Sarda sarda exploitation status in Western Africa’s fishing zone: A case study of the Senegalese bonito population

In West Africa, particularly in Senegalese waters, small tuna species like Atlantic bonito play a central role in marine ecosystems and contribute to food security and livelihoods. However, climate change, illegal fishing, and overfishing have put most of these stocks under pressure, necessitating assessment studies to gauge their exploitation. The research focused on an assessment of the biological parameters of Atlantic bonito ( Sarda sarda ) and its exploitation conditions in the Senegalese littoral zone. We made a significant effort to collect and analyze approximately 44,700 specimens to gain insights into this species’ key life history and current population state in this western African region. The outcomes, including growth factors such as a = 0.0062 per year, b = 3.2346, and L ∞ = 73.01 cm, provided vital details required by the Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio model to predict stock level. Moreover, the findings revealed that the size at 50 % and 95 % maturity was 40.75 cm and 56.05 cm, respectively, with ages ranging from 1.5 to 4.6 years, or roughly five years. Meanwhile, the assessment model evaluated the present spawning potential ratio at 0.43, slightly over 40 percent but significantly greater than 20 %, the basic reference points. These results point out that the Sarda sarda stock along the Senegalese fishing coastline is in a sound state, highlighting the possibility of providing significant scientific guidance to inform temporary management measures and ensure its long-term sustainability.