BIOECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE RED SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY OF BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

The red spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is the most important fishery of northwestern Mexico, accounting for up to 2,000 t. The trap-based fishery occurs along most of the western coast of the Baja California peninsula. Fishing mortality results indicate that the stock has been overexploited for the last eight years, but is still a profitable activity. A bioeconomic assessment and simulation was made to provide the basis for a sustainable exploitation of the stock. The age structure was reconstructed by linking the biological, economic, and social variables. The maximum stock biomass of > 1,600 t was recorded in 1999, followed by declining catch particularly after 2003. Therefore advice is required to ensure a sustainable fishery. Specific recommendations for a gradual decrease in fishing mortality and an increase in the minimum size are given. Their use would result in significant improvement in the volume of the catch and in profits.