Declining fish catches in the Caribbean

It is calling for renewed attention to the declining trend in fish catches of some important commercial fisheries species including the valuable Caribbean spiny lobster and several important reef species, and urges action in support of the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

At the fifth session of the WECAFC Scientific Advisory Group, which took place in Puerto Morelos, Mexico on 28-29 October, the SAG made recommendations for reinforcing cooperation between different regional and sub-regional fishery bodies by forming joint working groups and strengthening the activities and functioning of various existing working groups composed of regional experts in their fields.

These included, among others: the establishment of an OSPESCA /WECAFC/CRFM Working Group on Spiny Lobster and the strengthening of the CRFM/WECAFC Working Group on Flying Fish in the Eastern Caribbean. In relation to Queen Conch the SAG noted that good progress had been made in several countries in recent years in management of the Conch, aided by the involvement of CITES. Nevertheless, the situation needs to be carefully monitored and there is need for improvement in a number of countries in the region.

The SAG recommended that knowledge of the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the priority given to it should be raised, and said that public media could make a valuable contribution to this.

The following research priorities were mentioned, aimed at improving current fisheries resource assessment and management:

• Comprehensive fisheries assessment
• Building capacity for research, assessment and management
• Aquaculture development and management
• Incorporating social, economic and livelihood considerations
• Impacts of climate change and variability on fisheries
• Governance of marine resources incorporating ecosystem approaches