ASSESSMENT OF THE QUEEN CONCH STROMBUS GIGAS (GASTROPODA, STROMBIDAE), POPULATION IN CAYOS-COCHINOS, HONDURAS

A visual preliminary assessment of the Strombus gigas population in th e area of the Cayos Cochinos Biological Reserve was conducted by SCUBA divers swimming transects. Additional data on size/age structure, mor phometries (shell length, shell width, shell lip thickness, and total weight), habitat, and reproductive activity were also collected. Size frequency distributions are given for shell length and shell lip thick ness in an effort to reveal growth and age of the various cohorts. Lin ear regression analyses were conducted between various morphometric me asurements. A total of 40 transects were completed covering a total ar ea of 45504 m(2). The mean area of a transect was 1137.6 m(2) at a mea n depth of 15.3 m. The overall density was calculated as being 14.6 co nch/ha (S.D. = 36.15) over the study area of 15330 ha giving an approx imate total abundance of 223818 conch. The majority (58.8%) of conch f ound in transects were found in depths of less than 10 m. A total of 1 77 conch were collected in and out of the transects with 48% juveniles and 52% adults. The population was further sub-divided into six categ ories for quick assessment during transects: four juvenile; small (0%) , medium (10.7%), large (19.8%), sub-adult (17.5%): and two adult norm al (27.1%), and stoned (24.9%). Reproductive activity included copulat ion, spawning, and solitary egg masses concentrated on seagrass slopes from five to 18 m in depth. New details on copulation were observed. It is felt that the low density and abundance is a direct result of 30 years of heavy exploitation by the Garifuna fishermen and commercial divers prior to the creation of the reserve. Future management measure s should include the increase of the minimum shell length restriction to 240 mm, the use of a mature lip regulation, banning of SCUBA in fis hing, and seasonal closures of important breeding areas.