Bahamas National Report
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Transcript of Bahamas National Report
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BAHAMAS NATIONAL REPORT
By Lester Gittens & Michael BraynenDept. of Marine Resources,Govt. of The Bahamas
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DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY
LITTLE BAHAMA BANK
GREAT BAHAMA BANK
NASSAU
Over 100,000 km2 of shallow water
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DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCH FISHERY
•Conch fishery is 2nd-3rd most important fishery
•Employs over 9,000 fishers
•Utilizes over 4,000 small vessels
•Conch caught by free diving and with compressors
•>60% of landings during April-July
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POLICY AND LEGISLATION•Fishery Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act 1977
•Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations 1986
•Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act 2004
•5yr (2010-2014) Strategic Plan
•Commercial fisheries reserved for Bahamian citizens
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POLICY AND LEGISLATION•Dept of Marine Resources has primary responsibility for management
•Multiple agencies conduct enforcement-Defence Force Officers -Customs Officers-Police Officers -Agriculture Officers
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DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
•Aquaculture sector targeted for development
•Multiple aquaculture ventures have received approvals and duty free concessions
•No successful long-term ventures
•Past failures currently under review
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FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
•Use of SCUBA for commercial fishing prohibited
•Limitations on the use of compressed air
•Expanding network of marine protected areas – conch surveyed in two
•Conch export quota system-limits landings
•Dept. of Marine Resources- CITES Scientific Authority
•Dept. of Agriculture – CITES Management Authority
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CONSUMPTION & TRADE
•Most conch consumed locally- 1.3kg/capita/yr•Virtually all exports to USA (99% in 2011)
Queen Conch Landings and Exports
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CONSUMPTION & TRADE
•Increase in value to >$3million
Value of Exports
0
500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
3000000
3500000
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Year
Valu
e ($
US)
*2009 data unavailable
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ANNUAL CATCH STATISTICS•Collected by trip interviews •Supplemented by purchase reports submitted by processing plants that are located on most islands with major fishing communities•Data collected: total weight of conch landed, the local value of landings, landings by major-island and fishing effort • Commercial export amounts and value are also recorded
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RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS•5 density surveys conducted since 2009
•Represents small portion of conch occurrence and fishing grounds
•1Berry Islands:-• decline in juvenile densities compared to a 1987 study•Conch present in a new MPA- inadequate for reproduction
1Stoner et al 2009
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SURVEY SITES
SW Abaco
AndrosExuma Cays LSP
Lee S. Island
Berry Islands
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RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS•2Andros –low reproduction taking place
• adult densities of 118/ha in small area•dominated by “samba” conch in higher density areas
• 3Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park- 10% of adults were reproducing
•Densities 6% lower in a shelf area•69% lower in a bank area between 2011 and 1994
2Stoner and Davis 2010 3 Stoner et al 2011
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RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS
•3At Lee Stocking Island- very low densities• 91% decline since 1991
•SW Abaco soon to be released•Other research- the relationship between lip thickness, maturity and the presence of a flared lip
•4Juveniles not adequately protected in most Caribbean countries
•Multiple contributors: Community Conch, Bahamas Government, BNT,TNC
3 Stoner et al 2011 4Stoner et al 2012
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FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
•Recent progress made
•Recent surveys and research have provided a basis for improved management