Abstract

Fishing effort and biological data were colected at fifteen tournaments throughout Puerto Rico from November, 1990, to July, 1992, in order to document the recreational importance of the dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, L. Average catch per unit of effort varied from 0.035 to 0.55 fish/boat-hour. The tournament sponsored by the La Parguera Nautical Club was the most consistent and successful one on the Island. The average catch per unit of effort at this tournament varied from 0.14 to 0.55 fish/boat-hour over a ten year period. Dolphinfish samples from Puerto RicoÕs south coast were significantly larger and heavier than those collected from the north coast. Most females caught were aggregated (schools) under debris or Sargassum spp. The female to male ratio was approximately 2.3 to 1. Histological description of dolphinfish gonad samples, the Gonosomatic Index, and oocyte frequency measurements suggest an annual spawning period extending from September to June; with distinct spawning peaks in March and June. the smallest mature individual caught measured 400 mmFL. No differences in minimum size class of sexual maturity (50% criteria) between coastal areas could be detected from the sampled population. Batch fecundity fluctuated between 219,670 and 1,548,457 eggs per ovary weight. When reproductive traits data collected during this study were compared to similar data collected in other studies, it appears that population stock differences may not be as obvious as previously believed. However, more detailed information on C. hippurus biology and fishing effort should be recorded for proper fishery dynamics parameters analysis and assessment of population stocks.

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