Spatiotemporal Assessment of Aprion virescens Density in Shallow Main Hawaiian Islands Waters, 2010–2019
August 19, 2022
Findings indicate that a spatiotemporal model can estimate local trends, improving the interpretation of species distribution change.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996 directs regional fishery management councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to identify and describe “essential fish habitat (EFH)” for all federally managed species to ensure conservation and sustainable management of living marine resources.
This report summarizes the statistically-derived density patterns of Aprion virescens in shallow coastal waters of the main Hawaiian Islands (MHIs) from 2010 to 2019. A spatiotemporal modeling technique was used to predict changes in the species’ localized density in relation to environmental variables. A. virescens densities varied between 0 and 7.27 individuals per 100 m2, while several hotspots coinciding with increased density were detected. Changes in A. virescens densities over time were best explained by the combination of static (depth) and a dynamic surface oceanographic condition (monthly surface wind speed variability).
The geographic center of A. virescens density was observed between Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. The observed annual centroids shift was not reflective of a uniform shift in densities but localized changes in density across the MHI shallow waters. The results indicate shallow-water habitats in the MHIs are likely essential for A. virescens. The analysis identified existing challenges in determining habitat-use patterns and emphasized the further need for additional systematic sampling to refine the species’ distribution patterns within habitats.
The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service uses the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-PIFSC series to disseminate scientific and technical information that has been scientifically reviewed and edited. Documents within this series reflect sound professional work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical literature.
Tanaka KR, Schmidt AL, Kindinger TL, Whitney JL, Samson JC. 2022. Spatiotemporal assessment of Aprion virescens density in shallow main Hawaiian Islands waters, 2010-2019. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-132, 33 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/f24q-k056.