Status of the Fishing Industry

Transcription

1 BELIZE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT Status of the Fishing Industry Mauro Gongora, MSc. Coordinator -Capture Fisheries Unit Belize City, Belize. June 8, State of the Coastal Zone Summit 2012

2 Early history of lobster fishery/fisheries industry Late 1940s, Jesuit Priest, Father Marion Ganey discussed creation of a fishing cooperative in CC. By 1949, Colonial Government recognized importance of lobster exports imposed export duties and issued export licenses. In early1950, B.H. Seafood Ltd -John Bilnik (USA) and Guy Nord (Bze) bought lobster at 7 cents /lb Caribbean Queen Seafoods - Ernest Baker (USA) and George Alamilla and Alfonzo Gutierrez (Bze). Price war started price went up to 17 cents/lb 2 companies merge and then acquired by Colony Club Fisheries - Harrison Courtney (Bze). Late 1950, del Caribe Fisheries Ed Devorak (USA) Club Colony sold out to Del Caribe Monopoly created, Caye Caulker fishermen dissatisfied. Late 1950s Louis Sylvester member of legislative assembly encouraged fishermen to form fishermen cooperative. Henry usher, then Registrar of Cooperatives visited the island and advised on cooperative formation. Canadian expert instrumental in the formation of the new cooperative. On September 5,1960, Caye Caulker fishermen formed Northern Fishermen Cooperative Soc. Ltd By 1970, five fishing cooperative joined to form the Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association (BFCA). Main commodities currently produced: Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), Queen conch (Strombus gigas), Finfish (Lutjanidae spp., Carangidae spp., Scombridae spp., Carchahinidae spp., and Serranidae spp.)

3 Socio-economic importance of Belize s fishing industry Belize s fishing industry is ranked 5 th in the national economy. Total fishery export earnings increased by 20% in 2011 from $21.59 million in 2010 to million in Fishing Industry contributes 2.2% of GDP (2010 estimate). Coastal communities such as Corozal, Sarteneja, Chunox, Copper Bank, Caye Caulker, Belize City, Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Placencia, Mango Creek, Monkey River and Punta Gorda are highly dependent on fishing.

4 General trend in number of fishermen and boat licenses No. of licensed fishermen increased by 88%, from 1369 in 1997 to 2,582 in Some 12,910 Belizeans are direct beneficiaries of the industry). No. of licensed fishing vessels decreased by 23%, from 1977 in 2007 to 752 in Fishers employ larger vessels in fishing operations at present.

5 Beneficiaries of the fishing industry Some 12,910 Belizeans are direct beneficiaries of the industry. In addition, up to 1000 Belizean workers may be employed in the processing, marketing, service industry and other sectors.

6 Number of fishermen and boats employed in the fishing industry ( )

7 Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Fishery Most important fishery in Belize. Fishery is considered stable however, no additional fishing effort is recommended. Catch landings in 2011 = 611,160 pounds (an increase of 22% compared to 2010). Exports = 557,320 lbs (an increase of 28.4% compared to 2010). Earnings = $16.85 million (an increase of 29.7% compared to 2010).

8

9 SPINY LOBSTER LENGTH - FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION FOR BELIZE (2009) Carapace length (CL): Males: mm. Mean length: 83.8mm Females: mm for females. Mean length: 79.9mm for Sex ratio = 1 male:1 female

10 Possible age structure of lobster population ( ) Two-year old lobsters (73.53mm mean length) represented the largest proportion in the data set accounting for 63% Three-year old lobsters (89.19mm mean length) accounted for 37% Percentage of older age groups (4, 5 and 6) were negligible.

11

12

13 Whole Lobster_Mt Whole Lobster Production Trend from mature senescent developing undeveloped Year

14 POUNDS US DOLLARS LOBSTER EXPORTS (Lbs) and EARNINGS (US$) FOR ,000 10,000, ,000 9,000,000 8,000, ,000 7,000, ,000 6,000, ,000 5,000, , ,000 Lobster tails Value (US$) 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000, ,000 1,000, YEAR

15 Queen conch (Strombus gigas) Second most important fishery Fishery showing growing tendency but should not be taken as increase in stock size as it only reflects increase in fishing effort. No additional fishing effort is being recommended for this fishery. Conch meat catch landings - 856,424 lbs (increase of 21.4% compared to 2010). Export - 791,350 lbs (increase of 8.9% compared to 2010). Export earnings - $8.18 million (increase of 2.4% compared to 2010).

16 0 100, , , , , , , , , VOLUME (Lbs) YEAR CONCH MEAT CATCH LANDINGS

17 Frequency Belize Queen conch population structure (2010) Cohort 2 + Cohort 1 + Legal size (>178mm) Shell Length, mm

18 Frequency 800 Queen conch abundance by shell length per survey site GRMR LBC 500 GSSCMR SCMR 400 GC GP GS 300 CCHAP CCMR HCMR 200 OBCMR BCMR SWCMR Conch length (mm)

19 Shell length (mm) 350 Queen conch growth curve for Belize (2010) n= K t t0 1 L L e t Age (yrs)

20 Frequency Belize Queen Conch Age Composition (2010) n= Age (yrs) Age Frequency % Composition

21 Biomass x 1000 (Lbs) Estimation of conch MSY for Belize using the Fox Model 2, , , , , , MSY= MB c exp((y c /MB c )-1) Precautionary Approach = 75% of MSY = 807,377 lbs M (Natural Mortality) B c = Current biomass estimate Y c = Total catch (last year) M = Natural mortality rate

22 Biomass x 1000 (Lbs) Estimation of conch MSY for Belize using the Schaefer model MSY= (MB c ) 2 / (2MB c Y c ) 1000 Precautionary Approach = 75% of MSY = 933,349 lbs M (Natural Mortality) B c = Current biomass estimate Y c = Total catch (last year) M = Natural mortality rate

23

24 In 2010 and 2011, renewed efforts by the private sector has sought to re-activate the finfish fishery in southern Belize. Development of deep slope fishery is a priority of the FD, to diversify the industry, create employment and reduce pressure on traditional fisheries.

25

26 Protection of Nassau grouper spawning aggregation sites In 2002, 11 spawning aggregation sites declared as protected areas. In 2012 slow rebuilding of grouper populations continues. Currently no fishing for grouper at spawning sites. Fishermen target other species such as mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) during May July.

27 New management tools being implemented in fisheries management in Belize Managed Access: Sustainable fisheries and sustainable livelihoods

28 What is Managed Access? Licensing system that would limit access to fishing within the general use of the Marine Reserve project site. (Traditional use) Includes a rigorous data collection and enforcement component to inform management and enhance fishermen performance Promotes fishermen compliance since they benefit directly from their good behavior Creates the opportunity for fishermen to be involved in management of the marine reserves where they fish.

29 Where in Belize? Reserva marina de Glover s Reserva marina de Port Honduras

30 NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHING CAPACITY FOR BELIZE (NPOA CAPACITY ) A) Management of fishing capacity: Considered as the central problem for sustainability in fisheries Limitations exist in terms of fishing policies, strategic planning and fisheries management. B) Management of the capability of fishing: Lack of technical, legal, institutional frameworks and specialized necessary human resources. C) NPOA seeks to manage the fisheries sector to ensure that the extraction of the fishery resources is sustainable. The plan considers the biological, cost, social and legal aspects that have an impact on the fisheries and the people that depend from the fishery resources. D) NPOA promotes transparency, participation of stakeholders, conservation of the resources, gradual continuous implementation and regional harmonization for fisheries management.

31 The coastal marine protected areas network system is a valuable fisheries management tool.

32 FISHERY BENEFITS OF MARINE RESERVES Increased spawning stock biomass provides greater replenishment Spillover enhances local catches Offers insurance against uncertainty Increased predictability of catches Reduced problems of multi-species management Easier enforcement Greater equity among fishers Greater public understanding of management

33 New Regulations Fish Traps Hicatee and Nets Welks Sharks

34 THANK YOU