Current status of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, fishery in the Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela

Abstract

Los Roques Archipelago National Park traditionally accounts for 95% of the total Venezuelan catch of Panulirus argus. Lobsters are caught in traps and by skin divers, during a 6-month fishing season (1 November to 31 April). The current status of the fishery was evaluated through a comparison of the 1998–99 lobster fishing season with previous studies. Thirty trap licences and 41 skin-diving authorizations were granted in 1998–99. Catch per unit effort was estimated as 2.31 kg/trap/month and 155.66 kg/diver/month, values similar to those from the 1983–1985 and 1986–1988 seasons. Total catch for the 1998–99 season was estimated as 139.31 tonnes (67.1% from traps), 47.78% higher than official reports. Estimated total catch, however, decreased by 40% from previous scientific evaluations. This decline has been attributed to a reduction in numbers of both trap licences and active traps. Size distribution of the 665 lobsters examined was not statistically different from that found in previous studies. The similarities in catch per unit effort and size distribution between the fishing seasons 1983–1985, 1986–1988, and the present study reflect a relatively stable fishery. The spiny-lobster fishery remains the main source of income of the fishers in the archipelago.