Fisheries Research Articles
Unprecedented longevity of unharvested shallow-water snappers in the Indian Ocean
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-27-2020
Journal Title
Coral Reefs
ISSN
Print: 0722-4028 Electronic: 1432-0975
Keywords
Lifespan, Coral reefs, Growth, Lutjanidae, Otolith, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
Disciplines
Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology
Abstract
Identification of latitudinal trends in growth and maximum ages provides important insights into the vulnerability of coral reef fishes to human exploitation. Here, we sampled three species of unharvested tropical snappers from 4 locations along the tropical Western Australian coast and from the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean. Interpretation of sectioned sagittal otoliths identified 2 species as the longest-lived tropical reef-associated fishes recorded to date, with a combined eleven specimens aged > 60 yrs, a single Lutjanus bohar aged 79 yrs and a single Macolor macularis aged 81 yrs (both from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia). These maximum ages are two decades greater than previous estimates of maximum age for reef fishes. Lifetimes of such long durations confirm the low rates of natural mortality for these species, their associated low production potential, and the need for effective systems of governance to enable sustainable harvests across the distributions of these species.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, B.M., Wakefield, C.B., Newman, S.J. et al. Unprecedented longevity of unharvested shallow-water snappers in the Indian Ocean. Coral Reefs 40, 15–19 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-02032-3
