Characterization of an Artisanal Multigear Fishery in the Core Zone of La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Mexican Pacific

: Hunting in tropical forests is typically most intense near human settlements, and this creates gradients of decreasing animal densities toward those settlements. Within the context of this spatial pattern, we evaluated the status of game in the hunting grounds of an indigenous community in eastern Ecuador. We constructed a spatially explicit model of hunter‐prey interactions that mimicked the hunting in the village and included realistic animal‐dispersal rules. We compared predictions from the model with distributions of animal harvest rates and catch per unit effort of 12 game species. Six species were overharvested in part or all of the area, and two other species were probably being overharvested, although high dispersal rates complicated the interpretation. We then compared our method with methods that have been used previously. We argue that because our method provides information about the spatial extent of overharvesting, it could be particularly useful in informing decision makers about where to establish no‐take areas and could therefore aid in improving the sustainability of hunting in tropical forests.

Artisanal fisheries and reproductive biology of the golden cownose ray, Rhinoptera steindachneri Evermann and Jenkins, 1891 , in the northern Mexican Pacific

Spatial assessment of benefits of a coastal Mediterranean Marine Protected Area

Standardized catch per unit effort and size compositions of Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda (Bloch, 1793), harvested by artisanal fisheries in the Senegalese Exclusive Economic Zone (SEEZ)

The development of fishing efficiency coupled with an increase of fishing effort led to the overexploitation of numerous natural marine resources. In addition to this commercial pressure, the impact of recreational activities on fish assemblages remains barely known. Here we examined the impact of spearfishing limitation on resources in a marine protected area (MPA) and the benefit it provides for the local artisanal fishery through the use of a novel indicator. We analysed trends in the fish assemblage composition using artisanal fisheries data collected in the Bonifacio Strait Natural Reserve (BSNR), a Mediterranean MPA where the spearfishing activity has been forbidden over 15% of its area. Fish species were pooled into three response groups according to their target level by spearfishing. We developed the new flexible ReGS indicator reflecting shifts in species assemblages according to the relative abundance of each response group facing external pressure. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) increased by ca. 60% in the BSNR between 2000 and 2007, while the MPA was established in 1999. The gain of CPUE strongly depended on the considered response group: for the highly targeted group, the CPUE doubled while the CPUE of the untargeted group increased by only 15.5%. The ReGS value significantly increased from 0.31 to 0.45 (on a scale between 0 and 1) in the general perimeter of this MPA while it has reached a threshold of 0.43, considered as a reference point, in the area protected from spearfishing since 1982. Our results demonstrated that limiting recreational fishing by appropriate zoning in multiple-use MPAs represents a real benefit for artisanal fisheries. More generally we showed how our new indicator may reveal a wide range of impacts on coastal ecosystems such as global change or habitat degradation.

Protected areas for conservation and poverty alleviation: experiences from Madagascar Charlie J. Gardner*, Martin E. Nicoll, Tsibara Mbohoahy, Kirsten L. L. Oleson, Anitry N. Ratsifandrihamanana, Joelisoa Ratsirarson, Lily-Arison Ren e de Roland, Malika Virah-Sawmy, Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona and Zoe G. Davies WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Programme Office, BP738, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK; D epartement de Biologie, Facult e des Sciences, Universit e de Toliara, Toliara 601, BP 185, Toliara, Madagascar; Blue Ventures Conservation, Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road, N7 9DP London, UK; ESSA-D epartement Eaux et Forets, Universit e d’Antananarivo, BP 175 Antananarivo, Madagascar; and The Peregrine Fund, BP 4113 Antananarivo, Madagascar

The investigation of recruitment pattern and catch per unit effort of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was conducted from March 2012 to February 2013 in Andoni River System, Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Total weight and length of sampled P. monodon, number of fishers, fishing duration and temperature were sampled monthly. Total weight of P. monodon landed, number of fishers and fishing duration was used to determine catch per unit effort in kg/man/h. The recruitment pattern was analyzed using the length frequency data of the stock. The result shows that recruitment pattern was continuous and higher during the rainy season, that is from May to October. Catch per unit effort was lowest (46.09Kg/man/h) in January and highest (78.11 kg/man/h) in September. Mean temperature ranged from 27±0.32°C to 31±0.89°C which was suitable for the stock. A positive moderate correlation existed between recruitment and catch per unit effort (r = 0.50056) while a positive weak correlation occurred between recruitment and temperature (r = 0.21102). It is concluded from the study that a rise in the recruitment of P.monodon translated into a rise in catch per unit effort and that temperature was not the only factor necessary for recruitment. Key words: Shrimp, recruitment, catch per unit effort (CPUE), Andoni River, Penaeus monodon, Nigeria.

Small-scale fisheries are vital to Madagascar's coastal communities, providing livelihoods, food security, and economic opportunities. Yet, these fisheries are often undervalued and unmanaged due to limited data. With the growing establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Madagascar, gaining insights into how fishing practices interact with socio-ecological dynamics has become increasingly important for effective management. However, no study to date has offered a comprehensive regional comparison of catch per unit effort (CPUE). To address this gap, we investigated the effects of gender, gear use, reserve status, and fishing revenue on regional CPUE trends. We used CPUE data collected by trained local fish collectors, from 2023 to 2024, through Kobo Toolbox standardized surveys, encompassing over 8,100 fishing trips across 18 villages in three regions (Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast). Collectors, primarily women, documented fishers’ gender, age, hours at sea, fishing locations, gear types used, and identified, counted, and weighed each organism caught twice a week. We anticipate regional differences in CPUE trends, with higher values in areas where women contribute substantially to the catch and in regions where villages participate in protected area agreements, as reserves may promote more sustainable fish populations through reduced fishing pressure and spillover effects. These findings will improve understanding of the regional factors that influence CPUE, supporting more inclusive and effective management strategies for sustainable fisheries. By examining these trends alongside community perspectives, we hope to understand how fishing practices and CPUE relate to opinions on and participation in MPA management across these categories, fostering more inclusive management approaches. Although this research focuses on Madagascar, it will provide valuable insights for conservation organizations working on small-scale fisheries and MPA management globally.

Estimates of biomass or relative biomass are required for monitoring the recovery of depleted bivalve resources and for the management of newly exploited resources. Uncertainty around fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) as a proxy for biomass highlights the need for fishery-independent assessments. Following a prolonged period of decline in Australia's largest fishery for surf clam Donax deltoides, robust estimates of biomass were required to monitor recovery and to set appropriate total allowable commercial catches. Estimates of relative biomass were derived from fishery-independent surveys (FIS) conducted cooperatively by researchers and fishers. The FIS assessed both the spatial (m to km) and temporal (months to years) dynamics of the fishery and enabled comparisons with CPUE. Concurrent size-frequency distributions provided information on the mechanisms underlying variability in resource status across the fishery. Increasing relative biomass and complexity of size structures indicated recovery of the resource from 2009, although spatial contraction of the resource also occurred. Relative biomass from FIS provides a robust fishery performance indicator that is appropriate to the scale of the fishery and has advantages over fishery-dependent CPUE of finer temporal and spatial resolution and consistent sampling efficiency. Performance indicators based on FIS provide improved understanding of the changes in resource status. Active engagement of fishers contributes to enhanced economic and environmental outcomes. Received December 9, 2014; accepted September 3, 2015

The Brazilian Amazon contains the world's most diverse fish assemblages. These assemblages can be affected by freshwater fisheries, which provide food and income for riverine people, and by accelerating environmental change. We collaborated with local fishers to provide a comprehensive assessment of the spatial patterns of fish use in 3 clear-water rivers in the Brazilian Amazon: the Tapajos, Trombetas, and Tocantins. We interviewed 638 fishers in 39 communities about fish use for domestic consumption or sale, daily catches per fisher, and catch per unit effort (CPUE). We then assessed the influence of river identity, protected areas (PAs), forest cover, and landscape complexity (independent variables) on catches and CPUE estimated from interviews (response variables) through linear models. We also analyzed data from participatory catch monitoring in 21 communities along the Tapajos River (5668 fish landings). Twenty-one fish species were the most harvested and cited by interview respondents, 16 of which were migratory fishes, accounting for 82% of catches in the Tapajos River. According to fishers, daily fish catches per fisher were higher outside PAs (effect size 0.33) than inside, whereas CPUE was higher inside PAs than outside (-0.27). Catches were negatively associated with forest cover (-0.20), whereas river landscape complexity was positively associated with fish catch (0.96) and CPUE (0.66). These results can support management strategies, from regional to large scales, by reinforcing the relevance of PAs in clear-water rivers and showing the influence of landscape on fish catches. Our collaboration with fishers provided robust baseline data that can be used to inform inclusive, precautionary, and adaptive policies for conservation of threatened rivers.

Struggles beneath the waves: Unveiling the incidental capture of sea turtles by artisanal fisheries in Angolan waters

Fishery-dependent catch per unit effort (CPUE) values are an important indicator for assessing stock abundance due to the high cost of fishery-independent research. In this study, it was aimed to determine the spatial (Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea) and temporal (2016-2022) changes in the fishing effort and CPUE values of small-scale fisheries (SSF) along the Turkish coast. Records collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry between 2017 and 2023 within the scope of the support implemented for SSF were retrospectively examined and analyzed. The fishing effort (fishing days per year) and CPUE (kg/vessel/day and kg/kW/day) values were calculated for the whole sea and segments (year and sea), and statistical comparisons were made with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). This study was the first to include engine power (kW) in the calculation of CPUE in Turkish SSF. The fishing days decreased by 32 days from 2016 to 2022 and the differences between the years and between the seas were statistically significant (p < 0.001). While higher CPUE (kg/vessel/day) values were obtained in 2022 compared to 2016 in all seas (p < 0.05). The highest CPUE (kg/vessel/day) values in all years were in the Black Sea, and the lowest values were in the Aegean Sea (p < 0.001). The CPUE (kg/kW/day) for the whole sea decreased by 7% in 2022 compared to 2016. Fishing days per year was lower and the CPUE (kg/vessel/day) were higher compared to the previous periods.

Gillnets are a widely used fishing gear in Kenya’s artisanal fisheries, yet their mesh sizes are inadequately monitored or regulated. This study evaluated the impacts of gillnets of seven stretched-mesh sizes, through comparative analysis of species-related metrics and catch per unit effort (CPUE), to inform Kenya’s small-scale fisheries regulations. Data were collected from June 2014 to May 2015. Three mesh-size groups were identified from catch composition data using non-metric multidimensional scaling and comprised small (1.3, 5.1 and 7.6 cm), medium (10.2 and 15.2 cm) and large (20.3 and 25.4 cm) mesh. The dominant species (and their mean lengths) that were caught in the small, medium and large mesh sizes, respectively, were whitespotted rabbitfish Siganus sutor (21.7 cm [SD 5.3]), mackerel tuna Euthynnus affinis (40.8 cm [SD 9.1]) and honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (87.3 cm [SD 37.4]). Values of length at first capture (L 50) for S. sutor and E. affinis caught with the small and medium mesh sizes were below length at maturity (L m). Catches of juveniles were proportionately high in the small meshes (61.3–74.2%) and lower in the medium (38.3–50.9%) and large (9.1–36.2%) mesh sizes. Catches with small mesh tended to be species categorised as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, in contrast to catches with large mesh which tended to be Near Threatened or Vulnerable species. Biomass CPUE differed between mesh-size groups, with the small sizes recording low CPUE. The medium sizes caught mid- to high-trophic-level species with high-income returns, displayed moderate CPUE, and had the lowest juvenile retention and capture of threatened species. Medium mesh sizes are therefore recommended for artisanal fisheries, given low trade-offs between ecological impact and fishery returns.

While global declines of pelagic shark populations have been recognized for several years, conservation efforts remain hampered by a poor understanding of their spatial distribution and ecology. Two species of conservation concern are the blue shark Prionace glauca and the shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus. To improve management of these species, this study examined their local abundance patterns, habitat preferences, and distribution in the Southeast Pacific. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) data from an artisanal fishery in Peru were used to identify geographic hot spots and model abundance estimates as a function of environmental variables, including the El Nio Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A 10 yr data series revealed declining annual landings since 2012, despite no changes in management structures. Significant aggregations of both species were found in southwestern Peruvian waters (74-76W, 17-19S), with both speciesspecific hot spots targeted by major fishing efforts. P. glauca CPUE increased during La Nia conditions (i.e. low water temperature anomaly), and CPUE of both species declined when water depths exceeded 1000 m. Correlations with lunar illumination and chlorophyll a were revealed in P. glauca and I. oxyrinchus, respectively. Modeling explained 57 to 61% of the deviance, indicating that other factors not included in the present study might account for unexplained variance in CPUE (e.g. thermocline depth, location of marine fronts, dissolved oxygen, and gear characteristics). Given the importance of the examined area to shark fisheries and the exploitation of multiple species of conservation concern, the information presented here can be used to inform management strategies designed to limit the depletion of pelagic sharks.

Minnow traps are commonly used in the stickleback (Gasterostidae) fishery, but the potential differences in catch per unit effort (CPUE) among different minnow trap models are little studied. We compared the CPUE of four different minnow trap models in field experiments conducted with three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Marked (up to 26 fold) differences in median CPUE among different trap models were observed. Metallic uncoated traps yielded the largest CPUE (2.8 fish/h), followed by metallic black nylon-coated traps (1.3 fish/h). Collapsible canvas traps yielded substantially lower CPUEs (black: 0.7 fish/h; red: 0.1 fish/h) than the metallic traps. Laboratory trials further revealed significant differences in escape probabilities among the different trap models. While the differences in escape probability can explain at least part of the differences in CPUE among the trap models (e.g. high escape rate and low CPUE in red canvas traps), discrepancies between model-specific CPUEs and escape rates suggests that variation in entrance rate also contributes to the differences in CPUE. In general, and in accordance with earlier data on nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) trapping, the results suggest that uncoated metallic (Gee-type) traps are superior to the other commonly used minnow trap models in stickleback fisheries.