Abstract

Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) is a very important commercial and recreational species throughout the Caribbean including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They form fish spawning aggregations (FSA) that are vulnerable to recreational and commercial fishing during the spawning season. L. analis spawning aggregations in the USVI are known to occur along the shelf edge within in large area along the southwest corner of St. Croix and at a site located south of St. John. The St. Croix location is included in a seasonally closed area, which was established in 1993. Due to continued poaching in the seasonally closed area the spawning population remains at risk. Evidence for this is that the average total length of snappers in the seasonally closed area on St. Croix (57.7 cm ± 1.13 s.e.) are not significantly different from another unprotected FSA site on St. John (57.7 cm ± 1.21 s.e.). Despite their important commercial status, little information exists of the population status and almost nothing is known about their movement and migration patterns around the spawning aggregation site. An acoustic telemetry study was conducted around the St. Croix and St. John FSA sites and preliminary data and observations of spawning are presented. Preliminary analysis suggests that spawning occurs between 12:30 and 17:00 outside the closed area. Alternative management scenarios are presented.

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