Shallow Water Reef Fish Stock Assessment for the U.S. Caribbean. Report from aWorkshop Held in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 18-20, 1991

摘要

A stock assessment workshop examined fishery trends for shallow water reef fishesin the U.S. Caribbean based on available fishery landings and biostatistical data. Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and the combined St. Thomas/St. John areas were chosen as appropriate geographical units for analysis. The workshop focused on comparing 1985 with 1990 because the data for these years were nearly complete. Trends in catch-per-unit effort were examined using data from other years when sufficient data were available. Deep water reef fishes, although technically not included in the Shallow-Water Reef fish Fishery Management Plan, were also examined because of their importance to the reef fish fishery. Significant improvements were noted in data collection, management, and coverage since 1987, particularly in Puerto Rico. Continued improvements are possible and were encouraged.