A concept to protect fisheries recruits by seasonal closure during spawning periods for commercial fishes off Taiwan and the East China Sea

Abstract

Summary The 72 most important commercial fish species as well as nine unidentified fish groups representing hundreds of fish species as the major and minor target species caught in waters off Taiwan and the East China Sea were selected from the ‘Fisheries Yearbook Taiwan Area.’ All available published and grey literature as well as the Fish Database of Taiwan and Fishbase websites were thoroughly reviewed for a total of 108 fish species, including 51 out of 72 major and 57 minor target fish species, on their reproductive periods in waters off Taiwan and the East China Sea. The spawning periods from these commercial fish species were then summarized. An imperative adjustment was recommended for the established fishing season closure, i.e. for an earlier start, from April to June, in the southern East China Sea. This suggested correction corresponded with the spawning period of most fishes so as to maximize the protection of spawning cohorts for at least 68 major and minor target fish species, which would account for over 53% of the total fish yield in Taiwanese offshore fisheries.

Estimates of life history parameters of the sharpspine skate, Okamejei acutispina, in the northeastern waters of Taiwan

“…To ensure the sustainable utilization of this stock, close monitoring of its catch and size composition, and a periodic assessment of abundance are recommended, together with the seasonal closure of trawl fishing in the area. The Taiwanese government is promoting seasonal closure (April to June) as a fishery management measure for its coastal and offshore trawl fisheries based on the spawning season of major target teleost species (Shih et al, 2009). Although this period does not cover the major spawning season (October to March) for sharpspine skate, this measure may reduce pressure on the stock and, since this species can reproduce all year round (Chang, pers.…”

Biologia populacional e reprodutiva do camarão sete-barbas na Baía de Santos, São Paulo

“…O conhecimento da duração, local e período reprodutivo de uma determinada espécie é essencial para elaboração de uma estratégia eficiente de manejo (SHIH et al, 2009), pois relaciona a espécie com a preservação dos habitats em que vive, além de fornecer dados ecológicos importantes para a conservação do estoque em toda sua área de ocorrência. Para este fim, foram investigados na Baía de Santos, SP, a maturidade do sistema reprodutor, a proporção sexual e o período reprodutivo e de recrutamento de X. kroyeri, além de investigada a relação destes dois períodos com a temperatura e a salinidade da água de fundo.…”

Reproductive biology of the Japanese butterfish, Psenopsis anomala, in the waters off southwestern Taiwan

“…To ensure sustainable utilization of this species, the protection of adults during the major spawning season is highly recommended. As the spawning season of most species for trawl fishery in Taiwan is from April to July (Shih et al., 2009), a seasonal closure from April to July would provide better breeding opportunities for adults and is believed to be a good fishery management measure for this species.…”