Discriminating Catch Composition and Fishing Modes in an Artisanal Multispecies Fishery

Abstract

Many small-scale fisheries are multi-species, and the catch composition can vary according to available habitats, fishing modes, and fisher groups. Here, we applied novel analyses for understanding the factors affecting differences in catch composition among fishers, which should be useful for planning regulatory measures and fishery development initiatives. Interviews with 235 artisanal fishers in Fiji were used to analyse how fishers' catch composition of 22 species of sea cucumbers varied across geographic scales (locations and villages within locations), genders, and fishing modes. Venn diagrams illustrated that gleaning and SCUBA diving were practiced to varying extents among locations and genders, whereas fishers used breath-hold diving more uniformly across the fishery. Segmented bubble plots revealed spatial variations in catch composition across the fishery. A PERMANOVA analysis found that species catch composition varied most across the two geographic scales and, secondarily, among fishing modes and between men and women. Gendered differences in catch composition were variable from one village to another, and so should not be generalized. SIMPER analyses showed that gleaners and SCUBA divers caught significantly different suites of sea cucumber species. Species threatened with extinction were among those typifying catches of SCUBA divers. Our novel graphical techniques are useful for visualizing fishing modes and catches across other fisheries. Artisanal fisheries may exhibit strong heterogeneity in catches at multiple spatial scales. Planning of regulatory measures that limit certain fishing modes or species should take into account the likely differential impacts on different fishing communities and genders.

Determinants of fish catch and post-harvest fish spoilage in small-scale marine fisheries in the Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

“…Fishers with access to extension services and training are well informed about the process of fishing and fish handling. Training helps fishers to be aware of their limitations and learn skills that make them more effective at fishing ( Purcell et al., 2018 ; Yanfika et al., 2019 ). In addition, trained fishers have knowledge and access to loans, which are important for buying fishing tools and other inputs ( Abiodun, 2021 ).…”

“…The mode of fishing used by fishers is normally influenced by their education, gender, age, and geographic location (culture) within the fishery ( Bradford and Katikiro, 2019 ; Acharjee et al., 2021 ). Fishers with more capital items such as boats can fish in less-exploited grounds with higher resource abundance further from shore ( Purcell et al., 2018 , 2020 ). In addition, fishers with more years of experience in fishing resources have acquired skills and better knowledge about fishing grounds, which may increase their catch rates ( Purcell et al., 2020 ).…”

Toward Ecosystem-Based Assessment and Management of Small-Scale and Multi-Gear Fisheries: Insights From the Tropical Eastern Pacific

“…Analyses of the catch through the lens of ecological indicators provide alternative paths for the assessment and monitoring of SSF that complement the traditional single-species assessment methods and provide insights into potential ecological impacts of fishing. Observed differences in taxonomic composition of the catch and in the proportion of gears used among coastal zones most likely reflect the deep knowledge of small-scale fishers about the temporal and spatial distribution of resources (Saavedra-Diaz, 2012;Purcell et al, 2018). Hook-based gears (handlines and longlines) tend to catch larger sizes and higher trophic levels than nets, but they also include a higher proportion of species that are more vulnerable to fishing impacts and/or have higher conservation concerns.…”

Economic Improvement of Artisanal Fishing by Studying the Survival of Discarded Plectorhinchus mediterraneus

“…Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are roughly defined as those using small, underpowered boats and fishing gears that can be changed to suit different species throughout the year [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Artisanal fisheries are SSF where simple or traditional fishing methods are used, and focus on both subsistence and commercial fishing [ 3 , 5 ].…”