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J.E. Conde
prised of catfish (Arius herzbergii, Cathorops spixii), followed by Mugil
brasiliensis, M. curema and Centropomus ensiferus which represent 36 o/o.
Other species are Piaractus brachypomum, Prochilodus mariae and freshwater catfish (Brachyplatystoma, Paulicea; Novoa and Ramos 1990). Between 1966 and 1976, mean annual landings from the Orinoco River oscillated between 1,204 and 3,584tons (Novoa and Ramos 1978) but
increased to an annual average of 12,463 tons (1985-1989; Novoa and
Ramos 1990), which is still below the estimated maximum sustainable
yield of 45,000 tons (Novoa 1982).
4.5 Management Considerations
Despite the legal protection of almost half of the Orinoco Delta, owing to the
Mariusa National Park (2,650 km 2 ) and the Orinoco Delta Biosphere
Reserve (8,765 km 2 ), the delta also has highest conservation priority among
coastal areas of Venezuela (Diaz Martin et al. 1995). Several non-governmental and indigenous organizations have called attention to environmental hazards of oil-related activities (Red Alerta Petrolera) in the delta. In
1989, based on hydrological, biological, ecological, economic and social
factors and fishing gear employed, the Venezuelan Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock (Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria) regulated fisheries in
the Orinoco system. As a consequence, fisheries management in the delta
established larger fishing grounds, new periods for fishing activities, and a
mesh-size of nets which permitted catch of smaller fish (Novoa and Ramos
1990). Specific legal instruments control the catch of species, like the sapoara (Semaprochilodus laticeps), which is an important food source for Orinoco dwellers. In the face of growing environmental problems, an integrated
coastal zone management program, which regulates and monitors unsustainable activities, is urgently called for.
Acknowledgements. I am grateful to Giuseppe Colonnello, Nelda Dezzeo, Saul Flores,
Dieter Heinen, Elizabeth Olivares, Jorge Paolini, Milagro Rinaldi, Delfina Rodriguez, Gilberto Rodriguez and Erika Wagner for making bibliographic material available, reading
the manuscript, or providing critical comments. The secretarial contribution of Berta
Sanchez was most valuable. Special thanks are given to Carlos Carmona.
J.E. Conde
prised of catfish (Arius herzbergii, Cathorops spixii), followed by Mugil
brasiliensis, M. curema and Centropomus ensiferus which represent 36 o/o.
Other species are Piaractus brachypomum, Prochilodus mariae and freshwater catfish (Brachyplatystoma, Paulicea; Novoa and Ramos 1990). Between 1966 and 1976, mean annual landings from the Orinoco River oscillated between 1,204 and 3,584tons (Novoa and Ramos 1978) but
increased to an annual average of 12,463 tons (1985-1989; Novoa and
Ramos 1990), which is still below the estimated maximum sustainable
yield of 45,000 tons (Novoa 1982).
4.5 Management Considerations
Despite the legal protection of almost half of the Orinoco Delta, owing to the
Mariusa National Park (2,650 km 2 ) and the Orinoco Delta Biosphere
Reserve (8,765 km 2 ), the delta also has highest conservation priority among
coastal areas of Venezuela (Diaz Martin et al. 1995). Several non-governmental and indigenous organizations have called attention to environmental hazards of oil-related activities (Red Alerta Petrolera) in the delta. In
1989, based on hydrological, biological, ecological, economic and social
factors and fishing gear employed, the Venezuelan Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock (Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria) regulated fisheries in
the Orinoco system. As a consequence, fisheries management in the delta
established larger fishing grounds, new periods for fishing activities, and a
mesh-size of nets which permitted catch of smaller fish (Novoa and Ramos
1990). Specific legal instruments control the catch of species, like the sapoara (Semaprochilodus laticeps), which is an important food source for Orinoco dwellers. In the face of growing environmental problems, an integrated
coastal zone management program, which regulates and monitors unsustainable activities, is urgently called for.
Acknowledgements. I am grateful to Giuseppe Colonnello, Nelda Dezzeo, Saul Flores,
Dieter Heinen, Elizabeth Olivares, Jorge Paolini, Milagro Rinaldi, Delfina Rodriguez, Gilberto Rodriguez and Erika Wagner for making bibliographic material available, reading
the manuscript, or providing critical comments. The secretarial contribution of Berta
Sanchez was most valuable. Special thanks are given to Carlos Carmona.