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The interactions between elasmobranchs and fishing gear are a controversial topic because of the national-international legislation, or international agreements and the impact bycatch or targeted fishing has over vulnerable and protected species. The present study analyzed the impact of different fishing gear used in artisanal fishing on sharks and rays in the Chiriquí (GCH) and Montijo (GM) Gulfs, in the Panamanian Pacific. Through onboard vessel observers and sampling at landing sites, caught elasmobranch species were identified, measured, weighted, and their reproductive status was evaluated. Twentytwo species were reported at the GCH (14 sharks and 8 rays), while eight shak species were reported for the GM. The most frequently captured species at the GCH was Sphyrna lewini with 56% and 60% onboard vessel and landing sites sampling, respectively. Onboard vessel sampling showed 83.65% of fishing at GM consisted of Sphyrna lewini. The reproductive analyses for the GCH and GM indicated that 9.36% and 1.03% of individuals showed signs of maturity, respectively. According to the fishing gear, the smallest sizes were caught with gillnets. The CPUE for GCH was 4.78 individuals/1,000 hooks with bottom longlines and 1.9 individuals/set with gillnets; for GM, the CPUE it was 1.24 sharks/1,000 hooks with surface longlines and 5.49 sharks/set with gillnets. Regardless of the gear and fishing area, a high percentage of the specimens captured were juveniles and the most impacted species was Sphyrna lewini. The present study provides useful information for decision making about the management and conservation of threatened species.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
