Behavioral observations of bonefish (Albula vulpes) during prespawning aggregations in the Bahamas: clues to identifying spawning sites that can drive broader conservation efforts

Danylchuk, Andy J.; Lewis, Justin P.; Jud, Zack; Shenker, Jonathan M.; Adams, Aaron J.

doi:10.1007/s10641-018-0830-3

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Similar rapid oscillatory dive patterns have also been observed for satellite‐tagged bluefin tuna in the GOM and Mediterranean Sea, and these were considered to be spawning behaviours (Aranda, Abascal, Varela, & Medina, ; Cermeño et al, ; Teo, Boustany, & Block, ). A related species, bonefish ( Albula vulpes , Albulidae), also spawns offshore at night near full moons and descends to ~60 m to spawn (Danylchuk, Lewis, Jud, Shenker, & Adams, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrations and movements of Atlantic tarpon revealed by two decades of satellite tagging

et al. 2019

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Understanding large‐scale migratory behaviours, local movement patterns and population connectivity are critical to determining the natural processes and anthropogenic stressors that influence population dynamics and for developing effective conservation plans. Atlantic tarpon occur over a broad geographic range in the Atlantic Ocean where they support valuable subsistence, commercial and recreational fisheries. From 2001 through 2018, we deployed 292 satellite telemetry tags on Atlantic tarpon in coastal waters off three continents to document: (a) seasonal migrations and regional population connectivity; (b) freshwater and estuarine habitat utilization; (c) spawning locations; and (d) shark predation across the south‐eastern United States, Gulf of Mexico and northern Caribbean Sea. These results showed that some mature tarpon make long seasonal migrations over thousands of kilometres crossing state and national jurisdictional borders. Others showed more local movements and habitat use. The tag data also revealed potential spawning locations consistent with those inferred in other studies from observations of early life stage tarpon leptocephalus larvae. Our analyses indicated that shark predation mortality on released tarpon is higher than previously estimated, especially at ocean passes, river mouths and inlets to bays. To date, there has been no formal stock assessment of Atlantic tarpon, and regional fishery management plans do not exist. Our findings will provide critical input to these important efforts and assist the multinational community in the development of a stock‐wide management information system to support informed decision‐making for sustaining Atlantic tarpon fisheries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrations and movements of Atlantic tarpon revealed by two decades of satellite tagging

et al. 2019

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“…Prior to this study, the advanced stages of oocyte maturation (i.e., GVM, GVBD and hydration) indicative of an imminent spawning event had never been observed in albulids. Previous authors have hypothesised that these final development stages occur during the transition from prespawning aggregation sites to the location of reproductive events over a period of several hours Danylchuk et al, 2011Danylchuk et al, , 2019Luck et al, 2018;Mejri et al, 2018). Our results advance our understanding of the reproductive strategies for this genus and provide the first empirical evidence to support this theory, as oocyte development form VT3 to GVM and GVBD were observed over a period of 12-24 h, while transitioning from pre-spawning aggregation sites to oceanic habitats were they reproduce Danylchuk et al, 2011) .…”

Section: This Difference May Be Attributed To Combining Male and Femalementioning

confidence: 99%

Life‐history characteristics of an exploited bonefishAlbula glossodontapopulation in a remote South Pacific atoll

Filous

Lennox

Coleman

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish Biology

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Bonefishes Albula spp. are important components of subsistence fisheries and lucrative sport fishing industries throughout their circumtropical distribution. In Oceania, however, Albula spp. have historically been overexploited and there is a growing need to balance the demands of competing fishing sectors, making the description of their life history a regional priority. To this aim, we collected biological samples from Albula spp. of Anaa atoll, French Polynesia, to identify the species that compose the stock and estimate their life‐history parameters including age, growth, reproduction and natural mortality. Our results indicate that Albula glossodonta is the species of bonefish present, with a maximum age that is below the, 20 year longevity of the genus (8 years in males and 10 years in females). Differential growth patterns existed between the two sexes (L∞ = 58, 78 cm fork length (LF) and K = 0.38, 0.21 for males and females, respectively). Males attained sexual maturity at 43 cm LF (c. 3 years) whereas females matured at 48 cm LF (c. 4 years) and oocyte production was significantly related to body mass, with a maximum batch fecundity of 1,133,767 oocytes in a 4406 g (70 cm LF) female. The gonado‐somatic index of harvested fishes indicated that the spawning season extends from March through September. Based on the observation of a, 20 year bonefish at the proximate Tetiaroa Atoll and several empirical models, estimates of natural mortality ranged from 0.21 to 0.68; however, an estimate of 0.21 was deemed most appropriate. This information facilitated the resurgence of a Rahui (temporary fishing closure) and community‐based management to protect A. glossodonta during a critical portion of their spawning season and in this context our results provide an important demographic baseline in evaluating the recovery of this fishery.

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“…Previous movement studies indicated that bonefish exhibit site fidelity to foraging habitats and depart these locations to migrate to offshore spawning locations (Adams et al, 2019;Boucek et al, 2018;Danylchuk et al, 2011Danylchuk et al, , 2018Humston et al, 2005;Murchie et al, 2013;Perez et al, 2018). However, where bonefish movement has been previously studied with conventional tagging, fishing (i.e.…”

Section: F I G U R E 4 Relationship In Bonefishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous scientific studies indicate that Albulids exhibit site fidelity to shallow‐water foraging habitats and their movements into these environments are controlled by fluctuations in tide, water temperature and the presence of predators (Cooke & Philipp, ; Danylchuk et al, ; Humston, Ault, Larkin, & Luo, ; Kamikawa et al, ; Larkin et al, ; Murchie et al, ). Less is known about the long‐term movements of this genus, but several studies have demonstrated that the home range of bonefish is surpassed to undertake seasonal spawning movements to offshore waters with access to the pelagic environment (Adams et al, ; Boucek et al, ; Danylchuk et al, ; Danylchuk, Lewis, Jud, Shenker, & Adams, ; Perez, Schmitter‐Soto, Adams, & Heyman, ). The traditional ecological knowledge regarding bonefish movement in Anaa Atoll is consistent with this hypothesis and suggests that significant portions of the atoll's bonefish population are required to traverse a bottleneck as they migrate through the passageways between their lagoon and pelagic habitats, where they are simultaneously vulnerable to the atoll's artisanal traps (Filous, Lennox, Clua, et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Less is known about the long-term movements of this genus, but several studies have demonstrated that the home range of bonefish is surpassed to undertake seasonal spawning movements to offshore waters with access to the pelagic environment (Adams et al, 2019;Boucek et al, 2018;Danylchuk et al, 2011;Danylchuk, Lewis, Jud, Shenker, & Adams, 2018;Perez, Schmitter-Soto, Adams, & Heyman, 2018). The traditional ecological knowledge regarding bonefish movement in Anaa Atoll is consistent with this hypothesis and suggests that significant portions of the atoll's bonefish population are required to traverse a bottleneck as they migrate through the passageways between their lagoon and pelagic habitats, where they are simultaneously vulnerable to the atoll's artisanal traps .…”

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Population dynamics of roundjaw bonefish Albula glossodonta at a remote coralline Atoll inform community‐based management in an artisanal fishery

Filous

Lennox

Eveson

et al. 2019

Fisheries Management Eco

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Fisheries management requires knowledge on the population dynamics of exploited stocks. To that end, the present study used a mark–recapture approach to characterise the population demographics of roundjaw bonefish Albula glossodonta (Forsskål) and their interaction with a data‐limited fishery on Anaa Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. Over the course of the study, 2,509 bonefish were tagged and 12.3% were recaptured. The L∞ of bonefish was estimated at 71 cm fork length (FL) with a K of 0.17, based on changes in FL between capture events. Artisanal fish traps located in the migratory corridors of the atoll accounted for 94% of recaptures and these movements occurred during the waning moon. Fishing mortality increased as bonefish reach sexual maturity, recruiting to the trap fishery at age 4 with the onset of spawning behaviour. Bonefish abundance between ages 3 and 5 was estimated to be 29,079 individuals. This case study demonstrated the utility of mark–recapture in filling knowledge gaps that impede the management of data‐limited fisheries. Ultimately, these results supported the creation of an Educational Managed Marine Area and the resurgence of rahui (seasonal closure) to manage this fishery.

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Behavioral observations of bonefish (Albula vulpes) during prespawning aggregations in the Bahamas: clues to identifying spawning sites that can drive broader conservation efforts

Cited by 21 publications

References 23 publications

Migrations and movements of Atlantic tarpon revealed by two decades of satellite tagging

Migrations and movements of Atlantic tarpon revealed by two decades of satellite tagging

Life‐history characteristics of an exploited bonefishAlbula glossodontapopulation in a remote South Pacific atoll

Population dynamics of roundjaw bonefish Albula glossodonta at a remote coralline Atoll inform community‐based management in an artisanal fishery

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