use of a fishery independant index to predict recruitment and catches of the spiny lobster

摘要

This paper presents a review of recruitment and catch predictions based on an index of abundance of juveniles and pre-recruits (fishery independent index) in the Cuban lobster fisheries. This methodology can provide information based on fisheries datathat can improve the management of the fishery. The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) supports economically important fisheries throughout its distribution from Bermuda and North Carolina in the United States, to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The Cuban archipelago supports the most valuable fishery for P. argus in the Caribbean that accounts for 30 to 35 per cent of the sold commercial catches in the region.The Cuban fishery involves 250 boats and 1300 fishermen who operate 300000 fishing gears during a nine-month fishing season.The fishing methods for P. argus are unique: 70 per cent of fishing gear is artificial shelters (pesqueros) made from the trunks of a coastal tree or from fibrocement sheets and palm trunks.