Field Conservation Abstracts
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Exploring Marine Ecosystems in São Tomé, Equatorial Eastern Atlantic Nuno Vasco Rodrigues, Flying Sharks Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
This presentation reports on several missions to the island of São Tomé (West Africa), where our team explored, and documented, local marine life using underwater photography, visited local fish markets and talked to members of the fishing community, which led to a protocol being signed between Flying Sharks and the local Fisheries Board. This protocol included, among many other initiatives, the creation of a book/catalogue of local coastal fishes. In November 2015, a dedicated expedition to document marine coastal fishes using underwater video and photography was organized. During two weeks, we spent approximately 10 hours in local markets and fish landing sites, did more than 55 hours of diving and filmed 7 hours of deep-sea footage (30 - 300 meters). As a result, we found multiple new species of fishes previously unreported for São Tomé, described various unreported cleaning interactions between fishes and filmed potentially new species for science. |
Mysis Shrimp: An Invasive Species in the Interior Lakes of British Columbia, Canada and the Pioneering of a Sustainable Freshwater Fishery
Nuri Fisher, Georgia Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The opossum shrimp (Mysis diluviana) was introduced into Okanagan Lake in 1966 (as well as several other southern British Columbia lakes in the 1960s and 1970’s). The original concept was to provide an additional food source for rainbow trout and kokanee, but this theory has proven to be largely incorrect and the introductions have caused serious competition between mysids and kokanee for the same food source. In deep lakes like Okanagan Lake, the Kokanee eat few of the shrimp, and instead, the shrimp compete with juvenile Kokanee for selective macrozooplanktors such as Daphnia sp. Mysis shrimp, therefore, have decreased the quantity of food available to Kokanee. A lake’s productivity dictates how much food is available, so the mysids have in effect limited the number of kokanee Okanagan Lake is capable of supporting. In 1999, the experimental harvest of mysids began on Okanagan Lake with the long term objective of removing enough mysids to provide kokanee with a competitive advantage. The goal of the fishery is to reduce mysid numbers in an effort to improve lake-rearing conditions for kokanee. In theory the annual removal of a significant amount of mysid biomass should result in more food for juvenile kokanee. Since no other mysid fishery exists in the world the novel concept of fishing down mysids to benefit juvenile kokanee was put through a series of experiments to determine if such a fishery was feasible and that it would not have any adverse effects on the kokanee population. Piscine Energetics pioneered the environmentally sustainable harvesting and removal of the invasive Mysis shrimp from Lake Okanagan through development of proprietary fishing technology for which a patent was granted. The technology enables the simultaneous live harvesting of Mysis shrimp and facilitates the live reintroduction of nontarget species (i.e. Kokanee fry) unharmed and in pristine condition back to the lake. |
An Intercontinental Live Specimen
Logistics Chain out of Antarctica Rob King, Australian Government, Department of the Environment, Australian Antarctic Division Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2016 the Australian Government initiated a broad Antarctic infrastructure modernization program. The centerpiece is a half billion dollar investment in a state of the art research and supply ice breaker. The new vessel will enter into service in 2020 and will include novel bespoke systems for the routine but gentle capture and transport of live specimens including; krill, larval fishes, cephlapods, medusae and a range of delicate plankton. This will enhance our existing capability to capture pristine quality live Antarctic Krill and will also extend that capability to Antarctic species that until now have only been known from the examination of their remains in conventional net samples. An integrated aquarium system on board the new vessel will enable live specimens to be maintained under Antarctic conditions from the time of capture and during transport to a shore based Antarctic aquarium facility at the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania, Australia. Additionally, an intercontinental air cargo link out of Antarctica for live specimens is undergoing feasibility assessment. The provision of intercontinental surface and air logistic chains for live specimens will improve the Australian Antarctic Division’s capabilities to address research questions on a range of live Antarctic species and will enhance opportunities for collaboration with external organizations. |
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Collection, Handling and Initial Captive Husbandry of Sphyrna lewini
(Scalloped Hammerhead Shark) from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Laura R. Simmons, Cairns Marine Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Hammerhead sharks are one of the most recognizable shark families in the world; their head shape is unmistakable. Only a few species of hammerheads have been successfully displayed in aquaria and in recent years Sphyrna lewini, a CITES Appendix II listed species, has proven to be a species that can thrive in aquaria and enhance exhibits with their uniqueness and popularity. Adult S. lewini are capable of being collected and introduced for display but subadult specimens are better candidates for transportation and acclimatization, and in-turn, most adaptable to new and existing aquarium habitats. Because hammerhead shark populations are threatened and declining globally, they should only be sourced from fisheries with strong management practices and demonstrably robust, sustainable populations. The method in which S. lewini are collected is unique, requiring specific collection gear, handling and treatment. It is now known that successful initial captive husbandry of S. lewini includes excellent water quality, minimal prophylaxis, a varied and extensive diet, as well as a relatively large holding aquarium size. Although fast growing as juveniles, the average time in holding prior to being strong and sizable enough to transport is 2-4 months; their initial collection method and husbandry being paramount to success. Sphyrna lewini have only been displayed in aquaria recently, past 5-10 years, and in only a small number of aquaria, so mature groups have not yet been achieved. Given hammerheads’ global wild population status, fisheries management must be supported. It is important for public aquaria to continue working with S. lewini into the future to advance husbandry knowledge, create stable, mature populations in aquariums and lead to captive breeding success. |