El Nino Southern Oscillation driven fluctuations in the availability and abundance of artisanal fishery resources in Ica, Peru

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) produces ecosystem-wide changes and plays a large role in the productivity of the Southeast Pacific ocean. Artisanal fisheries, an important source of income and food stability, are greatly affected by ENSO. The relationship between ENSO climate variation and the abundance of previously unstudied commercially important species to the artisanal fishery in Ica, Peru was analyzed using generalized additive models fitted to catch per unit effort (CPUE) data. We found that the immediate availability of Peruvian rock seabass (Paralabrax humeralis), Lorna drum (Sciaena deliciosa) and Minor stardrum (Stellifer minor) increased during cold water La Nina events. ENSO also produced long-term changes in the abundance of fisheries resources up to two years after ENSO events. In the case of Cabinza grunt (Isacia conceptionis), CPUE was elevated 6 months to two years after La Nina events. While for other species like Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and P. humeralis, CPUE decreased between six months and two years after La Nina events. However, variation in the deviance explained between models indicates that the relative importance of ENSO as an environmental driver is species specific. This information can be used to assist in the development of management strategies of commercially important species in the Pacific Southeast and inform on the impacts of climate variation on artisanal fisheries. However, further study is warranted to examine the underlying mechanisms.