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Sustainable reference points for multispecies coral reef fisheries

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Zamborain-Mason

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    James Cook University
    James Cook University)

  • Joshua E. Cinner

    (James Cook University)

  • M. Aaron MacNeil

    (Dalhousie University)

  • Nicholas A. J. Graham

    (Lancaster University)

  • Andrew S. Hoey

    (James Cook University
    James Cook University)

  • Maria Beger

    (University of Leeds
    University of Queensland)

  • Andrew J. Brooks

    (University of California)

  • David J. Booth

    (University of Technology Sydney 2007 Australia)

  • Graham J. Edgar

    (University of Tasmania)

  • David A. Feary

    (MRAG Ltd)

  • Sebastian C. A. Ferse

    (Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)
    University of Bremen)

  • Alan M. Friedlander

    (Pristine Seas Program
    Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology)

  • Charlotte L. A. Gough

    (The Old Library)

  • Alison L. Green

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • David Mouillot

    (James Cook University
    Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD)

  • Nicholas V. C. Polunin

    (Newcastle University NE17RU)

  • Rick D. Stuart-Smith

    (University of Tasmania)

  • Laurent Wantiez

    (University of New Caledonia)

  • Ivor D. Williams

    (NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center)

  • Shaun K. Wilson

    (University of Western Australia
    Conservation and Attractions, Kensington)

  • Sean R. Connolly

    (James Cook University
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

Abstract

Sustainably managing fisheries requires regular and reliable evaluation of stock status. However, most multispecies reef fisheries around the globe tend to lack research and monitoring capacity, preventing the estimation of sustainable reference points against which stocks can be assessed. Here, combining fish biomass data for >2000 coral reefs, we estimate site-specific sustainable reference points for coral reef fisheries and use these and available catch estimates to assess the status of global coral reef fish stocks. We reveal that >50% of sites and jurisdictions with available information have stocks of conservation concern, having failed at least one fisheries sustainability benchmark. We quantify the trade-offs between biodiversity, fish length, and ecosystem functions relative to key benchmarks and highlight the ecological benefits of increasing sustainability. Our approach yields multispecies sustainable reference points for coral reef fisheries using environmental conditions, a promising means for enhancing the sustainability of the world’s coral reef fisheries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Zamborain-Mason & Joshua E. Cinner & M. Aaron MacNeil & Nicholas A. J. Graham & Andrew S. Hoey & Maria Beger & Andrew J. Brooks & David J. Booth & Graham J. Edgar & David A. Feary & Sebastian , 2023. "Sustainable reference points for multispecies coral reef fisheries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41040-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41040-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hilborn, Ray, 2010. "Pretty Good Yield and exploited fishes," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 193-196, January.
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