Journal
FISHERIES RESEARCH
Volume 257, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106513
Keywords
Fishers ? ecological knowledge (FEK); Citizen science; Fish biology; Spearfishery
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Fishers' ecological knowledge (FEK) has become a popular method for collecting fisheries data. This study incorporated specialised spearfisher FEK into the study of the reproductive biology of Oplegnathus conwayi in South Africa, and successfully collected key reproductive data through the combination of standard biological sampling and specialised spearfisher FEK data. The combination of these methods is strongly advised for future life history studies.
Fishers' ecological knowledge (FEK) has become a popular method for collecting fisheries data. Yet, standard biological sampling by researchers is still the most commonly used method. South Africa's recreational fishing sector currently has a wealth of biological and demographic information on species captured with hook and line, while several species targeted in the spearfishery are data limited. The aim of this study was to incorporate specialised spearfisher FEK to improve the understanding of the reproductive biology of Oplegnathus conwayi in South Africa. This was achieved using standard biological sampling and FEK data collected from specialist spearfishers using a questionnaire. A total of 305 O. conwayi were collected along the South African coastline. Fish were dissected, sexed and staged macroscopically and gonad staging was verified histologically. One hundred and three survey responses were received, of which 90 were regarded as being from specialised spearfishers. The combination of both traditional sampling and FEK data complemented each other well, with key reproductive data such as spawning season, length-at-maturity and spawning locality being collected. The combination of these methods is strongly advised for future life history studies, particularly, in countries with data-deficient species and limited research funding.
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