373
11 Management of Spawning Aggregations
Sadovy de Mitcheson et al. 2008 ) . In Cuba, for example, long term data sets show
that targeting Nassau grouper aggregations during their aggregation season over a
50-year period resulted in a dramatic decrease in catches (Claro et al. 2009 , Chap.
12.6 , Fig. 11.1 ). Despite a growing focus on marine protected areas (MPAs) in
Caribbean fi shery management, relatively few aggregations are specifi cally incorporated early in the MPA planning process or subjected to conventional fi sheries
management approaches of input or output controls (Sect. 11.3.3 , Table 11.1 ). A
shift in management focus from species-specifi c management to ecosystem-based
approaches to management since the 1990s has provided an important impetus for
addressing protection of spawning aggregations and aggregation habitat.
Fig. 11.1 ( a ) Average monthly (meses) catches (capturas) in tonnes of Nassau grouper, Epinephelus
striatus in Cuba over 5-year intervals, 1962–2005. Collapse of the aggregation-fi shery occurred
between 1970 and 1980 (From Claro et al. 2009 , with permission); ( b ) Nassau grouper aggregating
(Photo: Enric Sala)
2001-05
1991-95
1981-85
1971-75
1962-65
0
100
200
300
400
J A S O N D J F M A M J
Capturas (TM)
Meses
a
11 Management of Spawning Aggregations
Sadovy de Mitcheson et al. 2008 ) . In Cuba, for example, long term data sets show
that targeting Nassau grouper aggregations during their aggregation season over a
50-year period resulted in a dramatic decrease in catches (Claro et al. 2009 , Chap.
12.6 , Fig. 11.1 ). Despite a growing focus on marine protected areas (MPAs) in
Caribbean fi shery management, relatively few aggregations are specifi cally incorporated early in the MPA planning process or subjected to conventional fi sheries
management approaches of input or output controls (Sect. 11.3.3 , Table 11.1 ). A
shift in management focus from species-specifi c management to ecosystem-based
approaches to management since the 1990s has provided an important impetus for
addressing protection of spawning aggregations and aggregation habitat.
Fig. 11.1 ( a ) Average monthly (meses) catches (capturas) in tonnes of Nassau grouper, Epinephelus
striatus in Cuba over 5-year intervals, 1962–2005. Collapse of the aggregation-fi shery occurred
between 1970 and 1980 (From Claro et al. 2009 , with permission); ( b ) Nassau grouper aggregating
(Photo: Enric Sala)
2001-05
1991-95
1981-85
1971-75
1962-65
0
100
200
300
400
J A S O N D J F M A M J
Capturas (TM)
Meses
a