Abstract
A multi-indicator system and the Traffic Light methodology (TL) to provide the first description of the Illex coindetii (Verany 1839) stock in the GFCM geographical sub-area (GSA) 18 (southern Adriatic Sea; Central Mediterranean) were applied using independent fishery data (“Mediterranean Bottom Trawl Survey”, “Medits”, programme, years 1996–2004). The trajectories of nine population indicators of Frequency of Occurrence (F), Biomass (BI), Density (DI), Recruit Strength (RS), Spawner Strength (SS), Mean Body Weight (MBW), Mantle Length (ML), Mantle Length Excluding Recruits fraction (MLER), Mean mantle Length-Females Length at maturity ratio (MLLm), were analysed using statistical estimators as arithmetic and geometric mean, median, and 75th percentile. The TL methodology was applied to analyse the resulting multiple-indicator panel. Results describe a significant trend of the I. coindetii stock (in number) in the GSA 18 related to a shift within its structure due to a greater proportion of small specimens in the population. Factors that may be contributing to the observed changes are sea temperature, the reduction of possible predators, the recovery of some prey species mostly due to the fishing pressure occurring in the area, and the fast growth and short life span of I. coindetii. In a dynamic system like the Adriatic Sea, the capability to respond quickly to the “environmental” or “ecosystem” changes seem to give I. coindetii an advantage in competition with the long lived finfish species. Accordingly, there is potential to use squid population dynamics as recorders to track environmental and ecological changes, as well as overexploitation. The adopted methodology drew attention to changes occurring within the stock of I. coindetii, and could provide an opportunity for managers to consider action at an early stage. The multi-indicator system and the TL methodology are illustrated as means to follow dynamic changes within squid stock, and to provide useful information for the assessment of the resource.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.