Abate Molina: sailed off north for horse mackerel biomass quantification
March 20th, 2019
Research area considers resource’s evaluation between Arica (18 ̊ 25’LS) and Valparaíso (33 ̊ 30 ‘LS)
A team of 27 professionals and technicians from Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) embarked on Sunday, March 17th , at 6:30 p.m., at Valparaíso Port (Valparaíso Region) aboard (B / C) Abate Molina scientific vessel. The campaign will allow to quantify horse mackerel biomass, between the regions of Arica – Parinacota and Valparaíso, using the hydroacoustic method.
The project leader is José Córdova fishing engineer and the ship’s captain is Enrique Quiero, the research cruise will for 42 days.
Specific objectives
To estimate horse mackerel stock size and its spatial distribution.
To characterize and analyze in a temporal –spatial context, demographic composition and interannual variation of horse mackerel resource, through biological indicators
Characterize and analyze the oceanographic conditions present at the research area and its relationship with the species spatial distribution.
To determinate horse mackerel specimens stomach contents and to characterize trophic behavior in the area and study period.
Ecosystemic information survey from acoustic cruises to support fisheries management based on the ecosystem. Phase II: Analysis in the temporal and spatial context of main species groups, present in acoustic echograms since 2003 up to date.