Monitoring of the status of eleven bony and cartilaginous fish populations in the Malpelo Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora, Colombian Pacific

A decade-long study of fish populations in the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary reveals concerning trends for marine species. The research found that most of the eleven bony and cartilaginous fish species monitored exhibited non-significant declines in abundance from 2009 to 2019. Notably, the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) showed a statistically significant decrease, underscoring the need for urgent conservation action. The study employed underwater visual censuses to assess trends over time. While some species like the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus laticeps) and whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) showed positive but non-significant trends, the overall findings highlight the importance of strengthening fisheries management measures not only within the sanctuary but also in the broader Tropical Eastern Pacific region to safeguard these critical species.

Ladino, F., Martínez, S., Duarte, M., Vélez, N., & Bessudo, S. (2021). Monitoring of the status of eleven bony and cartilaginous fish populations in the Malpelo Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora, Colombian Pacific. Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas Y Costeras, 50(1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.25268/bimc.invemar.2021.50.1.1084