Source: UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA submitted to
MEGAFISH PROJECT
Sponsoring Institution
State Agricultural Experiment Station
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0217659
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
NEV052XW
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Feb 1, 2009
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2012
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Hogan, Z.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
(N/A)
RENO,NV 89557
Performing Department
Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
Non Technical Summary
The decline of populations of large marine fish species has been clearly documented (Myers and Worm 2003). Information about the population status of large freshwater fish species is lacking, despite the fact that in many areas of the world, freshwater fish provide a substantial portion of the protein to riparian populations (Hogan et al. 2004). The vulnerability of giant species may in part be due to a high age at first reproduction, relatively large habitat requirements, and low population density. In addition, humans often prefer to hunt and fish the largest animals, which can drive giant species to extinction. Preliminary evidence (shrinking distribution, decline in catch, decline in fish size, decline in catch per unit effort, density estimates, and the accounts of local people) suggests that many species of large freshwater fish are now threatened with extinction. For example, in the Mekong River Basin, the Mekong giant catfish is listed as critically endangered - only a few wild individuals remain. Catch statistics also show that the largest Amazonian species (Arapaima gigas, Brachyplatystoma spp.) are now smaller and less abundant than they were historically. Globally, a pattern has emerged: the largest fish species are disappearing and in many locations large species are now so rare the opportunity for documentation and study may soon be lost. Due to the precarious state of populations of large freshwater fish, the lack of data on freshwater fish populations, and the traditionally low visibility of freshwater biodiversity conservation, the documentation of the population status of large, freshwater fish is now a priority.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
31537191070100%
Knowledge Area
315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;

Subject Of Investigation
3719 - Other cultured finfish;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
This project, an investigation of the decline of the world's largest freshwater fish, spans six continents (North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia) and encompasses ten of Earth's most diverse freshwater ecosystems - ecological treasures - including World Heritage Sites, Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance, and United Nations Environment Program Biodiversity Hotspots. We will visit fourteen sites worldwide, including (among others) the Amazon River, the Mekong River, the Mississippi River, the Nile, the Lake Baikal watershed, the Okavango Delta, Lake Malawi National Park, the Sundarbans, the Danube Delta, and the Yangtze River in search of the world's largest freshwater fish. Our criteria for giant fish include any fish over six feet in length and 200 pounds.
Project Methods
In addition to identifying the largest fish species, we will also compile biological information and access the conservation status of these fish according to guidelines established by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Preliminary assessments will be conducted before the expedition begins. The IUCN assessment of the conservation status of these species (together with a round-the-world trip in search of the largest fish) will generate increased interest in freshwater biodiversity conservation within the donor and development communities, as well as within the larger conservation community, leading to better protection. The quantitative criteria and documentation requirements which are used to determine conservation status include: 1. population trends 2. geographic range 3. habitat preferences 4. threats 5. conservation measures The assessments will make use of the best available data - based on published literature, gray literature, communication with experts, and websites such as www.Fishbase.org. For population trends, such data include direct observation, catch per unit effort, other measures of exploitation levels, and other indices of abundance appropriate to certain species (such as a decline in body size). For distribution trends, we will analyze data on extent of occurrence (all known sites of present occurrence), extent of habitat, and number of locations of subpopulations. For each species, information will also be collected on the actual or estimated past abundance and the most recent estimated abundance. In cases where the population data are in different units, estimates of reduction will be calculated for each sub-population first, and then compared across locations. This data will then be used to determine population trends and spatial distribution patterns over time. Information for each species will in turn be used for a meta-analysis of population and distribution trends over time for all focal species.

Progress 02/01/09 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: For additional information, please contact Zeb Hogan at 775-784-4020 or zebhogan@cabnr.unr.edu PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
For additional information, please contact Zeb Hogan at 775-784-4020 or zebhogan@cabnr.unr.edu

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of the project were disseminated to the public through 12 oral presentations. A partial list is included below: Hogan, Z. S., 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties, Non-Academic, "Review of Freshwater Migratory Fish", Both Invited and Accepted, United Nations Convention on Migratory Species. (November 25, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., 17th Meeting of the CMS Scientific Council, Non-Academic, "Review of the Conservation Status of Migratory Freshwater Fish: Options for Listing on the Appendices of the Convention on Migratory Species", Both Invited and Accepted, United Nations Convention on Migratory Species. (November 18, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., New England Aquarium Lecture Series, Non-Academic, "Freshwater Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, New England Aquarium. (October 27, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., College of the Holy Cross Lecture Series, Academic, "Imperiled Giants: Ecology and Conservation of the World's Largest Freshwater Fish", Both Invited and Accepted, College of the Holy Cross. (October 25, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., Fish and Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Method to Identify High Risk Commercially-exploited Aquatic Organisms, Non-Academic, "Migratory Freshwater Fish and the Convention on Migratory Species", Both Invited and Accepted, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (September 26, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., Barkalow Distinguished Conservationist Lecture, Academic, "Ecology and Conservation of the World's Largest Freshwater Fish", Both Invited and Accepted, North Carolina State University. (September 14, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., 6th World Recreational Fishing Conference, Academic, "The Intersection of Recreational Fisheries and the World's Freshwater Megafishes: Coexistence, Conservation or Extinction", Both Invited and Accepted. (August 4, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., American Cichlid Association Annual Convention, Non-Academic, "Megafish: Disappearing Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, American Cichlid Association. (July 23, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., University of Nevada Geography Colloquium, Academic, "Freshwater Fish Biodiversity Conservation", Both Invited and Accepted, University of Nevada Geography Department. (April 27, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., Truckee River Fly Fishers Annual Meeting, Non-Academic, "Imperiled Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, Truckee River Fly Fishers. (March 5, 2011). Hogan, Z. S., Sierra College Natural History Museum 2010-2011 Lecture Series, Non-Academic, "Megafish: Freshwater Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, The Sierra College Natural History Museum. (February 25, 2011). PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of this project includes academics, government officials, and the general public. This target audience was engaged using presentations, publications, and mass media. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The results of the project were integrated into several IUCN Red List Assessments for large-bodied freshwater fish. The results of the project were also included in the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species.

Publications

  • Hogan, Z. 2011. Ecology and Conservation of Large-bodied Freshwater Catfish: A Global Perspective. In P. H. Michaletz and V. H. Travnichek (Ed.), Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish (vol. 77, pp. 39-53). Bethesda, Maryland: American Fisheries Society.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: I attended several conferences in association with this project. I also gave several lectures. Hogan, Z. S. (Presenter & Author), 4th International Zoo and Aquarium Symposium / 7th Annual Meeting of the IUCN Species Survival Commission/Wetlands International Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, Academic, "Review of Migratory Freshwater Fish: An Assessment of Options for Listing on the Appendices of the Convention on Migratory Species", Both Invited and Accepted, IUCN, Wetlands International, and Chester Zoo, Chester, England. (November 5, 2010). Hogan, Z. S., Sparks Rotary Lunch Seminar, Non-Academic, "Freshwater Giants", Invited, Sparks Rotary Club, Sparks, NV, USA. (October 2010). Hogan, Z. S., Evening Lecture Series, Non-Academic, "Imperiled Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, Narrandera Fisheries Center, Narrandera, Australia. (August 20, 2010). This lecture - an broad overview of my research activities - was open to the public and attended by approximately 50 people. Hogan, Z. S., Second International Catfish Symposium, Academic, "Issues and Efforts with Large Catfish Worldwide", Both Invited and Accepted, The American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. (July 2010). Hogan, Z. S., United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Meeting of Scientific Councilors, Non-Academic, "A Global Review of Migratory Fish: Strategies for Management and Conservation", Both Invited and Accepted, Convention on Migratory Species, Bonn, Germany. (July 2010). This was a presentation to the scientific councilors of the Convention of Migratory Species. The audience included approximately 150 biologists from 100 countries. Hogan, Z. S., Crowley Student Union Main Theater Evening Presentation, Non-Academic, "Megafish: Freshwater Giants", Both Invited and Accepted, University of Nevada and the UNR Chapter of the Wildlife Society, University of Nevada - Reno main campus. (April 2, 2010). This lecture on fish ecology, co-sponsored by Trout Unlimited (Great Basin Chapter), California Trout, The Wildlife Society (student chapter), and the University of Nevada, and UNR's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science was attended by approximately 250 members of the university community and general public. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project end date was extended to March 31, 2011.

Impacts
Awareness raising is an important part of the project. Some of the results of the project were publicized by large media outlets like ABC News and National Geographic. Through these outlets, many people were able to learn about the conservation of large-bodied fish.

Publications

  • Gilroy, D., Jensen, O., Allen, B., Chandra, S., Ganzorig, B., Hogan, Z. S., Maxted, J., Vander Zanden, J. (2010). Home Range and Seasonal Movement of Taimen, Hucho taimen, in Mongolia. Ecology of Freshwater Fish, 19, 545-554.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project PI's gave ten oral presentations and lectures. In addition one of the PI's was invited to give a keynote address at the annual Asian Fisheries Society Conference in Perth Australia. The project was featured on the radio program NG Weekend, in National Geographic Magazine Germany, and National Geographic Traveler magazine. External media coverage of the project included features in Science News, USA Today, Time Magazine, the International Herald Tribune, and an appearance on the TODAY show. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The project works actively to raise awareness about freshwater biodiversity conservation. Through media coverage of the project, millions of people (the general public) were exposed to our research on freshwater biodiversity. This helps increase awareness about issues related to freshwater biodiversity management and conservation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The project works actively to raise awareness about freshwater biodiversity conservation. Through media coverage of the project, millions of people were exposed to our research on freshwater biodiversity. This helps increase awareness about issues related to freshwater biodiversity management and conservation.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period