Incidental catch in traps of the lionfish Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Colombian Caribbean

Incidental catch in traps of the lionfish Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpacnidae) in the Colombian Caribbean. Since 2011, small-scale fishermen from Taganga Bay (Colombian Caribbean) have been catching lionfish in traps in the Tayrona National Natural Park, which had caused them to believe that the lionfish is the cause of the decrease in overall fishing. In order to detemine the changes in the species captured and to know the abundance of the lionfish in this fishing method, we analyzed the historical landings in traps between 1993 and 2014, as well as the landing of three fishing units between March 2012 and July 2014. The historical analysis showed that the decline in species and kilograms landed has been occurring since 2000. A total of 4 913 specimens were landed between March 2012 and July 2014, of which 85 % were species of commercial interest, and the rest were used by fishermen for consumption. Landings between 2012 and 2014 were conditioned by climatic conditions, where the co-occurrence between Pterois volitans and the main commercial species and self-consumption did not provide evidence of the lionfish affecting its abundance. This confirms the presence of the lionfish as a new member in the landings in traps the Taganga Bay.