Biological and Fishery Parameters of Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the Colombian Pacific, a Resource without Directed Fishing Exploitation

Abstract

The distribution range of the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) has increased over the past few decades; it is now found in the entire Eastern Pacific Ocean and is considered an important species in the small and large fisheries of Chile, Perú, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico but not in the Pacific region of Colombia. Three night-fishing campaigns were conducted over a year in the coastal Baudó-San Juan environmental unit, adjacent to the Bajo Baudó Encanto de Manglares Regional Integrated Management District in Chocó, at three locations 20 km, 35 km, and 45 km from the coastline to establish the availability and viability of jumbo squid as an alternative to the target species of artisanal fisheries in the Colombian Pacific. Night fishing sets were conducted at 60 m and 200 m depth at each sampling station to assess some of the biological parameters of the jumbo squid population (mantle length-ML, weight, growth and size at sexual maturity). Most catches were obtained in February and March. Growth was isometric, the average catch size was 24.3 cm ML, size at sexual maturity (L50) was 23.25 cm ML, estimated maximum size (L∞) was 39.9 cm ML, the growth constant (K) was 0.83, and mortality due to experimental fishing was 26 cm ML. According to our results, the jumbo squid fishery in the Colombian Pacific artisanal fishery would be viable during the first months of the year.