Evaluation of the state of hydrobiological resources in marine protected areas of the Colombian Pacific

Abstract

The state of the hydrobiological resources (HBR) of three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the Colombian Pacific was evaluated: Utría National Natural Park (NNP), Uramba Bahía Málaga NNP and Sanquianga NNP. Four fishery indicators were used for the analysis: 1) relative abundance given as landing per Unit Effort (LPUE); 2) effort (h); 3) size (cm); and 4) percentage of individuals captured below the average size at sexual maturity (ASM). The LPUE and effort indicators obtained low ratings in the MPAs according the categories constructed in Herrera (2020), with the exception of PNN Utría. Regarding the indicators "sizes" and "percentage of individuals captured below the ASM, these presented low scores, and are closely related to the reduced sizes of capture in the areas. Given the evidence that the resources in the MPAs are in a condition that is not sustainable (PNN Uramba Bahía Málaga and PNN Sanquianga), it is necessary to advance in the establishment of management measures (minimum catch sizes, time and space closures, selectivity control of fishing gear), which result in the reduction of fishing effort and the increase of catches above the TMM of the species.