ARTISAN FISHERY OF CAYOS-COCHINOS BIOLOGI CAL RESERVE, HONDURAS

With the creation of the protected area of Cayos Cochinos, a five-year ban on lobster and conch fishing was implemented by the government of Honduras (started in November 1993). This study provides an initial a ssessment of the artisanal fishery carried out within the biological r eserve exclusively by hook-and-line, and discuss potential influences of this activity on the recovery of the area. During 11 months, fish l andings were monitored, through the analysis of a sample of 4959 fishe s based on 365 questionnaires performed to fishermen, to evaluate the species composition, the weight and size of the most important species , the catch per unit effort (CPUE) and the yield from coral reefs with in the protected area. The most common mean of transportation of fishe rmen is the canoes without engines (97%), providing a CPUE for the ent ire Reserve of 5.1 kg/fisher/day distributed in 37 species. About 80% of the total catch is represented by 8 species (mainly Lutjanidae, Ser ranidae and Haemulidae). It is concentrated in reef areas closely to t he fishing villages (ca. 38% of the protected area). Dominant species caught was the yellow-tail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, with 53% of the total landings, apparently based on a 95% population of juvenile indi viduals (20-37 cm). We estimate, based on an average record of 23 cano es/day and our data of 2530 kg/month for fishing landings similar to 2 930 kg/month recorded indirectly from fish-buyers located in the three villages, a fish yield for the reefs of 0.14 t/km(2)/year for the ree fs inside Biological Reserve, highly comparable to overfished areas el sewhere. The results of the present study and the results from other s tudies on the visual abundance and diversity of fishes, queen conch an d lobster in this area indicate that a high level of artisanal fishery exploitation exists within the protected area where the integrity of populations of commercial and cultural value species are being placed in danger. The current rate of exploitation of certain species, the hi gh catch of immature juveniles, the low yield for this fishery, and th e gradual degradation of natural habitats where important species repr oduce and grow cannot continue if adequate levels of management is the goal. The existing fishing regulations have aimed to a positive reduc tion of the commercial vessel activities, nevertheless, it seems as if the impact of artisanal fishing has being underestimated within the R eserve and the collapse of certain species would be expected unless pr esent regulations are improved.