Methodological Alternative to Oceanographic Cruises for the Characterization of the Nekton in the Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this paper is to develop a new methodological approach to evaluate and understand the variations in richness, abundance, geographical and bathymetric distribution of nektonic resources in the Colombian Caribbean. The methodology generates a constant recording and monitoring of biodiversity and abundance in both space and time, through audio-visual and geo-positioning tools resulting in a robust set of information with regards to nektonic behavior. Recording and monitoring of nekton are developed through artisanal fishing remote monitoring and fishing landings assessment, which in turn allows to evaluate the richness of the species with respect to its temporality, geographical location, and bathymetric zone. The experimental phase was carried out during a calendar year between 2016 and 2017, taking place in the most representative coastal towns of the departments of Bolívar, Atlántico, and Magdalena in Colombia. With respect to the Fishing grounds distance to the coast, areas of greater concentration of fishing resources were located between 0 to 10 nautical miles from the coast. The species richness compared to the bathymetry, showed a greater concentration of resources in the stratum ranging from zero to 50 m. In order to verify the accuracy of the information, a quality control system was implemented for the fishery landings assessment reducing the uncertainty and achieving 98% effectiveness in the calculations of richness and landings. The identified fishing zones maintained a correlation with the quality control data on board. The audiovisual and geo-positioning tools allowed validation of the locations reported by fishermen, and further helped establishing artisanal fishing zones at distances less than 12 nautical miles from the coast, as established in the Colombian fisheries regulation.