Effects of fishery practices on fecundity of two lithodid crab species of commercial interest in Southern South America

Parental Effects and Reproductive Potential of Fish and Marine Invertebrates: Cross-Generational Impact of Environmental Experiences

“…However, despite prohibiting the commercialization of ovigerous females, during the last few years, there has been a significant decrease in population fecundity [126]. The two hypotheses that explain this phenomenon are that: the elimination of larger males, which produce more and better sperm, has reduced fertilization rates in the population; conversely, the capture and subsequent return to the sea of ovigerous females causes a loss of eggs due to the stress generated during this process [127]. As mentioned above, if selectivity is intense, it may even result in genetic and evolutionary changes in populations [128], which are difficult to reverse, leading to regime shifts that directly affect the resilience of the population and ecosystem [129].…”