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Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability
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Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Oceans".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 6 August 2024 | Viewed by 4242

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yakup Kaska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Pamukkale University, Pamukkale, Denizli, Turkey
Interests: biology and conservation of marine turtles
Dr. Imed Jribi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route Soukra - B.P. 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Interests: marine biology; bycatch
Dr. Abdulmaula Hamza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
Interests: marine biology; biodiversity
Dr. Doğan Sözbilen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary, Acıpayam Vocational School, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye
Interests: marine biology; herpetology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The sustainable development of marine ecology is very important for megafauna such as sea turtles. The protection of marine organisms or ecosystems involves a complex web of biological, environmental, economic, and human-related interactions. Such research is closely related to aquatic biodiversity and its biology and ecology. Threats to marine life such as climate change, sea level rise, habitat loss, coastal development, bycatch, and different types of pollution are a microcosm of global coastal protection issues. Therefore, the protection and sustainable development of marine ecosystems are very important.

Marine life and ecosystems encompass the study of many aspects. In particular, there have been some hot topics on sustainability that are worth further research: biotic nesting, migration, and foraging; the genetic diversity of biological populations; interactions between ecosystems and fisheries; ocean pollution and acidification; invasive species; beach management plans; marine protected areas; marine ecological development; etc.

In this Special Issue, we primarily look at the ecology, distribution, and conservation of marine life at local and global scales. This may be interactions between species and human activities. The manuscript can include details of aquatic animal behaviour, reproductive biology, nesting processes, use of marine habitats via satellite telemetry, and conservation. Submissions from areas that are currently underrepresented in the wider literature and conservation interventions at the local level are particularly encouraged.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Areas of study may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Marine megafauna and their biology;
  • Aquatic animals and their ecology;
  • Sustainable marine ecology;
  • Marine fishery development;
  • Ocean pollution;
  • Beach management;
  • Marine protected area;
  • Species invasion;
  • Aquatic biodiversity.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yakup Kaska
Dr. Imed Jribi
Dr. Abdulmaula Hamza
Dr. Doğan Sözbilen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable marine ecology
  • sea turtles
  • bycatch
  • genetic diversity
  • conservation
  • aquatic biodiversity

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1311 KiB  
Article
High Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Bycatch Rate along with Several Endangered Target Species: Two Reasons to Look for Alternative to Traditional Large-Mesh Bottom-Set Gillnets (Garrasia) for More Sustainable Fisheries in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)
by Maissa Louhichi, Alexandre Girard and Imed Jribi
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3713; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093713 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Fishery bycatch poses a significant threat to sea turtles. This study provides an updated assessment of Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) bycatch in the Gulf of Gabès, focusing on the impact of the Garrasia gillnets. Through 61 onboard observations conducted alongside fishermen [...] Read more.
Fishery bycatch poses a significant threat to sea turtles. This study provides an updated assessment of Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) bycatch in the Gulf of Gabès, focusing on the impact of the Garrasia gillnets. Through 61 onboard observations conducted alongside fishermen in Zarzis deploying a bottom-set gillnet, called “Garrasia”, and targeting elasmobranch species, comprehensive data were collected, including the number of sea turtles captured, soak time, length of gillnets, location, and biometric data of sea turtles. Analysis revealed a catch per unit effort (CPUE) for sea turtles of 0.63 (95% CI [0.355–0.893]) turtles per kilometer per 24 h with a notably high mortality rate of 92.06% (95% CI [87.3–96.8]). In the Gulf of Gabès, 23 vessels are reported to use Garrasia, resulting in an estimated annual total capture of 3756.53 turtles with a 95% CI [1907.81–5902.30]. These findings underscore the significant impact of Garrasia on sea turtle populations in the Gulf of Gabès. The study calls for immediate collaborative efforts among researchers, local stakeholders, authorities and fishermen to elaborate balanced conservation strategies that consider both ecological sustainability and socio-economic factors, aiming to achieve a sustainable marine ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability)
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15 pages, 1583 KiB  
Article
Ghost Gears in the Gulf of Gabès: Alarming Situation and Sustainable Solution Perspectives
by Hana Ghaouar, Wiem Boussellaa and Imed Jribi
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2632; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072632 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 980
Abstract
This study represents a first step in investigating the prevalence, causes, and spatial distribution of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFGs) in the Gulf of Gabès, a critical fishing area in Tunisia. Five main fishing gear types—benthic trawls, encircling nets, longlines, gillnets, [...] Read more.
This study represents a first step in investigating the prevalence, causes, and spatial distribution of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFGs) in the Gulf of Gabès, a critical fishing area in Tunisia. Five main fishing gear types—benthic trawls, encircling nets, longlines, gillnets, and trammel nets were analysed for their loss rates and contributing factors. The study involved extensive surveys among local fishermen and the use of geographic information system (GIS) tools for spatial mapping. The findings reveal varying loss rates among different gear types, with longlines experiencing the highest losses (59%), followed by trammel nets (45%), gillnets (40%), trawls (38%), and encircling nets (36%). Causes of gear loss include entanglement on obstructions, conflicts with other fishing gears, entanglement with marine animals, adverse weather conditions, and intentional dumping at sea. The study highlights the challenges posed by the consistent increase in fishing effort in the region. Spatial distribution mapping indicates two significant concentrations of ALDFGs, correlating with specific fishing activities and depths. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing gear losses as a threat to marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. Recommendations for mitigation include improving boat equipment, raising awareness among fishermen, implementing effective waste management, and exploring economic incentives for ALDFG recovery. This research contributes essential insights for fisheries management, environmental conservation, and sustainable practices in the Gulf of Gabès. Collaborative efforts are crucial for developing and implementing strategies that minimize the impact of ALDFGs on the marine environment while supporting the socio-economic interests of fishermen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability)
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24 pages, 2063 KiB  
Article
Insights into the Relative Abundance, Life History, and Ecology of Oceanic Sharks in the Eastern Bahamas
by Brendan S. Talwar, Edward J. Brooks, Debra L. Abercrombie, Brenda Anderson, Mark E. Bond, Annabelle M. L. Brooks, Demian D. Chapman, Gina M. Clementi, Candace Y. A. Fields, Jim Gelsleichter, R. Dean Grubbs, Lucy A. Howey, Lance K. B. Jordan, Jeremy J. Kiszka, Ryan J. Knotek, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Cheston T. Peterson, Eric V. C. Schneider, Oliver N. Shipley, Sean Williams, Maggie M. Winchester and Michael R. Heithausadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010200 - 25 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Fisheries-independent data on the diversity, relative abundance, and demographic structure of poorly studied, threatened oceanic sharks are absent from much of the western North Atlantic Ocean, where multiple oceanic shark species have experienced significant population declines. Resource-limited management approaches require the identification of [...] Read more.
Fisheries-independent data on the diversity, relative abundance, and demographic structure of poorly studied, threatened oceanic sharks are absent from much of the western North Atlantic Ocean, where multiple oceanic shark species have experienced significant population declines. Resource-limited management approaches require the identification of critical habitats or aggregation sites worthy of protection and enforcement. Data were collected on oceanic sharks using pelagic longline surveys, targeted baiting, and opportunistic encounters in oligotrophic open-ocean habitats of north-eastern Exuma Sound (NES), The Bahamas. The oceanic epipelagic shark community was also characterized using targeted baiting off Columbus Point, Cat Island (CI), a seamount north of San Salvador (SSSM), and the northwestern tip of Mayaguana. Pelagic longline surveys suggested that the relative abundance of sharks at NES was low (shark catch-per-unit-effort: 0.0007 sharks hook−1 h−1; 2.3 sharks per 1000 hooks). Silky sharks Carcharhinus falciformis, particularly juveniles (134 ± 39 cm stretched total length; mean ± SD STL), were the most common. Targeted baiting suggested oceanic whitetip sharks C. longimanus were abundant at CI, where large adults (245 ± 23 cm STL), most of which were females (83.8%, n = 98 of 117) that were gravid (65.7%; n = 46 of 70 assessed for pregnancy), dominated the aggregation. Many (20.5–26.5%, n = 24–31 of 117 depending on assumptions regarding tag loss) were recaptured or resighted at CI for up to five years. Silky sharks dominated catches at SSSM. Oceanic sharks, particularly adults, were sometimes caught or observed alongside short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus or tunas. Although The Bahamas offers threatened oceanic sharks refuge from fishing across its entire jurisdiction, these data suggest that some fixed features, including sites such as CI and potentially SSSM, are important aggregation sites with high regional conservation value and should be prioritized by fisheries managers and enforcement officials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability)
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14 pages, 1745 KiB  
Article
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Incubation in Natural Conditions Is Possible on Guatemalan Beaches
by B. Alejandra Morales-Mérida, Alejandra Morales-Cabrera, Carlos Chúa and Marc Girondot
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14196; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914196 - 26 Sep 2023
Viewed by 931
Abstract
The Guatemalan strategy for sea turtle conservation was defined by the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) in 1989. Hatcheries lie at the core of this strategy: egg collectors are allowed to deliver 20% of a nest to a hatchery in exchange for [...] Read more.
The Guatemalan strategy for sea turtle conservation was defined by the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) in 1989. Hatcheries lie at the core of this strategy: egg collectors are allowed to deliver 20% of a nest to a hatchery in exchange for selling or eating the remaining eggs. Consequently, nearly 100% of nests are collected, with no nests being left on the beaches. Hatchery design promotes shading using roofs made from vegetation. The logic behind this recommendation is that the natural incubation of eggs is supposedly impossible due to the overly high temperatures on the beach. However, changing the incubation temperature of sea turtle eggs can profoundly alter the sex ratio in sea turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination. It can also modify the physiology or behavior of juvenile turtles. Here, we test whether incubation in natural conditions is possible on Guatemalan beaches, and for the first time, we determine the thermal reaction norm of embryo growth to ensure hatching success in sea turtles. We show that incubation in natural conditions is possible since three out of the four monitored nests produced hatchlings. We urge the Guatemala National Council of Protected Areas to reevaluate its strategy for sea turtle conservation in Guatemala in light of these results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Sustainability)
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