Threatened marine species

H1

Biodiversity protection is a primary objective of MPAs and where this includes threatened species, these will need to be made a specific target and focus for management. This sheet explains the IUCN Red List of globally threatened species, and provides an introduction to the more detailed theme sheets that follow on particular groups of species that require special management attention.
Marine species were once thought to be so widespread and abundant that they would be unlikely to go extinct. New information is showing that many are now seriously threatened, undergoing more rapid declines in population size as a result of exploitation, and recovering much more slowly than previously understood. Furthermore, research is showing that many have more restricted distributions and are endemic to smaller areas than previously thought. MPAs are playing a crucial role in maintaining and restoring populations of many globally threatened species. Information on distributions and abundance of marine species in the WIO region is still poor, but there are at least 11,000 macrofaunal species (creatures larger than 1-2 mm) of which 10-20% are endemic (i.e. do not occur anywhere else). Little is known about specific centres of endemism within the region, although one example is the area along southern Mozambique and the coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa which has several unique coral and fish species. Large marine animals, such as whales and some dolphins, turtles, dugong and seabirds are particularly at risk. Turtles, dugong and whales are vulnerable to human capture as they have to surface to breathe, making them easy targets at this time (see sheets H2, H3, H4). Turtles and seabirds both nest on land, so their eggs and young are also highly vulnerable to predation, both by humans and other species. Little information is available on the status of marine fish and invertebrates. However, the monitoring programme Reefcheck and other research studies, have revealed dramatic declines in large parrotfish, Humphead wrasse and groupers. Groupers are particularly easy to catch and their spawning aggregations make them very vulnerable to overfishing; they have been fished out of most shallow reefs worldwide. Spiny lobsters have also declined dramatically on coral reefs all over the world. The Coconut crab now occurs only on small islands and generally only in protected areas (e.g. Misali, Chumbe, Aldabra and Mafia). Critically Endangered (CR) - A taxon facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future as defined by the criteria. WIO examples are Coelacanth, Southern Bluefin tuna, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. Endangered (EN) - A taxon that is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future as defined by the criteria. WIO examples are Loggerhead, Green and Olive Ridley turtles, several species of saw fish and the Blue whale. Vulnerable (VU) - A taxon that is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future as defined by the criteria. WIO examples are dugong, Humphead wrasse, Whale shark, Humpback whale, several shark species including Grey Nurse shark and Great White shark. Lower Risk (LR) - A taxon that has been evaluated but does not satisfy the criteria for any of the above categories. Such taxa are divided into the sub-categories Near Threatened and Least Concern. WIO examples include many shark and whale species. Data Deficient (DD) - A taxon for which there is insufficient recent information for assessing threat or a lot of uncertainty about data for widespread but declining species. WIO examples are species of whales, dolphins and fish, including seahorses and sharks. Not Evaluated (NE) - A taxon that has not yet been assessed against the criteria.
M. Richmond

THE IUCN RED LIST

Every year, IUCN publishes the global Red List of threatened species on-line. Species are classified into the following eight categories defined by criteria that cover trends in population size, extent of occurrence and extinction risk. Extinct (EX) - A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Extinct in the Wild (EW) - A taxon known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population (or populations) well outside its past range.
R. Myers

Seahorses and the Humpheaded wrasse are threatened in parts of the WIO.

Managing Marine Protected Areas: A TOOLKIT for the Western Indian Ocean

Sheet H1

Marine species are poorly represented on the IUCN Red List, largely because of the lack of information about them. The status of most of the larger species (marine mammals, seabirds and turtles) has been assessed and many are considered globally threatened. Threatened marine fish are currently being assessed and many are being added to the Red List including swordfish, sawfish, all tuna species except Yellowfin and Skipjack, sharks (38 in the WIO), groupers, seahorses, manta rays and the coelacanth. Very few marine invertebrates are on the IUCN Red List, with the exception of six species of Giant clam. This dearth of information and general lack of awareness of the vulnerability of many marine species has been taken up by a campaign called Shatter the Myth, headed by IUCNs Species Survival Commision. The Red List is used to help establish conservation priorities at international, regional and national levels, and provides the basis for listing species under environmental conventions. However, the listings under such conventions, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), do not necessarily equate directly to the IUCN Red List, as conventions are developed to address specific threats (international trade in the case of CITES). Some countries have their own national Red Lists of threatened species, but few if any include marine species other than the larger species such as turtles.

Sources of further information

Dulvy, N. K., Sadovy, Y. & Reynolds, J.D. 2003. Extinction vulnerability in marine populations. Fish and Fisheries 4: 25-64. Hodgson, G. & Liebeler, J. 2002. The Global Coral Reef Crisis trends and solutions. ReefCheck Foundation. www.ReefCheck.org Jackson, J.B.C. et al. 2001. Historical overfishing and the recent collapse of coastal ecosystems. Science 293: 629-638. Myers, R.A. & Worm, B. 2003. Rapid worldwide depletion of predatory fish communities. Nature 423: 280-283. Richmond, M.D. (ed.) 2002. A Field Guide to the Seashores of Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean Islands. 2nd Edition, SIDA/SAREC/University of Dar es Salaam. 461pp. Roberts, C.M. & Hawkins, J.P. 1999. Extinction risk in the sea. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 14: 241-246. Roberts, C. et al. 2002. Marine biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities for tropical reefs. Science 295: 1280-1284. IUCN 2003. Red List of Threatened Species: www.redlist.org IUCN/SSC Groupers and Wrasse Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Coral Reef Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Mollusca Specialist Group www.iucn.org/themes/ssc; www.iucn.org/themes/marine (Note: websites for IUCN Specialist Groups for sharks, turtles and marine mammals are listed under the relevant theme sheet) Oceanographic Biogeographical Information Service (OBIS): www.iobis.org Marine Species Conservation Factpack, 2001. Marine Conservation Society, Ross-on-Wye, UK Shatter the Myth: www.iucn.org/themes/ssc

Marine species on the 2003 IUCN Red List

Global Whales, dolphins Marine otters Seals Manatees/dugong Seabirds Marine turtles Marine fish Molluscs Coelenterates (corals, sea fans, anemones) * known to be an underestimate 65 7 4 4 155 7 375 93 3 WIO 29 0 0 1 17* 5 105 7 0

The Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is rare in the Pacific and Asia and survives in the WIO on remote islands.

KEY POINTS FOR THE MPA

It is essential to know whether there are any nationally or globally threatened species within the MPA, so check species lists against the Red List and any national lists that exist. All threatened species in an MPA should be monitored; manuals on specific methods are available and regional/global monitoring programmes have been developed for many species; MPA staff should find out about these and participate. Some species may need special techniques for their study and management, and in this case, outside appropriate expertise should be obtained if possible, and MPA personnel should receive relevant training. There are often global or regional networks and working groups on threatened species, and MPA staff should check their websites, subscribe to newsletters and email groups, and participate in monitoring programmes. Protection of breeding and nesting sites of threatened species (e.g. turtles and certain seabirds) that occur within an MPA will be essential. Many of the larger threatened marine species (e.g. whales, turtles) are tourist attractions; organised visits, carried out so that they do not affect the animals themselves or their surroundings, can bring income to the park through visitor fees. Initiate, or participate in, media campaigns to increase public understanding of marine threatened species.

Sheet H1

Managing Marine Protected Areas: A TOOLKIT for the Western Indian Ocean

S. Wells