Intense pressure on small and juvenile coral reef fishes threatens fishery production in Madagascar

Abstract

Size-based indicators are appropriate for monitoring status and guiding management of multi-species, multi-gear fisheries, such as coral reef fisheries. From May 2018 to April 2019, size distribution and composition of coral reef fish catches were monitored through a participatory landing survey in southwestern Madagascar. Fishers targeted a large diversity of fish taxa (75 families) and range of sizes (1.6–86 cm). Five predominant gears accounted for most of the catch (1360 [±39] t), including mosquito net trawl (27.7%), beach seine (26.8%), speargun (7.2%), gillnet (30.6%), and handline (7.1%). Due to widespread use of gears made from mosquito nets, 75% of fishes smaller than 9 cm and 47% of juvenile fishes were represented in the total catch number. Large-size taxa (Scaridae, Lethrinidae, Siganidae, Acanthuridae, Synodontidae, Mullidae, and Labridae) were mostly harvested as juveniles. Catches varied by 8%–70% throughout the year. Size of coral reef fish, annual catches, and catch rates all declined since the 1990s.