Maturation and spawning of common snook: first experiences in southeast Mexico

摘要

The culture of freshwater fish in Mexico has been encouraged since the 1970s. The first fishing enterprise in inland waters was tilapia, with more than 40,000 tons/year. Conversely, the overall aquaculture of marine fish has just begun. Unlike China, where there is a centuries-old tradition of aquaculture, Mexico does not have a similar tradition. However, Mexico has nearly 11,000 km of coastline and other favorable coastal features that make it suitable for aquaculture. Unfortunately, this activity has grown slowly in its relationship to the requirements of the local population and to international markets. In the last five years, there has been an increase in the number of national governmental and private institutions that are interested in aquaculture. Today, in Mexico, there are 34 middle and higher education institutions studying aquaculture, and aquacultural enterprises have been opened on both coasts. Most of these enterprises and institutions are on the northeast coast. They are growingmostly white shrimp, Litopennaeus vannamei, which restricts the interest in investigation and culture of other marine species. Because of the decrease in catch of several species of fish and crustaceans and the increase in the human population in some areas of southeast Mexican, such as Campeche and Tabasco, there is an increasing interest in a substitute activity that would contribute to the local food supply. Because of the fishing tradition in this area, aquaculture was the first consideration of thecommunities of the region, especially marine fish culture. In addition, in Campeche State, the best location for aquaculture was in one natural protected area that included the Terminos Lagoon, one of the largest in the country. Because it is a protected area. production is restricted; but there is still the need to determine the appropriate use of the local resources.