Abstract

In southern Quintana Roo, currently are acknowledged seven to eight sites where spawning aggregations of the nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, takes place every year. There, this species aggregates during three-four before and after the full moon dates of December, January and February. In order to obtain the first information on a new spawning aggregation site, locally known as"El Blanquizal", nearby to other traditional site: Punta Gavilán, both pertaining to the marine protected area "Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalac" we conduct a preliminary survey during theevent December 2001 - January 2002. Through visual censuses using SCUBA, several groups of groupers were observed an a total number of 200 to 400 individuals was estimated in the site. Concurrent fishing activity was low, and the only fishing gear was hook and line, baited with small and alive haemulid fishes. The catch wascomprisedofindividuals having mean sizeo f 64.77 (cm LT), and mean weight of 4,588 (g). A sex ratio 1.96 H:1M was observed. A first general description of both, the aggregation event and the site is made, and our outcomes are also compared with data available from other sites in the region and the Caribbean Basin. The need to further understanding of ecological features of this new aggregation site are the main reasons for continue this research. The latter will provide proper basis for the resource management in order to attain a long-term exploitation.

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