Fisheries

In the Dutch Caribbean EEZ, at least 27 elasmobranch species have been documented. Of these, 9 are listed as “critically endangered” and 8 as “near threatened” by the IUCN. Elasmobranchs are not a target fishery in the Dutch Caribbean, but do occur as bycatch in artisanal fisheries. Sharks are considered nuisance species by fishermen. Most sharks caught are not discarded, but consumed locally, used as bait, or (reportedly) killed and discarded at sea on the two islands where landing of sharks is illegal (Bonaire and St. Maarten). Based on recent data, published sport diver accounts, and anecdotal accounts, it is clear that shark populations in most areas of the Dutch Caribbean have been strongly depleted in the last half century.

Abstract:

The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is a widespread crustacean species. It inhabits shallow water reefs and rocky substrates from Brazil to Florida. The lobster fishery is one of the most important fisheries in the Caribbean (in 2011 the total catch was 35,642 tons), generating more than 456 million US dollars annually. However, the annual landings of P. argus throughout the Caribbean have been in decline since 1995 (FAO, 2013). Over-exploitation is thought to be one of the major causes of this decline (CRFM, 2011).

One of the areas where the spiny lobster fishery is important, is on the Saba Bank, a 2,200 km2 submerged plateau, near Saba in the northern Caribbean Sea. Spiny lobsters are fished exclusively with traps by nine small (11m) vessels operating from Saba. To determine the current status of the P.argus stock and its fishery on the Saba Bank, basic fisheries data were collected in 2012 and compared with similar studies conducted in 1999 and 2007.

The number of lobster traps hauled per fishing trip increased from 59 to 80 between 1999 and 2012 while the number of lobsters landed per trip decreased from 83 to 52 per trip during the same period. A similar declined was observed in the standardized (75 trap hauls per trip) CPUE both in number and total weight of lobster landed. No obvious changes in fishing areas on the Saba Bank were observed during this period.

The total catch of lobster was estimated as 62 t, 92 t and 38 t in 1999, 2007 and 2012, respectively. The high catch in 2007 was attributed to the higher number of estimated fishing trips in 2007 (1000) compared to 1999 (650) and 2012 (600). The lower estimated annual catch in 2012 compared to 1999 is attributed to a decline in CPUE. These result suggest a decrease in abundance of spiny lobster on the Saba Bank between 1999 and 2012, similar to decline observed in the wider Caribbean.

Size-at-maturity (CL50%) for male P.argus was found to be 92.2 (± 2.53 SE) mm carapace length, slightly below the minimum legal size (95mm CL). The mean size of landed male (109 mm CL) and female lobster (105 mm CL) showed that predominantly large, mature lobster are landed. Berried female spiny lobsters were observed on the Saba Bank throughout the year with a peak from March to June.

In addition to lobster, mixed reef fish were also landed in the lobster trap fishery. A total of 57 fish species were identified in the catches. Roughly 15 kg of mixed reef fish was landed per lobster trip, resulting in an estimated 8-10 t of mixed reef fish landed in 2012. The species composition (in weight) of the landed mixed fish consisted mainly of grunts (Haemulon album, H. melanurum and H. plumierii 30%), small groupers (Epinephelus guttatus and Cephalopholis fulva 17%) and queen trigger fish (Balistes vetula 21%). Only the mean total length of landed E. guttatus decreased significantly between 1999 (33 cm TL) and 2012 (31 cm TL).

In addition to the landed mixed fish, an estimated 10 t of mixed fish was discarded in 2012. The species composition (in weight) of the discarded mixed fish consisted mainly of grunts (H. melanurum and H. plumierii 34%), boxfishes (Acanthostracion quadricornis and A. polugonia 19%) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum 9%). 

Abstract:

On coral reefs, herbivorous fishes consume benthic primary producers and regulate competition between fleshy algae and reef-building corals. Many of these species are also important fishery targets, yet little is known about their global status. Using a large-scale synthesis of peer-reviewed and unpub- lished data, we examine variability in abundance and biomass of herbivorous reef fishes and explore evidence for fishing impacts globally and within regions. We show that biomass is more than twice as high in locations not accessible to fisheries relative to fisheries-accessible locations. Although there are large biogeographic differences in total biomass, the effects of fishing are consistent in nearly all regions. We also show that exposure to fishing alters the structure of the herbivore community by disproportionately reducing bio- mass of large-bodied functional groups (scraper/excavators, browsers, grazer/ detritivores), while increasing biomass and abundance of territorial algal- farming damselfishes (Pomacentridae). The browser functional group that consumes macroalgae and can help to prevent coral–macroalgal phase shifts appears to be most susceptible to fishing. This fishing down the herbivore guild probably alters the effectiveness of these fishes in regulating algal abun- dance on reefs. Finally, data from remote and unfished locations provide important baselines for setting management and conservation targets for this important group of fishes. 

Abstract:

Over the past 12 months a comprehensive assessment has been made of the fish stock of the Saba Bank. The assessment was initiated by the Environmental Department of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles in Curaçao, whereby the condition of the fishgeries resources of the Saba Bank was to be determined.

Over the past 12 months the Saba Bank fishermen engaged in two types of fishery: Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) fishery, and snapper fishery, with two main target species: Silk Snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) and Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella). The main fishery activity on the Saba Bank is the lobster fishery; snappers are only targeted sporadically.

The objective of the fish stock assessment programme was to collect fishery dependent data on the different target species of the Saba Bank. Alongside data on Catch Per Unit Effort of the lobster fishery, biological data, such as length frequency, length-weight relationship, sex, number of females carrying eggs, and the number of lobsters in ecdysis, were collected.

During the study it became apparent that a high percentage of lobsters landed were under-sized and a substantial percentage of berried lobsters were landed. Furthermore a considerable number of traps were lost, due to passing by traffic and hurricanes. None of these traps were fitted with a biodegradable panel and the lost traps are extremely damaging to the ecology and consequently the fish stock of the Saba Bank.

As a result of this study, the following regulations are now being strictly enforced:

1. Presence of biodegradable panel in each trap.
2. Legal size limits for lobsters.
3. Prohibition to land berried lobsters.
4. Prohibition to land lobsters in ecdysis.
5. Prohibition to fish without licenses in both the Saban territorial waters and the Economic Fishery Zone (EFZ) of the Netherlnds Antilles.

Collecting fishery data alongside enforcement of the fishery regulations will enable successful management and will in the end result in sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources of the Saba Bank.

Product of the Connectivity Working Group:

This brochure is a product from the Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program’s Connectivity Working Group. One of six CRTR Working Groups, the activities of the Connectivity Working Group are managed on behalf of The University of Queensland through the United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).

Early in its planning of activities, the Connectivity Working Group undertook a critical review of the evidence for use of no-take fishery reserves as a management tool for coastal fisheries. The presumed fisheries value of no-take reserves depends explicitly on connectivity, and we saw this as both a useful review of the field and an effective way to delineate the most important issues with respect to connectivity science needed for MPA management. The article was published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution in 2005. We recognized at the time that the information we had brought together deserved to be made more widely available to coral reef and other coastal managers, and that an article in TREE was unlikely to be seen by many of them. This brochure, which will be available electronically and on paper, is the result. 

The brochure is based on the following article:

Sale, P.F., Cowen, R.K., Danilowicz, B.S., Jones, G.P., Kritzer, J.P., Lindeman, K.C., Planes, S., Polunin, N.V.C., Russ, G.R., Sadovy, Y. J., and Steneck, R.S. 2005. Critical science gaps impede use of no-take fishery reserves. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 20 (2): 74-80. 

Abstract:

Sea turtles are adversely affected by a range of factors, some natural and others caused by human activities, such as fishing operations. As a result, all sea turtle species whose conservation status has been assessed are listed as threatened or endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. While the understanding of the relative risks of the full suite of mortality sources for individual turtle populations is generally poor, there is growing evidence that small-scale artisanal fisheries may be the largest single threat to some sea turtle populations.

Coastal passive net fisheries use gillnets, trammel nets, pound nets, fyke nets and other static gear that catch, and in some cases, drown turtles. Small-scale fisheries have the potential to substantially contribute to sustainable economic development. However, to secure their long-term economic viability and to ensure conformance with international guidelines for the conduct of responsible fisheries, they need to mitigate problematic bycatch of sea turtles and other sensitive species groups. Such mitigation approaches are part of an overall effective fishery management framework that includes measures to prevent the overexploitation of all retained and discarded catch, as well as unobserved fishing mortalities.

Forty-nine participants from 17 countries, representing fishery bodies and other intergovernmental organizations, national fishery management authorities, environmental non- governmental organizations, academic institutions, fishing industries and donor organizations attended the Technical Workshop on Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Net Fisheries from 20-22 January 2009 in Honolulu, U.S.A. The five workshop co-hosts were the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Indian Ocean – South-East Asian Marine Turtle MoU and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

Accomplishments

This workshop represented the first opportunity for experts from multiple disciplines relevant to this issue to meet to share information from 20 coastal net fisheries worldwide to disseminate and transfer best practices for sea turtle bycatch assessment and mitigation. Accomplishments during the three-day workshop included:

• Identifying the status of assessment and mitigation activities of fisheries represented at the workshop;
• Describing the state of knowledge for the effective and commercially viable (economically viable, practical, safe) mitigation of sea turtle capture and mortality in coastal passive net fisheries;
• Identifying characteristics of coastal passive net fishing gear and methods likely to have a significant effect on sea turtle and target species catch and mortality rates;
• Identifying research priorities to advance promising new turtle-friendly fishing gear and methods, based on the understanding and gaps in knowledge of why and how sea turtles interact with passive net gear, and the understanding of gear characteristics that significantly affect turtle capture and mortality rates;
• Exploring the full suite of tools available to assess, mitigate and manage sea turtle bycatch in artisanal fisheries;
• Identifying a list of optimal information to understand the degree of risk a fishery poses to sea turtles and identify mitigation opportunities;
• Sharing lessons learned of effective and ineffective practices and approaches for working with artisanal fishing communities to assess and manage bycatch; and
• Fostering partnerships and catalyzing assessments, commercial demonstrations and mitigation activities identified as priorities during the workshop, in part, by transferring the lessons learned in the few net fisheries where progress has been made to priority fisheries in other regions.

Range of Potential Fishery-Specific Solutions

Several practices were identified as having the potential to effectively avoid, minimize and offset sea turtle capture, and improve the survival prospects following gear interactions in coastal passive net fisheries. Bycatch mitigation practices discussed during the workshop included: modifications to fishing gear and methods; gear restrictions; marine protected areas (temporal and spatial restrictions on fishing); changing to a gear type with lower turtle interactions; and handling and release best practices. However, participants recognized that the efficacy at reducing sea turtle capture rates, economic viability, practicality and safety are fishery-specific and therefore fishery-specific assessment is required before recommending a mitigation approach.

Priority Gaps in Understanding

Participants identified priority gaps in knowledge warranting further investment in order to advance mitigating sea turtle bycatch in coastal net fisheries. There is a need for:

• A generic decision tree or logic framework process tool, which could be used as a starting point to guide artisanal fishery-specific assessment and mitigation activities;
• Improved understanding of why turtles interact with coastal net fishing gear (e.g., are they attracted to the catch and/or floats); how turtles interact with the gear (e.g., what mechanism is responsible for capture [gilling, entangling, entrapping], and in which part of the gear are turtles captured); how the gear behaves under actual fishing conditions; what characteristics of the gear design, materials and fishing methods are significant factors affecting sea turtle capture and mortality rates; and, ultimately, what the opportunities are for mitigating turtle capture, injury and mortality;
• Standardized terminology and a classification scheme for coastal passive net fishing gear, focusing on factors that significantly affect sea turtle capture and mortality rates;
• Standardized units to report sea turtle catch-per-unit-of-effort (e.g., catch per trip, set, unit length of net, unit area of net, unit area per soak time, net weight).
• Accurate data on the relative impact of coastal net fisheries and other anthropogenic hazards on the long-term viability of sea turtle populations, so that limited resources can be allocated to address priority threats, accounting for the likelihood that interventions will successfully mitigate targeted anthropogenic mortality source;
• Characterizations of the degree of risk individual fisheries pose to affected sea turtle populations, based on accurate assessments; and
• Improved understanding of the indirect effects that coastal net fisheries have on sea turtles (e.g., obstacle to critical habitat and migration routes, ghost fishing, repeat captures, altered diet from depredating catch from gear, reduced predators or prey populations), information that is needed to produce precise risk characterizations.

Gear Technology State of Knowledge

Empirical evidence of the fishery-specific efficacy and commercial viability of gear technology approaches (changes in fishing gear designs and materials and fishing methods) at mitigating sea turtle capture in coastal net fisheries is available from only a small number of fisheries and studies. The following are gear technology approaches that have been shown to significantly reduce sea turtle catch rates in individual gillnet fisheries:

• Reducing net profile (vertical height);
• Increasing tiedown length, or eliminating tiedowns;
• Placing shark-shaped silhouettes adjacent to the net; and
• Illuminating portions of the net using lightsticks.

Of these techniques, only net illumination was found to not cause a significant decrease in target species catch rates.

In coastal poundnets, several turtle bycatch mitigation approaches have been explored:

• Replacing mesh with ropes in the upper portion of leaders has been observed to cause a significant reduction in the turtle capture rate with an increase in catch rate of one target species and no significant difference in catch rates of four other target species;
• Incorporating a prototype turtle releasing device into the roof of a cone-shaped pound in the small-scale southern Japan pound net fishery resulted in high escapement of green sea turtles with nominal target species escapement
• Modifying the roof of the pound in the Japanese large-scale pound net fishery to a rectangular-pyramid-shaped pound with the top angled at 20 degrees toward the apex effectively directed turtles towards the roof apex of the pound, where an escapement device could be situated.
• Observations document that pound nets with open versus closed capture chambers (also referred to as pounds or traps) have higher survival rates of captured turtles.

Broad assessments in individual fisheries must precede advocacy for uptake of specific turtle bycatch reduction methods. This is because there are several locally variable factors that significantly affect sea turtle and target species catch rates, and industry acceptability of any reductions in catch rates of commercially important species will depend on the local socioeconomic and regulatory context.

Gear Technology Research Priorities

It is unclear at this incipient stage in investigating this conservation issue whether or not gear technology approaches will be an effective and commercially viable solution to sea turtle interactions in most coastal passive net fisheries. Several promising new approaches warrant additional or new investigation:

• Fishing at sufficiently shallow depths, and increasing net liftability by adjusting the weighting design and/or anchoring system to allow captured turtles to reach the surface and breathe during the gear soak, increasing the proportion of caught turtles that survive the gear interaction;
• Minimizing gear soak time/time between patrolling gear in order to reduce the time incidentally caught turtles remain in the gear;
• Using alternative net materials and illumination to reduce the risk of turtle capture. For instance, making the upper portion of nets more visible, while leaving the lower portion relatively undetectable might be an effective and economically viable method. Using a clear, UV-absorbent plastic material for netting could reduce turtle bycatch without compromising fish catch rates. Using coarse multifilament line in place of monofilament in the upper portion, embedding luminescent materials into netting material and incorporating lightsticks are additional strategies to increase net visibility for turtles but not for target fish species. Continuing research on the effects on turtle and target species catch rates from alternative spectral frequencies and light brightness for net illumination is needed;
• Using buoyless floatlines might reduce turtle attraction to the gear and entanglement in the floatlines. Modifying float characteristics and reducing the number of floats and vertical float lines might reduce turtle attraction and incidence of entanglement in floatlines and the net;
• Conducting research, development and trials of devices to avoid and minimize turtle entrance into pound net and fyke net traps, such as use of a deflector grid;
• Modifying baiting techniques, in cases where baiting is used;
• Setting gear perpendicular to the shore to reduce capture rates with nesting females, and exploring effects of other gear orientations to and distance from the coastline;
• Continuing research on reduced net profile and increased length or elimination of tiedowns. Expanding this to research if increasing the net hanging ratio (ratio of net height to net width) reduces turtle entanglement risk;
• Continuing research on using shark-shaped silhouettes. For example, constructing the silhouette from clear UV-absorbent plastics instead of PVC and plywood could retain the turtle deterrent efficacy but avoid the reduced target species catch rate observed in trials. There is also a need to develop an improved attachment mechanism;
• Developing other sea turtle deterrents, such as chemical olfactory repellents or acoustic repellents;
• Using alternative net materials (appropriate twine diameter and material) to produce a breaking strength that allows turtles to break free of the gear and escape;
• Continuing research, development and testing of prototype turtle escapement devices for use in different types of pound net and fyke net gear;
• Continuing research on shapes of catchment chambers of pound nets with the aim of consistently directing turtles towards a location where an escapement device could be incorporated; and
• Investing in research, development and testing of equipment to disentangle turtles caught in nets (e.g., purpose-made line cutters, selecting a headlamp light color to reduce turtle stress during handling).

Consideration for Successful Artisanal Fishery Assessments

Participants identified optimal information to collect through fishery assessments in order to understand the degree of risk a fishery poses to sea turtles and to identify mitigation opportunities. Participants identified four broad categories of information to be collected during fishery assessments:

• Magnitude of the problem both in terms of effect on sea turtle populations (conservation status of affected turtle populations, age classes affected, status and trends in levels of turtle mortality from fishery interactions, and ultimately are population-level effects occurring) and effect on the fishery (gear damage and loss from interactions, time to remove turtles from the gear and repair or replace gear, lost catch, effects of any relevant regulatory measures);
• Fishery characterization, including gear types used, characteristics of each gear type, fishing operations, and catch characteristics;
• Management framework (self-management, co-management, or no management), including monitoring, control and surveillance; and
• The socioeconomic context.

Considering potential socioeconomic effects of alternative sea turtle bycatch mitigation practices was seen as a fundamental requirement to achieve successful sea turtle bycatch management. This includes considering all potential effects on a fisheries’ commercial viability, including economic viability, practicality, and crew safety. Long-term data series may be needed to account for high inter-annual variability in gear used, gear designs, fishing grounds, turtle interaction rates and other fishery characteristics.

Pros and cons were discussed for alternative assessment practices, including: social surveys; onboard and dockside observers; logbooks; satellite imagery (to observe number of participating vessels); and electronic vessel monitoring systems in combination with data on spatial distribution of turtle abundance (to provide an indirect index of turtle interactions). At-sea data were seen as optimal for understanding catch characteristics and rates, noting that limited observer coverage can provide an index of the fleet as a cost-effective preliminary assessment.

Fisher surveys were seen as useful in providing a first order qualitative understanding of whether or not problematic sea turtle capture levels are occurring and an initial understanding of the magnitude of the problem. Techniques to optimize the quality of results from social surveys were discussed.

Practices and Approaches to Work with Artisanal Fishing Communities

Participants discussed reasons why direct participation of artisanal fishers is critical for successful fishery assessment and bycatch mitigation activities. Fishers have a large repository of knowledge, which can be tapped to contribute to finding effective and commercially viable solutions to problematic bycatch that will ultimately be acceptable to the artisanal fishing community. To optimize the likelihood of fishers adopting measures identified as effective at reducing unwanted turtle bycatch, fishers must first be convinced that catching turtles is a problem and then must buy into the use of the mitigation practices.

Considerations and lessons learned for maximizing the direct participation of artisanal fishers and effectively working with artisanal fishing communities were identified and discussed. For instance, identifying progressive individuals in a fishery who are open to consider changes and lead by example, the need for a sufficiently long-term investment to develop the credibility needed to gain the trust and access of stakeholders, and expertise needed on teams working with artisanal fisheries to mitigate bycatch were highlighted.

Next Steps

Participants committed to pursue development of a decision tree process tool to guide future interventions with artisanal fishing communities, to further explore sea turtle sensory physiology and behavior with an aim to identify differences with target species, to expand collaborative research on gear technology approaches to mitigate sea turtle bycatch in coastal passive net fisheries, and to contribute to finalizing an in-progress IUCN technical report Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Passive Net Fisheries. On-the-ground assessment, commercial demonstration and mitigation activities will hopefully folllow as a result of the workshop, leading to direct sea turtle conservation benefits, and improved environmental sustainability and long- term economic and social viability of passive coastal net fisheries. 

Abstract:

St. Eustatius Marine Park was established in 1996 and became actively managed in 1997 to conserve and protect the marine environment. It consists of a general use area and two no-take reserves. The purpose of this study is to collect baseline data regarding fish stock populations within the marine park and its reserves in order to evaluate the success or otherwise of the environmental management strategies of the Marine Park. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven fishermen on the island in order to learn more about the St. Eustatius fisheries and to examine changes that have taken place within the last ten years. A visual fish census of the coral reefs was also carried out at sixteen dive sites. The abundance and diversity of fish species were observed, along with length estimations in order to determine the standing stock and population size structure of specific species. The Southern Reserve of the Marine Park was observed as having the most abundant fish population and on average, between twenty and thirty species were observed at each of the dive sites surveyed. Blair’s Reef was identified as being the most diverse with over thirty-five species being observed. The diversity of the fish population in St. Eustatius has been proven to have increased dramatically in the last thirteen years, with the number of species currently present in the waters being on average 4.9 times greater than the number observed in 1992 at the same locations. When asked about the changes in the coral reefs and the fish populations over the past ten years, half of the fishermen said they saw no changes, while the other half said they had seen positive changes, citing more fish and less anchor damage. This clearly indicates that the establishment of the Marine Park nine years ago has been beneficial to the fish population within the local waters. 

Findings

The main conclusion from this study is that no new fishing permits should be issued until a long-term fishery monitoring program is in place. The study emphasizes the need for effective enforcement of existing regulations.

Findings from the study include:

• 14 fishing vessels use the Saba Bank.
• Saba Bank fishermen engage in two types of fisheries: a spiny lobster fishery (most frequent), and a snapper fishery (least frequent).
• The total lobster catch amounts to about 90 tons per year and the total red snapper catch amounts to about 12 tons per year.
• A considerable number of traps are lost due to ship traffic and hurricanes. None of these traps are fitted with a biodegradable panel, so the lost traps pose a huge threat to the fish stock of the Saba Bank.
• In 1999, the Saba Bank fishery sector generated a gross economical value of 1.1 million US$.
• An important issue that came out of this study is that a substantial part of the landings of lobsters consist of illegal lobster catch. High percentages of under-sized lobsters and berried lobsters in the catch are a serious concern. A high percentage of lobsters landed are under the legal size limit and a substantial percentage of berried lobsters are landed. The mean CL (carapace length) of lobsters from the Saba Bank (10.7 cm) was set at this level so that future harvesting is not endangered as long as the legal size regulation is strictly enforced. 

Management Recommendations:

Fishery regulations must be strictly enforced for a successful management of the Saba Bank fishery:

(As a direct result of this catch assessment survey the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles has commenced to strictly enforce the fishery regulations.) The following regulations are currently being enforced:

• Legal mesh size
• Use of the biodegradable panel
• Legal size limits for lobsters
• No landing of berried lobsters
• No landing of soft-shell lobsters (lobsters in ecdysis)
• Requirement of Fishing License for both Saban Territorial Waters and Economic Fishery Zone (EFZ) of the Netherlands Antilles.

The implementation of the fishery regulations by the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles has resulted in a substantial decline in illegal fishery activities:

• The number of under-sized lobsters has decreased, and practically no berried lobsters and lobsters in ecdysis were brought in.
• Illegal (non-licensed) fishing activities from both foreign and domestic vessels have practically stopped.

Restrictions should be made on landing berried lobsters and lobsters in ecdysis, and on catch and effort through size limits (lobsters).

The total fishing effort for snappers should not be increased until more data is available (average length of the main snapper species of the Saba Bank is relatively small).

Further research and accurate catch and effort and length-frequency data are required to formulate sound regulations.

A communication network should be developed which involves fishermen, Central and Island Governments, the Coast Guard and the research community.

Both the Saba island Government and the Central Government need to strictly enforce the regulations concerning the legal mesh size and the biodegradable hatch for traps to reduce the amount of ghost traps on the Saba Bank.

The lobster fishery should not be expanded; there are already concerns that the fishing effort might have reached sustainable levels of exploitation.

Continued monitoring of the fishery is needed to show clear trends on the lobster fishery exploitation level.

The Central and/or Saba Island Government should ensure that data continues to be collected and interpreted.

Fishermen should be encouraged to exploit the resources of the Bank in a sustainable manner.

Both the Central Government and the Saba island Government should conform to the inspection procedures and standards required by the EC, so that fish products can once again be legally exported to the French islands.

It is recommended that both the Central Government and the Saba island Government specify the nature of the fishing licenses per target species. The resource users should pay a fee for these licenses according to regional standards. The income generated from the fishing licenses fee can be used for management and monitoring of the fishery, whereby the resource users contribute to the management and monitoring of the stock.

Abstract:

The St. Eustatius National Marine Park conducted an Economic Valuation of St. Eustatius’ coral reef ecosystems in the fall of 2009. This attempted to put a monetary estimate on the coral reefs surrounding Statia. Coral Reefs are one of the island’s most valuable resources; they provide a livelihood through dive tourism and fishery and provide protection from large, damaging waves caused by hurricanes. In order to properly manage the coral reef ecosystem, an economic valuation is a useful tool to determine what exactly the monetary value of a coral reef is. With an attached value, better management decisions can be made to adequately protect this most precious of resources.

In order to complete the study four questionnaires were distributed. Two dealt specifically with fisheries, one with hotel accommodations, and one with dive tourism. Data was also provided by the Statia Tourism Office. Coral reefs have direct and indirect influences on a wide range of economic factors, and the generation of data was crucial to the successful completion of this study. Data was inputted into a computer program created by the World Resource Institute and which was adjusted by STENAPA to reflect Statia’s unique ecological and economic situation.

The findings of this study have outlined that Statia’s coral reef resources provide important goods and services to the economy of the island. The revenue that the resource is able to generate through coral reef associated tourism and fishery is approximately USD $11,200,454. Although this number is high, and highlights the importance of coral reefs to the island, it also suggests that there is an increased need for conservation, so that the value does not diminish. It is therefore in the best interest of Statia to incoroporate environmental economic data to: (1) Enforce land-use and development regulations in the coastal zone, (2) Enforce strict usage of anchorage areas, (3) Incorporate economic valuation into EIAs, (4) Include economic impacts in assessing fines for damages to reefs from activities such as anchoring in the reserves, oil spills etc, (5) Weigh revenues from a growing tourism industry against long-term economic losses from environmental impacts, (6) Evaluate distributional effects (“winners” and “losers”) of proposed coastal development projects, (7) Invest in Scientific Research, (8) Increase support from the private and public sector in the Marine Park Management Authority, STENAPA. 

Overall conclusions Agriculture and fisheries are small sectors on St Eustatius. Nonetheless they represent important economic activities for the island, providing many people with an additional source of income. The level of these sectors is marginal but there is a good potential for development and innovation. Investing in improved agriculture and fisheries will diversify the sources of income on the island, create new perspectives for young people and increase the (business) contacts with the surrounding islands. Practically the marginal state of both sectors represents a risk. The agricultural sector (especially the vegetable sector) has innovators that inspire people to develop new initiatives. For these innovators it is difficult to survive in the present circumstances and the enabling environment is nearly absent. It will be crucial for the development of the agricultural sector that these innovators can continue their activities and improve their production. People who are inspired by the frontrunners will be discouraged and disconnect if these innovators would cease their commercial activities. It would strengthen the local scepticism that economically viable agricultural activities are not really possible on St Eustatius. This is in contrast to its potential. The fisheries sector is quite traditional and relatively small. It does not seen to have any active innovators. The enabling environment for development is largely absent. Local fishermen feel threatened in their existence even though new development opportunities are present. The lack of active innovators and present development in the sector discourages young people to become active in the sector. Improving the enabling environment will be crucial to professionalise the sector, create new perspectives and be attractive for the next generation. Intervening in the agricultural and fishery sector will also involve some risks. Top down approaches to create new developments generally do not work. It will be essential to provide a positive environment for local people to develop entrepreneurship and innovation. Local encouragement and support will be crucial. Accept that processes are slow. Life rhythm on St. Eustatius is slower that on the mainland. Improving agriculture and fishery on St. Eustatius will and should take its time. Accept that initiatives might go wrong. Improving the sectors means taking chances; for local people and for (investing) governments. Attempts to reduce the risks are valid only if they will not reduce the extent of the improved enabling environment. The classic response to a request for development is providing budgets. For St. Eustatius this aspect is crucial but not the only prerequisite. Professional guidance is essential. It will be essential not to focus only on the production side of agriculture and fisheries but to strengthen the marketing side of the chain from the start. An imbalance will have a strong negative impact.