Tony Iarocci, Iarocci Global Marine Caribbean Fisheries Management Council August 20, 2015 Connecting Fishermen and Fisheries Data: Using a Cooperative Gear Development Project to Improve Catch Reporting

Many Caribbean “fish” traps are designed to catch a broad range of species including lobsters Project Concept

Many Caribbean “fish” traps are designed to catch a broad range of species including lobsters When both fish and lobsters are in a trap the catch of both is reduced Project Concept

The use of more specialized traps that specifically target lobsters could increase lobster catch Lobsters are a high value species and higher catch value could provide a fishing alternative to offset declines in catch of other fish species Project Concept

Develop fishing methods to improve sustainable fishing Demonstrate the value of reporting of commercial fishery data Project Goals

Introduce alternative trap designs to increase lobster catch Work with fishermen to build and rig traps Provide prototype lobster traps to fishermen Project Activities

Introduce alternative trap designs to increase lobster catch Work with fishermen to build and rig traps Provide prototype lobster traps to fishermen Train fishermen to collect high quality fishery dependent data Build confidence in the value of data to improve fishery knowledge Project Activities

Nagubo, PR Rincón, PR Geraldo RiveraHector Benitez Jonathan GiaveronRichard Sanchez José MontanezMiguel Vallé Gilberto DelgadoEssan Bodillo Brando GomezJosé Vallé José RiveraNelson Crespo Angel FigueroaGello Vargas Santiago Gomez Miguel Cruz Yolando Figueroa St Thomas, USVI St Croix, USVI Winston LedeeTom Daley Tony BlanchardNicky Martinez Gregory LedeeHomer Kelly Daryl Bryant Project Locations and Fishermen

Variations of Florida lobster trap –Biodegradable material –Escape vents Trap Designs

Variations of Florida lobster trap –Biodegradable material –Escape vents Partial Wood Trap Designs

Variations of Florida lobster trap –Biodegradable material –Escape vents Partial Wood Variations Trap Designs

Data Collection Trap Data Catch per trap Discards per trap First 25 traps Local traps and Florida traps

Data Collection Trap Data Catch per trap Discards per trap First 25 traps Local traps and Florida traps Lobster Data First lobsters Trap type Location Lobster sex, size, and eggs

Data Analysis Potential Trap Data Compare catch in each trap type Compare value of catch –Annually –Per trip Total catch –Bycatch –Discards Lobster Data Lobster size structure –Related to sustainable fishing –Indicator of potential harvest Trap selectivity Lobster reproduction Lobster mortality

Data Collection 4 Fishermen 21 Trips 578 Traps 722 Lobsters

Additional Alternative Gear Escape vents

Additional Alternative Gear Gill Nets Ballyhoo Nets