567
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin (eds.), Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations:
Biology, Research and Management, Fish & Fisheries Series 35,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1980-4_13, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
13.1 Introduction
This book draws together the many aspects of reef fi sh spawning aggregations, as
biological ecological and oceanographic phenomena intimately linked with abiotic
conditions and exposed to increasing levels of exploitation that sometimes threaten
them. A better understanding and appreciation of why, how, when and where they
form is a major step towards ensuring their continued existence.
Hypotheses proposed to address the possible adaptive signifi cance of aggregation formation can be broken down into two main themes: those that address benefi ts to the larvae and those with benefi ts to the adults. While these hypotheses are
still largely untested, and are discussed in more detail below, it is reasonable to
assume that the selective pressures that led to the development of aggregative
spawning resulted in a reproductive strategy that presents an increased level of
reproductive success for each individual, compared with non-aggregating species.
Indeed, this reproductive strategy may well account for the fact that many of the
most productive tropical, and indeed temperate, fi sh species, that are the basis of
major global fi sheries, exhibit this habit. It is also noteworthy that many major fi shery declines involve aggregating species. It is surprising, therefore, that spawning
aggregations have not attracted much greater management attention despite the fact
that the majority are thought to be undergoing declines due to fi shing and many no
longer form. Aggregation-fi shing appears to be the major threat to several important
Chapter 13
Conclusion
Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson and Patrick L. Colin
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson (*)
Division of Ecology & Biodiversity , University of Hong Kong , Pok Fu Lam Road ,
Hong Kong , China
e-mail: yjsadovy@hku.hk
P. L. Colin
Coral Reef Research Foundation , P.O. Box 1765 , Palau 96940 , Koror
email: crrf@palaunet.com
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin (eds.), Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations:
Biology, Research and Management, Fish & Fisheries Series 35,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1980-4_13, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
13.1 Introduction
This book draws together the many aspects of reef fi sh spawning aggregations, as
biological ecological and oceanographic phenomena intimately linked with abiotic
conditions and exposed to increasing levels of exploitation that sometimes threaten
them. A better understanding and appreciation of why, how, when and where they
form is a major step towards ensuring their continued existence.
Hypotheses proposed to address the possible adaptive signifi cance of aggregation formation can be broken down into two main themes: those that address benefi ts to the larvae and those with benefi ts to the adults. While these hypotheses are
still largely untested, and are discussed in more detail below, it is reasonable to
assume that the selective pressures that led to the development of aggregative
spawning resulted in a reproductive strategy that presents an increased level of
reproductive success for each individual, compared with non-aggregating species.
Indeed, this reproductive strategy may well account for the fact that many of the
most productive tropical, and indeed temperate, fi sh species, that are the basis of
major global fi sheries, exhibit this habit. It is also noteworthy that many major fi shery declines involve aggregating species. It is surprising, therefore, that spawning
aggregations have not attracted much greater management attention despite the fact
that the majority are thought to be undergoing declines due to fi shing and many no
longer form. Aggregation-fi shing appears to be the major threat to several important
Chapter 13
Conclusion
Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson and Patrick L. Colin
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson (*)
Division of Ecology & Biodiversity , University of Hong Kong , Pok Fu Lam Road ,
Hong Kong , China
e-mail: yjsadovy@hku.hk
P. L. Colin
Coral Reef Research Foundation , P.O. Box 1765 , Palau 96940 , Koror
email: crrf@palaunet.com