Abstract

Groupers and octopus from the Southest Gulf of Mexico are the major components of comercial fisheries from the state of Yucatan. Grouper landings represented 19% to 38% of the total marine production for the state between 1980 and 1995. Yucatan was the leading state in grouper catches between 1980 and 1992 with 88% and 96% of the mexican groupers total production. Sequential explotation and multi-species aspect characterize this fishery. This resource is fished both by mexican inshore and offshore fleets and cuban fishing fleet on the large continental shelf (Campeche Bank) which extends North and West from Yucatan Peninsula. Mexican and cuban fishing effort is directed toward the capture of at least 15 species of groupers (Epinephelus and Myceroperca). The red grouper, Epinephelus morio, represents the most abundant species in groupers landings from Campeche Bank. Even though red grouper stock has not been overexploited, mexican government decided to manage this fishery resource. Proposed management strategies are presented and analized.

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