Exploitation of the volute snail Zidona dufresnei in argentine waters, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

JULIANA GIMENEZ; MARIO LASTA; GREGORIO BIGATTI; PABLO E. PENCHASZADEH

JOURNAL OF SHELLFISH RESEARCH

NATL SHELLFISHERIES ASSOC

Lugar: SOUTHAMPTON; Año: 2005 vol. 24 p. 1135 - 1140

0730-8000

Zidona dufresnei (fine snail) is a common gastropod species in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean which has been exported to Asian countries for human consumption since 1988. Landings of Z. dufresnei increased from 1974  to a maximum record of 1300 mt ( whole shelled animal)  in 1997, followed by  a steady decline through 2002. No resource management effort have been applied to this species since the beginning of its catch history, about 30 years ago.  Information provided in this work, together with previous studies on the reproductive biology and population dynamics of Z. dufresnei, will contribute to establish effective precautionary polices to manage this resource. We suggest that Z.dufresnei is in a phase of over-exploitation since 1988 until present, we propose a rational management as size selectivity, with a minimum capture size of 16 cm, closure of the fishery during the reproductive season, from September to December and to rotate the fishing areas. This study provides historical and updated information as an attempt to implement corrective measures towards a better management of the fishery on the Argentine Continental Shelf .