High genetic diversity and limited spatial structure in an endangered, endemic South African sparid, the red steenbras Petrus rupestris:
- Authors: Gouws, Gavin , Kerwath, S E , Potts, Warren M , James, Nicola C , Vine, Niall G , Cowley, Paul D
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160379 , vital:40440 , DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2020.1788640
- Description: The red steenbras Petrus rupestris is endemic to South Africa, occurring from False Bay in the Western Cape Province to St Lucia in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This species, the largest member of the family Sparidae, has undergone a substantial stock decline as a result of overfishing and is considered to be collapsed. Various aspects of its life history, including high residency, predictable migrations, late maturity and longevity, have made it vulnerable to overexploitation. This study analysed the diversity and genetic structure of red steenbras across seven sampling regions, using mitochondrial (control region) and nuclear (S7 intron 1) DNA markers.
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- Date Issued: 2020
A change of the seaward boundary of Goukamma Marine Protected Area could increase conservation and fishery benefits
- Authors: Götz, Albrecht , Kerwath, S E , Attwood, Colin G
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011846 , https://doi.org/10.4102/sajs.v105i9/10.102
- Description: Goukamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the South African temperate South Coast has been shown to be effective in maintaining a spawning stock of roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps (Sparidae). The larval ecology and the oceanographic conditions in the area suggest a good potential for the enhancement of roman stocks outside the reserve through larval dispersal. A high rate of illegal fishing just inside the seaward boundary of the MPA could severely compromise its function.We suggest that a change of the seaward boundary of the reserve to coincide with a latitudinal line could increase its function as a harvest refuge for resident reef fishes such as roman, facilitate voluntary compliance and monitoring and prosecution of illegal fishing without a significant negative impact on the commercial linefishing fleet in the area. Simple adjustments such as the one proposed here could be attempted at a number of South African MPAs as they would be beneficial to achieve fishery and conservation goals alike.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Observations of the habitats and biodiversity of the submarine canyons at Sodwana Bay
- Authors: Sink, K J , Boshoff, W , Samaai, Toufiek , Timm, P G , Kerwath, S E
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008065
- Description: The discovery of coelacanths, Latimeria chalumnae, in Jesser Canyon off Sodwana Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal in 2000 triggered renewed interest in the deep subtidal habitats associated with submarine canyons. Information stemming from three recreational Trimix diving expeditions in Wright and Jesser canyons between April 1998 and June 2001 revealed distinct and diverse invertebrate and fish communities in the canyons of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (GSLWP). In total, 69 invertebrate taxa were collected from Wright Canyon, including at least 15 new records for South Africa plus 11 potential new species and 16 range or depth extensions. Divers documented the first five coelacanth specimens and obtained information on fish distribution and abundance. Five different habitat types were recognized supporting distinct biological communities; the sandy plains outside of the canyons, scattered rock outcrops within the sandy plains, the canyon margin, canyon walls and caves and overhangs. The canyon margin is the richest habitat and supports dense communities of invertebrate suspension feeders, as well as a diverse and abundant fish fauna. Dominant canyon invertebrates included sponges, black corals, gorgonians, alcyonarian soft corals and stylasterine lace corals. These invertebrates support a diverse epifauna including basket- and brittlestars, winged oysters and other molluscs. The canyons within the GSLWP protect large populations of commercially important linefish species including the sparids, Chrysoblephus puniceus, C. anglicus, Polysteganus praeorbitalis and P. caeruleopunctatus, as well as several species of serranids and lutjanids. Additional biological sampling and standardized quantitative sampling within the canyons and deep reefs is required to develop a better understanding of their biological communities and the factors that shape them.
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- Date Issued: 2006