Bycatch of the squat lobster Munida gregaria in bottom trawl fisheries in San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina

MARTIN VARISCO; JULIO VINUESA; MARÍA EVA GÓNGORA

REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA

INST OCEANOLOGIA

Lugar: Valparaíso; Año: 2015 vol. 50 p. 249 - 259

0717-3326

Squat lobsters are recognized as potential fishery resources in many countries. Squat lobster Munida gregaria is an important component of the bycatch in trawling fisheries of Patagonia argentina. The frequency of occurrence (FO), relative abundance (RA) and fate of the incidental catch of M. gregaria in: a- double-rigged otter trawler fleet (63579 hauls), b- high-seas ice trawler fleet (5608) and c- coastal fleet (584) were evaluated. The highest values of FO and RA were recorded in coastal fleet. However, given the size of the double-rigged otter trawler fleet, the fishing effort level suggests that the highest captures in terms of biomass are obtained by this fleet. A significant increase in RA and FO was recorded in hauls of double-rigged otter trawlers in the last years. Lower FO and RA were recorded in hauls of the high-seas ice trawler fleet. Our results showed that squat lobster is abundant and so far not exploited resource and represents an alternative resource for the coastal fleet in San Jorge Gulf.