Ecosystem level effects of the small pelagics fishery in the Gulf of California

P Del Monte-Luna,S E Lluch-Cota,C J Salvadeo,D Lluch-Belda

doi:10.37543/oceanides.v26i1.95

Abstract

Documentary scientific evidence supports the notion that the small pelagics fishery in the Gulf ofCalifornia does not measurably affect the physical habitat or the functional relationships between the species comprising the pelagic ecosystem. Also, there is little information that suggests any negative effects of the small pelagic fishery operations on critically endangered, endemic species, i.e., vaquita and totoaba. Under the current management regime, small pelagics fishery in the Gulf of California has recovered twice from collapses during the last 30 years. Although the small pelagics abundance varies greatly, the long-term productivity of the target species and the structure and function of the pelagic ecosystem are not compromised because the fishery relies on a suitable logistic and administrative platform, which is consistent with international standards for responsible fisheries, precautionary approach and ecosystem-based fisheries management principles.

Highlights

In the Gulf of California, functional relationships have been studied with two complementary approaches
In the gulf’s pelagic ecosystem, the dominant functional fish group in terms of biomass consists of the small pelagics, and within this group the Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) is the most abundant species, representing on average 55% of the total catch (Table 1; Figure 1)
In the present study we made a thorough literature survey in order to determine whether there is documentary information suggesting that the small pelagics fishery negatively affects the throphic relationships in the pelagic ecosystem of the Gulf of California, or the critically endangered species and their habitats that are or might be in contact with this fishery

Summary

Introduction

Ecosystem-level effects of the small pelagics fishery in the Gulf of California. In the gulf’s pelagic ecosystem, the dominant functional fish group in terms of biomass consists of the small pelagics, and within this group the Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) is the most abundant species, representing on average 55% of the total catch (Table 1; Figure 1).

Results

Conclusion