Spatial dynamics of the Argentine sandperch, Pseudopercis semifasciata (Pinguipedidae), in temperate rocky reefs from northern Patagonia, Argentina

VENERUS LA; IRIGOYEN AJ; GALVAN DE; PARMA AM

MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Lugar: Collingwood; Año: 2014 vol. 65 p. 39 - 49

1323-1650

The choice of appropriate conservation strategies for reef fishes depends on their mobility, degree of site fidelity and residence times. Here we report the results of a small-scale mark-recapture and resighting study conducted to investigate the spatial dynamics of the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata. This is the flagship species of the rocky-reef fish assemblage from northern Patagonia, which has been the target of uncontrolled fishing since the early 50s. About 19% of the fish tagged were recaptured up to four years after tagging. In total, 180 of 218 recaptured fish stayed in the reef of tagging. Thirty six of 57 recaptures made at known locations within popular fishing areas of San José Gulf, densely covered by patchy reefs, occurred within 100 m of the tagging site, up to 793 days since tagging. Six fish were recovered at more than 1 km. Smaller fish were more prone to relocate, and were recovered farther from the tagging site. Fish stayed in the reefs for periods longer than a year; larger males remained longer in the same reefs. Our results indicate that relatively small reserves (in the order of a few kilometres) could be effective at protecting P. semifasciata populations within the northern Patagonian gulfs.