Assessment of the likely sensitivity to climate change for the key marine species in the southern Benguela system
- Authors: Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly , Yokwana, Sibusiso , Sauer, Warwick H H , Cochrane, Kevern L , James, Nicola C , Potts, Warren M , Singh, L , Smale, Malcolm J , Wood, A , Pecl, Gretta T
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123211 , vital:35415 , https://doi.10.2989/1814232X.2018.1512526
- Description: Climate change is altering many environmental parameters of coastal waters and open oceans, leading to substantial present-day and projected changes in the distribution, abundance and phenology of marine species. Attempts to assess how each species might respond to climate change can be data-, resource- and time-intensive. Moreover, in many regions of the world, including South Africa, species may be of vital socioeconomic or ecological importance though critical gaps may exist in our basic biological or ecological knowledge of the species. Here, we adapt and apply a trait-based sensitivity assessment for the key marine species in the southern Benguela system to estimate their potential relative sensitivity to the impacts of climate change. For our analysis, 40 priority species were selected based on their socioeconomic, ecological and/or recreational importance in the system. An extensive literature review and consultation with experts was undertaken concerning each species to gather information on their life history, habitat use and potential stressors. Fourteen attributes were used to estimate the selected species’ sensitivity and capacity to respond to climate change. A score ranging from low to high sensitivity was given for each attribute, based on the available information. Similarly, a score was assigned to the type and quality of information used to score each particular attribute, allowing an assessment of data-quality inputs for each species. The analysis identified the white steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus, soupfin shark Galeorhinus galeus, St Joseph Callorhinchus capensis and abalone Haliotis midae as potentially the most sensitive species to climate-change impacts in the southern Benguela system. There were data gaps for larval dispersal and settlement and metamorphosis cues for most of the evaluated species. Our results can be used by resource managers to determine the type of monitoring, intervention and planning that may be required to best respond to climate change, given the limited resources and significant knowledge gaps in many cases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Pessimistic assessment of white shark population status in South Africa: comment on Andreotti et al.(2016)
- Authors: Irion, Dylan T , Noble, Leslie R , Kock, Alison A , Gennari, Enrico , Dicken, Matthew L , Hewitt, Adrian M , Towner, Alison V , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J , Cliff, Geremy
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:35799 , https://doi.10.3354/meps12283
- Description: Andreotti et al. (2016; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 552:241−253) estimate an abundance (N) of 438 white sharks Carcharodon carcharias and a contemporary effective population size (CNe) of 333 individuals along the South African coast. N was estimated by using a mark-recapture analysis of photographic identification records from a single aggregation site (Gansbaai). CNe was calculated based on the levels of pairwise linkage disequilibrium of genetic material collected from 4 aggregation sites across approximately 965 km of South African coastline. However, due to the complex stock structure of white sharks and the model assumptions made by Andreotti et al. (2016), the conclusions drawn cannot be supported by their methods and data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Seasonality, behaviour and philopatry of spotted ragged tooth sharks Carcharias taurus in Eastern Cape nursery areas, South Africa
- Authors: Smale, Malcolm J , Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126672 , vital:35910 , https://doi.10.2989/1814232X.2015.1043342
- Description: Spotted ragged-tooth sharks Carcharias taurus occur along the southern and eastern coasts of South Africa. We report on movements of juveniles and adults within a known nursery area on the Eastern Cape coast using acoustic telemetry. The focus area of the study was Algoa Bay, where six VEMCO VR2 ultrasonic receivers were placed at known shark aggregation sites. An additional receiver was placed at Thunderbolt Reef, approximately 2 km southwest of Cape Recife, the south-western tip of Algoa Bay. Single receivers were also deployed at Port Alfred and East London, some 45 and 170 km north-east of Algoa Bay, respectively. VEMCO acoustic V16 tags were either surgically implanted (n = 37) or attached externally using dart heads (n = 6) between January 2003 and March 2006. Surgically implanted tags were recorded over multiple months and years, whereas external tags were probably lost shortly after tagging because they were detected for very short periods. Sharks moved extensively between the sites and revisited monitored reefs over time-periods of months and years, demonstrating philopatry. Departures from and arrivals at reefs were more frequently recorded at sunset and sunrise, respectively. Sharks were detected throughout the year but they spent more time at aggregation sites during summer and autumn, indicating seasonal abundance in agreement with previous findings. Movements away from study reefs were attributed to either foraging or movements to other reefs. Despite extensive movements around the bay and beyond, both juveniles and adults exhibited philopatry to the study area over multiple years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Residency patterns and migration dynamics of adult bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) on the east coast of southern Africa:
- Authors: Daly, Ryan , Smale, Malcolm J , Cowley, Paul D , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143235 , vital:38213 , doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109357
- Description: Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are globally distributed top predators that play an important ecological role within coastal marine communities. However, little is known about the spatial and temporal scales of their habitat use and associated ecological role. In this study, we employed passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the residency patterns and migration dynamics of 18 adult bull sharks (195–283 cm total length) tagged in southern Mozambique for a period of between 10 and 22 months. The majority of sharks (n = 16) exhibited temporally and spatially variable residency patterns interspersed with migration events. Ten individuals undertook coastal migrations that ranged between 433 and 709 km (mean = 533 km) with eight of these sharks returning to the study site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Long-term catch and effort trends in Eastern Cape Angling Week competitions
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Smale, Malcolm J , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124931 , vital:35711 , https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2012.709961
- Description: Recreational shore-based angling is one of the most popular sport and outdoor activity pastimes in South Africa with an estimated 412 000 fishers (McGrath et al. 1997). It is a form of linefishing where fish are caught using a hook and line and comprises a social as well as a more formal organized competitive sector (van der Elst 1989). Similar to other components of the linefishery, which include the subsistence as well as boat-based commercial sectors, excessive shore-fishing effort along the Eastern Cape has resulted not only in declining catches (Bennett 1991, Griffiths 1997, Brouwer and Buxton 2002, Pradervand and Govender 2003) but also changes in the species composition of catches (Bennett et al. 1994, Brouwer et al. 1997, Attwood and Farquhar 1999). Stock assessments indicate that many important linefish species are severely overexploited (Griffiths 1997, Hutchings 2000, Mann 2000) and that continued fishing pressure threatens endemic linefish populations. In 1996, shore-anglers alone were responsible for an annual catch of approximately 4.5 million fish, weighing around 3 000 tonnes (Brouwer et al. 1997).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Age validation, growth, mortality, and demographic modeling of spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus) from the southeast coast of South Africa
- Authors: Booth, Anthony J , Foulis, Alan J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123630 , vital:35466 , https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/2011/1091/booth.pdf
- Description: This study documents validation of vertebral band-pair formation in spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus) with the use of f luorochrome injection and tagging of captive and wild sharks over a 21-year period. Growth and mortality rates of T. megalopterus were also estimated and a demographic analysis of the species was conducted. Of the 23 OTC (oxytetracycline) -marked vertebrae examined (12 from captive and 11 from wild sharks), seven vertebrae (three from captive and four from wild sharks) exhibited chelation of the OTC and f luoresced under ultraviolet light. It was concluded that a single opaque and translucent band pair was deposited annually up to at least 25 years of age, the maximum age recorded. Reader precision was assessed by using an index of average percent error calculated at 5%. No significant differences were found between male and female growth patterns (P>0.05), and von Bertalanffy growth model parameters for combined sexes were estimated to be L∞=1711.07 mm TL, k=0.11/yr and t0= –2.43 yr (n=86). Natural mortality was estimated at 0.17/yr. Age at maturity was estimated at 11 years for males and 15 years for females. Results of the demographic analysis showed that the population, in the absence of fishing mortality, was stable and not significantly different from zero and particularly sensitive to overfishing. At the current age at first capture and natural mortality rate, the fishing mortality rate required to result in negative population growth was low at F>0.004/ yr. Elasticity analysis revealed that juvenile survival was the principal factor in explaining variability in population growth rate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Factors affecting recapture rates of raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Shark fishing effort and catch of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus in the South African competitive shore-angling fishery
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126944 , vital:35937 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504209
- Description: In South Africa, Carcharias taurus is commonly known as the ragged-tooth shark or raggie. The species is also referred to as the sand-tiger shark in North America and as the grey-nurse shark in Australia. It is a long-lived species with an estimated longevity of up to 40 years (Goldman 2002). Female sharks reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years (Goldman 2002), and they exhibit a biennial reproductive cycle (Branstetter and Musick 1994, Lucifora et al. 2002, G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Intra-uterine cannibalisation results in a maximum fecundity of two pups per litter after a gestation period of approximately 9–12 months (Bass et al. 1975, Gilmore et al. 1983). These life-history characteristics make this species particularly susceptible to overexploitation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus along the coast of South Africa
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127008 , vital:35943 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504210
- Description: Off South Africa, the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias Taurus has been occasionally reported from the West Coast, but it is more commonly found along the East and South coasts from Cape Town to northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) (Bass et al. 1975, Smale 2002). Mating is thought to occur off the south coast of KZN from October to late November (G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Pregnant females then move northward to spend the early part of their gestation in the warmer waters of northern KZN and possibly southern Moçambique. During July and August, the near-term pregnant females begin to move southwards towards the cooler waters of the Eastern Cape (Wallett 1973, Bass et al. 1975, G Cliff, unpublished data), where they give birth from September to November (Smale 2002). After parturition, many of the females migrate back to KZN. The whereabouts of mature males outside of the mating season is unclear. These broadscale distribution and migratory habits for C. taurus have been inferred from limited catch records obtained for only parts of its range along the South African coast.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of juvenile and adult raggedtooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J , Cliff, G
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126997 , vital:35942 , https://doi.10.1071/MF06018
- Description: Crucial to effective fisheries management is a thorough understanding of the stock structure of a population. Understanding the spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of a species is necessary to define habitat use and evaluate the potential effects of exploitation and anthropogenic activities. This is particularly important for a species such as the raggedtooth shark (Carcharias Taurus Rafinesque, 1810), whose life-history characteristics make it particularly susceptible to over-exploitation (Pollard et al. 1996; Smith et al. 1998; Compagno 2001). Exploitation, even at low levels for a slow-growing, late-maturing species that only produces two pups every other year, could reduce the population growth rate, could reduce the population growth rate to values of λ<1.0, resulting in severe population declines in a very short time period (Baum et al. 2003).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Population biology of Octopus vulgaris on the temperate south-eastern coast of South Africa
- Authors: Oosthuizen, A , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2003
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008045
- Description: Population structure and biology of Octopus vulgaris was investigated along the south-eastern coast of South Africa. Samples were collected inter- and sub-tidally as a precursor to the establishment of an experimental octopus fishery in the region. In total, 300 (intertidal) and 147 (subtidal) O. vulgaris were collected over a two year period. Females were found to dominate the intertidal area (sex ratio 2:1), while no difference was found subtidally (sex ratio 1:1). Of those collected intertidally, immature females were most prevalent while males ranged from immature to mature. Mature females were only found subtidally. A marked size difference was apparent, with the subtidal octopus being substantially larger. Although brooding females were found throughout the year, numbers peaked in summer. Individual fecundity ranged between 42,000–790,000 eggs. The total number of eggs produced and the number of eggs per egg string were correlated to female size. Diet did not vary greatly between the inter- and sub-tidal areas, with the main prey items being crustaceans, teleosts and octopus. It appears that the immature females use the intertidal area to feed and grow, before migrating to deeper areas to mature and spawn.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Behavioural interactions of predators and spawning chokka squid off South Africa: towards quantification
- Authors: Smale, Malcolm J , Sauer, Warwick H H , Roberts, Michael J
- Date: 2001
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123921 , vital:35516 , https://doi.10.1007/s002270100664
- Description: The interaction of a suite of predators with mating and spawning chokka squid (Loligo vulgaris reynaudii) was studied at inshore (<50 m) spawning grounds off South Africa. This study provides the first detailed records of predator–prey interactions of squids on their spawning grounds and is the first attempt to time disruptions caused by predators to the egg-laying behaviour of squids, thereby quantifying the perceived threat to the prey. The squids are focused on mate choice and reproduction while they aggregate over egg beds and they may be more vulnerable to predation than at other times. Their vulnerability to different predators in the field is examined and the tactics used against different predatory species are illustrated using recordings made with underwater video cameras. Predators recorded included two cephalopods (Octopus vulgaris and L. v. reynaudii), five teleosts (Pagellus bellotii natalensis, Spondyliosoma emarginatum, Pachymetopon aeneum, Cheimerius nufar and Pomatomus saltatrix), seven chondrichthyians (Squalus megalops, Mustelus mustelus, Carcharias taurus, Dasyatis brevicaudata, Gymnura natalensis, Poroderma africanum and P. pantherinum) and three marine mammals (Arctocephalus puscillus, Tursiops aduncus and Delphinus delphis). Analysis of behavioural interactions between predators and prey showed that predator disruption of egg laying may be quantified in terms of time. Marine mammals caused the most acute disruption, whereas other taxa had more chronic disruption effects because they spent more time on the spawning grounds. During November 1995, the suite of predators changed during the course of a 2-day period of underwater video recording, possibly because of an increase in water temperature. The hypothesis that predators would be concentrated around a spawning aggregation was tested by surveying the spawning ground using an underwater camera towed by a boat navigating with differential GPS. The results supported the hypothesis because predators were located only around the spawning sites. The serial spawning of chokka squids in recently upwelled water may reduce predation pressure. Furthermore, it may be difficult for predators to predict the specific spawning site on a particular day because squids disperse away from egg beds at night and use numerous spawning sites along the coast.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
A new species of the flatfish genus Chascanopsetta (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae), from the coasts of Kenya and Somalia with comments on C.lugubris
- Authors: Hensley, Dannie A , Smale, Malcolm J , J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology
- Date: 1997-12
- Subjects: Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Flatfishes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70987 , vital:29768 , Margaret Smith Library (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)) Periodicals Margaret Smith Library (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB))
- Description: Online version of original print edition of the Special Publication of the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology; No. 59 , Six species of the genus Chascanopsetta are currently recognized. Recent work on otolith morphology from specimens identified as C. lugubris raised the possibility that three forms of C. lugubris are found in the western Indian Ocean. Re-examination of the voucher specimens showed that one of these forms is a new species, C. kenyaensis, from Kenya and Somalia. The other two forms may show differences in otolith morphology due to ontogeny. The new species most closely resembles C. prorigera from the Hawaiian Archipelago, Emperor Seamounts, and the western North Atlantic. These two species differ in lateral-line scale counts, body depth, upper-jaw length, and coloration. Many comparative specimens of C. lugubris were examined. It was found that this species’ distribution rounds the Cape of Good Hope from the southwestern Indian Ocean into the southeastern Atlantic. Specimens from this southern African region show higher dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts than those from more northern areas in the Atlantic, western Pacific, and Indian oceans. There is some indication that what some authors refer to as the Indo-West Pacific subspecies C. lugubris lugubris rounds the Cape of Good Hope and also occurs in parts of the eastern Atlantic. A more thorough comparison of C. lugubris from different regions is needed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997-12
Paragaleus leucolomatus, a new shark from South Africa, with notes on the systematics of hemigaleid sharks (Carcharhiniformes: Hemigaleidae)
- Authors: Compagno, Leonard J V , Smale, Malcolm J , J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology
- Date: 1985-04
- Subjects: Sharks -- South Africa , Carcharhiniformes , Fishes -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70184 , vital:29632 , Margaret Smith Library (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)) Periodicals Margaret Smith Library (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB))
- Description: Online version of original print edition of the Special Publication of the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology; No. 37 , Paragaleus leucolomatus sp.n. is described from a pregnant female shark 957 mm total length collected off Kosi Bay, Natal, South Africa. This represents the first Paragaleus and the second hemigaleid species recorded from South African waters. P. leucolomatus differs from its congeners by its broad snout, long mouth, lower anterior teeth mostly erect-cusped and without distal cusplets, 180 total vertebrae, and coloration. The species has conspicuous white-edged fins, a black apical spot on its second dorsal, and dusky blotches on the underside of its snout. P. leucolomatus may be conspecific with a Madagascar Paragaleus erroneously assigned to the West African P. pectoralis. Diagnoses of the Family Hemigaleidae and the Genus Paragaleus are presented, as well as diagnostic keys to hemigaleids of the western Indian Ocean and to Paragaleus species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1985-04
Resource partitioning by top predatory teleosts in eastern Cape coastal waters (South Africa)
- Authors: Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Osteichthyes -- Nutrition Osteichthyes -- Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004775
- Description: A detailed feeding study of eleven inshore top predatory teleosts in the eastern Cape is presented. Material collected largely from line-caught fish was augmented by spearfishing. The predators were grouped according to habitat: pelagic, soft-sediment demersal and reef species. Pelagic fish examined were Lichia amia, Pomatomus saltatrix, Seriola lalandi, Atractoscion aequidens, Katsuwonus pelamis and Thunnus albacares. Stomach content analyses revealed that their prey varied according to size and between species. In coastal areas important prey species were Sardinops ocellata, Etrumeus teres, Engraulis capensis and Loligo reynaudi. The use of fish otoliths and squid beaks allowed accurate identification of the prey and their measurement provided details of their size composition. This has provided greater insight into the distribution of prey species and their importance in food webs. The principal large predator of shallow coastal soft substrates is Argyrosomus hololepidotus, which takes pelagic and demersal prey. Important prey of small specimens are mysids, whereas fish and squid become more important in the diet of larger specimens (>300 mm). Fish prey include Sardinops ocellata, Engraulis capensis, Pomadasys olivaceum and A. hololepidotus. Loligo reynaudi is the dominant cephalopod prey. Selectivity of A. hololepidotus was investigated. Prey were compared to catches made during a small-mesh trawl survey. The absence of certain species from the diet suggests that they avoid predation, possibly by outswimming A. hololepidotus (e.g. P. saltatrix) while large Galeichthys feliceps are rare in the diet, probably because of their formidable spines. Flatfishes, P. olivaceum, juvenile G. feliceps and small A. hololepidotus appear to be preferred food items. The depth distribution of predators and prey is described, and it appears that the distribution of predators may be influenced by their prey. Top predatory teleosts inhabiting coastal reefs are Cheimerius nufar, Petrus rupestris, Polysteganus praeorbitalis and Epinephelus guaza. Diet changes with size and locality but comprises small reef fishes for most of the sparids. C. nufar takes pelagic fish and squid more than the other predators while P. rupestris and P. praeorbitalis prey on cheilodactylids, clinids and other reef associated prey predominantly. E. guaza takes principally crabs and octopods. Classification and ordination analyses of the prey taken illustrated the inter-relationships of predators, which change with increasing size. The pelagic predators are most similar to each other and A. hololepidotus is closer to this group than to reef predators. The reef predators are less similar to each other, although this group as a whole is segregated from pelagic predators. Exceptions to this are large C. nufar and large P. praeorbitalis, which fall into the pelagic predator group, as they took pelagic prey to a large extent. These results are discussed and the patterns shown are compared to other studies and current resource partitioning theory. Two food webs are provided for the coastal waters of the eastern Cape. The pelagic food web has clupeids, engraulids and L. reynaudi as principal components. The reef system is more complex and the Clinidae, Cheilodactylidae and Octopus spp. are important. The use of food webs in management and in providing a framework for testing theoretical models is shown to be important. Research needs are identified and include more detailed work on the basic biology and ecology of the top predators and their prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984