Abstract

Abstract:The “Bonito” Thunnus atlanticus is the most captured species by the traditional fishermen of San Andres. In spite of its importance in traditional fishing there are no complete reports with commercial purposes and/or as bait of great importance for catching other species for commercial use. The increase in fishing this species happened around 1965, since before, in spite of its existence in fishing banks, a method for increasing the amount of catches was unknown, but if sporadically captured by hand using conch (Strombus gigas), bony lobster (Panulirus argus), sardines and crabs as bait. Fishermen said that a German man called “Chechery” had brought to the island the use of a feather made from rubber plant held by two fish hooks, improving significantly the fishing method; which with the passing of the years has been replaced with other materials such as wool, colored nylon fiber. Even when the fishing of “Bonito” was done for commercial purposes, it was quickly used for bait given its properties to attract other species such as jacks, snappers, King fish, and barracuda, especially. Currently, ichthyic traditional fishing of the island largely depends on fishermen catching “Bonito” for bait for the other species. Then, it is proposed to make a thorough analysis that would determine complete production and explore the socioeconomic impact inn order to obtain a natural, social and economic sustainability within the framework of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve.

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