Queen conch (Strombus gigas) Status of the Queen Conch fishery

Description of the TCI Industry  Introduction  History and Background  Management  Issues and Concerns  Solutions

Introduction

From subsistence to commercial fishing Subsistence $$$$$$ Commercial Late 1800s began to dry for export to Haiti Lasted until 1950s - large scale freezers introduced

Fishing Methods Skiff-type Vessels Free-diving Only Co-fishing with Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Managing the Fishery Legislation, Quotas, Protected Areas and Closed Seasons Regulations in place since 1941 Quota system implemented in 1994 based on TAC Closed seasons July 15 th to October 15 th 35 Protected Areas – Almost 1/3 of all TCI area Size regulations Minimum shell length of 7 inches Total weight to exceed 8 oz.

Yearly Quota 2012 Quota = 800,000

Issues and Concerns Hurricanes Ike and Hannah

Issues and Concerns Lack of Critical Data Last Visual Survey 2001 Local Consumption Analysis did not include restaurants dated Loss of US Export Market – Adding conch to the US Endangered Species List

Issues and Concerns IUU Fishing Poaching by foreign nationals  Large “mother ships” with numerous smaller craft  Hooka and scuba Small percentage of illegal fishing by local fishers Undersize conch-  7” shell length  8 ounces conch meat  Possibly exacerbated by shell trade

Enforcement Issues Lack of financial resources – gasoline, boat repair Insufficient personnel due to budget cuts and restructuring Key personnel departed within past 12 months  PS, director and deputy,  2 senior scientific officers,  2 senior conservation officers  7 conservation officers  Limited enforcement personnel - existing policies/regulations cannot be enforced fully.  Lack of Scientific personnel - significant lapses in data collection and analysis.

Solutions Urgently-needed studies, funding has been applied for: Visual Survey Local Consumption Study Precautionary principle. TAC is set at approximately 50% of MSY until above studies can be conducted. Explore and expand to EU market. TCI radar station – Online and functioning as of August, Legislative overhaul – establish maturity rather than size-based restrictions. Labor restructuring and recruitment.

Thank You