Abstract

The analysis of density, spatial distribution and gonadic histology of a Thais chocolata population in small bay Punta Arenas (21°38'S-70°09'W), has allowed define certain indicators, which show that the reproductive aggregations would take place in the shallow zone (13-15 m depth) at the same time reported for other populations of this species in northern Chile. The feature that evidence such an event are referred to the aggregated distribution of sexually mature adults in the 13 m and 15 m isobath, a distinct times of the year. Such times are different from these established for the legal veda. Thus, this legal reduction should be restudied in order to protect reproduction of this specie and hence to prevent a potential collapse of the stock in the Regions I and II ( 18°-26°S), taking into account that the previous fishery in Regions III and IV (26°-32°S) have already collapsed since 1988.