Abstract

In the southern Gulf of Mexico, due to deteriorated red grouper (Epinephelus morio) catch volumes some species of snappers such as yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, is now being targeted by commercial fishers, causing recent increments in catches. Thus, constant catch increments in recent years, lack of information on the biology of the species and the non-existence of a management plan that regulates commercial exploitation now generate uncertainty on the state of this resource. In this study a total of 1,657 yellowtail snappers that ranged from 11.9 cm to 45.5 cm, fork length (FL) were captured monthly, by small-craft fleet in Campeche Bank waters, between February 2008 and January 2009. Gonads were fixed in Bouin’s liquid for histological examina-tion. Microscopic observations determined 50% females (n = 832) and 49.8% males (n = 825). Females measured from 13.4 cm to 45.5 cm and males 11.9 cm to 41.8 cm FL. The overall chi-square analysis for sex ratios (M:F) and sex ratios for respective size classes, indicated no significant differences from the expected 1:1 ratio. The smallest mature female (L min) was obtained at 14.1 cm FL, and length at first maturity (L50), was 21.3 cm FL, whilst males (L min) was 14.2 cm FL and (L50), 19.4 cm FL. Yellowtail snapper from Campeche Bank had a protracted spawning season extending from January to September, with spawning concentrated during spring (March to May) and fall (September). Therefore, yellowtail snapper from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico exhibits the ‘insular’ reproductive pattern. The results for this specie generally agree with those obtained by other authors within the Gulf and Caribbean region.

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