1. Identifying reef fish spawning aggregations in Alacranes Reef, off northern Yucatan Peninsula, using the fishermen traditional ecological knowledge Alfonso Aguilar-Perera 1 , Carlos González-Salas 1 , Armín Tuz-Sulub 2 , Harold Villegas-Hernández 1 , María López- Gómez 1 Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México Campus de Ciencias Biológica y Agropecuarias UADY

2. Worldwide, 164 spp aggregate to spawn (FSAs) Vulnerable: predictable space and time FSAs (140): 60% declining 20% no forming 20% “stable” (SCRFA 2006) Trends

3. How do we know about FSAs first hand? Fishermen accounts Body of knowledge (Wisdom) = Traditional Ecological Knowledge TEK Trends Johannes, Berkes

4. Studies incorporating TEK to know about FSAs (Cuba, Belize, Brazil) 35 aggregating species (mostly snappers & groupers) Western Atlantic: Trends

5. Elusive for managers and government Scarce studies (Caribbean, Pacific) Lack of Management (exceptions) FSAs in Mexico

7. How many species? Where? When (seasonality)? Phase 1: TEK: a) experience (wisdom): How many aggregation sites? OBJECTIVES

8. 27 km 14 km Study Area Alacranes Reef Desterrada Isla Pérez Pájaros y Chica Muertos

9. METHODS Semi-structured interviews based on protocols (Johannes 1999, Colin etal. 2003, Heyman et al. 2005), but adapted to local conditions (information used with extreme confidence avoiding to reveal precise positions of FSAs to general public) (1) which species (2) fishing relative importance, (3) fishing gear (4) Seasonality (months), and (5) approximate locations

10. Spawning Aggregation Sites Camaronero Sandwich Caribbean Tabasco Las Columnas El Puente H4 Marisol RESULTS

11. Grouper Spawning Seasonality Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Dec Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Dec Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Dec Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Dec

12. Snapper (and others) Seasonality Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Dec L. jocu O. chrysurus L. apodus L. griseus L. mahogoni C. sufflamen

13. RESULTS 13 species (mostly snappers and groupers) 8 sites (6 along leeward) 3 multi-specific aggregation sites (> 5 spp) Most important seasons: Spring & Summer

14. While, confirming info through SCUBA incursions is still necessary, TEK shows to be reliable since the seasonal patterns in Alacranes Reef are relatively similar to other areas (Cuba, Belize, Puerto Rico) Additionally, elaborate studies among sites involving: 1) tracking movements (of main species) using acoustics (telemetry), and 2) genetics Next step: confirming (following protocols, Colin et al., Heyman et al) FSAs and study their dynamics

15. Thank you!