In the period between “before” (1994-1996) and “after” (1999-2004) the hydraulic works the behavior of the economic yield of the artisanal fishery in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta and Complejo de Pajarales through the commonly used in the study area Fishing Economic Units (FEU), such as atarraya, trasmallo and boliche, was evaluated. Significant differences of the economic yield by type of FEU were observed spatially and temporarily, being atarraya and boliche the FEU that presented differences between stations and years, while trasmallo presented only temporal differences. The above is a product of the biophysical changes that suffered the lagoon system due to the different human interventions. It not only caused income changes, but also a major pressure on the lagoon system induced by the fishermen, willing to improve their socioeconomic wellbeing.