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Abstract Numerous policy and international frameworks consider that “destructive fishing” hampers efforts to reach sustainability goals. Though ubiquitous, “destructive fishing” is undefined and therefore currently immeasurable. Here we propose a definition developed through expert consultation: “Destructive fishing is any fishing practice that causes irrecoverable habitat degradation, or which causes significant adverse environmental impacts, results in long‐term declines in target or nontarget species beyond biologically safe limits and has negative livelihood impacts.” We show strong stakeholder support for a definition, consensus on many biological and ecological dimensions, and no clustering of respondents from different sectors. Our consensus definition is a significant step toward defining sustainable fisheries goals and will help interpret and implement global political commitments which utilize the term “destructive fishing.” Our definition and results will help reinforce the Food and Agricultural Organization's Code of Conduct and meaningfully support member countries to prohibit destructive fishing practices.

Abstract Species distribution models have been widely used in both terrestrial and marine systems, and applications have included invasive species management, evaluating potential effects of climate change, and conservation. Generally, only a single type of data can be accommodated within the model structures used, which may lead to higher uncertainty in the predictions when the data are sparse. In this case, it can be beneficial to pool data from multiple sources and data types, such as fishery observations and telemetry data. An integrated species distribution model (ISDM) utilizes data integration methods that address the challenges of harnessing multiple data types to estimate species distribution. In this study, an ISDM approach was developed to link turtle locations gathered as part of fishery observations with those derived from satellite telemetry in the East Pacific Ocean to enhance our understanding of a highly migratory and endangered marine species, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). These models were developed to support a dynamic management tool, South Pacific TurtleWatch, to identify high‐risk areas of management concern and help inform bycatch reduction efforts for this critically endangered species. This data fusion approach could be applied to other populations and species for which telemetry and other point source data are available.

Abstract Trophic position and niche width are fundamental components of a species’ ecology, reflecting resource use, and influencing key demographic parameters such as somatic growth, maturation, and survival. Concepts about a species’ trophic niche space have important implications for local management and habitat protection, and can shed light about resilience to changing climate for species occurring over broad spatial scales. For elusive marine animals such as sea turtles, trophic niche is challenging to study, and researchers often rely on other metrics, such as isotopic niche, as a proxy. Here, stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N values) was conducted on bulk skin tissue of 718 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) distributed among 16 foraging areas in the eastern Pacific from the USA to Chile, a range spanning ~10,000 km. Compound‐specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA‐AA) was applied to 21 turtles among seven sites. Isotopic niche space was determined via Bayesian ellipse area (BEA) and convex hull area (CHA) analyses of bulk isotope values, which were also used along with amino acid δ15N values to determine trophic position (TP). Substantial variability in bulk tissue δ13C and δ15N values was found within and among sites, and amino acid δ15N values confirmed this was largely due to spatial differences in baseline nitrogen isotopic compositions, but also to a lesser extent from TP differences among the green turtle foraging populations. Isotope niche space varied among sites, influenced by the diversity of prey types and relative input of terrestrial‐ vs. marine‐derived nutrients; BEAs were the most suitable measurement of isotopic niche space due to the larger influence of outlying values with the CHA approach. Amino acid isotope‐derived TP estimates that accounted for local habitat conditions (e.g., mixed seagrass/macroalgae diet) performed the best among several approaches; TP ranged from 2.3 to 3.6, which indicates an omnivorous diet for most populations. In addition to providing additional spatial resolution for δ13C and δ15N isoscapes in the eastern Pacific, especially in coastal habitats, this study further establishes CSIA‐AA as an effective tool to study the trophic ecology of sea turtles across a variety of food webs and habitats.

Abstract The Eastern Pacific leatherback turtle population (Dermochelys coriacea) has declined precipitously in recent years. One of the major causes is bycatch from coastal and pelagic fisheries. Fisheries observations are often underutilized, despite strong potential for this data to affect policy. In this study, we created a spatiotemporal species distribution model that synthesizes fisheries observations with remotely sensed environmental data. The model will be developed into a dynamic management tool for the Eastern Pacific leatherback population. We obtained leatherback observation data from multiple fisheries that have operated in the Southeast Pacific (2001–2018). A dynamic Poisson point process model was applied to predict leatherback intensity (observation per unit area) as a function of dynamic environmental covariates. This model serves as a tool for application by managers and stakeholders toward the reduction of leatherback turtle bycatch and provides a modeling framework for analyzing fisheries observations from other vulnerable populations and species.

The East Pacific (EP) leatherback population is listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered. Despite conservation efforts, mainly focused on nesting beaches, its population has declined by over 90% since the 1980s. A major current threat is fisheries bycatch, which has been primarily documented in small-scale gillnets and longlines within South American migration and foraging habitats, but scarcely reported in fisheries that operate in areas near nesting beaches (i.e., inter-nesting areas). To assess the impact of small-scale fisheries on EP leatherbacks inhabiting waters north of the equator we conducted rapid bycatch assessments interviews in five countries (Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia), some of which host the main EP leatherback nesting beaches and inter-nesting areas. A total of 1778 interviews were conducted across 79 fishing ports (Mexico = 37, Nicaragua = 6, Costa Rica = 5, Panama = 17 and Colombia = 14). Leatherback bycatch was reported in all countries, and in 54% of ports assessed by 7% (n = 125) of fishers interviewed. Interviews enabled identification of inter-nesting areas where leatherback bycatch was higher and periods during which fisheries interaction events were more frequent. Bycatch events were most frequently reported in gillnets and secondarily in longlines. Data were extrapolated across fishing fleets to estimate that 345 ± 210 (mean ± SD) individual leatherbacks are caught annually in the ports assessed. Our study provides a first evaluation of leatherback bycatch by small-scale fisheries in countries of the eastern Pacific Ocean where leatherbacks nest, and it highlights areas close to index nesting beaches where conservation efforts targeting bycatch reduction and bycatch mortality may be focused.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar un modelo trófico (ECOPATH con ECOSIM) para caracterizar la estructura y función de la trama alimentaria de Bahía Magdalena. El modelo consta de 24 grupos funcionales, siendo dominado por grupos de niveles tróficos secundarios y terciarios, que generan un tercio de los flujos de biomasa total. Los flujos totales del sistema y la eficiencia de transferencia promedio entre niveles tróficos, encajan bien en el rango reportado para otros ecosistemas costeros tropicales del mundo. Una fracción alta de los flujos totales se destina para el mantenimiento de la estructura de la red trófica. El índice de conectancia (IC) fue igual a 0,2, esto significa que sólo hay 20% de las conexiones totales posibles en la trama alimentaria. Una jerarquización de los diversos componentes del sistema en términos de su contribución a la función del sistema reveló que los productores primarios bentónicos y los detritos contribuyen 53% al total de la ascendencia. La idea de un control de la energía de arriba hacia abajo (a través de los principales depredadores) es consistente con otros hallazgos, dicho resultado sugiere que las especies de nivel trófico superior afectan negativamente a otros componentes del ecosistema. Se sugiere emplear el modelo en el corto plazo, para realizar aproximaciones exploratorias que pongan a prueba hipótesis relacionadas con los mecanismos bióticos y abióticos que ocasionen cambios en la estructura y función de la red trófica a través del tiempo, y por tanto contribuyan a entender como la estructura de la trama trófica puede contribuir a la resiliencia de las comunidades biológicas marinas.