Is Today's Fisheries Research Driven by the Economic Value of a Species? A Case Study Using an Updated Review of Ladyfish (Elops saurus) Biology and Ecology

Abstract

Understanding a species life history is fundamental for managing and conserving a population. Despite the importance of this type of information, research attention is often directed at species with the highest economic value. This funding approach is problematic for preserving diversity and rarely considers ecological systematic functions; it prevents resource agencies from allocating funds for studying lower-valued species. For example, the ladyfish (Elops saurus) is a valuable commercial and recreational species in Florida, but in comparison to tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) and bonefish (Albula vulpes), ladyfish have received less funding and research attention. To date, comparably little biological information and no recent reviews are available for ladyfish; research interest is almost non-existent. First, a new review of ladyfish information is provided, and second, statistical evidence is presented and discussed that suggests that there is more published information for tarpon and bonefish than ladyfish because their socio-ecological values are greater. This study's findings confirm that there are significantly more published articles on tarpon than ladyfish, and the number of articles on ladyfish has declined with time. The number of articles on tarpon and bonefish were positively correlated with time, while the number of articles on ladyfish was negatively correlated with time. Natural resource management is shifting from a sustainable yield to a sustainable ecosystem perspective. Given this shift in management approach, successful ecosystem management requires substantial biological information on a variety of species within a given system, regardless of their socio-economic status. It is important to understand that although some species have been ranked higher than others, in terms of economic importance, ecosystems are functioning systems that do not discriminate or have any jurisdictional boundaries.

Keywords:

• age
• conservation
• growth
• habitat
• leptocephalus
• life history

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A great debt of gratitude is owed to M. Melotto and to the University of Texas at Arlington graduate school classmates of the author (B. Foster, N. Obulareddy, and M. Parihar) for providing valuable conversations, editorial comments, and suggestions that greatly improved this article; thanks for constantly asking the challenging questions about ladyfish and fishery management in general. The author also thanks J. Kaskey, A. Richardson, and J. See for reviewing, editing, and providing statistical assistance and guidance. Finally, a special thanks is extended to G. Poulakis (FWC) for his detailed critical review, comments, and edits, which enhanced the overall quality of this article.