Population ecological risk assessment of the common species of catches of the longline fishery in Atlantic Ocean

Abstract:

Ecological risk assessment (ERA) is a key part of ecosystem level fisheries management. Based on productivity and sensitivity analysis (PSA) method, ecological risk assessment of 12 species caught in tuna longline fishery was conducted. The result showed that the productivity score ranged from 1.2 to 2.05,with Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) having the highest score; sensitivity score ranged from 1.42 to 1.92, bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) having the highest score; vulnerability score ranged from 1.16 to 1.85, longfin mako shark (Carcharhinus longimauns) having the highest score. Ecological risk assessment indicated that Sharks (blue shark (Prionace glauca), bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus ), Oceanic whitetip shark(Thunnus alalunga), smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) were in moderate risk status, while the target species-bigeye tuna was in a low-risk status in the tropical Atlantic longline fishery. In addition, There was no significant difference(P>0.05) between target species and other fish species on productivity, susceptibility and vulnerability scores.