Marshak, Anthony R.

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    Evaluation of seasonal closures of red hind, Epinephelus guttatus (Pisces: Serranidae), spawning aggregations to fishing off the west coast of Puerto Rico, using fishery-dependent and independent time series data
    (2007-12) Marshak, Anthony R.; Appeldoorn, Richard S.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Hensley, Dannie A.; Hensley, Dannie A.; Yoshioka, Paul M.; Aponte, Nilda E.; Department of Marine Sciences; Ojeda, Edgardo
    The red hind (Epinephelus guttatus) is one of Puerto Rico’s most important commercial and recreational fishes. Following stock decline, an annual spawning season fishing closure was enacted in 1996 for three aggregation sites off the west coast. Although presently continuing, its effectiveness toward population recovery has not been fully assessed. SEAMAP-C fishery-independent red hind data, and fishery-dependent reported landings and port-sampled biostatistical data, from the western platform of Puerto Rico were analyzed to infer recovery. An initial post-enactment increase of fishery-independent Catch-per-Unit-Effort (CPUE; kg/trip) was observed throughout the platform, and within spawning aggregations. Increased fishing effort within previously under-targeted platform regions led to increases in nominal CPUE within later years, but resulted in subsequent decreases in fishery-independent CPUE. Increased average length of red hind was observed in both data types, but was found to result from limited recruitment and proportional contributions of few remaining larger females. Although the closure was initially effective in stemming further stock decline, shifts in fishing strategy overrode potential recovery of red hind. However, recently enacted additional restrictions upon red hind fishing pressure may potentially aid in stock rebuilding.