Growth and population structure of bloody cockles Senilia senilis at Banc d’Arguin and Bijagós with different environmental conditions and harvesting regimes

Size-selective harvesting significantly alters the life history and demography of the bloody cockle, Senilia senilis. Research comparing harvested populations in Bijagós Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau) with unexploited ones at Banc d'Arguin (Mauritania) revealed that harvesting leads to denser but smaller-sized, older populations with lower standing biomass and reduced growth rates. At Bijagós, annual growth is threefold lower, and size-for-age is half compared to Banc d'Arguin. Environmental factors such as mangrove productivity at Bijagós and seagrass characteristics at Banc d'Arguin also influence population dynamics. These findings highlight the profound impact of harvesting on shellfish populations, offering critical insights for sustainable management in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

El-Hacen, E., Lemrabott, S., Meijer, K., Piersma, T., Govers, L., van Gils, J., & Olff, H. (2023). Growth and population structure of bloody cockles Senilia senilis at Banc d’Arguin and Bijagós with different environmental conditions and harvesting regimes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 710, 71–83. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14291