Genetic analyses reveal declining trends and low effective population size in an overfished South African sciaenid species, the dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus)

Overfishing has led to the collapse of many marine fish stocks along the South African coast, particularly species characterised by predictable distribution patterns and vulnerable life-history traits. Dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) is an estuarine-dependent sciaenid fish that has been severely depleted by overfishing and is currently managed by suboptimal management measures aggravated by poor enforcement and compliance to regulations. The present study utilised microsatellite markers to evaluate levels of genetic diversity and population structuring of dusky kob along the South African coast, including five estuarine areas. Results showed signatures of bottlenecking, low and declining trends of effective population size and weak differentiation among samples collected along 2000 km of coastline, indicating that dusky kob continues to be subject to the detrimental influence of fishing pressure. Additionally, because dusky kob is a key species in the emerging South African aquaculture sector, parentage analyses were used to successfully identify the origin of first-generation (F1) individuals from a commercial hatchery, hence allowing traceability of farmed products and discrimination between wild and farmed fish. Findings from the present study provided essential information to aid future management of wild populations, as well as to establish sustainable fish farming.