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Recurring Mass Mortalities of Caribbean Herrings: Implications for the Study of Major Marine Ecological Disturbances
Author(s) -
Williams Ernest H.,
BunkleyWilliams Lucy
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of aquatic animal health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1548-8667
pISSN - 0899-7659
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8667(1990)002<0230:rmmoch>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - biology , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , marine fisheries , marine fish , caribbean region , geography , linguistics , philosophy , latin americans
Numerous major marine ecological disturbances (MMEDs) occurred in the greater Caribbean region in the 1980s. There have been sporadic mass mortalities of herrings Harengula spp. throughout this period. Although information is too limited to suggest a cause, these events seem to represent a recurring MMED, which may not be limited to the Atlantic. More data concerning past herring mortalities and specimens from new bouts are solicited through this alert. Approaches used to understand simple epizootics are not adequate for examining MMEDs. Experimental work is too limited, and reference specimens are often not available. A correlation of the observations of many observers is suggested for following these events. These disturbances seem to be increasing in size and number, may be interrelated, and may be indicators of global or climatic change or deterioration of the marine environment. Establishment of an alert and communications center to follow MMEDs is suggested.