Fish_Ecology

Abstract Numerous groundfish stocks in both the Atlantic and Pacific are considered overfished, resulting in large-scale fishery closures. Fishing, in addition to simply removing biomass, also truncates the age and size structure of fish populations and often results in localized depletions. We summarize recent research suggesting that an old-growth age structure, combined with a broad spatial distribution of spawning and recruitment, is at least as important as spawning biomass in maintaining long-term sustainable population levels. In particular, there is evidence that older, larger female rockfishes produce larvae that withstand starvation longer and grow faster than the offspring of younger fish, that stocks may actually consist of several reproductively isolated units, and that recruitment may come from only a small and different fraction of the spawning population each year. None of these phenomena is accounted for in current management programs. We examine alternative management measures that address these specific issues and conclude that the best and perhaps only way to ensure old-growth age structure and complex spatial structure in populations of groundfish is through interconnected networks of marine reserves. Cited by Mark R. Terwilliger, Tamal Reece, and Douglas F. Markle. (2010) Historic and recent age structure and growth of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Environmental Biology of Fishes Online publication date: 13-Jul-2010. CrossRef C. M. Greene, J. E. Hall, K. R. Guilbault, and T. P. Quinn. (2010) Improved viability of populations with diverse life-history portfolios. Biology Letters 6:3, 382-386 Online publication date: 23-Jun-2010. CrossRef Anthony John Fowler, and John K. Ling. (2010) Ageing studies done 50 years apart for an inshore fish species from southern Australia—contribution towards determining current stock status. Environmental Biology of Fishes Online publication date: 28-May-2010. CrossRef T. Brunel. (2010) Age-structure-dependent recruitment: a meta-analysis applied to Northeast Atlantic fish stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science Online publication date: 26-Apr-2010. CrossRef T. Miethe, C. Dytham, U. Dieckmann, and J. W. Pitchford. (2010) Marine reserves and the evolutionary effects of fishing on size at maturation. ICES Journal of Marine Science 67:3, 412-425 Online publication date: 1-Apr-2010. CrossRef M. T. Balazik, G. C. Garman, M. L. Fine, C. H. Hager, and S. P. McIninch. (2010) Changes in age composition and growth characteristics of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) over 400 years. Biology Letters Online publication date: 17-Mar-2010. CrossRef Chih-hao Hsieh, Atsushi Yamauchi, Takefumi Nakazawa, and Wei-Fen Wang. (2010) Fishing effects on age and spatial structures undermine population stability of fishes. Aquatic Sciences 72:2, 165-178 Online publication date: 1-Mar-2010. CrossRef MARK R. CHRISTIE, DARREN W. JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER D. STALLINGS, and MARK A. HIXON. (2010) Self-recruitment and sweepstakes reproduction amid extensive gene flow in a coral-reef fish. Molecular Ecology 19:5, 1042-1057 Online publication date: 1-Mar-2010. CrossRef Athanassios C. Tsikliras, Efthimia Antonopoulou, and Konstantinos I. Stergiou. (2010) Spawning period of Mediterranean marine fishes. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries Online publication date: 19-Feb-2010. CrossRef E. Edeline, A. Le Rouzic, I. J. Winfield, J. M. Fletcher, J. B. James, N. Chr. Stenseth, and L. A. Vollestad. (2009) Harvest-induced disruptive selection increases variance in fitness-related traits. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 276:1676, 4163-4171 Online publication date: 7-Dec-2009. CrossRef J. P. Wheeler, C. F. Purchase, P. D. M. Macdonald, R. Fill, L. Jacks, H. Wang, and C. Ye. (2009) Temporal changes in maturation, mean length-at-age, and condition of spring-spawning Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in Newfoundland waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66:8, 1800-1807 Online publication date: 1-Sep-2009. CrossRef Peter J. Wright, and Edward A. Trippel. (2009) Fishery-induced demographic changes in the timing of spawning: consequences for reproductive success. Fish and Fisheries 10:3, 283-304 Online publication date: 1-Sep-2009. CrossRef L. T. Kell, M. Dickey-Collas, N. T. Hintzen, R. D. M. Nash, G. M. Pilling, and B. A. Roel. (2009) Lumpers or splitters' Evaluating recovery and management plans for metapopulations of herring. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66:8, 1776-1783 Online publication date: 1-Sep-2009. CrossRef Christian Jørgensen, Bruno Ernande, and Øyvind Fiksen. (2009) Size-selective fishing gear and life history evolution in the Northeast Arctic cod. Evolutionary Applications 2:3, 356-370 Online publication date: 1-Aug-2009. CrossRef Hui-Yu Wang, and Tomas O. Höök. (2009) Eco-genetic model to explore fishing-induced ecological and evolutionary effects on growth and maturation schedules. Evolutionary Applications 2:3, 438-455 Online publication date: 1-Aug-2009. CrossRef Tara D. Redpath, Steven J. Cooke, Robert Arlinghaus, David H. Wahl, and David P. Philipp. (2009) Life-history traits and energetic status in relation to vulnerability to angling in an experimentally selected teleost fish. Evolutionary Applications 2:3, 312-323 Online publication date: 1-Aug-2009. CrossRef Danielle Ameen Reich, and Joseph Thomas DeAlteris. (2009) A Simulation Study of the Effects of Spatially Complex Population Structure for Gulf of Maine Atlantic Cod. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:1, 116-126 Online publication date: 1-Feb-2009. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (123 KB) Lewis A. K. Barnett, Ryan L. Earley, David A. Ebert, and Gregor M. Cailliet. (2009) Maturity, fecundity, and reproductive cycle of the spotted ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei. Marine Biology 156:3, 301-316 Online publication date: 1-Feb-2009. CrossRef Jason M. Cope, and André E. Punt. (2009) Length-Based Reference Points for Data-Limited Situations: Applications and Restrictions. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 169-186 Online publication date: 1-Jan-2009. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (1310 KB) Donald J. Noakes, and Richard J. Beamish. (2009) Synchrony of Marine Fish Catches and Climate and Ocean Regime Shifts in the North Pacific Ocean. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 155-168 Online publication date: 1-Jan-2009. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (277 KB) William R. Bechtol, and Gordon H. Kruse. (2009) Analysis of a Stock–Recruit Relationship for Red King Crab off Kodiak Island, Alaska. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 29-44 Online publication date: 1-Jan-2009. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (267 KB) R. S. Steneck, C. B. Paris, S. N. Arnold, M. C. Ablan-Lagman, A. C. Alcala, M. J. Butler, L. J. McCook, G. R. Russ, and P. F. Sale. (2009) Thinking and managing outside the box: coalescing connectivity networks to build region-wide resilience in coral reef ecosystems. Coral Reefs 28:2, 367 CrossRef Donald M. Van Doornik, Steven J. Parker, Steven R. Millard, Ewann A. Berntson, and Paul Moran. (2008) Multiple paternity is prevalent in Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) off the Oregon coast, and is correlated with female size and age. Environmental Biology of Fishes 83:3, 269-275 Online publication date: 1-Nov-2008. CrossRef C. T. T. Edwards, R. A. Rademeyer, D. S. Butterworth, and E. E. Plaganyi. (2008) Investigating the consequences of Marine Protected Areas for the South African deep-water hake (Merluccius paradoxus) resource. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66:1, 72-81 Online publication date: 14-Sep-2008. CrossRef Esben Moland Olsen, Halvor Knutsen, Jakob Gjøsaeter, Per Erik Jorde, Jan Atle Knutsen, and Nils Chr. Stenseth. (2008) Small-scale biocomplexity in coastal Atlantic cod supporting a Darwinian perspective on fisheries management. Evolutionary Applications 1:3, 524-533 Online publication date: 1-Aug-2008. CrossRef F. Fiorentino, F. Badalamenti, G. D'Anna, G. Garofalo, P. Gianguzza, M. Gristina, C. Pipitone, P. Rizzo, and T. Fortibuoni. (2008) Changes in spawning-stock structure and recruitment pattern of red mullet, Mullus barbatus, after a trawl ban in the Gulf of Castellammare (central Mediterranean Sea). ICES Journal of Marine Science 65:7, 1175-1183 Online publication date: 23-Jun-2008. CrossRef Volker Huckstorf, Wolf-Christian Lewin, and Christian Wolter. (2008) Environmental flow methodologies to protect fisheries resources in human-modified large lowland rivers. River Research and Applications 24:5, 519-527 Online publication date: 1-Jun-2008. CrossRef Jason J. Schaffler, and Dana L. Winkelman. (2008) Temporal and Spatial Variability in Otolith Trace-Element Signatures of Juvenile Striped Bass from Spawning Locations in Lake Texoma, Oklahoma–Texas. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:3, 818-829 Online publication date: 1-May-2008. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (209 KB) David H. Secor. (2008) Influence of Skipped Spawning and Misspecified Reproductive Schedules on Biological Reference Points in Sustainable Fisheries. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:3, 782-789 Online publication date: 1-May-2008. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (144 KB) Christian N. K. Anderson, Chih-hao Hsieh, Stuart A. Sandin, Roger Hewitt, Anne Hollowed, John Beddington, Robert M. May, and George Sugihara. (2008) Why fishing magnifies fluctuations in fish abundance. Nature 452:7189, 835-839 Online publication date: 17-Apr-2008. CrossRef R. D. Evans, G. R. Russ, and J. P. Kritzer. (2008) Batch fecundity of Lutjanus carponotatus (Lutjanidae) and implications of no-take marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral Reefs 27:1, 179-189 Online publication date: 1-Mar-2008. CrossRef J. R. HYDE, C. A. KIMBRELL, J. E. BUDRICK, E. A. LYNN, and R. D. VETTER. (2008) Cryptic speciation in the vermilion rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) and the role of bathymetry in the speciation process. Molecular Ecology 17:4, 1122-1136 Online publication date: 1-Feb-2008. CrossRef A. J. Fowler, M. A. Steer, W. B. Jackson, and M. T. Lloyd. (2008) Population characteristics of southern sea garfish ( Hyporhamphus melanochir , Hemiramphidae) in South Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 59:5, 429 Online publication date: 1-Jan-2008. CrossRef K. M. Brander. (2007) Climate Change and Food Security Special Feature: Global fish production and climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 104:50, 19709-19714 Online publication date: 11-Dec-2007. CrossRef Lori Hosaka LaPlante, and Eric T. Schultz. (2007) Annual Fecundity of Tautog in Long Island Sound: Size Effects and Long-Term Changes in a Harvested Population. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:6, 1520-1533 Online publication date: 1-Nov-2007. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (337 KB) Julianne E. Harris, Richard S. McBride, and Roy O. Williams. (2007) Life History of Hickory Shad in the St. Johns River, Florida. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:6, 1463-1471 Online publication date: 1-Nov-2007. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (120 KB) R. J. Pears, J. H. Choat, B. D. Mapstone, and G. A. Begg. (2007) Reproductive biology of a large, aggregation-spawning serranid, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskl): management implications. Journal of Fish Biology 71:3, 795-817 Online publication date: 1-Sep-2007. CrossRef Selina S. Heppell. (2007) Elasticity Analysis of Green Sturgeon Life History. Environmental Biology of Fishes 79:3-4, 357-368 Online publication date: 28-Jun-2007. CrossRef Alan M. Friedlander, Eric K. Brown, and Mark E. Monaco. (2007) COUPLING ECOLOGY AND GIS TO EVALUATE EFFICACY OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN HAWAII. Ecological Applications 17:3, 715-730 Online publication date: 1-Apr-2007. CrossRef F Juanes. (2007) Role of habitat in mediating mortality during the post-settlement transition phase of temperate marine fishes. Journal of Fish Biology 70:3, 661-677 Online publication date: 1-Mar-2007. CrossRef Raphael D. Sagarin, Richard F. Ambrose, Bonnie J. Becker, John M. Engle, Janine Kido, Steven F. Lee, C. Melissa Miner, Steven N. Murray, Peter T. Raimondi, Dan Richards, and Christy Roe. (2006) Ecological impacts on the limpet Lottia gigantea populations: human pressure over a broad scale on island and mainland intertidal zones. Marine Biology 150:3, 399-413 Online publication date: 11-Dec-2006. CrossRef Chih-hao Hsieh, Christian S. Reiss, John R. Hunter, John R. Beddington, Robert M. May, and George Sugihara. (2006) Fishing elevates variability in the abundance of exploited species. Nature 443:7113, 859-862 Online publication date: 19-Oct-2006. CrossRef ELIZABETH A. GILBERT-HORVATH, RALPH J. LARSON, and JOHN CARLOS GARZA. (2006) Temporal recruitment patterns and gene flow in kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens). Molecular Ecology 15:12, 3801-3815 Online publication date: 1-Oct-2006. CrossRef Chris J. Harvey, Nick Tolimieri, and Phillip S. Levin. (2006) CHANGES IN BODY SIZE, ABUNDANCE, AND ENERGY ALLOCATION IN ROCKFISH ASSEMBLAGES OF THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC. Ecological Applications 16:4, 1502-1515 Online publication date: 1-Aug-2006. CrossRef LUCA M. CARGNELLI, and BRYAN D. NEFF. (2006) Condition-dependent nesting in bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus. Journal of Animal Ecology 75:3, 627-633 Online publication date: 1-May-2006. CrossRef Matthew R. Walsh, Stephan B. Munch, Susumu Chiba, and David O. Conover. (2006) Maladaptive changes in multiple traits caused by fishing: impediments to population recovery. Ecology Letters 9:2, 142-148 Online publication date: 1-Feb-2006. CrossRef Selina S. Heppell, Scott A. Heppell, Felicia C. Coleman, and Christopher C. Koenig. (2006) Models To Compare Management Options For A Protogynous Fish. Ecological Applications 16:1, 238 CrossRef John C. Field, André E. Punt, Richard D. Methot, and Cynthia J. Thomson. (2006) Does MPA mean 'Major Problem for Assessments'' Considering the consequences of place-based management systems. Fish and Fisheries 7:4, 284 CrossRef Jean-Marc Fromentin, and Joseph E Powers. (2005) Atlantic bluefin tuna: population dynamics, ecology, fisheries and management. Fish and Fisheries 6:4, 281-306 Online publication date: 1-Dec-2005. CrossRef P. K. Hershberger, N. E. Elder, J. Wittouck, K. Stick, and R. M. Kocan. (2005) Abnormalities in Larvae from the Once-Largest Pacific Herring Population in Washington State Result Primarily from Factors Independent of Spawning Location. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:2, 326-337 Online publication date: 1-Mar-2005. Abstract . Full Text . PDF (208 KB) Aaron Bartholomew, and James A. Bohnsack. (2005) A Review of Catch-and-Release Angling Mortality with Implications for No-take Reserves. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 15:1-2, 129-154 Online publication date: 1-Feb-2005. CrossRef Allen H. Andrews, Erica J. Burton, Lisa A. Kerr, Gregor M. Cailliet, Kenneth H. Coale, Craig C. Lundstrom, and Thomas A. Brown. (2005) Bomb radiocarbon and lead–radium disequilibria in otoliths of bocaccio rockfish ( Sebastes paucispinis ): a determination of age and longevity for a difficult-to-age fish. Marine and Freshwater Research 56:5, 517 Online publication date: 1-Jan-2005.