Lobster.
Lobster fishing begins to gain importance towards 1953, although as a secondary fishing item. A short time afterwards, lobster became the emblem of fishing in Los Roques and the most important source of income among the smaller fishermen and those of Margarita island as well. As a matter of fact it has been traditionally considered that 95% of the national lobster production comes from this region.
At present fishing in the archipelago spins around lobster and its fishing season begins on November 1st and ends on April 31st. Many Margarita fishermen come to the archipelago exclusively for this and return to Margarita when the season is over. The major part of the lobster catch is consumed fresh in the home market with the port of La Guaira the main reception center of all shipments. The current state of lobster fishing in the archipelago can be considered stable thanks to the existence of a special handling plan since 1951. It has the support of fishermen who are used to it and it is periodically revised.

Fishing production.

The official monthly averages recorded between 1991 and 1999 indicate that the highest values are given at the beginning of the lobster season ( November ) followed by a down fall in the month of January due to the Christmas celebrations in December. Production increases again during February and March but falls again in April at the end of the lobster season.

Turtles.

The sea turtle played a major role as far as fishing was concerned from the beginning of the XX century. Its importance declined from 1950 on but in 1973 production was estimated at 50.000 kilograms / year basically represented by Tortuga Carey (Eretmochelys imbricata). The creation of the national park in 1972 made the capture and trading of turtles as well as the extraction of its eggs an illegal activity.
The prohibition of the use of nets in 1994 has also decreased the number of catches. It is worth mentioning that these two strategies have contributed somewhat to the increase of turtles sighted at the archipelago. However the clandestine fishing of turtles (when they come out to lay their eggs) and the destruction of the nests are activities which have not been totally eradicated.