1979 were reported to be 10.3 million pounds with a total dockside value

of $10.4 million. Red snapper landings were 4.2 million pounds with a

dockside value of $5.6 million, while grouper landings were reported to

be 6.0 million pounds at $4.7 million. The importance of red snapper

and grouper to the GMRFF can be seen from these figures. In 1976, red

snapper and grouper accounted for 82 percent of all reef fish landings

by weight and 86 percent of the total revenue generated in the commer-

cial Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery.

 Three nations, Cuba, Mexico and the United States, are responsible

for the bulk of the world supply of reef fish (grouper and red snapper).

The U.S. is the leading producer of red snapper, accounting for approxi-

mately 52 percent of the world catch in 1973 (Klima, 1976). In that

same year the United States ranked third in grouper production, behind

Mexico and Cuba which accounted for 52 and 29 percent of the world

catch, respectively (Appendix B).

 The Gulf of Mexico reef fish stocks also support a significant

 recreational fishery. The recreational sector is composed of three

 distinct segments: party or head boats, charter boats and privately

 owned and operated boats.2 Although data pertaining to the recreational

 fishery are somewhat scant, there is sufficient evidence to suggest

 that it is larger, in terms of catch, than the commercial fishery.

 Surveys conducted in 1960, 1965 and 1970 indicated recreational catches

 of 122.6, 70.9 and 76.8 million pounds of reef fish, respectively

 (Clark, 1963; Duel and Clark, 1968; Duel, 1973). Total recreational


 2Party or head boats generally carry over 20 passengers while
 private charter boats carry six passengers or less.