Spatial distribution of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in relation to spatial distributions of krill in the Ross Sea,Antarctica

The spatial distribution of Antarctic minke whales in the Ross Sea with relation to spatial distributions of their prey – krill – was investigated in this study using generalized additive models (GAMs). Spatial distributions of two species of krill (ice and Antarctic krill) were estimated by GAMs. Three abiotic factors – distance from the continental shelf break (800 m isobaths), the mean temperature and salinity from the surface to 200 m (MTEM‐200 and MSAL‐200), and latitude and longitude – were used as covariates for models of krill. Estimated spatial distributions of krill were then used with other covariates to model the spatial distribution of Antarctic minke whales. In the selected model of Antarctic minke whales, Antarctic krill were more influential than ice krill. The number of Antarctic minke whales increased as the density of Antarctic krill increased to around 1.5 g m^?2. Beyond that, the number of Antarctic minke whales decreased as the density of Antarctic krill increased. High densities of the Antarctic minke whales were estimated along the sea ice edge in the eastern part of the Ross Sea. Specifically, the densities were high in the north of the continental shelf break where low MTEM‐200 and MSAL‐200 and intermediate densities of Antarctic krill were observed. Further data collection is needed to investigate interannual variations and trends in their relationship. The results show that the spatial distribution of Antarctic minke whales is a function of longitude, distance from the shelf break, oceanographic condition (temperature and salinity), and densities of ice and Antarctic krill.     

Spatio‐temporal management of fisheries to reduce by‐catch and increase fishing selectivity

Time/area closures have been widely used in fisheries management to prevent overfishing and the destruction of marine biodiversity. To a lesser degree, such spatio‐temporal management measures have been used to reduce by‐catch of finfish or protected species. However, as ecosystem‐based management approaches are employed and more fisheries are managed through multispecies, multiobjective models, the management of by‐catch will likely become increasingly important. The elimination of by‐catch has become a primary goal of the fishing policies of many countries. It is particularly relevant in the United States, as the deadline for setting annual catch limits (ACLs) in all fisheries passes in 2011. This will result in a dramatic expansion of the number of catch and by‐catch quotas. Such catch measures may result in the early closure of otherwise sustainable fisheries when by‐catch quotas are exceeded. To prevent such closures and the consequent economic hardship to fishers and the economy, it is imperative that managers be given the tools necessary to reduce by‐catch and improve fishing selectivity. Targeted spatio‐temporal fishery closures are one solution open to managers. Here, we examine how the spatio‐temporal and oceanographic characteristics of by‐catch may be used by managers to design fishery closures, and place these methods within a decision tree to assist managers to identify appropriate management measures. We argue that the current movement towards marine spatial planning (MSP) presents an important impetus to examine how we manage fisheries spatially, and we offer a first step towards the objective participation of fisheries in the MSP process.     

The effect of low inclusion levels of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) meal on growth performance,apparent digestibility and slaughter quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Two trials with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were conducted to evaluate the potential of krill meal to improve feed intake. In the first experiment, after transfer to sea water, salmon smolts were fed diets added 75 or 150 g kg^?1 Antarctic krill meal in substitution for fish meal for 13 weeks. The apparent digestibility coefficient for crude protein and the majority of the amino acids was significantly lower in the feeds added krill meal (around 83.5%) than in the control diet (84.9%), whereas the digestibility of crude lipids, dry matter and energy was not significantly different among the three diets. Krill meal addition resulted in higher feed intake, which led to higher growth rates and final body weights. In the second experiment, large salmon were fed a diet containing 100 g kg^?1 krill meal for 6 weeks before slaughter. Their feed intake and growth performance were assessed, and fillet and visceral fat contents were measured. Salmon fed the 100 g kg^?1 krill meal diet tended to eat more, resulting in significantly increased growth rates, when compared to control fish. Fish fed krill meal also had a significantly lower condition factor.     

Inter‐ and intra‐specific interactions affecting crustacean trap fisheries—Implications for management

The UK coastal trap fisheries target two key species, European lobster Homarus gammarus (L.) and brown crab Cancer pagurus L. Their stock status is assessed periodically using size‐based, yield‐per‐recruit analysis. Fishery trends are described using landings and, where available, effort data to estimate catch per unit of effort (CPUE), nominally proportional to abundance. Despite being caught together, assessments assume that concurrent capture of these species does not distort their individual CPUE estimates. Here, an in situ experiment tested impacts of inter‐specific and intra‐specific interactions by pre‐loading baited traps with different species and observing subsequent catches. Pre‐loaded European lobster significantly reduced brown crab catches, whereas, other species produced no such effects. The findings highlight the likely inconsistency of using CPUE as an index of abundance if landings data originate from a mixed‐species fishery in which species interactions and targeting behaviour of fishers are unknown or un‐quantified.     

中西太平洋鲣渔场时空分布研究

中西太平洋海域是全球鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)作业的主要渔场,该海域鲣渔场的时空分布规律,尤其是高产海域,是渔情预报研究的基础和前提。根据太平洋共同体秘书处提供的1995-2014年中西太平洋鲣围网捕捞生产统计数据,对各年各月的鲣产量和捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)进行统计分析,通过产量重心分析和聚类分析,找出渔场重心变化规律,同时选取高产的22个渔区(分辨率5°×5°),研究时间和空间因素对CPUE的影响。研究结果表明,中西太平洋鲣历年产量逐步上升,CPUE波动较大,而各月产量和CPUE差异较大,高产月份主要集中在上半年;历年产量重心分布不均,经度方向上分布差异较大,聚类分析可分为4类;各月产量重心变化呈现顺时针变化规律,从南到北,自西向东,再从北向南移动,聚类分析可分为3类;渔获量主要分布于5°S～5°N、120°～175°E,因此对该海域CPUE进行统计,以年份、月份和渔区为影响因素,分析发现,极端气候年份与其它年份的CPUE有明显不同,月份间的变化与产量月间重心变化类似,上、下半年有着明显不同;不同空间下,经度间差异大于纬度间差异,135°～145°E为经度CPUE差异的分界线,而南北纬间的差异不明显。上述鲣的时空分布变化主要与ENSO现象引起的西太平洋暖池的变化有着密切关系,同时太平洋岛国的相关入渔政策也对其产生一定的影响。     

南极大西洋扇区磷虾渔业渔获率突变特征及其致因分析

本研究利用CCARMLR数据库中提取的南极大西洋扇区(含48.1、48.2和48.3亚区)1982-2011年30年间的南极磷虾(Euphausia superba)年平均渔获率数据,运用Mann-Kendall法分析了其时间序列的发展趋势及突变特征.从趋势特征看,48区月均名义CPUE由1982年的5t/h左右,变化至2011年的10t/h左右.CPUE值时间序列呈现显著性周期波动,线性趋势年均增幅为0.221t/h.48.1亚区为主要捕捞区域,其CPUE线性趋势增幅最小,为年均0.088 t/h;而48.2亚区增幅最大,年增幅达0.323 9 t/h; 41.3亚区的年增幅为0.261 t/h.就渔获率突变特征而言,过去30年48区磷虾渔获率变化趋势为先缓后快的逐渐上升过程,渔获率突变点发生在1999年,这个突变在2001年后显著性存在.3个亚区磷虾渔获率均存在“上升突变”突变点.48.1亚区渔获率分别于2001年和2004年出现相交突变点,但均未通过α=0.05的显著线检验.48.2亚区分别于1995-1996年“向下突变”,但未通过α=0.05的显著线检验,1996-1997年出现“向上突变”,2000年通过α=0.05的显著线检验.48.3亚区突变发生在1992年,突变点通过α=0.05的显著线检验.结合海冰面积和捕捞(包括般队、捕捞技术、加工工艺)等因子分析突变的致因时,发现:(1)捕捞技术和加工工艺是最主要的致突变因子;(2)海冰面积在1983-1993年对渔获率突变有明显贡献;(3)空间上,越靠近南大陆,环境因子对突变的发生越容易产生作用.     

China's distant‐water fisheries in the 21st century

We conservatively estimate the distant‐water fleet catch of the People's Republic of China for 2000–2011, using a newly assembled database of reported occurrence of Chinese fishing vessels in various parts of the world and information on the annual catch by vessel type. Given the unreliability of official statistics, uncertainty of results was estimated through a regionally stratified Monte Carlo approach, which documents the presence and number of Chinese vessels in Exclusive Economic Zones and then multiplies these by the expected annual catch per vessel. We find that China, which over‐reports its domestic catch, substantially under‐reports the catch of its distant‐water fleets. This catch, estimated at 4.6 million t year^?1 (95% central distribution, 3.4–6.1 million t year^?1) from 2000 to 2011 (compared with an average of 368 000 t·year^?1 reported by China to FAO), corresponds to an ex‐vessel landed value of 8.93 billion € year^?1 (95% central distribution, 6.3–12.3 billion). Chinese distant‐water fleets extract the largest catch in African waters (3.1 million t year^?1, 95% central distribution, 2.0–4.4 million t), followed by Asia (1.0 million t year^?1, 0.56–1.5 million t), Oceania (198 000 t year^?1, 144 000–262 000 t), Central and South America (182 000 t year^?1, 94 000–299 000 t) and Antarctica (48 000 t year^?1, 8 000–129 000 t). The uncertainty of these estimates is relatively high, but several sources of inaccuracy could not be fully resolved given the constraints inherent in the underlying data and method, which also prevented us from distinguishing between legal and illegal catch.     

Evaluating spatio‐temporal variability in the habitat quality of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Gulf of Maine

Reduced abundance and contracted spatial distribution of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) may indicate large spatio‐temporal variation in their habitat quality. Season‐specific Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models were developed to quantify such variation in the offshore GOM management area. Data used were non‐zero cod catch rates with calibrations from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) spring and fall bottom trawl surveys over the period 1982–2013 and key physical environmental variables including depth, bottom temperature, bottom salinity and sediment types. Significant declines were found in the average HSI across the study area in the springs of early 2000s and 2010s. These low average HSI values coincide with reduced age‐1 recruitment of GOM cod stock after the mid‐1990s. Moreover, the western coastal areas of the GOM generally exhibited higher average HSI values than the eastern coastal areas, whereas the offshore areas always had the lowest average HSI. Relatively higher cod survey catch rates in the western GOM may imply positive influences of environmental controls on the distribution of GOM cod.     

基于广义可加模型研究时间和环境因子对南极半岛北部南极磷虾渔场的影响

基于南极海洋生物资源养护委员会(CCAMLR)统计公报(Statistical Bulletin,Volume 23)提供的数据,利用广义可加模型(generalized additive model,GAM),实验对1998-2009年南极半岛北部(CCAMLR 48.1、48.2和48.3小区)内的南极磷虾渔场时空分布及其与环境因子(表温和叶绿素a浓度)之间的关系进行了研究.结果表明,模型对3个小区的单位捕捞努力量渔获量(catch per unit fishing effort,CPUE)总偏差解释率分别为51.11％、69.25％和65.82％,其中各小区贡献最大的因子均为月份.1998-2009年期间,3个小区内各年平均CPUE保持相对稳定.48.1小区各年间平均CPUE值变化最小,而48.3小区则较48.2小区大.3个小区之间及48.2小区和48.3小区内年均CPUE差异不明显,而48.1小区内平均CPUE则存在显著性年份差异.从CPUE月均变化可以看出,3个小区均呈单峰分布,48.1～48.3小区的峰值分别出现在4月、5月和6月.3个小区之间平均CPUE月变化不显著,但各区内平均CPUE则存在显著的月变化.48.1～48.3小区南极磷虾渔场的适宜表温范围分别为-3～2℃、-2～2℃和0～5℃,但CPUE主要分别集中在表温-2～1℃、-1～0℃和1℃左右以及0.8～2.4℃范围内.48.1小区(53％)、48.2小区(39％)和48.3小区(51％)3个小区较大比例的CPUE值处于叶绿素a浓度为0～0.2 mg/m3的范围内.     

南极半岛邻近海域南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba Dana)的数量组成和分布

根据2010年1月23日?2月13日在南极南设得兰群岛和南奥克尼群岛邻近海域渔场采集的南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba Dana)样品,分析了南极大磷虾数量、个体体长分布和发育期组成等种群结构特点。样品由330 μm和500 μm浮游生物网垂直拖网和表层水平拖网两种采集方式所获。结果显示,采集样中,南奥克尼群岛水域的南极大磷虾平均密度为1.92 ind/m3,高于南设得兰群岛水域的相应值(0.35 ind/m3);出现的南极大磷虾个体发育期包括CI至CIII期原蚤状幼体、FI至FIV期和FVI期蚤状幼体、未成体、成体(包括雌体和雄体);各发育期个体中,原蚤状幼体数量较多;原蚤状幼体、蚤状幼体、未成体及成体的体长范围(平均体长)分别为1.76–4.96 mm (3.48 mm)、3.95–14.80 mm (5.96 mm)、16.87–39.85 mm (36.10 mm)、40.00–58.96 mm (43.94 mm)。CIII期原蚤状幼体和FI期蚤状幼体的生长率较高。推测,南奥克尼群岛水域南极大磷虾生殖季节始于9月末,集中出现在12月中上旬;而南设得兰群岛生殖季节应早于上述水域。比较两种采集方式,南极大磷虾在水平网中的出现频率和个体出现数量均高于垂直网采集样的相应值,建议传统垂直拖网与水平拖网两种采样方式有效结合,可促进更全面了解大磷虾水平分布和种群结构特点。     

Pre‐impoundment stock assessment of two Pimelodidae species caught by small‐scale fisheries in the Madeira River (Amazon Basin – Brazil)

The middle stretch of the Madeira River has supported an intensive commercial fishery for several decades. Developed in an area of rapids and waterfalls, this fishery focuses primarily on catfish stocks, mainly pimelodids. Data from fish landings collected in the years immediately prior to the start in operations of two large hydroelectric dams were used to estimate growth and mortality rates for Pirinampus pirinampu (Spix & Agassiz) and Brachyplatystoma platynemum Boulenger. In addition, stock assessment was carried out for both species, and the results used to evaluate the status of the fishery. Mean population parameters were L_∞ = 80.85 cm (total length), k = 0.52 year^?1, ? = 3.53, A_0.95 = 6 year, M = 0.87, F = 1.41–1.64 and Z = 2.28–2.51 for P. pirinampu; and L_∞ = 95.55 cm (total length), k = 0.28 year^?1, ? = 3.40, winter point = 0.41, A_0.95 = 11 year, M = 0.55, F = 0.16–0.35 and Z = 0.71–0.90 for B. platynemum. Yield‐per‐recruit analysis indicated P. pirinampu was overfished and that the stock of B. platynemum was under‐exploited. Moreover, overfishing of the P. pirinampu stock and the effects of fragmentation caused by the construction of the dam should be monitored.     

Shifting trophic architecture of marine fisheries in New Zealand: Implications for guiding effective ecosystem‐based management

New Zealand has led the world in restoration of marine fisheries since the introduction of the Quota Management System in 1986, but challenges remain in minimizing the ecosystem‐level effects of industrialized fishing. We analysed existing long‐term fisheries data sets from 1931 to 2015 in New Zealand to resolve trends in important ecological properties of major exploited fish communities. Increases in community dissimilarities of catch composition in 1931 and 1972, followed by increasing total landings, highlight major expansions of fishing grounds and exploited species during these periods. Mirroring global patterns, the remarkable rise in fishing power, demand and generation of new markets in New Zealand have all contributed to this expansion. Marine Trophic Indices (MTIs) of landings have decreased together with total catch after the year 2000, reflecting smaller catches with a higher composition of lower trophic‐level species in recent years. Differences in relative abundance of species estimated between fisheries‐dependent and fisheries‐independent data were observed, where high‐value species displayed better agreement in relative abundance between data sets. Despite being under a Quota Management System, temporal development of MTI values relative to the timing of industrial expansion of fisheries was remarkably similar to those observed in the North Sea and Brazil, with a single expansion and decline. MTI values presented better long‐term stability in the US fisheries analysed. Analysis of long‐term data and the development of well‐resolved ecological baselines will be the first step towards applying EBM to New Zealand fisheries, in keeping with global trends in fisheries management.     

Spatio‐temporal distribution of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) catches in the northeastern Atlantic: relationship with the thermal environment

When the spring seasonal warming starts, North Atlantic albacore (Thunnus alalunga) juveniles and pre‐adults perform a trophic migration to the northeastern Atlantic, to the Bay of Biscay and to the southeast of Ireland. During this migration, they are exploited by Spanish trolling and baitboat fleets. The present study analyzes the relationship between the albacore spatio‐temporal distribution and the thermal environment. For this approach, several analyses have been performed on a database including fishing logbooks and sea surface temperature (SST) images, covering the period between 1987 and 2003. SST values and the SST gradients at the catch locations have been statistically compared to broader surrounding areas to test whether the thermal environment determines the spatial distribution of albacore. General additive models (GAM) have been used also to evaluate the relative importance of environmental variables and fleet behaviour. The results obtained show that, although juvenile albacore catch locations are affected by fleet dynamics, there is a close spatial and temporal relationship with the seasonal evolution of a statistically significant preferential SST window (16–18°C). However, differences have been identified between the relationship of albacore with SST within the Bay of Biscay in July and August (higher temperature). Such differences are found also in the spatial distribution of the catch locations; these reflect clearly the presence of two groups, differentiated after the third week of the fishing campaign at the end of June. The analysis undertaken relating the distribution of North Atlantic albacore juveniles with thermal gradients did not provide any evidence of a relationship between these catch locations and the nearby occurrence of thermal gradients.     

Modeling environmental,temporal and spatial effects on twaite shad (Alosa fallax) by‐catches in the central Mediterranean Sea

Modeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of species of conservation interest can be useful in predicting their occurrence from a local to a regional scale. This information is essential for planning management and conservation initiatives. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to investigate the influence of environmental, temporal and spatial variables on the catch rates of the twaite shad Alosa fallax (Lacepède) by the pelagic trawl fishery in the north‐central Adriatic Sea. Presence/absence and abundance [catch per unit effort (CPUE)] data between 2006 and 2012 were separately modeled, and the two models were then validated using a test data set. The most important factor influencing the presence and abundance of adult twaite shads was the spatial predictor (latitude × longitude). Two areas of major shads aggregations were observed, the most important of which being located near the estuaries of three main river systems of northern Italy. The twaite shad presence was also significantly affected by season, the largest and lowest occurrences being observed in autumn and spring, respectively. Among the environmental variables tested, only sea surface temperature was included in both models. Alosa fallax showed a wide thermal tolerance (6–27°C) with preference for temperature around 23°C. The model developed from the abundance data showed a moderate predictive power, whereas the accuracy of the presence/absence model was rather low. Some conclusions on the ecological requirements of A. fallax at sea arising from this study are useful to orient future monitoring and research programs and to develop effective conservation actions.     

Spatio‐temporal distribution of sea turtle strandings and factors contributing to their mortality in south‐eastern Brazil

1. Data on stranded sea turtles were examined between 2010 and 2016 along the northern region of Rio de Janeiro state and between 2016 and 2017 in the southern region, looking for spatio‐temporal patterns and determining which factors contributed to their mortality.
2. A total of 12,162 strandings of all five species that occur in Brazil were recorded, with Chelonia mydas being the most common (89.9%). Sea turtles use the Rio de Janeiro coast as a feeding and/or migration area. The intense upwelling (October to April) may be an important factor for the sea turtles feeding in this region, mainly for Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea, which had a higher number of strandings during this period.
3. Areas further north of the study area include an important nesting site for Caretta caretta in Brazil, which explains the higher concentration of strandings of subadults/adults of this species in this region and during its nesting season.
4. Many anthropogenic threats to sea turtles were documented, mainly incidental capture in fisheries and marine debris, indicating possible hotspots for these threats in the regions of Sepetiba and Guanabara Bays, Cabo Frio, and São Francisco de Itabapoana.
5. Among the natural causes of strandings, the primary factors were chronic illness, endoparasites, and fibropapillomatosis. However, pollution may also be an indirect threat, which negatively affects these animals through reduced health and immunosuppression, leaving them more susceptible to opportunistic diseases.
6. These data are valuable for directing and implementing specific and local mitigation measures along the Rio de Janeiro state coast, such as avoiding bycatch hotspots through fleet communication programmes and/or area and seasonal closures, enforceable legislation, effective penalties and proper waste management.

     

Non‐parametric modeling reveals environmental effects on bluefin tuna recruitment in Atlantic,Pacific, and Southern Oceans

Environment–recruitment relationships can be difficult to delineate with parametric statistical models and can be prone to misidentification. We use non‐parametric time‐series modeling which makes no assumptions about functional relationships between variables, to reveal environmental influences on early life stages of bluefin tuna and demonstrate improvement in prediction of subsequent recruitment. The influence of sea surface temperature, which has been previously associated with larval growth and survival, was consistently detected in recruitment time series of bluefin tuna stocks that spawn in the Mediterranean Sea, the North Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. Short time series for the Gulf of Mexico stock may have precluded a clear determination of environmental influences on recruitment fluctuations. Because the non‐parametric approach does not require specification of equations to represent system dynamics, predictive models can likely be developed that appropriately reflect the complexity of the ecological system under investigation. This flexibility can potentially overcome methodological challenges of specifying structural relationships between environmental conditions and fish recruitment. Consequently, there is potential for non‐parametric time series modeling to supplement traditional stock recruitment models for fisheries management.     

The impact of methodological choices on the outcome of national‐level climate change vulnerability assessments: An example from the global fisheries sector

Climate change vulnerability assessments have been receiving increasing attention from policymakers and academics. Given scarce funds for adaptation, the UNFCCC Secretariat has suggested that eligible countries be prioritized for support based on their vulnerability to climate change. National‐level fisheries sector climate change vulnerability assessments as well as other overall vulnerability assessments to date have lent support to the idea that least developed countries (LDCs) are more vulnerable to climate change than small island developing states (SIDS) and other coastal countries. We demonstrate that these perceived differences in vulnerability among country groups are partly due to methodological choices made during these assessments. We argue that national‐level vulnerability assessments, and particularly those dealing with the fisheries sector, often suffer from four main methodological shortcomings: (i) an inconsistent representation of countries belonging to each group, (ii) use of socioeconomic indicators that are not scaled to population size, (iii) use of a small number of indicators and (iv) lack of accounting for potential redundancy among indicators. Building on a previous framework, we show that by addressing the four aforementioned methodological shortcomings, the ranking in fisheries sector vulnerability among SIDS, LDCs and other coastal countries is altered significantly. Our results underscore that the vulnerability of SIDS was partially concealed in previous assessments and suggest that SIDS are in fact the most vulnerable group. Although this study focuses on assessing the vulnerability of the fisheries sector to climate change in SIDS, LDCs and other coastal countries, the implications also apply to other sectors and country groupings.     

Underwater evaluation of habitat partitioning in a European river between a non‐native invader,the racer goby and a threatened native fish,the European bullhead

We conducted underwater surveys using SCUBA gear to examine habitat and microhabitat competition between the Ponto‐Caspian racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus and native European bullhead Cottus gobio to assess the potential for competitive displacement of the native species by the invading species. In summer, 88 surveys were made in a tributary of the River Vistula within defined benthic areas across the entire width of the river bed. The occurrence of fish by total length class (small: <6 cm; large: >6 cm) and environmental conditions (depth, water velocity, substratum type, plant cover, shelter type) was recorded. We found a substantial separation between the species and size classes in relation to substratum, shelter type and water velocity. European bullheads were limited to lotic areas with stony bottoms, whereas racer gobies also occupied lentic areas over sand or mud. European bullheads usually took refuge under stones in contrast to a wider range of shelters used by racer goby, including tree roots and rubbish. In general, the breadth of habitat used by the racer goby was wider than that of the European bullhead, although habitat overlap between the species was not statistically significant except for the type of shelter occupied by small fish, selecting smaller stones. An inverse relationship was observed between small European bullheads and all racer gobies in areas where they co‐occurred, suggesting that invader may be having an adverse effect on the distribution and habitat use of small native bullheads, particularly in areas of moderate water velocities over small stones and gravel.