On January 6, the research vessel Abate Molina set sail from the Port of Valparaíso. For 28 days, IFOP (Fisheries Development Institute) professionals and technicians will be characterizing and evaluating the anchovy and common sardine stocks between the Valparaíso and Los Lagos Regions using hydroacoustic methods during the peak recruitment period and the following autumn.
The vessel’s captain is José Echeverría, and the research cruise leader is fisheries engineer René Vargas.
Specific Objectives
- To estimate the size of the anchovy and common sardine stocks and their spatial distribution during the peak recruitment period in the study area.
- To characterize and analyze, within a spatiotemporal context, the demographic composition and interannual variation of the evaluated stocks using biological indicators. Characterize and analyze the bio-oceanographic conditions present in the study area and their relationship to the spatial distribution of resources.
- Characterize the aggregations of anchovy and common sardine resources in the study area.
- Implement the Continuous Improvement Plan for hydroacoustic assessment studies of pelagic resources: anchovy, common sardine, southern sardine, and jack mackerel, as appropriate, according to the priorities identified in the plan’s development and the available budget.
