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Individual variation and repeatability of Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus migrations in the southern US: implications for conservation and management

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Abstract

Individual fish movement patterns and behaviors influence population-level traits, and are important for understanding their ecology and evolution. Understanding these behaviors is key for managing and conserving migratory animal populations, including Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), that support an economically important recreational fishery. Using acoustic telemetry, we tracked individual movement patterns of M. atlanticus inhabiting the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the southeast coast of the US over successive years. Net-squared displacement models revealed considerable individual-level variation in movement patterns with high individual-level repeatability in the timing of migrations and migratory pathways. Although distinct migratory subgroups existed, M. atlanticus generally migrate northward in the spring and summer to putative foraging grounds and remain in these areas for, on average, four months and then migrate southward in the fall. Subadult M. atlanticus exhibited similar migratory patterns as adults, while large juveniles exhibited either resident or nomadic behaviors. For migratory individuals, fish size did not influence movement patterns. Given that distinct migratory subgroups seasonally mixed in southern Florida for spawning activity, our study indicates that M. atlanticus along the eastern Gulf of Mexico and southeastern coast of the US should be considered a single interconnected stock. With that in mind, using M. atlanticus angler and guide knowledge, we assessed the vulnerability of M. atlanticus to potential threats across their range and along migratory pathways. Collectively, the far-ranging nature of M. atlanticus and their diversity in movement patterns highlights the need for more uniform and cohesive management and conservation efforts.

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Data availability

Datasets generated during and analyzed during this study are not publicly available due to the sensitivity surrounding the Megalops atlanticus fishery. Data are available upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the researchers who helped maintain the many arrays that span both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard and those who shared detection data with us through integrated Tracking of Animals in the Gulf (iTAG), FACT network, Atlantic Cooperative Telemetry (ACT) network, and the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN). The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) provided additional receiver loans. We thank the many fishing guides and anglers who assisted with the telemetry array design and M. atlanticus tagging for this project. Specifically, we thank Rob Aldridge, Nick Angelo, Justin Bachert, Will Benson, Carl Ball, Jordan Carter, Cody Cash, Frank Catino, Martin Carranza, Bruce Chard, Ryan Clase, Scott Collins, Brandon Cyr, Jared Cyr, Greg DeVault, Joel Dickey, Court Douthit, Greg Duval, Scott Dykes, Mo Estevez, Danny Flynn, Ron Gibson, Edward Glorioso, GT Gonzalez, Josh Greer, Keven Grubbs, Travis Holeman, Bear Holeman, Bill Housz, Bill Horn, Adam Hudson, Dave Hutcherson, John Jackson, Brian Jill, Chuck Jenks, Zack Jud, Ben Kurth, Rob Kramarz, Willy Le, Lenny Leonard, Trent Long, Austin Lowder, David Mangum, Warren Marshall, Augustine Moss, Brandon MvGraw, Gabe Nyblad, Scott Owens, Jordan Pate, Chris Peterson, Greg Peterson, Albert Ponzoa, CA Richardson, Tray Rodriguez, Cameron Schurlknight, Chris Slattery, Shane Smetak, Zack Stells, Jason Stock, Jason Sullivan, JR Waits, Ed Walker, Newman Weaver, and Chad Will. Lastly, we thank the contributions and reviews from three anonymous reviewers.

Funding

This project was funded by Bonefish & Tarpon Trust with support from Maverick Boat Group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Lucas P. Griffin, Grace A. Casselberry, Alex Filous & Andy J. Danylchuk

  2. Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada

    Jacob W. Brownscombe, Peter E. Holder & Steven J. Cooke

  3. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Miami, FL, 33133, USA

    Aaron J. Adams & JoEllen K. Wilson

  4. Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, FL, 34946, USA

    Aaron J. Adams

  5. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA

    Susan K. Lowerre-Barbieri

  6. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Susan K. Lowerre-Barbieri

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  1. Lucas P. Griffin
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Contributions

Conceptualization: LG, JB, AA, SC, AD. Methodology: LG, JB, AA, SC, AD. Formal analyses: LG. Investigation: LG, JB, JW, GC, PH, AF, SLB, AD. Writing—original draft: LG, JB, AA, SC, AD. Writing—review and editing: all authors.

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Correspondence to Lucas P. Griffin.

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The authors have no competing or relevant financial/non-financial interests to disclose related to the work submitted for publication.

Ethics approval

Handling procedures were conducted in accordance with the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (IACUC protocol 2016-0049, University of Massachusetts).

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Griffin, L.P., Brownscombe, J.W., Adams, A.J. et al. Individual variation and repeatability of Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus migrations in the southern US: implications for conservation and management. Mar Biol 170, 168 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04311-3

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