History, Problems and Recommended Solutions

Fisheries Data Collection in Puerto Rico and the US

Virgin Islands

Puerto Rico DNERUSVI Department of Fish and Wildlife

Caribbean Fishery Management Council NMFS Southeast Regional Office

NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science CenterMRAG Americas, Inc.

40 years of Data CollectionPuerto Rico data collection began in 1967;

USVI data collection began in 1974Commercial data only, some recreational data

in PR beginning in 2000Landings by individual species submitted on

fish tickets in PRLandings by species groups submitted on

CCRs in USVIPort agents collect some species information

and lengths

FrustrationFishermen and port samplers have collected

40 years of data, but it has not been used for management

Conventional stock assessments attempted 9 times since 2003, but were unsuccessful

Existing data MIGHT be useful for assessing or setting catch limits for only a few stocks

Fishermen and managers alike want to find ways to use the data already collected AND collect new types of data

Why do we need to change the data collection methods?

Need consistency and uniformity – keys to good data!

Without good data, the Annual Catch Limits will be set lower to account for uncertainty

Timely data will allow for better management, prevent quota overages, and minimize disruptions

Want fishermen, port samplers and managers to feel like their hard work has a purpose

Problems with current data collection system - PR

There is a number of unreported catch (48% of landings for whole island); varies by coasts

Catch reports not fast enough for in-season management

Do not have accurate estimate of effort by species

What we recommend - PRAddress non-reporting – improve correction

factorObjective – Determine numbers of non-

reporters by fishing port and seasonIntensive survey for one year, then lower level

of monitoring in following years.Repeat intensive survey every 5 years or so

New plan for port monitoringPort Agents continue conducting surveys of

landed catch to validate fishermen reportsMore bio-samples (length, weight, age), spread

among all ports

Initial List of Overfished and Predominant Species by Gear

Species PR STT/STJ STX

Silk Snapper (OF) Trap / H&L Trap / H&L

Parrotfish (OF) Trammel Net Trap / (Spear)

Queen Snapper H&L H&L

Yellowtail Snapper

H&L / (Trap) ? Trap / H&L / (Seine)

Lane Snapper Trap / H&L / (Gillnet)

Trap

White Grunt Trap / Trammel Net Trap Trap / H&L

Hogfish Spear-SCUBA Trap

Red Hind H&L / Trap / (Spear)

H&L / Trap Trap / H&L / Spear

Coney Grouper Further investigation needed

Queen Triggerfish Further investigation needed

TimelinessCurrently one month reporting period in all

islandsLag of two to four weeks after end of reporting

period before catch is reportedWant weekly reporting with one week lag

after reporting periodMay need to phase inOptions for collecting data

Drop off at agencies’ officesMailElectronic data reporting

Catch per Unit EffortNeed landings of individual species separated

by gearNeed to know where catch occurred

Area of coast (see map, next slide)Grid (5x5)Predominant depth by gear/day

Specifics for each gearNumber of units of gearMesh SizeSoak Time, etc.

Suggested Fishing Location Map (5x5)

Priorities for short termProvide management advice for selected

species within 2-7 years (PR/VI)Intensive length sampling

Enhance industry understanding and engagement (PR/VI)

Report landings by species (VI)Increase bio-sampling (VI)Increase landings reporting by dealers (PR)Estimate non-reporting by time and area

(PR)Validate landing reports (PR/VI)Enhance enforcement (PR/VI)

Priorities for long termLife history sampling

Aging, maturation, fecundityTrophic studies

Statistical model applicationPeriodic evaluation of program designOngoing monitoringMaintain sufficient reporting