Vargas-López, V.G., F.J., Vergara-Solana & L.C., Almendárez-Hernández (2025). Climate-induced interannual variability in length–weight ratios of the pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) as an indicator for fisheries management. Molluscan Research. 11. DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2025.2506972.
Víctor Gerardo Vargas-López 1, Francisco Javier Vergara-Solana 2 y Luis César Almendárez-Hernández 3
Length–weight relationship (L/W) is a fundamental indicator in managing fisheries. However, failure to account for potential length–weight variation due to differences in environmental factors can introduce bias in fishery management. As a sensitive parameter, L/W can reveal the environmental impact on fishery productivity. This study investigates the interannual variability in the L/W of pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata), Mexican Pacific region, using data collected from 1994 and 2017 (n=48,492). The potential of L/W as a simple indicator for monitoring environmental impacts on this fishery is explored. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, sea surface temperature, mean total weight and mean total length were analysed to identify regime shifts. The analysis revealed an environmental regime shift during 2013–2014, which corresponded to changes in biometric variables of pink abalone in 2014–2015. These shifts were categorised into Regime 1 (1994–2013) and Regime 2 (2014– 2017). The adjusted models effectively describe the observed L/W patterns in both climatic regimes, demonstrating how environmental changes influence the biometric characteristics of pink abalone. The findings suggest that L/W shifts could serve as triggers for modifying exploitation strategies. Incorporating adaptive management measures could enhance stock recovery efforts and support optimal exploitation strategies for pink abalone in response to environmentally driven productivity changes.
Palabras clave: climate change; Monitoring; adaptation strategies; fisheries management indicators; stock rebuilding; phenotypic plasticity; shell morphology; Growth
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