Spatial distribution and abundance of the by‐catch coastal elasmobranch Raja undulata: Managing a fishery after moratorium

The undulate ray Raja undulata Lacepède is a coastal species common along the north‐eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea and is highly accessible to coastal fisheries. Between 2009 and 2015, the species was under a European Union (EU) fisheries moratorium that hampered the collection of data to assess its stock status in Portuguese waters. After that period, a small experimental EU fishing quota was set for Portugal enabling collection of fishery data under a fishermen self‐sampling scenario. Based on the data collected, R. undulata abundance was estimated along the Portuguese continental coast through the application of a N‐mixture model and incorporating environmental factors. The results support the species coastal and patchy nature across the study area with higher abundances estimated in areas associated with shallow sandy bottoms as the Southwest region. The present work constitutes an important step for the management of this fishery resource, in particular concerns about its abundance trends over time and its spatial distribution and habitat requirements.     

Examining common assumptions about recruitment: a meta‐analysis of recruitment dynamics for worldwide marine fisheries

Assumptions about the future productivity of a stock are necessary to calculate sustainable catches in fisheries management. Fisheries scientists often assume the number of young fish entering a population (recruitment) is related to the biomass of spawning adults and that recruitment dynamics do not change over time. Thus, managers often use a target biomass based on spawning biomass as the basis for calculating sustainable catches. However, we show recruitment and spawning biomass are not positively related over the observed range of stock sizes for 61% of 224 stocks in the RAM Legacy Stock Assessment Database. Furthermore, 85% of stocks for which spawning biomass may not drive recruitment dynamics over the observed ranges exhibit shifts in average recruitment, which is often used in proxies for target biomasses. Our results suggest that the environment more strongly influences recruitment than spawning biomass over the observed stock sizes for many stocks. Management often endeavours to maintain stock sizes within the observed ranges, so methods for setting management targets that include changes within an ecosystem may better define the status of some stocks, particularly as climate changes.     

Predicting recruitment density dependence and intrinsic growth rate for all fishes worldwide using a data‐integrated life‐history model

Fisheries scientists use biological models to determine sustainable fishing rates and forecast future dynamics. These models require both life‐history parameters (mortality, maturity, growth) and stock‐recruit parameters (juvenile production). However, there has been little research to simultaneously predict life‐history and stock‐recruit parameters. I develop the first data‐integrated life‐history model, which extends a simple model of evolutionary dynamics to field measurements of life‐history parameters as well as historical records of spawning output and subsequent recruitment. This evolutionary model predicts recruitment productivity (steepness) and variability (variance and autocorrelation in recruitment deviations) as well as mortality, maturity, growth, and size, and uses these to predict intrinsic growth rate (r) for all described fishes. The model confirms previous analysis showing little correlation between steepness and either natural mortality or asymptotic maximum size (). However, it does reveal taxonomic patterns, where family Sebastidae has lower steepness () and Salmonidae has elevated steepness () relative to the prediction for bony fishes (class Actinopterygii, ). Similarly, genus Sebastes has growth rate (0.09) approaching that of several shark families (Lamniformes: 0.02; Carcharhiniformes: 0.02). A cross‐validation experiment confirms that the model is accurate, explains a substantial portion of variance (32%–67%), but generates standard errors that are somewhat too small. Predictive intervals are tighter for species than for higher‐level organizations (e.g. families), and predictions (including intervals) are available for all fishes worldwide in R package FishLife. I conclude by outlining how multivariate predictions of life‐history and stock‐recruit parameters could be useful for stock assessment, decision theory, ensemble modelling and strategic management.     

Spatial and temporal trends in abundance of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in Newfoundland with emphasis on impacts of the 1992 closure of the commercial fishery

Closure of the Newfoundland commercial Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fishery in 1992 was the most restrictive measure introduced to help rebuild depressed local stocks of salmon. Here, the effects of the closure are evaluated by analysing trends in abundance since 1984, and estimates of survival in both freshwater and marine environments derived from enumeration of salmon at fish counting facilities. While freshwater production of smolts generally has been maintained, marine survival rates remain low (2–10%), and highly variable. Overall, total stock size differs little from that prior to the closure of the commercial salmon fishery. Spawning escapements have increased by a factor of 2 or 3 in some rivers, but in other areas total returns are lower on average than those prior to the fishery closure. Factors other than exploitation are contributing to lack of stock recovery, resulting in continued conservation concerns.     

From egg to juvenile in the Bay of Biscay: spatial patterns of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) recruitment in a non‐upwelling region

In this study the spatial distribution of eggs, larvae and juveniles of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) was followed in 2004 and 2005 during three consecutive cruises each year in spring–summer to test what the limits of retention are in a non‐upwelling area. Eggs, small larvae and large juveniles were mainly distributed over the shelf, whereas large larvae and small juveniles were found mainly off the shelf. Although overall distributions were similar, the 2 yr differed in that there was more of a coastal distribution of individuals in 2004, whereas in 2005 more individuals were found off the shelf. There were no significant differences in the length–weight relationships for individuals found on and off the shelf or between years. The correspondence in circulation patterns and the lack of difference in the length–weight relationships suggest that a single population is present, larvae drifting off the shelf due to currents and returning as mobile juveniles. Quantile regression analysis of the long‐term recruitment index suggests that transport off the shelf may favour good recruitments. This would suggest that in non‐upwelling regions the retention area resulting in good recruitment may not be restricted to the shelf.     

Dolphins in a bottle: abundance,residency patterns and conservation of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the semi‐closed eutrophic Amvrakikos Gulf,Greece

• 1. Boat surveys were conducted between 2002 and 2005 to study bottlenose dolphins living in the 400 km² Amvrakikos Gulf, western Greece. During 116 survey days, 4705 km of total effort resulted in the individual photo‐identification of 106 animals, through long‐term natural markings on their dorsal fins.
• 2. Mark–recapture analyses based on the M_th model provided estimates of 82 marked individuals in 2003 (95% CI=80–91), 92 in 2004 (95% CI=86–108) and 98 in 2005 (95% CI=94–110). To include the unmarked portion of the population, the proportion of unmarked individuals was computed based on the number of photographs of marked and unmarked dorsal fins. The mean proportion of unmarked animals in the population was 0.338 (95% CI=0.288–0.389). By adding this to the estimate for marked animals in 2005, considered as the most robust, a total population estimate of 148 individuals (95% CI=132–180) was obtained.
• 3. Dolphin encounter rates in 2003–2005 did not show significant variations, and averaged 7.2 groups per 100 km or 72.5 individuals per 100 km. Encounter rates within the Gulf were about one order of magnitude greater than those found for bottlenose dolphins in nearby eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters.
• 4. Mean dolphin density in the Gulf was 0.37 animals km^?2. This relatively high density, together with high levels of site fidelity shown by most individuals, was thought to be related primarily to prey availability, particularly of epipelagic schooling fish.
• 5. The importance of the semi‐closed Amvrakikos Gulf for bottlenose dolphins and other threatened species encourages the adoption of measures aimed to conserve its valuable ecosystems and raise the naturalistic profile of the area, while promoting environment‐conscious development. Meaningful action includes restoring natural hydrology (e.g. freshwater input from rivers), curtailing pollution from various sources, responsible fisheries and aquaculture management, and control of illegal fishing. Interactions between dolphins and fisheries also deserve careful quantitative investigation.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Restoration of a Danish headwater stream: short‐term changes in plant species abundance and composition

1. This paper describes the short‐term effects (2 years) of stream restoration on vascular plant communities in a 1.4 km upper reach of the River Gudenå, Denmark. The effects of restoration were assessed in terms of the abundance and composition of plant species in the stream, on the banks and in the stream valley. 2. Total species richness was similar before and after restoration, and comprised approximately 150 species representing 12% of the entire Danish vascular plant flora. 3. In the stream, total plant cover had not recovered to pre‐restoration levels 2 years after restoration. Cover by submerged, amphibious and terrestrial species growing submerged decreased, as did the number of amphibious and terrestrial species growing submerged. 4. On the banks, total plant cover almost attained pre‐restoration levels the second year after restoration. The plant communities changed from dominance by non‐riparian species to more diverse communities with a greater number and increased cover of riparian gramineous species requiring a higher soil moisture content. 5. In the valley, the plant communities only changed slightly after restoration, although growth of riparian species was enhanced on the southern side of the stream. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Settlement and recruitment patterns of Mytilus galloprovincialis L. in the Ría de Ares-Betanzos (NW Spain) in the years 2004/2005

The present study explores the settlement and recruitment capacity of Mytilus galloprovincialis L. on artificial collectors in the Ría de Ares‐Betanzos (Galicia, NW Spain) in 2004 and 2005 following standard industrial techniques. Three locations in the ría (Arnela, Redes and Miranda) were selected to investigate larvae settlement after the main spawning event (July 2004/2005). Assessment of the recruitment capacity was performed in autumn (September 2004/2005) when mussel seed is usually gathered from the collector ropes and introduced into industrial cultivation at low densities. For both years, the highest settlement densities were recorded at the most seaward location, Miranda. Differences in settlement densities between locations are discussed in terms of the water circulation regime in the ría and the local hydrographic conditions. In 2004, statistical differences in post‐settlement mortality resulted in similar recruitment densities at Arnela and Miranda, which were higher than at Redes. In 2005, recruitment densities in Redes and Arnela could not be assessed because predators (Spondyliosoma cantharus L.) eliminated the settled population at these locations. Site‐specific differences in recruitment density may be attributed to the environmental limitations of each location as well as intra‐specific competition.     

Roles of discharge and temperature in recruitment of a cold‐water fish,the European grayling Thymallus thymallus,near its southern range limit

Recruitment of salmonids is a result of density‐dependent factors, specifically egg production in the previous year, and density‐independent environmental processes driven by discharge and temperature. With the plethora of knowledge on major drivers of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta recruitment, there is a requirement to explore less known species, such as European grayling Thymallus thymallus, whose postemergence time coincides with period of increasing temperature and low discharge. This study assessed drivers of grayling recruitment in a southern English chalk stream, a system vulnerable to discharge and temperature alterations under future climate change predictions. The analyses explored age 0+ grayling survival in relation to conspecific and heterospecific densities and discharge‐ and temperature‐derived factors. The final mixed‐effects model revealed a positive relationship between age 0+ grayling survival and incubation temperature anomaly and age 0+ trout abundance. Similarly, postincubation temperature anomaly had a positive effect on 0+ grayling survival, but only up to a threshold temperature of 13.5°C, beyond which it had a negative effect. In contrast, increasing number of days with low discharge postincubation negatively influenced age 0+ grayling survival, with no evidence of an effect of elevated discharges following spawning. Our results emphasise the importance of maintaining natural discharge regimes in salmonid rivers by tackling multiple stressors operating at the catchment scale, including land and water use to mitigate for predicted climate driven changes. In addition, further research on recruitment drivers in less stable, rain‐fed systems, is required.     

Spatial arrangement and physical characteristics of structural woody habitat in a lowland river in south‐eastern Australia

• 1. The importance of structural woody habitat (SWH) as instream fish habitat in eastern Australia has been well documented. In response, many native fish restoration programmes are returning SWH to rivers where it had previously been removed. However, there is little information to direct the placement of this SWH within a river landscape.
• 2. Low‐level, high‐resolution aerial photographs were used to investigate the spatial pattern of SWH in the Murray River between Lake Mulwala and Tocumwal. It was found that SWH occurred in aggregations that were closely associated with eroding banks on meanders.
• 3. The physical characteristics of the SWH in these aggregations varied (basal diameter range 0.44–2.45 m, length range 1–44 m); however, small‐ to medium‐sized trees (basal diameter range 0.7–1.4 m, length range 5–20 m) were most common.
• 4. The association between eroding banks and SWH suggests that bank erosion may be an important determinant in the formation of SWH aggregations.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site fidelity and movements of an amphidromous goby revealed by otolith multi‐elemental signatures along a tropical watershed

Otolith microchemistry can provide crucial information to address gaps of knowledge in spatio‐temporal ecology of fish species. However, understanding the seasonal variability of water chemistry and its effect on otolith signatures is needed to interpret fish movements. Otolith multi‐elemental signatures were used to examine the diadromous migration and small‐scale movements of a tropical goby (Sicyopterus lagocephalus) within a watershed in La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean. The elemental ratios Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca and Sr:Ba recorded monthly in the water of nine sampling sites varied between localities and were correlated with otolith signatures, whereas the Mg:Ca signature was not. The incorporation of some trace elements in otoliths was influenced by the size of fish and site where they were caught, reflecting an effect of endogenous and exogenous factors. Despite these sources of variation, the elemental signatures did not overlap for three river sections distributed along the 26‐km‐long watershed. The diadromous migration and fish lifetime movements between these river sections were reconstructed using an original process based on random forest analysis. This approach revealed distinct migratory behaviours after fish entered in the river, with some individuals progressing slowly in the watershed whereas other rapidly reached the upper localities. As adults, S. lagocephalus showed a restricted exploratory behaviour and a strong site fidelity to a particular part of the watershed. The detection of adult movement was typically only between adjacent locations and is possibly explained by shifts in local intraspecific hierarchies and/or displacement during extreme discharge caused by cyclones.     

Spatial variation in abundance and diversity of the smaller surface and near‐surface eelgrass‐associated intertidal macrobenthos within a warm‐temperate estuarine bay in the Garden Route National Park,RSA

• 1. Smaller members (<10 mm) of the sediment‐surface macrobenthos of Nanozostera capensis meadows across 9 km² of the marine Outer Basin of the Knysna estuarine bay (Garden Route National Park, Western Cape, South Africa) were investigated at a series of 24 stations.
• 2. Ordination (nMDS) disclosed the existence of five clusters of stations related to degree of exposure. Relatively sheltered stations were dominated by two endemic species of deposit‐feeding microgastropod, and they supported significantly higher macrobenthic densities but lower species diversity and less evenness than relatively exposed stations. The latter were dominated by polychaetes and also possessed more suspension feeders, equivalent to more open seagrass beds in other latitudes. Species richness per station, however, was relatively constant across the whole basin.
• 3. The smaller benthic macrofauna, totalling 82 species, was found to include several animals (<5 mm) hitherto unknown from the region, including one gastropod genus (Cornirostra) not previously known from Africa.
• 4. Species were patchily distributed across all scales from 1 m to >1 km, but variance partitioning showed components of total variance to decrease with increasing spatial scale: sample (46.5%), station (30.0%), site (23.5%).
• 5. These findings are discussed in relation to conservation site selection in rich but faunistically heterogeneous seagrass beds that are impacted by bait collection or other human disturbance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.