Abstract

The red snapper fishery is one of the most important fisheries in Yucatan, Mexico. The current state of the fishery was evaluated with a biomass dynamic model in discreet times to assess the stock size and the yield. Management strategies were simulated, starting from 1999, and two options were proposed:\i) Contrast the current and future stock biomass with the initial biomass (risk of the stock), it must be 50% of the initial biomass (Bo/2), and\ii) Maintain the Maximum Sustainable Yield (risk of the fishery) using the exploitation rate UMSY.\The results indicate a biomass decline from an initial biomass of 32,957 tons (t) in 1984 to 16,877 t in 1999, 51.2% in the last 16 years. The model estimates that the exploitation rate increased from 0.04/year in 1984 to 0.15/year in 1992, when the yield was 3,083 t. The Yucatan fleet catch was 1,3341, and the Campeche fleet catch was 1,749 t. Both fleets catches exceeded the MSY in those years. In the last five years the estimated exploitation rate averaged 0.08/year, or an average catch of 1,384 tons. The historical catch series show from 1984 to 1999, always exceeded the MSY and like consequence the biomass presents a decrease. Montecarlo analysis was applied to evaluate the risk of reaching the points of reference with alternative quotas scenarios

PDF Preview