Molecular genetics to inform spatial management in benthic invertebrate fisheries: a case study using the Australian greenlip abalone
2014
Hierarchical sampling and subsequent microsatellite genotyping of >2300 Haliotis
laevigata (greenlip abalone) from 19 locations distributed across five biogeographic
regions have substantially advanced our knowledge of population structure and connectivity
in this commercially important species. The study has found key differences
in stock structure of H. laevigata compared with the sympatric and congeneric Haliotis
rubra (blacklip abalone) and yielded valuable insights into the management of fisheries
targeting species characterized by spatial structure at small scales (i.e. S-fisheries).
As with H. rubra, H. laevigata comprise a series of metapopulations with strong selfrecruitment.
However, the spatial extent of H. laevigata metapopulations (reefal areas
around 30 km 2 ; distances of up to 135 km are effective barriers to larval dispersal) was
substantially greater than that identified for H. rubra (Miller et al . 2009). Differences in
the dynamics and scale of population processes, even between congeneric haliotids as
made evident in this study, imply that for S-fisheries, it is difficult to generalize about
the potential consequences of life history commonalities. Consequently, species-specific
management reflective of the population structure of the target species remains
particularly important. This will likely require integration of information about stock
structure and connectivity with data on life history and population dynamics to determine
the necessary input (e.g. number of fishers, fishing effort) and output (e.g. minimum
legal size, total allowable catch) controls to underpin their sustainable
management.
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