An original model of the northern Gulf of Mexico using Ecopath with Ecosim and its implications for the effects of fishing on ecosystem structure and maturity

Geers, Tess Misak; Pikitch, Ellen K.; Frisk, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.01.009

Cited by 49 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…When combined, these three regions represent the latitudinal extent of the majority of Atlantic Menhaden recorded catches, which span the Canada–US border in the north to Dade County, Florida, USA, in the south. In the Gulf of Mexico, the extraction region for environmental predictors was coincident with harvest of the Gulf Menhaden stock and included a region bounded by latitude 27.67°N to 30.68°N and longitude 86.50°E to 96.50°E, a domain coincident, but with a reduced easterly extent, with the expected distribution of Gulf Menhaden reported by other authors (Geers et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Annually variable length‐at‐age estimates were used in previous stock assessment for Gulf Menhaden (Vaughan, ), but have not been used in recent assessments. Both species are considered critical forage species within their ecosystem (Buchheister, Miller, & Houde, ; Geers, Pikitch, & Frisk, ; SEDAR, ); thus, changes in their length over time could affect ecosystem dynamics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Macroscale drivers of Atlantic and Gulf Menhaden growth

Midway

Schueller

Leaf

et al. 2020

Fisheries Oceanography

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The identification of anthropogenic and environmental drivers on length-at-age of fish stocks is important to understanding ecosystem dynamics and harvest intensity.We evaluated coastwide annual growth of n = 187,115 Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and n = 299,185 Gulf Menhaden (B. patronus), using samples collected from the North, Mid-, and South Atlantic from 1961 to 2016 and across the Gulf of Mexico from 1977 to 2016. Using hierarchical models of age 1 growth and age 2 growth, we evaluated a suite of candidate predictors including fishery landings, easterly (U) and northerly (V) wind velocity, river discharge, juvenile abundance, and the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO). We found age 2 growth rates were smaller than age 1 growth rates for both species and that Atlantic Menhaden growth rates were 3-4 times greater than Gulf Menhaden. Age 1 growth rate of Atlantic Menhaden was positively affected by landings lagged by one year, indicating a density-dependent mechanism. In addition, AMO (negative effect), and wind U (positive effect) and wind V (negative effect) in the North Atlantic region were significant factors influencing coastwide age 1 Menhaden growth. Wind V (negative effect) and AMO (positive effect) influenced age 1 Gulf Menhaden growth. No environmental factors were found to have an effect on age 2 Atlantic Menhaden growth, and AMO was the only significant predictor (weak negative effect) of age 2 Gulf Menhaden growth. Fishing pressure was the primary influence on age 1 Atlantic Menhaden growth, whereas age 1 Gulf Menhaden growth was primarily influenced by environmental conditions. K E Y W O R D SAtlantic multi-decadal oscillation, Brevoortia patronus, Brevoortia tyrannus, density dependence, environmental drivers, landings, length-at-age

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroscale drivers of Atlantic and Gulf Menhaden growth

Midway

Schueller

Leaf

et al. 2020

Fisheries Oceanography

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“…An arithmetic weighted mean (WM i ) was then calculated by using a weighting factor (w) for each predator j Geers et al, in press),…”

Section: Diet Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the Trophic Importance of Gulf Menhaden within the Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem

Sagarese

Nuttall

Geers³

et al. 2016

Mar Coast Fish

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The Gulf Menhaden Brevoortia patronus is frequently cited as playing a predominant role in the trophic structure and function of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) marine ecosystem, yet much work remains in quantifying its ecological importance. We performed a meta‐analysis of diet studies to quantify the trophic role of Gulf Menhaden within this ecosystem. Of the 568 references consulted, 136 identified predator–prey interactions involving Gulf Menhaden, menhaden Brevoortia spp., or unidentified clupeid prey items. Overall, 79 species were reported to consume menhaden, and no significant difference was detected between the Atlantic Ocean and the GOM in the mean occurrence of Brevoortia spp. in predator stomachs. We employed a probabilistic approach using maximum likelihood estimation to quantify trophic interactions within the northern GOM, with a focus on the trophic role of Gulf Menhaden. The estimated contribution of identifiable menhaden to the diets of all predators generally ranged between 2% and 3%; the largest dietary contribution was identified for Blacktip Sharks Carcharhinus limbatus (8%), and lower estimates (<2%) were obtained for oceanic species, including sharks, billfishes, and tunas. When diet compositions were adjusted for unidentified prey by using the proportion of fish species biomass in the ecosystem, five predator groups showed a relatively large dependence on menhaden prey: juvenile King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla, juvenile Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus, adult Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus, and Blacktip Sharks. The quantification of trophic linkages and key predators identified herein will be fundamental to future modeling efforts focused on the northern GOM ecosystem.Received March 24, 2015; accepted September 3, 2015

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“…Forage fish are also the primary source of food for many fish species, seabirds, and marine mammals (Ahrenholz 1991). However, the precise role of forage fish in GOM ecosystems and how management measures that are focused on forage fish and their predators combine to affect forage fish community composition and ecosystem dynamics have often not been adequately represented in ecosystem modeling studies (but see De Mutsert et al 2015;Robinson et al 2015;Geers et al 2016). The environmental and biological controls on forage fish dynamics are complicated by their position in the middle of the food web (Engelhard et al 2014).…”

Section: Better Accounting Of Forage Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations on the Use of Ecosystem Modeling for Informing Ecosystem‐Based Fisheries Management and Restoration Outcomes in the Gulf of Mexico

et al. 2017

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Ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecosystem restoration are gaining momentum worldwide, including in U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Ecosystem models are valuable tools for informing EBFM and restoration activities. In this paper, we provide guidance and a roadmap for ecosystem modeling in the GOM region, with an emphasis on model development and use of model products to inform EBFM and the increasing investments in restoration. We propose eight “best practices” for ecosystem modeling efforts, including (1) identification of priority management questions, (2) scenarios as simulation experiments, (3) calibration and validation needs, (4) sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, (5) ensuring transparency, (6) improving communication between ecosystem modelers and the various stakeholders, (7) documentation of modeling efforts, and (8) maintaining the ecosystem models and codes. Fisheries management in the USA adheres to a prescriptive set of calculations. Therefore, the use of ecosystem modeling in EBFM for the GOM will likely be incremental, starting with the incorporation of environmental variables into single‐species assessments, the provision of background (stage‐setting) information on environmental and food web effects (e.g., the impacts of lionfish Pterois spp. invasion), and strategic advice through management strategy evaluation. Management questions related to restoration in the GOM (e.g., the impacts of freshwater and sediment diversions as part of coastal restoration, habitat preservation, and rehabilitation; and measures to mitigate nutrient loading and hypoxia) have more flexibility in how they are addressed and thus are primed for immediate use of ecosystem modeling. The questions related to restoration are appropriate for ecosystem modeling, and data collection at the restoration project level can provide critical information for modeling to then scale up to regional responses. Ecosystem modeling efforts need to be initiated and advanced now in order for the tools to be ready in the near future. Addressing resource management issues and questions will benefit greatly from the proper use of ecosystem modeling.

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An original model of the northern Gulf of Mexico using Ecopath with Ecosim and its implications for the effects of fishing on ecosystem structure and maturity

Cited by 49 publications

References 51 publications

Macroscale drivers of Atlantic and Gulf Menhaden growth

Macroscale drivers of Atlantic and Gulf Menhaden growth

Quantifying the Trophic Importance of Gulf Menhaden within the Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem

Recommendations on the Use of Ecosystem Modeling for Informing Ecosystem‐Based Fisheries Management and Restoration Outcomes in the Gulf of Mexico

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