Can the CFMC Really Expect to Manage Caribbean Resources Unless Significant Changes Occur? “If you build it they will come” Have ACLs become a target for reporting rather than a landings target?

What Next? ACL’s are now in effect (only in Federal waters?). CFMC has implemented closures for ACL over runs. Why should fishermen pay for governmental errors ? – PR snapper, addition of recreational landings to commercial. – DPNR failure to implement the St. Thomas trap reduction program, we hear Federal waters to be closed if not implemented. – Grouper closure despite fishermen support and success of Hind Bank MCD, – DFW omission of species on data forms. – SEFSC data management issues? Questions remain about data being submitted and data handling once submitted. Experimental Design for port sampling-where is it? Co-management or continued Top-Down management? Just what is co-management? How to rebuild trust.

In 2006 St. Thomas Fishermen were reporting accurately

Are Landings Really Dropping? St. Croix conch in 2007 was 240,000 lbs. Now under 50,000? St. Croix parrotfish was 360,000 lbs. Now under 180,000? Fishermen ask why grouper closures when there is a virtual plague of Red Hind in the market place and Red Hind (a low risk fish) are now the most frequent source of St. Thomas Ciguatera cases in the emergency room.

Virgin Islands Spiny Lobster Landings 2007

Virgin Islands Snapper Landings 2007 St. Croix ACL 102,946 lbs. St. Thomas/St. John ACL 133,775 lbs.

St. Thomas Grouper Landings (Estimated and Reported) 2007

How to Regain Confidence in Data Rebuilding Trust on Both Sides Right now self-reporting is not working because there is no oversight. Current St. Thomas data forms were based upon reference to port sampling and there doesn’t appear to be much port sampling at present. How can ACL status be determined? Port sampling needs to be initiated by DFW not at the convenience of the fishermen. Fishermen only calling when catches are small. “Verification” sampling to supplement full port sampling. Apparent SEFSC initiative in this area.

What is Co-Management? End to “tokenism” in involving fishermen. Need to find more meaningful way for participation. Fishermen should be compensated for their time just like the government and scientific participants. Formats for shared experience with analysts and stakeholders prior to management recommendation. Sitting in a room at SEDAR does not accomplish this. End to SSC reluctance to make management recommendations. Streamlining process so that “risky” decisions can be addressed in a reasonable period and SSC/CFMC are not discouraged from taking chances. Enforce regulations on importers, not just fishermen There must also be other aspects as well.

89 mm Lobster Tail