Research Article
Abstract
References
- Abobi, S. M., Mildenberger, T. K., Kolding, J., & Wolff, M. (2019). Assessing the exploitation status of primary fisheries resources in Ghana’s reservoirs based on reconstructed catches and a length-based bootstrapping stock assessment method. Lake and Reservoir Management, 35(4), 415-434. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2019.1616340
- Agnissan, J.P.A., Kone, A., Konan, S.K., & N'Da, K. (2014). Dynamics of the exploited population of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804, Istiophoridae) by marine artisanal fishing in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa). International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 7(1), 382.
- Amponsah, S.K.K., Ofori-Danson, P.K., Nunoo, F.K.E., & Ameyaw, G.A. (2016). Aspects of population dynamics of Red Pandora, Pagellus bellottii (Steindachner, 1882) from the coastal waters of Ghana. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 5(6), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.31254/jsir.2016.5604
- Amponsah, S., Amarquaye, N.C., Olopade, O.A., & Baset, A. (2021). Length-based population dynamics of Lesser African Threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus, Bloch, 1795) from the coastal waters of Ghana. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 5(2), 56-68.
- Beverton, R.J.H., & Holt, S.J. (1957). On the Dynamics of Exploited Fish Populations. Chapman and Hall. https://doi.org/10.2307/1440619
- Chiang, W.C., Sun, C.-L., Yeh, S-Z., & Su, W.C. (2004). Age and growth of sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, in the waters off eastern Taiwan. Fishery Bulletin, 102, 251-263.
- Darvishi, M., Paighambari, S.Y., Ghorbani, R., & Kaymaram, F. (2018). Population assessment and yield per recruit of longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) in Northern of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (Iran, Hormozgan Province). Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 17(4), 776-789.
- Dovlo, E., Amador, K., & Nkrumah, B. (2016). Information Report No. 36. https://www.crc.uri.edu/download/Final-2016-Canoe-Frame-Survey-Report.pdf
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) (2020). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in action. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9229en
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) (2022). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2022: Towards blue transformation. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0461en
- Froese, R. & Binohlan, C. (2000). Empirical relationships to estimate asymptotic length, length at first maturity and length at maximum yield per recruit in fishes, with a simple method to evaluate length frequency data. Journal of Fish Biology, 56(4), 758-773. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2000.tb00870.x
- Gayanilo, Jr, F.C., Sparre, P., & Pauly, D. (2005). FAO-ICLARM stock assessment tools II: Revised version: User's guide. FAO Computerized Information Series: Fisheries, (8), I.
- Georgiev, Z.M., & Kolarov, P. (1962). On the migration and distribution of horse mackerel (Trachurus ponticus Aleev) in the western part of the Black Sea. Arbeiten des Zentralen Forschungsinstitutes für Fishzught und Fisherei-Varna, 2, 148-172.
- Gulland, J.A. (1965). Estimation of Mortality Rates. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 30(2), 205-209. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/33.3.471 Gulland, J.A. (1971). Science and fishery management. ICES journal of Marine Science, 33(3), 471-477.
- Hugi, A. (2022). Trophic ecology of sailfish larvae in the Gulf of Mexico: An analysis of diet, prey availability, prey quality, and influences on larval growth. Master's thesis, University of Southern Mississippi.
- ICCAT (2010). ICCAT Manual, 1st Edition (January 2010). https://iccat.int/Documents/SCRS/Manual/CH2/2_1_8_1_SAI_ENG.pdf
- ICCAT (2023a). ICCAT Statistical Bulletin Vol. 48. https://www.iccat.int/sbull/SB48-2023/index.html
- ICCAT (2023b). Report of the 2023 ICCAT Atlantic Sailfish Data Preparatory and Stock Assessment Meeting (Online, 5-10 June 2023). https://iccat.int/Documents/Meetings/Docs/2023/REPORTS/2023_SAI_ENG.pdf
- Kwei, A.E., & Ofori-Adu, W.D. (2005). Fishes in the Coastal Waters of Ghana. Ronna Publishers. ISBN: 9988791151
- Mourato, B.L., Hazin, F., Bigelow, K., Musyl, M., Carvalho, F., & Hazin, H. (2014). Spatio‐temporal trends of sailfish, I stiophorus platypterus catch rates in relation to spawning ground and environmental factors in the equatorial and southwestern A tlantic O cean. Fisheries Oceanography, 23(1), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12040
- Nakamura, I. (1985). FAO species catalogue. Vol. 5. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(5):65p. Rome: FAO.
- Pauly, D. (1979). Theory and management of tropical multispecies stocks. ICLARM studies and reviews, 1, 35.
- Pauly, D. (1984). Some simple methods for the assessment of tropical fish stocks (No. 234). Food and Agriculture Org.
- Pauly, D., & Soriano, M.L. (1986). Some practical extensions to Beverton and Holt’s relative yield-per-recruit model. In The first Asian fisheries forum (pp. 491-496). Manila: Asian Fisheries Society.
- Qamar, N., Panhwar, S.K., & Brower, S. (2016). Population characteristics and biological reference point estimates for two carangid fishes Megalaspis cordyla and Scomberoides tol in the northern Arabian Sea, coast of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48, 869-874.
- Sala, E., Mayorga, J., Costello, C., Kroodsma, D., Palomares, M.L., Pauly, D., & Zeller, D. (2018). The economics of fishing the high seas. Science Advances, 4(6), eaat2504. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aat2504
- Surya, S., Rohit, P., Abdussamad, E.M., Asha, T.L., Santhosh, B., Nayak, B.B., ... & Anil, M.K. (2023). Fishery, systematics and stock dynamics of billfishes landed along the Indian coast. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 70(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2023.70.3.131139-01
Determining the population dynamics of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804) in coastal waters of the Gulf of Guinea using length frequency data
Abstract
Atlantic sailfish catches in Ghana have declined to levels below historical levels, despite their economic and nutritional significance, raising concerns about a potential collapse of the fishery. This preliminary study aimed to assess the exploitation status of Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) from the coast of Ghana, utilising FiSAT II software. Of the length distribution of 713 specimens sampled from Dixcove and Tema fishing communities, asymptotic length (L∞), growth rate (K), and age at length zero (t0) were 325.5 cm, 0.59 yr−1, and - 0.13, respectively. Total mortality rate (Z), natural mortality rate (M), and fishing mortality rate (F) were 3.05 yr−1, 0.44 yr−1, and 2.61 yr−1, respectively. The length at capture (Lc50 = 186.15 cm) exceeded the length at maturity (Lm50 = 150.6 cm). The current exploitation rate (E = 0.86) exceeded the maximum sustainable exploitation rate (E < Emax), indicating a potential collapse of the fishery without effective management measures. Based on the findings, there is an urgent need to implement effective management strategies to sustain the Atlantic sailfish population along Ghana's coast.
Ethical Statement
Ethics committee approval is not required for this study.
Thanks
Special thanks go to the fisherfolk who participated during the data collection period and to Mr. Timothy Johnson, who assisted with the data collection.
References
- Abobi, S. M., Mildenberger, T. K., Kolding, J., & Wolff, M. (2019). Assessing the exploitation status of primary fisheries resources in Ghana’s reservoirs based on reconstructed catches and a length-based bootstrapping stock assessment method. Lake and Reservoir Management, 35(4), 415-434. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2019.1616340
- Agnissan, J.P.A., Kone, A., Konan, S.K., & N'Da, K. (2014). Dynamics of the exploited population of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804, Istiophoridae) by marine artisanal fishing in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa). International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 7(1), 382.
- Amponsah, S.K.K., Ofori-Danson, P.K., Nunoo, F.K.E., & Ameyaw, G.A. (2016). Aspects of population dynamics of Red Pandora, Pagellus bellottii (Steindachner, 1882) from the coastal waters of Ghana. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 5(6), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.31254/jsir.2016.5604
- Amponsah, S., Amarquaye, N.C., Olopade, O.A., & Baset, A. (2021). Length-based population dynamics of Lesser African Threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus, Bloch, 1795) from the coastal waters of Ghana. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 5(2), 56-68.
- Beverton, R.J.H., & Holt, S.J. (1957). On the Dynamics of Exploited Fish Populations. Chapman and Hall. https://doi.org/10.2307/1440619
- Chiang, W.C., Sun, C.-L., Yeh, S-Z., & Su, W.C. (2004). Age and growth of sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, in the waters off eastern Taiwan. Fishery Bulletin, 102, 251-263.
- Darvishi, M., Paighambari, S.Y., Ghorbani, R., & Kaymaram, F. (2018). Population assessment and yield per recruit of longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) in Northern of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (Iran, Hormozgan Province). Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 17(4), 776-789.
- Dovlo, E., Amador, K., & Nkrumah, B. (2016). Information Report No. 36. https://www.crc.uri.edu/download/Final-2016-Canoe-Frame-Survey-Report.pdf
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) (2020). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in action. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9229en
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) (2022). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2022: Towards blue transformation. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0461en
- Froese, R. & Binohlan, C. (2000). Empirical relationships to estimate asymptotic length, length at first maturity and length at maximum yield per recruit in fishes, with a simple method to evaluate length frequency data. Journal of Fish Biology, 56(4), 758-773. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2000.tb00870.x
- Gayanilo, Jr, F.C., Sparre, P., & Pauly, D. (2005). FAO-ICLARM stock assessment tools II: Revised version: User's guide. FAO Computerized Information Series: Fisheries, (8), I.
- Georgiev, Z.M., & Kolarov, P. (1962). On the migration and distribution of horse mackerel (Trachurus ponticus Aleev) in the western part of the Black Sea. Arbeiten des Zentralen Forschungsinstitutes für Fishzught und Fisherei-Varna, 2, 148-172.
- Gulland, J.A. (1965). Estimation of Mortality Rates. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 30(2), 205-209. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/33.3.471 Gulland, J.A. (1971). Science and fishery management. ICES journal of Marine Science, 33(3), 471-477.
- Hugi, A. (2022). Trophic ecology of sailfish larvae in the Gulf of Mexico: An analysis of diet, prey availability, prey quality, and influences on larval growth. Master's thesis, University of Southern Mississippi.
- ICCAT (2010). ICCAT Manual, 1st Edition (January 2010). https://iccat.int/Documents/SCRS/Manual/CH2/2_1_8_1_SAI_ENG.pdf
- ICCAT (2023a). ICCAT Statistical Bulletin Vol. 48. https://www.iccat.int/sbull/SB48-2023/index.html
- ICCAT (2023b). Report of the 2023 ICCAT Atlantic Sailfish Data Preparatory and Stock Assessment Meeting (Online, 5-10 June 2023). https://iccat.int/Documents/Meetings/Docs/2023/REPORTS/2023_SAI_ENG.pdf
- Kwei, A.E., & Ofori-Adu, W.D. (2005). Fishes in the Coastal Waters of Ghana. Ronna Publishers. ISBN: 9988791151
- Mourato, B.L., Hazin, F., Bigelow, K., Musyl, M., Carvalho, F., & Hazin, H. (2014). Spatio‐temporal trends of sailfish, I stiophorus platypterus catch rates in relation to spawning ground and environmental factors in the equatorial and southwestern A tlantic O cean. Fisheries Oceanography, 23(1), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12040
- Nakamura, I. (1985). FAO species catalogue. Vol. 5. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(5):65p. Rome: FAO.
- Pauly, D. (1979). Theory and management of tropical multispecies stocks. ICLARM studies and reviews, 1, 35.
- Pauly, D. (1984). Some simple methods for the assessment of tropical fish stocks (No. 234). Food and Agriculture Org.
- Pauly, D., & Soriano, M.L. (1986). Some practical extensions to Beverton and Holt’s relative yield-per-recruit model. In The first Asian fisheries forum (pp. 491-496). Manila: Asian Fisheries Society.
- Qamar, N., Panhwar, S.K., & Brower, S. (2016). Population characteristics and biological reference point estimates for two carangid fishes Megalaspis cordyla and Scomberoides tol in the northern Arabian Sea, coast of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48, 869-874.
- Sala, E., Mayorga, J., Costello, C., Kroodsma, D., Palomares, M.L., Pauly, D., & Zeller, D. (2018). The economics of fishing the high seas. Science Advances, 4(6), eaat2504. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aat2504
- Surya, S., Rohit, P., Abdussamad, E.M., Asha, T.L., Santhosh, B., Nayak, B.B., ... & Anil, M.K. (2023). Fishery, systematics and stock dynamics of billfishes landed along the Indian coast. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 70(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2023.70.3.131139-01
There are 27 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Fish Biology, Fisheries Management |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | July 1, 2025 |
| Publication Date | July 2, 2025 |
| Submission Date | March 13, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | May 24, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 |
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