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Bahamas National Report

By Lester Gittens & Michael Braynen Dept. of Marine Resources, Govt. of The Bahamas. Bahamas National Report. LITTLE BAHAMA BANK. NASSAU. GREAT BAHAMA BANK. Description of The Fishery. Over 100,000 km 2 of shallow water. Conch fishery is 2 nd -3 rd most important fishery

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Bahamas National Report

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  1. By Lester Gittens& Michael Braynen Dept. of Marine Resources, Govt. of The Bahamas Bahamas National Report

  2. LITTLE BAHAMA BANK NASSAU GREAT BAHAMA BANK Description of The Fishery Over 100,000 km2 of shallow water

  3. 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 Description of The Conch Fishery

  4. 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 Policy and Legislation

  5. Dept of Marine Resources has primary responsibility for management Multiple agencies conduct enforcement -Defence Force Officers -Customs Officers -Police Officers -Agriculture Officers Policy and Legislation

  6. 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 Development Activities

  7. 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 Fisheries Management & Conservation Activities

  8. Queen Conch Landings and Exports Most conch consumed locally- 1.3kg/capita/yr Virtually all exports to USA (99% in 2011) Consumption & Trade

  9. Value of Exports Increase in value to >$3million Consumption & Trade *2009 data unavailable

  10. 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 Annual Catch Statistics

  11. 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 Research & Stock Assessments 1Stoner et al 2009

  12. Survey Sites SW Abaco Berry Islands Andros Lee S. Island Exuma Cays LSP

  13. 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 Research & Stock Assessments 2Stoner and Davis 2010 3 Stoner et al 2011

  14. 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 Research & Stock Assessments 3 Stoner et al 2011 4Stoner et al 2012

  15. Recent progress made Recent surveys and research have provided a basis for improved management Final Considerations

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