Fisheries Research Articles

Continental-scale acoustic telemetry and network analysis reveal new insights into stock structure

Elodie J. I. Lédée, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Michelle R. Heupel, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Queensland
Matthew D. Taylor, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Taylors Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Robert G. Harcourt, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
Fabrice R.A. Jaine, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
Charlie Huveneers, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
Vinay Udyawer, Arafura Timor Research Facility, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Hamish A. Campbell, Research Institute for Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Russell C. Babcock, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland, AustraliaFollow
Xavier Hoenner, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,Tasmania, Australia
Adam Barnett, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Matias Braccini, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Stephanie Brodie, Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Paul A. Butcher, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Gwenael Cadiou, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Taylors Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Ross G. Dwyer, Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
Mario Espinoza, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología & Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Luciana C. Ferreira, The University of Western Australia, Australia
Lachlan Fetterplace, Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Coastal Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Öregrund, Sweden
Anthony Fowler, South Australian Research and Development Institute, South Australia, Australia
Alastair R. Harborne, Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
Nathan A. Knott, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales, Australia
Michael Lowry, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales, Australia
Jaimie McAllister, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Rory McAuley, Minderoo Foundation, Western Australia
Mark G. Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australia
Kade Mills, Victorian National Parks Association, Victoria, Australia
Victor Peddemors, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Australia
Richard D. Pillans, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland, Australia
Jayson Semmens, University of Tasmania, Australia
Amy F. Smoothey, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Conrad Speed, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australia
Kilian Stehfest,, David Suzuki Foundation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dylan van der Meulen, Batemans Bay Fisheries Centre, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Colin A. Simpfendorfer, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-5-2021

Journal Title

Fish and Fisheries

ISSN

Print: 1467-2960 Electronic: 1467-2979

Keywords

Acoustic telemetry, Fisheries management, Individual removal analysis, Large-scale movements, Stock identification

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Behavior and Ethology | Data Science | Marine Biology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Population Biology | Spatial Science | Survival Analysis | Sustainability

Abstract

Delineation of population structure (i.e. stocks) is crucial to successfully manage exploited species and to address conservation concerns for threatened species. Fish migration and associated movements are key mechanisms through which discrete populations mix and are thus important determinants of population structure. Detailed information on fish migration and movements is becoming more accessible through advances in telemetry and analysis methods however such information is not yet used systematically in stock structure assessment. Here, we described how detections of acoustically tagged fish across a continental-scale array of underwater acoustic receivers were used to assess stock structure and connectivity in seven teleost and seven shark species and compared to findings from genetic and conventional tagging. Network analysis revealed previously unknown population connections in some species, and in others bolstered support for existing stock discrimination by identifying nodes and routes important for connectivity. Species with less variability in their movements required smaller sample sizes (45–50 individuals) to reveal useful stock structure information. Our study shows the power of continental-scale acoustic telemetry networks to detect movements among fishery jurisdictions. We highlight methodological issues that need to be considered in the design of acoustic telemetry studies for investigating stock structure and the interpretation of the resulting data. The advent of broad-scale acoustic telemetry networks across the globe provides new avenues to understand how movement informs population structure and can lead to improved management.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12565