Local Ecological Knowledge as a Conservation Tool for Identifying Threats to the Pacific Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus) in Panama

2024/11/01 by Carolina Chong‐Montenegro, Gustavo A. Castellanos‐Galindo, D. Ross Robertson · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Identification and Quantification in Food #Marine and fisheries research

paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/aqc.70021

openalex publication_date 2024/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Pacific goliath grouper, Epinephelus quinquefasciatus , is the largest reef fish of the tropical Eastern Pacific. The IUCN categorizes it as Data Deficient because of the lack of population data and the risk posed by fishing. Using fishers' local ecological knowledge, we assessed Pacific goliath grouper historical catch trends along Panama's Pacific coast. Handline and speargun catches showed significant declines in the average weight of Pacific goliath grouper landed from 1958 to 2018. Market demand and environmental degradation were identified as primary drivers of the Pacific goliath grouper perceived decline. Local ecological knowledge demonstrated that valuable fisheries information can be derived and used to inform species' population trends.

Citations

• Snowball Sampling: Problems and Techniques of Chain Referral Sampling

Cited by

• Age and growth of the Pacific goliath grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus), the largest bony reef fish of the Tropical Eastern Pacific

Discussions

• Interested in Marine Megafauna, Fishers ecological knowledge or Data Deficient IUCN red list species? Please check out this piece documenting the exploitation history of the largest reef fish in the [bsky, 8 points, 0 comments]

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