Volumen 43 - Número 3: 641-652 | 2008
Article

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An integrated conceptual approach to study the swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) fishery in the eastern South Pacific

Eleuterio Yáñez^1*, Rodrigo Vega², Claudio Silva¹, Jaime Letelier^{1, 3}, Maria Ángela Barbieri^{1, 3} and Fernando Espíndola³

¹Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 1020, Valparaíso, Chile
²Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile
³Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Casilla 8V, Valparaíso, Chile

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The available environmental, biological, ecological, and fishery data associated with the exploitation of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the eastern South Pacific were analyzed and the literature on models aiming at an ecosystem approach to fisheries management was reviewed. The conceptual model set forth in this work incorporates three planes with processes defined on three spatial (Pacific Ocean, eastern South Pacific, fishing area) and three temporal (interannual, seasonal, intraseasonal) scales. Because of the swordfish’s geographic distribution, life history, and migratory activity, the model must consider several developmental states (eggs and larvae, juveniles, adults) inhabiting different grounds (spawning, breeding, adult feeding). The conceptual model presented herein, without detracting from current operational fisheries research, suggests what must be done to develop integrated fishery management.

Key words: Environment, exploitation, conceptual model, hypothesis