Abstract

Yuna River and the Estuary at Samana Bay was selected as an integrated pilot site to test and refine science based methods that contribute to participatory governance of freshwater and coastal resources in areas with river inflows implications in the fisheries activities, biodiversity health and distribution. The Watershed is form by the southern slopes of Cordillera Septentrional and small part of Cordillera Central and is the largest river in the country in terms of freshwater flow. Samana Bay is the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Caribbean and most important estuary in the country with a rectangular form and trade winds that creates an embayment. Freshwater and sediments from Yuna and Barracote Rivers prevents reefs formation further inside the Bay. Nutrient-rich waters being supplied by the outflow of both rivers creates ideal conditions to sustain large populations of commercially valuable shrimp, oysters, and fish that make this fishing area unique in the country. About 34% of the fishermen of the country are concentrated in Samana Bay (CEBSE, 1996) and although there are at least 55 landing places, the town of Sánchez is the main shrimp port. Only three species of shrimps have been identified in studies by Núñez and García (1983): the Atlantic sea bob or “flechúo” Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, the pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum and the white shrimp Penaeus schmitti. This last shrimp can be considered the key species since its represents around 86% (Sang et al. 1997) of total shrimps capture.

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