Reef fish fisheries overview Threats to reef fishes. Biology Spawning aggregations. Next steps?

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1 Coral reef fish fisheries: spawning aggregations and threatened species Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson University of Hong Kong, IUCN GWSG, Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations

2 Reef fish fisheries overview Threats to reef fishes Biology Spawning aggregations Next steps?

3 Reef fish fisheries overview Threats to reef fishes Biology The case of spawning aggregations Next steps?

4 Reef fish fisheries overview Threats to reef fishes Biology The case of spawning aggregations Next steps?

5 >10% of global fishery landings Support and nourish millions Pressures to exploit growing

6 >10% of global fishery landings Support and nourish millions Pressures to exploit growing

7 >10% of global fishery landings Support and nourish millions Pressures to exploit growing

8 Little effective management or monitoring Relatively little focus on sustainable fisheries Many reef fishes have life histories vulnerable to fishing

9 Little effective management or monitoring Relatively little focus on sustainable fisheries Many reef fishes have life histories vulnerable to fishing

10 Little effective management or monitoring Relatively little focus on sustainable fisheries Many reef fishes have life histories vulnerable to fishing

11 Threats to reef fishes Long-lived, late maturing, often associated with large body size, high value Specializations that increase susceptibility to capture (e.g. predictable spawning aggregations)

12 Threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria/categories

13 Groupers 162 species globally (Family Serranidae)

14 Groupers and IUCN Red List status Yes agg No agg Unknown Maximum Total Length (cm) Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Threatened Conservation Status (IUCN)

15 Groupers and IUCN Red List status Yes agg No agg Unknown Maximum Total Length (cm) Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Threatened Conservation Status (IUCN)

16 Groupers and IUCN Red List status Yes agg No agg Unknown Maximum Total Length (cm) Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Threatened Conservation Status (IUCN)

17 Sadovy et al Asian Development Bank Spread of high value international live reef food fish trade since the 1970s

18 Spread of high value international live reef food fish trade since the 1970s

19 Spread of high value international live reef food fish trade since the 1970s

20 Spread of high value international live reef food fish trade since the 1970s

21 Threats to reef fishes Long-lived, late maturing, often associated with large body size, high value Specializations that increase susceptibility to capture (e.g. predictable spawning aggregations and migrations)

22 What are spawning aggregations?

23 Some aggregating species

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27 Monthly mean gonadosomatic index of Nassau grouper, showing largest ovary size in January, at peak spawning when the spawning aggregation forms 10 Gonado-somatic index Nassau grouper 0 J J A S O N D J F M A M Month

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29 Enric Sala

30 SeaPics

31 Nassau grouper project Belize

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33 Historically Sadovy et al., 2008

34 Today (threatened largely due to uncontrolled aggregation fishing) Sadovy et al., 2008

35 400 Cuba 300 Landings (mt) J A S O N D J F Months Claro et al Fish and Fisheries M A M J

36 Sadovy et al., 2008 Conservation Biology

37 Example of aggregation information available on SCRFA database:

38 Example of aggregation information available on SCRFA database:

39 Outer reef/shelf/drop-offoff

40 Next steps? Indicators: threatened species; spawning aggregations MPAs to include habitats where aggregations are common (e.g. outer reefs), and those of threatened species Awareness (e.g. the bigger picture such as non-extractive benefits/value of aggregations)

41 Ways forward I Indicators: threatened species; spawning aggregations MPAs to include habitats where aggregations are common (e.g. outer reefs), and those of threatened species Awareness (e.g. the bigger picture such as non-extractive benefits/value of aggregations)

42 Ways forward I Indicators: threatened species; spawning aggregations. MPAs to include habitats where aggregations are common (e.g. outer reefs), and those of threatened species. Awareness (e.g. the bigger picture such as non-extractive benefits/value of aggregations).

43 Ways forward I Indicators: threatened species; spawning aggregations. MPAs to include habitats where aggregations are common (e.g. outer reefs), and those of threatened species. Awareness (e.g. the bigger picture such as non-extractive benefits/value of aggregations).

44 Non-extractive benefits Ripe adults are the capital and spawning aggregations produce interest (eggs)

45 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Non-extractive benefits Ripe adults are the capital and spawning aggregations produce interest (eggs $$$)

46 Ways forward II Implementation of existing legislation and FAO Code of Conduct, Resolutions, etc. as assessed by tangible outcomes (such as convictions). Sustainable trade (e.g. CITES App II, seafood guides, certification). ICRI and fisheries what role?

47 Ways forward II Implementation of existing legislation and FAO Code of Conduct, Resolutions, etc. as assessed by tangible outcomes (such as convictions). Sustainable trade (e.g. CITES App II, seafood guides, certification). ICRI and fisheries what role?

48 CITES Appendix II for sustainable international trade Patrick L. Colin

49 CITES Appendix II for sustainable international trade Patrick L. Colin

50 Ways forward II Implementation of existing legislation and FAO Code of Conduct, Resolutions, etc. as assessed by tangible outcomes (such as convictions). Sustainable trade (e.g. CITES App II, seafood guides, certification). ICRI and fisheries what role?

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52 40 Number 20 Adrift film Total length (cm)