The contribution of macroalgae-associated fishes to small-scale tropical reef fisheries

dc.contributor.authorWilson, Shaun K.
dc.contributor.authorFulton, Christopher J.
dc.contributor.authorGraham, Nicholas A. J.
dc.contributor.authorAbesamis, Rene A.
dc.contributor.authorBerkstrom, Charlotte
dc.contributor.authorCoker, Darren J.
dc.contributor.authorDepczynski, Martial
dc.contributor.authorEvans, Richard D.
dc.contributor.authorFisher, Rebecca
dc.contributor.authorGoetze, Jordan
dc.contributor.authorHoey, Andrew
dc.contributor.authorHolmes, Thomas H.
dc.contributor.authorKulbicki, Michel
dc.contributor.authorNoble, Mae
dc.contributor.authorRobinson, James P. W.
dc.contributor.authorBradley, Michael
dc.contributor.authorAkerlund, Carolina
dc.contributor.authorBarrett, Luke T.
dc.contributor.authorBucol, Abner A.
dc.contributor.authorBirt, Matthew J.
dc.contributor.authorChacin, Dinorah H.
dc.contributor.authorChong-Seng, Karen M.
dc.contributor.authorEggertsen, Linda
dc.contributor.authorEggertsen, Maria
dc.contributor.authorEllis, David
dc.contributor.authorLeung, Priscilla T. Y.
dc.contributor.authorLam, Paul K. S.
dc.contributor.authorvan Lier, Joshua
dc.contributor.authorMatis, Paloma A.
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Matus, Alejandro
dc.contributor.authorPiggott, Camilla V. H.
dc.contributor.authorRadford, Ben T.
dc.contributor.authorTano, Stina
dc.contributor.authorTinkler, Paul
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T21:11:41Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T21:11:41Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractMacroalgae-dominated reefs are a prominent habitat in tropical seascapes that support a diversity of fishes, including fishery target species. To what extent, then, do macroalgal habitats contribute to small-scale tropical reef fisheries? To address this question we: (1) Quantified the macroalgae-associated fish component in catches from 133 small-scale fisheries, (2) Compared life-history traits relevant to fishing (e.g. growth, longevity) in macroalgal and coral-associated fishes, (3) Examined how macroalgae-associated species can influence catch diversity, trophic level and vulnerability and (4) Explored how tropical fisheries change with the expansion of macroalgal habitats using a case study of fishery-independent data for Seychelles. Fish that utilised macroalgal habitats comprise 24% of the catch, but very few fished species relied entirely on macroalgal or coral habitats post-settlement. Macroalgal and coral-associated fishes had similar life-history traits, although vulnerability to fishing declined with increasing contribution of macroalgae association to the catch, whilst mean trophic level and diversity peaked when macroalgal-associated fish accounted for 20%-30% of catches. The Seychelles case study revealed similar total fish biomass on macroalgal and coral reefs, although the biomass of primary target species increased as macroalgae cover expanded. Our findings reinforce that multiple habitat types are needed to support tropical fishery stability and sustainability. Whilst coral habitats have been the focus of tropical fisheries management, we show the potential for macroalgae-associated fish to support catch size and diversity in ways that reduce vulnerability to overfishing. This is pertinent to seascapes where repeated disturbances are facilitating the replacement of coral reef with macroalgal habitats.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/faf.12653
dc.identifier.eissn1467-2979
dc.identifier.issn1467-2960
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12653
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/93629
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000768804400001
dc.issue.numero4
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final861
dc.pagina.inicio847
dc.revistaFish and fisheries
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectcatch composition
dc.subjectcoral reefs
dc.subjectecosystem-based management
dc.subjectRegime shifts
dc.subjectSargassum
dc.subjectseaweed habitats
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.ods14 Life Below Water
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.subject.odspa14 Vida submarina
dc.titleThe contribution of macroalgae-associated fishes to small-scale tropical reef fisheries
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen23
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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