Molecular Approaches to Fisheries Resource Management

Recent passage of the Marine Life Management Act and the Marine Life Protection Act has focused on near shore fisheries resources, which have undergone significant reductions in recent times. The demise of the resources has resulted in controversial fisheries closures and implementation of no-take reserves in certain areas. Dr. Royden Nakamura’s group is currently in the midst of a long term study of the population genetics of the cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) in relation to its fishery. The cabezon is the number one species in terms of total catch along the Central Coast of California. In fact, the Central Coast leads both southern and northern California in catch for the top ten nearshore fisheries. Dr. Nakamura has amassed over five hundred cabezon samples from Washington to Southern California and is using mitochondrial DNA and Microsatellite analyses to address a number of questions relevant to management of this species. These include hypotheses related to genetic structure and panmixia, spatial genetic patterns of populations as the related to oceanographic currents and coastal topography, directionality of gene flow and assessments of historic population sizes. The information obtained has direct applicability to near shore fisheries management strategies including the development of marine reserves. The project is a cross of traditional fisheries science and conservation biology. This research involves undergraduate and graduate students at all levels.