Profile updated on 20 April 2023

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION

SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)

Merluccius gayi gayi

SPECIES NAME(s)

South Pacific hake, merluza común

Several research studies have been conducted on the stock structure of South Pacific hake. One study (Payá et al. 1997), using morphological characteristics, genetics, parasitology and latitudinal comparisons about the average length of sexual maturity, identified a unique stock in Chile. One other study (Galleguillos et al. 2000), supported this conclusion by analysing polymorphic loci of distinct localities off the Chilean coast.

On other hand, (George-Nascimento 1996) and (Oliva and Ballón 2002), in turn, consider the existence of two stocks according to the morphology and parasitology of the species in Puerto Montt and Coquimbo, results strengthen by (Espínola-Novelo and Oliva 2021). Also, (Vidal et al. 2012), using mitochondrial DNA presented a division into three genetic stocks: Perú, Valparaíso-Coquimbo and Corral. More recently two distinct populations are suggested to be present in the southern Chilean Magallanes region based on parasitofauna found in this species (González-Poblete et al. 2022).

The Chilean Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), applying length composition and relative abundance data, corroborate the scenario that considers that mixing of the individuals is enough to assume a unique stock to assess all fishery management units for the following regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, O'Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, Araucanía and Los Ríos (Tascheri et al. 2013).


ANALYSIS

Strengths
  • The recent General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture established clear rules for setting Management Commissions and Management Plans, stated that the minimum goal for every fishery is to achieve maximum sustainable yield (MSY), and makes mandatory an observer program to address discarding, which is not allowed. 

SCORES

Management Quality:

Management Strategy:

≥ 6

Managers Compliance:

10.0

Fishers Compliance:

< 6

Smale-Scale Fisheries:

Security of Tenure Rights:
4.0
Participatory Management:
9.8