Species biology of elasmobranch by-catch in bottom-trawl fishery on the northern Patagonian shelf, Argentina

CRESPI-ABRIL, AC; PEDRAZA, SN; GARCÍA, NA; CRESPO, EA

Aquatic Biology

Inter Research

Lugar: SAN DIEGO; Año: 2013 vol. 19 p. 239 - 251

1864-7782

The present study analyzes the species composition of elasmobranch by-catch of bottomtrawlers that targeted common hake Merluccius hubbsi on the northern and central Patagonianshelf during 2001, 2002 and 2003. Six surveys were conducted, and a total of 20 species of elasmobranchswere observed. Zearaja chilensis and Squalus acanthias were present in all surveys.The mean values of relative abundance ranged between 9.12 and 151 ind. km−2 for Z. chilensis andbetween 8.24 and 298 ind. km−2 for S. acanthias. Bathyraja brachyurops, B. macloviana, B. magellanica,Discopyge sp. and Psammobatis lentiginosa were registered only in 1 survey, and their relativeabundance did not exceed 15 ind. km−2. There were no patterns detected between the meansize of the individuals and the depth of capture for any of the captured species. Length-to-weightrelationships were estimated for 14 species, and size-at-maturity was estimated for 8 species