Fishery biology of the Crevalle jack Caranx hippos (L) from the Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

The crevalle jack Caranx hippos is a significant fishery resource in the Caribbean Sea; however, biological information necessary for its effective management is currently lacking. To address this gap, this study conducted an integrated multiannual analysis of fishery-dependent data on the size structure, maturity, and spatiotemporal dynamics of landings in six Colombian Caribbean regions. This study found that encircling gillnets, drift gillnets, and seine nets yielded a higher catch in terms of mass, whereas handlines, encircling gillnets, and fixed gillnets captured small and immature specimens. These practices, which affect both adult and immature populations, appear to pose a significant threat to stock health, highlighting the need for preventive approaches to fishery management in Colombian waters. Additionally, the results revealed sexual dimorphism, with females being smaller than males, and the size at maturity of females was estimated at 54.2 cm L_T (81 % immature and 19 % mature). Furthermore, this study recorded annual fluctuations in the number of landed specimens at all sites, with La Guajira in the northeastern area of the Colombian Caribbean and Atlántico in the southwest area showing the highest values. The findings suggest a decrease in the size at maturity of C. hippos over a span of ten years, with an average reduction of 2.25 cm L_T per year, in response to fishing pressure. In addition, spatiotemporal factors that affect fleet operations play a key role in these fluctuations. This study emphasises the need to adopt comprehensive approaches to improve our understanding of the reproductive dynamics of crevalle jack stocks to ensure the sustainability of artisanal fishing.