title: Clear regression of harvested intertidal mollusks. A 20-year (1994-2014) comparative study.
abstract: Intertidal mollusks are subjected to an intense environmental pressure, from human-induced stressors, mainly harvesting, to competition for food and space with other species. Here we used mollusk shell size as a measure of size distribution and reproductive potential of intertidal limpets. Two species of exploited limpets (Patella candei crenata and Patella aspera) were monitored throughout the littoral of Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean), an overpopulated island with a high coastal pressure. The exploitation of these two limpet species is controlled by regional legislation, with seasonal closures and limits of harvest for professional (10 kg) and recreational harvesters (3-5 kg). A long-term comparison (1994-2014) of limpet size has been conducted as a surrogate of the state of conservation of these two limpets. Both species showed populations dominated largely by small-sized individuals (<30 mm) and a lack of large adults (>60 mm). The proximity to coastal settlements was not a factor to explain limpet assemblage structure. The temporal (1994-2014) comparative study showed a sharp decrease in the mean size of both limpet species (7 mm in P. aspera and 5 mm in P. candei crenata). These results might be indicative of overharvesting of both species in Tenerife. The conservation of the two studied species needs to be accomplished by the strict fulfillment of current protective strategies, as well as the creation of marine protected areas where intertidal harvesting is totally banned all over the year.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico, 38107 SC de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto de Pesquisas, Jardîm Botanico do Rio de Janeiro, 1008, CEP 22470-180, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: rodrigo@cimacanarias.com.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riera
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico, 38107 SC de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Óscar
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico, 38107 SC de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simón
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Dácil
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico, 38107 SC de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Óscar
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: Monterroso
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Núñez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005398:Fisheries; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D011156:Population Density; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Atlantic ocean; Harvesting; Intertidal; Limpets; Mollusks; Size class