Abstract

The yellowtail snapper is a species of high commercial and biological importance in the Caribbean and in small-scale fisheries within the Mesoamerican reef ecoregion. This species of snapper has been specifically identified as resistant to fishing pressure by its unusual life history traits within the grouper-snapper complex, the main traits include: spawning throughout the year, reaching sexual maturity between 1.7-2 years; and possible high levels of self-recruitment. Because of this, this species has the potential to be a sustainable fishery if it is managed effectively and integrated at the regional level. The central strategies to reduce capture pressure, are the implementation of fishing recovery zones and fish protection at a regional scale. The effectiveness of management strategies designed to promote this fishery depends not only on under-standing the connectivity of these fish populations throughout the region. The effectiveness of management strategies de-signed to promote this fishery depends not only on understanding the connectivity of these fish populations throughout the region. In order to provide sound management recommendations, it is important to understand how yellowtail snapper populations are connected. From these data it will be possible to provide recommendations in the design of Fisheries Recovery Zones and identify where entities are required to collaborate. The objective of the FRZ´s will be to balance the ecological requirements of the species with the socioeconomic needs of the coastal communities that depend on this fishery. Expand the connectivity assessment for yellowtail snapper throughout the ecoregion. Understand the spatial scales required for the effective management of this species. The results will allow managers to establish adequate management plans.

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