Reef Fisheries Research Articles

The need for new concepts in reef biology

The results of the Indonesian-Dutch Snellius-II Expedition showed that several common concepts in reef biology need revision. From the scientific, conservational and economic point of view a more balanced development of tropical marine benthology is needed. There is considerable confusion over nomenclature in reef research. Even the term coral reef is not well defined. It should be used only in a geomorphological sense because it has no biological meaning. A reef, and particularly a complicated one like an atoll, may harbour a variety of benthic, demersal and even terrestrial communities. Highly diverse coral-dominated communities occur not only on reefs but also on primary substrata. Several reefs show little or no coral growth. Instead alcyonarians, sponges or algae may be the dominant life forms. Many reefs with a high coral cover show a very low diversity. Between-habitat diversity is high in Indonesian waters. Some reef communities are stable, others are short-lived. Disturbance or even complete destruction may belong to natural chains of events and should not automatically be blamed on human interference. Commonly held conceptions about nutrient-cycling properties and harvest potential of reef environments are not always applicable. Reef fisheries may become economically more important because fishing for pelagic stocks is a large component.

Fishery resources and policies in the Maldives: Trends and issues for an island developing country

This article outlines the importance of fishery resources to the Republic of the Maldives and identifies three basic types of fish resources available to the Republic, namely those in coral reef habitats, surface-swimming tuna and deep-swimming tuna which are found beyond the reef area. Reef fisheries may be overexploited by trolling boats but the number of these boats is still increasing. Pole-and-line boats are used to harvest surface-swimming tuna. The pole-and-line fleet is being rapidly mechanized and consequences of this are noted. Deep-swimming tuna stocks are not harvested by the Maldivians nor is the harvesting of these licensed to foreigners in the exclusive economic zone of the Maldives. Ways in which the Maldivians could obtain economic gain from this resource are discussed along with the overall policy problems which the Maldives faces for its three types of natural fishery resources.

Ecologically Sustainable Development: A Caribbean Fisheries Case Study

ABSTRACT Self-sufficiency in fish production has been an elusive goal of many Eastern Caribbean nations despite decades of fishery development. The thrust and the outcome of fishery development strategies have been quite different in Barbados and Jamaica and have resulted in the orientation of effort to different fish resource types. Barbados has a major offshore fleet while Jamaica has a large reef fishery but no offshore fleet. An analysis of these fisheries is used to develop a broad concept of development incorporating a range of concerns, from the long-term sustainability of the resource base (the sustainable development approach), to the socioeconomic development of the fishermen.

Migration of the Ornate Rock Lobster, Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius), in Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinean waters, there are two reef fisheries and a trawl fishery for the ornate rock lobster, P. ornatus. A single stock of lobsters is the basis of all three fisheries. The migration pattern of this species was determined by tagging 6077 lobsters, of which 719 (11 .8%) were recaptured. In August-September each year, adult lobsters in northern Torres Strait undertake a mass migration across the Gulf of Papua to spawning grounds at the eastern limit of the Gulf. Lobsters walk across an open sand-mud seabed for 2-3 months at an average speed of 6.1 km day-1. The maximum recorded distance was 511 km. No return migration was detected and probably there is a high mortality of lobsters after spawning. The reason and stimulus for this mass migration are discussed. Larval recruitment is generally to a different area from the adult population in northern Torres Strait, necessitating a subsequent migration of juveniles into the adult habitat. Once these juveniles have moved into the northern reef systems, they remain in the area, usually within a specific reef complex, for 1-2 years before undertaking the mass migration into the Gulf of Papua.

Observations on the 1971 summer red tide in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Abstract A 3½ month summer red tide (Florida west coast) caused by the unarmored dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve, is described and discussed. Observations support the following: 1) estuaries normally present a low salinity barrier to this neritic species, 2) heavy cell concentrations are aided by physical factors rather than increased cell division, 3) inshore and near-shore reef fisheries are the only ones affected and then only temporarily, and 4) commercial bivalves are safe for human consumption 1–2 months after a red tide has ended. Further it is suggested that 1) G. breve may bloom from a resident cyst population, 2) pollution does not trigger a Florida red tide, 3) G. breve probably blooms almost annually, and 4) major Florida red tides can be predicted by monitoring programs.