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ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil 2005 62(3):374-379; doi:10.1016/j.icesjms.2005.01.009
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© 2005 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

Exploring the effects of fishing on fish assemblages using Abundance Biomass Comparison (ABC) curves

Dawit Yemanea,*, John G. Fielda and Rob W. Leslieb

a Marine Biology Research Institute, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
b Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Private Bag X2, Rogge Bay 8012, South Africa

*Correspondence to D. Yemane: tel: +27 21 6503613; fax: +27 21 6503301. e-mail: dghebreh{at}botzoo.uct.ac.za.

The possible effect of fishing on dominance patterns in the South African south coast demersal trawl fishery is assessed using Abundance Biomass Comparison (ABC) curves for the period 1986–2003. The ABC method compares the ranked distribution of abundance among species against the similar distribution of biomass among species. The temporal pattern in the ABC curves and the W-statistic for two depth groups (<100 m and 101–200 m), and for the whole area combined, shows a gradient of change in the demersal assemblages from neutral (W ≥ 0) towards negative (W < 0), suggesting a disturbed or stressed condition. This corresponds to the onset of longline fishing effort in 1994, still ongoing in 2003, superimposed upon declining trawl effort in the same region. The ABC method shows promise as a guide for assessing the effects of fishing on fish communities, being based on established r- and k-selection theory. More modelling and comparative work is needed to establish acceptable ranges for the W-statistic, and their application in an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Keywords: ABC curves, effects of fishing, fish assemblages, r- and k-selection

Received 1 April 2004; accepted 28 October 2004.


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