Approximately 61.8 million people worldwide depend on fishing and aquaculture for their livelihoods. Of these, 24% are women, who actively participate in all stages of the value chain. However, the roles played by women have been undervalued, poorly recognized, and inadequately documented. This study aimed to characterize and highlight the main roles of women in artisanal fishing in the Gulf of Salamanca, in the Magdalena Department, Colombian Caribbean. Fifty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted, distributed into 26 associated and 26 non-associated women, from the communities of Ciénaga, Tasajera, and Pueblo Viejo. The results show that most women, both those in fishing associations (ASC=73%) and those not (IND=46%), are involved in fish marketing and face problems related tolack of opportunities and lack of recognition for their work (35% and 62% respectively). Furthermore,the participants identified gender equality as the primary human right being violated within the sector (ASC=57.7% and IND=61.5%). As solutions to the identified problems, the women proposed the creation of a committee and greater access to capital to improve their livelihoods. These results demonstrate the need to implement and design strategies aimed at recognizing and strengthening women’s participation, thus promoting gender equity and equality in the artisanal fishing sector.
Marine debris generates impacts on mangrove forest ecosystems that are vulnerable due to their morphological adaptations, which facilitate the deposition of floating materials. This study determined the variability in the abundance and types of marine debris in mangrove forests in relation to the degree of anthropogenic influence in Buenaventura Bay and Malaga Bay, located in the Colombian Pacific. Sampling was carried out in four mangrove forests, using transects and 1 m2 quadrats. Waste was classified based on OSPAR categories and plastic types were classified according to their use (tourism, household and others). Additionally, two indices were applied, the Clean Coast Index (CCI) and the Plastic Abundance Index (PAI). The highest number of marine debris was found in the mangroves of Buenaventura Bay (9280,1 g). Plastic was the predominant type of waste, with 77% of the total waste collected. Most of the waste found by use was related to tourism. According to the Clean Coast Index and the Plastic Abundance Index, all the mangroves studied are classified in the highest pollution categories. Finally, Buenaventura Bay presented a higher abundance of marine debris (38,7 items/m2) showing that the mangrove forests located near the city are susceptible to higher pollution compared to protected areas, as in the case of Malaga Bay (34,2 items/m2).
The first record for the Venezuelan continental coast and the southernmost in the country for the species Sigmops elongatus is presented, in addition to being the only one for Venezuela in the last 37 years. It also represents the first capture of this species using a fish trap as a fishing method. At the same time, the distribution of S. elongatus in Venezuela is updated based on previous records from the 1960s and 1970s.
Microplastic pollution is a well-recognized global environmental issue, particularly in marine ecosystems. However, microplastic (MPs) pollution patterns in the Caribbean Sea and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are poorly studied. The aim of the study was to analyze the abundance, distribution, depth, seasonality, and potential sources of microplastics in the Rosario and San Bernardo Archipelago MPA, located in the Colombian Caribbean. Sampling was conducted at coastal and oceanic stations using Manta and Mini-bongo nets to collect microplastics in surface and subsurface waters during contrasting seasons in 2022. Results showed the highest abundances during the rainy season due to the influence of the Magdalena River in the area, while microplastics during the dry season were associated with the Panama-Colombia Gyre. Subsurface waters contained smaller microplastics than surface water, these results increasing the risk of ingestion by marine organisms. The occurrence of microplastics were mostly fibers and fragments identified as polyester-cotton, PET, polypropylene. These findings underscore the role of regional oceanographic and anthropogenic factors in microplastic distribution, highlighting the urgent need for systematic monitoring and development of regional policies for MPAs in the southern Caribbean.
Macroinvertebrates are bioindicators sensitive to seasonal changes and water quality. This study evaluated how its community responds to physicochemical and seasonal variations at five stations of the river: Catapalla, San Jerónimo, Socsi, Puente Clarita, and Boca del Río, during rainy and dry seasons. Parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity,total dissolved solids, temperature, as well as NO3-, NH4+, and phosphorus were measured. Macroinvertebrates were identified at the family level and indices of richness, dominance, density, and similarity were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses, such as ANOVA and PCA, showed significant differences between stations and seasons, especially in Catapalla and Boca del Río. Two groups of stations were identified based on the similarity in their biological composition: one consisting of Catapalla, San Jerónimo, and Socsi, and another of Puente Clarita and Boca del Río. Dissolved oxygen and temperature positively influence abundance and richness, while high levels of dissolved solids, ammonium, and phosphorus have negative effects. Furthermore, some families, such as Tricorythidae, appeared only in the rainy season, demonstrating the effect of seasonality on aquatic biodiversity.
The genus Chaceon has the highest species richness among the Geryonidae, with 34 species. C. eldorado is the only one present in Venezuelan waters. Its only valid report in the country was made more than 30 years ago, when it was erected as species. New records of this species were provided as a result of an evaluation of deep waters fishing areas off the central coast of Venezuela. Male pleopods of the species, are first described, some taxonomic aspects are revised, and some ecological and biological aspects to be considered in the event of a potential fishery for this species are discussed.
In continental and oceanic reefs of the Colombian Caribbean, acute and chronic disturbances have driven the transition from coral-dominated to macroalgal communities, resulting in changes in their structure and function. Currently, algal turfs are the most abundant benthic component, hence the importance of evaluating their composition and community structure in direct interactions with massive corals. With the aim of advancing our knowledge of algal turfs in the Colombian Caribbean, 94 coral skeleton cores in residual interaction with algal turfs were collected and analyzed as part of the Seaflower 2018 Scientific Expedition to the Cayos Albuquerque Atoll. 20 orders, 22 families, and 31 genera of turf algae were identified, with Lyngbia, Polysiphonia, and Chondria being the most common genera in the atoll's different geomorphological units. It is suggested that structural variations in the turf community at interaction boundaries are related to the prevailing environmental conditions within the geomorphological units, primarily the degree of wave exposure and depth of the water column, and to a lesser extent to the colonial type of corals, although substrate type (coral species) may apparently determine the presence of certain algal genera.
The rocky shore is subjected to extreme environmental conditions, yet it harbors a great variety of organisms. In the area of Santa Marta and Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), numerous small coral colonies develop in the infralittoral zone of the rocky flanks (< 5 m) that apparently fail to grow into reefs, forming a transition zone towards the deeper reef in a marginal environment for coral development. This research aimed to characterize this transition zone to begin understanding the factors that limit reef development in these environments and their possible role as biodiversity reservoirs. Along a gradient of continental discharge influence from SW in Santa Marta towards NE in PNNT, in the bays of Santa Marta, Granate, Concha, Chengue, and Gayraca, band transects were marked and evaluated using photo-quadrants, to determine differences in community structure from wave exposure, type of littoral (blocks, terraces) and the position along the gradient. The infralittoral zone was dominated by macroalgae (mainly turfs, 66.4 %), followed by stony corals (24.2 %), represented by 16 species. The highest coral richness (15 species) and cover (25.3 %) were recorded on rocky blocks and in the protected sides of the bays (11 species, 24.2 %). Regarding the disturbance gradient, a higher number of species was observed at the beginning of the disturbance gradient in the bays of S. Marta (12 species) and Granate (13 species), while coral coverage was high in the central zone of the disturbance gradient (B. Concha = 41.3 %) and lowest at the extremes (Gayraca = 6.9 % and S. Marta = 12.9 %). The coral formations in the area show great variability in their coverage due to coast configuration and wave exposure; conditions that are accentuated in shallow environments. The high coral diversity in these marginal environments highlights their importance for coral diversity conservation, as they could act as refuge and/or genetic reservoir for species adapted to extreme conditions.
Hydrochemical conditions of coastal water bodies are modified by natural and anthropogenic processes. In order to evaluate the spatiotemporal variation of hydrochemical conditions in the southeastern Caribbean, water samples were taken monthly during: June 2012-July 2013 and then in January-October 2015; at seven stations in the area. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and chlorophyll a were measured. The highest average values of nitrogen nutrients were recorded for NH4 + and NO3 - (3.0 and 3.2 μmol L-1, respectively). Likewise, the average concentration of FRS was 0.27 μmol L-1 in 2012-13 and 0.97 μmol L-1 in 2015. Chlorophyll a was high in 2015 (3.1 mg m-3), with the highest records starting in June associated with theeffect of secondary upwelling and the terrestrial contribution linked to the discharges of the Orinoco River in the rainy season. The PCA showed that the hydrochemical conditions of the coast of the Paria Peninsula, SE of the Caribbean, are influenced by: primary upwelling due to the wind effect; secondary upwelling due to the intensification of the Caribbean Current, and when the upwelling stops, the rains increase the discharge of rivers, bringing nutrientsthat act on chlorophyll a.
Hydroacoustic surveys are key for assessing pelagic species such as the Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) in the Humboldt Current System (HCS), one of Chile’s most important fisheries. Oceanographic variability influences environmental conditions and resource distribution, particularly in coastal areas. However, a coverage gap persists in nearshore zones due to operational limitations of the research vessel, which restricts the spatial representativeness of routine hydroacoustic assessments. To address this gap, artisanal purse-seine vessels equipped with EK80 echosounders have been incorporated, allowing operations in areas less accessible to the main research vessel. This study evaluated the comparability and accuracy of acoustic measurements collected with EK80 echosounders on artisanal vessels against those obtained with an EK60 echosounder aboard the research vessel Abate Molina, during hydroacoustic surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024. Generalized Least Squares (GLS) models were applied to analyze backscattered energy (NASC, 38 kHz), and mean density ratios (Rᵢ) were estimated as intercalibration factors to correct for systematic differences. Results revealed a high correspondence between platforms, with adjusted biomass differences below 5.5% and no significant changes in coefficients of variation, confirming the robustness of the procedure. These findings support the complementary use of multi-platform acoustic surveys as a robust approach to enhance spatial representativeness in stock assessments and strengthen the sustainable management of the anchoveta fishery in the HCS.
The spotted burrfish Chilomycterus spinosus, which belongs to the family Diodontidae, has been recorded in the department of Magdalena, Colombian caribbean. An individual of this species was sighted in August 2022 in Taganga Bay, at a depth of 4 m. Recent records indicate that the species is more common in shallow waters of the Colombian continental Caribbean than was previously thought, and that its habitat distribution may be more diverse than previously reported
The gut microbiota of Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes,1828) or Red grouper might be important for digestion, metabolism and health. However, little is known about the microbiota composition in this species and in captivity the microbiota could be affected by the diet composition as well as other environmental factors. In this study, the culturable gut microbiota of wild red grouper in captivity was identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its potential as probiotic was studied. Six adult fish between 3-7 kg were used for intestinal content sampling using a probe. Samples were cultured in Tryptone soy and Marine Agar. Bacterial isolation was carried out in the same culture media. Subsequently, DNA extraction and amplification of the 16S rRNA gene was performed. Amplicons were purified and sent for sequencing by Sanger method. For taxonomic identification, BLASTn tool of the NCBI platform was used. Amylolytic, chitinolytic and proteolytic activity of isolates was determined using specific culture media. 22 isolates were obtained, 10 from Marine Agar culture media and 12 from TSA. Bacteria of the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were identified. The most represented species was Photobacterium damselae identified in 31.8% of the samples. Two isolates had amylolytic activity and 13 isolates had proteolytic activity. None were positive for chitinolytic activity.
Se documenta por primera vez la presencia de la vaca enmascarada Hypoplecturs providencianus en los arrecifes franjeantes del área de Santa Marta y el Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Caribe continental colombiano). Con base en varios avistamientos y fotografías tomadas entre 2005 y 2023, la distribución geográfica conocida de la vaca enmascarada se extiende dentro del Gran Caribe, dela provincia central a la provincia sur, específicamente en la costa noroccidental de América del Sur.
Se presenta una lista actualizada de especies de poliquetos de la familia Eunicidae registradas en el mar Caribe colombiano. La recopilación de datos se basó en investigaciones previas sobre estos organismos. Se registraron 7 géneros y 62 especies, de las cuales 54 sonespecies nominales y 8 fueron incluidas como “sp.” en su respectivo género. Para respaldar la información se consideraron trabajos y publicaciones recientes, así como información de registros dudosos o especies no registradas en Colombia, pero sí en localidades cercanas. Además, se actualizaron los nombres aceptados según WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species) y los listados de especies más recientes.
La subsidencia antropogénica contribuye al aumento relativo del nivel del mar (RSLR) en ciudades costeras, causada por extracción de agua subterránea, minería y carga de infraestructuras. Este estudio analiza Fremantle, integrando datos de mareógrafos, GPS y altimetría satelital para evaluar la velocidad y aceleración del RSLR con ajustes lineales y parabólicos, capturando efectos eustáticos climáticos y subsidencia local. Los datos de GPS muestran una subsidencia de 1,56 mm/año en Fremantle; las tendencias históricas se derivan de modelos de Ajuste Isostático Glacial (GIA). Corregida la subsidencia, la velocidad del aumento absoluto del nivel del mar(ASLR) es mínima (+0,16 mm/año) con aceleración negativa (-0,0103 mm/año²). Un análisis de 153 registros globales de mareógrafos muestra correlación entre altas tasas de RSLR y subsidencia local, con velocidades de ASLR entre 0-2 mm/año; las aceleraciones son menos fiables. La subsidencia antropogénica, creciente desde finales del siglo XIX, es clave en el RSLR registrado. Sin corregir el movimiento del terreno, se sobreestima el aumento eustático climático. Integrar datos de GPS y GIA es esencial para evaluar tendencias del nivel del mar y diseñarestrategias de gestión costera.
La mayoría de las recientes revisiones sistemáticas en macroalgas son concisas y descriptivas. Las revisiones que se enfocan en un solo tema aún son escasas, pero son importantes para facilitar una visualización de los tipos de investigaciones publicadas, los métodos relevantes y las áreas de oportunidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue elaborar un estado del arte respecto al conocimiento sobre Dictyota, con base en una revisión sistemática de la información generada desde su descripción. Se realizó una búsqueda tanto de nombres como de publicacionesen diferentes bases de datos, seguido de un análisis temporal (por siglos y vicenios). Hasta la fecha, un total de 318 nombres han sido registrados para Dictyota, de los cuales 110 son actualmente aceptados taxonómicamente. El mayor número de nombres (211) fue registrado durante el siglo XIX, lo que se derivó principalmente de las grandes expediciones. El análisis de la literatura incluyó 206 publicaciones, 88 de taxonomía alfa, 74 de taxonomía beta y 44 de taxonomía gamma. Se observa una tendencia hacia la taxonomía integrativa, incluyendo diversas disciplinas para abordar aspectos más allá de la descripción taxonómica. Nuestros hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de realizar revisiones extensivas y monográficas de taxonomía integrativa para mejorar nuestro entendimiento de la sistemática de Dictyota, un género desafiante.
El descubrimiento de un arrecife coralino de borde previamente no registrado en Bahía Honda, AltaGuajira, Colombia, es presentado. Históricamente, Bahía Honda ha sido referenciada como un área sin formaciones coralinas a pesar de visitas previas de investigadores. Este descubrimiento ocurrió durante la caracterización de pastos marinos y manglares en las bahías de Hondita y Portete. Para describir su formación específica y estructural, se realizaron evaluaciones ecológicas rápidas mediantebuceo libre. El arrecife está compuesto por dos segmentos: una formación coralina mixta de no más de 30 m de largo y una barrera de aproximadamente 1,8 km de Acropora palmata, que se extiende desde 0,5 hasta 4,0 m de profundidad. En esta barrera, se observaron corales de crecimiento masivo, principalmente de Colpophyllia natans, Pseudodiploria strigosa y Siderastrea siderea, distribuidosa lo largo del arrecife. Un total de 22 especies de coral fueron registradas. La formación de coral se determinó que estaba en buen estado de salud, siendo la única afectación observada la enfermedad de manchas oscuras en S. siderea. No se observaron otras enfermedades comúnmente asociadas con los arrecifes del Caribe colombiano. Adicionalmente, se realizó un registro preliminar de las especies de peces presentes en el arrecife, identificando 30 especies.
Las comunidades de la ruralidad dispersa enfrentan barreras significativas para acceder y entenderel contenido de las leyes. Para ayudar a superar estas barreras, en este trabajo se realizaron talleresparticipativos basados en la creación conjunta de juegos educativos para simplificar conceptos legales y promover la apropiación social de la normatividad. Este artículo analiza la apropiación social de la Ley 2268 de 2022 en las comunidades de pesca artesanal de Tumaco y Buenaventura, la cual empleó actividades lúdicas como herramienta educativa. El enfoque metodológico combinó la investigación acción participativa y el diseño centrado en las personas, lo que permitió la co-creación de 14 prototipos lúdicos adaptados a las realidades socioeconómicas y culturales de los pescadoresartesanales. Los resultados mostraron que las actividades desarrolladas facilitaron el aprendizajecolaborativo, superaron las barreras de lenguaje y alfabetización, y generaron una mayor aceptaciónde la Ley 2268 en las comunidades. A pesar de los retos enfrentados, como el desconocimientogeneralizado de la ley, la falta de acceso a información y la resistencia al cambio, el enfoque lúdicodemostró ser una herramienta efectiva para la apropiación social del conocimiento. Este documentoexpone un caso de estudio donde se implementaron herramientas lúdicas en poblaciones rurales,motivando la participación y el empoderamiento.
This study explores the use of hydroacoustic methods to estimate the size distribution of Peruvian anchoveta, offering an alternative to traditional biological sampling methods. Acoustic data were collected using two algorithms: Single Target and Tracked Target, along with aTS to length conversion model specific to Peruvian anchoveta. The results showed that the Single Target algorithm estimated sizes ranging from 8.5 to 16 cm, with a mode of 12.0 cm, while the Tracked Target algorithm identified a range of 9 to 14 cm, with a mode of 11.5cm. Juvenile anchovies represented 45.8% and 51.2% of the population in each algorithm, respectively. Additionally, the depth of the echoes ranged from 3.92 to 43.95 m, suggesting that larger Peruvian anchoveta tend to inhabit deeper coastal zones, possibly as a physiologicaladaptation to these environments. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of hydroacoustics for estimating fish sizes, especially in areas where traditional sampling is inaccessible or difficult to carry out. This approach contributes to understanding fish population dynamicsand opens the door to future studies.
