576
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin
if fi shed, are already likely to be highly impacted, usually declining, in need of
recovery and subject to political considerations, as they are often major components of
annual catches of fi shers. On the other hand, if aggregations are not fi shed, there is
unlikely to be management in place. Prompt management action is often needed
even when the desired information is not available. We understand enough about
aggregating species and their exploitation to make meaningful decisions and take
a precautionary approach to their management. There is, however, no ‘one-sizefi ts-all’ for managing spawning aggregations. Political will is essential for driving
desired management outcomes supported with good scientifi c data. It can be
prompted by pressure from informed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a
public who can bring considerable weight to bear on governments to act responsibly
and assist in raising understanding and awareness of the issues. Enforcement will
continue to be one of the weakest links in the chain due to limited funds and manpower, and innovative solutions are badly needed because poaching is a major
problem in most countries. A well-planned monitoring programme is essential
to evaluate the effects of management and for adaptive management.
Finally, we included a chapter on species or family-level summaries. Aware of
the growing interest in aggregating species on the one hand and the often-poor
access to species-specifi c information, we invited experts to compile overviews of
the biology, fi shery and other relevant information from the published and unpublished literature for 23 species, and their lesser studied relatives, accounts. The
accounts cover most of the diversity of aggregating species but differ in their focus
according to work that has been done. It is striking to see how little information is
available for many species that form important components of reef-associated fi sheries.
This chapter highlights the need for further general study on many species and the
need for study in multiple locations.
13.3 Need for Scientifi c and Socioeconomic Understanding
of Aggregations and Aggregating Species in Relation
to Management
There is an ongoing need to expand both geographic and species coverage of aggregating species, improve basic scientifi c understanding, test hypotheses, and better
appreciate the human components of associated fi sheries, including how best to
manage and monitor in the long term. While there is considerable interest within the
scientifi c and conservation communities in spawning aggregations, there persists an
overall lack of appreciation of the importance of accurate scientifi c and fi shery information for setting up credible management or conservation initiatives and assessing
the effectiveness of protective action. It is critically important for long term success
in management to demonstrate outcomes to the fi shing community, general public
and politicians. Interest in the issues and confi dence in progress must be maintained
for long-term success. There are likely to be pressures to open previously closed
aggregations to fi shing for short-term economic boosts (as happened briefl y in the
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin
if fi shed, are already likely to be highly impacted, usually declining, in need of
recovery and subject to political considerations, as they are often major components of
annual catches of fi shers. On the other hand, if aggregations are not fi shed, there is
unlikely to be management in place. Prompt management action is often needed
even when the desired information is not available. We understand enough about
aggregating species and their exploitation to make meaningful decisions and take
a precautionary approach to their management. There is, however, no ‘one-sizefi ts-all’ for managing spawning aggregations. Political will is essential for driving
desired management outcomes supported with good scientifi c data. It can be
prompted by pressure from informed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a
public who can bring considerable weight to bear on governments to act responsibly
and assist in raising understanding and awareness of the issues. Enforcement will
continue to be one of the weakest links in the chain due to limited funds and manpower, and innovative solutions are badly needed because poaching is a major
problem in most countries. A well-planned monitoring programme is essential
to evaluate the effects of management and for adaptive management.
Finally, we included a chapter on species or family-level summaries. Aware of
the growing interest in aggregating species on the one hand and the often-poor
access to species-specifi c information, we invited experts to compile overviews of
the biology, fi shery and other relevant information from the published and unpublished literature for 23 species, and their lesser studied relatives, accounts. The
accounts cover most of the diversity of aggregating species but differ in their focus
according to work that has been done. It is striking to see how little information is
available for many species that form important components of reef-associated fi sheries.
This chapter highlights the need for further general study on many species and the
need for study in multiple locations.
13.3 Need for Scientifi c and Socioeconomic Understanding
of Aggregations and Aggregating Species in Relation
to Management
There is an ongoing need to expand both geographic and species coverage of aggregating species, improve basic scientifi c understanding, test hypotheses, and better
appreciate the human components of associated fi sheries, including how best to
manage and monitor in the long term. While there is considerable interest within the
scientifi c and conservation communities in spawning aggregations, there persists an
overall lack of appreciation of the importance of accurate scientifi c and fi shery information for setting up credible management or conservation initiatives and assessing
the effectiveness of protective action. It is critically important for long term success
in management to demonstrate outcomes to the fi shing community, general public
and politicians. Interest in the issues and confi dence in progress must be maintained
for long-term success. There are likely to be pressures to open previously closed
aggregations to fi shing for short-term economic boosts (as happened briefl y in the