LIBRO DE RESÚMENES

Auspiciado por:

Fundación MarViva

9 Noviembre 2015 – 13 Noviembre 2015

68ava

Reunión Anual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Ciudad Panamá, Panamá

ii *Estudiente

GCFI desea expresar agradecimiento a los

patrocinadores de la 68ava

Conferencia Anual

TIBURON MARTILLO

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

MARVIVA

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC

ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED

NATIONS

CARIBBEAN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS MANAGERS

NETWORK AND FORUM

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

BIOPAMA PROGRAMME IUCN REGIONAL OFFICE FOR

MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

CARIBBEAN LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM PROJECT

MARALLIANCE

NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM

SHELL

CORVINA

THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA

INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISH ASSOCIATION

ALCALDÍA DE PANAMÁ

ARAP

AUTORIDAD DE TURISMO

ANCHOVETA

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISH ASSOCIATION

LGL

FUNDACIÓN ALBATROS

SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAMS OF FLORIDA, PUERTO RICO AND

THE GULF OF MEXICO

CARIBBEAN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK AND FORUM

UMIP

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

REEF

iv *Estudiente

SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

ACP

PATRONATO PANAMÁ VIEJO

OPEN BLUE

MINESTERIO DE AMBIENTE

FUNDACIÓN NATURA

FUNAPESCA

ANDALAIPP

PESQUEROS

DELL COMPUTERS

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE WEST INDIAN MUSEUM OF PANAMA

PROGRAMA 68TH REUNIÓN ANNUAL GULF AND CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE

Panama City - Panama 9-13 NOVIEMBRE 2015

Sabado y Domingo, Noviembre 7 y 8

Actividades antes de la reunión

Sabado

8:00-17:00 Séptima reunión del Grupo Asesor Científico (SAG), de la Comisión de Pesca para el Atlántico

Centro-Occidental (COPACO)

Domingo

8:00-17:00 Séptima reunión del Grupo Asesor Científico (SAG), de la Comisión de Pesca para el

Atlántico Centro-Occidental (COPACO)

14:00 Reunión de la Junta Directiva del GCFI

19:30 Reunión social de estudiantes (estudiantes certificados y miembros del Cuerpo Directivo del GCFI; terraza del restaurante Arts)

Lunes, Noviembre 9

CEREMONIA DE APERTURA

Jefe del Programa: Alejandro Acosta, GCFI

INVITADOS ILUSTRES

Palabras de Apertura

8:00 - 8:50 Emilio Sempris Viceministro Ministerio de Ambiente

MSc. Ivan Flóres Administrador General de la Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá

José I. Blandón Alcalde de la Ciudad de Panamá

2 *Estudiente

Dr. Jorge A. Jiménez

Director General Fundación MarViva

Graciela García-Moliner

¨Presidente del Cuerpo de Directores del GCFI

Conferencia Magistral

9:00 John Odgen Cincuenta años de cambio en los ecosistemas costeros del Gran Caribe y el Pacífico Oriental Tropical - con la mirada puesta en el futuro

Periodo de preguntas y comentarios

Leroy Creswell GCFI, Secretario Ejecutivo; Toque de campana

10:00 Receso de café

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Sesión de Ordenamiento Espacial Marino. Moderador: Jorge A.Jiménez

(Auspiciado por Fundacion MarViva)

10:30-10:42 Jimenez, Jorge Ordenamiento Espacial Marino en países Centroamericanos: Enfoque conceptual y metodológico

10:42-10:54 Howard, Marion Retos para la implementación del Manejo Espacial Marino regional: el caso del AMP Seaflower, Archipiélago de San Andrés

10:54-11:06 Musco, Francesco

La Planificación del Espacio Marítimo: Implementando las directrices Europeas (2014/89/Eu) sobre Ordenamiento Espacial Marino en la region Adriatico-Jonica

11:06-11:18 Johnson, Ayana El proyecto del Halo azul para la zonificación del océano

11:18-11:30 Walker, Brian Organización de los arrecifes coralinos de La Florida: Ayudando a La Florida suroriental a tomar recomendaciones basadas en la ciencia

11:30-11:42 Guzmán, Héctor M.

Ordenamiento espacial del tráfico marítimo regional y reducción potencial de las colisiones con cetáceos en el Pacifico Oriental

11:42-11:57 *Mateos-Molina, Daniel

Marxan como herramienta clave para apoyar el plan de manejo del nuevo corredor marino del noreste de Puerto Rico

11:57-12:09 Ramos Alvarez, Antares

Esquema de manejo para el corredor marino del noreste de Puerto Rico: un enfoque integrativo

12:09-12:24 *Knowles, Lindy Mapeo de hábitats marinos en Barbados: Desarrollo de un sistema de clasificación de hábitat, y aplicación de la teledetección y la verificación de campo sobre el terreno mediante video-estudios

12:24-12:36 Pacheco Rovira, Lucas

Ordenamiento Espacial Marino: evaluación de cierres espacio-temporales a través del análisis del cociente entre las capturas incidentales y las capturas comerciales

12:36-14:00 Receso de Almuerzo

Sesión paralela:

Taller de NOAA: Evaluación del estado actual y exploración de la aplicación de métodos de evaluación poblacional con pocos datos en la región del Gran Caribe (30-50 participantes)

2nd Taller de Trabajo Regional de peces de pico: gestion y conservacion dentro del plano del

grupo de trabajo de pesca recreacional de WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CFMC (por invitación)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS Socio-economia y gobernanza, Moderador: Patrick McConney (Auspiciado por

Fundacion Natura)

13:45-14:00 Hernández-Velasco, Arturo

Buzas de la isla Natividad: inspirando la conservación en la península de Baja California

14:00-14:15 Pompa Mansilla, Sandra

Las pescadoras de Teacapán, Sinaloa y su papel en la cadena productiva

14:15-14:30 Phillips, Todd Pargo rojo: éxito a través de una gobernanza firme en el Golfo de México de los Estados Unidos

14:30-14:45 Valbo Jørgensen, John

El conocimiento de los pescadores y el enfoque ecosistémico de la pesca

14:45-15:00 Perry, Ruth Asociaciones público-privadas para monitoreo ambiental en la costa afuera del Golfo de México

15:00-15:15 Manjarres Martinez, Luis

Integrando el conocimiento de los pescadores de pequeña escala y el conocimiento científico para propósito de manejo basado en tallas

15:15-15:30 *Molina Hernández, Ana Lilia

Caracterización espacial y línea base de la ictiofauna del nuevo refugio pesquero en Akumal, Quintana Roo

15:30-15:45 Ramirez, Silja Diseño participativo de refugios pesqueros como una herramienta de manejo y conectividad de ecosistemas y recursos marino costeros

15:45-16:00 Del Cid, Vicente Estándar de responsabilidad ambiental para la comercialización de pescado de mar: Herramienta para la gestión responsable de la demanda

16:00 Receso de café

GCFI Forum de Pescadores — Tema de la sesion: Financiamiento a pescadores – historias de éxito. Moderador: Will Heyman (Auspiciado por FAO y Shell)

16:30-16:40 Heyman, Will Introducción a lainiciativa de Pescador a Pescador (F4F), el Premio Gladding (GMA) y el tema de foro de los pescadores de 2015

16:40-16:50 Ruiz, Abel La Asociación de Pescadores Artesanales de Hicaco: un ejemplo de pesca y comercio sostenible en el Área de Recursos Manejados Humedal

4 *Estudiente

Golfo de Montijo

16:50-17:00 Naal Kumul, Magdiel

El papel de los pescadores en el monitoreo y conservación de los recursos marinos: el caso de Punta Allen, México

17:00-17:10 Machazeck, Martha

La Asociación de Pescadores Artesanales Unidos de Bocas del Toro: un grupo que evoluciona adaptándose a los cambios de una manera sostenible

17:10-17:20 George, Earl Financiamiento de la Asociación Nacional de Cooperativa de Pescadores en Dominica

17:20-17:30 Hickman, Scott La Asociación de Pescadores Fleteros: Trabajando hacia la sostenibilidad de las pesquerías en el Golfo de México

17:30-17:40 Gallardo, Neil Financiamiento de iniciativas de los pescadores en Colombia: el papel de asociaciones público-privadas

17:40-18:00 Lay, Mitchell De Pescador a Pescador y Premio Gladding 2015: Progreso y Planes

18:00 Cierre Clausura de la sesión

19:30 Coctel de Bienvenida y palabras de apertura de Robert Glazer, Director Ejecutivo del GCFI e Ivan Flores, Administrador General de la ARAP (Auspiciado por la Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá)

Martes, Noviembre 10

Sesión Paralela:

2nd Taller de Trabajo Regional del peces de pico, gestion y conservacion dentro del plano del grupo de trabajo de pesca recreacional de WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CFMC (por invitación) (continuación)

Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) Meeting

Taller de NOAA: Evaluación del estado actual y exploración de la aplicación de métodos de evaluación poblacional con pocos datos en la región del Gran Caribe (30-50 participantes)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Ecosistema de la plataforma continental: Pesquerías demersales Moderador: Arthur Potts (Auspiciado por Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

8:00-8:15 *Burgos, Itzigueri

Biología reproductiva de la raya eléctrica Narcine entemedor, en la bahía de La Paz, B.C.S., México

8:15-8:25 Williams Michaels

Una encuesta de las pesquerías globales con un enfoque ecosistémico para la promoción del manejo costero integrado

8:25-8:40 *Garner, Steven B.

Una metodología basada en vehículos operados a distancia para la estimación directa de la selectividad del pargo rojo, Lutjanus campechanus por el palangre de fondo

8:40-8:50 Mudrak, Peter Uso del muestreo acústico para estimar las poblaciones del pargo rojo, Lutjanus campechanus, en el norte del Golfo de México

8:50-9:00 McKinzie, Megan

Estimaciones de fidelidad de sitio y residencia para el pejepuerco blanco, Balistes capriscus, utilizando telemetría alrededor de arrecifes artificiales en el norte del Golfo de México

9:00-9:15 *Jordan, Linda Comunidades de peces de arrecifes mesofóticos en los vestigios de dos bancos coralinos-algales al sur de Texas: “north hospital” y “hospital”

9:15-9:25 Hicks, David Censos de peces en arrecifes artificiales: conteos y categorías-logarítmicas resultan en diferentes estimaciones de diversidad

9:25-9:35 Giro Petersen, Ana

Evaluación y Reporte Participativo sobre la Salud y las Acciones de Manejo en el arrecife Mesoamericano

9:35-9:45 Beets, James Estructura comunitaria de peces en una pequeña isla del caribe muestra mejoras tras décadas de perturbación: resultados de un proyecto de monitoreo de 25 años

9:45-9:55 Albins, Mark Composición de la comunidad de los peces en los arrecifes artificiales del noreste del Golfo de México, antes y después del derrame de petróleo del Deepwater Horizon

10:00 Receso de café

10:15 Arrecifes y ecosistemas asociados: Pesquerías arrecifales y agregaciones de desove Moderador: Martin Russell, Co-Moderadora: Yvonne Sadovy Auspiciado por SCRFA)

10:15-10:25 Appeldoorn, Richard

Los patrones espacio-temporales en las agregaciones reproductivas del mero cabrilla, Epinephelus guttatus, de la costa oeste de Puerto Rico: Evidencia a partir del monitoreo de sonidos asociados al cortejo

10:25-10:40 *Sanchez, Phillip

Patrones acusticos de la agregación de desove del mero negro, Mycteroperca bonaci en Puerto Rico y el sur de La Florida

10:40-10:55 *Biggs, Christopher

Áreas funcionales de migración: Los pargos perro y cubera en las agregaciones reproductivas de las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU

10:55-11:05 Russell, Martin

Agregaciones reproductivas de peces: Comparando el Océano Pacífico con el Golfo y el Caribe

10:05-11:15 Calosso, Marta

Evaluación de la explotación de las agregaciones reproductivas del mero Nassau (Epinephelus striatus) a través del conocimiento de los pescadores y el análisis de los desembarques

11:15-11:30 Donaldson, Terry

La diversidad en el comportamiento reproductivo de los peces loro en un sitio residente de agregación reproductiva

11:30-11:40 Vega, Angel Javier

Primer reporte de agregaciones de desove para los pargos seda (Lutjanus peru) y mancha (L. guttatus) (perciformes: Lutjanidae) en el Parque Nacional Coiba, Pacífico de Panamá

11:40-11:50 Burns Perez, Virginia

Seguimiento de una agregación reproductiva en Punto Noreste Atolón de Glover, a través de un enfoque participativo

11:50-12:00 McCoy, Croy Mismo sitio, muchas especies: Estudio de un año de un sitio de agregación reproductiva de peces en Little Caimán, Islas Caimán, y las corrientes oceánicas que preceden a la actividad reproductiva, incluyendo la noche de desove durante 40 días

6 *Estudiente

utilizando derivadores Lagranian.

12:00-12:10 Nemeth, Rick Descripción del desove y movimiento del pargo criollo (Lutjanus analis) en las islas Vírgenes de los EE.UU.

12:10-12:20 Caamal Madrigal, Jacobo Alejandro

La protección de sitios de agregaciones reproductivas de peces en México a través de la participación comunitaria

12:20-12:30 Sadovy, Yvonne

Restablecimiento de una agregacion reproductiva de tres especies de mero: lecciones y implicaciones para manejo y monitoreo

Sadovy, Yvonne Conclusiones

12:00-14:00 Receso de almuerzo

Presentación especial y discusión sobre el Observatorio del Caribe para las Áreas Protegidas y la Biodiversidad – Organizado por BIOPAMA (IUCN y EC-JRC)

12:30

Excursión de los Pescadores: Visitas a Puerto Caimito, famosa comunida pesquera, sede de la mayoría de la flota artisanal y industrial y lugar de nacimiento del jugador de grandes ligas Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees), hijo de un pescador (Auspiciado por FAO, ANDELAIPP y FUNAPESCA)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Simposio en los avances en la investigacion, manejo y conservacion de los tiburones y rayas del

Caribe. Moderadora: Rachel Graham (Auspiciado por MarAlliance)

13:45-14:15 Fowler, Sarah Conferencia Magistral

14:15-14:30 Rodríguez

Arriatti, Yehudi Caracterización de la pesca de tiburones en Panamá

14:30-14:45 Tavares, Rafael Áreas de cría de tiburones de las islas oceánicas tropicales y su importancia para la conservación de sus poblaciones

14:45-15:00 Driggers III, William

Comparación de los ensamblajes históricos y actuales, distribuciones y la abundancia relativa de tiburones en el Golfo de México y el Mar Caribe como se deduce del análisis de datos de captura palangrera

15:00-15:15 Graham, Rachel

Monitoreo estandarizado participativo de tiburones y rayas en países con arrecifes coralinos tropicales: Resultados y perspectivas

15:15-15:30 Haas, Andrea El valor y significado de los tiburones en Las Bahamas: Valoración económica de no-consumirlos como herramienta para conservar a los elasmobranquios

15:30-15:45 Pina Amargos, Fabian

Caracterización de la composición de tiburones en el archipiélago Jardines de la Reina y su vecino Golfo de Ana María, Cuba

15:45-16:00 Baremore, Ivy Pesquerías emergentes de las aguas profundas del arrecife Mesoamericano

16:00-16:15 Kessel, Steven Captura por Unidad de Esfuerzo del tiburon limón (Negaprion brevirostris) a lo largo de tres décadas de pesca de palangre en Bimini, Bahamas

16:15 Receso de café

Simposio en los Avances avances en la Investigacioninvestigacion, manejo y conservacion de los tiburones y rayas del Caribe. Moderadora: Rachel Graham (auspiciado Auspiciado por MarAlliance)

(Continuación)

16:30-16:45 Navia, Andres Felipe

Movimientos de Dasyatis americana en las isla de San Andres, Caribe Colombiano

16:45-17:00 * Jones, Elizabeth

Los recientes avances en cuanto al papel de los corticosteroides en la respuesta al estrés de elasmobranquios

17:00-17:15 Ali, Lauren Una evaluación biológica de la pesquería de tiburón en Trinidad y Tobago

17:15-17:30 Bond, Mark Funcion ecologica y la conservacion del único tiburon arrecifal del Atlantico, Carcharhinus perezi

17:30-17:45 Drinkwater, Eleanor

El desarrollo de un plan para la gestión de los tiburones en las Bermudas: Un método alternativo

17:45-18:00 Hoffmayer, Eric Evaluación a largo plazo de la conectividad de la población de tiburones ballena usando foto-identificación en el océano Atlántico Occidental

19:00-

21:00

Sesion de carteles (Con cócteles y aperitivos: Organizado por el GCFIy Auspiciado por

la Alcaldía de Panamá)

Los presentadores de los carteles identificados con números impares deben estar en disponibles entre las 19:00 y 20:00. Los de los carteles con números pares entre las 20:00 y las 21:00

Cordinadores de la sesión de carteles: Nancy Brown-Peterson, Mark Peterson

1 Rindone, Ryan Recolección de datos dependiente de la pesca: opciones para cada

gerente de pesca

2 Rivera-Hernández,

Jesús

Llenando vacíos de información críticos en la pesquería con poca

cantidad de datos: Información preliminar sobre la edad, el

crecimiento y la reproducción en el peje puerco reina

3 Sanz , Nicolas En la búsqueda de un modelo adecuado para las pesquerías

4 Kadison, Elizabeth Patrones de movimiento de mero tigre (Mycteroperca tigris) en sitios

de agregación de desove en las Islas Virgenes de los Estados Unidos y

Puerto Rico

5 Scharer-Umpierre,

Michelle

La variabilidad temporal en una concentración de desove de la cherna criolla

(Epinephelus striatus)

6 Chávez Hidalgo,

Alejandra

Caracterización de la comunidad del arrecife de Mahahual, México

7 Melancon, Ashley El rendimiento de una matriz de control acústico en un sistema

estuario de Louisiana

8 Aldana Aranda,

Dalila

Colonizacion de microalgas epibiontes en la fase larvas del molusco

gasterópodo Strombus gigas

8 *Estudiente

9 Lozano, German Modelamiento de las relaciones biométricas de las jaibas azul

(Callinectes sapidus) y jaiba roja (Callinectes bocourti) precedentes de

la pesquería artesanal en la zona noroccidental de la Ciénaga Grande

de Santa Marta, Caribe Colombiano

10 Lozano, German Identificación de las señales de premuda en la jaiba roja (Callinectes

bocourti, Milne, Eduarws, 1879)

11 Matos-Caraballo,

Daniel

Semblanza de la pesquería de carrucho (Lobatus gigas) en Puerto

Rico durante 1998-2013

12 Matos-Caraballo,

Daniel

Semblanza de la pesquería de langosta espinosa (Panulirus argus) en

Puerto Rico durante 1998-2013

13 Molina, Laura Algunas especies de pepinos de mar (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

de zonas rocosas intermareales del pacífico de Panamá

14 De La Cruz Abreu,

Francia

Evaluación de las poblaciones de holoturias en Bahía Las Calderas,

Peravia y Laguna Manglares de Puerto Viejo, Azua, República

Dominicana

15 Rodriguez Gil, Luis

Alfonso

La pesca del pepino de mar en Yucatan, Mexico y el análisis del

recurso desde su captura hasta su comercializacion en dos

cooperativas pesqueras

16 Hernández Perea.

Fred

Diversidad larval de gasterópodos en el Gran Caribe

17 Aranda Fragoso,

Adán

De la implementación de una zona de exclusión pesquera y

recomendaciones para una participación social efectiva

18 Belmont, Julie Lineamientos de monitoreo para el entendimiento a largo plazo del

estado y las tendencias de los arrecifes coralinos del Caribe

19 Belmont, Julie Mejora del monitoreo a largo plazo de arrecifes de coral en la región

del Gran Caribe: Logros iniciales del GCRMN-Caribe

20 Bervoets, Tadzio Uso de herramientas de valoración de los ecosistemas para

establecer áreas protegidas, promulgar la conservación de especies y

aplicar planes de manejo resilientes en pequeños estados insulares

en desarrollo

21 Gomez, Diana

Isabel

Áreas Marinas Protegidas en Colombia emblema de protección para

Arrecifes de coral

22 Marcos Camacho,

Sergio A.

Primera evaluación de la megafauna en el Caribe Mexicano:

Indicador clave de la recuperación de la biodiversidad en refugios

pesqueros

23 de la Guardia

Llansó, Elena

Aporte al conocimiento de las pesquerías de escama en el Parque

Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba

24 Ince, Danielle La ciencia en las zonas marinas protegidas, un enfoque al manejo de

la calidad de agua desde las crestas hasta los arrecifes

25 Perera Valderrama,

Susana

Evaluación del estado de los arrecifes de coral en dos áreas marinas

protegidas en el Caribe bajo diferentes regímenes de uso

26 Doyle, Emma Desde objetivos compartidos hacia el monitoreo conjunto y el

desarrollo de estrategias de manejo adaptativo para AMPs

biológicamente conectadas en Las Granadinas

27 *Garces, Yuliesky Distribución, abundancia y transporte larval de tres especies

endémicas de la familia Sciaenidae en el alto Golfo de California

28 *González, María

de los Ángeles

Variación espacio temporal de los desembarcos circuntropicales de

Trichiurus lepturus: Un estudio de caso en el Golfo de Salamanca,

Mar Caribe de Colombia

29 Duarte, Luis

Orlando

Caracterización de la dieta de Thunnus atlanticus en la Isla de San

Andrés, Mar Caribe de Colombia

30 Merten, Wessley Evaluación preliminar de la pesquería y dinámica de peces que

merodean un arreglo de dispositivo agregadores de peces

estacionarios (EAD) en San Juan, Puerto Rico

31 *Marrugo

Marmolejo,

Cristhian Eduardo

Tamaño óptimo de malla para la captura artesanal de cojinoa negra

Caranx crysos con redes de enmalle

32 Appeldoorn,

Richard

Haciendo frente a la realidad: tendencias a largo plazo en la captura y

composición de la pesca en Puerto Rico

33 Vega, Angle Javier Análisis biológico y pesquero de los pargos seda (L. peru), macha (L.

guttatus) y amarillo (L. argentiventris) en el Parque Nacional Coiba y

su zona de iInfluencia

34 Cabrera, Delmis Evaluación espacial y temporal de las asociaciones de peces

arrecifales en cuatro localidades de Cuba

35 *Rincón-Díaz,

Martha Patricia

Vacíos de información en los roles tróficos de peces arrecifales del

Caribe

36 *Rincón-Díaz,

Martha Patricia

Cambios espaciales de la diversidad funcional íctica en el Caribe

Estadounidese

37 Vergara-Chen,

Carlos

Pesquerías y biodiversidad marina en Panamá: Desafíos para la

sostenibilidad

38 *Martinez, Arled Conocimiento del comportamiento del pargo rayado (Lutjanus

synagris) como una herramienta para mejorar la selectividad de

nasas e implementar ventanas de escape para disminuir el by-catch y

la pesca fantasma

39 Arceo, Patricia Los peces más valiosos. Precio y nivel trófico en una pesquería

arrecifal

40 *Delgado R., Teófila

M.

Estructura comunitaria de peces arrecifales en el Parque Nacional

Coiba, Panamá

41 *Nóh-Quiñones, Patrón de distribución de los ovocitos en las gónadas de doncella de

10 *Estudiente

Virginia pluma Lachnolaimus maximus (Perciformes: Labridae)

42 Parkyn, Daryl No todos los peces arrecifales son iguales, cuando se trata de

sobrevivir a la liberación después de la captura

43 Mejia, Paola

Andrea

Composición de batoideos atrapados con redes de enmalle

artesanales en Bahia de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

44 Pabon-Aldana,

Karen

Observaciones biológicas preliminares de Rhinoptera steindachneri

Evermann & Jenkins, 1891 en la bahía de la Paz, Baja California Sur,

México

45 Guttridge, Tristan Presencia y uso del hábitat del pez sierra de dientes pequeños en

peligro crítico de extinción (Pristis pectinata) Latham, 1794 en Las

Bahamas

46 Bervoets, Tadzio El Proyecto de conservación de tiburones en el Caribe Holandes

47 Augustinus, Ana Ely Primer registro de Isistius plutodus para la costa Atlántica de

Honduras y el uso de la dentición en la identificación taxonómica de

tiburones

48 Cuervo , Carlos Cambio histórico en la estructura de tamaño y abundancia de peces

óseos demersales y elasmobranquios del Caribe Colombiano

49 Ramirez, Silja Tiburones y rayas del Caribe Guatemalteco

50 Figueredo Martín,

Tamara

Valor económico de los tiburones y rayas para el buceo

contemplativo en el Parque Nacional Jardines de La Reina, Cuba

51 Franke Ante,

Rebeca

Gestión regional orientada a la conservación de tiburones

52 Graham, Rachel Análisis dependiente e independiente de la pesca de tiburones

martillo en peligro de extinción en el arrecife Mesoamericano

53 Simpson, Nikola Tiburones de Barbados

54 Torres-Talamante,

Olmo

Estudio independiente de la pesca sobre los tiburones y las rayas en

Banco Chinchorro, México

55 Chapman Demian La huella global de la aleta

56 Lambert, Faith Las respuestas individuales al estrés en la raya del Atlántico

incluyendo los posibles efectos a largo plazo sobre la recuperación y

la aptitude

57 Sulikowski, James Variación estacional y de por vida en la ecología reproductiva de un

major depredador marino, el tiburón tigre (Galeocerdo cuvier), en un

sitio protegido para la agregación de hembras

58 Oceane, Beaufort Los diferentes métodos para mejorar el conocimiento sobre los

tiburones y las rayas en Las Antillas Francesas

59 Baremore, Ivy Análisis integrado de una larga serie de datos de telemetría acústica

revela información sobre el uso y la estructura comunitaria de los

tiburones asociados a arrecifes

60 Mejía-Falla, Paola A Tiburones y rayas de las ecoregiones marinas de Colombia: Un

monitoreo participativo para manejo y conservación

61 McConney, Patrick Acción colectiva desafiante

62 *Cecilio, Bryan La situación actual de la pesca del mero cherna Epinephelus itajara, e

iniciativas para la conservación de la especie en la península de

Yucatán, México

63 *Zuñiga, Harley IncorporacIón de nuevos materiales en las redes de arrastre de

camarón en el Golfo de Morrosquillo, Mar Caribe de Colombia: Una

estrategia para reducir combustible

64 Wilson Aguirre,

Hugo

Caracterización de la flota pesquera que opera en el Archipiélago de

San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Caribe de Colombia

65 *Ramlogan, Neema Impactos socioeconómicos de Sargazo en el sector pesquero de

Barbados

66 Claydon, John AB Gestión proactiva y reactiva de los recursos pesqueros en las Islas

Turcos y Caicos

67 Rojas, Anthony Dinámica de la pesquería artesanal en el Archipiélago de San Andrés,

Providencia y Santa Catalina, Reserva de Biósfera Seaflower

68 Saavedra-Díaz, Lina

M.

Equivalentes retos de manejo pesquero en comunidades de

pescadores artesanales del Caribe y Pacifico Colombiano

69 Katz, Adrienne Adquiriendo y conservando la participación activa dentro de un

programa de marcaje comunitario

70 Mojica, Angela Proyecto piloto de restauración de corales como una herramienta de

manejo

71 Mateos, Daniel Planificacion espacial marina con Marxan: Lecciones aprendidas en

los casos de estudio de Puerto Rico y España

72 Johnson, Ayana Barbuda y otras islas: implementacion y expansion de la iniciativa del

halo azul en el Caribe

73 Santos-Martínez,

Adriana

Priorización de las acciones de manejo sustentable para la pesquería

artesanal en la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower, Caribe Colombiano

74 Pinilla, Francisco Aproximación metodológica para la evaluación de stocks de recursos

hidrobiológicos en entornos marinos de la costa Caribe Colombiana a

través del seguimiento de desembarques pesqueros artesanales

75 Joseph, Orisha Liderazgo de ONG en el desarrollo de un transfronterizos:

zonificación Plan del Banco de Granada

76 Peterson, Mark 54 años en la fabricación: Gulf And Caribbean Research ahora en

línea y acceso abierto

77 Gastelum Nava,

Ernesto

Uso de redes sociales digitales por pescadores artesanales en el

Golfo de California, México

78 Harms Tuohy, Hay una App para eso: un enfoque innovador para la identificación

12 *Estudiente

Chelsea de peces de arrecifes del Caribe utilizando la tecnología de tableta

bajo el agua

79 Sinkus, Wiley Bioacumulación de mercurio en seis especies de peces de aguas del

Sureste de EE.UU

80 Peña, Alexis Análisis de contaminantes orgánicos en sedimentos marinos y en la

biota de la bahía de Panamá, Panamá

81 Biermann, Lindsay Investigando la frecuencia de edad, el crecimiento y los niveles de

HAP en el serrano lengua rasposa, Pronotogrammus martinicensis

después del derrame de petroleo del deepwater horizon

82 Santamaria,

Apolinar

Bioquímica sanguínea de la población silvestre del huachinango

Lutjanus peru (Nichols y Murphy, 1922) en el Pacífico sur de México

Miercoles, Noviembre 11

8:00 Reunión de la membrecía de GCFI (Todos son bienvenidos - Aprenda sobre el

GCFI)

Actividades Paralelas:

2nd Taller de Trabajo Regional de peces de pico, gestion y conservacion dentro del plano

del grupo de trabajo de pesca recreacional de WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM/CFMC (por

invitación) (continuación)

Taller de trabajo en los avances en la investigacion, manejo y conservacion de los

tiburones y rayas del Caribe. Moderadora: Rachel Graham; Auspiciado por MarAlliance)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Simposio de Investigacion del Pez Léon (Moderadores: James Morris y Lad Akins) (Auspiciado por

Florida Sea Grant Program, FWC, NOAA, REEF) 8:45-9:00 Anderson, Emily Preferencia de presa del pez león entre los meritos nativos

9:00-9:15 *Eddy, Corey Ecología alimentaria y selectividad de presa del pez león invasor (Pterois volitans y P. miles) en las Bermudas

9:15-9:30 *Tuttle, Lillian El pez león invasor (Pterois volitans) aprende evitar un pez presa 'picante'

9:30-9:45 Hogan, Derek Los efectos del pez león (Pterois volitans) sobre la abundancia y la diversidad genética de los peces de arrecife de coral nativos en Panamá

9:45-10:00 Kindinger, Tye Efectos del consumo y no consumo herbívoros nativos por el pez león invasor: Posibles consecuencias para la capacidad de recuperación ecológica de los arrecifes de coral

10:00 Receso de café

10:15-10:30 Ingeman, Kurt El pez león (Pterois volitans) altera los patrones denso-dependientes de la mortalidad y causa la extirpación local de las poblaciones de presas nativas

10:30-10:45 Harms Tuohy, Chelsea

Nuevos caminos para el uso de dna metabarcoding para el análisis de contenido estomacal en el pez león invasor (Pterois volitans /miles) en Puerto Rico

10:45-11:00 *Benkwitt, Cassandra

Comportamiento de caza del pez león en múltiples hábitats: efecto de la densidad local del pez león e implicaciones para peces nativos

11:00-11:15 Luiz, Osmar Estimación de la vulnerabilidad de los peces arrecifales brasileños endémicos a la depredación del pez león

11:15-11:30 *Ellis, Robert Las interacciones entre el pez léon y un depredator nativo, cherna americana (Epinephelus morio)

11:30-11:45 Grubich, Justin ¿Compiten las especies endémicas del pez león y los meros? Observaciones ecomorfológica en areas nativas del mar rojo

11:45-12:00 *Curtis, Joseph ¿Cómo puede la presencia del pez león invasor afectar la dieta y el estado de los mesodepredadores nativos?

12:00-12:15 *Hackerott, Serena

Pocos peces leones, no hay problema? los efectos de la invasion del pez leon en las comunidades de peces arrecifales de la barrera de arrecifes Mesoamericana en Belize

12:15-12:30 *Dahl, Kristen A. Remociones dirigidas del pez león en los arrecifes artificiales del Norte del Golfo de México: Efectividad e impacto en las comunidades de peces arrecifales nativos

12:30-14:00 Receso de almuerzo

14:00 Excursiones: (1) Centro de Visitantes de las Esclusas de Miraflores, (2)

Panamá Colonial y (3) Panamá Viejo (Auspiciado por la Autoridad de Turismo de

Panamá)

Simposio de Investigacion del Pez Léon (Moderadores: James Morris y Lad Akins) (Auspiciado por Florida Sea Grant Program, FWC, NOAA, REEF) (Continuación)

14:00-14:15 Chevalier, Pedro Evaluación del efecto del pez león (Pterois volitans) en asociaciones de peces arrecifales en tres localidades de Cuba

14:15-14:30 Patterson, William

Contexto trófico del pez león invasor en el Norte del Golfo de México inferido a partir de la dieta de peces arrecifales e isótopos estables en los músculos

14:30-14:45 Hixon, Mark Está disminuyendo la invasión del pez león? la evidencia de las Bahamas

14:45-15:00 Stallings, Christopher

Análisis espacial y temporal del programa de captura de pez león en el Parque Nacional Biscayne (2010-2015)

15:00-15:15 Akins, Lad Estructura de talla de una población del pez león invasor en arrecifes explotados y sin explotar en las Bahamas y el Caribe

15:15-15:30 Fields, KathrynAnn

Cuántos peces león son demasiados peces león? Estimando umbrales críticos de densidad y costos asociados con la extracción manual del pez león en una reserva marina en Belize

14 *Estudiente

15:30-15:45 Bogdanoff, Alex Modelando estrategias para el manejo del pez león en la plataforma ocidental de La Florida

15:45-16:00 Green, Stephanie Balanceando el beneficio ecológico y el costo económico del control del pez león invasor

16:00 Receso de café

16:30-16:45 Diaz-Ferguson,

Edgardo

Desarrollo de marcadores moleculares para la detección de DNA ambiental del pez león Pterois volitans

16:45-17:00 Stevens, Julia Diversidad, patrones y beneficios de la flora bacteriana cutánea del pez león

17:00-17:15 Candelmo,

Allison

Frecuencia de desove del pez león invasor (Pterois spp.)

17:15-17:30 Malca, Estrella Distribución de larvas del pez leon (Pterois volitans) en el Caribe Occidental

19:30-21:00 CINEFISH Moderador: Alejandro Balaguer (Auspiciado por Fundación Albatros Media)

Jueves, Noviembre 12

Actividades Paralelas:

Taller de trabajo para la gestion y manejo del pez león. Moderadores: Franck Gourdin y

Ruben E. Torres (auspiciado por SPAW RAC y PNUMA) (Por invitacion)

SESIONES TÉCNICASS

Evaluación de los recursos con datos limitados Moderadores: Bill Michaels, Nancie Cummings

y Mandy Karnauskas (Auspiciado por NOAA)

8:10 - 8:20 Cummings, Nancie

Un resumen de los talleres del GCFI entre 2013-2015: Evaluaciones poblacionales en situaciones de datos limitados

8:20 - 8:30 Harford, William Evaluación de las estrategias de gestión que utilizan datos pesquera limitada

8:30 - 8:40 Thomas, Lennon R.

La determinación de un método eficaz para monitorear y evaluar la pesca en un contexto de información limitada: un estudio de caso de las pesquerías en Montserrat y Curacao

8:40 - 8:50 Rodriguez Gil, Luis Alfonso

Estado actual de la pesqueria del mero en el estado de Yucatan, Mexico y estrategia para la recoleccion de datos con particpacion de usuarios

8:50 - 9:00 Kilfoyle, Kirk Determinación de una línea base independiente de la pesquería en el tramo arrrecifal Norte de La Florida

9:00 - 9:10 Phillips, Todd Monitoreo electrónico: Un enfoque metodológico para el diseño de un programa de monitoreo de la fundación

9:10 - 9:20 Marley, Guy Un cesto modificado para el muestreo de comunidades de peces juveniles en bosques turbios de manglar

9:20 - 9:30 Struve , Juliane Registros voluntarios de captura del róbalo común (Centropomus undecimalis): Uso Actual y su futuro potencial en la gestión pesquera

9:30 - 9:40 Stock, Brian El uso de datos de longitud in situ para determinar el estado de las poblaciones de peces protegidos que forman agregaciones: El caso de estudio del mero de Nassau (Epinephelus striatus)

9:40 - 9:50 Scharer-Umpierre, Michelle

Reconocimiento automatizado de los sonidos de los peces durante agregaciones de desove: Aplicación de acústica pasiva en las pesquerías

9:50 - 10:00 Heyman, William

Programa Cooperativo de conservación e investigación para las agregaciones preproductivas del Atlántico Centro Occidental (CRCP WCASA)

10:00 Receso de café

Manejo basado en ecosistemas, hábitat, cambio climático y manejo costero. Moderadora:

Ing. Zuleika Pinzón (Auspiciado por Ministerio de Ambiente de Panamá)

10:30-10:45 *Cooksey, Maria Caracterización de la comunidad epibéntica de un arrecife mesofótico en el sur de Texas

10:45-11:00 *Gautier, Francoise

Funcionamiento de las praderas de Thalassia testudinum: Uso de ácidos grasos como biomarcadores e isótopos estables

11:00-11:15 *Tzadik, Orian Dónde se han estado escondiendo? Distribución espacial y movimientos ontogenéticos del mero guasa (Epinephelus iItajara) en el estado de La Florida

11:15-11:30 *Guéné, Mathilde Dinámica de la contaminación por el chlordecone en la red trófica de los ecosistemas costeros de la Isla de Guadeloupe

11:30-11:45 Ramos Miranda, Julia

Cambios a largo plazo de la estructura y la función de las comunidades de peces en la laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

11:45-12:00 Flores Hernández, Domingo

Variaciones ambientales y cambios poblacionales a escala local: Peces de la Familia Gerreidae en laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

12:00-12:10 Cuello , Felix de Jesus

Determinación de cambios espacio-temporales en la abundancia de los recursos explotados por una pesqueria de peces pelagicos en el mar Caribe de Colombia, mediante el uso de SIG

12:10-12:20 Kilborn, Joshua El uso diferencial del hábitat y la organización comunitaria de peces arrecifales entre la cima del arrecife y el pared dentro de un ecotono en La Parguera, Puerto Rico

12:20-12:30 Blanchard, Fabian Efecto potencial del cambio climático en la pesca costera artesanal y en la biodiversidad explotada en la Guayana Francesa

12:30–14:00 RECESO DE ALMUERZO

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

16 *Estudiente

Áreas Marinas Protegidas (AMP): Ciencia y Gestion (I). Moderadora: Georgina Bustamante,

CaMPAM (Auspiciado por UNEP-CEP-SPAW/CaMPAM)

14:00-14:15 Phillips, Myles Monitoreo de la red transfronteriza de áreas marinas protegidas en el banco de Grenada

14:15-14:30 Torres, Ruben Salud arrecifal y la protección marina en la República Dominicana

14:30-14:45 Gomez, Diana Isabel

Subsistema de Áreas Marinas Protegidas en Colombia: progresos y lecciones del enfoque ecosistémico

14:45-15:00 Cobian, Dorka Resultados de los monitoreos biologicos en la zona marino-costera de la reserva de biosfera península de Guanahacabibes

15:00-15:15 Perera Valderrama, Susana

Aplicación de un enfoque ecosistémico en el manejo de áreas protegidas marinas en los archipiélagos del sur de Cuba

15:15-15:30 *Linardich, Christi

Identificando puntos críticos de biodiversidad para peces óseos costeros endémicos en peligro en el Gran Caribe para informar sobre las prioridades conservación en la planificación de áreas específicas

15:30-15:45 Semmens, Brice Evaluación de las tendencias en los peces marinos objetivo en el Parque Marino de Bonaire, Antillas Nerlandesas

15:45-16:00 Doyle, Emma Dando vida a los planes de gestión de AMPs a través de nuevos formatos de comunicación

16:00 Receso de café

Áreas Marinas Protegidas (AMP): Ciencia y Gestion (II). Moderadora: Emma Doyle (GCFI) (Auspiciado por UNEP-CEP-SPAW/CaMPAM)

16:15-16:30 Hernández-Velasco, Arturo

Herramientas de conservación en las comunidades costeras de la península de Baja California

16:30-16:45 Russell, Martin Trabajando en las areas marinas protegidas de Australia

16:45-17:00 Renchen, Gabrielle

Mejorando el conocimiento de los pescadores y reduciendo el impacto de las nasas de langosta en las AMP de los cayos de La Florida, EE.UU

17:00-17:15 Gombos, Meghan

Desafíos para la gestión de las AMPs a través del lente del cambio climático

17:15-17:30 Barriteau, Martin

Construyendo beneficios para las aves y la gente: Fase II de la restauración del Ashton Lagoon

17:15-17:30 Belmont, Julie Participación del sector privado en el financiamiento de áreas marinas protegidas: Resultados iniciales del Proyecto Financiero Azul

19:30- 21:00 PEZ LEON SESSION DE CARTELES (Auspiciado por Florida Sea Grant Program,

FWC, NOAA, REEF)

1 Alemu I, Jahson La última isla: la invasión del pez león (Pterois spp) en la isla de Trinidad y Tobago (Sureste del Mar Caribe)

2 Ali, Fadilah Una comparación de la ecología alimentaria del pez león invasor en Bonaire, Klein Bonaire y Curacao

3 *Butkowski, Drew Los esfuerzos para atrapar al pez le+on invasor cerca de los muelles en Little Caimán

4 *Chin, Denise Una evaluación de la densidad poblacional de pez león en Discovery Bay, Jamaica

5 *Davenport, Megan Un enfoque aplicado a la evaluación gonadal macroscópica en Pterois volitans y su aplicación en la ciencia ciudadana y la recopilación de datos en el Parque Nacional de Biscayne

6 Davis, Brittany Tiempo libre con una meta: Buceo para el pez león

7 Faletti, Meaghan Abordando la invasión del pez león en el Estado de Florida, EE.UU: Divulgación, control y planes a futuro

8 Galvis, Nohora Comunidad de pescadores proporciona datos pertinentes sobre la pesca como información de base para la declaración de una nueva área protegida de arrecifes de coral en el Caribe de Colombia

9 Mcdonald Herrera, Hector

Conservacion de la vida marina del Caribe Sur Costarricense: utilizando trapas artesanales para la controlar la invasion del pez león

10 Kling, David Refugios y el control de las especies invasoras

11 McCoy, Croy Estado del pez león rojo (Pterois volitans) en Las Islas Caimán: Densidad, biomasa, dietas y clases de tamaño a través de 6 hábitats diferentes

12 Mostowy, Jason Ecología de la alimenticia de los peces león invasores (Pterois volitans/millas) en el Parque Marino de Cozumel

13 Nemeth, Rick Invasión, distribución y abundancia del pez león del Indo-Pacífico en las Islas Vírgenes de los EE.UU

14 *Peiffer, Friederike El efecto de la remoción del pez león en las comunidades arrecifales de Roatán, Caribe de Honduras

15 *Sabido-Itzá, Miguel Mateo

El sector pesquero, un importante aliado en las acciones de control y monitoreo del pez león invasor (Pterois volitans) en áreas marinas protegidas del Caribe Mexicano

16 *Sánchez, Mirla Dieta del pez león (Pterois volitans) en la isla de providencia, Caribe de Colombia

17 Sosa-Cordero, Eloy Estimaciones de la densidad de pez león Pterois volitans en seis AMP del Caribe Mexicano

18 Carrillo-Flota, Evelyn Percepción de usuarios sobre el pez león (Pterois volitans) como amenaza al ecosistema y sobre su viabilidad para consumo humano en Quintana Roo, México

18 *Estudiente

19 Castillo, Bernard II Cambios en el consumo de presas por el pez león

20 Cobian, Dorka Densidad, tamaño y dieta del pez león, Pterois volitans en Cuba Occidental: Prístino implica más vulnerable?

21 García Rodríguez, Alain Relación de Pterois volitans/miles (teleostei: Scorpaenidae) con peces depredadores nativos en arrecifes del litoral oeste de La Habana, Cuba

22 Morris, Jr., James A. Dinámica reproductiva de los peces león invasores Pterois miles y P. volitans en el Atlántico occidental

23 Pantoja, Laura El pez león en Cuba: Composición de la dieta y competencia trófica

24 Peake, Jonathan Un meta-análisis de la dieta del pez león invasor en zonas templadas y tropicales del Atlántico Occidental

25 Robertson, Stuart Modelo de la distribución de las poblaciones de las especies invasoras de peces león (Pterois spp.) en Las Bermudas

26 Swenarton, MaryKate Nuevos hallazgos en la estructura de tamaño, edad y crecimiento de peces león (Pterois spp.) en el Noreste de La Florida

27 Ali, Fadilah Utilizando el conocimiento sobre la ecología del pez león para un manejo informado

28 Caballero Vazquez, J. Adan

Mapa de riesgo sobre la invasión de pez león en el Caribe Mexicano: Repercusiones y oportunidad de desarrollo

29 Chapman, Jennifer K. El Manejo de pez león en zonas inaccesibles por pescadores: Monitoreo y control con la ayuda de voluntarios en conservación

30 Galvis, Nohora Evidencia de pescadores que controlan las poblaciones profundas del pez león en Colombia. Estudio de caso: Capurgana, Choco, Mar Caribe

31 Johnson, Bradley Control y manejo del pez león en las Islas Cayman: Lecciones aprendidas siete años después

32 *Malpica Cruz, Luis Qué factores producen el éxito en los torneos de pez león? Un análisis regional

33 Molina-Ureña, Helena Expansión del invasor pez leon en Costa Rica: Una amenaza sobre las aguas del Pacífico Oriental?

34 Molina-Ureña, Helena Manejo del pez león en Costa Rica: Evolución de su gobernanza

35 *Fogg, Alexander Comparación de los patrones de edad y crecimiento del pez león invasor en tres ecoregiones del norte del Golfo de México

36 Bogdanoff, Alex Observaciones preliminares sobre el comportamiento del pez león y la atracción por dispositivos concentradores de peces león (LADS)

37 *Sellers, Andrew Potencial para la introducción del pez león invasor, Pterois volitans, en el Pacifico Oriental a través del Istmo de Panamá

38 *Cardoso, Giulia Relación entre la complejidad del hábitat y las densidades de Pterois spp en El Parque Nacional Marino de Punta Francés, Isla de La Juventud (Cuba)

39 Vasquez-Yeomans, Lourdes

Descripción de larvas de pez león Pterois volitans (Scorpaenidae) en el Atlántico Occidental

Viernes, Noviembre 13

Actividades Paralelas:

Taller sobre Nodo Caribe de la Asociación Mundial para la Basura Marina Moderadores: Tom Matthews (GCFI) y Chirs Corbin (UNEP CAR/RCU) (Auspiciado por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente) (por invitación)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Los arrecifes y ecosistemas conexos: concha, langosta y otros invertebrados Moderador:

Henri Vallés

8:00-8:15 *Callwood, Karlisa A.

Las casitas y la conectividad: desarrollando un enfoque interdisciplinario para informar el manejo pesquero de la langosta (Panulirus argus) en las Bahamas

8:15-8:30 *Yao, Nan Desarrollo de un modelo de evaluación poblacional basado en la estructura de tallas para la langosta espinosa en el sureste de los Estados Unidos

8:30-8:40 Goulíe, Chloé Determinación del espacio territorial del caracol rosa Lobatus (Eustrombus) gigas

8:40-8:55 *Santana, Pablo

Nuevas contribuciones sobre la reproducción y desove del caracol Strombus gigas

8:55-9:05 Valle-Esquivel, Monica

Proyecto piloto sobre la pesca recreativa de caracol rosado y langosta en Puerto Rico

9:05-9:15 Baker, Nicole Evaluación de las poblaciones, tendencias y efectividad de manejo en la población del caracol reina del caribe en el oeste de Puerto Rico

9:15-9:25 Foley, James Indicadores de talla y madurez en caracol rosado (Strombus gigas) De la reserva marina de Port Honduras, Belice: fortaleciendo la gestión para mejorar la sostenibilidad de la pesquería

9:25-9:35 Sanchez, Manuel

Distribución y abundancia de larvas veliger de Strombus gigas (Linnaeus, 1758) en el mar Caribe

9:35-9:45 Prada, Martha Avances en el ordenamiento y conservación regional del caracol rosado

9:45-1055 Sabido-Itzá, Miguel Mateo

Última cuota de caracol rosado (Strombus gigas), previo al decreto de veda por cinco años en la reserva de la biosfera Banco Chinchorro (RBBCh), Caribe Mexicano

9:55- 1005 Montero F, Enmanuel Antonio

Estudio comparativo del lambí (Lobatus gigas) en concheros prehispánicos y recientes en isla beata y la comunidad de Trudillé, Parque Nacional Jaragua, Provincia Pedernales, República Dominicana

20 *Estudiente

Receso de café

Sargazo en el Golfo y en el Caribe. Moderador: Jim Franks

10:30-10:45 Franks,

James

Invasión masiva de sargazo en países del Atlántico Tropical:

Comprensión y predicción

10:45-11:00 Fardin,

Frédérique

Cooperación regional para hacer frente a la afluencia de sargassum

por el Gran Caribe

11:00-11:15 Linton,

Thomas

Biografía organizacional como sistema de asesoramiento temprano

sobre el Sargazo: Recuento de logros

11:15-11:30 Morrall,

Clare

Las realidades de la afluencia de sargazo pelágico y la conservación

de la biodiversidad en Granada, Indias Occidentales

11:30-11:45 Lapointe,

Brian

Evidencia de afloraciones de sargassum pelágico alimentados por

nitrógeno en el golfo de México

11:45-12:00 Schell,

Jeffrey M

La observación del Sargassum a bordo de una embarcación revela la

proliferación estructura comunitaria faunalmovil poco común y

diferentes

12:00-12:15 Gully,

Charlotte

Desarrollo de soluciones innovadoras para manejar la llegada masiva

de sargassum en Martinica y Guadalupe

12:15-12:30 Doyle, Emma Una perspectiva regional sobre la afluencia de Sargazo pelágico

12:30 RECESO DE ALMUERZO

Actividades paralelas:

Taller sobre Nodo Caribe de la Asociación Mundial para la Basura Marina. Moderadores: Tom Matthews (GCFI) y Chirs Corbin (UNEP CAR/RCU) (Auspiciado por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente) (por invitacióntion)

SESIONES TÉCNICAS

Ecosistemas pelágicos y la pesca recreativa. Moderadora: Graciela García Moliner

14:00-14:10 Vallès, Henri Una mirada rápida sobre la pesca asociada a dispositivos de

concentración de peces anclados (DCPa) en el sur de Haití

14:10-14:20 Duarte, Luis

Orlando

Explorando la vulnerabilidad de un ecosistema marino tropical a la

reducción de biomasa: el caso del golfo de Salamanca, mar Caribe de

Colombia

14:20-14:30 Ellis, Laura La utilización de hormonas esteroides extraídas del tejido muscular

esquelético para determinar el sexo y estado reproductivo del atún

rojo del atlántico (Thunnus thynnus)

14:30-14:40 Ishida,

Mitsuhiro

El uso de los resultados de una investigación de mercado para la co-

gestión de los dispositivos agregadores de peces en la

mancomunidad de Dominica

14:40-14:50 Leaf, Robert Dinámicas temporales en las características de lípidos y ácidos grasos

de la sardina lacha, Brevoortia patronus, en el norte del golfo de

México.

14:50-15:00 Merten,

Wessley

Proyecto piloto para incrementar la capacidad de Ecuador para

utilizar técnicas de identificación genética como ayuda en la

aplicación de la lista CITES para tiburones

15:00-15:10 Thompson,

Randel

Beneficios de participar en el programa de desarrollo de

profesionales de pesca del caribe patrocinado por el GCFI

15:10-15:20 Ahrabi-

Nejad, Sonia

Parámetros reproductivos de dos peces pelágicos costeros del

sudeste de La Florida: atun aleta negra, Thunnus atlanticus y

Bacoreta, Euthynnus alletteratus

15:20-15:30 McCool,

Jackie

¿Cómo apoya el lago Pontchartrain a la pesquería recreativa de la

corvina pinta, Cynoscion nebulosus?

15:30-15:40 Chavez,

Ernesto A.

Efecto de la variabilidad climática sobre las pesquerías del norte del

Golfo de México

15:40-15:50 Johnson,

Donald

Peces de arrecife en el norte del Golfo de México y los patrones de

circulación decadal

16:00 Receso de café

Acuacultura. Moderador: Javier Visuetti González (Auspiciado por Open Blue Sea

Farms Panamá S.A.)

16:15-16:30 Robinson,

Julianne

Alga marina sostenible: ¿Podría ser la próxima gran cosa?

16:30-16:45 Sarkis, Samia El Cultivo del pepino de mar, Isostichopus badionotus, en Bermuda:

Herramienta para su conservación

16:45-17:00 Visuetti

González,

Javier

Open Blue Sea Farms Panamá S.A.: Acuacultura de mar abierto

impactando nuestras comunidades en la costa arriba de Colón

ENTREGA DE PREMIOS A ESTUDIANTES

17:00 Entrega de beca de participación "Ron Schmied"

17:30 Entrega de premios "Por logros relevantes" a estudiantes que otorga el GCFI

18:00 Ceremonia de Clausura

Logo del evento cortesía de: Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá

Impresión del programa cortesía de: Florida State University Panama

22 *Estudiente

RESÚMENES

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

1

Proposal of a Management Plan for the Lionfish, Pterois Volitans, in the Parque Nacional

Arrecife Alacranes in the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Propuesta de Plan de Manejo para el Pez León Pterois Volitans, en el Parque Nacional

Arrecife Alacranes en el Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Proposition D'un Plan de Gestion pour le Pez Leon, Pterois Volitans, dans le Parque

Nacional Arrecife Alacranes dans le Nord de la Péninsule Du Yucatan, Mexico

ALFONSO AGUILAR-PERERA*

1, EVELYN CARRILLO-FLOTA

2,

and CRISTÓBAL CÁCERES-G.CANTÓN3

1Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Km. 15.5, carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil Mérida, Yucatán 97100

México. alfaguilar@gmail.com. 2Universidad Autónoma de Yucatan, Merida, Yucatan Mexico.

3Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes,

Merida, Yucatan Mexico.

ABSTRACT

By the end of 2009, the lionfish, Pterois volitans, was detected and collected by a diver-fisherman 150

km off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. This latter finding represented the very first

detection of a lionfish in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Eventually, from 2010 to the present, a proactive

initiative to describe the current condition of the lionfish invasion in this region began focusing mainly

on a natural protected area known as the Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes (PNAA) where the first

lionfish was collected in mid-July 2010. This work describes both scientific and management outcomes

to cope the lionfish invasion in the PNAA, where participation of lobster-fishermen working in the

PNAA has been a decisive and important component to acquire lionfish samples. From this initiative, in

this work we describe a current scenario of the lionfish invasion in the PNAA and also propose a

management plan considering scientific research and legal environmental procedures.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Management, Yucatan Peninsula, Alacranes Reef, Mexico

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

2

Reproductive Parameters of Two Coastal Pelagic Fishes off Southeast Florida:

Blackfin Tuna, Thunnus atlanticus, and Little Tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus

Parámetros Reproductivos de dos Peces Pelágicos Costeros del Sudeste de la Florida:

Atún Aleta Negra, Thunnus atlanticus y Bacoreta, Euthynnus alletteratus

Paramètres de la reproduction de deux poissons pélagiques côtiers au large de la Floride

du sud : le thon noire, Thunnus atlanticus, et la thonine commune, Euthynnus alletteratus

SONIA AHRABI-NEJAD*1, DAVE KERSTETTER*

1, NANCY BROWN-PETERSON

2, PATRICIA

BLACKWELDER1, and D.A. RENEGAR

1

1Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 USA.

*sa1172@nova.edu. 2Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Blvd.,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA.

ABSTRACT

Determining reproductive parameters for fish populations is important for stock assessments and

management, and histological examination of gonads provides the most accurate determination of

fecundity and spawning periods. Coastal pelagic fishes are often targeted commercially and

recreationally due to their easy access by private vessels. The objective of this study was to provide

baseline reproductive data for two fishes particularly important to Florida fisheries: the coastal pelagic

scombrids Blackfin Tuna Thunnus atlanticus and Little Tunny Euthynnus alletteratus. Archived gonad

samples from 2010-2014 were evaluated. GSI values and histological examination indicated one

spawning season for both species. Little Tunny spawn April through August, and Blackfin Tuna spawn

May through June. Additionally both species have asynchronous oocyte development, and are batch

spawners. Postovulatory follicles were used to estimate spawning frequency; Blackfin Tuna, mean

spawning occurs every 1.49 days, and Little Tunny, mean spawning occurs every 1.47 days. Comparison

of otolith age data to these results indicates that Little Tunny mature at a smaller size and younger age

than Blackfin Tuna. Size at 50% maturity for male Blackfin Tuna was 435.2 mm TL, for female

Blackfin Tuna was 392.3 mm TL, and for male Little Tunny was 347.77 mm TL. Age at 50% majority

for male Blackfin Tuna was 0.66 years, and for male Little Tunny was 0.50 years. Fecundity oocyte

counts were conducted to determine batch fecundity for Blackfin Tuna and Little Tunny. This study

provides baseline data needed for ecosystem based management.

KEYWORDS: Coastal pelagic, gonadal histology, blackfin tuna, little tunny

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

3

Invasive Lionfish Size Structure on Exploited and Unexploited Reefs

in the Bahamas and Caribbean

Estructura de Talla de una Población del Pez León en Arrecifes Explotados

y sin Explotar en las Bahamas y el Caribe

Lionfish Envahissantes Taille Structure sur les Récifs Exploitées

et non Exploitées dans les Bahamas et les Caraïbes

LAD AKINS

Reef Environmental Education Foundation, 98300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo Florida 33037 USA.

ABSTRACT

Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have successfully invaded a wide area of the tropical

and temperate Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Southern US and Gulf of Mexico,

resulting in significant impacts to native marine systems, fisheries and economies. Numerous studies

document both lionfish abundance and biomass at sites across the region. However, most studies have

occurred in areas where local control efforts are also being undertaken, often quite successfully. These

control efforts may alter the age and size structure of resident populations, with consequences for

reproductive dynamics and predation rates. Comparing data among fished and unfished areas can

provide insights into the magnitude of these effects of removal on population structure. Here, we present

data on lionfish size distribution from two remote (unfished) areas of the Bahamas and several fished

areas of the Caribbean over time. Size data from both unfished areas show a normal distribution, with a

median size of 283 mm TL and 284 mm TL and maximum sizes of 422 mm TL and 424 mm TL. These

measures are not significantly different between years. In contrast, size data from fished areas become

increasingly right skewed over time, likely as a result of fishing pressure across years. These data give an

indication of unfished population size structure and the effects of fishing mortality.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, size structure, exploited population, fishing pressure

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

4

Fish Community Composition on Artificial Reefs in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico

Before and After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Composición de la Comunidad de los Peces en los Arrecifes Artificiales del Noreste del

Golfo de México Antes y Después del Derrame de Petróleo de Deepwater Horizon

La Composition des Communautés de Poissons sur les Récifs Artificiels dans le Nord du

Golfe du Mexique Avant et Après le Déversement de Pétrole de Deepwater Horizon

MARK ALBINS*, STEPHEN SZEDLMAYER, and PETER MUDRAK

Auburn University, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science, Gulf Coast Research and

Extension Center, 8300 State Hwy., 104 Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA. *mark.albins@auburn.edu.

ABSTRACT

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the largest in U.S. history, has been implicated in a variety

of environmental and biological changes in the region. One of these is drastic reductions in reef fish

abundance and shifts in community composition. We used multivariate tools to examine potential

changes in reef fish community composition on small artificial reefs in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico

between 2009 and 2014. Fish community composition on these reefs differed globally among years

(perMANOVA: pseudo-F = 16.04, pseudo-p < 0.0001). While the community appeared to shift

between 2009 (pre-spill) and 2010 (early post-spill) time periods (perMANOVA: pseudo-F = 13.48,

pseudo-p < 0.0001), we also observed community shifts between consecutive years after 2010. In fact,

the largest shift appears to have occurred between 2013 and 2014 (perMANOVA: pseudo-F = 21.40,

pseudo-p < 0.0001). Reef fish communities surveyed in 2014 shared the least overlap with observations

from other years. Community differences between 2009 (pre-spill) and 2010 (early post-spill) appear to

be driven by a decrease in red snapper and vermillion snapper, and an increase in tomtate. Differences

between 2014 and other years were driven primarily by an increase in gray triggerfish during 2014.

While substantial community changes were coincident with the DWH oil spill, this system appears to be

characterized by high inter-annual variability making it difficult to conclude whether or not the oil spill

caused the observed changes.

KEYWORDS: Community composition, environmental impact, oil spill, marine fish ecology

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

5

Colonizacion de Microalgas Epibiontes en Larvas del

Molusco Gasterópodo, Strombus gigas

Settlement of Microalgae Epibionts Gastropod Mollusk Larvae, Strombus gigas

Colonisation de Microalgues Epibiontes Chez les Larvas du

Mollusque Gasteropode, Lambi Strombus gigas

DALILA ALDANA ARANDA*

1, ROCIO ELIZABETH MUCIÑO-MÀRQUEZ

2,

OSCAR UBISHA HERNÀNDEZ-ALMEIDA3, y MARIA GUADALUPE FIGUEROA-TORRES

2

1CINVESTAV-MERIDA, km. 6 Carretera a Progreso, Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México.

*daldana@mda.cinvestav.mx. 2Universidad Autónoma Metropolitan-Xochimilco,Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud,

Delegación Coyoacán, C.P. 04960, D.F. México. 3Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic, Nayarit, C.P. 63155 México.

RESUMEN

La epibiosis es un tipo de simbiosis en la que un organismo vive sobre la capa superficial del otro. Los

caparazones de crustáceos y moluscos a menudo sirven de sustrato a diversas especies de virus,

bacterias, algas y hongos. El éxito de un epibionte depende de poseer un eficiente mecanismo de

colonización, adhesión y desarrollo sobre el hospedero, un factor importante relacionado con la

colonización es el tamaño del huésped y del hospedero. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en conocer si

la fase larval pre y post metamórfica del molusco gasterópodo, Strombus gigas presenta colonización de

microalgas epibiontes y sus posibles mecanismos de colonización. Se analizaron 60 larvas de S. gigas de

entre 2 y 44 díasde edad de cultivos de laboratorio. Las larvas se fijaron en glutaraldehido y cacodilato y

se pasaron por una serie de alcoholes hasta llegar al alcohol absoluto. Estematerial se procesóa punto

crítico para su observación en microscopia electrónica de barrido de emisión de campo JEOL (JSM-

7600F). Las larvas de 2 y 5 días no presentaron epibiontes, las de 15 - 44 días presentaron una diversidad

de microalgas de 8-20 especies y las larvas de 28 días, tuvieron 20 especies epibionte. Entre las

principales especies de epibionte se encontraron a las diatomeas: Entomoneis centrospinosa,

Psammodictyon constrictum, Ceratoneis closterium, Thalassionema nitzschioides, las larvas menores de

10 días presentaron solo diatomeas, las larvas mayores de 15 días estuvieron cubiertas por lay de

cianofita Anabaena sp, la cual produce mucus para adherirse a su hospedero, en esta misma fase larvaria,

las diatomeas más abundantes fueron Psammodictyon sp y Thalassionema nitzschioides, formando

cadenas. Estos resultados son el primer registro de epibiosis de microalgas en las conchas de larvas del

molusco gasterópodo S. gigas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Microalgas, diatomeas, cianofitas, epibiontes, Strombus gigas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

6

The Last Island: An Invasion of the Lionfish (Pterois spp.)

in Trinidad and Tobago (Southeastern Caribbean)

La Última Isla: La Invasión del Pez León (Pterois spp.)

en la Isla Trinidad y Tobago (Sureste del Mar Caribe)

La Dernière île: Une Invasion de la Rascasse Volante (Pterois spp.)

à Trinidad et Tobago (Sud-est de la Mer des Caraïbes)

JAHSON ALEMU I

Institute of Marine Affairs, Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. jalemu@ima.gov.tt.

ABSTRACT

During the first two years (2013 - 2015) of the lionfish invasion in Trinidad and Tobago, a culling

programme was implemented, with collections occurring at monthly intervals. Lionfish were captured,

and comparisons were made of the length-weight relationship (LWR), size modality, population

densities and sex ratio of the sub-populations determined at different localities around the island. One

thousand and eighty-six (1086) lionfish were collected with some areas, especially on the Leeward coast

showing densities >200 individuals/ha. The modal size class increased from 15 - 19.9 cm in the first year

to 20 – 29 cm in the second year (year 2). Females represented more than 60% of all fish sampled,

however males were generally longer and heavier than females. At sites where culling was less frequent,

higher densities (up to 4x) and larger size modalities of lionfish were noted than on frequently culled

sites. As the invasion continues, the species most threatened include small and medium bodies fish, with

the following representing the most frequently scored prey item: Stegastes partitus, Sparisoma

aurofrenatum, Stenopus hispidus, and Neogonodactylus curacaoensis. There has been no noticeable

negative impact observed on any of the study reefs thus far.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, lionfish (Pterois), population density, L-W relationship, reef fish

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

7

Using Knowledge of Lionfish Ecology to Inform Management

Utilizando el Conocimiento sobre la Ecología del Pez León Para un Manejo Informado

En Utilisant les Connaissances de L'écologie Lionfish

D'informer la Direction de Management

FADILAH ALI

1, CLIVE TRUEMAN

1, KEN COLLINS

1,

PETER SHAW PAUL KEMP2, and RITA PEACHEY

3

1University of Southampton, CIEE Research Station, Bonaire Waterfront Campus,

European Way, SO14 3ZH United Kingdom. * fadilah.z.ali@gmail.com. 2University of Southampton, Highfield Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1BJ United Kingdom.

3CIEE Research Station Bonaire 26 Kaya Gob. N. Debrot, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands

ABSTRACT

Lionfish are the first marine fish invader from the Western Pacific to the Atlantic.In the space of around

30 years in their invasive range, lionfish have infiltrated a diverse array of habitats, inhabited a depth

range of > 300 m and exceeded the size and density reported in the native range, demonstrating the

difficulty of effective lionfish management. If left unmanaged, lionfish pose a significant, but still

uncertain, threat to Caribbean ecosystems thereby warranting the need for effective and efficient, tailored

management schemes based on lionfish ecology within invaded habitats. During a monitoring period

between 2009 - 2013, more than 10,000 lionfish specimens from Bonaire, Klein Bonaire, and Curacao

were documented, measured and weighed, with their feeding and reproductive ecology analysed in

relation to local management strategies and timing. Management actions affected population size-

structure, and the time taken for population size structure to rebound following management removal can

be used to infer population growth rates and to suggest most effective times and strategies for lionfish

removal. Due to their extensive dispersal, lionfish is a regional problem, requiring a dedicated, co-

operative but resource intensive effort, but local populations may require locally tailored approaches to

maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of enacted control and management programs.

KEYWORDS: Marine, invasive, Caribbean, conservation, control

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

8

Lionfish Management on Small Islands…

Lessons Learnt from Anguilla, Bonaire, and Curaçao

Gestión de Pez León en las Islas Pequeñas ...

Las Lecciones Aprendidas de Anguila, Bonaire y Curaçao

Gestion de Lionfish sur de Petites Îles ...

Leçons Tirées de Anguilla, Bonaire et Curaçao

FADILAH ALI

University of Southampton, 927 Pelican Road, Lange Park, Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago.

fadilah.z.ali@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Since their introduction to the Caribbean, lionfish have continually grown in size, exceeding densities

and sizes from the native range. Although considerable achievements have been made with limiting their

growth thus far, with existing management tools and techniques, it is unlikely that lionfish will be

completely eradicated. Throughout the invaded range, various management schemes have been applied,

but with varying success. Anguilla, Bonaire, and Curacao represent islands of similar size where lionfish

were confirmed within the same time period, however the management of the islands, involvement of

divers and progression of the invasion differed considerably. Within Bonaire an immediate management

response was enacted and utilised the abundance of divers, resulting in reduced lionfish size and density.

Curacao however had a two-year delayed response compared to Bonaire, but over time, thanks to a large

local dive and fishing effort, were successful in limiting lionfish populations. Anguilla like Bonaire had

an immediate response but their education strategy was highly unsuccessful and created fear amongst

Anguillans, including divers, leading to a major delay and reduction in lionfish removal and

necessitating a new education and management scheme. Furthermore, socio-economic questionnaires

were conducted to determine the profile of the typical lionfish hunter, the motivations for their

involvement and retention and a cost-benefit-analysis performed to assess what economic effect the

invasion was having. Comparisons presented in this study highlight the value of an early, rapid response

and a proper education strategy, as well as the involvement of the diving industry factors often

overlooked in lionfish management.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, marine, invasive, conservation, control

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

9

A Comparison of the Feeding Ecology of the Invasive Lionfish in Bonaire,

Klein Bonaire, and Curacao

Una Comparación de la Ecología Alimentaria del Pez León Invasor en Bonaire,

Klein Bonaire y Curacao

Comparaison de L'écologie de L'alimentation de la Rascasse Volante Invasive à Bonaire,

Klein Bonaire et Curacao

FADILAH ALI

1, CLIVE TRUEMAN

1, KEN COLLINS

1,

PETER SHAW PAUL KEMP2, and RITA PEACHEY

3

1University of Southampton, CIEE Research Station, Bonaire Waterfront Campus,

European Way, SO14 3ZH United Kingdom. * fadilah.z.ali@gmail.com. 2University of Southampton, Highfield Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1BJ United Kingdom.

3CIEE Research Station Bonaire 26 Kaya Gob. N. Debrot, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands.

ABSTRACT

Widely regarded as a generalist predator with a voracious appetite, lionfish are principally piscivorous

but have been known to feed on invertebrates. Prey species in the Atlantic region are naïve to lionfish

predation strategies, resulting in lionfish having higher predation efficiencies than either local predators

or lionfish in the native range. Lionfish management is considered a regional issue across the Atlantic

and Caribbean region, but if lionfish feeding ecology varies between regions (especially amongst islands

within the invaded regions), the consequent ecological impacts are likely to vary, and control or

eradication strategies will need to be tailored to each regional area. To determine the magnitude of

ecological impacts of lionfish, and to assess for local-scale variation in feeding ecology, a total of 11,161

lionfish ranging between 21 to 455 mm TL were collected and analysed between October 2009 and

November, 2013. Lionfish were sampled from Bonaire (6288), Klein Bonaire (2743) and Curacao

(2130). Stomach contents were identified and feeding ecology analysed to assess whether lionfish

exhibited density dependent feeding and whether trait based selection was occurring whereby factors

such as prey colour, shape or behaviour affected dietary preferences. Finally lionfish feeding ecology

from the southern edge of the invaded rage was compared to that reported previously from the United

States and Bahamas to determine whether feeding ecology and preferences differed geographically and

over the invasion timeline.

KEYWORDS: Marine, invasive, diet, control, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

10

A Biological Evaluation of the Trinidad and Tobago Shark Fishery

Una Evaluación Biológica de la Pesquería de Tiburón en Trinidad y Tobago

Une Évaluation Biologique de la Pêche au Requin de Trinité-et-Tobago

LAUREN ALI

University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago. lauren.ali@sta.uwi.edu.

ABSTRACT

The shark fishery is an important resource to Trinidad and Tobago. However, shark populations are

highly vulnerable to overexploitation and acknowledged as globally jeopardized. Trinidad and Tobago is

home to thirty-four (34) recorded shark species, including Sphyrna lewini which is listed as endangered

by the IUCN. Trinidad and Tobago‟s waters also provide a nursery for sharks, however, the shark fishery

is mainly a bycatch fishery and therefore is not subject to targeted regulations. Additionally, shark

fishery data collection has been inconsistent, providing an incomplete picture of the status of the shark

population. This project aims to collect biological data on the sharks of Trinidad and Tobago and attempt

to evaluate the population and status of the fishery. The research will examine species, temporal

preferences, diets, lengths, weights, reproductive states and vulnerability to different fishing methods. A

Bray-Curtis similarity coefficient will be used to examine specimen maturity and temporal data to

identify possible ontogenetic or seasonal dietary shifts. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis

(NMDS) will be used to examine dietary similarities across age and temporal ranges. Analyses of

Similarity (ANOSIM) will be used to test for differences in dietary composition, and Analyses of

Percentage of Similarity (SIMPER) will be used to gauge how much individual prey categories affect

ontogenetic dietary variation. Relevant data will also be collected via a questionnaire administered to

fishermen to determine, for example, when, how often and by what methods sharks are caught; observed

and perceived trends in the fishery and locations of possible nursery areas.

KEYWORDS: Shark, ontogenetic dietary variation, sexual maturity, fishery trends

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

11

Lionfish Prey Preference Between Native Basslets

Preferencia de Presa del Pez León entre los Meritos Nativos

Préférence Des Proies Du Poisson-Lion entre Les Grammas Indigènes

EMILY ANDERSON*

1, TYE KINDINGER

2, and MARK HIXON

2

1Oregon State University, 9901 197th Avenue E, Bonney Lake, Washington 98391 USA.

*anderson.emily.renee@gmail.com. 2Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA.

ABSTRACT

The red lionfish, Pterois volitans, is a successful invasive predator first recorded in the western Atlantic

in the 1980‟s with large negative impacts on native fish populations. Since predation may alter

competitive interactions between prey species it is important to understand whether lionfish display

preferences between competitive prey species and if those preferences differ from that of native

predators. We investigated lionfish and native graysby grouper prey preference between prey species and

prey size using two closely-related and potentially competitive prey species, the fairy basslet and

blackcap basslet. In paired choice tests in aquaria, we recorded the first basslet hunted, total number of

strikes, and total time spent hunting each basslet as quantifications of preference. Lionfish initially

hunted fairy basslet while graysby initially hunted blackcap basslet but neither predator displayed any

preference between species in number of strikes or time spent hunting. Across all variables, lionfish

preference shifted from small to large basslets as lionfish size increased, consistent with gape-limited

predators, while graysby of all sizes tested preferred only large basslets. Brighter coloration and higher

activity level of fairy basslet may have influenced lionfish initial preference but it is unclear why

graysby initially hunted blackcap basslet. Lionfish initial preference may alter competition between the

two basslet species if initial preference leads to increased fairy basslet mortality.

KEYWORDS: Invasive Species, lionfish, graysby, prey preference

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

12

Spatio-temporal Patterns of Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus, Spawning Aggregations Off

the West Coast of Puerto Rico: Evidence from Monitoring Courtship Associated Sounds

Los Patrones Espacio-temporales en las Agregaciones Reproductivas del Mero Cabrilla,

Epinephelus guttatus, de la Costa Oeste de Puerto Rico:

Evidencia a partir del Monitoreo de Sonidos Asociados al Cortejo

Les Patrons Spatiotemporels dans les aggrégations de frai des Mérou Couronné,

Epinephelus guttatus, Côte Ouest de Puerto Rico:

Preuves de la Surveillance de les Sons Associé pour la Fréquentation

RICHARD APPELDOORN

1, MICHELLE SCHÄRER

2,

KIMBERLY CLOUSE1, and TIMOTHY ROWELL

1

1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000 USA.

*richard.appeldoorn@upr.edu.

2Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000 USA.

ABSTRACT

The commercially important red hind forms spawning aggregations at known sites and times.

Quantitative surveys at aggregations offer the potential to directly assess the spawning population and

monitor stock status variations. However, such surveys need to be timed to the occurrence of fish at the

sites, and they are subject to understanding the factors driving aggregation behavior. We used passive

acoustic monitoring of red hind courtship associated sounds (CAS) to determine the temporal patterns of

aggregation formation at Abrir la Sierra (ALS) over multiple years and for single years at four sites off

the Puerto Rico west coast and Mona Island. At ALS the general pattern of aggregation formation

follows that predicted by Nemeth et al. 2007, after adjusting for differences in the time of peak

aggregation formation (10 DAFM at ALS). However, there are minor peaks in CAS evident at ALS that

can occur as early as December and as late as March. Additionally, in some years the major peak is

preceded by an extended build-up of CAS indicating an earlier arrival of fish to the site. The pattern of

peak CAS at Buoy-4 (10km south) was similar to that of ALS, but at Tourmaline (12km northeast) peak

CAS occurred approximately seven days earlier, coincident with patterns observed at Mona Island, 45

km off the western platform. Resulting patterns are thus variable and highly complex. Resolution will

require coupled long-term monitoring of call behavior, density, spawning, currents and temperature,

factors that may influence timing of these critical events.

KEYWORDS: Red hind, spawning aggregations, passive acoustics, Puerto Rico, spawning patterns

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

13

Facing Up to Reality:

Long-term Trends in Fisheries Catch and Composition in Puerto Rico

Haciendo Frente a la Realidad:

Tendencias a Largo Plazo en la Captura y Composición de la Pesca en Puerto Rico

Faire face à la réalité:

Tendances à long terme dans les pêches, de la capture et de la composition à Porto Rico

RICHARD APPELDOORN*

1and ILSE SANDERS

2

1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000 USA.

*richard.appeldoorn@upr.edu. 2Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences,

Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, San German, Puerto Rico 00683 USA.

ABSTRACT

A clear baseline of the timing and magnitude of fishery extractions is necessary to fully understand the

nature and extent of fishing impacts on ecosystem processes. We reconstructed fisheries catch in Puerto

Rico (1950 - 2010) that includes the commercial (+ by-catch), recreational and baitfish sectors.

Recreational catch prior to 2000 was modeled from the number of registered recreational boats.

Commercial data prior to 1970 were interpolated between reported estimates. There was a slow rise in

overall catch during the 1950s to over 3,500 mt. From 1960 to 1980 catch increased dramatically to over

6,000 mt dominated by the commercial sector. Catch during this time was 2,000 - 3,000 mt greater (>

100%) than initially reported. A marked decline in overall catch occurred after 1980, but with an

absolute rise in the recreational catch, reaching a relative high of 56% of total catch. As a consequence,

catch rates still exceeded initial reports by 100% through the mid 1990s. By 2010, total catch had

declined to just 45% of the catch in 1960 and 24% of the peak catch. Significant changes in the relative

composition of the commercial catch have occurred since 1970. Most dramatically, the proportion of

snappers increased from 20% to over 50%, and dolphinfish increased from 2% in the mid-1980s to 12%.

Major proportional declines occurred in the groupers and parrotfishes. Trends reflect historical changes

in fish abundance, fishing gear and target species. Model comparisons suggest standing stock has been

reduced by 90% from the 1960s to the 2000s.

KEYWORDS: Catch reconstruction, Puerto Rico, catch trends, catch composition

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

14

Evaluación de la Implementación de una Zona de Exclusión Pesquera

y Recomendaciones Para una Participación Social Efectiva

No-take Marine Reserve Implementation Assessment and

Recommendations for an Effective Social Participation

Evaluation de L'implémentation d'une Zone Interdite á la Pêche et

Recommandations pour une Participation Sociale Effective

ADÁN ARANDA FRAGOSO*and JOAQUIN RODRIGO GARZA-PÉREZ

1Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – PIESACOM, UMDI-Sisal Pto de Abrigo s/n,

Sisal, Yucatán 97355 México. *puma3693@hotmail.com.

RESUMEN

Las zonas de exclusión pesquera son herramientas de manejo cuyo objetivo es restaurar poblaciones de

peces para conservar la integridad del ecosistema. Este término, aceptado mundialmente, no está

contemplado en el marco legal mexicano, pero existen diversas opciones legales con este mismo

enfoque. De estas opciones de manejo disponibles legalmente, se seleccionó la herramienta de “refugio

pesquero” para su implementación en el arrecife de Akumal, Quintana Roo, México. El estado de

condición de este arrecife ha sido definido como crítico, afectado principalmente por contaminación y

sobrepesca. En el periodo 2006 - 2012 se registró una disminución de 50% en biomasa de especies

económicamente importantes. El proceso de implementación del refugio pesquero se llevó a cabo a

través de la gestión de una alianza de ONG´s (Kanan Kay y Centro Ecológico Akumal) en conjunto con

algunos de los usuarios locales (Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Pescadores de Tulum y

los prestadores de servicio de pesca deportiva de la zona). Este proceso de implementación fue evaluado

por medio entrevistas y cuestionarios aplicados a los usuarios y las ONG‟s. Los resultados muestran por

una parte la disposición de la población a participar en este tipo de ejercicios, y la efectiva coordinación

entre gestores y usuarios directos, pero por otra parte, se identificaron la falta de acciones coordinadas

para una participación efectiva de la población en general por parte de los gestores, y la falta de acciones

enfocadas a la apropiación cultural de las estrategias de manejo para beneficio de la población. La

evaluación de esta implementación en el contexto legal mexicano, considerando las herramientas

disponibles, realzó esta figura legal seleccionada como la mas apropiada.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Akumal, herramienta de manejo, refugio pesquero, arrecife de coral, legislación

mexicana

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

15

The Most Valuable Fish. Price and Trophic Level in a Reef Fishery

Los Peces más Valiosos. Precio y Nivel Trófico en una Pesquería Arrecifal

Le Poisson le Plus Précieux. Prix et Niveaux Trophiques dans une Pêche de Récif

PATRICIA ARCEO

Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerias, Universidad Veracruzana Hidalgo,

617 Col. Río Jalapa Boca del Río, Veracruz 94270 México. patarceo©gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Multispecies reef fisheries are composed by species from different trophic levels (TL). Several authors

have pointed out that species with high trophic level are the main target of fishermen because their prices

are higher than those of species with lower trophic levels. We analyzed prices of fish for the reef and

associated species in Veracruz Reef System (VRS) in Mexico for a period of fifteen years (1998 to

2015). We found a tendency of fish prices to maintain the same through time with slight variations. We

found that prices for species of trophic level 4 have higher prices than TL 2 and 3. However, low TL

species prices are very variable and sometimes reach those of species with higher trophic levels. We

analyze catch tendencies and inter and intra annual seasonality to explain price and species targeted

variations. Recommendations for the management of the marine protected area Veracruz Reef System

are made.

KEYWORDS: Fish prices, reef fisheries, Veracruz reef system, MPAs, main trophic level

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

16

Primer Registro de Isistius plutodus para la Costa Atlántica de Honduras y el Uso de la

Dentición en la Identificación Taxonómica De Tiburones

First Record of Isistius plutodus to the Atlantic Coast of Honduras

and the Use of Teeth for Taxonomic Identification

Premier Signalement de Isistius plutodus à Cöte Atlantique du Honduras

et de L'utilisation des Dents pour L'identification Taxonomique de Requin

ANA ELY AUGUSTINUS*, JULIO ENRIQUE MÉRIDA, and GUSTAVO ADOLFO CRUZ

1Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional A Ciudad Universitaria, Bulevar Suyapa

Tegucigalpa, D.C. 11101 Honduras. *ely.augustinus@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

El género Isistius comprende dos especies vivientes, Isistius brasiliensis e Isistius plutodus, se ha hecho

referencia a una tercera especie Isistius labialis, sin embargo, por falta de registros se considera

sinónimo junior de I.brasiliensis, este ha sido reportado en aguas tropicales y subtropicales alrededor del

mundo. I.plutodus es inusual y desde su descubrimiento en el Golfo de México en 1964 solo se ha

reportado en cinco localidades: Japón, Costa Occidental del Sahara, Brasil, Australia y Atlántico

Nororiental. La peculiar morfología dentaría que presenta esta mandíbula ayudo a su identificación, ya

que la forma de sus dientes han sido reportada para pocas familias dentro de estas Squalidae y

Dalatiidae. Los dientes del género Isistius son simétricamente triangulares en su mandíbula inferior con

bordes ligeramente aserrados, en la mandíbula superior son lisos y en forma de aguja. Las especies de

este género se pueden identificar mediante su dentadura ya que I. brasiliensis presenta de 25 a 32 dientes

en la mandíbula inferior e I.plutodus solo 19. Actualmente el uso de morfología dentaria en tiburones es

utilizado como carácter secundario en la identificación taxonómica, sin embargo, en casos como este, en

donde solo se cuenta con la mandíbula de un espécimen la morfología y la formula dental constituyen un

método significativo para la identificación.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Isistius plutodus, distribución, Honduras, dientes, identificación

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

17

Stock Assessment, Trends, and Management Effectiveness

of the Queen Conch Population in Western Puerto Rico

Evaluación de las Poblaciones, Tendencias y Efectividad de Manejo en la Población del

Caracol Reina del Caribe en el Oeste de Puerto Rico

L'évaluation des Stocks, les Tendances et Efficacité de la Gestion

de la Population de Lambis Dans L'Ouest de Porto Rico

NICOLE BAKER*, RICHARD APPELDOORN, and PEDRO TORRES-SAAVEDRA

University of Puerto Rico, Department of Marine Science,

Road 305, La Parguera, Puerto Rico 00667 USA. *nbaker493@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The queen conch, Strombus gigas, resource continues to support a commercial fishery in Puerto Rico,

despite a history of overfishing and low densities. The goals of this study were to (1) generate density

estimates and (2) assess trends and evaluate hypotheses of management interest using generalized linear

mixed models. Total density was 14.05/hectare (ha) (adults = 7.32/ha; juveniles = 6.63/ha). Year, depth

and location were all significant factors influencing adult density. Lower densities of both juveniles and

adults were observed in 1997 compared to 2006 and 2013. A location effect in the model compared sites

within the US‟ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (closed to fishing) versus local waters (open to fishing).

Regardless of depth or year, adult densities were both higher in the EEZ, and showed a greater

proportional increase than in local waters. Length-frequency diagrams showed an increase in the

proportion of conch less than 20-cm in 2006 - 2013 pooled relative to 1997. This suggests an effect of

the 22.86-cm minimum size limit implemented in 2004, as the increase is focused on adults in the 16 –

20 cm size class. Juveniles comprised 50% of the population in 2013, compared to 70% in 1997 and the

oldest age class of adults was present in the 2013 survey. This suggests an overall decrease in fishing

mortality. Changes in survey methodology are recommended, including but not limited to shortening the

transects utilizing a two stage design, not utilizing scooters and standardizing area surveyed, and

stratifying by depth and habitat.

KEYWORDS: Strombus, Puerto Rico, linear mixed models, management, stock assessment

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

18

Emerging Deep-water Fisheries of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

Pesquerías Emergentes de las Aguas Profundas del Arrecife Mesoamericano

Emergence de la Pêche en Eaux Profondes sur la Barrière de Corail Méso-Américaine

IVY BAREMORE*1, RACHEL GRAHAM

1, FRANCISCO POLANCO

2, and OCHOA GABY

1

1MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, San Pedro, Belize. *ivy@maralliance.org.

2Fundación Mundo Azul, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

ABSTRACT

Coastal fisheries along Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) countries are generally overfished and under-

managed. As coastal fish stocks decline, select fishers are expanding into deep-sea fisheries. The

topography of the MAR enables deep-sea fishing (> 200 m) very close to shore, easily attainable in small

vessels. Fishing effort in the deep waters varies substantially among countries, with exploitation based

on the use of both vertical and horizontal bottom-set longline gear. Captured species include gulper

sharks (Centrophorus sp.), sixgills (Hexanchus griseus), smoothhounds (Mustelus sp.), and occasionally

chimaeras. Although deep longline fishing targets sharks in Guatemala, most fishers in Belize target

snappers, and deep water-sharks are landed infrequently. Fisheries-independent sampling in Belize and

Honduras has been undertaken to develop species diversity and abundance trends for deep-water sharks

and teleosts. Fisher surveys from Belize have also exposed a fishery on the brink of expansion. Results

from fishery-independent monitoring, fishery-dependent landings data, and fisher questionnaire surveys

will be presented.

KEYWORDS: Deep-sea, elasmobranch, teleost, longline, artisanal

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

19

Network Analysis of Long-term Acoustic Telemetry Data Reveals Insights into

Habitat Use and Community Structure of Reef-Associated Sharks

Análisis Integrado de una Larga Serie de Datos de Telemetría Acústica Revela

información

sobre el Uso del Hábitat y la Estructura Comunitaria de los Tiburones Asociados a

Arrecifes

L'analyse de Réseau des Données de Télémétrie Acoustique à Long Terme Révèle

L'utilisation des Habitats et la Structure Communautaire des Requins Associés au Récifs

IVY BAREMORE and RACHEL GRAHAM

MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 283, San Pedro, Belize.

ABSTRACT

Caribbean reef sharks are common throughout the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the western north

Atlantic Ocean, and are known to be highly site-fidelic. Like many reef-associated shark species,

Caribbean reef sharks may spend the majority of their life history at a one reef. However, it is unknown

how individuals interact within a population and if community structure plays a role in their residency

and movement patterns. Traditional analysis of acoustic telemetry detection frequency does not elucidate

interactions among individuals and may be an inaccurate predictor of movement. Network analysis was

undertaken to detect patterns in social structure of Caribbean reef sharks at a remote atoll in Belize,

Central America. Sharks were tagged with five-year internal acoustic transmitters at an acoustic array

and detections were recorded from 2007 - 2014. Network analysis showed high connectivity among

sharks. Weak community structure was identified, though communities could not be distinguished by

demographic characteristics. Analysis of receiver connectivity showed patterns in habitat use and

movement overall and for individuals. Results indicate that proposed commercial development of the

atoll could disrupt major movement corridors of the resident sharks. This represents the first long-term

report of network analysis of multiple free-swimming sharks using passive acoustic telemetry.

KEYWORDS: Carcharhinus perezi, elasmobranch, MesoAmerican Reef, site-fidelity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

20

Building Benefits for Birds and People: Ashton Lagoon Restoration Phase II

Construyendo Beneficios para las Aves y la Gente:

Fase II de la Restauración de Ashton Lagoon

Avantages de Construction pour les Oiseaux et des Personnes:

Ashton Lagoon Restauration Phase II

MARTIN BARRITEAU* and ORISHA JOSEPH

Sustainable Grenadines, Inc., Clifton Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

*martinbarriteau@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Ashton Lagoon on Union Island was the last remaining and largest pristine mangrove ecosystem in St.

Vincent and the Grenadines. The abandonment of extensive marina construction works in 1994 left the

area severely damaged, causing disruption of water flow, increased turbidity, and damage to the island‟s

fisheries sector.

Sustainable Grenadines Inc. and key partners have been working with the community towards

restoration efforts for many years. They have engaged international experts regarding the monitoring of

water quality, seabird density, mangrove ecosystems and coastal dynamics, and used participatory

methods to tap into local knowledge, promote stakeholder buy-in and ensure maximum benefits for the

most vulnerable groups upon implementation. Their successes include the site‟s declaration as an

Important Bird and Biodiversity Area and a Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) site. The

organisation and its partners have received approval from the Government of St. Vincent and the

Grenadines to proceed with restoration work on January 7th, 2015. The works are scheduled to begin in

the latter months of 2015, and will involve the removal of approximately 4000 cubic metres of backfill

to restore water circulation, repurposing excavated material and sheet pilings to promote bird nesting,

and the installation of culverts and bridges to increase accessibility. Our presentation will describe the

conceptual baseline which has been laid, including the completion of drogue and bathymetric surveys,

the preparation of an adaptive management plan for the area, and the drafting of conceptual designs for

coastal engineering solutions which will be employed in the restoration works.

KEYWORDS: Protected areas, mangroves, seabirds, water quality, rehabilitation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

21

Fish Assemblages Around a Small Caribbean Island Show Improvements Following

Decades of Disturbance: Results of a 25-year Monitoring Project

Estructura Comunitaria de Peces en una Pequeña Isla del Caribe Muestra Mejoras Tras

Décadas de Perturbación: Resultados de un Proyecto de Monitoreo de 25 años

Les Assemblages de Poissons sur une Petite île des Caraïbes Montrent des Améliorations

Après des Décennies de Perturbation : Résultats D'un Projet de Surveillance de 25 Ans

JAMES BEETS*

1, JEFF MILLER

2, and ALAN FRIEDLANDER

3

1University of Hawaii-Hilo, 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 USA. *beets@hawaii.edu.

2NPS South Florida/Caribbean Network, Virgin Islands National Park,

1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, US Virgin Islands 00830 USA. 3National Geographic Society, University of Hawaii-Manoa,

Edmonson Hall, Room 216, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

The coral reefs around St John, US Virgin Islands, have been impacted by numerous disturbances over

the past several decades, including hurricanes/storms, bleaching, coral disease, and intense fishing.

Fortunately, a large portion of the island and coastal waters is protected within national park units, so

coastal development and fishing effort is reduced in those portions. In response to the devastating impact

of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a monitoring project was initiated on four reference reefs around the island.

Fish assemblages were greatly affected by habitat destruction caused by Hurricane Hugo, which greatly

reduced physical structure of numerous reefs. Reefs have also suffered extreme coral cover loss from

subsequent bleaching and disease events (over 60% loss). Following an initial period of flux after

Hurricane Hugo, 20-year trends show significant increases in fish abundance and biomass. Significant

increases in biomass were observed for most trophic groups (herbivores, secondary consumers, large

predators) and several families (parrotfishes, surgeonfishes, grunts, jacks, snappers, groupers). Trends

were similar among the four reference reefs, with some exceptions on the less protected and resilient

reefs. Improved monitoring in the region will allow for better context among spatial scales and support

collaborative management efforts.

KEYWORDS: Coral, reef, fishes, Caribbean, monitoring

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

22

Improving Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring in the Wider Caribbean Region:

Initial GCRMN-Caribbean Accomplishments

Mejora del Monitoreo a Largo Plazo de Arrecifes de Coral en la Región del Gran Caribe:

Logros Iniciales del GCRMN-Caribe

Amélioration à Long Terme du Suivi des Récifs Coralliens dans la Grande Région

Caraibe: Progrès Initiaux du GCRMN-Caraibe

JULIE BELMONT*

1, MARIA PENA

2, ALESSANDRA VANZELLA-KHOURI

3,

and RUBEN TORRES4

1CAR-SPAW / UNEP-CEP, GCRMN-Caribbean, Parc National de la Guadeloupe - Montéran Saint-

Claude, Guadeloupe 97120 France (FWI). * julie.belmont.carspaw@guadeloupe-parcnational.fr. 2CERMES -UWIGCRMN-Caribbean, St. Michaels, Barbados.

3UNEP-CEP SPAW Secretariat, GCRMN-Caribbean, UNEP CAR/RCU,

14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica. 4Reef Check Dominican Republic, GCRMN-Caribbean, Prol Fantino Falco #5,

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

ABSTRACT

Long-term and robust coral reef monitoring coupled with strategic reporting are essential drivers for

ecosystem-based management and regional policy processes. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring

Network (GCRMN) report, Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs 1970-2012, highlighted the

weaknesses of regional coral reef monitoring due partly to reduced functionality of GCRMN in the

Caribbean. To address the urgent need for more effective coral reef monitoring and reporting there has

been a move towards revitalizing the Caribbean component of the GCRMN. The initiative to revitalize

the Caribbean network was launched in August 2014, along with concrete proposals for improvements in

data collection, archiving and communication. Several technical and scientific solutions have been

proposed to address the lack of information and dissemination, and inconsistency in applying monitoring

methods and approaches throughout the region. This first year of the GCRMN-Caribbean has seen the

confirmation of a dynamic network, which has been bolstering its presence and regional

acknowledgement through its broadening participation in this regional effort. An expert steering

committee and members-at-large have enabled the network to achieve substantial progress. GCRMN

methods have been improved and applied at several sites; communication and experience sharing have

increased considerably; capacity building actions have been identified and developed; and there has been

collaboration with major Caribbean programmes. This paper reports on the progress towards revitalizing

the GCRMN-Caribbean , its initial achievements, as well as network challenges and next steps for 2016.

KEYWORDS: Coral reef, GCRMN-Caribbean, monitoring

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

23

Monitoring Guidelines for Long-term Understanding of Status and

Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs

Lineamientos de Monitoreo para el Entendimiento a Largo Plazo del

Estado y las Tendencias de los Arrecifes Coralinos del Caribe

Lignes Directrices pour un Suivi à Long Terme de L'etat et de

L'evolution des Récifs Corraliens dans les Caraïbes

JULIE BELMONT*

1, JEAN-PIERRE MARÉCHAL

2, PAUL HOETJES

3, and ANDY ESTEP

4

1CAR-SPAW / UNEP-CEP, GCRMN-Caribbean, Parc National de la Guadeloupe - Montéran Saint-

Claude, Guadeloupe 97120 France (FWI.)* julie.belmont.carspaw@guadeloupe-parcnational.fr. 2Nova Blue Environment, GCRMN-Caribbean, 14 rue Chery Rosette Fond Lahaye,

Schoelcher 97 233 Martinique (FWI) 3National Office for the Caribbean, GCRMN-Caribbean, Bonaire, Netherlands.

4The Waitt Institute, GCRMN-Caribbean, Washington, D.C. USA.

ABSTRACT

Conclusions from the UNEP/IUCN Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) report, Status

and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs 1970-2012, pointed out several limitations of the coral reef

monitoring conducted in the Caribbean. In particular, it highlighted the inconsistency in application of

common monitoring methods and approaches throughout the region.To date, monitoring programmes

often collect non-overlapping types of data, or the efforts have limited comparibility for describing

similar aspects of the reef ecosystem. From this assessment, the GCRMN-Caribbean, revitalized in 2014,

has agreed that there is great value in coordinating and standardizing future monitoring efforts. To this

end, minimum as well as prefered coral reef monitoring guidelines for ecological and socioeconomic

data collection were established. These methods were built on the experience and lessons learned from

long established and well vetted scientific protocols, and seek to provide a compromise between

practical applicability and ease of comparison between existing methods and long-term datasets. We

attempt in this poster to offer an overview of the proposed set of parameters and data collection

techniques for ecological monitoring to be used by GCRMN-Caribbean members. Regular analysis of

data and reporting will support and better inform local coral reef management and conservation efforts.

By regularly collecting information about these elements across multiple locations, it will be possible to

more efficiently describe the status of coral reef health in the Caribbean at any given time, as well as to

provide likely future trajectories.

KEYWORDS: GCRMN, Caribbean, coral reef, monitoring, guidelines

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

24

Participation of Private Sector in Financing of Marine Protected Areas:

Initial Findings from the Blue-finance Project

Participación del Sector Privado en el Financiameinto de Áreas Marinas Protegidas:

Resultados Iniciales del Proyecto Financiero Azul

Participation du Secteur Privé dans le Financement des Aires Marines Protégées:

Résultats Initiaux du Projet Blue-finance

JULIE BELMONT*

1, NICOLAS PASCAL

2, MELISA BOS

2,

ANGELIQUE BRATHWAITE2, and TANYA BRIAN

3

1CAR-SPAW / UNEP-CEP, Parc National de la Guadeloupe - Montéran Saint-Claude, Guadeloupe

97120 France (FWI).* julie.belmont.carspaw@guadeloupe-parcnational.fr. 2Blue-finance Project, Marine Biodiversity Finance, Foster Hall, St John, Barbados.

3GRID-Arendal, Postboks 183 N-4802, Arendal, Norway.

ABSTRACT

Many recent studies have confirmed that total funding for protected areas and biodiversity conservation

has to be increased dramatically to achieve the targets set at national levels. Today, 80% of biodiversity

finance is generated from public sector mechanisms. Although these mechanisms could scale-up in the

future, market-based mechanisms have a greater potential to increase in scale.The marine and coastal

environment have very few practical experience of financing biodiversity with private sector and, to

date, few tourism or private co-funded marine reserves are reported. The real potential of such

instruments has still to be proven and many aspects have to be analyzed to propose concrete funding

opportunities adapted to the “for-profit” supply side and compatible with conservation targets. One of

the main priorities for the next years is therefore to provide empirical experiences of conservation

funding mechanisms with impact investors and tourism industry. The Bluefinance Project, supported by

the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and BlueSolutions, represents a portfolio of

projectsdeveloping financing mechanisms for conservation and management. We present here the initial

findings from this initiative, which is dedicated to test new solutions for MPA financing in the Caribbean

Region within a pilot site in Barbados. Results show that priorities are to setup models of Public-Private

Partnerships (PPPs) to define clearly the management of funds as well as marine tenures. This

preliminary step should be defined before designing Payement for Ecosystem Services or other financial

mechanisms with potential investors such as the tourism industry, real estate owners or impact investors.

KEYWORDS: MPA financing, public-private, impact investments, Bluefinance

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

25

Lionfish Hunting Behavior Across Multiple Habitats:

Effect of Local Lionfish Density and Implications for Native Fishes

Comportamiento de Caza del Pez León en Múltiples Hábitats:

Efecto de la Densidad Local del Pez León e Implicaciones para Peces Nativos

Comportement de Chassedu Poisson-lion ê Travers Plusieurs Habitats:

Effet de la Densité Locale du Poisson-lion et Implications pour les Poissons Indigênes

CASSANDRA BENKWITT*

1 and MARK HIXON

2

1Oregon State University, Department of Integrative Biology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon

97331 USA. * benkwitc@science.oregonstate.edu. 2University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Biology, 2538 McCarthy Mall,

EDM 216, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive predators often reach higher abundances in their invaded ranges than their native ranges, which

may lead to changes in their hunting behavior with subsequent consequences for prey populations. If

there is increased competition for food at higher densities, then invasive predators may spend more time

hunting and/or forage over broader distances, which could change what prey are vulnerable to predation.

The Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive marine predatory fish that has reached

extremely high densities in parts of the Western Atlantic and causes reductions in native fish populations

on coral reefs. To determine whether lionfish hunting behavior changes at different local densities, we

conducted observations of lionfish on coral patch reefs in The Bahamas. At higher densities, a higher

proportion of lionfish hunted at dusk and a higher proportion of lionfish foraged in habitats surrounding

patch reefs at dawn and dusk. To determine whether these movements affect native prey fishes, we

conducted a manipulative field experiment by maintaining 8 patch reefs with low lionfish densities and 8

reefs with high lionfish densities and monitoring native fish communities at varying distances from the

reefs. Lionfish first depleted prey fishes on patch reefs, and subsequently caused reductions in prey

fishes on small structures up to 35 m away from reefs. These results suggest that lionfish feed

substantially in the habitats surrounding coral patch reefs, especially at higher local lionfish densities,

and are therefore having broader negative effects on native fish communities than previously

documented.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, predation, foraging behavior, density, invasive species

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

26

Using the Dive Industry as a Tool for Successful Lionfish Management

in Bonaire National Marine Park

Uso de la Industria de Buceo como Herramienta para la Gestión Exitosa

del Pez León en el Parque Nacional Marino de Bonaire

Utilisation de L‟industrie Plonge Bouteille comme un Outil de Gestion

avec du Succès de Lionfish à Bonaire Parc National Marin

PAULO ROBERTO BERTUOL

STINAPA Bonaire, Barkadera, 10 kralendijk, Bonaire 000 Dutch Caribbean.

washingtonpark@stinapa.org.

ABSTRACT

The BNMP had a lionfish control plan in place before their arrival in October 2009. In April of 2009, the

BNMP organized workshops for stakeholders, including the dive businesses. Conversations with

government agencies began and, less than a year later, new spearfishing legislation was sanctioned. Dive

staff, visitors and local residents were involved and when the first lionfish was sighted, the control plan

was launched. Workshops were organized, lionfish education was included in dive orientations, and

approximately 400 ELF tools were distributed. The program began with divers sighting, marking and

reporting lionfish while marine park staff undertook their removal. An important aspect of the program

was a close working relationship with the dive industry. Dive centers offered Lionfish Awareness

courses that generated income and kept a constant recruitment of volunteers. To boost the enthusiasm of

its volunteers, the BNMP offered lionfish derbies in the no-diving reserves and other difficult to access

areas. A successful derby and lionfish tasting event was organized in 2014, which created awareness and

demand for lionfish as a culinary choice among locals. Currently, some licensed hunters sell lionfish for

profit, but most engage in lionfish hunting as a means of supporting reef conservation and there is not a

steady supply of lionfish to restaurants as anticipated. BNMP‟s management plan resulted in a decreased

density of lionfish at shallower depths but densities did not change on the deeper reef. This suggests that

controlling lionfish in deeper waters might be the next step for Bonaire‟s strategy of control.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, management, control, divers, Bonaire

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

27

Using Ecosystem Valuation Tools to Establish Protected Areas, Enact Species

Conservation, and Implement Resilience Management Schemes

on a Small Island Developing Nation

Uso de Herramientas de Valoración de los Ecosistemas para Establecer Áreas Protegidas,

Promulgar las Conservación de Especies y Aplicar Planes de Manejo Resilientes en

Pequeños Estados Insulares en Desarrollo

Utilisation des Outils D'évaluation des Écosystèmes pour Établir des Zones Protégées,

Promulguer Conservation des Espèces et Mettre en Œuvre des Systèmes de Gestion de la

Résilience sur un Pays en Développement Insulaires

TADZIO BERVOETS

Nature Foundation – St. Maarten, Welsburg Street # 1, Units 56-58 Cole Bay, St. Maarten.

manager@naturefoundationsxm.org.

ABSTRACT

The government of St. Maarten recently established the country‟s first national park, protecting 1,500

hectares of coral reefs and sea grasses. An analysis quantifying the economic value of the proposed

park‟s tourism, using WRI‟s coral reef valuation method, played a key role in this establishment. St.

Maarten‟s reefs have been degrading due to coastal development, climate change and overfishing. In

2010, the St. Maarten Nature Foundation began campaigning for an MPA, using a WRI methodology to

show that marine ecosystems contribute US$58 million a year to the country‟s economy. Reef-related

tourism, including diving and snorkeling, is central to St. Maarten‟s economy. Reefs and coralline

beaches attract 2 million visitors a year, and tourism directly or indirectly employs 75 percent of the

country‟s population. Reefs and sea grass also nurture fisheries worth US$2 million per year, providing

an important source of food and livelihoods for islanders. Using the results of the Ecosystem Valuation

Analysis, the Nature Foundation was also able to implement and enforce management actions to reflect

the importance of individual species. Values were placed on sharks in particular, protecting them in

territorial waters. Results of the study were also incorporated in Coral Reef Resiliency programs, in

particular the Nature Foundation‟s Coral Bleaching response Plan, which outlines management actions

to ensure coral reef resilience as it relates to climate change, in particular wide scale bleaching events

such as those encountered in 2005 and to a lesser extent in 2010.

KEYWORDS: Coral reefs, economic valuation, ecosystem servioces, sharks, St. Maarten

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

28

The Dutch Caribbean “Save Our Sharks” Shark Conservation Project

El Proyecto de Conservación de Tiburones en el Caribe Holandes

Le Projet de Conservation de Requin Caraïbes Néderlandais Save Our Sharks

TADZIO BERVOETS

Nature Foundation – St. Maarten, Welsburg Street # 1, Units 56-58 Cole Bay, St. Maarten.

manager@naturefoundationsxm.org.

ABSTRACT

All six islands of the Dutch Caribbean received funding to assist with the effort of shark conservation on

all six islands of the Dutch Caribbean; Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire.

The Dutch Caribbean Save our Sharks effort may be the first to attempt a concerted regional approach in

the global endeavor to save sharks and is one of the five major shark conservation projects running

globally.In the Dutch Caribbean, sharks face numerous threats from poaching, finning, overfishing and

coastal development reducing the number of species, including on islands with long standing MPA\'s

such as Bonaire. The project will focus on Science: learning more about shark species using various

methods including satellite tagging and BRUV surveys; Education: helping residents learn about the

importance of sharks; and Legislation: legally protecting sharks throughout the six islands and ensuring

that that protection is adequately enforced. Island conservation organizations that form the Dutch

Caribbean conservation alliance will work with fishermen, local communities, and scientists to study

local shark populations. The knowledge they gain will be shared with regional decision makers and other

island stakeholders in an effort to create shark sanctuaries throughout the Dutch Caribbean

seas.Conservationists also will work to create different ways for islanders to benefit from the presence of

sharks in Dutch Caribbean waters, such as making them a part of the dive tourism industry.

KEYWORDS: Shark conservation, Dutch Caribbean, sharks, MPA's, species management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

29

Investigating the Age Frequency, Growth, and PAH Levels of Roughtongue Bass,

Pronotogrammus martinicensis, Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Investigando la Frecuencia de Edad, el Crecimiento y Los Niveles de HAP en Serrano

lengua rasposa, Pronotogrammus martinicensis Después del Derrame de Petroleo del

Deepwater Horizon

Enquêter sur de Fréquence de L'âge, de Croissance et de HAP les Niveaux de

L'roughtongue, Pronotogrammus martinicensis, Suivants le Déversement

de Pétrole de Deepwater Horizon

LINDSAY BIERMANN*, STEPHEN SZEDLMAYER, and MARK ALBINS

Auburn University, 8300 State Hwy., 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA.

*lkb0024@auburn.edu.

ABSTRACT

The roughtongue bass, Pronotogrammus martinicensis, is an ecologically important deep-water reef fish

species in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill may have

exposed this small reef fish to potentially harmful hydrocarbons on deep reef areas close to the spill site.

However, there has been limited study of the potential effects on roughtongue bass. The present study

examined age frequency, growth and PAH levels of roughtongue bass collected near the DWH spill site.

Seasonal samples of roughtongue bass were collected in Oct - Sep 2014 (n = 190), December 2014 (n =

249), March 2015 (n = 310) and June - July 2015 (n = 360). Standard length ranged from 54 to 122 mm

(n = 1109). Based on otolith increment counts, age frequencies showed that roughtongue captured in the

fall surveys (n = 437) were dominated by the 2010 and 2011-year classes. Growth rates were estimated

with von Bertalanffy growth relation and showed K = 0.27 and Linf = 124. PAH analysis detected no

PAH presence. Based on age frequencies, growth rates, and PAH levels estimated for roughtongue bass,

we failed to detect any significant effects of the deep water horizon spill on these deep water reef

species.

KEYWORDS: Roughtongue bass, Deepwater Horizon oil spill, age, growth, PAH

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

30

Functional Migration Areas:

Dog and Cubera Snapper Spawning Aggregations in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Áreas Funcionales de Migración:

Los Pargos Perro y Cubera en las Agregaciones Reproductivas de las Islas Vírgenes de

EE.UU

Zones de Migration Fonctionnels:

vivaneaux dent de chien et vivaneau cubera fraient dans les Iles Vierges Américaines

CHRISTOPHER BIGGS*

1 and RICHARD NEMETH

2

1University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive,

Port Aransas, Texas 78373 USA. * crbiggsy@gmail.com. 2University of the Virgin Islands, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies,

2 John Brewer's Bay, St. Thomas 00803 US Virgin Islands.

ABSTRACT

Functional migration areas describe movements of reef fish to spawning aggregations as well as the

spatial distribution of fish within spawning areas and can offer insight to the ecological connectivity of

habitats, distribution of resources, population dynamics and management opportunities within a system.

We used acoustic telemetry to track dog snapper Lutjanus jocu and Cubera snapper Lutjanus

cyanopterus between three sites along the Puerto Rican Shelf in the Caribbean from June to December

2014. Fish were tagged at a spawning aggregation site, and then tracked across three arrays of

receivers. Both aggregations showed tight site fidelity; residing within the 1.4 - 1.5 km2

spawning area

up to 90% of the time. Four fish were detected 28 km to the southwest, and a different group of four L.

cyanopterus were detected at an array 25 km to the east of the tagging site. Conservative estimates of

the catchment area, based on the detections that were the furthest from the aggregation site, were 787

km2 for L. cyanopterus and 472 km

2 for L. jocu. The maximum possible catchment area was 8,666 km

2,

which was based on swim speed and time absent from the aggregation site. These estimates of

catchment area for L. jocu and L. cyanopterus indicate that management of the fishery may be uniquely

difficult as these fish may be crossing jurisdictions from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico and the

British Virgin islands. However, protection of the spawning site may be highly effective given the tight

site fidelity of both species.

KEYWORDS: Acoustic telemetry, catchment area, reproduction, Marine Protected Areas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

31

Potential Climate Change Effects on Coastal Small-scale Fisheries

and on the Exploited Biodiversity in French Guiana

Efecto Potencial del Cambio Climático en la Pesca Costera Artesanal

y en la Biodiversidad Explotada en la Guayana Francesa

Scénario D'impact du Changement Climatique sur la Pêche Côtière

et la Biodiversité Halieutique en Guyane

FABIAN BLANCHARD*

1, ABDOUL CISSÉ

2, OSCAR PRADO-MERINI

1, and LUC DOYEN

2

1Ifremer – Domaine Suzini, BP 477 Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana 97334 France.

*Fabian.Blanchard@ifremer.fr. 2Université Bordeaux,UMR – GREThA, Bordeaux, France.

ABSTRACT

At the global scale, considering biodiversity loss and erosion because of overexploitation, habitat

alteration, climate change, pollution and invasive species, there is an urgent need to develop an

ecosystem based fisheries management. In French Guyana, the long term increase of the demand for sea

food due to the population growth, and the impacts of climate change yet observed for marine

biodiversity question the ecosystem capacity to insure food security and economic viability of the coastal

small-scale fisheries without alteration. To bring some answers to this question, a bio-economic model

has been developed, with the population dynamics of the main species exploited, their trophic

interactions, an impact of the temperature on population growth and fishing mortalities according to the

various coastal fleets, including foreign IUU fleets. The model was calibrated using the landings and

fishing efforts observed daily on all the coastal fisheries landing points since 2006 by Ifremer, the IUU

fishing efforts observed by the French National Marine and data from literature. Simulations show that i)

co-viability of biodiversity and fisheries is possible but ii) the IUU fleets compromise this viability

altering biodiversity, and iii) climate change accelerates the biodiversity alteration and loss.

KEYWORDS: Coastal small-scale fisheries, climate change, IUU fishing, scenarios, biodiversity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

32

Preliminary Observations of Lionfish Behavior and Attraction

for Lionfish Aggregating Devices (LADs)

Observaciones Preliminares sobre el Comportamiento del Pez León y la Atracción por

Dispositivos Concentradores de Peces León (LADS)

Observations Préliminaires Du Comportement Et De L‟activité Des Poissons-Lionfish par

les Dispositifs de Concentration de Poissons-Lionfish (LADS)

ALEX K. BOGDANOFF1,2

, LAD AKINS3, STEVE GITTINGS

4, STEPHANIE GREEN

5,

CRAIG A. LAYMAN2, and JAMES A. MORRIS, JR.

1

1NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Rd., Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA.

alex.bogdanoff@noaa.gov. 2 North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, 123 David Clark Labs,

Raleigh, North Carolina. 27695 USA. calayman@ncsu.edu. 3Reef Environmental Education Foundation, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Florida 33037 USA.

Lad@reef.org. 4 NOAA, National Marine Sanctuaries, 1305 East West Hwy., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA.

steve.gittings@noaa.gov. 6Oregon State University, Department of Zoology, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA.

stephanie.green@science.oregonstate.edu.

ABSTRACT

The majority of lionfish control has been through diver-based removals. This strategy is successful

at reducing densities and minimizing impacts on specific reefs. However, due to costs, limited bottom

time and operable depths, this alone is not an effective large-scale (kilometers of reef) control technique.

Lionfish exhibit high association with a variety of natural and artificial structures. Observations in

Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and The Bahamas suggest lionfish may actually prefer artificial structure over

natural. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that artificial structure could be used to attract

lionfish and aggregate them around the structures. To test this hypothesis, we are experimentally testing

two Lionfish Aggregating Device (LAD) types (a vertical and horizontal design) across several

kilometers of seagrass, patch reef, continuous coral reef, and hard-bottom habitats in the Florida Keys

and North Carolina. To support field work, we are conducting laboratory trials in 15,000 and 30,000 liter

aquaria to test lionfish preference for different LAD designs and various attractants (sounds, decoys, and

lights). Preliminary laboratory results, based on nine individual (single lionfish) and nine group (five

lionfish) trials, suggest lionfish do have strong preference for one structure over the other, but preference

changes as the number of lionfish increases. If successful, LADs will provide an opportunity for

spearfisheres to perform targeted removals, particularly at deeper depths. Managers will be able to

incorporate LADs into ongoing control strategies. LADs would allow for control across several

kilometers of habitat and will help maximize efficiency in areas where resources are limited.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish aggregation, large-scale control, lionfish behavior

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

33

Ecological Role and Conservation of the Atlantic's Only Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezi

Funcion Ecologica y la Conservacion del Único Tiburon Arrecifal del Atlantico,

Carcharhinus perezi

Role Ecologique et de la Conservation du Requin de Recife de L'Atlantique, Carcharhinus

perezi

MARK BOND*

1, ELIZABETH BABCOCK

2, NIGEL HUSSEY

3,

JASMINE VALENTIN4, and DEMIAN CHAPMAN

4

1Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199 USA.

*markbond8@gmail.com. 2Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami – RSMAS,

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA. 3Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue,

Windsor, Ontario N9B 3PY Canada. 4School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11790

USA.

ABSTRACT

Several species of requiem shark (F. Carcharhinidae) have evolved to live exclusively in coral reef

ecosystems. While there are several species of these "reef sharks" in the Indo-Pacific, there is only one in

the Western Hemisphere, the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). Increasingly the target of

artisanal and small-scale fisheries in the region, it is also the mainstay of a regional shark dive tourism

industry that generates hundreds hundreds of millions dollars annually. Despite this and its purported

role as an apex predator, we lack basic information on the trophic ecology and conservation biology of

Caribbean reef sharks. We addressed gaps in our knowledge by combining multiple approaches to study

this species in Belize. Baited remote underwater video (BRUV) and longline surveys coupled with

passive acoustic telemetry were first used to show the effectiveness of marine resrves in conserving this

species. Elevated reef shark abundance observed in specific habitats within reserves then provide a

natural experiment to investigate the effects of this predator on the distribution and the behaviour of a

potential prey item (stingrays). Other researchers hypothesized that this species exerts top-down control

over large bodied, gape-limited teleosts with shark removal potentially initiating trophic cascades.

Carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) stable istopes were used to examine trophic relationships between

Caribbean reef sharks, great barracuda and two species of grouper. Results refute the hypothesis that

Caribbean reef sharks prey heavily on these species and suggest substantial overlap in diet and functional

redundancy between these predators.

KEYWORDS: Coral reefs, ecology, marine reserves, BRUVs, risk effects

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

34

Biología Reproductiva de la Raya Eléctrica Narcine entemedor,

en la Bahía de La Paz, BCS, México

Reproductive Biology of the Electric Ray Narcine entemedor,

in the Bay of La Paz, BCS, Mexico

Biologie de la Reproduction du Ray électrique Narcine entemedor,

dans la Baie de La Paz, BCS, Mexico

ITZIGUERI BURGOS

CICIMAR IPN, Av Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Conchalito 23094,

La Paz, BCS, Baja CS 23094 Mexico. itzigueri@gmail.com.

RESUMEN Narcine entemedor es una especie de batoideo capturada durante todo el año en el sureste del Golfo de

California; sin embargo, carece de una normativa pesquera y es catalogada como una especie con “Datos

Deficientes” por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (IUCN). Considerando

que la información sobre aspectos reproductivos son fundamentales para el desarrollo de modelos de

manejo efectivo, en este estudio se describe la biología reproductiva de N. entemedor en la Bahía de La

Paz, México. Las muestras provienen de individuos capturados en la pesca artesanal de octubre de 2013

a mayo de 2015. Los organismos fueron sexados, pesados y medidos en su longitud total (LT); las

gónadas fueron extraídas y fijadas en formalina al 10% y posteriormente fueron analizadas,

considerando su desarrollo. Se registraron 158 hembras y 19 machos, entre 46 y 84 cm LT; la proporción

sexual fue de ocho hembras por cada macho. Las gónadas de las hembras se clasificaron en cuatro

estados de desarrollo ovárico y seis estados en el útero. La talla mediana de madurez en hembras fue de

59,0 cm LT. Los mayores valores del índice gonadosomático se registraron en junio y julio; sin embargo,

no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los meses. La fecundidad uterina varió entre 1 y 24

embriones, con un promedio de 9.4 embriones por hembra. Con base en sus características biométricas y

macroscópicas, se definieron tres estados de desarrollo ontogénico de los embriones (temprano, medio y

tardío), y una talla de nacimiento estimada entre 11.0 y 14.5 cm LT.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Biología reproductiva, batoideo, raya eléctrica, talla mediana de madurez,

ontogenia

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

35

Monitoring the Spawning Aggregation at Northeast Point, Glover‟s Reef Atoll

Through a Collaborative Approach

Seguimiento de una Agregación Reproductiva en Punto Noreste, Atolón de Glover,

a Través de un Enfoque Participativo

Suivi de L' Agrégation de Frai au Northeast Point, Atoll de Glover

Grâce à une Approche Collaborative

VIRGINIA BURNS PEREZ* and ALEXANDER TEWFIK

Wildlife Conservation Society, 1755 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize. *vburns@wcs.org.

ABSTRACT

The Belize Spawning Aggregation Working Group has been in existence since 2001. For the past

fourteen years, this group of conservation NGOs, fisher organizations and the Belize Fisheries

Department have collaborated and made significant progress in the protection and management of

thirteen of Belize‟s reef fish spawning aggregation sites. This includes advocating for important

legislation to protect the endangered Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus). Northeast Point, Glover‟s

Reef Atoll, is one of the last viable spawning aggregation sites for Nassau Grouper in Belize. In 2005,

the Wildlife Conservation Society initiated a monitoring program to assess the status of the Nassau

Grouper at the Northeast Point. The results of data gathered over eleven spawning seasons (2005 - 2015)

have been used to inform management decisions including harvestable minimum and maximum size

limits (i.e. slot size) for Nassau Groupers across Belize. Future plans for the monitoring program will be

discussed (e.g. telemetry) along with the accomplishments and challenges of the Belize Spawning

Aggregation Working Group.

KEYWORDS: Nassau grouper, spawning aggregation, marine protected areas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

36

Efforts to Trap Invasive Lionfish Near Boat Docks on Little Cayman

Los Esfuerzos para Atrapar al Pez León Invasor Cerca de los Muelles en Little Caimán

Les Efforts pour Piéger poisson-Lionfish Invasive Près de Quais sur Little Cayman

DREW BUTKOWSKI*

1, ALLISON CANDELMO

2, and KRISTI FOSTER

2

1University of Miami - RSMAS, 6420 SW 54th Street, Miami, Florida 33155 USA.

*d.butkowski@umiami.edu. 2Central Caribbean Marine Institute, Little Cayman Research Centre, North Coast Road,

Little Cayman KY3-2501 Cayman Islands.

ABSTRACT

Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois spp., have established themselves in the western Atlantic Ocean and

Caribbean Sea, and were first reported around Little Cayman in 2008. Weekly culling efforts focus

predominantly on coral reefs and neglect shallow water habitats such as seagrass beds. The efficacy of

two trap designs at capturing lionfish near boat docks bordering seagrass beds was evaluated. Over a 32-

day period, two lionfish were captured in small 18 cm minnow traps, and one was captured in a 91 x 61

x 38 cm shaded fish pot. Eight juvenile lionfish were captured using hand nets at the completion of the

study. All lionfish captured were sexually immature, had an average total length of 94.55 ± 23.90 mm,

and an average weight of 10.75 ± 7.93 g. Minnow traps had an average bycatch incidence of 18.52 ±

7.86% per site with an average of 0.296 ± 0.374 bycatch individuals per trap per day. Shaded fish pots

had an average bycatch incidence of 35.54 ± 18% per site with an average of 1.37 ± 1.46 bycatch

individuals per trap per day. Lionfish sightings at study sites decreased as water temperatures increased.

Results indicate that trapping of lionfish in seagrass habitats using minnow traps or shaded fish pots is

not a resource-efficient culling method. The small size and sexual immaturity of the lionfish captured

confirms previous observations that juvenile lionfish utilize seagrass beds. The protection of juvenile

native species from lionfish predation should be a priority of management goals. Next steps include

determining the recruitment rate of juvenile lionfish and investigating the use of aggregating structures

to increase the efficiency of hand netting.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, traps, Little Cayman, juvenile lionfish, trap bycatch

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

37

La Protección de Sitios de Agregaciones Reproductivas de Peces en México

a través de la Participación Comunitaria

Protection of Fish Spawning Aggregation Sites in Mexico

Through Community Participation

Protection des Frayères de Poisson au Mexique

Grâce à la Participation Communautaire

JACOBO ALEJANDRO CAAMAL MADRIGAL* and STUART FULTON

Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C. Isla del Peruano 215, Colonia Lomas de Miramar Calle Carey SM10

MZ24 LT10, CP77580, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico. *jcaamal@cobi.org.mx.

RESUMEN

Las agregaciones reproductivas de peces representan un proceso ecológico vulnerable, en algunas

especies los individuos viajan largas distancias para reproducirse en grandes grupos que ocurren en un

lugar y tiempo determinado por periodos cortos. En el Estado de Quintana Roo, México, se ha registrado

información de agregaciones reproductivas desde 1955, en donde se hace referencia a eventos de

corridas masivas o sitios de agregaciones, en la actualidad unas cuantas aún existen y se han logrado

verificar, otras aún no se encuentran. Lo cierto es que toda esta información la tienen los pescadores, que

al día de hoy aunque de manera muy reservada la comparten y colaboran en el proceso búsqueda,

verificación y en la mayoría de los casos, en las propuestas de manejo. Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C.,

realiza desde el 2008 en colaboración con pescadores acciones para la protección de estas zonas. En la

actualidad junto con seis cooperativas pesqueras en cuatro comunidades se ha logrado realizar talleres de

búsqueda de agregaciones reproductivas a través de batimetría para elaborar mapas en tercera dimensión

del fondo marino y buceos de verificación de posibles sitios, con lo que se ha confirmado la existencia

de al menos 6 zonas de agregación de 7 especies comerciales. A la fecha uno de estos sitios ha quedado

protegido dentro de un refugio pesquero decretado en 2013 y que fue solicitado por los pescadores del

área. Así mismo se están realizando las tareas correspondientes para que sean protegidas todas las demás

áreas confirmadas como sitios de agregación.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Protecion, agregaciosnes, comunidades, pesqueras, participacion

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

38

Mapa de Riesgo sobre la Invasión de Pez León en el Caribe Mexicano:

Repercusiones y Oportunidad de Desarrollo

Risk Map of the Lionfish Invasion in the Mexican Caribbean:

Impact and Development Opportunity

Carte des Risques de L'invasion de Rascasse Volante dans la Mer des Caraïbes:

Impact et Opportunité de Développement

J. ADAN CABALLERO VAZQUEZ

Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatán, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Calle

8, No. 39, Mz. 29, S.M. 64 Km. 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73, Cordemex, 97310,

Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500 México. adan07@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

El pez león (Pterois volitans / miles complex) es una especie invasora que desde su primer registro en el

gran Caribe, a amenazado la integridad y biodiversidad de los ecosistemas. El pez león se ha convertido

en una década, en una de la especie invasora mas exitosas, afectando de forma inconsistente y aun poco

valorada, los ecosistemas arrecifes del Caribe mexicano. Se presenta un mapa de riesgo con en análisis

de los datos sobre la invasión de pez león en los sitios de estudio de la zona norte, centro y sur del Caribe

mexicano. La densidad poblacional de peces promedio por hectárea es heterogénea en la región, la

abundancia de peces no varia significativamente entre los sitios, pero si es significativa en un perfil de

profundidad vertical a la línea de costa. El numero de organismos por hectárea en el ANP de Banco

Chinchorro, zona sur (con alto nivel de conservación), es similar al reportado en Playa del Carmen, zona

centro (sin estatus de conservación), presentando en ambos sitios las mayores tallas y abundancias. En

Isla Contoy y Punta Nizuc (nivel medio de conservación), zona norte, la abundancia es menor con

respecto a la zona centro y sur. No hay correlaciones entre la densidad de la especie invasiva, la

complejidad de fondo o la biodiversidad entre zonas. Los resultados del análisis reflejan que se aplican

esfuerzos de control de la especie invasiva disimiles en cada zona. Se recomienda intensificar los

esfuerzos de control de la especie médiate su consumo y al mismo tiempo trabajar hacia una estrategia

de manejo integral única con un enfoque ecosistémico, donde la conservación de especies locales,

magnifiquen el control.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pez león, especie invasora, Caribe mexicano, ANP, biodiversidad

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

39

Evaluación Espacial y Temporal de las Asociaciones

de Peces Arrecifales en Cuatro Localidades de Cuba

Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Reef Fish Associations in Four Locations in Cuba

Évaluation Spatiale et Temporelle des Associations de Poissons de Récif

dans Quatre Endroits à Cuba

DELMIS CABRERA* and PEDRO CHEVALIER

Acuario Nacional Cuba, Calle 60 y 1ra, La Habana 11300 Cuba.

*delmisc@acuarionacional.cu.

RESUMEN

La pérdida de biodiversidad marina está estrechamente ligada a fenómenos antropogénicos como la

sobrepesca y la contaminación. Eliminar o disminuir estos factores se ha incluido entre las principales

tareas de los planes de manejo de las Áreas Protegidas Marinas (APM). Para evaluar la influencia de las

APM y la antropización sobre las asociaciones de peces en Cuba, se escogieron cuatro localidades: dos

incluidas en APM (Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río y Bahía de Cochinos, Matanzas) y dos ubicadas en la

vecindad de grandes núcleos poblacionales (Miramar, La Habana y Puerto Padre, Las Tunas). En los

muestreos del 2010 al 2013 se realizaron censos visuales donde se obtuvo la talla estimada y la

abundancia por cada especie. Se calcularon los índices de diversidad y la biomasa, además de medirse el

estado de las especies comerciales, la composición por especies y por principales grupos tróficos. Se

encontraron diferencias significativas entre estaciones por año para los valores de biomasa. Aunque en

las APM se observó mayor diversidad, equitatividad y riqueza de especies, hay una localidad más

afectada que la otra. Esto podría deberse a la pesca furtiva y a la influencia de las poblaciones rurales

adyacentes. Por otro lado, las localidades cercanas a bahías y grandes ciudades mostraron altos niveles

de degradación que podría ser a causa de la sobrepesca y la contaminación. Esto evidenció un gradiente

de afectación cuyo aumento va desde las APM hacia la cercanía de los grandes núcleos poblacionales.

PALABRAS CLAVES : Peces arrecifales, Cuba

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

40

Condos and Connectivity: Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach to Guide Caribbean

Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Fisheries Management Within the Bahamas

Las Casitas y la Conectividad: Desarrollando un Enfoque Interdisciplinario para

Informar el Manejo Pesquero de la Langosta (Panulirus argus) en las Bahamas

Condos et Connectivité: Développement D‟une Approche Interdisciplinaire

comme Outil D‟Information pour la Gestion de Pèches de la Langouste

(Panulirus argus) dans les Bahamas

KARLISA A. CALLWOOD

1, ANDREW S. KOUGH

2, and CLAIRE B. PARIS

1

1University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

*kcallwood@rsmas.miami.edu. 2John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA.

ABSTRACT

Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is a heavily exploited seafood throughout its range. Its long

pelagic larval duration and thus potential for long-range dispersal increases the difficulty in determining

the origins of local populations and impairs management. Spiny lobster supports the primary fishery in

The Bahamas. In addition, the use of condos (or casitas) as a fishing method has increased in recent

years. Yet, the combination of the ecological, social, and management implications of condo usage have

not been fully evaluated. Here we present an interdisciplinary approach and assess how this novel

strategy can assist in the difficulties of designing sustainable management for spiny lobster in The

Bahamas. Emphasis is placed on the integration of anthropological and biophysical modeling

techniques, providing an example of how these merged tools can help understand ecological processes

while assisting management decisions. Simulations of larval dispersal for Bahamian spiny lobster

populations indicate dispersal distances (or dispersal kernel) of 200 - 400 km, with a 25% probability of

successful settlement. Surveys and semi-structured interviews of Bahamian fishers revealed five popular

areas for condo placement. Further connectivity assessments of these locations indicate higher rates of

settlement success for four sites. Two of these locations demonstrated a narrower dispersal kernel,

suggesting self-recruitment. However, the three remaining locations appear to depend on subsidies from

other spiny lobster populations throughout the Caribbean. These differences in connectivity suggest

each location be evaluated individually to determine spatially-dependent management actions, and to

effectively develop and implement condo-related policies that will be supported by local communities.

KEYWORDS: Caribbean spiny lobster, condos, connectivity, interdisciplinary, fisheries management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

41

Assessing Exploitation of Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) Spawning Aggregations

Through Fishers‟ Knowledge and Landings Data

Evaluación de la Explotación de las Agregaciones Reproductivas del Mero de Nassau

(Epinephelus striatus) a Través del Conocimiento de Los Pescadores y el Análisis de los

Desembarques

Évaluation de L'exploitation des Agrégations de Frai de Mérou Rayé (Epinephelus

striatus) par les Connaissances des Pêcheurs et L'analyse des Débarquements

MARTA C. CALOSSO*

1 and JOHN A.B. CLAYDON

2

1Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs,

120 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove, California 93950 USA. *marta.calosso@gmail.com. 2Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

ABSTRACT

Historically, Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) was a key component of fisheries in the Wider

Caribbean Region. However, because of high fishing pressure particularly targeting spawning

aggregations, populations of E. striatus have declined dramatically throughout the region and the species

is regionally endangered. The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have one of the healthiest populations of

Nassau grouper, which is assumed to be a consequence of low fishing pressure on spawning

aggregations since fishers mainly free-dive to target spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and conch

(Strombus gigas). We conducted semi-structured interviews with local fishers and surveys of landings to

assess the degree to which aggregations were targeted. All fishers interviewed were aware that Nassau

grouper formed large schools seasonally, but only a subset had seen an aggregation, and relatively few

had fished one, using spear, trap, or hook-and-line. While a small number of trap boats have fished E.

striatus aggregations for decades, a select group of spear fishers have only recently started targeting

them. Although spear-fishing on aggregations appears to be increasing, there was unanimous stakeholder

support for a Nassau grouper closed season around presumed peak spawning months (Dec 1 to Feb 28).

The closed season comes into effect in 2015 and is expected to be most successful through a nationwide

ban on the sale or possession of Nassau grouper rather than through the ban on fishing itself, as has been

seen for the closed season for spiny lobster in the TCI.

KEYWORDS: Small scale fisheries, fisher knowledge, Nassau grouper, spawning aggregations, Turks &

Caicos Islands

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

42

Spawning Frequency of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois spp.)

Frecuencia de Desove del Pez León Invasor (Pterois spp.)

Fréquence de Reproduction des Poissons-lions Invasive (Pterois Spp.)

ALLISON CANDELMO*

1, TOM FRAZER

2, and DREW BUTKOWSKI

3

1Central Caribbean Marine Institute, P.O. Box 37, Little Cayman, KY3-2501 Cayman Islands.

*acandelmo@reefresearch.org. 2University of Florida, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Gainesville, Florida 32653 USA.

3University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

ABSTRACT

Rapid growth, early age at maturity, and high reproductive output has unquestionably contributed to the

establishment of lionfish along the eastern Atlantic seaboard, Gulf of Mexico and broader Caribbean

region. Estimates of spawning frequency for invasive lionfish to date range between 2.4 and 4.1 days.

Little attention has been focused, however, on the variability and uncertainty surrounding these estimates

and no temporal patterns in spawning frequency have yet been reported for any location. Toward that

end, we collected lionfish daily from the shallow waters (< 30 m) surrounding Little Cayman Island

between July 1 and August 12, 2015. We calculated spawning frequency each day (and for the entire

sampling period; 43 days) as the inverse of the spawning fraction, i.e., the quotient of the number of

mature females and the number of fish prepared to spawn as indicated by the presence of hydrated

oocytes. A total of 792 fish were collected of which 355 were females and 323 classified as mature

females. Of these, 184 had hydrated oocytes, which yielded an overall spawning frequency of 1.74 days.

As expected, the spawning fraction varied among days, with values ranging from 0.125 to 0.875.

Spawning frequency was directly correlated with total length of mature fish (r = 0.89) and highest values

were calculated for lionfish collected between the new and full moon phases. These findings will be of

interest to a broad suite of fisheries scientists and of particular value to resource managers using

population dynamics models to predict the efficacy of lionfish removals.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, spawning, lunar, size, Cayman Islands

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

43

Relationship Between Habitat Complexity and Pterois spp. Densities in Parque Nacional

Marino de Punta Francés, Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)

Relación entre la Complejidad del Hábitat y las Densidades de Pterois spp en el Parque

Nacional Marino de Punta Francés, Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)

Relation Entre la Complexité de L'habitat et Densités de Pterois spp. dans le Parque

Nacional Marino de Punta Francés, Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)

GIULIA CARDOSO*

1, HOLLY TREW

2, and ROBERT FRANCIS

1

1Department of Geography, King's College London, Strand London, WC2R 2LS United Kingdom.

*giulia.cardoso@kcl.ac.uk. 2Operation Wallace, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire PE23 4EX United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT

The substantial costs involved in the eradication of the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles)

leave physical control measures (culling) as the only viable option to limit their populations and

associated impacts. To maximize culling effectiveness, identification of habitat types or characteristics

most correlated with lionfish presence would be beneficial. Reef complexity in particular is a

characteristic that is expected to affect lionfish numbers. This study investigated variations in lionfish

densities across habitat types of different complexity and attempted to determine at which scale (site vs.

structure) complexity best correlates with lionfish presence and abundance. The seven study sites in the

Parque Nacional Marino de Punta Francés, Isla de la Juventud (Cuba) included different habitat types

such as patchy reefs and reef slopes. Lionfish density for each site was calculated as the average number

of individuals found inside three 30 x 30 m sample areas. The same areas were sampled for rugosity, a

proxy for habitat complexity, by taking a measurement every 5 m along six 30 m transects. Rugosity was

also measured for every spot where lionfish were found inside the site. Preliminary analysis indicates

that site-scale habitat complexity does not significantly affect lionfish presence or density. At a structure

scale, however, lionfish appear to preferentially occupy highly complex reef elements such as overhangs

where they often congregate. These preliminary results suggest that focusing culling on sites where these

structures are present, rather than across more generic habitats, would maximise culling effectiveness.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Cuba, habitat preferences, lionfish control, invasion management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

44

Stakeholder Perceptions on Lionfish (Pterois volitans) as a Threat to the Ecosystem and on

its Viability for Human Consumption in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Percepción de Usuarios sobre El Pez León (Pterois volitans) como Amenaza al Ecosistema

y sobre su Viabilidad para Consumo Humano en Quintana Roo, Mexico

Le poisson-lion (Pterois volitans) Perçu Comme Une Menace De L‟écosystem Par Les

Parties Prenantes Et Perception De Sa Viabilité Pour La Consommation Humaine à

Quintana Roo, Mexique

EVELYN CARRILLO-FLOTA* and ALFONSO AGUILAR-PERERA 1Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5, carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil,

Mérida, Yucatán 97100 México.* poe_oz@hotmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The invasion of red lionfish, Pterois volitans, in the Atlantic Ocean has generated high concern among

scientists, managers, and users. Environmental authorities have responded to the invasion by promoting

lionfish consumption as a measure of population control. The present study aimed to describe, through

questionnaires, interviews, and non-participant observation, perceptions of local stakeholders (fishermen,

restaurant owners, and fish consumers) on the lionfish as a threat to the marine ecosystem and its

potential for human consumption. This work described, for the first time, the stakeholder´s perceptions

in two coastal localities (Cozumel and Puerto Morelos) in the Mexican Caribbean where lionfish has

been traded and consumed. Results showed no differences between stakeholder´s opinions from the two

localities in part because these stakeholders recognize the problem of lionfish as a threat to the

ecosystem, have high willingness to consume it, and consider it a useful resource for the local economy.

The limiting factor for lionfish consumption among stakeholders is the high cost of its fillet. The

establishment of a market, with low expectations, may originate negative outcomes for addressing the

lionfish invasion. As consequence, stakeholders may have different perceptions which may undermine

efforts to manage the invasion. Public opinion can be a useful tool to understand the socio-ecological

context of stakeholders to face a biological invasion in order to improve the establishment of future

control strategies of marine invasive species in the region.

KEYWORDS: Pterois volitans, public perception, Yucatan Peninsula, lionfish consumption

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

45

Changes in Lionfish Prey Consumption

Cambios en el Consumo de Presas por el Pez León

Modifications dans la Consommation de Proies Lionfish

BERNARD CASTILLO II* and KYNOCH REALE-MUNROE

University of the Virgin Islands, RR1 Box 10000, Kingshill, US Virgin Islands 00850 USA.

*bcastil@live.uvi.edu.

ABSTRACT

The invasion of the Atlantic waters by the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) began in the early

1990s off the coast of Florida. By 2008 the invasive lionfish made its way to the US Virgin Islands. On

November 25, 2008 the first confirmed Indo-Pacific lionfish was removed from Frederiksted Pier on St.

Croix, US Virgin Islands. Currently, the lionfish populations in the US Virgin Islands are well

established and have spread down the Lesser Antilles toward South America. This study investigated

potential temporal and spatial changes in prey consumption by lionfish culled from reefs surrounding St.

Croix. After observing gut contents of 542 lionfish in 2011 that were collected from the west end of St.

Croix and 86 lionfish from the northeast end in 2013, results indicated that lionfish preferred the same

top three prey items, regardless of location.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, St. Croix, prey consumption, stomach contents, invasive species

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

46

La Situación Actual de la Pesca del Mero Cherna Epinephelus itajara, e Iniciativas para la

Conservación de la Especie en la Península de Yucatán, México

The Current Situation of the Fishing of the Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara, and

Initiatives for the Conservation of the Species in the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico

Situation Actuelle de la Pêche de la Simple Mérou Epinephelus itajara et Initiatives pour

la Conservation de L'espêce dans la Péninsule du Yucatan, au Mexique

BRYAN CECILIO* and EDELINK ABRIL ALVARADO ACOSTA

Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida, km5 carretera Mérida - Progreso Mérida, Yucatán 97118 México.

*bryancecilio95@hotmail.com.

RESUMEN

El mero cherna Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein, 1822) es uno de los meros gigantes de la familia

Serranide. Su alta demanda como alimento ha conducido a su pesca a tal grado, que es muy rara la

captura, por lo que, se puede considerar sobreexplotada, aunado a la p&érdida de su hábitat,

contaminación y tasa de crecimiento lenta. No se tienen registros de datos de captura oficial y se

involucra a la especie entre todos los meros. Ante esta situación se realizaron entrevistas y encuestas y se

pudo demostrar que la captura es algo inusual, lo que demuestra que no se tiene conciencia de la

conservación de este recurso. Esta especie se encuentra enlistada en el libro rojo de la UICN como

especie amenazada en peligro crítico. En México, la pesca es permitida y considerada en la Carta

Nacional Pesquera 2012 dentro del grupo de los meros y normalizada bajo la norma NOM-065-PESC-

2006, donde se maneja permiso de pesca, la talla m&ínima y veda temporal del mero. En la Norma-059

SEMARNAT-2010 esta especie no se encuentra enlistada en ninguna categoría de riesgo en México.

Para no perder esta especie y biodiversidad, el propósito de este trabajo es presentar dos iniciativas de

ley: una para obtener una moratoria de pesca, hasta que se recupere el recurso y otra para incluirla en la

Norma Mexicana 059-SEMARNAT-2010. Se han tomado las siguientes acciones: 1. Formación de una

organización para la conservación de esta especie 2. Conservación del hábitat (manglar y sitios de

desove). 3. Acuerdos entre sectores y organizaciones para impartir cursos de educación y apoyo para la

moratoria. 4. Solicitar apoyo económico a organizaciones de protección a la naturaleza.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Mero cherna, Epinephelus itajara, moratoria, iniciativas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

47

Global Fin Print

La Huella Global de la Aleta

Impression Globale de la Nageoire

DEMIAN CHAPMAN*1, MARK BOND

1, JASMINE VALENTIN-ALBANESE

1,

GINA CLEMENTI1, and MICHAEL HEITHAUS

2

1SOMAS, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11779 USA.

*demian.chapman@stonybrook.edu. 2Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199 USA.

ABSTRACT

Sharks and rays are ecologically and economically important predators in coral reef ecosystems. Many

species have declined due to overfishing and habitat loss, which may be inducing cascading ecological

effects that influence coral reef health and community structure. The loss of reef sharks and rays is now

widely recognized as a significant global environmental problem in need of a comprehensive

management response. The Caribbean is no exception and there is growing interest in better managing

shark and ray fisheries and establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) that will help restore these

animals. There is, however, a lack of scientific information on the ecological role of sharks and rays and

the factors that influence their abundance and diversity on coral reefs. Here, we report on "Global Fin

Print", a worldwide initiative fundeampling plan for Global FinPrint in the Caribbean region for the next

two years. We will also present preliminary results from The Bahamas and Belize on the role of MPAs

on the abundance and diversity of sharks and rays.d by the Paul G. Allen Foundation to use baited

remote underwater video (BRUV) to survey sharks and rays on coral reefs. The project will deploy tens

of thousands of BRUVs on 400 reefs around the world to answer the questions: (1) What are the key

anthropogenic, habitat, geographic and environmental factors determining shark and ray abundance and

diversity on reefs? (2) Does coral recover from disturbance (bleaching, hurricanes) more rapidly when

sharks are present on the reef? We will present the sampling plan for Global FinPrint in the Caribbean

region for the next two years. We will also present preliminary results

KEYWORDS: Sharks, rays, reef, baited remote underwater video, marine protected area

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

48

Lionfish Control in Areas Inaccessible to Fishers:

Counting and Culling with the Help of Conservation Volunteers

El Manejo de Pez León en Zonas Inaccesibles por Pescadores:

Monitoreo y Control con la Ayuda de Voluntarios en Conservación

Le Controle du Poisson-lion en Zones Inaccessible aux Pecheurs:

Compter et Supprimer avec L‟aide de Bénévoles de la Conservation

JENNIFER CHAPMAN*, CHARLOTTE L.A. GOUGH, and LUCY G. ANDERSON

Blue Ventures Conservation, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road,

London N79DP United Kingdom. *jen@blueventures.org.

ABSTRACT

In Belize, targeted fishing is gaining momentum as the most cost-effective method to control invasive

alien lionfish by suppressing population numbers to or below site-specific threshold levels. However in

the country‟s marine reserve no take zones (NTZs) or deep reefs (> 18 m) where commercial fishing is

either not permitted or impractical, there is a need for alternative means of lionfish control. This study

evaluates a lionfish control programme that enlists the help of conservation volunteers to monitor

lionfish populations and support removal efforts using regular SCUBA culls, an initiative that began in

January 2011 in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve (BCMR), northern Belize. We observed a significant

upshift in lionfish population size structure between 2011 and 2012 suggesting that lionfish would soon

enter the exponential growth phase typical of expanding invasive alien species populations. However,

population size structure has since stabilised, and sighting per unit effort (SPUE) data collected over the

4 years since the culling program began suggest that the rate of population expansion has slowed. Our

results suggest that although regular culling efforts have not reduced abundance in BCMR, they may

have prevented the lionfish population from entering exponential growth. We discuss the potential for

volunteers to support lionfish monitoring and control efforts in NTZs and present preliminary lionfish

population density estimates recorded by volunteers in another NTZ in southern Belize that highlight the

need to develop similar lionfish control strategies in areas inaccessible to fishers across Belize‟s marine

reserve network.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Pterois volitans, invasive alien species, control, Belize

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

49

Reframing the Invasion: Belize's Approach to Lionfish Control

Replanteando la Invasión: El Enfoque para Controlar el Pez León en Belice

Repenser L'invasion: L'approche de Belize au Contrôle du Poisson Lion

JENNIFER K. CHAPMAN*, CHARLOTTE L.A. GOUGH, and MARC L. FRUITEMA

Blue Ventures Conservation, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road,

London N7 9DP United Kingdom. *jen@blueventures.org.

ABSTRACT

Belizes fishing communities face an unprecedented challenge: the introduction of the invasive red

lionfish in 2008 has exacerbated existing threats to coastal livelihoods. This voracious predator has the

potential to cause significant losses to the recruitment of native fish, disrupting coral reef community

dynamics. Targeted lionfish fishing offers a means to control the invasion, while creating alternative

livelihood opportunities and improving food security - in direct support of Belize\'s National Economic

Alternatives and Fisheries Diversification Plan. To accelerate the development of this fishery, targeted

awareness raising activities have been conducted countrywide, increasing lionfish market penetration in

restaurants across Belize‟s six districts by 9% since 2011. To further assess the potential for market

growth, lionfish densities are being calculated for coral reefs across Belize and population dynamics

under different catch scenarios are being modelled. This information will be used to determine necessary

catch rates to achieve population suppression, as well as to identify strategies for maximum economic

return. In conjunction with a livelihood viability assessment, this approach aims to ensure that Belize\'s

control strategy integrates needs and capacities of coastal communities, to confer direct socioeconomic

and environmental benefits.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, small scale fisheries, Belize, invasive species, market-based conservation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

50

Government Actions in the First Seven Years of Lionfish Invasion in Colombia:

Achievements, Difficulties, and Challenges

Acciones del Gobierno en los Primeros Siete Años de Invasión del Pez León en Colombia:

Logros, Dificultades y Retos

Actions du Gouvernement dans le Sept Premières Années de Lionfish Invasion en

Colombie: Réalisations, Difficultés et Défis

LUIS CHASQUI*

1, NACOR BOLAÑOS

2, and ANA GONZALEZ

3

1INVEMAR Calle 25 No. 2-55, Playa Salguero Santa Marta D.T.C.H., Magdalena Colombia.

*luis.chasqui@invemar.org.co. 2CORALINA, Km 26 via San Luis, San Andres Island, Colombia.

3MADS, Bogotá, Colombia.

ABSTRACT

With the arrival of lionfish in Colombia, several government institutions like the Ministerio de Ambiente

y Desarrollo Sostenible, CORALINA and INVEMAR have led actions in education, control, research,

monitoring, regulations and planning. These actions has been strengthened through of the participation in

international meetings, where guidelines has been identified in order to planning consistent national

actions. Among the most important results are: official declaration of lionfish as an IAS in Colombia

(invasive alien species), formulation and adoption of the "Plan for the Management and Control of

lionfish in the Colombian Caribbean" and "Protocol for the capture, removal, and disposal of lionfish in

Colombia", socialization of those documents in colombian territory, involving the community in efforts

to hunt, installation of the first 20 monitoring stations in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, the website

"Marine and Coastal Species Introduced in Colombia". This website contain information on the species,

a tool to report sightings and view statistics and an App to be downloaded from Play Store which can be

used to do reports from mobile devices. Additionally, some work in the lionfish consumption as a

strategy of control has been done with campaigns involving famous chefs, advertising agencies such as

Ogilvy & Mather Colombia and Geometry Global, restaurants, local and national environmental

authorities, universities, NGOs, anglers‟ organizations and communities across the country. The main

difficulties has been managing funds to finance specific control actions at the local level as well as to

joint the efforts of all organizations and individuals interested in the subject.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, lionfish consumption , lionfish in Colombia, lionfish monitoring, Seaflower

Biosphere Reserve

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

51

Effect of Climate Variability on Fish Stocks of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Efecto de la Variabilidad Climática sobre las Pesquerías del Norte del Golfo de México

Effet de la Variabilité Climatique sur les Pêches le Nord du Golfe du Mexique

ERNESTO A. CHAVEZ

CICIMAR-IPN, Av. IPN s/n, Playa El Conchalito, La Paz, BCS 23096 Mexico.

echavez@ipn.mx.

ABSTRACT

The study of climatic variability through the last two decades has shown that in the long term, that

climate has been playing a significant role driving catch trends; in the case of declines, the fishing

intensity and the climate have played a synergistic role; multiple regression analysis of the main fisheries

shows high correlation between each of two climate indices and the catch of the 27 most abundant stocks

exploited in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, from a total of more than sixty six species recorded. The

effect of climate variability, evidenced after the use of the Southern Oscillation Index and the North

Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) as independent variables and the catch of the 27 most abundant stocks

as dependent variable; results displayed the same correlation with each species tested, even though

independent variables were formulated after different sources. This indicates the strong influence of

climate, expressed by indices arisen from different and independent sources of information. Some

resulting lines suggest an upward trend, and others suggest a downward trend. These lines may be

interpreted as the most likely expectations of the catch in the near future. Here, those with declining

trends will be difficult to separate from effects of fishing intensity or other kinds of impact.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries, catch, climate indices, NAOI, fishing intensity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

52

Characterization of the Coral Reef Community at Mahahual, Mexico

Caracterización de la Comunidad del Arrecife de Mahahual, México

Caractérisation de la Communauté dans le Récif de Corail Mahahual, Mexique

ALEJANDRA CHÁVEZ HIDALGO*, ERNESTO A. CHÁVEZ,

and DIANA RODRÍGUEZ BAQUERO

CICIMAR-IPN, Ave.IPN s/n Col.Playa Palo Sta. Rita, La Paz, Baja California 23096 Mexico.

*achavezh@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The coral reef community of the Mahahual reef in the Mexican Caribbean was studied in the years 2005

to 2008. Result shows there was a change in the macrobenthic community, due to the impact of the

hurricane Dean in august 2007. In 2005 hexacorals and octocorals were the dominant groups, with

relative coverage 19% and 13%, respectively, when 69 species were recorded, highlighting hexacorals

with 25 species, 11 families and 14 genus, where Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites, M.

cavernosa, M. franksi, D. labyrynthiformis andPorites astreoides were dominant. Amongst octocorals,

15 species were recorded, where Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata, P. americana and Gorgonia ventalina

were dominant. In 2008 there was a reduction in the coverage of octocorals and hexacorals, while

sponges increased to 15%. Changes in macrobenthic coverage at the shallow reef were evident, revealing

a considerable decline of the biotic component due to abrasion, breaking dragging colonies and

fragments generated by hurricanes. The reef substrate was characterized by macro algae, which are

highly abundant in this reef due to multiple factors like coral mortality, increased nutrients and reduction

of herbivores. However, barren ground and coral recently dead increased their coverage in this reef and

constitute evidence of the strong impact of Hurricane Dean on this reef.

KEYWORDS: Mexican Caribbean, Hurricane Dean, hexacorals, octocorals, sponges

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

53

Evaluación del Efecto del Pez León (Pterois volitans) en Asociaciones

de Peces Arrecifales en Tres Localidades de Cuba

Evaluation of the Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Effect in

Reef Fish Association in Three Localities of Cuba

Évaluation de L'impact du poisson-lion (Pterois volitans) sur les Associations

de Poissons de Récif dans Trois sites à Cuba

PEDRO CHEVALIER*

1, RAÚL CORRADA

1, DORKA COBIÁN

2, ALAIN GARCÍA

3, ALEXIS

FERNÁNDEZ1, FERNANDO BRETOS

4, and DARIA SICILIANO

4

1Acuario Nacional Cuba, Calle 60 y 1ra La Habana, La Habana 11300 Cuba.

*pedroc@acuarionacional.cu. 2Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, La Bajada Municipio, Sandino Pinar del Río, Cuba

3Instituto de Oceanología, Ave. 1ra No. 18406, La Habana, Cuba.

4The Ocean Foundation, 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33129 USA.

RESUMEN

La presencia del pez león (Pterois volitans) en el Atlántico Occidental ha desencadenado una invasión

biológica que amenaza con desestabilizar las relaciones ecológicas de las especies nativas. El pez león es

un depredador generalista, esencialmente piscívoro, por lo que se pronostica un impacto en las

comunidades de peces a través de la depredación directa y la competición. En el presente trabajo se

procesó la información mediante Redes Neurales Artificiales (RNA) y la utilización de Modelos Nulos

de Coexistencia de Especies (MNCE). Los datos se obtuvieron mediante censos visuales realizados en

los años 2004 y desde el año 2010 hasta el 2013. Se seleccionaron 10 sitios comprendidos en 3

localidades. Se seleccionaron como variables de entrada la biomasa total y la biomasa de herbívoros, la

abundancia total, la abundancia de herbívoros y la abundancia de pez león, la talla promedio por unidad

de muestreo, la riqueza de especie total, el número de especies de herbívoros (RNAs) y se conformaron

matrices de presencia-ausencia por localidad y por año (MNCE). Los análisis de regresión y

clasificación realizados mediante RNAs muestran una dependencia de las variables continuas de las

variables categóricas, lo que se puede interpretar como la ausencia de un efecto evidente del pez león

sobre las asociaciones de peces en los sitios estudiados. El análisis mediante MNCE sugiere que la

estructura de las asociaciones de peces no depende directamente de la competencia entre dichas especies,

corroborando lo interpretado a partir de las RNAs.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pez león, evaluación de impacto, Cuba, Redes neurales artificiales, Coexistencia

de especies

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

54

An Assessment of the Lionfish Population Density in Discovery Bay, Jamaica

Una Evaluación de la Densidad Poblacional de Pez León en Discovery Bay, Jamaica

Evaluation De La Densité Des Populations De Poissons-Lions À Discovery Bay, Jamaïque

DENISE CHIN*, KARL AIKEN, and DAYNE BUDDO

University of the West Indies – Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. *denisechin1@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Lionfishes, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, were first recorded on the north coast of Jamaica in 2008.

They are now found in all Jamaica\'s coastal waters including offshore banks such as Pedro and Morant

Cays. These native species of the Indian and Pacific Oceans have now established populations along the

southeast coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Due to their

potential negative impact on fisheries and the marine ecosystem, we sought to investigate their

population densities at three sites along the Discovery Bay coastline over 26 months . The lionfish

population density decreased at two of the three sites surveyed. At Skeggy Reef (the westward site) and

Dairy Bull (the middle site) there was a decline in the population by approximately 37% and 48% ± 0.95

SE respectively. Pear Tree Bottom (eastward site) showed an increase in the lionfish population density

of 52% ± 0.95 SE over the same time period. The ratio of female to male lionfish was 1: 1.2 with 60% (n

= 179) of the female population noted to have spawning capable to actively spawning gonads. This

reduction in the population could be attributed to an increase in public education and awareness on

lionfish through a national campaign promoting the consumption of lionfish as a control mechanism.

Other possible reasons for the decline could be due to migration to deeper waters and behavioural

changes to humans. Continued promotion of lionfish consumption is recommended to control this alien

invasive fish as well as further research.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive, population, Jamaica, Discovery Bay

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

55

Proactive and Reactive Management of Fishery Resources in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Gestión Proactiva y Reactiva de los Recursos Pesqueros en las Islas Turcos y Caicos

Gestion Proactive et Réactive des Ressources Halieutiques dans les Îles Turks et Caicos

JOHN A.B. CLAYDON*

1and MARTA C. CALOSSO

2

1Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

*john.claydon@gmail.com. 2Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs,

120 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove, California 93950 USA.

ABSTRACT

Fisheries in the Turks and Caicos Islands target a multi-species complex of lobster, conch, fishes and

turtles. However, until 2015, effort to manage fisheries was almost exclusively dedicated to spiny lobster

and queen conch, the main focus of commercial fisheries. For example, other than a ban on parrotfish,

there were largely no species-specific regulations governing the harvest of fish in the Turks and Caicos

Islands. We assess the consequences of this limited approach in the face of changing dynamics in the

fisheries. We also describe the proactive and reactive measures introduced in 2015 that followed

extensive consultation with fishers and other stakeholders. The measures address existing, emergent, and

potential fisheries of bonefish, Nassau grouper, snappers, sharks, rays, stone crab, and sea

cucumbers. We also highlight key knowledge gaps in these data-deficient fisheries and solicit feedback

from throughout the region about the success of different fishery management approaches from both

ecological and social perspectives. KEYWORDS: Fisheries, legislation, grouper, governance, proactive management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

56

Densidad, Tamaño, y Dieta del Pez León Pterois volitans en Cuba Occidental:

Prístino Implica más Vulnerable?

Density, Size, and Diet of Lionfish Pterois volitans in Western Cuba:

Does Pristine Imply More Vulnerable?

Densité, la Taille, et le Régime alimentaire du poisson-lion Pterois volitans dans Western

Cuba: les zones vierges sont-elles plus vulnérables?

DORKA COBIAN*

1, PEDRO PABLO CHEVALIER MONTEAGUDO

2, JUAN JACOBO

SCHMITTER-SOTO3, HÉCTOR SALVAT TORRES, ERLAN CABRERA SANSÓN, ALAIN

GARCIA RODRÍGUEZ4 y ALEXIS FERNÁNDEZ OSORIO

2

1Guanahacabibes National Park La Bajada, Sandino Pinar del Rí, Cuba.

*dorkacobianrojas79@gmail.com. 2Acuario Nacional, Cuba Calle 60 y 1ra La Habana,11300 Cuba.

3El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Rancho Polígono 2-A, Lerma 24500, Campeche, Mexico.

4Instituto de Oceanología, Ave. 1ra No. 18406, La Habana, Cuba.

RESUMEN

El pez león se reportó por primera vez en Cuba en el 2007, con registros casi simultáneos en las costas

del norte y sureste. En el Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba occidental, las primeras fechas de

registro fueron en el 2009. Como en otros lugares del Caribe, su abundancia y distribución han

aumentado dramáticamente. Este estudio se realizó en seis sitios de Guanahacabibes, desde 2010 hasta

2014. Seis transectos de banda de 50 2 m, se ubicaron en cada sitio para estimar la abundancia de

peces león y la longitud individual; la biomasa fue estimada a partir de la longitud. La densidad, la

biomasa y la longitud del pez león aumentaron significativamente hasta 2012 y 2013, cuando las

poblaciones se estabilizaron. No hubo diferencias en la abundancia entre las localidades; por otra parte,

la biomasa mostró diferencias por año y por localidad, siendo mayores en los veriles y menores en los

camellones y canales. El estudio de la dieta estuvo basado en el análisis de 411 individuos adultos. Se

detectaron 54 entidades alimentarias, pertenecientes a 10 órdenes y 19 familias, principalmente peces y

crustáceos; las principales presas fueron Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Mullidae, Labridae, Scaridae y

Gramma spp. Esperábamos que el tamaño del pez león se incrementara más rápido que en otros lugares,

debido a la falta de acciones de manejo directas contra el pez león (hasta 2015) y a la mayor

disponibilidad de presas en un ambiente casi prístino; la pendiente de la curva de incremento de talla fue

incluso mayor que en el oeste de Florida, pero no significativamente diferente de Xcalak, otra área

protegida (Caribe mexicano).

PALABRAS CLAVES: Invasiones biológicas, áreas protegidas marinas, arrecifes coralinos, Mar Caribe,

Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

57

Resultados de los Monitoreos Biologicos en la Zona Marino-Costera

de la Reserva de Biosfera Península de Guanahacabibes

Results of Biological Monitoring in the Coastal Marine Area

of the Biosphere Reserve Guanahacabibes Peninsula

Résultats de la Surveillance Biologique dans la Zone Côtière

de la Réserve de Biosphère Péninsule de Guanahacabibes

DORKA COBIAN

1, SUSANA PERERA VALDERRAMA

2, LÁZARO MARQUEZ LLAUGER

1,

ANMARI ÁLVAREZ ALEMÁN3, ELENA DE LA GUARDIA

4,

PEDRO ALCOLADO PRIETO y ZAIMIURI HERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ 1Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes La Bajada, Sandino , Cuba. dorkacobianrojas79@gmail.com

2Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, Calle 18A #4114,

entre 41 y 47, Playa, La Habana, Cuba. 3Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Cuba.

4CINVESTAV-MERIDA, km. 6 Carretera a Progreso, Merida, 97310 Yucatán México.

RESUMEN

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en el marco del proyecto “Aplicación de un enfoque regional al

manejo de áreas protegidas marinas y costeras en los archipiélagos del sur de Cuba” durante los años

2010 y 2014. Se monitorearon las poblaciones de tortugas marinas, manatíes, aves marinas y acuáticas,

iguanas y cocodrilos, así como los ecosistemas de arrecifes de coral, pastos marinos y manglares. El

muestreo de estas especies claves y ecosistemas se realizaron a partir de las metodologías elaboradas y

validadas por expertos en el marco del proyecto. Se caracterizaron las nuevas áreas propuestas por el

Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (Área Protegida de Recursos Manejados Península de

Guanahacabibes y Elemento Natural Destacado Banco de San Antonio) con el objetivo de completar

vacíos de información y determinar si los límites, extensión y categoría de manejo propuestos garantizan

la protección de la biodiversidad marina y de los principales valores naturales de las mismas. Estos

estudios contribuyen a completar la información de línea de base de la Península de Guanahacabibes. Se

exponen nuevos registros de especies para el área, así como sitios de nidificación de aves marinas e

iguanas de gran importancia para Cuba. Se presentan los sitios seleccionados como prioritarios para la

conservación y el manejo de hábitats y especies, incluyendo zonas de alimentación, cría y nidificación de

especies de importancia comercial y conservacionista. A partir de las expediciones realizadas se

identificaron las principales problemáticas de la Península de Guanahacabibes, con vistas a planificar

futuras acciones de conservación y manejo.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Áreas marinas protegidas, Guanahacabibes, monitoreo

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

58

Characterization of a South Texas Mesophotic Reef Epibenthic Community

Caracterización de la Comunidad Epibéntica de un

Arrecife Mesofótico en el Sur de Texas

Caractérisation de la Communauté Épibenthique D‟un

Récif Mésophotique au Sud du Texas

MARIA COOKSEY* and DAVID HICKS

University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, 1 West University Boulevard,

LHSB 2.816, Brownsville, Texas 78520 USA. *maria.cooksey01@utrgv.edu.

ABSTRACT

Benthic community composition was characterized at Southern Bank (27˚ 26‟ 30”N, 96˚ 31‟ 30”W), a

1.0 sq km, mid-continental shelf relic coral-algal reef off the coast of South Texas that rises from a

regional depth of 82 m to 59 m below the sea surface. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys were

conducted in September 2014 to collect video and biological specimens of the benthic invertebrate

community, with particular focus on octocorals and antipatharians. Percent cover and abundance were

estimated from 50 randomly extracted frame grabs of the sea floor. Video identifications of coral species

were assisted by simultaneous collections of specimens and subsequent morphological and genetic

analyses. Algae was the dominant biotic cover (42%). Among macrofauna, encrusting sponges (45.5%),

antipatharians (23.3%), and crinoids (6.7%) had the highest substrate cover. Coral cover was primarily

antipatharians (76%; Stichopathes lutkeni [47%], Antipathes atlantica [23%], and Antipathes furcata

[13%]), followed by scleractinians (23%; Madracis brueggmani [85%] and Agaricia fragilis [9%]), and

octocorals (1%). The most abundant corals were Stichopathes lutkeni (2.0 ind/m2) and Antipathes furcata

(0.7 ind/m2). Each frame grab was also analyzed to determine major substrate type. Coral diversity was

highest on algae-covered soft substrate and lowest on bare soft substrates where Antipatharians

comprised of 97% of the coral cover. Benthic abundance data was georeferenced and correlated to bank

microtopography in order to create a habitat suitability map which can be used to predict biodiversity at

other the mesophotic banks in South Texas.

KEYWORDS: Habitat suitability modeling, benthic communities, benthic invertebrates, habitat

mapping, mesophotic

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

59

Determinación de Cambios Espacio-temporales en la Abundancia de los Recursos

Explotados por una Pesqueria de Peces Pelagicos en el Mar Caribe de Colombia,

Mediante el Uso de SIG

Determination of Spatio-temporal Changes in the Abundance of Resources Exploited by a

Pelagic Fishery in the Colombia Caribbean Sea: A GIS Approach

Determination des Variations Spatio-temporelles dans L‟abondance de Ressources

Exploitees par une Pecherie Pelagique dans la Mer de Caraïbes Colombienne,

en Utilisant SIG

FELIX DE JESUS CUELLO* and LUIS M. MANJARRÉS-MARTÍNEZ

Universidad del Magdalena, Carrera 32 No. 22-08, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras

Tropicales, Santa Marta, Magdalena 470004 Colombia. *felcuello@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

Con el fin de obtener mayores tasas de captura, los pescadores adaptan sus tácticas de pesca al

comportamiento espacio-temporal de los recursos. Para ello efectúan cambios en los artes de pesca y/o

cambian de caladeros. En el golfo de Salamanca (Caribe de Colombia) existen diversas pesquerías de

pequeña escala que utilizan una gran variedad de artes. Uno de los artes más usados es la red de

enmalle, la cual es considerada un arte pasivo. Sin embargo, en las últimas tres décadas este arte se viene

usando de una manera activa, toda vez que se usan redes de mayor longitud y altura para rodear los

cardúmenes de peces pelágicos medianos, a manera de cerco, aunque el principio de captura sigue siendo

el enmalle. Estas redes de encierro reciben localmente el nombre de “boliches”. Esta forma de pesca

implica que el tiempo de búsqueda es un componente significativo del tiempo de pesca. Por tanto, es

relevante establecer los cambios históricos en esa variable para inferir variaciones en la abundancia

relativa de los recursos explotados. A partir de estadísticas históricas de captura y esfuerzo

georreferenciadas, se estableció que el porcentaje de la duración de la faena destinado a la búsqueda

aumentó de 77,41% ± 3,44 (IC 95%) en 1994 a 92,89% ± 2,61 (IC 95%) en el período 2007 - 2008, en

tanto que la CPUE (kg/h de búsqueda) no experimentó cambios significativos en este lapso de tiempo.

Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto una disminución en la abundancia de peces pelágicos medianos en

el área de operación de los “boliches”, situación que amerita la adopción de medidas de manejo

orientadas a prevenir un mayor deterioro de estos stocks.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Red de enmalle de encierro, tiempo de búsqueda, pesca artesanal, CPUE, Golfo

de Salamanca

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

60

Cambio Histórico en la Estructura de Tamaño y Abundancia de Peces Óseos Demersales

y Elasmobranquios del Caribe Colombiano

Historic Change of Size Structures and Biomass of Bony Demersal Fishes

and Elasmobranches in the Colombian Caribbean

Changement Historiques des Structures de Tailles et de L'abondance des Poissons

Démersaux et les Élasmobranches dans les Caraïbes Colombiennes

CARLOS CUERVO*, OLGA VARGAS, and LUIS DUARTE

Universidad del Magdalena, carrera 32 # 22 - 08 Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

*loscardresan03@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

La sobreexplotación de las pesquerías ha llevado a la disminución de biomasa y tamaño de peces óseos

demersales, principalmente de importancia comercial, pero también de elasmobranquios que son

capturados en su mayoría de manera incidental, lo cual ha conllevado a un desequilibrio energético y a

un cambio en la dinámica trófica de los ecosistemas marinos. El presente estudio se realizó con la

información de los cruceros científicos efectuados entre 1970 y 2001, almacenada en el Sistema de

Información Evaluación y Ecología Pesquera. Para el análisis, el Caribe de Colombia se dividió en tres

zonas: (1) sur, desde la frontera con Panamá hasta la desembocadura del río Magdalena, (2) golfo de

Salamanca, entre la desembocadura del río Magdalena y Santa Marta y (3) norte, entre Santa Marta y la

frontera con Venezuela. Las especies dominantes de los peces demersales (Lutjanus synagris,

Eucinostomus argenteus, Rhomboplites aurorubens, Lutjanus analis, Upeneus parvus) evidenciaron una

disminución en las tallas y en la biomasa a lo largo del tiempo en las tres zonas. En la zona sur ya que

solo se tuvo información de tallas hasta 1996. En contraste, un aumento de biomasa de dichas especies

fue detectado en los últimos años en la zona sur. Los elasmobranquios exhibieron una disminución de

biomasa para algunas especies (Rhizoprionodon porosus, Sphyrna tiburo, Sphyrna tudes, Dasyatis

americana y Dasyatis guttata). Las tendencias de la biomasa y de la estructura de tamaños de las

especies de peces demersales y elasmobranquios en el Caribe de Colombia sugieren la necesidad de un

enfoque de manejo pesquero de largo plazo que evite el fenómeno de puntos de referencia móviles y

establezca objetivos congruentes con el enfoque ecosistémico.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Puntos de referencia móviles, Caribe, Colombia, elasmobranquios, peces

demersales

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

61

An Overview of the 2013 - 2015 GCFI Workshops:

Evaluation of Stocks in Data Limited Situations

Un Resumen de los Talleres del GCFI entre 2013 - 2015:

Evaluaciones Poblacionales en Situaciones de Datos Limitados

Resume des Ateliers GCFI de 2013 - 2015:

Evaluation des Stocks dans les Cas de Données Limitées

NANCIE CUMMINGS*

1, MANDY KARNAUSKAS

1, WILLIAM HARFORD

2, ROBERT TRUMBLE

3

ROBERT GLAZER4, and WILLIAM MICHAELS**

5

1NOAA Fisheries NMFS, SEFSC, 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

*nancie.cummings@noaa.gov. 2Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami,

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149 USA. 3MRAG Americas, Inc., 10051 5th Street, N. Suite 105, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 USA. 4Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Marine Research Institute,

2796 Overseas Highway, Ste. 119, Marathon, Florida 33050 USA. 5NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology, 1315 East West Hwy.,

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA. **william.michaels@noaa.gov.

ABSTRACT

In response to the need in the wider Caribbean to improve stock assessments, increase technical capacity,

and improve stakeholder engagement in stock assessment process, a series of data limited workshops

was convened at the 2013-2015 GCFI conferences. The 2013 workshop focused on identifying the most

common data-limited stock assessment methods for use in the wider Caribbean, and the pros and cons of

each method. The 2014 workshop emphasized good practices for fishery-dependent sampling and

improving stakeholder input early in the sampling design planning phase. Case studies from the region

characterized sampling methodologies, best practices for biological sampling and identified advances in

sampling methodologies (e.g., electronic applications for catch reporting, VMS systems). The 2015

workshop identified tradeoffs in optimizing fishery dependent vs fishery independent sampling.

Regional case studies provided background on rationale for apportioning sampling resources between

fishery dependent/fishery independent sampling. A Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) analytical

tool was used to explore impacts of decisions on data collection and sampling design on stock

assessment results and subsequent management advice. Active engagement from participants and

stakeholders through breakout and plenary discussions, offering additional input to inform decision

making and identify good practices in optimizing sampling between fishery-dependent and -independent

sampling.

KEYWORDS: Data-limited, best practices, tradeoffs in fishery dependent vs fisher, stakeholder

engagement, management strategy evaluation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

62

Do Invasive Lionfish Affect the Diet and Condition of Native Mesopredators?

¿Cóoó Puede la Presencia del Pez León Invasor Afectar la Dieta

y el Estado de los Mesodepredadores Nativos?

Les Régimes et les États Physiologique des Mésoprédateurs sont-ils

Touchés par les Lionfish Envahissantes?

JOSEPH CURTIS

1*, MARK ALBINS

2, and CHRISTOPHER STALLINGS

1

1University of South Florida, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA.

*jcurtis@mail.usf.edu. 2Auburn University, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science,

8300 State Hwy., 104 Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA.

ABSTRACT

One of the primary threats posed by invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) is

the potential for competition with native predators. On reef ledges in southeast Florida, one of the most

likely competitors is the graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata), a similarly sized mesopredator. We

measured variation in graysby diet and condition across a gradient of lionfish density driven by a Before-

After-Control-Impact (BACI) removal experiment. Samples were collected from the same contiguous

reef in Biscayne National Park near Miami, Florida, where abundant graysby live alongside a Lionfish

population which was first detected in the late 2000s. Graysby and lionfish diet were analyzed using bulk

stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) from both muscle tissue and lamellae of the eye lens, a recently

described chronological recorder of foraging history. Graysby condition and population status was

measured via morphological indices (hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic, weight at length) and abundance

estimates. Graysby muscle collected prior to Lionfish removals had similar isotopic values to cohabitant

lionfish, suggesting comparable resource use at a population scale. Also, δ15N increased with body

length in both species at the same rate, potentially reflecting mutual ontogenetic diet shifts that could

lead to interspecific competition across multiple life stages. This ongoing study can clarify how Lionfish

affect native mesopredators, a pertinent question for conservation, management, and invasive species

ecology. Our results will also refine understanding of the strengths and limitations of eye lens analysis, a

novel and potentially powerful technique for ecological research.

KEYWORDS: Stable isotope, diet breadth, competition, graysby, eye lens

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

63

Targeted Lionfish Removals on Northern Gulf of Mexico Artificial Reefs:

Effectiveness and Impacts to Native Reef Fish Communities

Remociones Dirigidas del Pez León en los Arrecifes Artificiales del Norte del Golfo de

México:

Efectividad e Impacto en las Comunidades de Peces Arrecifales Nativos

Capture Ciblée De Poissons-Lions Sur Les Récifs Artificiels Du Nord Du Golfe Du

Mexique: Efficacité Et Impacts Sur Les Comunautés Autochtones De Poissons Récifaux

KRISTEN A. DAHL*

1, WILLIAM F. PATTERSON, III

1, and RICHARD A. SNYDER

2

1University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd.,

Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA. *kristenadahl@gmail.com. 2Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 40 Atlantic Avenue, Wachapreague, Virginia 23410 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive lionfish have spread throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) since first being

documented in summer 2010. Their densities have also increased exponentially since they were first

observed. Thus, they are perceived as an increasing threat to native reef fishes and ecosystems. While

their complete eradication from the western Atlantic is unlikely, targeted removals may serve to mitigate

negative impacts on local scales. We conducted a study to examine the effectiveness and potential

ecological benefits of targeted lionfish removals at a series of experimental (n = 27) artificial reefs off

northwest Florida. All lionfish were removed via spearfishing from 17 sites in December 2013, and nine

of those sites were periodically cleared of lionfish through spring of 2015. The remaining 10 reef sites

served as controls. To date, 1,575 lionfish have been removed from study reefs, including 564 from

follow-up removals at keep-cleared reefs. Both adult and young-of-the year lionfish quickly recruited to

cleared reefs, reaching pre-removal lionfish densities within four months, and surpassing those densities

on sites that were cleared only once. There were significant differences in fish community structure and

diversity between control and keep-cleared sites, but not between cleared-once and control reefs.

Furthermore, there was a negative, albeit weak, correlation between lionfish abundance and that of red

snapper, the most economically valuable fishery species in the region. Results suggest that clearing reefs

of lionfish can have ecological benefits on local scales, but removal efforts will likely need to be

persistent in regions with high lionfish densities.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, marine management, Pterois spp., Gulf of Mexico, targeted removals

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

64

An Applied Approach to Macroscopic Gonadal Assessment in Invasive Pterois volitans

and its Application in Citizen Science and Data Collection at Biscayne National Park

Un Enfoque Aplicado a la Evaluación Gonadal Macroscópica en Pterois volitans y su

Aplicación en la Ciencia Ciudadana y la Recopilación de Datos

en el Parque Nacional de Biscayne

Approche Appliquée à L‟évaluation Macroscopique des Gonades de Pterois volitans et son

Application dans le Citoyen de la Science et de la Collecte de Données

au Parc National de Biscayne

MEGAN DAVENPORT*

1, CHRIS LANGDON

1,

EVAN D'ALESSANDRO1, and VANESSA MCDONOUGH

2

1Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science – University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker

Cswy.,

Miami, Florida 33149 USA. *mdavenport@rsmas.miami.edu. 2Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead, Florida 33033 USA.

ABSTRACT

The study of reproductive traits of fishes can contribute to estimates of population size and to predictions

of population growth or decline. While often applicable to the management and assessment of fisheries

stocks, understanding a species‟ reproductive traits can also be useful in the management of invasive,

pest, or overpopulated species. Determination of sex and reproductive phase are primary steps in

assessing population demographic parameters, and macroscopic techniques allow for low cost data

collection. The aims of this study were to derive and validate a classification scheme for rapid

assessment of sex and reproductive phase of lionfish in Biscayne National Park, FL. This study evaluates

gonadal phase of development of male and female lionfish using high-throughput macroscopic

assessment of the gonads. The results of the macroscopic evaluation of these fish, recorded using digital

photography, were validated using traditional histological analysis on a subset of individuals. After

validation, this macroscopic gonad classification scheme was utilized in a citizen science initiative in

Biscayne National Park, where students and educators dissected and collected photographs of lionfish

gonads. These photographs were analyzed, with gonads being identified for sex and reproductive phase

according to the produced classification scheme. This citizen science initiative assisted in the collection

of hundreds of gonad photographs, contributing to a large dataset, the analysis of which was used to

describe reproductive traits, strategies, and demographic parameters of lionfish in Biscayne National

Park.

KEYWORDS: Invasive lionfish, reproductive biology, citizen science, macroscopic ovarian assessment,

biscayne national park

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

65

Recreation with a Purpose: Diving for Lionfish

Tiempo Libre con una Meta: Buceo para el Pez León

Loisir Avec Une Intention: Plongée Pour Les Poissons-Lions

BRITTANY DAVIS

Department of Environmental Science, Allegheny College, 520 North Main Street,

Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335 USA. bdavis@allegheny.edu.

ABSTRACT

The rapid spread of invasive lionfish threatens marine ecosystems, challenging scientists and resource

managers to develop new management tools and presenting an opportunity to engage citizens in invasive

species management. In many places, recreational scuba divers have been recruited to support lionfish

management efforts by providing scientists with data on where lionfish are and by removing lionfish

they see. Lionfish derbies, where individuals and teams compete to capture and kill as many as they can,

and community events, which provide people with an opportunity to learn more about and taste lionfish,

are increasing in popularity. Engaging scuba divers in the pursuit of lionfish provides divers with an

opportunity to do something positive from the environment, potentially offsetting some of the damage to

reefs divers can cause. This presentation uses data from lionfish events held in Florida and in Utila,

Honduras to explore how these elicit interest and participation from recreational scuba divers. Sampling

lionfish, learning about the invasion, and innate competitiveness all contribute to interest in pursuing

lionfish. Going forward, resource managers should build programs which capitalize on and expand this

interest to maximize the number of people actively removing lionfish.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, scuba, citizen science, engagement

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

66

Evaluation of the Populations of Sea Cucumbers in La Bahía las Calderas, Peravia, and

Laguna Manglares de Puerto Viejo, Azua, Dominican Republic

Evaluación de las Poblaciones de Holoturias en Bahía las Calderas, Peravia y Laguna

Manglares de Puerto Viejo, Azua, República Dominicana

Évaluation des Populations de Concombres de Mer dans les Mangroves Bahia las Calderas,

Peravia, et Laguna de Puerto Viejo, Azua, République Dominicaine

FRANCIA DE LA CRUZ ABREU

Ministerio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo,

UASD Cayetano Germosén esq. av.Gregorio Luperon Ensanche El Pedregal,

Santo Domingo,10105 República Dominicana. franciadelacruz8@hotmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Holothurians (sea cucumbers) are one of the five existing classes of the Phylum Echinodermata. This

class boasts of approximately 1,500 species, spread across six orders, and 25 families. They play an

important ecological role within benthic communities because they are responsible for significant

changes to the composition of marine sediments. This class is highly marketed in more than 70 countries

around the world, and are being exploited by industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal (small scale)

fishing. The sample study took place from the month of January to May, of the year 2014. Transects

used in the study were 50m long by 2m wide on each side. A total area of 6,200 m² was sampled, within

the neritic environments in the towns of Las Calderas, Peravia province and Laguna de Puerto Viejo,

Azua province; through the assessment of samples found in 31 different transects, at depths ranging from

0.5 to 5.6 meters. In the coordinates 20155118N and 336854E; 2027867N and 304448.17 E. A total of

five (5) species belonging to the famlilies Holothuriidae (Actinopyga agasizii; Holoturia mexicana;

Holoturia thomasi) and Stichopodidae (Isostichopus badionotus; Astichopus multifidus) were found. A

grand total of 292 individual holothurians, within the delimited transects, were registered at both sites.

The results for Bahia Las Calderas were 0.85 y 1bits, low diversity according to the Shannon Weaner

Index; Mangrove Lagoon was the lowest limit with 0 y 0.63 bits. Both localities showed low diversity

for the Simpson Index, with values between 0 and 1.

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

67

Aporte al Conocimiento de las Pesquerías de Escama en el

Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba

Contribution to the Fin Fisheries Knowledge in the National Park

Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba

Contribution à la Connaissance de la Pêche à Ailettes dans le Parc National

Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba

ELENA DE LA GUARDIA LLANSÓ*

1, ZAIMIURI HERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ

2, LEONARDO

ESPINOSA PANTOJA3, ENRIQUE GIMÉNEZ HURTADO

4, JORGE ANGULO-VALDEZ,

DANIELA CANTILLO DOMÍNGUEZ y JESÚS ERNESTO ARIAS–GONZÁLEZ 1CINVESTAV, Antigua carretera a Progreso Km 6, Cordemex, Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México.

*elenadelaguardia@yahoo.com. 2PN Cayos de San Felipe, La Coloma Pinar del Río, Cuba.

3Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, La Coloma Pinar del Río, Cuba.

4Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras, 5ta Ave y 248, Barlovento, Santa Fé, Ciudad Habana, Cuba.

RESUMEN

El Parque Nacional “Cayos de San Felipe” se ubica dentro de una zona de pesca importante en la región

suroccidental de Cuba donde se requiere información para la toma de decisiones de manejo. Este trabajo

caracterizó la operación de pesca de peces dentro del Parque y la zona adyacente utilizando información

histórica, muestreos de capturas y entrevistas a pescadores. En el 2014 se identificaron 6 modalidades de

pesca y 182 embarcaciones operando en la zona de estudio. Se estimó una captura de 800 t anuales para

una productividad de 0.3t/km2 y que el 30% de la captura se realiza dentro del Parque. La pesca

comercial estatal fue responsable del 70% de la captura total y los registros históricos muestran

tendencia a la disminución de sus capturas a la vez que el esfuerzo pesquero incrementa. El 25% de la

captura anual no se registra estadísticamente y se corresponde principalmente con las capturas de la

pesca deportiva, cuyas faenas de pesca ocurrieron fuera del Parque. El 10% de la captura estuvo por

debajo de la talla mínima legal y los megareproductores fueron muy escasos a pesar de no existir

regulación para la talla máxima. Los meses de máxima captura estuvieron asociados períodos

reproductivos y cerca del 80% de los individuos se capturaron antes de desovar. El 70% de la captura

fueron especies de pargos. Los estimados de este estudio sirvieron para identificar actores y prácticas

que requieren modificaciones y para confeccionar propuestas de manejo de las pesquerías dirigidas a

garantizar a largo plazo la productividad pesquera en el Parque y la región adyacente.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesca artesanal, rendimiento, productividad pesquera, Cuba

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

68

Estándar de Responsabilidad Ambiental para la Comercialización de Pescado de Mar:

Herramienta para la Gestión Responsable de la Demanda

Standard of Environmental Responsibility for Marketing Sea Fish:

Tool for Responsible Management of the Demand

Norme de Responsabilité Environnementale pour la Commercialisation de Poissons

de La Mer: L'outil Pour une Gestion Responsable de La Demande

VICENTE DEL CID*, LAURA RIVERA, and IRENE MORALES

Fundación MarViva, Apartado 0832-0390, WTC Panamá, Panamá. *vicente.delcid@marviva.net.

RESUMEN

Hoy, nuestros mares enfrenta la sobrexplotación pesquera, poniendo en riesgo la estabilidad de los

ecosistemas marinos y la base de una importante actividad económica. Cerca de 900 millones de

personas en el mundo dependen de la pesca como fuente principal de proteína, generando cerca de 200

millones de empleos, por lo que su sostenibilidad reviste una gran importancia socio-económica. La

creciente demanda por productos marinos, el desarrollo tecnológico de los barcos pesqueros y las

técnicas de pesca cada día más sofisticadas, han contribuido a que la sobreexplotación se agrave,

reduciendo sensiblemente la cantidad y calidad de recursos disponibles para pescadores y comerciantes.

Para garantizar la existencia de recursos pesqueros a largo plazo, pescadores, comerciantes y

consumidores deben ser conscientes del tipo de pescado que se extrae, de dónde proviene y cómo se

obtiene, antes de comercializarlo y/o consumirlo. Para apoyar este proceso de concientización y cambio

en nuestras prácticas de consumo, la Fundación MarViva desarrolló un Estándar de Responsabilidad

Ambiental para la Comercialización de Pescado de Mar, dirigido a empresas que comercializan pescado

marino y que busca promover mejores prácticas comerciales. Las prácticas se rigen bajo principios y

criterios que buscan garantizar la futura disponibilidad de las especies, para que puedan seguir siendo

aprovechadas por comercializadores y consumidores. El Estándar está orientado exclusivamente a

empresas que comercializan pescado marino, que ha sido capturado y comercializado bajo estos

principios y criterios, en presentaciones de producto fresco no congelado. El Estándar no incluye

pescado importado, especies cultivadas, peces dulceacuícolas o mariscos.

KEYWORDS: Sobrexplotación pesquera, comercio responsable, cadena de valor, responsabilidad

ambiental, MarViva

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

69

Estructura Comunitaria de Peces Arrecifales en el Parque Nacional Coiba, Panamá

Reef Fish Community Structure at Coiba National Park, Panama

Structure Communautaire des Poissons des Recifs Coralliens

du Parc National de Coiba, Panama

TEÓFILA M. DELGADO*

1, ARTURO AYALA BOCOS

2,

HUMBERTO A. GARCÉS1, and JOSÉ J. CASAS

1

1Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Maritima Internacional de Panamá, La Boca,

Panamá, República de Panamá. *massiel1819.md@gmail.com. 2Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), Carratera al Sur Km. 5.5,

C.P. 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.

RESUMEN

La estructura de la comunidad de peces puede ser descrita por atributos ecológicos, como riqueza,

abundancia y biomasa. Los peces de arrecife tienen gran importancia desde el punto de vista ecológico

ya que son especies claves dentro de las redes tróficas locales y regionales. La comunidad de peces

arrecifales en la región ha sido estudiada en términos de estructura, preferencia de hábitats y

composición de especies. Este estudio tiene el propósito de actualizar la información acerca de la

estructura comunitaria de los peces arrecifales y el estado de conservación del Parque Nacional Coiba

(PNC). El monitoreo submarino se realizó en marzo (estación seca) y agosto (estación lluviosa) de 2014

mediante censos visuales. Los datos fueron procesados para conocer la estructura de la comunidad en

términos de riqueza (S), abundancia (N), diversidad (H´) y uniformidad (J´). El estado de conservación

de los sitios del PNC se dilucido mediante un análisis multicriterio. Se monitorearon un total de 18 sitios

(225 transectos), registrando 125,399 individuos pertenecientes a 130 especies, siendo la damisela cola

de tijera (Chromis atrilobata), el cardenal (Paranthias colonus) y la vieja arcoiris (Thalossoma

lucasanum) las especies dominantes. Los sitios mejor conservados encontrados del PNC fueron Bajo del

Pulpo, Don Juan, Jicarón Pta. Norte, islote Santa Cruz, Mali Mali, Brincanco, Faro y Dos Tetas. Por el

contrario, los más deteriorados fueron Machete Punta, Wahoo, Punta Sur/Jicarita, Ballena, Uva, Granito

de Oro, Buffete, Sueño del Pescador y Catedral. Este estudio actualizó la información existente sobre

peces asociados a los arrecifes, lo que permitirá a los tomadores de decisiones implementar medidas para

mejorar o conservar el PNC.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Estructura comunitaria, peces arrecifales, Parque Nacional Coiba, Veraguas,

Panamá

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

70

Development of Molecular Markers for Environmental

DNA Detection of the Red Lionfish Pterois volitans

Desarrollo de Marcadores Moleculares para la Detección de

DNA Ambiental del Pez León Pterois volitans

Développement de Marqueurs Moléculaires pour la Détection de

L'ADN de Poisson-lion Pterois volitans Dans L'environnement

EDGARDO DIAZ-FERGUSON*

1and GREG MOYER

2

1Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 31820 USA. * biocaribbean3@yahoo.com.

2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5308 Spring Street, Warm Springs, Georgia 31830 USA.

ABSTRACT

The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is the most successful fish invader in the Western Atlantic and the

Caribbean Sea. Scientific evidence suggests that lionfish presence and proliferation reduce abundance

and change community structure of coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems. Traditional methods of

lionfish surveillance and control require the identification of its populations by direct observation and

capture of individuals by hook-line, seine or harpoon. Molecular detection using environmental DNA

(eDNA) has the advantage of detect fish populations without direct observation or capture as well as go

into areas of difficult access i.e., deep areas and caves. In addition, eDNA detection with species specific

genetic markers reduces miss identification between close related species i.e., the red lionfish (P.

volitans) is usually confused with the devil firefish (Pterois miles). We recently developed primers and

probes for eDNA detection of the red lionfish (Moyer & Díaz-Ferguson 2013). The new set of primers

(FDLLFq and RDLFq) and a probe (PDLLF) have been proved to be effective using DNA extracted

from tissue of this species and also in water samples containing small amounts of lyophilized tissue (< 5

mg). Quantitative PCR lower limit of detection and CT were 0.001 ng/uL and 33 cycles respectively. We

also conducted density experiments in tanks showing that detection probability increased with density.

No detection was register in negative control and during cross species amplification experiments. Results

from this study will contribute to invasive species control plans and surveillance as well as inventory and

monitoring programs.

KEYWORDS: eDNA, qPCR, detection probability, limit of detection, density

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

71

Diversity in the Reproductive Behavior of Wrasses (Labridae)

at a Resident Spawning Aggregation Site

La Diversidad en el Comportamiento Reproductivo de los Peces Loro en un

Sitio Residente de Agregación Reproductiva

La Diversité dans le Comportement Reproducteur de Labres (Labridae)

sur un Site Resident Frai Agrégation

TERRY DONALDSON

University of Guam, Marine Laboratory – UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923 USA.

tdonaldson@triton.uog.edu.

ABSTRACT

At least twenty species of wrasses (Labridae) mate on a resident spawning aggregation site at Finger

Reef, Apra Harbor, Guam. There, I recorded the reproductive behavior of species (numbeer in

parentheses) in the following genera: Anampses (1), Cheilinus (4), Cheilio (1), Epibulus (1), Gomphosus

(1), Halichoeres (2), Hemigymnus (2), Macropharyngodon (1), Novaculicthys (1), Oxycheilinus (1),

Stethojulis (1) and Thalassoma (4). Mating systems varied from lek-like to haremic, promiscuous or

group, and facultative monogamy. Some species utilized only a single mating system while others were

variable depending upon the number of males and females present at the site. Regardless of the mating

system used, all species utilized a suite of courtship behaviors, and spawned pelagically with a release of

gametes at the apex of the spawning ascent into the water column. The height, rate, and mechanics of

the ascent varied between species and between mating systems. Males and females engaged also in

behaviors intended to maximize reproductive success while avoiding egg predation by predators at the

site.

KEYWORDS: Behavior patterns, courtship, lek-like behavior, mating system, reef fishes

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

72

Taking a Regional Perspective on the Pelagic Sargassum Influx

Una Perspectiva Regional sobre la Afluencia de Sargazo Pelágico

Une Perspective Régionale sur L'afflux de Sargassum Pélagique

EMMA DOYLE1 and JAMES FRANKS

2

1Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Falls Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

*emma.doyle@gcfi.org. 2Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi,

703 Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564.

ABSTRACT

GCFI and several partners in the Caribbean region are variously working to better understand the origins

of the sargassum influx and to address the myriad impacts being observed on fisheries and livelihoods.

At the 64th, 65

th, and 67

th GCFI meetings, sole presentations were made about the sargassum influx. The

68th GCFI marks the first time that multiple presentations will focus on this subject, potentially in diverse

sessions and related to differing aspects of research and impact assessment. We will bring together the

content of these various presentations in a framework that will highlight the status of knowledge in

relation to subjects such as oceanography, coastal habitats and living resources, and impacts on fisheries

and livelihoods. This presentation will serve as a wrap-up about directions in research and management,

and comment on networking achieved at the 68th GCFI. It will also indicate gaps in knowledge and

outstanding needs for partnership building and support.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

73

MPA Management Challenges Through a Climate Change Lens

Desafíos para la Gestión de las AMPs a Través del Lente del Cambio Climático

Enjeux de la Gestion des Aires Marines Protégées à Travers

le Prisme du Changement Climatique

EMMA DOYLE*

1, ROBERT GLAZER

2, and MEGHAN GOMBOS

3

1Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Falls Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

*emma.doyle@gcfi.org. 2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,

2796 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050 USA. 3SeaChange Consulting, LLC. Providence, Rhode Island 02903 USA.

ABSTRACT

GCFI and NOAA – CRCP are working with a group of nine MPAs in the Mesoamerican Reef Region to

strengthen local management capacity to improve and maintain resilience of coral reef ecosystems and

the human communities that depend upon them. This involves implementing tools and practices to more

effectively observe, predict, communicate and manage climate change impacts within this biologically

connected area of the Caribbean. The MPAs are working with partners, including at the Caribbean

Community Climate Change Centre, and are actively building on existing experience related to climate

change from the Pacific Ocean region. We will present a summary of lessons learned to date about how

MPAs in the Caribbean can start to manage climate change impacts.

KEYWORDS: Climate change, MPAs, Mesoamerican Reef

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

74

Bringing MPA Management Plans to Life Through New Communications Formats

Dando Vida a los Planes de Gestión de AMPs a Través de Nuevos Formatos de

Comunicación

Donner Vie à la Gestion de L'AMP Prévoit Denouveaux Formats de Communication

EMMA DOYLE*

1, ANNE MARIE HOFFMAN

2, and PAIGE ROTHENBERGER

3

1Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Falls Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

*emma.doyle@gcfi.org. 2The Nature Conservancy 3TierraMar Consulting

ABSTRACT

In the last year, GCFI and NOAA‟s Coral Reef Conservation Program have assisted with the review of

MPA management plans in four Caribbean countries. During the management planning review process

for Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area and Tobago Cays Marine Park, MPA managers,

staff, board members, and stakeholders indicated that they would welcome updated formatting to

facilitate both communication and implementation of the revised management plans. In particular, they

expressed interest in a user-friendly sectional approach, topline strategic priorities for different sections

of MPA management, and summaries or highlight materials as pull-outs. GCFI and TNC worked with

graphic design and GIS expertise to develop innovative outputs for the two participating MPAs. Through

the outputs created in this way, we helped the MPAs to keep the strategic priorities from the revised

management plans top of mind for MPA staff, boards, and stakeholders. This represents significant value

added to the review and updating of existing management plans, and has saved the new management

plans from being relegated to a shelf in the office. We will present these new materials and explain their

fit with common templates for MPA management planning and their usefulness for day-to-day MPA

management.

KEYWORDS: MPA, management planning, communications

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

75

From Shared MPA Objectives to Joint Monitoring and Adaptive Management Strategies

for Biologically Connected MPAs in the Grenadines

Desde Objetivos Compartidos hacia el Monitoreo Conjunto y el Desarrollo de Estrategias

de Manejo Adaptativo para AMPs Biológicamente Conectadas en las Granadinas

De Objectifs Communs Vers la Surveillance et le Développement en Commun de

Stratégies de Gestion Adaptative pour MPA Biologiquement Relié les Grenadines

EMMA DOYLE

1, MYLES PHILLIPS

2, PATRICIA KRAMER

3, and SEANN REGAN

4

1Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Falls Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

*emma.doyle@gcfi.org. 2Sustainable Grenadines Inc., Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

3Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Program, Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative

4All Points Consulting

ABSTRACT

MPA managers are typically faced with numerous challenges, from limited budgets, few enforcement

staff and lack of management plans, to environmental issues crossing national boundaries. We worked

with the Network of Marine Protected Areas of the Grenadines to help address practical MPA

management challenges. The network is an exceptional initiative between biologically connected sites to

promote collaborative capacity building via annual meetings, joint training, exchanges and monitoring,

and sharing of success stories related to common goals. At the network‟s annual meetings, six MPAs

come together to discuss cross-boundary needs to strengthen coral reef management. In 2014, the focus

was on streamlining monitoring, building local capacity and reducing costs. The MPAs agreed upon a

minimum set of meaningful and feasible indicators to monitor that would generate information for

management decision making. They agreed on common protocols and target ranges for each indicator.

Data was gathered and findings were analysed against historical reference data and compared with

averages for the Caribbean. Gaps in monitoring were identified and a new basis was established for

tracking the state of coral reefs and for measuring progress in MPA management. In a major new

initiative, findings were interpreted using innovative infographic tools which served to highlight results

and underpin sound decision making by indicating shared priorities for adaptive management. MPA

managers regrouped to discuss these findings, share lessons learned and proactively shape next steps.

Our presentation will showcase these new tools and explain how the model could easily be adapted by

other MPAs to improve management.

KEYWORDS: MPA, management , monitoring, communications, infographic

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

76

Comparison of Historical and Contemporary Assemblages, Distributions,

and Relative Abundance of Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

Sea as Inferred from Research Longline Catch Data

Comparación de los Ensamblajes Históricos y Actuales, Distribuciones y la Abundancia

Relativa de Tiburones en el Golfo de México y el Mar Caribe como se Deduce del Análisis

de Datos de Captura Palangrera

Comparaison des Assemblages Historiques et Contemporaines, les Distributions et

L'abondance Relative des Requins dans le Golfe du Mexique et des Caraïbes Mer comme

Déduite de la Recherche des Données de Capture à la Palangre

WILLIAM DRIGGERS III*, ERIC HOFFMAYER, KRISTIN HANNAN,

CHRISTIAN JONES, and LISA JONES

National Marine Fisheries Service, Mississippi Laboratories, 3209 Frederic Street,

Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 USA. * william.driggers@noaa.gov.

ABSTRACT

In the early 1950‟s, the United States Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, now called the National Marine

Fisheries Service (NMFS), began conducting exploratory longline sets in search of underutilized

fisheries resources in the western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean

Sea. A total of 418 pelagic and bottom longline sets were conducted from 1952-1983 and resulted in the

capture of 1,990 fishes throughout the region. While the primary objective of these experimental

longline sets was to develop efficient methods for catching scombrids, approximately 35% of fishes

captured were sharks belonging to the families Lamniformes and Carcharhiniformes. The resulting data

offer perhaps the only available historical record of species-specific distributions, relative abundance and

species composition of coastal and pelagic sharks in tropical and subtropical waters of the western North

Atlantic Ocean before and after the establishment of commercial longline fisheries within the region.

This presentation will summarize results of the early exploratory studies as well as compare and contrast

those results with recent NMFS longline survey data collected around Cuba, Navassa Islands, Puerto

Rico, US Virgin Islands and throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico.

KEYWORDS: Pelagic, experimental, demersal, Laminformes, Carcharhiniformes

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

77

Developing a Shark Management Plan for Bermuda: An Alternative Approach

El Desarrollo de un Plan para la Gestión de los Tiburones en las Bermudas:

Un Método Alternativo

Élaboration D'un Plan de Gestion des Requins dans les Bermudes:

Une Méthode Alternative

ELEANOR DRINKWATER*

1, JOANNA PITT

2, and BEN COLLEN

1

1Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment – Division of Biosciences,

University College of London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6B United Kingdom.

*eleanor.drinkwater.14@ucl.ac.uk. 2Department of Environmental Protection, Bermuda Government, 3 Coney Island Road, Bermuda.

ABSTRACT

Sharks are in decline globally, generating concern at national and international levels. However,

management bodies in smaller jurisdictions often lack the resources to assess the status of local shark

populations and their associated fisheries. Here, we present the results of an alternative approach for

assessing the shark fishery in Bermuda. We described patterns in shark landings over time using records

from the small-scale commercial fishery, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 31 shark fishing

stakeholders (26 fishers and 5 conservationists). The interviews examined current fishing and marketing

practices, recorded 12 shark species caught plus some unknowns, identified known pupping locations,

and assessed species-specific vulnerability to fishing around Bermuda. The most common response from

those surveyed was that shark populations around Bermuda have declined in the past 30 years. However,

a minority of frequent shark fishers believed additional management of sharks was necessary because of

a perception that local fishing has a negligible effect on shark populations. The rebound potential of the

shark species known from Bermuda waters was calculated by applying a derived Euler-Lotka equation to

published life history data. This generalised metric along with international management

recommendations was combined with the stakeholder-derived data to develop a management plan for

sharks in Bermuda waters. This study highlights the importance of engaging resource users when

developing management plans and demonstrates how their input may be used to evaluate exploited

populations. This approach may be useful for gathering information from other data-poor small scale

fisheries to assist with the development of management plans.

KEYWORDS: Sharks, Bermuda, management, local ecological knowledge

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

78

Exploring the Vulnerability of a Tropical Upwelling Ecosystem to Biomass Reduction:

The Gulf of Salamanca Case, Caribbean Sea Off Colombia

Explorando la Vulnerabilidad de un Ecosistema Marino Tropical a la Reducción de

Biomasa: El Caso del Golfo de Salamanca, Mar Caribe de Colombia

Vulnérabilité D'un Ecosystème Tropical De Up-Welling A La Réduction De La Biomasse:

L'affaire Du Golfe De Salamanque, Caraïbes Colombiennes

LUIS ORLANDO DUARTE*1, FRANCISCO ARREGUÍN-SÁNCHEZ

2,

and FABIÁN ESCOBAR-TOLEDO2

1Universidad del Magdalena, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras Tropicales,

Cra 32 # 22-08 Santa Marta, Colombia. *gieep@unimagdalena.edu.co. 2Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Cien,

Apartado Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.

ABSTRACT

Several demersal fish species of the Caribbean Sea off Colombia have shown a biomass decreasing

trend. The degree of vulnerability of the ecosystem to the biomass loss that could mean fragility to

environmental variability and climate change should be assessed. For this purpose, a functional measure

of vulnerability related to the degree of loss of self-organization of the ecosystem was calculated as the

slope of the relationship between the increase of entropy due to the decrease in the biomass of each

biotic component of the system and the trophic level of that component. The analysis was based on an

ecotrophic model built for the Gulf of Salamanca (Colombian Caribbean Sea). A pattern of gradual

decline in the biomass of each functional group was simulated to reach 2% of the initial biomass after 50

years. The functional groups used for the simulations included lower (phytoplankton, macroalgae),

intermediate (zooplankton, small pelagic fishes, shrimp, crabs) and upper trophic levels (pelagic

predatory fishes, snappers, sharks). Simulated disturbances in the lower trophic levels generated the

highest values of entropy, consistent with a negative slope in the relationship between entropy increase

and trophic level. The low value of the slope (-0683; r2 = 0.372) suggests that the ecosystem tends to be

more vulnerable than other systems analyzed in this way previously. The results support the plans of

integrated ecosystem management and indicate that excessive reductions in biomass can threaten the

self-organization capacity of the ecosystem, which can become crucial to face climate variability.

KEYWORDS: Ecotrophic models, ecosystem, vulnerability, climate change, fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

79

Caracterización de la Dieta de Thunnus atlanticus en la

Isla de San Andrés, Mar Caribe de Colombia

Dietary Characterization of Thunnus atlanticus

in San Andres Island, Caribbean Sea Off Colombia

Caractérisation Alimentaire de Thunnus atlanticus à Île de San Andres,

Mer des Caraïbes de la Colombie

LUIS ORLANDO DUARTE*

1, ANDRÉS GONZÁLEZ

2, ANTHONY ROJAS

2,

LEIDY LARA2, HUGO WILSON

2, and ERICK CASTRO

2

1Universidad del Magdalena, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras Tropicales, Cra 32 # 22-08

Santa Marta, Colombia. *gieep@unimagdalena.edu.co. 2Gobernación de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca,

Avenida Francisco Newball No. 6-30, Edificio Coral Palace, San Andrés Isla, Colombia.

RESUMEN

Thunnus atlanticus representa una de las especies pelágicas dominantes y de importancia comercial en el

Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina en el Mar Caribe de Colombia. El estudio de

sus relaciones alimentarias es, por tanto, de importancia ecológica y pesquera en el contexto del manejo

ecosistémico. Se evaluó la dieta de T. atlanticus a partir de muestreos realizados con trolling durante

diciembre (2011 y 2012), enero, marzo y abril (2013) en la Isla de San Andrés. Se calcularon medidas

relativas de cuantificación de presas (gravimétrica, numérica y ocurrencia) así como los índices de

Relativa Importancia (RI) y de Levin para caracterizar la composición alimentaria y el grado de

especialización trófica. Un total de 102 estómagos fueron analizados, 6 de los cuales estuvieron vacíos.

Los tamaños de los individuos de T. atlanticus examinados osciló entre 292 y 595 mm LT. Se encontró

una tendencia asintótica en la curva de acumulación especies-presa (índice Chao 2) que indica que la

muestra fue suficiente para representar la dieta. De acuerdo a la importancia relativa, los peces óseos

fueron la presa principal en la dieta (RI = 43%), los crustáceos decápodos (RI = 27%) y cefalópodos (RI

= 19%) resultaron ser presas secundarias y los estomatópodos, isópodos y gastrópodos, presas

ocasionales (RI < 9%). Dentro de los peces óseos se destacó la familia Carangidae; en los decápodos la

familia Majidae y en los cefalópodos, la familia Sepiolidae. Se obtuvo un bajo valor en el índice de

Levin (0,388) lo que sugiere poca amplitud de la dieta, es decir, un comportamiento especialista. El

presente estudio contribuye con el conocimiento de la ecología trófica de T. atlanticus, como insumo

para un manejo pesquero integral.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Ecología trófica, peces pelágicos, pesquerías, manejo ecosistémico,

alimentación

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

80

Feeding Ecology and Prey Selectivity of Invasive Lionfish

(Pterois volitans and P. miles) In Bermuda

Ecología Alimentaria y Selectividad de Presa del Pez León Invasor

(Pterois volitans y P. miles) en las Bermudas

L'écologie de L'alimentation et Sélectivité Des Proies Des Poissons-Lions

(Pterois volitans et P. miles) dans les Bermudes

COREY EDDY*1, JOANNA PITT

2, STRUAN SMITH

3,

GRETCHEN GOODBODY-GRINGLEY4, ALEX CHEQUER

5, and DIEGO BERNAL

1

1University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Bermuda Lionfish Task Force,

4 Chrislin Way, Natick, Massachusetts 01760 USA. *coreyeddy1@gmail.com. 2Government of Bermuda, Department of Environmental Protection,

P.O. Box CR52, Crawl CRBX Bermuda. 3Bermuda Natural History Museum, Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo,

P.O. Box FL145, Flatts FL BX Bermuda. 4Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Lane, Ferry Reach, St. George GE01 Bermuda.

5Ocean Support Foundation, Suite 1222 48 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM11 Bermuda.

ABSTRACT

As a generalist and opportunistic predator, lionfish have a voracious appetite for anything and

everything, consuming large quantities of juvenile reef fish and invertebrates, as well as the adults of

small-bodied species. Lacking natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean, invasive populations may reach

densities far greater than found in their native range. As such, invasive lionfish could cause significant

ecological disruption if their populations are not controlled. To better understand the impacts of this

species upon invaded coral reef ecosystems, information on their feeding behavior, resource use, and the

structure of the native fish communities is required. It is also important to determine whether lionfish

selectively choose prey items, whether their feeding behavior is primarily based upon prey availability,

or if it is, in fact, truly indiscriminate. We describe the diet of Bermuda‟s invasive lionfish population

based on stomach contents analysis, examining patterns among fish of varying sizes, at different depths,

and across seasons. By comparing lionfish stomach contents to the abundance and distribution of

potential prey species acquired from underwater visual fish surveys, we calculate indices of selectivity

and discuss the implications of these results.

KEYWORDS: Invasive lionfish, feeding ecology, stomach contents, resource use, prey selection

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

81

Utilization of Steroid Hormones Extracted from the Skeletal Muscle Tissue to Determine

Sex and Reproductive State of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

La Utilización de Hormonas Esteroides Extraídas del Tejido Muscular Esquelético para

Determinar el Sexo y Estado Reproductivo del Atún Rojo del Atlántico (Thunnus thynnus)

Utilisation des Hormones Stéroïdes Extraites du Tissu Musculaire Squelettique

pour Déterminer le Sexe et L' état reproducteur de Thon Rouge de L'Atlantique

(Thunnus thynnus)

LAURA ELLIS*1, WALT GOLET

2, and JAMES SULIKOWSKI

1

1University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Biddeford, Maine 04005 USA.

*lellis4@une.edu. 2University of Maine, Gulf of Maine Research Institute,

350 Commercial Street, Portland Maine 04101 USA.

ABSTRACT

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are among the most sought after commercial fish in the world‟s

oceans. As a consequence, the Atlantic population is considered to be overfished. Proper management

of any exploited species requires routine biological sampling to determine age, growth, and reproductive

status to understand stock structure and population abundance. However, sexual identification of bluefin

tuna can be problematic as the majority of the catch is brought to port with their reproductive tracts

removed. Skeletal muscle tissue has recently been found to be a depot for steroid hormones and their

metabolites in many species, including bluefin tuna. Given this, the objectives were: (i) to attain a more

comprehensive understanding of muscle steroid hormones in bluefin tuna; (ii) to determine whether this

approach is appropriate for studying the reproductive biology of this species (iii) to determine whether

skeletal muscle steroid hormones can be used as non-lethal indicators of reproductive status in this

teleost. To date estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) has been quantified for 9 female (FL, 191 + 34 cm;

119 + 71 kg) and 27 males (212 + 27 cm; 130 + 47 kg). Preliminary results suggest that female

concentrations of E2 (1175 + 812 pg/g) are higher when compared to those of males (770+ 506 pg/g),

while males have a higher level of T (1768 + 1258 pg/g) compared /to females (811 + 208 pg/g). These

collective results suggest that muscle tissue may serve as a means to investigate aspects of reproductive

biology of bluefin tuna both from gutted fish and from live individuals in the field.

KEYWORDS: Steroid hormones, bluefin tuna, sex determination, muscle biopsy, radioimmunoassay

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

82

Interactions Between Invasive Lionfish and a Native Predator,

Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio)

Las Interacciones entre El Pez Léon y un Depredator Nativo,

Cherna Americana (Epinephelus morio)

Interactions entre L‟espèce Invasive Poisson-lion et un Prédateur Indigène,

Le Mérou Rouge (Epinephelus morio)

ROBERT ELLIS1and MEAGHAN FALETTI

2

1Florida State University - NOAA Fisheries, 3311 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010 USA.

*rdellis@bio.fsu.edu. 2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street,

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 USA.

ABSTRACT

The introduction of the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) to the western Atlantic, Caribbean,

and Gulf of Mexico has led to extensive investigation into the life history traits and ecological impacts of

this invasive species. Subsequent declines in the abundance and biomass of small demersal coral reef

fishes have been well documented; however potential competitive and behavioral interactions between

native predators and invasive lionfish are less well understood. During the summer of 2013 we

experimentally altered the presence of both lionfish and red grouper (Epinephelus morio) in solution

holes and tracked changes in juvenile reef fish and motile macroinvertebrate communities for six weeks.

Compared to control sites where both predators were excluded, mean juvenile reef fish abundance was

83.7% lower in solution holes with a lionfish but 154% higher in solution holes with a red grouper.

Juvenile reef fish abundance was not significantly different in holes where both predators were

simultaneously present or absent. We documented a shift in lionfish stomach contents from mostly

teleost fishes when alone to mostly crustaceans in the presence of the red grouper. The abundances of

two species of cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni and Periclimenes yucatanicus) decreased by

14.7% when lionfish were present but increased by 56.2% when lionfish were excluded. We suggest that

these results were caused by altered lionfish predatory behavior in the presence of the larger red grouper.

Behavioral interactions between lionfish and native predators highlight the importance of maintaining

intact native predator communities to ameliorate the negative effects of the Lionfish invasion.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, grouper, behavior, predation, Florida

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

83

Addressing Invasive Lionfish in the State of Florida, USA:

Outreach, Control Efforts, and Future Directions

Abordando la Invasión del Pez León en el Estado de Florida, EEUU:

Divulgación, Control y Planes a Futuro

Aborder Les Poissons-Lions Envahissants Dans L'état De Floride Aux États Unis : La

Sensibilisation, Les Efforts De Contrôle Et Les Orientations Futures

MEAGHAN FALETTI

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street,

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 USA. Meaghan.Faletti@MyFWC.com.

ABSTRACT

The first reported sighting of invasive lionfish occurred in 1985 off Dania Beach, Florida. The Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is taking actions to combat this invasion and

prevent further damage to native marine ecosystems. In recent years, FWC has implemented rule

changes to allow uninhibited harvest of lionfish, hosted summits to collect stakeholder feedback on state

involvement in lionfish control, created a Lionfish Outreach Program to encourage further participation

in lionfish removals throughout the state, and initiated a draft Lionfish Control Plan specific to the state

of Florida.

Here, we address the specific rule changes that have been approved to assist stakeholders in removal of

invasive lionfish and gauge their effectiveness based on public surveys. We review goals and lessons

learned from the stakeholder meetings and summits FWC has held and how this has led to the draft of a

state Lionfish Control Plan. We also review the accomplishments of the Lionfish Outreach Program and

its future directions. This includes the expansion of the Reef Rangers Lionfish Control Program, in

which divers pledge to clean lionfish off their local reefs and engage with other dive groups in their

community.

The FWC highly encourages removals of lionfish from Florida waters, and continually seeks out new

ways in which to control this invasive species.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Florida, Lionfish Control Plan, Lionfish Outreach Program

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

84

Regional Cooperation to Face Sargassum Influx Around the Wider Caribbean

Cooperación Regional para Hacer Frente a la Afluencia de Sargassum por el Gran Caribe

Coopération Régionale pour Faire Face à L‟arrivée Massive de Sargasses

dans la Grande Région Caraïbe

FRÉDÉRIQUE FARDIN

1, JULIE BELMONT

1, ANNE FONTAINE

1,

ALESSANDRA VANZELLA-KHOURI2, and KAREN MCDONALD GAYLE

2

1SPAW-RAC, Parc National de la Guadeloupe, Saint-Claude,

97120 Guadeloupe, French West Indies.

* frederique.fardin.carspaw@guadeloupe-parcnational.fr. 2UNEP-CEP SPAW, Secretariat 14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica.

ABSTRACT

Since 2011, the Wider Caribbean Region has been experiencing a massive influx of brown seaweed

(Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans) on its shores. Given the observed and potential impacts from

economic, environmental and health perspectives, there is a growing recognition of the urgent need to

share information, lessons learnt and best practices about the management of this unprecedented

phenomenon. The Regional Activity Center for the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and

Wildlife (SPAW-RAC) is working under the aegis of UNEP through its Caribbean Environment

Programme to support cooperation between countries for the protection of the marine and coastal

biodiversity. Following a decision of the last Conference Of Parties of the SPAW Protocol in December

2014, identification of regional efforts and initiatives on the Sargassum issue has begun, as well as the

establishment of an on-line forum to help with information gathering and exchange between stakeholders

with interests in the matter (e.g. Caribbean Countries, Sargasso Sea Commission, Universities from the

Caribbean and beyond). This forum facilitates discussion on (i) the science for understanding the

phenomenon and (ii) the management of the algae (collection, disposal/use), and ultimately its impacts.

It will involve groups with common goals such as the tourism sector, resource managers or Sea Turtle

conservation stakeholders. For each theme, synthesis of the collected information will be presented,

including commitment feedback from different countries on the management of the phenomenon. We

will highlight common and different approaches and discuss unresolved questions and areas of work for

the future.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, influx, cooperation, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

85

How Many Lionfish are Too Many Lionfish? Estimating Target Densities and Costs

Associated with Manual Removal of Invasive Lionfish Stocks in a Marine Reserve in

Belize

Cuántos Peces León son Demasiados Peces León? Estimando Umbrales Críticos

de Densidad y Costos Asociados con la Extracción Manual del Pez León

en una Reserva Marina en Belize

Estimation de la Densité et des Coûts Associés à L'enlèvement Manuel Cible des Stocks de

poissons-lions Envahissantes dans une Réserve Marine au Belize

KATHRYN ANN FIELDS*1 and DIEGO VALDERRAMA

1University of Florida, Food and Resource Economics Department, 1107 McCarty Hall B,

P.O. Box 110240, Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA. *kahfields@ufl.edu.

ABSTRACT

Two species of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have invaded and rapidly expanded

throughout the tropical Western Atlantic since the 1980s. Lionfish established in Belize in 2008 and their

population has since grown rapidly. As eradication of lionfish is unfeasible, scientists are urging for the

implementation of lionfish management plans to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of the

invasion. Data on prey fish and lionfish densities as well as spearfishing catch rates were collected from

dive trips at Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve (BCMR), northern Belize, in 2014. These data were used to

compute rates of biomass production by prey fish as well as consumption rates by lionfish, leading to

preliminary estimates of target lionfish densities beyond which declines in the biomass of native prey

species would occur. Production of prey fish biomass was estimated at 326 kg/ha/year. Given that

preliminary surveys place lionfish densities at BCMR at 27 ± 9 lionfish/ha, the annual rate of prey

consumption was estimated at approximately 270 kg/ha/year. Although local productivity of prey fish

populations may be high enough to compensate for lionfish predation, culling programs are still

recommended to ensure a target density of around 32 lionfish/ha is not exceeded. These preliminary

estimates will be further refined based on the results of continued biological sampling at the reserve.

Information is also presented on the fishing costs involved in reaching the target densities in order to

assess the economic viability of manual removal techniques as a long-term management strategy for

invasive lionfish stocks.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, target densities, removal programs, Belize

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

86

Valor Económico de los Tiburones y Rayas para el Buceo Contemplativo

en el Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Economic Value of Sharks and Rays in Recreational Diving

in Gardens of the Queen National Park, Cuba

La Valeur Économique des Requins et des Raies a Travers de la Plongée Récreative

dans le Parc National des Jardins de la Reine, Cuba

TAMARA FIGUEREDO MARTÍN*

1and FABIÁN PINA AMARGÓS

2

1Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costero, Ave. Los Almácigos,

Cayo Coco Morón, Ciego de Ávi 69400 Cuba. *tamara@ciec.cu.

RESUMEN

Cada día los tiburones y rayas cobran mayor importancia para el buceo contemplativo,

fundamentalmente dentro de Áreas Protegidas Marinas. El Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina es

reconocido a nivel internacional por la calidad de su buceo contemplativo. Estudios desarrollados para

realizar la caracterización de las actividades turísticas de este Parque Nacional, han arrojado que dentro

de los principales atractivos del área, el 85% corresponde a peces, animales grandes y tiburones.

Especialmente dentro de los vertebrados marinos, el 68% de los encuestados ubican los tiburones y rayas

como los preferidos. A pesar de que la visitación al área se mantiene limitada, con alrededor de 1100

buceadores anuales, esta actividad aporta ingresos importantes. Teniendo en cuenta los ingresos

percibido por la empresa turística que explota el buceo en Jardines de la Reina y el porciento que

representan los tiburones y rayas dentro de los principales atractivos, se puede estimar que como mínimo

el buceo con tiburones anualmente genera $460,000. Si se realiza un estimado del efecto multiplicador

que tiene el buceo de Jardines de la Reina, para otras empresas del país por gastos de alojamiento y

transportación, la media de los buceadores de Jardines de la Reina están en Cuba una semana adicional,

gastando como promedio 1,1 veces más del pago promedio en Jardines de la Reina, por lo que se estima

que el buceo con tiburones anualmente puede generar hasta $966,000.

KEYWORDS: Tiburones y rayas, áreas protegidas marinas, Jardines de la Reina, buceo contemplativo,

ingresos

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

87

Environmental Variations and Population Changesat Local Scale:

Fishes of the Gerreidae Family in Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

Variaciones Ambientales y Cambios Poblacionales a Escala Local:

Peces de la Familia Gerreidae en Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

Variations Environmentales et Changements dans les Populations à Échelle Locale:

Poissons de la Famille Gerreidae dans la Laguna de Términos, Campeche, Mexique

DOMINGO FLORES HERNÁNDEZ*, JULIA RAMOS MIRANDA, and ATAHUALPA SOSA-

LÓPEZ

Instituto EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Héroe de Nacozari #480,

Campeche 24090 México. *ramosmiran@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

La laguna de Términos es conocida por gran biodiversidad ictiofaunística, la cual es explicada por una

gran variedad de hábitats. Actualmente, esta biodiversidad se ha visto afectada tanto por cambios

antropogénicos como desarrollo de la industria petrolera en mar abierto, desarrollo urbano en ciudad del

Carmen, destrucción de hábitats por la tala de manglar, destrucción de bancos de pastos marinos,

modificación de la sedimentación, pesca, así como modificaciones de la hidrología del sistema mar-

laguna-sistemas fluviolagunares. En este trabajo se comparan la evolución de peces de la familia

Gerreidae en relación a cambios en las variables físico-quimicas de la laguna que influenciaron

variaciones poblacionales en dichas especies. Se determinó que globalmente los gerreidos tuvieron 1,046

individuos en 1980, 4,458 en 1998 y 2,019 en 2010; asimismo, Diapterus rhombeus, Eucinostomus gula

y E. argenteus fueron especies ganadoras; mientras que D. auratus y Eugerres plumieri fueron especies

perdedoras. Se calcularon los traslapes de nichos entre D. rhombeus y E. argenteus, coincidieron en 64.7

y 82.4% en los puntos en 1998 y 2010 aunque tienen el mismo espectro trófico, en el 2010, E. argenteus

se registró en todos los puntos de muestreo en 2010, mientras que D. rhombeus sólo en estuv en 82.4 %

de los sitios. Esto permite concluir que los cambios ambientales en la Laguna de Términos afectan

diferencialmente la abundancia de los peces gerreidos, de los cuales E. argenteus ha mostrado

recientemente mayor capacidad de adaptación.

KEYWORDS: Environmental change, populations, sdaptation, Laguna de Términos, Mexico

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

88

Comparing Age and Growth Patterns of Invasive Lionfish

Among Three Ecoregions of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Comparación de los Patrones de Edad y Crecimiento del Pez León Invasor

en Tres Ecoregiones del Norte del Golfo de México

Comparaison Des Paramètres De Croissance Et De La Distribution Des Classes D'âge

Chez L'espèce Invasive De Poisson-Lion Dans Trois Co-Régions Du Nord Du Golfe Du

Mexique

ALEXANDER FOGG*1, JOSEPH EVANS

2, MARK PETERSON

1,

WALTER INGRAM3, and NANCY BROWN-PETERSON

1

1University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Coastal Sciences,

703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. *fogg.alex@gmail.com. 2South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resource Research Institute,

P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, South Carolina 29422 USA. 3National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Servicem

3209 Fredric Street, Pascagoula Mississippi 39567 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive lionfish (Pterois sp.) have rapidly spread throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM)

partly due to their high growth rate. Since 2012, more than 15,000 lionfish have been collected from the

nGOM across three ecoregions: southeast, northeast, and west. Sagittal otoliths (n = 1,546) were

removed from lionfish (81 – 434 mm total length), embedded, and sectioned prior to age determination.

Otoliths were read by two separate readers for agreement and ages ranged from 0 to 4.5 years old (mean

= 1.35) confirming lionfish in the nGOM in 2008, two years prior to first detection. A truncated von

Bertalanffy growth curve was fit to the age data and separate model parameters were determined for

each sex and region for comparison. A sum of squares reduction test determined regional sex

differences as well as differences between sex and region. There were significant differences between

sexes in all three regions and between regions within both sexes (all p < 0.01) as males achieved greater

instantaneous growth rate (K) and larger asymptotic maximum lengths (Linf) compared to females. It is

clear that the southeast region had the highest „K‟ and the west region had the lowest „K‟. On the other

hand, Linf is smallest in the west region and highest in the southeast region. This information coupled

with other life history information in each region is essential for creating management plans that will

help mitigate the effects lionfish are having on the native ecosystem.

KEYWORDS: Invasive, lionfish, Pterois, Scorpaenidae, Gulf of Mexico

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

89

Size-Maturity Indicators in Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) of Port Honduras Marine

Reserve, Belize: Strengthening Management for Improved Fisheries Sustainability

Indicadores de Talla y Madurez en Caracol Rosado (Strombus gigas)

de la Reserva Marina de Port Honduras, Belice:

Fortaleciendo la Gestión para Mejorar la Sostenibilidad de la Pesquería

Indicateurs Taille - Maturité dans Lambi (Strombus gigas)

de Réserve Marine Port Honduras, Belize :

Renforcement de la Gestion pour L'amélioration de la Durabilité de la Pêche

JAMES FOLEY*and MIWA TAKAHASHI

Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, 1 mile San Antonio Road,

Punta Gorda, Toledo District, Belize. *jfoley@tidebelize.org.

ABSTRACT

Queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large gastropod found throughout the Caribbean, where it is a food

source and economically important export product. S. gigas has been overfished in many regions, and

international trade in S. gigas is now regulated under CITES. This study aims to determine the most

reliable proxy indicator(s) of maturity in S. gigas specific to Port Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR),

southern Belize. Relationships between shell dimensions and maturity vary in different areas and need to

be determined locally. In Belize, a minimum shell length (SL) of 17.8cm regulates queen conch

extraction; intended to protect immature conch from harvest before reproducing. However, evidence

suggests lip thickness is a more reliable proxy indicator of maturity. Fisheries-dependent and -

independent surveys for PHMR indicate fishers are complying with the shell length limit, yet the

proportion of catch with lip thickness < 9 mm (minimum maturity threshold in other studies) increased

from 30% in 2009 to 90% in 2012. Queen conch were collected from PHMR in 2015 and shell length,

lip thickness, lip width, operculum dimensions, and meat weight were compared with gonadosomatic

index. Initial results suggest a stronger relationship between lip thickness and maturity based on

gonadosomatic index (r 2

= 0.44), with little or no correlation for shell length (r2

= 0.02) or operculum

length:width ratio (r2 = 0.06). Histological analysis of ovarian and testicular tissues, complete in October

2015, will confirm maturity relationships. These results will inform revisions to national legislation to

incorporate lip thickness into size limit regulations for queen conch in PHMR.

KEYWORDS: Conch, management, size, maturity, Belize

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

90

Regional Management Geared to the Conservation of Sharks

Gestión Regional Orientada a la Conservación de Tiburones

Gestion Régional pour la Conservation des Requins

REBECA FRANKE ANTE

Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, Territ Calle 17 # 4-06, Santa Marta,

Magdalena 470004 Colombia. rebeca.franke@parquesnacionales.gov.co.

ABSTRACT

Colombia cuenta con políticas para la conservación de tiburones, pero en la práctica se requiere un

mayor esfuerzo que involucre instituciones y organizaciones nacionales e internacionales. En particular

las grandes especies requieren mayores espacios y ningún área protegida cumple con proteger todo el

ciclo de vida. Otras especies son más locales y permanentemente tienen un papel de depredador tope en

un área protegida. Definir cuáles son esas especies en cada área protegida e identificar los

requerimientos de conservación de las más grandes es una de las tareas para los investigadores. Sin

embargo el mayor reto está en lograr construir e implementar una estrategia entre los países del Gran

Caribe que facilite la conservación y manejo sostenible de tiburones como especies clave en la

resiliencia de ecosistemas marinos y continentales de la región. Por lo tanto, se propone desarrollar un

proyecto con enfoque multiescalar, que integre las áreas marinas protegidas y otras figuras de

conservación. Igualmente se plantea diseñar una campaña masiva que genere voluntades en pro de la

recuperación de los tiburones.

KEYWORDS: Conservación, áreas protegidas, Caribe, tiburones

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

91

Massive Sargassum Invasion of Tropical Atlantic Countries:

Understanding and Prediction

Invasión Masiva de Sargazo en Países del Atlántico Tropical: Comprensión y Predicción

Invasion Massive par les Sargasses des Pays Tropicaux Atlantique:

Compréhension et Prédiction du Phénomène

JAMES FRANKS* and DONALD JOHNSON

University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory,

703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. * jim.franks@usm.edu.

ABSTRACT

Since 2011, unprecedented quantities of pelagic sargassum have inundated coastal waters and shorelines

of the tropical Atlantic, extending from Brazil to eastern and western Caribbean nations. Our previous

findings from back-tracking the sargassum movements indicated transport pathways connected to the

North Equatorial Recirculation Region (NERR). Several northern tropical Atlantic climate indices with

decadal-scale oscillations reached historical maxima/minima during 2010 preceding the first 2011 influx

event. We are building a hypothesis that suggests climate related variations in equatorial Atlantic

circulation, in association with nutrient enrichment, resulted in conditions supportive of sargassum

growth, blooming, consolidation and transport into the Caribbean. Massive influx of sargassum is

continuing well into 2015, and since 2011, the quantity of sargassum and frequency of influx eventsare

compromising living marine resources, habitats, economies, and community life in affected regions.

Among unknowns critical to studies of bloom genesis and influx are: why the occurrence this decade;

where within the NERR did the bloom originate; is a critical mass of sargassum required to initiate an

immense bloom (define critical in this context); what sources/patterns of nutrient input fueled the bloom;

what is the sargassum growth rate in the NERR; when was bloomed sargassum first „flushed‟ from the

NERR; what is the current distribution and biomass of sargassum with the NERR; what is the long-term

prognosis for bloom events? Research addressing gaps in knowledge will support building a fundamental

understanding of recent bloom and invasion events and facilitate development of prediction capabilities

important for resource management in tropical Atlantic countries.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, bloom, invasion, Caribbean, Tropical Atlantic

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

92

Community of Fishermen Provides Relevant Data on Fisheries as Baseline Information

for the Declaration of a New Coral Reef Protected Area in the Caribbean of Colombia

Comunidad de Pescadores Proporciona Datos Pertinentes sobre la Pesca

como Información de Base para la Declaración de una

Nueva Área Protegida de Arrecifes de Coral en el Caribe De Colombia

Communauté des Pêcheurs Fournit des Données Pertinentes sur la Pêche que des

Informations de Base pour la Déclaration D'un Nouveau Récif de Corail Zone Protégée

dans les Caraïbes de la Colombie

NOHORA GALVIS*, ROSA HELENA GALVIS, and DAVID HIGUITA

Fundación ICRI Colombia, Calle 97A No. 60D-88, Bogotá, Colombia.

*nohora.galvis@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Active participation of the community of fishermen from Carpurganá in the process of declaration of the

New Marine Coral Reef Protected Area by the National Parks Authority in alliance with the Foundation

ICRI Colombia. Reliable data gathered from 2009 till present is provided by PESCAPUR the Fishermen

Association that join the whole community in their request for a soon improvement of management

effectiveness within a IUCN Category to avoid oil spill exploration that will mean a threat to their food

security depending on the artisanal coral reef fisheries and ecotourism.

KEYWORDS: Coral reefs, effectiveness, lionfish, fisheries, management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

93

Evidence of Fishermen Controlling Deep Populations of Lionfish in Colombia:

Case Study Capurgana, Choco, Caribbean Sea

Evidencia de Pescadores que Controlan las Poblaciones Profundas del Pez León en

Colombia: Estudio de Caso: Capurgana, Choco, Mar Caribe

Preuve de Pêcheurs qui Controlent les Populations Profondes de Lionfish en Colombie

Étude de Cas : Capurgana, Choco, Mer des Caraïbes

NOHORA GALVIS and ROSA HELENA GALVIS

Fundación ICRI Colombia, Calle 97A No. 60D-88, Bogotá, Colombia.

*icri.colombia@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

This is a case study of a successful participatory scheme implemented by the Foundation ICRI Colombia

at local level. Fisheries Data from artisanal fisheries show how the presence of lionfishes and the

overfishing of other species have impacted the fisheries productivity.

Reliable data was gathered to feed the route for declaration of the potential new coral reef protected area,

since 2008 with the collaboration of the accountant from the Fisheries Association PESCAPUR and the

Network of Volunteer Observers RENOVOS (created by Foundation ICRI Colombia). Evidence of

fishermen controlling deep populations will be provided with specific fishing gear and specific

participatory management in the potential New Marine Protected Area (Process of declaration by the

National Parks Authority in alliance with the Foundation ICRI Colombia)

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, fisheries, CPEU, community, fishermen

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

94

Distribución, Abundancia y Transporte Larval de Tres Especies Endémicas

de la Familia Sciaenidae en el Alto Golfo de California

Distribution, Abundance and Larval Transportation of Three Endemic Species

of Sciaenidae Family of the Upper Gulf of California

Répartition des Richesses et le Transport des Larves de Trois Espèces Endémiques

à la Famille Sciaenidae dans le Golfe de Californie Haute

YULIESKY GARCÉS*, LAURA SÁNCHEZ-VELASCO, and NOÉ DíAZ-VILORIA

Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN), Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas,

Av. IPN s/n, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096 Mexico. *garcesr84@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

Existe desconocimiento en la identificación, distribución y abundancia de los estadios larvarios de

Totoaba macdonaldi, Cynoscion othonopterus y Micropogonias megalops, especies endémicas de la

reserva de la biosfera del Alto Golfo de California. Bajo el supuesto de que dichas especies se han

reportado en capturas pesqueras de la región, y que las larvas de peces pueden ser dispersadas por

corrientes, se espera encontrar larvas de las tres especies con posibles diferencias en distribución,

abundancia y rutas de dispersión. El objetivo es determinar la distribución, abundancia y dispersión de

larvas de las tres especies de Sciaenidae en dicha región. Las larvas se recolectaron mediante redes de

cierre-apertura-cierre (505 µm) durante primavera (2011) y verano (2012 y 2013). Las muestras se

identificaron a nivel de familia y se pre-clasificaron en morfotipos larvarios con base en sus

características morfológicas. Las larvas de los tres morfotipos de Sciaenidae se identificarán a nivel de

especie utilizando la diagnosis y descripciones morfológicas realizadas recientemente, y se aplicarán en

casos de duda, marcadores moleculares como COI de ADNmt. Para cada una de las especies se

realizarán mapas de distribución horizontal por estrato de muestreo. Se evaluará la co-relación entre la

distribución y abundancia de las larvas de Sciaenidae y los datos de variables ambientales de cada

crucero, mediante un Análisis Canónico de Correspondencia. Se pretende conocer rutas de dispersión y

conectividad larvaria mediante el modelo de dispersión HAMSOM, para generar información que apoye

el ordenamiento de la reserva de la Biósfera del Alto Golfo.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Distribución, dispersión larval, identificación molecular, Alto Golfo de

California,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

95

Relación de Pterois volitans/miles (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) con

Peces Depredadores Nativos en Arrecifes del Litoral Oeste de la Habana, Cuba

Relationship of Pterois volitans/miles (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) with

Native Predators Fish in West Coastal Reefs of Havana, Cuba

Relation entre Pterois volitans/miles (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) et

Poissons Prédateurs Indigènes sur Récif dans le Côte Ouest eu Habane, Cuba

ALAIN GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ

1, PEDRO CHEVALIER MONTEAGUDO

2, ERLÁN CABRERA

SANSÓN2, HANSEL CABALLERO ARAGÓN

2, and JORGE LUIS HERNÁNDEZ LÓPEZ

3

1Instituto de Oceanología, calle 1ra No. 18406 e/184 y 186, Reparto Flores,

La Habana 11600 Cuba. *arodriguez@oceano.inf.cu. 2Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Avenida 1ra y Calle 60, La Habana 11300 Cuba.

3Instituto de Oceanología, Ave 1ra No. 18406, entre 184 y 186. Rpto Flores, La Habana 11600 Cuba.

RESUMEN

El pez león (Pterois volitans/miles) es la primera especie(s) arrecifal del Indo-Pacífico que invade el

Atlántico Occidental, constituyendo una de las invasiones de peces marinos más rápida de la historia. El

objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la relación del pez león con peces depredadores nativos (pargos-

Lutjanidae y meros-Serranidae) en cinco arrecifes del litoral oeste de La Habana, Cuba. Los muestreos

fueron realizados mediante censos visuales con buceo autónomo entre junio del 2012 y enero del 2014 y

a una profundidad de entre 10 y 12 m. La densidad y la biomasa del pez en la zona de estudio fueron

mayores o semejantes que la de los pargos y meros en la mayoría de los sitios. Las mayores diferencias

fueron con la familia Serranidae y las especies de esta familia Cephalopholis fulva y Cephalopholis

cruentata, debido a que la abundancia del pez león fue mucho mayor que la de estas especies. Las

correlaciones realizadas entre las abundancias del pez león y estos depredadores no fueron significativas,

a excepción de la correlación positiva de la densidad del pez león con la densidad de pargos. Esto indica

que la abundancia del pez león no es afectada y no depende de la abundancia de estos depredadores en la

zona de estudio. Los pargos y meros se encuentran afectados por la sobrepesca en la zona costera de La

Habana, por lo que el pez león podría desplazarlos de sus nichos tróficos e impedir la recuperación de

sus poblaciones.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Especies invasoras, Caribe, impacto potencial, pez león, peces de arrecife

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

96

A Remotely Operated Vehicle-based Method for Directly Estimating Bottom Longline

Gear Selectivity of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

Una Metodología Basada en Vehículos Operados a Distancia para la Estimación Directa

de la Selectividad del Pargo Rojo, Lutjanus campechanus por el Palangre de Fondo

Une Méthode Basé sur Véhicule Sous-Marin Téléguidé pour Estimation Directe de

Sélectivité des Engins de Palangre de Fond pour le Vivaneau Rouge, Lutjanu campechanus

STEVEN B. GARNER*1, MATTHEW D. CAMPBELL

2,

WILLIAM B. DRIGGERS2, and WILIAM F. PATTERSON III

1

1University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab,

101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA. *sgarner@disl.org. 2National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center,

Mississippi Laboratories, 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 USA.

ABSTRACT

The US National Marine Fisheries Service‟s bottom longline (BLL) survey in the Gulf of Mexico is key

for indexing population trends for older (10+ years) red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus. Currently, BLL

selectivity is assumed to be logistic-shaped in the stock assessment model, but no empirical estimates

exist to validate this assumption. Therefore, we employed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)

methodology to directly estimate red snapper size selectivity. The BLL gear was deployed according to

standard survey protocols (i.e, approximately 1 nm in length with 15/0 non-stainless steel Mustad circle

hooks (n = 100) spaced every 0.01 nm). The ROV was equipped with a laser scaler and flown 1 m above

the BLL gear on the seafloor. Free-swimming red snapper were laser-scaled and total length (TL)

estimated via video. Captured red snapper were measured and their sagittal otoliths removed for aging.

Seventeen red snapper were laser-scaled during 20 ROV surveys, and 72 (mean age = 9.6 years) were

captured on 86 BLL sets. Smaller (< 600 mm TL) red snapper were only encountered on reef structure

and saturated the few hooks immediately adjacent to reef habitat. Large (≥ 600 mm TL) red snapper

were observed among more open habitats, thus were available to more hooks and constituted 90.3% of

the red snapper catch. A flexible-form selectivity model fit to the data resulted in a logistic-shaped

selectivity function. While this supports the assumed shape of the BLL selectivity function for red

snapper, increased sample size will likely decrease uncertainty in parameter estimates.

KEYWORDS: Selectivity, bottom longline, red snapper

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

97

Uso de Redes Sociales Digitales por Pescadores Artesanales

en el Golfo de California, México

The Use of Social Digital Networks by Artesanal Fishers in the Gulf of California, México

L'usage des Réseaux Sociaux Digitaux par les Pêcheurs Artisanaux

du Golfe de Californie, Mexique

ERNESTO GASTELUM NAVA*

1, JORGE TORRE COSÍO

1,

MARÍA JOSÉ ESPINOSA ROMERO1, FRANCISCO FERNÁNDEZ RIVERA-MELO

1,

JOSE A ZEPEDA2, and SILVIA SALAS

3

1Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C. Calle Isla del Peruano #215, Colonia Lomas de Miramar Heroica

Guaymas, Sonora 85448 Mexico.*egastelum@cobi.org.mx. 2CICIMAR, El Conchalito, La Paz B.C.S. 23094 Mexico.

3CINVESTAV Unidad Mérida, Km. 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso,

Merida, Yucatan 97310 Mexico.

RESUMEN

Las redes sociales digitales (RSD) forman parte de la vida de los seres humanos, y es por ello que tienen

un gran potencial en la educación y conocimiento de quienes la usan. Las RSD son utilizadas por

personas de todas las edades y su principal función es mantener comunicados a los integrantes de una red

por medio de publicaciones, fotos, videos y conversaciones. Con el fin de evaluar el uso de esta

herramienta por pescadores artesanales se realizó un estudio en la Región de las Grandes Islas (Golfo de

California), en el 2015, donde se realizaron encuestas a un total de 81 pescadores con edades entre 20 y

73 años. El 90% de pescadores conocen las redes sociales digitales, sin embargo solo el 58% las utilizan.

Los principales usos son para mantenerse en comunicación con familiares y amigos, adquirir

conocimiento, y comercialización de sus productos pesqueros. En total los entrevistados mencionaron el

uso de seis RSD, de las cuales el Facebook (47%), YouTube (29%) y WhatsApp (17%) fueron de las

más populares. El medio de acceder a estas redes sociales es el celular (Smartphone 57%). El uso de las

RSD es cada día más frecuente, por esta razón es conveniente considerarlas como una herramienta más

para la comunicación e información general del sector pesquero, con contenidos de conservación marina

y manejo sustentable de sus recursos. Además, las RSD ayudan a los pescadores a interactuar con otras

organizaciones (pesqueras, gobierno, academia, investigadores y organizaciones de la sociedad civil)

para compartir su conocimiento, logros con su pesquerías o estar en contacto con personas de su interés.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Comunicación, conectividad, educación

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

98

Fonctionnement des Réseaux Trophiques des Herbiers a Thalassia testudinum en

Guadeloupe (Petites Antilles): Apports des Isotopes Stables et des Acides Gras

Trophic Web Functioning of Thalassia testudinum Seagrass Beds in Guadeloupe

(Lesser Antilles) using Stable Isotopes and Fatty Acids

Funcionamento de las Praderas de Thalassia testudinum : Uso de Ácidos Grasos

como Biomarcadores e Isótopos Estables

FRANÇOISE GAUTIER*

1, TARIK MEZIANE

2,

YOLANDE BOUCHON-NAVARO3, and CLAUDE BOUCHON

2

1Université des Antilles, Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe 97110 France.

*fgautier@univ-ag.fr. 2UMR, 7208-Borea-USM 040,1 61 rue Buffon, Paris 75231 France.

3UMR Borea, CNRS-7208/MNHN/UPMC/IRD-207/UCBN/UAG DYNECAR,

UAG B.P. Pointe à Pitre. Guadeloupe 97110 France.

RESUMÉ

Les Invertébrés de l'épifaune vagile présents dans les herbiers de Magnoliophytes marins ont un rôle

essentiel dans le transfert d'énergie des producteurs primaires vers les niveaux trophiques supérieurs.

L\'objectif de ce travail a été d'analyser la relation entre la complexité de l'herbier et la structure des

communautés de l'épifaune vagile, et d'étudier le rôle de ce compartiment dans le fonctionnement des

réseaux trophiques des herbiers à Thalassia testudinum. Deux sites d'herbiers ont été comparés, l'un

proche de la mangrove côtière et l'autre près de la barrière récifale, au cours de deux saisons.

L'utilisation de différentes sources trophiques par les Invertébrés a été montrée en utilisant les méthodes

des isotopes stables du carbone et de l'azote et de la composition en acides gras. L'herbier côtier, qui

présente une structure complexe du fait de ses longues feuilles, de sa litière abondante et de sa forte

charge en épiphytes, abrite une faune abondante et diversifiée de Crustacés. La préférence alimentaire de

ces Invertébrés pour les micro-algues et les fines particules d'étritiques favorise la contribution du

biofilm au r'éseau trophique de l'herbier côtier. L'herbier du large, moins complexe, abrite une

communauté d'Invertébrés dominée par les Gastéropodes Cerithiidae. La limitation de la disponibilité en

nourriture existant dans cet herbier explique la contribution plus élevée de la litière et des feuilles

vivantes de Thalassia au réseau trophique par rapport à l'herbier côtier. Le couplage de l'analyse des

isotopes stables à celle des contenus stomacaux réalisé sur les poissons a montré le rôle essentiel des

Crevettes en tant que proies. L'herbier côtier, qui présente des ressources en nourriture plus abondantes

et diversifiées, assure mieux son rôle d'nurserie pour les juvéniles de poissons que l'herbier du large.

MOTS CLÉS: Réseaux trophique, herbier de Thalassia testudinum, épifaune, isotopes stables

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

99

Collaborative Evaluation and Reporting on Reef Health and

Management Actions in the Mesoamerican Reef

Evaluación y Reporte Participativo sobre la Salud y las Acciones de Manejo

en el Arrecife Mesoamericano

L'évaluation, la Collaboration et les Rapports dur les Mesures fe Santé

et de Gestion des Récifs dans le Récif Méso-américain

ANA GIRO PETERSEN1, MELANIE MCFIELD

2, PATRICIA KRAMER

3, MARISOL RUEDA

4,

IAN DRYSDALE5, LORENZO ALVAREZ

6, and ROBERTO POTT

7

1Healthy Reefs Initiative, 17 calle A 7-03 zona 10, Guatemala 01010 Guatemala. *anagiro@gmail.com.

2Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA.

3Perigee Consultant, Florida USA.

4Healthy Reefs Initiative, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

5Healthy Reefs Initiative, Roatan, Honduras.

6Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

7Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, Belize City, Belize.

ABSTRACT

The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI) is a collaboration of 65 partner organizations

working to conserve the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem (MAR). HRI generates biennial, user-friendly

Report Cards on the health of the reef and Eco-Audits that evaluate each country‟s implementation of

recommended management actions. The 2015 Report Card is based on 248 sites along Mexico, Belize,

Guatemala, and Honduras, surveyed for living coral cover, fleshy macroalgal cover (FMA), herbivorous

fish biomass (parrotfishes and surgeonfish) and commercial fish biomass (snappers and groupers),

combined into a Reef Health Index (RHI) score. The 2015 regional RHI was 2.8 out of 5, up from 2.5 in

2012. However, most reefs are in „poor‟ (40%) or „fair‟ (34%) condition. The number in critical

condition (17%) declined while the amount in „good‟ or „very good‟ remains (9%). Coral cover has

improved since 2006, increasing from 10% - 16%; although macroalgae the main competitors with

corals, have also increased. Key herbivorous fish, needed to reduce macroalgae. Have increased after

fishing restrictions, Interestingly, some sites with higher cover of macroalgae also have higher biomass

of herbivorous fish, suggesting nutrient enrichment is also driving ecosystem dynamics in the region.

Commercial fish have increased in biomass, although large groupers are rare and mainly found in fully

protected zones of marine protected areas (MPAs).

Routine report cards on the health of the reef, followed by detailed evaluation of management actions,

provide valuable tools for catalyzing public awareness and swifter, more comprehensive, reef

management actions on a large scale.

KEYWORDS: Mesoamerican Reef, health, reef condition, management, conservation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

100

Áreas Marinas Protegidas en Colombia Emblema de Protección para Arrecifes de Coral

Marine Protected Areas of Colombia Emblem of Protection for Coral Reefs

Aires Marines Protégées à Colombia Emblème de la Protection des Récifs Coralliens

DIANA GOMEZ-LOPEZ *1, CHRISTIAN DÍAZ

1, RAUL NAVAS

1, JUAN GONZÁLEZ

1,

ELIZABETH GALEANO1, DIEGO DUQUE

2, SANTIAGO POSADA

2, HÉCTOR CHIRIMIAS

2,

PAULA SIERRA1,

DAVID ALONSO1, and FRANCISCO ARIAS

1.

1Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (INVEMAR), Cra 25 # 2-55 Rodadero Sur Santa

Marta, Magdalena 470003 Colombia. *diana.gomez@invemar.org.co. 2Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (PNN)

RESUMEN

Colombia cuenta con alrededor de 21,000 hectáreas de arrecifes de coral hasta 30 m de profundidad

protegidos en áreas marinas. A través de la coordinación de la red de trabajo SAMP Colombia, el

monitoreo de condición-tendencia coralino al año 2014, en áreas de Parques Nacionales Naturales del

Caribe y Pacifico colombiano, incluye reporte de cuatro variables: cobertura coral duro, cobertura

macroalgas, densidad y biomasa peces arrecifales herbívoros (Acanthuridae y Scaridae) así como peces

carnívoros (Lutjanidae y Serranidae). Los resultados preliminares mostraron que el ecosistema puede ser

clasificado según categorías de condición respecto a referentes ecológicos regionales, pero se requiere

continuidad de los monitoreos para aumentar la certidumbre del indicador y la articulación con la toma

de decisiones. Aunque las tendencias regionales muestran un cambio de fase de los corales hacia las

macroalgas, para las estaciones de muestreo en Colombia, las condiciones en algunas localidades

(cobertura promedio coral vivo entre 34 - 78%; cobertura promedio macroalgas ≤ 55%) parecieran estar

mejor respecto a otros países. En cuanto a las comunidades ícticas, las densidades y biomasas promedio

(α < 0.05) para las áreas marinas protegidas Caribe oscilaron entre 24 - 89(10-74) individuos/100 m2

y

1,906 - 12,810 (1,651 - 6,638) g/100 m2 para herbívoros mientras 2 – 19 ind (1 - 16) /100 m

2 con

biomasas entre 315 - 4,941 (129 - 4,695) g/100 m

2 para carnívoros. Por su parte, en las áreas Pacifico los

promedios de densidad oscilaron entre 5 – 27 (4-56) ind/100 m2

con biomasas de 221 - 2,612(317 -

3,262) g/100 m2 para herbívoros y 4 – 23 (3 - 39) ind/100 m

2 con biomasas de 174 - 2,267 (146-1,534)

ind/100 m2 para carnívoros. La integridad ecológica a partir de la información disponible, se resume en

condiciones no deseables a deseables en un escenario ambiental con particularidades en cada localidad,

las cuales son discutidas a la luz del conocimiento histórico sobre arrecifes coralinos en Colombia.

Proyecto COL-00075241 y PIMS#3997 GEF-SAMP implementación nacional INVEMAR-PNUD y con

contrapartida colombiana.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Condición-tendencia ecológica, indicadores, servicios ecosistémicos, manejo

costero, monitoreo.

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

101

Subsistema de Áreas Marinas Protegidas en Colombia:

Progresos y Lecciones del Enfoque Ecosistémico

Subsystem of Marine Protected Areas in Colombia:

Progress and Lessons from the Ecosystem Approach

Sous-système D'aires Marines Protégées à Colombia:

Progrès et les Leçons de L'approche Écosystémique

DIANA GOMEZ-LOPEZ*, CHRISTIAN DÍAZ-SÁNCHEZ, DAVID ALONSO-CARVAJAL,

PAULA SIERRA-CORREA, and FRANCISCO ARIAS-ISAZA

Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (INVEMAR), Cra 25 # 2-55, Rodadero Sur Santa Marta,

Magdalena 470003 Colombia. *diana.gomez@invemar.org.co.

Actualmente Colombia mira sus dos océanos conservando en 30 áreas marinas protegidas su base natural

marino costera, buscando que para el año 2020 la protección de su megadiversidad incremente hasta el

10%. A través de la creación del subsistema de áreas marinas protegidas (SAMP) para Colombia se

viene compilando el estado y alcance de la información existente, así como la proveniente de monitoreos

periódicos sobre ecosistemas. Al año 2014 múltiples socios del SAMP han apoyado el monitoreo

biológico de las diferentes AMP, implementando una serie de indicadores de estado y respuesta a

diferentes escalas de paisaje, como mecanismo para evaluar tendencias y amenazas. A la fecha,

alrededor de 430,000 hectáreas de ecosistemas entre manglares, litorales, corales y pastos marinos se

encuentran representados en el SAMP. Las AMP piloto del Pacifico colombiano, con extensiones de

hasta 61,000 hectáreas, alcanzaron efectividades de manejo generales cercanas al 90%, donde objetos de

conservación tipo arrecifes de coral se encontraron en condiciones buenas a deseables. Por su parte, en el

Caribe colombiano las AMP piloto, con extensiones ecosistémicas de entre 995 y 120,000 ha, resultaron

con una efectividad de manejo de hasta 74%, donde los arrecifes de coral presentaron un estado entre

regular y bueno. Estas diferencias regionales se revisan respecto a las tendencias ambientales de los

ecosistemas marinos tropicales, los impactos ambientales en ambas costas y la percepción de los

administradores y comunidades como actores de la conservación. A su vez se discuten opciones para

diseñar AMP que incrementen la conectividad de hábitats según los servicios ambientales asociados,

como guía para el manejo y sostenibilidad del SAMP. Proyecto COL-00075241 y PIMS#3997 GEF-

SAMP implementación nacional INVEMAR-PNUD y con contrapartida colombiana.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Manejo costero, servicios ecosistémicos, monitoreo, creación AMP, desarrollo

milenio

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

102

Variación Espacio Temporal de los Desembarcos Circumtropicales de Trichiurus lepturus:

Un Estudio de Caso en el Golfo de Salamanca, Mar Caribe de Colombia

Spatio-temporal Variation of Landings Circumtropical Trichiurus lepturus:

A Case Study in the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombia Caribbean Sea

Variation Spatio-temporelle des Débarquements Circumtropicale Trichiurus lepturus:

Une Étude de Cas dans le Golfe de Salamanca, la Colombie Mer des Caraïbes

MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES GONZÁLEZ* and JAIRO ALTAMAR

Universidad del Magdalena, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras Tropica,

Carrera 32 # 22-08 Mz G Casa 4, Ciudad del Sol III Etapa,

Santa Marta, Magdalena 470004 Colombia. *mar.gonzalezpabon@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

Trichiurus lepturus es una especie cosmopolita, abundante en aguas tropicales y actualmente hace parte

de las diez especies más capturadas a nivel mundial. En el mar Caribe de Colombia, específicamente en

el golfo de Salamanca es capturada por chinchorros de playa artesanales (redes de tiro). Se evaluaron

cambios espacio-temporales de este recurso a nivel mundial y local. Para detectar la variación espacio-

temporal de la captura de T. lepturus, a nivel circuntropical, se utilizó la base de datos de las estadísticas

de pesca de la FAO (FISHSTATJ), se revisó información histórica (1950 - 2010) de los desembarcos de

diez países, agrupados en cinco extensas áreas intertropicales: Atlántico suroccidental, mar Caribe,

Atlántico oriental, océanos Pacífico e Índico. A nivel local se utilizaron las bases de datos históricas

(1994 - 1998 y 2008) de desembarcos pesqueros artesanales (PICEP y Comanejo). Se compararon las

proporciones entre el desembarco de la década más reciente y la década anterior. Los resultados

muestran que en el 62% de las proporciones estudiadas se han mantenido o han incrementado los

desembarcos, exceptuando el mar Caribe (Venezuela), que ha mostrado una disminución en la serie

temporal estudiada. En Colombia los picos de mayor CPUE (kg/faena) con chinchorro se presentan al

inicio y final de año (febrero, noviembre y diciembre), siendo octubre y abril los más bajos. En contraste

con otros recursos pesqueros cuya disminución es evidente, T. lepturus denota un claro aumento de los

desembarcos en Colombia y a nivel mundial, posiblemente debido a agregaciones, estrategias

reproductivas y disponibilidad de abundancia frente al arte de pesca. Sin embargo, la evidencia de altas

capturas en la actualidad puede repercutir en un colapso de sus poblaciones en años futuros.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Desembarcos, circuntropical, Trichiurus lepturus, mar Caribe de Colombia

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

103

Determining the Queen Conch Lobatus (Eustrombus) gigas Home-range

Determinación del Espacio Territorial del Caracol Rosa Lobatus (Eustrombus) gigas

Détermination du Domaine Vital du Lambi Lobatus (Eustrombus) gigas

CHLOÉ GOULIÉ*1 and DALILA ALDANA-ARANDA

2

1Faculté des sciences, Université des Antilles et Fouillole, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

*chloe.goulie@gmail.com. 2Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional,

Km. 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso, Mérida, Yucatan 97310 México.

ABSTRACT

The recreational park of Xel Há has been demonstrated as a beneficial marine reserve for the population

of the overfished queen conch. While several long-term movement studies of conches have been

conducted, only one drew conclusions on daily displacements and habitat use. The aim of the present

study was to determine the home-range used by Lobatus gigas, in function of conch weight, tides and

seasons, in order to define size of reserves and mariculture enclosures. To reach this goal, 300

individuals were marked, weighed, measured and followed every day in February, April and June 2015.

During one hour their position was recorded every ten minutes, so as to then measure distances and

angles. Conch speeds was calculed according to distances and areas was determined by drawing convex

polygons. A total of 221 individuals were followed in February with average speed of 1.75 ± 2.25

m/hour and average area of 0.44 ± 2.25 m². In April and June respectively 130 and 94 individuals were

followed. Conch weight did not influence area and speed. However, areas and speeds were higher during

low tides than high tides. While areas were not significantly different between seasons individuals move

more rapidly by approaching the reproductive season.

KEYWORDS: Lobatus gigas, queen conch, home-range, displacements, marine reserves

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

104

Participatory Standardized Monitoring of Sharks and Rays

in Tropical Coral Reef Countries: Results and Outlook

Monitoreo Estandarizado Participativo de Tiburones y Rayas en Países con Arrecifes

Coralinos Tropicales: Resultados y Perspectivas

Suivi Participatif Normalisée des Requins et des Raies dans les

Récifs Coralliens Tropicaux: Résultats et Perspectives

RACHEL GRAHAM*1, IVY BAREMORE

1, and SAMANTHA STRINDBERG

2

1MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 283, San Pedro, Belize. *rachel@maralliance.org. 2Wildlife Conservation Society, 77 Southbank Road, Carmel Valley, California 93924 USA.

ABSTRACT

The seas' vulnerable large marine wildlife, notably sharks and rays, are facing multiple challenges to

their continued existence due primarily to overfishing and loss of habitat. As marine engineers that

regulate food chains and structure the ecosystems around them, their continued loss is imperiling marine

ecosystems already facing many stressors, notably tropical coral reefs. Despite a range of site-protective

measures, legislation and conventions enacted at multiple levels, there is an urgent need to improve

management and conservation efforts for sharks and rays. Many traditional management approaches

have not yet gained the traction required to decrease targeted fishing mortality of large commercially

important species, or to reverse population declines and shifts in diversity. This suggests the need for

another, more integrative approach to fisheries management. Turning the tide for vulnerable marine

species requires grassroots efforts to change attitudes, demand and consumption patterns with those

directly benefiting from healthy seas. Using a low-cost standardized and multi-pronged participatory

approach to monitoring sharks and rays is a means of reaching multiple management objectives, notably

in data-poor countries. These methods enable many key factors for conservation: the development of

cross-comparable site and country-specific baselines for elasmobranchs, engagement and empowerment

of traditional fishers and local partners, integration of their data into management and policies, fisher

income diversification and reduction of fishing pressure, and grassroots advocacy. We present results

from baseline surveys conducted throughout the Western Caribbean with recommendations for the

adoption of monitoring methods in tropical coral reef countries.

KEYWORDS: Caribbean elasmobranchs, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), Underwater

Visual Census (UVC), fisheries-independent longline, artisanal fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

105

Fisheries Dependent and Independent Analyses of Endangered

Hammerheads in the Meso-American Reef

Análisis Dependiente e Independiente de la Pesca de Tiburones Martillo

en Peligro de Extinción en el Arrecife Mesoamericano

Analyses Dépendantes et Indépendantes de la Pêche des Espèces

de Requins Marteaux dans le Récif Méso-américain

RACHEL GRAHAM*, IVY BAREMORE, FRANCISCO POLANCO, and DAN CASTELLANOS

MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 283, San Pedro, Belize. *rachel@maralliance.org.

ABSTRACT

Limited data exist on the status of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.) outside of developed countries.

Recent listing on Appendix II of CITES now requires signatories to develop non-detriment findings for

three hammerhead species listed as Endangered. Using fisheries-independent and -dependent methods,

data on hammerheads gathered from 2006 - 2015 throughout Belize reveal low catch per unit effort

using longlines and baited remote underwater video (BRUV) installations and strong susceptibility to

fishing mortality using nets. Captures by fishery-independent BRUVs and longlines were dominated by

great hammerheads (S. mokarran), whereas fisheries data reveal predominance of scalloped

hammerheads (S. lewini). Traditional fishers surveyed about the fishery and status of hammerheads

highlighted a preference for the use of nets and for the captures of hammerheads due to the value of their

fins. Fishers further perceived declines in abundance and distributional shifts of hammerheads in Belize.

These compiled data suggest that hammerheads will require a region-wide approach to management in

the Meso-American Reef, notably the restriction of net and longline use.

KEYWORDS: Sphyrnidae, CITES, artisanal fisheries, standardized monitoring, Caribbean

elasmobranchs

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

106

Balancing Ecological Benefit and Economic Cost of Invasive Lionfish Control

Balanceando el Beneficio Ecológico y el Costo Económico del Control del Pez León

Invasor

Concilier Avantages Écologiques et Économique dans le Contrôle des poisson-lions

Envahissantes

STEPHANIE J GREEN*

1, ELIZABETH UNDERWOOD

2, BERNARD CASTILLO

3,

KYNOCH REALE-MUNROE3, VANESSA MCDUNOUGH

4, IAN LUNDGREN

5,

CLAYTON POLLOCK3, and LAD AKINS

2

1Oregon State University, Department of Integrative Biology, 3029 Cordley Hall,

Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2914 USA. *steph.j.green@gmail.com.

2Reef Environmental Education Foundation, 98300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037 USA.

3Univerity of the Virgin Islands, RR1 10,000, Kingshill, US Virgin Islands 00850-9781.

4Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, Florida 33033 USA.

5Buck Island National Monument, US National Park Service, 2100 Church Street #100,

Christiansted, US Virgin Islands 00820-4611.

ABSTRACT Many invasions occur at a scale beyond the management resources available to eradicate them, setting

up a long term battle for control. For these invasions, two key questions arise: What level of control is

sufficient to mitigate ecological impacts in high-priority management areas? What resources are required

to achieve control? The ongoing invasion of predatory lionfish in the Western Atlantic urgently requires

answers to these questions. We develop a general quantitative model for identifying the marginal value

of control activities for invasive lionfish, in terms of achieving ecological protection of the invaded

community. Specifically, we link a predictive ecological model identifying threshold densities at which

lionfish overconsume native fish with an economic model of the cost of removal required to suppress

lionfish below threshold levels. We parameterize the model with data from a 3 year experiment at 58

invaded coral reefs in South Florida and St. Croix, USVI, in which we tracked the effort and success rate

of culling by divers removing lionfish from half of the sites bi-monthly, and the response of native fish

communities at the removal and reference non-removal sites. We find that the level of lionfish control

required (in terms of cost and removal frequency) to achieve maximum ecological benefit (maintenance

of native fish biomass) is highly variable across the system, with some sites requiring far less effort than

is allocated under current management regimes, and some far more. Our work provides a predictive

method for efficiently allocating resources control.

KEYWORDS: Invasive lionfish, control, ecological benefit, economic cost

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

107

Are Endemic Species of Lionfishes and Groupers Competitors?

Ecomorphological Insights from Native Ranges of the Red Sea

¿Compiten las Especies Endémicas del Pez León y los Meros?

Observaciones Ecomorfológica en Areas Nativas del Mar Rojo

Les Poissons-Lions Endémiques Et Les Mérous Sont-Ils En Compétition ? Aperçu

Ecomorphologiques A Partir Des Cohortes Natives De La Mer Rouge

JUSTIN GRUBICH*

1 and SARAH MCTEE

2

1The Field Museum of Natural History, 1300 Mandarin Isle, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315 USA

*justinrg@gmail.com. 2Environmental Defense Fund, 123 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94105 USA.

ABSTRACT

As invasive populations of lionfish continue to expand in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean,

investigating lionfish among reef fish communities from their native range can help identify ecological

constraints that inform management efforts of invaded habitats. We conducted a comprehensive

ecomorphological survey of native Red Sea lionfishes and compared them to sympatric Red Sea

groupers (Serranidae) to examine 1) whether lionfish and grouper densities covary in their native

habitats and 2) whether their jaw morphologies are functionally analogous, an indicator of similar

predatory capabilities. The density of lionfish in the Red Sea was estimated at 47.9 fish/ha , the highest

yet recorded throughout their native range. While no trend was detected comparing overall lionfish and

grouper densities, significant latitudinal increases in lionfish density of Pterois miles were negatively

and positively correlated with varying densities of several small and medium-sized species of Red Sea

groupers. A functional morphospace constructed of eight jaw morphometric variables for five grouper

species and two lionfishes revealed a distinct separation between the two groups along PC axes 2 & 3

accounting for 27% of the total variance. Generally, Red Sea groupers have larger mouths and longer

jaws capable of capturing larger prey while lionfishes have jaw levers and mechanical advantages that

reflect powerful suction feeding ability. Our data show that ecological trends between native lionfishes

and groupers densities in the Red Sea are complex while jaw functional morphology between these

'proposed' trophic analogs indicates differential predatory capabilities.

KEYWORDS: Competition, invasive species, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae, jaws

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

108

Contamination Dynamics by Chlordecone in Trophic Chains

of Guadeloupe Coastal Ecosystems

Dinámica de la Contaminación por el Chlordecone en la Red Trófica

de los Ecosistemas Costeros de la Isla de Guadeloupe

Dynamique de la Contamination par la Chlordécone dans les Réseaux Trophiques

des Écosystèmes Cötiers Guadeloupéens

MATHILDE GUÉNÉ*, CHARLOTTE DROMARD, YOLANDE BOUCHON-NAVARO,

SOAZIG LEMOINE, and CLAUDE BOUCHON

UMR BOREA, CNRS-7208/MNHN/UPMC/IRD-207/UCBN/UA, Université des Antilles,

Campus de Fouillole, BP 592 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe 97159 France.

*Mathilde.guene@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Chlordecone is an organochlorine pesticide used from 1972 to 1993 in the French West Indies on banana

plantations. Very stable and persistent, chlordecone contamination in marine ecosystems is a long-term

issue with negative consequences on both environment and human health. Based on several studies

concerning the evaluation and the mapping of the contamination by chlordecone of fish resource, the

present study aims at understanding the contamination dynamics of the molecule in the food web of

Guadeloupe costal ecosystems. In order to achieve that, chlordécone analyses were conducted on 248

samples representing different trophic levels and collected in mangrove, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

For each sample, chlordecone analyses were conducted. Among the different trophic sources available,

the only high values of contamination were detected in suspended matter, which therefore, seems to be

the main pathway of chlordecone in the trophic chain. The significant influence of the environment

(mangrove, seagrass beds or coral reefs) and some of the trophic levels indicates that contamination is

the result of both a process of bioconcentration and bioamplification. Conversely, the size and residency

status do not seem to influence the chlordecone contamination by chlordecone of fishes.

KEYWORDS: Pesticides, chlordecone, food web, Caribbean ecosystems

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

109

Development of Innovative Solutions to Manage Sargassum Stranding

in Martinique and Guadeloupe (F.W.I)

Desarrollo de Soluciones Innovadoras para Manejar a las Llegadas Masivas

de Sargassum en Martinica y En Guadalupe

Développement de Solutions Innovantes pour Faire Face aux Échouages

de Sargasses en Martinique et en Guadeloupe

CHARLOTTE GULLY*

1, FABIEN VEDIE

2, ANTOINE CHABROLLE

3, FREDERIQUE FARDIN

4,

JULIE BELMONT4 , JULIEN VERMEIRE

1, and ANNE FONTAINE

4

1ADEME, Martinique, France. *charlotte.gully@ademe.fr.

2DEAL, Martinique, France.

3ONCFS, Guadeloupe, France.

4SPAW-RAC, Guadeloupe, France.

ABSTRACT

Since 2011, the coasts of Wider Caribbean region have been affected by the massive influx of large

amounts of holopelagic algae, commonly called Sargassum. The French islands of Martinique and

Guadeloupe have been particularly concerned since the beginning of this phenomenon and have been

facing an intense and almost continuous episode since 2014.

Considering the high quantities of algae involved, the intensive human use of coastal areas and the

sensibility of the natural environment (turtle nesting sites, erosion), this complex and unusual situation is

considered by the authorities as a serious nuisance from both an environmental, economical and social

point of view.

Coastal configuration characterized by narrow beaches, limited access or rocky shoreline complicate the

seaweed collection. Inconvenience associated with hydrogen sulfide rejected by algae decomposition

and beach erosion due to inappropriate collection methodsled to a big concern from both islands

residents and the tourism industry. To address this situation, the French government has set up a global

"sargassum" action plan to better understand the origins of the phenomenon, to develop modeling tools

for the prediction of new strandings and to give incentives to develop collection methods with less

impact on the environment, and innovative solutions for the use of seaweeds. Here we present the action

of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency in Guadeloupe and Martinique and the first

results of the funded projects.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, impact, management, French West Indies

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

110

Occurrence and Habitat Use of the Critically Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish

(Pristis pectinata) Latham, 1794 in the Bahamas

Presencia y Uso del Hábitat del Pez Sierra de Dientes Pequeños en Pelígro Crítico

de Extinción (Pristis pectinata) Latham, 1794 en Las Bahamas

Occurrence et habitat utilisé par le poisson-scie tident (Pristis pectinata) Latham, 1794,

espèce en danger critique d'extinction, Bahamas

TRISTAN GUTTRIDGE*, SIMON GULAK, BRYAN FRANKS, JOHN CARLSON,

KATIE GLEDHILL, MARK BOND, and DEAN GRUBBS

Bimini Biological Field Station, 15 Elizabeth Street, Bimini, Bahamas. *trisgutt@hotmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, is a rarely encountered species that is listed as Critically

Endangered by the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In the U.S.A. it is afforded specific protection,

and listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Importantly, this led to the

implementation of a recovery plan, with shallow water, mangrove-fringed coastal areas identified as

critical habitats for juveniles. However, despite this improved knowledge, little is known about this

species outside of U.S.A waters, although neighboring countries (e.g. Bahamas) have reliable sightings

and suitable habitat. This study documents and discusses recent (2002 – 2015) sightings and captures of

P. pectinata in the Bahamas, and examines movement patterns and habitat preferences of five P.

pectinata. Historically, P. pectinata may have been distributed throughout the Bahamas, however since

2002 only 62 encounters were recorded including Bimini (14), Andros (35) and a handful of other

islands (13). In Bimini, all P. pectinata were > 225 cm (Ls) suggesting that it is not used as a nursery

area. Those in Andros ranged from ~80 – 450 cm (LT) indicating that this island might be an important

nursery and breeding habitat. P. pectinata tracked in both islands remained at depths < 3 m, often

adjacent to mangrove habitats, displaying residency from 42 days (Bimini) to 180 days (Andros). These

preliminary findings confirm the potential of the Bahamas as an important habitat for P. pectinata and

emphasize the urgent need for national protection and management of this population.

KEYWORDS: Sawfish, critically endangered, Bahamas, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

111

Ordenamiento Espacial del Tráfico Marítimo Regional y Reducción Potencial

de Colisiones con Cetáceos en el Pacifico Oriental

Spatial Planning of the Regional Maritime Traffic and Potential for Reducing

Collisions with Cetaceans in the Eastern Pacific

L'aménagement du Territoire du Trafic Maritime Régionale et le Potentiel de Réduire

les Collisions avec les Cétacés dans le Pacifique Est

HÉCTOR M. GUZMÁN

Instituto Smithsonian de Investigaciones Tropica, 9100 Panama City, Panamá. *guzmanh@si.edu.

RESUMEN

Las colisiones con buques son una amenaza para las especies de ballenas y un inconveniente para

numerosas naciones costeras que intentan integrar la conservación de las especies con las economías

locales. El riesgo de colisión se ha incrementado con la expansión del tráfico marítimo, tonelaje de los

buques y la velocidad. Esta amenaza es especialmente grave a través de sus rutas de migración entre

áreas de cría y alimentación. El lento movimiento de las ballenas y el tiempo que pasan en la superficie

cerca de la costa e incluso la habituación al ruido de los buques, hacen que las madres y crías sean

altamente vulnerables a lesiones graves o mortales al colisionar con barcos. Esta interacción de buques-

ballena ha sido un tema de preocupación en la Organización Marítima Internacional y para muchos

países con importantes instalaciones portuarias y rutas de navegación a lo largo del Atlántico Norte, del

Pacífico Norte y del Mar Mediterráneo, pero el tema ha recibido muy poca atención a lo largo del

Pacífico Oriental, donde convergen poblaciones de ballenas de dos hemisferios. Dos herramientas

sencillas parecen posicionarse para mitigar esta situación a nivel internacional; la implementación de

Dispositivos de Separación de Trafico (DST) en áreas costeras y la restricción de la velocidad de buques

en áreas sensitivas. Se discute la información científica requerida para implementar dichas herramientas

en un contexto regional, ilustrado con modelos implementados en Panamá y por implementarse en otros

países de la región.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Ordenamiento espacial, cetaceos, tráfico marítimo, Panamá, Pacífico Oriental

Tropical

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

112

The Dollars and Sense of Sharks in the Bahamas:

Non-consumptive Economic Valuation as a Tool for Conserving Elasmobranch Resources

El Valor y el Significado de los Tiburones en Las Bahamas: Valoración Económica de No-

consumirlos como Herramienta para Conservar a los Elasmobranquios

Les Requins des Bahamas Ont de la Valeur et du Sens:

Valorisation du Vivant comme Outil de Conservation des Élasmobranches

ANDREA HAAS*, EDWARD BROOKS, and ANTHONY FEDLER

Cape Eleuthera Institute, P.O. Box EL-26029 Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

*andreahaas@ceibahamas.org.

ABSTRACT

As apex predators, sharks have significant ecological value in our oceans, however this argument has

had little influence in halting ongoing population declines around the world. The non-consumptive

value of marine resources such as whales, turtles, and sharks is emerging as one of many new tools in the

conservation toolbox. In this study, the non-consumptive value of sharks and rays in The Bahamas was

examined from several standpoints: scuba diving and tourism, film and television, and research

interests. Each sector was surveyed regarding its economic contributions to The Bahamas economy,

either through in-person confidential interviews, or online anonymous surveys. In addition to the

economic assessment of all of the above sectors, recreational scuba divers were surveyed to generate

qualitative data including 1) their knowledge of shark conservation, 2) their motivations to visit The

Bahamas for scuba diving, 3) their agreement with baited shark diving, and 4) their willingness to pay a

premium that would help support shark conservation and management in The Bahamas. Our assessment

provides not only an overall value of these animals at the national level, but a sector-specific and

species-specific valuation as well. We demonstrate that conservation of elasmobranch resources has vast

benefits for the economy of The Bahamas, and we discuss further policy recommendations for the future

of shark management in the island nation and wider Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Sharks, rays, Bahamas, non-consumptive, economic valuation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

113

Low Lionfish, No Problem? The Effects of Invasive Lionfish on Reef Fish

Communities Along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in Belize

Pocos Peces Leones, No Hay Problema? Los Efectos de la Invasion Del Pez Leon en las

Comunidades de Peces Arrecifales de la Barrera de Arrecifes Mesoamericana en Belize

Peu de Poissons-lions, Pas de Problèmes? Les Effets de L'invasion du Poisson-lions

Sur les Communautés de Poissons Récifaux le Long de la Barrière de

Corail Méso-américaine du Belize

SERENA HACKEROTT*

1, ABEL VALDIVIA

2, COURTNEY COX

3, and JOHN BRUNO

1

1The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27559 USA. *snhackerott@gmail.com.

2The Center for Biological Diversity, 1212 Broadway, St. #800, Oakland, California 94612 USA.

3Smithsonian Marine Station, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive predators can cause declines in the abundance and diversity of native prey. Indo-Pacific lionfish

are invasive generalist predators widely assumed to be negatively affecting Caribbean coral reef fishes.

Small-scale experimental and observational studies suggest that invasive lionfish can reduce the

abundance and diversity of small native prey. In contrast, evidence from a small scale and controlled

observational field study highlight that the presence of lionfish had no effect on reef fish communities.

Whether or how lionfish affect populations and communities of native fishes at larger, management-

relevant scales is unknown. Our goal was to assess the effect of lionfish on coral reef fish communities

in a natural setting, across a complex reef system. We quantified native reef fish abundance, species

richness, and community composition at sixteen reefs along ~ 250 km of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

in Belize from 2009 to 2013. Our four year longitudinal study spanned the lionfish invasion of this

region, thus our sampling included fish community structure before and after the invasion. Surprisingly,

we found no evidence that lionfish have had a measurable effect on reef fish abundance, species

richness, or community composition across this scale. It is possible that more time and/or higher lionfish

densities are necessary for the effects of lionfish to become apparent at a large geographic scale.

However, densities of lionfish four years post-invasion have not had a detectable negative influence on

reef fish communities along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in Belize.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive species, predators, diversity, community composition

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

114

Management Strategy Evaluation for Data-limited Fisheries

Evaluación de las Estrategias de Gestión que Utilizan Datos Pesquera Limitada

Évaluation de la Stratégies de Gestion des Pêches dans le cas de Données Limitée

WILLIAM HARFORD*1, NANCIE CUMMINGS

2, MANDY KARNAUSKAS

2,

ROBERT TRUMBLE3, and WILLIAM MICHAELS

4

1University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway,

Miami, Florida 33149 USA. *wharford@rsmas.miami.edu. 2NOAA – Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Sustainable Fisheries Division,

75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149 USA. 3MRAG Americas, 10051 5th Street North, Suite 105, St Petersburg, Florida 33702 USA.

4NOAA – Office of Science & Technology, 1315 East West Hwy., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA.

ABSTRACT

Limitations in data quantity and quality affect whether and how strategies for fisheries management are

implemented. Challenges in integrating resource monitoring, stock assessment evaluations, and

management practices for data-limited fisheries have been the subject of two special workshops at GCFI,

culminating in a final workshop during the 2015 Panama City conference. Emerging from this workshop

is a suite of examples that demonstrate the use of simulated management strategy evaluation (MSE) for

guiding data-limited management practices. MSE involves comparing trade-offs among achievement of

management objectives for different combinations of data collection schemes, varying levels of scientific

analysis, and decision protocols. Examples of MSE are presented that balance the use of fishery-

dependent and fishery-independent data sources to improve management credibility in data-limited

circumstances. Overall, we draw attention to MSE because it promotes systematic selection of

management practices that have the best chance of achieving fishery objectives even when data

limitations abound.

KEYWORDS: Simulation model, fishery management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

115

Pioneering the Use of DNA Metabarcoding for Stomach Content Analysis

in the Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) in Puerto Rico

Nuevos Caminos para el Uso de DNA Metabarcoding para el Análisis de Contenido

Estomacal en el Pez León Invasor (Pterois volitans /miles) en Puerto Rico

Première utilisation des ADN-metabarcoding pour l'analyse du contenu stomacal des la

Rascasse Volante Invasive (Pterois volitans /miles) à Porto Rico

CHELSEA HARMS TUOHY*, NIKOLAOS V. SCHIZAS,

and RICHARD S. APPELDOORN

University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, Department of Marine Sciences,

P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA. *chelsea.harms@upr.edu.

ABSTRACT

Since the dawn of the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean/Western Atlantic, researchers have sought to

address what lionfish consume in an effort to document their ecological impact and what prey species

may be at greatest risk. Feeding ecology has since been a key component to many lionfish studies, with

an emerging pattern that dietary preferences are site specific. There are two common approaches to

feeding ecology through gut content analysis: morphological identification to the lowest possible taxon

and/or DNA barcoding of all distinct prey components in the stomach. The major disadvantage of these

techniques is their inability to utilize the digested material. This study introduces next generation

sequencing to lionfish feeding ecology, employing metabarcoding to analyze all components of the gut

contents, including the previously unidentifiable portion. Sixty-five lionfish were caught from the

inshore and offshore reefs of La Parguera, Puerto Rico, equally distributed to each location. Stomach

contents were separated into two sample regimes – a liquid (i.e., digested) and a tissue (i.e.,

recognizable) portion. DNA was extracted and PCR was used to amplify a 313bp region of the

cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene using specific primers for Caribbean reef fish. Samples were

sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq platform, and the resulting 950+ sequences were blasted in GenBank

to identify species. For fishes, over 40 species from 16 families were identified, including members of

Pomacentridae, Gobiidae, Labrisomidae, Apogonidae, Serranidae and Scaridae. Utilizing the digested

material proved useful in reporting species that would have been missed with traditional methods.

KEYWORDS: Metabarcoding, DNA, lionfish, gut content analysis, feeding ecology

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

116

There's an App for That: An Innovative Approach to Caribbean Reef Fish

Identification Using Tablet Technology Underwater

Hay una Aplicación para Eso: Un Enfoque Innovador para la Identificación de Peces de

Arrecife del Caribe Mediante la Tecnología de la Tableta Bajo el Agua

Il ya une Application pour çala: Une Approche Novatrice Pour L‟identification Des

Poissons De Récif De La Caraïbe En Utilisant La Technologie De La Tablette

CHELSEA HARMS TUOHY* and EVAN TUOHY

Isla Mar Research Expeditions, P.O. Box 828,

Rincon, Puerto Rico 00677 USA. *chelsea.harms@upr.edu.

ABSTRACT

Underwater visual census is a traditional method to survey reef fish diversity and abundance. This

technique, along with reef fish identification, can be taught independently through various effective

methods such as workshops, presentations, and through field experience. Recently, tablet technology has

been introduced to scientific diving as a promising outlet for enhancing productivity in underwater

research. In an effort to reduce the amount of time necessary to train fish surveyors in identification and

visual census, this crowdfunded project developed a tablet application to perform both tasks

simultaneously. The app has been designed as a teaching tool, targeted at inexperienced surveyors with

limited exposure to reef fish and underwater visual census. New surveyors are presented with a screen of

the most commonly observed Caribbean reef fish, and through simple touchscreen commands they are

able to record diversity and abundance while enhancing their fish identification skills. This project

proposes that the application can be used to increase efficiency in the learning process of fish

identification by providing an in-situ reference that also acts as a survey sheet. Additionally, the app

assists with data entry through direct Excel upload, which eliminates the time required to electronically

transcribe surveys, thus reducing the feedback time assessing results. Current training programs can also

benefit from this application as it directly and effectively bridges the gap between the classroom and the

field. Future enhancements will consider application to experts and focus on scientific data collection.

KEYWORDS: Fish identification, underwater visual census, education, tablet technology

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

117

Diversidad Larval de Gasterópodos en el Gran Caribe

Larval Diversity of Gastropods in the Greater Caribbean

Diversité des Larves de Gastéropodes dans la Caraïbe

FRED HERÁNDEZ PEREA

1, HAZEL OXENFORD

2, OLIVIER GROS

3, JEANETTE MATEO

4

GRACIELA GARCIA MOLINER5 , CALIRE PARIS

6, and DALILA ALDANA ARANDA*

1

1CINVESTAV IPN, km 6 antigua Carretera a Progreso, Mèrida, Yucatan, Mèxico.

*daldana@mda.cinvestav.mx. 2University of the West Indies – CERMES, Bridgetown, BB 11000 Barbados.

3Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, BP 250, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe 97159 France.

4Ministerio de Pesca, Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.

5Caribbean Fisheries Management Council, 268 Munoz Rivera Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918 USA.

6University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

RESUMEN El Caribe alberga ~ 12, 046 especies, varias de ellas son de ciclo de vida indirecto con un estadio larval,

formando parte del zooplancton. Las ornamentaciones de la concha de la larva veliger, son útiles en la

identificación taxonómica. Esta biodiversidad es importante para entender la dinámica de

metapoblaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la biodiversidad larval de gasterópodos del

Caribe. Se realizaron muestreos en julio, agosto y septiembre (2014) en Barbados, Guadalupe, República

Dominicana, Florida y México, bajo el mismo protocolo de muestreo (misma fecha, en Luna Llena y a la

hora de máximo coeficiente de marea). En cada sitio se realizaron seis arrastres en zig-zag, en sentido

contrario a la dirección del viento con red de plancton de 30 cm diámetro y 200 µm de luz de malla. El

número total de larvas fue de 5, 142, la densidad promedio 267.59 ± 200.76 larvas/10 m3 (0.56 - 530.56

larvas/10 m3). Puerto Morelos (México) fue la localidad que presento la mayor densidad larvaria (76.14

± 37.51 larvas/10 m3) y la menor densidad se registró en Guadalupe (2.41 ± 4.96 larvas/10 m

3). Agosto

presento la mayor abundancia promedio con 54.4 ± 62.24 larvas/10 m3, seguido por septiembre con

46.08 ± 45.51 larvas/10m3 y julio con 42.47 ± 43.22 larvas/10 m

3.

La longitud sifonal (LS) de las larvas analizadas esta entre161 – 627 µm con un promedio de 362.48±

115.52. En Guadalupe, la talla fue de 280.8µm± 72.63 (161 – 348 µm) y las de mayor tamaño se

presentaron en Barbados, con 444.17 µm ± 150.05 (207- 627 µm).

PALABRAS CLAVES: Diversidad, veliger, mollusca, gastropoda, Caribe

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

118

Herramientas de Conservación en las Comunidades Costeras

de la Península de Baja California

Conservation Tools in the Coastal Communities of the Baja California Peninsula

Outils de Conservation dans les Communautés Côtières de la Péninsule de Basse

Californie

ARTURO HERNÁNDEZ-VELASCO*, ALFONSO ROMERO-CASTRO, and STUART FULTON

Comunidad y Biodiversidad AC, Calle Isla del peruano #215,

Col. Lomas de miramar Guaymas, Sonora 85448 México. *jhernandez@cobi.org.mx.

RESUMEN

Hoy en día los mares y océanos de todo el mundo se encuentran en una situación comprometida. La

pesca excesiva, la contaminación y el cambio climático, han llevado al medio marino y a sus recursos a

un estado de sobreexplotación y degradación. Para revertir esta situación comunidades costeras de la

Península de Baja California han implementado algunas herramientas de conservación y restauración

para revertir o prevenir estos daños, estableciendo reservas marinas protegidas, medidas de manejo de

recursos pesqueros como tallas de captura, temporadas de pesca, eco-certificación de sus recursos,

diversificación de pesquerías, artes de pesca selectivos, acuacultura, y alternativas económicas diferentes

a la pesca. Desde el 2006 se han establecido siete reservas marinas comunitarias en las costas del

pacifico de la Península de Baja California, protegiendo más de 2,500 hectáreas en Isla Natividad, Isla

Magdalena y El Rosario. En dichas zonas los miembros de las comunidades realizan su propio

monitoreo biológico, oceanográfico y pesquero para evaluar el estado de sus recursos. Al igual que estas

tres comunidades otras cooperativas de la península están explorando la aplicación de estas y otras

herramientas para restaurar o preservar el estado de sus recursos como la acuacultura y establecimiento

de arrecifes artificiales.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Reservas marinas, monitoreo comunitario, cambio climatico, enfoque

ecosistemico

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

119

Buzas de la Isla Natividad: Inspirando la Conservación en la Península de Baja California

Female Divers of Natividad Island:

Inspiring Conservation in the Peninsula of Baja California

Plongeuses de l´île Natividad: Source D‟inspiration Pour La Conservation De la Basse

Californie

ARTURO HERNÁNDEZ-VELASCO*1, ELBA LOPEZ-GALVIZ

2, MITZI LEAL-PADILLA

2,

ELSA CUELLAR-RODRIGUEZ2, ANTONIO ESPINOZA

2, and STUART FULTON

1

1Comunidad y Biodiversidad AC, Calle Isla del peruano #215, Col. Lomas de miramar Guaymas,

Sonora 85448 México. *jhernandez@cobi.org.mx. 2SCPP – Buzos y Pescadores de la Baja California, S. de R.L Av. Fco. González Bocanegra 1842,

Col. Hidalgo, Ensenada, Baja California México.

RESUMEN

En Isla Natividad, Baja California, México, vive un grupo de mujeres comprometidas con la

conservación y restauración de sus recursos. Desde el 2009 a la fecha, 14 mujeres han participado en el

monitoreo submarino biológico donde evalúan el estado de especies de peces, invertebrados, algas y

hábitat. Dichas evaluaciones son tomadas por la cooperativa pesquera para conocer el estado de sus

recursos dentro y fuera de sus áreas marinas protegidas, así como también desde el 2011 participan en el

monitoreo oceanográfico que se desarrolla en la isla para comprender el efecto de los procesos

relacionados al cambio climático (aportación de aguas bajas en oxígeno en zonas costeras) en sus

ecosistemas. La calidad de la información que generan las buzas de Natividad es de tan alto nivel que

investigadores nacionales e internacionales han realizado proyectos de investigación gracias a su

participación. Las mujeres de la Isla Natividad se han convertido en voceras de la conservación dentro de

su comunidad desarrollando proyectos de reciclaje, ecoturismo, pláticas con otros visitantes y monitoreo.

Las mujeres de la Natividad han servido de inspiración para otros grupos de mujeres en la península de

Baja California logrando que otras mujeres de comunidades como la Isla Guadalupe y El Rosario deseen

participar en los monitoreos de sus áreas. A la fecha en la península de Baja California se cuenta con 28

buzas dispuestas a participar en proyectos de conservación y monitoreo de sus recursos naturales y se

espera que más mujeres formen parte de este grupo comprometido en la conservación.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Mujeres, empoderamiento, monitoreo, cambio climatico, pesquerias

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

120

Cooperative Research and Conservation Program for Western Central Atlantic Spawning

Aggregations (CRCP WCASA)

Programa Cooperativo de Conservación e Investigación para las Agregaciones

Reproductivas del Atlántico Centro Occidental (CRCP WCASA)

Programme De Conservation Et De Recherche Coopérative Sur Les Aggrégations De

Atlantique Centre-Ouest (CRCP WCASA)

WILLIAM HEYMAN

LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc., 4103 S Texas Ave #211, Bryan, Texas 77802 USA.

wheyman@lgl.com.

ABSTRACT

In several areas of the Western Central Atlantic, great strides have been made in identifying,

characterizing and conserving spawning aggregation sites for commercially important species such as

snappers and groupers. Many species of the snapper-grouper complex have overlapping geographic

ranges that span all or some parts of the Western Central Atlantic. This paper presents a vision of a

cooperative spawning aggregation research and conservation program that would span the entire region.

Importantly, this is a cooperative program, designed to include fishermen, scientists and mangers

throughout the process from site selection through data collection to management. A spawning

aggregations monitoring protocol has been adopted for the Mesoamerican and the Wider Caribbean. It

has been in use in Belize since 2003 and is being used extensively in Mexico, the Cayman Islands and

other areas. The US South Atlantic region is considering adoption of a standardized monitoring protocol,

a variation of which is also being tested in the Gulf of Mexico. The vision of the CRCP WCASA is a

standardized regional citizen science program that will allow managers, fishers, scientists and the public

to participate in monitoring spawning areas and thus observe regional fisheries status and trends. The

CRCP WCASA could help to weave together a network of protected spawning areas and foster broad

collaboration among people and institutions that could help monitor and restore healthy snapper-grouper

populations throughout the Western Central Atlantic.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries, citizen science, collaborative research, monitoring, spawning aggregations

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

121

The Charter Fisherman‟s Association:

Working Towards Sustainable Fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico

La Asociación de Pescadores Fleteros: Trabajando Hacia la Sostenibilidad Pesquera en el

Golfo de México

L'association Pêcheur de la Charte:

Travailler pour une Pêche Durable dans le Golfe du Mexique

SCOTT HICKMAN* and SHANE CANTRELL

Charter Fisherman's Association, Gulf Fisheries Consulting, 3202 Sand Shadow Court,

League City, Texas 77573 USA. *Listodos@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The Charter Fisherman's Association has been able to grow and develop into a leader in Gulf of Mexico

fishery management while maintaining a grass roots structure, 100% self-financing, and fishermen

driven goals. Many captains have taken considerable time away from their businesses in an effort to

ensure successful management for future generations in the fishery and become engaged in scientific

data collection for Gulf of Mexico fisheries. However, the most pressing issue facing most any grass

roots fishing organization and their path to success is financial resources. Keeping an open mind and

shedding biases and misconceptions associated with different funding sources, CFA has effectively

engaged in the management and development of sustainable fishery policies within the Gulf of Mexico.

The value of developing partnerships and finding common goals has been critical in the success of our

organization. We work with each potential funder through the grant development stage to avoid any big

misunderstandings or disagreements. We will only accept grants when we have mutually aligned

interests. This has not always been easy. In this era of increasingly restrictive regulatory environment, it

is key for fishermen to have their voices heard and their ideas brought to the table. The best way to solve

problems facing fishermen is to engage them in finding the solutions.

KEYWORDS: Recreational fishing, sustainable fisheries, Charter Fisherman's Association, fishing

organizations, guru relational fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

122

Artificial Reef Fish Survey Methods:

Counts vs. Log-Categories Yield Different Diversity Estimates

Censos de Peces en Arrecifes Artificiales:

Conteos y Categorías-Logarítmicas Resultan en Diferentes Estimaciones de Diversidad

Recensements Des Poissons Dans Les Récifs Artificiels : Comptages Et Catégories

Logarithmiques Produisent Différentes Estimations De La Diversité

DAVID HICKS*

1, CARLOS E. CINTRA-BUENROSTRO

1, RICHARD KLINE

1,

J. DALE SHIVELY2, and BROOKE SHIPLEY-LOZANO

3

1University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, Coastal and Marine Sciences, One West University

Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas 78520 USA. *david.hicks@utrgv.edu. 2Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Division – Artificial Reef Program,

4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 USA. 3Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Division – Artificial Reef Program,

Dickinson Marine Lab, 1502 F.M. 517, East Dickinson, Texas 77539 USA.

ABSTRACT

The USTS Texas Clipper (145 m long and 22 m wide) was reefed November 17, 2007 (26.18°N,

96.98°W) 17 nm offshore of South Padre Island, Texas, USA by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department‟s

Artificial Reef Program (TPWD-ARP). Quarterly fish surveys commenced soon after (February 2008)

and have continued through August 2015. To date, a total of 68 fish species have been documented. The

TPWD-ARP is considering absolute counts vs. abundance categories for better integration with state

coastal survey data. Accordingly, a comparison of categories and counts from paired divers was

conducted during four consecutive sampling quarters. Log count vs. log category [REEF-type: single (1);

few (2 - 10), many (11 - 100), and abundant (> 100)] surveys were compared via rank correlations of

their similarity matrices (PRIMER+; RELATE) on the assertion that if both survey methods capture

similar species richness and relative abundance, their correlation should be high (i.e., similarity matrices

of count data binned into the REEF categories and the essentially equivalent 4 - 5 point scale resulting

from log(X+1) transformed counts would be highly correlated). However, when actual diver counts were

compared to simultaneously collected log-category data, they were found to be uncorrelated (ρ = -0.188,

P = 0.703). Thus, the two methods did not similarly assess species abundance, richness or both. Absolute

counts by divers were found to underestimate species richness by 20 - 40% compared to the log category

method. The results of our survey method comparison indicate that log category census method is an

effective technique when diversity estimates are a major goal.

KEYWORDS: Artificial reef, survey methods, Gulf of Mexico, reef fish, diver surveys

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

123

Is the Lionfish Invasion Waning? Evidence from the Bahamas

Está Disminuyendo la Invasión del Pez León? La Evidencia de las Bahamas

Est L'invasion de Lionfish en Déclin? Preuve des Bahamas

MARK HIXON

University of Hawaii, Department of Biology, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA. hixonm@hawaii.edu.

ABSTRACT

Invasive Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) first appeared as a single individual at our long-term study

reefs in the central Bahamas near Lee Stocking Island in 2005, followed by another single fish in 2006.

By the summer of 2007, there were 100s of lionfish on these reefs, and the regional population

subsequently continued to increase. During this period, our field observations and experiments revealed

that lionfish greatly reduced the abundance of small native fishes (both small species and juveniles of

larger species), caused local extinctions, and were not effectively controlled by native parasites,

predators, or competitors. However, over the past several years, there has been increasing anecdotal

evidence that native predators are beginning to target lionfish: reef sharks, large grouper, and moray eels

in particular. In the central Bahamas, we have documented a recent decline in the abundance of lionfish,

and are hopeful that this trend will continue. Continued field work will seek to explain the causes of this

decline.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasion, coral reef, reef fish

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

124

Long-Term Assessment of Whale Shark Population Connectivity

Using Photo-Identification in the Western Atlantic Ocean

Evaluación a Largo Plazo de la Conectividad de la Población de Tiburones Ballena

Usando Foto-Identificación en el Océano Atlántico Occidental

Évaluation à Long Terme du Requin Baleine Connectivité de la Population en

Utilisant la Photo-Identification dans L'océan Atlantique Occidental

ERIC R. HOFFMAYER

1, JENNIFER MCKINNEY

2, RACHEL GRAHAM

3, JASON HOLMBERG

4,

RAFAEL DE LA PARRA5, BEATRIZ GALVÁN PASTORIZA

5, STEVE FOX

6, SIMON PIERCE

7,

ALISTAIR D.M. DOVE8, and WILLIAM B. DRIGGERS III

1

1National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories,

P.O. Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 USA. *eric.hoffmayer@noaa.gov. 2Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2021 Lakeshore Drive,

Suite 220, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122 USA. 3MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

\4Wild Me, 1726 N. Terry Street, Portland, Oregon 97217 USA.

5Ch'ooj Ajauil AC, Av. Xelha N°1-311, Sm 28, Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500 México.

6Utila Whale Shark Research, Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

7Marine Megafauna Foundation, Tofo Beach, Mozambique

8Georgia Aquarium Research Center, 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313, USA.

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, in specific locales has been widely documented;

however, knowledge regarding their migratory patterns, residency times and connectivity across broad

spatial and temporal scales is limited. The objective of this study was to utilize whale shark photo-

identification data to examine long-term movement patterns and connectivity among discrete areas

within the western North Atlantic Ocean. Using a combination of in situ photography and photo-

identification software, movements of whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Caribbean Sea

were elucidated. From 1999 to 2014, 1,325 individuals were identified from four distinct areas: southern

GOM (n = 1,098), Honduras (n = 143), northern GOM (n = 101), and Belize (n = 47). Seasonal patterns

in whale shark occurrence were evident with encounters occurring in the western Caribbean Sea earlier

in the year than in the GOM. Asignificant sex bias was evident with 2.3:1 males versus females. Sixty-

six individual sharks were observed in two or more areas and the highest degree of connectivity occurred

among three aggregation sites along the Mesoamerican Reef. Movements from a smaller number of

individuals were also observed between the northern GOM and southern GOM, Belize, and Honduras.

The majority of resightings occurred in the area where the initial identification was recorded, with the

exception of Belize. The highest site fidelity occurred in the southern GOM. This study demonstrated

long-term movement patterns, high fidelity to initial identification site and intraregional linkages of

whale sharks in the western North Atlantic Ocean.

KEYWORDS: Honduras, Mexico, Belize, residency, site fidelity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

125

The Effects of the Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) on the Abundance

and Genetic Diversity of Native Coral Reef Fishes in Panama

Los Efectos del Pez León (Pterois volitans) sobre la Abundancia

y la Diversidad Genética de los Peces de Arrecife de Coral Nativos en Panamá

Les Effets de la Rascasse Volante (Pterois volitans) sur L'abondance et la Diversité

Génétique des Poissons de Récifaux Indigènes au Panama

DEREK HOGAN*1, GRAYCE PALMER

1, and DEBORAH OVERATH

2

1Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5892, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5892 USA.

*james.hogan@tamucc.edu. 2Del Mar College, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78404 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive species have had devastating consequences for whole ecosystems, causing species declines and

extinctions through competition and predation. Few studies have explored the effect of invasive

predators on the genetic diversity of native prey. The Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans), has

spread through Western Atlantic coastal waters during the last 30 years and is predicted to drive reef fish

declines and extinctions and result in ecosystem phase shifts. While reductions in reef fish population

abundance and recruitment are evident, it is not known if lionfish are having an impact on genetic

diversity of native reef fishes. Here, we used a before-after-control-impact experiment to determine if

lionfish are having an impact on native reef fish abundance and genetic diversity; removing lionfish from

discrete reef sites to gauge potential losses of genetic diversity in bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus)

recruits using 12 microsatellite loci. We found lionfish removals substantially augmented the abundance

of several reef fish species recruits and adults. However, while allele frequencies changed after

removals, the genetic diversity of S. partitus recruit populations did not increase substantially despite a

three-fold increase in recruit abundance. Responses to lionfish removal were different among species;

rare species with small population sizes may be more susceptible to recruitment failure and diversity loss

than S. partitus.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, removal, genetic diversity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

126

Challenges to Implementing Regional Marine Spatial Management:

The Case of the Seaflower MPA, San Andres Archipelago

Retos para la Implementación del Manejo Espacial Marino Regional:

El Caso del AMP Seaflower, Archipiélago de San Andrés

Les Défis de Gestion de las Scémas de Mise en Valeur de la Mer:

Le Cas de la AMP Seaflower, Archipel San Andres

MARION HOWARD*1 and ELIZABETH TAYLOR

2

1The Heller School for Social Policy & Management, Brandeis University,

MS 035, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 USA. *mwhoward@brandeis.edu. 2Caribbean Sea Futures Initiative, Institute of Caribbean Studies,

1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20001 USA.

ABSTRACT

Declared in 2005, the Seaflower MPA was designed prior to evolving broad-based definitions and

guidelines for marine spatial planning (MSP). Nonetheless, the process to design Seaflower used many

good MSP practices. Planning was led by the regional autonomous environmental authority,

CORALINA, and was community-driven and highly participatory. Starting from its mission and

multiple-use zoning, defined in agreement with stakeholders, Seaflower focused on sustainable

development; combining best available science with indigenous knowledge and integrating ecological,

social, and economic objectives with values of adaptive community- and ecosystem-based management,

cross-sectoral partnerships, and environmental, social, and intergenerational justice. In spite of its

promise and internationally acclaimed planning process, Seaflower has struggled with challenges and

threats to its effectiveness as an ambitious experiment in marine planning and the Caribbean‟s largest

MPA (65,000km2). On-going management issues stem from chronic lack of funding; a legacy of

centralized governance and unstable, inconsistent local and national political regimes; marginalization of

the archipelago‟s indigenous (raizal) people and their lack of political and economic power and voice;

weak enforcement; and the natural resources, biodiversity, and strategic location that attract large-scale

fisheries, extractive industries, and other interests. Conflicting demands on the territory peaked in the

case of Nicaragua v. Colombia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which resulted in an ICJ ruling

that awarded over half the MPA to Nicaragua. The Seaflower experience offers many lessons, along with

an exceptional opportunity to examine how MSP could help address cross-border challenges and

externalities for Seaflower specifically and sustainable regional ocean management generally.

KEYWORDS: Marine spatial planning, marine protected area, regional sustainable ocean management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

127

Science in Marine Protected Area Management:

A Ridge to Reef Approach to Water Quality Management

La Ciencia en las Zonas Marinas Protegidas:

Un Enfoque al Manejo de la Calidad de Agua desde las Crestas Hasta Los Arrecifes

Science de la Gestion des Zones Marines Protégées:

Approche sur la Gestion et la Qualité des Eaux sur les Récifs

DANIELLE INCE1, OLANDO HARVEY

1, and STEVE NIMROD

2

1Grenada Marine Protected Area, Melville Street, St. George's, Grenada. *danielleaince@gmail.com.

2St. George's University, True Blue Campus, Grand Anse, St. George, Grenada.

ABSTRACT

Across the 344 km2 island nation of Grenada, there is a high dependency on fishing and fishing related

industries for the 26% of the population classified as vulnerable (Jeffrey et al., 2013). Grenada‟s fishing

sector was estimated to be worth EC$10.5 million and contributed an estimated 2% to the National Gross

Domestic Product (Ministry of Agriculture, 2009). Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is that they act as

“safety net”; in ecosystems that are degraded or significantly altered from fishing and other causative

agents, they can be restored through prolonged protection (Little, L.R., et al. 2005, 2007). However, one

of the major challenges faced in the protection of coastal habitats is the ability to manage pollution from

land-based sources. This is exemplified in the case study of the Molinière Beauséjour Marine Protected

Area (MBMPA) in Grenada. Recent surveys have determined that the mean percentage cover of

macroalgae within the MBMPA is “very high”, an accepted result of land-based runoff (Nimrod et al.,

2013). Therefore, a study was conducted to determine inputs associated with runoff from the Beauséjour

Catchment, which empties via the Beauséjour River into the Molinière Beauséjour Marine Protected

Area. This studied focused on the identification of point sources of pollution, primarily in the context of

excessive nutrient and sedimentations levels. The study concluded that the areas that were identified to

have high nutrient concentrations and sedimentations levels also had high agriculture, land use and

domestic activities (Nimrod et al., 2013).

KEYWORDS: Marine Protected Area, water quality, Moliniere/Beausejour , water pollution , Grenada

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

128

Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Alter Density-dependent Patterns of Mortality

and Cause Local Extirpation of Native Prey Populations

El Pez León (Pterois volitans) Altera los Patrones Denso-Dependientes de la Mortalidad y

Causa la Extirpación Local de las Poblaciones de Presas Nativas

Les poissons-lions envahissants (Pterois volitans) Modifient Les Schémas De Mortalité

Densité-Dépendante Et Provoquent La Disparition Des Populations De Proies Indigènes

KURT INGEMAN*1 and MARK HIXON

2

1Oregon State University, Department of Integrative Biology,

3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA. *ingemank@science.oregonstate.edu. 2University of Hawai'i, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

As predators play a central role in prey population dynamics, it is essential to determine whether novel

predators alter predation-mediated regulatory mechanisms, potentially destabilizing prey populations.

The invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a new mesopredator that voraciously consumes

native coral-reef fishes of the tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean. The fairy basslet (Gramma

loreto) is a common prey of lionfish, and pre-invasion research has demonstrated that basslet populations

undergo regulating density-dependent mortality due to predation. We previously compared mortality

rates in G. loreto before vs. after the arrival of P. volitans and demonstrated that prey mortality rates

have increased but remain density-dependent, following the introduction of the novel predator.

However, this approach confounds the effects of the invasion with uncontrolled factors, averages

mortality rates across fluctuating prey densities, and ignores the effects of natural recruitment. Therefore,

we manipulated both basslet settlement density and lionfish presence in a cross-factored field experiment

and employed time-explicit dynamic models that incorporated natural recruitment to better estimate the

effects of lionfish predation on patterns of prey mortality. Fairy basslet populations demonstrated

strongly density-dependent mortality rates on reefs with and without introduced P. volitans, with per

capita mortality significantly higher on reefs with lionfish present. However, after accounting for natural

recruitment the best-performing models included lionfish-induced alteration of both the density-

dependent and density-independent mortality rates, in contrast to previous, static analyses. Stochastic

simulations based on the resulting parameter estimates of G. loreto demographic rates indicated that

lionfish predation increases the likelihood of local extirpations in prey.

KEYWORDS: Density dependence, invasive species, population regulation, predator-prey, Pterois

volitans

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

129

Use of the Result of Market Research for Co-management of Fish Aggregation Device

Activities in the Commonwealth of Dominica

El Uso de los Resultados de una Investigación de Mercado para la Co-gestión de los

Dispositivos Agregadores de Peces en la Mancomunidad de Dominica

Utilisation du Résultat de la Recherche de Marché pour la Co-gestion des Activités de

L'appareil de Concentration du Poisson dans fédération de la Dominique

MITSUHIRO ISHIDA*1, YUKA KAKUSHITA

2, NORMAN NORRIS

3,

VALCINA STOUTE3, and TAKASHI SUZUKI

4

1JICA-Antigua Fisheries Division, Point Wharf Fisheries Complex,

St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. * paramichan@gmail.com. 2Short term Japan Overseas Cooperation, Volunteer Fisheries Division,

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Roseau Fisheries Complex Bldg., Roseau, Dominica. 3Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,

Roseau Fisheries Complex Bldg., Roseau, Dominica. 4University of Yayoi, 1-1-1 Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657 Japan.

ABSTRACT

Under co-management activity of Fish Aggregation Device (FAD), fisher organization seek to sell their

catch faster, to provide fish that consumers like and to transport fish inland (areas that are difficult to get

fish). A total number of 411 interviews were conducted for fish market research in 2013 at fish landing

sites, supermarkets, mobile venders and inland areas. The purpose of the study is to understand the

clarification of the consumer consciousness, depending on market or product, and or what important

factor and activities influence the decision making process for consumers to purchase fish. These include

place or product, service or price or promotion. The factor analysis and Covariance Structure Analysis,

were utilized. In the study result, it shows that consumers are looking at “accessibility to fish as most

important factor.” The accessibility means not the distance from house or village, but the timing. They

want the shop open when they visit, and there is always fish. Therefore, the supermarket like shop is

their favorite. So local fisher organization are using this result and now opening “fish outlet” in two

inland sites. FAD co-management group decide to use frozen fish to supply these outlets. The

organization is trying to purchase fish as much as possible from fishers who have FAD license, which

National Association of Fisheries Cooperation (NAFCOOP) utilizes to enhance better quality of service

for fishers purchasing FAD license as a part of conducting successful co-management related activities.

KEYWORDS: Market research, fish aggregation device, co-management, Commonwealth of Dominica

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

130

Ordenamiento Espacial Marino en Países Centroamericanos:

Enfoque Conceptual y Metodológico

Marine Spatial Planning in Central American Countries:

Conceptual and Methodological Frameworks

La Planification Spatiale Marine dans les Pays D'Amérique Centrale:

Cadres Conceptuels et Méthodologiques

JORGE A. JIMÉNEZ

Fundación MarViva, Apdo. 020-6151, Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica. jorge.jimenez@marviva.net.

RESUMEN

Los procesos de Ordenamiento Espacial Marino recién se inician en Centro América. La mayoría de las

experiencias son reducidas en cuanto a las temáticas que incorporan, su extensión geográfica y su grado

de implementación. Severas limitaciones en la información disponible se usan como excusas para

posponer decisiones de ordenamiento espacial, aunque las decisiones deban ser hechas con la mejor

información técnica existente en el momento. Los usuarios siguen tomando decisiones sobre el uso de

los recursos en un vacío de políticas y planificación. Procesos multi-sectoriales que incluyen a los

usuarios de los recursos o el uso de mapas participativos ayudan a llenar muchos de los vacíos de

información. Pero el ordenamiento espacial debe ir más allá de la zonificación espacial. De mayor

relevancia es que estos procesos deriven en el establecimiento de estructuras de gobernanza local que

facilitan la implementación de las futuras medidas. El involucramiento de los usuarios locales en la

zonificación y regulación de los usos aceleran no sólo los procesos de toma de decisiones si no también

su implementación. Las debilidades en las estructuras institucionales de estos países pueden ser

mitigadas con el fortalecimiento de procesos de gobernanza local donde los usuarios llenan vacíos

institucionales en acciones como el monitoreo y la vigilancia.

PALABRAS CLAVES: ordenamiento espacial marino, usuarios de los recursos, mapas participativos,

Centroamericano

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

131

The Blue Halo Blueprint for Ocean Zoning

El Proyecto del Halo Azul para la Zonificación del Océano

Le Plan Directeur du Halo Bleu au Zonage de L'océan

AYANA JOHNSON*

1and ROBIN RAMDEEN

2

1Waitt Institute, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Floor 10, Washington, D.C. 20009 USA.

*ayana@waittinstitute.org. 2Blue Halo Intiative – Monserrat, Brades, Montserrat.

ABSTRACT

Marine spatial planning is an intricate and nuanced process, which aims to organize ocean activities

space and time in order to balance social, economic and environmental benefits. On any island there are

usually many laws and several agencies with jurisdiction over ocean resources, often with overlapping

authorities. Beyond the legal concerns, deep engagement of stakeholders is also critical to community

support and successful implementation. Thus, extensive coordination and collaboration is required. The

Waitt Institute‟s Blue Halo Initiative endeavours to create successful case studies of comprehensive

ocean management that include ocean zoning as a core element, and use a science-based, community-

driven approach. This talk will provide an overview of challenges, benefits, and strategy associated with

this approach – specifically in the areas of community engagement, scientific research, creation of

zoning maps, and development of policies. The focus will be on Blue Halo Barbuda, now in its third

year, but also touch on the Blue Halo projects launched this year in Montserrat and Curaçao. In

particular we will share how we engage stakeholders, work with local partners, and leverage technology.

For Barbuda, we will provide a detailed explanation of and how the final zoning map evolved based on

stakeholder input, scientific data, and enforcement considerations.

KEYWORDS: Marine spatial planning, juridiction, engagement, zoning, enforcement

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

132

Barbuda and Beyond:

Implementation and Expansion of the Blue Halo Initiative in the Caribbean

Barbuda y Otras Islas:

Implementacion y Expansion de la Iniciativa del Halo Azul en el Caribe

Barbuda et Au-delà :

Mise en Place et L'expansion de L'initiative de Halo Bleu des Caraïbes

AYANA JOHNSON1, ANDREW ESTEP

1, and ROBIN RAMDEEN

2

1Waitt Institute, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Floor 10, Washington, D.C. 20009 USA.

*ayana@waittinstitute.org. 2Blue Halo Intiative – Monserrat, Brades, Montserrat.

ABSTRACT

Barbuda and Beyond: Implementation and Expansion of the Blue Halo Initiative. How can effective,

comprehensive, lasting, science-based, community-driven ocean management be achieved? The Waitt

Institute‟s answer is the Blue Halo Initiative, piloted in Barbuda and now expanded to Montserrat and

Curaçao. The approach centers on building open and collaborative relationships between the Institute,

island Governments, and local communities. Governments provide political will to improve the

sustainability of ocean use. The Institute provides technical expertise in marine ecology, policy,

mapping, law, socioeconomics, enforcement, and communication. Communities provide their valuable

local knowledge, concerns, priorities, and ideas to shape decisions about the ocean that affect their

livelihoods and cultures.The objective is to envision, design, and implement new ocean management

policies that enable people to use the ocean in a way that is simultaneously sustainable, profitable, and

enjoyable. This talk provides an update on Blue Halo Barbuda, now that implementation has been

underway for a year. Work beginning at the two new sites Montserrat and Curaçao will be introduced

along with the site selection criteria, as well as a discussion of challenges and benefits of working on

ocean conservation in each location. Lastly, there will be a discussion of the overall goal of the Blue

Halo Initiative: to create compelling, replicable case studies for how to achieve comprehensive, science-

based, community-driven sustainable ocean management.

KEYWORDS: Science, community, government, ocean conservation, collaboration

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

133

Lionfish Control and Management in the Cayman Islands:

Seven Years On, Lessons Learned

Control y Manejo del Pez León en las Cayman Islands:

Lecciones Aprendidas Siete Años Después

Contrôle Et Gestion Du Poisson-Lion Aux Iles Cayman : Sept Ans Après, Les Leçons

Apprises

BRADLEY JOHNSON*and CROY McCOY

Department of Environment, P.O. Box 10202, Grand Cayman, KY1-1002 Cayman Islands.

*bradley.johnson@gov.ky.

ABSTRACT

The first lionfish (LF) was sighted in the Cayman Islands in February 2008. Thereafter, the management

strategy for the Department of Environment (DOE), has been primarily concentrated on removal efforts

and public education. Having restrictive local marine conservation laws, training and licensing programs

had to be developed before the public was allowed to participate in removal efforts. In March 2009, with

public participation and assistance from Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), the DOE

launched its LF control program. Initially, cullers were licensed to use nets, however, in late 2010

specific DOE issued spears were issued to some participants in the removal program. Additionally,

cullers were required to report catch. To date, over 400 individuals and 30 dive companies have been

licensed to use spears across the three Cayman Islands. In September 2010, LF tournaments were started

to further engage the public in removal efforts. Furthermore, in 2014, LF removal efforts were

commercialized, with a company being licensed to harvest the invasive LF for export.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, management, licensing, Cayman Islands, program

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

134

Reef Fish in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Decadal Circulation Patterns

Peces de Arrecife en el Norte del Golfo de México y Los Patrones de Circulación Decadal

Poissons de Récif dans le Nord du Golfe du Mexique

et Les Régimes de Circulation Décennale

DONALD JOHNSON

1, PAULA MORENO

1, HARRIET PERRY

1,

MARK GRACE2, and GUILLERMO SANCHEZ-RUBIO

1

1Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Drive,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. *donald.r.johnson@usm.edu. 2NOAA/NMFS, 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 USA.

ABSTRACT

In the northern Gulf of Mexico, large energetic eddies spin off the intruding Loop Current and migrate

westward along the continental slope region, with sporadic exchanges of water between the nutrient rich

shelf and the more oligotrophic deep basin. These exchanges enrich surface waters over the deep basin,

enhancing the spawning grounds of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and other important big game fish,

but may be deleterious for reef fish which spawn and settle as juveniles on the shelf. Many reef fish are

broadcast spawners with eggs and larvae susceptible to entrainment in this large-scale, water exchange

process. Subsequent dispersal over the deep basin reduces potential larval success for species that tend

to settle in shallow water after a planktonic stage, and ultimately may influence cohort abundance. In

this study, we use adult female red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) distribution and an operational

ocean model to investigate egg/larvae loss from natal populations via Loop Current spin-off eddies.

During the heavy spawning season (summer) between 2003 and 2014, eddy energy over the upper slope

decreased substantially and egg/larvae retention on the continental shelf increased by about 50%. It

appears that Loop Current spin off eddies occurred at lower latitudes with reduced water exchanges

along the outer shelf. As a result, retention for settlement in favorable habitat was increased. Ability to

broadcast larvae over broad areas, however, was weakened, and larval dispersal from dense (western

Gulf of Mexico) to depauperate (eastern Gulf of Mexico) red snapper populations was diminished.

KEYWORDS: Reef fish, Loop Current, larvae, circulation, decadal

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

135

Recent Advances Regarding the Role of Corticosteroids

in the Elasmobranch Stress Response

Los Recientes Avances en Cuanto al Papel de los Corticosteroides

en la Respuesta al Estrés de Elasmobranquios

Les Progrès Récents Concernant le Rôle des Corticostéroïdes

dans la Réponse au Stress Élasmobranches

ELIZABETH JONES*

1, ANDREW EVANS

1, and B. SCOTT NUNEZ

2

1University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Lab, 703 East Beach Drive,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi USA. *elizabeth.r.jones@eagles.usm.edu. 2Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 USA.

ABSTRACT

A critical component of fisheries management is knowledge regarding the impact of capture stress on the

short-term condition of released individuals as well as longer-term impacts on fish populations. The

elasmobranch physiological response to stress is poorly understood, particularly with regard to activation

of the endocrine stress axis and production of corticosteroid hormones. Corticosteroids facilitate

survival of stressors by mobilizing energy reserves and directing energy away from other systems

including reproduction and immunity. Therefore long-term activation of the endocrine stress axis is

deleterious and may affect survival and/or reproductive fitness.

Impediments to understanding the stress response include the unique structure of the elasmobranch

corticosteroid, 1alpha-hydroxycorticosterone, and a paucity of molecular tools for examining

corticosteroid actions. Here we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation and

actions of corticosteroids in the elasmobranch fishes, including recent advances from our research group.

We serially sampled Atlantic stingrays and, using a modified assay, demonstrate (for the first time in

elasmobranchs) an increase in plasma corticosteroids within individuals following capture. Significant

effects of stress on plasma osmolytes were also observed, perhaps due to the dual actions of

corticosteroids in mediating both energy availability and osmoregulatory function. To facilitate

additional study of the actions of 1alpha-hydroxycorticosterone, we also isolated mRNAs encoding the

elasmobranch corticosteroid receptors and demonstrate expression of these mRNAs in tissues involved

in both osmoregulation and energy mobilization. These advances will facilitate further studies examining

the elasmobranch endocrine stress response, addressing a significant gap in elasmobranch research,

management and ultimately conservation efforts.

KEYWORDS: Elasmobranch, corticosteroid, stress, osmoregulation, receptor

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

136

Mesophotic Reef Fish Communities of Two South Texas Relic Coral-algal Banks:

North Hospital and Hospital

Comunidades de Peces de Arrecifes Mesofóticos en los Vestigios de Dos Bancos Coralinos-

algales al Sur de Texas: North Hospital y Hospital

Communautés de Poissons de Récifs Mésophotiques de Deux reliques de bancs algo-

coralliens au Sud du Texas: North Hospital et Hospital

LINDA JORDAN*, DAVID HICKS, KLINE RICHARD, and COOKSEY MARIA

University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, Marine and Coastal Sciences,

One West University Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas 78520 USA. *linda.jordan01@utrgv.edu.

ABSTRACT

Mesophotic ecosystems (30 - 150 m depths) are poorly understood due to the inherent difficulties

associated with working below recreational SCUBA diving limits. Thus, baseline studies of the

community structure, biodiversity and, geographic connectivity of mesophotic reef habitats are essential

with increasing threats from climate change, ocean acidification, and invasive species. Multibeam sonar,

side-scan sonar, and ROV technologies were used to examine the fish communities of two mesophotic

ecosystems in Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: North Hospital (27°34'30”N, 96°28'30”W) and Hospital

(27°32'30”N, 96°28'30”W) banks. These banks are remnants of a relict coral reef that stretched between

the Rio Grande and Brazos-Colorado shelf-edge fans. Reef fish were identified and enumerated from

ROV video footage. The sizes (biomass) of game fishes (snappers, groupers, and jacks) were estimated

from mutibeam sonar data. Side scan sonar was used to collect habitat characteristics and detect water

column fish aggregations along the same ROV transects. Collectively, thirty nine species in 19 families

were identified including invasive Pterois volitans. North Hospital‟s reef fish community had higher

species richness (36) and lower evenness (0.61) anddominance (0.75) compared to corresponding

metrics of (18), (0.81) and(0.87) at Hospital. The reef fish communities were 48% similar. The three

most common species at North Hospital were Chromis insolata (47%), Chaetodon sedentarius (7.4%),

and Lutjanus campechanus (7%). The three most common species at Hospital were Lutjanus

campechanus (28%), Coryphopterus sp. (21.3%), and Lutjanus griseus (8.2%). Aggregations of larger

fish were most often identified from the side scan data on the slopes of the banks.

KEYWORDS: Mesophotic, reef, Gulf of Mexico, ROV, Lutjanus

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

137

NGO Leadership in Developing a Transboundary Zoning Plan for the Grenada Bank

Liderazgo de la ONG en el Desarrollo de un Plan

Transfronterizo de Zonificación Para el Banco de Granada

Le Leadership des ONG a Elaborer un

Plan de Zonage Transfrontière pour la Banque Grenade

ORISHA JOSEPH and MARTIN BARRITEAU

Sustainable Grenadines Inc., Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

ABSTRACT

Marine and coastal resources are a central component of people‟s lives in the Grenada Bank (GB).

Unfortunately, these important resources are threatened by increased and often conflicting human uses.

Unplanned development of our marine and coastal space and resources threatens the services that these

ecosystems provide like food security, coastal protection, tourist attractions and biodiversity protection.

As a result, SusGren decided to engage in a project to develop a Marine Multi-use Zoning Plan (MMZP)

for the entire Bank using the Marine Spatial Planning model. The process involved holding a key

visioning workshop and then follow-up workshops, community meetings throughout the 11 inhabited

Grenadine Islands involving as many marine resource users, MPA‟s, government, community etc. The

purpose was to ensure we develop a regionally appropriate framework for a comprehensive MMZP.

This resulted in the development of a draft zoning plan, a Charter for the Management of the Grenada

Bank, MMZP Policy Paper and Communication materials.

What is significant to date is that the MMZP plan has been incorporated into the St. Vincent and the

Grenadines National Oceans Policy which has been tabled before Cabinet for approval.

The main challenge in moving forward is to have the planed enacted into policy in both countries and

implementation is carried out effectively.

KEYWORDS: Marine spatial planning, zoning, Grenadines

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

138

Movement Patterns of Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) at Spawning Aggregation Sites

in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

Patrones de Movimiento de Mero Tigre (Mycteroperca tigris) en Sitios de Agregación de

Desove en las Islas Virgenes de los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico

Mouvements du mérou tigré (Mycteroperca trigis) sur les sites d'aggrégation de frai dans

les Îles Vierges Americaines et Porto Rico

ELIZABETH KADISON*, RICHARD NEMETH, and JON JOSSART

University of the Virgin Islands, 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 00803 USA.

*ekadiso@uvi.edu.

ABSTRACT

Annual spawning aggregations (FSA) of large groupers at predictable times and locations make them

vulnerable to over-fishing. Seasonal or permanent closures can provide effective protection, but defining

biologically relevant boundaries is difficult due to limited knowlege of the movement and migration

associated with spawning. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal pattern of

movement and migration associated with spawning aggregations of tiger grouper (Myteroperca tigris).

The study was conducted along the southern edge of the northern US Virgin Islands and Vieques, one of

the eastern islands of Puerto Rico. Male and female tiger groupers were acoustically tagged and released

at three spawning aggregation sites: Grammanik Bank, the Marine Conservation District (MCD) and El

Seco. Two arrays of acoustic receivers were stategically placed, one in an overlapping curtain around

and between the Grammanik Bank and the MCD, and another around El Seco. Data indicate that this

species commonly moved 1 to 3 km in a few hours and could cover 15 km in a 24 hr time period.

Movements of tagged groupers at the spawning sites carried them outside of the existing closure

boundaries of the Grammanim Bank and MCD protected areas and exposed them to fishing mortality on

a daily basis. Moreover, tiger groupers from each spawning site also visited the other spawning sites

suggestinig reduced spawning site fidelity in the species.

KEYWORDS: FSA, tiger grouper, hydroacoustic, MPA, Virgin Islands

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

139

Incentivising Lionfish Removals Through Development of Markets for Jewelry:

Preliminary Experiences from Belize, the Bahamas and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Incentivando la Eliminación del Pez León a través del Desarrollo de los Mercados

para la Joyería: Experiencias Preliminares de Belice, las Islas Bahamas,

San Vicente y Las Granadinas

Inciter Suppression de Poisson Lions à travers le Développement de Marchés

pour les Bijoux: Les Expériences Préliminairesde Belize, aux Bahamas

et Saint Vincent et les Grenadines

PHILIP KARP*

1, JENNIFER CHAPMAN

2, MARC FRUITEMA

2, JOCELYN CURTIS-QUICK

3,

NANCY SAUL-DEMERS4, and ERIN SPENCER

18304 Twin Forks Lane, Washington, D.C. 20815 USA. *pkarp24@gmail.com.

2Blue Ventures Conservation, Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre,

39-41 North Roadm London, United Kingdom. 3Cape Eleuthera Institute, P.O. Box EL-26029, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas.

4Mayreau Regatta and Sporting Committee, Mayreau VCO 460, Southern Grenadines.

ABSTRACT

The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) invasion poses a unique threat to Caribbean marine

ecosystems and as such requires an innovative approach to control. Due to rapid re-colonisation rates,

commercially incentivising removals presents the most feasible option for sustained population

suppression, conferring long-term benefits to coral reefs and their associated fisheries. Across the

Caribbean, efforts to develop markets for lionfish meat face a significant barrier; the high opportunity

cost faced by fishers targeting lionfish in place of traditionally-caught species. Value addition along the

market chain can help overcome this barrier, and emerging markets for jewellery made from previously

discarded parts of the fish – spines and fins – can increase the value of fishers‟ landed catch by up to

40%. Through comparing experiences from three Caribbean countries with different socioeconomic

contexts and fishing cultures, we discuss the relative success of interventions, such as jewellery-making

workshops and marketing assistance, used to jump-start these markets, as well as associated

socioeconomic benefits. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with jewellers in Belize and The

Bahamas captured perceived improvements in personal, social and economic wellbeing, and were used

to monitor contribution to household income and to identify challenges. Lionfish jewellery markets

provide an opportunity for women‟s economic empowerment, livelihood diversification in small-scale

fishing communities, and a new platform for outreach, increasing awareness, and engagement in lionfish

control. We conclude by discussing opportunities for expanding the benefits of this integrated approach

to lionfish management to other countries through developing regional guidelines, standards and a

possible common brand.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Belize, Bahamas, Grenadines, jewelry

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

140

Acquiring and Retaining Active Participation

Within a Constituent-based Tagging Program

Adquiriendo y Conservando la Participación Activa Dentro

de un Programa de Marcaje Comunitario

Acquisition et Rétention de la Participation Active dans un

Programme de Marquage

ADRIENNE KATZ*, DANIEL DINICOLA, PETER CHAIBONGSAI, and NATHAN BENDRIEM

The Billfish Foundation, 5100 North Federal Highway, Suite 200,

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308-3842 USA. *adrienne_katz@billfish.org.

ABSTRACT

Constituent-based tagging programs (CBTPs) such as The Billfish Foundation (TBF) provide data

essential to learning more about the billfish (Istiophoridae) species. We examined portions of TBF\'s Tag

and Release Database to better understand what causes angler participation to waver over time.

Maintaining consistent data flow is necessary to advise best management practices for these fisheries,

which provide significant economic gain to the communities that depend on them. TBF and other CBTPs

aim to achieve this by collecting data through the actions of volunteer captains and anglers. By

examining the data generated by TBF constituents, we gain a more comprehensive view of the users, and

can anticipate their level of engagement. As TBF continues to grow, the number of supporters will

naturally experience fluctuations, thus it is critical to learn how to best target future participants who will

eventually replace early adopters of TBF\'s tag and release program. To understand why anglers remain

active, or what extrinsic factors influence their reporting activity, a 12-question survey was distributed to

TBF\'s U.S.-based anglers. Additionally, we reviewed data from other CBTPs: Southeast Fisheries

Science Center (SEFSC), and Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP), to determine if similar trends exist

across different species and programs. The results and recommendations can be used by other CBTPs,

empowering them to stimulate growth rate in the face of an inherently dynamic membership base.

KEYWORDS: Recreational sportfishing, constituent-based tagging programs, acquisition and retention

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

141

Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE)

Trends over Three Decades of Longlining in Bimini, Bahamas

Captura por Unidad de Esfuerzo del Tiburon Limón (Negaprion brevirostris)

a lo Largo de Tres Décadas de Pesca de Línea en Bimini, Bahamas

Tendances dans les Prises par Unités D'effort (indice CPUE) de Requin Jaune

(Negaprion brevirostris) au Cours de Trois Décennies de Palangre à Bimini, Bahamas

STEVEN KESSEL*1, ALEX HANSELL

2, SAMUEL GRUBER

1, TRISTAN GUTTRIDGE

1,

NIGEL HUSSEY3, and RUPERT PERKINS

4

1Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, 9300 SW 99th Street, Miami, Florida 33176 USA.

*skessel@uwindsor.ca 2School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts,

Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719 USA. 3Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor,

401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada. 4Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University,

Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT

Long-term population assessments are necessary to determine species specific trends and inform

management decisions. The waters surrounding the Bimini Islands, Bahamas, are rich in elasmobranch

fauna. This study assessed three shallow water longline research campaigns at this location, 1982 –

1992, 1993 – 2003 and 2004 – 2014, with the aim to determine annual catch per unit effort (CPUE)

trends for an IUCN listed near threatened species, the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris). A general

additive model (GAM) was used to analyse the non-linear annual CPUE values over the entire 32 year

research period. The GAM displayed high variability of annual CPUE, with a peak value of 0.026 in

2000. The 1982-1992 campaign saw highest portion of mature individuals (19.8%) and the smallest

average pre-caudal length [PCL] (198 cm). The 1993 - 2003 campaign had the highest average annual

CPUE (0.018) and percentage of total capture (32.3%). The 2004 – 2014 research period saw largest

average PCL size (134.8 cm) and the lowest average CPUE values (0.009) of the entire research period.

Long-term trends of this study highlight annual variability, and provide a baseline for future assessment

of the Bahamas shark sanctuary relative to lemon shark abundance.

KEYWORDS: CPUE, lemon shark, population trend, general additive model, longline

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

142

Differential Habitat Use and Reef-fish Community Organization Among the Reef-top and

Slope Morphology Within a Single Shelf-edge Ecotone in La Parguera, Puerto Rico

El Uso Diferencial del Hábitat y la Organización Comunitaria de Peces Arrecifales Entre

la Morfología de la Cima del Arrecife y el Pared dentro de un Ecotono en La Parguera,

Puerto Rico

Utilisation Différentielle de L‟habitat et Structuration de la Communauté Ichtyologique

Récifale entre Pente Externe et Crête Récifale au Sein D‟un Écotone

de la Marge Continentale de La Parguera, Puerto Rico

JOSHUA KILBORN*1, ORIAN TZADIK

1, and RICHARD APPLEDOORN

2

University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South,

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA. *jpk@mail.usf.edu. 2University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez, Department of Marine Science,

P.O. Box 9000, Mayagüez Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

ABSTRACT

Ecotones are often habitats with high diversity and heterogeneous characteristics which can occur across

a wide range of spatial extents and dynamic features. Differential habitat use is a common occurrence in

many ecotones, but has typically been recorded in those with larger spatial scales. However, here we

present evidence for differential habitat use by reef fishes within a spatially narrow shelf-edge ecotone

that abruptly delineates a continuous fringing-reef from the adjacent mesophotic-reef off the

southwestern corner of Puerto Rico. The observed organization of fish communities along the shelf-edge

reef and slope exhibits a strong link to trophic structure within the greater ecotone. Differences in

community structure are apparent between reef-top and slope locations and community indicator species

are identified to highlight trophic relationships. Differences in benthic characteristics between the reef-

top and slope habitats are also evident and strong correlations between fish community composition and

benthic habitat are observed. These results suggest that when taking management action or undergoing

ecosystem based assessments for fishes within a shelf-edge ecotone, it is best to consider the unique

combination of species and habitats present in order to account for the potential impacts of management.

This work represents a framework for identifying community organization and ecological preferences

within a high-diversity ecotone.

KEYWORDS: Ecotone, differential habitat usage, reef fishes

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

143

Fishery-Independent Baseline Assessment of the Northern Florida Reef Tract

Determinación de una Línea Base Independiente de la Pesquería en el Tramo Arrecifal

Norte de La Florida

Evaluation D‟une Ligne De Base Indépendante De La Pêche Dans Les Récifs Du Nord De

La Floride

KIRK KILFOYLE*1, BRIAN WALKER

2, KURTIS GREGG

3, and RICHARD SPIELER

1

1Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center,

8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 USA. *kilfoyle@nova.edu. 2NOAA Fisheries Service, 400 North Congress Avenue, Suite 110, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

USA.

ABSTRACT

Reef fishes are important biologic, ecologic, and economic resources which must be managed for

sustainability. Until recently, there was no long-term monitoring program in place to assess the condition

of reef fish resources of the northern end of the Florida Reef Tract (NFRT), between St. Lucie Inlet and

the Miami River. A three-year statistically robust, habitat-based, fishery-independent sampling protocol

was designed and implemented through a joint cooperative effort of Federal, Florida State, and

university scientists. The sampling design is map-based and incorporates simultaneous non-destructive

assessment of abiotic and biotic variables. The resulting dataset provides detailed habitat-associated

insight into fish assemblage structure. Thus, from both management and ecological-sciences

perspectives, these data are a valuable resource.

To date, three years of data collection (2012 - 2014) from 864 sites have been acquired and > 560,000

individual fish of 289 species were recorded. There are significant differences in the geographic

distribution of reef fishes at local and regional scales. Comparing data from the NFRT (this study) with

previously published data shows a pattern of increasing percent occurrence and density for most, but not

all, target species from the NFRT down through the Florida Keys and into the Dry Tortugas. This leads

to the conclusion that many species of fisheries interest are overfished in the NFRT as they are in the

Florida Keys. The dataset provides a picture of an environment that has already experienced substantial

anthropogenic impact; it provides a critical baseline for management strategies aimed at improvement.

KEYWORDS: Reef fish, Florida, coral reef, stock assessment, visual survey

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

144

Consumptive and Non-consumptive Effects of Invasive Lionfish on Native Herbivores

Efectos del Consumo y No Consumo de Herbívoros Nativos por el Pez León Invasor:

Posibles Consecuencias para la Capacidad de Recuperación Ecológica

de los Arrecifes de Coral

Effets De La Rascasse Volante Invasive Suite A Sa Consommation Et Non Consommation

D‟herbivores Indigènes : Conséquences Potentielles Pour La Résilience Ecologique Des

Récifs Coralliens

TYE KINDINGER*

1, MARK ALBINS

2, and MARK HIXON

3

1Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA.

*kindingt@science.oregonstate.edu. 2Auburn University, Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center,

8300 State Highway 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA. 3University of Hawai'I, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

On Caribbean reefs, herbivorous fishes (especially parrotfishes) foster coral dominance by reducing the

deleterious effects of benthic algae on corals. The voracious invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) could

reduce fish grazing via direct predation (i.e., “consumptive effects” or CEs) on native herbivorous fish

populations, as well as by inhibiting native fish grazing behavior (i.e., “non-consumptive effects” or

NCEs). We tested for lionfish CEs and NCEs on native herbivorous fishes in the Bahamas. In June 2009,

we manipulated lionfish density (low and high) on 10 paired large reefs. We surveyed fish populations

and maintained lionfish treatments every 3 - 5 months thereafter. In July 2011, we quantified fish

grazing behavior (visitation and bite rates) on algal-covered substrata placed in microhabitats differing in

lionfish presence at the reef (low and high lionfish density) and within-reef scales (lionfish presence-

absence in microhabitat). Lionfish significantly reduced the density of small herbivorous fishes by the

end of the 2010 recruitment season (lionfish × time interaction: LRT p = 0.002). Lionfish also

significantly decreased grazing behavior of small and large herbivorous fishes (all variables: LRT p <

0.001). As a result, lionfish indirectly reduced algal loss of substrata by 66 - 80%. Parrotfishes were

driving the overall herbivorous fish community response. This study provides clear evidence of invasive

lionfish having both CEs and NCEs on native herbivorous fishes, and strongly suggests lionfish NCEs

are capable of diminishing the functional role of algal-removal via grazing by large herbivorous fishes.

KEYWORDS: Predator-prey interactions, non-lethal effects, antipredator behavior, trait-mediated

effects, trophic cascade

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

145

Refuges and the Control of Invasive Species

Refugios y el Control de las Especies Invasoras

Zones de Refuge et Contrôle des Espèces Invasives

DAVID KLING

Department of Applied Economics, Oregon State University, 307E Ballard Extension Hall,

Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA. *david.kling@oregonstate.edu.

ABSTRACT

Many harmful invasive species colonize large spatial areas that include a diverse range of habitats.

While a large bioeconomic literature addresses spatial-dynamics of invasive species management,

limited attention is given to spatial heterogeneity of an invasion and its implications for the design of

cost-effective control design. Potential sources of spatial heterogeneity include natural factors such as

the local assemblage of native species. Other sources are socioeconomic, for example the distance of an

area from the nearest population center. Of particular concern for management is when spatial

heterogeneity leads to a refuge effect: partial or complete protection from one or more methods of

control. This paper introduces a stylized spatial-dynamic bioeconomic model of invasive species

management in the presence of a refuge effect. A decision maker minimizes the net present value of

invasion damage and management costs by specifying control across space and time. The model is

tailored to the case of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.), predatory marine species known to infest deep

water areas beyond the reach of control by divers. Other control techniques than can access lionfish in

these depth refuges are likely to generate damage in the form of native species bycatch. Analytical

results from control theory characterize the influence of economic and biological model parameters on

the optimal policy. Numerical results explore the influence the refuge effect when only one control

method is available, and the trade-off between invasion damage avoided and bycatch when a second

non-selective control method is introduced.

KEYWORDS: Bioeconomic, invasive species, spatial dynamic, depth refuge, lionfish

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

146

Marine Habitat Mapping For Barbados: Development of a Habitat Classification Scheme

and Application of Remote Sensing and Ground-truthing Video-surveys

Mapeo de Hábitats Marinos en Barbados: Desarrollo de un Sistema de Clasificación

de Hábitat, y la Aplicación de la Teledetección y la Verificación de Campo sobre el

Terreno Mediante Video-estudios

La Cartographie des Habitats Marins pour la Barbade: Développement d'un Sysème

de Classification de L'habitat et de L'application de la Télédétection

et de la Vidéo-enquêtes de Vérification au Sol

LINDY KNOWLES*, KIMBERLY BALDWIN,

RENATA GOODRIDGE, and HAZEL OXENFORD

CERMES – The University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), Bridgetown, BB 11000 Barbados.

*lknowles@bnt.bs.

ABSTRACT

Marine habitat maps are fundamental for the management of marine resources, but are not routinely

available in the small island states of the Caribbean. Furthermore, existing habitat maps are rarely

compatible since they have been created with different habitat schemes and different methods. However

the application of modern remote sensing technologies together with a geographical information system

(GIS) and strategic ground-truthing means that marine habitat maps can now be produced with better

accuracy and lower budgets than previously possible. In this study we describe the development of a

locally-relevant habitat classification scheme and application of GIS to use high resolution LiDAR,

satellite imagery and ground-truthing marine video surveys to derive the first comprehensive marine

habitat map for Barbados. Anticipated benefits of this research include support for ecosystem-based

marine management and decision-making, marine spatial planning, and further research and education in

Barbados. The described methods also have broad application for marine mapping across other

Caribbean states.

KEYWORDS: Remote sensing, Barbados, marine habitat mapping, benthic habitat classification,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

147

Individual Responses to Stress in the Atlantic Stingray Including Potential

Long-term Effects on Recovery and Fitness

Las Respuestas Individuales al Estrés en la Raya del Atlántico Incluyendo los Posibles

Efectos a Largo Plazo sobre la Recuperación y la Aptitude

Réponses individuelles de la raie de l'Atlantique au stress, y compris les effets potentiels à

long terme sur la récupération et la remise en forme

FAITH LAMBERT*

1, JASON TREBERG

2, GARY ANDERSON

2, and ANDREW EVANS

1

1University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. * fnlamber@gmail.com. 2University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2 Canada.

ABSTRACT

While the immediate impacts of fishing stressors on elasmobranch physiology have been well described,

gaps remain in our understanding of individual responses over time and the potential for recovery. Using

air exposure of Atlantic stingrays as a consistent and fisheries-relevant stressor, we examined multiple

stress-related parameters and plasma levels of several metabolic fuels including the ketone body β-

hydroxybutyrate. Multiple studies have demonstrated that elasmobranchs are unusually reliant on ketone

bodies, whereas glucose is almost exclusively quantified in studies regarding elasmobranch stress

physiology. Plasma osmolality, urea, trimethylamine-N-oxide, and a suite of ions were also measured to

characterize departures from homeostasis due to air exposure.

Individual stingrays were serially sampled after 0, 15 and 30 minutes of air exposure, and also 48 hours

later to assess recovery. Blood lactate, pCO2, and acidosis increased significantly throughout the stressor,

but returned to baseline levels within 48 hours. Stress did not affect plasma β-hydroxybutyrate,

suggesting that ketone bodies may not be a major fuel source used during acute stress, at least in the

timeframe examined. Conversely, glucose values were affected by air exposure with the highest values

obtained at 48 hours, suggesting that animals were not fully recovered as initially indicated by other

metrics. Analysis of the plasma metabolome supports this conclusion, as metabolites significantly altered

by stress depart even further from baseline values 48 hours later. The results of this study suggest that

fishing stressors may result in long-term departures from homeostasis that are not adequately understood

nor appropriately assessed using conventional physiological endpoints.

KEYWORDS: Elasmobranch, stress, physiology, mortality, fitness

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

148

Evidence of Nitrogen-fueled Blooms of Pelagic Sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico

Evidencia de Afloraciones de Sargassum Pelágico Alimentados por Nitrógeno

en el Golfo de México

Présence D'efflorescences de L'algue Pélagique Sargassum Alimentées

par des Flux D'azote dans le Golf du Mexique

BRIAN LAPOINTE*

1, CHUANMIN HU

2, LAURA HERREN

3, and ALISON FEIBEL

1

1Florida Atlantic University - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute,

5600 US 1 North Fort Pierce, Florida 34946 USA. *blapoin1@fau.edu. 2College of Marine Science, University of South Florida,

140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA.

ABSTRACT

Since 2011, unprecedented strandings of pelagic Sargassum, commonly known as “gulf weed,” have

been occurring over broad areas of the western North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. These

strandings, characterized by excessive biomass, are considered harmful algal blooms as they have a

detrimental impact on both the environment and the economies of these coastal areas. Previous

ecophysiological and remote sensing research suggests that a Sargassum “growth continuum” begins in

the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and follows the Loop Current around the Florida Keys and then north to the

Gulf Stream and ultimately the Sargasso Sea and Caribbean region. Ecophysiological studies of

Sargassum fluitans in the GOM between 2010 and 2012 showed significantly higher tissue %N, N:P

ratios and productivity compared to region-wide baseline measurements in the mid-1980s. Remote

sensing measurements also showed that extensive pelagic Sargassum biomass accumulated in the NW

GOM in the winter/spring between 2010 and 2012, which was subsequently advected by the Loop

Current and Gulf Stream into the Atlantic Ocean and Sargasso Sea following the breakdown of the

Franklin Eddy in late fall of 2010. These studies point to the importance of the GOM as a bioreactor for

nutrient-enriched growth and productivity of Sargassum, and could be a significant factor in triggering

these unprecedented Sargassum strandings.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, nitrogen-enrichment, ecophysiology, biomass, HAB

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

149

Temporal Dynamics of Lipid and Fatty Acid Characteristics of Gulf Menhaden,

Brevoortia patronus, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Dinámicas Temporales en las Características de Lípidos y Ácidos Grasos de la Sardina

Lacha, Brevoortia patronus, en el Norte del Golfo de México

Dynamique Temporelle des Caractéristiques de Lipides et Acides Gras du Golfe

Menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, dans le Nord du Golfe de Mexico

ROBERT LEAF*1, NANCY BROWN-PETERSON

1, MICHAEL ANDRES

1,

JESSE TRUSCHENSKI2, and ALEXIS BERGMAN

2

1University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Lab, 703 East Beach Drive

Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. *robert.leaf@usm.edu. 2Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University,

1263 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 USA.

ABSTRACT

Gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, are considered an important forage fish and support a large

commercial fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Although modeling work supports the

premise that Gulf Menhaden is a critical component of the trophic web, the effects of inter- and intra-

annual variability of the stock are not well-understood. In this study, we perform an analysis of the long-

term (37 y) trends in inter-annual lipid yield (L/kg) of the Gulf Menhaden stock derived from the

commercial fishery. In addition, we analyzed the fatty acid composition of Gulf Menhaden collected

from the commercial fishery and fishery-independent samples during 2014 and 2015. We find that there

is considerable inter-annual variation in lipid content, and that the contrast in oil yield is strongly

correlated to the magnitude of regional river discharge. We found no significant differences in mean

muscle lipid density between males or females, but immature fish have significantly lower (p < 0.001)

lipid density than sexually mature females. Fatty acid analyses suggests the presence of more long-chain

polyunsaturated fats (LC-PUFA) during the winter spawning period indicative of homeoviscous

adaptation for maintenance of cell membrane flexibility and the provisioning of oocytes. In contrast, we

found decreased LC-PUFA during spring, consistent with the reduced availability of LC-PUFA in the

algal food source. The inter- and intra-annual variations in fatty acid and lipid content may have

implications related to the trophic web in the northern GOM.

KEYWORDS: Fatty acid, Brevoortia patronus, Gulf menhaden, trophic, ecosystem

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

150

Identifying Biodiversity Hotspots of Threatened Endemic Bony Shorefishes in the Greater

Caribbean to Inform Area-specific Conservation Planning Priorities

Identificando Puntos Críticos de Biodiversidad para Peces Óseos Costeros Endémicos en

Peligro en el Gran Caribe para Informar sobre las Prioridades de Conservación en la

Planificación de Áreas Específicas

Identifier les hotspot de biodiversité des poissons osseux endémiques menacés dans la

région Caraïbe pour éclairer les priorités spécifiques de planification de la conservation

CHRISTI LINARDICH*

1 and KENT E. CARPENTER

2

1IUCN – Marine Biodiversity Unit, Global Marine Species Assessment,

Old Dominion University. Norfolk, Virginia 23529 USA. *clina001@odu.edu. 2Global Marine Species Assessment, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 USA.

ABSTRACT

The lack of comprehensive datasets on marine species distributions and threats often restricts our ability

to address conservation goals that emphasize preserving biodiversity. Identifying those species at an

elevated risk for extinction via the objective, but adaptable, methods developed by the IUCN Red List is

a stepping stone that can be used to systematically inform conservation priorities. The recent IUCN Red

List assessments of the nearly 1,400 marine bony shorefishes of the greater Caribbean allows, for the

first time, comprehensive analyses of the impact of pervasive region-wide threats on this ecologically

and economically important group. This study used the expert-vetted polygonal distribution maps to

identify biodiversity hotspots as well as potential gaps in protection for the 45 threatened endemic

shorefishes. Species richness was determined by overlaying the distribution maps in a GIS analysis.

Results show that the top three hotspots are located in Belize (17 species), central Panama (13), and the

Cayman Islands (13). The majority of these species (89%) are small-bodied with highly restricted ranges

and are susceptible to habitat degradation and/or predation by the invasive lionfish. The existence of

potential protective measures in these areas was identified by overlaying polygons of established marine

protected areas. Off Belize, all 17 species distributions intersect with the South Water Caye Marine

Reserve. A review of the capacity of this area‟s management plan to mitigate threats to these species

would identify opportunities to fill specific gaps in protection.

KEYWORDS: Conservation planning, endangered species, bony shorefishes, marine protected areas,

biodiversity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

151

Sargassum Early Advisory System Organizational Biography:

Account of Accomplishments

Biografía Organizacional como Sistema de Asesoramiento Temprano sobre el Sargazo:

Recuento de Logros

Système Organisationnel De Prévisions Des Sargasses : Etats Des Réalisations

THOMAS LINTON*, ROBERT WEBSTER, THOMAS ROBERTSON, and BRANDON HILL

Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway,

Galveston, Texas 77553 USA. *lintont@tamug.edu.

ABSTRACT

This Organizational Biography will function as the account of the Sargassum Early Advisory System

(SEAS) Team‟s accomplishments from establishment until present day. This collection of projects,

publications and plans serves to outline the contribution the SEAS Team has made to the scientific

community at large. Established in December of 2009 the SEAS Team began as a low-funded National

Aeronautics and Space Administration Gulf of Mexico Initiative Research Opportunities in Space and

Earth Sciences (NASA GOMI ROSES) project. The Primary Investigator, Dr. Thomas Linton, and his

PhD. student Robert Webster spearheaded the project with the intent of mentoring undergraduate and

graduate students just getting started in research. With a goal of understanding Sargassum‟s life cycle

and creating a way of forecasting its arrivals the SEAS Team grew within a few years to include students

in every phase of their education. By 2012 the SEAS Team had a means of manually forecasting the

arrival of Sargassum on the Texas Coastline reaching 98% accuracy in the first season. Now forecasting

the Sargassum arrival for eleven countries in the Caribbean and five of the Gulf states SEAS has become

a staple for those responsible for maintaining the functionality of affected coastlines. Other ongoing

projects include the Sargassum growth rate project, the development of the SEAS web application, many

student directed studies. Moving forward SEAS intends to continue to grow its reach both domestically

and globally with expanded research efforts realized in the form of several study abroad programs

through Texas A&M University at Galveston.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, seaweed, remote sensing, NASA, Texas A&M

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

152

Modelamiento de las Relaciones Biométricas de las Jaibas Azul (Callinectes sapidus) y

Jaiba Roja (Callinectes bocourti) Precedentes de la Pesquería Artesanal en la Zona

Noroccidental de la Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Caribe Colombiano

Modeling of Biometrics Relations of Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) and Blunttooth

Swimcrab (Callinectes bocourti) from the Artisanal Fisheries in the Northwest Area of the

Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean

Modélisation Des Relations Biométriques Du Crabe Bleu (Callinectes sapidus) Et Du

Crabe Chancre (Callinectes bocourti) Issus De La Pêche Artisanale Dans La Région Du

Nord-Ouest De La Ciénaga Grande De Santa Marta, Caraïbes Colombiennes

GERMAN LOZANO*, ERICK OROZCO, LILIANA PACHECO, and PAMELA REATIGA

Universidad Simón Bolívar, Carrera 54 58-28, Barranquilla, Atlantico 080002 Colombia.

*glozano3@unisimonbolivar.edu.co.

RESUMEN

Con el propósito de proveer información biológica para la adopción de medidas de aprovechamiento,

regulación y manejo sostenible de la pesquería, se determinaron aspectos poblacionales de las jaibas roja

(Callinectes bocourti) y azul (Callinectes sapidus) procedentes de la zona noroccidental de la Ciénaga

Grande de Santa Marta, Caribe colombiano, durante el periodo comprendido entre marzo del 2013 a

enero del 2014. En total se registraron 375 ejemplares, 340 de C. bocourti y 35 C. sapidus, a los cuales

se les tomó los siguientes parámetros biométricos: Abertura de la Base de las Espinas Laterales ABEL

(cm), Longitud del Cefalotórax - Lca (cm), Peso Total (gr), Sexo y Madurez sexual (Maduro e

Inmaduro). Para C. bocourti, los intervalos de ABEL oscilaron entre 5,51 11,00 cm, los intervalos de

Lca entre 2,95 y 6,94 cm y el peso total entre 27,1 y 198,5 g, la proporción machos:hembras fue de

1:3,82. Para C. sapidus, los intervalos de ABEL oscilaron entre 6,58 y 11,37 cm, los Lca entre 3,54 y

6,54 cm y los de peso total entre 30,9 y 195,0 g, la proporción machos:hembras fue de 1:1. En relación

con la maduración sexual, para C. bocourti, en hembras, el 66,4% corresponde a maduras, 31%

madurando y 2,6% inmaduras y en machos el 69 % a adultos y 31,0% juveniles. En C. sapidus, el 73,7%

de las hembras eran maduras, el 15,80% estaban madurando y un 10,50% estaban inmaduras, así mismo

el 75,0% de los machos eran adultos y un 25,0% juveniles.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Callinectes, jaiba, modelación, madurez, población

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

153

Identificación de las Señales de Premuda en la Jaiba Roja

(Callinectes bocourti, Milne, Eduarws, 1879)

Identification Signals Molting in Blunttooth Swimcrab

(Callinectes bocourti, Milne, Eduarws, 1879)

Signaux D'identification Mue en Blunttooth Swimcrab

(Callinectes bocourti, Milne, Eduarws, 1879)

GERMAN LOZANO, PAMELA REATIGA, IRIS ALARCÓN, and LILIANA PACHECO

Universidad Simón Bolívar, Carrera 54 58-28, Barranquilla, Atlantico 080002 Colombia.

*glozano3@unisimonbolivar.edu.co.

RESUMEN

Se identificaron, preliminarmente, las señales de premuda de la jaiba roja (Callinectes bocourti), de

individuos procedentes de la zona noroccidental de la Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Caribe

colombiano; con el objeto de proporcionar información para la producción y obtención de jaiba suave

(soft shell). Fueron colectados y analizados 472 ejemplares, de los cuales se registró la siguiente

información biométrica: Abertura de la Base de las Espinas Laterales ABEL con intervalos de 3.9 a 11.0

cm, Longitud del Cefalotórax 1.8 a 6.94 cm y Peso Total 18 a 198.5 g, Sexo y Madurez sexual. Mediante

la observación de la morfología externa de la especie fue posible identificar las señales de premuda,

tomando como referencia las descritas para Callinectes sapidus. De las cinco señales descritas para la

jaiba azul, solo se identificaron dos de forma exacta en la jaiba roja, como son el último segmento de la

pata natatoria adquiere una consistencia acolchonada identificable al ejercer una leve presión y cambios

en la coloración del abdomen de blanco a purpura, mientras que el cambio del color del reborde del

tercer par de maxilipedos se identifica de forma diferente tomando una tonalidad gris. Además se

encontraron cuatro señales de identificación de premuda avanzada. que no han sido descritas para

ninguna especie del género Callinectes: líneas de sutura ventrales marcadas; pliegue interno de la

articulación merus-carpus dividido en los quelipedos; tejido de la base del quinto par de pereiópodos de

color gris y línea subtraqueal marcada y quebradiza.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Premuda, señales, Callinectes, muda

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

154

Estimating the Vulnerability of Endemic Brazilian Reef Fishes to Lionfish Predation

Estimación de la Vulnerabilidad de los Peces Arrecifales Brasileños Endémicos

a la Depredación del Pez León

Estimation De La Vulnérabilité Des Poissons Récifaux Endémiques Du Brésil Face A La

Prédation Du Poisson-Lion

OSMAR LUIZ*

1, LAIS CHAVES

2, CARLOS FERREIRA

2, and STEPHANIE GREEN

3

1Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde,

Sydney, NSW 2066 Australia. *osmarluizjr@gmail.com. 2Universidad Federal Fluminense, Campos Valonguinho, Niteroi, RJ Brazil.

3Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA.

ABSTRACT

As invasive lionfish populations continue to expand in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, concerns

have raised in other parts of the Atlantic that may be under the reach of the invasion. For many years, the

tropical southwest Atlantic was lionfish free, likely because of the prominent northward direction of

ocean currents in that region. However, recent records of lionfish individuals on the Brazilian coast

suggest that its range expansion to the south Atlantic is occurring. The lionfish is a voracious predator

that can severely affect populations of Caribbean native fishes. Species with specific traits that make

them more prone to lionfish predation are particularly vulnerable. In this study, we evaluate the traits of

Brazilian endemic reef fishes to estimate their potential vulnerability to predation by invasive lionfish.

Few Brazilian endemics have traits that reduce predation risk, like cleaning behaviour. The large

majority of endemic species, however, are small, shallow-bodied, solitary fishes found resting on or just

above reefs, being the most vulnerable to predation by lionfish. By mapping the distribution of trait-

combinations along the Brazilian coast and islands, we found that the Brazilian oceanic islands have a

higher proportion of predation-sensitive endemic species than the continental coast, which associated

with their inherently small geographic range and total population size, put these species under a high risk

of global extinction. Our analysis highlights the importance of prioritizing insular environments for

monitoring the lionfish invasion in the south Atlantic.

Funding statement: This work is partly funded by CAPES Science Without Borders Fellowship (LC).

KEYWORDS: Endemic species, reef fishes, oceanic islands, extinction risk, lionfish

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

155

Distribution of Larval Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Western Caribbean Sea

Distribución de Larvas del Pez Leon (Pterois volitans) en el Caribe Occidental

Répartition Des Larves De Poisson-Lion (Pterois volitans) Dans L‟ouest De La Mer Des

Caraïbes

ESTRELLA MALCA*

1, FELIPE ELOY SOSA

2, LOURDES VASQUEZ YEOMANS

2,

LAURA CARRILLO2, SELENE MORALES

2, TRIKA GERARD

3, and JAMES MORRIS

4

1University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

*emalca@rsmas.miami.edu. 2El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

3NOAA Fisheries – SEFSC, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

4 NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA.

ABSTRACT

Little is known regarding the larval ecology of the invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) that has

disturbed the Western Caribbean ecosystem for twenty years. We present an overview of our extensive

collection of lionfish larvae (1.5 - 15.0 mm total length) of the Atlantic from intermittent oceanographic

surveys starting in November 2009 through June 2015, using MOCNESS, S10 and neuston nets. Our

geographic coverage includes larval collections as far east as Haiti, and south including the

Mesoamerican Reef to Cozumel, the northern Bahamas and the Gulf of Mexico. Temporal variation was

observed with only three lionfish larvae collected in 2010; however in the subsequent 2011 and 2012

surveys, over 100 larvae were collected in each year. Gear similarities were found in 2011 between nets

sampled with mean density for S10 net tows 2.871 ± 1.887 larvae/1000 m3 while MOCNESS tows 2.421

± 3.128 larvae/1000 m3. Depth stratification analysis indicated that no lionfish larvae were found below

40 m; and the highest density of larvae occurred in the 20 - 30 m depth stratum. Additionally,

genotyping using mtDNA COI assigned three different haplotypes mixed throughout the 2011 sampling

area. Preliminary ageing results will be presented to ascertain larval age at length. Ours results confirm

that this species has become fully established in the Caribbean basin and will continue to present a threat

to the native fish assemblages in this region.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, early life history, Pterois volitans, distribution, pez leon

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

156

What Drives the Success of Lionfish Derbies? A Regional Analysis

Qué Factores Producen el Éxito en los Torneos de Pez León? Un Análisis Regional

Quels sont les Moteurs du Succès des Concours de Pêche pour le Poisson-lion Invasive?

Une Analyse Régionale

LUIS MALPICA CRUZ*, LAÍS CHAVES, and ISABELLE CÔTÉ

Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences,

8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada. *lmalpica@sfu.ca.

ABSTRACT

One of the most common lionfish control strategies is the implementation of “acute” lionfish culls in the

form of tournaments or derbies. During derbies, diving and fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to kill as

many lionfish as possible over a specific time period to win prizes and gain the satisfaction of

contributing to coral reef conservation. Most lionfish derbies are organized by or held in developed

countries and engage mainly the recreational diving community. More recently, the strategy has been

replicated in developing countries, generally with artisanal fishermen being invited to participate in the

culling efforts, thus promoting lionfish as an alternative fishery resource. We compiled information on

69lionfish derbies from the tropical North Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, with the

goal of identifying the factors that drive derby success, in terms of total lionfish catch (TC), catch per

unit effort (CPUE), and effort (E).We find that the type of participants invited, the economic level of the

country (GDP per capita) and the number of dive shops in the area where the tournament is held all

affect the three metrics of success. Most importantly, derbies that enlist fishermen, and those held in

developing countries, are more successful by all three measures. We discuss the importance of including

fishermen in derbies as an effective means to manage this invasion, and emphasize the need to monitor

lionfish populations to assess the impacts and effectiveness of derbies as tools to control the lionfish

invasion.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasion, derbies, socioeconomic, fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

157

Bringing Together the Knowledge of Small-scale Fishers and the Scientific Knowledge for

Size-based Management Purposes

Integrando el Conocimiento de los Pescadores de Pequeña Escala y el Conocimiento

Científico para Propósito de Manejo Basado en Tallas

Intégration du Savoir des Pêcheurs à Petite Échelle et des Connaissances Scientifiques à

des Fins de Gestion Basées sur la Taille

LUIS MANJARRES MARTINEZ*, LUIS ORLANDO DUARTE,

JAIRO ENRIQUE ALTAMAR, and FELIX CUELLO LINA SAAVEDRA

Universidad del Magdalena, Calle 21A 22-52 Casa 30, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

*lmanjarrez@unimagdalena.edu.co

ABSTRACT

Under data-limited situations, size-based biological reference points are useful to monitor the status of

fish stocks. One of the most useful of these points is the size at maturity (L50%), the optimal catch

length and the size to which almost all the specimens of the species are mature, referenced as L90-100.

Based on these reference points, we developed an innovative and low-cost methodology to transfer this

information to small-scale fishermen of the northern Colombian Caribbean in a pedagogical and simple

way, in order to achieve two basic objectives: 1) to sensitize them about the importance of responsible

fishing, and 2) establish the biological and/or socio-economic criteria which they prioritize to define and

meet management measures based on catch sizes control. The transfer of scientific information into the

fishermen was made by graphical techniques, illustrative of current and ideal state of the resources,

while the priority criteria were obtained through analysis of sensitivity of perceptions to scientific

information, contrasted with the information on optimum catch sizes of each species from an economic

point of view. Our results indicate that small-scale fishermen are sensitive to the supply of scientific

information only in the case of small-sized species. Indeed, when local ecological knowledge-based

minimum catch sizes for these species were lower than the respective scientific-based minimum catch

sizes, the fishermen agree to adopt the latter sizes. In contrast, for large-sizes species they were reluctant

to raise the minimum size, due to the lower economic value of the larger specimens of these species.

KEYWORDS: Co-management, size, maturity, LEK, small-scale fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

158

Primera Evaluación de la Megafauna en el Caribe Mexicano:

Indicador Clave de la Recuperación de la Biodiversidad en Refugios Pesqueros

Baseline Evaluation of Megafauna in the Mexican Caribbean:

Key Indicator of the Recovery of Biodiversity in Community Marine Reserves

Première Évaluation de la Mégafaune dans les Caraïbes Mexicains : Indicateurs

de la résilience de la Biodiversité dans les Aires Interdites à la Pêche

SERGIO ALEJANDRO MARCOS CAMACHO

1and START FULTON

2

1Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C., Carey SM10 MZ24 LT10,

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo 77580 Mexico. *smarcos@cobi.org.mx.

RESUMEN

Los tiburones y rayas son los grandes animales marinos de la megafauna que mantienen en equilibrio los

ecosistemas marinos, y son componentes clave en la salud de los ecosistemas marinos y se encuentran en

el ápice de la cadena trófica. La evaluación de sus poblaciones, ligada a una iniciativa para el

establecimiento de zonas de refugio pesquero (áreas de no pesca) en Quintana Roo, es indispensable el

levantamiento de la línea base ya que permite evaluar los cambios que ocurren durante la vida de los

refugios pesqueros. El proyecto pretende determinar la abundancia relativa de la megafauna en Quintana

Roo, reforzar la evaluación de los refugios pesqueros e identificar nuevas áreas prioritarias de

conservaciones identificación de zonas de crianza de tiburones y rayas. Se está implementando un

programa de monitoreo comunitario para determinar abundancia, diversidad, distribución espacio-

temporal de megafauna (tiburones, rayas y tortugas marinas) en los refugios pesqueros y zonas aledañas

de la, Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka´an se involucró y se capacitó a 20 pescadores de dos cooperativas

pesqueras en el marcaje-liberación de tiburones y rayas en el muestreo con palangre, transectos acuáticos

y video subacuático con carnada (BRUVs). Se han realizado tres monitoreos, contamos con 45 registros

de transectos acuáticos y 33 videos subacuáticos con carnada. Se cuenta con 173 registros de rayas, 21

registros de tiburones y 39 registros de tortugas marinas y más de 300 individuos de diferentes especies

de peces comerciales. Los datos presentados representan el primer año de una línea base. Sin embargo, el

proyecto contempla un monitoreo continuo y la generación de recomendaciones para la gestión para la

los refugios pesqueros y áreas prioritarias de conservación

PALABRAS CLAVES: Megafauna, refugios pesqueros, conservación

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

159

A Modified Fyke Net for Sampling Juvenile Fish Communities

in Turbid Mangrove Forests

Un Cesto Modificado para el Muestreo de Comunidades de Peces Juveniles en Bosques

Turbios de Manglar

Un Filet Verveux Modifié pour Échantillonner les Poissons Juvéniles

dans les Eaux Turbides des Mangroves

GUY MARLEY

University of the West Indies, PH2 Phase 3 Pommerose Gardens,

Hollow Road, Cascade, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. guidomarley@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Mangrove fish studies are often conducted in clear waters with visual survey techniques, or where seines

can be pulled with access to banks and minimal submerged debris, or where drop and pop-up nets can be

set in shallow waters. I present field trials of a modified fyke net for use in flowing mangrove creeks that

are littered with submerged vegetation. The net was extended from a traditional 3 or 4 ft, to 10 ft tall for

use in deep channels, with a ceiling added to minimise escapes. The result was effectively a funnel with

10 ft high, 25 ft long wings, descending into a 3.5 ft high, 5-hoop cod end. The net sampled the entire

water column, which was not previously possible with bottom-set fyke nets, and was equally suitable for

sampling mudflats and fringing mangroves. We developed a rapid and secure system for deploying the

nets in strong currents where leaf litter added drag that could lead to net failure. More than 20,000 fish

were sampled over 18 months, recording 80 species from 29 families. Half of the species had never been

recorded in the Caroni Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago, where only hand lines and cast nets had previously

been attempted. The net still appeared selective for small, highly mobile demersal fishes, but pelagics

and large adults were sampled regularly. The modifications we describe increase reliability, reduce

selectivity, and improve the overall representation of the fish community in the waterways of turbid

mangrove forests that are often ignored due to the difficulty of sampling.

KEYWORDS: Fish, mangrove, nursery, fyke, sampling

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

160

Tamaño Óptimo de Malla para la Captura Artesanal de

Cojinoa Negra Caranx crysos con Redes de Enmalle

Optimal Mesh Size for the Artisanal Capture of Blue Runner Caranx crysos with Gillnets

Grandeur Optimal de L‟ouverture Des Maille du Filet pour la

Capture Artisanal de Carangue Coubali Caranx crysos

CRISTHIAN EDUARDO MARRUGO MARMOLEJO,

JAIRO ALTAMAR, and LUIS ORLANDO DUARTE

Universidad del Magdalena, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras Tropica, Carrera 32 #22-08

Carrera 32 #22-08. Santa Marta, Magdalena 470003 Colombia. *marrugo@ingenieros.com.

RESUMEN

La cojinoa negra es la principal especie íctica desembarcada con redes de enmalle artesanales en el área

norte del mar Caribe de Colombia. A pesar de su alto régimen de explotación no existen medidas de

ordenamiento orientadas la regulación de los artes de pesca que la capturan. A partir de los desembarcos

pesqueros provenientes de diferentes artes de pesca se determinó la relación morfométrica entre la

circunferencia máxima o circunferencia perimetral (Gmax) vs la longitud total (Lt) y la longitud estándar

(Ls), con la cual se estimó el tamaño óptimo de malla a partir de la formula empírica de Baranov. Los

puntos de referencia biológicos utilizados para la estimación fueron L50 y L90-100 (34.5 – 39.3 cm).

Las ecuaciones que determinaron la relación entre Gmax vs Lt y Ls fueron: Gmax = 0.6107 (Lt) + 0.4713

y Gmax = 0.6986 (Ls) + 1.905 (n = 244, R2 = 0.9501 y R

2 = 0.8114). El tamaño de malla optimo estimado

para L50 fue 8.4 cm que comercialmente equivale a 3.5 pulgadas y para el L90-100 9.4 cm que

comercialmente equivale a 4 pulgadas. Actualmente el 86.29% de las redes utilizan tamaños de mallas

inferiores a los estimados, con lo cual capturan 61% de individuos inmaduros. Las pesquerías artesanales

con redes de enmalle son multiespecíficas, por lo tanto se requieren las estimaciones de este tipo de

insumos para las principales especies capturadas. La estimación de un tamaño de malla óptimo que

encuentre un equilibrio entre criterios ecológicos y económicos permitirá la implementación de medidas

de manejo orientadas al control de la selectividad del arte de pesca.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Relaciones morfométricas, red de enmalle, tamaño de malla, Caranx crysos,

mar Caribe de Colombia

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

161

Conocimiento del Comportamiento del Pargo Rayado (Lutjanus synagris) como una

Herramienta para Mejorar la Selectividad de Nasas e Implementar Ventanas de Escape

para Disminuir el By-catch y la Pesca Fantasma

Knowledge of Behavior of Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) as a

Tool to Improve the Selectivity of Traps and Implement Escape Windows

to Reduce By-catch and Ghost Fishing

Connaissance du Comporment de Vivaneau Gazou (Lutjanus synagris) comme un Outil

pour Améliorer la Sélectivité de Nasse et D'intégrer des Fenêtres D'échappement pour

Réduire les Captures Accessoires et la Pêche Fantôme

ARLED MARTINEZ*1, JAIRO ALTAMAR

1, and KARIM ERZINI

2

1Universidad del Magdalena, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Pesqueras Tropica,

Carrera 32 #22-08 Santa Marta, Magdalena 470003 Colombia. *arled.mv@gmail.com. 2Universidad do Algarve, 8005-139 Centro de Ciências do Mar – CCMAR, Faro Algarve 8005 Portugal.

RESUMEN

En el Caribe colombiano la pesca artesanal ha venido experimentando cambios en los aspectos

tecnológicos de las artes de pesca, uno de ellos la incorporación de nasas en las faenas de lanchas

pargueras. Tanto el diseño como las medidas del arte se basan en la construcción empírica del

conocimiento, que casi siempre riñe con un enfoque precautorio en el manejo y aprovechamiento de los

recursos pesqueros. A partir del comportamiento de nado del pargo rayado (Lutjanus synagris) y de los

parámetros corporales se diseñó una nasa ecológica. Se llevaron a cabo ensayos de etología con una

cámara de video fija a la nasa para determinar la zona de nado preferente y ubicar el sitio más apropiado

para instalar las ventanas. Información de tallas fue colectada en muestreos a bordo y sitios de

desembarco. Para determinar el tamaño y forma de la ventana de escape se estableció la relación

circunferencia máxima o longitud perimetral (Gmax) vs longitud total (Lt), determinada por una relación

lineal que responde a: Gmax = 0,7116Lt + 0,7063. Gmax a la talla de madurez (L50) se estimó en 17,7

cm, con una altura del cuerpo (Ac) de 7,3 cm. Una nasa fue diseñada con características orientadas a

disminuir el impacto del by-catch y la pesca fantasma. Se instalaron tres pares de ventanas circulares con

diámetro de 7,6 cm igual a 1,05 veces Ac, ubicadas en la parte inferior del lado contrario a la entrada de

la nasa. La puerta para despescar se diseñó con bisagras en el fondo, en ángulo de 30° y amarres en la

parte superior de una fibra vegetal biodegradable, que facilita la apertura de la puerta en caso de pérdida.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Nasa, ventana de escape, pesca fantasma, by-catch, Lutjanus synagris

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

162

Marine Spatial Planning with Marxan Software:

Lessons Learned from Puerto Rico and Spain Case Studies

Planificacion Espacial Marina con Marxan:

Lecciones Aprendidas en los Casos de Estudio de Puerto Rico y España

Planification Spatial Marine avec Marxan:

Leçons Tirées Des Études De Cas À Puerto Rico et Espagne

DANIEL MATEOS*

1,2, DAN DORFMAN

3,4, CHARLES MENZA

3,

and JOSE ANTONIO GARCIA-CHARTON1

1Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universid Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.

*dmateos5@gmail.com. 2UBICA s.r.l., Via S. Siro 6/1, I-16124 Genova, Italy

2NOAA – National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment,

Biogeography Branch. 3NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, England.

4CSS-Dynamac 10301 Democracy Lane, Suite 300 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 USA.

ABSTRACT

Marine conservation planning is required to direct limited funding resources to where actions are most

urgently needed and most likely to produce effective conservation outcomes. In recent years, an effort to

advance the protection of threatened marine biodiversity has promoted multiple spatial conservation

initiatives of stakeholders, ecologists or policy makers; however the lack of proficient spatial

conservation tools has complicated the success of these efforts. Decision-support tools, such as Marxan,

have been developed along with conservation planning to increase the efficiency of newly developed

management areas. Decision support tools are used to achieve more realistic protection goals while

overcoming the difficulty of obtaining efficient networks of management areas that represent a suite of

biological targets for a minimal socioeconomic "cost". Here, we include the lessons learned with Marxan

as a tool for multi-objective planning (MPAs area extension, identification of ecologically important

areas) and similitudes/ differences in marine spatial planning process in ecologically different areas

(Puerto Rico and Spain). The missing links of land-based sources of pollution, runoff impact and the

inclusion of cumulative human impact in coastal spatial planning are discussed with the case studies.

Also both technical and good-practice considerations (e.g., target setting, socio-economic inclusion or

the essential stakeholder input) from these two case studies are discussed to solve common and unusual

systematic conservation and marine spatial planning problems.

KEYWORDS: Conservation planning, Marxan, targets, multi-objective planning, MPAs

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

163

Marxan as a Key Conservation Tool to Support the Management Plan

of the New Puerto Rico Marine Corridor of the Northeast

Marxan como Herramienta Clave para Apoyar el Plan de Manejo

del Nuevo Corredor Marino del Noreste en Puerto Rico

Marxan: Un Outil Clé pour Porter le Plan de Gestion

du Nouveau Corridor Marin du Nordes au Puerto Cico

DANIEL MATEOS-MOLINA*

1,2, DAN DORFMAN

3,4, CHRISTOPHER F.G. JEFFREY

3,4,

CHARLES MENZA3, SIMON J. PITTMAN

3, ANTARES RAMOS-ALVAREZ

5,6,

and ANGELA ORTHMEYER3 , and GUSTAV KAGESTEN

3

1Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia,

Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain. *dmateos5@gmail.com. 2UBICA s.r.l., Via S. Siro 6/1, I-16124 Genova, Italy.

3NOAA – National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science,

Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Biogeography Branch. 4CSS-Dynamac, 10301 Democracy Lane, Suite 300 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 USA.

5NOAA – Coral Reef Conservation Program, Puerto Rico.

6Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England.

ABSTRACT

Marxan is the most widely used software in conservation planning around the world providing spatially

explicit decision support for a range of conservation planning problems. This systematic conservation

approach provides objective, transparent and repeatable results that allow spatial visualizations of areas

being considered conservation and facilitates the negotiation process with stakeholders. This case study

describes the process followed to identify major biodiversity hotspots and define a network of marine

priorities areas in order to minimize the main threats affecting the new Puerto Rico Marine Corridor of

the Northeast. Our conservation objectives included the representation of endangered and vulnerable

species and habitats. Data collected in the area from different regional and federal agencies and

academic institutions was incorporated and analyzed following expert-defined criteria. In order to

achieve feasible and efficient conservation outcomes, a detailed analysis of multiple threats and stressors

was also incorporated. Scenarios were mapped showing networks of priority areas and biodiversity

hotspots based on a range of different conservation targets. These scenarios will guide resource

managers tasked with developing an integrated management plan for the Marine Corridor of The

Northeast.

KEYWORDS: Marxan, conservation planning, biodiversity hotspot, threats, stressors

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

164

Portrait of the Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) Fishery in Puerto Rico During 1998 - 2013

Semblanza de la Pesquería de Carrucho (Lobatus gigas) en Puerto Rico Durante 1998-

2013

Portrait de la Pêche au Lambi ( Lobatus gigas) à Porto Rico au Cours de 1998 - 2013

DANIEL MATOS-CARABALLO

1, MARTHA RICAURTE-CHICA

2, JESÚS LEÓN

3,

LUIS A. RIVERA-PADILLA3, LUCÍA T. VARGAS

3, MYKOL SOTO

3, WILSON G. SANTIAGO

3

1Fisheries Research Laboratory – PRDNER, P.O. Box 3665, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

*matos_daniel@hotmail.com. 2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, 321 Pirineo Street,

Miradero Hills, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000 USA. 3Commercial Fisheries Statistics Program, PRDNER, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

ABSTRACT

The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) has been a very important fishery in Puerto Rico since 1980\'s. Since

the middle of 1980s the SCUBA divers fishers shown an increase in their number of active fishers and

pounds landed. Currently they are most of the full time commercial fishers. The SCUBA divers primary

target is the queen conch and lobsters, thus both species have been in the top five landed in Puerto Rico

since 1988. The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) has the

responsibility of manage the fisheries resources in the Island. The DNER Commercial Fisheries

Statistics Program has been collected landings, biostatistical and census data from commercial fisheries

since 1968. During 1998 - 2013, an average of 201,325 pounds/year was reported in Puerto Rico by

commercial fishers. The wholesale price represented an average of $681,173 yearly. The retail sales of

queen conch would be estimated in an average of $2 millions/year. The fishing pressure resulted in an

overfishing resource. The DNER and NOAA fisheries established fishing measures to avoid the collapse

of the fishery. Closed season was established for all Puerto Rico in 1996. Later since 2005, NOAA

Fisheries established a total closure of queen conch on the USA Exclusive Economic Zone around the

Island. Currently the fishery of queen conch is limited at the Puerto Rico's territorial waters. This paper

will show the landings (pounds), effort, price and marketing of queen conch during 1998 - 2013.

KEYWORDS: Puerto Rico, queen conch, commercial landings, management, socioeconomics

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

165

Portrait of the Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Fishery in Puerto Rico During 1998-2013

Semblanza de la Pesquería de Langosta Espinosa (Panulirus argus)

en Puerto Rico Durante 1998-2013

Portrait de la Pêcherie de Langouste (Panulirus argus)

à Porto Rico au Cours de 1998 à 2013

DANIEL MATOS-CARABALLO

1, MARTHA RICAURTE-CHICO

2,

LUIS A. RIVERA-PADILLA1, and JESÚS LEON

1

1Fisheries Research Laboratory – PRDNER, P.O. Box 3665, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

*matos_daniel@hotmail.com. 2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, 321 Pirineo Street,

Miradero Hills, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

ABSTRACT

The spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) has been a very important fishery in Puerto Rico since 1970s.

However, during the 1950 and early 1960s this species was used as bait in the fish traps. In Puerto rico

the spiny lobster has been caugh mostly by fish trap, trammel net and SCUBA divers. Currently most of

the full time commercial fishers in Puerto Rico are SCUBA divers. Their primary target is the queen

conch and lobsters, thus both species have been in the top five landed in Puerto Rico since 1988.

The Puerto Rico‟s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) has the responsibility

of manage the fisheries resources in the Island. The DNER Commercial Fisheries Statistics Program

(CFSP) has been collected landings, biostatistical and census data from commercial fisheries since 1968.

During 1998 - 2013, an average of 217,441 pounds/year of spiny lobster was reported in Puerto Rico by

commercial fishers. The wholesale price represented an average of $1.28 million/yearly. The retail

sales of spiny lobster would be estimated in an average of $3.9 million/yearly. The fishing pressure

resulted in an overfishing resource. The DNER and NOAA fisheries established fishing measures to

avoid the collapse of the fishery. Since 1985, was established a minimum legal size of 3.5 imches

carapace length. This paper will show the landings (pounds), effort, price and marketing of spiny lobster

during 1998 - 2013.

KEYWORDS: Puerto Rico, spiny lobster, commercial landings, management, socioeconomic

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

166

Challenging Collective Action

Acción Colectiva Desafiante

Action Collective Difficile

PATRICK McCONNEY

CERMES – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown BB11000 Barbados.

patrick.mcconney@cavehill.uwi.edu.

ABSTRACT

Collective action is a term used to describe the pursuit of a shared goal by a group of people, typically

under the guidance of an identifiable leader. It usually occurs when the desired goal cannot be reached

by any of the individuals acting alone, so they have little choice but to collaborate. Few fisherfolk use

the term, and not many are able to achieve it, but most believe deeply in it as reflected in the popular

saying among them that “unity is strength”. What then is the challenge? Experience with fisherfolk

formal and informal organising, and leadership, points to several, often linked, challenges. These

challenges are both internal to the fishing industry and generated by external actors. Fundamental is low

capacity for leadership and the propensity to react to crisis rather than be more proactive and prepared.

Capable fisherfolk leaders may also be challenged by the high levels of free-ridership in the industry

(internal) and the undermining of social capital by state agencies (external) such as through individual-

oriented incentives and services. Understanding the factors challenging collective actions offers

information that can be used to design and implement better institutional arrangements for fisheries

governance.

KEYWORDS: Collective, action, fisherfolk, governance, organisation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

167

How Does Lake Pontchartrain Support a Recreational Fishery for Spotted Seatrout,

Cynoscion nebulosus?

¿Cómo Apoya el Lago Pontchartrain a la Pesquería Recreativa de la Corvina Pinta,

Cynoscion nebulosus?

Comment Le Lac Pontchartrain Prend-Il En Charge La Pêche Récréative A La Truite De

Mer Tachetée, Cynoscion nebulosus?

JACKIE McCOOL* and JAMES COWAN, JR.

1Louisiana State University, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences,

2193 ECE Bldg., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 USA. * jmccoo1@lsu.edu.

ABSTRACT

Lake Pontchartrain is a large mesohaline lake covering 1,630 km2 of an ecologically significant estuarine

basin located north of New Orleans in southeast Louisiana. It receives freshwater from the Amite River

and Lake Maurepas in the west, as well as several smaller river systems along the north shore, and then

connects to the Gulf of Mexico in the east via Lake Borgne. Due to such large freshwater inputs, Lake

Pontchartrain persists at low salinity levels, averaging less than 5 ppt throughout the year. Spotted

seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, are found all along the northern Gulf of Mexico, often in waterways that

are consistently much higher in salinity. To better understand why Spotted Seatrout also thrive in Lake

Pontchartrain, I have examined fisheries independent nekton and salinity data from the Louisiana

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in conjunction with telemetry and high resolution water quality

data from Lake Pontchartrain to see if the observed distributions of spotted seatrout in the lake can be

reproduced using the modeling suite Ecopath with Ecosim. Lake Pontchartrain serves as a crucial habitat

for all life stages of several species vital to both recreational and commercial fisheries, one of the more

sustainable being spotted seatrout. With proper understanding and management of the spotted seatrout

within this lake and surrounding estuaries, there is great potential to enhance productivity of the

wetlands and maintain their contribution to the recreational fishery.

KEYWORDS: Fishery, spotted seatrout, Pontchartrain, model

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

168

Status of the Red Lion Fish (Pterois volitans) in the Cayman Islands: Density, Biomass,

Diets, and Size Classes across Six Different Habitats

Estadodel Pez León Rojo (Pterois volitans) en las Islas Caimán: Densidad, Biomasa,

Dietas, y Clases de Tamaño a través de Seis Hábitats Diferentes

Statut Du Poisson-Lion (Pterois volitans) Dans Les Iles Caïmans : Densité, Biomasse,

Régimes Alimentaires Et Classes De Taille A Travers Six Différents Habitats

CROY McCOY1, MICHELA LEVER

2, JOHN TURNER

2, and BRADLEY JOHNSON

1

1Department of Environment, Georgetown KY1-1002 Cayman Islands. *croy.mccoy@gov.ky.

2School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge,

Anglesey Wales, Bangor LL59 5AB United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

The invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) was first sighted in the Cayman Islands February 2008.

Lionfish (LF) have been documented to indiscriminately consume large quantities of prey thereby

reducing abundance of various fish species on coral reefs and its associated habitats. 105 sites were

surveyed across the three island archipelago in summer 2014, in which their density, biomass, size, prey

availability and prey consumed (diet) were assessed. In this study, mangroves, sea-grass beds, patch

reefs; shallow terrace reefs, deep terrace reefs and deep walls of the Cayman Islands were surveyed and

compared to previous years. Furthermore, density of LF in areas subjected to culling effort was assessed.

LF density among islands differed, with Little Cayman (LC) having the lowest value (46.89 ± 9.41

ind./ha), followed by Grand Cayman (GC) and Cayman Brac (CB) (54.04 ± 10.01 and 83.88 ± 22.93

ind./ha, respectively). Comparisons between years 2012 and 2014 demonstrated a decreasing trend in LF

density across habitats, whilst recording the presence of LF in mangroves in GC and LC for the first

time. GC had the lowest biomass, followed by LC, with CB showing a value threefold of GC. LF mean

total length for the Cayman Islands was 25.76 ± 0.43 with largest recorded in GC of 36.2 cm. Stomach

content analysis showed that teleost fishes were the preferred food across islands, diet data showed a

significant preference of prey eaten among the three islands; additionally prey availability did not appear

to influence density of LF in any habitat.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, invasive species, culling, Cayman Islands, coral reefs

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

169

Same Site, Many Species: A Yearlong Study of a Fish Spawning Aggregation Site in Little

Cayman, Cayman Islands, and the Ocean Currents that Precedes Spawning Activity,

Including Night of Spawn for 40 Days Using Lagranian Drifters

Mismo Sitio, Muchas Especies: Estudio de un Año de un Sitio de Agregación

Reproductiva de Peces en Little Caimán, Islas Caimán, y de las Corrientes Oceánicas que

Preceden a la Actividad Reproductiva, Incluyendo la Noche de Desove Durante 40 Días

Utilizando Derivadores Lagranian

Etude D'un An Sur Un Site D'aggrégation De Frai De Nombreuses Espèces A Little

Cayman, Îles Caïmans, Et Les Courants Océaniques Qui Précèdent Les Activités De Frai,

Y Compris La Nuit De Frai Pendant 40 Jours En Utilisant Des Dériveurs Lagranian

CROY McCOY1, JOHN TURNER

2, LAURA RICHARDSON

2, BRICE SEMMENS

3,

GUY HARVEY4, PHIL BUSH

1, and CODY PANTON

1

1Department of Environment, Georgetown, Cayman Islands. *croy.mccoy@gov.ky.

2Bangor University, School of Ocean Sciences, Menai Bridge, Anglesey Wales, United Kingdom.

3Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UC – San Diego,

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093 USA. 4Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, 10408 West State Road 8, Suite 104, Davie, Florida 33324 USA.

ABSTRACT

Fish spawning aggregation (FSA) sites are important breeding locations for ecologically and

commercially important reef fish species. In the Cayman Islands, research at these sites has traditionally

been focused on Epinephelus striatus during their winter spawning season. However, there is mounting

evidence that many species use these sites throughout the year for reproduction. This study aimed to

understand the potential larval dispersal patterns at a spawning aggregation site on Little Cayman and

assess its importance as a multi-species FSA throughout the year. We expected that the hydrodynamic

regime at the FSA would lead to local larval retention and that many different species would aggregate

to spawn at this reef site across seasons. We collected multi-species data February 2013 to March 2014

using 30 minute visual surveys on scuba at sunset starting on the night of full moon and continuing for 6

days thereafter. Lagrangian drifters (40 day tracks) were released on the 5th night after full moon or when

we observed spawning of commercially important species. In total, we documented reproductive

activity in 27 fish species at the FSA throughout the study period with gamete release observed in 12 of

those species. Drifters released during observed spawning events showed a mixed pattern with some

grounding in Cayman waters. Our findings suggest that FSAs are essentially year-round “maternity

wards” for reef fish, and are thus critically important in the sustainability of commercially important reef

fish species and marine biodiversity.

KEYWORDS: Fish spawning aggregation, Cayman Islands, multi-species, Lagrangian drfiters

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

170

Conservation of the Costa Rican, South Caribbean Sea:

Balancing a Sustainable Artisanal Trap Fishery with Invasive Lionfish Control

Conservacion de la Vida Marina del Caribe Sur Costarricense:

Utilizando Trapas Artesanales para la Controlar la Invasion del Pez Leon

Costa Rica, La Mer Des Caraïbes Du Sud : Equilibrage De La Pêche Artisanale Durable

Avec Le Contrôle Du Poisson-Lion Envahissant

HECTOR MCDONALD HERRERA SR.*1., HECTOR MCDONALD CHARLES JR.

2, JULIO

UGALDE2, ANDRES HERNANDEZ

1, JACKSON GROSS

2, and CARLOS ESPINOZA**

3

1Asociacion de Pescadores Artesanales del Caribe, Puerto Viejo Talamana Limon, 70403 Costa Rica.

*hector_mcdonald@hotmail.com. 2Smith-Root Inc., 14014 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, Washington 98686 USA.

2Trichechus Foundation, Costa Rica. **pericutina@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The Costa Rica, Southern Caribbean (CRSC) coastline is a mélange of tropical and marine ecosystems

with varied cultures and indigenous people. These ecosystems – many in marine protected areas –

include poorly studied coastal lagoons, mangroves, tidal flats, coral reefs, and sea grass communities that

are threatened by stressors such as raw sewage, agrochemicals, sedimentation, hydrocarbons and fishing

pressure by artisanal fishing communities. The lionfish (Pterois volitans and miles), an invasive reef

predator was discovered in the CRSC region in 2009. Lionfish invasions can reduce marine biodiversity

and negatively affect coastal economies. The effects of lionfish on the CRSC region are currently

unknown. Local natural resource agencies primarily rely on local knowledge – reinforcing the

importance of local communities in ecosystem conservation. In 2011, the Association of Artisanal

Fishers of South Caribbean was formed to protect the local trap fishery, improve local living conditions,

and establish unified decision-making. This paper will discuss the Association‟s goals and methods to

reduce the population of lionfish and establish a local lionfish export fishery to complement

revenues generated primarily through lobster and red snapper sales, while protecting native fish stocks.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish , artisanal, trap, Costa Rica, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

171

Telemetry Estimates of Site Fidelity and Residency for Gray Triggerfish,

Balistes capriscus, Around Artificial Reefs in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Estimaciones de Fidelidad de Sitio y Residencia para el Pejepuerco Blanco, Balistes

capriscus, Utilizando Telemetría Alrededor de Arrecifes Artificiales en el Norte del Golfo

de México

Estimations de Télémétrie de Fidélité au Site et Résidence pour Gris Balistes,

Balistes capriscus, Autour des Récifs Artificiels dans le Nord du Golfe du Mexique

MEGAN MCKINZIE*, STEPHEN SZEDLMAYER, and JENNY HERBIG

Auburn University, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences,

8300 State Highway 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA. *mkm0044@auburn.edu.

ABSTRACT

Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus, are ecologically and economically important in the northern Gulf of

Mexico, yet little is known on their movement patterns, habitat use and residency to artificial reef

structures. In the present study, we successfully tagged and acoustically tracked gray triggerfish (n = 22)

using the Vemco VR2W Positioning System (VPS). Individual fish were remotely tracked for 8 to 622

days from Oct 2012 through Jul 2015. Gray triggerfish showed diel and seasonal movement patterns,

high site fidelity and long term residency to reef sites. Mean ± SD home range (95% KDE) = 3238 ±

3687 m2and core areas (50% KDE) = 278 ± 331 m

2, and were larger during the day than night time

periods. Fall home range (mean ± sd = 4966 ± 4713 m2) was significantly greater than spring home

range (1950 ± 1587 m2). Tracked individuals remained close to reef structures (mean distance from reef

= 46.3 ± 1.3 m) and residency was estimated at 163 d. Several individuals (n = 8) made large-scale

directed movements to other nearby reef sites. Three fish returned to their release site after emigration

periods of 8 to 200 d. Due to high residency and close proximity to reef structures, gray triggerfish may

be highly susceptible to increased fishing mortality.

KEYWORDS: Movement patterns, home range, habitat use, artificial reefs, VPS

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

172

Composición de Batoideos Capturados con Red Agallera Artesanal

en Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Batoids Composition Caught with Artisanal Gillnet in Bahia

de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Composition Des Batoïdes Pris Dans Les Filets Maillants Artisanaux,

à Bahia de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexique

PAOLA ANDREA MEJIA*1, MARIA ITZIGUERI BURGOS

2, VICTOR CRUZ

2,

XCHEL PEREZ2, and ANDRES NAVIA

1

1Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas,

Valle deCauca, Cali, Colombia. *pmejia@squalus.org. 2CICIMAR – IPN, Ave. Playa Palo de Santa Rira, La Paz BCS 03920 Mexico.

RESUMEN

En este estudio se evaluó la composición de batoideos capturados artesanalmente con red agallera en la

Bahía de la Paz, Baja California Sur, México, entre octubre 2014 y julio 2015. Se han registrado 1676

individuos correspondientes a siete familias (Dasyatidae, Gymuridae, Myliobatidae, Narcinidae, Rajidae,

Rhinobatidae, Urotrygonidae) y a al menos 18 especies. La especie más abundante fue Mobula

munkiana (39,3%), seguida por Dasyatis dipterura (25,1%), Narcine entemedor (13,4%) y Rhinoptera

steindachneri (11,7%). De las demás especies se han registrado menos de 60 individuos, representando

el 10,5% de la captura restante. Excluyendo las especies con menos de 15 individuos, se encontró una

proporción sexual 1H:1M para R. steindachneri, M. munkiana y D. longa, mientras D. dipterura, N.

entemedor y M. longirostris presentaron proporción H:M de 1.5:1, 6.7:1 y 3.7:1, respectivamente; Z.

exasperata presentó proporción a favor de los machos (1:6.9). El 58,2% de los individuos fueron

juveniles, el 35.4% adultos, el 1% neonatos y el 5.41% correspondieron a hembras preñadas. La

mayoría de los individuos (> 68%) de D. dipterura, D. longa, M. munkiana y el 100% de M. japanica,

correspondieron a individuos juveniles, mientras todos los urotrygonidos (excepto U. halleri) y los

individuos de R. velezi correspondieron a adultos. Los neonatos fueron registrados para D. longa, M.

munkiana y R. steindachneri, todos en los meses de verano (julio-agosto), mientras hembras preñadas

fueron encontradas para D. dipterura, M. longirostris, N. entemedor, U. halleri, R. galucostigma, R.

productos, R. steindachneri y Z. exasperata.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Riqueza, rayas, proporción sexual, pesquerias, madurez

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

173

Tiburones y Rayas de las Ecoregiones Marinas de Colombia:

Un Monitoreo Participativo para Manejo y Conservación

Sharks and Rays of the Marine Ecoregions Colombia:

Participatory Monitoring for Management and Conservation

Requins et Batoïdes des Marins Écorégions et Colombie:

Un Suivi Participative pour la Gestion et la Conservation

PAOLA A. MEJÍA-FALLA*

1, ANDRÉS FELIPE NAVIA

1, KRUPSKAYA NARVÁEZ

1,

ALEXANDER TOBÓN-LÓPEZ1, TRISHA FORBES

2, and MARÍA CLAUDIA DIAZGRANADOS

3

1Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas,

Valle deCauca, Cali, Colombia. *pmejia@squalus.org. 2Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca, Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, San

Avenida Francisco Newball No. 6-30, Edificio Coral Palace, San Andrés, Providencia, Colombia. 3Conservación Internacional – Colombia,Carrera 13 # 71 – 41, Bogotá, Colombia.

RESUMEN

Se analizó la riqueza y la distribución espacial y temporal de los elasmobranquios asociados al buceo

recreativo en los mares colombianos. Entre 1987 y 2015 se obtuvo un total de 3182 reportes de

avistamiento en ocho ecorregiones marinas del Pacífico y Caribe colombiano, correspondientes a 14

familias y 27 especies. El Caribe mostró mayor posibilidad de encuentros con especies costeras y

bentónicas como Dasyatis americana y Ginglymostoma cirratum, mientras que en el Pacífico dominan

las especies pelágicas como Sphyrna lewini, Triaenodon obesus y Manta birostris. La Ecorregión más

diversa fue Gorgona (Pacífico) con 21 especies, seguida de Tayrona y San Andrés (SAN) en el Caribe

con 10 especies cada una. En el Pacífico, las especies con mayor porcentaje de avistamiento fueron T.

obesus y S. lewini, mientras que para el Caribe lo fueron D. americana y G. cirratum. A partir de 2012,

y a raíz de la pesca de pez león, dicho porcentaje ha llegado casi al 100% en Carcharhinus perezi en la

Isla de Providencia. Análisis temporales mostraron estacionalidad en las especies del Pacífico T. obesus,

Rhincodon typus y S. lewini, mientras en el Caribe, el avistamiento de G. cirratum, D. americana y C.

perezi se presentó en todos los meses del año. El análisis de riqueza por ecorregiones indicó dos grupos,

Caribe y Pacífico, con similitudes altas entre las ecorregiones SAN y Arrecifes rocosos coralinos, y

Malpelo y Pacífico Norte, respectivamente. Los resultados de este estudio indican la importancia de

monitoreos participativos, aportando información útil en acciones de manejo y conservación en las Áreas

Marinas Protegidas existentes, y en propuestas de generación de nuevos sitios de conservación para los

elasmobranquios en Colombia.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Elasmobranquios, buceo recreativo, avistamientos, riqueza, distribución

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

174

The Performance of an Acoustic Monitoring Array in a Louisiana Estuarine System

El Rendimiento de una Matriz de Control Acústico en un Sistema Estuarino de Louisiana

La Performance d'un Réseau de Surveillance Acoustique

dans un Système D'estuaire Louisiane

ASHLEY MELANCON* and JAMES H. COWAN, JR.

Louisiana State University, 2193 ECE Bldg., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 USA. *amela22@lsu.edu.

ABSTRACT

Acoustic telemetry is an innovative methodology commonly used to assess seasonal distribution and

movement patterns of aquatic species. While this technology has enhanced the understanding of

behavioral characteristics and spatial ecology of many organisms, failure to understand the performance

of acoustic receivers in dynamic environments may lead to biased conclusions. The performance of an

acoustic monitoring array is measured as the detection efficiency (DE) of receivers within an array and is

primarily a factor of acoustic signal loss influenced by environmental conditions. A primary objective

was to determine the influence of various abiotic and biotic factors on the probability of detection by

conducting a range test over a 1-year period in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Two fixed delay reference

transmitters were deployed at a fixed distance from a line of five stationary acoustic receivers spaced 0,

500, 700, 900, and 1800 m apart. The mean daily DE decreased with receiver distance, with 99% of

transmissions detected at 0 m, 68% at 500 m, 66% at 700 m, 46% at 900 m and 20% at 1800 m. Further,

multivariate logistic regression showed that all environmental variables modeled, including temperature,

turbidity, salinity, precipitation, and environmental noise, are significant factors in the reduction of DE.

Results also indicate that, controlling for environmental influences, distance from receiver strongly

influences DE, with the likelihood of detection decreasing approximately 1% for every 1 m increase.

Future analyses will use the results above as a covariate in predicting seasonal distribution of

acoustically telemetered spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus.

KEYWORDS: acoustic telemetry, logistic regression, estuary, reference transmitter, detection efficiency

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

175

Pilot Project to Enhance the Capacity of Ecuador to Use Genetic Identification

Techniques to Assist in Implementation of CITES Shark Listings

Proyecto Piloto para la Incrementar la Capacidad de Ecuador para Utilizar Técnicas de

Identificación Genética como Ayuda en la Aplicación de la Lista CITES para Tiburones

Projet Pilote Pour Améliorer La Capacité De l‟Equateur A Utiliser Des Techniques

D'identification Génétique Pour Aider A La Mise En Œuvre De Listes De Requins CITES

WESSLEY MERTEN1, JIMMY MARTíNEZ-ORTIZ

2, DIEGO CARDEÑOSA

3,

SUSANNA CABALLERO4, JENNY GILES

5, LAURA CIMO

1, and JOHN HYDE

6

1NMFS – Office of International Affairs and Seafood, 1315 East-West Highway,

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA. *wessleymerten@gmail.com. 2World Wildlife Fund – Ecuador, Los Almendros, Mz K, villa 18.,

P.O. Box 13-01-8993, Guayaquil, Ecuador. 3School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794

USA. 4Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos, Universidad de los Andes,

Carrera 1 No. 18A-10, Bogotá, Columbia. 5National Academy of Sciences, NWFSC Forensic Laboratory,

2725 Montlake Blvd. E., East Bldg, Seattle, Washington 98112 USA. 6NMFS – Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, California 92037

USA.

ABSTRACT

A collaborative pilot project is underway between NOAA Fisheries, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),

and the Government of Ecuador to train Ecuadorian officials in genetic techniques to identify sharks

incidentally landed and traded from Ecuador that are included in the Convention on International Trade

in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Collectively, 30 government

officials from Ecuador‟s Vice-ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Environment have

received training on species-specific genetic identification techniques over the course of two workshops.

The hands-on training has been provided to Ecuador to help increase the country's capacity to monitor

shark products in fisheries and trade and to ensure compliance with requirements under CITES.

Furthermore, these trainings along with the provision of the necessary equipment have laid the

foundation for Ecuador to improve their National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management

of Sharks by implementing new science and policy objectives to identify shark export subproducts to

species level, insert an additional step in the shark product export process, and provide an important tool

for continuous monitoring of shark landings. Improving the capacity of Ecuador to detect CITES

Appendix II species bound for international markets can greatly aid in trade-monitoring and enforcement

efforts to successfully implement CITES shark listings and serve as a model that can be replicated in the

region to improve the conservation and management of global shark populations

KEYWORDS: CITES, Shark conservation, shark management, species-specific PCR, Ecuador

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

176

Preliminary Assessment of the Fishery and Fish Dynamics Surrounding a Stationary Fish

Aggregating Device (FAD) Array off San Juan, Puerto Rico

Evaluación Preliminar de la Pesquería y Dinámica de Peces que Merodean un arreglo de

Dispositivos Agregadores de Peces Estacionarios (EAD) en San Juan, Puerto Rico

Évaluation Préliminaire De La Dynamique Des Pêches Et Des Poisson Entourant Un

Dispositif De Concentration De Poisson (FAD) Au Large de San Juan, Puerto Rico

WESSLEY MERTEN1, NILDA JIMENEZ

2, and ALFREDO TORRUELLA

3

1Independent Contractor to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1110 Fidler Lane #312,

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA. *wessleymerten@gmail.com. 2Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, DNER Fish and Wildlife Bureau,

P.O Box 366147, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936 USA. 3University of Puerto Rico, Physics Department, Industrial Minillas 170,

Carr. 174, Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00959 USA.

ABSTRACT

In June 2015, four stationary fish aggregating devices (FADs) were deployed (8 - 12 km; 8 km apart) off

the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, in approximately 750 - 1050 m of water, with 4 more pending

deployment. To date, a total of 58 fishing reports from 25 separate fishing vessels have been submitted

via an online survey. Preliminary results indicate a higher catch per unit effort near the FADs than

away, with the most abundant species caught at the FADs being dolphinfish (n = 97; 78.2%); blue marlin

were the second most abundant (n = 10; 8.6%) among a total of 9 species reported. Frequency of FAD

use varied between locations with the most activity reported from FAD D (27.5%) and FAD F (20.6%);

a total of 15 reports have been reported from one vessel fishing off of the northeast and east side of the

island which provides a comparison between FAD and non-FAD fishing effort by region. To assess fish

dynamics relative to the FADs, acoustic and pop-up satellite arrival transmitters and in-water visual

surveys will be conducted from August through November. Understanding fishery and fish dynamics

relative to this stationary FAD array will provide valuable socioeconomic information, fishery effort and

landings, and species-specific fish movements and behavior critical for accurate assessments of the FAD

program‟s impact on the local economy, recreational fisheries, and targeted species.

KEYWORDS: Fish aggregating devices, fishery dynamics, fish ecology, fish economics

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

177

A Survey of Global Ecosystem Based Fishery Management Approaches

Used in Promoting Integrated Coastal Management

Una Encuesta de las Pesquerías Globales con un Enfoque Ecosistémico Parar

la Promoción de Manejo Costero Integrado

Une Enquête Sur Les Approches De La Gestion Ecosystémique Mondiale Des Pêcheries

Pour Promouvoir La Gestion Intégrée Des Zones Côtières

WILLIAM MICHAELS*1, MANOJ SHIVLANI

2, DAVID DIE

3,

DAVID SAMPSON4, and ROBERTO KOENEKE

3

1NOAA – National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Science & Technology, 1315 East West Hwy.,

SSMC3, F/ST4, Rm 12502 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA. *William.Michaels@noaa.gov. 2NTVI Communications, 7799 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22043 USA.

3University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

4Oregon State University, 2030 Marine Science Drive, Newport, Oregon 97563 USA.

ABSTRACT

An important aspect of integrated coastal management (ICM) is the harmonization of disparate ocean

and coastal uses, including commercial and recreational fisheries. Within the fisheries sector,

management decisions have historically relied on the use of single species based science with policy

decisions separated from other relevant ecological and socioeconomic considerations. In recent years,

there is recognition that policy decisions must consider the benefits for multiple stakeholders with

socioeconomic and ecosystem linkages. Forward looking approaches like ecosystem-based fisheries

management (EBFM) provide an integrated means and consistent decision-making on the use and

sustainability of living marine resources. This study investigates how EBFM is used across the world‟s

coastal areas by using a survey to obtain relevant information from fisheries and marine resource

scientists. Respondents (n = 77) to an Internet-based survey, sent to over 180 experts working in

fisheries systems around the world, provided their expert views on the status and future of EBFM based

on a series of questions related to the importance of EBFM, challenges and benefits of the integrated

approach, status of EBFM in their respective regions, and recommendations for advancing EBFM.

Results indicate the need to address data-limited situations with innovative scientific methods, the

alignment of the efforts of scientists, managers, and stakeholders to achieve consistent governance across

jurisdictions for the sustainability of living marine resources and healthy oceans. The increasing efforts

to incorporate the EBFM principles of ecosystem function and human interactions into ICM require an

iterative framework and consensus building to strengthen governance.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries management, ecosystem based management, management strategy evaluation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

178

Proyecto Piloto de Restauración de Corales como una Herramienta de Manejo

Coral Restoration Pilot Project as a Management Tool

Coral Projet Pilote de Restauration comme un Outil de Gestion

ANGELA MOJICA*1, ANA GIRÓ

2, and SILJA RAMÍREZ

3

1Independant Researcher, Fundaeco 9 calle 14-06, Apt. 3B, Zona 16, La Montana,

Guatemala City 01016 Guatemala. *mojica.angelam@gmail.com. 2Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Innitiative, Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010 Guatemala.

3Fundaeco, 25 calle 2-39 Zona 1, Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala.

RESUMEN

La restauración de corales es una técnica de manejo activo que se ha implementado a nivel global con el

fin de apoyar y acelerar la recuperación de las especies constructoras del arrecife en sitios degradados,

así como sus funciones ecosistémicas. Este proyecto piloto es el primer esfuerzo que se realiza en

Guatemala para explorar la viabilidad y el potencial de la restauración in situ en los arrecifes del Caribe,

de los cuales dependen las comunidades costeras. El modelo de implementación propone evaluar

técnicas de restauración prácticas y de bajo costo en los arrecifes de Foundara y Cabo Tres Puntas. A

diferencia de muchos proyectos de restauración en el Caribe, las especies seleccionadas para crear los

viveros pertenecen a la familia Agarididae, una de las principales familias constructoras de los arrecifes

en Guatemala, presentando una alta cobertura, dominancia y adaptación a las características del medio.

El desarrollo del proyecto se basa en un modelo inclusivo, a través del cual las comunidades pesqueras y

los manejadores de las áreas protegidas son integrados y capacitados como integrantes claves y activos

de todo el proceso de restauración, fortaleciendo la sostenibilidad del proyecto a mediano y largo plazo.

La participación directa de los usuarios y los manejadores de los recursos marinos, busca generar

oportunidades de diálogo e intercambio de perspectivas, a través de las cuales se fortalezca la adopción

eficaz de prácticas de manejo innovadoras y un aprovechamiento sostenible de los arrecifes.

KEYWORDS: Coral, restoration, Guatemala, Punta Manabique

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

179

Algunas Especies de Pepinos de Mar (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

de Zonas Rocosas Intermareales del Pacífico de Panamá

Some Species of Sea Cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

of Intertidal Rocky Zones from Pacific Panama

Certaines Espèces de Concombres de Mer (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

de Zones Rocheuses Intertidales du Pacifique Panama

LAURA MOLINA*1, KATHERINE ROCA

2, YESURI PINO

2,

GIOMAR BORRERO3, and CARLOS VERGARA-CHEN

2

1Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá, Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá,

Campus de La Boca, Panama, 0843-03561 Panamá. *laura.e.molina.p@gmail.com. 2INDICASAT-AIP, Calle Rodolfo Benítez, Edif. 219, Ciudad del Saber, Panama 0843-01103 Panamá.

3Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama 0843-03092 Panamá.

RESUMEN

Las costas panameñas sobre el Océano Pacífico comprenden 1,700.6 kilómetros de longitud y dentro de

este extenso litoral existe una elevada variedad de hábitats, entre los cuales destacan las playas con

extensiones rocosas habitadas por diversos invertebrados marinos, incluidos los holoturoideos o pepinos

de mar, sin embargo, los estudios sobre la fauna local son escasos. Con el propósito de conocer la

composición de especies de holoturoideos presentes en las zonas rocosas intermareales del Pacífico

panameño se han llevado a cabo recolecciones en cuatro localidades: Isla Taboga, San Carlos, Pedasí y

Santa Catalina. Los organismos se han recolectado manualmente durante marea baja, se fotografían y se

examinan en vivo. Mediante la observación directa de las espículas y el análisis de secuencias del gen

citocromo oxidasa I (COI) del ADN mitocondrial se realiza la identificación taxonómica. Hasta el

momento se han recolectado 38 organismos correspondientes a dos órdenes, tres familias y 11 especies.

El listado de especies registradas incluye a las siguientes: Holothuria inornata, H. languens, H. imitans,

H. kefersteini, H. arenicola, H. hilla, H. portovallartensis, H. fuscocinerea, H. lubrica, Isostichopus

fuscus, Dendrochirotida sp. 1 (Afrocucumis ovulum). A corto plazo, se espera ampliar la recolección de

muestras y el listado de especies a través de la inclusión de otras localidades de estudio. Con la

información generada se entregará una clave diagnóstica que facilitará la identificación de las especies

recolectadas en futuras evaluaciones ecológicas de las poblaciones de holoturoideos tanto en las costas

del Golfo de Panamá como en las del Golfo de Chiriquí.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Equinodermos , holoturias litorales, taxonomía , morfología, código de barras

de ADN

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

180

Caracterización Espacial y Línea Base de la Ictiofauna del

Nuevo Refugio Pesquero en Akumal, Quintana Roo

Spatially Explicit Characterization of Baseline Fish-communities in a

Newly Declared Fishing Refuge in Akumal, Quintana Roo.

Caracérisation Spatiale et Ligne de Base de L'ictyofaune du

Nouveau Refuge de Pêche D'Akumal, Quintana Roo

ANA LILIA MOLINA HERNÁNDEZ1and JOAQUÍN RODRIGO GARZA PÉREZ

2

1Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,

Circuito Exterior S/N. Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán Distrito Federal, 04510 México.

*anamlhz@gmail.com. 2PIESACOM, UMDI – Sisal, F. CienciasUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo

S/N Sisal, Yucatán 97355 México.

RESUMEN

Akumal, es uno de los arrecifes mejor desarrollados del Caribe mexicano, aunque su actual estado de

condición es crítico, (6.7% decobertura coralina, 35.6% de cobertura de macro-algas). Además el Centro

Ecológico Akumal (CEA) reportó en 2013 una disminución del 50% de la biomasa de peces de interés

comercial desde 1970 y en 2014 una disminución de la densidad de peces del 60%. En abril de 2015, la

Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Pescadores de Tulum (SCPPPT), el CEA y la alianza

Kanan Kay gestionaron y lograron el decreto de una Zona de Refugio Pesquero Parcial Temporal por

seis añosde 988 ha con el objetivo de establecer una herramienta legal complementaria a la conservación

e incrementar la abundancia y biomasa de peces, particularmente de especies económicamente

importantes. Como apoyo a la toma de decisiones para el manejo integral se caracterizó la comunidad de

peces arrecifales del área y zonas aledañas del refugio. Se registraron 120 especies agrupadas en 38

familias, siendo Scaridae (1492 g/100 m2), Acanthuridae (733 g/100 m

2) y Haemulidae (702 g/100 m

2)

las de mayor biomasa. Así mismo, el grupo de herbívoros-detritívoros (2923.5 g/100 m2) y carnívoros

generalistas (1265.4 g/100 m2) registraron las mayores biomasas. Adicionalmente se generaron bases de

datos geo-relacionados y mapas de predicción espacial de biomasa de peces de interés comercial y de

grupos funcionales por dieta, que muestran claros patrones de distribución para ciertos grupos

funcionales y especies de interés. Los mapas abarcan la Zona del Refugio Pesquero y área colindante con

imágenes de satélite de alta resolución espacial WorldView-2 integrados en un Sistema de Información

Geográfica transferido al CEA para su aprovechamiento.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Biomasa de peces, grupos funcionales, SIG, arrecifes coralinos, apoyo a la toma

de desiciones

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

181

Expansion of Lionfish Invasion in Costa Rica:

A Threat Looming Over Eastern Pacific Waters?

Expansión del Invasor Pez Leon en Costa Rica:

Una Amenaza sobre las Aguas del Pacífico Oriental?

Expansion De L'invasion De Poisson-Lion Au Costa Rica : Une Menace Qui Pèse Sur Les

Eaux Du Pacifique Oriental ?

HELENA MOLINA-UREÑA

Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060 Costa Rica.

hmolina@rsmas.miami.edu.

ABSTRACT

The first sighting of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Costa Rican Caribbean reefs (April 2009), prompted

immediate responses from academia, government, and local communities. Since then, local scientists

have warned decision makers about potential expansions into the Eastern Pacific waters. Large-scale

predictive cellular automaton models suggest that an invasion to this region would not be as successful

as in the Western Atlantic. However, the academia has advised the National Commission on Lionfish

Control to develop preventive and adaptive action plans, given several vulnerabilities, such as: 1) up to

97% of Costa Rican fisheries production comes from its Pacific coast; 2) lionfish ornamental value

remains as high as ever, despite restrictions on import and transport of live specimens; 3) “New

Panamax” canal lock design may allow longer residence and acclimation times; 4) impending

construction of the Nicaragua Canal will open a new pathway for the crossover; 5) tolerance to low

salinity by lionfish subadults may facilitate their survival in coastal and brackish waters; 6) frequency

and intensity of enhanced swell, surge, and wave action arising from Antarctic storms have increased on

Pacific nearshore waters; 7) rocky reef networks along Costa Rican shorelines may provide stepping

stones for colonization; 8) regional decision-makers‟ lack of awareness and management strategies and

plans. Furthermore, the convenience of controlling and extracting lionfish specimens from no-take

marine reserves is still under great controversy among state agencies. Under this scenario, an update on

the state of knowledge and actions taken is provided.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, Pterois volitans, governance, Tropical Eastern Pacific, Central America

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

182

Lionfish Management in Costa Rica: Evolution of its Governance

Manejo del Pez León en Costa Rica: Evolución de su Gobernanza

Gestion du Poisson Lion au Costa Rica: Évolution de sa Gouvernance

HELENA MOLINA-UREÑA

Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060 Costa Rica.

hmolina@rsmas.miami.edu.

ABSTRACT

The first sighting of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Costa Rican Caribbean reefs (April 2009), prompted

immediate responses from academia, government, and local communities. Since 2009, five stages of

management have been applied. The first effort, led by the National System of Conservation Areas

(SINAC) of the Environment Ministry (MINAE), established an Inter-institutional Task Force, which

was based on local decision-making by resource managers; there was technical support by academia,

but little to none active collaboration from local communities. The second moment was a 2-year hiatus in

decision-making and action-taking, with no SINAC staff in charge of local efforts and data collection.

Simultaneously, fishing communities started formalizing their standing as an organization, until the

South Caribbean Artisanal Fishers‟ Association (APACS) was created in August 2011. During the third

stage (2013 – August 2015), the Viceministry of Waters and Seas reactivated the task force, as a

National Commission on Lionfish Control (NCLC), a multi-sectorial entity overviewing control,

research, and impact mitigation. National and regional strategic plans were developed. Currently,

control efforts are led by APACS, supported by NGO funding. An ongoing fourth step expands initiative

towards international cooperation, preparations for a potential expansion threatening Central American

Pacific waters, with preventive and early-response management Plan for the Pacific coast. Fifth stage:

starting September 2015, NCLC will be legally formalized and its leadership returned to SINAC. The

three latter phases were possible by the local communities‟ strong drive and improved means of

intersectoral communication.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, Pterois volitans, reef ecosystems, co-management, Central America

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

183

Estudio Comparativo del Lambí (Lobatus gigas) en Concheros Prehispánicos y Recientes

en Isla Beata y La lomunidad de Trudillé, Parque Nacional Jaragua,

Provincia Pedernales, República Dominicana

Comparative Study of Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) in Ancient and Recent Shell Middens

in Trudillé Community and Beata Island in National Park Jaragua,

Pedernales Province, Dominican Republic

Etude Comparative De Lambis (Lobatus gigas) Entre Les Anciens Et Les Récents Amas

De Coquillages Dans La Communauté Trudillé Et L'île Beata Dans Le Parc National De

Jaragua, Province De Pedernales, République Dominicaine

ENMANUEL ANTONIO MONTERO FORTUNATO

Consejo Dominicano de Pesca y Acuicultura (CODOP), c/ Los Pioneros #13, Engombe, Herrera,

Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana. *emonterof@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

Se localizaron y caracterizaron los concheros de lambí del Parque Nacional Jaragua, en las localidades

de Trudillé e isla Beata utilizando la clasificación morfológica propuesta por Dupont (2006). Se

procesaron 600 muestras de conchas en total, 200 especímenes por depósito, distribuidas en tres

concheros, dos prehispánico y uno reciente. A todas las muestras que poseyeron labio exterior les fue

medido su grosor (Gl) para determinar su estado de madurez sexual, se midió también la longitud de

concha (Lc) o total, la longitud del labio (Ll) y el ancho (A) de las piezas. La media del tamaño de las

conchas se comparó con la talla mínima de captura. Se estimó la relación entre las diferentes variables

morfométricas utilizando la r de Pearson, enfatizando la relación entre la longitud de concha y el grosor

del labio con especímenes dentro y fuera de la talla mínima de captura. Se determinó que la longitud de

concha y grosor de labio no guardan una correlación significativa. El mayor número de organismos

juveniles y sub adultos se localizaron en el conchero contemporáneo

PALABRAS CLAVES: Lobatus gigas, conchero, prehispanico, grosor de labio, longitud de concha

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

184

The Realities of the Pelagic Sargassum Influx and

Biodiversity Conservation in Grenada, West Indies

Las Realidades de la Afluencia de Sargazo Pelágico y la Conservación

de la Biodiversidad en Granada, Indias Occidentales

Les Afflux De Sargasses Pélagiques Et Conservation De La Biodiversité A Grenade,

Antilles

CLARE MORRALL*1, KATE CHARLES

2, KESTER CHARLES

2, and EMMA DOYLE

3

1St. George's University, P.O. Box 7, St. George's, Grenada. *cmorrall@sgu.edu.

2Ocean Spirits Inc., P.O. Box 1373, St. George's, Grenada.

3Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Falls Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

ABSTRACT

The influx of pelagic sargassum to the Caribbean in 2014 - 2015 has presented a host of challenges to

island nations. It has raised many questions which were often directed towards local academic

institutions. This presentation will examine challenges that were faced by the island nation of Grenada

and the many, varied questions that were directed towards local academics in connection with

sargassum. We will summarize biodiversity impacts experienced locally and the associated coastal

management needs that arose, especially in relation to endangered biodiversity. We set this against a

backdrop of stakeholder participation in coastal management, the critical importance of the fisheries for

local livelihoods, and a long track record of biodiversity monitoring in Grenada. For example, mainland

Grenada hosts a critical population of nesting leatherback sea turtles, the third largest nesting site in the

Caribbean. Grenada has more than 10 years of monitoring data from our index nesting beach and

preliminary 2015 results show that up to 80% of nests on the south side of the index beach were lost due

to impacts of sargassum and beach erosion. We will describe management actions taken by NGOs

together with a number of government ministries including practical measures to reduce mortality, and

outreach/education about sargassum and at the same time to raise awareness of the importance and value

of Grenada‟s marine resources. We will share lessons learned about responding to questions raised by

the sargassum influx that will be useful for other Caribbean nations facing this emerging regional issue.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum, biodiversity, fisheries impacts, ecosystems, sea turtles

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

185

Reproductive Dynamics of the Invasive Lionfishes

Pterois miles and P. volitans in the Western Atlantic

Dinámica Reproductiva de los Peces León Invasores

Pterois miles y P. volitans en el Atlántico Occidental

Reproduction Dynamique Des Poissons Invasifs Pterois miles Et P. volitans Dans

l'Atlantique Ouest

JAMES A. MORRIS, JR.

NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Road,

Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA. *james.morris@noaa.gov.

ABSTRACT

The Indo-Pacific lionfishes, Pterois miles and P. volitans, are now established along the Southeast U.S.

and parts of the Caribbean.. The reproductive mechanisms underlying this unprecedented invasion are

largely unknown. For this reason, the characteristics of lionfish reproduction, including size at maturity,

spawning seasonality, batch frequency, and fecundity were estimated from lionfish collected from the

temperate (the Carolinas U.S.A.) and tropical (Bahamas) regions of their new Atlantic range. Fifty

percent of male lionfish were sexually mature at ~ 100 mm total length (TL), while 50% of female

lionfish were mature at ~180 mm TL. Lionfish spawn throughout the year with peak spawning during

summer. Estimates of lionfish batch frequency were 3.6 d for North Carolina and 4.1 d for the Bahamas.

Fecundity estimates confirmed that lionfish are capable of releasing over two million eggs per year. This

work provides the first comprehensive assessment of reproductive parameters of the pteroines and

valuable insight into the reproductive potential of invasive lionfish.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, reproduction, fecundity, size at maturigy, spawning seasonality

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

186

Feeding Ecology of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) in the Cozumel Marine Park

Ecología Alimenticia de los Peces León Invasores

(Pterois volitans/millas) en el Parque Marino de Cozumel

L'écologie Alimentaire des Poissons-lions Invasive

(Pterois volitans/miles) dans le Parc Marin de Cozumel

JASON MOSTOWY1,2

, ABELARDO BITO BERMUDEZ3, CRISTOPHER ARTURO GONZALEZ

3,

JAMES A. MORRIS, JR.2, NALLELY HERNANDEZ PALACIOS

3, JONATHAN PEAKE

1,2,

AND ALEX K. BOGDANOFF2,4

1The University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway,

Miami, Florida 33149 USA. *jason.mostowy@noaa.gov. 2NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA.

3Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas, Cancún, Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

4 North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, 123 David Clark Labs,

Raleigh, North Carolina 27695 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive lionfish were collected (n = 323) from the Cozumel Marine Park and their stomach contents

were analyzed to the lowest possible taxa. The contributions of prey groups to the total weight and the

total number of prey items, and their frequency of occurrence were calculated. The importance of prey

groups was calculated using the indices of Relative Importance, Importance, and Preponderance. In

some aspects, our findings are similar to other studies. Fifteen fish families and four invertebrate families

were identified, several of which are ecologically and/or commercially important. Teleost fish comprised

the majority of the diet by all metrics, followed by crustaceans. Small-bodied demersal fish were the

most important prey. Several novel findings did emerge, however. Crabs were found in over a quarter of

all stomachs, and accounted for the second largest percentage of the overall prey weight. Parrotfish were

the most numerous and frequent prey family, and all indices identified parrotfish as the most important.

Five fish families (Carangidae, Lutjanidae, Mullidae, Sparidae, and Synodontidae) that have not been

recorded in lionfish from the Mexican Caribbean, and one fish family (Pomacanthidae) that has not been

recorded in lionfish diet from the invaded range were identified in this study. Furthermore, several

families which have been found to be highly important to lionfish in the Mexican Caribbean (Gobiidae

and Apogonidae) were nearly or wholly absent from this study. This study provides further evidence of

the breadth of lionfish diet and the potential for significant ecological impacts, and suggests dietary

differences across spatial gradients.

KEYWORDS: Dietary differences, Cozumel, stomach contents

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

187

The Use of Acoustic Sampling to Estimate the Red Snapper,

Lutjanus campechanus, Populations in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Uso de Muestreo Acústico para Estimar las Poblaciones del Pargo Rojo,

Lutjanus campechanus, en el Norte del Golfo de México

L'utilisation de L'échantillonnage Acoustique pour Estimer le Vivaneau Rouge,

Lutjanus campechanus, les Populations du Nord du Golfe du Mexique

PETER MUDRAK* and STEPHEN SZEDLMAYER

Auburn University, 8300 Highway 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA. *pam0007@auburn.edu.

ABSTRACT

One of the largest artificial reef programs in the world exists in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Red

snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, are one of the dominant species from this system, and extremely

important to both commercial and sport fisheries. This fishery has been subject to strict regulations in

recent years, and an empirical population estimate will help validate population models that are used in

management. The present study examined mid-shelf waters between the 18 m and 40 m depth contours

off coastal Alabama, USA. This area is 4,530 km2 and is characterized by sand and mud substrates with

little natural reef habitat. Within this area there were 925 artificial reefs deployed by the state, but

unknown additional numbers of artificial reefs deployed by private individuals. We used side-scan sonar

transects (n = 42), covering an area of 244 km2, to estimate the abundance of these unknown artificial

reefs. We also applied hydroacoustic methods to estimate red snapper abundance on individual reefs (n =

53). Hydroacoustic surveys included four transect scans across each reef from different directions, while

species compositions on each reef were based on SCUBA diver visual surveys. We estimated 6,548 ±

2,508 privately deployed artificial reefs within the study area. Preliminary results from the hydroacoustic

surveys showed a mean ± SD = 356 ± 296 red snapper per reef that were > 15 cm total length. This mean

combined with the estimate of reef number, provides a total population estimate of 2,660,388 red

snapper within the study area.

KEYWORDS: Red snapper, hydroacoustic, side-scan sonar, artificial reef

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

188

Planning Maritime Space: Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning European

Directive (2014/89/Eu) in the Adriatic Ionian Region

La Planificación del Espacio Marítimo: Implementando las directrices Europeas (2014/89

/Eu) sobre Ordenamiento Espacial Marino en la Region Adriatico-Jonica

Planification de L'espace Maritime: Mise en Œuvre de la Directive Européenne (2014/89 /

Ue) sur L'aménagement du Territoire Maritime dans la Région Adriatique-Ionienne

FRANCESCO MUSCO*, ELENA GISSI, FEDERICA APPIOTTI, IRENE BIANCHI,

DENIS MARAGNO, and ALBERTO INNOCENTI

Iuav University of Venice, Department of Design and Planning in Complex Environments,

S.Croce 1957, Venice 30135 Italy. *francesco.musco@iuav.it.

ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, in response to the increasing demand for maritime spaces and resources (UNESCO

2012), a growing attention has been paid to Maritime Spatial Planning, identified as a viable tool for

promoting a rational allocation of maritime uses and for balancing the demand for economic

development of maritime activities with the need to preserve the integrity marine ecosystems (Ehler &

Douvere, 2009). Even if spatial planning is not a formal EU competence, the European legislator has

established the need to develop a common approach to maritime spatial management across all Member

States (COM(2007) 575; COM(2008)791 final). In particular, with the entering in force of the new

Directive on MSP (2014/89/EU) to be ratified within 2016, all Member States will have to identify

competent authorities and to develop trans-boundary maritime spatial management plans within 2021.

As an example, the case of the ADRIPLAN Project (ADRIPLAN.eu) will be discussed. This project,

supported by the European Commission DG Mare - is setting the first example of maritime spatial plan

for the entire Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion (AIR), involving 6 countries in the basin (Italy, Slovenia,

Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece). It is testing a trans-boundary MSP example for the AIR and for

two focus areas starting from a “realistic scenario at 2020” and proceeding with the definition of an

actions portfolio compatible with EU programs 2014-2020, local land and coastal planning, regulative

and legal systems. The trans-boundary planning “test” for AIR will terminate by October 2015.

KEYWORDS: Maritime spatial planning, mediterranean, land-sea interaction, adriatic and ionian sea,

trans-boundary

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

189

The Role of Fisherfolk in Marine Resource Monitoring and Conservation:

The Case of Punta Allen, Mexico

El Papel de los Pescadores en el Monitoreo y Conservación de los Recursos Marinos:

El Caso de Punta Allen, México

Le Rôle Des Pêcheurs Dans Le Monitoring Et La Conservation Des Ressources Marines:

Le Cas De Punta Allen, Mexique

MAGDIEL NAAL KUMUL

1, JACOBO CAAMAL

2, and STUART FULTON*

2

1S.C.P.P Pescadores de Vigía Chico, Javier Rojo Gomez, Punta Allen,

Tulum, Quintana Roo 77580 México. * sfulton@cobi.org.mx. 2Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C., Calle Carey, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo 77580 México.

ABSTRACT

Healthy fish stocks allow fishers to make long term planning decisions and focus on sustainability. The

fishing community of Punta Allen, Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve, Mexico has developed a sustainable

fishing strategy that has allowed the members of the fishing cooperative to diversify activities and reduce

their impact on the marine environment. The Marine Stewardship Council certified lobster fishery has

provided fishers with the financial sustainability to reduce pressure on fish stocks, and the area´s natural

beauty has allowed eco-tourism to provide an alternative source of income. The fishing cooperative

recognises the importance of healthy fish stocks both to the ecosystem and tourism with many fishers

moving between the two activities. Fishers also actively monitor their marine resources, most recently

verifying the presence of two Nassau Grouper spawning sites in their fishing grounds. The forward

thinking cooperative understands the importance of these sites and efforts are underway within the

community to assure their long-term protection.

KEYWORDS: Sustainable fisheries, Mexico, monitoring, citizen science

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

190

Movimientos de Dasyatis americana en la Isla de San Andrés, Caribe Colombiano

Movements of Dasyatis americana in San Andres Island, Colombian Caribbean

Mouvements de Dasyatis americana Île de San Andres, Caraïbes Colombiennes

ANDRÉS FELIPE NAVIA1, PAOLA A. MEJÍA-FALLA

1, JOSE G. PÉREZ-ROJAS

1,

OSCAR SOSA-NISHIZAKI2, CARLOS POLO

3 , and NACOR BOLAÑOS

4

1Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas,

SQUALUS, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. 2Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, CICESE,

Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, C.P. 22860, Ensenada, B.C. Mexico. 3Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca, Avenida Francisco Newball No. 6-30,

Edificio Coral Palace, San Andrés Isla, Colombia. 4Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa

Catalina – CORALINA, Km 26 via San Luis, San Andres Island, Colombia.

RESUMEN

Con el fin de conocer los movimientos de individuos de Dasyatis americana alrededor de la zona de

avistamiento y manipulación conocida como “El Acuario”, en la Isla de San Andrés, Caribe colombiano,

se instalaron 6 receptores acústicos VR2W y se marcaron 14 individuos (13 hembras y 1 macho) con

marcas acústicas V13, entre noviembre 2013 y junio 2015. Se obtuvo un total de 473.436 detecciones.

Los movimientos de todas las hembras fueron similares, sugiriendo un comportamiento grupal. La

mayoría de las detecciones (70%) se obtuvieron de El Acuario y sus inmediaciones, zona donde las

hembras se registraron principalmente entre las 6am y las 6pm. En las mañanas (6am-12m) frecuentaron

las zonas cercanas a los manglares y el canal de navegación, mientras que en las noches y madrugadas

(6pm-6am) se desplazaron hacia el arrecife. El macho presentó un comportamiento similar al de las

hembras; sin embargo, su presencia en la zona de manglares fue muy baja e incluso nula en uno de los

receptores de esta zona; así mismo, el número de detecciones nocturnas fue baja en comparación con la

de las hembras, pero de igual forma se presentaron principalmente hacia la zona del arrecife. El alto

número de detecciones de cada individuo en los diferentes receptores sugiere que este grupo poblacional

es residente en esta zona de la Isla; sin embargo, este comportamiento puede ser condicionado por la

actividad de alimentación que se genera en esta zona. De la misma forma, se requiere evaluar el tiempo

de permanencia en cada una de las áreas aledañas a El Acuario, con miras a definir el uso que hacen de

las mismas.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Stingray, uso de hábitat, telemetría acústica, Seaflower

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

191

Description of Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis) Spawning

and Movement in the US Virgin Islands

Descripción del Desove y Movimientos del Pargo Criollo (Lutjanus analis)

en las Islas Vírgenes de los EE.UU

Description de la Viande de Vivaneau sorbe (Lutjanus analis) Frai

et leur Mouvement dans les Îles Vierges Américaines

RICK NEMETH*, BARBARA KOJIS, ASHLEY RUFFO,

CHRIS BIGGS, and ELIZABETH KADISON

University of the Virgin Islands, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, 2 John Brewer's Bay,

St. Thomas 00802-9990 US Virgin Islands. *rnemeth@uvi.edu.

ABSTRACT

Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) is a very important commercial and recreational species throughout the

Caribbean including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mutton snapper form fish spawning

aggregations (FSA) that are vulnerable to recreational and commercial fishing during the spawning

season. L. analis spawning aggregations in the USVI are known to occur along the shelf edge within a

large area along the southwest corner of St. Croix and at a site located south of St. John. The St. Croix

location is included in a seasonally closed area, which was established in 1993. Due to continued

poaching in the seasonally closed area the spawning population remains at risk. Despite their important

commercial status, little information exists of the population status and almost nothing is known about

their movement and migration patterns around the spawning aggregation site. An acoustic telemetry

study was conducted around the St. Croix and St. John FSA sites and preliminary data and observations

of spawning will be presented. Preliminary analysis suggests that spawning occurs between 12:30 and

17:00 outside the closed area. Alternative management scenarios are presented.

KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregations, fishery protected area, migration pathway, acoustic telemetry

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

192

Patrón de Distribución de los Ovocitos en las Gónadas de Doncella de Pluma

Lachnolaimus maximus (Perciformes: Labridae).

Distribution Pattern of Oocytes in Gonads of Hogfish

Lachnolaimus maximus (Perciformes: Labridae).

Mode De Répartition Des Ovocytes Dans Les Gonades Des Jeunes Femelles De Labres

Capitaine Lachnolaimus maximus (Perciformes: Labridae)

VIRGINIA NÓH-QUIÑONES*1, JULIÁN RENÉ TORRES-VILLEGAS

2,

URIEL VALDEZ-MONTIEL2, and THIERRY BRULÉ

1

1CINVESTAV-IPN – Unidad Mérida, Antigua Carretera a Progreso Km. 6, Mérida, Yucatán 97310

México. *vicky_01_3@hotmail.com. 2CICIMAR – IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, s/n La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096 México.

RESUMEN Para los estudios de reproducción de peces que involucran unas observaciones microscópicas de las

gónadas, es recomendable caracterizar de manera preliminar el patrón de distribución de los ovocitos en

diferentes etapas de desarrollo en los ovarios. Si la distribución es heterogénea en los ovarios, una falta

de estandarización en el lugar de toma de la muestra gonadal destinada al estudio microscópico puede

inducir importantes sesgos en los resultados obtenidos, por ejemplo en las estimaciones de fecundidad.

El presente estudio tiene como propósito comparar la distribución de los ovocitos en varios estadios de

desarrollo, entre diferentes zonas de un mismo ovario y entre los dos ovarios de la doncella de pluma

Lachnolaimus maximus, el único lábrido de importancia comercial en el Golfo de México. Seis muestras

de tejido ovárico obtenidas de las zonas anterior, media y posterior de cada ovario (izquierdo y derecho)

de 23 hembras maduras procedentes del Banco de Campeche (sur del Golfo de México), fueron

analizadas a través del uso de técnicas de histología clásica. La densidad (número de células por unidad

de área) de cada tipo de ovocitos presentes en cada zona ovárica fue estimada mediante el procesamiento

digital de imágenes (programas AxioVision e Image ProPlus). La mayoría de las hembras analizadas

presentó una homogeneidad en el patrón de distribución de los diferentes tipos de ovocitos, cualquier sea

la zona ovárica o el ovario considerado. En particular, este patrón fue observado para todas las hembras

clasificadas en fase reproductiva de desove activo, las cuales son elegidas para realizar las estimaciones

de fecundidad por lote en las especies de peces que presentan una ovogénesis asincrónica como es el

caso de L. maximus.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Gónadas, ovocitos, Lachnolaimus maximus, Golfo de México

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

193

Les Différentes Méthodes et Techniques pour Améliorer les Connaissances

sur les Requins et les Raies dans les Antilles Françaises

Various Methods to Improve the Knowledge of Sharks

and Rays in the French West Indies

Diferentes Métodos para Mejorar el Conocimiento sobre los

Tiburones y las Rayas en las Antillas Francesas

BEAUFORT OCEANE

Kap Natirel, 18 Rue des Tulipes, St. Claude, 97120 France. oceane.beaufort@hotmail.fr.

RESUMÉ

Dans les Antilles françaises, peu d‟informations sont disponibles sur les requins et les raies présents dans

les eaux territoriales. Pourtant, les observations en mer sont régulières et la consommation de ces

animaux est courante.

Depuis fin 2013, le ReGuaR (Réseau requins des Antilles françaises), basé en Guadeloupe et coordonné

par l‟association Kap Natirel, développe des actions pour répondre à deux objectifs principaux (et

complémentaires) : améliorer les connaissances sur les chondrichtyens, et informer/sensibiliser le public.

Plusieurs méthodes et techniques sont employées pour apporter de nouvelles informations : des sessions

de suivi (depuis la terre, en mer ou aérien) aux enquêtes auprès des acteurs de la mer, en passant par

l‟utilisation des sciences participatives.

Certaines techniques sont innovantes (tel que le suivi depuis le rivage), d‟autres sont utilisées depuis

plusieurs années à travers le monde mais peuvent comporter des adaptations pour répondre à des

objectifs ciblés dans un contexte bien défini. Chaque méthode possède des avantages ainsi que des

inconvénients qui seront présentés.

MOTS CLÉS: Tiburones, rayas, Antilles Françaises, surveiller

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

194

Observaciones Biológicas Preliminares de Rhinoptera steindachneri

(Evermann & Jenkins, 1891) en la Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Preliminar Biological Observations of Rhinoptera steindachneri

(Evermann & Jenkins, 1891) in Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Observations Biologiques Préliminaires De Rhinoptera steindachneri

(Evermann & Jenkins, 1891) à Bahia de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexique

KAREN PABON-ALDANA*1, XCHEL PÉREZ-PALAFOX

1, NICOLÁS EHEMANN

1,

PAOLA A. MEJÍA-FALLA2, ANDRÉS NAVIA

2,

VÍCTOR CRUZ-ESCALONA1, and FELIPE NERI MELO-BARRERA

1

1CICIMAR – IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, s/n Col. Playa, Palo de Santa Rita,

La Paz, BCS 23096 México. *karenpabon@hotmail.com. 2Fundación Squalus, Carrera 60A #11-39, Cali, Valle del Cauca 760001 Colombia.

RESUMEN

Rhinoptera steindachneri es un recurso importante en la pesca artesanal a lo largo del Golfo de

California; y al igual que la mayoría de condrictios, presenta características de historia de vida que

incrementan su susceptibilidad en condiciones de explotación. Aspectos como la distribución, estructura

de tallas, proporción sexual, relaciones talla-peso, entre otros, proveen información de base para

posteriores estudios de historia de vida de las especies. La colecta de ejemplares de R. steindachneri se

realizó mensualmente a partir de pesca ribereña, entre octubre de 2013 y julio de 2015, capturando un

total de 193 ejemplares, a los cuales se les realizó biometría y colecta de muestras biológicas. El

intervalo de tallas para machos (n = 107) fue de 43 - 89 cm de ancho de disco (AD) y para hembras (n =

86) fue de 40.1 - 91.6 cm AD, y no se encontraron diferencias en la talla entre sexos. La proporción

sexual fue de 1H: 1M. La mayor captura de R. steindachneri en el área de estudio se presentó en los

meses de enero, febrero, mayo y julio. Las hembras preñadas se encontraron en mayo (2014 y 2015) y

julio (2015), los dos neonatos se registraron en julio (2014 y 2015). Preliminarmente se sugiere que la

banda de nacimiento en esta especie se forma en los meses posteriores al nacimiento. Observaciones

relacionadas a la fecundidad, talla de nacimiento y meses de parto, coinciden con otros estudios

reproductivos de la especie para el Golfo de California.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Batoidea, raya tecolote, estructura de tallas, banda de nacimiento, proporción

sexual

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

195

Ordenamiento Espacial Marino: Evaluación de Cierres Espacio-temporales a través del

Análisis del Cociente Entre las Capturas Incidentales y las Capturas Comerciales

Marine Spatial Planning: Evaluation of Spatio-temporal Closures

by Analyzing the Quotient of Bycatches and Commercial Catches

Planification De L‟espace Maritime : Evaluation Des Fermetures Spatio-Temporelles En

Analysant Le Rapport Des Prises Accessoires Et Les Captures Commerciales

LUCAS PACHECO ROVIRA

EcopacÃfico + FishSpektrum, casa 10, Hato pintado, Panamá 08160-7168 Panamá

lucasrovira@yahoo.es.

RESUMEN

Numerosos expertos, organizaciones gubernamentales, no gubernamentales y organizaciones regionales

de ordenación de la pesca, están haciendo llamados a las Autoridades Nacionales para adoptar medidas

de reducción de las capturas incidentales en sus pesquerías. Las capturas incidentales representan un

componente crítico en la evolución de las prácticas de pesca responsable. En las aguas jurisdiccionales

de Panamá las tortugas marinas son las capturas incidentales no comerciables más frecuentes en las

operaciones de pesca con palangre pelágico. Un alto porcentaje (> 98.5 %) son recuperadas con vida en

la operación de virada del arte de pesca (Andraka et al., 2013; Pacheco, 2013). El cierre de áreas o

temporadas como medida complementaria, es en sí mismo una reducción del esfuerzo de pesca, a menos

que se compense el cierre con aumentos de las operaciones pesqueras en otras áreas o duración de las

temporadas. La aplicación de cierres debe estar tomada en base a la observación y análisis minucioso de

cómo se comporta la pesquería, y como se espera que reaccione al cierre. Hall (1996), propone una

metodología para identificar y evaluar la utilización de un enfoque espacio-temporal para el manejo de

las capturas incidentales, este análisis permite explorar posibles escenarios de cierres para la actividad

pesquera. Esta presentación expone de forma didáctica una herramienta o forma de analizar los datos de

CPUE según la metodología propuesta, sin embargo para tomar medidas que tengan que ver con cierres

de áreas o periodos, es fundamental contar con suficiente información sobre la operación y las capturas

de la flota con el nivel de detalle en cuanto a su distribución espacial y temporal, de otra manera estos

ejercicios no cumplirían con su función.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Palangre, cierres, espacio, temporada, tortugas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

196

El Pez León en Cuba: Composición de la Dieta y Competencia Trófica

Lionfish in Cuba: Diet Composition and Trophic Competition

Poissons-Lions A Cuba : Composition Du Régime Alimentaire Et Concurrence Trophique

LAURA PANTOJA*, PEDRO CHEVALIER, RAUL IGOR CORRADA,

DELMIS CABRERA. ALEXIS FERNÁNDEZ, and HANSEL CABALLERO

Acuario Nacional Cuba, Calle 60 y 1ra La Habana, La Habana 11300 Cuba

*laurap@acuarionacional.cu.

RESUMEN

El pez león (Pterois volitans/miles) es originario del Indo-Pacífico y ha invadido el Atlántico occidental.

Sus poblaciones causan afectaciones en las comunidades de arrecife de coral mediante depredación

directa de peces e invertebrados nativos. Con la finalidad de estudiar la composición de la dieta del pez

león y su competencia con peces nativos de nivel trófico similar se capturaron 229 peces león y 72

individuos de 14 especies competidoras en tres localidades de Cuba. Se analizó el contenido de sus

estómagos mediante los métodos numérico, frecuencial, volumétrico e índice de importancia relativa. Se

identificaron 49 entidades alimentarias distribuidas entres grupos principales: peces, crustáceos y

moluscos, en este orden de abundancia, excepto en la localidad de Guanahacabibes donde las especies

competidoras mostraron preferencia por los crustáceos. Se calculó el índice de Morisita-Horm para

determinar el grado de solapamiento entre la dieta del pez león y las especies competidoras. Este índice

varió según el biotopo marino (seibadal y arrecife) ya que tanto el pez león como los competidores son

considerados depredadores especialistas-oportunistas, de acuerdo al índice de Levin, dado que se

alimentan del as presas disponibles y más abundantes en su hábitat. Todo lo anterior justifica que no

exista una competencia ecológicamente significativa entre el pez león y los peces nativos de nivel trófico

similar.

KEYWORDS: Pez león, dieta, competencia interespecífica

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

197

Not All Reef Fish Are Built the Same, when it Comes to Surviving Release After Capture

No Todos los Pesces Arrecigales son Iguales, Cuando se Trata de

Sobrevivir a la Liberación Después de la Captura

Tous Les Poissons De Récif Ne Sont Pas Les Mêmes Quant À Leur Survie Lors De Leur

Libération Après Capture

DARYL PARKYN* and DEBRA MURIE

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street,

Gainesville, Florida 32653 USA. *dparkyn@ufl.edu.

ABSTRACT

Sources of fisheries mortality contributes greatly to uncertainty in fisheries management. As one source

of fishing mortality, release mortality of undersized, seasonally closed, and non-consumed sporting

species contribute additional uncertainty to this issue. The present study addresses the contributing

factors to catch and release mortality in warm temperate and tropical reef associated species, and the

additional challenges fishers and fish face in warm waters. To date we have focused our work on a large

Carangid, Greater Amberjack, a Mycteropercan grouper, Gag, and the Epinephaline red grouper.

Differences in swimbladder anatomy, physiology, as well as capture factors such as bait type, hook type,

temperature and ascent rate will be presented.

KEYWORDS: Amberjack, grouper, barotrauma, hook, swimbladder

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

198

Trophic Context of Invasive Lionfish in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Inferred

from Reef Fish Diet and Muscle Stable Isotope Analyses

Contexto Trófico del Pez León Invasor en el Norte del Golfo De México Inferido

a Partir de la Dieta de Peces Arrecifales e Isótopos Estables en los Músculos

Contexte Trophique Des Poissons-Lions Envahissants Dans Le Nord Du Golfe Du

Mexique A Partir Du Régime Alimentaire Des Poissons Et Des Analyses Des Isotopes

Stables

WILLIAM PATTERSON*, KRISTEN DAHL, and JOSEPH TARNECKI

University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd.,

Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA. *wpatterson@disl.org.

ABSTRACT

Invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans, have increased exponentially since first being observed in the

northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in summer 2010. They have become a numerically dominant species

on artificial reefs in the region, although their density is much lower on natural reefs. To examine both

direct and indirect lionfish effects on native nGOM fishes, we tested for diet overlap via stomach content

analyses (n = 6,286 among 20 species). Species-specific trophic position and estimates of pelagic versus

benthic production sources also were examined via analysis of white muscle d13

C, d15

N, and d34

S values.

Results indicate that native reef fishes in the system tend to be generalist mesopredators, as are invasive

lionfish. The ability of native fishes such as snappers and grunts to switch among potential prey items

likely provides resistance to competition from lionfish, but this may be diminished somewhat given that

lionfish also switch among available prey. There was substantial diet overlap between lionfish and

snappers, grunts, and seabasses, but less overlap with non-reef benthic fishes. Results from stable isotope

analysis indicate that a mix of pelagic and benthic production fuels reef and adjacent benthic food webs.

Lionfish trophic position was similar to that of bank seabass, gray triggerfish, and tomtate, while being

significantly lower than most snappers, groupers, and jacks. Overall, study results place red lionfish in

the trophic context of native nGOM fish communities, as well as provide valuable data to model direct

and indirect effects of lionfish on native fishes in this region.

KEYWORDS: Red lionfish, diet analysis, stable isotopes

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

199

A Meta-analysis of Invasive Lionfish Diet Throughout

the Temperate and Tropical Western Atlantic

Un Meta-análisis de la Dieta del Pez León Invasor en Zonas

Templadas y Tropicales del Atlántico Occidental

Méta-Analyse Du Régime Alimentaire Du Poisson-Lion Envahissant Dans Toute La Zone

Tempérée Et Tropicale De l'Atlantique Ouest

JONATHAN PEAKE*1, ALEX K. BOGDANOFF

2,3, and JAMES A. MORRIS, JR.

2

1The University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway,

Miami, Florida 33149 USA. jonathan.peake@noaa.gov. 2NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Road,

Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA. 3North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology,

123 David Clark Labs, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) have become one of the most abundant top reef

predators in the temperate and tropical western Atlantic. The impact of their invasion is not yet fully

understood, but current research efforts are documenting their ecological and economic impacts through

lionfish diet studies. The goal of this project is to characterize and compare lionfish feeding ecology

throughout the invaded range. Our meta-analysis will help identify potential diet trends and prey

preferences, as well as help determine relative ecological and commercial impacts of lionfish across

space. Lionfish diet data collected throughout the invaded range was obtained from over twenty

researchers for inclusion in a Microsoft Access database, and an Access-based analysis tool was created

to perform analyses across datasets. Preliminary analyses have been performed on existing datasets to

establish the feasibility and reliability of our analysis methods, and preliminary results do indicate

distinct differences between lionfish diet in the northern reaches of the invaded range to those of the

more tropical regions. As the invasion continues, having a better understanding of lionfish dietary trends

will help managers triage control and management strategies.

KEYWORDS: Longitudinal diet trends, economic impacts

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

200

The Effect of Lionfish Removal on Caribbean

Coral Reef Communities at Roatan, Honduras

El efecto de la Remoción del Pez León en las Comunidades

Arrecifales de Roatán, Caribe de Honduras

L'effet de L'élimination de la Rascasse Volante Sur Les Communautés

de Récifs Coralliens Caraïbes à Roatan, Honduras

FRIEDERIKE PEIFFER*1, SONIA BEJARANO

2,

GIACOMO PALAVICINI3, and CHRISTIAN WILD

1

1University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, Bremen 28359 Germany. *fredi.peiffer@gmail.com.

2Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Fahrenheitstraße 6, Bremen 28359 Germany.

3Roatan Marine Park, Roatan, Honduras.

ABSTRACT

A pressing concern in the Caribbean is the invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois sp. This invasive

species poses a threat to native coral reef communities by competing with other predators and feeding on

fish and invertebrates, some of which are commercially or ecologically important. The aim of this study

was to assess the efficiency of removal efforts on Roatan, Honduras, in controlling lionfish populations

and its impact on fish and benthic communities using a combination of stakeholder interviews and reef

surveys. Removals were opportunistic and voluntarily performed by dive instructors and tourists, thus

frequency of removals varied across dive sites. Frequent removals significantly reduced lionfish

abundance to 20 fish/ha compared to 100 fish/ha at control sites and shifted size frequency distribution

towards smaller individuals. On sites with no extractions, lionfish abundance was higher than snapper

and grouper abundance, indicating intense competition. The abundance of prey-sized fishes, particularly

from the families of pomacentride, grammatide and tetraodontidae, was positively and significantly

affected by extractions. Invertivores and cleaners as functional groups showed significantly higher

abundances on sites with frequent extractions. Herbivore density was similar among sites, however

species richness in scaridae was also higher, and turfalgae cover was slightly lower on sites with

extractions. Functional diversity indices also indicate higher functional richness related to trophic traits.

Therefore, this study shows that local management efforts can control the impact of lionfish and thereby

may contribute to protect ecosystem functioning. Consequently, removal efforts should be focused on

sites of high ecological value.

KEYWORDS: Biological invasion, lionfish, removal effort, ecological benefits, functional richness

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

201

Análisis de Contaminantes Orgánicos en Sedimentos Marinos y en

Biota en la Bahía de Panamá, Panamá

Analysis of Organic Pollutants in Marine Sediments and Biota

in the Bay of Panama, Panama

Analyse des Polluants Organiques dans les Sédiments et les Biotes Marins

dans la Baie de Panama, Panama

ALEXIS PEÑA* and THELMA QUINTERO

Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá, Dirección Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo,

Departamento de Estaciones Experimentales, Calle 45 Este y Justo Arosemena,

Panamá, Panamá. *alexisp @arap.gob.pa.

RESUMEN

Este proyecto desarrollado por la Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá (ARAP) y con el

auspicio del Organismo internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA), incluyó el procesamiento y análisis

de muestras de sedimentos marinos y biota (moluscos bivalvos de las especies Anadara sp. y Protothaca

asperrima), de muestras colectadas durante los años 2010 y 2011 en la Bahía de Panamá, para la

determinación de concentraciones de contaminantes orgánicos como hidrocarburos aromáticos

polinucleares (HAP´s) y pesticidas órganoclorados (OC´s). Estos contaminantes orgánicos fueron

extraidos de las muestras por columnas Soxhlet, purificadas por columnas cromatográficas y analizadas

por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas por selección de iones (GC / MS-SIM)

por medio de un detector de captura de electrones (ECD). Los resultados preliminares de los HAP´s

totales muestran mayores concentraciones en la parte central de la bahía donde se encuentra la ciudad y

el Canal de Panamá. Estos valores de concentración son tan altos como 15 veces las concentraciones

basales detectadas en el sector este de la Bahía. Las estaciones de muestreo ubicadas en el sector oeste

disminuyen su concentración de HAP´s conforme se alejan de la influencia del sector central de la Bahía

y en la dirección de la circulación de las corrientes marinas, dominante de este a oeste, alcanzando

valores similares al sector este, poblado principalmente por comunidades rurales.

PALABRAS CLAVES: ARAP, Bahía de Panamá, contaminación, hidrocarburos, pesticidas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

202

Evaluación del Estado de los Arrecifes de Coral en dos Áreas Marinas Protegidas

en el Caribe Bajo Diferentes Regímenes de Uso

Assessment of the Condition of Coral Reefs in Two Marine Protected Areas

in the Caribbean Under Different Regimes of Use

Évaluation de L'état des Récifs Coralliens dans Deux Aires Marines Protégées

dans les Caraïbes Sous Différents Régimes D'utilisation

SUSANA PERERA VALDERRAMA*1, HECTOR HERNÁNDEZ ARANA

1,

MIGUEL ÁNGEL RUIZ ZÁRATE1, PEDRO ALCOLADO

1, HANSEL CABALLERO ARAGÓN

2,

JAIME GONZÁLEZ CANO3, and DORKA COBIÁN ROJAS

4

1El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Centenario Km 5,5 Pacto Obrero Calle 18ª, no. 4114,

Playa Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México. *susana.perera@gmail.com. 2Acuario Nacional Cuba, Calle 60 y 1ra La Habana, La Habana 11300 Cuba.

3Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas de México, México.

4Parque Nacional Península Guanahacabibes, Cuba.

RESUMEN

Se evaluó el estado de arrecifes de dos áreas marinas protegidas del Caribe: Parque Nacional

Guanahacabibes (GNP), Cuba y Parque Nacional Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres - Punta Cancún -

Punta Nizuc (CNP), México. Los arrecifes (Yemayá y Laberinto en GNP y Cuevones y Manchones en

CNP) están sujetos a diferentes intensidades de buceo. Se midieron en el 2014 indicadores de corales

pétreos, macroalgas y erizo negro, con transectos lineales de 10 m, cuadrantes de 1m2 y de 25 x 25 cm

respectivamente. Según los resultados, ubicamos los arrecifes estudiados en tres estadíos de cambio.

Cuevones, CNP parece permanecer en un estado dominado por corales, con una cobertura coralina alta

(33,36%) pero un predominio de especies (encabezado por Porites astreoides) diferente a lo observado

en arrecifes del Caribe décadas atrás. Este arrecife ha permanecido cerrado al turismo por 15 años. Los

arrecifes de GNP, sujetos a una baja intensidad buceo, parecen estar experimentando el comienzo del

cambio de fase hacia un estado dominado por macroalgas. Sin embargo, la cobertura de coral de estos

sitios se mantiene similar a reportes anteriores (18,3% Yemaya y 12,1% Laberinto) y la riqueza de

especies (17) y densidad de reclutas (5.02, Yemayá y 4,67, Laberinto) son típicos de arrecifes saludables.

Manchones, CNP mostró la peor situación con la cobertura de coral (11,49%) y la densidad de reclutas

(0,6) más bajas. Esto parece deberse a la sinergia entre las presiones naturales y la gran afluencia de

visitantes que recibe este arrecife. Al parecer, estas AMPs están contribuyendo a la conservación de las

comunidades de corales, pero el monto de esta contribución parece depender de la intensidad de uso de

los arrecifes.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Coral , áreas marinas protegidas, buceo, Guanahacabibes, Cancun

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

203

Aplicación de un Enfoque Ecosistémico en el Manejo de Áreas Protegidas Marinas

en los Archipiélagos del Sur de Cuba

Application of an Ecosystem-based Approach to the Management of

Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Archipelagos of Cuba

Application D'une Approche Basée sur L'écosystème pour la Gestion des

Aires Marines Protégées dans les Archipels du Sud de Cuba

SUSANA PERERA VALDERRAMA*1, ENRIQUE HERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ

1, AYLEM

HERNÁNDEZ ÁVILA1, MARITZA GARCÍA GARCÍA

1, DORKA COBIÁN ROJAS

2, ZAIMIURI

HERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ3, and ELENA DE LA GUARDIA

4

1Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegida,s Calle 18A No. 4114 e/ 41 y 47, Playa La Habana,

La Habana Cuba. *susana.perera@gmail.com. 2Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba.

3Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba.

4CINVESTAV-IPN – Unidad Mérida, Antigua Carretera a Progreso Km. 6,

Mérida, Yucatán 97310 México.

RESUMEN

Se presentan los principales resultados y lecciones aprendidas del proyecto Aplicación de un enfoque

regional al manejo de áreas marinas protegidas (AMPs) en los Archipiélagos del Sur de Cuba,

desarrollado entre 2009 y 2014. Se contribuyó a incrementar la cobertura de ecosistemas prioritarios

(arrecifes de coral, pastos marinos y manglares) en el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SNAP).

Actualmente existen 40 áreas marinas protegidas en la zona del proyecto (12 más que al inicio del

proyecto), de estas 26 están legalmente aprobadas, 17 como resultado del proyecto. También existen 14

Zonas de Manejo Integrado Costero y dos nuevas reservas de pesca. Se actualizaron los inventarios y

estudios de biodiversidad marina involucrando numerosas instituciones científicas. Se elaboró una

estrategia nacional de vigilancia cooperada entre todos los actores. Las AMPs se fortalecieron con

capacitación y equipamiento para actividades de gestión, vigilancia y monitoreo. Se elaboraron y/o

actualizaron los planes de manejo de las AMPs. Se elaboraron e implementaron 12 protocolos de

monitoreo para especies clave y ecosistemas de la región del proyecto. Se desarrollaron numerosos

materiales divulgativos, audiovisuales, etc. Se logró un gran acercamiento con el Ministerio de Turismo,

las comunidades locales y otros actores públicos y privados en la planificación y toma de decisiones

sobre el desarrollo del turismo en la zona. Fueron diseñados e implementados 10 productos de turismo

de naturaleza sostenible en AMPs. Se realizaron estudios de valoración económica de servicios

ecosistémicos en varias AMPs del proyecto y se evaluó su incidencia en el bienestar humano. Se

implementaron alternativas económicas en comunidades locales, dirigidas al cambio de artes de pesca

nocivas al medio ambiente, entre otros. Se desarrolló una propuesta de mecanismos financieros para el

SNAP.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Áreas marinas protegidas, proyecto, turismo sostenible, monitoreo,

Archipiélagos del Sur de Cuba

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

204

Public-Private Partnerships for Environmental Monitoring

in the Offshore Gulf of Mexico

Asociaciones Público-Privadas para el Monitoreo Ambiental

en la Costa Afuera del Golfo de México

Partenariats Public-Privé Pour La Surveillance Environnementale Au Large Du Golfe Du

Mexique

RUTH PERRY* and STEVE TRUCHON

Shell Exploration & Production Company, 150 N. Dairy Ashford, A460-H Houston, Texas 77079 USA.

*ruth.perry@shell.com.

ABSTRACT

To meet the many challenges associated with exploring and operating in the offshore, Shell is working

with academic, non-profit, community, and government stakeholders to develop and implement long-

term environmental monitoring programs in the Gulf of Mexico. These programs, or public-private

partnerships (PPPs), help Shell to operate safely and responsibly in the marine offshore environment.

Working collaboratively leverages and integrates complementary strengths of each partner to better

address critical science priorities, such as impact of ocean acidification on Gulf coral reefs, tropical

storm and hurricane forecasting and prediction modeling, and evaluating ecosystem services provided by

Rigs-to-Reefs. Furthermore, collaborative and integrated PPPs outreach to the marine community

through the collection of long-term data to improve resource management. PPPs range from OCS

baseline data acquisition and characterizing ecosystem services, long term monitoring of ocean

processes, and ocean observing technology development. In the Gulf, PPPs provide a multi-purpose

mechanism for helping meet the resource management needs of the communities and regulators,

identifying potential knowledge gaps, meeting industry regulatory requirements, supporting operational

planning, and supporting industry‟s license to operate through collection of baseline and long term

(multi-year) data where needed. We will present the framework and data from these PPPs and how

fisheries communities are integrated into the different programs.

KEYWORDS: Gulf of Mexico, environmental monitoring, ecosystem services, biodiversity, public-

private partnerships

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

205

54 Years in the Making: Gulf and Caribbean Research Now Online and Open Access

54 Años en la Fabricación:

¡Gulf and Caribbean Research Ahora nn Línea y Acceso Abierto

54 Années De Mise En Œuvre :

Gulf And Caribbean Research Est Maintenant Ouvert Et Accessible En Ligne

MARK PETERSON* and NANCY BROWN-PETERSON

Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. *mark.peterson@usm.edu.

ABSTRACT

Gulf and Caribbean Research has migrated to a fully online delivery platform with the publication of

Volume 26. The peer-reviewed, scientific journal was originally founded in 1961 by Gordon Gunter as a

publication of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and was titled Gulf Research Reports; that name

persisted through 1999. Starting in 2000, the name was changed to Gulf and Caribbean Research to

better reflect the scope of manuscripts, and the journal was published in traditional hard-copy format

through 2013. The new fully online delivery format, sponsored by University Libraries and the Gulf

Coast Research Laboratory, started production in April 2015 and is published

(http://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/) by the University of Southern Mississippi. Full text of all papers published

since 1961 are uploaded on the site; papers from the most recent five years of publication are available

for a nominal charge of $5 each, while all earlier papers are Open Access. Additionally, all papers in

Volume 26 are Open Access. Beginning with Volume 27, the journal will offer a hybrid publication

format: 1) Open Access for a $500 fee; or 2) the abstract only available online for no fee. A PDF of the

non-Open Access papers is available to authors for a $90 fee. We anticipate that more papers will be

published per year with a shorter turn-around time with the online format.Gulf and Caribbean Research,

now in its 54th year of publication, continues to provide an important outlet for peer-reviewed

publications from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea regions.

KEYWORDS: Journal, Gulf and Caribbean Research, open access

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

206

Monitoring of a Transboundary Network of Marine Protected Areas on the Grenada

Bank

Monitoreo de la Red Transfronteriza de Áreas Marinas Protegidas en el Banco de

Grenada

Suivi d'un Réseau Transfrontalier D'aires Marines Protégées dur la Banque Grenade

MYLES PHILLIPS*1, EMMA DOYLE

2, and PATRICIA KRAMER

3

1Sustainable Grenadines Inc., Clifton Union Island , St Vincent and the Grenadines.

*myles.phillips117@outlook.com. 2Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 6510 Carrizo Fall Court, Houston, Texas 77041 USA.

3Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, Belize City, Belize.

ABSTRACT

The Grenada Bank supports the most extensive coral reefs and related habitats in the south-eastern

Caribbean, but its biodiversity is at risk from increasing tourism, uncontrolled coastal development and

overfishing. The Grenadines Network of Marine Protected Areas is an initiative to promotecollaborative

capacity building for MPA management in the Grenada Bank. In 2014, NFWF sponsored an AGRRA

coral reef monitoring training workshop and an expedition to the six MPAs to establish long-term

monitoring sites and complete underwater surveys. The goal was to strengthen coral reef management

and coordination of the network and to provide an initial baseline to help the managers track the state of

the reef over time. The long-term monitoring sites were strategically selected to fill existing data gaps,

coincide with historical data, and/or address specific site management information needs.

We present findings about the condition of coral reefs across two countries and six biologically-

connected MPAs and highlight lessons learned for MPA management in this and other locations in the

Caribbean. All except one site exhibited high coral cover and low fleshy macro algal cover relative to the

Caribbean averages reported by AGRRA. Diadema were abundant at several sites.Several MPAs have

the potential to tip the balance back to coral dominated reefs if herbivore populations are restored. Fish

biomass, particularly commercially important species, was found to be lower than Caribbean regional

averages, indicating strategic directions for education and outreach, enforcement and ongoing

monitoring. We explain how thistransboundary science data helps to refine MPA management actions.

KEYWORDS: MPA, monitoring, transboundary, AGRRA, biomass

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

207

Red Snapper: Success Through Strong Governance in the US Gulf Of Mexico

Pargo Rojo: Éxito a través de una Gobernanza Firme en el

Golfo de México de los Estados Unidos

Vivaneau Rouge: Succès Grâce A Une Solide Gouvernance Dans Le Golfe Du Mexique

TODD PHILLIPS* and JON PAUL BROOKER

Ocean Conservancy, 106 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78727 USA.

*tphillips@oceanconservancy.org.

ABSTRACT

Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is an iconic species in the United States Gulf of Mexico. It is also

the source of great frustration for fishery managers, anglers and scientists. This species had been

considered overfished and undergoing overfishing for decades and, as a result, was placed into a

population rebuilding plan. Through multiple regulatory actions by the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

Management Council, the species is now on a track to be rebuilt by 2032. We describe the process

through which managers using tools such as the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act (MSA) and the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) were able to move a failing fishery to

a successful fishery. Additionally, we describe how actions from a combined and mixed stakeholder

group of recreational and commercial anglers have allowed increased opportunity for recreational

anglers to fish for red snapper. While tools like the MSA and SFA may not be applicable to all nations in

the Caribbean, the process of an inclusionary fishery governance system can lead to a durable and

disciplined fishery. We provide discussion on how elements of these laws can be used to achieve a

sustainable fishery

KEYWORDS: Red snapper, Magnuson–Stevens, recreational fishery, commercial fishery, governance

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

208

Electronic Monitoring:

A Methodological Approach to Design a Monitoring Program Foundation

Monitoreo Electrónico: Un Enfoque Metodológico para el Diseño

de un Programa de Monitoreo de la Fundación

Surveillance Électronique : Une Approche Méthodologique Pour Concevoir

une Base de Programme de Surveillance

TODD PHILLIPS* and JON PAUL BROOKER

Ocean Conservancy, 106 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78727 USA.

*phillips@oceanconservancy.org.

ABSTRACT

Use of electronic monitoring (EM) technology to collect fishery dependent data is widely assumed to be

the next stage in the evolution of fishery monitoring. These tools may offer more efficient and cost

effective methods to provide a robust fishery data set in a timely manner for managers to use in their

decision-making processes. We completed an exhaustive review of existing EM technologies inside and

outside of the fisheries space in order to identify areas of opportunity moving forward for increased

inclusion and integration of EM tools into the United States‟ Gulf of Mexico commercial and

recreational fishery monitoring programs. Overall, we found technology, like cameras and electronic

logbooks, to be sufficiently developed and ready for use in monitoring programs. Yet, despite the direct

applicability of EM technology to fishery monitoring, very few programs have embraced technology as a

means to gather data. This reticence to integrate EM is not related to technology, but yet due to the

interface between technology and current long-term monitoring program procedures and protocols.

Nations in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean may not have the same limiting factors as US monitoring

programs and their monitoring systems may be ripe for change. The key to inclusion of EM tools is a

three-step process, which we provide here. We describe how a multi-faceted team of science, managers

and stakeholders will be needed to design a prototype monitoring system blueprint serve as the

foundation of a successful EM program.

KEYWORDS: Electronic monitoring, technology , fishery monitoring , recreational fishery

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

209

Characterization of Shark Assemblages in Cuba‟s Jardines de la Reina

Archipelago and the Contiguous Golfo de Ana Maria

Caracterización de la Composición de Tiburones en el Archipiélago

Jardines de la Reina y su Vecino Golfo de Ana María, Cuba

Caractérisation des Assemblages de Requins dans L'archipel des Jardins de la Reine

et du Golfe de Ana Maria, Cuba

FABIAN PINA AMARGOS*1, TAMARA FIGUEREDO

1, NOEL LOPEZ

2,

JORGE ANGULO VALDES3, and RACHEL GRAHAM

4

1Centro de Ecosistemas Costeros, Cayo Coco, Cuba. *fabian@ciec.cu.

2Avalon Dive Centers, Jucaro Ciego de Avila, Cuba.

3Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de la Habana, La Habana, Cuba.

4MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

ABSTRACT

The status of coastal and reef-associated sharks in Cuba is poorly known. To facilitate long-term

monitoring of sharks and assess effectiveness of the regionally-important Jardines de la Reina Marine

Protected Area, we conducted the country‟s first fisheries-independent baseline survey for sharks. A total

of 43 sampling days (19 February 2012 to 20 May 2013) were spent conducting fisheries-independent

demersal longline surveys for sharks in the JDLR MPA and contiguous Golfo de Ana Maria. A stratified

random-sampling design underpinned a total of 62 stations (n = 21 inside JDLR MPA; n = 41 outside).

A total of 112 sets and 5,402 hooks captured a total of 74 elasmobranchs. Captures in fore-reef areas

were dominated by Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) that ranged from 74.5 cm to 222 cm

TL, followed by juvenile blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus, n = 4). Fourteen female Caribbean

reef sharks over 190 cm TL observed at provisioning sites suggests that larger fed animals are unlikely to

take hooks providing a bias in our longline surveys. To compensate, an Avalon dive guide shark

observation program was initiated in October 2013 that has generated over 92 observations at

provisioning sites in JDLR. This non-invasive monitoring technique both complements longline surveys

and has yielded information on the total number of sharks present at each provisioning event, sex ratios,

and site fidelity of tagged Caribbean reef sharks and silky sharks (C. falciformis). These results are being

integrated into the developing National Plan of Action (NPOA) and a proposal to expand the protected

area's boundaries.

KEYWORDS: Standardized longline survey, Elasmobranch, Caribbean, marine protected area, national

plan of action/CITES

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

210

Aproximación Metodológica para la Evaluación de Stocks de Recursos Hidrobiológicos

en Entornos Marinos de la Costa Caribe Colombiana a través del

Seguimiento de Desembarques Pesqueros Artesanales

Methodological Approach for the Evaluation of Hydro-biological Resources

in Marine Environments of the Colombian Caribbean Coast through the

Monitoring of Artisanal Fisheries Landings

Approche Méthodologique pour L‟évaluation des Stocks de Ressources Hydrobiologiques

dans les Environnements Marins de la Côte Caraïbe Colombienne à travers

le Suivi des Débarquements de Pêche Artisanale

FRANCISCO PINILLA1, MARTHA PEÑUELA

2, ANNY GUTIERREZ

2,

and ANA CRISTINA MARROQUIM*3

1Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Peru , Calle las Orquideas 675,

Oficina 402, San Isidro, Lima 27 Peru. 2Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Colombia ltda,

Carrera 16, No. 93A-36, 6th Floor, Bogotá D.C. Colombia.

3Shell Exploration and Production, 150 N. Dairy Ashford Rd – A474-E,

Houston, Texas 77079 USA. *ana.marroquim@shell.com.

RESUMEN

La población de pescadores artesanales activos para el caribe colombiano, se estima en 13429 personas,

distribuida en 28 municipios a lo largo de la zona costera. El departamento del Magdalena registra 4379

pescadores, siendo uno de los departamentos con mayor capacidad de organización, con 37

agremiaciones de pesca artesanal registradas (Rueda et al., 2010 - 2011). Dado que el comportamiento

del pescador artesanal se basa en decisiones a corto plazo, no hay certeza sobre las tendencias de

capturas, los ingresos y los costos de los diferentes artes de pesca a lo largo de las costas colombianas.

De ahí , la importancia de avanzar en la obtención de datos en poco tiempo, para poder buscar

alternativas metodológicas, obtener información adicional y complementaria, a la registrada en las

fuentes oficiales del país1.

Entre Agosto y Diciembre de 2014, se evaluaron diversos sitios reconocidos de desembarque pesqueros

en los departamentos del Atlántico, Bolívar y Magdalena. Adicionalmente, se realizó un ejercicio de

cartografía marina y aplicación de encuestas semi-estructuradas con los pescadores que frecuentan los

sitios de desembarco, con el fin de caracterizar y situar con coordenadas aproximadas los caladeros de

pesca más visitados por los pescadores artesanales, sus artes de pesca, registros de flota, capturas y

principales problemáticas, preocupaciones y percepciones en estos sitios más representativos de

desembarques pesqueros aledaños a las ciudades de Barranquilla, Santa Marta y Cartagena.

1 En Colombia la Unidad Administrativa Especial encargada de toda la actividad piscícola del país, es la Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca AUNAP. INCODER (Instituto Colombiano de Desarrollo Rural) ejerce competencias relacionadas con el fomento de la pesca industrial; SEPEC es el Sistema de Servicio Estadístico Pesquero Colombiano, el cual es la herramienta principal de la AUNAP, para generar la estadística pesquera nacional. El Instituto de Investigaciones marinas y Costeras “Jose Benito Vives de Andréis” INVEMAR, aporta al conocimiento científico de los recursos hidrobiológicos y pesqueros del país.

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

211

A Lionfish Trap for Use in Bermuda, with Potential Applications Elsewhere

Una Trampa para la Captura de Pez León en Las Bermudas,

con Aplicaciones Potentiales en Otros Lugares

Un Casier à Poisson-lion Developé pour les Bermudes,

avec Application Potentielle en D'autres Zones Marines

JOANNA PITT* and TAMMY TROTT

Department of Environmental Protection, Bermuda Government,

3 Coney Island Road, St. Georges, CR04 Bermuda. *jpitt@gov.bm.

ABSTRACT

In Bermuda, invasive lionfish are concentrated in deeper waters (30 – 60 m) inaccessible to most cullers,

but are regularly caught as bycatch in commercial lobster traps at these depths. Bermuda does not allow

'fish pots', so the Department of Environmental Protection has been working to modify the standard

lobster traps to increase lionfish catch and reduce the catch of spiny lobster, while maintaining low levels

of finfish bycatch. Over several iterations, eight funnel types, various baiting strategies, and the effects

of shading the traps were tested. Shading the traps increased lobster catch while decreasing lionfish

catch. Use of dead bait increased bycatch of all types but, for a given trap design, lionfish catch was

similar across baiting strategies. In the low-relief habitat at 60m, the structure of the trap alone appears

sufficient to attract lionfish. The presence of escape gaps significantly reduced finfish bycatch, while

lionfish were retained. Optimal soak time was 7 - 14 days. Lionfish 'hot spots' influenced catch rates,

emphasizing the importance of understanding lionfish distribution. Traps with wire funnels terminating

in a black 20cm ring and traps with two top-loading funnels produced the best trade-off between lionfish

catch and bycatch, and are being tested by commercial fishers. With lobster bycatch reduced, a lionfish

trap fishery could operating during the summer closed season, targeting 'hot spots' to be cost-effective.

The low rates of bycatch mean that these traps may be useful elsewhere for controlling lionfish in areas

where fishing is not permitted, such as MPAs and contaminated areas.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, traps, Bermuda

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

212

Las Pescadoras de Teacapán, Sinaloa y su Papel en la Cadena Productiva

Teacapan, Sinaloa Fisherwomen and its Role in the Production Chain

Teacapan, Femmes Pecheurs De Sinaloa Et Leur Role Dans La Chaine De Production

SANDRA POMPA MANSILLA1, BÁRBARA NAVA CRISTOBAL

2,

and IVO GARCÍA GUTIÉRREZ3

1Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Constitucion 207-2 Col. Centro,

Mazatlan, Sinaloa 82000 Mexico. *sandra_pompa@iecologia.unam.mx. 2Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Periférico Sur y Zapote s/n. Colonia Isidro Fabela,

Mexico City D.F. 14030 Mexico.

3Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, Ciudad

Universitaria, Mexico City D.F. 04510 Mexico.

RESUMEN

La perspectiva de género resalta la importancia del empoderamiento y el papel de la mujer en el

desarrollo, ya que son parte fundamental dentro de la gestión y uso de los recursos naturales a nivel

mundial, y su participación es clave para lograr la seguridad alimentaria. Aún con el creciente

reconocimiento de la pesca femenina, sigue siendo imperante analizar el sentido y relevancia de su papel

para mejorar el enfoque socio-ecológico de la gestión de la pesca. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer

las actividades pesqueras que realizan las mujeres y de qué manera influyen en su percepción como

sujetas productivas en Teacapán, Sinaloa, México. Se emplearon técnicas cuanti y cualitativas para

recabar información sobre su estructura socioeconómica, ocupación y tiempo libre; así como preguntas

para investigar el conocimiento de las mujeres sobre los productos y actividades pesqueras, la

sobreexplotación y su participación en este rubro. Encontramos que un 73% de las mujeres encuestadas

participa en la pesca, pero sólo el 3% se considera pescadora. Las mujeres desconocen completamente de

los apoyos gubernamentales dirigidos a este sector de la población y a ésta actividad económica. El 86%

de las encuestadas está dispuesta a participar en un grupo organizado que involucre mujeres para pescar

o comercializar productos pesqueros, y 7 de cada 10 cree que las mujeres deben participar en la pesca. El

involucramiento del gobierno, la academia y las ONGs tienen mucho que aportar al sector femenino de

la pesca en Sinaloa ávido de oportunidades de desarrollo.

KEYWORDS: Empoderamiento, género, pesquerías, México

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

213

Progress in the Regional Queen Conch Fisheries Management and Conservation

Avances en el Ordenamiento y Conservación Regional del Caracol Rosado

Progrès dans la Gestion des Pêches Régionale au Lambi et Conservation

MARTHA PRADA*

1, RICHARD APPELDOORN

2, RAYMON VAN ANROOY

3,

MIGUEL ROLON4, JOSEF VAN EIJS, and MANUEL PEREZ

1Blue Dream Ltd., Avenida 20 de Julio 5-92, San Andres Island, Colombia. *pradamc@gmail.com.

2Universidad Puerto Rico, 321 Pirineo Street, Miradero Hills, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000 USA.

3FAOSLC – WECAF, Bridgetown, Barbados.

4Carribean Fisheries Managment Council, 270 Muñoz Rivera Ave.,

Suite 401, San Juan Puerto Rico 00918 USA.

ABSTRACT

With the support of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission, the Caribbean Fisheries

Management Council, The CITES Secretariat, the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council and the

Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization, the Regional Queen Conch Fishery

Management and Conservation Plan has been produced for further revision and formal adoption. The

Plan presents a set of 14 management measures that can be applied at the regional or sub-regional level

for the sustainability of queen conch populations, the maintenance of a healthy fishery and the

sustenance of fishers and fishers‟ communities. These measures were supported by experts and managers

members of the WECAFC/CFMC/OSPESCA/CRFM Working Group. Concerns about the status of this

Caribbean resource and the need to implement a common regional management began nearly 20 years

ago, but unfortunately, until now, tangible results of regional and sub-regional initiatives have been

scarce due to the lack of cooperation and political support across the region. Given the ecosystem-based

management approach recommended in this regional plan, it is expected that partnership and

collaboration throughout the Wider Caribbean region would be enhance and lead to improvements in the

long-term governance of queen conch fisheries. Considering that queen conch is already a relatively

highly regulated fishery, the harmonized regional measures presented in this document will require

minor adjustment only to achieve the broader objectives envisioned in the regional plan. This

presentation is being made to build regional support among scientists, fisherfolk, and educators, all part

of the GCFI community.

KEYWORDS: Queen conch, regional management, governance

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

214

Diseño Participativo de Refugios Pesqueros como una Herramienta de Manejo y

Conectividad de Ecosistemas y Recursos Marino Costeros

Participatory Design of Fish Refuges as a Tool of Management and

Connectivity of Coastal Marine Resources and Ecosystems

Conception Participative des Refuges de Peche comme un Outil de Gestion

et de la Connectivité des Resources Marines Cotiëres et des Écosystémes

SILJA RAMIREZ* and GUILLERMO GáLVEZ

Fundaeco, 25 street 2-39 zone 1, Guatemala 01001 Guatemala. *s.ramirez@fundaeco.org.gt.

RESUMEN

El área de Uso Múltiple Río Sarstún (AUMRS) es considerada como un sitio representativo de alta

riqueza biológica, dónde la participación de las comunidades en la conservación y manejo de los

recursos marino costeros ha sido relevante. Con el objetivo de apoyar e incrementar la red de refugios

pesqueros en el Caribe de Guatemala, para recobrar y sostener las pesquerias comerciales de la región se

diseñó participativamente con las comunidades locales del AUMRS un nuevo refugio pesquero, se

desarrolló un plan de manejo y se implémentó un monitoreo biológico constante para analizar la

funcionalidad del refugios como herramienta de manejo y conservación. Para llevar a cabo este proceso

en conjunto con los pescadores y autoridades locales se delimitó el área, se priorizaron lineamientos de

manejo y se desarrolló un plan de manejo identificando los principales objetos de conservación, sus

amenazas y se diseñaron estrategias de manejo. Como parte del análisis de funcionalidad del refugio

pesquero como una herramienta de manejo se diseñó un protocolo de monitoreo para poder analizar el

aumento de ciertas especies tanto dentro como fuera del refugio. Es así como nueve pescadores que

tienen una incidencia directa en el área fueron certificados en buceo, aí como también en técnicas de

investigación y colecta de datos, formando actualmente parte del equipo ténico los informes biólógicos

finales indican que actualmente existe un aumento en la abundancia de dos especies de peces de tipo

comercial Vieja maculicauda y Mugil curema dentro y fuera del nuevo refugio pesquero diseñado

(Refugio Pesquero de Barra Sarstún).

PALABRAS CLAVES: Refugio pesquero, monitoreo biológico, especies de peces de tipo comercial

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

215

Tiburones y Rayas del Caribe Guatemalteco

Sharks and Rays of the Guatemalan Caribbean

Requins et Raies des Caraibe du Guatemala

SILJA RAMIREZ

1, MANUEL IXQUIAC

1, GUILLERMO GALVEZ

1, and MARIO SALAZAR

2

1Fundaeco, 25 calle 2-39 zona 1, Guatemala, 01001 Guatemala. *s.ramirez@fundaeco.org.gt.

2Cema, Ciudad Universitaria zona 12, Guatemala 01001 Guatemala.

RESUMEN

Se realizó una revisión de las especies de tiburones y rayas registradas para aguas marinas del Caribe de

Guatemala, encontrando un total de 32 especies (20 especies de tiburones y 12 especies de rayas). De

éstas, 16 especies de tiburones y 10 especies de rayas han sido confirmadas a través de fotografías y las

restantes han sido registradas en referencias bibliográficas. Este inventario se encuentra representado por

21 géneros (11 de tiburones y 10 de rayas), en 15 familias (6 de tiburones y 9 de rayas) y en 7 órdenes (5

y 2 ) respectivamente. Se destacan tres especies de tiburones de profundidad para el Caribe

Guatemalteco. Se generó un registro fotográfico de las especies reportadas por la pesca artesanal, siendo

casi todas las especies capturadas con fines comerciales para su consumo (> 71% de especies). Respecto

a las espcies pesqueras incluidas en los apéndices de la Convención Internacional para el Tráfico de

Especies Silvestres -CITES- y de la Lista de Especies Amenazadas -LEA- del Consejo Nacional de

Áreas Protegidas -CONAP-, se reporta la presencia de seis especies estando la mayoría de estas especies

en las categorías de vulnerable, en peligro y peligro crítico según los listados de la UICN. De este listado

de espcies, las especies tiburón martillo Sphyrna lewini, tiburón martillo gigante Sphyrna mokarran son

las que mayor presión de pesca reciben en e Caribe de Guatemala.

PALABRAS CLAVES: sistematica, especies, amanezadas, pesca,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

216

Socio-economic Impacts of Sargassum on the Fishery Sector of Barbados

Impactos Socioeconómicos de Sargazo en el Sector Pesquero de Barbados

Impacts Socio-économiques de Sargasses dans le Secteur de la Pêche de la Barbade

NEEMA RAMLOGAN*1, PATRICK McCONNEY

2, and HAZEL OXENFORD

2

1Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Science, 184 Indian Trail,

Village Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. *neema.ramlogan@gmail.com. 2Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Science,

University of the West Indies University, Cave Hill, Bridgetown, Barbados.

ABSTRACT

Barbados, like other Eastern Caribbean islands, has been impacted by several events of high Sargassum

abundance, with 2015 being the most recent and most impactful. One of the major stakeholder groups

affected by these events are the fisherfolk and other actors within the fishery sector in Barbados. The

paper examines and analyses the socio-economic impacts of Sargassum on the fishery value chain, and

the corresponding coping or adaptive mechanisms developing as a result of these impacts. The ability of

fish landing data to capture trends directly related to the Sargassum events, between the years 2010-

2015, is also examined. Adaptive responses and recommendations for improved monitoring and policy

measures, for future occurrences, are set out based on qualitative data. Data were collected through semi-

structured and informal interviews, and discussions at landing sites on the east, west and south coasts of

Barbados. A group interview with the Fisheries Division was conducted; as well as key informant

interviews, and a series of focus groups in which scenarios were considered by participants from various

groups along the value chain. Stakeholder groups‟ adaptive capacity and resilience to environmental

issues, such as those presented by the influx of Sargassum, are reported on.

KEYWORDS: Barbados, fishery, impact, Sargassum, socio-economic

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

217

Integrated Management Framework for Puerto Rico‟s Marine Corridor of the Northeast

Esquema de Manejo Integrativo para el Corredor Marino del Noreste de Puerto Rico

Système De Gestion Pour Le Corridor Marin Du Nord-Est De Porto Rico : Une

Approche Intégrative

ANTARES RAMOS ALVAREZ*1, CHRIS F.G. JEFFREY

2,

SIMON J. PITTMAN3, and MIGUEL F. CANALS

4

1NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology,

654 Muñoz Rivera. Ave Suite 604, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918USA. *antares.ramos@noaa.gov. 2NOAA – NCCOSCSS - Dynamac, 1305 East-West Hwy. SSMC-4,

#9213, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3281 USA. 3NOAA – NCCOS, Sea Scape Analytics, 13 Haddington Road, Plymouth PL2 1RP United Kingdom.

4UPRM – Center for Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing

System, Call Box 900, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00680 USA.

ABSTRACT

A network of five marine protected areas along with adjacent waters in northern Puerto Rico has been

aggregated into a single reserve named the Marine Corridor of the Northeast. This marine corridor

covering an area of around 265 km2

is the first of its kind on this Caribbean island. A management

framework for this protected area is being designed using an integrative land-sea approach for

synthesizing data and information collected over four years. A multi-disciplinary team have compiled

comprehensive spatial data and applied conservation prioritization tools to inform the management plan.

Five components formed the data synthesis framework. 1) Hydrodynamic studies revealed complex

coastal currents and circulatory patterns, as well as potential connectivity among habitats. 2) Ecological

studies characterized spatial patterns in the distribution fishes, benthic organisms, and endangered corals;

and are being used to prioritize coral reefs for conservation. 3) Social science studies provided

information on human uses, the perspective of stakeholders and resource users, as well as expert local

knowledge on stressors and natural resource conditions. 4) Intergovernmental watershed management

efforts are also occurring to reduce downstream impacts on marine resources within the marine corridor.

5) Finally, spatial data on current patterns, coral reef resource distributions, habitats, human uses, user

perspectives, and expert local knowledge, are being integrated into a decision support framework that

will be used to inform, coordinate and streamline local and federal management activities for the

reserve. This integrative approach can be applicable to other regions in the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Coral reefs, MPA network, marine corridor, integrated management, connectivity

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

218

Long-term Changes in Fish Assemblage Structure and Function

of Terminos Lagoon, Campeche, Mexico

Cambios a Largo Plazo de la Estructura y la Función de las Comunidades

de Peces en la Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

Changements A Long Terme De La Structure Et Du Fonctionnement Des

Groupements De Poissons Dans La Términos, Campeche, Mexique

JULIA RAMOS MIRANDA*, DOMINGO FLORES HERNÁNDEZ,

ATAHUALPA SOSA LÓPEZ, and EDSON F. FLORES RAMOS

Instituto Epomex, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Héroe de Nacozari No- 480,

Campeche 24029 México. *ramosmiran@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

La Laguna de Términos ha sido impactada desde la década los 50‟s. El efecto sinérgico del desarrollo

urbano, extracción de petróleo, tala de manglar, desarrollo agrícola y actividad pesquera incluyendo

impactos naturales extremos y el cambio climático, han modificado las características hidrológicas y la

composición y estructura de los ensambles de peces. En este trabajo, la riqueza de esta comunidad, fue

estudiada en un periodo discontinuo de 30 años (1980, 1998 y 2011). En cada período, se analizaron los

cambios hidrológicos (temperatura, salinidad, profundidad y transparencia), por medio de ANOVAS y se

utilizaron rasgos funcionales (biomasa, nivel trófico, hábitat y biometrías) de las especies más

abundantes en los tres períodos, para observar patrones de ensamblaje de la comunidad por ACP. Se

observaron incrementos en salinidad y transparencia desde 1980 a 2011 (25 y 28 UPS; 35 a 37%

respectivamente) y disminución de la biomasa de 2.3 veces la observada en 1980s. El ACP muestra que

en 2011 en la estructura lagunar predominan especies con niveles tróficos ≥ 3.5 y con preferencia de

hábitat marino y tolerancia estuarina. Así mismo, durante 1980 y 2011 el bagre Ariposis felis y pez globo

Sphoeroides testudineus, fueron especies muy abundantes en la comunidad, contrariamente al bagre

Cathorops melanopus cuya biomasa disminuyó en 97%. Se concluye que la laguna de Términos tiende a

la homogenización ambiental tornándose principalmente marino, provocando que las especies estuarinas

y de agua dulce probablemente migren hacía áreas más favorables, manifestándose cada vez más en una

disminución de la biomasa.

KEYWORDS: Terminos lagoon, Gulf of Mexico, hydrological changes, shift fish assemblage, structure

an function

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

219

Improving Fishermen Awareness and Reducing the Impacts of Lobster Traps

on MPAs in the Florida Keys

Mejorando el Conocimiento de los Pescadores y Reduciendo el Impacto de las

Nasas de Langosta en las AMP de los Cayos de la Florida

Améliorer la Sensibilisation des Pêcheurs et de Ráduire les Impacts de Casiers à Homard

dans les AMP des Florida Keys

GABRIELLE RENCHEN* and THOMAS MATTHEWS

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute,

2796 Overseas Hwy., Suite 119, Marathon, Florida 33050 USA. *gabby.renchen@myfwc.com.

ABSTRACT

Trap fishing has been identified as one of the many sources of coral loss in the Florida Keys. To better

protect corals, State of Florida and Federal agencies have established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

that among other things, prohibit trap use within their borders. Some of the MPA boundaries are

delineated by buoys; some are not. Some are identified on nautical charts; some are not. We conducted

this study to determine if these different management approaches influenced the ability of trap fishermen

to recognize and avoid placing their traps within MPAs. We surveyed three types of MPAs to determine

the number of traps within them during September 2014, near the beginning and height of the lobster

fishing season. The vast majority of traps were found in MPAs that did not have physically marked

boundaries or information on nautical charts. We attached a courtesy notice to each trap buoy to inform

fishermen that their trap was inside a no-trap area. We quickly learned that many of the fishermen were

unaware that their traps were within a restricted area. Consequently, we mailed all lobster trap fishermen

information identifying these areas. Licensing and trap marking requirements in Florida facilitated our

educational efforts. We will repeat the same surveys during September 2015 to evaluate if our education

effort reduced the number of traps in the MPAs. Our research highlights the challenges of managing

MPAs and the value of having a licensing system for not only managing marine resources but also

bolstering communication with stakeholders.

KEYWORDS: MPAs, traps, spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

220

Information Gaps in the Trophic Roles of Caribbean Reef Fishes

Vacíos de Información en los Roles Tróficos de Peces Arrecifales del Caribe

Manque D'Information sur les Rôles Trophiques des Poissons Récifaux dans les Caraïbes

MARTHA PATRICIA RINCÓN-DÍAZ*1, SIMON PITTMAN

2, IVAN ARISMENDI

1,

MARK HIXON3, and SELINA HEPPELL

1

1Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University,

Corvallis, Oregpm 97331 USA. *patricia.rincon-diaz@oregonstate.edu. 2NOAA – Biogeography Branch, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA.

3Department of Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall,

Edmondson Hall, Room 216. Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the ecological roles that fishes play in trophic relationships of coral reef systems depends

on our knowledge of fish trophic ecology and ability to detect changes in community composition and

function. The functional redundancy of fishes in different habitats is highly influenced by species

composition, ontogenic shifts in diets, and species-specific feeding behavior as demonstrated by

different patterns of habitat use across life stages. To better understand trophic structure in fish

communities associated to coral reefs, we conducted an extensive literature review of trophic functional

traits of 274 fish species in the U.S. Caribbean. Fish traits were extracted for juvenile and adult stages

separately and selected based on: ontogenic diet shifts, habitat use for feeding, vertical habitat

association, social feeding behavior, and trophic location in the food web. These traits were applied to

fish community data collected by NOAA‟s Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment project

(2001 and 2013). Presence and absence of functional traits were recorded because differences in trait

measurements among studies were expected. Our findings showed that adult stages had a better

description of traits than juveniles. Vertical habitat association for adults (92%) and diet shifts for

juveniles (9%) were the best recorded traits. Habitat use for adults (61%) and feeding behavior of

juveniles (1%) were the poorest ones. Significant gaps in knowledge of trophic roles of juvenile fishes

represent an urge to increase research on their function. We provide recommendations for research to

address these gaps and to use this dataset for functional diversity analysis.

KEYWORDS: Gaps, trophic roles, fish life stages, functional redundancy, functional traits

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

221

Spatial Changes in Fish Functional Diversity in the U.S. Caribbean

Cambios Espaciales de la Diversidad Funcional Íctica en el Caribe Estadounidese

Changement de la Distribution Spatiale de la Diversité Fonctionnelle

des Poissons dans les Caraïbes (U.S.)

MARTHA PATRICIA RINCÓN-DÍAZ*1, SIMON PITTMAN

2, IVAN ARISMENDI

1,

MARK HIXON3, and SELINA HEPPELL

1

1Department of Fisheries and Wildlife,104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University,

Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA. *patricia.rincon-diaz@oregonstate.edu. 2NOAA – Biogeography Branch, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA.

3Department of Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall,

Edmondson Hall, Room 216. Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA.

ABSTRACT

Studies on fish functional diversity have rarely considered the ecological roles of reef fishes during

different life stages, which are influenced by ontogenic shifts in diet, habitat use, and distribution. Here,

we investigate functional diversity as an ecological response metric to understand spatiotemporal

patterns and processes that influence the functional organization of fish assemblages on U.S Caribbean

coral reefs. We focused on the different roles that fishes play as juveniles and adults. Functional

diversity quantifies the relative magnitude of similarities and differences among species based on the

value and range of their functional, morphological and behavioral traits. This metric allows us to identify

the niche space for each species by considering both trait redundancy and relative species abundance.

Functional diversity does not clump species within a guild, as species richness of trophic groups do, but

instead captures the variability in species traits. We considered the spatial ontogenic shifts of both

juvenile and adult fishes and their traits related to use of habitat-specific food resources. We evaluated

changes in fish functional diversity inside the Marine Protected Area Buck Island Reef National

Monument in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We provide insights about the variability in functional diversity

analysis by considering fish life stages and quality of functional trait information. Our approach is

transferable and it can be applied to similar assessments elsewhere in the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Functional diversity, trophic function, life stages, traits, marine protected areas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

222

Fishery-dependent Data Collection: Options for Every Fishery Manager

Recolección de Datos Dependiente de la Pesca: Opciones para cada Gerente de Pesca

Collecte des Données Dépendant de la Pêche: Options pour Chaque Gestionnaire de Pêche

RYAN RINDONE*1, GREG STUNZ

2, and CHARLES STEINBACK

3

1Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100,

Tampa, Florida 33607 USA. *ryan.rindone@gulfcouncil.org. 2Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi,

6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 USA. 3Point 97– An Ecotrust Company, 721 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209 USA.

ABSTRACT

For those fisheries managers with limited resources (financial, human, and/or others), managing costs

against data needs is a continuing struggle. Fishery-dependent data collection programs can often be

much more affordable than fishery-independent data collection programs. Though fishery-dependent

data require validation, and are typically associated with high coefficients of variance, they can still

provide plenty of useful information for making informed management decisions. Presented are a

variety of methods and resources available based on the capabilities of the fishery management body,

such as a governmental entity. These methods are grouped into three categories: low, medium, and high

cost; with the “cost” metric referring to the qualitative amount of resources necessary to successfully

implement a method. The purpose of this information is to highlight options available to fishery

managers for informing fisheries management decisions.

KEYWORDS: Management, data, efficiency, fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

223

Filling Critical Information Gaps in Data-poor Fisheries:

Preliminary Age, Growth, and Reproduction in Queen Triggerfish

Llenando Vacíos de Información Críticos en la Pesquería con Poca Cantidad de Datos:

Información Preliminar sobre la Edad, el Crecimiento y la Reproducción en el Peje Puerco Reina

Combler Les Lacunes Dans L'information De Pêche : Âge Préliminaire, Croissance Et

Reproduction Du Baliste Royal

JESÚS RIVERA-HERNÁNDEZ*1, VIRGINIA SHERVETTE

2,

NOEMI PEÑA1, and RICHARD APPELDOORN

1

1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, P.O. Box 9000

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA. *jesus.rivera@upr.edu. 2Fish/Fisheries Conservation LabUniversity of South Carolina – Aiken,

472 University Parkway, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 USA. 3Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources,

P.O. Box 3665, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA. USA

ABSTRACT

Queen Triggerfish Balistes vetula has been utilized as an important foodfish in the Caribbean for more

than a century. Based the most currently available landings data (total pounds landed), Queen

Triggerfish ranks 2nd in importance for the St. Thomas/St. John commercial fisheries, 7th for St. Croix,

and 9th for Puerto Rico. A recent stock assessment for Queen Triggerfish in U.S. Caribbean waters

determined that due to data limitations (including the lack of current species-specific life history

information) projections for future stock status could not be constructed. The purpose of our study is to

provide this critical life history information for this fisheries species. To-date, we have collected and

processed 335 Queen Triggerfish samples from fisheries-dependent and -independent sources ranging in

size from 175-433 mm fork length (FL). The overall female-to-male ratio is 1:0.9 and the mean sizes of

females and males were 280 and 298 mm FL, respectively. Currently, the accepted structure for aging

Balistes species is the first dorsal spine due to a past mis-identification of which otoliths were the sagittal

pair and the moderate difficulty in obtaining triggerfish otoliths. However, in our study, we have had

success in collecting sagittal otoliths for this species and estimating ages using otoliths in order to

compare with the estimates from the dorsal spines.

KEYWORDS: Life history, triggerfish, batch spawning, data-poor fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

224

A Species Distribution Model of the Invasive Lionfish Population (Pterois spp.) in Bermuda

Modelo de la Distribución de las Poblaciones de las Especies Invasoras

de Peces León (Pterois spp.) en Las Bermudas

Un Modèle De Ditribution De La Population De Poissons-Lions Invasifs (Pterois

Spp.) Aux Bermudes

STUART ROBERTSON*1 and TIMOTHY NOYES

2

1Environment Department, University of York, University Road,

York, Yorkshire YO10 5DD United Kingdom. *sdr513@York.ac.uk. 2Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Station, Ferry Reach, St. Georges GE01 Bermuda.

ABSTRACT

The Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.) invaded the Western Atlantic through an anthropogenic introduction

off the coast of Florida in the mid 1980s. It is widely regarded as having the potential to become one of

the most ecologically and economically harmful marine invasions to date. Lionfish were first observed in

Bermuda‟s waters in 1999. Despite this, the true distribution of the lionfish population across Bermuda‟s

reef systems is still unknown. This information is vital for effective management programs. This

research attempts to address this lack of knowledge through the generation of a species distribution

model (SDM) based on known lionfish presence locations and various environmental predictors.

Approximately 330 presence-only lionfish observations were generated from a wider fish community

census of Bermuda‟s mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) and the Bermuda Government‟s lionfish

catch data. Environmental predictor layers (depth, temperature, benthic habitat and slope) were

generated using ESRI ArcGIS 10.3.1. The lionfish SDM was generated using MaxEnt software 3.3.3.

MaxEnt is a software package primarily used for species distribution and environmental niche

modelling. The R Project dismo package 1.0-12 provided an interface between ArcGIS and MaxEnt.

Evaluation of the model consistently returns an AUC (Area Under Curve) score above 0.75. This model

is the first of its kind for Bermuda and not only has the capability to model lionfish but serves as a

platform for future species distribution models. It is anticipated these preliminary efforts will become a

vital tool for more effective marine spatial management and Pterois spp. eradication programs.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, modeling, Bermuda, MaxEnt

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

225

Fish and Fisher Behaviour Influence the Vulnerability of Groupers (Epinephelidae)

to Fishing at a Multispecies Spawning Aggregation Site

Influencia del Comportamiento del Pez y del Pescador en la Vulnerabilidad de los Meros

(Epinephelidae) Capturados en un Sitio de Agregación Reproductivo Multiespecífico

Comportement des Poissons et Pêcheur Influent sur la Vulnérabilité des Mérous

(Epinephelidae) à la Pêche sur un Site D‟agrégation de Frai Multiespèces

JAN ROBINSON*, NICHOLAS GRAHAM, JOSHUA CINNER, and PETER WALDIE

ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies,James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive,

Townsville, Queensland 4811 Australia. *jan.robinson@my.jcu.edu.au.

ABSTRACT

Exploitation of spawning aggregations is a major contributor to extinction risk in numerous species of

grouper (Epinephelidae). Where the protection of multispecies spawning sites using marine reserves is

socioeconomically or culturally unviable, effective management requires an understanding of how

species vary in their vulnerability to fishing gears and respond to changes in fishing effort. Using an

example from a multispecies aggregation site in the Indo-Pacific, we demonstrate that, despite having

similar aggregation abundances, species of grouper may vary several fold in their vulnerability to capture

by hook-and-line gear due to different competitive capabilities for bait. Contrasting with the common

assumption of a proportional relationship, CPUE is typically unrelated to aggregation size. However,

CPUE was inversely related to the density of fishing effort at the site, with gear saturation identified as

the likely mechanism for this effect. The sources of variation in CPUE that we identify therefore have

implications for gear-based management, which must be based on understanding of gear selectivity for

aggregating species, and fishing effort controls, which must consider the potential for effort-dependent

patterns in catchability. Our results are interpreted in relation to multispecies spawning aggregation sites

in the tropical western Atlantic.

KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregations, CPUE, catchability, fisheries management, conservation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

226

Sustainable Seaweed: Could This be the Next Big Thing?

Alga Marina Sostenible: ¿Podría ser la Próxima Gran Cosa?

Sustainable Algues : Peut-être la Prochaine Grande Chose?

JULIANNE ROBINSON* and SELENI CRUZ

The Nature Conservancy, 13 Garden City Plaza, Belmopan City, Belize. *jrobinson@tnc.org.

ABSTRACT

Beliz\'s fisheries, like so many around the world, are in decline. The cumulative impacts of climate

change, coastal development and unsustainable fishing practices threatens the viability of the isheries

industry and the livelihoods of people who depend on it. Fishers are finding it harder to secure stable

incomes, resulting in increased fishing pressure, and thus, further aggravating the situation. The Nature

Conservancy has been working closely with the Placencia Producers Cooperative Society Limited

(PPCSL), a fishing cooperative, in piloting sustainable seaweed farming that employs fishers and women

in the community. Sustainable seaweed farming has the potential of being a part of the solution for

fishers and fish alike. Belizean fishers have traditionally harvested seaweed while fishing as

supplemental income to the traditional catch of lobster, conch and finfish. In addition to providing

additional income for fishers, sustainable seaweed farms provide habitat for coral, conch and lobster

recruitment and may promote replenishment and restoration. Through an agreement with the

Government of Belize, seaweed farms are set aside as no-fishing (no-take) areas with the exception of

harvesting seaweed allowing for protection of nursery sites for conch and lobster. The scheme has

proven to have the potential for scaling up, providing sustainable livelihoods while also aiding in

restoring commercially important species. This model protects biodiversity, promotes food security and

diminishes climate vulnerability of fishing communities

KEYWORDS: Sustainable seaweed, seaweed aquculture, sustainable livelihoods, Belize, replenishment

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

227

Characterization of Shark Fishing in Panama

Caracterización de la Pesca de Tiburones en Panamá

Caractérisation de la Pêche au Requin à Panama

YEHUDI NAFISA RODRÍGUEZ ARRIATTI* and SAYMIRETH ALVARADO

Universidad de Panamá, La Boca, Panama. *nafisay@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Artisanal shark and ray fisheries in Panama have expanded rapidly in the past 20 years while co-

occurring with a dearth in taxa-specific biological and fisheries information. In the year 2000 fisheries

increasingly targeted neonate and juvenile sharks, notably following a shortage of fin-fish in 2007 that

led fishermen to translate their fishing effort to sharks. Studies on the status of shark resources in the

Caribbean are increasingly necessary due to the lack of information on shark fishing compounded by the

migration of shark fishermen from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. Panama‟s national Law No. 9 that

bans shark finning from 2006 has been ineffective. From 2009 to 2011 landings from artisanal boats in

seven different fishing communities were sampled to characterize the scope and species-specific targets

of shark fishing. Data on fishing gear and methods as well as catch composition were recorded. Gillnets

and handlines were considered gears of choice with bottom gillnets as gear used in 80% of catches, and

surface gillnets accounted for 17% of catches. A total of 3,049 sharks belonging to least 21 species and

one ray species were recorded. Catch composition was dominated by Sphyrna lewini (68% of catch),

followed by Rhizoprionodon longurio (15%), Mustelus henlei (6%) and Dasyatis longa (3%). The over

representation of neonate and juvenile sharks in catches, notably of Sphyrna lewini, suggests that

fisheries target nursery areas. The trajectory and management of shark fisheries along the Panama‟s

Caribbean coast will be discussed in relation to regional agreements and international conventions.

KEYWORDS: Sharks, artisanal fisheries, neonates and juveniles, bycatch

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

228

La Pesca del Pepino de Mar en Yucatan, Mexico y el Analisis del Recurso Desde su

Captura hasta su Comercializacion en Dos Cooperativas Pesqueras

Fishing in Yucatan, Mexico Sea Cucumber and Analysis of the Resource

From Capture to Marketing in Two Fishing Cooperatives

Pêche Des Holothuries Dans Le Yucatan, Mexique Et Analyse De La Ressource De La

Capture À La Commercialisation De Deux Coopératives De Pêche

LUIS ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ GIL*, CARLOS FRANCISCO REYES-SOSA,

JOSÉ LUIS GIORGANA-FIGUEROA, SARA NAHUAT-DZIB,

OCTAVIO ALEJANDRO MOLINA-DURAN, and ITURIEL ALBERTO PÉREZ-LÓPEZ

Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida, Km. 5 Carretera a Progreso, Mérida, Yucatán 97118 México.

*luis_rdzgil@hotmail.com.

RESUMEN

La pesca del pepino de mar Isostichopus badionotus en el estado de Yucatán se inició con pesca de

fomento y en la actualidad es una pesquería comercial. Los primeros permisos de pesca de fomento se

otorgaron en el 2000 y los de pesca comercial se otorgaron a partir del 2013 con vigencia de dos años,

mismos que fueron renovados en el año 2015. Estos permisos están sujetos a la Carta Nacional Pesquera

2012, donde se mencionan las generalidades, indicadores de la pesquería, esfuerzo pesquero,

lineamientos y estrategias de manejo del recurso; así como a la Norma NOM-009-PESC-1993 para

determinar las épocas y zonas de veda. Sin embargo, aun teniendo los permisos de pesca, los períodos de

pesca y vedas se establecen cada año, de acuerdo a la disponibilidad del recurso conforme a la opinión

técnica del INAPESCA. Se analizaron los períodos de pesca de fomento y comercial para la costa de

Yucatán, en cuanto a cuotas de captura del año 2006 al 2014 y se observa la disminución desde el año

2010 de 1675 T a 860 T en el 2012 en la pesca de fomento y en la pesca comercial de 2498 T en el 2013

a 612 T en el 2015 en la primera temporada y ampliación del periodo de pesca. El número de

embarcaciones aumentó hasta estabilizarse en 429 embarcaciones en el 2014. Estos datos indican que el

recurso ha disminuido a pesar de los esfuerzos de las autoridades pesqueras, por lo que, para utilizar el

recurso de una manera eficiente y sustentable se analizaron las capturas de dos cooperativas pesqueras

enfocando cuatros aspectos: insumos, técnicas de cosecha, transformación y comercialización.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pepino de mar, Isostichopus badionotus, cuotas de captura, pesca de fomento ,

pesca comercial

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

229

Estado Actual de la Pesqueria del Mero en el Estado de Yucatan, Mexico

y Estrategia para la Recoleccion de Datos con Particpacion de Usuarios

Current Status of the Fishery of the Grouper in the State of Yucatan, Mexico,

and Strategy for the Collection of Data with Participation of Users

État Actuel de la Pêche de la Mérou dans L'état du Yucatan, au Mexique

et Stratégie pour la Collecte de Données avec la Participation des Utilisateurs

LUIS ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ GIL*, CARLOS FRANCISCO REYES-SOSA, JOSÉ LUIS

GIORGANA-FIGUEROA, SARA NAHUAT-DZIB, and ALEJANDRO ISAIAS TREJO-RAMOS

Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida, Km. 5 Carretera a Progreso, Mérida, Yucatán 97118 México

*luis_rdzgil@hotmail.com.

RESUMEN

El recurso mero es una de las principales pesquerías del estado de Yucatán que ha sido sustento

económico de los pescadores. Actualmente, existe una gran preocupación, porque, las capturas han

disminuido drásticamente, al tal grado que el 80 % de los barcos de la flota de mediana altura no salen a

la pesca y se requiere como mínimo de 1.5 T de captura para no tener pérdidas.De los arribos oficiales se

realizó un análisis de las tendencias anuales de las capturas en toneladas y de los precios/kg, así como la

captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE). No se encuentra recuperación del mero y los precios debido a la

escases van en aumento ejerciendo más presión sobre el recurso al no respetar las medidas de manejo,

principalmente la talla minina.A pesar de que se ha efectuado un gran esfuerzo de parte de las

autoridades por recuperar la pesquería, está se encuentra en deterioro y el stock sobre-explotado. Se

recomienda antes de que la pesquería colapse lo siguiente: veda de tres meses en lugar de uno del 15 de

Enero al 15 de Abril, respetar talla mínima, moratoria para la pesca deportiva, realizar ordenamiento

sobre las embarcaciones e implementar un programa de retiro de embarcaciones. Existe también un

problema en el registro de las capturas en donde todas las especies de mero de la familia Serranidae

están incluidas en los reportes oficiales como mero. Es difícil saber la tendencia de las capturas por

especie. Por lo que, se propone es este trabajo un compromiso de participación con los usuarios de llenar

un formato de registro de captura por especie de la Familia Serranidae.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesquería, capturas de mero, formato de registro

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

230

Characterization of the Coral Reef Community at Mahahual, Mexico

Caracterización de la Comunidad del Arrecife de Mahahual, México

Caractérisation de la Communauté dans le Récif de Corail Mahahual, Mexique

DIANA RODRÍGUEZ-BAQUERO, ERNESTO A. CHÁVEZ*,

AND ALEJANDRA CHÁVEZ-HIDALGO

CICIMAR-IPN Ave. IPN s/n Col.Playa Palo Sta. Rita La Paz,

Baja California 23096 Mexico. * echavez@ipn.mx

ABSTRACT

The coral reef community of the Mahahual reef in the Mexican Caribbean was studied in the years 2005

to 2008. Result shows there was a change in the macrobenthic community, due to the impact of the

hurricane Dean in august 2007. In 2005 hexacorals and octocorals were the dominant groups, with

relative coverage 19% and 13%, respectively, when 69 species were recorded, highlighting hexacorals

with 25 species, 11 families and 14 genus, where Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites, M.

cavernosa, M. franksi, D. labyrynthiformis and Porites astreoides were dominant. Amongst octocorals,

15 species were recorded, where Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata, P. Americana, and Gorgonia ventalina

were dominant. In 2008 there was a reduction in the coverage of octocorals and hexacorals, while

sponges increased to 15%. Changes in macrobenthic coverage at the shallow reef were evident, revealing

a considerable decline of the biotic component due to abrasion, breaking dragging colonies and

fragments generated by hurricanes. The reef substrate was characterized by macro algae, which are

highly abundant in this reef due to multiple factors like coral mortality, increased nutrients and reduction

of herbivores. However, barren ground and coral recently dead increased their coverage in this reef and

constitute evidence of the strong impact of Hurricane Dean on this reef.

KEYWORDS: Mahahual reef, Hurricane Dean, hexacorals, octocorals, hexacorals

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

231

Dinámica de la Pesquería Artesanal en el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia

y Santa Catalina, Reserva de Biósfera Seaflower

Dinamic of the Artesanal Fishery in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providence

and Santa Catalina, Biosphere Reserve Seaflower

Dynamique de la pêche artisanale dans l'archipel de San Andrés, Providence et Santa

Catalina, la Réserve de Biosphère de Seaflower

ANTHONY ROJAS*, CLARITZA LLANOS, SILVIA MONTOYA,

MALEGNE GARCIA, and FLOR SJOGREEN

Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca, Av. Francisco Newball, Edif. Coral Palace,

San Andres Isla, San Andres, Colombia, *antroojasa@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

El comportamiento de la captura total de peces, estimada en el período de 2004 a 2015 en San Andrés,

muestra que los volúmenes más altos, se presentaron entre el período 2007 - 2010, con valores

superiores a 200 t/año y el período 2008 - 2010, con volúmenes superiores a 100 t/año. El año en que se

registró la menor captura total, fue 2012, probablemente a causa de factores logísticos para el monitoreo,

ya que la captura promedio mensual, no estuvo por debajo de la captura promedio interanual. Durante el

año 2013, siguiente al fallo de la Corte Internacional de Justicia de la Haya, la captura promedio en San

Andrés, se redujo levemente, sin embargo para 2014, hubo un incremento, alcanzando valores superiores

a los estimados desde 2011. Las áreas de mayor captura corresponden a San Andrés (54,59%), Bolívar

(29,89%), Albuquerque (6,94%) y Meridiano 82 (6,73%). Dentro de estas áreas, Bolívar ha registrado

menores capturas a través de los años. A nivel general, se han registrado peces que pertenecen en

promedio a 56 especies, con un intervalo de 44 a 82 especies. El grupo de peces que registró la mayor

captura estimada interanual fue pelágico grande oceánico (37,32%), seguido por demersal somero

(23,94%). Los mayores volúmenes de captura corresponden a peces de la especie Black bonito Thunnus

atlanticus (34,36%), seguida por saltona roja Ocyurus chrysurus (10,63%), King fish Acanthocybium

solandri (9,26%), barracuda Sphyraena barracuda (9,02%). Se destaca el hecho de que a partir de 2012,

se han reducido significativamente las capturas de saltona roja.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pesquería artesanal , captura total estimada, pelágicos, demersales,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

232

Working on Australia's Marine Protected Areas

Trabajando en las Areas Marinas Protegidas de Australia

Travailler sur les Aires Marines Protégées de L'Australie

MARTIN RUSSELL

Science & Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA), 212/88 Macquarie Street,

Teneriffe, Queensland 4005 Australia. martinrussell99@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Australia has an extensive network of marine protected areas including the iconic Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park and the Coral Sea Marine Reserve. I have been working on MPA management and

science for almost 20 years, including the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and now

developing management for 40 new reserves in Australia's network of MPAs. From stakeholder liaison

to political negotiating, its a challenging area to work. As more emphasis is being placed on ways to help

maintain or restore the world's oceans, this presentation will provide some insights into MPA design,

issues, problems and solutions, helping to bridge the gap between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf and

Caribbean region.

KEYWORDS: MPA, marine reserve, conservation, ocean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

233

Fish Spawning Aggregations: Let's Compare Pacific Ocean to the Gulf and Caribbean

Agregaciones Reproductivas de Peces:

Comparando el Océano Pacífico con el Golfo y el Caribe

Agrégations de Frai des Poissons:

Comparaisons Entre L'océan Pacifique Et Le Golfe Et Les Caraïbes

MARTIN RUSSELL

Science & Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA), 212/88 Macquarie Street,

Teneriffe, Queensland 4005 Australia. martinrussell99@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Are there differences or similarities between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf and Caribbean region? We

know that fish spawning aggregations occur throughout the worlds oceans and there seems to be

variations between species and regions. Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA) is

compiling information on these aggregations in a global database, which now holds over 1000

records. Through analysis of records in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf and Caribbean region, we can

now compare what fish spawn where and how.

KEYWORDS: Fish, spawn, aggregation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

234

Equivalent Management Challenges from Caribbean and

Pacific Colombian Small-Scale Fishing Communities

Equivalentes Retos de Manejo Pesquero en Comunidades de

Pescadores Artesanales del Caribe y Pacifico Colombiano

Défis De Gestion Des Pêches Équivalents Entre Les Communautés Des Pêcheurs

Artisanaux Dans La Caraïbe Et Le Pacifique Colombien

LINA M. SAAVEDRA-DÍAZ*1, ANDREW ROSENBERG

2, and ROBERT POMEROY

3

1Universidad del Magdalena, Carrera 32 No. 22 – 08, Santa Marta, Magdalena 470006 Colombia.

*lsaavedra@unimagdalena.edu.co. 2Center for Science & Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists,

2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 USA. 3University of Connecticut-Avery Point – Agricultural and Resource, Room 380 - Marine Science

Building, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340-6048 USA.

ABSTRACT

This is a first approach to understanding commonalities and variations found among small-scale coastal

and marine fishing communities in Colombia from the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Here are presented

features of nine examples of fishing communities that directly affect or indirectly influence the outcome

of fisheries management, organized in terms of: 1. Geographical, political, and demographic features; 2.

Environmental and territorial features; 3. Fishing methods and equipment; 4. Living conditions; and 5.

Marketing and economic relationships. A synthetic overview of a sector that was little known from a

national perspective, this research makes possible a close understanding of the social, economic, cultural

and environmental factors shaping Colombian marine Fishermen. These nine communities illustrate the

wide range of conditions characteristic of each eco-region. Taken together creates an exceptionally rich

general picture of artisanal fishing at the national level (with the exception of communities located in

marine protected areas and on islands). This high variety supports a regional categorization, although

differences and similarities across Caribbean and Pacific communities do not always break down

geographically. The wide variety of fishing activities and social conditions presented in this study

enhance the need of taking local, regional, coastal and national perspectives into account, rather than

continuing to craft management plans based on a single sector with general features.

KEYWORDS: Fishery management, small-scale fisheries, fishing communities

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

235

The Last Quota of Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Prior to the Decree of Ban for Five

Years in the Biosphere Reserve Banco Chinchorro (RBBCH) Mexican Caribbean

Ùltima Cuota de Caracol Rosado (Strombus gigas), Previo al Decreto de Veda por Cinco

Años en la Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro (RBBCh), Caribe Mexicano

Dernier quota de lambi (Strombus gigas) avant le décret de fermeture pendant cinq ans

dans la Réserve de Biosphère de Banco Chinchorro (RBBCH), Caraïbes Mexicaine

MIGUEL MATEO SABIDO-ITZÁ* and ALEJANDRO MEDINA-QUEJ

Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal, Av. Insurgentes N° 303, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77086 México.

*mateosabido@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The queen conch (Strombus gigas), is one of the most important and high ecological and cultural value

in the Caribbean fisheries. However, due to their biological characteristics and high market demand, has

been affected by overfishing. In Mexico until 2012 the only place where the extraction of this resource is

allowed by quotas was in Banco Chinchorro. On 20 November the same year, by impulse the fishermen

to protect their resources, was published in the Official Gazette, the temporary ban for 5 years. In the

present study an analysis of the catches of queen conch in RBBCH was performed during the last season

2011-2012, registering a total sample of 4021 organisms whose sizes ranged from 100 mm to 308 mm

LS; (Mean ± SD = 213.9 ± 21.7 mm LS). The main modal group found in the size distribution was of

200 - 229 mm LS. It should be mentioned that 23% of the organisms were below the minimum landing

size (< 21 cm). Through CPUE, 10 major catchment areas were identified. Finally it was observed that

on average each boat used four fishermen for 4.43 hours a day, consuming 27.7 liters of gasoline for

77.6 kg of queen conch pulp. The results presented here contribute to the knowledge of this fishery for

sustainable resource management.

KEYWORDS: Banco Chinchorro, queen conch, sustainable management, CPUE

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

236

The Fisheries Sector, an Important Ally in Shares of Control and Monitoring of the

Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Marine Protected Areas in the Mexican Caribbean

El Sector Pesquero, un Importante Aliado en las Acciones de Control y Monitoreo del Pez

León Invasor (Pterois volitans) en Áreas Marinas Protegidas del Caribe Mexicano

Le Secteur de la Pêche, un Allié Important dans des Actions de Contrôle

et de Surveillance du Poisson-Lion Envahissantes (Pterois volitans)

dans les Aires Protégées Marines Caraïbes Mexicaines

MIGUEL MATEO SABIDO-ITZÁ*1, ALEJANDRO MEDINA-QUEJ

1,

CARMEN AMELIA VILLEGAS-SÁNCHEZ1, and JORGE MANUEL GÓMEZ-POOT

2

1Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal, Av. Insurgentes N° 303, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77013 México.

*mateosabido@gmail.com. 2Comisión Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas – Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro,

Av. Insurgentes N° 445, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77039 México.

ABSTRACT

The first record of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Biosphere Reserve Banco Chinchorro (RBBCH) as

well as in Xcalak Reef National Park was in 2009. Since then the density and distribution of this species

have been increasing. However, due to the extension and remoteness of the mentioned reefs, large

financial investment and human resources are required for the control and monitoring of lionfish. This

study analyzed the importance of the fisheries sector in such activities. Between 2009 and 2014, a 14x

increase in catch per unit effort (CPUE) was recorded, from 0.10 to 1.47 fish/fisher/hour, by means of

freediving. Additionally, in the RBBCH a group of fishermen was trained for the catch using scuba

diving; thus in 2012 and 2013 CPUE was 23.2 and 18.6 fish/diver/hour, respectively. These efforts were

focused on areas related to higher abundances. Furthermore, this collaboration allowed the analysis of

594 stomachs, with an emptiness ratio of 19%; 13 fish families were identified, which constituted 62%

of the diet, while 37% of it were crustaceans and 0.2% mollusks. Finally, interviews with fishers showed

that everyone knows the problem and contribute to the catches during daily work, besides, a high

percentage also use this product for consumption and lobster food, although do not rule out the

possibility of marketing it to local restaurants. Our results demonstrate the active participation of the

fisheries sector and hence the need for their inclusion in the monitoring and control strategies at the local

level.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, fisheries sector, CPUE, Mexican Caribbean, Marine Protected Area

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

237

Pattern of Recovery in a Multi-species Grouper Spawning Aggregation:

Lessons Learned and Implications for Monitoring and Management

Restablecimiento de una Agregacion Reproductiva de Tres Especies de Mero:

Lecciones y Implicaciones para Manejo y Monitoreo

Retablissement d'un Rassemblement de Frai de Trois Especes de Merou:

Lecons Apprises et les Implications pour la Gestion et Surveillance

YVONNE SADOVY*1and ASAP BUKURROU

2

1University of Hong Kong, Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations,

School of Biological Sciences, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, 0000 China. *yjsadovy@hku.hk. 2Palau Conservation Society, Palau, Palau.

ABSTRACT

A multi-species grouper spawning aggregation located in a protected area in Palau, western Pacific, has

been variously under protection for many years and monitored sporadically since the 1990s. Inconsistent

and inappropriate monitoring protocols, however, made it impossible to meaningfully follow changes in

numbers of groupers aggregating over time while limited enforcement meant that poaching continued.

Not surprisingly, there was little indication of recovery of the once large aggregations of squaretailed

coral grouper (Plectropomus areolatus), camouflage (Epinephelus polyphekadion) and brown-marbled

(E. fuscoguttatus) groupers. The introduction of a robust underwater visual sampling protocol on 2009

and improved monitoring during the aggregation season since that time resulted in clear signs of

recovery in one grouper after 5 years, consistent with differences in the biology among the three species.

Lessons learned for monitoring and management from this case study will be shared and implications for

protection highlighted.

KEYWORDS: Grouper, spawning, aggregation, monitoring, management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

238

Distribución y Abundancia de Larvas Veliger de Strombus gigas

(Linnaeus, 1758) en el Mar Caribe

Distribution and Abundance of Veliger Larvaes of Strombus gigas

(Linnaeus, 1758) in the Caribbean Sea

Distribution et Abondance des Larves Véligères de Strombus gigas

(Linnaeus, 1758) dans la Mer du Caraïbe

MANUEL SANCHEZ*1, HAZEL OXENFORD

2, OLIVIER GROS

3,

JEANNETTE MATEO4, GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER

5 ,

ALBERTO DE JESÚS NAVARRETE6, and DALILA ALDANA1 ARANDA

1

1CINVESTAV IPN – Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Antigua carretera a Progreso KM.6,

Mérida, Yucatan 97310 Mexico. *msanchez794@hotmail.com. 2CERMES – University of of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados.

3Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, BP 250, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe 97159 France.

4Consejo Dominicano de Pesca y Acuicultura, Grupo Jaragua, Inc., Edif. Secretaría de Agricultura,

Los Jardines del Norte c/el Vergel # 33 El Vergel,

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 5Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 268 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108,

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918-1920 USA. 6El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 79000 México.

ABSTRACT

To determine the distribution and abundance of veliger larvae of queen conch, Strombus gigas

(Linnaeus, 1758) around the Caribbean sea, larvae were sampled in Banco Chinchorro (Mexico), Puerto

Morelos (Mexico), Florida and Puerto Rico (USA), Dominic Republic, French West Indies and

Barbados from July to September 2014. The surface plankton samples were collected by oblique hauls

with a conical net of 30-cm diameter, and 200 µm of mesh size in six sites for each locality. The samples

were analyzed following the methodology of Davis et al., (1993), and the Kruskal Wallis tests was used

to assess the statistical significance among the sampling periods. We found a total of 155 larvae of S.

gigas. The major abundance was observed in Barbados during July (18.88 larvae 10/m3). Maximum

average size of larvae was 510.33 µm in September and the minimum average size was 329.35 µm, in

July. Abundance of larvae was significant different among months. However, no significant difference

was found between average sizes and months.

KEYWORDS: Abundance, larvae, veliger, Strombus, gigas

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

239

Dieta del Pez León (Pterois volitans) en la Isla de Providencia, Caribe Colombia

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Diet in Old Providence Island, Colombian Caribbean

Régime Alimentaire de la Rascase Volante (Pterois volitans)

sur L'île de la Providencia, Caraïbes Colombien

MIRLA SÁNCHEZ*1, LUIS ORLANDO DUARTE

1, ERICK CASTRO

2, and ANTHONY ROJAS

2

1Universidad del Magdalena, Carrera 32 #22-08, Santa Marta, Colombia. *mysanchezp@live.com.

2Gobernación de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca,

San Avenida Francisco Newball No. 6-30, Edificio Coral Palace, San Andrés, Providencia, Colombia.

RESUMEN

El pez león (Pterois volitans) se ha dispersado a lo largo del Caribe colombiano debido a su rápido

crecimiento poblacional trayendo como resultado una reducción drástica en la abundancia de peces

arrecifales. Es un depredador muy activo y voraz que se alimenta desde organismos pequeños hasta

algunos considerados grandes en relación con su tamaño. Esta circunstancia representa una gran

preocupación para aquellos sectores que utilizan los recursos marinos, debido a que es una amenaza para

la biodiversidad íctica. Con el fin de evaluar cualitativa y cuantitativamente la dieta del pez león (Pterois

volitans) en la isla de Providencia (Caribe de Colombia) y explorar el efecto que este pez invasor puede

tener sobre los recursos nativos de importancia comercial se analizaron los contenidos estomacales de

163 individuos. En los estómagos del pez león se cuantifico un total de 391 presas, siendo identificados

seis grupos de presas: decápodos, peces, crustáceos, moluscos, cnidarios y huevos. Entre los peces se

encontraron nueve familias: Engraulidae, Apogonidae, Grammatidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae,

Serranidae, Paralichthyidae, Monacanthidae y Gobiidae, siendo esta última familia la de mayor índice de

importancia relativa. Coryphopterus sp. (Gobiidae) representó la mayor cantidad de individuos en una

muestra. Se encontraron algunas presas en periodo de reproducción como Thalassoma bifasciatum

(Labridae). Se hallaron 142 decápodos correspondientes a cinco familias: Palaemonidae, Penaeidae,

Portunidae, Sergestidae y Solenoceridae; 2 estomatopodos, dentro de los que se destaca la familia

Gonodactylidae, 1 poecilostomatoida, 3 cnidarios de la clase Anthozoa, 8 moluscos de las clases

Bivalvia, Gastropoda y Polyplacophora.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Pterois volitans, ecología trófica, biodiversidad íctica, invasión biológica,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

240

Acoustic Patterns of Black Grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci,

Spawning Aggregations in South Florida and Puerto Rico

Patrones Acusticos de la Agregación de Desove del Mero Negro,

Mycteroperca bonaci, en Puerto Rico y el Sur de Florida

Modèles Acoustiques de Mérou Noir, Mycteroperca bonaci, Aggrégations

de Reproducteurs dans Puerto Rico et la Sud de la Florida

PHILLIP SANCHEZ

University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, 4404 SW 20th Lane,

Gainesville, Florida 32607 USA. philjsanchez@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, are large protogynous hermaphrodites in the Family

Epinephelidae. In the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and South Florida they form transient seasonal

spawning aggregations in the winter and spring, with spawning timing influenced by lunar and solar

periodicities. Considered shallow water species throughout their range, black groupers are exclusively

found in mesophotic reefs around the island of Puerto Rico. Two small aggregations have recently been

identified off the west coast of Puerto Rico, one at Bajo de Sico, an isolated seamount, and a second off

the southwest coast of Mona Island. Passive acoustic recorders were set at the two sites, over multiple

years, to quantify black grouper courtship associated calls (CAS) and compare them to lunar and solar

periodicities, water temperature, and tidal stage. A third spawning aggregation was monitored at Riley‟s

Hump in the Dry Tortugas South Ecological Reserve, geographically isolated from the Puerto Rican

shelf. The populations showed similar patterns across the three aggregations. Potential differences in

local calls were identified at the Dry Tortugas population. The formation of small, deep aggregations

combined with the moderately high frequency of sightings along deeper shelf areas suggest potential for

numerous undiscovered black grouper aggregations. Similar geomorphologies of the three sites indicate

specific physical characteristics can be used to help in aggregation identification.

KEYWORDS: Spawning aggregation, passive acoustics, grouper

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

241

Blood Biochemistry of the Wild Population of Red Snapper Lutjanus peru

(Nichols and Murphy, 1922) in the South Pacific of Mexico

Bioquímica Sanguínea de la Población Silvestre del Huachinango Lutjanus peru

(Nichols y Murphy, 1922) en el Pacífico sur de México

Biochimie du Sang de la Population Sauvage de Vivaneau Rouge Lutjanus peru

(Nichols et Murphy, 1922) dans le Pacifique Sud du Mexique

APOLINAR SANTAMARIA*1, MARTIN A. ROMAN-VEGA

1,

JUAN PABLO APUN-MOLINA1, and URFILA V. PELAEZ-ESTRADA

2

1Instituto Politecnico – Nacional CIIDIR, Sinaloa, Blvd. Luan De Dios Datiz Paredes No. 250,

Guasave, Sinaloa 81101 Mexico. *asantama@ipn.mx. 2Instituto Tecnológico S/N Col. Dispensario C.P. 71600, Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, Mexico.

ABSTRACT

The red snapper Lutjanus peru, is considered one of the most important species for both capture volumes

and its commercial and nutritional value. This study was to determine the haematological blood values

of red snapper in the Pacific south of Mexico. We captured 240 organisms during an annual cycle, by

sampling a pristine area and a non-pristine, capturing 30 organisms per sampling site and season.

Proteins were analyzed (Bradford method), cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose (Randox kit)

hematocrit (microhematocrit), and red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and

thrombocytes (TBC) using a Neubauer camera the leukocyte was used Natt and Herrick solution. Were

calculated, gastric repletion index (GRI), hepatosomatic index (HI) and condition factor (K2). The result

of the fish of Pristine was: RBC 3.79 ± 0.88 x 106/mm • cells, WBC 10.6 ± 6.55 cells x 103/mm and

4.90 ± 3.84 cells TBC x 104/mm , Ht 37.96 ± 8.76%, glucose 60.06 ± 2.70 mg/dL, triglycerides 105.87 ±

6.85 mg/dL, cholesterol 215.13 ± 9.17 mg/dL, and protein 2.20 ± 1.04 g/dL. No Pristine was: RBC 3.53

± 1.33 x 106/mm• cells, WBC 3.20 ± 1.25 cells x 103/mm and 9.53 ± 5.16 cells TBC x 104/mm, Ht of

35.35 ± 13.5%, glucose 50.13 ± 2.84 mg/dL, triglycerides 76.40 ± 4.19 mg/dL, cholesterol 69.06 ± 4.17

mg/dL and protein 2.29 ± 0.18 g/dL. The hematological values of the species studied have variations

over an annual cycle, blood biochemical parameters showed large fluctuations, both between capture

sites and between seasons. It is that the analyzed fish at both sites in are an apparently healthy condition.

KEYWORDS: Blood , biochemistry, fish, Mexico

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

242

Nuevas Contribuciones sobre la Reproducción y Desove del Caracol Strombus gigas

New Knowledge about Reproduction of Queen Conch Strombus gigas

Nouvelles Connaissances sur la Reproduction du Lambi, Strombus gigas

PABLO SANTANA* and DALILA ALDANA ARANDA

CINVESTAV – IPN, km 6 antigua Carretera a Progreso, Mèrida, Yucatan, Mèxico.

*pablo.santana@outlook.com.

RESUMEN

La actividad reproductiva de S. gigas ha sido estudiada con el desarrollo gonádico con histología, con la

observación de hembras ovigeras y a través del numero de masas de huevos en el medio. Así algunos

autores han señalado que esta especie durante la época reproductiva puede desovar varias veces. Sin

embrago, Aldana Aranda et al. (2014) señalan que lo más probable es que las hembras tengan un solo

desove durante el periodo reproductivo. Con estos antecedentes, el presente trabajo estudió la actividad

reproductiva de S. gigas de manera directa con organismos vivos, muestreándose quincenalmente

mediante captura-marcaje-recaptura de febrero - diciembre 2013, de 8:00 a 18:00 horas. El desove se

observó de junio a septiembre (424 desoves), con un máximo de 40 desoves/día. El mayor número de

desoves se registró de las 10 – 11 horas (89 y 115 desoves, respectivamente) y un segundo pico por la

tarde. La mayoría de las hembras (63.7%) presentó un solo desove, con una periodicidad entre 1 - 5 días.

Sólo 0.3% de las hembras, tuvo hasta 5 desoves parciales en 32 días. Respecto a la duración del desove,

la media fue 7.2 ± 7.4 h (rango 0.06 - 31.3 horas). Con base en estos resultados, se concluye que las

hembras de S. gigas desovan una sola vez por temporada, siendo éste parcial con preferencia a desovar

por la mañana. Estos hallazgos ponen en evidencia que el esfuerzo reproductivo es menor a lo reportado

en la literatura y servirán para ajustar los modelos de su dinámica población y volumen de captura para

la conservación de esta especie.

KEYWORDS: Reproduction, spawning, queen conch, Strombus

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

243

Priorización de las Acciones de Manejo Sustentable para la Pesquería Artesanal

en la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower, Caribe Colombiano

Priorization of Sustainable Management Actions of Artisanal Fisheries

in the Colombian Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Caribbean

Prioriser les Actions pour une Gestion Durable de la Pêche Artisanale

dans la Réserve de Biosphère de Seaflower, Caraïbes Colombienne,

ADRIANA SANTOS-MARTÍNEZ*1, JOSÉ ERNESTO MANCERA PINEDA

2, ERICK CASTRO

GONZÁLEZ3, MARCELA SJOGREEN VELASCO

4, and HEINS CLAYTON BENT HOOKER

5

1Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Caribe - San Luis Free Town,

San Andrés Archipiélago, Colombia. *asantosma@unal.edu.co. 2Universidad Nacional de Colombia –Sede Bogotá, Facultad de Cienci,

Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá, Colombia. 3Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Archipiélago de la Colombia.

4Departamento Archipiélago de San Andrés, San Andrés, Colombia.

5Ministerio del Medio Ambiente - División Mares, Bogotá, Colombia.

RESUMEN

Se analizaron y priorizaron acciones de manejo sustentable, entre interinstitucional y pescadores

artesanales en San Andrés isla, a partir del año 2012. Se estimó la producción y dinámica de la pesca, a

partir de desembarcos de los últimos ocho años y mediante talleres y técnicas de prospectiva, se

determinaron y valoraron acciones de manejo - importancia y gobernabilidad (IGO). Las capturas

fueron: 90% con línea de mano (Trolling) y 10% buceo a pulmón y los peces representaron el 95,3%,

langosta Panulirus argus el 0,8% y caracol Strombus gigas y Pulpo Octopus el 3,8%. La producción

anual estimada fue 243 toneladas (t/año). El esfuerzo promedio anual del trolling fue 4036 faenas/días y

la CPUE 44 kg/faena, con disminuciones desde 2008, con tendencia a sobrepesca. Ante la problemática

de la pesquería y con la participación de 32 pescadores y 14 funcionarios, se construyó un árbol de 14

problemas: causas y consecuencias, y soluciones: medios y objetivos, involucrando las dimensiones

natural, social, económica, política y sustentabilidad. El análisis IGO indicá que cuatro de 30 acciones

son estratágicas: cumplimiento de planes y compromisos, control de la pesca, creación de programas

para los pescadores y realizar investigaciones y formación a varios niveles. No obstante, los procesos

emergentes logrados con los pescadores e instituciones, cambiaron a raíz de las decisiones limítrofes de

la Corte Internacional de Justicia a favor de Nicaragua, y las acciones pasaron a 56 con prioridades hacia

el orden económico, afectando la gobernanza. Se requiere priorizar el manejo sustentable de Seaflower.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Manejo pesquero, pesca artesanal, priorización de acciones, importancia y

gobernanza, Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

244

A Search-matching Model of Fisheries

En la Búsqueda de un Modelo Adecuado para las Pesquerías

Un Modèle de Recherche et de Rencontre pour les Pêcheries

NICOLAS SANZ* and BASSIROU DIOP

Université de Guyane, 2091 route de Baduel Site de Troubiran, BP 792 Cayenne,

Guyane, France. *nicolas.sanz@univ-guyane.fr.

ABSTRACT

This paper studies the implications of fish search activities on the working of fisheries. We develop a

simple fishery matching model in which firms stochastic search for fish requires specific resources. The

equilibrium level of anthropic pressure (number of empty vessels/conserved fish stock) exerted by firms

on the fish stock is derived from their individual profit maximizing behavior. Anthropic pressure

determines in turn the rate at which vessels find fish i.e. catchability, which is therefore endogenous in

our model, and the stock conservation (uncaught fish) rate, through the dynamic equation of the latter.

We then show that under open access, equilibrium anthropic pressure, fishing effort and the conservation

rate mainly depend on search costs. An empirical study of the French Guiana shrimp fishery confirms

the ability of the model to reproduce empirical data.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries, search costs, bioeconomic matching model

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

245

Culturing the Four-sided Sea Cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus, in Bermuda:

A Tool for Conserving its Natural Populations

El Cultivo del Pepino de Mar, Isostichopus badionotus, en Bermuda:

Herramienta para su Conservación

Elevage du Concombre de Mer, Isostichopus badionotus, aux Bermudes:

Un Outil vers la Conservation des Populations Naturelles

SAMIA SARKIS

Department of Conservation Services, 40 North Shore Road, Flatts, FL04 Bermuda.

scsarkis@gov.bm.

ABSTRACT

Increasing fishing pressure on the four-sided sea cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus, in the Wider

Caribbean Region warrants consideration of a more sustainable approach to satisfy export market

demand. Preliminary data on 1) the culture potential of its early life stages and 2) its function within the

coral reef ecosystem were obtained in Bermuda. Adaptation of bivalve larval techniques for rearing of I.

badionotus proved successful, and large scale larval culture techniques were tested using a flow-through

system. Survival and growth rates to the pentactula stage reared in the flow-through system are

compared with those obtained in a static system. In addition, laboratory experiments were conducted to

investigate the contribution of I. badionotus to calcium carbonate dissolution, required for coral growth.

Changes in Total alkalinity, DIC, Total ammonium and pH of surrounding water as a result of

bioturbation by I. badionotus were measured; the implications of these results for the species‟ potential

role in buffering changes in pH associated with increasing atmospheric CO2 are discussed. Culturing sea

cucumbers may well serve the two-fold purpose of supplying an increasing demand and conserving

natural populations and the ecosystem services they may provide.

KEYWORDS: Isostichopus badionotus, culture, Caribbean, bioturbation, conservation

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

246

Temporal Variability in a Spawning Aggregation of Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus

striatus)

Variabilidad Temporal en una Agregacion de Desove del

Mero Cherna (Epinephelus striatus)

Variabilité Temporelle Dans Une Aggrégation De Reproducteurs De Mérous Rayés

(Epinephelus striatus)

MICHELLE SCHÄRER-UMPIERRE*1, KIMBERLY CLOUSE

2,

EVAN TUOHY2, and RICHARD APPELDOORN

2

1Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, P.O.Box 1442, Boqueron,

Puerto Rico 00622 USA. *m_scharer@hotmail.com. 2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico,

P.O.Box 9000, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00680 USA.

ABSTRACT

Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) reproduction occurs within annual spawning aggregations. The

few aggregations currently studied reflect temporal variability relative to monthly and lunar cycles.

Historically, aggregations formed near the full moon during December, January and February.

Biological, ecological and environmental factors may affect the timing and success of mass spawning

events. Measuring the variability of these over time is essential to develop and understand trends in such

short-lived, yet critical events. At Bajo de Sico, Puerto Rico, the temporal variability of spawning

aggregations was investigated with passive acoustics and rebreather-assisted surveys. Over 2013-2014,

temporal patterns of sound production were compared with the maximum abundance of groupers

surveyed. Three major peaks in sound production were observed in 2014, with only two in 2013, and

peaks occurred later than previously thought (none in December). These peaks were slightly distinct in

onset, duration and magnitude, generally occurring later in the lunar cycle in 2014. Positive, though

different correlations were observed for 2013 and 2014 between sound production and maximum

abundance. The shape of the sound production curves was equal during all peaks, with a sharp rise, small

dip and then maximum sound production within three or four days prior to the apparent spawning event,

with an immediate drop in sound production after the peak. Given that the maximum number of Nassau

grouper (100) estimated at the spawning aggregation was similar between years, the dynamics in sound

production at other aggregations of different sizes can now be compared with greater certainty.

KEYWORDS: Spawning , Nassau grouper, reef fish, Puerto Rico, acoustics

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

247

Automating Fish Sound Recognition in Spawning Aggregations:

Application of Passive Acoustics in Fisheries

Reconocimiento Automatizado de los Sonidos de los Peces Durante Agregaciones

de Desove: Aplicación de Acústica Pasiva en las Pesquerías

Détection des sons Produits par les Poissons Pendant les Agrégations de frai:

Application de L'acoustique Passive aux Pêcheries

MICHELLE SCHÄRER-UMPIERRE*1, RICHARD APPELDOORN

2, ALI IBRAHIM

3,

NURGUN ERDOL3, HANQI ZHUANG

3, LAURENT CHERUBIN

4, and BING OUYANG

4

1Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, P.O.Box 1442,

Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622 USA. *michelle.scharer@upr.edu. 2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico,

P.O. Box 9000, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00680 USA. 3Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic

University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA. 4Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute – Florida Atlantic University,

5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946 USA.

ABSTRACT

In order to use passive acoustic methods in a greater range of marine fishery research applications the

sound signals produced by fish must be recognized efficiently. Fisheries independent research can

benefit from these techniques in the estimation of spawning stock indices. Recent advances in passive

acoustic methods have allowed monitoring of temporal patterns in the sounds associated with

reproduction after the fact; data become available to researchers once instruments have been recovered.

In order to apply passive acoustics on the large scale for real-time monitoring and to detect spawning

grounds across multiple species, automated species-specific sound recognition is necessary, where the

multiple sources of sound can be classified with confidence and efficiency. Challenges to studying the

soundscape include the biological, environmental and anthropogenic sources of „noise‟, variability in the

signals produced by a target species, probability of detection and transmission as well as the difficulties

associated with deploying electronic instruments at sea. The objective of this project is to develop

automated detection algorithms for sounds associated with the reproductive behaviors of groupers during

spawning aggregations. Two types of approaches have been started; speech recognition and sound

energy detection models. The results will help advance passive acoustics in multiple technological

applications to assess populations of soniferous species that also aggregate to spawn, such as groupers.

KEYWORDS: Acoustics, spawning, grouper, signal recognition,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

248

Shipboard Observation of Pelagic Sargassum spp. Reveals Proliferation of a

Rare Form and Differences in Associated Mobile Fauna Community Structure

La Observación de de Sargassum a Bordo de una Embarcación Revela la Proliferación de

una Estructura Comunitaria Faunal Movil AsociadaPoco Común y Diferente

Les Observations De Sargassum Spp. Pélagiques Révèlent Une Prolifération D'une Forme

Rare Et Différences Dans La Structure De La Faune Mobile Associée

JEFFREY M. SCHELL*, AMY N.S. SIUDA, and DEBORAH S. GOODWIN

Sea Education Association, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543 USA. *jschell@sea.edu.

ABSTRACT

Here we present the first shipboard observations of the 2014/2015 Sargassum inundation event in the

Caribbean. We conducted twice daily surface net tows from November 2014 to May 2015 during three

SEA Semester® cruises onboard the SSV Corwith Cramer: Canary Islands to the Lesser Antilles,

Grenada to Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico to New York City. Three morphological forms of pelagic

Sargassum spp. were routinely observed. Each Sargassum form exhibited a distinct geographic

distribution with greatest range overlap occurring among the Leeward Islands. Sargassum natans-I was

most abundant in the Sargasso Sea, while Sargassum fluitans-III showed low abundances across the

entire sample area; most surprising, S.natans-VIII, historically a rare form, constituted the majority of

Sargassum inthe Caribbean region. Dip nets of individual Sargassum clumps revealed significant

differences in mobile fauna abundance, species richness, and community composition among Sargassum

forms. Specifically, examination of the mobile fauna community demonstrated that S.natans-VIII is a

depauperate habitat in comparison to the more familiar forms, S.fluitans-III and S.natans-I. Densities

(#/g of Sargassum) of the crab Portunus sayi and the shrimp Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis

were significantly greater on S.fluitans-III than S.natans-VIII. The following species were observed on

S.fluitans-III yet noticeably absent from S.natans-VIII: the shrimp Hippolyte zostericola, the amphipods

Ampithoe longimana and Sunampithoe pelagica, the isopod Paradynamene benjamensis and the

flatworm Acerotisa notulata. This revelation has profound implications suggesting negative economic

impacts of the recent Sargassum inundation event may not be balanced by ecological benefits often

attributed to pelagic Sargassum habitat.

KEYWORDS: Sargassum natans I, Sargassum natans VIII, Sargassum fluitans III, mobile fauna

community, inundation event

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

249

Potential for Introduction of the Invasive Lionfish, Pterois volitans,

in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Across the Isthmus of Panama

Potencial para la Introducción del Pez León Invasor, Pterois volitans,

en el Pacifico Oriental a través del Istmo de Panamá

Potentiel pour L'introduction du Poisson Lion Envahissantes, Pterois volitans,

dans le Pacifique Tropical Oriental à travers L'isthme de Panama

ANDREW SELLERS

McGill University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,

7268 Wright Street, Panama, Panama. ajseller@g.coastal.edu.

ABSTRACT

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) have established across the Western Atlantic, and may generate significant

ecological and socio-economic impacts across region. Their impacts and rapid spread across the region

have led to concerns of a secondary introduction in the Tropical Eastern Pacific across Central America.

In this presentation we discuss the potential for spread of lionfish from the Caribbean to the Eastern

Pacific across the Isthmus of Panama, focusing on the Panama Canal as a route of introduction. Lionfish

have established along the Caribbean coast of Panama, and are found in shallow areas near the

Caribbean entrance to the Canal, however, they have not been reported within the waterway or along

Panama's Pacific coast. Their spread through the waterway depends on their ability to overcome a

number of barriers, including three sets of locks and two freshwater lakes. Although lionfish can tolerate

low salinity and have invaded estuaries, their inability to survive in freshwater may prevent the spread of

individuals through the Panama Canal. Lionfish eggs and larvae could also be transported across the

Canal in the ballast water of transiting vessels, however, it is unclear whether ballast water is a vector for

the spread of this species. The Regional Strategy for the Control of Invasive Lionfish in the Wider

Caribbean calls for lionfish monitoring programs across the invaded region. Given the impacts that

lionfish could generate in the Eastern Pacific, however, additional monitoring programs should also be

implemented in areas outside the invaded region that are at risk of secondary introductions.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, Panama Canal, ballast water, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

250

Assessing Trends in Targeted Marine Fishes in the

Bonaire Marine Park, Netherland Antilles

Evaluación de las Tendencias en los Peces Marinos Objetivo

en el Parque Marino de Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

Évaluer les Tendances Chez les Poissons Marins Ciblées

dans le Parc Marin Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

BRICE SEMMENS*1and CHRISTY PATTENGILL-SEMMENS

2

1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California – San Diego,

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0202 USA. *bsemmens@ucsd.edu. 2Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), P.O. Box 246, Key Largo, Florida 33037 USA.

ABSTRACT

The Bonaire Marine Park (BMP), established in 1979 and encompassing the islands of Bonaire and

Kline Bonaire, represents one of the oldest marine parks in the Caribbean. Primary human uses of the

park include recreational diving and snorkeling, and subsistence fishing by local people. The BNP is

comprised of a network of protected areas with differing human-use restrictions; no area in the park is

currently restricted from subsistence fishing. One of the primary goals of the park is to maintain a

regionally and globally significant and successful multi-use marine protected area. It remains unclear,

however, to what extent high-quality opportunities for extractive and non-extractive uses are being

maintained through time. Since 1993, volunteers with the Reef Environmental Education Foundation

(REEF) have conducted reef fish surveys (species-specific presence/absence and relative abundance) at

sites throughout the park. To date, over 21,000 surveys have been conducted, representing ~28,000 hours

of collective survey effort. Using these data, we examined trends in in the presence and abundance of

marine fishes targeted by subsistence fishing (e.g. grouper and snapper) over the last two decades. We

found an ongoing decline in many targeted species, suggesting that extractive uses are decreasing the

quality of non-extractive uses such as wildlife viewing over time. Given the importance of vibrant and

healthy reefs to locals and tourists alike, we suggest that BMP managers take action to reverse trends in

fish populations over time.

KEYWORDS: MPA, targeted fisheries, citizen science

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

251

Sharks of Barbados

Tiburones de Barbados

Requins à la Barbade

NIKOLA SIMPSON

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, P.O. Box 631-C, Bridgetown, Barbados.

nikolasimpson246@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

There is limited documented information available regarding the shark fishery and resources of

Barbados. However, it is apparent that these species have ecological, economic and social importance to

the island. This study, in contributing to the development of a National Plan of Action for the

conservation and management of Sharks (NPOA – Sharks) for Barbados assessed the elasmobranch

resources in the island and aimed to improve catch and landings data to a species level. Information was

gathered through initial scoping exercises at major landing sites followed by survey interviews in person

and online to fishers, divers, vendors and consumers of shark. Baited remote underwater video

(BRUVs) were constructed and deployed at different habitats around the island‟s coasts to estimate

relative abundance and diversity of elasmobranchs.

Shark catches were primarily taken as bycatch in the longline fishery but a directed shark fishery does

exist. The top 3 reported species landed were the: short fin mako, the blue peter shark and the oceanic

whitetip shark, of which the latter raises greatest concern due to its listing in Appendix II CITES.

Species are purchased and sold at a range of $2.50 - 5 BBD per pound. The meat and liver is utilized

while the fins and heads are often discarded. There are no regulations or restrictions for shark

conservation and management in Barbados but it is hoped that guided by the NPOA–Sharks, sustainable

utilization of shark resources will be practiced.

KEYWORDS: NPOA, sharks, Barbados, BRUVs, shark conservation and management

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

252

Mercury Bioaccumulation in Six Species of Marine Fishes

from Waters of the Southeastern US

Bioacumulación de Mercurio en Seis Especies de Peces de Aguas del Sureste de EE.UU

Accumulation Biotique du Mercure dans Six Espèces de Poissons

dans les Eaux du Sud-Est des États-Unis

WILEY SINKUS*

1, VIRGINIA SHERVETTE

2, and BYRON WHITE

3

1College of Charleston, 205 Fort Johnson Road,

Charleston, South Carolina 29412 USA. *sinkuswn@gmail.com. 2University of South Carolina – Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 USA.

3South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,

217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29422 USA.

ABSTRACT

Mercury is found in fish species world-wide and since a large portion of the world depends on fish for

protein, the concentrations and bioaccumulation rates of mercury in commonly consumed fishes is an

important area of study. Reliable, up-to-date information on health concerns should be considered when

choosing fish species and quantities to consume. Extensive interspecific, intraspecific, temporal and

spatial variation occurs in fish muscle tissue mercury concentrations and rates of mercury accumulation

in fishes. Care must be taken when issuing regional and national advisories to account for

inconsistencies found between water bodies and among similar species due to possible varying levels of

tissue mercury concentrations. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of

mercury bioaccumulation in six species of fishes from Atlantic waters of the Southeastern U.S.

(Mycteroperca microlepis, Mycteroperca phenax, Epinephelus morio, Lutjanus campechanus,

Caulolatilus microps and Seriola dumerili) and compare these findings with published Gulf of Mexico

mercury data from the same species. These species were chosen because of their longevity, feeding

habits, preferred habitat, taxonomic relationships, and wide-ranging presence. Differences in mercury

concentration and accumulation rates exist among species and between the two major waterbodies, with

mean species concentrations ranging between 0.145 - 0.458 ppm. Mercury concentrations tended to

increase in relation to length, weight, and age. This study provides insight into differences in the biology

and ecology of these fishes and provides information that will enhance consumption guidelines for local

and regional areas.

KEYWORDS: Mercury, marine fishes, ecology

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

253

Estimating the Density of Lionfish Pterois volitans in

Six MPAs Along the Mexican Caribbean

Estimaciones de la Densidad de Pez León Pterois volitans

en Seis AMP del Caribe Mexicano

Estimations de la Densité de Poisson-lion Pterois volitans

dans Six AMP Situées dans les Caraïbes Mexicaines

ELOY SOSA-CORDERO*1, ESTRELLA MALCA

2, ELIAS CAAMAL

3,

GIEZI YAM1, LOURDES VÁSQUEZ-YEOMANS

1, NALLELY HERNÁNDEZ

4,

M.C. GARCÍA5, Y. GÓMEZ

6, and

7J. GÓMEZ.

1El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Ave. Centenario Km 5.5, Chetumal,

Quintana Roo 77014 Mexico. *efesosa@yahoo.com.mx. 2University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

3Parque Nacional Isla Contoy – CONANP, Venado No. 71 SM 20 MZ 18 Col. Centro,

Colonia Pacto Obrero Campesino, Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500 México. 4Parque Nacional Isla Cozumel, Quintana Roo 77500 México.

5Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro – CONANP,

Venado No. 71 SM 20 MZ 18 Col. Centro, Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500 México. 6Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka´an, Quintana Roo 77500 México.

7Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak-Comisión Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP),

Dirección Regional Península de Yucatán y Caribe Mexicano, Calle Venado No. 71, SM 20 MZ 18. Col.

Centro, Cancún, Quintana Roo, CP 77500 México.

ABSTRACT

Since the lionfish was reported in the Mexican Caribbean (10/2009, Cozumel), there has been concern

regarding their impacts on coral reefs and their economic consequences. This prompted a regional work-

plan to reduce lionfish abundance through extraction by staff and volunteers, derbies and commercial

fishing. Marine protected areas (MPAs) provide conditions to study ecological processes, given that

anthropic factors are lessened. We present the results of a survey aiming to estimate the lionfish density

in six MPAs along the Mexican Caribbean. From July 2012 to March 2013, using SCUBA and free

diving, a total of 306 sampling plots (25 m x 10 m) were made at Isla Contoy National Park (NP) n = 36,

Arrecifes P. Morelos NP n = 35, Arrecifes Cozumel NP n = 46, Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve (BR) n =

62, Banco Chinchorro BR n = 68, and Arrecifes de Xcalak NP n = 59. A total of 333 lionfish were

observed, mostly large (58.9%), and mid-sized (33%); and density across MPAs averaged 43.3 ± 79.4

ind/ha ( ± sd). Among MPAs, lionfish mean density increased southwards with 24.4 ±84.8 ind/ha in

Cozumel and 75.9 ±141.4 ind/ha in Banco Chinchorro. Depth and habitat type also varied between

MPAs. Fish and invertebrates co-occurring with lionfish were recorded. We proposed our estimates of

lionfish densities as the baseline for lionfish density in these MPAs at depths ≤ 20 m. Further monitoring

in deeper waters (> 20 m) is crucial to lionfish management. This methodology can be applied to

evaluate efficacy of the removal efforts in the Caribbean.

KEYWORDS: Invasive marine species, underwater visual censuses, fish abundance, monitoring,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

254

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of the Biscayne National Park

Lionfish Removal Program (2010 - 2015)

Análisis Espacial y Temporal del Programa de Captura de Pez León

en el Parque Nacional Biscayne (2010 - 2015)

Analyse Spatiale et Temporelle du Programme de Suppression de

Poisson-lion du Parc National de Biscayne (2010 - 2015)

CHRISTOPHER STALLINGS*1, MARK ALBINS

2, SHELBY MONEYSMITH

3,

MICHAEL HOFFMAN3, VANESSA MCDONOUGH

3

1University of South Florida, College of Marine Science,

140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA. *stallings@usf.edu. 2Auburn University, School of Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences,

8300 State Highway 204, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 USA. 3Biscayne National Park, National Park Service, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead, Florida 33033 USA.

ABSTRACT

Government-operated programs to remove invasive lionfish in the western Atlantic are rare, but may be

an effective and necessary approach to reducing local lionfish populations, particularly in areas of

conservation concern such as parks and reserves. Initiated in 2010, the Biscayne National Park Lionfish

Removal Program (BNPLRP) represents one of the most extensive in the world. Between February

2010 and May 2015, Park scientists and volunteers conducted 976 surveys (> 1113 underwater person-

hours) and removed 4220 lionfish with a total biomass of 1070 kg (total length range: 3.2 - 44.4c m;

biomass range: 0.33 - 1420.92 g). We analyzed over five years of catch-per-unit-effort data of biomass

(bCPUE) and abundance (nCPUE) to examine spatial and temporal trends in the BNPLFP. We found

bCPUE to be disproportionately high on continuous and artificial reefs, compared to patch reefs and

channel habitats. There was also a strong zonal effect with highest bCPUE along the offshore Florida

Reef Track (high nCPUE, largest fish) compared to inshore reefs (very low nCPUE, intermediate sizes)

and in Biscayne Bay (high nCPUE, smallest sizes). Across habitats and zones, bCPUE increased 2154%

since the program was initiated. However, these temporal trends were driven by increased bCPUE on

continuous and artificial reefs located offshore, where both nCPUE and the mean size of lionfish

removed has increased significantly over time. Thus, the BNPLRP appears to be keeping pace with the

local lionfish population in some habitats, but increased efforts are required on offshore reefs and

continued efforts across all habitats should be supported.

KEYWORDS: Removal program, spatio-temporal analysis, CPUE, generalised linear mixed model,

mesopredator

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

255

Diversity, Patterns, and Benefits of Lionfish Skin-Associated Bacteria

Diversidad, Patrones y Beneficios de la Flora Bacteriana Cutánea del Pez León

Modèles, Diversités, et Bénéfices des Bactéries Dermatologiques Associées aux Rascasse

JULIA STEVENS*1and JULIE OLSON

2

1North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina State University,

11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 USA. *julialstevens@gmail.com. 2University of Alabama, Box 870344, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 USA.

ABSTRACT

Widespread success of lionfish throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico

resulted in their persistence as an invasive species. Generally, invasive species are released from

pathogen pressure but retain beneficial symbionts. Therefore, we were interested in characterizing the

diversity of bacterial communities associated with the skin surfaces of lionfish throughout their native

and invaded ranges.

Lionfish support a significantly different bacterial community than three fish species native to the

Caribbean Sea, and all fish hosted bacterial communities that were significantly different from the

ambient bacterioplankton. Additionally, lionfish did not host any known opportunistic or pathogenic

bacteria, while the native fish species hosted multiple pathogens. In a biogeographical analysis, bacterial

communities of lionfish in the native and invaded ranges were not significantly different, indicating that

lionfish retained a core bacterial community. However, local-level effects generated significant

differences in bacterial communities based on collection location, but were not reflective of proposed

lionfish population genetic differences. To identify potential roles of these core bacteria, isolates were

cultured from lionfish collected throughout both ranges and their ability to aid in disease resistance was

tested against six known fish pathogen strains. Lionfish host a great diversity of bacteria capable of

producing antibacterial and potentially protective metabolites.

Lionfish retained a core beneficial bacterial community upon introduction to the invaded range and this

community appears capable of withstanding infection by known fish pathogens. Therefore, the bacterial

communities associated with lionfish likely contributed to the invasive success of lionfish over the last

three decades.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, bacteria, Pterois, pathogen resistance

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

256

Using in situ Length Data to Determine Stock Status of Protected Aggregating Fish

Species: A Case Study of Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus)

El Uso de Datos de Longitud in situ para Determinar el Estado de las Poblaciones de Peces

Protegidos que Forman Agregaciones: El Caso de Estudio del Mero de Nassau

(Epinephelus striatus)

Utilisation Des Données De Longueur In Situ Afin De Déterminer L'état Des Stocks Des

Espèces Protégées De Poissons Qui S‟aggrègent : Etude Du Cas Du Mérou de Nassau

(Epinephelus striatus)

BRIAN STOCK*1, LYNN WATERHOUSE

1, SCOTT HEPPELL

2,

CHRISTY PATTENGILL-SEMMENS3, BRICE SEMMENS

1,

PHILLIPPE BUSH4, and CROY McCOY

4

1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California – San Diego,

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093 USA. *b1stock@ucsd.edu. 2Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife,

104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA. 3Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), P.O. Box 246, Key Largo Florida 33037 USA.

4Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government,

P.O. Box 486GT, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

ABSTRACT

Managing data-limited fisheries can be challenging, particularly for species that form easily exploited

spawning aggregations. Here we use in situ diver-generated length observations from a Nassau grouper

(Epinephelus striatus) aggregation in the Cayman Islands to empirically test a new data-poor stock

assessment method, the length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) model. We demonstrate that the

LB-SPR method can generate spurious results when applied to data from a non-equilibrium (rebuilding)

population. However, once modified to incorporate a time-series index of abundance, the method

generates appropriate metrics of stock status. We conclude that the LB-SPR methods holds promise as

an assessment technique when length-compositions are available, but caution that care must be exercised

in applications when the population of interest is undergoing increasing pressure from harvest or

ongoing recovery from conservation action.

KEYWORDS: Data-limited, fisheries, stock assessment, spawning potential ratio (SPR), length

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

257

Voluntary Catch Records of Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis):

Current and Potential Future Uses in Fisheries Management

Registros Voluntarios de Captura del Róbalo Común (Centropomus undecimalis):

Uso Actual y su Futuro Potencial en la Gestión Pesquera

Enregistrements Volontaires des Captures de Snook Communes (Centropomus

undecimalis): Utilisations Actuelles et Potentielles dans la Gestion des Pêches

JULIANE STRUVE*1, KAI LORENZEN

1,

JYNESSA DUTKA-GIANELLI1, and BRETT FITZGERALD

2

1University of Florida, 7922 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653 USA. *jstruve@ufl.edu.

2Snook & Gamefish Foundation, 1505 West Terrace Drive, Lake Worth, Florida 33460 USA.

ABSTRACT

The Angler Action Program (AAP) is a voluntary data collection program created by the Snook and

Gamefish Foundation in response to the 2010 winter, when nearly 1/3 of the snook population perished.

Using a mobile app, anglers record time spent fishing, number of anglers, gross location, number of

snook caught, kept, and released, and size relative to legal slot size. We examine catches, discards, size

distributions, user profiles and spatial and temporal trends of caught snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

in the Angler Action data base and compare them to spatial and temporal trends found in the Marine

Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey and Fisheries Independent Monitoring. A preference to report

non-zero catches and geographically limited participation are possible factors that cause differences

between self-reported data and survey data. Despite these constraints the Angler Action Program has

potential to contribute essential data due to the large number of available participants. We illustrate the

potential contribution of voluntary records to the spatial management of fish populations and their

habitat using a spatially explicit population dynamics model. Our model shows that local depletion is

driven by a combination of local recruitment and movement rates and the effects of the unequal

distribution of fishing effort. However, the model relies on unverified assumptions about the

geographical distribution of recruitment success and habitat suitability. Spatially distributed catch data

reported by AAP volunteers could contribute important information about the spatial dynamics of this

species if reporting bias could be controlled.

KEYWORDS: Voluntary records, common snook , spatial dynamics , population modeling , angler

action

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

258

Seasonal and Life-stage Variation in the Reproductive Ecology of a Marine Apex

Predator, the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), at a Protected Female Aggregation Site

Variación Estacional y de por Vida en la Ecología Reproductiva

de un Major Depredador Marino, el Tiburón Tigre (Galeocerdo cuvier),

en un Sitio Protegido para la Agregación de Hembras

Variation Saisonnière et étape de la Vie dans L'écologie

de la Reproduction D'un Prédateur Marin, le Requin Tigre (Galeocerdo cuvier),

sur un Site Protégé Agrégation Féminine

JAMES SULIKOWSKI*

1, CAROLYN WHEELER

1, AUSTIN GALLAGHER

2,

BIANCA PROHASKA3, JOE LANGAN

1, and NEIL HAMMERSCHLAG

2

1University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, Maine 04005 USA. *jsulikowski@une.edu.

2University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 USA.

3Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee Florida 32306 USA.

ABSTRACT

Advancing our knowledge of the reproductive biology and mating systems of free-ranging apex

predators is inherently challenging, yet has remained a priority among ecologists working in both

terrestrial and marine systems. To our knowledge, no studies exist to date that have found direct

evidence of mating, gestating or parturition aggregation sites in an apex predatory fish. The tiger shark

(Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large, roving, apex predatory shark found in tropical to sub-tropical oceans

throughout the world. Although their nomadic nature is primarily linked to large-scale migrations, these

sharks also display site fidelity. One area of high residency for this shark species is a popular dive

tourism site known as Tiger Beach, located on the northwest side of little Bahama Bank, Bahamas.

Unique to the waters within this area, is the consistent sighting of large females. While the sex-specific

use of this area remains unknown, this shallow and warm environment could represent critical habitats

for reproductive events. In the present study, a total 65 individuals were opportunistically sampled

between 2011 and 2014. Reproductive status of captured females (n = 59) was assessed by measuring

circulating sex steroid hormones (progesterone, testosterone and estradiol) and ultrasonography. Over

the course of sampling, steroid hormone concentrations and ultrasonography measurements suggest that

tiger beach appears to function as a mixed aggregation site for female tiger sharks, serving as both a

habitat to reach maturity as well as a refuge site during pregnancy.

KEYWORDS: Reproduction, non-lethal, apex predator, hormones, ultrasound

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

259

Novel Discoveries of Lionfish (Pterois spp.) Size Structure,

Age and Growth from Northeastern Florida

Nuevos hallasgos en la Estructura de Tamaño, Edad y Crecimiento

de Peces León (Pterois Spp.) en el Noreste de La Florida

Nouvelles Découvertes de Taille Structure, L'âge et la Croissance

des Poissons-lion (Pterois spp.) à Partir du Nord-Est de la Floride

MARYKATE SWENARTON*1, ERIC JOHNSON

1, and LAD AKINS

2

1University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive,

Jacksonville, Florida 32084 USA. *ms1710@scarletmail.rutgers.edu. 2Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF),

98300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037 USA.

ABSTRACT

Lionfish have invaded the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico at an unprecedented rate,

with documented negative effects on native ecosystems. Scientific investigations on the impacts of

lionfish have been conducted predominantly in tropical ecosystems with comparatively little research

effort focused on temperate ecosystems, such as the South Atlantic Bight. Since life history parameters,

especially growth rates, can vary with a suite of environmental (i.e. temperature), biological (i.e. genetic)

and ecological (i.e. prey availability) factors, life history parameters of lionfish will likely vary

regionally and among ecosystems. To quantify age and growth in a new region, lionfish were collected

in 2013 and 2014 from northeast Florida (n = 3,949) in coordination with multiple derby events

throughout the year. Size structure was analyzed using length frequency analysis and statistical length

based modeling. Length-frequency analysis revealed a clear bimodal population with two distinct

cohorts, and rapid growth during summer. The best model fit 2013 and 2014 data sets independently,

indicating annual differences in growth in that region (K = 0.63, L∞ = 435 mm in 2013; K = 0.47, L∞ =

448 mm in 2014). Overall, these results suggest lionfish in northeastern Florida have an abridged

spawning season, with juveniles recruiting over a smaller timescale than in other regions, and little

variation in growth rates, which has not been reported previously. Since accurate life history modeling

inputs are integral to estimating necessary removal efforts, future population growth and the response of

lionfish populations to management initiatives, information on lionfish life history should be collected at

a finer spatial and temporal scale.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish, age, growth, population structure

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

260

Modeling Lionfish Management Strategies on the West Florida Shelf

Modelando Estrategias para el Manejo del Pez León en la Plataforma Occidental de La

Florida

Modélisation des Stratégies de Gestion des Poissons-lion sur le West Florida Shelf

MARYKATE SWENARTON*1, SAMANTHA BINION-ROCK

2, ALEX BOGDANOFF

3,

KRISTEN DAHL4, JENNIFER GRANNEMAN

5, HOLDEN HARRIS

6, and JOHN MOHAN

7

1University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive,

Jacksonville, Florida 32084 USA. *ms1710@scarletmail.rutgers.edu. 2North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology,

303 College Circle, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557 USA. 3NOAA – National Ocean Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA.

4University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab,

101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA. 5University of South Florida, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA.

6University of Florida, 7922 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653 USA.

7Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, Texas 78373 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive lionfish have well-documented negative impacts on native reef fish communities throughout the

western Atlantic. However, there have been few attempts to model ecosystem-scale lionfish impacts, or

to simulate ecosystem responses to different management strategies such as lionfish removals or

rebuilding depleted fishery stocks. We updated an existing trophic dynamic Ecopath with Ecosim model

(EwE) of the West Florida Shelf (WFS) ecosystem to include the recent lionfish invasion. This allowed

us to explore ecosystem-wide impacts of lionfish and the outcome of various management objectives.

Using 30-year model projections, we evaluated the relative change in reef fish biomass groups in

response to 1) changes in lionfish harvest rates, and 2) changes in harvest rates of key reef fish fisheries

(e.g., snapper and grouper). The EwE model revealed complex trophic interactions that have

implications for management of reef fishes and invasive lionfish, as well as the mitigation of lionfish

impacts. The model demonstrated that under increased lionfish harvest, we could expect relatively higher

biomass of important fishery species than if the lionfish invasion continued unchecked. Decreasing reef

fish harvest rates would translate into lower terminal lionfish biomass, suggesting that under these

conditions, the system will be more resilient to future invasions. As such, combinations of lionfish

removal efforts and reef fish management strategies have the potential to mitigate impacts of lionfish on

reef ecosystems. Overall, the EwE model serves as a valuable tool to simultaneously evaluate different

policies and improves our understanding of the effects of disturbances (e.g., over-fishing) on species

invasions.

KEYWORDS: Lionfish management, fisheries management, ecosystem resilience

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

261

Áreas de Cría de Tiburones de las Islas Oceánicas Tropicales y su Importancia

para la Conservación de sus Poblaciones

Shark Nursery Areas of Tropical Oceanic Islands and its Importance

for the Conservation of Their Populations

Zones de Nourricerie des Requins des îles Océaniques Tropicaux et Importance

de la Conservation des Populations

RAFAEL TAVARES

Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agricolas, Instituto Venezolano de Invstigaciones Cientific,

Calle Cazorla, Isla de Margarita, Altos de Pipe, San Antonio La Asuncion,

Estado Nueva 6311 Venezuela. rtavares@inia.gog.ve.

RESUMEN

A pesar de la importancia ecológica y comercial de los tiburones, sus poblaciones continúan siendo

profundamente afectadas por la sobrepesca y degradación del hábitat. La protección de los hábitats

esenciales (e.j. áreas de cría) de estas especies, podría constituir una estrategia eficaz para la

conservación de sus poblaciones. En el presente estudio se aplicaron técnicas comunes de biología

pesquera (marcaje-recaptura, análisis de tallas y ajuste de modelos de regresión) para estimar las tasas de

crecimiento de dos especies (Carcharhinus limbatus y Negaprion brevirostris) de tiburones juveniles

dentro de sus áreas de cría en el Archipiélago Los Roques (ALR), Venezuela. Adicionalmente se utilizó

información disponible en la literatura con el propósito de comparar los resultados entre zonas

geográficas. A su vez, las tasas de crecimiento fueron utilizadas como un índice para evaluar la

eficiencia biológica de tiburones juveniles. Las tasas de crecimiento obtenidas para los juveniles de C.

limbatus variaron entre 49,4 y 57,8 cm/año; mientras que para N. brevirostris oscilaron entre 21,19 y

24,2 cm/año. Estos estimados son superiores a los reportados para los juveniles de estas especies en otras

regiones geográficas del Océano Atlántico. Los factores que pueden estar influenciando el rápido

crecimiento de los juveniles en el ALR son: temperatura elevada del agua, abundancia de presas, niveles

bajos de depredación, y relativo buen estado de conservación de los ecosistemas marinos. Los complejos

insulares oceánico-tropicales, como el ALR, podrían desempeñar una función vital para el desarrollo de

los tiburones y mantenimiento de sus poblaciones. Esfuerzos adicionales deberían ser realizados para

continuar generando información ecológica sobre las áreas de cría de tiburones en otras islas netamente

tropicales localizadas en el Mar Caribe.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Caribbean Sea, ecology, fishery, nursery, Venezuela

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

262

Determining Effective Fisheries Monitoring and Assessment Approaches in Data-Limited

Contexts: A Case Study of the Fisheries in Montserrat and Curaçao

La Determinación de un Método Eficaz para Monitorear y Evaluar la Pesca

en un Contexto de Información Limitada:

Un Estudio de Caso de las Pesquerías en Montserrat y Curaçao

La Détermination D'un Suivi Efficace de la Pêche et de L'approche de L'évaluation dans

un Contexte de Données Limitées: Une Étude de la Pêche à Montserrat et Curaçao

LENNON R. THOMAS*1, KATHERINE J. SIEGEL

1, BRANDON OWASHI

1,

ANDREW J. ESTEP2, and SARAH E. LESTER

1

1Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Marine Science Institute,

University of California – Santa Barbara,California 93106 USA. *lthomas@bren.ucsb.edu. 2Waitt Institute of Discovery, P.O Box 1948, La Jolla, California 92038 USA.

ABSTRACT

Science-based fisheries management requires accurate assessments of the status of marine resources,

which depend on appropriate fisheries monitoring strategies. Given that resources are often limited,

identifying the most effective monitoring and assessment approach for a fishery can pose a significant

challenge. There is a growing body of literature on fishery assessment methods for data-limited contexts.

However, there are few published examples of successful applications of these data-limited methods as a

tool for informing small-scale fishery management. We present the first stages of monitoring strategies

and preliminary results of data-limited fisheries analyses on two Caribbean islands: Montserrat and

Curaçao. Although both islands have limited amounts of existing fisheries data, we found that each

island required a different approach to monitoring due to differences in each island\'s fisheries

characteristics. Curaçao is a large and more developed island with dispersed landing sites and no existing

fisheries monitoring, and thus requires a more detailed characterization of the fishery in order to design

an appropriate monitoring plan. On the other hand, Montserrat is a small island with one main landing

site and a long-term catch monitoring program, allowing to analyze existing data and expand the current

monitoring program. We provide preliminary results from length-based analyses for several target coral

reef species on Montserrat. We discuss fishery-dependent and fishery-independent monitoring options

available on each island as well as approaches for integrating both data types. We also review lessons

learned from the two case studies, and discuss factors that will inform the next steps of this project.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries monitoring, data-limited, fishery-dependent data, fisheries management, small-

scale fisheries

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

263

Benefits of Participating in the GCFI Sponsored

Caribbean Fisheries Professional Development Program

Beneficios de Participar en el Programa de Desarrollo de Profesionales de pesca del

Caribe Patrocinado por el GCFI

Avantages De Participer Au Parrainage Du Programme De Développement Des Pêches

Professionnelles De La Caraïbe Du GCFI

RANDEL THOMPSON

Department of Marine Resources, C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site,

Basseterre, St.Kitts. randel.thompson24@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The Caribbean Fisheries Professional Development Program, being sponsored by Florida Sea Grant,

Puerto Rico Sea Grant, the GCFI, The Billfish Foundation, NOAA and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries

Mechanism, is effectively seeking to develop fisheries management capacity within the Caribbean. The

effectiveness of the program stems from the development of training programs for marine and fisheries

professionals around the needs and capacity shortages present in member countries. The incorporation of

GIS into fisheries management can enhance the way our marine resources are being monitored and

managed. In an effort to achieve sustainable fishing,the use of fish aggregative devices (FADs) within

the Eastern Caribbean is becoming very prevalent through the assistance of the Japanese International

Cooperation Agency (JICA) and MAGDELESA FAD project. My training program during 2013 was

centered on incorporating GIS in the management of FADs. The program consisted of two practical

courses: an introductory GIS course and a Trimble System GPS certified course. The training program

provided an opportunity to explore ways GIS can be used in FAD management, such as the mapping and

analysis of best locations to deploy FADs taking into consideration locations of existing landing sites

and bathymetry, and the storage and analysis of fish catch and effort data using attribute tables.

Participating in the Trimble System GPS course gave me the capacity to assist local fishers who have

difficulties using GPS technology. Furthermore, the knowledge obtained in the use of GIS was able to

encourage the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to create a GIS job position for fisheries and marine

related research and analysis.

KEYWORDS: Training program, GIS, incorporation, management, FADs

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

264

Invasion, Distribution, and Abundance of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish

in the US Virgin Islands

Invasión, Distribución y Abundancia del Pez León de Indo-Pacífico

en las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU.

Invasion, Distribution Et Abondance De La Rascasse Volante Indo-Pacifique

Dans Les Îles Vierges Américaines

NIKITA THOMPSON, RICK NEMETH*, TYLER B. SMITH, MARILYN BRANDT,

ELIZABETH KADISON, MARCIA TAYLOR, and LESLIE HENDERSON

University of the Virgin Islands, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, 2 John Brewer's Bay,

St. Thomas 00802-9990 US Virgin Islands. *rnemeth@uvi.edu.

ABSTRACT The Indo-Pacific lionfish (P. volitans/P. miles) has rapidly established itself throughout the Atlantic and

Caribbean region over the last decade, inhabiting a range of habitats (i.e. coral reefs, seagrass beds,

mangroves) and depths. We investigated the lionfish invasion in the U.S. Virgin Islands by examining

their rate of invasion, size distribution and abundance at different depths and habitats using data from

USVI‟s long-term Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program (TCRMP). Lionfish were first sighted in

2008 on St. Croix and in St. Thomas in 2010 and occurred predominately in coral reef habitats. Lionfish

were first detected on our TCRMP sites in St. Croix and St. Thomas in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and

their presence and abundance has increased rapidly at the majority of monitoring sites. The St. Croix

population seemed to reach its peak in 2011 and has remained relatively stable through 2014 whereas the

lionfish population on St. Thomas and St. John has shown continued exponential growth. The majority

of this population increase has occurred on mesophotic reefs > 30 m depth. Understanding these

different population responses among islands and reef types may help to mitigate their impacts on native

reef fishes.

KEYWORDS: Invasive species, mesophotic reefs, fish abundance, distribution patterns

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

265

Coral Reef Health and Marine Protection in the Dominican Republic

Salud Arrecifal y la Protección Marina en la República Dominicana

Santé des Récifs Coralliens et les Aires Marines Protéges en République Dominicaine

RUBEN TORRES1 and ROBERT STENECK

2

1Reef Check, Prol Fantino Falco #5, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. *ruben@reefcheck.org.

2School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469 USA.

ABSTRACT

The Dominican Republic (DR) is a Contracting Party to Cartagena Convention since 1998, and to its

Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) also since 1998, in this way recognizes the importance

that the DR places on the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources and the need for

regional cooperation. The DR is committed to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and more

recently has committed to the Caribbean Challenge to effectively conserve 20% of near shore marine

areas by 2020. The current DR protected area (PA) system is composed of 117 PAs, 33 of these can be

considered marine protected areas (MPAs).. This legal structure gives the DR a clear legal advantage for

the protection of its coastal marine resources, but only if these areas are effectively protected.

During a recent coral reef survey in the DR, we found a remarkable spectrum in the condition of its coral

reefs ranging from seriously degraded to among the best reefs in the Caribbean, but there was little or no

clear pattern that follows the wide range of legal protection. Less than 10% live coral cover and over

30% algae abundance characterized the three most degraded sites. In contrast, those proportions reverse

with over 30% live coral and only 10% seaweed at the three reefs with less tourism development and

more protection. Improved management of the DR fisheries, enforcing existing restrictions on fishing

and the effective implementation of marine protected areas could significantly improve the health of DR

reefs.

KEYWORDS: MPA, Dominican Republic, coral reefs, monitoring, Caribbean

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

266

Fisheries-independent Survey of Sharks and Rays in Banco Chinchorro, Mexico

Estudio Independiente de la Pesca Sobre los Tiburones y las Rayas

en Banco Chinchorro, México

Enquête Indépendant de la Pêche aux Requins et aux Raies

au Banco Chinchorro, Méxique

OLMO TORRES-TALAMANTE*1, RACHEL GRAHAM

2,

IVY BAREMORE2, and SAMANTHA STRINDBERG

3

1RAZONATURA, 68 Luis G de León, Coyoacan Mexico City, 04360 Mexico. *olmo@razonatura.org.

2MarAlliance, 32 Coconut Drive, San Pedro, Belize.

3Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460 USA.

ABSTRACT

Limited data exist on sharks and rays throughout Mexico‟s Caribbean coastline, notably at Mexico‟s

only Atlantic atoll, Banco Chinchorro declared a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. This study

represents first baseline survey for sharks and rays undertaken in June 2015 with trained artisanal fishers

from three fisheries cooperatives using fisheries-independent methods. Sampling took place at 24

permanent stations identified by stratified random sampling that covered three habitat types: fore-reef,

back-reef and lagoon/seagrass. Data were collected on species, total length or disc width, and where

possible on sex using regionally standardized fisheries-independent monitoring methods. These methods

included in-water snorkel-based visual census over 1 km distances (UVC) and baited remote underwater

video (BRUV) with soak times of 60 minutes. UVC observations of sharks were dominated by nurse

sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) (11.76/km2) in the lagoon versus (25.2/km

2) in fore-reef sites.

Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) were recorded only on outer reef UVCs at (6.72 km2).

Catch per unit effort on BRUVs was calculated as MaxN of animals/hour. At least six species of

elasmobranchs were recorded throughout UVC transects whereas BRUVs revealed only three species.

The survey provided a preliminary baseline of the atoll‟s elasmofauna that will underpin the broader

management of the atoll‟s marine resources. This study will be augmented with efforts to broaden the

baseline using longline sampling.

KEYWORDS: Carcharhinus perezi, Narcine bancroftii, critically endangered, elasmobranch

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

267

Regional Cooperation in the Wider Caribbean for Reducing the Transfer of Harmful

Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens in Ship‟s Ballast Water

La Cooperación Regional en el Gran Caribe para Limitar la Transferencia de Organismos

Acuáticos y Agentes Patógenos Indeseados que Pueda Haber en el Agua de Lastre

y en los Sedimentos Descargados por los Buques

La Coopération Régionale dans les Grandes Caraïbes pour Limiter le Transfert

D'organismes Aquatiques et D'agents Pathogènes Indésirables Provenant des Rejets

D'eaux de Ballast et de Sédiments Effectués par les Navires

VASSILIS TSIGOURAKOS

RAC/REMPEITC-CARIBE, eru Mahuma z/n, Aviation & Meteorology Building,

Willemstad, Curaçao. vtsigourakos@cep.unep.org .

ABSTRACT

RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe is the Regional Coordinating Organization in the Wider Caribbean Region for

the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Programme that assists developing countries to reduce the

transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships‟ ballast water and implement the IMO

Ballast Water Management Convention. Several measures were taken to assist these countries with the

implementation of the BWM Convention, as the development of training packages and the publication of

different guidelines. In the Wider Caribbean Region five Lead Partnering Countries (the Bahamas,

Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela) have benefited from the funds and expertise of

the project to develop a National Ballast Water Management Strategy and participated in several training

to raise awareness and increase the expertise of national administrators. Additionally, RAC/REMPEITC-

Caribe coordinated the development of a WCR strategic action plan for BWM. This presentation will

cover the successes in the region as well as the latest tool kits developed by the project to increase

collaborations with national institutes, marine biologist and national stakeholders with the result that by

the end of the Project, selected maritime institutes in each region and among the LPCs will be training

maritime experts in key aspects of shipboard BWM. To that end GloBallast developed a free e-learning

training based on the GloBallast Advanced Training Course on Operational Aspects of Ballast Water

Management and also published guidance (Monograph 22) to help in the planning and execution phases

of port biological baseline surveys which can also be very important for Invasive Species Management

(including Lionfish).

KEYWORDS: Ballast water management, GloBallast, HAOP, invasive species management, shipping

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

268

Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Learn to Avoid a “Spicy” Prey Fish

El Pez León Invasor (Pterois volitans) Aprende Evitar un Pez Presa „Picante‟

La Rascasse Volante Invasive (Pterois volitans) Apprend Eviter une Proie „Épicée‟

LILLIAN TUTTLE*1, ROBERT LAMB

2, and ALLISON STRINGER

3

1Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Department of Integrative Biology,

Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2914 USA. *tuttlel@science.oregonstate.edu. 2Brown University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,

80 Waterman Street, Box G-W, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 USA. 3Montana State University, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA.

ABSTRACT

Invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) are voracious, generalist predators of Atlantic coral-reef fishes.

There is concern that lionfish may consume cleaner gobies (Elacatinus spp.): ubiquitous, conspicuous,

and ecologically important species that clean parasites off of other reef fishes. We conducted two

laboratory experiments to test whether or not (1) juvenile lionfish and native groupers eat E. genie, and

(2) lionfish learn not to eat E. genie, which have a putative skin toxin. Nearly half of invasive lionfish (n

= 14 of 31) and native graysby grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata, n = 11 of 23) ate E. genie, all of which

hyperventilated for several minutes post-consumption. During the second experiment, most lionfish

(n=18 of 24) either successfully ate the goby, or ate it and spit it out immediately, hyperventilating in

either case. After eating E. genie, lionfish experienced elevated ventilation rates over twice as vigorous

(mean ± SEM = 140.7 ± 1.9 vs. 64.3 ± 1.4 opercular beats/minute) and for 6 times as long (mean ± SEM

= 11.8 ± 5.4 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 minutes) as those experienced after eating similarly sized and shaped non-toxic

prey (bridled goby Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). During subsequent exposures of the same lionfish to

E. genie over the course of two weeks, lionfish would often approach the goby closely, then turn away

without striking. These data are consistent with those of manipulative experiments conducted on coral

patch reefs that found no effect of lionfish on Elacatinus spp. abundance. Due to their distastefulness, E.

genie may be one of the few fishes on Atlantic coral reefs that escapes the jaws of invasive lionfish.

KEYWORDS: Predation, learning, skin toxin, invasive species, cleaning mutualism

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

269

Where Have They Been Hiding? Spatial Distributions and Ontogenetic Movements

of Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) in the State of Florida

Dónde se Han Estado Escondiendo? Distribución Espacial y Movimientos Ontogenéticos

del Mero Guasa (Epinephelus itajara) en el Estado de La Florida

Où Ont-ils été Cachés? Les Distributions Spatiales et les Mouvements Ontogénétique

de Mérou Géant (Epinephelus itajara) dans L'état de Floride

ORIAN TZADIK*, DAVID JONES, ERNST PEEBLES, and CHRISTOPHER STALLINGS

University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South,

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA. *otzadik@mail.usf.edu.

ABSTRACT

The goliath grouper (Family Epinephelidae) is considered to be critically endangered throughout its

range, but after a 24-year federal fishing moratorium, stocks have shown recent signs of recovery in

Florida waters. In an effort to assess the population structure of goliath grouper within the state of

Florida, the current study is investigating spatial distribution, nursery habitat, and movement patterns. To

understand these patterns, it is necessary to quantify connectivity between nursery and adult habitats,

which requires description of geographic movement during different life stages. Traditional approaches

to deriving such information have proved valuable, but have limitations: tagging studies often produce

low return rates, and otolith-based studies require sacrificing individuals of a species we seek to protect.

Through non-lethal sampling of fin rays, we have been able to characterize the microchemical

constituents of individual goliath groupers. The results were used to test spatial and temporal variability

in ontogenetic migrations, as well as the degree to which different juvenile habitats contribute to the

adult population. Via trace element analyses, we have been able to identify 'elemental fingerprints' that

are representative of different nursery habitats. We provide evidence that these elemental fingerprints are

conserved within fin rays and thus may contribute to future management strategies for this iconic and

ecologically important species.

KEYWORDS: Fin ray microchemistry, goliath grouper, spatial distributions, nursery habitat, ontogeny

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

270

Fishers´ Knowledge and the Ecosystem Approach

El Conocimiento de los Pecadores y el Enfoque Ecosistémico de la Pesca

Fishers' Connaissances et de L'approche Ecosystémique

JOHN VALBO-JORGENSEN*

1, HELGA JOSUPEIT

2,

DANIELA KALIKOSKI2, and CHRISTINA LUCAS

3

1FAO Sub-regional Office for Mesoamerica, Panama City, Panama. *John.Jorgensen@fao.org.

2FAO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Rome, Italy.

3FAO Consultant, Montevideo, Uruguay.

ABSTRACT

How can an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF) that considers the interactions and

interdependencies between multiple components of the ecosystem and balances ecological, economic

and social benefits, be applied in data poor, multispecies small-scale fisheries?

To answer this question, it is important to understand that while information needs are much broader in

the EAF and analysis may require new skills and multidisciplinary approaches, it does not necessarily

call for new costintensive surveys – on the contrary.

The EAF requires that the elements in an ecosystem and the linkages between them be identified.

Management focuses on governing processes using adaptive management principles and simple

indicators without necessarily requiring high levels of precision.

Further, the lack of “scientific knowledge” does not necessarily imply that knowledge does not exist.

Fishers have a wealth of knowledge and experience that is extremely valuable for fisheries management

- particularly small-scale fisheries.

Fishers and scientists generate knowledge in different ways and in different formats, i.e. scientific

knowledge is the result of systematic sampling over short periods at certain intervals while fishers

generally obtain knowledge through less systematic, frequent, long-term observations. The two

knowledge systems are thus to a large extent complementary.

A recent workshop reviewed case studies from nine Latin American countries and provided guidance on

how to integrate fishers and their knowledge and expertise fishers in the management process, which is

consistent with international framework agreements including the Code of Conduct on Responsible

Fisheries, and The Voluntary Guidelines on Small-scale fisheries.

KEYWORDS: Fisheries management, ecosystem approach, fishers‟ knowledge, scientific knowledge,

Code of Conduct

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

271

A Pilot Study of the Recreational Queen Conch and Lobster Fisheries of Puerto Rico

Proyecto Piloto sobre la Pesca Recreativa de Caracol Rosado y Langosta en Puerto Rico

Etude Pilote Sur La Pêche Récréative Au Lambi Et A La Langouste A Porto Rico

MONICA VALLE-ESQUIVEL*1, ROBERT J. TRUMBLE

1,

DIANA MARCELA BELTRAN-RODRIGUEZ2, and CRAIG LILYESTROM

3

1MRAG Americas, 10051 5th St North, Suite 105,

St Petersburg, Florida 33702 USA. *Monica.Valle@MRAGamericas.com. 2University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681 USA.

3Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources,

P.O. Box 366147, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936 USA.

ABSTRACT

Management of the commercial and recreational conch and lobster fisheries of Puerto Rico uses

comprehensive annual catch limits. The recreational sectors require catch estimates so the two sectors

can be managed separately. In 2014 - 2015 MRAG implemented a pilot project for the PR-DNER and

NOAA to characterize the recreational harvest of conch and lobster, aiming at the consideration of these

invertebrates in existing surveys. The main objectives were to test methods to identify the locations,

seasons, and times of recreational conch-lobster activity, to determine if they are target species, the

modes and methods used, to quantify catch and effort, and to assess the proportion of undersized

individuals. The methodology consisted of hiring local samplers to rove the island and visit potential

sites, intercept and interview fishers, and measure individuals, including conchs at shell mounds.

Numerous adaptations in the sampling design occurred throughout the project to maximize efficiency

and effectiveness. Daytime sampling by four interviewers spanned 12 months, with 118 sites visited

around PR, 29 sites in Vieques, and 13 in Culebra, including beaches, ramps, fishing villages, marinas,

nautical clubs, and docks. Sites were stratified according to the presence/absence and intensity of the

activity and revisited periodically. Locating and interviewing the target group was challenging, so we

could not identify clear patterns in the recreational fisheries. A large percentage of juvenile conchs were

observed. Recreational activity appeared elusive or minimal compared to the larger incidence of

unlicensed commercial fishing. More intensive sampling and alternative methods are recommended to

better understand these fisheries.

KEYWORDS: Queen conch, lobster, recreational fisheries, survey, interview

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

272

A Snapshot View of the Fishery on Moored Fish Aggregating Devices (mFAD)

in the South of Haiti

Una Mirada Rápida sobre la Pesca Asociada a Dispositivos de Concentración

de Peces Anclados (DCPa) en el Sur de Haití

Un Coup D‟œil Rapide sur la Pêche à Dispositifs de Concentration

de Poissons Ancrés (DCPa) dans le Sud D‟Haïti

HENRI VALLÈS

Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of the West Indies,

Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, BB 11000 Barbados. hevals@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Moored Fish Aggregating Devices (mFADs) are anchored floating objects placed in the sea to aggregate

fishes so as to facilitate their capture. These devices can increase fishers‟ revenues and improve food

security. Over the past three decades, there has been a rapid ad hoc development of a small-scale

artisanal mFAD fishery in some Caribbean states, including Haiti. However, the current state of mFAD

fishery in Haiti is poorly known. Here, I report the results of mFAD fishers interviews and mFAD

fishing trip surveys in January-February 2015 at selected sites along 550 km of coastline in the south of

Haiti - an area containing about 21,700 fishers - so as to provide baseline data on the mFAD fishery. At

that time, a total of 21 semi-heavy mFADs were being used across the area and about 10% of the fisher

population used mFADs. Most fishing vessels were small (< 9 m) and equipped with small outboard

engines (15 hp). Main fishing techniques were drift lines with live bait and trolling. The main species

landed were yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, blackfin tuna and dolphinfish, with landings (all species

combined) being substantial at some locations (≥ 13.6 tonnes/year). Data collection systems were weak,

except where fishers were supported by external aid. Overall, the mFAD fishery contributes tangibly to

support fishers‟ livelihoods and to food security in south Haiti. However, significant catches of highly-

migratory species considered to be overfished indicate the need to improve local data collection systems

and reinforce Haiti‟s integration into regional fishery management bodies.

KEYWORDS: FAD, Haiti, pelagic, artisanal fishery,

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

273

Description of Larval Lionfish Pterois volitans (Scorpaenidae) for the Western Atlantic

Descripción de Larvas de Pez León Pterois volitans

(Scorpaenidae) en el Atlántico Occidental

Description Larvaire des Poisson-lion Pterois volitans

(Scorpaenidae) dans les Atlantique Occidentale

LOURDES VASQUEZ-YEOMANS*1, SELENE MORALES-GUTIERREZ

1, ESTRELLA MALCA

2,

YARELI COTA-VALENTIN1, JAMES MORRIS

3, TOM SCHULTZ

4, and AMANDA LEVINE

5

1El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Ave. Centenario Km. 5.5 S/N,

Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77014 Mexico. *lvasquez@ecosur.mx. 2NOAA – National Marine Fisheries Service, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149 USA

3NOAA – National Center for Coastal Ocean Science,

101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA. 4Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 135 Marine Lab Road,

Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA.

5Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794 USA.

ABSTRACT

The invasive lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus 1758) is widely distributed in the Western Atlantic and

Caribbean. This invasion was fueled by year-round reproduction, frequent spawning behaviour, dispersal

by ocean currents and lack of major predators. Among the less known aspects of lionfish ecology is

basic information regarding the early life stages. Here we present the first complete series of larval

description for P. volitans based on 109 larvae collected in oceanographic cruise during the spring of

2011 using MOCNESS, S10 and neuston nets. Although larger > 4 mm SL were initially identified

following morphological characters, previously undescribed smaller larval specimens < 4 mm SL were

determined on the basis meticulous observation and expertise. Taxonomic identifications were validated

as P. volitans for 100% larvae, using the mitochondrial DNA (COI). The youngest larvae (1.5 mm SL)

showed a characteristic bar pigment pattern over three quarters of the tail and a high concentration of

pigment on the distal part of the pectoral fin. The largest (> 9 mm SL) had considerable head spination

and large pectoral, dorsal and anal fins. We describe in detail the main characteristics (morphological

and pigmentary) to identify with certainty lionfish larvae. These descriptions can facilitate identification

of lionfish from plankton collections and thus reveal major spawning sites to discover dispersal and

transport of early life stages of lionfish in the region. Accurate identification of larval lionfish in the

Western Atlantic can help prioritize effective actions in control programs and management of this

invasive species.

KEYWORDS: Larval morphology, pigmentary pattern, DNA barcoding, larval taxonomy, Caribbean

Sea

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

274

First Report of Reproductive Aggregations for Pacific Red Snappers Lutjanus peru

(Nicholson y Murphy, 1992) and Spotted Rose Snapper L. guttatus (Steindachner, 1869)

in the Coiba National Park, Pacific of Panama

Primer Reporte de Agregaciones de Desove para los Pargos Seda (Lutjanus peru)

(Nicholson y Murphy, 1992) y Mancha (L. guttatus) (Steindachner, 1869)

en el Parque Nacional Coiba, Pacífico de Panamá

Premier Rapport sur les Agrégations Reproduction desVivaneaux du Pacifique Lutjanus

peru (Nicholson y Murphy, 1992) et des Vivaneau Rose L. guttatus (Steindachner, 1869)

dans le Parc National de Coiba, Pacifique du Panama

ÁNGEL JAVIER VEGA*1, JUAN L. MATÉ

2, and YOLANI A. ROBLES

1

1Universidad de Panamá, Escuela de Biología, Departamento de Biología Marina y Limnología,

Santiago, Veraguas 0923-00173 Panamá. *angeljv@cwpanama.net. 2Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, 0843-03092 Panamá.

ABSTRACT

Through scuba diving, we assessed the existence of reproductive aggregations in the Coiba National

Park, Panamanian Pacific, for Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru) and spotted rose snapper (L. guttatus).

For the silky snapper, we documented spawning aggregations, and massive spawning events in the

morning, when the temperature was above 26°C, currents were low, tides were low and during few days

before the full moon. Spawning aggregations exceeded 500 individuals and spawning occurred in small

groups (50 - 60), simultaneously or sequentially within the aggregation. For the spotted rose snapper,

courtship behavior varied as groups of two to three individuals separated from the main aggregation,

chasing each other until spawning. Spawning conditions were similar to that for the silky snapper. With

the exception that occurs around 1600 hours. This represents the first record of this reproductive

behavior for both species of snappers in the region and requires the protection of sites and moments

where the phenomenon occurs. This will contribute to warrant the permanence of the fishery resource.

KEYWORDS: Coiba National Park, spawning aggregations, Lutjanus peru, Lutjanus guttatus, snappers

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

275

Biological and Fisheries Analyses of the Pacific Red Snapper (L. peru),

Spotted Rose Snapper (L. guttatus) and Yellow Tail Snapper (L. argentiventris)

in the Coiba National Park and its Area of Influence

Análisis Biológico y Pesquero de los Pargos Seda (L. peru), Macha (L. guttatus) y

Amarillo (L. argentiventris) en el Parque Nacional Coiba y su Zona de Influencia

Analyses de la Biologie et de la Pêche de la Vivaneau du Pacifique (L. peru),

Repéré le Vivaneau Rose (L. guttatus) et le Vivaneau Queue Jaune (L. argentiventris)

dans le Parc National de Coiba et sa Zone D'influence

ÁNGEL JAVIER VEGA* and YOLANI A. ROBLES

Universidad de Panamá, Escuela de Biología,

Departamento de Biología Marina y Limnología, Santiago, 0923-00173 Panamá.

*angeljv@cwpanama.net.

ABSTRACT

Between January 2011 and January 2012 we sample populations of the silky snapper (Lutjanus peru),

spotted rose snapper (L. guttatus), and the yellow tail snapper (L. argentiventris) at a landing site (Puerto

Remedios) and on board fishing vessels in and around the Coiba National Park (PN Coiba). The

objective of the study was to evaluate biological and fisheries indicators that could be used to determine

the condition of the resource. Historical records resulting from our previous work (2006 - 2010), allowed

us to compare the evolution of the fishery in the past six years, throughout the size structure,

reproductive minimum size (L50), mean lengths of catch and landings, number of active vessels, number

of trips, landing volumes, and catch per unit effort (CPUE). The main results indicate that the snapper

fishery in PN Coiba and its surrounding areas it‟s not done in a sustainable manner. There is a reduction

in catches of approximately 50% associated also with the number of fishing boats used and trips made.

The catch per unit effort showed a reduction of 45 kg between 2006 and 2011. These results are heavily

influenced by the silky snapper which is the main targeted species.

KEYWORDS: Coiba National Park, Lutjanus peru, L. guttatus, L. argentiventris, snappers

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

276

Pesquerías y Biodiversidad Marina en Panamá: Desafíos para la Sostenibilidad

Fisheries and Marine Biodiversity in Panama: Challenges for Sustainability

Pêches et la Biodiversité Marine au Panama: Défis pour la Durabilité

CARLOS VERGARA-CHEN

INDICASAT-AIP, Calle Rodolfo Benítez, Edif 219, Ciudad del Saber, Panama 0843-01103 Panamá.

vergara.chen@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

La biodiversidad marina de Panamá ofrece una conjunto de recursos biológicos que han permitido el

desarrollo de un industria pesquera próspera, sin embargo, desde el año 2008 la productividad pesquera

ha ido decayendo. Sumado a esto, los planes de gestión no existen o son endebles y la pesca se reduce a

pocas especies, por lo que se hace necesario diversificarla. Ante este panorama, es preciso definir

estrategias y planes de acción para la conservación de la biodiversidad marina y la gestión de los

recursos pesqueros. Entre los desafíos del sector pesquero se incluyen la realización de estudios sobre

estructura y dinámica de las poblaciones explotadas, ejecución de investigaciones oceanográficas que

incluyan el seguimiento de la variabilidad en los parámetros fisicoquímicos del mar, así como trabajos

orientados al desarrollo de productos marinos y tecnologías para la acuicultura. También se deben

realizar análisis económicos y estimaciones de los indicadores de productividad, eficiencia y eficacia de

las embarcaciones y la industria, y la valoración de los bienes y servicios ecosistémicos. Se recomienda

la creación de un centro de excelencia dedicado a la investigación marina y pesquera. Los resultados

alcanzados por esta institución serán fundamentales para asesorar a las autoridades y comunidades

pesqueras en el uso racional de las pesquerías. Además de la investigación de los recursos marinos, la

ejecución de estrategias apropiadas de gestión pesquera con base en la información científica y en los

conocimientos ecológicos tradicionales de las comunidades pesqueras es determinante para adoptar

medidas de mitigación para los efectos negativos de la pesca y la acuicultura, posibilitando la realización

de explotaciones sostenibles y responsables que favorezcan la conservación de la biodiversidad de los

mares costeros panameños.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Recursos marinos, sistemas pesqueros, investigación integrada, gestión

pesquera, conservación

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

277

Open Blue Sea Farms Panamá S.A.:

De Mar Abierto Impactando Nuestras Comunidades en la Costa Arriba de Colón

Open Blue Sea Farms Panama S.A.:

Offshore Aquaculture Impacting Our Communities in Costa Arriba de Colon

Open Blue Sea Farms Panama S.A.:

L‟aquaculture Offshore Impacte Nos Communautés A La Costa Arriba, Colon

JAVIER VISUETTI GONZÁLEZ

Open Blue Sea Farms Panamá, S.A. Calle Morse No. 434, Clayton, Panamá.

jvisuetti@openblue.com.

RESUMEN

Open Blue Sea Farms Panamá empresa constituida en 2007. Opera en la Costa Arriba de Colón (Distrito

de Santa Isabel). La empresa se dedica al cultivo de peces en mar abierto, poniendo sus jaulas

submarinas a 12 Km de la costa. Por el momento nos dedicamos al cultivo de la Cobia (Rachycentron

canadum), pez nativo de rápido crecimiento y que se acopla a la plataforma que utilizamos para su

crianza. Costa Arriba es un área deprimida, en donde hay muy pocas empresas formalmente establecidas.

Usualmente las personas de estas comunidades deben migrar en busca de oportunidades de trabajo,

creando una desvinculación de las personas con su entorno. Open Blue Sea Farms enfoca su programa de

Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en dos ejes: Educación y Medioambiente. Creamos una fuente de

oportunidades en las áreas donde operamos y se está haciendo la transferencia de tecnología para que los

miembros de nuestras comunidades, quienes tienen prelación en la contratación, se capaciten y se

conviertan en mano de obra calificada, cambiando su perfil profesional. Creemos en el potencial de la

niñez y por ello llevamos un programa de becas a la excelencia, incentivando a los chicos con los

mejores promedios en las nueve escuelas de las comunidades de Santa Isabel, quienes se convertirán en

futuros profesionales. Se ha establecido la Fundación de La Comunidad de Costa Arriba de Open Blue,

cuya finalidad es la de hacer el patrocinio de algunos proyectos de índole cultural y que creen impacto

sobre las comunidades en donde vivimos.

KEYWORDS: Open Blue Sea Farms, Panamá, cobia, Rachycentron canadum, responsabilidad social

empresarial

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

278

The Our Florida Reefs Marine Planner Decision Support Tool:

Helping Southeast Florida to Make Science-Based Recommendations

El Our Florida Reefs Marine Planner Decision Support Tool:

Ayudando al Sudeste de la Florida a Tomar Recomendaciones Basadas en la Ciencia

Le Our Florida Reefs Marine Planner Decision Support Tool:

Aider la Floride du Sud de Faire des Recommandations à Vocation Scientifique

BRIAN WALKER*1, AMANDA COSTAREGNI

1, LAUREN WATERS

2, and DAN CROWTHER

3

1Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive,

Dania Beach, Florida 33004 USA. *walkerb@nova.edu. 2Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2271 79th St. Cswy., Miami, Florida 33141 USA.

3Point 97, 721 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209 USA.

ABSTRACT

The Our Florida Reefs (OFR) stakeholder-driven community planning process was developed in June

2013 for the southeast Florida region of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties to

address previously identified local coral reef management action strategies. Regional reef resource users

participated in Community Working Groups (CWG) representing their respective stakeholder

perspective and developed recommended management actions for the reefs of southeast Florida. The

OFR process identified the need for a mapping and spatial analysis web-based computer application

throughout the decision and recommendation making process. The application needed to facilitate data

visualization and information to all stakeholders, provide a spatial survey of reef users, and allow CWG

members to conduct real-time analyses and planning. The OFR marine planner was developed. It

provides GIS data in an intuitive, easy-to-use platform for novice users to view and evaluate spatial data.

It incorporated a coastal ocean use survey gathered spatial information on reef use through an interactive

map, allowing participants to choose an activity, location, and how many days that location was visited.

The OFR marine planner allows users the flexibility to layer different datasets and create their own

maps; provides decision support functions by allowing users to filter planning units based on

presence/absence or by user-defined values within various data layers; and allows users to delineate

areas and get instant reports on the data parameters of the planning units within the area drawn. The OFR

Marine Planner can be customized to other areas where real-time decision support is needed.

KEYWORDS: Coastal and marine spatial planning, CMSP, web-based program, GIS

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

279

Caracterización de la Flota Pesquera que Opera en el Archipiélago de San Andrés,

Providencia y Santa Catalina, Caribe de Colombia

Characterization of the Fishing Fleet that Operates in the Archipelago of San Andrés,

Providencia, and Santa Catalina, Colombia Caribbean

Caractérisation de la Flotte de Pêche qui Opère dans L'archipel de San Andrés,

Providencia et Santa Catalina, Colombie Caraïbes

HUGO WILSON AGUIRRE

Gobernación Departamental Secretaria de Agricultura y Pesca, Av. Newball, Edificio Coral Palace,

San Andres Isla, Colombia. ing.hugowilson@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

La pesca ha sido una actividad tradicional e importante en la economía local y la seguridad alimentaria

para los habitantes del Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina. Siendo el único

territorio insular y la frontera más norte de Colombia, el manejo de la pesca es así mismo único en el

país, y bajo la responsabilidad de autoridades locales y no nacionales. En cumplimiento de sus

funciones, la Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca ha inventariado la flota pesquera también conocida como

unidades económicas de pesca (UEPs). Los datos presentados se actualizaron al 2012 e incluyen el

número de embarcaciones, sus característica (tipo, tamaño, método de propulsión), sitios de desembarco

de la faena y artes de pesca. La flota de pesca artesanal se estimó en 212 embarcaciones, de las cuales

solo el 55,97% se mantienen activas en la isla de San Andrés y 57,69% en la isla de Providencia y Santa

Catalina. Son embarcaciones principalmente de fibra de vidrio (88,20%), siendo en la actualidad pocas

las de madera (6,13%) o las que están construidas de madera y fibra (2,83%). Su tamaño es variable,

pudiendo ser pangas o canoas con eslora ente 10 - 14 pies; lanchas con esloras entre 14 - 26 pies; o

lanchas de mayor envergadura llamadas localmente “GO FAST” o lanchas grandes con esloras entre 28 -

33 pies. En su mayoría, las embarcaciones artesanales usan motores fuera de borda de 2T, a gasolina,

aunque poco a poco se hace el cambio a motores 4T. El tamaño de la flota artesanal que opera en el

archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina ha aumentado progresivamente, incluyendo

mejoras en su tecnificación, como el incremento de la potencia de los motores, el cambio de motores

fuera de borda de 2T a 4T para optimizar el consumo de combustible Por su parte, la flota industrial se

estimó en 39 embarcaciones, de las cuales solo el 28,20% están activas. Las mayoría están construida

con acero naval (84,61%), el tamaño de las mismas baria con eslora entre 68- 82 pies. En su totalidad

con motores internos de 350 a 540 HP,

PALABRAS CLAVES: Flota pesquera, embarcaciones artesanales e industriales, inventario de unidades

económicas de pes, Caribe Colombiano

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

280

Developing a Size-structured Stock Assessment Model

for Spiny Lobster in the Southeast United States

Desarrollo de un Modelo de Evaluación Poblacional Basado en la Estructura de Tallas

para la Langosta Espinosa en el Sureste de los Estados Unidos

Développement D'un Modèle D'évaluation de la Taille du Stock-structurée

pour la Langouste dans le Sud-Est des États-Unis

NAN YAO* and YUYING ZHANG

Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, Florida 33181 USA.

*nyao001@fiu.edu

ABSTRACT

Spiny lobster fishery is one of the most economical important fisheries in the Caribbean. In the past

decade, multiple stock assessment models have been developed to assess the stocks. Traditionally,

Catch-at-age or Delury model is used. However, the complex biology and fisheries of the Caribbean

spiny lobster makes those models inadequate: the spiny lobster lacks calcified structure like otolith,

vertebrae and scales found in the fin fish species, to mark age directly. Therefore, age-structured model

could introduce uncertainty and error associated with the length-age transformation. Also spiny lobster

fisheries include both commercial and recreational methods. The efforts vary between these two fisheries

and display fluctuations within the recreational fishery. Furthermore, in some regions, the information is

limited for the stocks. The objective of this study is to develop a size-structured model for spiny lobster

in Southeast US. This model describes a sex-specific, season-specific population dynamics of the spiny

lobster based on the size structure. The uncertainty of the parameters in the model is estimated using

MCMC. The performance of the model is evaluated by simulating fisheries. The model also provides

biological reference points that would help the establishment of the management strategies. Hopefully,

this model will reduce the uncertainty due to the lack of information, improve the performance of the

stock assessment model and provide advice for the stock assessment of other Caribbean stocks.

KEYWORDS: Spiny lobster, stock assessment, size-structure

Book of Abstracts – 68th GCFI Panamá 2015

281

Incorporación de Nuevos Materiales en las Redes de Arrastre de Camarón en el Golfo

de Morrosquillo, Mar Caribe de Colombia: Una Estrategia para Reducir Combustible

Incorporation of New Materials in Shrimp Trawls Nets in the Gulf of Morrosquillo,

Colombia Caribbean Sea: A Strategy to Save Fuel

Incorporation de Nouveaux Matériaux dans les Chaluts à Crevettes dans le Golfe du

Morrosquillo, Mer des Caraïbes en Colombie: Une Stratégie pour la Réduction de

Carburant

HARLEY ZUÑIGA* and JAIRO ALTAMAR

Universidad del Magdalena, Carrera 32 No 22 – 08, Santa Marta, Magdalena 470004 Colombia.

*harleyzuca@gmail.com.

RESUMEN

Para validar la eficiencia de la incorporación de nuevos materiales desarrollados e incorporados en otras

pesquerías de arrastre del mundo, se utilizaron dos barcos, uno equipado con las redes que

tradicionalmente operan en esta pesquería y otro con redes innovadas construidas con un nuevo diseño y

material, Ultra Cross Spectra. Los parámetros constructivos área ficticia y resistencia al avance fueron

estimados mediante métodos teóricos. El consumo de combustible fue medido directamente utilizando

flujómetros especializados. Para determinar las diferencias entre las tecnologías se aplicó un análisis de

varianza de parcelas divididas y para establecer diferencias entre el consumo de combustible se utilizó

una prueba “t” para muestras dependientes. Para demostrar la apropiación de los beneficios de incorporar

los nuevos materiales, se realizó un seguimiento de los consumos de combustible de la flota de

embarcaciones arrastreras que opera en los alrededores del golfo de Morrosquillo. Los resultados de los

parámetros constructivos referidos al área ficticia de los paños de red para los equipos innovado y

tradicional fueron de 118.86 m2 y 94.63 m

2, respectivamente. La resistencia al avance a una velocidad de

arrastre de 2.8 nudos fueron de 463.96 kgf y 485.91 kgf. Los resultados del consumo de combustible

indicaron una disminución de 2.3 gal/hora de arrastre. En la actualidad toda la flota de barcos arrastreros

que opera en el área de influencia del golfo de Morrosquillo está utilizando Ultra Cross Spectra en la

construcción de sus redes, obteniendo un ahorro de combustible entre el 28 y 30%. La estrategia de

utilizar nuevos materiales contribuyó a la reducción del consumo de combustibles fósiles en esta

pesquería de arrastre.

PALABRAS CLAVES: Redes de arrastre, camarón, combustible, mar Caribe de Colombia