Open AccessSeasonal Distribution and Habitat Preferences of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita : Implications for a Marine Protected Area in Beibu Gulf, Northern South China Sea
Author(s) -
Wang Lifei,
Wang Xuefeng,
Li Chunhou,
Jia Xiaoping
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
marine and coastal fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 28
ISSN - 1942-5120
DOI - 10.1002/mcf2.10075
Subject(s) - salinity , fishery , habitat , oceanography , biomass (ecology) , marine protected area , abiotic component , demersal zone , groundfish , environmental science , zooplankton , ecology , biology , fisheries management , fishing , geology
Abstract Understanding distribution patterns and habitat characteristics of ecologically or economically important species in marine protected areas is critical for identifying ecological boundaries and optimizing management strategies. However, studies on groundfish resources around marine protected areas are often limited because of economic, geographic, or jurisdictional constraints. This study investigated the seasonal distribution of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita , an important demersal fish species in the Beibu Gulf, northern South China Sea, based on bottom trawl surveys inside and outside of the experimental zone of a marine protected area. It examined habitat preferences of Crimson Seabream in terms of 11 abiotic and biotic factors (sea bottom temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH , depth, transparency, zooplankton biomass, eastings, northings, season, and zone) using generalized additive models. The density of Crimson Seabream was highest in spring, with a mean ± SD density of 50,700 ± 15,100 individuals/km 2 and an occurrence frequency of 92.3%, and lowest in winter, with a mean ± SD density of 20 ± 39 individuals/km 2 and an occurrence frequency of 30.8%. Crimson Seabream were most aggregated in summer and least aggregated in winter. Results suggest that the distribution of Crimson Seabream was first and foremost influenced by season, sea bottom temperature, and salinity. Crimson Seabream were most likely to be found in areas with sea bottom temperature between 22.8°C and 25.0°C, salinity between 31.5‰ and 32.0‰, dissolved oxygen between 4.4 and 6.8 mg/L, and zooplankton biomass between 114.0 and 2,717.5 mg/m 3 . Further, findings suggest that dynamic management strategies with more effort on minimizing human activity around the marine protected area in winter and spring may provide more effective support for Crimson Seabream recruitment. Statistical approaches applied here and related outcomes may serve as a basis for determining the spillover effects of marine protected areas and enhancing fishery management units.