LACK OF GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION IN THE ALTANTIC DISTRIBUTION OF WAHOO

SUMMARY In this study we present the analysis of the stock structure of Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) using the mitochondrial control region as genetic marker. We analyzed 276 individuals distributed in four locations int eh east and west Atlantic. Samples were from: Northeast Atlantic (AT-NE/BIL94B) (Canary Islands, Spain), from Southeast Atlantic (AT-SE/BIL97) (Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon) and Southwest Atlantic (AT-SW/BIL96). Four of individuals from Southwest Atlantic (AT-SW/BIL96) were genetically identified as Scomberomorus cavalla. The genetic comparison of the four locations failed to show genetic differences. This result suggests a single genetic pool of the Wahoo in the whole Atlantic. Based on these results, ICCAT should reconsider their management strategies for this species in the area studied. RÉSUMÉ Dans cette étude, nous présentons l’analyse de la structure du stock de thazard-bâtard (Acanthocybium solandri) en utilisant la région de contrôle de l’ADN mitochondrial comme marqueur génétique. Nous avons analysé 276 spécimens répartis dans quatre zones de l’Atlantique Est et Ouest. Les échantillons provenaient de : l’Atlantique Nord-Est (AT-NE/BIL94B) (îles Canaries, Espagne), l’Atlantique Sud-Est (AT-SE/BIL97) (Côte d’Ivoire et Gabon) et l’Atlantique Sud-Ouest (AT-SW/BIL96). Quatre spécimens provenant de l’Atlantique Sud-Ouest (AT-SW/BIL96) ont été génétiquement identifiés comme Scomberomorus cavalla. La comparaison génétique des quatre zones n’a pas révélé de différences génétiques. Ce résultat donne à penser à un patrimoine génétique du thazard-bâtard dans l’ensemble de l’Atlantique. En se fondant sur ces résultats, l’ICCAT devrait revoir ses stratégies de gestion pour cette espèce dans la zone à l’étude. RESUMEN En este estudio presentamos el análisis de la estructura del stock del peto (Acanthocybium solandri) utilizando la región de control mitocondrial como marcador genético. Hemos analizado 276 ejemplares distribuidos en cuatro localizaciones en el Atlántico este y oeste. Las muestras procedían de: Atlántico nororiental (AT-NE/BIL94B) (islas Canarias, España), del Atlántico suroriental (AT-SE/BIL97) (Côte d'Ivoire y Gabón) y del Atlántico sudoccidental (AT-SW/BIL96). Cuatro de los ejemplares del Atlántico sudoccidental (AT-SW/BIL96) fueron genéticamente identificados como Scomberomorus cavalla. La comparación genética de las cuatro localizaciones no mostraba diferencias genéticas. Este resultado sugiere un único acervo genético del peto en todo el Atlántico. Basándose en estos resultados, ICCAT debería reconsiderar la estrategia de ordenación para esta especie en la zona estudiada.Versión del edito

Final report of the short-term contract for ICCAT SMYTP for the biological samples collection for growth, maturity and genetics studies – Year #2

This document is the final report of the second year of the short-term contract of the Small Tuna Year Program by ICCAT. In 2018, the Small Tuna Species Group decided to prioritize Little tunny (LTA) (Euthynnus alletteratus) Atlantic bonito (BON) (Sarda sarda) and Wahoo (WAH) (Acanthocybium solandri), based on their economic importance and the deficiency of knowledge of their biology. The objectives of the contract for three species were: i) Collect biological samples for estimating growth parameters, assessing the maturity and stock structure analysis (populations genetics), and ii) Conclude the analysis of the stock structure for at least one of the three species and provide preliminary results for the remaining. The obtained samples for growth, maturity and stock structure analysis was almost completed for Little tunny and Atlantic bonito, whereas for Wahoo the samples are scarce. The analysis of stock structure for Little tunny and Atlantic bonito revealed that the observed dif

Deep genetic differentiation in the little tunny from the Mediterranean and east Atlantic.

In this study we present the analysis of the stock structure of Little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) using the mitochondrial control region as a genetic marker. More than 500 individuals distributed in six locations were analyzed. Samples were from three main regions: Mediterranean (Tunisia and Spain), and northeast Atlantic (Portugal and Senegal) and southeast Atlantic (Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon). Deep genetic differences were found between these locations. The phylogenetic tree showed a complete reciprocal monophyly association of the individuals in two main regions: Portugal, Spain and Tunisia; and Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. The level of genetic differentiation between these two areas is similar to the differences found between species of the genus Euthynnus. These results suggest a scenario of having two species of Little tunny in its Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution. Further evidence with other non-linked genetic markers along morphological and meristic data is necessary to fully confirm these two putative species. However, based on these results a separate management unit can be considered: i) Northeast Atlantic/Mediterranean (Portugal, Spain and Tunisia), and ii) the northeast/Southeast Atlantic (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon). RÉSUMÉ Dans cette étude, nous présentons l'analyse de la structure du stock de la thonine commune (Euthynnus alletteratus) en utilisant la zone mitochondriale de contrôle comme marqueur génétique. Plus de 500 spécimens répartis sur six sites ont été analysés. Les échantillons provenaient de trois régions principales : Méditerranée (Tunisie et UE-Espagne), Atlantique Nord-Est (Portugal et Sénégal) et Atlantique Sud-Est (Côte d'Ivoire et Gabon). De profondes différences génétiques ont été constatées entre ces endroits. L'arbre phylogénétique affichait une association monophylique réciproque complète des spécimens dans deux régions principales : l’UE-Portugal, l’UE-Espagne et la Tunisie ; et le Sénégal, la Côte d'Ivoire et le Gabon. Le niveau de différenciation génétique entre ces deux régions est similaire aux différences constatées entre les espèces du genre Euthynnus. Ces résultats suggèrent un scénario de présence de deux espèces de thonidés mineurs dans sa distribution méditerranéenne-atlantique. Des preuves supplémentaires avec d'autres marqueurs génétiques non liés ainsi que des données morphologiques et méristiques sont nécessaires pour confirmer pleinement ces deux espèces supposées. Toutefois, sur la base de ces résultats, une unité de gestion distincte peut être envisagée : i) Atlantique Nord-Est/Méditerranée (UE-Portugal, UE-Espagne et Tunisie) et ii) Atlantique Nord-Est/Sud-Est (Sénégal, Côte d'Ivoire et Gabon). RESUMEN En este estudio presentamos el análisis de la estructura del stock de la bacoreta (Euthynnus alletteratus) utilizando la región de control mitocondrial como marcador genético. Se analizaron más de 500 ejemplares distribuidos en seis localizaciones. Las muestras procedían de tres regiones principales: Mediterráneo (Túnez y España), Atlántico nororiental (Portugal y Senegal) y Atlántico suroriental (Côte d'Ivoire y Gabón). Se hallaron profundas diferencias genéticas entre las tres localizaciones: El árbol filogenético presentaba una asociación monofilética recíproca completa de los ejemplares en dos regiones principales: Portugal, España y Túnez; y Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire y Gabón. El nivel de diferenciación genética entre estas dos zonas es similar a las diferencias halladas entre especies del género Euthynnus. Estos resultados sugieren un escenario con dos especies de bacoreta en su distribución atlántica-mediterránea. Son necesarias más pruebas con otros marcadores genéticos no vinculados con datos morfológicos y neríticos para confirmar más estas dos especies putativas. Sin embargo, en base a estos resultados, puede considerarse una unidad de ordenación separada: i) Atlántico nororiental/Mediterráneo (Portugal, España y Túnez) y ii) Atlántico suroriental/nororiental (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire y Gabón).N

Final report of the short-term contract for ICCAT SMYTP for the biological samples collection for growth, maturity and genetics studies – Year #3

This document is the final report of the third year of the short-term contract of the Small Tuna Year Program by ICCAT, with the objectives of: a) conduct additional sampling aiming to fill the specific gaps of the biological samples for estimating the growth and maturity parameters for BON and LTA; b) estimate the referred parameters for both species, and preliminary provide preliminary results for WAH; and, c) refine the sampling and stock structure analysis for BON, LTA and WAH. A total of 374 individuals were collected: 145 of BON, 139 of LTA and 90 WAH. Initial target size class was accomplished only for BON in the Mediterranean. Small individuals are need in the Northeast and no samples were obtained in Southeast Atlantic. For LTA, total target sizes were not completely achieved in any case. However, preliminary results were obtained for growth and reproductive parameters. For BON, with samples arrived from Morocco, no genetic differentiation was detected, and the hypothesis provided in the previous contract is maintained. The population genetic analysis of WAH presents a scenario of homogeneous distribution.En prensa

Report on the 2020 ICCAT workshop on small tunas biology studies for growth and reproduction

This report describes the 2020 ICCAT workshop on small tunas biology studies for growth and reproduction, hosted by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Málaga, Spain. The major objectives of the workshop were: 1) starting the creation of ageing and reproduction reference sets and, 2) providing more training for the ongoing sample collection and processing to the teams involved in these studies. As approved by the SCRS in 2017, the Small Tuna Species Group intersessional meeting decided to prioritize the collection of biological samples aiming at growth, maturity and stock structure studies on three species: little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) and wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), based on their economic importance and the lack of knowledge on their biology. This work will contribute to the next major advance in the assessment of these three species

Final report of the short-term contract for ICCAT SMYTP for the biological samples collection for growth, maturity and genetics studies – Year #2

This document is the final report of the second year of the short-term contract of the Small Tuna Year Program by ICCAT. In 2018, the Small Tuna Species Group decided to prioritize Little tunny (LTA) (Euthynnus alletteratus) Atlantic bonito (BON) (Sarda sarda) and Wahoo (WAH) (Acanthocybium solandri), based on their economic importance and the deficiency of knowledge of their biology. The objectives of the contract for three species were: i) Collect biological samples for estimating growth parameters, assessing the maturity and stock structure analysis (populations genetics), and ii) Conclude the analysis of the stock structure for at least one of the three species and provide preliminary results for the remaining. The obtained samples for growth, maturity and stock structure analysis was almost completed for Little tunny and Atlantic bonito, whereas for Wahoo the samples are scarce. The analysis of stock structure for Little tunny and Atlantic bonito revealed that the observed dif

REPORT ON THE 2020 ICCAT WORKSHOP ON SMALL TUNAS BIOLOGY STUDIES FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION.

SUMMARY This report describes the 2020 ICCAT workshop on small tunas biology studies for growth and reproduction, hosted by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Málaga, Spain. The major objectives of the workshop were: 1) starting the creation of ageing and reproduction reference sets and, 2) providing more training for the ongoing sample collection and processing to the teams involved in these studies. As approved by the SCRS in 2017, the Small Tuna Species Group intersessional meeting decided to prioritize the collection of biological samples aiming at growth, maturity and stock structure studies on three species: little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) and wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), based on their economic importance and the lack of knowledge on their biology. This work will contribute to the next major advance in the assessment of these three species. RÉSUMÉ Le présent rapport décrit l'atelier de l’ICCAT tenu en 2020 sur les études de la biologie des thonidés mineurs pour la croissance et la reproduction, organisé par l'Instituto Español de Oceanografía, à Malaga, en Espagne. Les principaux objectifs de l'atelier étaient les suivants : 1) commencer à créer des ensembles de référence sur la détermination de l’âge et la reproduction et 2) fournir une formation plus poussée sur la collecte et le traitement des échantillons aux équipes participant à ces études. Tel qu’approuvé par le SCRS en 2017, lors de la réunion intersessions du Groupe d'espèces sur les thonidés mineurs, il a été décidé de donner la priorité à la collecte d'échantillons biologiques visant à étudier la croissance, la maturité et la structure des stocks de trois espèces : la thonine commune (Euthynnus alletteratus), la bonite à dos rayé (Sarda) et le thazard-bâtard (Acanthocybium solandri), sur la base de leur importance économique et des connaissances lacunaires sur leur biologie. Ces travaux contribueront à la prochaine grande avancée dans l'évaluation de ces trois espèces. RESUMEN Este informe describe el taller de ICCAT de 2020 sobre estudios de biología de pequeños túnidos para crecimiento y reproducción, acogido por el Instituto Español de Oceanografía en Málaga, España. Los principales objetivos del taller eran: 1) empezar la creación de conjuntos de referencia de determinación de la edad y reproducción y 2) facilitar más formación a los equipos involucrados en estos estudios para la recopilación de muestras y procesamiento en curso. Como aprobó el SCRS en 2017, en la Reunión intersesiones del Grupo de especies de pequeños túnidos se decidió priorizar la recopilación de muestras biológicas con miras a estudios de crecimiento, madurez y estructura del stock de tres especies: bacoreta (Euthynnus alletteratus), bonito (Sarda sarda) y peto (Acanthocybium solandri), basándose en su importancia económica y la falta de conocimientos sobre su biología. Este trabajo contribuirá a avanzar en la próxima evaluación de estas tres especies.N

Differentiation of Spatial Units of Genus <i>Euthynnus</i> from the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Using Otolith Shape Analysis

The shape of sagitta otoliths was used to compare individuals of little tunny (Euthynnus alleteratus) harvested on board commercial fishing vessels from the coastal areas along the Eastern Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea. Fish sampling and selection was designed to cover possible seasonal changes and tuna size. The research encompassed both morphometric and shape analyses of left sagittal otoliths extracted of 504 fish specimens. Four shape indices (Circularity, Roundness, Rectangularity, and Form-Factor) were significantly different between two groups, showing a statistical differentiation between two clear spatial units. The degree of divergence was even more pronounced along the rostrum, postrostrum, and excisura of the generated otolith outlines between these two groups. One group corresponds to the samples from the coastal areas in the Northeast Temperate Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (NETAM Area) and a second group from the coastal areas off the Eastern Tropical Atlantic coast of Africa (ETA Area). This study is the first to use otolith shape to differentiate tunas from separate spatial units. These results could be used to re-classify previously collected samples and to correct time series of data collected

A first estimate of sea turtle bycatch in the industrial trawling fishery of Gabon

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Gabon hosts nesting grounds for several sea turtle species, including the world’s largest rookery for the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Africa’s largest rookery for the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and smaller aggregations of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). To assess the level of incidental captures of turtles by the Gabonese trawl fishery, an onboard observer program was conducted in the period 2012–2013. A total of 143 turtles were captured by 15 trawlers during 271 fishing days. The olive ridley turtle was the main species captured (80% of bycaught turtles), with mostly adult-sized individuals. The remaining 20% included green turtles, hawksbill turtles, leatherback turtles and undetermined species. Bycatch per unit of effort (BPUE) of olive ridley turtles varied greatly depending on the period of the year (range of means: 0.261–2.270). Dead and comatose turtles were 6.2 and 24.6% respectively (n = 65). By applying the available fishing effort to two BPUE scenarios (excluding or considering a seasonal peak), the total annual number of captures was estimated as ranging between 1026 (CI 95% 746–1343) and 2581 (CI 95% 1641–3788) olive ridley turtles, with a mortality ranging from 63 (CI 95% 13–135) to 794 (CI 95% 415–1282) turtles per year depending on the scenario and on the fate of comatose turtles. Such a potential mortality may be reason for concern for the local breeding population of olive ridley turtles and recommendations in terms of possible conservation measures and further research are given.Funding for the observer program and training was provided by the Government of Gabon, the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior), NOAA (US Department of Commerce, Division of International Affairs), UK Darwin Initiative (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), and the World Wide Fund for Nature