Simple length‐based approaches offer guidance for conservation and sustainability actions in two Central American small‐scale fisheries

Many species targeted by multi‐gear small‐scale fisheries in developing countries are poorly studied in terms of fisheries sustainability even as their contributions to biodiversity, livelihoods, export earnings and food security are well documented. This study presents new information on more than 150 fish species that constitute the bulk of small‐scale fishery landings in Belize and on the Pacific coast of Guatemala to provide guidance for improved biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. This includes a number of species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List and Appendix II of CITES. Simple, length‐based approaches and thresholds of size at maturity show that many of the elasmobranch and bony fish species examined have many immature individuals landed (Belize 51%, Guatemala 77%) across several gears. In both countries, maximum size is negatively correlated with the intensity of overfishing for several common metrics: proportions of mature, optimal sized and mega‐spawners. The disproportionate removal of the largest species first will have cascading effects on biodiversity, community structure and species interactions, as well as livelihood opportunities and food security for fishing communities. Status indicators, such as fishing mortality rate relative to natural mortality rate and estimates of depletion based on lengths are sensitive to the assumed values of life history parameters, indicating the importance of improved data on growth, maturity and mortality for these populations. Our study emphasizes the use of a combination of fisheries conservation strategies, including size and effort controls, in conjunction with the closed area concept (i.e. marine protected areas) and meaningful consultation with resource users in order to maximize benefits for nature and people.