The Government of the Canary Islands has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) for the joint development of a study to determine the Size of First Maturity (TPM) of three species of fish of high commercial value and presence in the waters of the archipelago, specifically the parrotfish, the grouper and the sea bream.
Through this initiative, which will be financed with 95,925.50 euros of own funds from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the Department of Biology of the University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (ECOAQUA) of the ULPGC will develop a project for two years with the aim of determining the minimum sizes that guarantee catches of adult specimens, in such a way as to ensure the sustainability of fishing resources.
In this sense, the general director of Fisheries, Esteban Reyes, highlighted that "the research will allow us to know more precisely the reproductive cycle of these species of high demand in the Canary Islands and, based on this information, we will be able to establish sizes that ensure the maintenance of the studied populations and, consequently, of the activity of our fishing sector."
Within the scope of this agreement, research and technical personnel will work in contact with fishermen to proceed with the monthly collection of specimens on which a reproductive analysis will be carried out, through a total sample estimated at 500 individuals of each species, with the aim of covering all size ranges, sex and reproductive stages.
Through the processing of biological material and the microscopic study of tissues, a series of data will be extracted that will later be processed for inclusion in the two reports contemplated in this investigation, one partial when one year has elapsed since the beginning of the project and another final report when the 24 months contemplated in the agreement conclude.
These documents will specify the reproductive season of the species under study, as well as the size ranges of first maturity, proposing a Minimum Catch Size (MCS) established for the first time for the parrotfish and updating the current ones for the case of the sea bream and the grouper.
In order to disseminate the biological information available on these species of fishing interest in the Canary Islands, the conclusions of this research may be published in scientific articles or presented in forums and congresses in order to contribute to the responsible management of artisanal fisheries in the Canary Islands and ensure their availability for future generations.
