Catch composition of mobulid rays (Mobula spp.) in northern Peru reveals a potential nursery area for M. mobular

Peru presents an important habitat and fishery area for mobulid rays in the Eastern Pacific in which five mobulid species interact with fisheries. Yet, management is weak and species-specific fishery information is limited for this group. Therefore, this study describes species, body size, and sex composition of mobulid rays caught by small-scale fisheries in northern Peru at four landing points. Between December 2013 and May 2014, four mobulid species were recorded at the landing points: Mobula mobular, Mobula munkiana, Mobula thurstoni, Mobula tarapacana. A total of 270 individuals were identified and measured: Ninety-six percent of mobulids were M. mobular. The mean body size, for M. mobular, was 164 ± 37 cm disc width with a 1:1 sex ratio; therefore, 82% of individuals sampled in this study were sexually immature. Furthermore, the information presented here is useful for identifying nursery areas for M. mobular. These results improve the fishery information on mobulid rays by providing information that can assist decision makers and stakeholders on prioritizing research and management effort to M. mobular. Mobulid rays are globally one of most threatened elasmobranch groups; thus, this research aids in the conservation of key habitats.