Trachurus lathami: A pelagic fish species of ecological and technological relevance currently sub exploited in the South West Atlantic (34º- 45ºS)

TEMPERONI, BRENDA; BARBINI, SANTIAGO A.; MITTON, FRANCESCA M.; ORLANDO, PAULA; PADOVANI, LUCIANO; MASSA, AGUEDA E.; BURATTI, CLAUDIO C.

Lisboa

Simposio; Small Pelagic Fish: New Frontiers in Science and Sustainable Management; 2022

ICES/PICES Working Group on Small Pelagic Fish

In the South West Atlantic (34o - 45oS), the rough scad Trachurus lathami is captured as by-catch mainly in Argentine anchovy Engraulis anchoita and Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias fisheries, but commonly discarded as not a target of commercial fleets. The interaction with these economically important pelagic fishes and increasing abundances since the mid ‘90s have encouraged the integral study of the species. This workaddresses recent knowledge on T. lathami biological (distribution, abundance, trophic ecology) and technological (nutritional parameters, quality control indices) aspects from Buenos Aires shelf (34o-39oS), El Rincon (39o-42oS), and north Patagonian waters (42o-45oS). Since 1947, T. lathami is recorded in Argentinean landings, being mostly destined to bait or canning industry. Rising abundances from 1998 (2000 kg h -1 ) to 2005 (6550 kg h -1 ) are evident from research cruises, with higher yields between 38o-41oS, being bottom temperature the main factor influencingdistribution. Trophic studies revealed a zooplanktonic diet (copepods, and decapods and teleosts larvae) in every sector. Between 34o-42oS, a significant overlap (on copepods) with the diet of S. colias occurs. Proximate composition of trunk (edible portion) shows T. lathami as a semi-fat species (4-8%), with a n-3 polyunsaturated fraction (27% of total fatty acids) dominated by docosahexaenoic (DHA, 17%) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 6%) acids. Proteins (13%) and minerals (especially Ca and K) are also relevant. Chemical quality parameters indicateit is suitable to develop products for human consumption. Overall, results encourage commercial valorization of this sub exploited species by-catch through sustainable use, diminishing current discards.