Journal of Marine and Coastal Sciences

Marine spatial planning in the Colombian Pacific: A look into geographic data quality

Mauricio Alejandro Perea-Ardila — 2023-08-25

Geographic data quality is an important factor for a better success rate in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Although the institutions that generate data must comply with quality standards, this is not always true, which leads to limiting their use and compromises the appropriateness of decisions regarding marine space. In this study, we evaluated the quality of an information database with 39 multiscale geographic data used in an MSP developed in 2022, for an area of the coastal-marine territory in the Colombian Pacific. An approach based on quantitative and qualitative criteria was implemented to determine the quality of the geographic data under the MSPglobal orientation. Results showed that the quality of 94% of the geographic data assessed was reliable, of which 41% did not report metadata and 38% did not have a year of completion, which calls into question compliance with regional regulations for generating quality geographic information. It also became evident that most of the data analyzed came from national public institutions responsible for complying with technical guidelines to guarantee the quality of geographic data for different purposes. This study provides a practical precedent that seeks to implement quality criteria for geographic data in MSP exercises focused on available multiscale thematic data, to be incorporated into MSPglobal initiatives at the regional level.

Density temporal variation and ecological aspects of ichthyoplankton in the epipelagic zone of the Cariaco Trench, Venezuela

Mariana Rondón-Ramos — 2023-08-25

The composition and ecological aspects of fish larvae present in the Cariaco Trench, Venezuela, were described. Planktonic samples were collected between October 2012 and December 2013 during seven campaigns. A standard conical hanging net with a 35 cm mouth diameter and a 300-micron pore was used. Drafts were made horizontally, at a depth of 20 meters, with a duration of 15 minutes, at a speed of 2 knots. A total of 322 fish larvae was obtained: in 16 orders, 20 families and 28 species. The families Carangidae and Gobiidae presented the highest number of species, with 6 and 3, respectively; while Bregmacerotidae was the one that contributed with the highest density of organisms (53.29 org/100 m³), being the species with the highest relative abundance Bregmaceros cantori with 29.81%. In general, monthly diversity was low, with values between 0 and 1.55 bits/ind, not differing statistically between months (KW = 7.604; P = 0.2686). Species richness between 0 and 2.06 did not present differences between months either (KW = 7.0927; P = 0.3124). The ichthyoplankton of the Cariaco Trench was dominated mainly by families of mesopelagic fish such as Bregmacerotidae and Myctophidae. Of the 28 species identified, 54% are of commercial interest to the country, which provides additional value to the Cariaco Trench.

Predation of the fiddler crab, Minuca osa (Brachyura: Ocypodidae), by Eudocimus albus (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) from Ponuga, Veraguas, Panama

Roberto C. Lombardo-González — 2023-08-25

Numerous avian species prey on fiddler crabs, yet the ecological relationships involving Minuca osa crabs and their predators remain poorly understood. We report the first documented cases of M. osa predation by White Ibis, Eudocimus albus. Three distinct predation events were observed: June 3rd, 2021, November 10th, 2022, and November 25th, 2022, in the Gulf of Montijo, Veraguas, Panama. Examination of E. albus feces provided confirmation of such predator-prey interaction.

First record of Sphyraena qenie (Chordata: Perciformes) in El Salvador

Johanna Vanessa Segovia-Prado — 2023-08-25

In 2022, Sphyraena qenie was registered in El Salvador for the first time, thus expanding its known distribution in Central America where it had been previously reported in Guatemala and Panama. A visual census was conducted, and specimens were collected in Acajutla. Sphyraena qenie is different from S. ensis in the following taxonomic characteristics: 18-22 oblique bars, 120-130 scales in the lateral line, two spines, and 8 rays in the fin.