The Effects of Artisanal Fisheries on Penaeid Shrimp Stocks in the Gulf of Mexico

The Effects of Artisanal Fisheries on Penaeid Shrimp Stocks in the Gulf of Mexico

A. Garcia and A.R. Vázquez Bader

The Effects of Artisanal Fisheries on Penaeid Shrimp Stocks in the Gulf of MexicoThis is part of Fishery Stock Assessment Models
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In the Gulf of Mexico, exploitation of the three main commercial penaeid species (brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus, white shrimp P. setiferus and pink shrimp P. duorarum) by artisanal fisheries is carried out in the nursery areas inside coastal lagoons. In addition, a new artisanal fishery on adult white shrimp has been developed. Present data on the offshore industrial fishery for white and pink shrimp shows a strong decrease to less than 20% of the mean maximum yield attained during 1970-1980 (1,700 and 7,000 metric tons whole weight, respectively). The sustained increase of artisanal fishing effort is one of the main factors that affected shrimp production. Available fishery catch-effort data of offshore fisheries showed a normal decline in catch associated with decreasing effort. However, this does not consider artisanal fishing effort on shrimp stocks causing growth overfishing on the three penaeid shrimp and recruitment overfishing on white shrimp. The lack of adequate artisanal fishing effort records does not allow assessment of its magnitude correctly. Both artisanal and industrial fisheries, besides affecting yield, may reduce shrimp reproductive potential and lead stocks to a collapse. Simulation exercises based on agestructured models are used to assess the effect of different fisheries and define management strategies. A multistage model connecting a series of stock recruitment curves over main life-history stages could be adequate for defining broad strategies to keep penaeid shrimp stocks in good condition.

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