Is my fishing gear impacting the habitat? An impact assessment in four fisheries in the Northwest Mexican Pacific

Abstract

The impacts of fishing activities on habitats for commercially important species may, directly and indirectly, influence species and associated communities. These effects include those on target species, bycatch species, habitats, etc. In this study, the impact of small-scale fisheries on habitats was evaluated in four fishing communities from the Northwest Mexican Pacific. The species and size selectivity of several fishing gear were evaluated, and the spatial distribution of catches was studied to assess the impacts of fishing gear using a Consequence Spatial Analysis (CSA). Our results showed that in finfish fisheries from Guaymas and Isla Natividad, the catch of the target species represents more than 75% of the total catch and in El Rosario, the catch represents less than 50%. We assessed 42 habitat types in four communities, which were qualified with low-risk scores. The fishing gears used to target commercial species are selective to optimal sizes above their maturity size. The results contribute to improving management in data-poor fisheries by evaluating the impacts of fishing on habitats and discussing their relevance for implementation.