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Master's thesis Business Administration BE501 - University of Agder 2018Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01.07.202

Habitat Associations and Co-Occurrence Patterns of Two Estuarine-Dependent Predatory Fishes

Estuarine-dependent fishes experience a wide range of environmental conditions, and most species exhibit distinct associations with particular habitats. However, similar species or multiple conspecifics often overlap spatiotemporally, which can result in ecological interactions that have consequences for behaviors that can shape the structure and function of ecosystems. We used a long-term gill-net data set (2001–2015) to investigate the habitat associations and cooccurrence patterns of two estuarine-dependent predatory fishes, Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus and Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, in coastal Alabama, USA. Both species were associated with similar environmental conditions, primarily low dissolved oxygen and low salinity, especially when temperature was low. However, differences emerged between the species with respect to the effects of interacting environmental variables on their habitat use patterns, which were likely driven by physiological, biological, and ecological dissimilarities between them. Concerning their biogenic habitat use, extensive submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) was an important habitat for both species, but Spotted Seatrout appeared to prefer high-salinity SAV beds, while Red Drum associated with SAV regardless of salinity. Spotted Seatrout were associated with extensive emergent marsh edges, and the positive relationship between Red Drum and SAV was diminished when marsh edge was abundant. Co-occurrence was observed primarily in habitats with which both species were associated, most frequently in shallow, prey-rich marsh edges and high-salinity seagrass beds. These observed habitat use patterns elucidate the subtle differences in resource use that allow these species to coexist and suggest potential areas where interactions between them may shape their roles as predators

Effects of the invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans on native Atlantic coral-reef fish communities

Predatory lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) were introduced to Florida waters during the mid to late 1980s, and eventually established self-sustaining breeding populations in the tropical western Atlantic. These invasive species are now widespread along the southeastern seaboard of the United States, across the Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of Mexico. In these regions, lionfish reach larger maximum sizes and higher abundances than they do in their native Pacific, suggesting that they have undergone ecological release. Invaded marine communities have thus far provided little if any biotic resistance. Lionfish are generalist predators with high consumption rates, inhabit a broad range of habitats, are defended from predation by venomous spines, and are capable of long-range larval dispersal. It is possible that lionfish have direct effects on native communities, through consumption of native fishes and competition with native predators, as well as indirect effects, such as overconsumption of herbivorous fishes that prevent seaweeds from outcompeting reef-building corals. There is also serious concern that invasive lionfish could act additively, or even synergistically, with existing stressors of coral-reef systems, such as overfishing and ocean warming, resulting in substantial negative consequences for native ecosystems and economically valuable fisheries. The primary goal of this dissertation was to conduct a set of controlled, replicated field experiments to rigorously examine and measure the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities across a range of spatial and temporal scales. In the first experiment (Chapter 2), the net recruitment of native fishes to twenty small patch reefs was compared in the presence (n = 10) and absence (n = 10) of lionfish. This study demonstrated that lionfish reduced net recruitment, or change in abundance of small native fishes, by an average (± SEM) of 78.9 ± 32.2 % over 5 weeks, affecting 23 of 38 species recruiting to reefs in both treatments. In a second experiment (Chapter 4), I examined the effects of lionfish on patch-reef communities of small native fishes relative to, and in combination with, those of a similarly sized native predator, the coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulva). Four different predator treatments were established by transplanting predators (n = 5 reefs each). Treatments included a single small invasive lionfish, a single small native grouper, a grouper and a lionfish together, and predator-free controls. Compared to controls, invasive lionfish caused reductions (mean ± SEM) in abundance (93.7 ± 17.8 %) and species richness (4.6 ± 1.6 species) of small native fishes. The negative effect of lionfish on abundance was 2.6 ± 0.5 times stronger than that of the native grouper. The greatest negative effects on abundance, species richness, evenness, and diversity of native fishes occurred when both lionfish and native grouper were present. Additionally, lionfish grew more than six times faster in both length and mass than did native grouper. A third experiment (Chapter 6) assessed the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities at spatial and temporal scales directly relevant to management and conservation efforts. Subsequent to baseline surveys, high- and low-density lionfish treatments were established on 10 large (1400 to 4000 m²) isolated coral reefs. After initiation of treatments, quarterly surveys of the native reef-fish communities were conducted for approximately 14 months. Lionfish caused significant reductions (mean ± SEM) in density (up to 3.22 ± 0.95 fish m⁻²), biomass (3.26 ± 1.10 g m⁻²), and species richness (4.92 ± 2.09 species) of small (<10 cm TL) native fishes. However, these negative effects on prey-sized fishes had not yet translated into declines in larger size classes during the first 14 months of this experiment. In addition to field experiments, this dissertation describes field and aquarium observations of a previously undocumented piscivorous behavior by invasive lionfish - blowing jets of water at prey fish - which may confer a high degree of predation efficiency, thus contributing to the dramatic success of the invasion (Chapter 5). Also provided is a review of the current state of knowledge about the lionfish invasion, with speculation on the long-term effects of the invasion on coral-reef communities, and a brief discussion of potential mitigation measures (Chapter 3). In sum, this research demonstrated that invasive lionfish have substantial negative effects on native communities of coral-reef fishes. In all cases, numerical reductions in small (prey-sized) native fishes caused by lionfish were substantial. Additionally, lionfish caused considerable reductions in native reef-fish species richness (via predation on rare species). These findings indicate that the lionfish invasion may have long-term, broad-scale impacts on the structure and function of coral-reef communities as a whole, potentially reducing the resilience of these systems to a myriad of existing stressors as well as their capacity to provide valuable ecosystem goods and services to humans

Estimating Exploitation Rates in the Alabama Red Snapper Fishery Using a High-Reward Tag–Recapture Approach

Accurate estimates of exploitation are essential to managing an exploited fishery. However, these estimates are often dependent on the area and vulnerable sizes of fish considered in a study. High-reward tagging studies offer a simple and direct approach to estimating exploitation rates at these various scales and in examining how model parameters impact exploitation rate estimates. These methods can ultimately provide a better understanding of the spatial dynamics of exploitation at smaller local and regional scales within a fishery—a measure often needed for more site-attached species, such as the Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus. We used this approach to tag 724 Red Snapper during 2016 in the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone within the northern Gulf of Mexico to estimate recreational exploitation rates in Alabama waters. We fitted a series of tag return models, analyzed using maximum likelihood, to examine how release depth, movement between depth strata, fish length, and the rate at which anglers released fish impacted estimates of exploitation rate under a range of assumed natural and tagging mortality rates. Our model results suggested higher fishing mortality in the shallower depth stratum than in the deep stratum, constant movement rates with release depth, and constant release rates across fish lengths. Exploitation rate for the aggregate tagged population across the entire sample area was estimated at 0.14. Exploitation rates estimated for each depth stratum were 0.20 (shallow stratum

Invasive Lionfish Drive Atlantic Coral Reef Fish Declines

Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread swiftly across the Western Atlantic, producing a marine predator invasion of unparalleled speed and magnitude. There is growing concern that lionfish will affect the structure and function of invaded marine ecosystems, however detrimental impacts on natural communities have yet to be measured. Here we document the response of native fish communities to predation by lionfish populations on nine coral reefs off New Providence Island, Bahamas. We assessed lionfish diet through stomach contents analysis, and quantified changes in fish biomass through visual surveys of lionfish and native fishes at the sites over time. Lionfish abundance increased rapidly between 2004 and 2010, by which time lionfish comprised nearly 40% of the total predator biomass in the system. The increase in lionfish abundance coincided with a 65% decline in the biomass of the lionfish's 42 Atlantic prey fishes in just two years. Without prompt action to control increasing lionfish populations, similar effects across the region may have long-term negative implications for the structure of Atlantic marine communities, as well as the societies and economies that depend on them

Worst case scenario: Potential long-term effects of invasive predatory lionfish (Pterois volitans) on Atlantic and Caribbean coral-reef communities

The Pacific red lionfish has recently invaded Western Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs, and may become one of the most ecologically harmful marine fish introductions to date. Lionfish possess a broad suite of traits that makes them particularly successful invaders and strong negative interactors with native fauna, including defensive venomous spines, cryptic form, color and behavior, habitat generality, high competitive ability, low parasite load, efficient predation, rapid growth, and high reproductive rates. With an eye on the future, we describe a possible “worst case scenario” in which the direct and indirect effects of lionfish could combine with the impacts of preexisting stressors -- especially overfishing -- and cause substantial deleterious changes in coral-reef communities. We also discuss management actions that could be taken to minimize these potential effects by, first, developing targeted lionfish fisheries and local removals, and second, enhancing native biotic resistance, particularly via marine reserves that could conserve and foster potential natural enemies of this invader. Ultimately, the lionfish invasion will be limited either by starvation -- the worst end to the worst case scenario -- or by some combination of native pathogens, parasites, predators, and competitors.This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/10641.Keywords: Ecological release, Invasive species, Coral-reef fishes, Biological invasions, Biotic resistanc

Coping with the Lionfish Invasion: can targeted removals yield beneficial effects?

Invasive species generate significant environmental and economic costs, with maintenance management constituting a major expenditure. Such costs are generated by invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.) that further threaten already stressed coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This brief review documents rapid range expansion and potential impacts of lionfish. In addition, preliminary experimental data from targeted removals contribute to debates about maintenance management. Removals at sites off Little Cayman Island shifted the size frequency distribution of remaining lionfish toward smaller individuals whose stomachs contained less prey and fewer fish. Fewer lionfish and decreased predation on threatened grouper, herbivores and other economically and ecologically important fishes represent key steps toward protecting reefs. However, complete evaluation of success requires long-term data detailing immigration and recruitment by lionfish, compensatory growth and reproduction of lionfish, reduced direct effects on prey assemblages, and reduced indirect effects mediated by competition for food. Preventing introductions is the best way to avoid impacts from invasive species and early detection linked to rapid response ranks second. Nevertheless, results from this case study suggest that targeted removals represent a viable option for shifting direct impacts of invasive lionfish away from highly vulnerable components of ecosystems

Invasive lionfish in the Mediterranean: Low public awareness yet high stakeholder concerns

A lionfish invasion in the Western Atlantic has been one of the most ecologically harmful fish invasions to date. Experience there has shown that its management is most effective when the public and stakeholders are involved. The lionfish (Pterois miles) has recently invaded the Mediterranean, spreading at an alarming rate. To understand lionfish knowledge and perceptions, questionnaire surveys were conducted with a representative cross section of the adult general public (via telephone) and stakeholders (via organised meetings) in Cyprus. Results from 300 public surveys revealed limited awareness about the lionfish but strong support for its local management. Men and older respondents showed stronger support compared to women and younger respondents, respectively. Results from 108 stakeholder revealed high level of awareness and almost unanimous support for management measures. The majority had not experienced any effects from the recent lionfish invasion, but some reported negative impacts such as limited access to dive sites, ecosystem damage and fishing gear destruction. Few stakeholders perceived benefits of this invasive species, e.g. to dive tourism or as a food source. Almost all stakeholders expressed a willingness to get involved in lionfish management, but only around half would consider personal consumption, or sports incentives as good incentives for their participation. Encouragement from scientists through coordination , training and support was suggested as an essential part of effective management strategy. The results of this study can inform an efficient adaptive management process across the Mediterranean region and assist future engagement of citizen scientists in lionfish control and mitigation