Fish recruitment patterns provide valuable information for understanding their population dynamics. This paper analyzes temporal and spatial variations in recruits abundance of 4 reef fishes (Stegastes partitus, Chromis cyanea, Gramma loreto and Scarus taeniopterus) at Chinchorro Bank, Mexican Caribbean, by means of visual censuses conducted in spur and patch habitats from February 2006 to February 2007. Habitat assessment was based on sea floor coverage recorded by video transects and on substratum complexity. The species studied showed a tendency towards higher recruitment rates in June, July and August. Using Ansari-Bradley pairwise tests and redundancy analysis, higher abundances of Chromis cyanea and Gramma loreto recruits were found to be associated mainly with spur habitats, which showed relatively high depth and complexity values. On the other hand, Scarus taeniopterus and Stegaste partitus showed no clear preference in terms of habitat selection. Although further studies on more habitats and species are needed, the results of this research highlight the relevance of coral spurs for recruitment and, consequently, for the maintenance of reef fish populations.

The main objective of this paper was to create a baseline for the spatial and temporal characterization of fisheries in the Chinchorro Bank Biosphere Reserve. Monthly records of one of three fishing cooperatives in the area were taken between August 2004 and June 2005. The individual length and weight of each fish species were recorded per boat. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated as kilograms per fisherman per hour (kg-fisherman-1-hr-1). CPUE values for Epinephelus striatus, Mycteroperca bonaci, Lachnolaimus maximus and Sphyraena barracuda were highest in the “Nortes” (northerly-winds) season due to increased fishing effort and to the fact that they were apparently caught in spawning aggregation sites. Generally, fishing at Chinchorro Bank exerts low to moderate ecological impact because fishing gear restrictions and fisheries are closely linked to the extraction of spiny lobster, a resource with a higher aggregated- value in contrast to reef fisheries.

Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.