Abstract

The Fisheries Research Laboratory (FRL) of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) monitors the commercial landings of fish and shellfish in Puerto Rico. Using the correction factor of 86% to estimate the under reported landings data in Puerto Rico during 2002, it was estimated that a total of 3,805,595 pounds of fish and shellfish were landed, with a market value of $7,877,582. Raw data shows that for 2002 a total of 3,272,812 pounds was reported. The landings estimate for Puerto Rico during 2003, using the correction factor of 56% was 4,265,645 pounds of fish and shellfish, with a wholesale market value of $7,848,786. The raw data shows that for 2003, the landings reported were 2,388,761 pounds. The landings estimate for Puerto Rico during 2004 using the correction factor of 61%, was 3,056,852 pounds of fish and shellfish, with a wholesale market value of $7,519,857. The raw data indicates that for 2004, the landings reported were 1,864,680 pounds. The most important fish, in terms of percentage of total pounds landed (fish and shellfish), for 2002 - 2004, was the yellow­tail snapper (Ocyurus chrysu­rus) 8.2%, silk snapper (mainly Lutjanus vivanus ) 6.4%, various species of grunts mainly the white grunt (Haemulon plumieri) 4.6%, lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) 4.2%, various species of tuna 4.2%, mackerel species (Scomberomorus cavalla) 3.3%, dolphin­fish (Coryphaena hippurus) 3.2%, various species of parrotfish 3.0%, various species of trunkfish 2.5% and red hind (Epinephelus guttatus),reported 2.3%. The most important of the shellfish species were the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) 10.0% and the queen conch (Strombus gigas) 8.5%. The gear types, which accounted for the highest percentage of landing, by weight during 2002 - 2004, were bottom lines 30.0% of the total catch. Bottom lines were followed by fish traps that accounted for 20.3% of the total reported catch . Fish traps were followed by SCUBA divers that fished 19.6% of the total reported catch. A total of 62,990 finfish and spiny lobsters were measured to collect biostatistical data during 2002 - 2004. Sex determi­na­tion of fishes in the field has been difficult because of the reluc­tance of fishers to permit this activity, and the general limita­tion in available time for measuring samples. The species most frequent­ly measured from 2002 - 2004 were Ocyurus chrysurus, Haemulon plumieri, Lutjanus vivanus, Sparisoma viride, Panulirus argus, Sparisoma chrysop­terum, Epinephelus guttatus, Scomberomorus cavalla and Lutjanus synagris. A total of 519 fishing trips were interviewed to collect biostatistical data in 2002, 578 interviews in 2003, and 723 interviews in 2004.

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