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Mia J. Tegner Memorial Research Grant Project Descriptions Tegner Projects: 2009 | 2008 |2007 |2006 |2005 | 2004 | 2001
A century of change in the Antarctic: Intertidal and nearshore community change since the Second French Antarctic Expedition of 1909-1911 Researcher: Dr. Heather J. Lynch Location: Petermann Island, Antarctica Baseline: Species composition of nearshore species at Petermann Island in 1909-1911 Description: This project will analyze scientific documents from the 1909-1911 Second French Antarctic Expedition on the intertidal and nearshore species composition of Petermann Island, Antarctica in order to establish a baseline against which current conditions would be assessed. Changes in the coastal biodiversity of this region would provide an important link in our understanding of the impacts of climate change.
Goals:
Links: Second French Antarctic Expedition
Commercialization, conservation, and enforcement: A socio-ecological analysis of Utila’s fishery Researcher: Ms. Brittany Y. Davis, The University of Arizona Location: Utila, Honduras Baseline: Determining the baseline conditions current marine management aspires to Description: This study contributes to knowledge of marine conservation by providing ecological and fishery management data for a small-scale fishery in the Western Caribbean, where little of such data is currently available. As marine protected areas continue to be used as a tool for protecting sensitive marine habitats, understanding the historical ecological conditions becomes increasingly important. By providing data on the conditions at three times—initial protection, enlargement, and later active enforcement—this study will provide BICA, the marine reserve’s managers, with valuable data than can inform management practices. BICA’s director has expressed an interest in having such data and incorporating it into their management and education efforts on Utila, which may foster increased tolerance for and respect of the restrictions on extractive activities in place currently in Turtle Harbour Marine Reserve. As scientists work to increase the efficacy of marine protection, it is important to understand how marine resources were managed in the past and the effects of those management practices.
Goals:
Links: The Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA)
Establishing a pre-Columbian fishery baseline on Anguilla: Impacts on marine resources and implications for management Researcher: Dr. John G. Crock, The University of Vermont Location: Anguilla, Lesser Antilles Baseline: Pre-Columbian fish abundance Description: While scientists recognize overfishing of coral reef communities is a growing problem, it remains poorly documented because few studies address how reefs and fisheries developed together both naturally and through different periods and scales of human influence. This project addresses these issues by providing data on the long-term exploitation of sea turtles, fin-fishes and invertebrates on Anguilla, Lesser Antilles in order to reconstruct a pre-Columbian fishery baseline for Anguilla (before A.D. 1500). Once the baseline is reconstructed, we will collect historical and recent information from traditional Anguillian fishers and divers on changes in marine fauna, fishing technologies, spawning areas and nursery grounds in the past century. Comparison of the zooarchaeological data with fishing practices and experience will allow documentation of the nature and extent of change through time. Parallel consultations with natural resources officials will enable the Anguillian government to integrate the information collected into fishery conservation strategies and management practices for coral reef ecosystems.
Goals:
Links: Anguilla's pre-Columbian History
Establishing calcification and pollution baselines for the Great Barrier Reef prior to European settlement and the Industrial Revolution Researcher: Ms. Lida Teneva, Stanford University, USA Location: Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia Baseline: Calcification and pollution baselines for the Great Barrier Reef prior to European settlement and the Industrial Revolution Description:
Goals:
Links:
Historical ecology and marine resource management in atoll ecosystem: Achaeological and ethno-ecological approach to understanding the effects of the last 1000 years of indigenous marine exploitation in Tokelau, Polynesia Researchers: Dr. Rintaro Ono, Australian National University, Australia and Mr. Alex Morrison, University of Hawai’i – Manoa, USA Location: Tokelau, Polynesia Baseline: Changes in the marine ecology of Tokelau over the last millennium Description: The ethnographic portion of this work will result in a quantitative comparative ethno-ecological study of Tokelauan environmental knowledge and marine resource management practices. Archaeological datasets will be used to compare the relationship between present management strategies and past resource use. The information acquired from this project will not only be useful for generating inferences about prehistoric marine exploitation, but also for present and future conservation planning and the use of marine resources by the people of Tokelau. Archaeological data from the last 1000 years of marine exploitation in Tokelau can provide us with insight into the historical impacts of fishing on prey populations. Furthermore, Ono’s ethno-ecological study of Tokelauan fishing lore and traditional knowledge of marine-resource diversity in a contemporary setting provides important information on the current status of marine-resource use, including conservation aspects.
Goals:
Links:
Innovative historical ecology trend analysis and interpretation for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Researchers: Mr. Steven J. Choy, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Location: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, USA Baseline: Historical ecology of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Description:
Goals:
Links: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Changing gears, changing grounds: An environmental history of changing fishing practices in Newfoundland, Canada Researchers: Drs. Ratana Chuenpagdee and Kurt Korneski, Memorial University of Newfoundland Canada Location: Newfoundland CA Baseline: Historical fishing practices in Newfoundland, Canada Description: This study examines an important aspect of changes related to the use of fishing gears, specifically how we fish and where we fish. Using Newfoundland fisheries as an example, this project seeks to relate the technological, social, and ecological changes that have taken place in the history of the fisheries of Newfoundland, focusing on two main questions: Why and when fishers introduced new gears and/or moved to new grounds and the effects of those changes on fish and human populations. The project begins with the cod fishery given its historical importance. The first phase of this research is examining historical documents, correspondences, and records that monitored the cod fishery. Preliminary findings suggest that fishers had a tendency to use gears that would allow them to intensify their fishing effort over time, particularly as stocks declined.
Goals:
Links: History of cod fishery in Newfoundland Video of 1930s fishing in Newfoundland
Developing historical baselines for the Hawaiian monk seal Researchers: Loren McClenachan, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Location: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Baseline: Past distribution and abundance of the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal Description: In order to help guide current management plans for both the Hawaiian monk seal and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands more generally, this project is compiling data on the historical distribution and abundance of the seal, employing established methods to estimate long-term changes in population size, structure, and ecological niche, and assessing the historical baseline information in the context of current ecosystem-based management efforts for the seal. A range of sources of historical information are being used to guide this effort, including diaries written by shipwrecked sailors in the northwest Hawaiian Islands, reports from whaling and sealing voyages, and early natural history descriptions.
Goals:
Publications: Links: Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Establishing historic and prehistoric baselines for tidal marsh extent in central Californian estuaries Researcher: Elizabeth Watson, University of California Davis Location: South San Francisco Bay and Elkhorn Slough, California Baseline: Past geography of tidal wetlands in the San Francisco Bay area Description: Globally, estuaries are also among the most altered ecosystems, and estuarine restoration has become a major focus of coastal management. Because restoration can be generally defined as the act of returning an altered system to pre-disturbance conditions, these efforts need to identify historical conditions as a basis for developing restoration targets and guidelines for restoration design. This project is examining the history of the current configuration of tidal wetlands in the South San Francisco Bay and Elkhorn Slough using a range of dating methods to characterize changes in the wetland vegetation over time. The outcome from this research will be essential for guiding current restoration efforts, since it will provide a more accurate reconstruction of early historic or late prehistoric environmental conditions at these sites.
Goals:
Links: Caspian terns at Elkhorn Slough
The indelible stain of human impacts on Plicopurpura pansa populations in Mexico Researcher: Raphael Sagarin, University of Arizona Location: Pacific and Gulf coasts of Baja California Baseline: Changing demographics of the exploited marine snail, Plicopurpura pansa Description: This pigment has been used by Mexican Indians for a range of purposes, including the dyeing of ceremonial and funeral garments. In harvesting these snails, most people select the largest, and thus oldest and most fertile individuals. These size-selective harvesting practices have been occurring for decades and can heavily impact population dynamics of this vulnerable marine snail. This study has analyzed the size structures of both living and historical collections of P. pupans in order to assess any long-term changes in size structure due to human harvesting. Results to date indicate that specimens collected in the early and mid 20th century contain larger individuals, indicating a widespread loss of large size individuals of P. pupans from throughout Mexico.
Goals:
Publications:
Links: Dyeing of garments in Oaxaca, Mexico
Overfishing in the early 19th century and the origins of the trawling controversy in the British Isles Researcher: Ruth Thurstan, University of York, United Kingdom Location: Coastal and inshore marine waters around the British Isles Baseline: Historical impacts of trawling in the British Isles Description: This project will reconstruct the early history of industrial fishing drawing heavily from eyewitness recordings, historical records and books and government reports published in the late 18th and first half of the 19th century. A particular emphasis of this project will be on the testimony and findings of the 1866 Royal Commission of Enquiry. From data collected so far, it is clear that when trawling first began to expand around Britain, it destroyed seabed habitats and killed young fish on a scale that had not occurred before. One trawl fisher from Newlyn stated, for example, that trawling was the most destructive thing ever thrown into salt water, and that his trawl was capable of catching thousands of young fish and scores of tons of spawn throughout the year. There are numerous other statements providing quantitative evidence of these declines during fishers’ lifetimes, which have been compiled for analysis and comparison. Goals:
Links: Describe the first signs of fishing impact on habitats in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Quantifying historical anthropogenic impacts to ecosystem integrity in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Researcher: Jack Kittinger, University of Hawai’i – Manoa USA Location: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Baseline: Historical fishing intensity in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Description: In 2006, this area was declared a Marine National Monument to help conserve these natural and cultural resources. An important element of this conservation effort relies on creating an accurate picture of the historical conditions of this area. Although some preliminary efforts have been made to develop these historical baselines, the efforts have largely been either limited to single species or geographically constrained. This study will analyze historical documents and data repositories to extract quantitative and qualitative information on fisheries extraction for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and thereby create an essential historical baseline for this site.
Goals:
Links: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Multi-agency Education Project Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Marine Debris Impacts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Derelict fishing gear clean-up in the NWHI
Reading the past from coral cores: a test of ecological resilience in the Line Islands Researcher: Jessica Carilli, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA Location: Line Islands, Central Pacific Ocean Baseline: Historical condition and coral growth in the Line Islands Description: This project is investigating coral growth rates from locations that experience minimal local stress versus those that experience higher stress. A key element of this project is to understand whether environmental conditions, such as water quality, are sufficient to allow recovery. This is being accomplished by using historical records of water quality change and benthic foraminifera abundances, along with historic changes in human populations and current fish populations (as a measure of fishing pressure) to assess the current level of chronic local stress at each site. Since corals lay down annual growth bands (analogous to trees), coral growth rates will be assessed using x-rays of coral cores that were collected for paleoclimatic reconstructions, and compared to evaluate growth responses over time.
Goals:
Publication: Links: Scripp’s Institution of Oceanography - Expedition to the Line Islands Georgia Tech – Climate Research in the Line Islands Coral reef conservation in the Line Islands (History Channel) Importance of pristine coral reefs – Line Islands (National Geographic) Coral Reefs in the Anthropocene Paleoclimatology of corals (NASA)
Shifting baselines on the inshore Great Barrier Reef – evidence of a historical collapse of coral communities following European settlement Researcher: George Roff, University of Queensland Australia Location(s): Great Barrier Reef, Australia Baseline: Changing conditions in warm water coral of the Great Barrier Reef Description: One of the more important local and regional threats to the reef is due to long-term changes in land practices along the Queensland coast, including increased grazing, agriculture, and land practices. There is currently only limited information about the historical condition of the reef, especially of conditions prior to the early 1970s. By combining novel palaeoecological reconstructions of coral communities in the central inshore Great Barrier Reef (Palm Islands region) with high precision isotopic dating methods, this project aims to determine the exact timing and spatial extent of historical changes in inshore coral communities following European settlement (i.e., 1850 - present).
Goals:
Links: Great Barrier Reef Park Authority Exploring Oceans: Great Barrier Reef , National Geographic Coral bleach in the Great Barrier Reef
Status of the Hawaiian monk seal prior to human exploitation and management Researcher: Jennifer Schulz, University of Hawai’i – Manoa Location: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Baseline: Historical demographics and genetic composition of the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal Description: Preliminary genetic studies on this Hawaiian monk seal suggest that it experienced a large decrease in the number and genetic diversity of the population (i.e., a bottleneck) in the late 19th century. Information prior to this time period, however, is limited. This study will utilize museum collections of Hawaiian monk seals in order to assess the degree of genetic variation both before and immediately after this bottleneck event. This information will be combined with the age at first reproduction, total fecundity, and age of senescence to evaluate the historical genetic make-up of this species. The results will yield an historical baseline that can guide recovery plans for this critically endangered species.
Goals:
Links: Jennifer Schulz – Principal Investigator Genetic diversity in Hawaiian monk seals
Uncovering the historical ecology of marine conditions, resource use, and management in American Samoa: an interdisciplinary analysis of fishing activities through time. Researchers:: Dr. David Addison (American Samoa Community College, America Samoa), Dr. Arielle Levine (Pacific Island Fisheries Center, USA) and Marlowe Sabater (Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, American Samoa) Location: American Samoa Baseline: Historical changes in fish populations and fishing activity in American Samoa Description: Native Polynesians have inhabited south Pacific Islands for more than 3000 years. As island cultures, they have relied heavily on marine resources as an important food source, engaging in extractive activities such as fishing and gleaning. Despite a potential for over-exploitation, Pacific Island cultures appear to have historically employed sustainable traditional management practices. American Samoa provides a good test case for evaluating changes in sustainable resource use. A west Polynesian island that became a U.S. territory in the early 20th century, American Samoa is currently experiencing rapid population growth and undergoing increased urbanization. The rich ocean life of the area and the long history of sustenance fishing provide a unique opportunity to develop a comprehensive environmental history for this area. This project is combining current observations of fish catch and coastal resource conditions with oral accounts from elder fishermen, archival records from early explorers and colonists, and archeological records of shells and fish bones found on the island to develop an environmental history of ocean uses for this site.
Goals:
Links: National Park Service – American Samoa Historic Fishing Methods in America Samoa
Age and ecological role of old-growth driftwood in Puget Sound Researcher: Daniel Tonnes, University of Washington USA (current affiliation is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Location: Puget Sound, Washington Baseline: Historical abundance of driftwood on beaches and impacts of long-term logging activities on Pacific Northwest watersheds. Description: Large driftwood on Puget Sound beaches help moderate beach sand temperatures and support terrestrial and semi-terrestrial invertebrates that are an important component to the nearshore food web. Largescale changes in upstream watersheds that began in 1850 (with the advent of industrial logging in the region) indicate that this important habitat type may have undergone fundamental changes over the past century, with important implications for the coastal environment. This project has been utilizing radiocarbon dating techniques to select large driftwood along beaches in the North Puget Sound area. The results of these efforts to date indicate that 93% of the largest wood surveyed in the study area was recruited to aquatic habitat between 90 and 300 years ago, with only about 7% estimated as delivered since the mid-1900s. The results from this study will be used both to describe the historical context of driftwood habitat in North Puget Sound and to assess the change over time of beach-cast wood in the nearshore ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest.
Goals:
Publications: Tonnes, Daniel M. 2008. Ecological functions of marine riparian areas and driftwood along North Puget Sound shorelines. Master’s Thesis. School of Marine Affairs, University of Washington. Links: Beaches and bluffs of Puget Sound Video, Shifting Baselines in the Sound
A life history approach to interpreting and predicting resilience: historical response of an exploited marine species to fluctuations in fishing and climate Researcher: Deborah McArdle, U.C. Santa Barbara USA Location: California coastal waters Baseline: Historical numbers and distribution of California spiny lobster Description: The California spiny lobster is commonly found in the nearshore waters of California and serves an important function by helping keep local sea urchin populations while also serving as important prey for rockfish, cabezon, and sharks. This species of spiny lobster is usually found in shallow waters near the coast or in offshore areas of islands and range from the southern tip of Baja California to Monterey Bay, California. The California spiny lobster has been extensively fished for more than a century. Like many other exploited species, selective harvesting has greatly reduced the biomass and average lifespan of this species. There is concern that these long-term changes in size and age at maturation may impact the sustainability of this species. To examine the long-term population dynamics of the California spiny lobster, this study is employing a novel approach, coupling methods from ecology and history: By fitting a time series of catch and effort, spanning 120 years, to a Bayesian model we plan to estimate historic biomass and exploitation rates and to determine whether and the extent to which life history traits, size structure and growth rate, have responded to changing exploitation over the last century. The results from this effort should provide a new approach for interpreting historical baselines and trends in the abundance of populations of exploited marine organisms and provide insight for managing California spiny lobster populations.
Goals:
Links: Status of the California spiny lobster Ghost Forest: To Save Wildlife We Must Save Wild Places, Scripps Institute of Oceanography
Changes in the species compositions in assemblages of stony corals and mollusks in Jakarta Bay and the Thousand Islands archipelago, Java Sea, Indonesia (1920-2005) Researcher: Sancia E.T. van der Meij, Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis Location: Jakarta Bay, Indonesia Baseline: Historical condition and areal extent of stony corals and mollusks in the Jakarta Bay. Description: The majority of Indonesia’s population (≈250 million people) lives on the small island of Java. Because of this high population density, the coastal area of Java, especially the heavily populated area surrounding Jakarta Bay, has been subject to considerable pressure for some time. Coral reef ecosystems in this area, which support fish and invertebrate biological diversity, are increasingly degraded due to sedimentation, nutrient loading, chemical contamination, destructive fishing practices, and sand mining. To better understand the history of these changes, this project is compiling information on changes in coral reef diversity in Jakarta Bay since the first half of this century. The accomplishments to date on this effort include identification of all coral specimens (1920-2005) from the scientific collection of Naturalis and the collection and analysis of nautical maps and historical documents relevant for the Jakarta Bay, including narrative documents and handwritten notes (Verweij, Umbgrove, Boschman). Several additional datasets are currently being analyzed, including historical documents from the Royal Netherland Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV, Leiden) and mollusc collections from the Zoological Museum Amsterdam. Once completed, data from this project will be presented in the context of changing coral reef conditions and human activities in the Jakarta Bay.
Goals:
Publications: van der Meij, S.E.T., R.G. Moolenbeek, B.W. Hoeksema. 2009. Decline of the Jakarta Bay molluscan fauna linked to human impact. Marine Pollution Bulletin 59: 101-107. Links: Millenium Ecosystem Assessment of Jakarta Bay Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reefs
Ecological inventory of the South Guano Islands Administration Archives 1890-1950 Researcher: Lance van Sittert, University of Cape Town, South Africa Location: South Guano Islands, Benguela Current Baseline: Historical numbers and distributions of seabirds in the Benguela Current Description: The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem is situated along the coast of southwestern Africa and has been undergoing increasingly dramatic changes over the past two decades, characterized by species collapses and distribution shifts. Seabirds in this ecosystem, including the African penguin, the cape gannet, and several species of gulls and cormorants, have also been subjected to these changes and have served as long-term indicator species due to their high visibility on a small number of offshore breeding islands. These birds have also been the source of guano, or the accumulated droppings of birds, which has been commercially harvested since the beginning of the 19th century. These records of guano harvest and trade can provide important insights into variations in both seabird populations and environmental conditions over time. This project is using historical seabird archives to characterize general ecological changes in this current system over the past several decades and to evaluate the nature and importance of modern day seabird declines in this region. Because the Guano Islands were an important source of income for the Cape Colony, there are extensive archived records that can help contribute to our understanding of the ecology of this system.
Goals:
Links: The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme Seabirds Threatened in the Benguela Current Video About the Benguela Current Ecosystem
Establishing an historical baseline for the Seychelles shark fishery to enable enhanced conservation and management Researcher: John Nevill, Green Islands Foundation Location: Seychelles Baseline: Historical distribution of sharks in the Seychelles Description: The Seychelles is an isolated archipelago in the western Indian Ocean that remained uninhabited until the 1770s. The area has historically supported a large and diverse shark population, which has come under increasing fishing pressure over the last few decades. Previous related efforts revealed a 100-year dataset of shark fin exports and outlined trends in shark abundance and occurrence from the 1700s onwards. To better understand the toll of shark fishing in this area, this study is utilizing a range of historical data sets to establish baseline population data for sharks. Results from a preliminary analysis (which were presented at a meeting in the Seychelles in December 2007) have revealed the shark fishery catches from the 1930s, shark occurrence and fishing in the outer islands in the 1880s and 1930s, and the international value of shark commodities in the 1930s and 1960s. In addition, from this dataset, trade statistics from 1840 – 2006 have been thoroughly studied and the complete data set available on the shark fin trade from 1903 -2006 has been elucidated. For the remainder of this project, the investigator will use this information on the economic drivers and the legislative frameworks from different time periods to help generate a more accurate baseline for the Seychelles shark fishery to enhance the implementation of the Seychelles National Plan of Action for sharks.
Goals:
Links: Seychelles National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks PBS Voyage of the Odyssey – Seychelles
Historical ecology of coastal wetlands of the northern Gulf of California Researcher: Hem Nalini Morzaria Luna, Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Océanos, Mexico Location: Northern Gulf of California Baseline: Historical distribution and ecology and negative estuaries in the northern Gulf of California Description: In the northern Gulf of California, non-mangrove salt marshes known as esteros (negative estuaries) are the predominant wetland type. Esteros provide a unique type of habitat, often serving as breeding and nesting sites for non-migratory birds and providing important nursery habitat for fish and invertebrate species. These habitats, however, are being altered and permanently lost due to increased urbanization in the area. To help guide conservation efforts of esteros, this project is documenting the historical ecology of wetlands in the northern Gulf of California. These sites, although still relatively pristine, are subject to intense development pressures and offer a unique opportunity to document human effects as occupation of the area began in the 1930's. Some of the major accomplishments of this effort include the completion of interviews with fishermen and oyster producers from local areas, the completion of maps by these participants that indicate important nursery and fishery areas, and the compilation of satellite and aerial images from this area dating back to the 1960s.
Goals:
Publications: H. Morzaria-Luna, M. Urquidi-Gaume. Bibliografía de Humedales Costeros en el Golfo Norte de California: Bibliography of Coastal Wetlands in the Northern Gulf of California. September 1, 2009. Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Océanos, A.C. http://www.cedointercultural.org Online Bibliography
Links: Bibliography of Coastal wetlands in the Northern Gulf of California
Indigenous environmental memories and past ecological conditions in coastal Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia Researcher: Marcus Barber, James Cook University Location:Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia Baseline: Establishing the historical relationship between aboriginals of coastal Arnhem Land and their use of marine ecosystems Description: The Arnhem Land Region of Australia is one of five regions in the Northern Territory of Australia and is unique as it is considered the Aboriginal homeland. The Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land have been least affected by colonization or industrialization processes allowing them to maintain strong traditional knowledge systems that are now being integrated with contemporary conservation management. This project examines the relationship over the past 200 years between these indigenous people and coastal environment in Arnhem Land, through a review of relevant archives and extended consultations with senior Aboriginal elders from the area. Archival research has been conducted at the National Library and at the National Museum and State Library in Melbourne. This research has yielded photographs of missions and other settlements as well as images of significant terrestrial and coastal areas and will be used in consultations with indigenous stakeholders. Additional archival work is underway in Darwin and in Nhulunbuy (Gove). The synthesis of this material will form the basis for a review publication relevant to indigenous and non-indigenous conservation managers in the region.
Goals:
Links:
Integrating cultural and spiritual values in marine biodiversity monitoring and management in the coastal zone of northern Australia Researcher: Bas Vershuuren, Foundation for Sustainable Development, the Netherlands Location: Northern Australia Baseline: Historical abundance of marine species and condition of important marine sites, as ascertained through indigenous knowledge of the Yolngus. Description: In northern Australia, the management of the cultural and spiritual value of marine ecosystems presents an often overlooked component of comprehensive ecosystem management efforts. This is particularly true in northern Australia, an area which houses numerous culturally sacred sites that play a pivotal role in indigenous management systems. Because of the high biodiversity and cultural value of these areas, information about these places can serve as a traditional blueprint for guiding effective restoration efforts and for safeguarding important marine ecosystem functions. This collaborative project is working on relating the cultural importance of coastal resources to indigenous peoples to management efforts aimed at sustainable develop and conservation, by exploring the last 20,000 years of traditional ecological knowledge that has evolved in this region. This is being accomplished by interviewing Yolngus (who are indigenous Australians inhabiting Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia) and documenting the things that these people find important in tending to their “sea country.” This information will be used to develop a set of preliminary guidelines based on culturally important sites and species which could be used for the management of species critical to the Yolngu’s perception of the quality of the marine environment.
Goals:
Links:
Is the recovery of cod (Gadus morhua) along the Maine coast limited by reduced anadromous river herring populations? Researchers: Adrian Jordaan, Carolyn Hall, and Michael Frisk, Stony Brook University Location: Coastal and Interior Maine Baseline: Population abundance of river herring and changes in Maine watersheds. Description: Once abundant in Maine’s coastal waters, Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, have declined nearly 90% since 1990 and the diminished cod population in the Gulf of Maine is currently only 58% the size believed necessary to sustain a renewable yearly fishery. While overfishing is generally agreed upon as the chief cause for the lower numbers of cod seen today, other factors, such as reduced prey populations, are now being considered as potential hurdles to the cod’s comeback. Two key cod prey species, the shad-like alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and the blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), known collectively as ‘river herring,’ have experienced dramatic declines of up to 90% over the past 40 years. River herring population size correlates significantly with cod recruitment in the Gulf of Maine. Like Atlantic salmon, river herring are anadromous, and must return to fresh water to spawn. Dependence on open rivers and streams makes fish of this sort extremely susceptible to past and present development pressures along coastal Maine. This project is examining the relationship between declining populations of river herring and cod in Maine’s coastal waters. Through extensive interviews with community members, coupled with careful analysis of fish catch and geographical records detailing changes to river systems, a historic baseline of river herring population, distribution and abundance is being established. This will allow for an evaluation of whether a significant relationship between river herring and cod holds over longer time periods.
Goals:
Publications:
Links: Gulf of Maine Historical Ecology Research Alewife biology and conservation
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