Abstract

Since the decade of the 1980s, the industrial fishery of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus has expanded significantly in San Andres Archipelago, being authorized a quota of annual catch of 600 tons and a fleet of 43 boats. However, aspects related with the selectivity of the fishing gear, the bycatch of fishery and the effects over essential habitats have not been analyzed yet. The data were obtained from the M/N Ms Sharika during 81 days of fishing trip (August 2003, October 2003 and January 2004) and by interviewing the industrial boat captains. In the present study the main impacts generated by the activity on the habitat were identified and evaluated, giving also management advices for a responsible fishing activity. The results showed considerable negative impacts on the habitat, with physical destruction of coral reef communities and sedimentation while pulling out the trap lines, and modification of the structure of the habitat because the high fish traps concentration in a limited area. The impacts over the benthic community is not only the high extracted volume of lobster, but also involves aspects related with the selectivity of the fishing gear that allows the capture of individuals below the legally established size (Tail Length 140 mm). In this study, the bycath of the fishery is of special interest, composed primarily by non commercial species, but with an important ecological value. It includes a great number of organisms of more than 40 species of mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, polychaetes and reef fishes that have a very low probability of survival when being discarded, problem accentuated due to inadequate handling of these individuals on board. The results of this research will serve as input for the integrated management plan of the MPAs of the Archipelago.

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