Volume 55

Overview of Puerto Rico’s Small-Scale Fisheries Statistics 1998-2001


Authors
Matos-Caraballo, D.
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Other Information


Date: 2004


Pages: 103-118


Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Fifth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Xel Ha


Country: Mexico

Abstract

A total of 13,620,481 pounds (6,178 metric tons) of fish and shellfish were reported in Puerto Rico during 1998-2001. The mentioned landings have a market value of approximately $27,407,302. The most important fish group, in terms of percentage of total pounds landed (fish and shellfish), for 1998-2001, were the deep water snappers (mainly Lutjanus vivanus and Etelis oculatus) 9%, yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) 7%, lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) 7%, mackerel species (Scomberomorus cavalla and Scomberomorus regalis) 5%, various species of tuna 5%, various species of grunts mainly the white grunt (Haemulon plumieri) 4%, dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) 4%, groupers, principally red hinds (Epinephelus guttatus), reported 4%, parrotfishes 3%, and various species of trunkfish 3%. The most important of the shellfish species were the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) accounting for 9% of total reported landings, and the queen conch (Strombus gigas) 8%.\The gear type which accounted for the highest percentage of landings by weight of the total catch during 1998-2001, were lines (hand line, troll line, long line and rod and line) with 40%. Lines were followed by traps (fishpot and lobster pot) with 24%, nets (beach seine trammel net, gill net and cast net) with 21% and diving (skin and SCUBA) with 14%. Other gears were < 1 % of the total landings reported. Highlights of the biostatistical data for most caught species in Puerto Rico's fishery will be discussed.

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