Abstract

Most researches carried out about spillover of adult fish from marine protected areas to fishing grounds conclude it takes place but most of these studies are based on indirect evidences (gradients of abundance and catch) and small size and low commercial importance species. This paper presents the research of movement of large size and high commecial significance fish through boundaries of the Marine Reserve Jardines de la Reina and between reef crest and fore reef, using tagging techniques (dart tags and modified spearguns). It is recorded net spillover of target species (Mycteroperca bonaci, Epinephelus striatus and Lachnlaimus maximus) but considering all species, spillover is null and movement involves one fourth of recapture specimens. Movement is mainly recorded in the first 200 m each side of boundaries. Betwen habitats, most movement takes place from reef crest to fore reef (Epinephelus itajara, Caranx bartholomaei, Lutjanus cyanopterus, Ginglymostoma cirratum and L. maximus) being less in the oppossite direction (Mycteroperca tigris, L. cyanopterus and Lutjanus analis) but in all cases lesser than movement in the same habitat. Changes in habitat features and decrease of structural complexity reduces movement of fish

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