FISHING GROUNDS OF THE CONTOY SHRIMP FISHERY, GULF OFMÉXICO

Abstract

The Contoy shrimp fishery on the Northeastern continental shelf of the Península of Yucatán is one of the three shrimp-fishing regions of the Mexican Gulf of México. Target species is the pink spotted shrimp Penaeus brasiliensis, followed by the rock shrimp Sicyonia brevirostris. This region is characterized by rocky bottoms where the fishing grounds (trawlable areas) are not well known. Here we describe location of six fishing grounds, as well as some biological related characteristics of the species life cycles. Current fishing areas were evaluated in 463.2 km2 of trawlable bottoms. P. brasiliensis presents two recruitment peaks in synchrony with pulses of primary production and a size segregation from shallow to deeper waters. Space and time dynamics of S. brevirostris and P. brasiliensis are discussed in terms of recruitment time and size distribution within fishing grounds. Seasonal effects strongly influence yields in deeper water being more uniform along the year in shallow waters.