Abstract

Red Octopus Octopus maya abundance and its fishing availability assessmet it were realized to recommend an appropriate management measures. Sampling surveys were realized in May to July 2002, within a total sampling area of 5,075 km2. It was divide in five strata: (1) Champotón - Seybaplaya, (2) Campeche- Tenabo, (3) lsla Arenas - Celestún, (4) Telchac - Dzilam y (5) Rio Lagartos - El Cuyo. Population absolute abundance assessment was obtained by applying distance sampling method. this infonnation was obtained to go through 191 lineal transects by scuba. Likewise relative abundance (fishing availability) was obtained by traditional fishing method ("garete" fishing) using swept area method. 40 fishing trips were realized in five described zones. The results were: 1) The most high density oforganisms and biomass by square kilometer was locate in Campeche state, specially in the area between Seyba playa y Campeche city. (2) Celestún was the zone with the most high fishing biomass and (3) analysis of the octopus sizes obtained indicated us that spatial differences exist and a percentage of population was not susceptible to fishing, this fraction will be available during next months.

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