Recent interest in exploiting untapped, Jamaican coral reef fishery resources has made imperative an ecological understanding of these marine resources and the potential effects on fish populations of the proposed exploitation. This study reports recent (1973-81) findings of a British research project on these issues. Chapter 1 reviews, for Caribbean reef fisheries, methods of exploitation, current and potential yields, and previous biological, ecological, and fisheries development studies. Ensuing chapters are specific to Jamaica. Chapter 2 describes primary fisheries and catch statistics for the fishing industry. The fishery areas and methodology and objectives of the British research project are reported in Chapter 3. Chapters 4 and 5 describe areas investigated and determine the composition and magnitude of line and trap catches; many species-specific details are provided. Succeeding chapters, 6-16, discuss the biology, ecology, and bionomics of: squirrelfishes, Holocentridae; hinds and groupers, Serranidae; jacks, Carangidae; snappers, Lutjanidae; grunts, Pomadasyidae; goatfishes, Mullidae; butterfly and angelfishes, Chaetodontidae; parrotfishes, Scaridae; surgeon fishes, Acanthuridae; triggerfishes, Balistidae; and spiny lobsters, Palinuridae, spider crabs, Majiidae, and other crustaceans. Chapters 17, 18, and 19 summarize the biological and ecological characteristics of Caribbean reef fishes, potential Jamaican fishery productivity, and progress in coral reef fisheries research, 1973-82. Numerous tables illustrate the text and an 11-page list of Spanish and English references (1896-1982) is appended.