Bridging knowledge gaps for the conservation and management of a ‘Data Deficient’, diadromous fish: the Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides
Judith Das A , Ashna Shanmughan B , Neelesh Dahanukar
C , Rajeev Raghavan B * and K. Ranjeet A
A
B
C
Abstract
The Indo-Pacific tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides) is a diadromous species, for which limited information is available regarding demographics and exploitation levels.
We aimed to fill critical knowledge gaps on population dynamics and exploitation levels of M. cyprinoides along the south-western coast of India.
Structured length frequency-based population dynamics models were used to determine the growth, mortality and exploitation levels of the species.
Habitat-related variations in growth patterns were found, with positive allometric growth in the marine (b = 3.208), and negative allometric growth in freshwater (2.759) and estuarine (2.876) habitats. Different estimates of natural mortality suggested high fishing pressure, potentially threatening the long-term sustainability of local M. cyprinoides populations.
This study provides the first comprehensive estimates of demographic parameters of M. cyprinoides, and contributes significantly to our knowledge required for the management of Indo-Pacific tarpon fisheries. The critical need to address overfishing and habitat degradation to ensure long-term sustainability of local populations is highlighted.
Knowledge generated through this study will help inform improved conservation assessments of this ‘Data Deficient’ species, in addition to informing the development and implementation of conservation and management plans.
Keywords: artisanal fisheries, demographics, estuaries, growth, Megalopidae, migratory fish, population dynamics, South India.
References
Adams AJ, Horodysky AZ, McBride RS, Guindon K, Shenker J, MacDonald TC, Harwell HD, Ward R, Carpenter K (2014) Global conservation status and research needs for tarpons (Megalopidae), ladyfishes (Elopidae) and bonefishes (Albulidae). Fish and Fisheries 15, 280-311.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Adams AJ, Guindon K, Horodysky AZ, MacDonald T, McBride R, Shenker J, Ward R, Sparks JS (2016) Indo-Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides. In ‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016’. e.T166868A46642796. (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Available at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/166868/46642796
Adams A, Guindon K, Horodysky A, MacDonald T, McBride R, Shenker J, Ward R (2019) Tarpon Megalops atlanticus. In ‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019’. e.T191823A174796143. (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Available at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/191823/174796143 [erratum published in 2020]
Al-Baz AF, Chen W, Bishop JM, Al-Husaini M, Al-Ayoub SA (2007) On fishing selectivity of hadrah (fixed stake trap) in the coastal waters of Kuwait. Fisheries Research 84, 202-209.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Andrews AH, Burton EJ, Coale KH, Cailliet GM, Crabtree RE (2001) Radiometric age validation of Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus. Fishery Bulletin – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 99, 389-398.
| Google Scholar |
Asha CV, Suson PS, Retina CI, Nandan SB (2014) Decline in diversity and production of exploited fishery resources in vembanad wetland system: strategies for better management and conservation. Open Journal of Marine Science 4, 344-357.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Beverton RJH, Holt SJ (1957) On the dynamics of exploited fish populations. Fisheries Investigations 19, 1-533.
| Google Scholar |
Caveriviere A, Toure D (1996) Uncommon mortality of groupers at the end of the warm season in the coastal area of Senegal (West Africa). In ‘Biology, fisheries and culture of tropical groupers and snappers: Proceedings of an EPOMEX/ICLARM International Workshop on Tropical Snappers and Groupers’, 26–29 October 1993, Campeche, Mexico. (Eds F Arreguln-Sanchez, JL Munro, MC Balgos, D Pauly) pp. 96–105. (ICLARM: Makati City, Philippines) Available at https://digitalarchive.worldfishcenter.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12348/2710/Pub%20CP6%2048.pdf?sequence1=
Coates D (1987) Observations on the biology of tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet) (Pisces: Megalopidae), in the Sepik River, Northern Papua New Guinea. Marine and Freshwater Research 38, 529-535.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Crabtree RE, Cyr EC, Dean JM (1995) Age and growth of tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, from South Florida waters. Fishery Bulletin 93, 619-628.
| Google Scholar |
Fernandes CAF, Cunha FEA, Silva CELS, Araújo ACS, Pereira RL, Viana DF, Magalhães WMS, Gondolo MAP, de Castro DMP, Adams A, Luo J, Ault JS, Gondolo GF (2023) Population dynamics and movements of Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, in the Parnaíba Delta Protected Area, Brazil: challenges for local fishery management planning. Environmental Biology of Fishes 106, 449-468.
| Google Scholar |
Froese R (2006) Cube law, condition factor and weight–length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 22, 241-253.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Gayanilo FC, Sparre P, Pauly D (2005) The FAO–ICLARM stock assessment tools II (FiSAT II). User’s guide. Revised Version FAO Computerized Information Series (Fisheries): Vol. 8. (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations: Rome, Italy) Available at http://www.fao.org/3/y5997e/y5997e00.htm
Goldberg L, Lagomasino D, Thomas N, Fatoyinbo T (2020) Global declines in human-driven mangrove loss. Global Change Biology 26, 5844-5855.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Griffin LP, Brownscombe JW, Adams AJ, Wilson JK, Casselberry GA, Holder PE, Filous A, Lowerre-Barbieri SK, Cooke SJ, Danylchuk AJ (2023a) Individual variation and repeatability of Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus migrations in the southern US: implications for conservation and management. Marine Biology 170, 168.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Griffin LP, Casselberry GA, Markowitz EM, Brownscombe JW, Adams AJ, Horn B, Cooke SJ, Danylchuk AJ (2023b) Angler and guide perceptions provide insights into the status and threats of the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) fishery. Marine Policy 151, 105569.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Harahap ZA, Maiyah N, Susetya IE, Fadhilah A, Rangkuti AM (2020) The Indo-Pacific tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides) growth analysis in Lake Siombak, Medan City, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. AACL Bioflux 13, 1849-1857.
| Google Scholar |
Harahap ZA, Awaliah N, Desrita (2022) Analysis of abundances and growth of Indo-Pacific tarpon fish (Megalops cyprinoides) on the estuary of Leidong river North Labuhanbatu Regency. In ‘The 5th International Conference on Agriculture, Environment, and Food Security’, 18 November 2021, Medan, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 977, 012120. (IOP Publishing) doi:10.1088/1755-1315/977/1/012120
Harikrishnan M, Vipin PM, Kurup BM (2011) Status of exploited fishery resources of Azhikode Estuary, Kerala, India. Fishery Technology 48, 19-24.
| Google Scholar |
Hayashi M (1972) A record of Megalops cyprinoides from the Mouth of Tokyo Bay. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 19, 132-134.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Jawad LA, Al-Mamry JM (2017) A record of the Indo-Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782) in Omani waters. Bulletin of Fish Biology 17, 75-77.
| Google Scholar |
John SE, Rajimol TR, Mohan SV, Maya K, Padmalal D (2017) Environmental degradation of a tropical estuary due to human interferences – a case study from southern Kerala, SW India. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 10, 352.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Jonsson B, Waples RS, Friedland KD (1999) Extinction considerations for diadromous fishes. ICES Journal of Marine Science 56, 405-409.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Khairul K, Machrizal R, Harahap A, Gultom M, Harahap RD, Nazliah R (2019) Biological aspects of fish Indo pacific tarpon (Megalops cyrinoides Broussonet, 1782) at Belawan River. In ‘IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2nd ICFAES 2019 International Conference on Fisheries, Aquatic and Environmental Sciences 2019, in conjunctions with the 6th ASI 2019 Annual Conference of The Asian Society of Ichthyologist 2019’, 19–20 June 2019, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 348, 012028. (IOP Publishing) doi:10.1088/1755-1315/348/1/012028
Kharat SS, Khillare YK, Dahanukar N (2008) Allometric scaling in growth and reproduction of a freshwater loach Nemacheilus mooreh (Sykes, 1839). Electronic Journal of Ichthyology 4, 8-17.
| Google Scholar |
Kozul V, Skaramuca B, Kraljevic M, Dulcic J, Glamuzina B (2001) Age, growth and mortality of the Mediterranean amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810) from the south-eastern Adriatic Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 17, 134-141.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kulkarni CV (1992) Recent observations on the longevity of Megalops cyprinoides (Brouss.). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 89, 384.
| Google Scholar |
Lassalle G, Béguer M, Beaulaton L, Rochard E (2008) Diadromous fish conservation plans need to consider global warming issues: an approach using biogeographical models. Biological Conservation 141, 1105-1118.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Legault CM, Palmer MC (2016) In what direction should the fishing mortality target change when natural mortality increases within an assessment? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 73, 349-357.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Ley JA (2008) Indo-Pacific Tarpon Megalops cyprinoides: a review and ecological assessment. In ‘Biology and management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries’. (Ed. JS Ault) pp. 3–36. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA) doi:10.1201/9781420004250
Moreau J, Cuende FX (1991) On improving the resolution of the recruitment patterns of fishes. Fishbyte 9, 45-46.
| Google Scholar |
Padmaja G, Rao LM (2001) Breeding biology of Megalops cyprinoides from Visakhapatnam coast. Journal of Environmental Biology 22, 91-99.
| Google Scholar | PubMed |
Pauly D (1980) On the interrelationships between natural mortality, growth parameters, and mean environmental temperature in 175 fish stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science 39, 175-192.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Pauly D (1984) Fish population dynamics in tropical waters: a manual for use with programmable calculators. ICLARM Studies and Reviews 8, 325.
| Google Scholar |
Peck MA, Clemmesen C, Herrmann J-P (2005) Ontogenic changes in the allometric scaling of the mass and length relationship in Sprattus sprattus. Journal of Fish Biology 66, 882-887.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Renjithkumar CR, Roshni K (2023) Assessment of the fishery, growth, mortality and exploitation of Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782) from a microtidal tropical estuary, South West coast of India. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology 10, 172-181.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Renjithkumar CR, Roshni K, Ranjeet K (2021) Length–weight relations of 14 fish species (Actinopterygii) from the Chalakudy River, Western Ghats, India. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 51, 263-265.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Roberts TR (1978) ‘An ichthyological survey of the Fly River in Papua New Guinea with descriptions of new species’. In ‘Smithsonian contributions to zoology’. pp. 1–72. (Smithsonian Institution Press) doi:10.5479/si.00810282.281
Shen KN, Chang CW, Iizuka Y, Tzeng WN (2009) Facultative habitat selection in Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides as revealed by otolith Sr:Ca ratios. Marine Ecology Progress Series 387, 255-263.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Sorensen PW, Palomares MLD (2021) Global inland capture and culture finfisheries follow different trends when evaluated by the human development index. Sustainability 13, 8420.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Sreelekshmi S, Veettil BK, Bijoy Nandan S, Harikrishnan M (2021) Mangrove forests along the coastline of Kerala, southern India: current status and future prospects. Regional Studies in Marine Science 41, 101573.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Then AY, Hoenig JM, Hall NG, Hewitt DA (2015) Evaluating the predictive performance of empirical estimators of natural mortality rate using information on over 200 fish species. ICES Journal of Marine Science 72(1), 82-92.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Tzeng W-N, Wu C-E, Tzu Yu W (1998) Age of Pacific Tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides, at estuarine arrival and growth during metamorphosis. Zoological Studies 37, 177-183.
| Google Scholar |
Verhelst P, Reubens J, Buysse D, Goethals P, Van Wichelen J, Moens T (2021) Toward a roadmap for diadromous fish conservation: the Big Five considerations. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 19, 396-403.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Waldman JR, Quinn TP (2022) North American diadromous fishes: drivers of decline and potential for recovery in the Anthropocene. Science Advances 8, eabl5486.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Webb CO, Ackerly DD, McPeek MA, Donoghue MJ (2002) Phylogenies and Community Ecology. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 33, 475-505.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Winemiller KO, Dailey WH (2002) Life history strategies, population dynamics, and consequences for supplemental stocking of tarpon. Contributions in Marine Science 35, 81-94.
| Google Scholar |
