GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF A VIRGIN RESOURCE IN THE FRAMEWORK OF A ROBUST HARVEST STRATEGY

BARÓN, P.J.; LEAL, G.A.; DELLATORRE, F.G.; PARMA, A.M.

La Serena, Chile

Congreso; TCS Mid Year Meeting; 2007

The Crustacean Society

Exploitation of commercial true crabs along the Atlantic coasts of Argentine Patagonia has not acquired the status of a formal fishery yet. Although two commercially promising resources, the swimming crab Ovalipes trimaculatus and the stone crab Platyxanthus patagonicus, are available to artisanal fishermen, landings have been sporadic. However, since traditional shellfish resources are fully exploited, processors and small-scale fishermen are asking the provincial fisheries administrations to set regulations for the exploitation of crab resources. In this presentation we will outline the technical advice that is being provided, based on the study of the reproductive ecology and life history of both species. O. trimaculatus, a dweller of open subtidal sandy bottoms exhibits a typical “mate defence” strategy (sensu Emlen & Oring, 1977), while P. patagonicus fits more closely a “resource defence” strategy, living in structured habitats down to depths in excess of 100m. Both are “soft shell mating” species with no terminal molt. A 3S (size, sex, season) strategy seems suitable to manage both resources, but additional controls may be required. Due to its territorial nature, explicit definition of spatial reproductive reserves may be suitable for maintaining the reproductive potential of P. patagonicus. Monitoring the operational sex ratio may help to adjust harvest controls. Some warnings are highlighted attending to the threats and opportunities presented by these developing fisheries.