ABSTRACT
In this chapter, consideration is given to the deployment of arti‚cial reefs expressly for artisanal ‚sheries, with examples from the state of Campeche on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico with its state arti‚cial reef program, the main objective being to support and enhance artisanal ‚sheries. The ‚rst such reef in the Yucatan was created out of a need to dispose of 70 out-of-use shrimp trawlers. At the time, there was no regulation or of‚cial rules for the construction of arti‚cial reefs in Mexican waters; therefore, a code of norms was proposed that latter became part of national regulations on the subject. This ‚rst reef generated an outstanding increase in ‚sh yields at nearby localities. Subsequently, there was a near-chaotic installation of small reefs by ‚shermen, which led to a local reef program that established regulations for the disposal of materials in Mexican waters. Three additional localities were identi‚ed for the construction of arti‚cial reefs close to the main ‚shing towns in the state of Campeche. Production (i.e., yields by local ‚shermen) was enhanced during the ‚rst 5 years after deployment of the reefs. However, owing to misuse and abuse from ‚shermen, yields have declined to levels recorded prior to the deployments.
