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Stocks assessment and reference point estimations for the snappers fishery (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) in the Gulf of Mexico, 1980-2019

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background. In Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico snapper’s fishery contributes 30% of the national snapper landings through a multi-species fishery where red Lutjanus campechanus (Poey, 1890), yellowtail Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch, 1791) and lane Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758) are the main target species. Goals. To evaluate the stock status of the three main species and to calculate reference points: Catch at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Biomass associated with MSY (BMSY) and Fishing Mortality associated with MSY (FMSY) for the management of these fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Historical official landings records were used in the application of the Monte Carlo method C-MSY. Results. The most probable maximum intrinsic rate of population increase (r) and carrying capacity of environment population (k) values for the C-MSY method were for L. campechanus 0.56 and 35,109 t, for O. chrysurus 0.56 and 13,814 t; and for L. synagris 0.55 and 1,932 t. MSY values found were 4,964 t, 1,953 t and 269 t respectively. BMSY values were 17,554 t, 6,907 t and 966 t respectively. FMSY values were 0.28 for L. campechanus and O. chrysurus, and 0.27 for L. synagris. Conclusions. This study shows that only the L. synagris stock is overfished, while O. chrysurus is the only stock experiencing overfishing. To maintain the L. campechanus stock at healthy levels we recommend a total allowable catch (TAC) of 4,467 t per year. To reduce overfishing and maintain the O. chrysurus stock at healthy levels we recommend a TAC of 1,562 t. Finally, to rebuild the L. synagris stock and prevent overfishing, we recommend a TAC of 215 t.
DOI: 10.24275/nbvk4674
Authors: Juan Garcia, Pesca Responsable y Comercio Justo S. de R.L. de C.V.
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4400769953
FWCI: 0.545
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Cited by: 3
Related to: 10