Artisanal Spearfishery in Temperate Nearshore Ecosystems of Chile: Exploring the Catch Composition, Revenue, and Management Needs

We used extensive field data on catch and effort as well as fisher interviews to characterize the catch composition and revenue associated with the unregulated artisanal spearfishery in Chile (18–33°S). Sampling was performed on commercial spearfishing trips (snorkel and hookah diving gear) between spring 2010 and summer 2011. Two‐way crossed ANOVA showed significant effects of region (latitude) and dive gear on fishery variables such as biomass CPUE (CPUE b ), numeric CPUE (CPUE n ), catch species richness, fishing depth, cost, and income. Catches included 22 fish species from 15 families. Among the 23 species, 17 were associated with temperate rocky reef habitats: 14 carnivorous species, 2 omnivorous species, and 1 herbivorous species. Our results indicated that smaller, less‐valuable rocky reef fishes (e.g., Peruvian Morwong Cheilodactylus variegatus , Chilean Sandperch Pinguipes chilensis , and Peruvian Rock Seabass Paralabrax humeralis ) supported higher CPUE b and CPUE n than large, high‐value, emblematic rocky reef species (e.g., Vieja Graus nigra , Galapagos Sheephead Wrasse Semicossyphus darwini , and Acha Medialuna ancietae ). The CPUE b was significantly higher for hookah fishers than for snorkel fishers. Our results revealed that artisanal spearfishing activities provide important revenue for the fishers (2–3 times the minimum monthly wage in Chile), thereby incentivizing a rapid expansion of this unregulated fishery. Management options based on territorial user rights and catch and size restrictions are discussed in light of these findings. Received December 19, 2013; accepted March 29, 2016