Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, 

 and Caribbean Reef Fisheries 



INTRODUCTION 



Reef fish include more than 100 species that 

 prefer coral reefs, artificial structures, or other hard 

 bottom areas, and tilefishes that prefer muddy 

 bottom areas. They range along the coast to a depth 

 ot about 200 m, from Cape Hatteras, N.C., 

 through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean 

 Sea. Reel: fish fisheries are extremely diverse, have 

 many users (commercial, artisanal, recreational, 

 and scientific), and vary greatly by location and 

 species. Anglers fish for food, commerce, sport, 

 and trophies. They operate from charterboats, 

 headboats, private boats, and shore while using 

 fish traps, hook and line, longlines, spears, tram- 

 mel nets, bang sticks, and barrier nets. 



Reef fish fisheries are associated closely with 

 fisheries for other reel animals including spiny lob- 

 ster, conch, stone crab, corals, and living rock and 



ornamental aquarium species. Nonconsumptive 

 uses ot reel resources (e.g. ecotourism, sport div- 

 ing, education, and scientific research) also are 

 economically important and can conflict with tra- 

 ditional commercial and recreational fisheries. 

 Although reef fish have been caught lor genera- 

 tions, good statistical data tor most areas began to 

 accrue in the late 1970's when recreational fishing 

 surveys were started. Fishery data collection re- 

 mains difficult because there are diverse users, and 

 landings are made at many ports. Fishing pressure 

 has increased with growing human populations, 

 greater demands for tlshery products, and tech- 

 nological improvements, such as longlines, wire 

 fish traps, electronic fish finders, and navigational 

 aids. 



Reef fish fisheries vary widely by area. In most 

 cases, the current and long-term potential yields 

 are unknown, though for many species they are 



Unit 



8 



MICHAEL SCHIRRIPA 



PATTY PHARES 



DOUGLAS HARPER 



NMFS Southeast Fisheries 

 Science Center 



Miami 

 Florida 



Schoolmaster snappers. 



1 29 



