Publication Details
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Determining conservation potential of an opportunistically defined MPA boundary using fish telemetry
Author(s): Matthew S. Kendall, Laughlin Siceloff, Arliss Winship, Mark E. Monaco
NCCOS Center: CCMA
Center Team: Biogeography
Name of Publisher: Elsevier
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal Title: Biological Conservation
Date of Publication: 2017
Reference Information: 211
Extent of Work: 37-46
Keywords: Acoustic telemetry, MPA efficacy, Marine reserve, Diel migrations, Network analysis
Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPA) that are created opportunistically must be evaluated in an ecological context to
ensure that conservation goals and societal expectations are achievable. This study used acoustic telemetry to
investigate movements of reef fish relative to the boundary of the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
(VICRNM) in Coral Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands. Although created to enhance ecosystem protection, VICRNM
boundaries were established purely on the basis of adjacency to public versus privately owned lands.
Transmitters were implanted into a diversity of reef fish species representative of the local community whose
movements were logged for one year on an array of acoustic-receivers that were positioned within, outside, and
along the MPA boundary. Results indicate that the boundary has coincidentally aligned with a deep sandy area
that does not cross through continuous reef or mangrove habitat. This acted as a natural barrier to movements of
species such as Lutjanus griseus, Epinephelus guttatus, Cephalopholus cruentatus, Holocentrus rufus, and Sparisoma
aurofrenatum. Other species were more mobile and were routinely detected outside VICRNM, especially at night,
such as L. synagris, Haemulon plumierii, and H. sciurus. In addition to fish movements in relation to the VICRNM
boundary, network analysis revealed several hotspots of concentrated fish activity including a reef promontory
and bay mouths. Investment in enforcement of existing regulations to protect fish is warranted to realize the full
potential of this MPA. Using these types of data, management actions in this and other MPAs can be focused on
those species and locations that would experience the greatest benefit.
Availability: Online as PDF, Free, open access
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