Changes in life history and ecological characteristics of coral reef fish catch composition with increasing fishery management

Abstract Length, life history and ecological characteristics of landed fish communities were studied over a 10‐year period to test theories of fishing disturbance during a time of increased gear and closure management in heavily utilised fisheries. It was predicted that with greater management restrictions: (1) the earliest and fastest responses in the fishery will be seen in those species with faster turnovers, or relatively lower vulnerabilities to fishing; (2) the fishery would transition to a landed catch with higher mean trophic levels, and greater mean body lengths. In addition, the removal of a non‐selective, small‐mesh seine nets should benefit the catch of gears that previously had the greatest species selectivity overlap with the seine net. Many predictions were supported, although maximum lengths and lengths at maturity responded more rapidly than anticipated. The response to eliminating the non‐selective seine net was a more rapid increase in sizes caught by gears with a larger overlap in size (hook and lines) than species selectivity (gill nets). The simultaneous comparison of management systems over time indicates that open‐access fishing grounds can benefit from restrictions imposed in adjacent fishing grounds. The study indicated that multi‐species coral reef fisheries management objectives of maximising yields, as well as maintaining the fish community’s life‐history diversity, require management trade‐offs that balance local socio‐economic and biodiversity needs.     

Comparisons of monthly and geographical variations in abundance and size composition of Pacific saury between the high-seas and coastal fishing grounds in the northwestern Pacific

The monthly and geographical abundances and size compositions of Pacific saury were compared between the high-seas and coastal fishing grounds in the northwestern Pacific during 2000–2005 based on Taiwanese fishery data. The large-sized saury was dominant (44.3–71.4% of the catch) in the beginning of the fishing season, while the medium-sized saury followed and dominated from September to the end of the fishing season (70.1–92.4% of the catch). In the high seas, the total catch per unit effort (CPUE) (about 71.2% of the mean coastal value) and both the large- (about 55.0%) and medium-sized saury CPUEs (about 81.8%) were significantly smaller than those in the coastal waters. The mean proportions of the large- and medium-sized saury in the high-seas catch were about 86.6 and 107.0% of the coastal values, respectively. CPUEs for the total catch and the catch of medium-sized saury varied in a highly consistent way. The total and medium-sized CPUEs were negatively correlated with the sea-water temperature. When the temperature was held the same statistically, the total and medium-sized CPUEs were larger in the shoreward, southward, and shallower waters of the fishing grounds, while the large-sized CPUE was larger in the shoreward waters.     

Pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), catch in relation to juvenile density and water temperature in Pärnu Bay, Estonia

Abstract The abundance of 0+ pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), in trawls was compared with water temperature, water level and commercial catches 6–9 years later. The abundance of juveniles in autumn was positively correlated with the water temperature but not with water level in May or in June. The sum of a year abundance of juveniles showed a strong correlation with the catch years later. This abundance and the cumulative water temperature between August and October inclusive in five consecutive years one year prior to recruitment into the commercial fishery explained 86% of the variation in catches. This empirical model indicates that catches of pikeperch depend on both juvenile abundance and water temperature.     

The interim management procedure approach for assessed stocks: Responsive management advice and lower assessment frequency

Stock assessments are often used to provide management advice, such as a total allowable catch (TAC), to fishery managers. Many stocks are not assessed annually, and the TAC from the previous assessment is often maintained in years between assessments. We developed two interim management procedures (MPs) that update the estimate of current vulnerable biomass from a surveyed index of abundance to adjust the TAC from a previous assessment. These MPs differ in how they handle uncertainty in observed indices. Using closed‐loop simulation, we evaluated the two interim MPs (with 10‐ and 5‐year assessment intervals) against several “status quo” approaches: (1) an annual assessment, and (2) a stock assessment every 5 or 10 years with (a) fixed TACs or (b) projections between assessments. We evaluated performance across three life‐history types and six operating model scenarios. The interim MPs performed similarly to annual assessments in terms of trends in biomass and yield, regardless of the assessment interval of the interim MPs. The interim MPs often produced more yield than the Fixed TAC MP with 10‐year assessment intervals, for example, in depleted scenarios. The Fixed TAC MP performed more similarly to interim MPs when the assessment interval for the Fixed TAC MP was decreased to five years. The interim MPs can also perform well when circumstances arise that are not accounted for in the Projection MP. Our results show that interim MPs should be considered for infrequently assessed stocks or rebuilding stocks, and highlight potential cost savings of interim MPs over annual assessments.     

An ecosystem-based assessment of the Korean blue crab trammel net fishery in the Yellow Sea and management implications

Landings in the blue crab, Portunus trituberculatus, fishery in Korean waters of the Yellow Sea have declined substantially from 11,000 t in the 1980s to 2,300 t in 2004. Blue crab habitat quality in the Yellow Sea has been degraded by anthropogenic activities including sand mining, land reclamation, and coastal pollution. Various traditional management measures have been implemented, including closed seasons during spawning and size limits, but these measures alone have been unsuccessful to conserve blue crab stocks. Consequently, a total allowable catch and a stock-rebuilding program using an ecosystem-based management approach were implemented in 2003 and 2006, respectively to rebuild blue crab stocks and restore habitats. This program involved assessment of both blue crab stock status and trammel-net fishery impacts at an ecosystem-level using an ecosystem-based fisheries assessment method ( [Zhang et al., 2009] and [Zhang et al., 2010]), which considered fishery data from catch and effort time-series, crab population biology, and ecosystem characteristics, including habitats and environmental conditions. Recent (2008) management status indices have shown significant positive change compared to conditions in 2000 with respect to sustainability of the stock and fishery and with regards to biodiversity and ecosystem habitat quality.     

The effects of the net fishery closure on angling catch in the River Hvítá, Iceland

Between 1991 and 2000, angling associations on the tributaries of the River Hvítá leased net fishery rights in the Hvítá mainstem, with the aim of eliminating net fishery harvest and improving the rod catch. The rod catch and net catch in the Hvítá system were significantly correlated (r = 0.94; P < 0.001) over the 10‐year period prior to (1981–1990) closure of the net fishery. The rod fishery in the tributaries of the River Hvítá was also significantly correlated to the rod fishery in selected groups of rivers in west (r = 0.80; P < 0.01) and north (r = 0.73; P < 0.05) before the closure. Significant increases (P < 0.01) were observed in rod catches in the Hvítá tributaries between 1991 and 2000 after the closure, while rod catches in control regions decreased. Based on evaluation of rod catch trends before and after the closure, it was estimated that the net fishery lease increased rod catches in the tributaries between 1773 and 2175 fish (28–35%). The increase in rod catches also suggested that the rod fishery may be taking 39–52% of the estimated previous net catch. The high price paid annually for the net fishery lease just to eliminate net fishing (€135 000) reflects the high value of rod caught salmon compared with salmon caught by the net fishery.     

Effect of wind stress on the catch of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus off northwestern Kyushu, Japan

Effect of wind stress on the annual catch of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus off northwestern Kyushu for the period between 1963 and 2009 was investigated. Regime shift analysis detected several step changes in catch and environmental variables. Since the mid-1980s, the anchovy catch in the coastal fishery zones has declined, while the catch in the offshore zone has increased. The decline of catch in the coastal zones showed a significant correlation with the long-term variations in prevailing north-northeastward wind stress over the Goto-Nada Sea during spring spawning season. The results indicated that weakened north-northeastward winds caused the recent low recruitment of anchovy through low levels of wind-induced eggs and larval transport from the offshore spawning ground to the coastal nursery areas, resulting in the potential shift of nursery area to the northwestern offshore region. Thus, as well as the growth-favorable ambient temperature, transport process would play a key role on long-term fluctuations in anchovy abundance in these coastal seas.     

Recruitment abundance index of Pacific bluefin tuna using fisheries data on juveniles

ABSTRACT:   The recruitment abundance index of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis was estimated from 1980 to 2003 fishing year by using the troll fishery data in Nagasaki Prefecture, western Japan. It has been shown that the troll fishery in Nagasaki Prefecture operates with good time–area coverage of the species habitat, and that the fishing power slightly changed during the period analyzed, based on fisheries statistics, published information, and interviews with the fishers. Average catch per unit effort (CPUEs) were standardized by a generalized linear model (GLM) considering the effects of fishing year, season and landing area. Standardized CPUE of age-0 bluefin tuna showed larger fluctuations year by year than the nominal CPUE combined for all ages. High CPUEs in fishing years of 1981, 1994, 1996 and 1999 were observed. Data from these years agreed with the higher recruitments estimated by virtual population analysis (VPA) or higher catch of age-0 fish reported for the Pacific side. The age-specific standardized CPUE of age-0 bluefin tuna in this study was judged to be a useful indicator of recruitment.     

中东大西洋中部海域中上层鱼类资源结构与渔场分布

为了解中东大西洋中部海域中上层鱼类资源结构与渔场分布,对2007-2014年入渔FAO34渔区3.11和1.32小区(毛里塔尼亚专属经济区)从事中上层鱼类捕捞的7艘国内渔船的生产数据进行了分析。结果表明,我国入渔船只数量、入渔渔船总产量和作业渔船平均日产量均呈现先增加、后减少的趋势,且在2011年入渔渔船总产量和作业渔船平均日产量到达最大值,2012年入渔船只数量到达最大值。渔获种类主要包括沙丁鱼(Sardina pilchardus)、短体小沙丁鱼(Sardinella maderensis)、金色小沙丁鱼(Sardinella aurita)、日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)和竹筴鱼(Trachurus trachurus),各渔获种类的渔获量年际间波动较为明显。月均产量在17.2~23.6 t/haul,最高值和最低值分别出现在12月和8月;月均总产量在1 279.0~2 414.2 t,最高值和最低值分别出现在1月和8月,12月至次年3月为渔汛旺期。渔场季节变化现象明显,夏秋季向北移动,冬春季向南移动,20.0°~20.8°N、17.4°~18.0°W区域为高产量海域。该海域中上层鱼类洄游现象明显,这可能主要与该海域的不同洋流在不同月份的强弱变化有关,该海域整体渔业资源呈现一定衰退现象。建议渔船入渔该海域从事中上层鱼类捕捞持谨慎态度,加强该海域渔业资源的研究与保护。     

Comparative analysis of artisanal and recreational fisheries for Dentex dentex in a Marine Protected Area

The common dentex, Dentex dentex (L.), is an iconic marine coastal fish in the Mediterranean Sea. This study was performed in the Bonifacio Strait Natural Reserve (BSNR), (NW Mediterranean Sea). The aims were to: (1) evaluate temporal variation of the artisanal fishing of common dentex (2000–2012); (2) compare and quantify catch rates, fishing techniques and catch composition for artisanal and recreational fisheries, and determine the influence of management measures by both activities; and (3) estimate the production of both artisanal and recreational fisheries. Fishery data were collected from different artisanal fishing surveys (onboard fishing vessels and landings) and recreational fishing surveys (roving). The gears with the highest rates of exploitation were longline (3554 g per 100 hooks) and Trolling (351 g boat^?1 h^?1 ±SE), respectively, for artisanal and recreational fishing. This study showed that catches by both activities were quantitatively higher in partially protected areas than outside them. Production estimations suggest that the recreational fishery contributes significantly to fishing mortality and that it can magnify the negative effects of artisanal fisheries. Specific measures are needed for the sustainable fishery management of common dentex.