Peces marinos de los ordenes Gadiformes, Ophidiiformes y Lophiiformes en aguas colombianas del Pacífico oriental tropical

This document compiles information and records from different reference museum holdings, from around the world, of species of Gadiforms, Ophidiiforms and Lophiiforms from Colombian waters of the Pacific. Also included are records of species of these groups from adjacent waters. The latter records could indicate biogeographic connectivity – i.e. that the same species also occur in Colombian waters, but due to inadequate sampling efforts, they have not yet been collected.En el presente documento se recopila información y registros de colecciones de referencia de diferentes museos del mundo de las especies de Ophidiiformes, Gadiformes, and Lophiiformes de aguas colombianas del Pacífico. También se incluyen registros de colección de especies de estos grupos en aguas adyacentes. Estos últimos podrían indicar conectividad biogeográfica – i.e., que la misma especie ocurra también en aguas colombianas, pero que debido a un insuficiente esfuerzo de muestreo no ha sido colectada a la fecha

Peces marinos de los órdenes Stomiiformes, Aulopiformes y Myctophiformes en aguas colombianas del Pacífico oriental tropical

These expeditions have explored portions of the ocean below 200 m, making knowledge accessible about deepsea life that has not been recorded by any national agency until date. Only a few studies of Colombian ichthyologists have reported on species belonging to these orders (Sterling 1976, Rubio 1987, Beltrán-León & Rubio 1994). Rubio (1987), for example, compiled information about the distribution of many of the deep-sea fish species of the Colombian Pacific, many of them without a collection register in Colombian waters. Beltrán-León & Rios (2000) documented the early stages of many groups of deep-sea fishes in the Pacific, including several of the three orders examined in this paper.Estas expediciones han explorado porciones del océano por debajo de los 200 m, haciendo accesible el conocimiento de la vida en estas zonas que no ha sido obtenido por ninguna agencia nacional hasta la fecha. Solo algunos estudios a cargo de ictiólogos nacionales han reportado ocasionalmente especies pertenecientes a estos ordenes (Sterling 1976, Rubio1987, Beltrán-León & Rubio 1994). Por ejemplo, Rubio (1987) recopiló información sobre la distribución de muchas especies de peces de profundidad del Pacífico colombiano, muchas de ellas sin un registro de colección en aguas colombianas. Beltrán-León & Ríos (2000) documentaron los estadios larvales de una gran cantidad de grupos de zonas profundas, incluyendo muchas de las especies examinadas en el presente documento

Environmental DNA (eDNA) reveals potential for interoceanic fish invasions across the Panama Canal

Interoceanic canals can facilitate biological invasions as they connect the world's oceans and remove dispersal barriers between bioregions. As a consequence, multiple opportunities for biotic exchange arise and the resulting establishment of migrant species often causes adverse ecological and economic impacts. The Panama Canal is a key region for biotic exchange as it connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in Central America. In this study, we used two complementary methods (environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and gillnetting) to survey fish communities in this unique waterway. Using COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) metabarcoding, we detected a total of 142 fish species, including evidence for the presence of sixteen Atlantic and eight Pacific marine fish in different freshwater sections of the Canal. Of these, nine are potentially new records. Molecular data did not capture all species caught with gillnets, but generally provided a more complete image of the known fish fauna as more small-bodied fish species were detected. Diversity indices based on eDNA surveys revealed significant differences across different sections of the Canal reflecting in part the prevailing environmental conditions. The observed increase in the presence of marine fish species in the Canal indicates a growing potential for interoceanic fish invasions. The potential ecological and evolutionary consequences of this increase in marine fishes are not only restricted to the fish fauna in the Canal as they could also impact adjacent ecosystems in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Peces marinos y estuarinos de Bahía Málaga, Valle del Cauca, Pacífico colombiano

Malaga Bay, located within the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, between 3°56’ – 4°05’ N and 77°19’ – 77° 21’W, comprises the central zone of the colombian Pacific Ocean, where the continental shelf portion is greater than in other areas. The bay has an average depth of 12- 15 m, and an average area of 126 km2. Oceanographic and climatic conditions of the area make it a typically estuarine zone of the Colombian Pacific (Cantera et al. 1999). The principal habitats within the bay include sandy, rocky and muddy beaches, cliffs and extended mangrove forests (Cantera et al. 1999); the diversity of these habitats leads to a diverse population of biological groups, including fish.Bahía Málaga, ubicada dentro del Pacífico Oriental Tropical, entre los 3°56’ – 4°05’ N y los 77°19’ – 77°21’W, comprende la zona central de la costa pacífica colombiana en donde la plataforma continental se extiende un poco más de lo normal en esta región. La profundidad promedio es de 12 a 15 m y tiene un área aproximada de 126 km2. Las características oceanográficas y climatológicas de Bahía Málaga permiten reconocerla como una zona típicamente estuarina del Pacífico colombiano (Cantera et al. 1999). Los principales hábitats que se encuentran en la bahía son playas arenosas, rocosas y fangosas; acantilados; y extensos bosques de manglar (Cantera et al. 1999) y la diversidad de esos paisajes contribuye a la presencia de distintos grupos biológicos, incluyendo los peces

Toward Ecosystem-Based Assessment and Management of Small-Scale and Multi-Gear Fisheries: Insights From the Tropical Eastern Pacific

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) remain a largely under-assessed and overlooked sector by governments and researchers, despite contributing approximately 50% to global fish landings and providing food and income for millions of people. The multi-species, multi-gear and data-poor nature of SSF makes implementation of traditional single-species management approaches – like catch-quotas or size limits – particularly challenging and insufficient. A more holistic approach is thus required, which demands assessment of ecological impacts. Here we carried out an estimation of selected ecological indicators of the impact of fisheries (mean length, maximum body size, mean trophic level, trophic and spatial guilds, threatened species and landed by-catch) based on the nominal catch of different gears in three representative SSF along the Colombian Pacific using landings data collected in multiple years (2011–2017). Results showed that taxonomic, size-based, functional and conservation features of the nominal catch vary greatly with geographical location and gear type used. Overall, handlines and longlines tend to select larger sizes and higher trophic levels than nets, but they also catch a higher proportion of intrinsically vulnerable species and species of conservation concern. This challenges the idea that more selective gears have overall lower ecological impacts. In contrast, nets target a wider size range – although focusing on small or medium sized fish – and include a higher diversity of trophic and spatial guilds, which could arguably be considered a more “balanced harvest” type of fishing that retains ecosystem structure and functionality. Bottom trawls, though, exhibited a relatively high percentage of landed by-catch, an undesirable feature for any fisheries in terms of sustainability. We propose that the assessment of a suite of ecological indicators, like those implemented here, should be included as part of periodic evaluations of multi-gear and multi-species SSF in tropical coastal areas, as a practical step toward ecosystem-based fisheries management

Fishers who rely on mangroves: Modelling and mapping the global intensity of mangrove-associated fisheries

Mangroves are critical nursery habitats for fish and invertebrates, providing livelihoods for many coastal communities. Despite their importance, there is currently no estimate of the number of fishers engaged in mangrove associated fisheries, nor on the fishing intensity associated with mangroves at a global scale. We address these gaps by developing a global model of mangrove associated fisher numbers and mangrove fishing intensity. To develop the model, we undertook a three-round Delphi process with mangrove fisheries experts to identify the key drivers of mangrove fishing intensity. We then developed a conceptual model of intensity of mangrove fishing using those factors identified both as being important and for which appropriate global data could be found or developed. These factors were non-urban population, distance to market, distance to mangroves and other fishing grounds, and storm events. By projecting this conceptual model using geospatial datasets, we were able to estimate the number and distribution of mangrove associated fishers and the intensity of fishing in mangroves. We estimate there are 4.1 million mangrove associated fishers globally, with the highest number of mangrove fishers found in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Brazil. Mangrove fishing intensity was greatest throughout Asia, and to a lesser extent West and Central Africa, and Central and South America

Fishers who rely on mangroves: Modelling and mapping the global intensity of mangrove-associated fisheries

Mangroves are critical nursery habitats for fish and invertebrates, providing livelihoods for many coastal communities. Despite their importance, there is currently no estimate of the number of fishers engaged in mangrove associated fisheries, nor on the fishing intensity associated with mangroves at a global scale. We address these gaps by developing a global model of mangrove associated fisher numbers and mangrove fishing intensity. To develop the model, we undertook a three-round Delphi process with mangrove fisheries experts to identify the key drivers of mangrove fishing intensity. We then developed a conceptual model of intensity of mangrove fishing using those factors identified both as being important and for which appropriate global data could be found or developed. These factors were non-urban population, distance to market, distance to mangroves and other fishing grounds, and storm events. By projecting this conceptual model using geospatial datasets, we were able to estimate the number and distribution of mangrove associated fishers and the intensity of fishing in mangroves. We estimate there are 4.1 million mangrove associated fishers globally, with the highest number of mangrove fishers found in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Brazil. Mangrove fishing intensity was greatest throughout Asia, and to a lesser extent West and Central Africa, and Central and South America

A global-scale screening of non-native aquatic organisms to identify potentially invasive species under current and future climate conditions

The threat posed by invasive non-native species worldwide requires a global approach to identify which introduced species are likely to pose an elevated risk of impact to native species and ecosystems. To inform policy, stakeholders and management decisions on global threats to aquatic ecosystems, 195 assessors representing 120 risk assessment areas across all six inhabited continents screened 819 non-native species from 15 groups of aquatic organisms (freshwater, brackish, marine plants and animals) using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit. This multi-lingual decision-support tool for the risk screening of aquatic organisms provides assessors with risk scores for a species under current and future climate change conditions that, following a statistically based calibration, permits the accurate classification of species into high-, medium-and low-risk categories under current and predicted climate conditions. The 1730 screenings undertaken encompassed wide geographical areas (regions, political entities, parts thereof, water bodies, river basins, lake drainage basins, and marine regions), which permitted thresholds to be identified for almost all aquatic organismal groups screened as well as for tropical, temperate and continental climate classes, and for tropical and temperate marine ecoregions. In total, 33 species were identified as posing a 'very high risk' of being or becoming invasive, and the scores of several of these species under current climate increased under future climate conditions, primarily due to their wide thermal tolerances. The risk thresholds determined for taxonomic groups and climate zones provide a basis against which area-specific or climate-based calibrated thresholds may be interpreted. In turn, the risk rankings help decision-makers identify which species require an immediate 'rapid' management action (e.g. eradication, control) to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts, which require a full risk assessment, and which are to be restricted or banned with regard to importation and/or sale as ornamental or aquarium/fishery enhancement. Decision support tools AS-ISK Hazard identification Non-native species Risk analysis Climate changepublishedVersio

A global-scale screening of non-native aquatic organisms to identify potentially invasive species under current and future climate conditions

The threat posed by invasive non-native species worldwide requires a global approach to identify which introduced species are likely to pose an elevated risk of impact to native species and ecosystems. To inform policy, stakeholders and management decisions on global threats to aquatic ecosystems, 195 assessors representing 120 risk assessment areas across all six inhabited continents screened 819 non-native species from 15 groups of aquatic organisms (freshwater, brackish, marine plants and animals) using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit. This multi-lingual decision-support tool for the risk screening of aquatic organisms provides assessors with risk scores for a species under current and future climate change conditions that, following a statistically based calibration, permits the accurate classification of species into high-, medium- and low-risk categories under current and predicted climate conditions. The 1730 screenings undertaken encompassed wide geographical areas (regions, political entities, parts thereof, water bodies, river basins, lake drainage basins, and marine regions), which permitted thresholds to be identified for almost all aquatic organismal groups screened as well as for tropical, temperate and continental climate classes, and for tropical and temperate marine ecoregions. In total, 33 species were identified as posing a ‘very high risk’ of being or becoming invasive, and the scores of several of these species under current climate increased under future climate conditions, primarily due to their wide thermal tolerances. The risk thresholds determined for taxonomic groups and climate zones provide a basis against which area-specific or climate-based calibrated thresholds may be interpreted. In turn, the risk rankings help decision-makers identify which species require an immediate ‘rapid’ management action (e.g. eradication, control) to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts, which require a full risk assessment, and which are to be restricted or banned with regard to importation and/or sale as ornamental or aquarium/fishery enhancement.publishedVersio