Abstract

Modernization of fishing boats in Guadeloupe nowallows deep-sea resources exploitation of the insular slope. In the mid 1990s, net fisheries targeting queen snapper (Etelis oculatus), began at around 300 m depth. This specie was previously fished utilizing small scale traditional techniques, primarily hook and line. The introduction of gillnets led to conflicts between communities of professional fishermen. A program was undertaken by the regional fisheries institute (IRPM) to study the impact of net introduction on those stocks in order to prevent overfishing. An economical analysis of the profitability of the queen snapper net fishery was conducted at the same time.\This experimental campaign lasted seven months, from April to October 2001, in the South and West of Basse-Terre, in Guadeloupe. 28 km of gill nets, were soaked in 142 sampling sites, allowing 2400 catehes belonging to 48 species. Average CPUE of 19.5 kg/100 m or 48 kg/fishing hour were obtained.\Queen snapper represents 47 % of the catches, the equivalent of 52 % of total weights and 77 % of commercial value. Average individual weight for queen snapper is 2.6 kg. 86 % of the individuals fished were adults. Other commercial fishes were caught namely Gephyroberyx dorwini and Polymixia lowei.\Aspects of the reproduction and growth of this specie remains unknown, leading us to recommend regulation of this new technique. Studies will soon be undertaken to assess commercial deepsea fisheries in Guadeloupe and to determine localization and seasonality of reproduction as well as growth of queen snapper.

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