Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations Biology, Research and Management

About this book

Reef fish spawning aggregations, ranging from small groups to many tens of thousands of individuals, are spectacular, but poorly known, natural phenomena whereby fish assemble at specific times and locations to spawn. For some species these large groups may be the only form of reproduction, the high fish numbers briefly giving a false impression of stability and abundance. They are often a focus for intensive seasonal fishing because of their predictability and because many important commercial fishes form them. Highly vulnerable to overexploitation, many (and their associated fisheries) have disappeared while very few are being managed or incorporated into protected areas. Aggregations remain poorly known among fishery scientists, managers and conservationists and their importance little understood by fishers. To ensure their future persistence to replenish important fisheries in coral ecosystems, a significant change in perspective is needed to foster protection and management.

Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations provides comprehensive and practical coverage of the biology, study and management of reef fish aggregations, exploring their how, when, where, and why plus how to protect, manage and conserve them. Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations also identifies key data gaps and questions. The text is extensively illustrated with many unique, never before published, photographs and graphics. Case studies on over 20 interesting and important fishes are included, identifying key issues while outlining their biology and fisheries.

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 - Revisiting Spawning Aggregations: Definitions and Challenges
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem aspects of species that aggregate to spawn
Chapter 3 - Why spawn in aggregations?
Chapter 4 - Spawning Aggregations is Reef Fishes; Ecological and Evolutionary Processes
Chapter 5 - Timing and location of Aggregation and spawning in reef fishes
Chapter 6 - Oceanography of the planktonic stages of Aggregation Spawning Reef fishes
Chapter 7 - Aggregation Spawning: Biological Aspects of the Early Life History
Chapter 8 - Fishery and biological implications of fishing spawning aggregations, and the social and economic importance of aggregating fishes
Chapter 9 - Studying and Monitoring Aggregating Species
Chapter 10 - The role of local ecological knowledge in the conservation and management of reef fish spawning aggregations
Chapter 11 - Management of Spawning Aggregations
Chapter 12 - Species case studies
Chapter 13 - Conclusion

Glossary
Abbreviations
Index

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