Seasonal Fish Research Articles

Potential for a commercial inland fishery or just another water storage facility at Spring Grove Dam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa?

South Africa's inland fisheries are generally undervalued, though there is developing interest in the sector. Spring Grove Dam in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands became operational as a water storage facility in 2013 to provide water to the growing urban population in the province. We assessed whether the impoundment could potentially support commercial fisheries as had been proposed during its design and construction. We conducted seasonal fish community surveys from 2020 to 2021 at sites along the impoundment and in the mainstem of the Mooi River which feeds into the impoundment. We recorded a total of nine fish species, including six non-native fishes with invasive characteristics. Only three of 10 expected native species were found, namely the KwaZulu-Natal yellowfish Labeobarbus natalensis, chubbyhead barb Enteromius anoplus and African longfin eel Anguilla mossambica. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was low in the sampling surveys using mostly gillnets and fyke nets, and relatively low yields (14.97 tonnes yr-1) were subsequently calculated for the impoundment, making commercial fisheries unviable. However, the existing subsistence and recreational fisheries for non-native salmonids and the native L. natalensis would benefit by controlling the distribution range and abundances of non-native centrachids Micropterus spp. We offer recommendations and suggestions for management plans for Spring Grove Dam in the context of local fish diversity, a changing climate, further construction of water storage facilities on east-flowing rivers in the province, and a nationally neglected inland fishery industry.

Spatio-Temporal Diversity and Abundance of Fish in the Little Ruaha River Catchments, Iringa Tanzania

Fish are an important component of Tanzania's aquatic biodiversity and contribute to the national economy. However, there has not been a sufficient evaluation of the spatial-temporal distribution of fish in the Little Ruaha River catchments. This study determined the spatiotemporal diversity and abundance of fish and generated information on the spatial distribution of fish across the catchments. Fish samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons at three sampling sites (upper reach, middle reach, and lower reach) using gillnets of 76.2 mm mesh size. Using the Shannon diversity index, we computed the diversity of fish in different habitats and seasons. We used the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests to determine the differences in fish diversity and abundance between habitats and seasons. We captured a total of 250 fish individuals from five different species. The fish species diversity and relative abundance were higher in the lower reach compared to the upper reach. The relative abundance of fish was statistically different (p = 0.01) between habitat and seasons. However, there was no significant (p = 0.3) difference in fish diversity between habitats and seasons. Oreochromis and Clarias were the most common species across all habitats. Management of river basins should integrate fisheries activities for integrated river basin management.

Hydraulic analysis for assessing environmental flow selection and ecological model formulation

AbstractEcosystem management depends on transforming qualitative observations (e.g., slow‐moving shallow conditions provide nursery refugia for silvery minnow larvae) into management actions to increase habitat quantity or improve habitat quality. To be effective, decision metrics that are developed for management objectives should be validated with field observations. Model assumptions, precision and parameter importance can be refined by comparing the fidelity of selected parameters computed as habitat quality metrics and the correlation of these metrics to real‐world observations. Validated environmental metrics are more credible for management and can be compatible with ecosystem monitoring and project design processes. In this study, streamflow monitoring data and hydraulic modelling are used to quantify fish habitat extent for 15 years of spring runoff. The spring runoff event coincides with larval maturation to a free‐swimming juvenile phase for the silvery minnow, a critical period in Rio Grande habitat management. Different methods to estimate habitat availability (i.e., hydrology statistics, inundation extents based on hydraulic modelling and areal habitat availability based on different formulations of a habitat suitability index curve) were used to test the efficacy of different metrics relative to species population monitoring. This analysis finds that flow–ecology relationships based on hydraulic modelling or hydrology statistics are both effective and highly correlated to larval production. The investigation shows how seasonal hydrologic characterization and hydraulic discretization have varying levels of correlation with seasonal fish production. This study demonstrates how hydraulic modelling data and hydrologic characterization of riverine environments can be used to validate or develop conceptual ecological models.

Exploring Seasonal Variations in Fish Communities: A Study of the Yellow River Estuary and Its Adjacent Waters Using eDNA and Trawl Surveys

The Yellow River Estuary and its adjacent waters serve as crucial spawning, foraging, and nursery areas for marine organisms, possessing abundant biological resources. Monitoring fish communities provides a baseline for implementing the sustainable utilization of marine resources. In this study, data were collected from 15 spring surface and bottom sites and 17 summer surface sites using eDNA and trawl surveys. The results showed that 37, 40, and 35 fish species were detected using eDNA in the spring (surface and bottom) and summer (surface), respectively, with 38 fish species caught during summer trawling. The dominant species mainly belonged to Engraulidae of Clupeiformes in the spring and Gobiidae of Perciformes in the summer, characterized by smaller-sized, short-lived, and pelagic fish species. The summer surface communities exhibited higher diversity than the spring surface and bottom communities. NMDS analysis revealed a degree of seasonal differences in fish communities and that there may be a lack of vertical stratification in the spring communities. The pH and DO were identified as the key environmental factors affecting the fish community. Additionally, the combination of eDNA and trawl surveys was regarded as a superior survey method. Our study provides valuable information for understanding seasonal fish communities in the Yellow River Estuary and its adjacent waters, contributing to fishery resource management and conservation in the region.

Seasonal fish larvae abundance and composition in seagrass habitats of coastal East Africa.

Seagrass habitats play a major role in fisheries productivity through nursery functions and feeding grounds for diverse fish species. However, little is known about the seasonal distribution of fish larvae at large spatial scales in coastal East Africa. We investigated drivers of the seasonal fish larvae abundance and composition in seagrass habitats in Kenya and Tanzania. We found a high diversity of fish larvae (54 families) inhabiting seagrass habitats that differed between sites and seasons. Fish larvae abundance were highest in Kenya, particularly during the northeast monsoon season. Overall, total larval abundances per site were low, reaching less than 190 individuals/100m3 in Kenya and less than 40 individuals/100m3 in Tanzania, likely related to the low productivity and strong hydrodynamic processes in this region. Our data suggests that most of the fish spawn year-round in these tropical waters as we did not find strong seasonal patterns. All sites had a high relative abundance of larvae from demersal spawning fishes, indicating that many fish species move to coastal sites for spawning. Primary productivity and dissolved oxygen, driven by hydrodynamics conditions are positively related to fish larvae productivity both in Kenya and Tanzania. These findings indicate that the occurrence of both resident and transient fish larvae in seagrass meadows is driven by strong hydrodynamic and tidal processes that transport fish larvae across adjacent habitats.

Managing water gate operation and fish passage facilities in irrigated systems of the Nam Kam River, Thailand

AbstractThe migration of fishes through the Thoranit Naruemit water gate on the Nam Kam River, a tributary of the Mekong River in Thailand, was studied to understand the hydrological factors and improve the operational regime of the fish pass at the structure. Migration of fish from the Mekong River started in May, at the onset of the rainy season. During 60 days of operation, the fish pass supported the upstream migration of 83 species and ~440,000 fish, equivalent to about 11 tonnes of fish. The fish pass supported migration of a range of fish sizes between 45 and 700 mm, and most fish were larger than the size of first maturity for the species in question. The factors influencing migration into the Nam Kam included the lunar cycle, flow in the fish pass, water level in the river and flow variability. Migration tended to increase in the 3–4‐day period before or after a full moon. Discharge and water level changes associated with rising water levels in the Mekong River synchronize with the spawning season of most Mekong fish and trigger upstream migration. Many fish migrated through the pass at discharges through sluice gates between 8 and 323 m3/s and with a flow through the fish pass between 0.95 and 3.08 m/s. Restrictions to fish migration were found and recommendations for water gate and fish pass operation are provided.

Assessing the influence of offshore wind turbine noise on seasonal fish chorusing

Abstract Offshore wind farms have recently emerged as a renewable energy solution. However, the long-term impacts of wind turbine noise on fish chorusing phenology are largely unknown. We deployed a hydrophone 10 m from a foremost turbine in Taiwan situated at the Miaoli offshore wind farm (Taiwan Strait) for two years to investigate sound levels and assess the potential influence of turbine noise on seasonal fish chorusing patterns during 2017 and 2018. Wind turbine noise (measured in the 20–250 Hz frequency band) was significantly higher in autumn and winter (mean SPL: 138–143 dB re 1 μPa) and was highly correlated with wind speed (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). During both years, fish chorusing exhibited a consistent trend, that is, beginning in spring, peaking in summer, decreasing in autumn, and absent in winter. Our results show the noise from a single turbine during the two-year monitoring period did not influence the seasonal fish chorusing (r = −0.17, P ≈ 1). Since the offshore wind farm installations are growing in magnitude and capacity across the Taiwan Strait, this study for the first time provides baseline operational sound levels and an understanding of the fish seasonal vocalization behavior at the foremost turbine of the first wind farm in Taiwan. The results presented here provide useful insights for policymakers and constitute a reference starting point for advancing knowledge on the possible effects of wind turbines on fish chorusing in the studied area.

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL ANALYSIS RENGKAM ON BATAM ISLAND

: The marine and fisheries resources sector is one of the potentials that is widely utilized by coastal communities who mostly work as fishermen. The lives of fishermen who depend on natural conditions can be proven by the income of fishermen who increase during the fish season. The off-season causes the intensity of fishing to decrease, thus the amount of income received by fishermen is certainly drastically reduced. Collecting rengkam can be a solution for fishermen who have obstacles in catching fish. This profession switch provides benefits and improves welfare and makes coastal communities have choices to make a living. Rengkam has the potential to improve the welfare of coastal communities, especially during the season when fish are difficult to obtain, while it has consequences for ecosystem changes that cannot be ruled out. This study aims to scientifically examine the social and economic potential of rengkam exploration and review the environmental impacts of exploration activities and determine strategies that can be carried out to maximize social and economic potential and minimize the possibility of environmental impacts. This research uses a qualitative approach. Qualitative approach was conducted through in-depth interviews and field observations (primary data collection). This research was conducted at one location of the rengkam exploration center, Pecong Island, with the subjects involved in the research process being the community and SKPD at the research location. Measurements using survey instruments, interviews, observations and literature review. Qualitative data collected was analyzed using the Narrative Analysis method of important data not only related to context, but also time, place, specifications, experience, and suggestions for consideration.

Bioaccumulation of Some Heavy Metals in the Muscle of Cyprinus carpio from Three Locations in Dukan Lake

Because of their toxicity, when present in concentrations beyond the allowable limit, heavy metals in our environment have been a source of great concern. These metals are released into the environment in a variety of ways that favor consumption, such as through industrial processes. Fish are the most popular type of seafood. This study's purpose was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co) in the muscles of Cyprinus carpio from three distinct areas of Dukan Lake (the center of Dukan Lake, Ranya, and Qaladze) of Sulaimani province. The mean values of the elements examined in fish muscles were measured in the descending sequence of Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni > Co. All the discovered heavy metals were within the permitted FAO levels, except for cadmium, whose value (0.136 ppm) was higher than the 0.05 ppm threshold set by the European Union and government (EC, 2006). In conclusion, consuming such fish poses no dangers to humans based on detected amounts of targeted heavy metals except cadmium. The concentration of Co is affected by the location, sex, and season of fish captured, while the concentration of Cu and Ni are affected by fish sex.

Infection indices of Camallanus cotti Fujita, 1927 in Tor putitora in Mahakali River, Nepal

Red worm (Camallanus cotti Fujita, 1927) is an intestinal parasite both in wild and cultured fish all over the world. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and mean intensity of red worms in Mahseer (Tor putitora) in Mahakali River, Nepal. The study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2023. Mahseer fish (n=211) were collected from two sites of the river using gill nets and also purchased from the local markets of respective sites assuring the fish were from the Mahakali River. Parasites were recovered and processed using standard helminthological methods. Overall, the prevalence and mean intensity of the red worms in Mahseer were 3.79% and 1.37, respectively. The highest prevalence was found in more than 0.2 m long (4.38%), 0.051–0.1 kg weighted (6.42%) female host fish (4.32%) in March (22.22%) and spring seasons (5.26%). Similarly, the highest intensity was found in 0.1–0.2 m long (2), 0.051–0.1 kg weighted (1.42) female host fish (1.37) in January (4) and winter season (2). Statistically, the variation in prevalence and intensity of the parasite were insignificant (p˃ 0.05). This study reveals low infection of the red worm in Mahseer but increases the risk of dissemination of parasites from the Mahakali River to nearby fish farms.

Colonization, diversity, and seasonality of fishes at pelagic fish aggregating devices.

The pelagic zone of the ocean can be a challenging environment in which to conduct research and as a result we lack the robust baseline abundance and diversity data, compared to what is available in more accessible coastal habitats, to be able to track changes or stressors to the biota in this environment. Many large-scale fisheries target pelagic fish, and much of the information available on these species is based on fisheries-dependent data that may be biased towards hotspots and commercially valuable fishes. Here, a long-term video and visual fish survey was conducted on two subsurface moored fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the pelagic waters of the central Bahamas to determine the feasibility of using moored pelagic FADs as tools for collecting fish abundance and diversity data. A wide range of species was documented, including large migratory fish that are the focus of commercial and recreational fisheries, and smaller often overlooked species on which little abundance or seasonality information exists. We found that FADs colonize quickly and reach a peak stable (albeit seasonally cyclical) abundance and diversity within the first several months after deployment. Species richness was higher in video surveys, but abundance was higher in visual surveys, except for sharks. Our results highlight the need to tailor survey methods to fit the context and study objective, and provide further evidence for the importance of fisheries-independent data in monitoring pelagic species.

The Role of “Ikan Makan” and “Ikan Tacucu” to Overcome the Financial Insecurity of Purse Seine Crews Households in Maluku

“Ikan makan” and “ikan tacucu” are the terms found in purse seine fishing systems in Maluku which is one of the important sources in the economic sustainability of fishermen crews’ households. This study aims to: 1) Describe the meaning and function of “ikan makan” and “ikan tacucu” in the context of purse seine fisheries in Maluku, 2) Analyze the importance of “ikan makan” and “ikan tacucu” in improving the economy of purse seine crews households, and 3) Analyze the importance of “ikan makan” and “ikan tacucu” in overcoming the financial insecurity for purse seine crews households. This research was conducted by using a survey method. Data were analyzed by using qualitative and quantitative descriptive analysis. The results show that there are two patterns of the distribution of “ikan makan”; first share the fish equally among the all crews and then each of them is responsible for it; second, selling all the “ikan makan” and the money will be divided equally among all crew members. The income of the crews from the sale of “ikan makan” in fish season is IDR 69,000 – 166,000/trip and in no fish season fish IDR 44,000 – 111,000/trip. Income from the sale of “ikan makan” during the fish season and no fish season are not able to overcome the households financial insecurity and only to reduce or suppress it.

Economic Benefits and Governance of Guiding Barrier Fishing Gear in White-Spotted Spinefoot Fish Fishing Activities (Siganus canaliculatus, Park 1797) In Bontang City Waters

Guiding barrier fishing gear has been used in recent years in the mangrove, seagrass, and coral ecosystem areas of Bontang City. In previous studies, the main target, white-spotted spinefoot fish, has depreciated and degraded as a result of overfishing. This study calculates the economic benefits and attempts to analyze the management policy of guiding barrier fishing gear to overcome the depreciation and degradation problems. To calculate the economic benefits, the fisheries production approach was used, while the policy analysis used the interpretive structural model technique. During the peak season of white-spotted spinefoot fish, the average fisherman earns up to IDR400,750 per day, with a minimum of IDR103,000 and a maximum of IDR1,904,000. The optimal fishing period is nine months, after which fishermen will stop fishing in Ramadan, August, and September. There are six guiding barrier fishing gear management policies, namely: 1) open and close systems at the installation site; 2) increase the mesh size used; 3) reduce the number; 4) moratorium on new installations; 5) limit the number of owners for each fisherman; and 6) regulate the distance between guiding barrier fishing gear. Of the six policy alternatives, the top priority is to increase the mesh size used.

Monsoonal variation and its impact on the feeding habit of Bali Sardinella (S. lemuru Bleeker, 1853) in Bali Strait

Sardinella lemuru is known as a highly opportunistic and flexible forager. Their high abundance in the coastal upwelling of Bali Strait was initially attributed to their feeding habit on phytoplankton and hence attaining higher catch. It was challenged by subsequent reports which suggested zooplankton as their main diet. This difference is due to the lack of information on the one-year cycle of its seasonal feeding. Here we used a combination of the plankton in seawater and the stomach contents of S. lemuru and monsoonal oceanographic changes at Bali Strait to determine the diet composition and food selectivity in four fishing seasons of 2012–2013. The result shows that S. lemuru is an omnivorous fish, and its diet composition depends on plankton availability in the environment, size classes, and the monsoonal oceanographic change influenced by upwelling. This condition strongly supported high nutrients for phytoplankton availability in the seawater with medium diversity and moderate community stability, except in inter-monsoon-2 (Trans-2). Phytoplankton was found as the main diet item of S. lemuru during the higher abundance of phytoplankton (82.26% Rhizosolenia stolterfothii) in Trans-2. In contrast, its main diet was substituted by zooplankton (51.96% Nauplius of Paraeuchaeta norvegica) during lower phytoplankton abundance in the northwest monsoon (NW). In addition, S. lemuru has adaptive strategies in feeding habits: It not only has flexibility but also selectivity in the feeding habit, supported by the ability to perform vertical migration for plankton grazing in different depths, move to another feeding ground, or plankton might be carried by the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) into the Bali Strait. This study provides valuable information on the feeding ecology of S. lemuru, possibly providing a scientific basis for the proper management of the S. lemuru fishery in Bali Strait.

Hydrological changes regulate fish metacommunity structures and β-diversity patterns in the floodplain lake, China

The metacommunity structures are continuously dynamic, and understanding the temporal species distribution patterns and biodiversity variations will elucidate the metacommunity theory. To examine whether the idealized metacommunity structuring, diversity patterns, and potential driving mechanisms vary among different seasons, we assessed seasonal fish data (i.e., normal, wet, and dry seasons) in the Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, by incorporating the Elements of Metacommunity Structure (EMS), β-diversity partitioning, and variance partitioning. The results suggested fish metacommunity displayed quasi-structures, with the quasi-Clemensian paradigm in the normal season and the quasi-Gleasonian paradigm in the wet and dry seasons, indicating the unity of species groups and individualistic species responded weakly to latent environmental gradients, respectively. The highest fish β-diversity occurred in the normal season and the lowest in the wet season with a humped trend. The species abundance replacement process contributed more to the total β-diversity than the nestedness-resultant component among seasons. The variation of the highest Local Contribution to Beta Diversity (LCBD) across seasons indicated the significance of protecting unique habitats. The relative importance of environment and spatial factors on fish metacommunity structure depended on discharge alternation, with a more significant role of spatial structuring occurring in the wet season, whereas predominant environmental filtering in the normal and dry seasons. The seasonal shifts in EMS patterns, β-diversity, and metacommunity assembly rules result from the change in hydrological conditions in the Poyang Lake. This work helps understand seasonal metacommunity dynamics and provides essential information for systematic biodiversity conservation planning in freshwater lakes.

Environmental impacts on seasonal fish diversity in Jamuna River, Bangladesh

Environmental impacts on seasonal fish diversity in Jamuna River, Bangladesh

Seasonal variation in non-point source heavy metal pollution in Satpara Lake and its toxicity in trout fish.

Heavy metal contamination in surface water is widespread throughout the world as a result of numerous anthropogenic activities and geo-genic mechanisms. This contamination is also affecting aquatic life, as fish have the potential to acquire heavy metals in their tissues making them vulnerable. Worldwide lakes are an important source of water for the inhabitants of the area. So, in the present study, we have focused on the Satpara Lake to check the extent of heavy metal pollution and their accumulation in fish to provide baseline data for metal pollution management. Samples were collected from three locations (inflow, center, and outflow sites) during two seasons (summer and winter). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied to analyze heavy metals concentration. Among the metals, Cd, Pb, As, and Fe revealed relatively higher concentrations. The highest concentration of heavy metal found in water and fish was of Cd, i.e., 8.87mg L-1 and 18.19mg L-1 in summer season, respectively. Arsenic concentration was also higher than the permissible limits in both water (0.76) and fish (1.17mg L-1). The water quality assessment showed that in the summer season, the HPI (heavy metal pollution index) value 253.01 was more than 100, indicating the bad quality of water for drinking purposes. However, the HPI value 35.72 was less than 100 in winter. Toxicity hazard calculation of fish in summer seasons gives Hi values greater than 10.0, indicating the acute effect on human health as compared to winter.

Year-round spawning of three tropical Cypriniformes fishes in Southeast Asia

Present knowledge on spawning seasonality of freshwater fishes in tropical Asia and their relationship with environmental factors remains limited. Three Southeast Asian Cypriniformes fishes, Lobocheilos ovalis, Rasbora argyrotaenia and Tor Tambra, found in rainforest streams in Brunei Darussalam were studied on a monthly basis for a period of 2 years. To assess spawning characteristics, seasonality, gonadosomatic index and reproductive phases were examined from 621 L. ovalis, 507 R. argyrotaenia and 138 T. tambra. This study also examined environmental factors such as rainfall, air temperature, photoperiod and lunar illumination that may influence the timing of spawning of these species. We found that L. ovalis, R. argyrotaenia and T. tambra were reproductively active throughout the year but did not find that spawning in these species were associated with any of the investigated environmental factors. Our study showed that the non-seasonal reproductive ecology found in the tropical cypriniform species is distinctly different from that of temperate cypriniforms, which are known to follow spawning seasonality, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to ensure their survival in an unstable environment. The reproductive strategy and ecological responses found in the tropical cypriniforms might be shifted in response to climate change scenarios in the future.

Valuation of fisheries management status based on ecosystem approach (EA) in East Simeulue, Aceh

Fishery management is an activity that must be carried out to achieve sustainable fisheries. Fisheries management using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) approach is the sustainable use of fishery resources and protection of fish stocks in nature. One of the objectives of fisheries management in social and economic aspects is how fisheries can ensure the socio-economic welfare of the fishing community. Using fishing gear that is not environmentally friendly is one of the triggers for social conflict between fishermen and the uncertain selling price when the peak season of fish impacted the fishermen's economy. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine the socio-economic domain indicators from the aspect of EAFM-based coastal and marine resource ecosystem management. This research was conducted from January to February 2021, located in Simeulue District, Sub-District East Simeulue. The data collection method used in the study was interviews and field surveys. The determination of respondents is done by using a gradual sampling technique or stratified random sampling. Data analysis uses an ordinal-based Likert score of 1,2,3 for each indicator, namely the economic domain, fishery household income (RTP), savings ratio, asset ownership, and the social domain, namely stakeholder participation fisheries conflict and the use of local knowledge in fish resource management. Management status in East Simeulue District assessed the aggregate value of the economic domain in the medium category with a score of 48.3. Fishermen still earn less than the minimum wage, while in the social domain, it is in the excellent category with a score of 100 because fishermen, institutions, and related agencies work with each other. Keywords:EAFMEcosystem approachFishery management

Using fishers’ local ecological knowledge for management of small-scale fisheries in data-poor regions: Comparing seasonal interview and field observation records in East Africa

Fishers, scientists and policy makers need to describe, understand and “agree on” variations in fish catches caused by exploitation and climate change for effective fisheries management. To achieve this, relevant data with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution is a necessity. In regions of the Global South, such as the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), fish catch data useful for management is scarce or non-existing. Still, the potential of local ecological knowledge to provide such information has not been fully utilised in these regions. In this study, we evaluated fishers’ local ecological knowledge (based on interviews) against detailed seasonal fish catch variability data based on catch per unit effort (CPUE) records. Because of the importance of the monsoon seasons for marine resource variability, differences in fish catches during the northeast (NE) and southeast (SE) monsoon seasons were investigated. Fishers’ perceptions generally agreed with catch data records, both showing that the NE monsoon season generally provides higher catch rates than the SE monsoon season. The fishers’ perceptions at two of the landing sites (Nyamisati and Shangani) contradict the recorded observations by showing highest fish catches during the SE monsoon season. It was clear, however, that fishers’ perceptions in these two sites focused on the most valuable target species (prawn and tuna in Nyamisati and Shangani, respectively) rather than total catches. In this particular case, fishers’ perceptions facilitated the significance of taking target species into consideration. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating local ecological knowledge into scientific research to help understand the complex dynamics of coastal fisheries and improve the management of data-poor fisheries.