CARIBBEAN REGIONAL FISHERIES CARIBBEAN REGIONAL FISHERIES MECHANISMMECHANISM

Queen Conch Fisheries Status and Queen Conch Fisheries Status and Management in CRFM Member StatesManagement in CRFM Member States

Workshop of the CFMC/WECAFC/CITES/OSPESCA/CRFM

Working Group on Queen ConchPanama City, Panama

18 – 20 November 2014

Re-Cap 2012 MeetingRe-Cap 2012 Meeting

History and aims of CARICOMCARICOM Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management ProgrammeEstablishment of Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (2002)General initiatives in fisheries management

Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) – confirmed by Council for Trade and Economic Development as Community policy document – 10 October 2014

2010 Castries (St Lucia) Declaration on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Technical Working Groups – Conch and Lobster Resources and Data, Methods and Training –

support for national statistical database development and management, stock assessment, capacity-building

Specific initiatives in Conch Fishery Management Support for developing use of under water visual surveys Queen conch fishery assessments – broaden management advice – economic

information under alternative stock biological scenarios considered Two project proposals – ACP Fish II Programme

CRFM-OSPESCA Joint Action Plan – approved by Ministers in September 2012

Achievements since 2012 Achievements since 2012 MeetingMeeting

Training in under water visual survey methods for evaluation of stock status (June-Aug 2013 – ACP Fish II Programme)• Theory – Queen conch biology, ecology,

conservation, habitat requirements, regional connectivity;

• Theoretical & practical - sampling design, sampling methodologies, safety at sea - mock surveys off The Grenadines (Union Island, Mayreau, Palm Island, and the Tobago Keys Marine Park )

• Data analysis - estimation of overall densities (adults and juveniles), total population size,/ biomass and determination of TACs (CITES guidelines);

• National strategies developed for conch fisheries independent surveys in Jamaica, Belize, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda;

• Report - fisheries independent approaches for assessment of queen conch -training manual on underwater visual survey techniques – mock survey results and recommendations

Achievements since 2012 Achievements since 2012 MeetingMeeting

Support to improve and harmonize the scientific approaches required to inform sustainable management of queen conch (2013 – ACP Fish II Programme)

• 5 Case Studies - The Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada and Haiti - fishery description, harvest strategy, available data, assessment and analysis, management system & options, decision-making process, conclusions and recommendations;

• Regional review of scientific and management approaches to the management of queen conch;

• Regional Management Options Paper - basis for a regional queen conch management plan by CARICOM states – endorsed by Forum and Ministerial Council in 2014 – consistent with report of QC Expert Workshop in 2012, Panama Declaration & CITES Resolution (COP-16 of March 2013)

Achievements since 2012 Achievements since 2012 MeetingMeeting

Data Collection

•Develop regional conversion factors;•Develop a catch document system;•Improve data management;•Require mandatory reporting by processors, buyers and sellers;

•Improve trip sampling;•Improve fishing effort data; •Sample standard biological data from landings

Data Analysis

•Develop an operating model;•Develop and share conch assessment tools;•Independent expert review of the harvest strategy;•Spatial and habitat data collection and analysis;•Socio-economic analysis of conch fisheries

Management

•Draft regional CRFM regulations for : meat weight; lip thickness; shell length; closed season;

•Fisheries management plans completed;•Develop harvest control rules in all fisheries

Regional Management Options

for Queen Conch

Achievements since 2012 Achievements since 2012 MeetingMeeting

Petition of Wild Earth Guardians to have Queen Conch listed as an endangered or threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act• Consolidation and presentation of recent information on status and management of fishery

in CRFM Member States• Regional position paper - 2012• Representation at CARICOM/United States Trade and Investment Meeting in 2013• Leading to US Gov’t decision on 3rd November 2014 – “ Queen Conch not currently in danger

of extinction throughout all or significant portions of its range…” not listed under ESA

2014 CRFM Scientific Meeting• Jamaica – analysis of fisheries-dependent data (2013 catch, effort, CPUE data from log

sheets) and fisheries independent data (visual abundance survey for 2011) – to establish 2014 TAC - Reviewed by RSWG

• The Bahamas & Belize – preliminary estimation of factors for converting from whole weight to exported weight in compliance with CITES COP 16 – ascertain whether conversions factor vary by area and feasibility of regional conversion factor

Description of FisheriesDescription of FisheriesTwo types:

1. Largest operations (catches) • single mother ship – set of smaller catcher boats – trips of several days• mainly diving with SCUBA (or free diving) – 20 to 40 divers• catch processed at sea, conch landed already cleaned and frozen• vessels associated with processing plants - major export markets – some local consumption

Examples – Jamaican Pedro Bank fishery – similar type of operation to lesser extent in the Bahamas and Belize

2. Smaller artisanal vessels (most widespread)• operate from landing sites on one day trips • crew of 2-3 fishers • fibreglass vessels with fast outboard engines • diving with SCUBA or free diving • target conch specifically or catch opportunistically alongside lobster and finfish – target

conch during lobster closed season (eg Bahamas and TCI) • meat landed uncleaned but without shell• most islands have a fisheries purely for local consumption – landings at wide number of

sites in small quantities – some export to other islands

Statistics: Annual Catch (t)Statistics: Annual Catch (t)WECAFC Area 31 – FAO FishStatJWECAFC Area 31 – FAO FishStatJ

Statistics : Verification of FAO Statistics : Verification of FAO StatisticsStatistics

Country Verification with FAO Data Proposed changes – processing grade and conversion factor(s) applied

Use and processing of shells, opercula and pearls

Barbados Unable to verify FAO statistics; Conch not fully captured in official data collection system; crude estimate of current landings is between 7.64 and 13.43 mt – suggesting that FAO statistics for recent years are likely under-estimates

Shells marketed by roadside vendors, majority likely exported (personal allowance); no known use of opercula or shell for jewellery-making

St Vincent Estimated annual total catch from 1990 to 2010 provided; these appear to match FAO Statistics if conversion factor of 7.5 applied but with slight deviations in 1990 and 2002 and significant deviation in 1993

Jamaica Trade in opercula (traditional medicine) initiated with China recently

TCI Shells exported to China

Statistics : Conversion FactorsStatistics : Conversion Factors

Antigua & Barbuda: Mean, Processed wt. to nominal wt. (incl. shell) for 4 stages of dev. (Horsford et al., 2012)Tissue wt. (intact animal, shell removed) - 4.96 – 5.82 (n= 1231)Shell wt. (nominal wt. – tissue wt.) – 1.22 – 1.27 (n=1231)“Dirty” meat wt. (shell and digestive gland removed) – 6.09 – 7.12 (n=1231)“Clean” meat wt. (shell, digestive gland, mantle, operculum, radula removed) – 8.60 – 10.59 (n=1231)

Barbuda: Mean, Processed wt. to nominal wt. (incl. shell) for 4 stages of dev. (Horsford et al., 2012a)Tissue wt. – 5.01 – 5.81 (n=477)Shell wt. – 1.22 – 1.26 (n=477)“Dirty” meat wt – 5.77 – 7.24 (n=477)“Clean” meat wt. – 9.22 – 10.17 (n=477)

Some countries have developed conversion factors but the exercise has not been rigorous nor standardized across various grades of processing and countries

Statistics : Conversion FactorsStatistics : Conversion Factors

Barbados: Processed wt. to nominal weight (whole live wt.) (Oxenford, 2014 – national report)“Dirty” meat wt. (g; shell removed) = 0.1377 * Nominal weight + 178.66 – (n=231; R2 = 0.4136)85-90% Clean meat wt = 0.0852 * Nominal weight + 53.867 – (n=27; R2 = 0.7061)

Barbados: “Dirty” meat weight to nominal (live) weight (Perez, 2014)4.8 (n= 231)

The Bahamas: Processed wt. to live wt. without shell (MRAG, 2013)Skinned Conch – 1.79 (n=874; 56% live weight)Conch Meat – 2.60 (n=53; 38% live weight)Trimmings – 7.16 (n=53; 13% live weight)

The Bahamas: Exported meat weight to whole weight (incl shell) (10th ASM Report of RSWG)Ranges between 12.5 and 16.7 (n=260; across 4 fishing grounds)

Belize: Exported meat weight to whole weight (incl shell) (10th ASM Report of RSWG)Ranges between 12.5 and 14.9 (n=195; across 3 fishing grounds)

Belize: “Dirty” meat weight to nominal (live) weight (Perez, 2014)3.5 (n=400)

Statistics : Data Collection SystemStatistics : Data Collection SystemCountry Total Catch or

LandingsCatch & Effort Export Biological Survey & Mapping

The Bahamas

Processing plants since 1988 – submission of electronic records since 2011; extent of unrecorded catch unknown

Trip interviews in New Providence since 1988 (not used to estimate total catch)

√ Size composition at Grand Bahama, New Providence and Abaco in 1997-98; sporadic shell size sampling - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

Several, (5 since 2009) -small proportions of Banks area; recorded density and spawning observations mainly by local NGOs– DMR does not have the data

GIS being developed descriptive info on main fishing grounds

Belize Landings reported by Cooperatives (1977-2012) covers commercial component; local consumption component not captured but likely small

Cooperatives report (2000 to 2005) ; Effort data to be calibrated

Managed Access Program – since Jul 2011 – daily trip interviews at 2 pilot sites

Monthly reports of quantity and value provided by cooperatives since 2005

1996, 1997, 1999 – shell length, total wt, meat wt by sex & maturity

Random sampling of exported conch meat weight (2005-2012)

Several surveys since 1996 – to evaluate harvest strategy – extensive mapping data on barrier reef & surrounding habitats in GIS - Surveys every 2 years since 2003-2004 to assess natural population and estimate quotas

Jamaica Logbook system √ Monthly data collection (weight, length, sex, maturity)

Visual abundance surveys in 1994; 1997; 2002; 2007; 2011

Turks & Caicos Is

Catch data since 1887; Effort data since 1970s . Currently data from 5 Class A processing plants

Since 1800, exports to Haiti

* Note 2010 socio –economic survey

2001 and 2013 Visual abundance surveys

Statistics : Data Collection SystemStatistics : Data Collection SystemCountry Total Catch Catch & Effort Export Biological Survey &

Mapping

Antigua & Barbuda

√ √ √ Weight, sex, maturity, economic data

Barbados Currently no effective system for capturing data on Queen Conch

Not applicable

Movement patterns, behaviour and reproductive biology (Bissada-Gooding and Oxenford 2010, Phillips et al. 2011, Bissada 2012)

Fishery-independent abundance surveys (Oxenford et al. 2010, Valles and Oxenford 2012)

Grenada Estimated from recorded data by applying a raising factor – scientific basis for raising factor unknown

Trip interviews at 6 markets (marketing Division); FD gets weekly total landings not linked to effort. Landings at secondary sites not captured

√ 1996 to 1998 (N=600) - total weight (shell and meat), shell length, lip thickness, meat weight, and sex. Recent attempts to estimate mean weight of conch landed at Grenville market.

None

Haiti No data collection systems

1995, 2007, 2009

St Lucia Estimated from trip interview programme and census data

Trip interview programme (random, stratified sampling)

√ Individuals per hectare, Socio-economic survey, shell length, lip thickness, total weight (live weight), dirty meat weight

2008 (King-Joseph et al. 2008)

St Vincent & Grenadines

Trip interview programme - random, stratified sampling at 7 zones (36 landing sites, 10;20;30)

Trip interview programme (random, stratified sampling)

√ None ? None

Statistics : Data Collection SystemStatistics : Data Collection System

Total catch and catch and effort data •Processors - exporters & cooperatives – purchase receipts – successful in large establishments and central markets•Trip interview programmes – routine – where exist provide good quality data – in some cases random stratified system along with census and other data allow for estimation of total landings•Logbook system – from large-scale vessels (Jamaica)•Challenges to capture fisheries mainly for local consumption – in some cases conch landings sites are not well captured by national fisheries statistical data collection systems.Export data•Processors and exporters play a key role•CITES permitting system allows for data capture•National authorities with responsibility for trade and customs and excise

Statistics : Data Collection SystemStatistics : Data Collection System

Biological data•Some data collected associated with specific research programmes•Few countries have ongoing programmes – Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda collect on regular basis •Some countries collect data sporadically •Belize samples exportsSocio-economic•Most countries do no have such a programme•TCI conducted economic survey in 2010•Antigua and Barbuda collects such data routinely•Saint Lucia conducted socio-economic survey in 2008

Surveys•Belize and Jamaica depend on abundance information from visual surveys to assess conch stocks – standard, well developed method to collect information on biomass, density and stock structure.

Policy and LegislationPolicy and LegislationCountry UNCLOS UN Fish

Stocks Agreement

FAO Compliance Agreement

CITES CBD SPAW Protocol

FAO Port States

Measures Agreement

Anguilla 25 Jul 1997* 10 Dec 2001* √* √* -

Antigua & Barbuda 02 Feb 1989 √ √ -

Barbados 12 Oct 1993 22 Sep 2000 √ √ √ √ -

Belize 13 Aug 1983 14 Jul 2005 √ √ √ -

The Bahamas 29 Mar 1983 16 Jan 1997 √ √ √ -

Dominica 24 Oct 1991 - - √ √ - -

Grenada 15 Apr 1991 - - √ √ √ -

Guyana 16 Nov 1991 √ √ √ -

Haiti 31 Jul 1996 - √ -

Jamaica 21 Mar 1983 √ √ -

Montserrat 25 Jul 1997* 10 Dec 2001* √* √* -

St Kitts & Nevis 07 Jan 1993 √ √ -

Saint Lucia 27 Mar 1985 09 Aug 1996 √ √ √ √ -

Saint Vincent & Grenadines 01 Oct 1993 29 Oct 2010 - √ √ √ -

Suriname 09 Jul 1998 √ √ -

Trinidad & Tobago 25 Apr 1996 13 Sep 2006 - √ √ √ -

Turks & Caicos Is. 25 Jul 1997* 10 Dec 2001* √ * √* -

Policy and LegislationPolicy and Legislation

• Conch fishery policy guided by CITES requirements in all countries– All countries have a national CITES Committee –review CITES issues – conch being one;– Oftentimes Committee Members do not have experts in fisheries science and are

inexperienced in fisheries issues – rely on inputs of fisheries departments– Committees should review science and decision-making– Need to evaluate management performance of countries involved in trade

• CCCFP (2014) and Castries Declaration (2010) – general management and conservation, MCS etc.

• Current fisheries legislation makes provisions for – Licensing and registration (local and foreign)– Fisheries research– Fish processing and export licensing– Range of conservation measures and regulations– EnforcementSome cases legislation being updated – most legislation make adequate

provision for good management practicebut resources are limited for implementation

Policy and LegislationPolicy and Legislation

• Harmonised OECS Fisheries Legislation• National Conch Fishery Management Plans (Drafts)

– Most countries do not have a specific FMP except – – Jamaica (1994); Belize (2007) and Barbados (2009)- Plans in draft with partial implementation

• Need for well-defined harvest control rules – not yet applied in conch fisheries

• IUU an issue in some countries – Antigua and Barbuda and Belize have developed NPOAs

Fisheries Management & ConservationFisheries Management & Conservation

Measure Bahamas Belize Jamaica TCIEffort limits/Access control

Special permits *Proposed max 2,000 licensed fishers and 800 licensed boats

√ (permit)

VMS √

Minimum Size Can land only conch with flared lip

Min. shell length – 7 ins (178 mm)Partially processed conch meat –3.0 oz. Fully processed conch meat (fillet)– 2.75 oz.

√ shell length of < 180 mm or no flared lip & meat weight < 225 g without digestive gland prohibited;

Catch/ Export Quota

√ (36% landings in 2011) √ (C&E; C not to exceed 70% MSY); depends on compliance of processors;

√ (C&E); HCR - individual non-transferable quotas

√ (C&E)

Closed Season None 01 Jul.- 30 Sept. 31 Jul to 01 Feb Jul.-Oct.

Closed Areas √ √ protected in 8 marine reserves Industrial vessels prohibited from fishing in coastal areas and > 30m

2 protected areas

Gear controls √ SCUBA prohibited; hookah allowed only between 30 and 60 feet; No compressed air allowed 1st April-30th July

√ (use of compressed air prohibited)

Prohibition of SCUBA not possible – viable fishery depends on expl > 10m

√ (use of compressed air prohibited)

Other Possession of diced conch meat prohibited

Rec. fishery limited to 3 conch/pers/day

Fisheries Management & ConservationFisheries Management & ConservationMeasure Antigua &

BarbudaGrenada Haiti St Kitts &

NevisSt Lucia St Vincent &

GrenadinesEffort limits 2006 Regs – limited

entry –special permits

VMS

Minimum Size shell length of < 180 mm or no flared lip & meat weight < 225 g without digestive gland prohibited; min. shell lip thickness of 5mm

Min. shell length – 178 mm; min. meat wt - 225g; flared lip

Prohibit harvest without well-formed lip

shell length of < 180 mm or no flared lip & meat weight < 225 g without digestive gland prohibited;

shell length of < 180 mm or no flared lip & meat weight < 225 g without digestive gland prohibited;

Harvest of shells

< 180 mm (7”) or no flared lip & meat weight < 225 g without digestive gland prohibited

Export Quota

Closed Season √ July-August July-August

Closed Areas √

(protected areas)

MPAs protect nursery areas - <1% habitat

10 Marine Conservation Areas (9 in Grenadines)

Gear controls √ prohibit use of hookah in

protected areas

Use of SCUBA and hookah prohibited

Use of SCUBA and hookah authorised by permit

Landings should be whole (with shell)

Fisheries Management & ConservationFisheries Management & Conservation

• Effort Limits– Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda - apply catch and effort controls –

special permit system – Most countries - commercial fishing license is required to fish– Vessel registers sometimes not within control of Fisheries Departments– Active licensing system required for direct control of effort

• Vessel Monitoring System– Only Jamaica implements– Useful for combating IUU fishing but may be cost prohibitive– Appropriate systems for smaller vessels being investigated

• Minimum Size– Most countries have such a measure – but most cases applies to shell– Appears little or no enforcement of regulation – shell is not landed – no at-sea

monitoring– Size limits evaluated in Belize and the Bahamas only

Fisheries Management & ConservationFisheries Management & Conservation

• Export Quota– Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Belize have export quotas– Enforcement at point of export and import to USA

• Closed Season– Widely but not universally used– In many countries conch targeted during lobster closed season (Bahamas & TCI)– TCI imposed closed season during lobster season to ensure conch quota

continues through lobster closed season• Closed Areas

– Applied with varying degrees of success in a few countries (eg Belize, Bahamas)– In some cases protected areas not established for specific purpose of

conservation of Queen Conch– Monitoring is an issue

• Gear Controls– Prohibition of use of compressed air in some countries – prevents exploitation of

population in deeper waters – lower spawning stock mortality

Fisheries Management & ConservationFisheries Management & Conservation

Effectiveness of Measures – Most cases not evaluated – inadequate data & information

Recent increases in catch levels Size limits evaluated – effectiveClosed areas – success - sig. biomass and important habitats protectedBan compressed air – appears effective in reducing mortality of spawning stock in deeper waters

Sig. reduction in catch, effort, legal fishing mortality rate(from 0.22 per year in 1994 to 0.04 per year in 2011)

Recent declines in catch rates (high mortality from hurricane; habitat destruction) Ban compressed air – appears effective in reducing mortality of spawning stock in deeper waters

Recent increases in catch levels Size limit: flared lip req’t – possibly below size at maturity – effects on fishery & population not evaluatedClosed areas – do not appear to offer sig. protection – reports of declining abundance within MPAs – likely proportion of stock protected is too small to be effective

Consumption and TradeConsumption and TradeCountry Consumption (kg per

capita per year)Trade (I: imports and E:exports; volume and value)

Trade markets (I: import; E: Export)

Non-Detriment Findings

Belize About 5% of catches consumed locally

Exports E: US is main market ?

The Bahamas Majority of conch consumed locally - 1.3 kg

Exports since 1992 E: 99% to US and rest to Canada ?

Jamaica ? Exports E: mainly the EU ?

Turks & Caicos Is ? Exports E: mainly US ?

Antigua & Barbuda

0.89kg meat; 6.67 kg live weight; 3 conch

Negligible ?

Barbados 0.03 – 0.05 (crude estimate)

No imports or exports Not applicable Not relevant

Grenada ? Exports E: other Caribbean Is; mainly TT & BAR, Martinique?I: other C’bbean Is

?

Haiti Exports

St Kitts & Nevis <30% catch consumed locally

Exports USVI, Guadeloupe, St Martin ?

St Lucia Most sold locally Exports Canada (pearls), Martinique?, personnel use trade to other countries

?

St Vincent & Grenadines

? Exports: Annual quantity provided for 1990 – 2010 (exc. 1993, 1997)

E: other Caribbean Is (Trinidad, Barbados, St Lucia), USA, England?

No report prepared between 2011 and 2014

Research & Stock AssessmentResearch & Stock Assessment

• CRFM Annual Scientific Meetings (ongoing)

• Queen Conch fisheries analyses and assessments: 2006: The Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks and

Caicos Islands 2007: Turks and Caicos Islands, St Lucia 2008: St Lucia 2009: Jamaica, Nevis, St Lucia 2010: Turks and Caicos Is 2012: Jamaica, 2014: Belize, The Bahamas, Jamaica• Stock status & management, statistics and

research recommendations• Some countries conduct research with

national, regional and international organizations and research institutions

Research & Stock AssessmentResearch & Stock AssessmentCountry Year Stock Status Data / Method Source (MRAG, 2013)

Bahamas 1998 Size-based stock assessment - not overfished.

Recent surveys suggest - stock abundance has declined, at least at some grounds close to fishing harbours.

Total catch

Meat weight catch samples

Weight based catch curve and cohort analysis

Ehrhardt and Deleveaux (1999)

Belize 2010 No evidence of stock decline

Recent abundance surveys - high stock size.

Fishing effort has increased - small increase in risk.

Total catch

Fishery independent visual survey

BCFU (2010)

Jamaica 2011 No evidence of stock decline

Recent estimated F for legal fishery < 0.05 year-1 - main concern is IUU catch.

Total catch

Fishery independent visual survey

Unpublished data

Turks and Caicos Islands

2010 Good state in 2006 - but hurricanes in 2008 appear to have reduced catch rates to historically low levels

TAC significantly reduced to allow the stock to increase

Catch and effort data

Biomass dynamics model

CRFM (2007)

CRFM (2010)

Unpublished data

St. Lucia 2008 Overfished but is not being overfished

Precautionary TAC of 30 tonnes recommended. Improved data sets on habitat and animals per hectare available that may would refine model data and the management measure recommendation.

Over 200 animals per hectare

Catch and effort data from trip interviews

Biomass dynamics model

CRFM(2009)

Research & Stock AssessmentResearch & Stock Assessment

• Barbados: several research initiatives led by the UWI, partly funded by government - to support policy development and legislation in meeting national obligations and commitments to regional and international agreements – key areas of research include:– Fishery description and marketing arrangements– Fishery-independent abundance surveys– Movement patterns– Behaviour– Reproductive behaviour and biology– Larval recruitment

• St Vincent - baseline assessment and mapping of coastal and marine resources within the South Coast Marine Conservation Area - assessment of additional and alternative livelihoods (also within the SCMCA) and an evaluation of national legal and organizational frameworks for MPA management within St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Caribbean Aqua Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) Project – contributes to achievement of target under Caribbean Challenge Initiative – 20% of marine and coastal habitats to be protected by 2020

Main Sources of InformationMain Sources of Information• 2013 Study - Support to improve and harmonize the scientific approaches

required to inform sustainable management of queen conch (MRAG, 2013 – also see references cited therein)

• CRFM Scientific Meeting Reports and other CRFM documents• National reports – Barbados and St Vincent & Grenadines (also see

references cited therein)• GCFI reports for Horsford et al., 2012• Perez, 2014