ABSTRACT
Biodiversity conservation has been a critical challenge faced by environmental managers worldwide. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 576 underwater visual censuses focused on reef fishes, marine litter (ML), and non-native species were performed in the newest Brazilian Hope Spot, to understand the distribution, characteristics, and effects of ML and Tubastraea spp., on the reef fish community. Plastic was the main category recorded (34.54 %), followed by Metal and Line (mostly fishing gear within a Marine Protected Area). Tubastraea spp. was widely distributed, especially between 10-20 meters deep. The t-test analysis showed that fish abundance and richness were significantly higher at low Tubastraea cover areas. Our efforts present the baseline of ML (mean 1.92 ± 1.5 items/100 m2) and non-native species occurrence (15) and distribution (including three new records) showing their negative impacts on rocky reef ecosystems and provide managers support in the elaboration of marine conservation strategies.
Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Coral Reefs , Fishes , Brazil , BiodiversityABSTRACT
Coastal islands of Grande Rio, located south Rio de Janeiro and Maricá cities have been under multiple anthropogenic impacts. Despite these problems, these insular systems shelter a high diversity of fish species. Reef fishes are essential components of tropical marine coastal communities, also providing food and income for millions of people around the world. In this work, we generated an updated checklist from Cagarras Islands Natural Monument and surrounding areas based on fisheries data, literature records and multiple sampling techniques, including the Submersible Rotating Video technique, used for the first time in Brazil. We present an inventory of 282 fish species representing 91 different families, with 21 new records for the study area, including a non-native species (Heniochus acuminatus). In addition, our results show a moderate endemism level for the Brazilian province (approximately 6.0%), while 10.5% of species are assigned to one of IUCN's threatened categories. Our efforts show the fish biodiversity scenario and their distribution on coastal islands more than 10 years after the Cagarras Islands Natural Monument establishment, reinforcing the importance of monitoring research programs for the management of this Marine Protected Area and surrounding waters, that play a key role for artisanal fisheries.
As ilhas costeiras do Grande Rio, ao sul das cidades do Rio de Janeiro e Maricá, têm sofrido múltiplos impactos antrópicos. Apesar destes problemas, esses sistemas insulares abrigam uma grande diversidade de espécies de peixes. Os peixes recifais são componentes essenciais das comunidades costeiras marinhas tropicais, fornecendo alimento e fonte de renda para milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. Neste trabalho, geramos uma lista de verificação atualizada do Monumento Natural das Ilhas Cagarras e áreas do entorno com base em dados de pesca, registros da literatura e múltiplas técnicas de amostragem, incluindo a técnica de vídeo rotacional subaquático usada pela primeira vez no Brasil. Apresentamos um inventário de 282 espécies de peixes representando 91 famílias, com 21 novos registros para área de estudo, incluindo uma espécie não nativa (Heniochus acuminatus). Além disso, nossos resultados mostram um nível de endemismo moderado da província brasileira (aproximadamente 6,0%), sendo 10,5% das espécies classificadas em uma das categorias ameaçadas da IUCN. Nossos esforços mostram o cenário da biodiversidade de peixes e sua distribuição nas ilhas costeiras mais de 10 anos após o estabelecimento do Monumento Natural das Ilhas Cagarras, reforçando a importância de programas de pesquisa de monitoramento para a gestão desta Área Marinha Protegida e suas águas adjacentes, que desempenham papel fundamental para a pesca artesanal.