11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

22.833
Size Spectra Analysis As Tool To Examine Management Effectiveness Of Marine
Protected Areas
Tasrif KARTAWIJAYA* 1 , Rizya ARDIWIJAYA 1
1 Wildlife Conservation Society - Indonesia Marine Program, Bogor, Indonesia
Following extensive community consultation and resource assessment Karimunjawa
National Park (KNP), Indonesia, was re-zoned in 2005. The aim was to improve the
health of coral reefs and increase the biomass of reef fish. We evaluated the effectiveness
of zoning by comparing the abundance and size of reef fishes among no-take zones, enter
but no-take zones and fishing zones. The census included all reef fish species and each
fish was placed into size class categories of 5cm increments from 0 to 40+ cm. Biomass
was calculated using established weight-and-length relationships. The biomass of large
fishes was generally higher in no take zones (mean ± S E: 536 ± 113 kg ha -1 ) than in enter
but no-take zones (353 ± 63 kg ha -1 ) and fishing zones (301 ± 39 kg ha -1 ), although the
effect was not significant. Size spectra analyses showed that reef fish structure did vary
among management zones with reef fishes in size class of 15-20cm and 35-40cm most
abundant in the no-take zone. Fish in the no-take zone were mostly of target species,
including fusiliers, emperors, snappers and groupers. In contrast, small (5-10cm) nontarget
species, mainly wrasses and cardinal fishes, were more abundant in the fishing
zone. The higher biomass of large sized fishes inside no-take zones is most likely because
fishing pressure has been reduced. Although enforcement of fishing regulations inside the
park remains inadequate, the results suggest that fishing restrictions are receiving support
among fishers and if support continues fish stocks in all zones may increase.
Key words : Karimunjawa National Park, effectiveness management, size spectra,
biomass.
22.834
Management Of The Aquarium Fishery Of The Maldives
Marie SALEEM* 1,2 , Fahmeeda ISLAM 1
1 Marine Research Centre, Male', Maldives, 2 Seamarc Pvt. Ltd., Male', Maldives
The marine aquarium trade of Maldives is believed to have started around 1979. During
the early years most exports were to Sri Lanka, and over the years the fishery has
expanded, Europe becoming the major destination. This is reflected in the higher revenue
earned relative to the quantity exported in more recent years. In 2006 there were 7
registered companies, trading a total of about 140 species of fish and 5 species of
invertebrates. Although the contribution of the marine aquarium trade to the total value of
marine exports is minimal, there is a potential for conflict of interest between the fishery
and tourism, the major source of foreign exchange earnings. At present, a species-based
quota system is in effect, which has strengthened monitoring of the trade and facilitated
management of the fishery. It is based on export data from the Maldives Customs
Services and on general demographic information of species such as rarity in the natural
environment, as well as tolerance of species to captivity. Random checks of the fish
exports is planned to be implemented following the introduction of a fish guide software
which can be used by all stakeholders including the government authorities and the
exporters themselves. There are no designated areas for collection of aquarium fish. It
should be noted that there are changes in collection areas over time. This pattern of
resource use may act as indirect time area closures and aid in the replenishment of fish
stocks. Apart from a study carried out in 1994, no stock assessment studies have been
undertaken for species targeted by the aquarium fishery. Such a study is planned to be
carried out early next year and is highly necessary for the review of the quotas.
Poster Mini-Symposium 22: Coral Reef Associated Fisheries
22.835
Assessing the Conservation Efficacy of the Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida, USA)
Research Natural Area, a No Fishing Reserve
David HALLAC 1 , John HUNT 2 , Douglas MORRISON* 3 , Bill SHARP 4
1 US National Park Service, Homestead, FL, 2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Marathon, FL, 3 US National Park Service, Key Largo, FL, 4 Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, FL
A Dry Tortugas National Park (DTNP) coral reef fisheries assessment conducted in 1999 and
2000 concluded that many gamefish species are overfished. The decline in reef associated
gamefishes, primarily grouper and snapper species, is a major DTNP resource stewardship
issue. The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is implementing a DTNP no fishing, no anchoring
marine reserve, termed the Research Natural Area (RNA), covering 46% of the park. NPS and
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with the assistance of other scientists,
have developed a science plan for assessing the conservation efficacy of the RNA. This plan
will test the following hypothesized effects of no fishing reserves: increased abundance, size,
and productivity of target fishery species within the reserve; the abundance and size of target
species increase in areas adjacent to the reserve due to net emigration from the reserve; improve
fisheries (e.g., greater catch per unit effort) in areas proximate to the no-fishing zone; and
regional enhancement of target species via greater larval export from the reserve. The plan has
six major objectives or topics: quantify changes in the abundance and size-structure of
exploited species within the RNA relative to adjacent areas; assess net emigration of targeted
species from the RNA; monitor changes in catch rates of exploited species outside the RNA;
evaluate the effects of RNA implementation on marine benthic biological communities; assess
the reproductive potential of exploited species by evaluating egg production and larval
dispersal; and appraise the socioeconomic effects of RNA implementation. The performance
measures and scientific activities for each topic are presented.
22.836
Technique To Monitor And Study Fish And Their Habitat Below Scientific Diving Depths.
Daniel MERRITT* 1 , Kevin WONG 2 , Michael PARKE 2 , Chris KELLEY 3 , Jeff DRAZEN 4
1 Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, JIMAR, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 2 Coral Reef
Ecosystem Division, PIFSC, NMFS, Honolulu, HI, 3 Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory,
Honolulu, HI, 4 Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center has developed a bottom camera bait station
(BotCam) as a fisheries independent method to monitor and study fish species that are found at
depths exceeding standard scientific diving regulations. This autonomous stereo-video
equipped camera system has been deployed primarily in water depths between 50 and 300
meters to target bottomfish species such as snappers and groupers. It is just as useful in
shallower waters. This presentation will outline the capabilities and technological advances of
the BotCam and describe the spatial sampling methods developed to facilitate its use in relative
abundance population studies. We used derivatives of multibeam bathymetry and backscatter
imagery within a geographic information system environment to develop stratified random
sampling plans for protected and non-protected fishing areas. Details of video analysis methods
and data from a pilot experiment done in and around a restricted fishing area (RFA) in Hawaii
are presented. Results from this study corroborate depth ranges and zonation of the target
species as well as habitat preferences. The results from this study clearly demonstrate that the
BotCam is an effective tool for monitoring and studying deepwater habitats and their associated
fish populations. This system is currently being utilized to monitor a newly implemented
network of bottomfish RFA’s established by the State of Hawaii.
473