Integrating wild and agrobiodiversity conservation

This research shows that both wild biodiversity and agrobiodiversity provide multiple ecosystem services that support food production, underpin food security and human wellbeing. We consider that biodiversity conservation efforts in agricultural contexts should better integrate wild and agrobiodiversity approache

Common variants near MC4R are associated with fat mass, weight and risk of obesity.

To identify common variants influencing body mass index (BMI), we analyzed genome-wide association data from 16,876 individuals of European descent. After previously reported variants in FTO, the strongest association signal (rs17782313, P = 2.9 x 10(-6)) mapped 188 kb downstream of MC4R (melanocortin-4 receptor), mutations of which are the leading cause of monogenic severe childhood-onset obesity. We confirmed the BMI association in 60,352 adults (per-allele effect = 0.05 Z-score units; P = 2.8 x 10(-15)) and 5,988 children aged 7-11 (0.13 Z-score units; P = 1.5 x 10(-8)). In case-control analyses (n = 10,583), the odds for severe childhood obesity reached 1.30 (P = 8.0 x 10(-11)). Furthermore, we observed overtransmission of the risk allele to obese offspring in 660 families (P (pedigree disequilibrium test average; PDT-avg) = 2.4 x 10(-4)). The SNP location and patterns of phenotypic associations are consistent with effects mediated through altered MC4R function. Our findings establish that common variants near MC4R influence fat mass, weight and obesity risk at the population level and reinforce the need for large-scale data integration to identify variants influencing continuous biomedical traits

Analysis of bycatch in the South African midwater trawl fishery for horse mackerel Trachurus capensis based on observer data

The South African midwater trawl fishery targets adult horse mackerel Trachurus capensis. The bulk of the catch is taken by a single freezer-trawler, the biggest fishing vessel operating in South African waters. As fishing takes place off the south coast in ecologically sensitive areas, there are concerns about the potential  impacts of this fishing operation on non-target species. Fishing behaviour and  bycatch of this fishery from 2004 to 2014 were investigated by analysing observer records with regard to catch composition, volume and temporal and spatial patterns. The midwater trawl fishery was estimated to have caught 25 415 tonnes annually, with a bycatch of 6.9% of the total catch, by weight. There are species overlaps with various fisheries, namely the demersal trawl, small-pelagic, line, shark longline and squid fisheries, yet the total bycatch estimates from this fishery are generally small relative to catches taken in the target fisheries. Bycatch species with the highest average annual catches were chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, redeye  roundherring Etrumeus whiteheadi, ribbonfish Lepidopus caudatus and hake  Merluccius spp. Large-fauna bycatch species included sunfish Mola mola as well as a number of CITES II- and IUCN-listed species, such as Cape fur seal  Arctocephalus pusillus, dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus, smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena and thresher sharks Alopias spp. The 97.9% observer coverage is high and the 6.9% bycatch rate low compared to other South African fisheries; however, due to the large size of the individual hauls (average of 46.3 t), the average sampling rate of 1.56% is low. Our analyses suggest that bycatch in the South African midwater trawl fishery has been lower than in other South African fisheries and similar fisheries elsewhere, but due to the combination of high catch volumes and low sampling rates, estimation errors for rare species are high and there is a substantial risk of incidental unmonitored bycatch of rare large fauna and aggregations of small fauna. This could be mitigated by spatio-temporal  management of this fishery, to avoid fishing in high-risk areas, and the introduction of an electronic monitoring programme.Keywords: Agulhas Bank, catch weight, large-fauna bycatch, observer protocols, quantitative analysis, sampling rate, seasonal CPUE, spatio-temporal managemen

A change of the seaward boundary of Goukarmma Marine Protected Area could increase conservation and fishery benefits

GoukammaMarine Protected Area (MPA) on the South African temperate South Coast has been shown to be effective in maintaining a spawning stock of roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps (Sparidae). The larval ecology and the oceanographic conditions in the area suggest a good potential for the enhancement of roman stocks outside the reserve through larval dispersal. A high rate of illegal fishing just inside the seaward boundary of the MPA could severely compromise its function.We suggest that a change of the seaward boundary of the reserve to coincide with a latitudinal line could increase its function as a harvest refuge for resident reef fishes such as roman, facilitate voluntary compliance and monitoring and prosecution of illegal fishing without a significant negative impact on the commercial linefishing fleet in the area. Simple adjustments such as the one proposed here could be attempted at a number of South African MPAs as they would be beneficial to achieve fishery and conservation goals alike

Life history, distribution and seasonal movements of a threatened South African endemic seabream, Chrysoblephus gibbiceps

The red stumpnose Chrysoblephus gibbiceps (Sparidae) is a South African endemic seabream that has been severely depleted by fishing. A total of 678 C. gibbiceps were sampled by line and trawl fishing for a study of their morphology, age, growth, reproduction and diet. In addition, catch records from three time-periods since 1897 were interrogated for distribution patterns and movement behaviour. The sex ratio was 1.5:1 in favour of males. The length–weight relationship, W = 9.32 × 10−5 LF2.811, indicates hypoallometric growth. The bulbous head of large males is a secondary sexual characteristic. A von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to age data obtained using otolith analyses: LF = 429.9 × (1 – e−0.113(t – (−3.799)). The maximum recorded age was 48 years, which is among the highest in seabreams, though the species matures after only 3 years. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of ripe females (4.5%) was comparatively low, and the two-month-long early-summer spawning season was short compared with that of other sympatric seabreams. The very low GSI of ripe males (1.6%) suggests courtship battles and polygamy. The species feeds over low-profile reefs and consolidated sediments. The principal prey are ophiuroids. Although its trophic level is 3.7, C. gibbiceps has a low-nutrition diet. Historical and current catch data confirm a distribution from Cape Point (southeastern Atlantic) to southern KwaZulu-Natal Province (western Indian Ocean). There is evidence for localised migratory patterns, now partly lost due to severe population depletion. Whereas protogyny and resident behaviour have been suggested as traits that render seabreams vulnerable to fishing pressure, C. gibbiceps is a shoaling gonochorist that has collapsed due to fishing.Keywords: Agulhas Bank, catch records, endangered species, life history, longevity, morphometrics, overfishing, red stumpnose, sex ratio, Sparida

When plenty is not enough: an assessment of the white stumpnose (Rhabdosargus globiceps) fishery of Saldanha Bay, South Africa

White stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps is the main target of the linefishery in Saldanha Bay. Increased fishing pressure over the last three decades, particularly by the recreational sector, has led to concerns regarding sustainability of the local white stumpnose stock. The fishery was exceptionally productive between 2006 and 2008, with an estimated annual catch of 141.2 tonnes (t). Only 3% of boat outings surveyed were commercial boats targeting white stumpnose, yet this sector accounted for 39.3 t (31%) of the average annual catch. The recreational boat sector accounted for most of the catch (70.0 t), and the recreational shore sector the least (31.9 t). Commercial boat catch per unit effort (CPUE; 3.7 fish angler–1 h–1) was more than 10 times that of recreational boats (0.3 fish angler–1 h–1). White stumpnose catch length-frequency differed significantly (p < 0.01) between the fishing sectors, with the commercial sector retaining larger fish (34.7 cm [SD 5.9]) than the recreational boat (33.9 cm [SD 5.9]) and shore (30.4 cm [SD 5.8]) sectors. A decline in commercial CPUE (2000–2015) of approximately 40% and a concomitant severe decline (>95%) in survey data for juvenile white stumpnose CPUE (2007–2016) indicate that the current rate of exploitation is not sustainable. Recovery of the white stumpnose stock will require a decrease in fishing mortality. Possible management regulations include sector-specific effort limitations, extending the ‘no take’ marine protected area, reducing the recreational-sector bag limit to 5 fish person–1 day–1, implementing a commercial-sector bag limit, and increasing the minimum size limit to 30 cm TL.Keywords: angling, annual yield, catch and effort, Langebaan Lagoon, linefish, recruitment survey, roving creel survey, temperate spari