In Belize, the commercial harvest of spiny lobsters has occurred for ∼100 years, provides critical livelihoods, and is the primary seafood export. We determined the first empirical estimate of size at maturity in Belize as well as eight fishery status indicators on several fishing grounds. The carapace lengths (CLs) at 50% maturity varied between males (98 mm) and females (86 mm) and are higher than the existing legal minimum of 76 mm. Time series analysis indicated decreasing proportions of mature individuals, decreasing size, and low spawning potential ratios (SPR) as well as high fishing mortality within fishing grounds. The pattern of decline in population status indicators across fishing grounds is consistent with a historical expansion of effort from north to south and offshore. Many indicators of population status within fishing grounds were improved with increasing area of replenishment zone and opposite to the historical expansion. However, overfishing is a problem across all areas examined. An increase in the legal minimum CL to 86 mm and examination of a maximum size limit will likely have significant positive effects on productivity and SPR, respectively, as well as protecting the pivotal role of spiny lobsters within the ecosystem.

中文翻译：

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刺龙虾在不同时期的渔业状况和空间管理制度的拼接

在伯利兹，多刺龙虾的商业捕捞已经进行了约100年，提供了关键的生计，是主要的海产品出口。我们确定了伯利兹成熟度规模的第一个经验估计，以及几个渔场的八个渔业状况指标。成熟度为50％时的甲壳长度（CLs）在雄性（98 mm）和雌性（86 mm）之间有所不同，并且高于现有的法定最小值76 mm。时间序列分析表明，成年个体的比例下降，规模减小，产卵潜力比（SPR）低以及渔场内的高捕鱼死亡率。跨渔场的人口状况指标下降的模式与从北到南和近海努力的历史扩展是一致的。随着补给区面积的增加，许多渔场人口状况指标得到改善，这与历史上的扩张是相反的。但是，在所有检查的区域中，过度捕捞是一个问题。将法定最小CL增加至86 mm并检查最大尺寸限制可能分别对生产力和SPR产生显着的积极影响，并保护生态系统中带刺龙虾的关键作用。