Objective

. Reports by the first time Megalops atlanticus, commonly known as tarpon, from the Colombian Pacific Ocean, discussing its distribution, uses, and value for local human populations.

Material and methods

. Interviews with fishermen from the municipalities of Nuquí and Bahía Solano (Chocó Province) were carried upon in order to collect information about fishing points, ecologic characteristics, and uses of tarpon; samples were additionally taken in order to determine sex, gonadal maturity, and stomach contents.

Results.

Fifty interviews were made to fishermen who declared have fished tarpon at least once; fishing methods (hook and line, spear, and gill net) and main uses [consumption (65%), handcraft production (20%), commerce (7%) and game fishing (8%)] were got from them.

Conclusions.

Our study should be the base for additional research and management strategies for this species both in the Pacific and Caribbean Colombian coasts.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )