ANALYSIS OF ABUNDANCE, DISTRIBUTION AND LENGTH OF SHARKS CAUGHT BY ARTISANAL FISHERY IN THE LOS ROQUES ARCHIPELAGO NATIONAL PARK, VENEZUELA

Relative abundance, distribution and length structure of sharks were examined based on specimens caught during 2001 and 2002 by the artisanal shark fishery from Los Roques Archipelago National Park. A total of 13 species of sharks were reported during the study period, in which Carcharhinus limbatus (47.9%) and C. perezi (37.7%) were the most common frequently caught. Ginglymostoma cirratum, C. falciformis and Negaprion brevirostris together comprised 10.7% of the shark catch. The fishing effort was primarily concentrated during the third quarter in both years of the study period, and in the depth strata of < 10 m. General mean CPUE showed that the most abundant species were C. limbatus (2,76 ind 100-anz(-1) 2,43 DS) and C. perezi (2,35 ind 100-anz(-1) +/- 2,17 DS). C. limbatus catches were constituted by individuals measuring between 53 and 218 cm TL. However 96.5% of those caught were juveniles captured within the central lagoon of the archipelago. The catches of C. perezi were represented by individuals with sizes between 67 and 270 cm TL, and the 82.6% of them were juveniles captured in shallow water Zones near the islands. The present study showed that the Los Roques Archipelago is an important nursery area for the species C. limbatus and C. perezi. The protection of the nursery areas of sharks, as a conservation measure, should be promoted in the study area.