A SITE-BASED CONSERVATION APPROACH TO PROMOTE THE RECOVERY OF BANGGAI CARDINALFISH (Pterapogon kauderni) ENDEMIC POPULATIONS

Abstract


 The endemic Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is an Indonesian conservation priority with Endangered species. The goal of this research was to develop a site-based conservation concept appropriate from a bio-ecological viewpoint, based on the unusual characteristics of this species, in particular: (i) mouthbrooder with direct development, leading to reproductively isolated stocks and fine scale genetic structure; (ii) high level of reliance on habitat, in particular symbiosis with benthic animals providing protective micro-habitat. Methods used include review and analysis of published literature and unpublished data, including an analysis using the Marxan spatial planning software. We suggest several policy options and identify research needs, including: (i) base P. kauderni conservation (protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use) on stocks as the basic management unit; (ii) use data on P. kauderni genetic stocks in the zonation of the proposed Banggai Archipelago marine protected area (MPA); (iii) undertake further research to identify stocks/stock boundaries; (iv) apply the "BCF gardens" concept to fine-scale rebuilding of P. kauderni populations and enabling sustainable use through micro-habitat rehabilitation, with a community-based approach supported by a multi-phase scientific research program. The outputs from this study should support efforts towards sustainable management of the Banggai cardinalfish, particularly in the context of strategies to develop and manage an effective sub-national MPA.
 
 
 Keywords
 genetic stock; habitat/micro-habitat rehabilitation; community-based conservation; marine protected area; Marxan

Post-Tsunami monitoring of the introduced Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) population in Palu Bay

“…Several endemic P. kauderni populations have been severely depleted due to overexploitation and/or sharp declines in protective microhabitat, especially diadematid sea urchins, prompting calls for both passive active interventions to aid their recovery [24,25,32,33]. The fine-scale genetic structure of the endemic P. kauderni population with an estimated 20-30 putative Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) means that "re-stocking" should only be done with fish from the same ESU [25,26,34,35]. The "BCF Garden" concept for in-situ recovery is to promote P. kauderni reproductive success through increasing microhabitat availability [25,34,36].…”

“…The fine-scale genetic structure of the endemic P. kauderni population with an estimated 20-30 putative Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) means that "re-stocking" should only be done with fish from the same ESU [25,26,34,35]. The "BCF Garden" concept for in-situ recovery is to promote P. kauderni reproductive success through increasing microhabitat availability [25,34,36]. Despite positive results in controlled conditions [36], testing in the field is needed to validate this concept.…”

Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) monitoring in Bokan Kepulauan (2017-2021) highlights the need for the “BCF Garden” approach

“…The Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni is a marine fish with an unusually restricted endemic range [1], most of which (> 90%) is in the Banggai Archipelago, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia [1][2][3]. Often referred to by the abbreviation BCF, the Banggai cardinalfish has been traded and exported as an ornamental fish since the mid-1990s [4][5][6][7][8] and was classified as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2007 [9].…”

“…One implication of this finescale genetic population structure is that individuals should not be moved between ESUs, limiting the opportunities for recovery of depleted Banggai cardinalfish populations through restocking. At the same time, the extirpation of an ESU will mean irreparable loss of intra-species genetic diversity [2,3,5,11]. Therefore, it is essential to maintain each ESU, where necessary, by promoting the recovery of depleted populations.…”

“…One solution that has been proposed to facilitate the rehabilitation of depleted BCF populations (stocks/ESUs) is the "BCF Garden" concept which aims to promote natural reproductive processes [2]. This concept was inspired inter alia by the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) concept [42,43] suggested for Banggai cardinalfish management since 2004-2006 [6], the Indonesian Daerah Perlindungan Laut (DPL) community MPA concept [44], and nearly two decades of observation and research on the Banggai cardinalfish.…”