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Population dynamics and stock assessment of Ethmalosa fimbriata in Senegal call for fishing regulation measures

  • Bocar Balde
  • Patrice Brehmer
  • Fambaye Ngom Sow
  • Werner Ekau
  • Justin Kantoussan
  • Massal Fall
  • Malick Diouf

Abstract

Small pelagic fish occupy a significant component of the food supply in West Africa and are vitally important for the nutritional needs of local people. The bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata Bowdich, 1825) is the third most-exploited of the small pelagic species fished from coastal waters of Senegal (after Sardinella aurita and S. maderensis) and is routinely consumed by Senegalese people. Bonga shad fishing is practised mainly by artisanal fishermen and of great importance to the Senegalese economy and food security in the region. Our study was designed to examine population dynamics of bonga shad to support the development of fishery management options that may improve the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen. The current rate of exploitation (E = 0.8) suggests that the bonga shad in Senegal is over-fished. In addition, we describe seasonal variability in recruitment and biomass of bonga shad along the Senegal coast, its downward trend in landings over a 17-y study period, and its decline (18%) in maximum size over a 63-y period. We attribute the declines to an increase in fishing pressure and/or changes in local climate. To reverse the effects of overexploitation of the bonga shad stock, it will be necessary to drastically reduce fishing effort, apply and enforce regulatory restrictions on the capture, sale and processing of juveniles, and prohibit seiners and monofilament nets in the fishery.

Zitiere diese Aktivität

Balde B., Brehmer P., Sow F.N., Ekau W., Kantoussan J., Fall M. and Diouf M. (2018) Population dynamics and stock assessment of Ethmalosa fimbriata in Senegal call for fishing regulation measures. Regional Studies in Marine Science 24: 165-173. 10.1016/j.rsma.2018.08.003

Details

Datum 28.08.2018
Journal Regional Studies in Marine Science
Volume 24
Seiten 165-173
Open Access Closed Access
Open Access Status Closed Access
Eprints_link https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/1943
Peer-Reviewed

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