Simulating escapes of farmed sea bass from Mediterranean open sea-cages: low recaptures by local fishermen

Arechavala-López, Pablo; Izquierdo-Gómez, David; Sánchez-Jérez, Pablo; Bayle-Sempere, Just T.

doi:10.1111/jai.12357

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…Although smaller sizes of meagre are also expected to eat pellets (Gil et al., ), the general data still suggest a certain farm‐affinity, where escapees may remain in the vicinity of the farms for a period of time after their escape. Similar behaviour was previously observed in sea bass and seabream escapees (Toledo‐Guedes et al., ; Arechavala‐Lopez et al., , , ). In addition, meagre has a higher trophic level than those species and reaches larger sizes in the wild.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Food and habitat competition, interbreeding leading to genetic impoverishment, and/or the transfer of pathogenic organisms are all non‐desirable consequences of escaped fish (Fiske et al., ; Dempster et al., ; Thorstad et al., ; Erkinaro et al., ; Skjæraasen et al., ; Abrantes et al., ; Bourret et al., ). In the Mediterranean, there are well‐documented examples of escapees and the associated risks for the two most important farmed species: European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) and gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.; Sparidae) (Arechavala‐Lopez et al., , ,b, ). However, there is a lack of information regarding the potential interactions of newly farmed species, which can lead to additional environmental and socio‐economic problems (Toledo‐Guedes et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of trophic resources byArgyrosomus regius(Asso, 1801) escaped from Mediterranean offshore fish farms

et al. 2014

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Summary The population of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) has increased dramatically around the Western Mediterranean, accompanied by a higher seasonal incidence of the species in fishery landings. Presumably because of escapes, this new predator is gaining ground in marine habitats where it was normally not found. Given the lack of knowledge about the potential impact of this locally absent species on ecosystems and fishery resources, the objective of this study was to analyse the diet and predation behaviour of A. regius in order to evaluate its capability to adapt to a new environment as well as to identify its main prey. Stomach contents of 159 individuals were analysed and the identifiable prey items classified into major groups. Results showed that the diet of meagre was remarkably size‐dependent. The commercially important decapod Melicertus kerathurus (Index of Relative Importance IRI: 798.53), and to a lesser extent other crustaceans, were preferred to smaller sizes, while larger individuals gradually shifted to a piscivorous diet, particularly to Platichthys flesus (77.99 IRI). The potential ecological effects on the prey species are discussed, and management measures preventing the establishment of new local populations are suggested in order to harmonize coastal zone management policies with a sustainable production of meagre.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of trophic resources byArgyrosomus regius(Asso, 1801) escaped from Mediterranean offshore fish farms

et al. 2014

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“…For sea bass escapees, 1.3% were recaptured from an initial simulated escape of 1200 fish in the Western Mediterranean Sea by recreational fishermen, while no fish were recaptured by professional fishermen (Arechavala‐Lopez et al . ; Table ). Restocking studies support the low recapture rate after simulated escape as recapture rates of released hatchery‐reared sea bass by both recreational and professional fishermen are low (e.g.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Recapturing escaped fish from marine aquaculture is largely unsuccessful: alternatives to reduce the number of escapees in the wild

Dempster

Arechavala-López

Barrett

et al. 2016

Reviews in Aquaculture

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Farmed fish that escape and mix with wild fish populations can have significant ecological and genetic consequences. To reduce the number of escaped fish in the wild, recapture is often attempted. Here, we review the behaviours of escapees post-escape, and how recapture success varies with escaped fish size, the size of the initial escape event and recapture methods. Success rates of fishing gears varied among species, with gill-nets and coastal barrier nets most effective for recapture of salmonids. Recapture success was strongly negatively correlated with both fish size and the number of fish escaped, regardless of species. Recapture success was universally low across all studied species (8%). Numerous tracking studies of escaped fish indicate that recapture efforts should be initiated within 24 h of an escape incident for highest recapture success. However, most large escape events are due to storms, which mean recapture efforts rarely start within this timeframe. Recapture of escaped fish is broadly ineffective in marine habitats, with rare exception. High bycatch rates during ineffective recapture attempts imply that large-scale recapture efforts should be weighed against the possibility of affecting wild fish populations negatively. We suggest three alternative approaches to reduce escapee numbers in wild habitats: (i) protect populations of predatory fish around sea-cage farms from fishing, as they prey upon smaller escapees; (ii) construct impact offset programmes to target recapture in habitats where escapees can be efficiently caught; and (iii) ensure technical standards are legislated so that fish farmers invest in preventative technologies to minimize escapes.

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“…Once fish escape from Mediterranean farms, they may cause undesirable ecological effects in native populations through interbreeding (Šegvić‐Bubić, Lepen, Trumbić, Ljubković, Sutlović, Matić‐Skoko, Grubišić, Glamuzina & Mladineo ; Šegvić‐Bubić, Talijančić, Grubišić, Izquierdo‐Gomez & Katavić ), competition for food or habitats (Arechavala‐Lopez, Uglem, Fernandez‐Jover, Bayle‐Sempere & Sanchez‐Jerez , ; Arechavala‐Lopez, Izquierdo‐Gomez, Sanchez‐Jerez & Bayle‐Sempere ; Valero‐Rodriguez et al . ), as well as transfer of pathogens to wild fish or other farmed stocks (Arechavala‐Lopez, Sanchez‐Jerez, Bayle‐Sempere, Uglem & Mladineo ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Arechavala‐Lopez et al . ; Arechavala‐Lopez, Izquierdo‐Gomez, Sanchez‐Jerez & Bayle‐Sempere ; Toledo‐Guedes, Sanchez‐Jerez & Brito ; Toledo‐Guedes, Sanchez‐Jerez, Benjumea et al . ), but there is no information about the potential dispersion, farm affinity or movements of farmed meagre following an escape incident in coastal Mediterranean farms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid dispersion of escaped meagre (Argyrosomus regius ) from a coastal Mediterranean fish farm

et al. 2016

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Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is an emerging species in aquaculture considered a locally absent species in the Western Mediterranean. Little is known about meagre escape incidents from farms. To evaluate escape impacts and develop mitigation measures, knowledge about the behaviour of escaped meagre is necessary. In this study, a rapid dispersion of escaped meagre was observed following a simulated escape incident in a coastal Mediterranean farm, using acoustic telemetry (acoustic tag: AT) and mark-and-recapture techniques (external tag: ET). A small proportion of AT meagre (22.7%) remained within the farm boundaries 24 h after the simulated escape. A total of 84 meagre (9.2%) were captured by local trammel netters nearby the farm facility within the first 48 h after escape. Only two AT individuals (15.3%) were detected by acoustic receivers located in coastal areas within 2 days after dispersal from the farm and eight ET meagre (0.8%) were recaptured along the shoreline during the first week. Two AT individuals (15.3%) were considered to be dead by predation few hours after escape. The rest of the AT individuals (N = 6, 46.2%) left the facility alive, and they were never detected by receivers nor reported back by fishermen. Thus, our results highlight the necessity of establishing escape mitigation strategies at Mediterranean fish farms, i.e. recapture programmes 24-48 h after the escape incident in collaboration with local fishermen, to diminish potential impacts related to meagre escapees.

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Simulating escapes of farmed sea bass from Mediterranean open sea-cages: low recaptures by local fishermen

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

The use of trophic resources byArgyrosomus regius(Asso, 1801) escaped from Mediterranean offshore fish farms

The use of trophic resources byArgyrosomus regius(Asso, 1801) escaped from Mediterranean offshore fish farms

Recapturing escaped fish from marine aquaculture is largely unsuccessful: alternatives to reduce the number of escapees in the wild

Rapid dispersion of escaped meagre (Argyrosomus regius ) from a coastal Mediterranean fish farm

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