Estimation of maximum sustainable yield of Gelidium robustum seaweed fishery in Mexico

Surplus production models were used to assess the fishery condition of red-seaweed Gelidium robustum off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula from 1985 to 1997. The maximum sustainable yield and optimum effort estimated by the Schaefer model were 705 tn and 457 teams, while the Fox model estimated 670 tn and 510 teams. The determination coefficients were r super(2) = 0.62 for the Fox and r super(2) = 0.58 for the Schaefer model. These results suggest that the resource is not overexploited. Fitting the data to Hilborn & Walters' dynamic model was not satisfactory.