THE EXPLOITATION OF THE CLAM, Tapes decussafus (MOUUSCA: BTVALVIA), TN SANTO CRISTO LAGOON, SAO JORGE, AZORES.

• Main Authors: Rog~rio R. Ferraz, Joao M. Goncalves
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Jorge Island
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.623.6070; http://www.db.uac.pt/pdf/fauna/9_exploitation.pdf

An analysis of ~ h c exploitation of thc clam, Tapes d~crcrsarus, in the coastal lagoon or Santo Cristo on S3o Jorge Island (Azores) is presented from 1391, when a new regime of controlled exploitation was implemented, to 1998. Durrng these years aboul 6.8 1 of clams were caught, with a maximum of 1.75 t in 1993. Annual landings. mean shell length, and catch per unit effort (CPUE- kg/bour} have been decreasing since 1994 (when a maximum of 1.6 kglhour was reached). In 1998 the annual mean shell length was the lowest since 1991 (47.0 mm). These facts indicate a decrease of the population, a1 least in the more exploited arcas of the lagoon, andlor the inefficiency of thc present management model. Alwrnative management model? aTe discussed.