Effects of marine climate variability on the relative abundance of Lutjanus purpureus (POEY, 1866) on the Amazon Continental Shelf

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of climate and marine variability on the catches of Lutjanus purpureus in three sectors of the Amazon Continental Shelf. Remote sensing data were compared with landings (CPUE) between 1997 and 2007 and analyzed for partial influence obtained through the Generalized Additive Model. Additionally, significant variables were analyzed through Wavelet Cross‐Spectrum, and periods of high correlation between variables in space and time were identified. The results indicated a high coherence between catch per unit effort (CPUE) and environmental variables on an interannual scale, suggesting that Red Snapper fishing is mainly influenced by the seasonal effects of oceanographic variables. These results suggest that fluctuations in Red Snapper catches between 1997 and 2007 may be the result of natural processes that occur in the Amazon Continental Shelf every year in synergy with environmental variables, which are also indirectly affected by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) pattern.

Caribbean red snapper fishing performance indicators in Brazilian amazon shelf: Is it the beginning of the end of a fishing system?

“…Fishing activities in coastal regions face significant challenges due to global warming [ 70 ]. Fluctuations in sea surface height, associated with events like El Niño and La Niña, impact ocean circulation and coastal dynamics, influencing the migration and reproduction of the red snapper [ 71 ]. However, a more in-depth analysis of the role of climatic and oceanographic factors in the populations of Lutjanidae and other reef species in the Equatorial Atlantic is crucial [ 72 ].…”

Recent Findings on Spawning Patterns and Recommendations for the Fishery Management of the Southern Red Snapper—Lutjanus purpureus (Poey, 1866)—On the Amazon Continental Shelf of Brazil

“…This emphasizes the need for the integration of alternative approaches for the more reliable assessment of the reproductive dynamics of snappers, given the imminent risk of the collapse of fisheries through the accumulation of both historic and more recent overfishing events in traditional fishing countries, such as China and Indonesia [56][57][58]. Better controls of the fleets, in particular clandestine operations, would be one potentially effective option, given the irresponsible behavior of these actors, despite legal restrictions, such as the tracking of boats larger than 15 m and annual licensing.…”

“…Recently, a mathematical model of productivity "enhancement" has been proposed, based on the predator (fishery)-prey relationship [59][60][61]. An additional factor is now climate change, which is especially relevant in the case of L. purpureus, which is associated with coral reefs, habitats known to be impacted profoundly by increasing temperatures [7,57].…”

“…What is clear is that fishing is having damaging effects on the L. purpureus stocks of the Amazon continental shelf, reducing their potential for recruitment and, ultimately, their long-term survival [57,58]. Given this, in addition to the existing regulations and a potential extension of the closed season, the more effective control of logbooks and clandestine vessels is clearly needed.…”