Resumen: Los caballitos de mar (género Hippocampus Rafinesque, 1810) son un grupo de peces óseos distribuidos en aguas marinas cálidas y templadas alrededor del mundo. Actualmente se encuentran bajo presión antropogénica derivada de la destrucción y modificación del hábitat, así como por su explotación comercial para fines alimenticios, medicinales (sobre todo en Asia) y de acuacultura, lo que ha llevado a una disminución drástica de las poblaciones silvestres. En México, se encuentran distribuidas cuatro especies de caballitos de mar (H. erectus, H. ingens, H. reidi, H. zosterae), sin embargo, aún se desconocen varios aspectos biológicos-ecológicos. A pesar de estar protegidas por normatividad nacional e internacional, las poblaciones en vida libre se ven afectadas por la pesca incidental (principalmente por la industria camaronera y de escama) y pesca furtiva. La presente revisión describe información referente a parámetros biológicos, poblacionales, aprovechamiento, comercialización y usos de las cuatro especies de Hippocampus presentes en México. La finalidad última es consignar las bases para futuros programas de conservación enfocados en estos peces.

Abstract: Seahorses (genus Hippocampus Rafinesque, 1810) are a group of bony fish distributed in warm and temperate marine waters around the world. Currently they are under anthropogenic pressure derived from the destruction and modification of the habitat, as well as its commercial exploitation for food, medicine (especially in Asia) and aquaculture, which has led to a drastic decrease in wild populations. In Mexico, four species of seahorses are distributed (H. erectus, H. ingens, H. reidi, H. zosterae), however, there is still a lack of knowledge relating biological-ecological aspects. Although they are protected by national and international regulations, wildlife populations are affected by incidental fishing (mainly by shrimp and scale fish industry) and furtive fishing. This review describes information regarding biological and population parameters, exploitation, commercialization, and uses of the four Hippocampus species present in Mexico. The ultimate purpose is to establish the bases for future conservation programs focused on these fish.

ABSTRACT The piramutaba, Brachyplatystoma vaillantii is a freshwater catfish that is the most abundant fishery resource in the Amazon estuary. Piramutaba trawling is done on industrial fishing scale and is characterized by the presence of many freshwater and marine bycatch species, with and without commercial value. Here we describe the bycatch of the industrial fishery of piramutaba in the Amazon estuary and evaluate the relationship of two important environmental factors, depth and salinity, with the accidental capture of freshwater and marine fishes in the Amazon estuary in the rainy and dry seasons. We identified 21 cartilaginous fish species (19.1% freshwater and 80.9% marine) and 125 bony fish species (25.6% freshwater and 74.4% marine). The bycatch included 64 species without commercial value (43% of all bycatch species), which are always discarded. Freshwater and estuarine fishes exhibited significantly higher abundances in shallower environments, while marine fishes were similarly abundant along the entire depth gradient. On the contrary, the abundance of freshwater fishes significantly decreased, and that of estuarine and marine fishes significantly increased with increasing salinity. Regarding the conservation status of the bycatch species, one is classified as vulnerable (VU), and seven as critically endangered (CR). The information on the bycatch of piramutaba fishery in the Amazon estuary is important to subsidize regional fisheries policies and the management of protected areas. factors salinity seasons 2 19.1% 191 19 1 (19.1 809 80 9 80.9 12 25.6% 256 25 6 (25.6 744 74 4 74.4 marine. . 43% 43 (43 , species) discarded environments gradient contrary decreased VU, VU (VU) CR. CR (CR) areas 19.1 (19. 8 80. 25.6 (25. 7 74. (4 (VU (CR 19. (19 25. (25 ( (1 (2

RESUMO A piramutaba, Brachyplatystoma vaillantii é um bagre de água doce que representa o recurso pesqueiro mais abundante no estuário amazônico. O arrasto da piramutaba é feito em escala industrial, caracterizado pela presença de muitas espécies de água doce e marinha capturadas de forma incidental, com e sem valor comercial. Aqui descrevemos a captura incidental da pesca industrial de piramutaba no estuário amazônico e avaliamos a relação de dois fatores ambientais, profundidade e salinidade, com a captura incidental de espécies de água doce e marinhas nas estações chuvosa e seca. Identificamos 21 espécies de peixes cartilaginosos (19,1% de água doce e 80,9% marinhos) e 125 espécies de peixes ósseos (25,6% de água doce e 74,4% marinhos). A captura incidental incluiu 64 espécies sem valor comercial (43% de todas as espécies capturadas) que sempre são descartadas. Os peixes de água doce e estuarinos exibiram abundâncias significativamente maiores em ambientes mais rasos, enquanto os peixes marinhos foram igualmente abundantes ao longo de todo o gradiente de profundidade. Inversamente, a abundância de peixes de água doce diminuiu significativamente, e a de peixes estuarinos e marinhos aumentou significativamente em salinidades maiores. Em relação ao estado de conservação das espécies capturadas, uma é reconhecida como vulnerável (VU) e sete como criticamente ameaçadas (CR). As informações sobre a captura incidental da pesca da piramutaba no estuário amazônico são fundaentais para subsidiar políticas pesqueiras regionais e gestão de áreas protegidas. ambientais salinidade seca 2 19,1% 191 19 1 (19,1 809 80 9 80,9 12 25,6% 256 25 6 (25,6 744 74 4 74,4 marinhos. . 43% 43 (43 descartadas rasos Inversamente VU (VU CR. CR (CR) protegidas 19,1 (19, 8 80, 25,6 (25, 7 74, (4 (CR 19, (19 25, (25 ( (1 (2

Abstract Bycatch is an issue of worldwide relevance involving conflicts between conservation and fishery interests. In Brazil, this conflict has been highlighted in relation to the regulation of small-scale fishery with surface gillnets. To promote management and transformation of this conflict, we analyzed the relationship between catch unloadings from small-scale fishing with surface gillnets and strandings of marine megafauna. We used fishery monitoring data and beach monitoring data in São Paulo between 2015 and 2021, relating to Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Pontoporia blainvillei and Sotalia guianensis. The analyses included (i) overview of catches unloadings from small-scale fishing with surface gillnets and strandings that resulted in the death of each of these species over the course of the year; (ii) correlation tests between those variables for the northern, central, and southern regions; and (iii) performing regression analyses for municipalities within these regions, exhibiting statistically significant positive correlations. The fisheries harvest period was found not to overlap with the stranding distribution. In correlation tests, only strandings of C. mydas in the northern and southern regions, S. guianensis in the southern region and P. blainvillei in the central region showed relationships with fishing landings. The regression analysis was significant for C. mydas and S. guianensis. At the municipal level, the results were statistically significant for C. mydas in São Sebastião, Ubatuba, Ilha Comprida and Cananéia and for S. guianensis in Cananéia. However, the regression explained a small part of the mortality and other impact factors were pointed out. Non-prohibitive management measures, participatory studies, and direct methods for evaluating the interaction between fisheries and megafauna associated with environmental factors should be implemented, along with analyses on other impacts on megafauna. interests Brazil smallscale scale 201 2021 caretta olivacea i (i year ii (ii regions iii (iii correlations distribution C S P landings level Sebastião Ubatuba However out Nonprohibitive Non prohibitive measures studies implemented 20 202 2

Resumo A captura incidental é um tema de grande relevância mundial, permeado por conflitos entre interesses de conservação e pesca. Este conflito no Brasil relaciona-se especialmente ao regramento da pesca artesanal com emalhe de superfície e a captura incidental da megafauna. Para subsidiar a gestão e transformação desse conflito, analisou-se a relação entre desembarques da pesca artesanal com emalhe de superfície e os encalhes de megafauna com morte. Foram utilizados os bancos de dados do monitoramento pesqueiro e do monitoramento de praias de São Paulo entre 2015 e 2021, correspondentes a Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Pontoporia blainvillei e Sotalia guianensis. As análises incluíram (i) panorama dos desembarques pesqueiros com emalhe de superfície e encalhes com mortes de cada espécie durante os anos (ii) testes de correlação entre as variáveis para regiões Norte, Centro e Sul (iii) análise de regressão para os municípios nas regiões que apresentaram correlação positiva estatisticamente significativa. A distribuição do número de desembarques não apresentou sobreposição com a distribuição dos encalhes. Nos testes de correlação, somente os encalhes de C. mydas, na região Norte e Sul, S. guianensis no Sul e P. blainvillei no Centro apontaram relação com os desembarques. A análise de regressão foi significativa para C. mydas e S. guianensis. Nos municípios, C. mydas apresentou resultado estatisticamente significativo em São Sebastião, Ubatuba, Ilha Comprida e Cananéia e S. guianensis em Cananéia. Entretanto, a regressão explicou uma pequena parte da mortalidade e outros fatores de impacto foram apontados. Recomenda-se medidas de ordenamento não proibitivas, estudos participativos e aplicação de métodos diretos de avaliação da interação da pesca com a megafauna, associado a fatores ambientais, bem como análises de outros impactos sobre a megafauna. mundial relacionase relaciona se analisouse analisou morte 201 2021 caretta olivacea i (i ii (ii iii (iii C S P Sebastião Ubatuba Entretanto apontados Recomendase Recomenda proibitivas ambientais 20 202 2

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.

Resumen Introducción: Pese a las acciones de conservación basadas en la ciencia y las políticas recomendadas, con menos de 20 individuos sobrevivientes, la vaquita (Phocoena sinus) -endémica del Golfo de California- es el mamífero marino más amenazado del mundo debido a su muerte incidental en redes de pesca; una pregunta relevante es si su población se puede recuperar. Objetivo: Evaluar las expectativas para la vaquita marina durante los próximos 20 años. Métodos: Identificamos los factores que afectan a la vaquita marina, construimos tablas de vida, derivamos parámetros demográficos para diferentes escenarios y realizamos un análisis de viabilidad poblacional utilizando matrices estocásticas de Leslie, estructuradas por edad. Resultados: La tasa de crecimiento neto de la vaquita es muy sensible a la supervivencia de los juveniles. Encontramos que la captura incidental intensiva y continua en redes de enmalle para la pesca furtiva de totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) durante la última década llevó a la población de vaquitas a su actual estado crítico. Esto parece agravarse por la estocasticidad demográfica y un potencial efecto Allee. Conclusiones: Si la pesca furtiva de totoaba se elimina de inmediato, demográficamente la vaquita puede recuperarse; su supervivencia a largo plazo dependerá de su incierto estatus genético, aunque los resultados de un estudio reciente son alentadores en este sentido.

Abstract Introduction: Despite extensive science-based conservation policy recommendations, with fewer than 20 individuals remaining, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) -endemic to the Gulf of California- is the world’s most endangered marine mammal due to incidental catch in fishing nets and whether it can recover is unclear. Objective: Assess expectations for vaquita over the next two decades. Methods: We identified factors affecting the vaquita, constructed life tables, derived demographic parameters for different scenarios and conducted a population viability analysis using stochastic age-structured matrix Leslie models. Results: Analytical results indicate that the vaquita net growth rate is particularly sensitive to juvenile survival. We find that intensive, ongoing bycatch in gillnets used to poach totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) over the past decade brought the vaquita population to its current critically low size. Currently this seems to be exacerbated by demographic stochasticity and a potential Allee effect. Conclusions: If totoaba poaching is eliminated immediately, demographically, vaquita can recover; its long-term survival will depend on its uncertain genetic status, although a recent study found encouraging results in this regard.

Resumo As implicações das pescas comercial e recreativa para conservação dos estuários têm sido largamente discutidas. Uma revisão das informações disponíveis para a Baía de Guaratuba, sul do Brasil, identifica seis ameaças à conservação, que extrapolam aquelas concernentes ao esforço de captura sobre as espécies-alvo. Contrariando a visão comum de que a pesca de lazer seria inócua para o ambiente, as ameaças identificadas referem-se tanto à pesca comercial como à não-comercial: (1) captura de indivíduos em atividade reprodutiva; (2) captura de fêmeas grandes e mais fecundas; (3) perda e abandono de materiais de pesca; (4) uso de iscas naturais; (5) captura incidental de raias, tartarugas e peixes não-alvo; e (6) práticas inadequadas associadas a pesque-e-solte e descarte. Impactos potenciais são perturbações ambientais e depleção de fauna. Ações recomendadas para conservação do estuário incluem interdição de pesca no manguezal e áreas rasas, soltura de peixes com tamanho superior ao crítico, e medidas contra abandono, perda e outras formas de descarte de materiais de pesca.

Abstract Comparisons between the implications of commercial and recreational fisheries for estuarine conservation have been a topic of debate. A review on the available data from Guaratuba Bay, Southern Brazil, identifies six threats for conservation, other than those concerning the fishing effort on target resources. Differing from the popular view that fishing for pleasure could be innocuous for the environment, the identified threats concern both commercial and non-commercial fisheries: (1) catching of reproductive individuals; (2) catch of big old fat fecund females; (3) loss and abandonment of fishing gears; (4) use of natural baits; (5) bycatch of rays, turtles and non-target finfish; and (6) bad practices associated with catch-and-release or discarding. Environmental disturbances and fauna depletion are detected as potential impacts. Recommended actions for estuary conservation include fishing closures in mangrove and shallow waters areas, release of fish larger than the critical size, and measures against abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears.

Resumen Introducción: En los ambientes marinos del Pacífico de Costa Rica, la actividad pesquera por la flota cerquera internacional es importante debido a su amplio alcance y fuerte impacto. Objetivo: Evaluar la distribución espacial de la captura de atún aleta amarilla y especies no objetivo por esa flota, y posibles correlaciones con variables ambientales y pesqueras. Métodos: Aplicamos estadísticas geoespaciales y modelos de regresión múltiple en datos de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical, del 2002 al 2011. Utilizamos una grilla del tamaño de la Zona Económica Exclusiva (ZEE) con 1 124 celdas de 22 x 22 km (unidad de análisis), para un total de 11 240 celdas-año. Resultados: El atún mediano (presumiblemente inmaduro en su mayoría), delfines, mantas y rayas fueron capturados mayormente dentro del Domo Térmico (noreste de la ZEE). Las más altas capturas de atún pequeño (inmaduro en su totalidad), tiburones, picudos, dorado, peto y diversas especies pequeñas, ocurrieron en el extremo sur. El atún grande (maduro) fue capturado especialmente en el centro de la ZEE, hacia el este del Área Marina de Manejo Montes Submarinos y el Parque Nacional Marino Isla del Coco. Los atunes, dorado, delfines, mantas y rayas mostraron gran fidelidad de sitio por asociación con variables geográficas y ambientales, a la vez que el atún pequeño estuvo asociado a lances sobre objetos flotantes y el atún grande a lances sobre delfines. La heterogeneidad de las especies no objetivo probablemente escondió la mayoría de las correlaciones. Conclusiones: La pesca está afectando los niveles tróficos más altos y es necesario un diseño de zonificación ajustado para proteger mejor el domo térmico y considerar la susceptibilidad al uso de redes de cerco.

Abstract Introduction: In the Pacific marine ecosystems of Costa Rica, fishing activity by the international purse-seine fleet is important for its wide scope and large impact. Objective: To evaluate the spatial distribution of the catch of yellowfin tuna and non-target species by this fleet, and possible correlates with environmental and fishing variables. Methods: We applied geospatial statistics and multiple regression models to Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission data, covering from 2002 to 2011. We used a grid the size of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with 1 124 cells of 22 x 22 km (unit of analysis), for a total of 11 240 year-cells. Results: The medium tuna (presumably immature for the most part), dolphins, mantas and rays dominated catches within the Thermal Dome (Northeast of the EEZ). Small tuna (all immature), sharks, billfishes, dorado, wahoo, and various small species were caught mostly in the extreme South. Large tuna (mature) was caught specially in the zone center, towards the east of the Submarine Mounts Marine Management Area and the Isla del Coco National Marine Park. Tuna, dorado, dolphins, mantas and rays showed high site fidelity due to their association with geographic and environmental variables, at the time small tuna was associated with sets on floating objects, and big tuna was associated with sets on dolphins. The heterogeneity of non-target species probably hid most correlations. Conclusions: Fishing is affecting the highest trophic levels and an adjusted zoning design is needed to better protect the thermal dome and to take into account susceptibility to the use of purse seines.

Abstract: The vaquita (Phocoena sinus), an endemic porpoise of the Gulf of California, México, was first described scientifically in 1958, from three skulls. It is considered a sister taxon of an ancestor of the Southern Hemisphere Burmeister’s porpoise (P. spinipinnis) and spectacled porpoise (P. dioptrica), a case of antitropical distribution and speciation. Vaquita in modern times seem to have existed largely in waters 10 to 30 m deep of the very northern Gulf of California, and may have already existed in relatively low numbers by the 1950s and 1960s. The external appearance of the vaquita was not described until the late 1970s, and not until the 1980s and 1990s did additional information about ecology and biology emerge. Those studies and more recent shipboard and aerial visual line transect surveys, as well as stationary and boat-towed acoustic arrays, mapped occurrence patterns and approximate numbers in greater detail than before. The first credible estimates of abundance appeared in the 1990s, with numbers in the mid-hundreds and declining. While several reasons for the decline were originally postulated, mortality due to entanglement in nets has been established as the only known cause of decline, especially due to bycatch in large-mesh gillnets set for the endangered croaker fish totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi). This fish is prized in China for human consumption of its swim bladder, generally ground up for purported therapeutic purposes. An extensive, lucrative fishery for totoaba, now illegal for many decades, has existed since at least the 1920s, and has recently increased. Although there have been laudable attempts to stem or halt totoaba fishing, these have largely been unsuccessful, and as of this writing the vaquita is on the brink of extinction. However, rapid concentrated action against illegal fishing with gillnets may yet save the species, and hope (with attendant action) must be kept alive. This overview is followed by an appendix of a previously unpublished popular essay by K.S. Norris describing when, where, and how he first discovered the species, and subsequent early work relative to this newly-described porpoise.

Resumen: La vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus), una marsopa endémica del Golfo de California, México, fue descrita científicamente por primera vez en 1958, a partir de tres cráneos. Se considera un taxón hermano de un ancestro de la marsopa de Burmeister del hemisferio sur (P. spinipinnis) y la marsopa de anteojos (P. dioptrica), un caso de distribución y especiación antitropical. En los tiempos modernos, la vaquita marina parece haber existido principalmente en aguas de 10 a 30 m de profundidad en el extremo norte del Golfo de California, y es posible que ya existiera en cantidades relativamente bajas en las décadas de 1950 y 1960. La apariencia externa de la vaquita no se describió hasta fines de la década de 1970, y no fue hasta las décadas de 1980 y 1990 cuando surgió información adicional sobre ecología y biología. Esos estudios y los estudios más recientes de transectos de líneas visuales aéreas y a bordo, así como los arreglos acústicos estacionarios y remolcados por bote, cartografiaron patrones de ocurrencia y números aproximados con mayor detalle que antes. Las primeras estimaciones creíbles de abundancia aparecieron en la década de 1990, con cifras de alrededor de cientos y en declive. Si bien originalmente se postularon varias razones para la disminución, la mortalidad debida al enredo en las redes se ha establecido como la única causa conocida de disminución, especialmente debido a la captura incidental en redes de enmalle de malla grande colocadas para la totoaba corvina (Totoaba macdonaldi), en peligro de extinción. Este pescado es apreciado en China para el consumo humano de su vejiga natatoria, generalmente molido con supuestos propósitos terapéuticos. Una pesquería extensa y lucrativa de totoaba, ahora ilegal durante muchas décadas, ha existido desde al menos la década de 1920 y ha aumentado recientemente. Aunque ha habido loables intentos de detener o detener la pesca de totoaba, en gran parte no han tenido éxito y, al momento de escribir este artículo, la vaquita está al borde de la extinción. Sin embargo, una acción rápida y concentrada contra la pesca ilegal con redes de enmalle aún puede salvar a la especie, y la esperanza (con la acción correspondiente) debe mantenerse viva. A esta descripción general le sigue un apéndice de un ensayo popular inédito de K.S. Norris describiendo cuándo, dónde y cómo descubrió la especie por primera vez, y los primeros trabajos posteriores relacionados con esta marsopa recién descrita.

Abstract: Scientific observer programs in fisheries are being deployed worldwide in order to obtain robust data for fishery studies, and in relation to its interaction with target and bycatch species. A comparison between two observer programs in Mexican purse seine tuna fishery in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is performed considering the incidental mortality per trip as a metric recorded by both observers programs from 1999 to 2016. A Bayesian t-test approximation was used for the comparison between the two methods since, due to its probabilistic nature reduces uncertainty. The analysis showed a very low probability of differences for the estimated bycatch rate between both programs.

Abstract From time immemorial sea turtles have been used as a resource for the sustenance of human life. Thus, the decline of this group of animals is mostly caused by anthropogenic activities. Given that fishermen’s activities hold a greater connection to turtles, it is important to gain knowledge about their perception on these organisms. Furthermore, as bycatch is recognized as one of the main anthropogenic threats against sea turtles, it is necessary to assess the level of exploitation for these chelonials as a result of incidental fishing caused by specific fishing gears. This study describes the perception of fishermen over sea turtle populations in three protected natural areas of Sinaloa, Mexico: The Priority Marine Region Bahía de Santa María, the Sanctuary Playa Ceuta and the Flora and Fauna Protection Area Meseta de Cacaxtla. Fishermen from different communities were surveyed, with the aim of obtaining information on their knowledge and use of sea turtles. Surveys were processed for analysis with proportions and frequency tables, and non-parametric ANOVA tests were applied. Results show that Olive Ridley and Black turtle were the most commonly identified species by the surveyed individuals; roughly 27.3 % of fishermen have been devoted to the capture of these species. In addition, 75 % have included turtles as part of their diet. Sea turtles are mainly consumed for pleasure eating, especially during holy week and the fishing season. The fishing gear that mostly bycatch sea turtles is bottom net with 52 % compared to 0.35 % hook. Factors such as the location, age and socio-economic status of fishermen influence their general knowledge about sea turtles and impact on the way and degree of exploitation of them, in the three locations analyzed.

Resumen Las tortugas marinas desde la antigüedad han sido utilizadas como un recurso para la subsistencia del ser humano; en la actualidad este grupo de animales se encuentra amenazado por diversos factores, siendo las actividades antropogénicas las que están ocasionando principalmente su declive. Por esta razón, es importante conocer la percepción que los pescadores tienen hacia éstos organismos, ya que ellos son los que tienen una mayor conexión con estos quelonios. Además, como la captura incidental es reconocida como una de las principales amenazas antropogénicas contra las tortugas marinas, es necesario evaluar el nivel de explotación de este material como resultado de la pesca incidental causada por artes de pesca específicos. En este estudio se describió la percepción de los pescadores de tres Áreas Naturales Protegidas de Sinaloa sobre las poblaciones de tortugas marinas: la Región Marina Prioritaria Bahía de Santa María, el Santuario Playa Ceuta y el Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Meseta de Cacaxtla. Se realizaron encuesta/entrevista a los pescadores de los diferentes campos pesqueros con el objetivo de obtener información sobre el conocimiento y uso de las tortugas. Para el análisis de las encuestas se realizaron tablas de frecuencia y proporciones; además se aplicó un análisis de varianza no paramétrico. Las tortugas golfina y prieta fueron las que mayormente se identificaron por los encuestados; el 27.3 % de los pescadores se han dedicado a la captura de estas especies. Además un 75 % las han utilizado como consumo. Este grupo de quelonios marinos son consumidos principalmente por gusto, comiéndose especialmente durante la semana santa y temporada de pesca. El arte de pesca donde se atrapan más tortugas de manera incidental, es con el chinchorro de fondo con el 52 % respecto al 0.35 % del anzuelo. Factores como la localidad, edad y estado socio-económico de los pescadores influyen en su conocimiento general sobre las tortugas marinas e impacta en la manera y grado de explotación de las mismas, en las tres localidades analizadas.

Resumen Desde el 2011, los pescadores artesanales de Taganga (Caribe colombiano) capturaron al pez león en nasas para el Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona. Este hecho generó la percepción de que el pez león causó la disminución de la pesca. Para determinar los cambios en las especies capturadas y conocer la abundancia del pez león en este arte, se analizó el desembarco histórico en nasas entre 1993 y 2014, así como, el desembarque a tres unidades económicas de pesca entre marzo 2012 y julio 2014. El análisis histórico mostró que la disminución de las especies y los kilogramos desembarcados ocurrió desde el 2000. Un total de 4 913 individuos fueron desembarcados entre marzo 2012 y julio 2014, de los cuales el 85 % fueron especies de interés comercial y el resto fueron utilizadas por los pescadores para su consumo. Los desembarcos entre marzo 2012 y julio 2014 estuvieron condicionados a factores climáticos, donde la co-ocurrencia de Pterois volitans y las principales especies comerciales y de autoconsumo no mostró evidencia de que el pez león afecte sus abundancias. Se confirma así la presencia del pez león como un nuevo integrante en los desembarcos en nasas en la Bahía de Taganga.

Abstract Incidental catch in traps of the lionfish Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Colombian Caribbean. Since 2011, small-scale fishermen from Taganga Bay (Colombian Caribbean) have been catching lionfish in traps in the Tayrona National Natural Park, which had caused them to believe that the lionfish is the cause of the decrease in overall fishing. In order to determine the changes in the species captured and to know the abundance of the lionfish in this fishing method, we analyzed the historical landings in traps between 1993 and 2014, as well as the landing of three fishing units between March 2012 and July 2014. The historical analysis showed that the decline in species and kilograms landed has been occurring since 2000. A total of 4 913 specimens were landed between March 2012 and July 2014, of which 85 % were species of commercial interest, and the rest were used by fishermen for consumption. Landings between 2012 and 2014 were conditioned by climatic conditions, where the co-occurrence between Pterois volitans and the main commercial species and self-consumption did not provide evidence of the lionfish affecting its abundance. This confirms the presence of the lionfish as a new member in the landings in traps the Taganga Bay. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1197-1207. Epub 2018 September 01.

Abstract Monitoring of seabirds stranded on beaches can provide information about their causes of death, such as bycatch in fishing activities or oil spills. During a year we monthly monitored the Coquimbo Bay, north Chile, to quantify the number of seabirds and species stranded. We found 395 dead seabirds, of which 382 were identified and grouped into 21 species. The most abundant were the Peruvian booby with 115 individuals (30%), the Guanay cormorant with 83 individuals (22%) and the Kelp gull with 65 individuals (17%). The most abundant and frequent species were those nesting in the Coastal System of Coquimbo. Mortality mainly affected seabirds that feed on anchoveta, which is the main target resource of purse seine fishing. We suggest that the incidental mortality caused by fishing is chronic and relatively constant during the year. A long-term monitoring program is needed to better estimate the mortality and the factors that influence the interaction of seabirds with fishing gears.

Resumen El monitoreo de las aves varadas en las playas puede proporcionar información sobre sus causas de muerte, tales como la captura incidental en actividades de pesca o derrames de petróleo. Durante un año fue monitoreada mensualmente la Bahía de Coquimbo, norte de Chile para cuantificar el número de aves marinas varadas. Se encontraron 395 aves marinas muertas de las cuales 382 fueron identificadas y agrupadas en 21 especies. Las especies más abundantes fueron los piqueros con 115 individuos (30%), el cormorán guanay con 83 individuos (22%) y la gaviota dominicana con 65 individuos (17%). Las especies más abundantes y frecuentes fueron las que anidan en el Sistema Costero de Coquimbo. La mortalidad afecta principalmente a las aves marinas que se alimentan de la anchoveta, que es el principal recurso objetivo de la pesca con redes de cerco. Se sugiere que la mortalidad incidental causada por la pesca es crónica y relativamente constante durante el año. Se requiere un programa de monitoreo a largo plazo para mejorar la estimación de la mortalidad y los factores que influyen en la interacción de las aves marinas con las artes de pesca.

RESUMEN Arca zebra, constituye uno de los recursos pesqueros de mayor impacto económico en el nororiente de Venezuela, ya que forma bancos de importancia comercial. Durante un periodo de nueve meses (mayo 2010- agosto 2011) se identificó, cuantificó y describió la estructura comunitaria de los organismos provenientes de la pesquería de arrastre efectuada por los pescadores de la zona; así mismo, se calculó la biomasa y abundancia de los diferentes grupos taxonómicos para realizar Curvas de Comparación Abundancia-Biomasa (ABC), con el objetivo de determinar el grado de afectación por la actividad de arrastre. En total se contabilizaron 3 249 organismos, pertenecientes a 130 especies, agrupadas en cinco Phylla: Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata y Chordata. La diversidad total de Sanders fue de 122.9. Entre los taxones más diversos se encontraron los moluscos (70.87) y poliquetos (29.91). Los moluscos presentaron la mayor abundancia, seguidos de los poliquetos, crustáceos, equinodermos y ascidias. El mayor aporte en biomasa la mostraron los moluscos y equinodermos. Las especies constantes fueron: Mithraculus forceps, Phallucia nigra, Echinometra lucunter, Eunice rubra y Pinctada imbricata. El microgasterópodo Triphora melanura se reconoce como nuevo registro para la zona y el poliqueto Oenone fulgida, para Venezuela. La curva ABC mostró que la abundancia total de organismos estuvo por encima de la biomasa total, sugiriendo que la pesquería de Arca zebra, ejerce un efecto negativo sobre la mayoría los grupos de organismos, principalmente sobre los equinodermos, ya que muchos de ellos sufren fuertes daños físicos en el momento de la extracción del recurso, por lo antes señalado existe la necesidad de modificar las redes de arrastre, incrementado la apertura de la malla, pero sin poner en peligro la viabilidad económica de la pesquería.

ABSTRACT Arca zebra, constitutes one of the fishing resources with the greatest economic impact in northeastern Venezuela, since it forms banks of commercial importance. During a period of nine months (May 2010-August2011) the community structure of the organisms from the trawling fishery carried out by the fishermen of the area was identified, quantified and described. The biomass and abundance of the different groups were estimated to perform Abundance-Biomass Comparison Curves (ABC) with the objective of determining the degree of affectation by the trawling activity. A total of3 249 organisms belonging to 130 species were grouped in five Phyla: Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata and Chordata. The Sanders' diversity index was 122.9 with mollusks (70.87) and polychaetes (29.91) as the most diverse taxa. Mollusks had the highest abundance followed by polychaetes, crustaceans, echinoderms and ascidians. Mollusks and echinoderms made the largest contribution to total biomass. The most frequent species were: Mithraculus forceps, Phallucia nigra, Echinometra lucunter, Eunice rubra and Pinctada imbricata. The microgastropods Triphora melanura is recognized as a new record for the area and the polychaete Oenonefulgida, for Venezuela. The ABC curve showed that total abundance of organisms was above total biomass, suggesting that the fishery of Arca zebra has a negative effect on most groups of organisms, mainly on echinoderms, since many of them suffer strong physical damage at the time of extraction, therefore, there is a need to modify the trawl nets, increasing the mesh opening, but without endangering the economic viability of the fishery.

Abstract The shortbill spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris) is a rare, large pelagic fish that inhabits the tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and it is seldom incidentally captured by the purse seine and longline tuna fleets. It is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red list as data deficient, with the population likely decreasing. The main objective of this paper is to contribute basic knowledge of the species catch rate, spatial distribution, temporal trends, and association with different types of fishing sets. A 23-year (1993-2015) database of incidental catches was analyzed; data was gathered by the observers from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission aboard vessels from the international tuna purse seine fleet in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. We also analyzed time series of sea surface temperature (SST) from different Niño regions, and 2 climatic indices, the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The database included information from a total of 422,970 sets; of these, ~1% resulted in a catch of 687 spearfish. Most incidental catches occurred in waters close to the equator (10ºS to 10°N), with no apparent seasonal distribution pattern. Time-series analyses showed a significant positive trend in incidental catch (~4% per year). Weak negative correlations of incidental catches with El Niño SST and ONI suggest that spearfish prefer cool waters in zones near the Equator. The PDO seemed to be more important to spearfish than El Niño events, and it is likely playing an important role in the positive trend of incidental catches. Most spearfish catches were associated with sets made on floating objects, mainly south of the equator and west of 100ºW, highlighting the oceanic behavior of this species.

Resumen El marlín trompa corta (Tetrapturus angustirostris) es un pez pelágico grande poco común que habita las aguas tropicales y templadas del océano Pacífico y del océano Índico, y rara vez es capturado de manera incidental por las flotas atuneras de cerco y de palangre. Está categorizado en la lista roja de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) como con datos insuficientes y una disminución probable de su población. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es contribuir al conocimiento básico sobre su tasa de captura, distribución espacial, tendencias temporales y asociación con diferentes tipos de lances pesqueros. Se analizó una base de datos de 23 años (1993-2015), la cual fue recopilada por observadores de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical a bordo de los buques de la flota internacional de pesca de atún con cerco en el océano Pacífico oriental tropical. También analizamos las series de tiempo de la temperatura superficial del mar (TSM) de diferentes regiones influenciadas por eventos El Niño y 2 índices climáticos, el índice oceánico de El Niño (ION) y el índice de la Oscilación Decadal del Pacífico (ODP). La base de datos incluyó un total de 422,970 lances; de estos, ~1% resultó en una captura de 687 individuos de marlín trompa corta. La mayor parte de la captura incidental ocurrió en aguas cercanas al ecuador (10ºS a 10ºN) sin ningún patrón de distribución estacional aparente. Los análisis de las series de tiempo mostraron que existe una tendencia positiva significativa en la captura incidental (~4% por año). Las correlaciones negativas débiles de las capturas incidentales con la TSM de El Niño y con ION sugieren que el marlín trompa corta prefiere las aguas templadas de las zonas cercanas al ecuador. El ODP pareció ser más importante para el marlín trompa corta que los eventos El Niño, y seguramente desempeña un papel importante en la tendencia positiva de la captura incidental. La mayor parte de la captura de marlín trompa corta está relacionada con lances realizados sobre objetos flotantes, principalmente al sur del ecuador y al oeste de 100ºW, lo cual resalta el comportamiento oceánico de esta especie.

The brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) fishery is the most important in the Gulf of Mexico. This fishery takes non-target species or by-catch fauna, mainly teleost fishes, which are incidentally captured. Some of the by-catch species has commercial use and the rest of them are discarded. Therefore, it is important to describe the composition of the discarded fauna, to determine the impacts under the ecosystem approach. Discarding catch of shrimp trawls carried out in 2013 on the continental shelf off the State of Veracruz in different depth intervals (22-46 and > 46 m) was analyzed. For each trawl, the shrimp catch, the commercial by-catch and the discarding were recorded and the catch ratios respect to shrimp, were obtained. A discard sample was taken and the species were identified, the total length was taken and the ecological parameters were calculated. The non-parametric multiple dimensional scaling test was performed. A total of 7,178 fishes were collected from 34 families, 46 genera and 51 species. The ratio of commercial species by-catch: shrimp and discard: shrimp was 15.41:1 and 40:1 kg, respectively. The species with high relative dominance were Citharichthys macrops, Synodus foetens, Diplectrum bivittatum, Rhomboplites aurorubens and Upeneus parvus. The species with greater importance index were C. macrops, S. foetens, and D. bivittatum. The 43.14% of the discarded species are used as food and 7.84% as bait. The maximum diversity (H´) was 3.76 bits ind-1 and the trophic level was 4.31. The study of discard composition is a basis to assess the impact generated by the shrimp trawlers and provides guidelines for identify changes in the community structure.

La pesquería del camarón café Penaeus aztecus es la más importante en el Golfo de México. En esta pesquería se capturan de manera incidental especies no objetivo compuestas mayormente por peces teleósteos. Es importante describir la composición del descarte, para determinar el impacto de los arrastres camaroneros bajo un enfoque ecosistémico. Se analizó la captura de descarte de arrastres camaroneros realizados en 2013 en la plataforma continental del Estado de Veracruz en 22-46 y >46 m de profundidad. Para cada arrastre se registró la captura de camarón, fauna de acompañamiento comercial, descarte y fauna de acompañamiento. Se tomó una muestra del descarte, se identificaron las especies y se calcularon los parámetros ecológicos de la muestra. Se realizó una prueba de escalamiento dimensional múltiple no paramétrica. De 87 lances de pesca, se analizaron 7.178 organismos correspondientes a 34 familias, 46 géneros y 51 especies. Las especies con mayor dominancia relativa y mayor valor del índice de importancia fueron: Citharichthys macrops, Synodus foetens, Diplectrum bivittatum, Rhomboplites aurorubens y Upeneus parvus. Un alto porcentaje de las especies de descarte (43,14%) presentan uso potencial de alimento y 7,84% carnada. En promedio, la relación Fauna de Acompañamiento Comercial:Camarón y Descarte:Camarón fue de 15,41:1 y 40:1 kg, respectivamente. El valor máximo de diversidad (H´) fue de 3,76 bits ind-1 y el Nivel Trófico de 4,31. El estudio de la composición de los descartes es base para evaluar el impacto generado por los arrastres de camarón en la costa veracruzana y proporciona pautas para identificar cambios en la estructura de la comunidad.