Abstract

CERVANTES-HERNANDEZ, Pedro et al. Spatial variability of artisanal shrimp catch in the Mar Muerto Lagoon System, Oaxaca-Chiapas, Mexico. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2016, vol.26, n.1, pp.23-34. ISSN 0188-8897.

The Mar Muerto Lagoon System was divided into three sectors (A, B, and C). Spatial variability of artisanal shrimp catch (Ct) can be mostly explained with a spatial layout of sediments (SLS). Mud was dominant on sand in the A and B sectors, and sand was dominant on mud in the C sector. Higher Ct was recorded in the B sector, while in the border area between the B and C sectors, the Ct was low. The Ct was lower in the rest of the C sector and in the A sector. According to available literature, the A sector is the innermost sector with extreme variations in water surface temperature (WST) and salinity (S). The C sector constantly receives the marine influence of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, with low variations in WST and S. The B sector is reported to have an intense river discharge with higher seasonal variations in WST and S. The SLS was not the only variable that influenced spatial variation of the Ct. In the B sector, higher Ct could be explained with dominance and persistence of mud, and magnitude changes were related to seasonal variations in WST and S. Although mud was dominant in the A sector, the Ct was lower, due to extreme variations in WST and S. In the rest of the C sector the Ct was lower, due to dominance and persistence of sand.

Keywords : Catch; Gulf of Tehuantepec; Mar Muerto; sediments; Shrimp.