Global insights into the translocation of marine benthic invertebrates as a fishery management tool

Abstract

In the face of declining stocks and increasing demand for seafood, fisheries stakeholders worldwide have sought strategies to recover and improve the productivity and quality of their targeted resources. Marine benthic invertebrate populations are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation due to reduced movement capabilities, gregarious reproductive behavior, and high commercial value. However, they are also suitable for enhancement and recovery. Our study aims to describe the benefits of translocating marine benthic invertebrates for fisheries and the ecological impacts on marine ecosystems. We conducted a literature review on the translocation of fishery-focused marine benthic invertebrates. We identified 29 documented global cases of translocation of fishery-focused marine benthic invertebrates with different actors involved and the level of collaboration among them. We identified three main drivers behind the translocation cases: restocking, improving commercial attributes, and minimizing ecological impact. Although three cases have successfully recovered fishable stocks, improved growth rates, or increased economic yield, six of the cases implemented by the fishing and governmental sectors have not quantified the benefits for fisheries, despite being the main objective of translocation. Even less attention has been given to its ecological consequences, as most studies do not evaluate potential impacts on ecosystems. Only two cases have assessed specific risks, such as the homogenization of genetic diversity. While translocations can increase resilience to climate change and overfishing, their potential ecological risks warrant careful implementation. Furthermore, any translocation initiative should adopt a resilience-based co-management approach, using the best available information for fisheries management.