Abstract
The benefits of physiological biomarkers, knowledge and concepts are well-established in fish and wildlife management as they confer the ability to understand mechanistic processes, identify cause-and-effect relationships, and develop predictive models. Although this approach is gaining momentum in the context of species conservation, the use of physiological biomarkers in exploited marine fish stock management and recovery plans remains relatively rare. Here, we present five essential issues to consider to implement physiological biomarkers in fisheries management: (i) choice of relevant biomarkers that have a well-known mechanistic basis, (ii) identification of species-specific biomarkers reflecting a meaningful timespan for management, (iii) selection of biomarkers compatible with data collection during routine scientific fisheries surveys, (iv) use of biomarkers as early-warning signals and complementary indicators of population-level changes in life history traits and (v) how physiological biomarkers may help to refine long-term population dynamic projections under climate change and management scenarios. Overall, if based on well-established mechanisms linked to individuals’ fitness, a focus on physiological biomarkers should help to better understand the mechanisms behind stock declines, changes in stock characteristics, and thus more efficiently manage marine fisheries and conserve populations. As this approach is transferable among species, locations, and times, the integration of physiological biomarkers in fisheries science has the potential to more broadly enhance assessments and management of fish stocks.
Highlights
Understanding how individuals respond to environmental changes and the mechanisms shaping their life history traits is important for fish and wildlife management (Wikelski and Cooke 2006; Madliger et al 2016; Bergman et al 2019)
These studies illustrate the potential of physiological biomarkers, knowledge and concepts to inform the management of species with conservation concerns, an approach that can be adapted to the management of exploited species
Following Cury and Christensen (2005) and Rice and Rochet (2005) approach, we focus on two decisive steps to choose physiological biomarkers intended to support management decision-making: (i) the identification of biomarkers adapted to the target species, with an appropriate temporal integration, informative for management, and with both reasonable financial cost and time investment, and (ii) the selection of the most relevant suite of biomarkers for providing information on individual and population changes for the considered species
Summary
Understanding how individuals respond to environmental changes and the mechanisms shaping their life history traits is important for fish and wildlife management (Wikelski and Cooke 2006; Madliger et al 2016; Bergman et al 2019). Physiological biomarkers showed that six hours in a salt water pool facilitated post-release survival of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) after transportation (Hunt et al 2019). These (and other studies—see Madliger et al 2016) studies illustrate the potential of physiological biomarkers, knowledge and concepts to inform the management of species with conservation concerns, an approach that can be adapted to the management of exploited species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
