Appeldoorn, R.S.

The overall objective of this 10-year Regional Queen Conch Fishery Management and Conservation Plan is to guide the implementation of a set of identified management measures that can be applied at the regional or sub-regional level for the sustainability of queen conch populations and for the maintenance of a healthy fishery and livelihood of the people involved in the fishery.

The ecosystem approach forms the basis of this Regional Queen Conch Fishery Management and Conservation Plan, enhancing partnerships and collaboration throughout the Wider Caribbean region to improve the long-term governance of queen conch fisheries across the Caribbean.

The Regional Queen Conch Fishery Management and Conservation Plan was formulated with the following specific objectives:

1. To improve the collection and integration of scientific data needed to determine the overall queen conch population status as the basis for the application of ecosystem-based management.

2. To harmonize measures aimed at increasing the stability of the queen conch population and to implement best-management practices for a sustainable fishery.

3. To increase coordination and collaboration toward achieving better education and outreach, monitoring and research, co-management and strengthening, optimizing and harmonizing regional governance arrangements.

4. To adopt regional management measures, which incorporate the precautionary approach.. 

The detrimental effects of invasive lion- fishes (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) on western Atlantic shallow reefs are well documented, including declines in coral cover and native fish populations, with disproportionate predation on critically endan- gered reef fish in some locations. Yet despite individ- uals reaching depths [100 m, the role of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; reefs 30–150 m) in lionfish ecology has not been addressed. With lionfish control programs in most invaded locations limited to 30 m by diving restrictions, understanding the role of MCEs in lionfish distributions remains a critical knowledge gap potentially hindering conservation management. Here we synthesise unpublished and previously published studies of lionfish abundance and body length at paired shallow reef (0–30 m) and MCE sites in 63 locations in seven western Atlantic countries and eight sites in three Indo-Pacific countries where lionfish are native. Lionfish were found at similar abundances across the depth gradient from shallow to adjacent MCEs, with no difference between invaded and native sites. Of the five invaded countries where length data were avail- able three had larger lionfish on mesophotic than shallow reefs, one showed no significant difference while the fifth represented a recently invaded site. This suggests at least some mesophotic populations may represent extensions of natural ontogenetic migra- tions. Interestingly, despite their shallow focus, in many cases culling programs did not appear to alter abundance between depths. In general, we identify widespread invasive lionfish populations on MCE that could be responsible for maintaining high densities of lionfish recruits despite local shallow-biased control programs. This study highlights the need for manage- ment plans to incorporate lionfish populations below the depth limit of recreational diving in order to address all aspects of the local population and maximise the effectiveness of control efforts. 

Abstract:

Annual spawning aggregations of red hind Epinephelus guttatus form at predictable times and locations and have historically succumbed to overfishing. Monitoring the status and restoration of aggregations is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of fishery management measures. Passive acoustic and diver-based underwater visual census (UVC) techniques were used to develop an efficient method for estimating red hind density from sound production at spawning aggregations. Red hind sound production was recorded from November 2010 to April 2011 at Abrir la Sierra, Puerto Rico. UVC surveys were conducted during the spawning season to assess changes in red hind density over a fixed time and area. Sound recorded from 18:00 to 19:00 h Atlantic Standard Time (UTC − 4) was representative of total daily changes in red hind sound production and was selected for the development of an efficient density estimation model. Pronounced daily changes in sound production and density were observed after the December 2010 and January 2011 full moons. Two hourly sound level measurements were compared to densities estimated by UVC surveys, yielding significant linear regressions, which were used to predict changes in fish density as measured at the aggregation site. Passive acoustic methods allowed to predict changes in red hind density and habitat use at a higher temporal resolution than previously possible with traditional methods. Red hind sound production and inferred densities can be monitored and analyzed efficiently for multiple aggregation sites simultaneously, documenting short-term and long-term changes in red hind densities at spawning aggregation sites and providing important information for the support or development of management strategies. 

Abstract:

Many fishes, including groupers, produce sounds associated with mating behavior; recording and analyzing the occurrence of these sounds can provide long time-series records of grouper use of spawning habitat. Red hind Epinephelus guttatus sound production was recorded on spawning aggregation sites off the west coast of Puerto Rico and at Mona Island, Puerto Rico. Audio- video recordings were used to identify a species-specific sound produced by male red hind, most commonly during territorial patrols, and also during interactions with females. This sound is low in frequency (50 to 400 Hz) and consists of a series of pulses repeated at a variable rate. Long-term acoustic recorders were placed off the west coast of Puerto Rico at Abrir La Sierra and at Mona Island to record the timing of red hind sound production from January through March. Red hind sounds were detected at all times of the day, with peaks in sound production just before dusk. Monthly peaks in sound production were evident in each time series, but the monthly peak in sound production at Abrir La Sierra was 6 d later than the peak at Mona Island, suggesting that the timing of spawning of these 2 aggregations, while on a lunar schedule, was not broadly synchronized during this time period. This research lays the groundwork for both long-term monitoring and mapping of red hind spawning sites that will be useful for managing spawning aggregations, especially in remote areas.