Using species connectivity to achieve coordinated large-scale marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea

Gajdzik, Laura; Green, Alison L.; Cochran, Jesse E. M.; Hardenstine, Royale S.; Tanabe, Lyndsey K.; Berumen, Michael L.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112244

Cited by 19 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The success of conservation efforts for animals that migrate between habitats when they reproduce (e.g., birds: Egevang et al, 2010;fish: Tamario et al, 2019;sea turtles: Russell et al, 2005) depends on understanding their population biology as well as the distribution of important habitats and the connections among these habitats in the context of threatening processes that may be encountered (Martin et al, 2007;Lascelles et al, 2014;Gajdzik et al, 2021). Because migrations for reproduction vary in length depending on the species and the distance between the habitats (Luschi, 2013;Lascelles et al, 2014;Dunn et al, 2019), the routes followed may cross international borders and, as a result, migrating animals may encounter different anthropogenic threats in different jurisdictions (López-Hoffman et al, 2017;Palacios-Abrantes et al, 2020;Gajdzik et al, 2021). Specific details concerning the distribution and use of important habitats and the connecting migratory routes are needed on an appropriate scale so that regional ecosystem management options can be coordinated and tailored to reduce threatening processes (Rees et al, 2016;Lagabrielle et al, 2018;Hernandez-Avila et al, 2020;Gajdzik et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because migrations for reproduction vary in length depending on the species and the distance between the habitats (Luschi, 2013;Lascelles et al, 2014;Dunn et al, 2019), the routes followed may cross international borders and, as a result, migrating animals may encounter different anthropogenic threats in different jurisdictions (López-Hoffman et al, 2017;Palacios-Abrantes et al, 2020;Gajdzik et al, 2021). Specific details concerning the distribution and use of important habitats and the connecting migratory routes are needed on an appropriate scale so that regional ecosystem management options can be coordinated and tailored to reduce threatening processes (Rees et al, 2016;Lagabrielle et al, 2018;Hernandez-Avila et al, 2020;Gajdzik et al, 2021). This is particularly important in a marginal sea such as the Red Sea, wherein the majority of the coastal margin is managed by six countries (two other countries border the Gulf of Aqaba) (PERSGA, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the existing marine protected areas in the Red Sea do not seem to provide the level of protective conservation management needed by very mobile and migratory species (i.e., dugong, turtles, and sharks, Rouphael et al, 2015). At least part of this situation stems from the lack of information concerning the migratory routes and habitats used by these marine species in the region (Gajdzik et al, 2021). Understanding the connectivity among important habitats (i.e., foraging areas, nesting sites) and the routes used to connect them is essential to development of effective conservation practices (Bolker et al, 2007;Dunn et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a better understanding of the migration patterns of marine species is necessary to support conservation efforts and to identify potential areas of threatening processes in the Red Sea (Gajdzik et al, 2021), particularly for species that are globally or regionally at risk. Of the five species of sea turtles that occur in the Red Sea, at least infrequently (Mancini et al, 2015), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) are regularly observed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Satellite Tracking of Post-nesting Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) From Ras Baridi, Red Sea

Al-Mansi¹,

Sambas

Abukaboos

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Identifying migratory pathways and linking nesting sites to foraging areas is essential for effective conservation management of migratory species, such as marine turtles. Post-nesting marine turtles disperse from their nesting sites to multiple foraging areas located from a few to hundreds of kilometers away. Over a six-year period 16 female green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were equipped with satellite transmitters between October and December of five nesting seasons to determine their migratory routes from their nesting area at five contiguous beaches at Ras Baridi, Saudi Arabia, to their foraging areas. All foraging areas for these turtles were located in shallow coastal areas or in shallow areas around offshore islands within the Red Sea basin. The majority (n = 12) migrated through the shallow (<200 m) water along the coastal margin to reach foraging areas located to the North (n = 4) and South (n = 12) of the nesting site. Four turtles crossed the deep trough of the Red Sea during their journeys. Ten of the 16 turtles migrated to foraging areas within the territorial waters of Saudi Arabia. The other six turtles migrated to foraging areas in Egypt (n = 4) and Eritrea (n = 2). These 16 turtles traveled between 130 and 1749 km from their nesting site to foraging areas located in the northern, middle and southern parts of the Red Sea. Because these turtles utilized foraging areas in at least three countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Eritrea) and one passed through the territorial waters of Sudan, conservation and management of green turtles in the Red Sea requires multinational cooperation to address anthropogenic threats in the region.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Satellite Tracking of Post-nesting Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) From Ras Baridi, Red Sea

Al-Mansi¹,

Sambas

Abukaboos

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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“…Yet, such a portfolio needs to consider legal, political, and institutional requirements to be successful (Green et al, 2014). Our analysis revealed that coral reefs in nations bordering the Red Sea share populations of species of fisheries and conservation priority (e.g., Gajdzik et al, 2021;Priest et al, 2016) and crucially serve as insurance policies for one another to mitigate the destructive impacts of coral bleaching.…”

Section: Con Clus Ionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A portfolio of climate‐tailored approaches to advance the design of marine protected areas in the Red Sea

Gajdzik

DeCarlo

Aylagas

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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Intensified coastal development is compromising the health and functioning of marine ecosystems. A key example of this is the Red Sea, a biodiversity hotspot subjected to increasing local human pressures. While some marine‐protected areas (MPAs) were placed to alleviate these stressors, it is unclear whether these MPAs are managed or enforced, thus providing limited protection. Yet, most importantly, MPAs in the Red Sea were not designed using climate considerations, likely diminishing their effectiveness against global stressors. Here, we propose to tailor the design of MPAs in the Red Sea by integrating approaches to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation. First, including coral bleaching susceptibility could produce a more resilient network of MPAs by safeguarding reefs from different thermal regions that vary in spatiotemporal bleaching responses, reducing the risk that all protected reefs will bleach simultaneously. Second, preserving the basin‐wide genetic connectivity patterns that are assisted by mesoscale eddies could further ensure recovery of sensitive populations and maintain species potential to adapt to environmental changes. Finally, protecting mangrove forests in the northern and southern Red Sea that act as major carbon sinks could help offset greenhouse gas emissions. If implemented with multinational cooperation and concerted effort among stakeholders, our portfolio of climate‐tailored approaches may help build a network of MPAs in the Red Sea that protects more effectively its coastal resources against escalating coastal development and climate instability. Beyond the Red Sea, we anticipate this study to serve as an example of how to improve the utility of tropical MPAs as climate‐informed conservation tools.

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Crowdsourced data reveal multinational connectivity, population demographics, and possible nursery ground of endangered oceanic manta rays in the Red Sea

Knochel

Cochran

Kattan

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Despite the large size and economic value of the species, populations of oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) are often poorly studied and almost completely undescribed in the Red Sea. Here, photo-identification (photo-ID) was used to provide the first description of M. birostris movement patterns and population demographics for the northern Red Sea. 2. Images collated from social media, researchers, and photo-ID databases from 2004 to 2021 identified 267 individual M. birostris from 395 sightings in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. Sexual parity was observed in the population with 134 females, 111 males, and 22 individuals of undetermined sex. Nearly half of the individuals in this study were first identified through social media searches, highlighting the value of the sightings data collected by the public. 3. The regular presence of juveniles in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, indicates that this area is a potential nursery, which is the second identified for this species globally and the first in the Indo-Pacific. Encounter data from this study recorded the first known movements of juvenile M. birostris and demonstrate that they can travel long distances of at least 525 km. 4. Within the recorded population, 24.7% (n = 67) of individuals were resighted, including 21 oceanic manta rays that were encountered in more than one location. These records reveal long-distance migrations of up to 700 km and confirm the international connectivity of M. birostris in the Red Sea. The lagged identification rate data are best fitted with an open-population model, implying that the northern Red Sea is represented by one well-mixed population. 5. The baseline data presented here should encourage the expansion of directed research and citizen science initiatives for M. birostris. Increased knowledge of movement patterns and site use will be crucial to successfully protecting this

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Using species connectivity to achieve coordinated large-scale marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea

Cited by 19 publications

References 44 publications

Satellite Tracking of Post-nesting Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) From Ras Baridi, Red Sea

Satellite Tracking of Post-nesting Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) From Ras Baridi, Red Sea

A portfolio of climate‐tailored approaches to advance the design of marine protected areas in the Red Sea

Crowdsourced data reveal multinational connectivity, population demographics, and possible nursery ground of endangered oceanic manta rays in the Red Sea

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