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Albert Fernandez Chacon

Tilknyttet UiA

Department of Natural Sciences

Email: albert.f.chacon@uia.no
Mobile phone: +4790887954

Areas of responsibility

I am an ecologist doing research on animal population dynamics and the factors (both biotic and abiotic) influencing them. I work mostly with aquatic species (marine, freshwater) and I have expertise in capture-recapture and occupancy models, that I use to produce applied ecological knowledge. My research at CCR is focused on the population dynamics and spatial ecology of coastal fish and lobster within and outside marine protected areas (MPAs) in Skagerrak, with the aim to create robust scientific knowledge for management purposes.

Research

Quantitative ecology (statistical modelling of individual-based data)

Animal population dynamics (abundance, growth) and vital rates (survival, dispersal)

Animal ecology in freshwater (mountain streams) and marine (coastal) environments

Eco-evolutionary impacts of marine pretected areas (MPAs) and implications for management.

Zoology, Ornithology, Natural history, Biogeography, Taxonomy and Evolution

Selected publications

· Moland, E., A. Fernández-Chacón, T.K. Sørdalen, D. Villegas-Ríos, S.H. Thorbjørnsen, K.T. Halvorsen, M. Huserbråten, E.M. Olsen, P.J. Nillos-Kleiven, A.R. Kleiven, H. Knutsen, S.H. Espeland, C. Freitas, J.A. Knutsen. 2021. Restoration of abundance and dynamics of coastal fish and lobster within northern marine protected areas across two decades. Frontiers in Marine Science. 8:674756. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.674756.
Read the paper

· Fernández-Chacón A, Buttay L, Moland E, Knutsen H, Olsen EM. 2021. Demographic responses to protection from harvesting in a long-lived marine species. Biological Conservation, 257,109094, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109094.

· Deininger A, Martin AH, Pardo J, Berg PR, Bhardwaj J, Catarino D, Fernández-Chacón A, Martinez-Swatson K, Ono K, Oomen RA, Sodeland M, Sørdalen TK, Synnes AE, Thorbjørnsen SH, Thormar J. 2021. Coastal Research Seen Through an Early Career Lens—A Perspective on Barriers to Interdisciplinarity in Norway. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 10.3389/fmars.2021.634999.

· Curveira-Santos G, Sutherland C, Tenan S, Fernández-Chacón A, Mann GKH, Pitman RT, Swanepoel LH. 2021. Mesocarnivore community structuring in the presence of Africa's apex predator. Proc. R. Soc B. 288: 20202379 20202379.

· Fernández-Chacón A, D. Villegas-Rios, E. Moland, M. L. Baskett, E. M. Olsen, and S. M. Carlson. 2020. Protected areas buffer against harvest selection and rebuild phenotypic complexity. Ecological Applications 30(5): e02108.

· Guéry L, Rouan L, Descamps S, Bêty J, Fernández-Chacón A, Gilchrist HG, Pradel R. 2019. Covariate and multinomial: accounting for distance in movement in capture-recapture analyses. Ecology and Evolution, 9(2): 818-824.

· Hwan J, Fernández-Chacón A, Buoro M, Carlson S. 2018. Dry season survival of juvenile salmonids in an intermittent coastal stream. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 75(5): 746-758.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Moland E, Espeland SH, Kleiven AR, Olsen EM. 2017. Causes of mortality in depleted populations of Atlantic Cod estimated from multi-event modelling of mark-recapture and recovery data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 74(1): 116-126.

· Kleiven AR, Fernández-Chacón A, Nordahl J, Moland E, Espeland SH, Knutsen H, Olsen EM. 2016. Harvest pressure on coastal Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from recreational fishing relative to commercial fishing assessed from tag-recovery data. PLOS One 11(3): e0149595. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149595.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Olsen EM, Moland E, Espeland SH. 2015. Demographic effects of full versus partial protection from harvesting: inference from an empirical before–after control-impact study on Atlantic cod. Journal of Applied Ecology 52: 1206-1215.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Genovart M, Alvarez D, Cano JM, Ojanguren AF, Rodríguez-Muñoz R, Nicieza AG. 2015. Neighbouring populations, opposite dynamics: influence of body size and environmental variation on the demography of stream-resident brown trout (Salmo trutta). Oecologia 178: 379-389.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Stefanescu C, Genovart M, Nichols JD, Hines JE, Páramo F, Turco M, Oro D. 2014. Determinants of extinction-colonization dynamics in Mediterranean butterflies: the role of landscape, climate and local habitat features. Journal of Animal Ecology 83: 276–285.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Genovart M, Pradel R, Tavecchia G, Bertolero A, Piccardo J, Forero MG, Afán I, Muntaner J, Oro D. 2013. When to stay, when to disperse and where to go: survival and dispersal patterns in a spatially structured seabird population. Ecography 36:1117–1126.

· Genovart M, Sanz-Aguilar A, Fernández-Chacón A, Igual JM, Pradel R, Forero MG, Oro D, Roulin A. 2013. Contrasting effects of climatic variability on the demography of a trans-equatorial migratory seabird. Journal of Animal Ecology 82:121–130.

· Fernández-Chacón A, Bertolero A, Amengual A, Tavecchia G, Homar V, Oro D. 2011. Spatial heterogeneity in the effects of climate change on the population dynamics of a Mediterranean tortoise. Global Change Biology 17:3075-3088.

· Constenla M, Carrassón M, Moyà CM, Fernàndez-Chacón A, Padrós F, Repullés-Albelda A, Montero FE. 2011. Parasitisation by Bathycreadium elongatum (Digenea, Opecoelidae) in pyloric caeca of Trachyrincus scabrus (Teleostei, Macrouridae). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 96:239-247.

Short biography

2019 - today: Postdoctoral researcher, University of Agder, Norway

2018 - 2019: Quantitative ecologist, Bretagne Vivante, France

2016 - 2018: Postdoctoral researcher, University of Oviedo, Spain

2013 - 2015: Postdoctoral researcher, Institute of Marine Research, Norway

Mucientes, Gonzalo; Fernández-Chacón, Albert; Queiroz, Nuno; Sims, David W. & Villegas-Ríos, David (2023). Juvenile survival and movements of two threatened oceanic sharks in the North Atlantic Ocean inferred from tag-recovery data. Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2045-7758. 13(6). doi: 10.1002/ece3.10198. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Understanding population dynamics, movements, and fishing mortality is critical to establish effective shark conservation measures across international boundaries in the ocean. There are few survival and dispersal estimates of juveniles of oceanic shark species in the North Atlantic despite it being one of the most fished regions in the world. Here we provide estimates of dispersal, survival, and proportion of fishing mortality in the North Atlantic for two threatened oceanic sharks: the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). Our results are based on multi-event models applied to tag-recovery data of 700 blue sharks and 132 shortfin makos tagged over a decade. A total of 60 blue sharks (8.57% of tagged) and 30 makos (22.73%) were recovered by the longline fishery between 2009 and 2017. Tag-reporting rate (percentage of returned information when a tagged shark was caught) was estimated to be high (0.794 ± 0.232 SE). Mean annual survival, as predicted from the models, was higher for blue shark (0.835 ± 0.040 SE) than for shortfin mako (0.618 ± 0.189 SE). Models predicted that fishing caused more than a half of total mortality in the study area for both species (0.576 ± 0.209), and more than a third of tagged individuals dispersed from the study area permanently (0.359 ± 0.073). Our findings, focused mainly on juveniles from oceanic areas, contribute to a better understanding of shark population dynamics in the North Atlantic and highlight the need for further conservation measures for both blue shark and shortfin mako, such as implementing efficient bycatch mitigation measures and static/dynamic time–area closures in the open ocean.
Palomar, Gemma; Fernández-Chacón, Albert & Bosch, Jaime (2022). Amphibian survival compromised by long-term effects of chytrid fungus. Biodiversity and Conservation. ISSN 0960-3115. doi: 10.1007/s10531-022-02525-3. Full text in Research Archive
Knutsen, Jan Atle; Kleiven, Alf Ring; Olsen, Esben Moland; Knutsen, Halvor; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg & Sørdalen, Tonje Knutsen [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2022). Lobster reserves as a management tool in coastal waters: Two decades of experience in Norway. Marine Policy. ISSN 0308-597X. 136. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104908. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
The positive effects of reduced fishing pressure in marine protected areas (MPAs) are now well documented globally. Yet, evidence of MPA benefits from long-term replicated before-after control-impact (BACI) studies and their usefulness in protecting target species are still rare, especially in northern temperate areas. Scientific rigor in the monitoring of MPAs is considered important for obtaining trust and compliance and can increase interest and enthusiasm for the benefits of marine conservation. Off the coast of southern Norway, a MPA imple- mentation process started up in 2002. Based on comprehensive consultations with local fishers and managers, four experimental lobster reserves were appointed in 2004. Two years later (2006), the reserves came into effect as the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries implemented regulations as a by-law of the Saltwater Fisheries Act that effectively banned all fixed gear. Long-term monitoring of the MPAs and adjacent control areas has enabled a rigorous scientific evaluation of the effects of these MPAs on lobster populations, including effects on density, growth, demography, behavior, and phenotypic diversity. As protection effects started to manifest, the lobster reserves attracted high public attention and were soon considered a credible supplement to traditional fisheries management. In the period from 2002 to 2021, more than 50 lobster reserves have been implemented in Norway. Here, we review the experiences since the lobster reserves were designated, implemented, and embraced by local communities in Norway, and over two decades have become an important tool for fishery management. Thoughts on the future of MPAs along the coast of Norway are discussed.
Moland, Even; Fernández-Chacón, Albert; Sørdalen, Tonje Knutsen; Villegas-Rios, David; Thorbjørnsen, Susanna Huneide & Halvorsen, Kim Aleksander Tallaksen [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2021). Restoration of Abundance and Dynamics of Coastal Fish and Lobster Within Northern Marine Protected Areas Across Two Decades. Frontiers in Marine Science. ISSN 2296-7745. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.674756. Full text in Research Archive
Curveira-Santos, Gonçalo; Sutherland, Chris; Tenan, Simone; Fernández-Chacón, Albert; Mann, Gareth K. H. & Pitman, Ross T. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Mesocarnivore community structuring in the presence of Africa's apex predator. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. ISSN 0962-8452. 288(1946), p. 1–10. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2379.
Fernández-Chacón, Albert; Buttay, Lucie; Moland, Even; Knutsen, Halvor & Olsen, Esben Moland (2021). Demographic responses to protection from harvesting in a long-lived marine species. Biological Conservation. ISSN 0006-3207. 257, p. 1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109094. Full text in Research Archive
Fernández-Chacón, Albert; Villegas-Ríos, David; Moland, Even; Baskett, Marissa L.; Olsen, Esben Moland & Carlson, Stephanie M. (2020). Protected areas buffer against harvest selection and rebuild phenotypic complexity. Ecological Applications. ISSN 1051-0761. 30(5). doi: 10.1002/eap.2108. Full text in Research Archive
Chacon, Albert Fernandez; Moland, Even; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg; Kleiven, Alf Ring & Olsen, Esben Moland (2016). Causes of mortality in depleted populations of Atlantic cod estimated from multi-event modelling of mark-recapture and recovery data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. ISSN 0706-652X. 74(1), p. 116–126. doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0313.
Kleiven, Alf Ring; Chacon, Albert Fernandez; Nordahl, Jan-Harald; Moland, Even; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg & Knutsen, Halvor [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2016). Harvest pressure on coastal atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from recreational fishing relative to commercial fishing assessed from tag-recovery data. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 11(3). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149595. Full text in Research Archive
Chacon, Albert Fernandez; Moland, Even; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg & Olsen, Esben Moland (2015). Demographic effects of full vs. partial protection from harvesting: Inference from an empirical before-after control-impact study on Atlantic cod. Journal of Applied Ecology. ISSN 0021-8901. 52(5), p. 1206–1215. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12477.
Chacon, Albert Fernandez; Genovart, Meritxell; Álvarez, David; Cano, José M.; Ojanguren, Alfredo F. & Rodriguez-Muñoz, Rolando [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Neighbouring populations, opposite dynamics: influence of body size and environmental variation on the demography of stream-resident brown trout (Salmo trutta). Oecologia. ISSN 0029-8549. 178(2), p. 379–389. doi: 10.1007/s00442-015-3222-9.

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Deininger, Anne; Martin, Angela Helen; Pardo, Juan; Berg, Paul Ragnar; Bhardwaj, Jyotirmoy & de Oliveira Catarino, Diana Sofia [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2021). Coastal Research Seen Through an Early Career Lens—A Perspective on Barriers to Interdisciplinarity in Norway. Frontiers in Marine Science. ISSN 2296-7745. 8. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.634999. Full text in Research Archive
Moland, Even; Chacon, Albert Fernandez; Olsen, Esben Moland & Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg (2015). Marine protected areas increase survival of Atlantic cod. Science for Environment Policy. Full text in Research Archive
Halvorsen, Kim Aleksander Tallaksen; Skiftesvik, Anne Berit; Larsen, Torkel; Otterå, Håkon Magne & Fernández-Chacón, Albert (2021). Kunnskapsstøtte og råd for regulering av fisket etter leppefisk i 2022. Havforskningsinstituttet. ISSN 1893-4536. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Havforskningsinstituttets råd om reguleringer av leppefisk har bygget på føre-var-prinsippet. Det er en målsetning å minimere risikoen for at fiskeriet fører til betydelige endringer i arts, størrelse- og kjønnssammensetning av leppefisk i lokale bestander. Artene bør her kunne opprettholde et naturlig rekrutteringspotensial, samt at deres økologiske funksjon blir minst mulig endret i forhold til en naturlig tilstand uten fiske. Fisket etter leppefisk er et flerartsfiskeri på arter med ulik biologi. Dette er nøkkelarter i kystøkosystemet, og de ulike artene fyller forskjellige økologiske nisjer som predatorer og byttedyr.

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Published Apr. 16, 2024 10:53 AM