UNIT 8 

 ATLANTIC, GULF OF MEXICO. AND CARIBBEAN REEF FISHERIES 



Allocation 



Reef tish resources are utilized by .1 wide range 

 of groups. Commercial and recreational fishermen 

 may come into conflict with one another as well 

 as with other users such as ecotourists. Balancing 

 the interests of these groups is an important man- 

 agement issue. 



Progress 



An individual transferable quota system was 

 implemented for wreckfish in April 1992. Since 

 then, the shares are generally holding their value 

 and fish prices have improved. 



FOR FURTHER READING 



Goodyear, C. P. 1445. Red snapper in U.S. waters of 

 the Gult of Mexico. National Marine Fisheries Ser- 

 vice, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, 

 Florida, MlA-9S/<)6-()S. 



Goodyear, C. P., and M. J. Schirripa. 1993. The red 

 grouper fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. National Ma- 

 rine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Cen- 

 ter. Miami. Florida, MIA-92/93-75. 



Landings 

 (X 1.000 t) 



12 



10 



Total landings 



Abundance 

 index (gag 

 grouper) 



78 79 80 81 82 83 



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 



Year 



Landings (t) 

 30 - 



Figure 8-2 



U.S. Atlantic Coast reef fish 

 landings, 1978-97, in metric 

 tons (t). The abundance in- 

 dex IS a relative value show- 

 ing fish per standarized 

 haul. 



Landings 



_1_ 



85 B6 87 88 



Year 



Schirripa, M. J. 1998. Status of the vermilion snapper 

 fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. National Marine Fish- 

 eries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mi- 

 ami, Florida, SFD-97/98. 



Schirripa, M. J., and C. P. Goodyear. 1994. Status of 

 the gag stocks of the Gulf of Mexico. National Ma- 

 rine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Cen- 

 ter. Miami, Florida, MIA-93/94-61 . 



90 91 92 93 94 95 96 



Figure 8-3 



Carnbean waters reef fish 

 landings, 1978-97, in metric 

 tons (t). 



1 33 



