Abstract

The red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) fishery of Yucatan is one of the main activities of the industrial fleet of this Mexican State. The industrial fleet utilizes three fishing methods to catch this fish: vessels with small boats ("dinghy"); vessels with long lines and vessels with "bicycles". In the fishing season of 2001 the capture was of 538t. Based upon interviews and catch sampling to the fishing vessels, it was estimated that those using "bicycles" got the main proportion of the catch (38.11 %), while the vessels using long lines and the "dinghy" got around 4%. A sample of 9,667 individuals of Lutjanus campechanus captured by different methods (long line, bicycles and dinghy) was obtained. A size distribution analysis of the catch by fishing method was carried out, presenting a size distribution between 21.0 and 87.0 cm of furcal length (FL). The estimated structure of the catch by age show that individuals between ages 2 and 14 are captured. The age class that presented the highest proportion (43 %) was that of age 3. The catch per unit of effort (CPUE) by fishing method was estimated, using the fishing trip as effort unit. The vessels using the "bicycles" had the highest CPUE (411 kg of red snapper/fishing trip). The nominal effort of the Yucatecan fleet was estimated to be 4,269 fishing trips. This trips were carried out by 440 vessels, making an average of 356 trips per month. The 54 % of the fishing vessels made between 8 and 13 trips for year. In the last three years it has been register that a 12 % of the Yucatan fleet use the "bicycle" as fishing method and captures the 45 % of the total capture of red snapper. The vessels that use " bicycles" and have the red snapper as their target species tend to go to Cayo Arenas, Bajos del Norte, Arrecife Alacranes, and Triángulos fishing banks.

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