FISHERIES TRENDS FROM MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Fishing is an important activity in the Florida Keys National Marine S anctuary (FKNMS). Concern exists that excessive fishing could be delet erious to individual species, disrupt marine ecosystems, and damage th e overall economy of the Florida Keys. We examined data from commercia l, recreational, and marine life fisheries in Monroe County, Florida. Invertebrates comprised the majority of commercial landings. In 1992, the total reported commercial landings were composed of 52% invertebra tes (4.09 x 10(6) kg), 28% reef fishes (2.19 x 10(6) kg), and 21% non- reef fishes (1.62 x 10(6) kg). In the recreational headboat fishery, r eef fishes accounted for 92% of 0.107 x 10(6) kg average total annual landings from the Dry Tortugas and 86% of 0.201 x 10(6) kg landed from the Florida Keys since 1981. Average annual landings for other recrea tional fisheries were estimated at 1.79 x 10(6) kg for reef fishes (45 %) and 2.17 x 10(6) kg for non-reef fishes (55%) from 1980 through 199 2. Finer resolution of catch and effort data are needed, especially fo r recreational fisheries. Landings for some species varied greatly ove r time. The most conspicuous declines were for pink shrimp, combined g rouper, and king mackerel while the most conspicuous increases were fo r amberjack, stone crab, blue crab, and yellowtail snapper. Landings o f spiny lobster have generally remained constant. Fisheries closed to harvest included queen conch, Nassau grouper, jewfish, and stony coral s. Effective fishing effort has increased over time with more particip ants and more effective fishing technology. Since 1965, the number of registered private recreational vessels has increased over six times, while the number of commercial and headboat vessels has remained stabl e. The number of management actions have continually increased and bec ome more restrictive with increased fishing effort. Comparison of fish eries was complicated because different fisheries targeted different s pecies and different sized organisms. Also, landings were sometimes re ported by numbers and sometimes by weight. Measures of reproductive va lue and spawning potential are suggested as useful parameters for comp aring effects of different fisheries. The new FKNMS provides a unique opportunity to shift management emphasis from a species approach to an ecosystem and habitat based approach.