The cost of being valuable: predictors of extinction risk in marine invertebrates exploited as luxury seafood

Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2014-04, Vol.281 (1781), p.20133296-20133296
Main Authors: Purcell, Steven W., Polidoro, Beth A., Hamel, Jean-François, Gamboa, Ruth U., Mercier, Annie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Anthropogenic Allee Effect
Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation of Natural Resources - statistics & numerical data
Endangered Species
Extinction, Biological
Fisheries - statistics & numerical data
Fisheries Management
Oceans and Seas
Opportunistic Exploitation
Sea Cucumbers - physiology
Seafood - economics
Seafood - statistics & numerical data
Threatened And Endangered Species
Valuable Fauna
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Summary:Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment of extinction risk in all 377 known species of sea cucumber within the order Aspidochirotida, many of which are exploited worldwide as luxury seafood for Asian markets. Extinction risk was primarily driven by high market value, compounded by accessibility and familiarity (well known) in the marketplace. Extinction risk in marine animals often relates closely to body size and small geographical range but our study shows a clear exception. Conservation must not lose sight of common species, especially those of high value. Greater human population density and poorer economies in the geographical ranges of endangered species illustrate that anthropogenic variables can also predict extinction risks in marine animals. Local-level regulatory measures must prevent opportunistic exploitation of high-value species. Trade agreements, for example CITES, may aid conservation but will depend on international technical support to low-income tropical countries. The high proportion of data deficient species also stresses a need for research on the ecology and population demographics of unglamorous invertebrates.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2945
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.2013.3296