Modelling the impacts of environmental variation on the distribution of blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Su, N-J., Sun, C-L., Punt, A. E., Yeh, S-Z., and DiNardo, G. 2011. Modelling the impacts of environmental variation on the distribution of blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, in the Pacific Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1072–1080. Blue marlin are distributed throughout tropical and temperate waters in the Pacific Ocean. The preference of this species for particular habitats may affect its distribution and vulnerability to being caught. The relationships between the spatial pattern of blue marlin abundance and oceanographic conditions, which may be influenced by climate change, were examined using generalized additive models fitted to catch and effort data from longline fisheries. Distributions of blue marlin density, based on combining the probability of presence and abundance given presence, indicate that there is annual variation in the distribution of blue marlin and that the population apparently moved east during the 1997–1998 El Niño. The interannual variability in blue marlin distribution appears to be associated with El Niño events and is related to shifts in sea surface temperature and the deepening of the thermocline. Models of catch and effort that include oceanographic variables could be used, given predictions from climate models, to explore future changes in distribution, which could then be used to provide management advice related to time-area closures.

Spatial ecology of blue shark and shortfin mako in southern Peru: local abundance, habitat preferences and implications for conservation

“…ENSO anomalies influence the distribution of large pelagic species such as blue marlin Makaira nigricans by altering the location of favorable habitat (i.e. temperature and primary production) (Su et al 2011). In addition, alterations in the horizontal distribution and abundance of prey species due to ENSO (Ñiquen & Bouchon 2004, Adams & Flores 2016 could act as a driver of local shark abundances, as documented for other upper trophic level species (Cury et al 2000).…”

“…Understanding the biotic and abiotic factors driving shark abundance patterns is important in the context of environmental variation and future climatic scenarios (Kessel et al 2014) and may help identify the mechanistic bases of species declines, because marine conditions (e.g. primary production and tempera-ture) affect pelagic resources (Bigelow et al 1999, Su et al 2011. For example, interannual climate variation in the form of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has led to boom and bust fisheries in the Southeast Pacific because of poor knowledge of species' responses to ENSO and a lack of management (Wolff et al 2007).…”

“…For example, interannual climate variation in the form of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has led to boom and bust fisheries in the Southeast Pacific because of poor knowledge of species' responses to ENSO and a lack of management (Wolff et al 2007). ENSO greatly alters oceanographic conditions every 2 to 7 yr, which affects the status of pelagic fisheries (Ñiquen & Bouchon 2004, Su et al 2011, Quiñones et al 2015. However, the relationship between ENSO and the local abundance of pelagic shark species remains poorly understood, hampering conservation efforts.…”

Effects of sexual dimorphism on population parameters and exploitation ratios of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the northwest Pacific Ocean

“…• S (Su et al 2011a). Most blue marlin are caught, as an incidental bycatch of considerable economic value, by longline vessels targeting tunas, while small catches of blue marlin are taken using surface gears, such as gillnets and harpoons, as well as by recreational, purse seine, and baitboat fisheries (Hinton 2001).…”

Influencia de El Niño Oscilación del Sur en la disponibilidad y abundancia de recursos hidrobiológicos de la pesca artesanal en Ica, Perú

“…ENOS cambia las condiciones ambientales como la concentración de masas de agua, intensidad de afloramiento, y temperatura (Swartzman et al 2008, Su et al 2011. Los cambios ambientales impactan en los recursos pesqueros y a los pescadores en 2 periodos de tiempo distintos ya sea; 1) cambiando la distribución vertical y horizontal de recursos a corto plazo; y por tanto, modificando la disponibilidad de recursos pesqueros, a los que a partir de ahora nombraremos como 'disponibilidad'; y/o, 2) cambiando la reproducción, reclutamiento, y biomasa de una especie en el largo plazo (Pauly & Tsukayama 1987, Ñiquen & Bouchon 2004, Taylor et al 2008, o abundancia.…”