ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region
Abstract Understanding how fish associate with habitats across marine landscapes is crucial to developing effective marine spatial planning (MSP) in an expanding and diversifying ocean economy. Globally, anthropogenic pressures impact the barely understood temperate mesophotic ecosystems and South A...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97369-2 |
| _version_ | 1818845979530493952 |
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| author | Rio E. Button Denham Parker Vivienne Coetzee Toufiek Samaai Ryan M. Palmer Kerry Sink Sven E. Kerwath |
| author_facet | Rio E. Button Denham Parker Vivienne Coetzee Toufiek Samaai Ryan M. Palmer Kerry Sink Sven E. Kerwath |
| author_sort | Rio E. Button |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Understanding how fish associate with habitats across marine landscapes is crucial to developing effective marine spatial planning (MSP) in an expanding and diversifying ocean economy. Globally, anthropogenic pressures impact the barely understood temperate mesophotic ecosystems and South Africa’s remote Amathole shelf is no exception. The Kei and East London region encompass three coastal marine protected areas (MPAs), two of which were recently extended to the shelf-edge. The strong Agulhas current (exceeding 3 m/s), which runs along the narrow shelf exacerbates sampling challenges. For the first time, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveyed fish and their associated habitats across the shelf. Results indicated fish assemblages differed between the two principle sampling areas, and across the shelf. The number of distinct fish assemblages was higher inshore and on the shelf-edge, relative to the mid-shelf. However, the mid-shelf had the highest species richness. Unique visuals of rare Rhinobatos ocellatus (Speckled guitarfish) and shoaling Polyprion americanus (wreckfish) were collected. Visual evidence of rhodolith beds, deep-water lace corals and critically endangered endemic seabreams were ecologically important observations. The ROV enabled in situ sampling without damaging sensitive habitats or extracting fish. This study provided information that supported the Amathole MPA expansions, which extended protection from the coast to beyond the shelf-edge and will guide their management. The data gathered provides baseline information for future benthopelagic fish and habitat monitoring in these new MPAs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:38:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-701e91f2723d4ca180932c5a7b37aeeb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:38:16Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-701e91f2723d4ca180932c5a7b37aeeb2022-12-21T20:34:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-09-0111111110.1038/s41598-021-97369-2ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole regionRio E. Button0Denham Parker1Vivienne Coetzee2Toufiek Samaai3Ryan M. Palmer4Kerry Sink5Sven E. Kerwath6Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownSouth African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversitySouth African National Biodiversity InstituteDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownAbstract Understanding how fish associate with habitats across marine landscapes is crucial to developing effective marine spatial planning (MSP) in an expanding and diversifying ocean economy. Globally, anthropogenic pressures impact the barely understood temperate mesophotic ecosystems and South Africa’s remote Amathole shelf is no exception. The Kei and East London region encompass three coastal marine protected areas (MPAs), two of which were recently extended to the shelf-edge. The strong Agulhas current (exceeding 3 m/s), which runs along the narrow shelf exacerbates sampling challenges. For the first time, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveyed fish and their associated habitats across the shelf. Results indicated fish assemblages differed between the two principle sampling areas, and across the shelf. The number of distinct fish assemblages was higher inshore and on the shelf-edge, relative to the mid-shelf. However, the mid-shelf had the highest species richness. Unique visuals of rare Rhinobatos ocellatus (Speckled guitarfish) and shoaling Polyprion americanus (wreckfish) were collected. Visual evidence of rhodolith beds, deep-water lace corals and critically endangered endemic seabreams were ecologically important observations. The ROV enabled in situ sampling without damaging sensitive habitats or extracting fish. This study provided information that supported the Amathole MPA expansions, which extended protection from the coast to beyond the shelf-edge and will guide their management. The data gathered provides baseline information for future benthopelagic fish and habitat monitoring in these new MPAs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97369-2 |
| spellingShingle | Rio E. Button Denham Parker Vivienne Coetzee Toufiek Samaai Ryan M. Palmer Kerry Sink Sven E. Kerwath ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region Scientific Reports |
| title | ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region |
| title_full | ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region |
| title_fullStr | ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region |
| title_full_unstemmed | ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region |
| title_short | ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region |
| title_sort | rov assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the amathole region |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97369-2 |
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