Abstract

The size at maturity and spawning seasonality of Lutjanus synagris, Ocyurus chrysurus, Sparisoma viride and Sparisoma chrysoprerum were examined on the basis of the histological study of 1,221 gonads. Samples were collected from commercial fishermen around Puerto Rico and research surveys performed by the Fisheries Research Laboratory. The predicted sizes at which these four species reach 50% sexual maturity are: L. synagris males=147 mm FL; L . synagris females=185 mm FL; 0. chrysurus males=224 mm FL; 0. chrysurus females=248 m m F L ; S . viride females=205 m m F L ; S . chrysopterum females=235 mm FL. Transitional individuals were not detected in our S. viride sample. In S. chrysopterum transitional fish ranged from 201 to 248 mm FL. Spawning extends over a protracted period in the four species examined. L. synagris spawns mainly from March to September, with an increase in reproductive activity around full moon between April-July. 0. chrysurus reproductive season extends from February to October, with a peak from April to July. Both S. viride and S. chrysopterunr apparently reproduce throughout the year presenting no definite peaks, although a decrease in spawning activity seems to occur during the summer. Management measures are proposed for L. synagris and 0. chrysurus. Scarid landings reported by commercial fishermen should he monitored closely since life history characteristics exhibited by some members of this family, including S. viride and S. chrysopterum, renders it particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure.

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