Abstract
Increasing fishing pressure and uncertainty surrounding recreational fishing catch and effort data promoted the development of alternative methods for conducting fisheries research. A pilot investigation was undertaken to engage the Australian game fishing community and promote the non-lethal collection of tissue samples from the black marlin Istiompax indica, a valuable recreational-only species in Australian waters, for the purpose of future genetic research. Recruitment of recreational anglers was achieved by publicizing the project in magazines, local newspapers, social media, blogs, websites and direct communication workshops at game fishing tournaments. The Game Fishing Association of Australia and the Queensland Game Fishing Association were also engaged to advertise the project and recruit participants with a focus on those anglers already involved in the tag-and-release of marlin. Participants of the program took small tissue samples using non-lethal methods which were stored for future genetic analysis. The program resulted in 165 samples from 49 participants across the known distribution of I. indica within Australian waters which was a sufficient number to facilitate a downstream population genetic analysis. The project demonstrated the potential for the development of citizen science sampling programs to collect tissue samples using non-lethal methods in order to achieve targeted research objects in recreationally caught species.
Highlights
With growing pressure on fish stocks and the uncertainty surrounding recreational fishing catch and effort data, the application of community-based monitoring is becoming an effective tool for fishery managers [1]
The aim of this study was to assess whether volunteer recreational anglers can collect a sufficient number of tissue samples from I. indica for future population genetic research by: (1) implementing a novel angler participation program to collect fin clips using a non-lethal sampling technique; and (2) obtain sample sizes that are sufficient for delineating population structure in future genetic research
All samples were subsequently genetically identified as black marlin and no cross-contamination among samples was present
Summary
With growing pressure on fish stocks and the uncertainty surrounding recreational fishing catch and effort data, the application of community-based monitoring is becoming an effective tool for fishery managers [1]. In recreational fisheries, obtaining suitable sample sizes poses a significant challenge, for species that are classed as ‘notake’ in the commercial fishing sector. To address both the need for population genetic indices. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Pepperell Research and Consulting Pty Ltd provided support in the form of salaries for authors [JP], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section
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