. John's Antigua

[email protected]

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 fishery-

related 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

THE CURRENT STATUS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE WESTERN CENTRAL

ATLANTIC

EL ESTADO ACTUAL DE LAS ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS EN EL ATLÁNTICO

CENTRO-OCCIDENTAL

L'ÉTAT ACTUEL DES AIRES MARINES PROTÉGÉES DANS L'ATLANTIQUE CENTRE-

OUEST

SHANNAN HURLEY

Old Dominion University 5115 Hampton Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23529 U.S. [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness and coverage of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Western Central Atlantic is of

high concern in relation to conserving biodiversity in the region. Past analyses of MPAs in this region

have been conducted, however, in light of large-scale initiatives to expand coverage and management

capacity such as the Caribbean Challenge, it is essential to understand the current status. This study

compiled data for 41 nations and territories from public access online databases and completed analyses

using ArcGIS and Microsoft Excel for a total of 1,011 MPAs. Results show that over the most recent

decade (2003-2012) the average rate of MPA implementation was 6 per year while the previous decade

(1993-2002) the average rate was 20 per year, indicating a significant decline. In addition, 57% of the 41

nations/territories have not implemented MPAs over the past decade and two nations continue to remain

without MPAs (Guyana and Sint Maarten). Only 7% of the MPAs are completely no take and 2% have

partial no take areas. In addition, information pertaining to management capacity is unreported for nearly

half of all MPAs. A total of 28 nations/territories have unreported management authorities for half or

more of their MPAs; 10 of these countries have no reported management for all of their MPAs. Results of

this study identifies areas where management capacity building should be focused. On top of this, the

transparency of available information pertaining to current and prospective management plans should be

increased.

KEYWORDS: MPA, Caribbean, Atlantic


117

MITOCHONDRIAL GENOME ORGANIZATION AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSES IN

MITHRAX SPINOSISSIMUS (CRUSTACEA: BRACHYURA), AN IMPORTANT SPECIES FOR

ARTISANAL FISHERIES IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA

ORGANIZACIÓN DEL GENOMA MITOCONDRIAL Y ANÁLISIS FILOGEOGRÁFICOS EN

MITHRAX SPINOSISSIMUS (CRUSTACEA: BRACHYURA), UNA ESPECIE IMPORTANTE

EN PESQUERIAS ARTESANALES DE CRUSTÁCEOS EN EL MAR CARIBE

LÓRGANISATION DU GÉNOME MITOCHONDRIAL ET ANALISES

PHYLOGEOGRAPHIQUES DANS MITHRAX SPINOSISSIMUS (CRUSTACEA:

BRACHYURA), UNE ESPÈCE IMPORTANT EN PÊCHERIES ARTISANALES DU LA MER

DES CARAÏBES

JULIO HURTADO, NESTOR CAMPOS, and EDNA MARQUEZ

Universidad Nacional De Colombia Sede Medellin Calle 59a 63-20 Medellin, Antioquia 0500100

Colombia [email protected]

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

ACCIONES IMPLEMENTADAS PARA EL CONTROL DEL PEZ LEÓN (PTEROIS SP.) EN EL

PARQUE NACIONAL ARRECIFE DE PUERTO MORELOS, QUINTANA ROO, MÉXICO

IMPLEMENTED ACTIONS TO CONTROL LIONFISH (PTEROIS SP.) IN THE "PARQUE

NACIONAL ARRECIFE DE PUERTO MORELOS", QUINTANA ROO, MÉXICO

ACTIONS MIS EN ŒUVRE A CONTRÔLER LE LIONFISH (PTEROIS SP.)SUR LE “PARQUE

NACIONAL ARRECIFE DE PUERTO MORELOS”, QUINTANA ROO, MEXIQUE.

SELENE ERANTZCANI JACOBO CABRAL, y ELPIS JOAN CHÁVEZ CALDERÓN

Parque Nacional Arrecife de Puerto Morelos CONANP Calle Matamoros #7 esquina Miguel Hidalgo

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo 77501 México [email protected]

RESUMEN

A partir de los primeros registros de la invasión del pez león en el Caribe Mexicano (2009), se han

tomado medidas para el conocimiento y diagnóstico de la especie. En el Parque Nacional Arrecife de

Puerto Morelos (PNAPM) se incrementaron los esfuerzos para el control y monitoreo de esta especie

invasora, reduciendo su efecto sobre las especies nativas y los arrecifes de la zona. Las acciones

implementadas mediante el Programa de control de pez león en el área, son resultado de una estrecha

colaboración entre el personal del Parque con apoyo del gobierno y asociaciones civiles que forman parte

de una integración social entre la cooperativa de pescadores y la comunidad en general, promoviendo la

captura y comercialización de la especie, generando conciencia entre la sociedad y así mismo

incrementando el consumo. Las capturas se realizan dentro y fuera del polígono del Parque Nacional con

la utilización de arpón, equipo de buceo SCUBA y buceo libre, con profundidades de 30 a 150 pies. Entre

el año 2011 y 2012 se han capturado más de 25 000 ejemplares con tallas promedio (LS) de 371 y 439 cm

y pesos de promedio de 22 y 23 cm respectivamente. En total se tienen registradas más de 10 toneladas de

pez entero de la cuales 3 toneladas se comercializaron como filete.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Puerto Morelos, pez león, integración, control, captura


119

POPULATIONS GENETIC STUDY OF THE CORALS ACROPORA PALMATA AND

ACROPORA CERVICORNIS OF GUADELOUPE (FRENCH WEST INDIES) IN VIEW OF

THEIR PRESERVATION

ESTUDIO DE LA GENÉTICA DE POBLACIONES DE CORALES ACROPORA PALMATA Y

ACROPORA CERVICORNIS DE GUADELOUPE (ANTILLAS FRANCESAS) PARA SU

CONSERVACIÓN

ÉTUDE DE GÉNÉTIQUE DES POPULATIONS DES CORAUX ACROPORA PALMATA ET

ACROPORA CERVICORNIS DE GUADELOUPE (PETITES ANTILLES) EN VUE DE LEUR

CONSERVATION

AURÉLIEN JAPAUD1, CÉCILE FAUVELOT

2, and CLAUDE BOUCHON

1

1Universite des Antilles et de la Guyane LABEX CORAIL DYNECAR EA 926 BP 592 Pointe-à-Pitre

cedex, Guadeloupe 97159 Guadeloupe (FRANCE) [email protected] 2Centre IRD de Nouméa UNIT 227 COREUS BPA 5 Nouméa Nouvelle-Calédonie 98848 France

ABSTRACT

In the Caribbean, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816) and A. cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816) are major coral

species for reef bioconstruction. Since the 80‟s, 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

FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND ABUNDANCE ON TEXAS ARTIFICIAL REEFS: A

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

ESTRUCTURA COMUNITARIA DE PECES Y ABUNDANCIA DE TEXAS LOS ARRECIFES

ARTIFICIALES: UNA EVALUACIÓN PRELIMINAR

STRUCTURE DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ DE POISSONS ET DE POISSONS ABONDANCE SUR

TEXAS RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS : UNE ÉVALUATION PRÉLIMINAIRE

JENNIFER JARRELL WETZ, MATTHEW AJEMIAN, and GREGORY STUNZ

Harte Research Institute Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5869 Corpus

Christi, TX 78412 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

With the exception of the southwest Florida coast, the majority of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is devoid of

large expanses of natural hard bottom. Generally, the benthic environments are characterized by clay,

sand, or silt material. This lack of complex habitat has led to a great dependence on artificial reefs by

fishermen and divers as these structures generally produce higher quantities of marine life than bare

bottom habitats. The state of Texas has one of the largest rigs-to-reefs programs in the United States, and

has reefed 140 oil and gas platforms since 1990. Despite several decades of reefing, there have been few

assessments of fish populations using these artificial structures. We are currently intensively monitoring

15 offshore artificial reefs along the Texas coastal bend. These sites vary in structure and relief and

include toppled rigs, cut-off rigs, concrete culverts, liberty ships, and barges. Our surveys combine the use

of remotely operated vehicle (ROV), SCUBA, and vertical longlines to quantify the abundance and

diversity of fishes inhabiting these reefs. In our first year of assessment we observed >50 fish species,

including invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans, and a variety of commercially and recreationally exploited

snappers, groupers, and jacks. Year 1 data also suggest that reef type influences fish community structure

and abundance patterns. Future efforts include a comparison of gear selectivity and performance at select

sites and continued reef fish monitoring across the coastal bend region. These studies aim to guide

developers on best reefing practices.

KEYWORDS: artificial reef, platforms, ROV, fish community


121

SPECIES-SPECIFIC FISH FEATURE EXTRACTION USING GABOR FILTERS

EXTRACCIÓN ESPECÍFICA DE LA ESPECIE PESCADO CARACTERÍSTICA CON GABOR

FILTROS

EXTRACTION DES SPÉCIFICITÉS PROPRES À L'ESPÈCE DE POISSON EN UTILISANT

DES FILTRES GABOR

ARJUN KUMAR JOGINIPELLY1, DIMITRIOS CHARALAMPIDIS

2, GEORGE IOUP

3, JULIETTE

IOUP3 and CHARLES H THOMPSON4

1University of New Orleans 6232 Waldo Drive New Orleans, LA 70122 United States

[email protected] 2University of New Orleans, Department of Electrical Engineering, New Orleans, LA 70122 United States

3University of New Orleans, Department of Physics, New Orleans, LA 70148 United States 4NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Stennis Space CenterMS 39529 United States

ABSTRACT

Fish recognition and classification are challenging when performed on video data obtained in non-

controlled environments (NCE‟s) 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 NCE‟s, 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

INDO-PACIFIC LIONFISHES (PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES) INVADE THE FLOWER

GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF

MEXICO

LOS PECES LEÓN (PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES) DEL OCÉANO INDO-PACÍFICO INVADEN

EL SANTUARIO MARINO NACIONAL FLOWER GARDEN BANKS EN EL NOROESTE DEL

GOLFO DE MÉXICO

LIONFISHES INDO-PACIFIQUE (PTEROIS VOLITANS/MILES) ENVAHISSENT LA FLOWER

GARDEN BANKS SANCTUAIRE MARIN NATIONAL DANS LE NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE

DU MEXIQUE

MICHELLE JOHNSTON, RYAN ECKERT, JOHN EMBESI, MARISSA NUTTALL EMMA

HICKERSON, and GEORGE SCHMAHL

NOAA Flower Garden Banks NMS 4700 Avenue U Galveston, TX 77551 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are the first invasive marine fishes to become

established in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Lionfishes, with their venomous spines,

insatiable appetites, wide habitat distribution, and prolific reproduction, are a serious threat to native

fishes and coral reef communities. Since the introduction of these species into the Western Atlantic in the

late 1980s, lionfishes have spread and become established throughout the Western Atlantic and

Caribbean, and were first recorded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009. In late 2010, lionfishes were observed

at Sonnier Bank and nearby oil and gas platforms. By mid 2011, lionfishes were observed on all three

banks comprising the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), which harbors the

northernmost coral reefs in the continental United States. We document the appearance and subsequent

spread of lionfishes within the FGBNMS, as well as the surrounding banks and artificial structures in the

Northwest Gulf of Mexico. We assessed lionfish diet with stomach content analysis, and analyzed

changes in native fish communities at the FGBNMS with long-term monitoring visual fish survey data.

Between 2011 and 2012, lionfish sightings increased tenfold within the FGBNMS. While fish biomass at

the FGBNMS remains high, the full invasion is likely still developing and negative impacts on the reef

community may not be recognized for several years. Lionfish impacts, combined with pre-existing

stressors such as overfishing and global climate change, may cause cascading changes in the food chain

and coral reef communities in the region.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, marine sanctuary, invasion, Gulf of Mexico


123

GENERATING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ADVICE IN DATA-LIMITED SITUATIONS:

EXAMPLES FROM THE U.S. SOUTH ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN

GENERANDO RECOMENDACIONES PARA EL MANEJO DE LA PESCA EN CASOS DE

DATOS LIMITADOS: EJEMPLOS DEL ATLÁNTICO SUR DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS Y

DEL CARIBE

PRODUIRE DES AVIS DE GESTION POUR LES PÊCHERIES EN SITUATIONS DE

DONNÉES LIMITÉES: EXAMPLES DE LA FAÇADE ATLANTIQUE-SUD DES ÉTATS-UNIS

ET DES CARAÏBES

MANDY KARNAUSKAS1, NICK FARMER

2, ELIZABETH BABCOCK

3, MARGARET MILLER

1,

DAVID MCCLELLAN1, and JEAN WIENER

4

1National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami,

FL 33149 USA [email protected] 2National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center Southeast Regional Office, St.

Petersburg, FL 33701 USA 3Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Department of Marine Biology and Fisheries

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami FL 33149 USA 4Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine B.P. 642 Port-au-Prince Haiti

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


124

THE GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP PROCESSING SECTOR AND ADAPTION TO

INCREASING IMPORTS

EL SECTOR PROCESADOR DE CAMARONES DEL GOLFO DE MÉJICO Y SU

ADAPTACIÓN AL AUMENTO DE LAS IMPORTACIONES

LES PROCESSEURS DE CREVETTE DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE ET LEUR ADAPTATION À

L’AUGMENTATION DES IMPORTATIONS

WALTER KEITHLY1, MICHAEL TRAVIS

2, and HUA WANG

1

1Louisiana State University 101 Woodin Hall Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 United States

[email protected] 2NOAA Fisheries 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami FL 33149 United States

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


125

LIMITATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ESTABLISHING A CATCH SHARE PROGRAM IN A

DATA POOR FISHERY: A CASE STUDY OF THE PUERTO RICAN DEEP WATER SNAPPER

FISHERY

LES DÉFIS ASSOCIÉES LA MISE EN PLACE D'UN PROGRAMME DE PARTAGE DES

CAPTURES DANS UNE PECHERIE AUX DONNÉES LIMITÉES: UNE ETUDE DE CAS DU

ROUGET ET MÉROU DES EAUX PROFONDES PORTORICAIN

ESRETOS ASOCIADOS CON EL ESTABLECIMIENTO DE UN PROGRAMA DE

PARTICIPACIONES DE CAPTURA EN UNA PESQUERIA DE DATOS ESCASOS: EL CASO

DE LA PESQUERIA DE PARGOS Y MEROS DE AGUAS PROFUNDAS PUERTORRIQUE?

WALTER KEITHLY1, JUAN AGAR

2, FLAVIA TONIOLI

3, MANUEL VALDÉS PIZZINI

4 and

MIGUEL ROLÓN5


[email protected] 2Social Science Research Group, NOAA Social Science Research Group,Southeast Fisheries Science

Center, National Marine Fisheries Serv Miami FL 33149 United States 3Cooperative Institute, NOAA Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies

(CIMAS),Rosenstiel School of Marine and Miami FL 33149 United States 4University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Puerto Rico 00681-9266 United States

5Caribbean 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


126

GULF OF MEXICO RED SNAPPER IFQ PROGRAM SURVEY ASSESSMENT: CHANGE IN

ATTITUDE OF THE FISHERMEN

EVALUACIÓN DEL PROGRAMA DE CUOTAS DE PESCA EN LA PESQUERÍA DE PARGOS

ROJO DEL GOLFO DE MÉJICO: CAMBIO DE PERSPECTIVA DE LOS PESCADORES

EVALUATION DE L’ENQUÊTE SUR LE PROGRAMME DE QUOTAS DE PÊCHE

INDIVIDUELS POUR LE ROUGET DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE: CHANGEMENT

D'ATTITUDE DES PÊCHEURS

WALTER KEITHLY1, CAROLINE BOEN

1, and JUAN AGAR

2


[email protected] 2Social Science Research Group, NOAA Social Science Research Group,Southeast Fisheries Science

Center, National Marine Fisheries Serv Miami FL 33149 United States

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, derby-

fishing 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 fishermen‟s 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


127

UNDERSTANDING THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE CARIBBEAN SPORTFISHING

COMMUNITY: THE POTENTIAL FOR SPORTFISHING DEVLOPMENT IN THE

CARIBBEAN

CÓMO COMPRENDER A LOS ACCIONISTAS DE LA COMUNIDAD DE PESCA

DEPORTIVA DEL CARIBE: EL POTENCIAL PARA DESARROLLO DE LA PESCA

DEPORTIVA EN EL CARIBE

COMPRENDRE LES INTERVENANTS DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE DES

CARAÏBES : LE POTENTIEL DE DÉVELOPPEMENT DE LA PÊCHE SPORTIVE DANS LES

CARAÏBES

MICHAEL KELLY, PETER CHAIBONGSAI, ROXANE DE WAEGH, and NICOLE BESEMER

The Billfish Foundation PO Box 8787 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 USA

[email protected]

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

LEARNING FROM GLOBAL MPA NETWORKS: SEEKING GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF

SMALL-SCALE FISHING COMMUNITIES IN MPA DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND

MANAGEMENT

APRENDIENDO DE LAS REDES DE AMP GLOBAL: BUSCANDO MAYOR PARTICIPACIÓN

DE LAS COMUNIDADES PESQUERAS EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA DE MPA DISEÑO,

IMPLEMENTACIÓN Y GESTIÓN

APPRENDRE DES RÉSEAUX D'AMP GLOBAUX: RECHERCHER UNE PLUS GRANDE

IMPLICATION DES COMMUNAUTÉS DE PÊCHE À PETITE ÉCHELLE DANS MPA

CONCEPTION, LA RÉALISATION ET LA GESTION

ZAIDY KHAN1, DAVON BAKER

2, and CHRISTOPHER BARTHOLOMEW

3

1Foundation of the People of the South Pacific I CERMES, UWI St Geroge St Geroge, Grenada

[email protected] 2Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs & Local GoverSIOBMPA Carriacou Carriacou

Grenada 3Fisher Boat builder L’Esterre Bay Grenada

ABSTRACT

Fishing provides the main source of income for communities adjacent to Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine

Protected Area (SIOBMPA), Grenada. Because they are banned from areas where they traditionally

fished, fishers view SIOBMPA as a system created to benefit persons with tourism interest, at the expense

of fishers‟ livelihood. Fishers‟ apathy is due partly to them not being integrally involved in the planning

and set-up of the protected area. Central to these processes are national governance arrangements, with

limited considerations for localized economic diversification. Alternative livelihood options for

SIOBMPA are now being discussed. However, community organization, social attachment, and

cohesiveness are crucial to the success of such efforts. Learning from global MPA networks, such as

locally managed marine areas and fisheries livelihood networks from the Asia, Pacific and even Latin

America, is important for start-up MPAs, and Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs

(Grenada) representative to the MPA board embraced the opportunity to learn of proven examples where

communities officially organize to manage marine and coastal resources, when he participated in a Global

Learning Network session at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. That workshop provided first-hand

knowledge on sustainable ways to tackle the challenges of coastal resource management commonly faced

by fishing communities in developing countries. The Ministry‟s MPA representative now keenly works

towards developing community empowerment and leadership in MPA management and fishers networks,

and seeksto foster hands-on community and fishers‟ involvement in fisheries livelihood enhancement

projects. He is, furthermore, working to refine co-management arrangements and policies.

KEYWORDS: MPA network, community based, co-management , livelihood


129

AUTOMATIC FISH COUNTING IN UNDERWATER VIDEO

CUENTA AUTOMÁTICA DE PECES EN VIDEO SUBMARINO

COMPTAGE AUTOMATIQUE DE POISSON DANS LA VIDÉO SOUS-MARINE

HAZEM KHANFER1, DIMITRIOS CHARALAMPIDIS

1, E. J. YOERGER

2, GEORGE IOUP

2,

JULIETTE IOUP2, and CHARLES THOMPSON

3

1University of New Orleans Department of Electrical Engineering New Orleans, LA 70148 USA

[email protected] 2University of New Orleans Department of Physics New Orleans, Louisiana 70148 USA

3NOAA Southeast Fisheries Center Stennis Space Center Mississippi 39529 USA

[email protected]

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

COMMUNITIES AT NEARBY ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL REEFS, SIMILAR OR NOT?

LAS COMUNIDADES EN LOS ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES Y NATURALES CERCANAS,

SIMILARES O NO?

LES COMMUNAUTES A RECIFS ARTIFICIELS ET NATURELS A PROXIMITE,

SIMILAIRES OU PAS?

KELLY KINGON1, CHRIS KOENIG

1, CHRIS STALLINGS

2, KARA WALL

3, RYLAND TAYLOR

1,

and TYLER SCHENCK1

1Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory 3618 Highway 98 St. Teresa, FL 32358 USA

[email protected] 2University of South Florida, College of Marine Science 140 7th Ave S St. Petersburg Florida 33701

United States 3University of South Florida Florida State University Florida State University

ABSTRACT

The ecological function of artificial reefs is highly debated and the capacity for them to mimic nearby

natural reef communities is largely unknown. This study seeks to uncover the differences between reef

fishes and sessile invertebrate colonizers found at artificial reefs and nearby natural reefs. To evaluate the

communities, a 1 km x 1 km area was mapped using sidescan sonar around sites with known artificial and

natural reef habitats. These maps revealed the hard structures present and the surrounding seascape within

four sampling zones off the coast of the Florida panhandle (south of Dog Island). Five artificial, five high

relief (>0.5 m) and five low relief (<0.5 m) natural reefs were randomly selected using the map data in

each of the four sampling zones. These sites were surveyed seasonally using rotating, stationary drop

cameras to assess the fish species present and their relative abundances. Invertebrate colonizers were

quantified from quadrat photos taken along three 30 m transects at select sites of each habitat type

(artificial, natural high relief, natural low relief) in each zone. Preliminary results suggest there are

differences between natural and artificial reef communities and even between different types of artificial

and natural reef structures. The relationships between habitat and community appear to be complex but

the methods used in this study will reveal some potential explanations for the patterns identified. The

importance of these hard bottom structures to fishes moving offshore when temperatures decline in the

fall from the adjacent estuary will also be uncovered.

KEYWORDS: artificial reefs, hard bottom habitat, reef fish, sidescan sonar, Gulf of Mexico


131

DISCRIMINATION OF CHEMICAL SIGNATURES IN OTOLITHS OF JUVENILE

YELLOWFIN TUNA (THUNNUS ALBACARES) FROM NURSERY AREAS IN THE ATLANTIC

OCEAN

DISCRIMINACIÓN DE SEÑALES QUÍMICAS EN LOS OTOLITOS DE JUVENILES RABIL

(THUNNUS ALBACARES) DEL ÁREAS DE CRÍADERO EN EL OCÉANO ATLÁNTICO

COMPARAISON DES SIGNATURES CHIMIQUES DES OTOLITHES DE JUVÉNILES DE

THONS JAUNES (THUNNUS ALBACARES) PROVENANT DE DIFFÉRENTES NURSERIES

DE L'OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE

LARISSA KITCHENS and JAY ROOKER

Texas A&M University at Galveston Texas A&M University 200 Seawolf Parkway Galveston, TX 77553

United States [email protected]

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

BONEFISH POND NATIONAL PARK RESTORATION: INCREASED MANAGEMENT

EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH COMMUNITY RESTORATION PROJECTS

PARQUE NACIONAL 'BONEFISH POND': MAYOR EFICACIA DE LA GESTIÓN A TRAVÉS

DE PROYECTOS DE RESTAURACIÓN DE LA COMUNIDAD

PARC NATIONAL 'BONEFISH POND': AUGMENTATION DE L'EFFICACITÉ DE LA

GESTION À TRAVERS LES PROJETS DE RESTAURATION COMMUNAUTAIRES

LINDY KNOWLES1, CRAIG DAHLGREN

2, FELICITY BURROWS

3, AGNESSA LUNDY

3, AND

JANEEN BULLARD4

1Bahamas National Trust Retreat Gardens Village Road Nassau, NP N4105 The Bahamas

[email protected] 2Perry Institute of Marine Science, Vermont USA

3The Nature Conservancy Colonial Hill Plaza, Thompson Blvd Nassau New Providence CB 11398,The

Bahamas 4Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas

ABSTRACT

In the Bahamas the ecological importance of mangrove is often neglected. Though mangroves are the

natural protection of the coastal habitat, they are often dredged for marinas or filled to create hard land for

further development. Mangrove habitats are also often dumping grounds. Prior to its establishment as a

national park managed by the Bahamas National Trust, the area that became the Bonefish Pond National

Park (BPNP) was used in precisely this way. This coastal wetland system is situated on the southern

portion of New Providence, the densely populated capital of the Bahamas. It was used as a copper

burning site, a dump site for debris, a launching site for boats and for fishing. BPNP is over 1,000 acres of

coastal mangrove habitat. It serves as an important nursery habitat for the nearby offshore reefs providing

shelter for commercially important fish during their most vulnerable stage of life. Since its establishment

as a national park in 2002 a number of restoration projects were conducted in the BPNP to improve its

effectiveness as a nursery habitat for nearby offshore reefs. These projects have helped return the area to a

more pristine condition through improving tidal flows that were previously obstructed, removing invasive

plants, increasing suitable fish habitat and increasing education to visitors, neighbouring residents and

potential users to the area. These projects have been possible through public, private and community

based groups coming together to help increase the management effectiveness of the Park; preserving its

important ecological services.

KEYWORDS: Coastal wetlands, restoration, national park, fisheries, Caribbean Challenge Initiative


133

COMPARISONS OF AGE AND GROWTH PARAMETERS OF RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS) AT AN ARTIFICIAL REEF AND AT A NATURAL SHELF-EDGE REEF

COMPARACIÓN ENTRE LA EDAD Y LOS PARÁMETROS DE CRECIMIENTO DEL

HUACHINANGO (LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS) TANTO EN UN ARRECIFE ARTIFICIAL

COMO EN UN ARRECIFE NATURAL AL BORDE DE LA PLATAFORMA CONTINENTAL

LES COMPARAISONS DE L'ÂGE ET DES PARAMÈTRES DE RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS) À UN RÉCIF ARTIFICIEL CROISSANCE ET À UN REEF

CONSERVATION NATURAL EDGE

MARSHALL KORMANEC

LSU 4049 Claycut Rd. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 United States [email protected]

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

EVALUATING MPA SUCCESS AS A FUNCTION OF MANAGEMENT

LA EVALUACIÓN DEL ÉXITO MPA COMO UNA FUNCIÓN DE GESTIÓNE

VALUATION DU SUCCÈS DES AMP EN TANT QUE BUT DE GESTION

FABIAN KYNE

University of West Indies Discovery Bay Marine Lab Discovery Bay, Jamaica [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Overfishing continues to be one of the most acute threats to biodiversity within the insular Caribbean,

with Jamaica‟s near shore resources unable to sustain fisheries at current levels of exploitation. Stocks on

Jamaica‟s north coast have been so severely depleted that few fish survive for more than a year and fewer

still long enough to recruit. In 2010, the Jamaican government designated several coastal areas of

ecological and fisheries importance as Special Fisheries Conservation Areas (SFCAs) to alleviate the

stresses posed to reefs and facilitate in the recovery of reef fish populations. Data was collected using a

series of underwater visual censuses, fisher and management perspectives across locations in Discovery

Bay, Boscobel and Portland over successive sampling periods in 2011 and 2013. The purpose was to

assess the status of reef fish assemblages before and after the establishment of an SFCA and evaluate

whether different management approaches had an effect on local fisheries resources. Results indicated

statistically significant differences between locations inside and outside of the newly designated SFCAs

and increases in fish density, biomass and diversity were clearly identified over time. Short term recovery

was observed within the sanctuaries but several management challenges still need to be overcome before

full benefits can be realised. Tougher enforcement, stricter regulation and further engagement with local

communities and resources users is required to establish viable long term management solutions for the

future sustainable governance of Jamaica's reef systems.

KEYWORDS: Jamaica, marine protected areas, fish sanctuaries, overfishing, sustainability


135

THE REEF FISHERY IN ST.VINCENT

LA PESQUERÍA DE ARRECIFE DE SAN VICENTE

LE RÉCIF DE PÊCHE DE ST. VINCENT

SHAMANTI LABBAN1, KRIS ISAACS

2, and PROF. HAZEL OXENFORD

1

1UWI CERMES Cave Hill St. Michael Bridgetown, Barbados [email protected]

2Fisheries DivisionMinistry of Fisheries Lower Bay Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT USING

SIMPLE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

GESTIÓN DE MONITOREO Y EVALUACIÓN DE LA PESCA EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA

UTILIZANDO LOS INDICADORES DE DESEMPEÑO SIMPLES

GESTION DE SUIVI ET D'ÉVALUATION DE LA PÊCHE ARTISANALE AU MOYEN

D'INDICATEURS DE PERFORMANCE SIMPLES

DERRICK LASHLEY

University of the West Indies CERMES Burke's Road Brittons Hill St. Michael, Barbados

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are often overlooked in government planning and policy making but they

make significant contributions to the global economy and specifically the economies of developing

countries. Recent acknowledgement of the cumulative importance of SSF has made their monitoring and

management areas of priority worldwide. SSF, however, present numerous challenges because of their

diversity, connectivity and complexity. Monitoring systems for SSF management must take these factors

into account, and be adaptable to cope with their dynamics. Pomeroy et al. (2004), in asking “How is

your MPA doing?” (HIYMPAD), suggest in their approach to marine protected area (MPA) management

that in order for effective management to take place there is a need to deliberately integrate monitoring

and evaluation into the process so that the benefits of adaptive management are fully realized. Despite

MPAs and SSF being quite different, an approach similar to HIYMPAD is being investigated in this study

through a set of indicators developed to evaluate SSF management effectiveness. Based on the findings

from research conducted in Barbados, the feasibility of introducing an approach to monitoring and

evaluating SSF management effectiveness will be explored. With an ecosystem perspective on

performance and using simple indicators linked to goals and objectives, the aim will be to see if

HIYMPAD can be adapted to SSF management in situations where there is low capacity for SSF

monitoring, evaluation and management coupled with a need to provide easily understood information for

decision-making.

KEYWORDS: Small-scale fisheries, indicators, management, evaluation, monitoring


137

LIONFISH BYCATCH IN THE FLORIDA KEYS COMMERCIAL SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY

EL PEZ LEÓN CAPTURA INCIDENTAL EN LOS CAYOS DE FLORIDA LANGOSTA PESCA

COMERCIALLES

PRISES ACCIDENTELLES APPARAISSANT DANS LES FLORIDA KEYS COMMERCIAL

LANGOUSTE PÊCHE

DOMINIQUE LAZARRE

University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33133 United States of America

[email protected]

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

QUANTIFY OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) HABITAT BY COUPLING ACOUSTIC

TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN TEXAS BAYS AND ESTUARIES

CUANTIFICARHÁBITAT DE OSTRAS (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) MEDIANTE EL

ACOPLAMIENTO DE LAS TECNOLOGÍAS ACÚSTICAS EN BAHÍAS Y ESTUARIOS DE

TEXAS QUANTIFIER

HUÎTRE HABITAT (CRASSOSTREAVIRGINICA) EN COUPLANT TECHNOLOGIES

ACOUSTIQUES À L'INTÉRIEUR DU TEXAS BAIES ET LES ESTUAIRES

BRYAN LEGARE

Texas Parks and Wildlife 1502 FM 517 East Dickinson, TX 77539 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

(Crassostrea virginica) reefs occur in shallow turbid waters along the Texas coast and are an important

component of Texas estuaries, providing a wide array of ecosystem services. Oysters are the State‟s

second largest commercial fishery and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) data indicate that

the oyster industry contributed more than $57,600,000 to the State‟s economy in 2010. Mapping oyster

reefs is a key component of managing oysters. The turbid waters in which oysters reside do not allow for

use of remote sensing data from satellites imagery and lidar. To quantify the extent of the oyster habitat

within Texas estuaries, the TPWD couples two hydro acoustic technologies: a bathymetric side scan sonar

(Teledyne Benthos C3D) and single beam echo sounder (Biosonics DTX). Simultaneously collected, we

utilize the echo sounder data to classify the side scan imagery. To accomplish the classification of habitat

from echo sounder data we utilized raster reclassification (ArcGIS 10.2) was used to relay the habitat

value provided by the echo sounder to the image captured by the side scan sonar. Point locations of

oysters were obtained from the reclassified raster and point density analysis identified areas of high and

lower density oyster habitat. The habitats were ground truth by sampling within the habitats identified.

Coupling side scan sonar and habitat classifying echo sounders and relating them through raster

reclassification in ArcGIS has proved to be an effective unbiased way of quantifying oyster habitats

within Texas estuaries.

KEYWORDS: Oyster, GIS, habitat, acoustic, side scan


139

COMPREHENSIVE ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM MEETS FLORIDA STAKEHOLDER

NEEDS

PROGRAM COMPRESIVO DE ARREECIFE ARTIFICIAL EN FLORIDA QUE SATISFACE

NECESIDADES DE LAS PARTES INTERESADAS

COMPREHENSIVE ARTIFICIAL PROGRAMME RESPOND A LA FLORIDA DES

INTERVENANTS DOIT

BILL LINDBERG1, JOHN STEVELY STEVELY

2, CHUCK ADAMS

1, and BRYAN FLUECH

3

1University of Florida PO Box 110600 Gainesvlille, FL 32653 US [email protected]

2Florida Sea Grant 1303 17th St. W. Palmetto FL 34221 U.S

3Florida Sea Grant 14700 Immokalee Rd Naples FL 34120 U.S.

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


140

RATIONALE AND EVALUATION OF AN ARTIFICIAL REEF SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR

ENHANCED GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE GAG, MYCTEROPERCA

MICROLEPIS

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN DE UN SISTEMA DE ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES

DISEÑADOS PARA UN MAYOR CRECIMIENTO Y SUPERVIVENCIA DE JUVENILES DEL

MERO GAG, MYCTEROPERCA MICROLEPIS

JUSTIFICATION ETÉVALUATIOND'UNSYSTÈME DE RÉCIFSARTIFICIELS CONÇUS

AFIN D’AMÉLIORER LA CROISSANCEET LA SURVIEDES JUVÉNILES DE GAG,

MYCTEROPERCA MICROLEPIS

WILLIAM LINDBERG1 and JON DODRILL

2

1Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest R University of Florida 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville,

Florida 32653 USA [email protected] 2Artificial Reef Program, Division of Marine Fisheries ManagementFlorida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission 620 South Meridian Street, Box 4B2 Tallahassee Florida 32399-1600 USA

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


141

STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ON GOLIATH GROUPER MANAGEMENT IN FLORIDA

PERSPECTIVAS DE LOS INTERESADOS EN LA GESTIÓN DE GUASA EN FLORIDA

INTERVENANTS PERSPECTIVES SUR LA GESTION MÉROU GÉANT EN FLORIDE

KAI LORENZEN1, JOY HAZELL

2, JESSICA SUTT

1, BRYAN FLUECH

3 and MARTHA MONROE

1

1University of Florida 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville, FL 32653 USA [email protected]

2Florida Sea Grant 3406 Palm Beach Blvd Ft Myers FL 33916 USA

3Florida Sea Grant 14700 Immokalee Rd Naples FL 34120 USA University of Florida GainesvilleFL

32611 USA

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 non-

spearfishing 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

EXAMINING CURRENT MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN NORTHERN GULF OF

MEXICO RED DRUM

AL EXAMINAR LAS CONCENTRACIONES DE MERCURIO ACTUALES EN EL NORTE

DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO RED DRUM

EXAMEN CONCENTRATIONS DE MERCURE ACTUELS DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU

MEXIQUE TAMBOUR ROUGE

CRYSTAL LOU ALLEN HIGHTOWER and SEAN P. POWERS

University of South Alabama 5871 USA Drive North, LSCB 25 Mobile, AL 36688-0002 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that bioaccumulates in tissues of long-lived fishes and can pose health risks

to humans when consumed in large quantities. While the accumulation of Hg in marine fishes in the Gulf

of Mexico (GOM) has been established, Hg levels above the United States Environmental Protection

Agency (USEPA) methylmercury criterion (0.3 ppm) and the United States Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) action limit (1.0 ppm) have only recently been reported for Red Drum (Sciaenops

ocellatus). Recent studies of Hg concentrations in Red Drum from Florida and Texas waters showed

larger size classes accumulated Hg to levels above acceptable USEPA and FDA limits; however, Hg

levels for large Red Drum were lacking from the north central region of the GOM. Our study examined

total Hg in north central GOM Red Drum and compared Red Drum total Hg to that of other GOM

species. Results indicated mean total Hg was 0.67 ppm and 0.47 ppm for fishery independent and fishery

dependent collections, respectively. Approximately 80% of all Red Drum in this study had tissues

containing concentrations greater than the EPA criterion and 5% were above the FDA action limit. The

allowable catch limits for all GOM states except Florida include large sizes and present the possibility for

human consumption of high total Hg concentrated Red Drum. Understanding concentrations of Hg in

GOM Red Drum is essential to effectively include this public health issue in management strategies.

KEYWORDS: Sciaenops ocellatus, mercury, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, management


143

LITERATURE REVIEW AND GAP ANALYSIS ON THE SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF NON-

EXTRACTIVE STRESSORS ON CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS

REVISIÓN DE LA LITERATURA Y EL ANÁLISIS DE LAS DEFICIENCIAS EN LAS

FUENTES Y LOS EFECTOS DE LOS FACTORES DE ESTRÉS NO EXTRACTIVOS EN LOS

ECOSISTEMAS DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL

REVUE DE LA LITTÉRATURE ET ANALYSE DE L'ÉCART SUR LES SOURCES ET LES

EFFETS DES FACTEURS DE STRESS NON EXTRACTIVES SUR LES ÉCOSYSTÈMES DES

RÉCIFS CORALLIENS

LAURA LOUON1 and MANOJ SHIVLANI

2

1University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149 USA [email protected]

2NTVI 10600 SW 131 Court Miami FL 33186 United States

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

ASPECTOS POBLACIONALES DE LAS JAIBAS ROJA (CALLINECTES BOCOURTI) Y AZUL

(C. SAPIDUS) DE LA ZONA NOROCCIDENTAL DE LA CIÉNAGA GRANDE DE SANTA

MARTA, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

POPULATION ASPECTS OF BLUNTTOOTH SWIMCRAB (CALLINECTES BOCOURTI) AND

BLUE CRAB (C. SAPIDUS) FROM CIENAGA GRANDE DE SANTA MARTA NORTHWEST

AREA, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

ASPECTS DE LA POPULATION DE CRABE CHANCRE (CALLINECTES BOCOURTI) ET DE

CRABE BLEU (C. SAPIDUS) ZONE NORD-OUEST DE CIÉNAGA GRANDE DE SANTA

MARTA, CARAÏBES COLOMBIENNES

GERMÁN LOZANO-BELTRÁN1, PAMELA REÁTIGA-AGUILAR

1, y GLORIA DE LEÓN-

MARTÍNEZ2

1Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Universidad Simón Bolívar Carrera 54 N° 58-28 Barranquilla,

Atlántico Colombia [email protected] 2Universidad del Magdalena Santa Marta Magdalena Colombia

RESUMEN

Se determinaron aspectos poblacionales en jaibas roja (Callinectes bocourti) y azul (C. sapidus)

procedentes de la zona noroccidental de la Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Caribe colombiano,

desembarcadas en una planta de proceso durante el periodo seco de 2013 para contribuir con información

biológica en la adopción de medidas de administración de la pesquería. Fueron examinados 217

ejemplares, 193 C. bocourti y 24 C. sapidus. Los parámetros biométricos registrados fueron los

establecidos en el Protocolo de captura de información pesquera, biológica y socio-económica en

Colombia. Para C. bocourti, ABEL fue 8,15 cm, Lca 4,76 cm, Pt 95,3 g y la proporción macho: hembra

fue 1:3,8. Para C. sapidus, ABEL fue 9,38 cm, Lca 5,04 cm, Pt 125 g y la proporción macho: hembra fue

1:1. La maduración sexual en C. bocourtimuestra que el 67,5% eran hembras maduras, 30% madurando y

2.5% inmaduras, mientras que el 76,5% de los machos eran adultos y el 23,5% juveniles. En C. sapidus,

el 75% de las hembras eran maduras, el 8,3% estaban madurando y 16,7% inmaduras, mientras que el

66,7% de los machos eran adultos y el 33,3% juveniles. Se concluye preliminarmente que C. bocourti

continúa siendo la especie de mayor presencia en el área y presenta amplia dominancia de hembras. Los

datos biométricos registrados para las dos especies, están por debajo de reportes anteriores para esta zona

y al comparar estos promedios con ejemplares en actividad reproductiva, se encuentra una probable

maduración a tallas menores, posible indicador de que se está presentando sobre-explotación del recurso y

que las especies han adoptado este mecanismo como protección de sus poblaciones.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Callinectes, Jaiba, Aspectos poblacionales, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta


145

BIOMASS OF PARROTFISHES (SCARIDAE) AND SURGEONFISHES (ACANTHURIDAE)

INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FOLLOWING BERMUDA’S FISH POT BAN

BIOMASA DE LOS PECES EN FAMILIAS SCARIDAE Y ACANTHURIDAE AUMENTADO

CONSIDERABLEMENTE DESPUES LA PROHIBICIÓN DE LAS NASAS EN BERMUDA

LA BIOMASSE DES FAMILLES DE POISSON SCARIDAE ET ACANTHURIDAE A

CONSIDÉRABLEMENT AUGMENTÉ ENSUITE L’INTERDICTION DES PIÈGES À POISSON

AUX BERMUDES

BRIAN E. LUCKHURST1 and SHAY O'FARRELL

2

12-4 Via della Chiesa Acqualoreto, Umbria 05023 Italy [email protected]

2School of Biological Sciences, Goddard Building University of Queensland Brisbane, Queensland 4072

Australia

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 Bohnsack-

Bannerot visual census protocol was used. The dominant herbivore species on Bermuda‟s 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

ESTABLISHING ACROPORA CORAL NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS

EL ESTABLECIMIENTO DE CORAL ACROPORA VIVEROS LARGO DE LAS BAHAMAS

ÉTABLIR ACROPORA PÉPINIÈRES CORAIL DES BAHAMAS

AGNESSA LUNDY and FELICITY BURROWS

The Nature Conservancy Northern Caribbean Program #6 Colonial Hill Plaza Thompson Blvd Nassau,

BA P O Box CB 1 The Bahamas [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Across the Caribbean and Florida, coral reefs are declining as a result of human induced and natural

elements. To help restore degraded Acropora reefs throughout the Bahamas, The Nature Conservancy‟s

Northern Caribbean Program has begun establishing and maintaining in-water coral nurseries. Currently

there are two coral nurseries – one located in the southwest area of New Providence and in Central

Andros Island. Adapting the method developed by Ken Marks, fragments of opportunity are identified in

the wild, collected and reared in the nursery for up to two years, then outplanted to selected restoration

areas. Outplant sites will provide an opportunity for cross fertilization between genetically distinct

populations that would otherwise not reproduce naturally due to their separate domestic sites. It is

expected that the nurseries will lead to an increase in Acropora larval production. The Conservancy will

also conduct genetic testing to determine connectivity between corals in the USVI, Florida, and the

Bahamas to facilitate better management of the coral reef network in the region. Genetic testing will also

help to identify the most resilient Acroporid coral genomes and the optimum environmental factors which

foster the best coral reef recovery. The nurseries will therefore make available a “bank” of corals that can

help repair Acropora reefs damaged by ship groundings, and other human induced factors as well as

major storm events.

KEYWORDS: Acropora, Coral Nursery, Bahamas, Caribbean


147

ASSESSMENT OF THE BREEDING SUCCESS OF RED-BILLED TROPICBIRDS ON ST

EUSTATIUS

EVALUACIÓN DEL ÉXITO DE LA REPRODUCCIÓN DEL AVE RABIJUNCO

ETÉREO EN LA ISLA DE SAN EUSTAQUIO

EVALUATION DU SUCCÈS REPRODUCTEUR DU PHAÉTON À BEC ROUGE À SAINTE-

EUSTACHE

HANNAH MADDEN and ANDREW ELLIS

STENAPA National Parks Office Gallows Bay, St Eustatius [email protected]

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 2012-

2013 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

FROM OPEN ACCESS FISHERY TO TERRITORIAL USE RIGHTS IN FISHERIES (TURF)

SYSTEMS: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE

ARTISANAL FISHING SECTOR POSED BY THE TRANSITION BETWEEN SYSTEMS OF

GOVERNANCE

DESDE PESQUERÍA DE ACCESO ABIERTO A LOS DERECHOS DE USO TERRITORIAL EN

(TURF) SISTEMAS DE PESCA: UNA PERSPECTIVA SOCIO-ECONÓMICA SOBRE LAS

CONSECUENCIAS PARA EL SECTOR DE LA PESCA ARTESANAL REPRESENTA LA

TRANSICIÓN ENTRE LOS SISTEMAS DE GOBIERNO

DE LA PÊCHE EN LIBRE ACCÈS POUR DROITS D'USAGE TERRITORIAUX EN MATIÈRE

DE PÊCHES (DUTP) SYSTÈMES: UN POINT DE VUE SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE SUR LES

IMPLICATIONS POUR LE SECTEUR DE LA PÊCHE ARTISANALE POSÉE PAR LA

TRANSITION ENTRE LES SYSTÈMES DE GOUVERNANCE.

BEN MAHARAJ and ASHA SINGH

Institute of Marine Affairs Hilltop Lane Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The artisanal fishing sector of Trinidad has developed within a governance regime of open access to

shared resources. An examination of available fisheries and socioeconomic data between 1998 and 2009

shows that artisanal fisheries are valuable; providing jobs and revenues while simultaneously contributing

to resilience of local coastal communities. Contribution to local economic growth is evident as fishing

sites are set in the poorest parts of this island and have direct and indirect economic impacts.

Unfortunately this regime is unsustainable in its present form leading to the overexploitation of various

species of fish. In response, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is considering the

introduction of a Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURF) system by replacing existing laws with

comprehensive primary legislation in the form of the Draft Fisheries Management Bill 2011. Considering

the measures proposed by this bill, this paper discusses the implications to the artisanal fisheries. The

findings reveal that under the present system of governance, the introduction of a system in which rights

are given to specific groups of fishers in return for restricting access to resources will have impacts on the

communities presently benefiting from the industry. While a business as usual approach will have

detrimental ecological effects in the long term, any introduction of new fisheries legislation must

reconcile with and consider the value, contribution and characteristics of the artisanal fisheries-a

component which is sparingly considered in the proposed bill.

KEYWORDS: artisanal fishing, Trinidad and Tobago, Territorial User Rights in Fisheries Sys, local

impacts, open access


149

ASSESSING EMERGING REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE

WIDER CARIBBEAN REGION

EVALUAR EMERGENTES ACUERDOS REGIONALES DE LOS OCÉANOS EN LA REGIÓN

DEL GRAN CARIBE

ÉVALUER ÉMERGENTS ARRANGEMENTS DE GOUVERNANCE DES OCÉANS

RÉGIONAUX DANS LA RÉGION DES CARAÏBES

ROBIN MAHON1, LUCIA FANNING

2, and PATRICK MCCONNEY

3

1Centre for Resource Management and Environmnetal University of the West Indies Cave Hill St.

Michael , Barbados [email protected] 2Marine Affairs ProgramDalhousie University Halifax Nova Scotia Canada

3CERMESUniversity of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus St. Michael Barbados

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

ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PEDRO BANK, JAMAICA

EVALUACIÓN DE LOS MECANISMOS DE GOBERNANZA DE PEDRO BANK, JAMAICA

ÉVALUATION DES MÉCANISMES DE GOUVERNANCE POUR PEDRO BANK, JAMAÏQUE

ROBIN MAHON

Centre for Resource Management and Environmnetal University of the West Indies Cave Hill St. Michael,

Barbados [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Pedro Bank, lying about 100 km south of Jamaica is two-thirds the size of Jamaica (8,040 km2). Two of

the three cays on the southeast edge of the bank are inhabited by fishing communities. Pedro Bank

supports valuable conch, lobster and reef fish fisheries. The purpose of this governance assessment is to

dissect and display the governance arrangements for the major living marine resource issues identified for

the bank and to examine their degree of integration for an ecosystem approach. The assessment focussed

mainly on the governance arrangements or architecture, but included a preliminary assessment of

functionality according to several basic principles. Six key living marine resource issues requiring

governance were identified for on Pedro Bank: (1) Finfish fishing, conch fishing, lobster fishing, seabird

and sea turtle biodiversity, land-based pollution on marine ecosystems, marine-based pollution. The first

observation is that there is the need to clarify the individual governance arrangements for the six issues

and make them known to all stakeholders. A second observation is that the governance arrangements for

the six issues do not appear to be well integrated at either the policy level or the management level. The

recommended the long-term perspective for the Pedro Bank is as a Fisheries Management Area (FMA) as

provided for in the new Fisheries Act. With regard to the assessment of functionality, stakeholders did not

perceive the processes as being highly functional with regard to the principles examined.

KEYWORDS: Policy, EBM, reefs, management, offshore bank


151

STROMBUS GIGAS (MOLLUSCA: STROMBIDAE): DEVELOPMENT OF MITOCHONDRIAL

AND NUCLEAR MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR POPULATION GENETICS AND GENOMICS

STROMBUS GIGAS (MOLLUSCA: STROMBIDAE): DESARROLLO DE MARCADORES

MOLECULARES MITOCONDRIALES Y NUCLEARES PARA GENÉTICA Y GENÓMICA DE

POBLACIONES

STROMBUS GIGAS (MOLLUSCA: STROMBIDAE): DÉVELOPPEMENT DE MARQUEURS

MOLÉCULAIRES MITOCHONDRIAUX ET NUCLÉAIRES POUR LA GÉNÉTIQUE DES

POPULATIONS ET DE LA GÉNOMIQUE

EDNA JUDITH MÁRQUEZ FERNÁNDEZ1, ERICK RICHARD CASTRO GONZÁLEZ

2, JUAN

PABLO ISAZA AGUDELO3, and JUAN FERNANDO ALZATE RESTREPO

3

1Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sedee Medellín Calle 59A No 63 – 20 Medellín, Antioquia Colombia

[email protected] 2Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca, Archipiélado San Andrés Avenida Francisco Newball, Edificio Coral

Palace Isla de San Andrés Colombia 3Universidad de Antioquia, Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica Sede de Investigación

Universitaria - SIU Torre 1, sotano 2, S2-1 Medellin Antioquia Colombia

ABSTRACT

This work reports the complete mitochondrial genome of the marine gastropod Strombus gigas, obtained

by 454 pyrosequencing, and the development of molecular markers with potential application in the

population genetics and genomics. Coding sequences and gene synteny were similar to some species of

the infraorder Litorinimorpha. In silico analysis of two mitochondrial regions previously published

showed a great similitude among queen conchs from the Colombian San Andres Archipelago and

Mexico. A high AT content region was variable among Colombian San Andres Archipelago populations

showing its ability to reveal genetic diversity to small scales. This approach also revealed a great source

of potentially amplifiable microsatellites some of them were experimentally tested for polymorphism.

This is the first report of the complete mitochondrial genome of S. gigas and gives the first insights about

the mitochondrial diversity of this snail in the San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago.

KEYWORDS: Next generation sequencing, mitochondria, microsatellites, genomics, genetics


152

GESTIÓN COORDINADA EN UNA ZONA BAJO RÉGIMEN ESPECIAL DE USO Y

PROTECCIÓN EN EL ÁREA MARINA DEL PARQUE NACIONAL GUANAHACABIBES,

CUBA

COORDINATED MANAGEMENT IN A ZONE UNDER SPECIAL USE AND PROTECTION IN

THE MARINE AREA OF THE GUANAHACABIBES NATIONAL PARK, CUBA

DANS UNE ZONE SOUS-UTILISATION DANS LE DOMAINE MARITIME PARC NATIONAL

GUANAHACABIBES, CUBA.

LÁZARO MÁRQUEZ LLAUGER y DORKA COBIÁN ROJAS

Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes ECOVIDA Villa Bolívar, No. 8 Sandino, P. del Río 24120 Cuba

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Se presentan las experiencias relativas a la gestión coordinada en la zona bajo régimen especial de uso y

protección en el área marina del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, en la cual se excluyen todas las

prácticas de pesca comercial y el uso de artes masivas. El trabajo destaca los impactos más significativos

que se han producido en la conservación de la biodiversidad marina como resultado de 10 años de gestión

participativa que ha involucrado los esfuerzos de las entidades turísticas, las autoridades del gobierno y

las comunidades locales, bajo la coordinación de la administración del área protegida. Se muestran los

principales resultados obtenidos por la ejecución de los programas de investigación científica y monitoreo

dirigidos a ecosistemas prioritarios y a especies claves, que han permitido el diseño de acciones de

manejo y el mantenimiento de la zona de exclusión de pesca. Se expone la zonificación funcional del

área, haciendo énfasis en los elementos evaluados para la propuesta de una zona de pesca de subsistencia

para el uso sostenible de los recursos marinos por parte de las comunidades locales y se destaca la

señalización del área mediante la colocación de boyas de marcación de límites y boyas de amarre en los

puntos de buceo y en las zonas de fondeo. Se abordan los aspectos básicos relacionados con la valoración

de servicios ecosistémicos marino-costeros como resultado de un proceso participativo con intervención

de las comunidades, actores del desarrollo económico local e instituciones científicas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Gestión coordinada, Zonificación funcional, Servicios ecosistémicos


153

CE QUE LE DÉVELOPPEMENT DES DCP A UN RÉEL EFFET SUR LE REDÉPLOIEMENT

DE LA PÊCHE SUR LES RESSOURCES AU LARGE?

DOES FAD DEPLOYMENT HAVE A REAL EFFECT ON FISHING REDEPLOYMENT

TOWARDS OFFSHORE RESOURCES?

TIENE LA COLOCACIÓN DE DCP UN REAL EFECTO SOBRE LA REDISTRIBUCIÓN DE

LA PESCA HACIA LOS RECURSOS EN MAR ADENTRO?

EST

HELOÏSE MATHEU1, LIONEL REYNAL

2, ANDREW MAGLOIRE

1, et OLIVIER GUYADER

3

1Ifremer, Fisheries Division, Fisheries Roseau, Roseau, Dominique [email protected]

2Ifremer, Pointe Fort, Le Robert, Martinique

3Ifremer, Centre de Brest, Brest, France

RÉSUMÉ

A partir de 1960, la région Caraïbes cherche à développer la pêche des grands poissons pélagiques du

large en particulier pour réduire l‟exploitation trop intense des plateaux insulaires. Le Dispositif de

Concentration de Poissons (DCP) est perçu comme un moyen d‟exploiter ces ressources. Le présent

papier tente de répondre à cette question : le développement des DCP a-t-il permis de redéployer l‟activité

de pêche vers les ressources du large et ainsi de réduire l‟effort sur les plateaux insulaires ? Pour y

répondre, le développement de la pêche aux DCP est comparé entre 3 îles (Guadeloupe, Dominique,

Martinique). Il montre qu‟en Guadeloupe et en Martinique 300 navires pratiquent la pêche autour des

DCP soit respectivement 39 et 33 % des navires actifs, alors que 59 et 61 % des pêcheurs professionnels

font de la pêche à 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 différence. Dès l‟approche du plein développement de la flottille DCP, une amorce de

repli sur le plateau se manifeste en Martinique. Trois raisons sont évoquées par les pêcheurs et examinées

ici, pour expliquer cette évolution: la saturation du marché en produit pélagique, l‟irrégularité de la pêche

aux DCP (saisonnalité des prises et des courants entrainant l‟immersion des DCP) et l‟augmentation du

coût du carburant. Tous ces éléments suggèrent que le développement de la pêche aux DCP ne peut

entrainer une réduction de l‟effort de pêche sur le plateau que si des mesures de régulation de la flottille

sont simultanément mises en œuvre.

MOTS CLÉS: DCP, ressources, exploitation, effort de pêche, plateau insulaire


154

PORTRAIT OF THE DEEP WATER SNAPPER FISHERY IN PUERTO RICO DURING 1988-

2012

SEMBLANZA DE LA PESQUERÍA DE PARGOS DE AGUAS PROFUNDAS EN PUERTO RICO

DURANTE 1988-2012

UN PORTRAIT DE LA PÊCHE DE LA CREVETTE VIVANEAUX À PUERTO RICO AU

COURS DE 1988-2012

DANIEL MATOS-CARABALLO1, LUIS RIVERA-PADILLA

1, JESÚS LEÓN-FERNÁNDEZ

1,

GLIZETTE O. ARROYO-MORALES2, and LUCIA T. VARGAS-DINIZARD

1DNER Fisheries Reseach Laboratory P.O. Box 3665 Mayaguez, PR 00681 USA

[email protected] 2Universidad 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 1970‟s. During

the mentioned 1970-1990, there were approximately 25 fishing vessels 40 feet length or larger dedicate to

deep water snapper fishery. From 1990‟s 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 31

st. 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


155

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, REEF RESILIENCY AND THE PREVALENCE OF CORAL

DISEASES & COMPROMISED REEF HEALTH IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, NORTH WEST

CARIBBEAN

AREAS PROTEGIDAS MARINAS, RESILIENCIA Y PREVALENCIA DE LAS

ENFERMEDADES CORALINAS Y LA SALUD EN PELIGRO DE LOS ARRECIFES DE LAS

ISLAS CAIMAN, CARIBE DEL NOROESTE

AIRES PROTÉGÉES MARINES, RÉSILIENCE ET PRÉDOMINANCE DES MALADIES

CORALLIENNES ET LA SANTÉ COMPROMISE DES RECIFS DES ÎLES CAÏMANS,

CARAIBES DU NORD OUEST

CROY MCCOY1, KATIE HILLYER

2 and JOHN TURNER

2

1Department Of Environment, Cayman Islands Bangor University, UK ,Cayman Islands

[email protected] 2Bangor University, UK

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., non-

MPA: 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

LIONFISH CONTROL IN U.S. NATIONAL PARKS

CONTROL DE LIONFISH EN PARQUES NACIONALES DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS

LE CONTRÔLE DE LIONFISH DANS LES PARCS NACIONAUX DES ETATS UNIS

CLIFF MCCREEDY, VANESSA MCDONOUGH, and C. ANNA TOLINE

National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This presentation will review strategies adopted by U.S. National Parks to monitor and control lionfish

and mitigate lionfish impacts on protected resources. Lionfish have been detected in seven National

Parks in Florida, Mississippi and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2012, U.S. National Park Service adopted a

Lionfish Response Plan with input from park managers and biologists, NOAA, Reef Environmental

Education Foundation, and Simon Fraser University. The plan has specific actions to prevent or mitigate

resource impacts, to protect health and safety for staff and visitors, and to communicate the lionfish story

to partner organizations and the public. Parks are implementing local plans suited to resource conditions

and available funding and capacity. This paper will review the NPS national plan and compare these

local approaches. For example, Biscayne National Park near Miami, Florida adopted a random sampling

design to monitor lionfish abundance and density across park waters and habitats, including seagrass,

coral reefs and artificial structures. This monitoring and removal effort is yielding information on the

progression of the lionfish invasion since 2009. Other parks are using different approaches working with

local partners. This presentation will share experiences for marine protected area managers and others in

this field.

KEYWORDS: lionfish, marine protected area, invasive species


157

DEPREDATION OF CATCH BY BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) AND

OBSERVATION OF ATLANTIC SPOTTED DOLPHIN (STENELLA FRONTALIS) IN THE

GULF OF MEXICO COMMERCIAL REEF FISH FISHERY

DEPREDACIÓN DE LA CAPTURA POR DELFINES MULARES (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)Y

OBSERVACIÓN DE DELFINES MOTEADOS DEL ATLÁNTICO (STENELLA FRONTALIS)

EN EL GOLFO DE MÉXICO COMERCIAL PESCA PECES DE ARRECIFE

DÉPRÉDATION DES CAPTURES PAR GRANDS DAUPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) ET

D'OBSERVATION DE LA DAUPHINS ATLANTIQUE TACHETÉS (STENELLA FRONTALIS)

DANS LE GOLFE DU MEXIQUE COMMERCIAL POISSONS DE RÉCIF PÊCHE

KIMBERLY MCGLAUN and WILLIAM MCGLAUN

Texas Sealife Center 14220 South Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 USA

[email protected]

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


158

A MIXED MANAGEMENT APPROACH - ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND FISH SANCTUARIES -

TOWARDS FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT

UN ENFOQUE DE GESTIÓN MIXTA - ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES Y SANTUARIOS DE

PECES - A INCREMENTAR LA PESCA

UNE APPROCHE DE GESTION MIXTE - RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS ET LES SANCTUAIRES DE

POISSONS - VERS LA MISE EN VALEUR DES PÊCHES

MICHELLE MCNAUGHT

The CARIBSAVE Partnership 2 1/2 Kingsway, Unit 27 Devon House East Kingston, 19 Jamaica

[email protected]

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 Jamaica‟s 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


159

DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE BLUE CRAB (CALLINECTES SAPIDUS) GROWTH

MODELS

DESARROLLO DE MODELOS DE CRECIMIENTO JUVENIL CANGREJO AZUL

(CALLINECTES SAPIDUS)

DÉVELOPPEMENT DU CRABE BLEU JUVÉNILE (CALLINECTES SAPIDUS) MODÈLE DE

CROISSANCE

LAILA MELENDEZ1, GEORGE GUILLEN

2, and GLEN SUTTON

3

1University of Houston Clear Lake, School of Science and Computer Engineering 2700 Bay Area Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77058 United States [email protected] 2University of Houston Clear Lake, Environmental Institute of Houston, Houston, Texas 77058 United

States 3Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentCoastal Fisheries Division Dickinson Marine Laboratory 1502

Pine Ave. Dickinson Texas 77539 United States

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

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF HALOPHILA STIPULACEA, AN INVASIVE SPECIES OF

MARINE MAGNOLIOPHYTA IN GUADELOUPE ISLAND (LESSER ANTILLES)

ESTUDIO PRELIMINAR DE HALOPHILA STIPULACEA, UNA ESPECIES INVASORA DE

FANERÓGAMA MARINA EN LA ISLA DE GUADELOUPE (ANTILLAS MENORES)

ÉTUDE PRÉLIMINAIRE DE L’ESPÈCE INVASIVE DE MAGNOLIOPHYTE MARIN,

HALOPHILA STIPULACEA, EN GUADELOUPE (PETITES ANTILLES)

JULIE MELLINGER, YOLANDE BOUCHON-NAVARO, SÉBASTIEN CORDONNIER, and

CLAUDE BOUCHON

Universite des Antilles et de la Guyane LABEX CORAIL Équipe DYNECAR EA 926 BP 592 Pointe-à-

Pitre, Guadeloupe 97159 Guadeloupe (France) [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The invasive marine Magnoliophyta Halophila stipulacea, originating from the Indian Ocean and the Red

sea, was first observed in the Antilles, in 2002, in Grenada and reached Guadeloupe in 2011.

Cartographies by video transect have shown that the species preferentially settled in sheltered areas on

sandy to muddy sediments. H. stipulacea has largely colonized the bottoms of the bays of the leeward

coast of Guadeloupe, from 3 to 55 m. Where present, this species has replaced indigenous species such as

Syringodium filiforme and Halophila decipiens. The seagrass formed by H. Stipulacea presented linear

growth rates varying from 0.9 ± 0.3 to 1.4± 0.1 cm per day according to the site. The maximum recorded

horizontal growth rate reached 7 cm per day. These values can explain the expansion success of this

invader. According to the sites, total biomass (dry weight of leaves, rhizomes and roots) fluctuated from

172.6 ± 37.0 g.m-2

to 308.8 ± 84.8 g.m-2

. Roots are short and the plant is weakly anchored in the sediment.

This characteristic confers to this plant a low resistance to currents and surge. The leaf length varied

between 3.8 ± 0.1 cm and 4.4 ± 0.1 cm. The small size of the leaves does not offers an important potential

shelter to the associated macrofauna.A preliminary study of the macrofauna (> 2 mm) associated to this

new species was performed with an epibenthic sledge completed by underwater visual surveys. A total

of148 invertebrates and 69 fish species were identified.

KEYWORDS: Halophila stipulacea, Marine Magnoliophyta, invasive species, linear growth, associated

fauna


161

SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF DOLPHINFISH (CORYPHAENA HIPPURUS)

MOVEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE BAHAMIAN ARCHIPELAGO

DIFERENCIACIÓN ESPACIAL DE LOS MOVIMIENTOS DORADO (CORYPHAENA

HIPPURUS) EN RELACIÓN CON EL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE LAS BAHAMAS

LA DIFFÉRENCIATION SPATIALE DES MOUVEMENTS CORYPHÈNE (CORYPHAENA

HIPPURUS) PAR RAPPORT À L'ARCHIPEL DES BAHAMAS

WESSLEY MERTEN1, RICHARD APPELDOORN

1, and DONALD HAMMOND

2

1University of Puerto Rico Department of Marine Sciences PO Box 9000 Mayaguez, PR 00680 United

States [email protected]

2Cooperative Science ServicesDolphinfish Research Program

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 George‟s 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

BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE STRATEGY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF DATA

DEFICIENT FISHERIES IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION

CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UNA ESTRATEGIA PARA LA EVALUACIÓN DE PESQUERIAS CON

DEFIECIENCA EN DATOS EN LA REGION DEL CARIBELA

CONSTRUCTION D’UNE STRATÉGIE COLLABORATIVE SUR L'ÉVALUACION DE

PÊCHERIES DÉFICIENTES EN DATA AUX RÉGION DES CARAÏBE

WILLIAM MICHAELS1, NANCIE CUMMINGS

1, MANDY KARNAUSKAS

1, JAMES BERKSON

1,

and ALEJANDRO ACOSTA2

1NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service NMFS Office of Science & Technology 1315 East West Hwy,

SSMC3, F/ST4 Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA [email protected] 2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 2796 Overseas

Hwy Ste 119 MarathonFL 33050 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Increasing needs by fisheries managers to establish harvest controls to sustain fishery resources have

shifted priorities to meet the minimum stock assessment requirements for each fishery. To achieve an

optimal data collection system of managed resources, managers acknowledge the need to address data

deficiencies that exist for many fisheries. This is particularly true for the Caribbean region where

essentially all of the stock assessments are considered as data limited. In addition to the challenges of

limited survey capabilities, managers and assessment scientists must address sampling and modeling

uncertainties in an environment with complexity in species diversity, life history parameters, and habitats

that are difficult to sample. The Caribbean is further complicated by the diversity of fisheries, lack of

technical capacity, and political complexity. Furthermore, the biological and technical challenges of

assessing artisanal fisheries are not small-scale issues because of the connectivity of stocks across the

Caribbean jurisdictions. For these reasons, scientists and resource managers must work collaboratively on

improving the science to safeguard the health and sustainability of fishery resources and their habitats in

the Caribbean region. A collaborative capacity building strategy for enhanced survey capabilities is the

ultimate goal, yet the most immediate benefits can be obtained by evaluating and developing the analytic

tools to conduct assessments of data deficient fisheries. The political will for capability building is not

only driven by mandates to achieve sustainable fishery resources, but also requires partnership and

consensus on how best to improve the science for policy decisions.

KEYWORDS: Data-limited, stock assessment, fishery management, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean


163

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES WHICH STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL COHESION AMONG

FISHERMEN AND PROMOTE THE CO-MANAGEMENT

ACTIVIDADES ECONOMICAS QUE PORTALECEN LA COHESION SOCIAL ENTRE

PESCADORES Y PROMUEVEN EL CO-MANEJOLES

ACTIVITES ECONOMIQUES QUI RENFORCENT LA COHESION SOCIALE ENTRE LES

PECHEURS ET PROMOUVOIR LA COGESTION

NARIAKI MIKUNI1 and JENNIFER HOWARD

2

1JICA 23 Brazil Street Castries, St.Lucia [email protected]

2Fisheries Division Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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 co-

management. 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

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF REEF FISH SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN ELEUTHERA,

BAHAMAS

EL ANÁLISIS PRELIMINAR DE LOS PATRONES DE ASENTAMIENTO DE PECES DE

ARRECIFE EN ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS

L'ANALYSE PRÉLIMINAIRE DE LES MODÈLES D'ÉTABLISSEMENT DES POISSONS DE

RÉCIFS À ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS

SKYLAR MILLER, HENRI VALLES, and HAZEL OXENFORD

University of the West Indies The Cape Eleuthera Institute CERMES Cave Hill Campus Cave Hill, St

Michael BB 11000 Barbados [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the settlement dynamics of reef fishes in Eleuthera island, The Bahamas. In this

study, standard monitoring units for the recruitment of fishes (SMURFs) were used to describe temporal

and spatial settlement patterns of reef fishes near Cape Eleuthera. SMURF units were deployed at study

sites across various habitats including deep (18 m) continuous reef, and shallow (3 m) patch reef areas to

test for differences in settlement across locations. Up to eight units were sampled weekly at each site from

April through July, 2013. Collections at all sites yielded a total of 325 recently settled (< 2 cm) reef

fishes. More than half of these were retrieved from sites in continuous reef habitat and further analysis of

the most abundant taxa suggested species-specific habitat associations. Barred cardinalfish (Apogon

binotatus) and goldspotgoby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) were more often collected at continuous reef sites,

while beaugregory damselfish (Stegastes leucostictus) were found only in collections taken from patch

reef sites. No association with lunar cycles was observed for these species; however, recently settled A.

binotatus and S. leucostictus did not appear until late May and early June, respectively, suggesting that

settlement for some reef fish is seasonal in Eleuthera.

KEYWORDS: Reef fish, settlement patterns, standard monitoring unit, Bahamas


165

EFECTO DE LAS VEDAS EN LAS POBLACIONES DE TORTUGAS MARINAS EN CUBA.

CASO DE ESTUDIO: SUR DE LA ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

EFFECT OF SEASON CLOSURES ON POPULATIONS OF SEA TURTLES IN CUBA. CASE

STUDY: SOUTH OF ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

LES EFFETS DE LE CLOTUREÉ DE SAISON SUR LES POPULATIONS DE TORTUES

MARINES A CUBA. CAS ÉTUDIÉ: SUD DE ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

FELIX MONCADA, RAFAEL TIZOL, GONAZLO NODARSE, y YOSVANI MEDINA

Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras Ministerio de la Industria Pesquera 5ta Ave y 248 Barlovento,

Santa Fé Havana, Cuba [email protected]

RESUMEN

Las tortugas marinas constituyeron un recurso pesquero para Cuba hasta el 2007, cuya pesquería estaba

controlada por varias medidas regulatorias para la protección y conservación de estas especies,

recomendadas por el Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras. Teniéndose en cuenta que estas medidas deben

evaluarse para conocer sus efectos en la recuperación de las poblaciones, y que el monitoreo llevado a

cabo durante 30 años en la playa Ël Guanal¨ (sur de la Isla de la Juventud), posibilita analizar el impacto

de algunas de estas medidas sobre la anidación 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 propósito, se realizó un análisis de la captura (comportamiento para el

periodo, y por periodo de veda) y la anidación (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 comprobó que la variación anual de la captura de tortuga verde y caguama muestra

para todo el periodo una disminución en el tiempo para ambas especies vinculadas con las vedas

establecidas, mientras que en la anidación se observó una variación de la anidación para ambas especies

según las vedas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Season closures, catch, loggerhead turtles, sea turtles, green turtle


166

ARE SMALL-ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES FISHERIES’ REALLY THAT VULNERABLE

TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

ES REALMENTE LA PESCA EN LOS PEQUEÑOS ESTADOS INSULARES EN DESARROLLO

TAN VULNERABLE AL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO?

LES PÊCHERIES DES PETITS ETATS INSULAIRES EN DÉVELOPPEMENT SONT-ELLES

RÉELLEMENT SI VULNÉRABLES FACE AUX CHANGEMENTS CLIMATIQUES?

IRIS MONNEREAU, ROBIN MAHON, PATRICK MCCONNEY, and LEONARD NURSE

CERMES/UWI CERMES/UWI Cave Hill Campus St. Michael, Barbados BB11000

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) are expected to be disproportionally affected by climate change

due to their social, economic and geographical characteristics – such as limited size, proneness to natural

hazards, low-lying areas, and low adaptive capacity. In recent years various vulnerability assessments of

national fisheries to potential climate change impacts have been carried out. These studies (see e.g.

Allison et al., 2009 and Hughes et al., 2012), however, scarcely include SIDS despite the particular

importance of fisheries in these countries. This study has replicated, with slightly modified methods, the

2009 vulnerability assessment by Allison et al. (2009) with most recent data and has broadened the

analysis to include nearly all coastal states in the world including all, except one, Small-Island

Developing States. This study assesses the outcome and relevance of this vulnerability assessment for

SIDS and discusses a possible new framework integrating the advances in the field of national level

vulnerability studies that have been made since the previous assessment.

KEYWORDS: SIDS, climate change, vulberability assessment, fisheries, Caribbean


167

GULFBASE AS A TOOL TO FOSTER RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS AND BETTER

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

GULFBASE COMO UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA FOMENTAR LA COLABORACIÓN EN

INVESTIGACIÓN Y UNA MEJOR PREPARACIÓN PARA LOS DESASTRES

GULFBASE COMME UN OUTIL POUR FAVORISER LES COLLABORATIONS DE

RECHERCHE ET UNE MEILLEURE PRÉPARATION AUX CATASTROPHES

FABIO MORETZSOHN, JOHN W. TUNNELL, JR., and LARRY MCKINNEY

Harte Research Institute Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5869 Corpus

Christi, TX 78412-5869 USA [email protected]

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

MOVEMENT AND HABITAT USE OF SUBADULT RED DRUM (SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS)

AND SPOTTED SEATROUT (CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS) IN THE MISSION-ARANSAS

NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

MOVIMIENTO Y USO DEL HABITAT DE LOS SUBADULTOS DE TAMBOR ROJO

(SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS) Y CORVINA PINTA (CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS) EN LA

RESERVE NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN ESTUARIO DE MISSION-ARANSAS

MOUVEMENT ET UTILISATION DE L`HABITAT PAR LES SUB-ADULTES DE OMBRINE

OCELLÉE (SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS) ET DE ACOUPA PINTADE (CYNOSCION

NEBULOSUS) DANS LA RÉSERVE NATIONALE DE RECHERCHE ESTUARIENNE DE

MISSION-ARANSAS

DAVID MOULTON

Texas A&M University at Galveston Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi P.O. box 1675 Galveston, TX

77554 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) are highly sought-after game

fish providing economic and recreational value to the Gulf of Mexico. Information regarding movements,

essential habitat, and habitat connectivity is needed for effective management and conservation of both

species, as well as the habitat they utilize. A VEMCO VR2W Positioning System (VPS) array consisting

of 20 VR2W passive acoustic receivers was deployed in June and July 2013 to encompass approximately

350m2 of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (TX) and a variety of habitat types

including shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass

(Syringodium filiforme), drift macroalgae, oyster reef, marsh edge, and unvegetated bottom. Subadult red

drum (n=15) and spotted seatrout (n=15) were implanted with VEMCO V9 acoustic transmitters and

tracked within the array for a maximum of 28 days. A total of 48,292 detections were recorded: 13,433

for red drum and 34,859 for spotted seatrout. Position data were analyzed at two spatial resolutions to

yield species comparisons of residency as well as temporal and tidal patterns of movement and habitat

use. Time-difference-of-arrival analysis for simultaneous detections of the same transmission by three or

more receivers allowed fine-scale (+/- 3 m) estimation of fish position, which was coupled to satellite

imagery and ground observation to determine specific habitat usage. Centers of activity over varying time

scales were also estimated to assess spatial and temporal differences in movements and utilization of

habitat groups within the array.

KEYWORDS: Species-habitat relationships, acoustic telemetry, center of activity, game fish, VR2W

positioning system


169

USING VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS TO ENHANCE MPA OUTREACH: LESSONS LEARNED

UTILIZANDO EDUCADORES VOLUNTARIOS PARA AUMENTAR LA SENSIBILIZACIÓN

AMBIENTAL EN AMPS: LECCIONES APRENDIDAS UTILISER ÉDUCATEURS

BÉNÉVOLES POUR ACCROÎTRE LA SENSIBILISATION ENVIRONNEMENTALE DANS

LES ZPM: LEÇONS APPRISES

LISA MULCAHY1, ROBERTO CARBALLO

2, ISAIAS MAJIL

3, and EMMA DOYLE

4

1MarEPOsa P.O. Box 553 South Beach, OR 97366 USA [email protected]

2Belize Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Developmen Second Floor, West Block Building,

Independence Plaza Belmopan Belize 3Belize Ministry of Fisheries Princess Margaret Drive P.O. Box 148 Belize City Belize

4GCFI, P.O. Box 21655 Charleston SC 29413-1655 USA

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 CaMPAM‟s 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

MAPPING THE SOUTH TEXAS BANKS

MAPEAR LOS BANCOS DEL SUR DE TEXAS

CARTOGRAPHIER LES RIVES SUD DU TEXAS

HARRIET NASH and JOHN W. TUNNELL, JR.

Harte Research Institute Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr. Unit 5869 Corpus

Christi, TX 78412 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Biodiversity data are critical for marine conservation planning, but biological surveys, particularly in

offshore locations, are resource intensive and dependent on favorable conditions at sea. In areas with few

biological data, abiotic variables are used as surrogates for marine biodiversity. The South Texas Banks

are hard-substrate sites with bathymetric relief on the continental shelf in the northwestern Gulf of

Mexico where biological data are sparse. This study focused on 12 outer-shelf South Texas Banks that

support ecological connectivity among nearshore and offshore, hard-bottom, natural and artificial sites.

High-resolution multibeam echosounder data were used to create maps and a dataset of geomorphic

variables to be used via multivariate statistical analyses as an abiotic surrogate for biodiversity patterns.

The detailed site maps are important tools to guide future studies, such as identification of reef fish

spawning sites and biodiversity trends. The statistical approach produced a ranking tool to guide

prioritization of future biological explorations and site selection for design of marine protected areas. A

minimum of five of the South Texas Banks is proposed for place-based protection. Similar methodology

can be applied to other regions of the Gulf of Mexico to identify sites for inclusion in the International

Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Area Network.

KEYWORDS: South Texas Banks, multibeam bathymetry, hard bottom habitat, marine protected areas


171

TEMPORAL PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AGGREGATION

FORMATION AND SPAWNING IN THE BERMUDA CHUB (KYPHOSUS SECTATRIX)

LOS PATRONES TEMPORALES Y LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS DE COMPORTAMIENTO DE

LA FORMACIÓN DE AGREGACIÓN Y DESOVE EN EL BERMUDA CHUB (KYPHOSUS

SECTATRIX)

LES TENDANCES TEMPORELLES ET LES CARACTÉRISTIQUES COMPORTEMENTALES

DE LA FORMATION DE L'AGRÉGATION ET DE LA PONTE DANS LA BERMUDA CHUB

(KYPHOSUS SECTATRIX)

RICHARD S. NEMETH and ELIZABETH KADISON

University of the Virgin Islands Center for Marine and Environmental Studies 2 John Brewer's Bay St.

Thomas, USVI 00802-9990 US Virgin Islands [email protected]

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


172

¿CÓMO ES EL COMPORTAMIENTO DEL CARACOL ROSA, STROMBUS GIGAS Y CÓMO

UTILIZA SU HÁBITAT?

WHAT DOES THE QUEEN CONCH, STROMBUS GIGAS BEHAVIOR AND HOW IT USES ITS

HABITAT?

COMMENT EST-IL LE COMPORTEMENT DU LAMBI, STROMBUS GIGAS ET COMMENT

IL UTILISE SON HABITAT?

MARIANA NOGUEZ NÚÑEZ1 y DALILA ALDANA ARANDA

2

1Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Unam. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados

Puerto de Abrigo s/n, Sisal. Carretera Antigua a Progreso, Km. 6, A.P. 73 Cordemex, C.P. 97310,

Mérida, Hunucmá , Yucatán 97351 México [email protected] 2Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Carretera Antigua a Progreso, Km. 6, A.P. 73

Cordemex, Carretera Antigua a Progreso, Km. 6, A.P. 73 Cordemex, C.P. 97310 Merida Yucatán 97310

México

RESUMEN

Strombus gigas tiene importancia pesquera en el Caribe, pero sus poblaciones están sobreexplotadas,

trabajándose su acuacultura y repoblación. Su comportamiento y uso del hábitat ha sido poco estudiado

(Berg, 1975; Stoner, 2002 y Bissada et al., 2010). El objetivo de este trabajo: Conocer el uso del hábitat y

comportamiento de S. gigas y sus variaciones estacionales, mensuales y diurnas en adultos y juveniles.

Las actividades de comportamiento y hábitat se observaron de 8-17h en transectos de 100 m (enero-

noviembre 2012), contabilizando caracoles: reposo, movimiento, alimentación y cópula-desove. Con

marcado-recaptura, se determinó el área utilizada.hora-1 (8, 12 y 16h) en secas y lluvias. El análisis del

comportamiento estacional mostró diferencia significativa del reposo entre nortes y secas-lluvias en

adultos. Alimentación 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 épocas. A nivel mensual, la

alimentación, movimiento, reposo y cópula presentaron diferencias significativas. Reposo en adultos

presentó un pico en marzo-julio y en juveniles este se observó: enero-febrero y octubre-diciembre. La

alimentación fue similar en juveniles y adultos. La alimentación y movimiento en un ciclo diurno mostró

diferencias, aumentando de 10 a 14 h. El reposo es alto de 8-10h. Los caracoles utilizan un área de 0.86

m2.h

-1, aumentando en lluvias a 1.1 m

2 y disminuyendo en secas (0.55 m

2). El área utilizada por un

caracol en el día varía significativamente, de 0.44m2 (8h) a 1.67m

2.h

-1 (16h). Conocer el uso del hábitat y

sus variaciones diurnas, estacionales en las diferentes fases del ciclo de vida son valiosas para adecuar los

programas de conservación, y cultivo de esta especie.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Comportamiento, mensual, diurno, estacional, caracol rosa


173

CASTING DEEPER AND MORE WIDELY TO PERFORM STOCK-SPECIFIC FISHERIES ASSESSMENTS WHEN DATA ARE SPARSE

AL LANZAR MAS PROFUNDA Y EXTENSAMENTE PARA EVALUAR EL ESTADO DE

LAS POBLACIONES DE PECES CUANDO LOS DATOS SON ESCASOS

JETANT PLUS DE PROFONDEUR ET À GRANDE ÉCHELLE POUR ÉVALUER L'ÉTAT

DES STOCKS DE POISSONS LORSQUE LES DONNÉES SONT RARES

JOSH NOWLIS 1Bridge Environment, 9721 20

th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 USA [email protected]

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

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


174

COMPOSICION Y ESTRUCTURA TROFICA DE LA COMUNIDAD DE PECES DE LOS

ARRECIFES DEL BANCO DE CAMPECHE, GOLFO DE MÉXICO

COMPOSITION AND TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE FISH COMMUNITIES OF THE

BANK OF CAMPECHE REEFS, GULF OF MEXICO

COMPOSITION ET STRUCTURE TROPHIQUE DES COMMUNAUT?S DE POISSONS DE LA

BANQUE DU CAMPECHE R?CIFS, GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

ENRIQUE NUNEZ1, CARLOS GONZALEZ-SALAS

2, HORACIO PEREZ-ESPAÑA

3, y LAFFON-

LEAL 1Universidad Autonoma del Carmen Dependencia de Ciencias Naturales calle 56, 4 col. Benito Juarez

Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche 24180 Mexico [email protected] 2Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan Carretra Xmacuitl km 25 Merida Yucatan 3Universidad VeracruzanaCEP-Boca del Rio Boca del Rio Veracruz Mexico

RESUMEN

Al oeste-noroeste de la Peninsula de Yucatan en el Golfo de Mexico se localiza el Banco de Campeche

con formaciones arrecifales sobresalientes principalmente de tipo plataforma. El objetivo de la

investigaci?n fue describir la composici?n y estructura tr?fica de la comunidad de peces de estos arrecifes.

Mediante censos visuales en transecto (50x2 m) se registr? el n?mero y talla aproximada de los individuos

de cada especie de pez identificada. Un total de 116 especies de peces arrecifales de 28 familias fueron

registradas en 197 transectos realizados. El numero promedio de especies registradas por transecto fue de

19. La abundancia promedio fue de 215 individuos por transecto y de 1832 individuos por estacion de

muestreo. La densidad promedio fue de 1.8 ind/m2. Las especies de peces que se alimenta de plantas y

detritus fueron las mas importantes (32% del total identificadas). Tomando en cuenta la abundancia, los

peces zooplanctafagos fueron marcadamente dominantes (64% del total de individuos). Analisis

multivariado de varianza muestran que no existe diferencia significativa en la composicion de la

comunidad de peces entre arrecifes, pero si (P<0.05) entre la zonas expuestas a las corrientes y protegidas

de cada arrecife. Es dificil suponer movimientos migratorios de peces adultos entre arrecifes por las

grandes distancias entre ellos, pero si transporte de larvas, ya que el patr?n general de la Corriente del

Golfo en esta zona es en sentido este-oeste y pudiera haber un aporte de larvas de una fuente com?n como

el Arrecife Alacranes o el Mar Caribe.

PALABRA CLAVES: Composicoion de la comunidad, estructura trofica, Conectividad


175

ESTUDIO DE LA CADENA DE MERCADO DEL CONSUMO NACIONAL DE CARACOL

REINA (STROMBUS GIGAS) EN HONDURAS

MARKET CHAIN STUDY FOR NATIONAL COSUMPTION OF QUEEN CONCH (STROMBUS

GIGAS) IN HONDURAS

ÉTUDIER CHAÎNE NATIONALE DU MARCHÉ DE LA CONSOMMATION STROMBE

GÉANT (STROMBUS GIGAS) AU HONDURAS

MAYRA NUNEZ1 y STEPHEN BOX

2

1Centro de Ecologia Marina Edificio Florencia Oficina 401-403 Tegucigalpa, FMO Honduras


Fort Pierce Florida USA

RESUMEN

El caracol reina es de larga vida y de crecimiento lento, convirtiéndolo vulnerable a la explotación

insostenible; por estas razones fue incluido en Apéndice II de CITES. El caracol es utilizado en

restaurante y en la gastronomía local, especialmente en las sopas de mariscos y ceviche. La pesquería de

caracol llego a convertirseen la segunda más importante para Honduras seguida de la pesca de langosta,

luego de la decisión delcierre de esta pesquería en el país; el gobierno cumpliendo los requisitos de

CITES inició el "Programa de Investigación Científica del Caracol Reina del Caribe" siendo este año el

séptimo y no cuenta aún con ningún plan de gestión o un dictamen de extracción. La cadena de mercado

del caracol es abastecida legalmente por el estudio científico, 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 exportación, como también

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 Bahía, 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 evitaría la sobreexplotación y el

comercio ilegal de caracol dando nuevas oportunidades de mercado al país.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Caracol reina, cadena de mercado, pesca ilegal, pesca sostenible


176

FISH COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH BENTHIC BIOLOGICAL ZONES AT THE

FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY AND OTHER BANKS IN

THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO

LAS COMUNIDADES DE PECES ASOCIADAS CON LAS ZONAS BIOLÓGICAS

BENTÓNICAS EN EL SANTUARIO MARINO NACIONAL FLOWER GARDEN BANKS Y

OTROS BANCOS EN EL NOROESTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

L’ASSOCIATION DES COMMUNAUTÉS DE POISSONS DANS LES SECTEURS

BIOLOGIQUE BENTHIQUE AU FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE

SANCTUARY ET D’AUTRES RIVES DANS LE NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

MARISSA F. NUTTALL, EMMA L. HICKERSON, RYAN J. ECKERT, JOHN A. EMBESI

MICHELLE A. JOHNSTON, and GEORGE P. SCHMAHL

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 4700 Ave U Bldg 216 Galveston, TX 77551 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is comprised of three uplifted salt

dome features located in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (East Bank, West Bank, and Stetson Bank),

between 70-115 miles offshore of Galveston, Texas. These features represent three of dozens of reefs and

banks in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The banks rise from the surrounding seafloor at

approximately 55-145 m and crest between 17-21 m of the sea surface, and support well-developed

benthic communities throughout. Distinct biological zones describing the habitats within FGBNMS have

been developed, including coral reef, coral community, coralline algae (including coralline algae reefs

and algal nodules), deep coral, soft bottom, brine seep, and mud volcano. Each of these biological zones

harbors a distinct and characteristic benthic community. This study presents the addition of fish

community data associated with these biological zones, linking dominant fish species to each habitat.

While the data presented here originates from surveys at the three banks located within FGBNMS,

extensive remotely operated vehicle surveys of nearby locations by the sanctuary and partners indicate

these biological zones and associated fish communities possess a wider applicability to the many reefs

and banks of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

KEYWORDS: Northwestern GoMex, biological zones, fish community, benthic community


177

ECOLOGÍA TRÓFICA DEL GUABINO (PISCES: ELEOTRIDAE) EN EL MAR CARIBE

CORDOBÉS, COLOMBIA

TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF GUABINO (PISCES: ELEOTRIDAE) IN THE CORDOBA’S

CARIBBEAN SEA, COLOMBIA

TROPHIQUE ÉCOLOGIE DU GUABINO (PISCES: ELEOTRIDAE) DANS LA MER DES

CARAÏBES DE CORDOBA, COLOMBIE

CHARLES W. OLAYA-NIETO, MIRLEY MORALES-MONTESINO, y JORGE QUIROGA-

GONZÁLEZ

Laboratorio de Investigación Biológico Pesquera- Universidad de Córdoba Km 1, carretera a Chinú

Carrera 23 No 2A - 20, Piso 2 Lorica, Córdoba Colombia [email protected]

RESUMEN

Se estudió la ecología trófica del Guabino en el mar Caribe Cordobés, Colombia, analizando estómagos

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 estimó el Coeficiente de vacuidad, Grado de digestión, Frecuencia

de ocurrencia, Frecuencia numérica, Gravimetría y el Índice de importancia relativa (IIR). El 58.6 % de

los estómagos se encontró vacío y el 11.7 % de las presas estaban frescas, 73.3 % medio digeridas y 15.0

% digeridas. Se identificaron tres grupos alimentarios: Peces, Crustáceos y Otros, siendo Peces el grupo

más frecuente (69.6 %), encontrándose en casi todos los meses del año, excepto en mayo, el más

abundante (66.7 %) y con mayor composición en peso (86.9 %). El IIR presentó valores de 60.5 % para

Peces. Los resultados obtenidos permiten inferir que el Guabino es un pez de hábitos alimenticios

carnívoros con tendencia piscívora.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Alimentación, Dieta, Hábitos alimentarios, Mar Caribe


178

A STUDY OF RESOURCE STATUS OF VIRGIN ISLANDS SPINY LOBSTERS THROUGH A

COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CARIBBEAN COUNCIL AND VIRGIN ISLANDS

FISHERMEN

UN ESTUDIO DE LA SITUACIÓN DE LOS RECURSOS DE LAS ISLAS VÍRGENES DE

LANGOSTAS A TRAVÉS DE UNA COLABORACIÓN ENTRE EL CONSEJO DEL CARIBE Y

LAS ISLAS VÍRGENES DE LOS PESCADORES

UNE ÉTUDE DE L'ÉTAT DES RESSOURCES DES ÎLES VIERGES LANGOUSTES GRÂCE À

UNE COLLABORATION ENTRE LE CONSEIL ET CARAÏBES ÎLES VIERGES PÊCHEURS.

DAVID OLSEN1, JOSH NOWLIS

2, and BRYAN BRYAN

1

1St. Thomas Fishermen's Association 8168 Crown Bay Marina, Ste. 310 St. Thomas, VI 00802 USA

[email protected]

2Bridge Environmental 947 NE Boat Street Seattle WA 98105 USA

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


179

MANAGEMENT OF ST. THOMAS GROUPER FISHERY

MANEJO DE LA ST. THOMAS MERO PESQUERÍA

GESTION DE LA PÊCHE ST. THOMAS GROUPER

DAVID OLSEN1, JOSH NOWLIS

2, and RICHARD NEMETH

3

1St. Thomas Fishermen's Association 8168 Crown Bay Marina, Ste. 310 St. Thomas, VI 00802 USA

[email protected] 2Bridge Environmental 947 NE Boat Street Seattle WA 98105

3University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas USVI 00803

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 Fishermen‟s 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

COMPOSICIÓN ISOTÓPICA DE 15

N Y 13

C DEL TEJIDO DE ESPONJAS COMO INDICADOR

DEL IMPACTO DE AGUAS RESIDUALES HUMANAS SOBRE LOS SISTEMAS

ARRECIFALES DE LA ISLA DE SAN ANDRÉS, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF 15

N AND 13

C IN SPONGE TISSUES AS AN INDICATOR OF

HUMAN SEWAGE IMPACTS ON REEF SYSTEMS AT SAN ANDRES ISLAND, COLOMBIAN

CARIBBEAN

COMPOSITION ISOTOPIQUE DU 15

N ET 13

C DANS LES TISSUS DES ÉPONGE COMME UN

INDICATEUR DE L'IMPACT DES HUMAINES EAUX USÉES SUR LES RÉCIFS SYSTÈMES

DE L'ÎLE DE SAN ANDRES, CARAÏBES COLOMBIENNES.

CARLOS ANDRES OROZCO TORO, SVEN ZEA, y ALFREDO ABRIL-HOWARD

Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Caribe Casa 1 Apartamento 1 Las Gaviotas San Andres Isla,

San Andres Colombia [email protected]

RESUMEN

El aumento de la densidad poblacional y desarrollo urbanístico sin planificación durante las últimas 5

décadas, sumado al vertimiento de aguas residuales sin control al mar, ha expuesto los sistemas

arrecifales de gran parte del mundo, del mar Caribe en general, y de San Andres isla en particular, a un

constante estrés. No obstante, algunas especies de organismos como las esponjas aparentemente se ven

beneficiados a través de diferentes estrategias fisiológicas, permitiendo su uso como indicadores

biológicos de contaminación. El análisis de isotopos estables de nitrógeno (δ15

N) se ha convertido en una

poderosa herramienta para discriminar las fuentes de N natural y antropogénico en ambientes marinos.

Así mismo la δ13

C es usada para determinar la dieta de los organismos a través de la caracterización de

los recursos alimentarios asimilados. Considerando que la alimentación de las esponjas se basa

fundamentalmente en la gran cantidad de agua que puede circular por su sistema acuífero, y en la

capacidad y eficiencia de retener y asimilar partículas y materia orgánica disuelta mediante diferentes

procesos metabólicos, se estudió la δ15

N y δ13

C del tejido de tres especies de esponjas como indicador del

efecto de la eutroficación crónica de sistemas arrecifales en función de la oferta de nutrientes. Los

resultados muestran diferencias en δ15

N y δ13

C entre el tejido interno y externo de al menos dos de las

especies de esponjas, las cuales se conocen son mixotróficas por la presencia de fotosimbiontes. También

se pudo determinar que las estaciones cercanas a la principal fuente de descargas presentan mayores

valores de δ15

N mostrando similitud con registros de diversos autores respecto a sistemas arrecifales bajo

la influencia de aguas residuales de origen antropogénico.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Isótopos, Bioindicadores, Eutroficación, Esponjas, Arrecifes


181

PATTERNS OF RARITY OF REEF FISHES IN THE CARIBBEAN BASIN

LOS PATRONES DE RAREZA DE LOS PECES DE ARRECIFE EN LA CUENCA DEL CARIBE

LES MODÈLES DE LA RARETÉ DES POISSONS DE RÉCIF DANS LE BASSIN DES

CARAÏBES

CHRISTY PATTENGILL-SEMMENS1 and BRICE SEMMENS

2

1Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) 5263 Yost Place San Diego, CA 92109 United States

[email protected] 2Scripps Institution of Oceanography 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92039-0202 US

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

ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF ARTIFICIAL VERSUS NATURAL REEFS IN THE

NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

FUNCIÓN ECOLÓGICA DE ARRECIFES NATURALES Y ARTIFICIALES EN LA ZONA

NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

FONCTION ÉCOLOGIQUE DE ARTIFICIELLE VERSUS RÉCIFS NATURELS DANS LE

NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

WILLIAM F PATTERSON III and JOSEPH TARNECKI

University of South Alabama University of South Alabama 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, Alabama

36528 United States [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Reef fish communities were sampled from June 2009 through August 2010 in the northern Gulf of

Mexico (GOM) to test for differences in reef fish ecology at natural (n = 23) versus artificial (n = 26)

reefs. Communities were sampled with a micro remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and fish were sampled

with hook and line to provide tissue samples for trophic and aging analyses. There were significant

differences in community structure (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001) between reef types, with natural reefs

having higher diversity while artificial reefs had higher fish density but over a much smaller spatial scale.

Species-specific total length, as scaled by lasers attached to the ROV, was similar between reef types for

all species except amberjack, which were nearly 20% larger on artificial reefs. Predominant diet or

trophic position could not be inferred from stomach content analysis for most species due to small sample

size. However, red snapper (n = 496), vermilion snapper (n = 113), red porgy (n = 57) and tomtate (n =

39) had similar diets between habitat types. Stable isotope analysis revealed similar trophic position

(d15N and d13C) for most species between habitat types, but several species had lower d34S at natural

reef sites, thus indicating a greater contribution of benthic prey. Results provide information on how

artificial reefs function ecologically versus as fishing habitat. Furthermore, data collected in 2009-10

provide an important baseline to evaluate potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and

invasive lionfish on northern GOM reef fishes.

KEYWORDS: Reef fish, ROV, community structure, trophic structure


183

USING PRESENT-DAY DETAILS OF CORAL-REEF FISHERS’ HARVEST, INCLUDING

TAXONOMIC AND SIZE-STRUCTURE, TO SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM-BASED FISHERIES

MANAGEMENT IN MONTECRISTI NATIONAL PARK, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

EL USO DE DETALLES ACTUALES DE LA COSECHA DE PESCADORES DE ARRECIFES

CORALINOS, INCLUSO DETALLES TAXONÓMICAS Y DE LOS TAMAÑOS, PARA

INFORMAR EL MANEJO DE PESCARÍAS CON ENFOQUE AL ECOSISTEMA EN EL

PARQUE NACIONAL DE MONTECRISTI

EN UTILISANT LES COORDONNÉES ACTUELLES DE LA RÉCOLTE DE LA PÊCHE DES

RÉCIFS CORALLIENS, Y COMPRIS DES DÉTAILS TAXONOMIQUES ET TAILLES, POUR

INFORMER LA MANIPULATION DES PESCARÍAS AVEC L'APPROCHE PAR

ÉCOSYSTÈME DANS LE PARC NATIONAL MONTECRISTI

TYLER PAVLOWICH1 and GILLIAN BRITTON

2

16182 Steele Hall Hanover, NH 03755 US [email protected]

2Dartmouth College

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

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IN GULF AND

CARIBBEAN FISHERIES: A CONSERVATION PERSPECTIVE

UN ANÁLISIS CONSERVACIONISTA DE LOS AVANCES Y DIFICULTADES PARA

LOGRAR UNA PESCA SOSTENIBLE EN GOLFO Y EL CARIBE.

SUCCÈS ET DÉFIS DANS L'ATTEINTE DE LA DURABILITÉ DES PÊCHERIES DU GOLFE

DU MEXIQUE ET DES CARAÏBES: UNE PERSPECTIVE DE CONSERVATION

ROBIN PELC

Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row Monterey, CA - Califor 93940 United States

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program provides sustainability ratings for seafood in order

to help consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans. The Seafood Watch program defines

sustainable seafood as seafood from sources that can maintain or increase production without

jeopardizing the structure and function of affected ecosystems. Our recent assessments of Gulf of Mexico

and Caribbean fisheries highlight both dramatic successes, and some remaining challenges, of achieving

this goal of sustainability in the region. In general, there has been progress rebuilding previously depleted

stocks, demonstrating management‟s commitment to ending overfishing. However, bycatch of protected

and vulnerable species remains a concern in some fisheries. The selectivity of harvest methods and

management of bycatch plays a large role in determining Seafood Watch recommendations for Gulf and

Caribbean species. In many cases, proven technological solutions to bycatch problems exist and, if fully

implemented and enforced, could help mitigate or eliminate significant bycatch concerns. Future attention

to these areas could help fisheries achieve recognition as Seafood Watch “best choices” or “good

alternatives,” which may provide improved market access for fishermen.

KEYWORDS: Sustainable fisheries, bycatch, fishery management


185

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS IN THE CARIBBEAN: SYNTHESIS OF CERMES-

IMPLEMENTED SOCMON PROJECTS

EVALUACIONES SOCIO-ECONÓMICOS EN EL CARIBE: SÍNTESIS DE LOS PROYECTOS

SOCMON CERMES IMPLEMENTADAS

ÉVALUATIONS SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUES DANS LES CARAÏBES: LA SYNTHÈSE DES

PROJETS DE SOCMON CERMES MISES EN ŒUVRE

MARIA PENA1, PATRICK MCCONNEY

1, and PETER CHAMI

2

1CERMES University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael, - BB 11000 Barbados

[email protected] 2Department of Computer Science, Mathematics and PhysicsUniversity of the West Indies Cave Hill

Campus St. Michael BB11000 Barbados

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 people‟s 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


186

IMPACTS OF OIL SPILL DISASTERS ON MARINE FISHERIES AND THEIR HABITATS IN

NORTH AMERICA - A NEW BOOK OF CURRENT DEEPWATER HORIZON RESEARCH

INCLUDING REVIEWS OF THE EXXON VALDEZ AND IXTOC I SPILLS

IMPACTOS DE DESASTRES DE DERRAMES DE HIDROCARBUROS A LAS PESQUERÍAS

MARINAS Y SUS HÁBITATS EN AMÉRICA DEL NORTE - UN NUEVO LIBRO DE

INVESTIGACIÓNES CORRIENTES SOBRE DEEPWATER HORIZON INCLUYE RESEÑAS

DE DERRAMES DE EXXON VALDEZ Y IXTOC I

IMPACTS DES MARÉES NOIRES CATASTROPHIQUES SUR LES PÊCHERIES MARINES

ET LEURS HABITATS EN AMÉRIQUE DU NORD - UN NOUVEAU LIVRE PORTANT SUR

LES RECHERCHE EN COURS SUR LES CONSÉQUENCES DE L'ACCIDENT DU

DEEPWATER HORIZON Y COMPRIS DES REVUES DES MARÉES NOIRES CAUSÉES PAR

L'EXXON VALDEZ ET L'IXTOC I

MARK PETERSON1, BRIAN ALFORD

2, and CHRIS GREEN

3

1Department of Coastal Sciences The University of Southern Mississippi 703 East Beach Drive Ocean

Springs, MS 39564 USA [email protected] 2Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Baton Rouge LA 70808 USA

3Aquaculture Research StationLouisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge LA 70820

USA

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 108–1.11 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


187

VISUALIZING HYPOXIA IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

VISUALIZACIÓN DE HIPOXIA EN EL GOLFO NORTE DE MÉXICO

VISUALISATION DE L'HYPOXIE DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

AARON PILNICK, GEORGE BOSARGE, and SEAN POWERS

Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 United States

[email protected]

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 nation‟s 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

EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A LIONFISH-SPECIFIC TRAP FOR USE IN BERMUDA WATERS

LOS ESFUERZOS PARA DESARROLLAR UNA TRAMPA ESPECIAL PARA EL PEZ LEÓN

PARA SU USO EN EL ENTORNO MARINO DE LAS BERMUDAS

LES EFFORTS POUR DÉVELOPPER UN PIÈGE SPÉCIALISÉ POUR POISSON-LION POUR

L'UTILISATION EN MILIEU MARIN DES BERMUDES

JOANNA PITT and TAMMY TROTT

Department of Environmental Protection Government of Bermuda 3 Coney Island Road, St. Georges

CR04 Bermuda [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The invasive lionfish population in Bermuda is expanding but is presently concentrated in deeper waters

(30–60m) inaccessible to volunteer cullers. However, lionfish have been caught as bycatch in commercial

lobster traps set at these depths since at least 2003. The Department of Environmental Protection is

therefore working to develop a lionfish-specific trap for commercial fishers to facilitate large-scale, long-

term removal of this species from deeper waters. This approach is necessary because Bermuda does not

allow „fish pots‟. GoPro Hero2 cameras with external controller cards from Cam-Do and deepwater

ScoutPro HH2 housings from Group B are currently being used to assess lionfish presence in the areas

where the offshore lobster trap fishery operates, and to monitor their ingress and behaviour in standard

commercial lobster traps. Using these insights, the traps and deployment protocols used by the

commercial lobster fishery will be modified to increase the catch of lionfish, reduce the catch of spiny

lobster, and maintain the low levels of finfish bycatch for which this standardized trap was developed.

Proposed modifications include shading the traps, varying the funnel shape and varying baiting practices.

It is anticipated that a lionfish trap fishery would operate alongside the lobster fishery from September

through December, when offshore conditions are favorable. If lobster bycatch can be sufficiently reduced,

the lionfish trap fishery could potentially operate during the summer closed season, but the need to protect

brooding female lobsters must take priority over expanding the lionfish trapping season if lobster bycatch

remains an insurmountable issue.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, trap, Bermuda


189

PREPARING FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT: A FISHERY-INDEPENDENT

SAMPLING PROGRAM FOR REEF FISH IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

PREPARANDO UNA ADMINISTRACION BASADA EN EL ECOSYSTEMA: PESQUERIA

INDEPENDIENTE CON UN PROGRAMA DE MUESTRAS DE PEZCADOS DE ARRECIFE EN

EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MEXICO

PRÉPARATION À LA GESTION ÉCOSYSTÉMIQUE: UN PROGRAMME

D'ÉCHANTILLONNAGE INDÉPENDANT DE LA PÊCHE POUR LES POISSONS DE RÉCIF

DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

SEAN POWERS and J. MARCUS DRYMON

University of South Alabama Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 US

[email protected]

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

MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF REEF BIODIVERSITY AND REEF FISHERIES

PILOT PROJECT: A SUCCESSFUL CLME PILOT PROJECT IN THE SEAFLOWER MPA

MANEJO Y CONSERVACIÓN DE LA BIODIVERSIDAD EN LOS CORALES Y SU

BIODIVERSIDAD ASOCIADA: UN PROYECTO PILOTO EXITOSO DE CLME EN EL AMP

SEAFLOWER

PROJET PILOTE GESTION ET CONSERVATION DE LA BIODIVERSITÉ RÉCIFALE ET

DES PÊCHERIES DE RÉCIFS : UN PROJET PILOTE RÉUSSI DU CLME DANS L'AMP DE

SEAFLOWER

MARTHA PRADA, OPAL BENT, ELIZABETH TAYLOR, and ERICK CASTRO

CORALINA Blue Dream Ltd Km 26 via San Luis San Andres Island, Colombia [email protected]

ABSTRACT

During 1.5 years CORALINA conducted five major activities in order to maintain the coral reef

biodiversity and its long-term productivity as outlined within the reef fish and biodiversity CLME pilot

project, under the coordination of UNEP office in Jamaica. The first activity focused on the

sstrengthening of Integrated Ecosystem Based Management by conducting three scientific expeditions

articulating the collaborative work and support from more than five organizations. The expeditions

provided information needed to better understand the reef complexity and its application in the integrated

resource management. The second activity looked at the strengthening of collaborative enforcement

mechanisms done by analyzing current fishing regulations and by training authorities and stakeholders in

EBM and reef fish conservation; by seeking voluntary compliance through greater and more practical

education and training; and by developing more collaborative inter-institutional work regarding

enforcement and surveillance. Public Awareness, education, and outreach were the focus of the third

activity. Formal lessons and educational packages on key MPA species such as spiny lobster, queen

conch, snappers, sharks, parrot fishes and lion fish were generated. To complete this cycle, a regional

“exchange of lessons learned” we organized with the participation of people from San Pedro Bank,

Jamaica; and Haiti-Dominican Republic northern transboundary area, Grenada beside a broad

participation from Colombia. Best Management Practices, the fifth activity, were demonstrated by

building, deploying and monitoring six modules made of empty queen conch shells with the participation

of artisanal fishermen and the overall objective of increasing reef fish recruitment in the South-South-

West atoll.

KEYWORDS: Seaflower MPA, CLME pilot project, reef biodiversity


191

GENOMIC TOOLS FOR ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND

FORMATION OF A JOINT HRI AND TAMU-CC MARINE GENOMICS CORE FACILITY

HERRAMIENTAS GENÓMICAS PARA LA EVALUACIÓN DE LOS ARRECIFES

NATURALES Y ARTIFICIALES Y LA FORMACIÓN DE UN HRI Y TAMU-CC CONJUNTA

INSTALACIÓN DE GENÓMICA MARINAS

OUTILS GÉNOMIQUES POUR L'ÉVALUATION DES RÉCIFS NATURELS ET ARTIFICIELS

ET LA FORMATION D'UN CONJOINTE HRI ET TAMU-CC FACILITÉ DE GÉNOMIQUE

MARINS

JONATHAN PURITZ, CHRISTOPHER HOLLENBECK, TREVOR KRABBENHOFT, DEREK

HOGAN, DAVID PORTNOY, CHRISTOPHER BIRD, and JOHN GOLD

Harte Research Institute 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412- 5869 USA [email protected]

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

DEEP REEF FISH ASSEMBLAGES OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN

GULF OF MEXICO

ASOCIACIONES DE PECES ARRECIFALES DE PROFUNDIDAD EN LAS PORCIONES

NORCENTRAL Y NORORIENTAL DEL GOLFO DE MEXICO.

ASSEMBLAGES DES POISSONS DE RÉCIFS PROFONDS DANS LE CENTRE-NORD ET LE

NORD-EST DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

ANDREA QUATTRINI1 and STEVE ROSS

2

1Temple University 1900 N 12th St Philadelphia, PA 19122 US [email protected]

2University NC WilmingtonCenter for Marine Science 5600 Marvin Moss Lane Wilmington NC 28409

ABSTRACT

Demersal fishes associated with deep coral and hardbottom reefs (> 300 m) can often be characteristic of

the reef habitats, differing from the fauna found on surrounding soft substrata. To examine whether fish

assemblages in the northern Gulf of Mexico and along the West Florida slope were distinct with respect

to habitat, video data collected using ROVs and submersibles were coupled with collections by otter

trawls and chevron traps deployed in 2008-2010. A total of 72 demersal fishes were observed and

collected across five sites at depths of 300-750 m. At least 38 species of demersal fishes were observed in

the video, 53% of which were observed only in deep reef habitat that consisted of rock outcrops with

attached corals and Lophelia pertusa bioherms. Dominant reef-characteristic species

includedHyperoglyphe perciformis, Hoplostethus occidentails, and Grammicolepis brachiusculus. Other

reef-associated species included Anthias woodsi, Epinephelus niveatus, and Gephyroberyx darwinii.

Additional species were collected with otter trawls and traps surrounding the reefs; 34 were unique to

these collections and not confirmed in video. Dominant off-reef species included Dibranchus atlantics,

Nezumia aequalis, Coelorhinchus caribbaeus, and Bembrops gobiodes. Few species were abundant in

both off-reef and reef areas, with the exception of Laemonema goodebeanorum and Helicolenus

dactylopterus, which were two of the most abundant species across the sites surveyed. Of note, several

range extensions for the Gulf of Mexico were documented, including Centrodraco acanthopoma

andIdiastion kyphos. Further macro-habitat scale analyses are being conducted to determine whether

habitat-specific associations of fishes occur on a smaller scale.

KEYWORDS: Deep-sea, demersal, cold-water coral


193

CORAL BLEACHING IN ARRECIFES DE COZUMEL NATIONAL PARK COZUMEL,

MEXICO, AFTER THE PASSING OF TROPICAL STORM RINA IN OCTOBER 2011

CORAL BLANQUEADO EN PARQUE NACIONAL ARRECIFES DE COZUMEL COZUMEL,

MÉXICO, TRAS EL PASO DE LA TORMENTA TROPICAL RINA EN OCTUBRE DE 2011

CORAIL BLANCHI EN PARC NATIONAL RÉCIFS DE COZUMEL COZUMEL, LE

MEXIQUE, APRÈS LE PAS DE L'ORAGE TROPICAL LUTTE EN OCTOBRE 2011

NORMAN QUINN and BARBARA KOJIS

Tropical Discoveries PO Box 305731 St Thomas, VI 00803 US Virgin Islands [email protected]

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

HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF FLYINGFISH (FAMILY EXOCOETIDAE) LARVAE IN

THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

CARACTERÍSTICAS DEL HÁBITAT DE PECES VOLADORES (FAMILIA EXOCOETIDAE)

LARVAS EN DEL NORTE GOLFO DE MÉXICO

CARACTÉRISTIQUES DE L’HABITAT DES LARVES DE POISSONS VOLANTS (FAMILLE

EXOCOETIDAE) DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

LANDES RANDALL and JAY ROOKER

Texas A&M University at Galveston 200 Seawolf Parkway OCSB Bldg 3029 Galveston, Texas 77553


ABSTRACT

Flyingfish occupy a crucial link in pelagic food webs, and understanding their distribution and abundance

can lead to an improved understanding of their population dynamics. The aim of the present study is to

characterize the distribution and abundance of larval flyingfish (family Exocoetidae) and more

specifically the species Prognichthys occidentalis in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Here, we report on

summer ichthyoplankton cruises conducted in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) during 2009-2011.

Samples were collected using neuston nets towed through the upper meter of the water column in the

outer shelf and slope waters of the NGoM. Over the three year sampling period, a total of 12,646

flyingfish larvae were collected and 77% of the total catch was comprised of P. occidentalis. Interannual

variation was detected with densities of flyingfish larvae higher in 2009 and 2010 (14.9 and 10.0 larvae

1000m2, respectively) than 2011 (2.7 larvae 1000m2). Flyingfish larvae were present in each month and

year along our sampling transect, and percent frequency of occurrence ranged from 56% in July 2011 to

100% in June 2010, suggesting that flyingfish represent a common and important component of the

ichthyoplankton assemblage in the NGoM. Generalized additive models were used to evaluate the

influence of oceanographic conditions on the density of all flyingfish larvae and P. occidentalis. The

overall flyingfish density model indicates that abundance of larvae increased in waters with lower

temperatures and negative sea surface height, which corresponds to frontal boundaries and cyclonic

features in the NGoM.

KEYWORDS: Flyingfish, Gulf of Mexico, distribution, Prognichthys occidentalis, Generalized additive

models


195

MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION IN QUEEN CONCH STROMBUS GIGAS FROM

ARCHIPELAGO OF SAN ANDRES, OLD PROVIDENCE AND SANTA CATALINA, SEA

FLOWER BIOSPHERE RESERVE

VARIACI?N DEL ADN MITOCONDRIAL DEL CARACOL PALA STROMBUS GIGAS EN EL

ARCHIPIELAGO DE SAN ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCIA Y SANTA CATALINA, RESERVA DE

BIOSFERA SEA FLOWER

LA VARIATION DU ADN MITOCHONDRIEL DU LAMBI STROMBUS GIGAS DANS

LÁRCHIPEL SAN ANDRES, PROVIDENCIA ET SANTA CATALINA RESERVE DU

BIOSPHERE SEA FLOWER

JOSE DAVID RANGEL MEDRANO1, ERICK CASTRO

2, and EDNA MARQUEZ

1

1Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medell Calle 59A No 63 - 20 - Nucleo El Volador , Medell

Colombia [email protected] 2Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca Avenida Francisco Newball. Edificio Coral Palce Isla de San

Colombia

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

AGE AND GROWTH OF EPINEPHELUS MORIO FROM SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

EDAD Y CRECIMIENTO DE EPINEPHELUS MORIO DEL SUR DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

AGE ET CROISSANCE D’EPINEPHELUS MORIO DANS LE SUD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

XIMENA RENAN, CARLOS ZAPATA, and THIERRY BRULÉ

CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad Merida Antigua Carretera a Progreso K. 6 Cordemex. merida, Yucatan 97310

Mexico [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Epinephelus morio(red grouper) is the most important grouper species in southern Gulf of Mexico,

contributing from 1999 to 2009 with 58% to 61% (% gutted weight) of total captured volume. CPUE data

shows grouper landings decline from 19,886 tonnes (T) in 1972 to 6,212 T in 2011. Red grouper is

considered as near threatened specie by IUCN and its fishery overexploited and in danger of collapse.

During 1996 - 1999, 420 red groupers were captured using long line by artisanal and industrial Mexican

fishing fleets. Otoliths were up through the gills-removed, alcohol cleaned and stored dry. Age

determination was performed by assigning annuli based on the number of opaque zones from the otolith

core to the otolith margin, in left sagittae thin sections. Individuals ranged in size from 39.0 - 89.0 cm (LF)

and in age from 2 - 14 years. Age-7 fish were the most numerous in the sample (N = 106), followed in

frequency by age-6 (N = 99), age-8 (N = 51) and age-5 (N= 45), representing 71.6 % of total specimens.

Young fish with age-2 and age-3 (each one N= 1) and older fish with age-13 and age-14 (N= 3, N= 1

respectively) were poorly represented. Edge-type analysis confirmed the formation of a single growth

annulus per year, recording the smallest marginal increment values between July (0.6241 mm) and

August (0.64421 mm). The relationship between furcal length and age was described by von Bertalanffy

growth model: LF= 79.49[1- exp (0.18 (t -0.997))].

KEYWORDS: Red grouper, otoliths, age, growth


197

TRANSLATING SCIENTIFIC DATA TO KNOWLEDGE: EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS ON

TRAP IMPACTS

TRADUCIENDO DATOS CIENTÍFICOS AL SABER: EDUCANDO PARTES INTERESADAS

SOBRE LOS IMPACTOS DE TRAMPAS

TRADUIRE LES DONNÉESSCIENTIFIQUES EN CONNAISSANCES: L'ÉDUCATION DES

PARTIES CONCERNÉES SUR LES EFFETS DU PIÈGE

GABRIELLE F. RENCHEN and THOMAS R. MATTHEWS

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissio 2796 Overseas Hwy Suite 119 Marathon, FL 33050

United States [email protected]

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


198

INVENTORY OF CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND ECHINODERMS IN GUADELOUPE

AND SAINT-MARTIN, FRENCH WEST INDIES: AN EXCEPTIONAL, UNDERESTIMATED

BIODIVERSITY

INVENTAIRE DES CRUSTACÉS, ÉCHINODERMES ET MOLLUSQUES DE GUADELOUPE

ET SAINT-MARTIN AUX ANTILLES FRANÇAISES: UNE BIODIVERSITÉ

EXCEPTIONNELLE MÉCONNUE

INVENTARIO DE LOS CRUSTÁCEOS, MOLUSCOS Y EQUINODERMOS EN GUADALUPE

Y SAN MARTÍN, ANTILLAS FRANCESAS: UNA BIODIVERSIDAD EXCEPCIONAL

DESCONOCIDA

ROMAIN RENOUX1 and ALICE LEBLOND

2

1Reserve Naturelle Saint-Martin 803 res Acacias Anse Marcel Saint-Martin - French West Indies, 97150

FRANCE [email protected] 2Parc National De La Guadeloupe Montéran Saint Claude Guadeloupe 91720 FRANCE

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


199

HYDROACOUSTIC AND VIDEO SURVEYS AT TOPPLED AND STANDING PETROLEUM

PLATFORMS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO: COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND

IMPLICATIONS FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

ESTUDIOS HIDROACÚSTICOS, VÍDEO EN PERMANENTE DERROCADO Y

PLATAFORMAS DE PETRÓLEO EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO: ESTRUCTURA

DE LA COMUNIDAD Y LAS CONSECUENCIAS PARA LA ORDENACIÓN DE LA PESCA

HYDROACOUSTIQUES ET VIDÉO DES ENQUÊTES À RENVERSÉ PERMANENT ET

PLATES-FORMES PÉTROLIÈRES DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE :

STRUCTURE DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ ET LES IMPLICATIONS POUR LA GESTION DE LA

PÊCHE

EMILY REYNOLDS and JAMES H. COWAN JR.

Louisiana State University Dept. of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences 2231 Energy Coast Env.

Building Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA [email protected]

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


200

IMPACTS OF RECREATIONAL AND ARTISANAL FISHERIES, CAYMAN ISLANDS,

CARIBBEAN

IMPACTOS DE LA PESCA RECREACIONAL Y ARTESANAL, ISLAS CAIMAN, CARIBE

L'IMPACT DE LA PÊCHE RÉCRÉATIVE ET ARTISANALE AUX ÎLES CAÏMANS,

CARAIBES

LAURA RICHARDSON1, RHIANNON MEIER

2, CROY MCCOY

1, and JOHN TURNER

2

1Cayman Islands Department of Environment, Bangor University, UK PO Box 10202 , KY1-1002

Cayman Islands [email protected] 2Bangor University, UK

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 (Mann-

Whitney 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 (Chi-

square 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


201

CAYMAN ISLANDS MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, ENHANCING A 27 YEAR LEGACY

LAS AREAS PROTEGIDAS MARINAS DE LAS ISLAS CAIMAN, MEJORANDO UN LEGADO

DE 27 AÑOS

LES AIRES PROTÉGÉES DES ÎLES CAÏMANS, L' AMÉLIOREMENT D'UN HÉRITAGE DE

27 ANS

LAURA RICHARDSON1, CROY MCCOY

1, GINA EBANKS-PETRIE

1, TIM AUSTIN

1 JEREMY

OLYNIK1, JAMES BYRNE

2, and JOHN TURNER

3

1Cayman Islands Department of Environment Bangor University, UK , Cayman Islands

[email protected] 2The Nature Conservancy 3Bangor University, UK

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

Cayman‟s 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


202

ESTIMATING MARINE RESERVE EFFECTS THROUGH QUANTIFICATION OF MACRO-

ALGAL 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 MCCOY

1, and JOHN TURNER

2

1Department of Environment, Cayman Islands, Bangor University, UK , Cayman Islands

[email protected] 2Bangor 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 non-

MPA), samples identified to genus and weighed to attain mean biomass measures per site. A total dry-

weight 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


203

EVALUACIÓN DE LA CAPACIDAD DE AGREGACIÓN DE LAS “CASITAS” (REFUGIOS

ARTIFICIALES) PARA LANGOSTA PANULIRUS ARGUS EN LA ZONA COSTERA DE

CELESTÚN, YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

ASSESSMENT OF AGGREGATION CAPACITY OF "CASITAS" (ARTIFICIAL SHELTERS)

FOR LOBSTER PANULIRUS ARGUS IN THE COASTAL AREA OF CELESTUN, YUCATAN,

MEXICO

ÉVALUATION DE LA CAPACITÉ D'AGRÉGATION DES “CASITAS” (REFUGES

ARTIFICIELS) POUR LANGOSTA PANULIRUS ARGUS DANS LA ZONE CÔTIÈRE DE

CELESTÚN, YUCATÁN, LE MEXIQUE.

VERONICA RIOS, DAVID DE ANDA, y JUAN CARLOS ESPINOZA

Instituto Nacional de Pesca Calle 25 #31 Joaquin Ceballos Merida, Yucatan 97070 México

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Las “casitas” (refugios artificiales) han sido largamente utilizadas en las pesquerías de langosta P. argus

de Cuba y el Caribe mexicano. Debido al éxito que ha tenido el uso de estas estructuras en las pesquerías

de langosta, en años recientes se han introducido también en Belice y en la costa de Yucatán. En 2005 se

introdujeron 120 casitas en Celestún Yucatán, con el fin de agregar langostas en áreas cercanas a la costa

con poca disponibilidad de refugios naturales y además con miras a disminuir los riesgos que representa

para la salud, el buceo con compresor. El objetivo de este trabajo fue hacer una primera evaluación de la

capacidad de agregación de estas casitas. Durante la veda de langosta 2012 se hicieron cuatro campañas

de buceo y se revisaron un total 94 estructuras (80%). Se registro el tipo de fondo y se tomaron

parámetros físico-químicos de los sitios, se contó el número de langostas observadas, se midieron los

organismos y se registró 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 (2±2.5 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: tiburón gata Ginglymostoma cirratum, chacchí Haemulon plumieri y ángel

Pomacanthus arcuatus . El número de langostas promedio observadas y la riqueza específica de las

“casitas” fue menor a valores observados en refugios naturales rocosos de zonas aledañas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Casitas, refugios artificiales, langosta, Panulirus argus, costa de Yucatan


204

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND IMPACTS OF RECREATIONAL

LOBSTER DIVING AND SPEAR FISHING ACTIVITIES IN BERMUDA

UN ANÁLISIS DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN ESPACIAL Y LOS IMPACTOS DE LA PESCA DE LA

LANGOSTA Y LA PESCA SUBMARINA PARA EL OCIO EN LAS BERMUDAS

UNE ANALYSE DE LA DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE ET LES IMPACTS DE LA PÊCHE DE

LANGOUSTE ET DE LA PÊCHE AU HARPON POUR LES LOISIRS DANS LES BERMUDES

MORVEN ROBERTSON1 and JOANNA PITT

2

1Environment Department University of York Heslington York, YO10 5DD United Kingdom

[email protected] 2Department of Environmental ProtectionGovernment of Bermuda 3 Coney Island Road St. Georges

CR04 Bermuda

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 Bermuda‟s 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


205

MANEJO DE LA PESQUERÍA PEPINO DE MAR CON ENFOQUE ECOSISTÉMICO EN LA

COSTA DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

MANAGEMENT OF THE FISHERY, SEA CUCUMBER WITH ECOSYSTEMIC APPROACH

TO THE COAST OF YUCATAN, MEXICO

GESTION DE LA PÊCHE, CONCOMBRE DE MER AVEC L'APPROCHE ÉCOSYSTÉMIQUE

DE LA CÔTE DU YUCATÁN, MEXIQUE

LUIS ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ GIL, CARLOS FRANCISCO REYES-SOSA, JOSÉ LUIS

GIORGANA-FIGUEROA, y SARA LUZ NAHUAT-DZIB

Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida Km. 5 Carretera a Progreso Mérida, Yucatán 97118 México

[email protected]

RESUMEN

A principios de 2013, se otorgan los primeros permisos de pesca comercial, para la explotación de pepino

de mar, Isostichopus badionotus y Holothuria floridana, en el estado de Yucatán, con base a estudios

científicos con el enfoque tradicional de pesca. En la temporada 2006-2007 se otorgaron 6 permisos para

pesca de fomento, el interés comercial del sector pesquero llevó a la expedición de 176 permisos con un

total de 557 unidad de pesca en 2013, la cuota inicial fue de 556 t la cual se incrementó a 1671 t,

respectivamente. Los permisos otorgados en 2013 tienen una vigencia de 2 años, con un período de pesca

de 12 días y una cuota de 250 kg/ lancha, aplicando como medida precautoria una veda con temporalidad

indefinida para las especies, con base a la estimación 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 situación, se propone un enfoque ecosistémico procurando área marinas protegidas, que

involucre la superposición de la productividad en la población, la conservación de la biodiversidad y los

aspectos socioeconómicos. Proponiendo zonas de no pesca y/o, rotación de áreas cerradas a pesca;

estandarización del proceso de secado y servicios turísticos de buceo que mejore sus ingresos y calidad

de vida, conjuntamente con las comunidades de pescadores dentro de las áreas protegidas, aledañas y las

autoridades.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pepino de mar, Isostichopus badionotus, enfoque ecosistémico, áreas protegidas,


206

LOS INCONVENIENTES DE LA CONVERSIÓN DE PESO VIVO A PESO PROCESADO EN

EL SEGUIMIENTO DE LAS CUOTAS DE LA PESQUERÍA DEL PEPINO DE MAR,

ISOSTICHOPUS BANIODOTUS, EN EL ESTADO DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

DRAWBACKS OF THE CONVERSION OF PROCESSED WEIGHT TO LIVE WEIGHT IN

THE TRACKING OF SEA CUCUMBER FISHING QUOTAS, ISOSTICHOPUS BANIODOTUS,

IN THE STATE OF YUCATAN, MEXICO

INCONVÉNIENTS DE LA CONVERSION DE POIDS TRANSFORMÉ EN POIDS VIF DANS LE

SUIVI DE CONCOMBRE QUOTAS DE PÊCHE EN MER, ISOSTICHOPUS BANIODOTUS,

DANS L'ÉTAT DU YUCATAN AU MEXIQUE.

LUIS ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ GIL, CARLOS FRANCISCO REYES-SOSA, JOSÈ LUIS

GIORGANA-FIGUEROA, SARA ALICIA NAHUAT-DZIB, y ROBERTO ZAMORA-BUSTILLOS

Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida Km. 5 Carretera a Progreso Mérida, Yucatán 97118 México

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Como se establece en la Carta Nacional Pesquera de México de 2012, el Instituto Nacional de la Pesca de

México (INAPESCA), con la finalidad de dar seguimiento y control de las cuotas asignadas a la pesquería

del pepino de mar en el estado de Yucatán, determinó y utilizó la conversión de peso vivo a peso

procesado en el año 2012. Las fases del proceso comprenden, 1) eviscerado, 2) pre-cocido que varía en un

rango de 35 a 44 minutos, 3) salado, 4) segundo cocimiento y 5) secado. En cada etapa de proceso se

determina la conversión porcentual de peso vivo a peso procesado. Los principales problemas son las

discrepancias entre lo que declaran los procesadores y el dictamen de los inspectores. Además, no existe

un proceso estandarizado y no se ha determinado de manera proximal la pérdida de peso durante el

proceso, esto genera detención del producto y multas por exceder la cuota. Finalmente, aunado a los

esfuerzos que efectúan las autoridades pesqueras para un mejor manejo del pepino, en cuanto al

seguimiento y control de cuotas; si se desea determinar de manera indirecta el peso vivo; se presenta una

propuesta, donde se contempla la necesidad de establecer de manera estandarizada los parámetros

adecuados para determinar las condiciones de cada una de las etapas del proceso de secado; en la que

participen los representantes encargados del proceso de secado de pepino de la comunidad de pescadores

que se les haya otorgado permisos de pesca conjuntamente con las autoridades de pesca.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pepino de mar, secado de pepino, factores de conversión a peso vivo,

Isostichopus baniodotus


207

ASSESSMENT OF THE SEA CUCUMBER FISHERY IN BELIZE

ESTADO DE LA PESQUERÍA DE PEPINOS DE MAR EN BELICE

STATUT DE LA PÊCHE DE CONCOMBRE DE MER À BELIZE

ARLENIE ROGERS

University of Belize Environmental Research Institute Stann Creek Extension University of Belize, Stann

Creek Extension Belmopan, Belize [email protected]

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


208

DESCRIPCIÓN DE LA PESQUERÍA, EN EL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE SAN ANDRÉS,

PROVIDENCIA Y SANTA CATALINA, RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA SEAFLOWER

DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY, IN THE ARCHIPELAGO OF SAN ANDRES,

PROVIDENCIA AND SANTA CATALINA, BIOSPHERE RESERVE SEAFLOWER

DESCRIPTION DE LA PÊCHE, DANS L'ARCHIPEL DE SAN ANDRÉS, PROVIDENCIA ET

SANTA CATALINA, RÉSERVE DE LA BIOSPHÈRE SEAFLOWER

ANTHONY ROJAS, HEINS BENT, y HUGO WILSON

Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca Av. Francisco Newball, Edif. Coral Palace San Andres Isla, San

Andres Colombia [email protected]

RESUMEN

La Actividad pesquera en el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de

Biosfera Seaflower, es desarrolla a escala artesanal e industrial, y se caracteriza por ser multiespecífica en

las especies capturadas, empleando varios tipos de artes y métodos de pesca en varios tipos de flotas

pesqueras. La pesca está dirigida a tres principales recursos: Peces de escama, langosta espinosa

(Panulirus argus) y el caracol pala (Strombus gigas). En la pesca Artesanal se utiliza como arte principal

la línea de mano y Anzuelo con varios sub-métodos, le sigue el palangre vertical, el Buceo con arpón y

por ultimo las nasas de pescado. Por su parte la pesca industrial emplea como artes: el palangre vertical, el

palangre horizontal de fondo y las nasas de langosta. La producción realizada por la flota industrial entre

el 2001y el 2005 oscila entre los 300 - 350 tn anuales para Peces de escamas y, a partir del 2006 la

captura no sobrepasa los 200 tn; siendo para el 2012 valores de extracción de 117 tn. Para el 2012 la

producción de langosta Espinosa fue de 133 tn. Se cuenta con poca información sobre la composición de

especies de peces de escamas en las capturas industriales, la cual está dirigida a su la mayor parte a la

extracción de peces de la familia Lutjanidae y Serranidae. Para la Pesca Artesanal la producción entre el

2004 y el 2006 oscila entre 100 y 110 tn para peces de escamas, sin embargo desde el 2007 se evidencia

un incremento de hasta 100% de la captura. Captura que corresponden en su mayor parte a las familias:

Lutjanidae, Serranidae, Carangidae y Scombridae.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesqueria, San Andres Islas, Seaflower, industrial, artesanal


209

DISTRIBUCIÓN Y ABUNDANCIA DE LA DE LA LANGOSTA ESPINOSA “PANULIRUS

ARGUS”, EN EL SECTOR SUR DEL ÁREA MARINA PROTEGIDA DE LA RESERVA DE

BIOSFERA SEAFLOWER

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE SPINY LOBSTER “PANULIRUS ARGUS”, IN

THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF THE MARINE PROTECTED AREA OF THE SEAFLOWER

BIOSPHERE RESERVE

DISTRIBUTION ET L'ABONDANCE DE LA LANGOUSTE PANULIRUS ARGUS, DANS LE

SECTEUR SUD DE LA ZONE DE PROTECTION MARINE DE LA RÉSERVE DE BIOSPHÈRE

SEAFLOWER

ANTHONY ROJAS1, LEONARDO ARANGO

2, LUIS SANTOS

2, JAIRO MEDINA

2, y HEINS BENT

1

1Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca Av. Francisco Newball, Edif. Coral Palace San Andres Isla, San

Andres Colombia [email protected] 2Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Caribe San Luis, Free Town San Andres Isla San Andres

RESUMEN

La langosta espinosa Panulirus argus es uno de los principales recursos pesqueros del archipiélago de

San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina. Los Cayos del sur (Cayo Bolívar y Cayo Albuquerque) son las

zonas de mayor influencia de los pescadores artesanales de San Andrés. Recientemente, se ha notado una

disminución de las capturas provenientes de Cayo Bolívar, probablemente como resultado del aumento en

la frecuencia e intensidad de pesca. Con el objetivo mejorar el conocimiento de la abundancia y

distribución de este organismo nos y dar una aproximación al estado del recurso, se realizaron en los

cayos Bolívar (34 estaciones) y Alburquerque (38 estaciones) monitoreos de distribución y abundancia de

la langosta espinosa mediante reconocimientos visuales en trayectos errantes a profundidades menores de

20 metros. Se determinó la densidad para cada tipo de fondo y con ayuda de técnicas geoestadísticas,

como el “kriging”, se analizaron las variables correlacionadas espacialmente correspondientes a la

información 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 bolívar y 3.36 Ind/ha para Bolívar; siendo el sustrato “Arenas con

escombros coralinos” con mayor número de langosta avistadas para ambos cayos. Las densidades

estimadas están por debajo de valores reportadas para otras áreas del Caribe como México y Cuba. Es

mucho lo que falta por conocer acerca de la especie en cuestión; es necesario hacer énfasis en el estudio

del número, tamaño y estructura por área de las poblaciones de aguas profundas para estimar el verdadero

estatus poblacional.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Langosta Espinosa, Distribucion, Abundancia, SEAFLOWER, Densidad


210

USING FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SURVEYS TO ESTIMATE DENSITIES OF QUEEN

CONCH, STROMBUS GIGAS, POPULATIONS IN ST. CROIX, U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

USANDO ENCUESTAS INDEPENDIENTES DE LA PESQUERIA PARA ESTIMAR LAS

DENSIDADES DEL CARACOL ROSA, STROMBUS GIGAS, EN ST. CROIX, E.E.U.U. ISLAS

VIRGENES

À L’AIDE DE SONDAGES INDÉPENDAMMENT POUR ESTIMER LA DENSITÉ DE LAMBI,

STROMBUS GIGAS, À SAINTE-CROIX, USA ÎLES VIERGES

RONALD HILL and JENNIFER DOERR

NOAA Fisheries Service 4700 Avenue U Galveston, Texas 77551 USA [email protected]

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


211

GULF OF MEXICO DATA ATLAS: DIGITAL DATA DISCOVERY AND ACCESS

ATLAS DE DATOS DEL GOLFO DE MEXICO: DESCUBRIMIENTO Y ACCESO A DATOS

DIGITALES

ATLAS DE DONNEES DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE: DECOUVERTE ET L’ACCES AUX

INFORMATIONS DIGITALES

KATHRYN ROSE, RUSS BEARD, FRED ZEILE, and ANGELA SALLIS

NOAA/National Coastal Data Development Center 1021 Balch Blvd , USA Stennis Spac 39529

[email protected]

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

TROPHIC ETHOLOGY OF THE LIONFISH PTEROIS VOLITANS IN GUADELOUPE ISLAND

(LESSER ANTILLES)

ÉTHOLOGIE ALIMENTAIRE DU POISSON-LION PTEROIS VOLITANS EN GUADELOUPE

(PETITES ANTILLES)

ETOLOGÍA ALIMENTAR DEL PEZ LEÓN PTEROIS VOLITANS EN GUADELOUPE

(ANTILLAS MENORES)

THIBAUD ROSSARD, YOLANDE BOUCHON-NAVARO, SÉBASTIEN CORDONNIER, and

CLAUDE BOUCHON

Universite des Antilles et de la Guyane LABEX Corail Équipe DYNECAR EA 926 BP 592 Pointe-à-Pitre,

Guadeloupe 97159 France [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The lionfish Pterois volitansis an invasive species introduced in Florida in the 1980‟s. Lionfishes were

first reported in Guadeloupe in 2010. The lack of predators allowed that invader to reach high densities

that threaten local assemblages of reef fishes. In order to study their potential impact in Guadeloupe

Island (Lesser Antilles), the trophic ecology of lionfishes was investigated through the study of stomach

contents. A total of 355 fishes from 5,5 cm to 33,9 cm (TL) were examined. The preys were characterized

by their percentage in frequency, in numbers and in biomass. In Guadeloupe, teleost preys were present in

87% of stomachs, the remains being shrimps (44% of stomachs). The most important fish families in

biomass were Pomacentridae (59,9%), Mullidae (13,4) and Labridae (6,2%). Moreover, lionfish feeding

ethology exhibits a important ontogenic variation, shifting from a Crustacean dominated diet for young

fishes to a piscivorous diet for fishes whose size exceeds 10 cm (TL). In addition, Acanthurid and Scarid

fishes are poorly consumed by lionfish, which does not corroborate the hypothesis that lionfish could

contribute to the depletion od herbivorous fishes on Caribbean reefs.

KEYWORDS: Pterois volitans, feeding habits, Guadeloupe Island, Caribbean


213

ACOUSTIC TRACKING OF YELLOWTAIL PARROTFISH (SPARISOMA RUBRIPINNE) AT

SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN REEF BAY, ST. JOHN USVI

SEGUIMIENTO ACÚSTICO DE COLA AMARILLA LORO (SPARISOMA RUBRIPINNE) EN

AGREGACIONES DE DESOVE EN REEF BAY, ST. JOHN USVI

SUIVI ACOUSTIQUE DE JAUNE PERROQUETS (SPARISOMA RUBRIPINNE) À FRAYÈRES

À REEF BAY, ST. JOHN ÎLES VIERGES AMÉRICAINES

ASHLEY RUFFO1 and RICHARD NEMETH

2

Center for Marine and Environmental Science University of the Virgin Islands #2 John Brewers Bay St

Thomas, USVI 00802 USA [email protected]

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

QUANTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF GARBAGE PRESENCE AND MARINE

DEBRIS ALONG THE COASTS OF THE VERACRUZ, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

CUANTIFICACIÓN Y CLASIFICACIÓN DE LA PRESENCIA DE BASURA Y DESECHOS

MARINOS ENCONTRADOS EN LAS COSTAS DE VERACRUZ, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

QUANTIFICATIONET LA CLASSIFICATION DE LA PRÉSENCE DE DÉCHETS ET DÉBRIS

MARINS SUR LES CÔTES DE LA VERACRUZ AU MEXIQUE

BLAKE RUPE

University of Iowa 733 Michael Street Apt. 23 Iowa City, IA 52246 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Marine debris on coastal shores has many detrimental effects to ecosystems, including hazards to the

health and safety of marine life, as it often entangles or is ingested by seabirds, marine fish, and

mammals. Debris has varying effects locally; in certain cities in Mexico, garbage presence has caused

severe levels of impacts to the coastal zone. This study is aimed at supporting marine researchers and

conservation efforts in Mexico by addressing the issues of debris presence along the coastal zone of

Veracruz via assessing how much and what types of marine debris is present. Veracruz is of particular

importance, as it home to a system of 17 coral reefs that are protected by the government. These

protection efforts and the health of these reef ecosystems are thwarted by the high amounts of refuse and

debris on local beaches. Garbage collection occurred between May, 2013 and June, 2013 along three

separate collection sites of varying composition. The total area for collection was 1.06 miles of rocky and

sandy shores. Debris abundance ranged between .01 pounds/meter and .55 pounds/meter, while this

varied according to collection site. A total of 1806 pounds was collected, the majority (over 90%) of

which were recyclable materials, such as glass, plastics, rubber, paper, cardboard, and aluminum. The

most abundant type of refuse collected was glass. This study provides a baseline for future debris

scholarship and conservation efforts on the coasts of Veracruz, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Garbage presence, marine debris, Mexico, Veracruz reef system, collection


215

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FISH AGGREGATIONS GLOBALLY? WE HAVE A WEB

DATABASE!

¿QUIERES SABER SOBRE LAS AGREGACIONES DE PECES A NIVEL MUNDIAL?

TENEMOS UNA BASE DE DATOS WEB!

VOUS VOULEZ CONNAÎTRE LES AGRÉGATIONS DE POISSONS AU NIVEAU MONDIAL?

NOUS AVONS UNE BASE DE DONNÉES WEB!

MARTIN RUSSELL1 and LEATH MULLER

2

1Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations (S 215/1000 Ann St Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006 Australia

[email protected] 2SCRFA Townsville 4810 Australia

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


216

SAD FAREWELL TO C. LAVETT-SMITH’S ICONIC NASSAU SPAWNING AGGREGATION

SITE

ADIOS TRISTE A LA AGREGACION FAMOSA DE MERO CHERNA CONOCIDA POR LA

DESCIPCION DE C. LAVETT-SMITH

L'AGREGATION ICONIQUE DU MEROU NASSAU DESCRIT POUR C. LAVETT-SMITH EST

DISPARU

YVONNE SADOVY1, BRAD ERISMAN

2, and CASUARINA MCKINNEY-LAMBERT

3

1University of Hong Kong Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations, School of Biological Sciences,

Pok Fu Lam Road Hong Kong, 0000 China [email protected] 2Scripps Institution of Oceanography San Diego California USA

3Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) Building 4, Unit 1 Caves Village West

Bay St. Nassau Bahamas

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 Smith‟s 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


217

ANALYSIS OF FISHERMEN PERFORMANCE IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF THE

YUCATAN COAST, MEXICO

ANÁLISIS DE LA EFICIENCIA DEL PESCADOR EN LAS PESQUERÍAS DE PEQUEÑA

ESCALA DE LA COSTA DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

ANALYSE DE LA PERFORMANCE DES PÊCHEURS ARTISANAUX DANS LA CÔTE DE

YUCATAN, MEXIQUE

SILVIA SALAS1, ALICIA SALDAÑA

1, and ANTHONY CHARLES

2

1CINVESTAV Unidad Mérida Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México

[email protected] 2Saint Mary's University 923 Robie Street Halifax Nova Scotia B3H 3C3 Canada

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, Yucatán, fishing efficiency


218

PILOT ASSESSMENT OF THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ARTISANAL FISHING

VESSELS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO THROUGH VMS. CHALLENGES AND

OPORTUNTIES

EVAÑUACIÓN PILOTO DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN ESPACIAL DE EMBARCACIONES

ARTESANALES EN EL SURESTE DE MÉXICO A TRAVÉS DE UN SISTEMA DE

MONITOREO SATELITAL. RETOS Y OPORTUNIDADES

EVALUATION PILOTE DE LA DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE DES BATEAUX ARTISANAUX

DANS LE SUD-EST DU MEXIQUE À L’AIDE D’UN SYSTÈME DE SURVEILLANCE DES

NAVIRES PAR SATELLITE. DÉFIS ET OPPORTUNITÉS

SILVIA SALAS, JORGE EUAN-ÁVILA, EDGAR TORRES-IRINEO, DANIEL QUIJANO,

LEOPOLDO PALOMO, and EVA CORONADO

CINVESTAV Unidad Mérida Km. 6, Antigua Carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73-CORDEMEX.

Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México [email protected]

ABSTRACT

In Mexico, as in many other countries, an increase in fishing effort and a decrease in catches is becoming

the rule more than the exception. This scenario demands to learn more about the spatial distribution of the

fleet and their operations. Better understanding on the fleet dynamics can help to address externalities and

other problems faced by fisheries, including illegal fishing. Through international agreements, Mexico

has adopted vessel monitoring systems (VMS) since 2004. However, this system has been implemented

only for industrial fleets due to technical and economical features, and recently became mandatory for

artisanal fleets. The challenges to cover a large and complex fleet should not be dismissed though. In

2010, a pilot project was undertaken, including development and implementation of a monitoring system

for artisanal fleet in the Southeastern Mexico. We present preliminary results from this project addressing

the spatial distribution of the artisanal fleet in four states from the study region. Variables associated to

fishing activities from geographic coordinates of fishing trips (e.g., speed, distance, time) were estimated.

A summary of trends on the areas of concentration of the fleet and frequency of trips were analyzed. The

potential use of VMS for artisanal fisheries is stressed after this study. It could offer important

information for fisheries management, given the complexity of artisanal fisheries (variety of target species

and use of multiple gears). We discuss the challenges and the potential use of VMS for the artisanal

fisheries management in the region.

KEYWORDS: Spatial distribution, artisanal fleet, vessel monitoring system, fleet dynamics, Southeastern

Mexico


219

ENHANCHING STEWARDSHIP WITHIN FISHERFOLK ORGANISATION

ADMINISTRACIÓN DE ENHANCHING DENTRO DE ORGANIZACIÓN FISHERFOLK

GESTION D'ENHANCHING DANS L'ORGANISATION FISHERFOLK

CORETTA SAMUELS and PATRICK MCCONNEY

Center for Resource Management and Environmental The University of the West Indies Cave Hill

Campus BB 11000 Bridgetown, Barbados [email protected]

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

TEMPORALIDAD Y ESFUERZO REPRODUCTIVO DEL CARACOL STROMBUS GIGAS

EFFORT AND REPRODUCTIVE SEASONALITY AND SPAWNING OF THE QUEEN CONCH

STROMBUS GIGAS

EFFORT AN SAISONNALITÉ DE LA REPRODUCTION DU LAMBI STROMBUS GIGAS

PABLO ALBERTO SANTANA y LUZ MARÍA DALILA ALDANA-ARANDA

Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Km. 6 carretera antigua a Progreso S/N

Mérida Yucatán 97310 México [email protected]

RESUMEN

Con la finalidad de estudiar la actividad reproductiva del Caracol rosa, Strombus gigas, se realizaron

monitoreos con el método de transecto lineal, registrándose abundancia de organismos, cópulas, desoves

y masas ovígeras libres. Se registraron temperatura, salinidad y oxígeno disuelto. Los muestreos se

realizaron semanalmente de enero-octubre de 2013 y diario en julio, con observaciones cada hora de 8am

a 6pm. Se calcularon media y varianza de desoves, cópulas y masas ovígeras y un análisis de correlación

de Spearman entre parámetros fisicoquímicos y actividad reproductiva. La media diaria y mensual de

abundancia de caracoles fue de 17.97±7.61 individuos/100m2. Se registraron 33 caracoles copulando, 405

desoves y 98 puestas libres. El pico de frecuencia de cópulas fue de julio-septiembre. La frecuencia de

desove por hembra vario desde 1 (79.01%), 2 (13.58%), 3 (5.67%), 4 (1.48%) y hasta 5 veces (0.24%),

con una periodicidad entre desove y desove de 1 a 7 días. La cópula se asoció en mayor proporción con el

oxígeno (35%), mientras que el desove con la temperatura (38%). Se determino que S. gigas tiene una

área específica para la reproducción y en gran mayoría tiene una sola cópula y un desove durante un ciclo

anual. Se determino que el desove por inicia a las 11:08 am (±1.2 h), con una duración de 16 minutos

(desoves parciales) hasta 29.5 h (desoves completos). Se demuestra que la Caleta de Xel-Há funciona

como un sitio clave para la conservación de S. gigas con una zona de agregación para su reproducción.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Strombus gigas, spawning frecuency, seasonality, reproductive activity,

copulation


221

MADUREZ SEXUAL, ESTACIONALIDAD REPRODUCTIVA Y OVOPOSICIÓN DEL

CARACOL BUSYCON PERVERSUM (LINNEÉ, 1758) EN LA PLATAFORMA CONTINENTAL

DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

SEXUAL MATURITY, REPRODUCTIVE SEASONALITY AND OVIPOSITION OF THE

LIGHTNING WELK BUSYCON PERVERSUM (LINNEÉ, 1758) IN THE CONTINENTAL

SHELF OF YUCATÁN, MEXICO

MATURITE SEXUELLE, SAISON DE LA REPRODUCTION ET PONTE DE LA COQUILLE

BUSYCON PERVERSUM (LINNÉE, 1758) SUR LE PLATEAU CONTINENTAL DU YUCATAN,

MEXIQUE

JOSEFINA SANTOS-VALENCIA1, MARTHA ENRÍQUEZ DÍAZ

2, y DALILA ALDANA ARANDA

2

1Instituto Nacional de Pesca. Centro Regional de Carretera a Chelem Blvd. del pescador sin número,

Puerto de abrigo-Yucalpetén Progreso de Castro, Yucatán 97320 México [email protected] 2Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados IPN Km. 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso Merida

Yucatan 97310 Mexico

RESUMEN

El caracol trompillo Busycon perversum es un gasterópodo de concha grande con abertura y torsión hacia

la izquierda. Es una especie común en la Bahía de Campeche situada al oeste de la Península de Yucatán,

México. Esta especie es abundante y constituye la segunda en importancia en la pesquería de caracol en

esta región. La biología reproductiva de esta especie es muy importante para proponer medidas de

regulación pesquera, con este fin, se realizaron muestreos de la población por medio de transectos lineales

y buceo autónomo de abril de 2009 a marzo de 2010. Los machos alcanzaron la madurez sexual a los

190mm y las hembras a los 210mm. La proporción de hembras se incrementó de acuerdo con la talla,

dominando las hembras en las tallas mayores, lo cual podría sugerir hermafroditismo protándrico. El

periodo reproductivo se presentó de mayo a diciembre con mayor intensidad de julio a septiembre,

coincidiendo con el decremento de la temperatura del agua. El mayor evento de ovoposición se observó

de agosto a septiembre. Las puestas están constituidas por cápsulas ovígeras ovales en forma de cadena.

En cada puesta se contaron de 54 a 137 cápsulas, cada una con diámetro de 27mm y 47 embriones en

promedio.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Madurez sexual, Período reproductivo, Ovoposición, Protandría, Busycom


222

EVALUACIÓN DE LA BIOMASA DE POBLACIÓN DE PULPO (OCTOPUS MAYA) EN LA

PENÍNSULA DE YUCATÁN, 2012

OCTUPUS (OCTOPUS MAYA) BIOMASS EVALUATION IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

DURING 2012

EVALUATION DE LA BIOMASSE DE LA POPULATION DE POULPE (OCTOPUS MAYA)

DANS LA PENINSULE DU YUCATAN, 2012.

JOSEFINA SANTOS-VALENCIA1, GABRIELA GALINDO CORTÉS

2, y ÁLVARO HERNÁNDEZ

FLORES2

1Instituto Nacional de Pesca. CRIP Yucalpeten Carretera a Chelem Blvd. del pescador sin número,

Puerto de abrigo-Yucalpetén Progreso de Castro, Yucatán 97320 México [email protected] 2Instituto Nacional de Pesca. CRIP Veracruz Ejercito Mexicano # 106 Col. Exhacienda Ylang Ylang

Boca del Río Yucatan 94298 Mexico

RESUMEN

En México, la pesca de pulpo ocupa el cuarto lugar nacional por su volumen y valor. El 94% de la

producción la aportan los estados Yucatán y Campeche, siendo Octopus maya la especie mayoritaria. Se

realizó una evaluación poblacional de la especie mediante dos indicadores de abundancia: 1) Dependiente

de la pesquería, mediante el monitoreo del recurso en diez puertos pesqueros del litoral de Yucatán en las

temporadas de pesca 2007-2012, aplicando un Análisis de Población Virtual y 2) Independiente de la

pesquería, mediante 50 campañas de muestreo a bordo de embarcaciones comerciales, aplicando el

método de área barrida para la estimación de la densidad de organismos (pulpos/m2). Los resultados

muestran que la estructura de edades en la captura comercial varía desde 1 mes hasta 18 meses; los

machos mayormente representados fueron de 4 meses de edad y las hembras entre 4 y 5 meses de edad.

En la temporada de pesca 2012, la biomasa del stock desovante, así como los niveles de reclutamiento

mensuales alcanzaron los niveles máximo de la serie disponible con 12,000 t y 7,700,000 individuos,

respectivamente, entre septiembre y octubre en relación directa con el índice de abundancia

independiente, para posteriormente disminuir a los valores más bajos de la serie. Esto último puede estar

relacionado con los altos niveles de captura mensual en la temporada de captura, excediendo en un 68% la

cuota de captura. Estos valores pueden afectar la fracción de la población que sobrevive a la temporada de

captura y reproduce en los meses posteriores, produciendo niveles de abundancia bajos del recurso

durante 2013.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Biomasa, Pulpo, Reclutamiento, Pesqueria, Análisis Población Virtual


223

NASSAU GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS) FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN

THE US CARIBBEAN

AGREGACIONES REPRODUCTIVAS DEL MERO CHERNA (EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS) EN

EL CARIBE DE JURISDICCIÓN EEUU

MÉROU (EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS) ZONES DE FRAI DANS LES CARAÏBES US

MICHELLE SCHARER-UMPIERRE1, RICHARD NEMETH

2, EVAN TUOHY

3, CLOUSE

KIMBERLY3, MICHAEL NEMETH

4, and RICHARD APPELDOORN

3

1Dept. Marine Science Univ. of Puerto Rico P.O.Box 1442 Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622 Puerto Rico

[email protected] 2Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands 2 John Brewer’s Bay St.

Thomas US Virgin Islands 00802-9990 USA 3Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico P. O. Box 9000 Mayagüez Puerto Rico

00681-9000 P 4P. O. Box 1442 BoqueronPR 00622 Puerto Rico

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

MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS OF BLACK GROUPER (MYCTEROPERCA BONACI)

SOUNDS AT SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS

APLICACIONES DE GESTIÓN DE LOS SONIDOS DE GUAJIL PRIETO (MYCTEROPERCA

BONACI) EN LAS AGREGACIONES REPRODUCTIVASLES

APPLICATIONS DE GESTION DU LES SONS DO MÉROU NOIR (MYCTEROPERCA BONACI)

DANS ZONES DE FRAI

MICHELLE SCHARER-UMPIERRE1, TIMOTHY ROWELL

2, MICHAEL NEMETH

3, and RICHARD

APPELDOORN4

1Dept. Marine Science Univ. of Puerto Rico P.O.Box 1442 Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622 Puerto Rico

[email protected]

2Scripps Institution of OceanographyUniversity of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA

3P. O. Box 9000 Mayagüez Puerto Rico 00681-9000 Puerto Rico

4Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT

The black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, is an important component of Atlantic fisheries. Their

reproductive behavior involves spawning aggregations that concentrates their populations making them

vulnerable yet easy to assess during this time. Passive acoustic and synchronous video recordings were

made at two spawning aggregation sites to study the sounds associated to reproductive behaviors of M.

bonaci. A characteristic sound produced during courtship displays involves behaviors commonly

observed for groupers of this genus at spawning aggregations. Courtship-associated sounds quantified

over the spawning season at Mona Island, Puerto Rico revealed seasonality and periodicity. Most of the

daily sound production occurred during a period of two hours prior to sunset. The highest rates of sound

production lasted for a period of ten days with a peak 10 d after full moon with lunar periodicity over

three consecutive months (January to March). The maxima in courtship-associated sounds were within the

reported season of reproduction in the Caribbean (December to March), but prior to seasonal management

regulations in the US Caribbean EEZ waters (February to April). Passive acoustics provide an additional

manner to measure the temporal variability of reproductive activity and to evaluate current management

strategies (seasonal bans or marine reserves), which are critical for the recovery of threatened groupers.

KEYWORDS: Black grouper, courtship-associated sounds, spawning aggregation, management, Mona

Island


225

SEASONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF CALORIC DENSITY AND LIVER WEIGHT OF RED

SNAPPER ON NATURAL HARD-BOTTOM BANKS AND ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE

NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO

RELACIONES ESTACIONALES DE LA DENSIDAD CALÓRICA Y EL PESO DEL HÍGADO

DE PARGO ROJO EN LOS BANCOS DE FONDOS DUROS NATURALES Y ARRECIFES

ARTIFICIALES EN EL NOROESTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

LES RAPPORTS SAISONNIÈRES DE DENSITÉ CALORIQUE ET POIDS DU FOIE DE

VIVANEAU SUR DUR NATUREL BAS-BANQUES ET LES RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS DANS LE

NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

BRITTANY SCHWARTZKOPF and JAMES COWAN, JR.

Louisiana State University 2195 Energy, Coast, and Environment Building Baton Rouge, LA 70802

United States of America [email protected]

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 December-

March, 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

MITOCHONDRIAL DNA (MTDNA) HAPLOTYPE DIVERSITY OF THE INVASIVE

LIONFISH IN BARBADOS

ADN MITOCHONDRIAL (ADNMT) DIVERSITÉ DES HAPLOTYPES DE LA LIONFISH

ENVAHISSANTES À LA BARBADE

ADN MITOCONDRIAL (ADNMT) DIVERSIDAD HAPLOTIPO DE PEZ LEÓN INVASIVA EN

BARBADOS

SHEKIRA SEALY, HAZEL OXENFORD, AND DARREN BROWNE

Centre for Resource Management and Environmental St. Michael , Bb11000 Barbados

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Incorporating the order of events of the Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) invasion of

the Western Central Atlantic (WCA) using sightings with population genetics has given an opportunity to

examine the dispersal and marine connectivity across phylogenetic breaks which separate the USA east

coast, the Bahamas and the northwest and southwest Caribbean; however this has not been examined for

the eastern Caribbean. Genetic analyses of the invasive lionfish in Barbados to assess mtDNA d-loop

haplotype diversity will aid in filling this gap in the understanding of the invasion and connectivity of

WCA biogeographic zones. In this study we examine the genotypes of the newly settled lionfish

population in Barbados to determine their species, source population(s) and the spatial and/or temporal

distribution of successful settlers, using samples collected from the time of their first sighting in

November 2011 to August 2013. Mitochondrial control region sequences are being analysed using

Arlequin v. 3.5 to provide important data on the progression of the lionfish invasion in Barbados and

significantly contribute to the broader study of the population genetics of the dispersal of the invasive

lionfish at the regional level.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, lionfish, mitochondrial control region, Pterois miles, Pterois volitans


227

FINFISHERIES ASSOCIATED WITH DEEP-SEA SPONGE-CORAL ECOSYSTEMS OFF THE

SOUTHEASTERN U.S.

PESQUERÍAS ASOCIADAS CON ESPONJAS Y CORALES ECOSISTEMAS DE LAS

PROFUNDIDADES MARINAS FUERA DE LOS EE.UU. DEL SUDESTE

PÊCHES ASSOCIÉS AUX ÉPONGES ET DE CORAIL ÉCOSYSTÈMES DE LA MER

PROFONDE AU LARGE DU SUD-EST AMÉRICAIN

GEORGE SEDBERRY1, MYRA BROUWER

2, CLAUDIA FRIESS

3, ADAM LYTTON

4, KELLY

ROBINSON5, and BYRON WHITE

4

1Southeast Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbea NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 10

Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 USA, [email protected] 2South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 4055 Faber Place Drive Suite 201 North Charleston, SC

29405 USA 3The Ocean ConservancyTexas Office 106 E. 6th St. Suite 400 Austin, TX 78701 USA

4Marine Resources Research Institute, PO Box 12559 Charleston, SC 29422 USA

5Cornell University Ithaca, NY USA

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

BIOLOGÍA REPRODUCTIVA DE LA ANCHOVA MUGIL INCILIS HANCOCK, 1830 EN EL

MAR CARIBE CORDOBÉS, COLOMBIA

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF PARASSI MULLET MUGIL INCILIS HANCOCK, 1830 IN

THE CORDOBA´S CARIBBEAN SEA

BIOLOGIE DE LA REPRODUCTION DE ANCHOVA MUGIL INCILIS HANCOCK, 1830 DANS

LA MER DES CARAÏBES DE CORDOBA, COLOMBIE

FREDYS F. SEGURA-GUEVARA1, GLENYS TORDECILLA-PETRO

2, y CHARLES W. OLAYA-

NIETO1

1Laboratorio de Investigación Biológico Pesquera- Universidad de Córdoba Km 1, carretera a Chinú

Carrera 23 No 2A - 20, Piso

2Lorica, Córdoba Colombia

RESUMEN

Para estudiar la biología reproductiva de la Anchova en el mar Caribe Cordobés, se colectaron 356

individuos entre enero y diciembre 2007, cuyas tallas y pesos oscilaron entre 18.9-45.0 cm de longitud

total y 62.0-718.0 g. Se estimó proporción sexual, índices de madurez sexual, época de desove, talla

media de madurez sexual, diámetro de ovocitos maduros y fecundidad. Se encontraron 219 hembras, 132

machos y 5 individuos indiferenciados, por lo que la proporción sexual hembra: macho observada fue

1.7:1, diferente a lo esperado; con dimorfismo sexual a la talla, puesto que las hembras alcanzan tallas

mayores que los machos. Los índices de madurez sexual muestran que la época de desove se extiende de

febrero a diciembre con picos reproductivos en marzo, junio, agosto y octubre para hembras y abril,

septiembre y noviembre para machos.La talla media de madurez sexual fue estimada en 26.8 cm LT, el

diámetro de los ovocitos fue 569 µ y la fecundidad promedio estimada fue de 250000 ovocitos. Al

relacionar toda esta información se infiere que la Lisa es un pez con desove parcial, época de

reproducción prolongada a lo largo del año, ovocitos pequeños y alta fecundidad.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Fecundidad, Ecología reproductiva, Mugilidae, Colombia


229

AN INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND STRENGTHENING INITIATIVE FOR THE

CONSET BAY FISHING COMMUNITY IN BARBADOS

UNA INICIATIVA DE EVALUACIÓN Y FORTALECIMIENTO INSTITUCIONAL PARA LA

COMUNIDAD PESQUERA DE CONSET BAY EN BARBADOS

UNE INITIATIVE D’ÉVALUATION ET RENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONNELLE POUR LA

COMMUNAUTÉ DE PÊCHEURS DE CONSET BAY À LA BARBADE

NEETHA SELLIAH1, KATHERINE BLACKMAN

1, TRAVIS SINCKLER

2, PATRICK MCCONNEY

1,

DONNA KING-BRATHWAITE2, and SHELLY-ANN COX

1

1CERMES The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus St. Michael Bridgetown, BB11000

Barbados [email protected] 2Policy Research, Planning and Information UnitMinistry of Environment and Drainage 1st Floor S.P.

Musson Building Hinks Street, Bridgetown BB11144 Barbados

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 Spaces”which 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


230

DECADAL CHANGES IN REEF FISH RECRUITMENT AT TURNEFFE ATOLL, BELIZE:

BEFORE AND AFTER LIONFISH INVASION

CAMBIOS DECENALES EN EL RECLUTAMIENTO DE PECES DE ARRECIFE EN EL

ATOLÓN TURNEFFE, BELICE: ANTES Y DESPUÉS DE LA INVASIÓN DEL PEZ LEÓN

DÉCENNALES CHANGEMENTS DANS LE RECRUTEMENT DES POISSONS DE RÉCIF À

ATOLL TURNEFFE, BELIZE: AVANT ET APRÈS L'INVASION DE LA POISSON-LION

JASON SELWYN1, DEREK HOGAN

1, ALAN DOWNEY-WALL

1, and PAOLO USSEGLIO

2

1Texas A&M University: Corpus Christi Department of Life Sciences 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi,

Texas 78412 USA [email protected] 2University of Hawaii: ManoaDepartment of Biology

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


231

LINKING RECORDINGS OF FISH VOCALIZATION WITH OBSERVATIONS OF

SPAWNING BEHAVIOR ON A MULTI-SPECIES FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATION

VINCULACIÓN DE LAS GRABACIONES DE VOCALIZACIONES DE PESCADO CON LAS

OBSERVACIONES DEL COMPORTAMIENTO DE DESOVE EN UNA AGREGACIÓN DE

DESOVE DE VARIAS ESPECIES

LIER ENREGISTREMENTS DE VOCALISATION DE POISSON AVEC LES OBSERVATIONS

DU COMPORTEMENT REPRODUCTEUR SUR UNE AGRÉGATION DE FRAI DES

POISSONS MULTI-ESPÈCES

BRICE SEMMENS1, TIMOTHY ROWELL

1, PHILLIPE BUSH

2, SCOTT HEPPELL

3, CHRISTY

PATTENGILL-SEMMENS4, CROY MCCOY

2, and BRADLEY JOHNSON

2

1Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla,

CA 92093-0202 USA [email protected] 2Department of the EnvironmentCayman Islands Government PO Box 486GT Grand Cayman Cayman

Islands 3Department of Fish and WildlifeOregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA

4Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) PO Box 246 Key LargoFlorida 33037 USA

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 multi-

species 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

A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA KEYS COMMERCIAL SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY

AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTS: LESSONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHING

COMMUNITIESUNA HISTORIA SOCIAL DE LA PESQUERÍA DE LANGOSTA ESPINOSA

COMERCIAL DE LOS CAYOS DE FLORIDA Y EFECTOS DE GESTIÓN: LECCIONES PARA

LAS COMUNIDADES PESQUERAS SOSTENIBLESUNE

HISTOIRE SOCIALE DE LA PÊCHE FLORIDA KEYS COMMERCIAL ÉPINEUX DE

HOMARD ET EFFETS DE GESTION: LEÇONS POUR LES COMMUNAUTÉS DE PÊCHE

DURABLES

MANOJ SHIVLANI

Northern Taiga Ventures, Inc. (NTVI) 10600 SW 131 Court Miami, Florida 33186-3455 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Florida Keys spiny lobster fishery has been among the region's most managed fisheries, both in terms

of the overall history of management and the complex of regulatory approaches adopted. Since 1991, the

fishery has been managed using an individual transferable effort (ITE) program, which was supposed to

have reduced capacity and improved efficiency. This study evaluates the growth of the spiny lobster

fishery from its origins as a bait fishery to its rise as the region's most lucrative industry and how

management has shaped effort and participation. The study also analyzes how the present management

approach has affected both the fishery and fishing communities, showing that management efforts

undertaken without care given to the social dimensions of the fishery have weakened the fishing

communities, facilitated waterfront gentrification, and undermined the region's fishing industry. The

study's results have broad implications for fisheries management approaches that fail to address the

importance of social capital and networks and which can have severe, unexpected circumstances on the

sustainability on fishing communities.

KEYWORDS: Spiny lobster, fishing communities, social capital, individual transferable quotas,

gentrification


233

A PARTICIPATORY CO-MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE USE OF FISH

AGGREGATION DEVICES IN DOMINICA AND ST. VINCENT TO SUSTAIN THE

CARIBBEAN PELAGIC FISHERY AND COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND ON IT

ESTRATEGIA PARTICIPATORIA DE CO-MANEJO PARA EL USO DE AGREGADORES

ARTIFICIALES QUE PERMITA LA PESCA SOSTENIBLE DE PECES PELÁGICOS EN LAS

COMUNIDALES CARIBEÑAS DE DOMINICA Y SAN VICENTE

UNE STRATÉGIE DE CO-GESTION PARTICIPATIVE DANS L’UTILISATION DES

MÉTHODES D’AGRÉGATION DE POISSONS EN DOMINIQUE ET À ST. VINCENT POUR

SOUTENIR LA PÊCHE PÉLAGIQUE CARIBÉENNE ET LES COMMUNAUTÉS QUI EN

DÉPENDENT

CHARLES SIDMAN1, KAI LORENZEN

2, and RIVIERE SEBASTIEN

3

1Florida Sea Grant 1762 McCarty Drive Gainesville , FL 32611-0400 USA [email protected]

2Fisheries and Aquatic SciencesUniversity of Florida 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville FL 32653 USA

3Dominica Fisheries Division, Roseau Fiseries Complex Bayfront Roseau Dominica, West Indies

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 co-

management of their developing FAD fisheries.

KEYWORDS: Pelagic Fisheries, Socio-economics, Stakeholder Engagement, Fish Aggregation Device


234

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPEAR FISHING EFFORT ON THE REEFS OF BARBADOS

DESCRIPCIÓN DEL ESFUERZO DE PESCA SUBMARINA DE LOS ARRECIFES DE

BARBADOS

EFFORT DE PÊCHE SOUS-MARINE DES RÉCIFS DE LA BARBADE

NIKOLA SIMPSON, DAVID GILL, RACHEL TURNER, and HAZEL OXENFORD

CERMES, University of the West Indies Cave Hill St.Michael, Barbados [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The spear fishery of Barbados is poorly documented and as such, its importance and contribution to the

island‟s fishing industry is relatively unknown due to the multitude of landing sites and informal sales of

a diverse catch. This study attempts to fill some of the many gaps in the documented knowledge of the

spear fishery, particularly its importance in contributing to the total annual landings of the reef fishery.

Information was gathered through interviews with fishers, participant observation on fishing trips and

measurements of a subsample of catches to characterise the spear fishers in Barbados, describe their

catch, fishing and marketing practices, and estimate the contribution of spear fishing to the reef fishery.

The number of commercial and recreational spear fishers currently active along all coasts of Barbados

was estimated along with the level of livelihood dependence on the fishery.The results of this study will

contribute to on going efforts to understand the importance of the reef fishery and improve the sustainable

management of the island‟s reef resources.

KEYWORDS: Spear fishery, effort, reefs, Barbados, reef fisheries


235

AGE AND GROWTH VALIDATION OF THE COMMON THRESHER SHARK (ALOPIAS

VULPINUS) IN THE NORTHEASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN

VALIDACIÓN DE LA EDAD Y CRECIMIENTO DEL TIBURÓN ZORRO COMÚN (ALOPIAS

VULPINUS) EN EL NORESTE DEL OCÉANO PACÍFICO

VALIDATION DE L'ÂGE ET DE LA CROISSANCE DU REQUIN RENARD

COMMUN(ALOPIAS VULPINUS) DANS L'OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE NORD-EST

NATALIE SPEAR1, R.J.DAVID WELLS

1, and SUZANNE KOHIN

2

1Texas A&M Galveston 1001 Texas Clipper Road Galveston, TX 77553 USA [email protected]

2Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 8901 La Jolla

Shores Drive La Jolla CA 92037 USA

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

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE STRUCTURE OF RED SNAPPER, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS, ACROSS HABITAT TYPES IN THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO

LA ABUNDANCIA RELATIVA Y ESTRUCTURA DE TALLAS DE PARGO ROJO, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS, A TRAVÉS DE LOS TIPOS DE HÁBITAT EN EL NOROESTE DEL GOLFO

DE MÉXICO

L'ABONDANCE RELATIVE ET LA STRUCTURE DE TAILLE DE VIVANEAU ROUGE,

LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS, TOUS LES TYPES D'HABITAT DANS LE NORD-OUEST DU

GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

MATTHEW STREICH, MATTHEW AJEMIAN, JENNIFER WETZ, and GREG STUNZ

Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Stud Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean

Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Artificial reef development is a popular management tool used to enhance fish stocks, provide additional

recreational fishing and diving opportunities, and increase the quality or quantity of existing habitat for

marine species. Despite the popularity of artificial reef programs, the impact of this new structured habitat

on economically and ecologically important species is not fully understood. Specifically, few fisheries-

independent surveys regarding the ecological performance of fish on artificial and natural habitats have

been conducted. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the relative abundance and size structure

of red snapper across three different habitat types (standing petroleum platforms, artificial reefs, and

natural banks) in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Between October 2012 and July 2013, we conducted

103 vertical longline drops and captured 396 red snapper ranging from 282 to 735 mm TL. Red snapper

CPUE averaged 0.77 fish/drop/minute and was significantly higher on natural bank habitats (1.01

fish/drop/minute) than artificial reefs (0.61 fish/drop/minute). Mean TL of red snapper differed by hook

size, with larger hooks sampling larger fish. Across habitat types, mean TL was greater on natural and

artificial reefs than standing platforms. The results of our study have important implications for artificial

reef management and recovery of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. Further use of standardized fishery-

independent surveys and additional data regarding habitat specific age and growth will help elucidate the

role artificial reefs play in maintaining reef fish stocks in the region.

KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, relative abundance, size structure, habitat, red snapper


237

ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO AS FISHERIES

HABITAT

ARRECIFES ARTIFICIALES DEL NOROESTE DEL GOLFO DE MEXICO COMO

HÁBITAT PARA LA PESCA

DES RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS COMME HABITAT POUR LES PÊCHERIES DANS LE

NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

GREG STUNZ1, JENNIFER WETZ

1, MATTHEW AJEMIAN

1, MATTHEW STREICH

1, DALE

SHIVLEY2, and BROOKE SHIPLEY-LOZANO

2

1Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Harte Research Institute 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX

78412 USA [email protected] 2Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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

POPULATION BIOLOGY OF PTEROIS VOLITANS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

BIOLOGÍA DE LA POBLACIÓNDE PTEROIS VOLITANS EN LASAGUAS COSTERAS DEL

NORESTE FLORIDA

LA BIOLOGIE DES POPULATIONS DES PTEROIS VOLITANS DANS LES EAUX CÔTIÈRES

DU NORDEST FLORIDA

MARYKATE SWENARTON and ERIC JOHNSON

University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville, FL 32084 USA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans), a predatory marine invader into the western Atlantic, Gulf of

Mexico, and Caribbean Sea, has caused harm to native species through its‟ proliferation. Scientific

investigations on the impacts of lionfish have been focused predominantly in tropical ecosystems, and no

research has been focused on the southern portion of the South Atlantic Bight. Generally, fish life history

parameters, especially growth rates, vary with a suite of environmental (e.g., temperature), biological and

ecological (e.g., prey availability) factors; and as a result, the population dynamics of lionfish will vary

regionally and among ecosystems. This research aims to provide baseline data on population biology for

lionfish in a new region, including accurate age, growth, and demographic information. Approximately

1000 specimens of lionfish were caught between May and August 2013 off the coast of Jacksonville,

Florida during local tournaments. Length frequency analysis revealed a bimodal population with distinct

cohorts that are growing at an exceptional rate. Analysis of otoliths to precisely measure age and growth

is ongoing. These data will be used to determine lionfish: (1) size at age (2) population age structure and

(3) growth rate in the region. This study will fill key knowledge gaps on population dynamics of lionfish

in the South Atlantic Bight and provides information on age and growth of lionfish necessary to

understanding the impacts lionfish in this region.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, population dynamics, growth, Florida


239

DIET AND TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF RED SNAPPER, LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS, ON

NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

DIETA Y ECOLOGÍA TRÓFICA DE PARGO ROJO, LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS, EN LOS

ARRECIFES NATURALES Y ARTIFICIALES EN EL NORTE DEL GOLFO DE MÉXICO

RÉGIME ALIMENTAIRE ET L'ÉCOLOGIE TROPHIQUE DE VIVANEAU, LUTJANUS

CAMPECHANUS, LE NATUREL ET LES RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS DANS LE NORD DU GOLFE

DU MEXIQUE

JOSEPH TARNECKI1 and WILLIAM PATTERSON III

2

1University of West Florida Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville blvd Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528

United States [email protected] 2Dauphin Island Sea LabUniversity of South Alabama 101 Bienville blvd Dauphin Island Alabama 36528

United States

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). Forty-

eight 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


240

REEF FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS (FSAS) IN THE FLORIDA KEYS: AN UPDATE

REEF AGREGACIONES REPRODUCTIVAS DE PECES EN LOS CAYOS DE FLORIDA:

ACTUALIZACIÓN

POISSONS DE RÉCIF ZONES DE FRAI DANS LES KEYS DE FLORIDE: UNE MISE À JOUR

CHRIS TAYLOR1, TODD KELLISON

2, DANIELLE MORLEY

3, and ALEJANDRO ACOSTA

3

1NOAA/NOS/NCCOS CCFHR 101 Pivers Island Road Beaufort, NC 28516 USA [email protected]

2NOAA/NMFS/SEFSCBeaufort Laboratory 101 Pivers Island Road Beaufort NC 28516 USA

3FWC/FWRI 2796 Overseas Highway Marathon FL 33050 USA 2FWC/FWRI 2796 Overseas Highway

Marathon FL 33050 USA

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


241

INVASIVE LIONFISH AND CIGUATERA FISH POISONING IN THE GULF AND

CARIBBEAN: WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW?

PEZ LEÓN INVASOR Y ENVENENAMIENTO POR CIGUATERA PESCADO EN EL GOLFO

Y EL CARIBE: ¿QUÉ SABEMOS REALMENTE?

LIONFISH INVASIVE ET CIGUATERA DANS LE GOLFE ET DES CARAÏBES: QUE

SAVONS-NOUS VRAIMENT?

PATRICIA TESTER1, R. WAYNE LITAKER

2, and JAMES MORRIS

2

1NOAA Ocean.Tester 101 Pivers Island Road 381 Gillikin Road Beaufort, NC 28516 USA

[email protected] 2Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, NCCOSNational Ocean Service, NOAA 101 Pivers

Island Road Beaufort North Carolina 28516 USA

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

SEAGRASS COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO THE DECLINE IN QUEEN CONCH (STROMBUS

GIGAS) POPULATIONS

RESPUESTAS DE LAS COMUNIDADES DE PASTOS MARINOS A LA REDUCCIÓN DE

POBLACIONES DE CARACOL (STROMBUS GIGAS)

RÉPONSES DES COMMUNAUTÉS D’HERBIERS MARINS À LA RÉDUCTION DES

POPULATIONS DE LAMBI (STROMBUS GIGAS)

ALEXANDER TEWFIK

John G. Shedd Aquarium Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and R 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60605 United Sates [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The crisis in the world‟s fisheries is well documented with the majority of stocks being fully or

overexploited. The consequences of these activities go well beyond a simple decline in target species but

include a number of cascading effects – release of prey species, alteration of trophic dynamics, and

simplification of complex habitats. Queen conchs have been traditionally harvested throughout the region

for centuries and represent a major economic activity supplying the demands of local people, tourism and

export markets. The drastic reductions of Queen conch (Strombus gigas), a naturally abundant component

of shallow-water ecosystems, over the last several decades have given rise to concerns over the future of

these fisheries and associated livelihoods. However, what have not been sufficiently explored are the

potential negative impacts the loss of Queen conch has on ecosystems. My work begins to illustrate the

fundamental shifts in seagrass communities that result from declining Queen conch populations. This

includes alterations in habitat structure and the diversity of consumer functional groups. Such broader

community changes may reduce the potential for recovery of Queen conch populations and associated

livelihoods even under the strictest management regimes.

KEYWORDS: Trophic cascades, shifts, biodiversity, habitats


243

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOR CARIBBEAN-BASED

FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS

OPORTUNIDADES DE FORMACIÓN DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE FLORIDA PARA LA PESCA

DEL CARIBE BASADOS Y PROFESIONALES DE RECURSOS MARINOS

POSSIBILITÉ DE FORMATION À L'UNIVERSITÉ DE FLORIDE POUR UNE PÊCHE

CARAÏBES-BASED ET PROFESSIONNELS DES RESSOURCES MARINES

RANDEL THOMPSON1 and CHARLES SIDMAN

2

1Department of Marine Resources C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial park , St Kitts and Nevis

[email protected] 2Florida Sea Grant University of Florida Gainesville Florida 32611 USA

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 bachelor‟s 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


244

ESTADO ACTUAL Y ADMINISTRACION DE LOS RECURSOS PESQUEROS EN CUBA

CURRENT STATE AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCES IN CUBA

SITUATION ACTUELLE ET GESTION DES RESSOURCES DE PECHE EN CUBA

RAFAEL TIZOL1 y ELISA GARCIA

2

1Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras 5ta Avenida y 248 Barlovento Havana, Cuba [email protected]

2Directora de Regulaciones Pesqueras y Ciencias MinisterioMinisterio de la Industria Alimentaria

Avenida 41 e/ 48 y 50 Playa Havana Cuba

ABSTRACT

La mayor parte de los recursos pesqueros de Cuba se encuentran plenamente explotados y se encuentran

bajo un sistema de manejo y administración que implementa y controla las medidas regulatorias para

lograr la sostenibilidad de la actividad pesquera. Aun así y bajo el efecto de múltiples causas las capturas

de forma general han experimentado un decremento sostenido. Esta situación ha obligado a las

autoridades cubanas a establecer los principios básicos que permitan la sostenibilidad en el tiempo de los

recursos pesqueros sin renunciar a los beneficios económicos que esta actividad significa para el país

garantizando una gestión pesquera participativa que contemple el equilibrio de intereses y orientada a la

conservación y aprovechamiento racional de los recursos.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Fisheries, fisheries policy, Cuba

l


245

PROTECTED AREAS AND FISHING ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE

MEXICAN CARIBBEAN. WHAT NEEDS TO BE LEARNED?

ÁREAS PROTEGIDAS Y ACTIVIDADES DE PESCA EN EL GOLFO DE MÉXICO Y EL

CARIBE MEXICANO. QUÉ HAY QUE APRENDER

DES AIRES PROTÉGÉES ET DES ACTIVITÉS DE PÊCHE DANS LE GOLFE DE MEXIQUE

ET DANS LES CARAÏBES MEXICAINES. QU’EST-CE ON DOIT APPRENDRE?

EDGAR TORRES-IRINEO, SILVIA SALAS, JORGE EUAN-ÁVILA, LEOPOLDO PALOMO EVA

CORONADO, and DANIEL QUIJANO

Cinvestav Unidad Mérida Km. 6, Antigua Carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73-CORDEMEX. Mérida,

Yucatán 97310 México [email protected]

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 decision-

making process to implement MPAs.

KEYWORDS: MPAs, Vessel Monitoring System, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, fisheries management


246

sTRASLOCACIÓN Y REPOBLAMIENTO DEL CARACOL PALA, STROMBUS GIGAS EN EL

SECTOR CENTRO DEL ÁREA MARINA PROTEGIDA SEAFLOWER, COLOMBIA

TRANSLOCATION AND RESTOCKING OF THE QUEEN CONCH, STROMBUS GIGAS IN

THE CENTRAL ZONE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREA SEAFLOWER, COLOMBIA

TRANSLOCATION ET LE REPEUPLEMENT DU LAMBI, STROMBUS GIGAS DANS LA

ZONE CENTRALE DE PROTECTION MARINE SEAFLOWER, COLOMBIE

FORBES TRISHA y HEINS BENT

Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca-Gobernacion San Andrés , Colombia [email protected]

RESUMEN

El caracol pala, Strombus gigas, es una especie con alta importancia histórica, social, cultural y

económica en el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina –ASPS (localizados entre 11°

30‟ y 16° 30‟ N y 78° 28‟ y 82° 00‟ W). Sin embargo, durante los últimos años la población del Caracol

Pala en la Isla de providencia (AMP centro Seaflower) ha disminuido considerablemente, siendo la pesca

de individuos juveniles, la extracción del producto en épocas de veda (1 de junio- 31 de octubre) unos de

los posibles causantes. En mayo del 2012, se estimó la densidad y abundancia del recurso mediante

evaluaciones visuales con buceo autónomo (scuba) y se obtuvo una densidad de 6,79 ±20,97 ind.ha-1,

reflejando que no se ha producido una recuperación de la población de la especie en el área. En miras de

promover la recuperación y la conservación de esta especie, el gobierno departamental junto con

instituciones como Coralina, la Universidad Nacional, la AUNAP y fundaciones locales, ha desarrollado

durante los últimos 6 Años actividades de re-poblamiento del caracol pala en la Isla de Providencia, por

medio de traslocación de individuos juveniles, semiadultos y adultos desde el Cayo Serrana y Cayo

Roncador. Como resultado a la fecha se han liberado en la isla de providencia más de 15.000 Caracoles

Juveniles (round Shell) y Adultos (breadth Leaf); se espera que con la continua participación de la

comunidad e nstituciones locales, nacionales e internacionales seguir contribuyendo en la preservación de

este recurso pesquero

PALABRAS CLAVES: Strombus gigas, AMP centro Seaflower, translocación, repoblamiento


247

PELAGIC RECREATIONAL FISHING AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN COLOMBIA

PESCA RECREATIVA PELÁGICA Y CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO EN COLOMBIA

PÊCHE SPORTIVE PÉLAGIQUE ET LA CROISSANCE ÉCONOMIQUE EN COLOMBIE

KRISTINA TROTTA, BRENDAN MACKESEY, PETER CHAIBONGSAI, and ELLEN PEEL

The Billfish Foundation, Nova Southeastern University 715 SW 4TH STREET Apt 4 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Florida 33312 United States [email protected]

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 TBF‟s mission to improve the standing of recreational fishing

and associated tourism industries as an economic priority.

KEYWORDS: Billfish, Colombia, recreational fisheries, economic impacts, HMS


248

AN ASSESSMENT OF OFFSHORE PLATFORM DECOMMISSIONING ALTERNATIVES

USING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

UNA EVALUACIÓN DE OFFSHORE ALTERNATIVAS DESMANTELAMIENTO

PLATAFORMA USAR SERVICIOS DE LOS ECOSISTEMAS

UNE ÉVALUATION DE PLATES-FORMES OFFSHORE DÉMANTÈLEMENT

ALTERNATIVES EN UTILISANT LES SERVICES ÉCOSYSTÉMIQUES

STEPHEN TRUCHON1, LOUIS BRZUZY

2, and MARK FONSECA

3

1Shell Projects and Technology 3333 Highway 6 South Houston, TX 77082 USA

[email protected] 2Shell Exploration and Production Co. 150 North Dairy Ashford Houston Texas 77079 USA

3CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. 8502 SW Kansas Avenue Stuart Florida 34997 USA

ABSTRACT

Offshore platforms can contribute to the productivity of marine ecosystems thereby generating local and

regional economic benefits. These benefits form the basis for incorporating the platform into a Rigs-to-

Reefs program when it is retired. Several of Shell‟s deepwater assets in the Gulf of Mexico have been in

operation for over 35 years and extend to over 1,000 feet deep. Few studies have been published on the

ecology of marine life inhabiting deepwater platforms such as these. To begin to understand the specific

contribution of a platform as a reef, a stratified (across depth down the platform) study was performed on

one of Shell‟s assets using Remotely Operated Vessel (ROV) video footage to assess fish and sessile

biota communities. The study revealed clear depth-related patterns for visually conspicuous epibiota

(Lophelia pertusa) as well as numerous species of reef and pelagic fishes. Data were used to construct a

matrix to rank ecosystem services with respect to several decommissioning alternatives,

including: complete removal, topple in place, and partial removal. The ranking illustrated that a high

level of ecosystem services were provided by the partial removal alternative, in which the upper jacket is

cut to a depth of 85‟ and either placed in a Rigs-to-Reefs program planning area or placed on the seafloor

and alongside the lower portion of the jacket. Information from this study may be used to support the

engineering design process so that ecosystem services are considered when selecting an appropriate

decommissioning alternative.

KEYWORDS: Platform, Rigs-to-Reef; decommissioning; ecosystem services


249

GENETIC POPULATION STRUCTURE OF CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER BETWEEN

ADVECTIVE AND RETENTIVE OCEANOGRAPHIC ENVIRONMENTS

ESTRUCTURA GENÉTICA DE LA POBLACIÓN DE LA LANGOSTA ESPINOSA DEL

CARIBE ENTRE LOS AMBIENTES OCEANOGRÁFICOS DE ADVECCIÓN Y RETENCIÓN

STRUCTURE GÉNÉTIQUE DES POPULATIONS DE LANGOUSTE BLANCHE DES

CARAÏBES ENTRE LES MILIEUX OCÉANOGRAPHIQUES ADVECTION ET DE

RÉTENTION

NATHAN TRUELOVE1, STEVE BOX

2, MARK BUTLER IV

3, DON BEHRINGER JR

4 and

RICHARD PREZIOSI1

1University of Manchester Faculty of Life Sciences Manchester, M13 9PT United Kingdom

[email protected] 2Smithsonian National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian Marine Station Fort Pierce Florida 34949

USA 3Old Dominion UniversityDepartment of Biological Sciences Norfolk Virginia 23529 USA

4University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Gainesville, Florida 32653 USA

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


250

ANÁLISIS PRELIMINAR DE LAS POBLACIONES DE PEPINO DE MAR, HOLOTHURIA

FLORIDANA Y H. MEXICANA, SEGÚN EL MÉTODO DE MARCA-RECAPTURA EN AGUAS

DE LA COSTA DEL ESTADO DE CAMPECHE, MÉXICO

A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATIONS OF SEA CUCUMBER, HOLOTHURIA

FLORIDANA AND H. MEXICO, AS THE MARK-RECAPTURE METHOD IN WATERS OFF

THE COAST OF CAMPECHE, MEXICO

L'ANALYSE PRÉLIMINAIRE DES POPULATIONS DE CONCOMBRES DE MER,

HOLOTHURIA FLORIDANA ET H. MEXIQUE, COMME LA MÉTHODE DE MARQUAGE-

RECAPTURE DANS LES EAUX AU LARGE DES CÔTES DE CAMPECHE, AU MEXIQUE.

ARMIN TUZ-SULUB, ALFONSO AGUILAR-PERERA, and ILEANA ORTEGÓN-AZNAR

Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan A.P. 4-116 Itzimna Merida, Yucatan 97100 Mexico

[email protected]

RESUMEN

Las características biológicas del crecimiento somático individual, así como la dinámica poblacional de

las especies de pepino de mar son componentes importantes en el manejo integral para su

aprovechamiento. La técnica de marcaje-recaptura utilizada en la estimación de la tasa de crecimiento en

especies de pepino de mar es recomendado para el estudio de poblaciones tanto de vertebrados como

invertebrados marinos. Para dos poblaciones de pepino de mar distribuidos en aguas de Isla Arena,

Campeche, México; dos tipos de marcaje fueron utilizados en ejemplares silvestres: uno de inserción

interna (michochip de radio frecuencia AVID3001) y otro de inserción intramuscular (Floy T-bar anchor

Tags). Un total de 346 ejemplares de Holothuria floridana y 102 de H. mexicana fueron marcados,

monitoreados y/o recapturados en un periodo de 9 meses (octubre de 2012 a junio de 2013). El rango de

tallas para los ejemplares analizados fluctuó entre los 5.5 a los 22.5 cm LT y entre los 4.5 a los 13.5 cm de

LT para H. floridana y H. mexicana, respectivamente. La porcentaje de recaptura de los individuos

marcados osciló entre el 8 y 14.5 %. La distancia de distribución de los organismos recapturados fue de

1.78 m lineales al día. El crecimiento en biomasa preliminar estimado para Holothuria floridana fue de

6.4 gramos al mes. Estas son algunas características biológicas que contribuyen al aprovechamiento

sostenible de esta nueva pesquería comercial en la región.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pepino de mar, pesqueria, marca-recaptura, Campeche


251

THE UTILITY OF SIMPLE CORAL REEF FISH COMMUNITY METRICS AS INDICATORS

FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN

LA UTILIDAD DE VARIABLES SENCILLAS DERIVADAS DE COMUNIDADES DE PECES

DE ARRECIFE COMO INDICADORES PARA LA GESTIÓN DE PESCA BASADA EN EL

ECOSISTEMA EN EL CARIBE

L’UTILITÉ DE VARIABLES SIMPLES DÉRIVÉES DES COMMUNAUTÉS DE POISSONS DE

RÉCIF COMME INDICATEURS POUR LA GESTION DE PÊCHE BASÉE SUR

L’ÉCOSYSTÈME DANS LA CARAÏBE

HENRI VALLÈS1 and HAZEL OXENFORD

2

1Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus ,

Barbados [email protected] 2Centre for Resource Management and Environmental StudiesThe University of the West Indies Cave

Hill Campus Barbados

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


252

DISEÑANDO UNA ÁREA DE PESCA ARTESANAL EXCLUSIVA - UNA ALTERNATIVA

VIABLE PARA LOS PUEBLOS DE LA MOSKITIA HONDUREÑA

DESIGNING AN EXCLUSIVE AREA FOR ARTISANAL FISHERIES – A VIABLE

ALTERNATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF THE MOSKITIA, HONDURAS

LA CONCEPTIOND'UNEZONE EXCLUSIVE DE PÊCHEARTISANALE - UNE

ALTERNATIVE VIABLE POUR LES COMMUNAUTÉS DE LA MOSKITIA AU HONDURAS

DIANA VASQUEZ1, STEPHEN BOX

2, and ILIANA CHOLLET

3

1Centro de Ecologia Marina Edificio Florencia Oficina 401 - 403 Tegucigalpa, FMO Honduras


Fort Pierce Florida USA 3Marine Spacial Laboratory, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Qld 4072 Australia

RESUMEN

Los Cayos de La Moskitia Hondureña, son un sistema de 53 cayos arenosos que están rodeados de

arrecifes de coral y pastos marinos.Por décadas, 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 método de extracción se emplean buzos, principalmente gente

indígena. El buceo para la extracción de langosta es la principal fuente de empleo e ingreso en esta región

postergada del país. Pero también la principal causa de invalidez y muerte. La preocupación por los

costos sociales del buceo, llevó a un acuerdo regional para prohibir la práctica en todo Centro América.

Aunque la medida está orientada a salvaguardar vidas humanas, crea una enorme incertidumbre por la

pérdida de empleos y la vulnerabilidad de la economía local en la región 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 pesquerías,

sostenibles, rentables y más seguras.Utilizando ciencia marina, tecnología de punta y el conocimiento

ancestral de los pescadores, se ha diseñado un Área de Pesca en los cayos de la Moskitiaque permitirá de

forma exclusiva la pesca artesanaly el uso preferente de los recursos por las comunidades locales.

Retomando sus prácticas tradicionales mediante métodos que promuevan la conservación de la

naturaleza y los servicios ecosistémicos, así como la promoción del desarrollo económico local, se

asegura la recuperación de las pesquerías y su disponibilidad a futuro, y se mantiene el potencial

económico para los pueblos de la Moskitia.

PALABRAS CLAVES: La Moskitia, pesca artesanal, buceo, comunidades, prácticas tradicionales


253

RESPONSE RATE DECLINE, SURVEY METHODOLOGY, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR

TEXAS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

CAÍDA ÍNDICE DE RESPUESTA, METODOLOGÍA DE LA ENCUESTA, Y LAS

IMPLICACIONES PARA LA GESTIÓN DE LAS PESQUERÍAS DE TEXAS

BAISSE DES TAUX DE RÉPONSE, LA MÉTHODOLOGIE DE L'ENQUÊTE, ET LES

IMPLICATIONS POUR LA GESTION DES PÊCHES TEXAS

KENNETH WALLEN, ADAM LANDON, GERARD KYLE, and MICHAEL SCHUETT

Texas A&M University Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Lab 2142 TAMU College Station , TX

77843 USA [email protected]

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 Department‟s (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


254

QUALITY VERSUS QUANTITY FOR AGGREGATE HOUSEHOLD SEAFOOD

CONSUMPTION AND RELEVANT SOUTHEAST U.S. SPECIES

CALIDAD VERSUS CANTIDAD EN EL CONSUMO DOMÉSTICO AGREGADO DE

MARISCOS Y ESPECIES IMPORTANTES DEL SURESTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS

LA QUALITÉ CONTRE LA QUANTITÉ DANS LA CONSOMMATION DES FRUITS DE MER

ET AUTRES ESPÈCES PERTINENTES PAR LES MÉNAGES DU SUD-EST DES ETATS-UNIS

D’AMERIQUE

HUABO WANG and WALTER KEITHLY

Louisiana State University 3361 Iowa St. Apt 210 Baton Rouge, LA 70802 US [email protected]

ABSTRACT

From February 2005 through January 2006, a NOAA Fisheries Seafood Consumption Survey was

conducted to gather information about household seafood consumption behavior. Based on the 10,798

completed interviews, the objective of the study is to estimate expenditure-based household demand

functions for seafood in aggregate as well as species of importance to the Southeast U.S. harvesting and

processing sectors (e.g., shrimp). Emphasis will be given to the influence of socioeconomic factors and

opportunity costs on the demand for quality. As an outcome of this objective, and based on the hypothesis

that demand for quality is proportional to the level of aggregation (i.e., as one moves from seafood to

shrimp), the study examines whether the demand for quality diminishes in relation to the level of

disaggregation. Completion of this objective will build upon the bivariate model originally proposed by

Dong et al. (1998). The bivariate model utilized the maximum likelihood method to successfully deal

with a truncation problem as well as difficulties of unobserved unit price values. As such, the quality

variation and consumer preference could be simultaneously investigated by this bivariate analysis.

Reference: Diansheng Dong, J.S.Shonkwiler And Oral Capps, Jr. (1998) Estimation of Demand Functions

Using Cross-Sectional Household Data: The Problem Revisited, American Journal of Agriculture

Economics. 80(August 1998):466-473

KEYWORDS: Quality, quantity, seafood


255

EXPRESSION PROFILE OF VENOM PROTEINS IN PTEROIS VOLITANS: IMPLICATIONS

FOR CIGUATOXIN DETECTION

PERFIL DE EXPRESIÓN DE PROTEÍNAS DEL VENENO EN PTEROIS VOLITANS:

IMPLICACIONES PARA LA DETECCIÓN DE CIGUATOXIN

PROFIL D'EXPRESSION DES PROTÉINES DE VENIN DANS PTEROIS VOLITANS:

IMPLICATIONS POUR LA DÉTECTION DE LA CIGUATOXIN

CHRISTIE WILCOX

University of Hawaii Discover Magazine 738 Ekekela Pl Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 United States

[email protected]

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


256

LAUNCH OF THE UNEP-CEP/CAMPAM MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: USING CARIBBEAN

MPA MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE TO EXPEDITE THE DISSEMINATION OF BEST

PRACTICES

LANZAMIENTO DEL PROGRAMA DE TUTORÍA PNUMA-PAC/CAMPAM: EL USO DE LA

EXPERIENCIA DE GESTIÓN DE AMP DE LA REGIÓN PARA ACELERAR LA DIFUSIÓN DE

LAS MEJORES PRÁCTICAS

LANCEMENT DU PROGRAMME DE TUTORAT PNUE-PEC/CAMPAM: L'UTILISATION DE

L'EXPERTISE DE GESTION DE LA MPA DE LA RÉGION À ACCÉLÉRER LA DIFFUSION

DES MEILLEURES PRATIQUES

RICH WILSON, ALESSANDRA VANZELLA-KHOURI, GEORGINA BUSTAMANTE, and HELENE

SOUAN

Seatone Consulting 515 John Muir Dr., #A-412 San Francisco, CA 94132 USA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Wider Caribbean has realized a sharp increase in newly designated MPAs in recent years. Many of

these sites struggle to build management capacity, acquire and train staff, and secure public support for

the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. In early 2013 senior Caribbean marine resource

professionals gathered in the Dominican Republic to collaboratively design and initiate launch of a

mentorship program that supports peer-to-peer sharing of knowledge, skills and lessons learned in

effective MPA management. Mentoring has long been recognized as an effective means to improve

individual and organizational capacity and performance. The mentorship program represents the newest

addition to the suite of tools and resources brought forth by the Caribbean Marine Protected Area

Managers Network and Forum (CaMPAM). The primary goal is to sustainably enhance professional

capacities of MPA managers and practitioners throughout the region by responding directly to common

training and technical needs. The program will enhance the transfer of new skills into practice from

learning theory combined with demonstration, practice, evaluation during training and both in-situation

and ongoing support. The initiative builds upon the „Training of Trainers Course on Marine Protected

Area Management,‟ CaMPAM‟s flagship training that started in 1999 and has since enhanced

professional development for hundreds of MPA managers across the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: MPA, mentorship, network, mentor, mentee


257

THE TOTAL ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURE ON BONAIRE

EL VALOR ECONÓMICO TOTAL DE LA NATURALEZA EN BONAIRE

LA VALEUR ÉCONOMIQUE TOTALE DE LA NATURE SUR BONAIRE

ESTHER WOLFS

WKICS Sabadeco West 230 Santa Barbara, Bonaire 0000 Caribbean Netherlands [email protected]

ABSTRACT

It is crucial to understand how nature contributes to one‟s economy and wellbeing in order to make well-

founded 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 Bonaire‟s 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


258

INCORPORATING GIS INTO SOCIOECONOMIC MONITORING FOR COASTAL

MANAGERS (SOCMON)

LA INCORPORACIÓN DE LOS SIG EN EL MONITOREO SOCIOECONÓMICO PARA LOS

ADMINISTRADORES COSTEROS (SOCMON)

L'INTÉGRATION SIG EN SUIVI SOCIO-ÉCONOMIQUE POUR LES GESTIONNAIRES

CÔTIERS (SOCMON)

JEHROUM WOOD, KIMBERLY BALDWIN, PENA MARIA, and PATRICK MCCONNEY

Centre for Resource Management and Environmental, University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus

Cavehill Bridgetown, bb14012 Barbados [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Understanding the biological and physical parameters of coastal ecosystems and resources is vital for

prudent and adaptive management. But the socio-economic context within which any coastal management

initiative is undertaken also impacts its success or failure. Monitoring the nature, status and trends of

socio-economic characteristics is necessary to determine the most appropriate approaches for successfully

managing both the resources and the human interactions at and around the site. Socioeconomic

Monitoring for Coastal Managers (SocMon), is a global program which provides a practical, yet flexible,

standardised methodology for collecting social and economic monitoring data for coastal management.

The socio-economic information from SocMon can help managers balance sustainable resource use,

protection and conservation with community needs for livelihoods, food security and equitable use of

resources. Although SocMon was not designed explicitly for use with Geographic Information Systems

(GIS), many of the monitoring variables are spatially based. SocMon can be enhanced through spatial

representation of information by incorporating GIS, including stakeholder participation where possible.

The mapping of information and incorporation into a GIS presents an additional method of storing,

analysing and representing some socio-economic variables by providing spatial references locations,

boundaries, trends and changes, regarding resources, people and their interrelationships. This paper sets

out research undertaken in the Caribbean on a standard methodology for efficiently and effectively

assimilating GIS into the SocMon methodology to develop „SocMon Spatial‟ as an enhanced application

for coastal, marine and fisheries management.

KEYWORDS: Caribbean, SocMon, Socio-economic Monitoring, GIS, PGIS


259

A COMPARISON OF TROPHIC STRUCTURE AMONG ARTIFICIAL REEFS OF THE

NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO

UNA COMPARACIÓN DE LA ESTRUCTURA TRÓFICA ENTRE LOS ARRECIFES

ARTIFICIALES DEL GOLFO NOROESTE DE MÉXICO

UNE COMPARAISON DE LA STRUCTURE TROPHIQUE PARMI LES RÉCIFS ARTIFICIELS

DU NORD-OUEST DU GOLFE DU MEXIQUE

DANIELLE ZIMMERMANN, MATT AJEMIAN, JENNIFER WETZ, and GREG STUNZ

Harte Research Institute Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr. Corpus Christi, TX

78412 United States [email protected]

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

ESTA PAGINA EN BLANCO

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