18
M.L. Domeier
of organisms that do not clearly fi t within or outside the proposed defi nition; that is
unavoidable, but perhaps these examples hold the most promise of insight into the
mysteries of spawning aggregation formation. Although answers to many of the
intriguing questions that still surround spawning aggregations seem out of reach,
the capability exists to address some of them. Researchers should certainly focus on
identifying both the adult and larval catchment areas; these are the geographic footprints from which the adults are drawn to an individual aggregation and in which the
resulting offspring settle. Identifying these catchment areas can help guide the process of MPA designations and allow for meaningful assessment of the effect of the
MPA as well as management planning generally. The information is also important
for identifying suitable management units. Relocation and stock enhancement projects are possible to study the processes related to spawning aggregation formation.
Granted this is much easier for small species that form resident aggregations (i.e.
Warner 1988, 1990 ) , but attempting these experiments with species that form transient aggregations could be invaluable. Finally, the threat of overfi shing spawning
aggregations has been apparent for decades and yet they continue to disappear.
Sustainable management of spawning aggregations is slow in coming but is imperative, while MPAs alone are likely not suffi cient in the absence of seasonal closures,
effort controls, and strict enforcement (Chap. 11 ).
Acknowledgements I would like to thank Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P. Colin for their valuable
comments on early versions of this chapter. The time devoted to this chapter would not have been
possible without the generous support of the Offi eld Family Foundation.
References
Almany G, Berumen M, Thorrold S, Planes S, Jones G (2007) Local replenishment of coral reef
fi sh populations in a marine reserve. Science 316:742–744
Bane G (1965) Spawning of the margined fl yingfi sh, Cypselurus cyanopterus (Valenciennes), in
the Gulf of Guinea. Copeia 1965:382
Bell J, Lyle J, Bulman C, Graham K, Newton G, Smith D (1992) Spatial variation in reproduction,
and occurrence of non-reproductive adults, in orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus Collet
(Trachichthyidae), from southeastern Australia. J Fish Biol 40:107–122
Bogetveit R, Slotte A, Johannessen A (2008) The ability of gadoids to take advantage of a shortterm high availability of forage fi sh: the example of spawning aggregations in Barents Sea
capelin. J Fish Biol 72:1427–1449
Burton ML, Brennan KJ, Munoz RC, Parker RO (2005) Preliminary evidence of increased spawning aggregations of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) at Riley’s Hump two years after establishment of the Tortugas South Ecological Reserve. Fish Bull 103:404–410
Casazza T, Ross S, Necaise A, Sulak K (2005) Reproduction and mating behavior of the Atlantic
fl yingfi sh. Cheilopogon melanurus (Excocoetidae), off North Carolina. Bull Mar Sci
77(3):365–375
Claydon J (2004) Spawning aggregations of coral reef fi shes: characteristics, hypotheses, threats
and management. Oceanogr Mar Biol Ann Rev 42:265–301
Coleman FC, Koenig CC, Collins LA (1996) Reproductive styles of shallow water groupers
(Pisces: Serranidae) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the consequences of fi shing spawning
aggregations. Environ Biol Fish 47(2):129–141
M.L. Domeier
of organisms that do not clearly fi t within or outside the proposed defi nition; that is
unavoidable, but perhaps these examples hold the most promise of insight into the
mysteries of spawning aggregation formation. Although answers to many of the
intriguing questions that still surround spawning aggregations seem out of reach,
the capability exists to address some of them. Researchers should certainly focus on
identifying both the adult and larval catchment areas; these are the geographic footprints from which the adults are drawn to an individual aggregation and in which the
resulting offspring settle. Identifying these catchment areas can help guide the process of MPA designations and allow for meaningful assessment of the effect of the
MPA as well as management planning generally. The information is also important
for identifying suitable management units. Relocation and stock enhancement projects are possible to study the processes related to spawning aggregation formation.
Granted this is much easier for small species that form resident aggregations (i.e.
Warner 1988, 1990 ) , but attempting these experiments with species that form transient aggregations could be invaluable. Finally, the threat of overfi shing spawning
aggregations has been apparent for decades and yet they continue to disappear.
Sustainable management of spawning aggregations is slow in coming but is imperative, while MPAs alone are likely not suffi cient in the absence of seasonal closures,
effort controls, and strict enforcement (Chap. 11 ).
Acknowledgements I would like to thank Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P. Colin for their valuable
comments on early versions of this chapter. The time devoted to this chapter would not have been
possible without the generous support of the Offi eld Family Foundation.
References
Almany G, Berumen M, Thorrold S, Planes S, Jones G (2007) Local replenishment of coral reef
fi sh populations in a marine reserve. Science 316:742–744
Bane G (1965) Spawning of the margined fl yingfi sh, Cypselurus cyanopterus (Valenciennes), in
the Gulf of Guinea. Copeia 1965:382
Bell J, Lyle J, Bulman C, Graham K, Newton G, Smith D (1992) Spatial variation in reproduction,
and occurrence of non-reproductive adults, in orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus Collet
(Trachichthyidae), from southeastern Australia. J Fish Biol 40:107–122
Bogetveit R, Slotte A, Johannessen A (2008) The ability of gadoids to take advantage of a shortterm high availability of forage fi sh: the example of spawning aggregations in Barents Sea
capelin. J Fish Biol 72:1427–1449
Burton ML, Brennan KJ, Munoz RC, Parker RO (2005) Preliminary evidence of increased spawning aggregations of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) at Riley’s Hump two years after establishment of the Tortugas South Ecological Reserve. Fish Bull 103:404–410
Casazza T, Ross S, Necaise A, Sulak K (2005) Reproduction and mating behavior of the Atlantic
fl yingfi sh. Cheilopogon melanurus (Excocoetidae), off North Carolina. Bull Mar Sci
77(3):365–375
Claydon J (2004) Spawning aggregations of coral reef fi shes: characteristics, hypotheses, threats
and management. Oceanogr Mar Biol Ann Rev 42:265–301
Coleman FC, Koenig CC, Collins LA (1996) Reproductive styles of shallow water groupers
(Pisces: Serranidae) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the consequences of fi shing spawning
aggregations. Environ Biol Fish 47(2):129–141