Stock Analysis of Coney, Epinephelus fulvus, in St Croix, US Virgin Islands

Beets, James; Friedlander, Alan; Tobias, William

Analyzed fishing data (landings) for coney (Epinephelus fulvus) on St. Croix. The number of coney caught off St. Thomas and St. John was too small for good analysis. Data included length, weight, and proportion in catch for each of the years 1984-1989. Landings data for the U.S. Virgin Islands were analyzed for L11e period from 1984 to 1989 to provide information on coney, Epinephelus fulvus. This species represents an important resource of growing concern in the Caribbean region with the rapid decline of stocks of larger groupers. Coney are landed in greater abundance on St. Croix (greater than 6% of landings by number) than St. Thomas-St. John (less than 2% of total landings by number), therefore, more comprehensive analysis was possible for St. Croix data. Differences in abundance of coney in catches and species composition between the two areas are presumably due to habitat differences between the separate shelves. Data analyses demonstrate significant declines in mean size and composition in total catches of coney on St. Croix during the six years included in analysis. Spawning aggregations have not been observed for coney in the U.S. Virgin Islands as documented for larger groupers. However, landings data suggested that seasonal aggregations occur. Different management strategies may be needed for coney than for other groupers in the U.S. Virgin Islands.