Abstract

The Colombian Caribbean has a wide marine biodiversity and oceanographic characteristics that make it a tourist attraction. Recreational fishing has become one of the fastest development alternatives for the tourism growth worldwide. The temporal and spatial distribution of the recreational pelagic fishes are determined by several factors such as tempera-ture, salinity, oxygen, depth. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the spatial-temporal distribution of the recreational pelagic fishes its relationship to temperature and salinity variables. Data was analyzed from monthly catches taken by trolling method and the usual fishing gears (rod, artificial lures). Every catch has a geographic position by a GPS and the oceanographic variables were taken by a CTD. The result showed that the months with the highest abundance were july and august. All the individuals were registered within the temperature range from 25.5 to 27.32 °C, presenting the highest catches between 25 and 26°C in species such as blue runner (Caranx crysos), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga). Nevertheless, species as Serra Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) showed preference to warm waters with temperatures above 27°C. Salinity data was registered from 35.18 to 37.21 PSU, with highest catches between 36.6 to 36.9 PSU. Tunas as albacore and little tunny were distributed in waters with salinity from 36.25 to 36.91 PSU. However, high abundance of these species was found within the range from 36.3 to 36.6 PSU. These results may help to increase the potential of the recreational fishing, to get knowledge about the spatial distribution and proper fisheries management without risk to overexploitation.

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