Determining the population dynamics of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804) in coastal waters of the Gulf of Guinea using length frequency data

Samuel Amponsah

doi:10.3153/AR25018

EN

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.

Keywords

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

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fish Biology , Fisheries Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Samuel Amponsah ^*
0000-0001-5559-3139
Ghana

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 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25018

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA33AC67PL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Amponsah, S. (2025). Determining the population dynamics of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804) in coastal waters of the Gulf of Guinea using length frequency data. Aquatic Research, 8(3), 176-185. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25018

Öz

Determining the population dynamics of Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804) in coastal waters of the Gulf of Guinea using length frequency data

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite