Biology of the elephantfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus) in the coast of Chubut province and adjacent waters of Argentina, Southwest Atlantic.

BOVCON, N. D.; RUIBAL NÚÑEZ, J.; GONGORA M. E.; VUCICA MARÍA; COCHIA, P. D.

Joao Pessoa

Congreso; Sharks International Conference; 2018

Sociedade Brasileira para o Estudio de Elasmobranquios, American Elasmobranchi Society, Fundación Colombiana para la investigaci

Of the species of holocephalans in the Southwest Atlantic, the elephantfish Callorhinchus callorynchus (Linnaeus, 1758) is the most important species in the landings of the commercial fleets that operate in different ports of Argentina. Moreover, the elephantfish is a target species in the recreational fishing that takes place in the Patagonian coastline between spring and summer (between 40°S and 48°S). From the monitoring of the coastal recreational fishing and the commercial fleets, samplings of catches of both fisheries were carried out to obtain biological information of the elephantfish. In the recreational fishing 1500 specimens were sampled of which 78% were juveniles. The length range were from 90.0 mm to 680.0 mm and the mean length was 328.6 mm. In the commercial fishing 600 specimens were sampled of which 60% were juveniles. The length range were from 90.0 mm and 690.0 mm and the mean length was 362.0 mm. The body length is considered from the tip of the snout (flattened) to the origin of the upper caudal lobe (LPa-PC). The size at first maturity (L50) in males was 379.19 mm and in females was 419.18 mm. The females have spermatophores in their cloaca between the months of November and April; while the presence of egg capsules in the uterus was observed between October and April. Of the total egg capsules recorded in the seabed, 92.4% were layed in depths between 20 and 50 meters. Between the months of October and April the adults congregate in the coastal areas of Bahía Engaño and San Jorge gulf for mating and egg-laying. The egg-laying period is not in a specifical time and occurs continuously over year. So far the data obtained would indicate that this reproductive event would take place for at least six months and the coastal areas of the Chubut province in Patagonia function as mating, egg-laying and breeding areas for neonates and juveniles.