The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) Centre for Maritime and Ocean Studies (CMOS) proudly congratulates Gianluc Robinson, a maritime studies graduate of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Coastal and Ocean Studies, on the publication of his co-authored research paper in the journal Fisheries Research.

Co-authored with Mark H. Tupper, the study examines changes in the size and sexual maturity of lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) in Trinidad over a thirty-four-year period.

Based on 500 fish sampled between 2017 and 2020, the researchers identified a decline of approximately 16% in the species’ average size at sexual maturity, compared with historical data. The findings raise important concerns about fishing pressure, stock productivity and the adequacy of the current legal minimum catch size.

The authors recommend increasing the minimum catch size to approximately 25–26 cm, strengthening enforcement and introducing measures to protect spawning fish. They also emphasise the importance of implementing these measures gradually and in a socially responsible manner to reduce the potential impact on fishers.

CMOS congratulates Gianluc on this significant research milestone! Marine Sciences celebrates this accomplishment and wishes him continued success throughout his research journey.

Read the full paper: Fishing down maturity: A 34-year decline in size at sexual maturity of lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) in Trinidad, West Indies