The Importance of BIOT for Pelagic Predators in the Indian Ocean
Project Overview
Context
Key focal species include:
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares; IUCN Status: Near Threatened),
Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus; IUCN Status: Vulnerable),
Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini; IUCN Status: Endangered),
Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis; IUCN Status: Vulnerable),
Bigeye thresher (Alopias superciliosus; IUCN Status: Vulnerable),
Pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus; IUCN Status: Vulnerable).
Funded by
Apex predators are crucial as regulators of our oceans and indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Top predators such as tunas and sharks, most of which are threatened with extinction, are under increasing pressure from fisheries, energy extraction and climate change. Moreover, we have a very limited understanding of their population ecology which in turn hinders our ability to manage them effectively.
Recently, MPAs have been increasing both in number and size but only a few empirical studies have investigated their effectiveness and use for protecting its highly mobile pelagic predators. To address this question, we are running a three-year research interdisciplinary programme combining biologging, chemical tracer analysis (stable isotopes and genomics), applied fisheries science and oceanography. We hope the collected data will allow us to better understand where and when such pelagic predators aggregate within BIOT, how connected BIOT’s community is with the wider Indian Ocean and how efficient is its MPA as a management strategy for pelagic predators of the Indian Ocean.
Our belief is that this endeavor will help understand the role of the BIOT MPA plays in the ecology of pelagic predators within the Indian Ocean and shed light on its potential to conserve these crucial species.
Yellowfin tuna is classified as 'Overfished and Subject to Overfishing' in the Indian Ocean by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. We need urgent action to stabilise its population.
Key Facts
Publications
Using historical fisheries data to predict tuna distribution within the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area, and implications for its management
Dunn, N., & Curnick, D. (2019). Using historical fisheries data to predict tuna distribution within the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area, and implications for its management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.
Tracking the Global Footprint of Fisheries
Kroodsma, D. A., Mayorga, J., Hochberg, T., Miller, N. A., Boerder, K., Ferretti, F., … & Woods, P. (2018). Tracking the global footprint of fisheries. Science, 359(6378), 904-908.
Shark Baselines and the Conservation Role of Remote Coral Reef Ecosystems
Ferretti, F., Curnick, D., Liu, K., Romanov, E. V., & Block, B. A. (2018). Shark baselines and the conservation role of remote coral reef ecosystems. Science advances, 4(3), eaaq0333.
Estimating Space use of Mobile Fishes in a Large Marine Protected Area with Methodological Considerations in Acoustic Array Design
Carlisle, A. B., Tickler, D., Dale, J. J., Ferretti, F., Curnick, D. J., Chapple, T. K., … & Block, B. A. (2019). Estimating space use of mobile fishes in a large marine protected area with methodological considerations in acoustic array design. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 256.
Evidence for Dynamic Resource Partitioning between Two Sympatric Reef Shark Species within the British Indian Ocean Territory
Curnick, D. J., Carlisle, A. B., Gollock, M. J., Schallert, R. J., & Hussey, N. E. (2019). Evidence for dynamic resource partitioning between two sympatric reef shark species within the British Indian Ocean Territory. Journal of fish biology, 94(4), 680-685.
Potential Detection of Illegal Fishing by Passive Acoustic Telemetry
Tickler, D. M., Carlisle, A. B., Chapple, T. K., Curnick, D. J., Dale, J. J., Schallert, R. J., & Block, B. A. (2019). Potential detection of illegal fishing by passive acoustic telemetry. Animal Biotelemetry, 7(1), 1.