Analysis of the species composition in the purse seine fishery targeting anchovy (Engraulis ringens) in the Northern Chile

The composition and species proportion of catch were analyzed in the industrial and artisanal purse seine fishery occurred in the north of Chile. Biological and fishing information obtained on board fishing vessels between 2004 and 2012 through the Monitoring Program of Pelagic Fisheries in North Zone of Chile were used in this study. 9639 fishing hauls were analyzed. Four catch profiles explained the 34.27% of variance. The catch profiles were mainly composed by anchovy Engraulis ringens, jack mackerel Trachurus murphyi and mackerel Scomber japonicus. Anchovy was the dominant species. Only one catch profile grouped non-target species. Using GLM, the influence of type of fleet, temporal variability (year, month and trimester of arrival), day period, geographic position, sea surface temperature, fishing zone and coast distance in the catch profiles composition were analyzed. The trimester of arrival, day period, fishing zone, coast distance and sea surface temperature were the variables with greater statistical influence on catch profiles. A low proportion of non-target species was observed, influenced mainly by the fishing zone and the period of the day.