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 since 1967. The CFSP receive commercial fisheries landings reports, collect and process biostatistics data. The biostatistics data collection occurred at the fishing centers (places where fishers landings). Many fishing centers have “Villas Pesqueras”, they are buildings that Puerto Rico’s Agriculture Department or municipality provided to commercial fishers, where they have place to storage their fishing gear, vessels, fish house and some have ramps and/or dock. In September 20, 2017 Hurricane María impacted Puerto Rico. This was a catastrophic hurricane. The Puerto Rico population was impacted with category five winds of 175 – 200 MPH. Most of the 88 fishing centers active before the Hurricane María and Villas Pesqueras where seriously damaged. The CFSP make an inventory to know how many fishing centers and “Villas Pesqueras” still active after two years of the hurricane impact. Two years after the impact of Hurricane María the CFSP personnel account for approximately 60 fishing centers and 38 “Villas Pesqueras” active. This paper will present the list and the status of every fishing center and “Villa Pesquera” and how is the fishing activity.

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