Abstract
The historical development of Peru’s sardine (Sardinops sagax) fishery between 1978 and 2005 is described from fishery indicators (landings and effort) and environmental indicators (Pacific Decadal Oscillation [PDO] index, Southern Oscillation Index, and Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly) in order to observe the spatial and temporal variations of the fishery. During this period, the fishery indicators showed that excessive fishing pressure caused the drastic decline in abundance, as demonstrated by the low catch levels in recent years. Regarding the environmental indicators, a positive relationship with sardine landing anomalies was observed; however, the PDO index had a significant positive correlation (rPearson = 0.50; P = 0.0005; n = 45) in comparison with the other indices. The results of this study show that the effects of overfishing and adverse environmental conditions strongly impacted the Peruvian sardine population, with the consequent collapse of the fishery.
Highlights
Populations of small pelagic fish such as sardines and anchovies are found in highly productive ecosystems, especially upwelling regions, around the world
The objective of the present study is to analyze the historical development of the sardine fishery from 1978 to 2005 based on fishery indicators, spatial and temporal distribution, and environmental indicators, factors that interact in complex and unexpected ways and affect the population
The study area included the coastal zone off Peru, from the northern border (Puerto Pizarro, 03o30 S, 80o24 W) to the southern border (La Concordia, 18°20.8'S, 70°22.6'W), and 200 nautical miles offshore
Summary
Populations of small pelagic fish such as sardines and anchovies are found in highly productive ecosystems, especially upwelling regions, around the world. These species account for nearly one-third of the global fish catches, mainly in the Humboldt, Benguela, California, and Canary current systems (FAO 2007). The northern Humboldt Current System off Peru is highly dynamic. The Peruvian sardine, Sardinops sagax (Jenyns 1842), inhabits this environment. This species used to be one of the main sources of raw material for Peru’s canning industry and of great socio-economic importance for the country, INTRODUCCIÓN
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