Community Structure of Bycatch from the Small Scale Shrimp Trawl Fishery in the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombian Caribbean Sea

The effects of fishing on the ecosystem have aroused great interest in the scientific community and policy makers. This study aims to evaluate the community structure of bycatch from the small-scale shrimp trawl fishery, denominated "Changa", during the period 2008-2011 in the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombian Caribbean Sea. Individuals were identified and measured. The relative importance index was calculated and the Community status by ABC curves and carvings based indicators was evaluated. A total of 95 species were identified but temporal changes were observed in terms ofdominant species. The ABC curves and biological indicators showed a state of stress in the community and a tendency to capture juvenile species. In the long term, these changes may affect the food web by removing higher trophic level species and modify their effect  on the other trophic levels, if proper management lacks.