Argyrops filamentosus is a relatively widespread species that occurs to depths of 50 m. This species comprises a minor component of the commercial linefish fishery in KwaZulu-Natal and supports artisanal and industrial fisheries off Oman. This species can reach seven to eight years of age and up to ten years in some parts of its range. This species is believed to spawn more than once a year but it is unclear whether A. filamentosus undergoes sex change. Arygrops filamentosus was assessed as a Vulnerable species on the Réunion Red List having experienced significant population declines due to targeted fishing as well as habitat loss and degradation. Currently, there are no fishery regulations in place for this species in South African waters, with the exception of ten fish per day for recreational fishers, but some protection is afforded to this species in the marine protected areas (MPAs) of the region. Males and females of this species attain maturity between 22 and 27 cm; therefore, a 30 cm TL minimum size is suggested for A. filamentosus in Omani waters to ensure individuals have the opportunity to reproduce before they enter the fishery. Although no major population declines have been reported for this species globally, it has experienced localized population decline as a result of targeted fishing and habitat loss and should therefore be managed closely. It is listed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Argyrops filamentosus occurs from South Africa to Madagascar, including Mauritius and Réunion, to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf (Al-Marzouqi et al. 2012) and has a depth range of 20 to 50 m (van der Elst 1988). This species is easily and often confused with Argyrops spinifer which appears very similar (van der Elst 1988).
Argyrops filamentosus has experienced significant declines off Réunion (Fricke et al. 2009).
Threats
Argyrops filamentosus is a keystone species that has experienced significant decline in Réunion and is extremely sensitive to human activities. The threats to this species in Réunion include targeting by commercial fisheries, habitat loss and eutrophication/pollution (Fricke et al. 2009). It is likely that similar threats may impact this species in other parts of its range.
Uses and trade
Argyrops filamentosus comprises a small component of the commercial linefish catch in KwaZulu-Natal (van der Elst 1988). Although mainly caught on lines, they are also caught in trawls, fish traps and demersal longlines. This species is mainly exploited by artisanal fishers (Bauchot and Smith 1984).
Argyrops filamentosus is estimated to have contributed 1,130 tonnes from 2005 to 2006 and 1,100 tonnes from 2005 to 2006 from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman (Government of Sultanate of Oman 2005; 2006; Mandali Sea Fishing Club unpublished data). The dominant age groups in commercial catches from the coast of Oman were found to be one to two years (Al-Marzouqi et al. 2012). This species supports artisanal and industrial fisheries in Omani waters including the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea (Jayabalan et al. 2011). The artisanal trap, handline and trolling line fisheries actively target A. filamentosus in Omani waters (FAO 2012).
Conservation
Argyrops filamentosus is listed as a Vulnerable species in Réunion. This species is a high priority species for conservation action in Réunion (Fricke et al. 2009).
There are no specific fisheries restrictions in place for this species other than and an overall daily bag limit of ten fish per person per day for recreational fishers in South African waters. The St Lucia and Maputaland, marine protected areas provide some protection for this species in KwaZulu-Natal waters (B. Mann pers. obs.).
A 30 cm TL minimum landing size is suggested for Argyrops filamentosus in Omani waters (Jayabalan et al. 2011).
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,@article{170252,
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pages = {1–168},
title = {Annotated checklist of the fish species (Pisces) of La Réunion, including a Red List of threatened and declining species},
year = {2009}
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,@article{170252,
author = {Al-Marzouqi, A., Jayabalan, N., Al-Nadi, A. and Al-Mamry, J. },
journal = {Thalassas},
number = {1},
pages = {57--67},
title = {Length-based stock assessment of the soldierbream <i>Argyrops filamentosus</i> (Valenciennes, 1830) from the Arabian Sea off Oman},
volume = {28},
year = {2012}
}
,@book{170252,
author = {Government of Sultanate of Oman},
publisher = {Sultanate of Oman},
title = {Fisheries Statistics Book 2006},
year = {2006}
}
,@book{170252,
author = {Government of Sultanate of Oman},
publisher = {Sultanate of Oman},
title = {Fisheries Statistics Book 2005},
year = {2005}
}
,@electronic{170252,
author = {FAO},
title = {Oman Artisanal skiff handlines and trolling lines fishery - Arabian Omani waters, 2012},
year = {2012}
}
,@article{170252,
author = {FAO},
title = {Oman Artisanal dhow fish trap fishery - Gulf Omani waters, 2012},
year = {2012}
}
,@article{170252,
author = {Jayabalan, N., Al-Marzouqi, A., and Al-Nahdi, A.},
journal = {Indian Journal of Fisheries},
number = {1},
pages = {9--17},
title = {Reproductive biology of the soldierbream, <i>Argyrops filamentosus</i> (Valenciennes, 1830) from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman},
volume = {58},
year = {2011}
}
,@techreport{170252,
address = {Oman},
author = {Al-Marzouqi, A., Jayabalan, N., Al-Nahdi, A., and Al-Habsi, S.},
institution = {Ministry of Fisheries Wealth},
title = {Biology, stock assessment and management of six species of demersal fishes from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman},
year = {2009}
}
,]
