How fast is fisheries‐induced evolution? Quantitative analysis of modelling and empirical studies

Abstract

A number of theoretical models, experimental studies and time-series studies of wild fish have explored the presence and magnitude of fisheries-induced evolution (FIE). While most studies agree that FIE is likely to be happening in many fished stocks, there are disagreements about its rates and implications for stock viability. To address these disagreements in a quantitative manner, we conducted a meta-analysis of FIE rates reported in theoretical and empirical studies. We discovered that rates of phenotypic change observed in wild fish are about four times higher than the evolutionary rates reported in modelling studies, but correlation between the rate of change and instantaneous fishing mortality (F) was very similar in the two types of studies. Mixed-model analyses showed that in the modelling studies traits associated with reproductive investment and growth evolved slower than rates related to maturation. In empirical observations age-at-maturation was changing faster than other life-history traits. We also found that, despite different assumption and modelling approaches, rates of evolution for a given F value reported in 10 of 13 modelling studies were not significantly different.

Effects of fishery protection on biometry and genetic structure of two target sea cucumber species from the Mediterranean Sea

“…Most fisheries target large individuals, so that fisheries-induced mortality is highly size selective with important repercussions for the sustainability of the resources (Kuparinenn & Merila, 2007;Audzijonyte et al, 2012).…”

“…Furthermore, if a reduced average body size is not compensated by an increase of the population abundance, which is highly unlikely in sea cucumbers considering their low effective recruitment, the biomass and yield of the stock should decrease too (Audzijonyte et al, 2012). This fact could be happening in some sea cucumber stocks from Northern Turkey due to the increase of their catches in the last years favored by a higher economical value and growing foreign demand (Aydin, 2008;.…”

Biología reproductiva de Brycon henni (Teleostei: Bryconidae) y estrategias de conservación para los ríos Nare y Guatapé, cuenca del río Magdalena, Colombia

“…Factores como la fuerte presión de pesca sobre los individuos de mayor talla de la especie en la zona (megadesovadores), donde ha sido altamente capturada como parte de la subsistencia de los pobladores de la región, y por la pesca deportiva, pueden estar llevando a una selección direccional, que produce una reducción marcada del tamaño de maduración sexual de la especie. En este sentido, se conoce que la eliminación selectiva de los peces adultos de gran tamaño trae como resultado, que poblaciones explotadas maduren a edades más tempranas y tamaños más pequeños, invierten más energía en la reproducción, y alcanzan adultos de tamaño más pequeño por edad (Sharpe & Hendry, 2009;Audzijonyte, Kuparinen, & Fulton, 2013;Audzijonyte, Fulton, & Kuparinen, 2015).…”

Tallas de captura de Prochilodus mariae en la parte alta del río Meta, Orinoquia colombiana

“…Si bien la literatura reporta que la presión de pesca induce hacia la disminución de la talla de maduración de las poblaciones explotadas (Jørgensen et al, 2007;Conover, 2009, Sharpe y Hendry, 2009, Audzijonyte et al, 2013Uusi-Heikkilä et al, 2015), esto no se evidenció en P. mariae en el alto Meta, en el período de 1980 a 2011.…”