Adriana Gonzalez-Pestana, Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Ximena Velez-Zuazo, Jeffrey C. Mangel
{"title":"Natural history, fisheries, and conservation of the Pacific guitarfish: signs of trouble in Peruvian waters","authors":"Adriana Gonzalez-Pestana, Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Ximena Velez-Zuazo, Jeffrey C. Mangel","doi":"10.3354/esr01329","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT: This review examines—with a focus on Peru—the distribution, life-history, ecology, fisheries, historic and contemporary cultural importance, commerce, and management of the Pacific guitarfish <i>Pseudobatos planiceps</i>. In the eastern Pacific, Peru represents its most important habitats. The only 2 identified Important Shark and Ray Areas for this species are in Peru for feeding purposes. Other critical habitats are unidentified (e.g. reproductive). Most demographic parameters are unknown, since only length-at-maturity and fecundity have been determined. This species is a mesopredator that feeds on benthic invertebrates but also on Peruvian anchoveta. This trophic plasticity is unique among species within this genus. Globally, Peru has one of the longest species-specific landing datasets (56 yr) and one of the largest catches among countries that report guitarfish landings. This dataset shows a 98% decrease in landings from a peak in 1981 to a low in 2004, while fishing effort increased during this period, suggesting that depletion occurred in the early 1980s. The Pacific guitarfish is the third most landed ray species by artisanal fisheries in Peru, mainly between the central and northern regions. Adults are mainly caught using gillnets and as bycatch in trawling fisheries. Mid-northern Peru has a millennia-old tradition in Pacific guitarfish capture and consumption, and catch is not regulated. Along its distributional range, fisheries in Peru are the main cause of population decline; therefore, there is an urgency to halt this trend to protect the Pacific guitarfish. This review establishes a baseline, identifies information gaps, and provides recommendations to guide research and management for the species.","PeriodicalId":48746,"journal":{"name":"Endangered Species Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Endangered Species Research","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01329","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This review examines—with a focus on Peru—the distribution, life-history, ecology, fisheries, historic and contemporary cultural importance, commerce, and management of the Pacific guitarfish Pseudobatos planiceps. In the eastern Pacific, Peru represents its most important habitats. The only 2 identified Important Shark and Ray Areas for this species are in Peru for feeding purposes. Other critical habitats are unidentified (e.g. reproductive). Most demographic parameters are unknown, since only length-at-maturity and fecundity have been determined. This species is a mesopredator that feeds on benthic invertebrates but also on Peruvian anchoveta. This trophic plasticity is unique among species within this genus. Globally, Peru has one of the longest species-specific landing datasets (56 yr) and one of the largest catches among countries that report guitarfish landings. This dataset shows a 98% decrease in landings from a peak in 1981 to a low in 2004, while fishing effort increased during this period, suggesting that depletion occurred in the early 1980s. The Pacific guitarfish is the third most landed ray species by artisanal fisheries in Peru, mainly between the central and northern regions. Adults are mainly caught using gillnets and as bycatch in trawling fisheries. Mid-northern Peru has a millennia-old tradition in Pacific guitarfish capture and consumption, and catch is not regulated. Along its distributional range, fisheries in Peru are the main cause of population decline; therefore, there is an urgency to halt this trend to protect the Pacific guitarfish. This review establishes a baseline, identifies information gaps, and provides recommendations to guide research and management for the species.
期刊介绍:
ESR is international and interdisciplinary. It covers all endangered forms of life on Earth, the threats faced by species and their habitats and the necessary steps that must be undertaken to ensure their conservation. ESR publishes high quality contributions reporting research on all species (and habitats) of conservation concern, whether they be classified as Near Threatened or Threatened (Endangered or Vulnerable) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) or highlighted as part of national or regional conservation strategies. Submissions on all aspects of conservation science are welcome.