Volume 47
Comparison of catch rates, catch composition and operations of gillnets and trammel nets in coral reef areas with notes on the socio-economic aspects of the fishery
Authors
Acosta, A.; Valdés-Pizzini, M. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: 2005
Pages: 141-158
Event: Proceedings of the Forty Seventh Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Fort Pierce, Florida
Country: USA
Abstract
Fishing practices and catches of gillnets and trammel nets for coral reef fishes were investigated. Two approaches were utilized: a) A comparative fishing experiment was conducted to estimate capture efficiency, Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) and species composition and b) A demographic profile of the fishery was conducted using questionnaire surveys. The results from the experimental fishing indicated that there is a significant difference in capture due to mesh size and hanging ratio in the inner and outer reef. However, the difference is less noticeable in mangrove areas. The estimated annual landing for this study was 235,872 lb/year and 248,460 lb/year for gillnets and trammel nets respectively. These results are very close to the landings reported by the Fisheries Marine Laboratory for 1993. The use of a multidiciplinary approach (fisheries biology and social) allowed us to have a more clear understanding of the resource exploited and the nature of the user of this resources.