Effects of climate change on coral grouper (Plectropomus spp.) and possible adaptation options

Pratchett, Morgan S., Cameron, Darren S., Donelson, Jennifer, Evans, Louisa, Frisch, Ashley J., Hobday, Alistair J., Hoey, Andrew S., Marshall, Nadine A., Messmer, Vanessa, Munday, Philip L., Pears, Rachel, Pecl, Gretta, Reynolds, Adam, Scott, Molly, Tobin, Andrew, Tobin, Renae, Welch, David J., and Williamson, David H. (2017) Effects of climate change on coral grouper (Plectropomus spp.) and possible adaptation options. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 27. pp. 297-316.

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Abstract

Global climate change is increasingly considered one of the major threats to tropical coastal fisheries, potentially undermining important revenue and food security provided by coral reef ecosystems. While there has been significant and increasing work on understanding specific effects of climate change on coral reef fishes, few studies have considered large-bodied fisheries target species, limiting understanding of the effects of climate change on tropical fisheries. This review focuses on coral grouper (Plectropomus spp., and mainly Plectropomus leopardus), which are heavily fished throughout the Indian and Pacific oceans, and represent an exemplar group to assess potential effects of climate change on coral reef fisheries. In experimental studies, P. leopardus appear to be extremely sensitive to increasing ocean temperature, exhibiting declines in survivorship, aerobic scope and activity with relatively moderate increases in temperature. As such, ongoing ocean warming may jeopardize the catchability of coral grouper and sustainability of reef-based fisheries, especially at low latitudes. Notably, a significant portion of wild stocks of P. leopardus are already exposed to temperatures (≥30 °C) that have been shown to compromise individual performance and body condition. While there are considerable knowledge gaps in predicting effects of global climate change on coral grouper, such as their capacity to avoid, acclimate or adapt to changes in local environmental conditions, current information suggests that there is cause for concern. As such, we take the formative steps to outline both ecological and socioeconomic adaptations that could reduce vulnerability of coral reef fisheries to climate impacts on stocks of coral grouper, using a linked socio-economic framework.

Item ID: 49111
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1573-5184
Keywords: global warming, population dynamics, community structure, habitat loss, range shifts, climate change adaptation
Funders: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowship
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2017 00:21
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410102 Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation @ 50%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 40%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960301 Climate Change Adaptation Measures @ 60%
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