Collaborating with recreational fishers to inform fisheries management: Estimating population abundance for an iconic freshwater crayfish

Can the abundance of fish populations be effectively determined by the collection of scientific research with support from recreational fishers? Collecting and analysing fishing data from recreational fishers to aid management are not new; however, engaging fishers in a scientific survey design to produce specific population estimates is rarely undertaken. We engaged recreational fishers to assist with field sampling to provide an estimate Murray Crayfish (Euastacus armatus von Martens, 1866) abundance at three sites on the Edward River which were recently impacted by an extreme blackwater disturbance. Employing mark‐resight models, fishers undertook crayfish surveys and produced research data which estimated adult population sizes of Murray Crayfish in the studied reaches ranging between 94.27 ± 24.72 individuals (Below Stevens) and 450.01 ± 175.30 individuals (Twin Rivers). Both the effective undertaking of the mark‐resight designs in collaboration with fishers and acquiring population abundance estimates for Murray Crayfish in a river reach are concepts which have not previously been published and are important attributes for the management of aquatic species.     

Spawning,maturity, growth and movement of Platycephalus fuscus (Cuvier, 1829) (Platycephalidae): fishery management considerations

The dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) is an important teleost harvested by recreational and commercial fishers throughout its endemic distribution along eastern Australia. This study indicates that the species has an extended spawning period throughout the austral summer, with females in spawning condition occurring in lower estuarine and coastal waters. Total length (L₅₀) and age (A₅₀) at which 50% (±1 SE) of the population was mature was 31.72 (±1.08) cm TL and 1.22 (±0.44) years for males and 56.75 (±0.60) cm TL and 4.55 (±0.13) years for females. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters differed significantly between sexes; females grew faster and attained a greater maximum TL and age than males. The largest female was 98.5 cm TL (7.5 kg), and the oldest 16 years, whereas the largest male was 61.5 cm TL (1.58 kg) and 11 years of age. A tag‐and‐release study identified the exchange of sub‐adult and mature‐sized individuals among estuaries. Determinations of length‐based management regulations for the species are compounded by the large gender‐based differences in growth and length‐at‐maturity. Current minimum legal lengths of 30–40 cm TL protect approximately 3–9% of the female spawning population. Alternative management options, including harvest slot sizes, need to be investigated and tested.     

Hypoxic blackwater event severely impacts Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus) populations in the Murray River,Australia

Prolonged flooding in 2010/11 ended a decade of drought and produced a large‐scale hypoxic blackwater event across the southern Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia. The hypoxic conditions caused fish kills and Murray crayfish Euastacus armatus to emerge from the water onto the river banks to avoid the poor water quality. This study examined the medium‐term impact of this blackwater event on Murray crayfish populations in the Murray River, where approximately 1800 km of the main channel were affected by hypoxia. Murray crayfish populations were surveyed in July 2012, along a 1100‐km section of the Murray River at 10 sites affected by hypoxic blackwater and six sites that were not affected, and data were compared with surveys of the same sites undertaken in July 2010, four months before the hypoxic blackwater event (before‐after‐control‐impact experimental design). Murray crayfish abundance in 2012 (post‐blackwater) was significantly lower at blackwater affected sites (81% reduction from 2010), but not at non‐affected sites. The hypoxic blackwater impacted Murray crayfish of both sexes and all size‐classes in a similar manner. The results demonstrate that prolonged periods of hypoxia can markedly impact populations of the long‐lived and slow‐growing Murray crayfish despite the species ability to emerge from hypoxic water. The findings highlight important challenges for the management of both the recreational fishery for this species and riverine flows in relation to hypoxic blackwater events.     

Reproductive Biology and Protandrous Hermaphroditism in Acanthopagrus latus

Detailed macroscopic and histological studies of the gonads of a full size and age range of Acanthopagrus latus from each season in Shark Bay, Western Australia, demonstrate that this species is a protandrous hermaphrodite in this large subtropical embayment. Although our scheme for the changes that occur in the ovotestes of A. latus during life is not consistent with some of the conclusions drawn for this species elsewhere, it is similar to that of Pollock (1985 J. Fish. Biol. 26: 301–311) for the congeneric Acanthopagrus australis. The ovotestes of males develop from gonads which contain substantial amounts of both testicular and ovarian tissue. The testicular component of the ovotestes of all males regresses markedly after spawning. During the next spawning season, the ovotestes either become gonads in which the testicular zone again predominates and contains spermatids and spermatozoa (functional males), or gonads in which the ovarian zone now predominates and contains mature oocytes (functional females). Once a fish has become a functional female, it remains a female throughout the rest of its life. In Shark Bay, A. latustypically spawns on a limited number of occasions during a short period in late winter and early spring and has determinate fecundity. The mean potential annual fecundity was ca. 2000000. The total length of 245mm, at which, during the spawning period, 50% of A. latus become identifiable as males, is very similar to the current minimum legal length (MLL) of 250mm, which corresponds to an age of ca. 2.5 years less than that at which 50% of males become females. Thus, although the spawning potential ratio suggests that the present fishing pressure is sustainable, the current MLL should be reviewed if recreational fishing pressure continues to increase.     

Effects of region,demography, and protection from fishing on batch fecundity of common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus)

Batch fecundity of female Plectropomus leopardus, a coral reef fish targeted by commercial and recreational fishing, was compared between reefs open to fishing and reefs within no-take marine reserves within three regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Length, weight, and age had positive effects on batch fecundity of spawners from northern and central reefs but negligible effects on spawners from southern reefs. Females were least fecund for a given length, weight, and age in the southern GBR. Batch fecundity of a 500-mm fork length female was 430 % greater on central reefs and 207 % greater on northern reefs than on southern reefs. The effects of length and age on batch fecundity did not differ significantly between reserve and fished reefs in any region, but weight-specific fecundity was 100 % greater for large 2.0 kg females on reserve reefs compared with fished reefs in the central GBR. We hypothesize that regional variation in batch fecundity is likely driven by water temperature and prey availability. Significant regional variation in batch fecundity highlights the need for understanding spatial variation in reproductive output where single conservation or fishery management strategies cover large, potentially diverse, spatial scales.     

Evaluation of the effect of closed areas on a unique and shallow water coral reef fish assemblage reveals complex responses

Areas closed to fishing are advocated as both fisheries management and biodiversity conservation tools. However, few studies investigate the responses of suites of both target and non-target fish species within an assemblage, which is an important consideration for ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches. Diver-operated stereo-video was used to assess the abundance and length of coral reef fish across multiple areas both open and closed to fishing at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. After taking into consideration spatial differences in benthic habitat, the composition of fish assemblages was found to differ between open and closed areas. The target species, Plectropomus leopardus, was approximately two times more abundant in closed areas. Furthermore, 51 % of P. leopardus were larger than the minimum legal length (MLL) for retention in closed areas compared with only 1.8 % in areas open to fishing. Another target species, Choerodon rubescens was surveyed in greater abundance at sizes larger than the MLL in closed areas (64 % >400 mm) in comparison with areas open to fishing (36 %). A number of non-target species were also larger in closed areas (e.g., Kyphosus cornelii, Scarus schlegeli). In contrast, several non-targeted prey species were more abundant in open areas (e.g., Pomacentrus milleri was six times more abundant in open areas). Our results document complex responses of target and non-target species in closed areas at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.     

Identification and sex determination of Bicknell's Thrushes using morphometric data

ABSTRACT The similar plumage of Bicknell's (Catharus bicknelli) and Gray‐cheeked (C. minimus) Thrushes have hindered attempts to better understand the nonbreeding biology of these species. We used morphometric data, specifically primary formulae, from Bicknell's Thrushes of known sex and age throughout their breeding range in the United States and Canada to examine possible differences between sex and age classes. We compared these data with similar data from Gray‐cheeked Thrushes in Alaska, United States and Newfoundland, Canada to examine mensural characters for distinguishing the two species. We performed a discriminant function analysis (DFA) for each age class to examine morphometric differences between male and female Bicknell's Thrushes. For second‐year (SY) and after‐second‐year (ASY) birds, wing chord was the strongest differentiator, in conjunction with tarsus length. Wing chord and tail length were used to create a discriminant function to differentiate between the two Catharus species. The discriminant functions for both age classes did not permit unambiguous separation of male and female Bicknell's Thrushes nor did the DFA enable unequivocal species identity, but most individuals were correctly classified. Significant differences in the p8–p1 measurement of Bicknell's and Gray‐cheeked Thrushes and of male and female Bicknell's Thrushes suggest that this character may be useful to augment published wing chord criteria for species identification and sex determination. Our results indicate that wing chord, in combination with tail length, is the most useful measurement for distinguishing Bicknell's from Gray‐cheeked Thrushes and, when augmented with tarsus length, to differentiate between male and female Bicknell's Thrushes outside the breeding season.     

Maturation and sexual ontogeny in the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus

The reproductive development and sexual ontogeny of spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus populations in the Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP) were investigated to obtain an improved understanding of its evolved reproductive strategy and data for fisheries management. Evidence derived from (1) analyses of histological data and sampled sex ratios with size and age, (2) the identification of residual previtellogenic oocytes in immature and mature testes sampled during the spawning season and (3) observed changes in testis internal structure with increasing fish size and age, demonstrated a non‐functional protogynous hermaphroditic strategy (or functional gonochorism). All the smallest and youngest fish sampled were female until they either changed sex to male at a mean 277·5 mm total length (L_T) and 2·3 years old or remained female and matured at a larger mean L_T (392·1 mm) and older age (3·5 years). Gonad masses were similar for males and females over the size range sampled and throughout long reproductive lives (up to a maximum estimated age of c. 31 years), which was another correlate of functional gonochorism. That the mean L_T at sex change and female maturity were below the current minimum legal size (MLS) limit (410 mm) demonstrated that the current MLS limit is effective for preventing recreational fishers in the NMP retaining at least half of the juvenile males and females in their landed catches.     

Female Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer) modify egg investment both for extra‐pair mates and for male tail length

The differential allocation hypothesis predicts that females should invest more in reproduction when paired with attractive males. We measured egg volume in Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer), a sexually dimorphic passerine, in relation to paternity of the offspring and in response to an experimental tail length treatment. We manipulated tail length, after pair formation, but before egg laying: males had their tails either shortened or left unmanipulated. Our manipulation was designed to affect female allocation in a particular breeding attempt rather than long‐term mate choice: males with shortened tails would appear to be signalling at a lower level than they should given their quality. We found that egg volume was smaller in the nests of males with experimentally shortened tails but larger when the offspring were the result of extra‐pair matings. Both these findings are consistent with the differential allocation hypothesis. We suggest that tail length may be used by females as a cue for mate quality, eliciting reduced female investment when breeding with social mates; and with males with shortened tails.     

Female dark‐eyed juncos Junco hyemalis thurberi produce male‐like song in a territorial context during the early breeding season

Reports of female song, once considered a rarity, have recently increased across a variety of avian taxa. Females of many species can be induced to produce male‐like song with exogenous testosterone, but observations of female song in free‐living birds remain limited by incomplete sampling of females. Here, we report three independent observations of female dark‐eyed juncos Junco hyemalis producing male‐like song early in the breeding season (i.e. post‐territory establishment, pre‐nesting) in a recently established non‐migratory, urban population. To elicit song, we presented 17 free‐living junco pairs with a live, caged female conspecific. Three unique females responded to our trials by diving at the intruding female, chasing their (male) mate, fanning their tail feathers, and singing a trilled song similar in structure to male long‐range (broadcast) song. We compared male and female songs quantitatively and found that the two sexes were statistically similar in many spectral and temporal characteristics, but female songs had significantly lower minimum and peak frequencies than males. This result is particularly surprising, as males in this urban population are known to sing at a significantly higher minimum frequency than males in a nearby montane population. Both the seasonal and social context in which these songs were observed suggest a potential function for female song in mate guarding and polygyny prevention, but more data are needed to test this hypothesis. Whether female song is common in all dark‐eyed juncos during the early breeding season or if it is restricted to this particular urban and non‐migratory population remains an important question for future research.     

Spatial variation in the effects of size and age on reproductive dynamics of common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus

The effects of size and age on reproductive dynamics of common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus populations were compared between coral reefs open or closed (no‐take marine reserves) to fishing and among four geographic regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. The specific reproductive metrics investigated were the sex ratio, the proportion of vitellogenic females and the spawning fraction of local populations. Sex ratios became increasingly male biased with length and age, as expected for a protogyne, but were more male biased in southern regions of the GBR (Mackay and Storm Cay) than in northern regions (Lizard Island and Townsville) across all lengths and ages. The proportion of vitellogenic females also increased with length and age. Female P. leopardus were capable of daily spawning during the spawning season, but on average spawned every 4·3 days. Mature females spawned most frequently on Townsville reserve reefs (every 2·3 days) and Lizard Island fished reefs (every 3·2 days). Females on Mackay reefs open to fishing showed no evidence of spawning over 4 years of sampling, while females on reserve reefs spawned only once every 2–3 months. No effect of length on spawning frequency was detected. Spawning frequency increased with age on Lizard Island fished reefs, declined with age on Storm Cay fished reefs, and declined with age on reserve reefs in all regions. It is hypothesized that the variation in P. leopardus sex ratios and spawning frequency among GBR regions is primarily driven by water temperature, while no‐take management zones influence spawning frequency depending on the region in which the reserve is located. Male bias and lack of spawning activity on southern GBR, where densities of adult P. leopardus are highest, suggest that recruits may be supplied from central or northern GBR. Significant regional variation in reproductive traits suggests that a regional approach to management of P. leopardus is appropriate and highlights the need for considering spatial variation in reproduction where reserves are used as fishery or conservation management tools.     

Daily age determination and growth rates of freshwater fish throughout a regulated lotic system of the Murray‐Darling Basin Australia

To facilitate future research in freshwater fish recruitment response to environmental flow delivery, size‐at‐age and growth models are presented for eight fish species occurring in south‐eastern Australia; three small‐bodied species and the juvenile 0+ age classes of five large‐bodied species. Otolith increments were used to estimate the daily age of golden perch Macquaria ambigua, bony bream Nematalosa erebi, common carp Cyprinus carpio; Murray cod Maccullochella peelii, freshwater eel‐tailed catfish Tandanus tandanus, Australian smelt Retropinna semoni, un‐specked hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus and Murray–Darling rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis. Linear growth models provided the best fit for length‐at‐age data of juvenile 0+ age large‐bodied species; whereas von Bertalanffy growth functions provided the best fit to length‐at‐age data of small‐bodied species. The results provide novel baseline data for future research in this area.     

Experimental evidence for female choice and energetic costs of male tail elongation in red-collared widowbirds

The black nuptial plumage of the highly polygynous male red‐collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) comprises a red carotenoid‐based collar patch and a long graduated tail (c. 22 cm). Tail length was the strongest predictor of male mating success in a previous selection analysis, motivating this experimental test of the relative importance of tail plumes in male contest competition and female choice. Males were assigned to either a short (12.5 cm) or control (20 cm) tail manipulation prior to territory establishment. Male contest competition was unaffected by the tail treatments as the shortened‐ and control‐tailed males were equally successful in acquiring territories of similar size and quality. In contrast, however, although the longer‐tailed control males spent less time in flight and courtship displays, they attracted significantly more prospecting and nearly three times as many nesting females to their territories compared to the short‐tailed males. In further support of tail length as the primary mate choice cue, none of the other measured and potential female cues (e.g. body size, collar colorimetrics, territorial behaviours or territory quality) influenced male reproductive success. In addition to potentially increasing detectability (‘signal efficacy’), the long tail is also a likely indicator of male quality (‘signal content’). Despite the higher activities of short‐tailed males, control‐tailed males showed a steeper decline in condition (relative body mass) during the breeding season. Furthermore, both short‐ and control‐tailed residents lost more condition than did the short‐ and control‐treated floaters (males not establishing territories), suggesting an interaction between tail length and the costs of territory acquisition, defence and courtship displays. These results confirm the role of mate choice and honest quality advertising as the main selection pressures behind elongated tails in widowbirds. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86 , 35–43.     

An historical overview of the Republic of Ireland's lobster (Homarus gammarus Linnaeus) fishery,with reference to European and North American (Homarus americanus Milne Edwards) lobster landings

Historical developments of the Republic of Ireland's Homarus gammarus fishery are reviewed and compared in the context of landings in Europe and the North American H. americanus fishery. H. gammarus fishing has provided essential income for over a century to many Irish coastal communities. There have been significant fluctuations (greater than 460%) in recorded landings over this time and the relative importance of H. gammarus fishing has changed with the establishment of ancillary crustacean fisheries. In 1994, H. gammarus landings reached an all-time high of 714 tonnes, with a landed value of IR £6.3 million; in 1999 landings were 597 tonnes valued at IR £6.15 million. Current Republic of Ireland lobster fishery regulations are: (a) minimum carapace length of 85 mm, (b) ban on landing lobsters that have been `V-notched' or have a mutilated tail fan, and (c) prohibition of capturing lobsters by SCUBA diving. Chronological details on recent legislation, regulations and landings relating to Ireland's lobster fishery sector are reviewed. In the last 40 years landings of H. gammarus in the Republic of Ireland exhibit signs of an overexploited stock characterised by a reduction in catch per unit effort and there has been a general decline of total landings for H. gammarus throughout Europe. This contrasts with North America, where many regulations govern the H. americanus fishery and landings appear to be in a healthier state.     

Gonad development and size‐at‐maturity of silver therapon Leiopotherapon plumbeus (Kner 1864; Teleostei:Terapontidae) in tropical volcanic lakes in south Luzon,Philippines

Gonad development of the silver therapon Leiopotherapon plumbeus in two volcanic crater  lake  habitats (Sampaloc Lake, Taal Lake) in south Luzon, Philippines was examined during the annual reproductive cycle. The minimum body size‐at‐maturity of fish in these two lake habitats was also compared. Four gonad development stages were characterized as basis for the classification of ovarian (immature, maturing, mature, spawned) and testicular maturation (immature, maturing, mature) phases. The occurrence of all development stages in individual gonads suggest an asynchronous development whereby advanced stages are recruited continuously from a pool of younger stage germ cells to result in elevated female and male GSI throughout the annual cycle due to active gonadogenesis. Together with the increasing occurrence of advanced stage oocytes and spermatozoa from March until October, the elevated GSI of fish may indicate peak gonadal growth during the onset of the dry season (December–January) for eventual spawning from the beginning (May–June) until the end of the wet season (October–November). In both lake habitats, male fish were smaller than females but, regardless of sex, the minimum size‐at‐maturity of fish in Sampaloc Lake was significantly smaller than fish in Taal Lake. Overall, asynchronous development during oogenesis and spermatogenesis allows for year‐round reproduction of silver therapon, with elevated gonad growth in the dry season in preparation for spawning during the wet season. Compared with fish in Taal Lake, a smaller size‐at‐maturity of fish in Sampaloc Lake may be a response of the wild fishery stock to long‐term high fishing mortality and degradation of the lake habitat.     

SEXUAL SELECTION IN THE BARN SWALLOW HIRUNDO RUSTICA. III. FEMALE TAIL ORNAMENTS

Male secondary sexual characters are often expressed in females, and the maintenance of the character in females can be due to either direct selection on females favoring the maintenance of the trait, or a correlated response to selection in males. Here I report on determinants of and phenotypic selection on tail length of female barn swallows Hirundo rustica. The homologous trait in males is under strong directional sexual selection. Female tail length was positively associated with several reproductive parameters including total seasonal reproductive success, even when controlling for year and age effects. A change in female tail length from one year to another was often associated with a change in the reproductive parameters correlated with absolute tail length. There was little evidence for an association between female tail length and the duration of the incubation period (only females incubate) and absolute and relative female provisioning rates of offspring, and subsequent size of offspring. Tail length of female barn swallows was positively correlated with that of their mates. Female tail length was a heritable trait as determined from regression of the tail trait of offspring on that of their mother and their father, and there was a positive genetic correlation between the tail trait in males and females. In conclusion, female tail length reliably reflects female reproductive potential, and the trait appears to be under directional selection, which may result in an evolutionary response to selection because of the heritability of the tail trait.     

Assessing evolutionary consequences of size-selective recreational fishing on multiple life-history traits,with an application to northern pike (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Esox lucius</Emphasis>)

Despite mounting recognition of the importance of fishing-induced evolution, methods for quantifying selection pressures on multiple adaptive traits affected by size-selective harvesting are still scarce. We study selection differentials on three life-history traits—reproductive investment, size at maturation, and growth capacity—under size-selective exploitation of northern pike (Esox lucius L.) with recreational-fishing gear. An age-structured population model is presented that accounts for the eco-evolutionary feedback arising from density-dependent and frequency-dependent selection. By introducing minimum-length limits, maximum-length limits, and combinations of such limits (resulting in harvestable-slot length limits) into the model, we examine the potential of simple management tools for mitigating selection pressures induced by recreational fishing. With regard to annual reproductive investment, we find that size-selective fishing mortality exerts relatively small positive selection differentials. By contrast, selection differentials on size at maturation are large and consistently negative. Selection differentials on growth capacity are often large and positive, but become negative when a certain range of minimum-length limits are applied. In general, the strength of selection is reduced by implementing more stringent management policies, but each life-history trait responds differently to the introduction of specific harvest regulations. Based on a simple genetic inheritance model, we examine mid- and long-term evolutionary changes of the three life-history traits and their impacts on the size spectrum and yield of pike. Fishing-induced evolution often reduces sizes and yields, but details depend on a variety of factors such as the specific regulation in place. We find no regulation that is successful in reducing to zero all selection pressures on life-history traits induced by recreational fishing. Accordingly, we must expect that inducing some degree of evolution through recreational fishing is inevitable.     

Recreational fishing impacts on threatened river sharks: A potential conservation issue

The Adelaide River in Australia's Northern Territory is a popular recreational fishing area, as well as habitat for threatened and protected river sharks (Glyphis species). Both the Critically Endangered Speartooth Shark (Glyphis glyphis) and Endangered Northern River Shark (Glyphis garricki) are identified here in illegal catches from recreational angling. The identification of a decayed shark specimen using a DNA barcoding‐like approach is the first such application to the identification of protected sharks in a recreational fishery. While the extent of catches by recreational anglers is unknown, the threatened status of these sharks, their suspected low population sizes, restricted distributions and importance of the Adelaide River as a nursery area call for the consideration of this as a potential conservation issue. As such, appropriate measures should be taken to reduce interactions with recreational anglers. The primary target species in the river is the iconic sportfish, Barramundi, which is predominantly caught by unbaited lure. Sharks are rarely caught on lure, allowing an opportunity for mitigation to focus on a fishing activity (baited hooks) which would limit any regulatory impact on popular lure fishing. Potential mitigation measures range from increased angler education and compliance checks, to the implementation of a spatial closure to baited hook fishing (a lure‐only zone). Such measures may assist in meeting a stated objective of the Australian Government's river shark Recovery Plan to ‘reduce and, where possible, eliminate adverse impacts of recreational fishing'.     

Big catch,little sharks: Insight into Peruvian small‐scale longline fisheries

Shark take, driven by vast demand for meat and fins, is increasing. We set out to gain insights into the impact of small‐scale longline fisheries in Peru. Onboard observers were used to document catch from 145 longline fishing trips (1668 fishing days) originating from Ilo, southern Peru. Fishing effort is divided into two seasons: targeting dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus; December to February) and sharks (March to November). A total of 16,610 sharks were observed caught, with 11,166 identified to species level. Of these, 70.6% were blue sharks (Prionace glauca), 28.4% short‐fin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), and 1% were other species (including thresher (Alopias vulpinus), hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), porbeagle (Lamnus nasus), and other Carcharhinidae species (Carcharhinus brachyurus, Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeorhinus galeus). Mean ± SD catch per unit effort of 33.6 ± 10.9 sharks per 1000 hooks was calculated for the shark season and 1.9 ± 3.1 sharks per 1000 hooks were caught in the dolphinfish season. An average of 83.7% of sharks caught (74.7% blue sharks; 93.3% mako sharks) were deemed sexually immature and under the legal minimum landing size, which for species exhibiting k‐selected life history traits can result in susceptibility to over exploitation. As these growing fisheries operate along the entire Peruvian coast and may catch millions of sharks per annum, we conclude that their continued expansion, along with ineffective legislative approaches resulting in removal of immature individuals, has the potential to threaten the sustainability of the fishery, its target species, and ecosystem. There is a need for additional monitoring and research to inform novel management strategies for sharks while maintaining fisher livelihoods.     

Gonad development and reproductive cycle of the white‐spotted rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) in Palompon,Leyte, Eastern Visayas,Philippines

The siganid production in the Philippines is continuously declining from 2007 up to present. In Palompon, Leyte, annual yield of siganids, particularly Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) also showed a decreasing trend of total production. This is consistent that this stock is under heavy pressure, and when left unmanaged, this could lead to further overexploitation and the collapse of the stock in the long run. Regardless of this, detailed reproductive biology and potential of this species are very few in the Philippines. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide information on the reproductive biology and breeding cycle of S. canaliculatus in Palompon, Leyte where fishing pressure is high and sound management formulation is necessary. S. canaliculatus is a group‐synchronous, multiple spawners with skewed sex ratio where males predominates over females. Maturity stages based on macroscopic examinations identified four maturity stages (immature, developing, mature and spent) while six maturity stages (immature, developing, mature, spawning, spent and re‐developing) were identified through histological analysis. A single ovo‐testis was identified among the 669 specimens examined. Based on histological sections, the smallest size of mature male was 5.5 cm standard length, and the smallest mature female was 7.1 cm standard length. On the other hand, length at first maturity for mature fish were 8.1 cm standard length for males and 9.7 cm standard length for females. Two defined peaks of gonadosomatic index were identified in both sexes: a major peak from February to May and a minor protracted one from July to December. Mature and older ovaries and testes occurred throughout the year, an indication of your round breeding season of S. canaliculatus in Palompon. Implementing a fishing ban during the major and the minor breeding spawning peaks would allow the mature and older individuals to contribute first to the population; allowing the continuity of the stock.