Regresar

Condition index and size of the estuarine clam at curarire, Zulia state, Venezuela

Abstract:

The artisanal fisheries in Maracaibo System play an important role in the use of aquatic resources by coastal communities in the region. However, they lack of studies evaluating its exploitation and potential sustainability. We conducted a study on the clam Rangia cuneata fishery; which consisted of the evaluation of condition index (IC), size composition, morph type and size/weight from the banks adjacent to the fishing settlement of Curarire. Samples were taken monthly along 7 months, using a technique similar to the used by zone fishermen, which is to collect the clams by his bare hand directly from the sediment. A total of 1,120 organisms, with a size range of 10 to 55mm. The results suggest a constant renewal of the population, coinciding with the continuous reproductive cycle for R. cuneata in tropical environments. The interval 30-35mm dominated the distribution of sizes, with the largest IC. The highest yield (height/weight) was observed for the morphotype of thin shelled clams, reaching its yield up to 15.22% in December. It was evidenced a statistically significant association between in the size and weight, with an adjustment of 69.79% for the potential model. The fisheries exploitation and environmental conditions has conditioned the average size of the population, while the condition index was affected by the morphotypes.