A critical review and knowledge gaps to assess and manage threatened parrotfishes’ stocks in Brazil

Puzzling parrotfishes: Radiocarbon age validation and updated longevity estimates for western Atlantic species in support of sustainable fisheries management

“…For management efforts to succeed in the region, a majority of local fishers must be supportive and willing to comply with regulations which is more likely when fishers are included in a stock assessment process that utilizes robust scientific evidence collected in collaboration with fishers, to evaluate the health of fish stocks [92,93]. Scientifically rigorous stock assessments require regional species-specific information on age-based key life history parameters, derived from validated age estimation methods, including population age structure, growth rates, maturity, sexual transition, longevity, and reproductive output [6,[9][10][11][12]. The Δ 14 C validation of age estimation methods for Caribbean parrotfishes from the current study means that these parameters can now be obtained for use in the sustainable management of Caribbean parrotfish species.…”

“…Parrotfishes are integral contributors to the ecosystem function and maintenance of shallow water coral reefs due to their roles as algal consumers and recyclers of coral skeletal material into copious amounts of sediment [1][2][3][4]. Parrotfishes also are important food fishes targeted by artisanal (small-scale) commercial fisheries throughout much of the Caribbean [5][6][7][8]. Despite their importance in Caribbean reef fisheries, parrotfishes are considered data-deficient/data-poor in terms of fisheries management due to a lack of species-specific information regarding population demographics.…”

“…The determination of population age structure is an essential component in addressing life history information gaps for Caribbean parrotfishes. Age estimates of individuals in a population are used with corresponding fish length data and information on sex to calculate growth rates, mortality, age/size at sexual maturity, and for sequential hermaphrodites such as parrotfish species, age/size at sexual transition; all are integral life history parameters used in fisheries management [6,[9][10][11][12]. Longevity (maximum age/ life span) is another important age-based fisheries management parameter that is used to obtain estimates related to survivorship and mortality [10][11][12].…”

“…2 Robertson and Van Tassell[85];3 Jones et al[20];4 Current study efforts;5 Stevens et al[86];6 Cunna et al[87], Roos et al[8], Roos et al[88];7 Freitas et al[76];8 Pinheiro et al[89];9 Xavier[72]; 10 Lessa et al[90];11 Gaspar [91];12 Rivera Herna ´ndez and Shervette[69];13 Van Rooij and Videler[70]. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302854.t003…”