Brian N. Tissot

Hawaiian Islands Marine Ecosystem Case Study: Ecosystem- and Community-Based Management in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands comprise a large and isolated archipelago that includes the largest reef area in the United States. Managing nearshore fisheries in this archipelago is a major challenge compounded by the difficulty of coordinating multiple agencies to provide governance across a broad series of islands with substantial social and political differences. There has been interest in, and progress toward, key elements of ecosystem-based management (EBM) in Hawaii, including a network of MPAs and community-based co-management. However, progress has been slow and largely driven by increased attention to the risks facing coral reef ecosystems, enabling both legislation and emergence of local engagement in fishery issues. Key elements of EBM in Hawaii include enhanced coordination among multiple agencies, establishment of place-based and community-based (or Hawaiian ahupua‘a’-based) co-management, and acquisition of data on both the ecology of the nearshore system and the role of human impacts for use in management decisions. The development of community-based co-management and an MPA network along the western Kohala-Kona coast of the island of Hawaii (West Hawaii) illustrates a unique approach demonstrating an incremental approach toward EBM. Nonetheless, there are major challenges to scaling up the West Hawaii model to other islands within the state. These challenges include (1) the limited extent of community involvement, as well as legislative and administrative support, of community-based co-management and MPAs, (2) the complexity of conflicts that develop on more populated islands with diverse stakeholders, (3) weak enforcement of fishing regulations, and (4) whether synergy among federal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the scientific community will be sustainable.

Competing Perspectives in Resource Protection: The Case of Marine Protected Areas in West Hawai‘i

This article examines a conflict involving the protection of coral reefs from aquarium fish collecting along the coast of western Hawai‘i. The involved parties included aquarium fish collectors, dive tour operators, Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources, reef protection advocates, and administrative/legislature state actors. An attempt was made to resolve the controversy through a combination of legislative action and environmental dispute resolution. The responsible state agency approached the issue based on the implicit assumption that it was a conflict that could be resolved through negotiated agreements based on the best available scientific information. Our analysis suggests that scientific perspectives framed and dominated the resolution process to the perceived detriment or (at least underrepresentation) of some identity-based community perspectives. The resulting agreement established reef protection in the form of marine protected areas, but last-minute scuttling of previously negotiated enforcement procedures occurred, revealing that not all stakeholders were truly supportive of all elements of the agreement. This last-minute action resulted in fewer effective enforcement provisions and, at least from some perspectives, marginalization of the broader communitys role as resource managers.

Tropical Marine EBM Feasibility: A Synthesis of Case Studies and Comparative Analyses

This overview compares and synthesizes the articles of this theme issue. It highlights that progress has been made toward the goals of marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) in tropical regions. Four key findings are presented: (1) Tailoring EBM to specific contexts ultimately determines success. (2) Employment of a wide variety of marine management tools is necessary and complementary to spatial management through marine protected areas (MPAs). (3) Although EBM approaches may be usefully defined using oceanographic and ecological principles, the design and implementation of feasible EBM will require, at least, equal consideration of governance and social conditions. (4) Interest in EBM has grown rapidly; however, this approach only improves ocean resource management if sustained by commitments from, at least, policymakers, resource users, and donors. Practical program design principles stressing the importance of leadership development, awareness raising, institutional reform, conflict resolution, adaptation, and evaluation are derived from these case studies and comparative analyses. A suite of empirically based EBM evaluative criteria, which can be adapted to local contexts, are suggested to fostered learning and progress.

OVERALL STATUS AND THREATS ASSESSMENT OF BLACK ABALONE (HALIOTIS CRACHERODII LEACH, 1814) POPULATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

ABSTRACT The black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii Leach, 1814) is a relatively large prosobranch gastropod mollusc ranging from approximately Point Arena in northern California to Bahia Tortugas and Isla Guadalupe, Mexico. In the United States, populations of black abalone on offshore islands, especially those of southern California, were particularly large prior to the mid 1980s. Analysis of long-term fishery-dependent and -independent data revealed that fishing pressure in combination with a lethal disease, withering syndrome, has resulted in mass mortalities of 95% or greater in black abalone populations south of Monterey County, CA. Reduction in local densities below the threshold necessary for successful fertilization (0.34/m2) has been a widespread and pervasive consequence of population reductions by withering syndrome and other factors. The most significant current and future threat that the black abalone faces is that imposed by the spread of withering syndrome, known to be enhanced by periods of ocean warming. Other factors, such as illegal take, ocean pollution, and natural predation, also pose risks to remaining populations and those that may be restored via active management in the future. Without identification, development, and implementation of effective measures to counter the population-level effects of withering syndrome, remaining black abalone populations may experience further declines.

The effects of venting and decompression on Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) in the marine ornamental aquarium fish trade

Each year, over 45 countries export 30 million fish from coral reefs as part of the global marine ornamental aquarium trade. This catch volume is partly influenced by collection methods that cause mortality. Barotrauma in fish resulting from forced ascent from depth can contribute to post-collection mortality. However, implementing decompression stops during ascent can prevent barotrauma. Conversely, venting (puncturing the swim bladder to release expanded internal gas) following ascent can mitigate some signs of barotrauma like positive buoyancy. Here, we evaluate how decompression and venting affect stress and mortality in the Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens). We examined the effects of three ascent treatments, each with decompression stops of varying frequency and duration, coupled with or without venting, on sublethal effects and mortality using histology and serum cortisol measurements. In fish subjected to ascent without decompression stops or venting, a mean post-collection mortality of 6.2% occurred within 24 h of capture. Common collection methods in the fishery, ascent without decompression stops coupled with venting, or one long decompression stop coupled with venting, resulted in no mortality. Histopathologic examination of heart, liver, head kidney, and swim bladder tissues in fish 0d and 21d post-collection revealed no significant barotrauma- or venting-related lesions in any treatment group. Ascent without decompression stops resulted in significantly higher serum cortisol than ascent with many stops, while venting alone did not affect cortisol. Future work should examine links in the supply chain following collection to determine if further handling and transport stressors affect survivorship and sublethal effects.