No abstract

Summary The total length (TL) at sexual maturity by sex, fecundity characteristics, and some population aspects (size structures and sexual proportions) are presented for the yellownose skate, Dipturus chilensis, in the eastern South Pacific Ocean. Samples were taken between January 2003 and August 2004 from three zones (principal fishing grounds for the species) in Chile’s southern channels (41°30′S–55°10′S). TL at which 50% of the individuals reach maturity was significantly different by sex, with females estimated to mature at 103.9 cm and males at 89.7 cm. The average estimated fecundity was 23.4 (SD 6.4) ova per female. We report on the relationships of clasper lengths and oviducal gland widths with TL and the stages of maturity. Length compositions were statistically different by sex in the same zone (P < 0.05) and between zones for combined sexes (P < 0.05). The proportion of females increased when these reached the TL at which 50% attained maturity, becoming highly available to the fishing gear, possibly in relation to the reproductive strategy. Finally, the results yielded valuable knowledge about population responses to exploitation through fishing.

We analyzed the allocation of effective fishing effort and the standardization of cardinalfish (Epigonus crassicaudus) catch rates in the multispecies demersal trawl fishery off central Chile. The period analyzed covered from 1997 to 2004 and included detailed information about fishing hauls. Each haul that contained cardinalfish was assigned into a particular fishing tactic (cluster) by using multivariate analysis of their catch composition. The catch rate standardization was carried out by generalized linear models (GLM). Three fishing tactics were discovered: the first directed effort at cardinalfish, the second at common hake (Merluccius gayi gayi), and the third at Patagonian grenadier (Macruronus magellanicus). Fishing tactic was used as an explanatory variable in the proposed GLM. The fishing tactic effect was one of the most important factors in explaining the variance in the GLM. These results are discussed in the context of how the assignation of a fishing tactic allows unbiased abundance indices to be obtained in this kind of multispecies demersal fishery.

We review the status of groundfish stocks using published scientific assessments for 349 individual stocks constituting 90% of global groundfish catch. Overall, average stock abundance is increasing and is currently above the level that would produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Fishing pressure for cod‐like fishes (Gadiformes) and flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) was, for several decades, on average well above levels associated with MSY, but is now at or below the level expected to produce MSY. In contrast, fishing pressure for rockfishes (Scorpaeniformes) decreased from near MSY‐related levels in the mid‐1990s, and since the mid‐2000s has remained on average at only one third of MSY‐related levels. Regions with the most depressed groundfish stocks are the Northwest Atlantic and the Pacific coast of South America, while stocks from the Northeast and Eastern Central Pacific, Northeast Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic and Southwest Pacific tend to have greatest average abundance relative to MSY‐based reference points. In the most recent year available for each stock, the catch was only 61% of MSY. Equilibrium yield curves indicate that 76% of global potential groundfish yield could be achieved using current estimates of fishing pressure. 15% of this is lost by excess fishing pressure, 67% results from lower than optimal fishing pressure on healthy stocks and 18% is lost from stocks currently overfished but rebuilding. Thus, there is modest opportunity to increase catch of global groundfish fisheries by reducing overfishing on some stocks, but more by increasing harvest on others. However, there may be other reasons not to fully exploit these stocks.