[Coral-List] Lionfish in the news
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Mon Feb 3 10:29:11 EST 2014
I claim no expertise, only interest and concern, but from all that I can
gather there is still a lot about the dynamics of the lionfish invasion that
has yet to be settled. All of the studies I've read warrant both careful
consideration and scrutiny. The science brought to light in Green et al
(2014) deserves respectful analysis as do the findings of several
other efforts including those of Mumby et al (2011), Hackerott et al (2013)
and Barbour et al (2011). Even if natural predation proves to be
delusive, one study points out that "targeting lionfish in mangrove habitat
would focus removals on the important juvenile stage, while also reducing
predation stress on natives using the habitat as a nursery". So it may be
prudent to tread carefully before committing resources and focus on removal
programs that could ultimately prove to be less effective. Beyond that, it
seems transparent as to why my particular industry (scuba diving) has
embraced and promoted this issue while turning a blind eye towards
the greater anthropogenic contributors to marine ecosystem degradation. I
don't want to paint removal efforts as scapegoating, but aren't we somewhat
guilty here of picking off the low hanging fruit? Since emails can
sometimes misrepresent intended tone and demeanor, please be assured that I
raise these questions with sincere respect and admiration for all involved.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
>From: "Bruno, John"
>Sent: Feb 2, 2014 8:15 AM
>To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>Subject: [Coral-List] Lionfish in the news
>
>Dear Alina,
>
>Hol Chan (Belize) is one of the 70 sites we surveyed to test this
hypothesis (fewer lionfish at sites w predators). The fish and predator
biomass at Hol Chan isn't especially high. It is slightly higher than other
reefs in Belize but is still far from what we'd like to see.
>
>And no, lionfish density or biomass is not related to predator presence,
abundance, etc. The best predictor of lionfish success (or absence) is local
protection status due to culling efforts, generally focused on protected
areas.
>
>http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0068259
>
>https://peerj.com/preprints/139/
>
>IMO we've got to move beyond wishful thinking and become comfortable
rejecting seemingly good ideas when science indicates they just don't work.
Conversely, careful science like Green et al. (2014) testing the
effectiveness of policy can help us move forward and expand local projects
that are making a measurable difference.
>
>
>John F Bruno, PhD
>Professor
>Department of Biology
>UNC Chapel Hill
>www.johnfbruno.com
>
>________________________________
>
>Has anyone counted lionfish densities in places such as Hol Chan (MPA with
daily patrols to protect against poachers) that have fairly large numbers of
groupers, snappers and other larger piscivores? I still wonder whether the
lionfish would have been able to invade the Caribbean the way they have if
Caribbean reefs had had natural abundances and size structures of these
predators.
>
>
>*************************************************************************
>Dr. Alina M. Szmant
>Professor of Marine Biology
>Center for Marine Science and Dept of Biology and Marine Biology
>University of North Carolina Wilmington
>5600 Marvin Moss Ln
>Wilmington NC 28409 USA
>tel: 910-962-2362 fax: 910-962-2410 cell: 910-200-3913
>http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
>*******************************************************
>
>
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