Approximation to the state of the Xanthio poressa stock in the coast of Gran Canaria

Abstract

The jaguar round crab Xantho poressa is the most important species in shellfishing in the Canary Islands (Noguera & Riera, 2011) used as bait to fish different bentodemersal species as the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense. In this study we analyse the populations of Xantho poressa caught in 3 rocky areas of Gran Canaria with a high gatherer presence between July 2020 and December 2021. 1208 individuals were analysed, where the males showed a great predominance in all the areas, while the females were the ones that showed the largest sizes. Xantho poressa showed two well-defined reproductive periods, one in winter and the other during the summer, which do not coincide with the closed season for the Canary Islands. In order to evaluate this fishery resource and propose correct closure periods for this species, the size distributions, the condition factor, a modal progression analysis and other biological parameters were analysed. The analysis of these biological parameters will provide information for a correct management of the fishing resource.