Accounting for spatial scale and temporal variation in fish-habitat analyses using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS)

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. 171-187
Author(s):  
SL Wines ◽  
MA Young ◽  
R Zavalas ◽  
JM Logan ◽  
P Tinkler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales

With the implementation of marine spatial planning in many coastal regions of the world, there is a need to understand how marine species and communities respond to environmental heterogeneity. Predictive modelling approaches are one efficient method for associating marine communities with variations across the seascape. These approaches, along with increasing access to spatially explicit environmental data, provide improved opportunities for modelling fish assemblages. Baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) are a popular means of gathering fish assemblage data in the coastal zone, but have biases in bait attraction, trophic groups sampled, and behavioral conditions. To account for these biases, spatial and temporal scales of analyses must be considered. In this study, we combined time-series BRUVS observations with seafloor and oceanographic variables in generalized additive models to model patterns of relative species richness and abundance in temperate coastal fish assemblages across multiple habitat types, functional trophic groups, and spatial scales from 5-500 m. We show that the spatial and temporal scale of analyses and behavioral characteristics of target species (such as mobility) are important considerations when predicting the spatial distribution of a particular assemblage or functional subset. The resulting models performed well, with prediction accuracies up to 79% while explaining between 24 and 83% of variance. These models were then used to extrapolate assemblage characteristics over broader areas of the seafloor to expand our understanding of fish distributions, providing valuable insights for marine spatial planning, including marine protected area assessment.

scholarly journals Exceptionally high but still growing predatory reef fish biomass after 23 years of protection in a Marine Protected Area

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246335
Author(s):  
Irene Rojo ◽  
José Daniel Anadón ◽  
José Antonio García-Charton
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
Entire Study

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help replenish fish assemblages, though different trophic levels may show diverse recovery patterns. Long-term protection is required to achieve total recovery but poaching events may prevent the achievement of full carrying capacity. Here, we have analysed the effect of long-term protection on the entire reef fish community and the different trophic levels in the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA (SE Spain; SW Mediterranean Sea) in order to assess their recovery patterns after 23 years of protection. We compared the values for carrying capacity obtained with the maximum values achieved at regional scale, and we assessed the effect of a reduction in the surveillance over a few years, during which poaching events increased, on the recovery patterns. We found that, overall, biomass of fishes increased with time while density diminished. In particular, piscivorous and macro-invertivore fish increased while the other trophic groups remained constant or declined, suggesting top-down processes. For the entire study period, those trophic groups were approaching carrying capacity; however, when accounting only for the period in which enforcement was high and constant, they grew exponentially, indicating that full carrying capacity may have not been achieved yet. When compared to other Mediterranean MPAs, the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA showed values for biomass that were disproportionately higher, suggesting that local factors, such as habitat structure and associated oceanographic processes, may be responsible for the dynamics found. Our results help to understand the potential trajectories of fish assemblages over a consolidated MPA and highlight empirically how the reduction of surveillance in a period may change the recovery patterns.

Impacts of spatial scales of fisheries and environmental data on catch per unit effort standardisation

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siquan Tian ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
Xinjun Chen ◽  
Liuxiong Xu ◽  
Xiaojie Dai
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
The North ◽  
Unit Effort ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
North Western

Spatial scale is an important factor that needs to be considered in data collection and analysis in ecological studies. Studies focusing on the quantitative evaluation of impacts of spatial scales are, however, limited in fisheries. Using the Chinese squid-jigging fishery in the north-western Pacific Ocean as an example, we evaluated impacts of spatial scale used in grouping fisheries and environmental data on the standardisation of fisheries catch per unit effort (CPUE). We developed 18 scenarios of different spatial scales with a combination of three latitudinal levels (0.5°, 1° and 2°) and six longitudinal levels (0.5°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4° and 5°) to aggregate the data. We then applied generalised additive models to analyse the 18 scenarios of data for the CPUE standardisation, and quantified differences among the scenarios. This study shows that longitudinal and latitudinal spatial scale and size of the spatial area for data aggregation can greatly influence the standardisation of CPUE. We recommend that similar studies be undertaken whenever possible to evaluate the roles of spatial scales and to identify the optimal spatial scale for data aggregations in the standardisation of CPUE and fisheries stock assessment.

scholarly journals Marine nature conservation and conflicts with fisheries

AMBIO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1328-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjell Grip ◽  
Sven Blomqvist
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Management Tools

AbstractGlobally, conflicts between marine nature conservation and fishery interests are common and increasing, and there is often a glaring lack of dialogue between stakeholders representing these two interests. There is a need for a stronger and enforced coordination between fishing and conservation authorities when establishing marine protected areas for conservation purposes. We propose that an appropriate instrument for such coordination is a broad ecosystem-based marine spatial planning procedure, representing neither nature conservation nor fishery. Strategic environmental assessment for plans and programmes and environmental impact assessment for projects are commonly used tools for assessing the environmental impacts of different human activities, but are seldom used for evaluating the environmental effects of capture fisheries. The diversity of fisheries and the drastic effects of some fisheries on the environment are strong arguments for introducing these procedures as valuable supplements to existing fisheries assessment and management tools and able to provide relevant environmental information for an overall marine spatial planning process. Marine protected areas for nature conservation and for protection of fisheries have different objectives. Therefore, the legal procedure when establishing marine protected areas should depend on whether they are established for nature conservation purposes or as a fisheries resource management tool. Fishing in a marine protected area for conservation purpose should be regulated according to conservation law. Also, we argue that marine protected areas for conservation purposes, in the highest protection category, should primarily be established as fully protected marine national parks and marine reserves.

scholarly journals Performance of a baited underwater video system vs. the underwater visual census technique in assessing the structure of fish assemblages in a Mediterranean marine protected area

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
GABRIELLA LA MANNA ◽  
IVAN GUALA ◽  
DANIELE GRECH ◽  
FRANCESCO PERRETTI ◽  
FABIO RONCHETTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance ◽  
High Level

Accurate, rapid and cost-effective fish assemblage monitoring is fundamental for marine protected area (MPA) management as a pivotal tool to verify whether and to what extent MPA conservation objectives have been achieved and to redefine these objectives in the framework of an adaptive management. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of video-based methods to study fish fauna, such as baited remote underwater video (BRUV) systems, that, depending on the objectives of the monitoring, can provide complementary or additional data to the more commonly used underwater visual census (UVC). Even though BRUV systems have been widely used in a wide range of geographic contexts and habitats, their use in the Mediterranean basin is still sporadic and the evaluation of the efficiency of BRUV systems and whether they can be used to complement other techniques needs investigation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of a BRUV system in a Mediterranean MPA and to evaluate its effectiveness in assessing the structure of fish assemblages (abundance and species richness) by comparing estimates with those obtained by the UVC technique. The fish fauna were monitored by BRUV and UVC in the Capo Caccia – Isola Piana Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Italy), in July and October-November 2020, at four sampling sites and two areas, hundreds of meters apart, for each site. Overall, 46 taxa and a total of 3620 individuals were observed by BRUV, while 36 taxa and a total of 2995 individuals were observed by UVC. The species first observed in front of the camera’s field of view and able to reach the maximum abundance were the planktivores (Chromis chromis and Oblada melanura) followed by several carnivorous species belonging to the families Labridae, Serranidae and Sparidae, and lastly two carnivores (Mullus surmuletus and Mugilidae spp.) and some high-level predators (Dentex dentex, Seriola dumerili, Sphyraena viridensis, Dicentrarchus labrax). The maximum species richness and abundance were reached between 39 and 50 min. The cumulative species richness increased until around 30 min. Species richness was higher during the BRUV compared to the UVC monitoring. The consistency in findings between BRUV and UVC and a better performance of BRUV in detecting some species (mainly high-level predators), supports BRUV as an additional technique for describing and quantifying species richness and abundance also in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on the results of this study, the advantages/disadvantages, shortcomings, suggestions and resources needed for the two techniques are outlined.

scholarly journals Quantifying habitat preference of bottom trawling gear

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N T Hintzen ◽  
G Aarts ◽  
J J Poos ◽  
K J Van der Reijden ◽  
A D Rijnsdorp
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Bottom Trawling ◽  
Fishing Vessels

Abstract Continental shelves around the world are subject to intensive bottom trawling. Demersal fish assemblages inhabiting these shelves account for one-fourth of landed wild marine species. Increasing spatial claims for nature protection and wind farm energy suppresses, however, the area available to fisheries. In this marine spatial planning discussion, it is essential to understand what defines suitable fishing grounds for bottom trawlers. We developed a statistical methodology to study the habitat preference of a fishery, accounting for spatial correlation naturally present in fisheries data using high-resolution location data of fishing vessels and environmental variables. We focused on two types of beam trawls to target sole using mechanical or electrical stimulation. Although results indicated only subtle differences in habitat preference between the two gear types, a clear difference in spatial distribution of the two gears was predicted. We argue that this change is driven by both changes in habitat preference as well as a change in target species distribution. We discuss modelling of fisheries’ habitat preference in light of marine spatial planning and as support in benthic impact assessments.

scholarly journals Seabed Mapping and Marine Spatial Planning: A Case Study from a Swedish Marine Protected Area

10.5772/36482 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genoveva Gonzalez-Mirelis ◽  
Tomas Lundlv ◽  
Lisbeth Jonsson ◽  
Per Bergstrm ◽  
Mattias Skld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Seabed Mapping

ASSESSMENT OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER REQUIREMENTS IN NORTH SCOTLAND

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 29-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALASTOR COLEBY
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Tidal Power ◽  
Marine Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Industry

This paper describes two marine renewable energy stakeholder workshops in North Scotland that were held in March 2009 to discuss industry requirements for developing the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters between Scotland's north coast and the northern isles. This is an area of considerable interest for the development of renewable energy in Scotland. If the area is developed (mainly with wave and tidal power) it could make a significant contribution to both meeting government renewable energy targets and to the local economy. However, following accelerated applications by developers for site leasing, development of the area was delayed by uncertainty in environmental data shortages and subsequent slow progress in government formulation of marine spatial planning policy. In order to proceed, the marine renewable energy industry in Scotland required timely investment in regional infrastructure and a clear policy direction from government. Energy industry stakeholders who attended the workshops called for a single authority to take responsibility for both regulation and direct investment from government so that national renewable energy targets could be met in the required timeframe. Ultimately, government and policy makers were expected by industry to take responsibility for this with a central authority to decide and importantly communicate where and when marine turbines could be built. This required by government a proper understanding of the resources and not just the constraints in identifying the most suitable areas. Local knowledge in the community offered to dispel some of the uncertainty regarding the physical environment in a way that could also guide policy and perhaps accelerate marine spatial planning in designating workable areas for wave and tidal power.

scholarly journals Fish Assemblages in Seagrass (Zostera marina L.) Meadows and Mussel Reefs (Mytilus edulis): Implications for Coastal Fisheries, Restoration and Marine Spatial Planning

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3268
Author(s):  
Georgios A. Orfanidis ◽  
Konstantinos Touloumis ◽  
Claus Stenberg ◽  
Patrizio Mariani ◽  
Josianne Gatt Støttrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Current Speed ◽  
Water Current ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Marine Spatial Planning ◽  
Fish Assemblage Structure ◽  
Coastal Fisheries ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Fish Abundances

Seagrass meadows and mussel reefs provide favorable habitats for many fish species, but few studies have compared the associated fish assemblages directly and examined the influence of environmental variables. Knowledge of fish assemblages associated with disparate habitats is needed for the conservation of coastal fisheries and marine spatial planning. Catch per unit effort data derived from fyke nets showed similar species richness and diversity in seagrass meadows and mussel reefs, suggesting that both habitats support elevated marine biodiversity of mobile fauna. However, it was shown that fish assemblage structure differed between those habitats, and also fish abundance in seagrass meadows was significantly higher than in mussel reefs by comparing the data with a multivariate extension of Generalized Linear Models (GLM). Furthermore, employing underwater video recordings to compare fish abundances in high and low water current speed mussel reefs with a Generalized Linear Mixed Model with negative binomial distribution, data revealed similar fish abundances (in terms of the MaxN metric) despite the variation in current speed, probably because the mussel formations provide sufficient shelter, even from high water currents. The commercially important species Atlantic cod (G. morhua), however, was significantly more abundant in the low water current mussel reef. Therefore, restoration efforts targeting G. morhua could benefit from restoring low current mussel reefs. Our study provides input for the conservation of coastal recreational and commercial fisheries, habitat restoration and marine spatial planning where certain habitats may be prioritized.

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