Abstract Objective Spearfishing is a common activity used to harvest coastal marine species worldwide and can be a significant contributor to landings of ecologically and economically relevant ...species. As such, it is important to monitor spearfishing catch and effort. Spearfishing is commonly practiced throughout the Caribbean, yet characteristics of this gear's fishery remain understudied in the region. Thus, the objectives of this study were to provide a description of the Puerto Rico spearfishing fishery utilizing a long‐term MRIP APAIS data set, examine the data set quality of this survey, and provide suggestions to improve MRIP implementation in the U.S. Caribbean. Methods We described the Puerto Rico recreational spearfishing fishery using a multidecadal (2000–2015) Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Access Point Angler Intercept Survey conducted along the coast of Puerto Rico and surrounding territories. Data issues were identified in the survey results, including possible errors in measurement and identification; therefore, we limited analyses to species composition, enumeration, and mean catch rates. Result There were 89 species identified, with snappers (family Lutjanidae) being the most encountered family. Other economically relevant finfish frequently reported were Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus ( n = 121), Queen Triggerfish Balistes vetula ( n = 115), and Red Hind Epinephelus guttatus ( n = 90). Multiple reef fishes were landed during their spawning season, while prohibited by seasonal closures. Further, spearfishing accounted for 25.8% of the total harvest throughout the study period. Conclusion Our results suggest that spearfishing could be a considerable contributor to finfish landings in Puerto Rico, warranting its continued and improved monitoring in the region. Further, modifications in the design of fisheries surveys are warranted. We suggest increasing the allocation of resources, training, data quality assurance and quality control, and funding for the MRIP to maximize the accuracy of data obtained and meet MRIP U.S. Caribbean priorities. Implementation of a recreational fishing license would assist by creating a registry to monitor total recreational fishing effort and by generating funds to supplement the MRIP. The use of electronic reporting can help mitigate discrepancies with species identification and size measurements and enhance overall recreational fisheries data collection.
Impact statement Spearfishing, a commonly practiced yet poorly understood activity in the Caribbean, was described in Puerto Rico using a long‐term recreational fishing survey. Eighty‐nine species were harvested by spear fishers, including deepwater fishes, suggesting that multiple gears are used on fishing trips. Spearfishing accounted for a considerable amount of recreational landings throughout the study period. Further, several economically relevant finfishes were harvested during their spawning season closures. We conclude that spearfishing could be a considerable contributor to finfish landings in Puerto Rico, warranting its continued and improved monitoring in the region. Various issues were identified in the survey design, and we provide recommendations to improve recreational fisheries data collection in the Caribbean.
Climate change and climate variability are affecting marine mammal species and these impacts are projected to continue in the coming decades. Vulnerability assessments provide a framework for ...evaluating climate impacts over a broad range of species using currently available information. We conducted a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment using expert elicitation for 108 marine mammal stocks and stock groups in the western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Our approach combined the exposure (projected change in environmental conditions) and sensitivity (ability to tolerate and adapt to changing conditions) of marine mammal stocks to estimate vulnerability to climate change, and categorize stocks with a vulnerability index. The climate vulnerability score was very high for 44% (n = 47) of these stocks, high for 29% (n = 31), moderate for 20% (n = 22), and low for 7% (n = 8). The majority of stocks (n = 78; 72%) scored very high exposure, whereas 24% (n = 26) scored high, and 4% (n = 4) scored moderate. The sensitivity score was very high for 33% (n = 36) of these stocks, high for 18% (n = 19), moderate for 34% (n = 37), and low for 15% (n = 16). Vulnerability results were summarized for stocks in five taxonomic groups: pinnipeds (n = 4; 25% high, 75% moderate), mysticetes (n = 7; 29% very high, 57% high, 14% moderate), ziphiids (n = 8; 13% very high, 50% high, 38% moderate), delphinids (n = 84; 52% very high, 23% high, 15% moderate, 10% low), and other odontocetes (n = 5; 60% high, 40% moderate). Factors including temperature, ocean pH, and dissolved oxygen were the primary drivers of high climate exposure, with effects mediated through prey and habitat parameters. We quantified sources of uncertainty by bootstrapping vulnerability scores, conducting leave-one-out analyses of individual attributes and individual scorers, and through scoring data quality for each attribute. These results provide information for researchers, managers, and the public on marine mammal responses to climate change to enhance the development of more effective marine mammal management, restoration, and conservation activities that address current and future environmental variation and biological responses due to climate change.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is a cosmopolitan cetacean distributed worldwide. Extensive studies have described its ecology and behavior across multiple polar and temperate regions. On the other ...hand, there is limited information on the distribution, ecological roles, and abundance of killer whales in tropical and subtropical regions. Herein, we build on previous work to update information on the spatiotemporal distribution, exploitation, and natural history of killer whales in the Caribbean Sea. We also document new records on their interaction with other species and human activities. We collated 385 records from the literature, online biodiversity information systems, the Internet (social networks and video-hosting websites), and citizen science-based initiatives. Records included sightings (87.3%), intentional captures (10.6%), bycatch (0.3%), and strandings (1.8%). Data primarily originated from research projects/activities (57%) and citizen science-based initiatives (43%). Records were distributed in the eastern Caribbean (39.5%), the southern Caribbean (19.7%), the Greater Antilles (19.2%), the Bahamian Region (13.0%), Central America (6.8%), and eastern Florida (1.8%). Killer whales were recorded year-round, but most data were reported between March and August (59.6%). The scarcity of records in Central America could reflect true lower densities in the region, lower observation effort, or a combination of the two. Because of the paucity of data, this study supports the growing importance of citizen-science initiatives to document the occurrence and ecology of this species in the Caribbean. Our dataset also confirms the occasional and widespread occurrence of killer whales throughout the Caribbean Sea. Potential low densities and limited predictability of their occurrence hinder dedicated research on this species.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Killer whales Orcinus orca are found in all oceans of the world, but most of our knowledge on the species comes from studies conducted at higher latitudes. Studies on killer whales in the Caribbean ...have been scarce.
We compiled 176 records of killer whales from the Caribbean, including 95 previously unreported records and 81 records recovered from the literature, consisting of 27 capture or kill records, 4 stranding records and 145 sighting records.
Our results indicate that killer whales are widespread in the Caribbean Sea and can be found year‐round in the region. Mean group size was 3.7 animals. A diversity of prey items was recorded, including sea turtles and marine mammals and possibly fish. We cannot exclude ecotype or morphotype‐specific dietary specialization in the Caribbean population. A preliminary morphological analysis of 10 characters in 52 individuals from 21 different groups suggests that Caribbean killer whales do not represent any of the four Antarctic and subantarctic types, type 1 from the northwest Atlantic, or ‘resident’ and ‘transient’ killer whales from the northwest Pacific. Some Caribbean killer whales share a combination of characters typical of type 2 in the North Atlantic, whereas others share those typical of ‘offshore’ killer whales in the northwest Pacific. The significance of this is unclear. Comparison of Caribbean killer whales to previously described morphotypes and ecotypes is hampered by the lack of detailed, quantitative data on variation within other types, as well as by the lack of comparisons of genetic diversity.
Our study adds to the growing knowledge of the diversity of killer whales worldwide but underscores that additional research is warranted in the tropics.
Standardized sightings of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from the south and west coasts of Puerto Rico were quantitatively analyzed to determine the spatio-temporal distribution ...patterns of sighting location, group size, composition and behavior in relation to key features such as distance from shore, depth and habitat type. Dolphin inhabit primarily the nearshore zone within 5 km of the coast, but they are also associated with edge and slope habitats of the platform and bank/islands off the west coast. Dolphins were rare both over the central portion of the western platform, characterized as a broad area of sand, as well as in deep waters outside the shelf edge zone. Although dolphins were sighted in various habitat types, the most predominant were sea grass beds (44%), sand (25%), and reef (22%). Only 17% of the sightings were in deeper waters, such as the shelf edge and mid platform, which were dominated by hard bottom. Multiple, multivariate correlations based on distance (DISTLM) showed that the only statistically significant predictor for dolphin relative abundances was Habitat Evenness (AIC = 250.89; R2 = 0.12; p = 0.003). On the other hand, for behavior data, DistLM showed that the only significant predictor was average rugosity (AICc = 551.21, R2 = 0.09, p = 0.02), where social behavior was more common in high rugosity areas, while traveling predominated in low rugosity areas. Given the predominately inshore distribution of bottlenose dolphins, their low abundance, and multiyear residency we believe the area off the west coast of Puerto Rico should be designated as a Critical Habitat.
•The distribution of bottlenose dolphin off southwest Puerto Rico is not uniform.•Most sightings were near shore, but secondarily at the shelf edge and drop-offs.•The most predominant habitat types were seagrass beds, followed by sand, and reef.•Social behavior was more frequent in rugose areas, traveling in low rugosity areas.•Distribution and abundance suggest the PR west coast qualifies as critical habitat.
Opportunistic encounters by experts and the public (i.e. fishermen, tourists) can be great assets to understanding cetacean distribution, especially in areas where surveys are limited. Sightings of ...Puerto Rican pelagic cetaceans have been reported in the past, with known seasonality in some species. Within this report, we document sightings for eight species, report new monthly distributions for three of these species, as well as the presence of rough-toothed dolphins close to the coast, and the first underwater sighting of a minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) off San Juan, Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the lack of long-term studies due to limited funding and resources has been an obstacle in determining species diversity and overall health of cetacean populations. However, this note provides evidence that collaboration between marine biologists and citizen-based science is possible and desired, and serves as a valuable resource to protect and conserve native, pelagic, and transient cetacean species around Puerto Rican waters.
Climate change and climate variability are affecting marine mammal species and these impacts are projected to continue in the coming decades. Vulnerability assessments provide a framework for ...evaluating climate impacts over a broad range of species using currently available information. We conducted a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment using expert elicitation for 108 marine mammal stocks and stock groups in the western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Our approach combined the exposure (projected change in environmental conditions) and sensitivity (ability to tolerate and adapt to changing conditions) of marine mammal stocks to estimate vulnerability to climate change, and categorize stocks with a vulnerability index. The climate vulnerability score was very high for 44% (n = 47) of these stocks, high for 29% (n = 31), moderate for 20% (n = 22), and low for 7% (n = 8). The majority of stocks (n = 78; 72%) scored very high exposure, whereas 24% (n = 26) scored high, and 4% (n = 4) scored moderate. The sensitivity score was very high for 33% (n = 36) of these stocks, high for 18% (n = 19), moderate for 34% (n = 37), and low for 15% (n = 16). Vulnerability results were summarized for stocks in five taxonomic groups: pinnipeds (n = 4; 25% high, 75% moderate), mysticetes (n = 7; 29% very high, 57% high, 14% moderate), ziphiids (n = 8; 13% very high, 50% high, 38% moderate), delphinids (n = 84; 52% very high, 23% high, 15% moderate, 10% low), and other odontocetes (n = 5; 60% high, 40% moderate). Factors including temperature, ocean pH, and dissolved oxygen were the primary drivers of high climate exposure, with effects mediated through prey and habitat parameters. We quantified sources of uncertainty by bootstrapping vulnerability scores, conducting leave-one-out analyses of individual attributes and individual scorers, and through scoring data quality for each attribute. These results provide information for researchers, managers, and the public on marine mammal responses to climate change to enhance the development of more effective marine mammal management, restoration, and conservation activities that address current and future environmental variation and biological responses due to climate change.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background A new record of Megachasma pelagios is here reported for the tropical western North Atlantic Ocean from Puerto Rico. Results On December 10, 2016, a tourist reported an unusual stranded ...shark on Mojacasabe Beach, Cabo Rojo, on the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. Visual examination of the carcass and mitochondrial DNA analysis from a dorsal fin sample revealed it to be a 457 cm female megamouth shark. Conclusion This record represents the first record of M. pelagios for the tropical western North Atlantic Ocean within the Caribbean Sea of southwest Puerto Rico and only the second record of M. pelagios from the North Atlantic.
Abstract
Killer whales
O
rcinus orca
are found in all oceans of the world, but most of our knowledge on the species comes from studies conducted at higher latitudes. Studies on killer whales in the
C
...aribbean have been scarce.
We compiled 176 records of killer whales from the
C
aribbean, including 95 previously unreported records and 81 records recovered from the literature, consisting of 27 capture or kill records, 4 stranding records and 145 sighting records.
Our results indicate that killer whales are widespread in the
C
aribbean
S
ea and can be found year‐round in the region. Mean group size was 3.7 animals. A diversity of prey items was recorded, including sea turtles and marine mammals and possibly fish. We cannot exclude ecotype or morphotype‐specific dietary specialization in the
C
aribbean population. A preliminary morphological analysis of 10 characters in 52 individuals from 21 different groups suggests that
C
aribbean killer whales do not represent any of the four
A
ntarctic and subantarctic types, type 1 from the northwest
A
tlantic, or ‘resident’ and ‘transient’ killer whales from the northwest
P
acific. Some
C
aribbean killer whales share a combination of characters typical of type 2 in the
N
orth
A
tlantic, whereas others share those typical of ‘offshore’ killer whales in the northwest
P
acific. The significance of this is unclear. Comparison of
C
aribbean killer whales to previously described morphotypes and ecotypes is hampered by the lack of detailed, quantitative data on variation within other types, as well as by the lack of comparisons of genetic diversity.
Our study adds to the growing knowledge of the diversity of killer whales worldwide but underscores that additional research is warranted in the tropics.
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