Population Parameters and Stock Assessment of Mylossoma albiscopum (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) in the Amazonian Plain of the Putumayo River, Colombia

Abstract

Mylossoma albiscopum is one of the primary species consumed by humans in the Colombian Amazon, but understanding is limited on its life history traits and the current status. Therefore, the fishery was monitored in the Putumayo River basin between 2016 and 2023 to estimate growth parameters and assess stock status using the data-limited LB-SPR method. Asymptotic length (L∞) was 28.63 cm, natural mortality (M) was 0.92, von Bertalanffy growth (k) was 0.39, and length at 50% maturity (Lm50) was 15.0 cm. The spawning potential ratio (0.39) was similar to the reference point (0.40), so the fishery exploited the population near its optimal level. We recommend that the Colombian fisheries authority consider Lm50 as the legal catch length limit and continue annual evaluations of the fishery to ensure its sustainability.