Bonefish (Albula vulpes) home range to spawning site linkages support a marine protected area designation

Abstract

A spatial approach to coastal management, such as marine protected areas, is being increasingly used to address biodiversity and fishery declines resulting from habitat loss, degradation, and overfishing. This approach is especially applicable in regions and fisheries that are data poor, and which often lack regulations and adequate capacity for enforcement. In data‐poor situations, species that have economic, cultural, and charismatic value can provide leverage for ecosystem protection. In this study, acoustic telemetry was used to confirm a pre‐spawning aggregation site, acting as critical information for protection of essential habitat for bonefish. Additionally, data sharing with an acoustic telemetry study on smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) documented linkages between the pre‐spawning aggregation site and bonefish home ranges ≥70 km distant, thus providing an estimate of the catchment area. These data provided post hoc support for a marine national park designated in 2002, and demonstrate that the park is of the appropriate spatial scale.

A stakeholder-engaged approach to evaluating spawning aggregation management as a strategy for conserving bonefish (Albula vulpes) in Cuba

“…Generally, Cuban MPAs that harbour ecotourism activities, such as SCUBA diving and fly-fishing, have healthier ecosystems than other MPAs and unprotected areas in Cuba (Pina-Amargós et al 2021 ). The recreational fishery has a relatively low environmental impact, as it is C&R with generally high post-release survival (Cooke et al 2006 ), which also supports sustainable economies associated with ecotourism (Danlychuk et al 2007 ; Adams et al 2021 ). For example, JDR and Canarreos are older MPAs supported by legislation that restricts fishing for bonefish and tarpon in nearby gulfs: The Gulf of Ana María and Gulf of Batabanó (Fig.…”

“…This fishery maintains local livelihoods by providing well-paying jobs that are directly linked to the tourism industry, with additional jobs in transport, logistics and hospitality (Figueredo-Martín et al 2010 ). The economic value of the flats fishery should provide leverage for developing sustainable management measures to safeguard critical fish habitats and life-cycle events, such as fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) (Erisman et al 2017 ; Adams et al 2021 ).…”

Biophysical larval dispersal models of observed bonefish (Albula vulpes) spawning events in Abaco, The Bahamas: An assessment of population connectivity and ocean dynamics

“…The Bahamas has established 77 marine protected areas (MPAs), marine managed areas (MMAs), fisheries reserves, ecological reserves, and national parks that protect marine and shore habitats [ 129 ], with bonefish as a focal species for habitat protection in some of these areas. Tagging studies focusing on the movements of bonefish from home flats to PSA locations [ 14 , 48 ] helped to inform park inclusion of bonefish habitats. Data on nursery habitats and settlement patterns did not exist for consultation and incorporation into spatial management plans.…”

“…Currently, eight PSAs have been identified in The Bahamas [ 44 , 46 ] and two in Belize [ 47 ]. Home ranges that contribute to the formation of a PSA can be up to 118 km away [ 14 , 48 ]. From the nearshore PSA location, bonefish move offshore at dusk to spawn [ 44 , 45 , 49 ].…”

“…From the nearshore PSA location, bonefish move offshore at dusk to spawn [ 44 , 45 , 49 ]. These tagging studies have helped to establish and support laws mandating catch-and-release fisheries [ 34 , 50 ], community-based management [ 51 , 52 ], and national park designations that protect vulnerable coastal habitats [ 48 ].…”