Abstract
During July to November of 2008, the artisanal fisheries captured juvenile sharks belonging to the Carcharhinus and Sphyrnidae family in the Veracruz Reef System (south western Gulf of Mexico). The three most abundant organisms were of the species Sphyrna lewini, Carcharhinus brevipinna and Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. Local fisherman recognized five captured areas of sharks as a direct way or bycatch. Some of these areas are located near to eddies formations and river discharges (high productivity areas). These top predators fed on benthic and demersal prey of coastal and reef habits had been the Teleost group the most important item in its diet. However it is possible to observe differences in its feeding tendency.
Highlights
The Veracruz Reef System (VRS) is located in the south western Gulf of Mexico in front of the Port of Veracruz, Boca del Rio village and the fishery town of Anton Lizardo (Figure 1), which bases their economy in a multi specific artisanal fishery, which employs different fishing gears [1]
The most important economical species are: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, Carcharhinus acronotus, Squalus cubensis, Sphyrna tiburo, Carcharhinus limbatus, Sphyrna lewini, Carcharhinus leucas, Carcharhinus falciformis and Carcharhinus porosus, the Carcharhinus brevipinna specie is the fifth specie in number of capture, it is considered of low economic value [1]
A sampling of captured sharks by the artisanal fleet of Anton Lizardo, townships of Alvarado and Veracruz City, were analyzed from the 9th of July to November 14, 2008 in order to determine the reproductive stage of sharks, the Total Length (TL cm), the Pre-Caudal Length (PCL cm) were sampled, and the sex of each organism and were compared with previous research of age and growth [23,24,25]
Summary
The Veracruz Reef System (VRS) is located in the south western Gulf of Mexico in front of the Port of Veracruz, Boca del Rio village and the fishery town of Anton Lizardo (Figure 1), which bases their economy in a multi specific artisanal fishery, which employs different fishing gears [1]. The existent populations of sharks have been considered threatened or endangered, due to their particular vulnerability under fisheries pressure and to its cycle live (e.g. low fecundity and slow sexual maturity) [9,10], which prevents them from recovering their populations levels [11]. Because they play the role of a top predator in the marine ecosystems, many shark species are considered as key species [12,13,14].
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