Abstract Introduction: Echinoderms are dominant in terms of abundance and diversity; particularly asteroids play an important role in Antarctic benthic communities. Objective: The aim of the present work was to review the bathymetric distribution, specific composition, occurrence and species richness of asteroid species inhabiting South Orkney, South Shetland and Palmer Archipelago, located in the Antarctic Peninsula. Aspects of the developmental patterns of the species found are also included. Methods: We used data acquired during the 2012 and 2013 Antarctic Summer Campaigns aboard the Oceanographic Vessel “Puerto Deseado”. Sampling stations were located in three archipelagos located in the Antarctic Peninsula: South Orkney (SO), South Shetland (SS) and Palmer Archipelago (PA). A total of 28 fishing hauls were made and 436 individuals were photographed and processed. The maximum radius (mm) of each individual, the macroscopic characteristics of the gonads and the presence of embryos were registered. A review of the taxonomic status, bathymetric and geographical distribution area of the sampled species was carried out based on bibliographic records and databases. A hierarchical grouping was used to analyze species composition among the different areas. Results: Asteroids were obtained in all sampling stations (occurrence: 100 %) between 52.7 and 987 m depth. 21 species were recorded, the bathymetric distribution was not broadened in any of them, and the geographical distribution area of six species was expanded. Species richness was equal in SS and PA and higher than in SO, coinciding with the presence of two regional groups with a similar faunal composition. Seventy-two percent of the recorded species present pelagic development (planktotrophic larvae = 17 %, and lecithotrophic larvae = 55 %) and 28 % non-pelagic development (retained larvae = 17 %, and direct development = 11 %). Conclusions: In the three archipelagos, the majority development pattern was pelagic with lecithotrophic nutrition. All the species found in this study are shared with the sub-Antarctic region, highlighting the importance of the Malvinas Current in the dispersal of species from Antarctica.

Resumen Introducción: Los equinodermos son dominantes en términos de abundancia y diversidad; particularmente los asteroideos presentan un importante rol en las comunidades bentónicas antárticas. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo fue revisar la distribución batimétrica, composición específica, ocurrencia y riqueza de especies de asteroideos que habitan en los archipiélagos Orcadas del Sur, Shetland del Sur y Archipiélago de Palmer, ubicados en la Península Antártica. A su vez, detallar aspectos de los patrones de desarrollo de las especies halladas. Métodos: Utilizamos la información adquirida durante Campañas Antárticas de Verano 2012 y 2013, a bordo del Buque Oceanográfico “Puerto Deseado”. Las estaciones de muestreo se ubicaron en tres archipiélagos localizados en la Península Antártica: Orcadas del Sur (OS), Shetland del Sur (SS) y Archipiélago de Palmer (AP). Se realizaron 28 lances de pesca y se fotografiaron y procesaron 436 individuos. Se determinó el radio mayor (mm) de cada individuo, las características macroscópicas de las gónadas y la presencia de embriones. Se realizó una revisión del estatus taxonómico y de la distribución batimétrica y del área de distribución geográfica de las especies muestreadas basándonos en registros bibliográficos y bases de datos. Se utilizó una agrupación jerárquica para analizar la composición de las especies entre las diferentes áreas. Resultados: En todas las estaciones de muestreo se obtuvieron asteroideos (ocurrencia: 100 %) entre 52.7 y 987 metros de profundidad. Se registraron 21 especies, de las cuales no se modificó la distribución batimétrica de ninguna de ellas, pero se amplió el área de distribución geográfica de seis. La riqueza de especies fue igual en SS y AP, y mayor que en OS, coincidiendo con la presencia de dos grupos regionales con una composición faunística similar. El 72 % de las especies registradas presentan desarrollo pelágico (larva planctotrófica = 17 % y larva lecitotrófica = 55 %) y el 28 % desarrollo no pelágico (larva retenida = 17 % y desarrollo directo = 11 %). Conclusiones: En los tres archipiélagos el patrón de desarrollo mayoritario fue el pelágico con nutrición lecitotrófica. La totalidad de las especies halladas en el presente trabajo son compartidas con la región subantártica, destacándose la importancia de la Corriente de Malvinas en la dispersión de las especies desde Antártida.

Abstract This paper describes the fishing profile and the temporal variation in the commercial landings of elasmobranchs in a global hotspot for their conservation and investigates the variables that influenced the landings. Census data on commercial catches were obtained between April 2008 and October 2010 from nine landing sites in Bragança (Pará, northern Brazil). Five vessel types, four fishing gears, and eight fishing techniques engaged with elasmobranch capture were identified. A total of 2,357 landings were recorded, with a total production of 354 t. The highest yields were recorded in 2009, with sharks being harvested mostly by small and medium-sized vessels, and batoids, by small vessels and canoes. Drifting nets and longlines played a prominent role in elasmobranch fisheries. The results show that the landings were influenced by days at sea, which is common in tropical fisheries. The elasmobranch data series is discontinuous as statistics are absent for most fishing sites albeit imperative for proper management, as well as relevant for decision-makers focusing on their conservation. 200 201 Pará, Pará (Pará Brazil. Brazil . Brazil) types gears identified 2357 2 357 2,35 35 t 2009 mediumsized medium sized batoids canoes fisheries sea management decisionmakers decision makers 20 235 2,3 3 23 2,

ABSTRACT Bycatch species are as important as target species in the challenge of comprehensive fishery management. This is especially the case for vulnerable species such as elasmobranchs in offshore areas of the Colombian Pacific Ocean (CPO), for which information is scarce and long-term databases are used. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the bycatch in tuna purse-seine fishery with an elasmobranch species approach using fishery data from 2000 to 2019. A total of 59 bycatch species were identified, including 27 bony fishes, 22 elasmobranchs, two mollusks, four sea turtles, and four dolphins. The total bycatch percentage was 20.8%, with elasmobranchs accounting for less than 5%. Fish aggregating devices (FADs) and class 6 vessels recorded the highest percentage of bycatch. Bony fish bycatch was mainly obtained from the border of Ecuador until 4° N across the CPO. Elasmobranchs were captured throughout the CPO, showing differences by vessel class and fishing method. The silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis was the most caught species. Elasmobranch spatial abundance and capture hotspots showed the highest values towards the northern coast, in offshore areas of Gorgona Island, southwards in offshore areas, and around Malpelo Island. FADs captured the highest number of bycatch species compared with other fishing methods, such as Tuna Associated with Dolphins (DEL), Natural Floating Objects (NAT), and Tuna not Associated (NoAs). Management recommendations for bycatch species in this fishery are provided in the CPO. management CPO , (CPO) longterm long term used Therefore purseseine purse seine 200 2019 5 identified 2 fishes mollusks turtles dolphins 208 20 8 20.8% 5% (FADs 4 method coast Island methods DEL, DEL (DEL) NAT, NAT (NAT) NoAs. NoAs . (NoAs) (CPO 201 20.8 (DEL (NAT (NoAs 20.

ABSTRACT The paper analyzes the judgment in a case in which the owner and the crew of an artisanal fishing vessel entered what the General Act of Fisheries and Aquaculture calls a “contract or partnership at parts”. The plaintiff crew brought an action for enforcement of this contract, requesting that the shipowner be ordered to pay the difference of a final liquidation of the fishing for several seasons, as well as its share in the sale of the catch quota to a third party. The commentary highlights the difficulties raised by the distinction between contracts which distributes a percentage of the profit of the business between parties, and partnerships, as well as the (contingent) place of legal entity in the latter.

RESUMEN El trabajo analiza la sentencia recaída en un caso en que el armador y la tripulación de una embarcación de pesca artesanal celebraron lo que la Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura llama un “contrato o sociedad a la parte”. La tripulación demandante ejerció la acción de cumplimiento de este contrato y solicita que el armador sea condenado a pagar el producto de una reliquidación de la pesca de varias temporadas, así como la parte que le correspondía en una venta de la cuota de captura a un tercero. El comentario pone de relieve las dificultades que plantea la distinción entre negocios parciarios y contrato de sociedad, así como el lugar (contingente) de la personalidad jurídica en este último.

Abstract Amazonian commercial fishing is artisanal, and landings can be influenced by the flood pulse, the consumer market, the level of exploitation of species, habitat quality and vegetation cover. In this study, landscape variables and the river level were evaluated as possible drivers in the composition of catches landed in three regions of the Solimões-Amazon River. Fish landing data were collected in the upper and lower Solimões River and lower Amazon River. Fishing locations were mapped with information from fishers, civil defense departments and from the literature. Information related to river level and landscape was acquired from databases available online. Maps with the the radius of action of the fishing fleet and the quantification of landscape variables were made for periods of high and low-water, and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (nMDS) with catches by species, by region and hydrological period were performed. The largest operating radius of the fishing fleet was of 1,028 km and was identified in the lower Amazon River, which is probably due to the larger size of the consumer market, vessel characteristics and level of exploitation of the species near the landing center. The proportion of vegetation cover was reduced from 87% in the upper stretches of the Solimões River to 46% in the lower stretches. The upper and lower Solimões River regions presented a greater variety of species in the composition of landings. It was identified that the composition of landings between the three analyzed regions possibly varied according to the availability of habitats, indicating the importance of landscape variables for fish landings. artisanal pulse market study SolimõesAmazon fishers literature online lowwater, lowwater low water, water low-water nonmetric non metric nMDS (nMDS performed 1028 1 028 1,02 center 87 46 habitats 102 02 1,0 8 4 10 0 1,

Resumo A pesca comercial amazônica é artesanal e os desembarques podem ser influenciados pelo pulso de inundação, mercado consumidor, nível de explotação das espécies, qualidade do hábitat e cobertura da vegetação. Nesse estudo, avaliamos as variáveis da paisagem e o nível do rio como possíveis impulsionadores na composição das capturas desembarcadas em três regiões do rio Solimões-Amazonas. Os dados de desembarque de pescado foram coletados no Alto e Baixo rio Solimões e Baixo rio Amazonas. Os locais de pesca foram mapeados com informações dos pescadores, da defesa civil e literatura. As informações relacionadas ao nível do rio e a paisagem foram adquiridas em bancos de dados disponíveis online. Mapas com o raio de atuação da frota pesqueira e a quantificação das variáveis da paisagem foram elaborados para períodos de águas altas e baixas e as análises de escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico (nMDS) com as capturas por espécie, por região e período hidrológico foram realizadas. O maior raio de atuação da frota pesqueira foi de 1.028 km e foi identificado no Baixo rio Amazonas provavelmente devido ao maior tamanho do mercado consumidor, características das embarcações e nível de explotação das espécies próximo do centro de desembarque. A proporção de cobertura de vegetação teve uma redução de 87% no trecho superior do rio Solimões para 46% no trecho inferior. As regiões do Alto e Baixo rio Solimões apresentaram maior variedade de espécies na composição dos desembarques. Foi identificada que a composição dos desembarques entre as três regiões analisadas variou possivelmente conforme a disponibilidade de hábitats, indicando a importância das variáveis da paisagem para os desembarques de pescado. inundação consumidor estudo SolimõesAmazonas. SolimõesAmazonas Solimões-Amazonas pescadores literatura online nãométrico não métrico nMDS (nMDS espécie realizadas 1028 1 028 1.02 87 46 inferior hábitats 102 02 1.0 8 4 10 0 1.

Abstract There are records of seven species of hagfishes in the Argentine shelf and continental slope, comprising the most diverse region for this group in the Southwestern Atlantic. Here, the authors report the occurrence of Myxine affinis and Myxine knappi in San Jorge gulf, adding two species to the ichthyofauna of central Patagonia. A specimen of M. affinis (447 mm TL; hermaphrodite) was incidentally caught by the Patagonian shrimp fishing fleet and collected by the Fishery Observer Program of Fisheries Secretariat of the Chubut Province, Argentina. Subsequently, the authors collected a second specimen of M. affinis (358 mm TL; female) and a specimen of M. knappi (303 mm TL) during the research cruises of the oceanographic vessel ARA Puerto Deseado, within the “Pampa Azul” initiative. The latter is the twelfth record for the species. These specimens are stored in the ichthy ological collection of the Instituto de Investigación de Hidrobiología of the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Trelew (UNPSJB-ICT), Argentina. These new records of M. affinis and M. knappi extended their known distribution by 850 km and 220 km northward, respectively. In addition, the authors reported morphomet ric, meristic and reproductive variables of the collected specimens.

Resumen En aguas de la plataforma Argentina y del talud continental se tiene registro de siete especies de mixines (hagfishes), comprendiendo la región de mayor diversidad del Atlántico sudoccidental. A partir del Programa de Observadores a Bordo de la Secretaría de Pesca de la Provincia del Chubut, que monitorea las pesquerías industriales de la región, se capturó incidentalmente un ejemplar de Myxine affinis (447 mm TL; hermafrodita). Posteriormente, durante las campa ñas de investigación del buque oceanográfico ARA Puerto Deseado, en el marco de la iniciativa “Pampa Azul”, se registró un segundo ejemplar de M. affinis (358 mm TL; hembra) y un ejemplar de Myxine knappi de 303 mm TL. Este último es el doceavo registro para la especie. Todos los ejemplares fueron capturados mediante la utilización de redes de arrastre de fondo y se encuentran depositados en la colección ictiológica del Instituto de Investigación de Hidrobiología de la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, sede Trelew (UNPSJB-ICT), Argentina. Estos nuevos registros amplían la distribución conocida para M. affinis y M. knappi en 850 km y 220 km respectivamente, sumando así dos especies a la ictiofauna de Patagonia central. En los ejemplares colectados, se registraron variables morfométricas, merísticas y reproductivas.

Resumen Introducción: Los mamíferos marinos se ven afectados por diversas amenazas que deben identificarse para los esfuerzos de mitigación. Objetivo: Cuantificar visualmente las amenazas a los mamíferos marinos en Colombia e identificar acciones de mitigación. Métodos: Georreferenciamos las amenazas con base en la literatura, cubriendo 35 especies en el período 1991-2020, y las superpusimos en mapas de distribución de especies. Resultados: 22 especies presentaron al menos una amenaza. La captura incidental y las interacciones con los artes de pesca afectaron a 16 especies, seguidas de la captura directa (8 especies), el tráfico/tránsito de embarcaciones (6 especies) y la alteración de la física oceánica (6 especies). Las especies más afectadas, en cuanto a mayor diversidad de amenazas, son: ballena jorobada (Megaptera novaeangliae), manatí antillano del Caribe (Trichechus manatus), el tucuxi marino (Sotalia guianensis) y el delfín nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus). Casi todo el territorio marino de Colombia presenta algún grado de riesgo para los mamíferos marinos. Las áreas de alto riesgo son Buenaventura, Guapi, Golfo de Cupica y Tumaco en el Pacífico; y Golfo de Urabá, Golfo de Darién, Golfo de Morrosquillo, frente a Barranquilla, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta y Golfo de Coquivacoa en el Caribe. Conclusión: Los mamíferos marinos en Colombia se encuentran actualmente en riesgo debido a varias amenazas, especialmente relacionadas con actividades de pesca, caza/captura y transporte marítimo, principalmente en las zonas costeras. Se necesitan acciones urgentes de evaluación y gestión en las diez áreas de alto riesgo identificadas en este estudio.

Abstract Introduction: Marine mammals are affected by diverse threats that must be identified for mitigation efforts. Objective: To visually quantify threats to marine mammals in Colombia, and to identify mitigation actions. Methods: We georeferenced threats based on the literature, covering 35 species in the period 1991-2020, and superimposed them on species range maps. Results: 22 species had at least one threat. Bycatch and interactions with fishing gear affected 16 species, followed by direct capture (8 species), vessel traffic/transit (6 species) and alteration of ocean physics (6 species). The most affected species, in terms of the greatest diversity of threats, are: humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Caribbean West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), marine tucuxi (Sotalia guianensis) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Nearly all of Colombia’s marine territory presents some degree of risk for marine mammals. High-risk areas are Buenaventura, Guapi, Cupica Gulf and Tumaco in the Pacific; and Urabá Gulf, Darién Gulf, Morrosquillo Gulf, off Barranquilla, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta and Coquivacoa Gulf in the Caribbean. Conclusion: Marine mammals in Colombia are currently at risk due to several threats, especially related to fishing, hunting/capture and shipping activities, mainly in coastal areas. Urgent evaluation and management actions are needed in the ten high-risk areas identified in this study.

ABSTRACT The control of the fishing effort and establishment of individual catch quotas has been proposed as a strategy to manage the Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) fishery in the north of the Gulf of California. In this study, the issues related to the efficiency of hake fishing vessels are analyzed. Two different types of vessels, large and small, were identified using the physical characteristics of 53 vessels in a cluster analysis. Using generalized linear models (GLM), efficiency variation (catch per unit of effort CPUE) was assessed with data derived from onboard observations of 74 trips made by 25 vessels and 814 sets from 2015 to 2019. The variables used to determine their contribution to CPUE were years, vessel types, fishing areas, depth strata, and their interactions. The factors year, fishing area, net type, and vessel type explain the interannual variability in the CPUE. The model, which included the interactions, showed 18% of explained deviance and indicated that interactions between year and area and between depth and vessel were significant and contributed the most to the deviance explained by the model. A GLM exhibited 11% of the explained deviance without considering interactions and indicates that large vessels are 1.5 times more efficient than small vessels.

Abstract The present study was based on the analysis of 10,467 trawls of the industrial piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) fishing fleet of the Brazilian state of Pará, which were mapped by onboard GPS loggers (between February 2008 and September 2011) and the PREPS data from 40 vessels which were tracked by this system between 2008 and 2011. The variation in the mean monthly CPUE, based on Lomb’s periodogram, revealed a well-defined and constant cycle with a duration of approximately one year. Three environmental factors influenced this cycle. The El Niño 3.4 index had a negative correlation with the CPUE of the piramutaba fishery, with a time lag of 15 months, while monthly rainfall and the mean discharge of the Amazon River correlated strongly (r=0.89 and 0.87, respectively; p<0.001) with the CPUE, with time lags of 12 and 11 months, respectively. The spatiotemporal analysis of the distribution of the activity of the piramutaba fishing fleet indicated that the most intense area of operation of the fleet lies between latitudes 00º N and 02° N, and longitudes 047º40’ W and 049º40’ W. This area was divided into four geographic quadrants, although fishery operations were concentrated in only three of these quadrants. The study proposed a quadrimester fishing cycle with zoning in three of the quadrants, where fishing would be permitted for four months (occupation period), followed by an 8-month rest period for the recuperation of stocks, aiming at the sustainability of this fishing exploration.

A decline in sightings of a top predator, the white shark (Carcharadon carcharias), in South Africa was quantified in order to identify possible causes for this decline. White shark sightings data across 8 years (2011-2018), recorded from a cage-diving vessel in Gansbaai are reported. A significant decline in mean total white shark sightings per boat trip (>6 in 2011 to <1 in 2018) and a 69% reduction in the probability of a sighting were found. Correlating with this decline in sightings is a rise in sightings of sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) in False Bay and copper sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus) in Gansbaai, as well as substantial ecosystem changes. The effects of lethal conservation measures such as the use of shark nets in KwaZulu-Natal; the direct and indirect effects of overfishing including a reduction in smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus) and soupfin (Galeorhinus galeus) sharks; and novel predation on white sharks are discussed as possible causative factors for this decline in white shark sightings.SIGNIFICANCE: • The results of this paper highlight the need to reassess the impact of marine conservation initiatives and fishing practices. Failure to do so could seriously affect ecologically and economically important marine species. This paper reveals a potentially serious decline to the South African white shark population, characterised by a substantial decline in white shark sightings. This decline correlates with the overfishing of prey species, bycatch, the use of lethal gill nets and ecological changes such as the novel presence of orca. Better marine management is required if South Africa wishes to keep a healthy white shark population.

ABSTRACT: Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a key resource in the Antarctic region, as it is the primary food source for fish, whales, seals, flying birds, penguins and cephalopods. The high concentrations of the species and its possible uses -food for human and animal consumption and in the production of industrial, pharmaceutical and dietetic products- generates interest in the fishing industry. Its relevance motivated the implementation of administrative measures and international regulations for this fishery, which are summarized in this review. Chile is the only South American fishing country that has shown interest in participating in Antarctic krill fishery. Thus, between 1983 and 1994, the Fisheries Development Institute and some companies carried out fishing activities mainly aimed at prospecting and researching this species. However, starting in 2011, the factory trawler FV Betanzos began sustained commercial krill fishing aimed at krill meal production. This document analyzes the information collected by said vessel between 2011 and 2016, including areas of operation, fishing depth catches and CPUE obtained. Also, the main challenges faced by this fishery and the actions planned as solutions are assessed.

Abstract Small-scale fisheries is an important factor in the generation of income, jobs and food security. Understanding the characteristics of small-scale fisheries, and the volume of resources and food that they generate can help society recognize their value, lead to the establishment of public policies to improve working conditions and adapt the management of exploited resources for long-term conservation. The objective of this study was to estimate income, production capacity and importance of small-scale fisheries for fisher families of the municipality of Caraguatatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Fishers were interviewed from May 2012 to June 2013 and categorized according to vessel size and the number of people on the boat and helpers. Monthly income ranged from US$ 566.78 to US$ 1,466.87. The importance of fishing to family income ranged from 50.60% (employee) to 78.25% (entrepreneur). Fishers usually dedicate themselves to this activity for 8.47 to 13.22 hours daily, with daily fish production volume ranging from 42.72 to 122.14 kg/day. Small-scale fisheries involve, either directly or indirectly, about 1,170 people in the municipality and provide a network of social protection due to their local and regional importance.

RESUMEN Una comunidad residente de bufeos costeros Tursiops truncatus ha sido estudiada de manera intermitente entre 2005 y 2018 en la punta de la península de Santa Elena, Ecuador (2°11’ S & 81°0.7’ W). Avistamientos oportunistas y dirigidos desde la playa y abordo de un bote con motor fuera de borda se realizaron a lo largo de 40 km de costa, contabilizándose un esfuerzo de 917.2 km de seguimiento en automóvil desde tierra y 707.4 km en bote por mar. El tamaño grupal promedio fue 5.31 delfines/grupo (SD = 1.97, rango 1-10), sin cambios significativos a lo largo del estudio. Desde tierra el tamaño grupal fue subestimado en promedio en 32 %. Esta comunidad de bufeos tiene actualmente solo nueve individuos, incluyendo seis adultos, un inmaduro y dos crías, siendo la comunidad más pequeña encontrada en el golfo de Guayaquil. La tasa de encuentro varió entre 0.03 delfines/km en la parte noroeste y 0.31 delfines/km en la parte sur, donde los delfines concentran sus actividades, posiblemente porque las actividades humanas ahí son menos intensas. Los delfines se distribuyeron generalmente entre los primeros 200 m de la orilla llegando hasta 1 200 m en la parte norte donde la profundidad es menor y las actividades portuaria y turística más intensas. La velocidad de los delfines fue significativamente más alta cuando fueron seguidos desde un bote a corta distancia (5.87 km/h) que cuando fueron monitoreados desde tierra (2.9 km/h) (P < 0.01), lo cual sugiere que el seguimiento en bote tuvo un impacto sobre el movimiento de los delfines. Un análisis clúster jerárquico mostró que los delfines tienen altos índices de asociación entre ellos (promedio 0.67, rango 0.01-1.0), indicando que es una comunidad altamente cohesionada. Adicionalmente muestran un alto nivel de residencia (índice de ocurrencia promedio de 0.62). Durante el estudio se identificaron dos amenazas principales, una pesquería con redes agalleras en la parte suroeste y un intenso tráfico de botes pesqueros en la parte noroeste. La mayoría del área de estudio actualmente es parte de un área costero-marina protegida creada en 2008, lo cual ofrece una oportunidad para la recuperación de esta comunidad de delfines. Debido a su fragilidad, se recomienda a las autoridades ambientales, entre otras cosas, eliminar potenciales fuentes de amenaza para los delfines como las redes de pesca, implementar un área de exclusión para artes de pesca y tráfico de botes pesqueros de 1 km de ancho desde la orilla y limitar la velocidad de todo tipo de embarcación a 10 nudos dentro del área protegida.

Abstract A resident community of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) has been studied irregularly between 2005 and 2018 around the tip of the Santa Elena Peninsula, Ecuador (2°11' S & 81°0.7' W). Opportunistic sightings and systematic surveys from the beach and at sea were carried out along 40 km of coast, accounting for 917.2 km of tracking by car from land and 707.4 km of boat tracking by sea. Average group size was 5.31 dolphins/group (SD = 1.97, range 1-10), with no significant changes throughout the study period. From land, however, the group size was underestimated 32 % on the average. This small bottlenose dolphin community currently has only nine individuals, including six adults, one immature and two calves, and is the smallest community within the Gulf of Guayaquil. The encounter rate ranged between 0.03 dolphins/km in the northwestern part and 0.32 dolphins/km in the South, where dolphins concentrate their activities, possibly because human activities are less intense there. Dolphins were generally distributed in the first 200 m from the shore, reaching up to 1 200 m in the Northern shallower part and where port and tourist activities concentrate. The dolphins’ speed was significantly higher when they were followed from a boat at close range (5.87 km/h) than when they were monitored from the beach (2.9 km/h) (P < 0.01), which suggests that boat tracking had an effect on dolphin´s movements. Pairwise cluster analysis showed that animals from this community show high rates of association among each other (average 0.67, range 0.01-1.0), indicating that is a highly cohesive community. Dolphins also showed high level of residence (average occurrence index = 0.62). During the study, two main threats were identified, a gillnet fishery in the Southwestern part and an intense fishing boat traffic in the Northwestern. Most of the study area is currently part of a coastal-marine protected area created in 2008, which offers an opportunity for the recovery and conservation of this dolphin community. Given its fragility, we recommend the environmental authorities to address potential threats for this dolphin community by eliminating gillnets, implementing an exclusion zone for fishing gear and boat traffic of 1 km width from the shore and limit the speed of any type of vessel to 10 knots within the reserve.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate the reproductive cycle and size at first maturity of Penaeus schmitti through a macro and microscopic approach. Between August 2011 and July 2012, 1169 specimens were collected by an artisanal fishing vessel operating a double trawl off the coast of Pernambuco, northeast Brazil. The total proportion of males (42%) was significantly lower than females (58%), corresponding to the sex ratio of 1:1.38. The total body length at first ovarian maturation (TL50) in females was estimated at 14.2 cm. The ovarian development was divided into four distinct stages based on histological characteristics and visual observations. This is the first reported occurrence of vitellogenic oocytes in the spent stage of P. schmitti, indicating a rapid ovarian maturation after spawning. Furthermore, the frequency of maturation stages, diameter of oocytes and gonadosomatic index were distributed homogeneously throughout the study period, reinforce a continuous reproductive cycle for P. schmitti population in northeastern Brazil.

We present records of an individual of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) preying on several individuals of the Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and the Pintado Petrel (Daption capense) from a fishing vessel in the Argentine Sea. Although this species is widely distributed over Argentine Patagonia, there is no previous evidence of the presence of this species hunting pelagic seabirds in the Argentine Sea. The use of fishing vessels as platform for individuals of this species is discussed.

Se presentan registros de un individuo de Halcón Peregrino (Falco peregrinus) cazando varios individuos de Paiño Común (Oceanites oceanicus) y de Petrel Damero (Daption capense) desde un buque pesquero en aguas del Mar Argentino. A pesar de estar ampliamente distribuido en la Patagonia argentina, no hay evidencias previas de la presencia de esta especie en el Mar Argentino cazando aves marinas pelágicas. Se discute el uso de los buques pesqueros como plataformas por parte de individuos de esta especie.