La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Cold-water coral reef habitats benefit recreationally valuable sharks
Auteurs :	Lea-Anne Henry, Auteur ; Juan Moreno Navas, Auteur ; Sebastian J. Hennige, Auteur ; Laura C. Wicks, Auteur ; Johanne Vad, Auteur ; J. Murray Roberts, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Biological Conservation (161 MAY 2013)
Article en page(s) :	67-70
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	We provide a case study to demonstrate how a key ecosystem function of coral reefs (habitat provision) co-benefits both sharks and humans. Spawning grounds of the blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus were discovered using seabed and video surveys on the Mingulay Reef Complex, a seascape of cold-water coral reefs off western Scotland. Spawning habitats were environmentally similar across years. Shark abundance of G. melastomus, a species valued by the recreational sea angling industry, was significantly higher nearer reef habitats. Our case study demonstrates how a local coral vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) helps maintain key life stages of shark populations and provides socioeconomic benefits. Evidence for co-benefits between corals, sharks and humans provides a compelling case for identifying and protecting coral VMEs. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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