Comparative analysis of landings using artisanal gillnets considering netting material in Dibulla, colombian Caribbean

Artisanal gillnet fisheries are vital for food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity in the Colombian Caribbean, yet comparative assessments of gear performance by netting material are scarce. Such evaluations are critical to balancing economic viability with ecological sustainability in multispecies fisheries. This study analyzed differences in catch efficiency and species composition between monofilament and multifilament gillnets used by artisanal fishers in Dibulla, La Guajira. Official landing microdata from 2022 were verified through field surveys and complemented with detailed gear characterization. Landings per unit of effort (LPUE, kg h⁻¹) were standardized, and multivariate analyses—including non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), hierarchical clustering, k-means, principal component analysis (PCA), and PERMANOVA—were applied. Monofilament nets yielded higher LPUEs for key commercial species such as Cathorops wayuu and Diapterus auratus, likely due to lower underwater visibility. Multifilament nets, while less efficient for these species, captured more evenly distributed assemblages and showed greater variability in multivariate space, consistent with their durability and broader operational versatility. PERMANOVA results revealed significant differences in assemblage composition between net types, although within-group variability remained high. Cluster analyses indicated that most fishers consistently used one gear type, while a subset employed both, reflecting adaptive strategies in response to resource availability and fishing conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrate that netting material affects both the magnitude and structure of landings, with implications for selectivity, bycatch, and biodiversity. Integrating gear material considerations into fisheries management could help optimize yields while maintaining ecosystem integrity, supporting the long-term sustainability of artisanal gillnet fisheries.