Potential egg production, recruitment, and closed fishing season of the Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens): Implications for fisheries management

Abstract

Recruitment success of commercially important marine resources, such as the Peruvian anchovy Engraulis ringens, is based on continuous assessment and fisheries management. Potential egg production (PEP) is a valuable tool that, unlike the reproductive indices, quantifies spawning activity and increases the likelihood of a better prediction of recruitment. From 2000 to 2008, spawning females >14.0 cm total length contributed largely to the annual PEP (more than 60%), while females ranging from 12.0 to 14.0 cm TL had a significant participation during peak spawning periods. During the main spawning periods, 68% of the total PEP was obtained, with each length group contributing 50% of this production, whereas during the period of low activity, females >14.0 cm were those that kept spawning, contributing 81% of PEP. The breeding-related closed fishing seasons protected 57% of PEP, 22% in summer and 35% in winter-spring; fishery closure is an effective management measure to protect the main reproductive activity. This protection and quantitative knowledge of the spawning of E. ringens, such as that provided by PEP, will help us to better understand the recruitment process and predict recruitment.