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SUMMARY

Fisheries are an important source of food, income and cultural identity for Caribbean communities. While reef fisheries in the Caribbean are frequently over-exploited, offshore pelagic resources also targeted by the US sport-fishing industry may generate alternative economic benefits and divert pressure from reefs. Key to the efficient harvesting of thinly-distributed pelagic fish is the use of fish aggregation devices (FADs). Traditionally, FADs were deployed by individuals or close-knit groups of fishers. Recently, governments have deployed public FADs accessible to all. There is concern that public FADs are exploited less efficiently and produce conflicts related to crowding and misuse.

In partnership with Counterpart International, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism and the Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Fisheries Divisions, Florida Sea Grant collected information from fishermen on their use of FADs that were deployed privately, by small groups or by the government. This allowed for a determination of governance arrangements that were most profitable and provided input to stakeholder meetings with FAD fishers to identify best practices for sustainably using and co-managing FADs.

The fishing trip analysis shows that catch and profitability are higher when FADs are managed privately or by small groups and access to the aggregated fisheries resources is somewhat restricted. An engagement strategy that introduced an activity planner as a best practice to increase information sharing helped strengthen the rapport between government and fisheries stakeholders. Study results are helping shape regional implementation of policy, which favors FADs co-managed by fishers and government, but can benefit from positive aspects of FADs managed privately or by small groups.

Published in Press release

 

The Fisherfolk of Bottle and Glass village in Barrouallie, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will soon be able to catch more fish, faster than before and using less gas. This will be made possible by the placing of ‘shelters’ called Fish Aggregating Devices or FADs in the ocean. Fish are attracted to these floating structures or FADs and as they gather around them, the fishermen would find it easier to catch them. Fish that can be caught around FADs include mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, swordfish, skipjacks, dolphin and tuna.

The FADs are being developed and placed by the Caribbean Fisheries Comanagement (CARIFICO) Project which is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Fisheries Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries and Industry.

On Thursday, 3rd April 2014, a Fishers Consultation was held at the Barrouallie Fisheries Centre with a team of stakeholders as well as Japanese experts Mr. Nariaki Mikuni and Mr. Mitsuhiro Ishida. Mr. Travon Ferary, Fisheries Assistant, welcomed the group of about twelve fishermen and introduced Mr. Ishida who made a presentation on the construction of the FAD, materials to be used and methods of deployment, illustrated by colour photographs and diagrams. He emphasized the importance of choosing a good location and depth to place the FAD; where the maximum amount of fish would gather.

The fishermen requested assistance from the Fisheries Division in choosing the best site and arrangements were made for staff to accompany the fishermen out to sea the following day.  Interest in the Project is low at present, but it is hoped that the fishers who were present at the meeting would spread the word about the benefits of using a FAD. In his remarks, Mr. Mikuni appealed to the fishermen to encourage their friends to participate in the Project because the FAD will belong to them and would benefit the entire fishing community, bring more income and a better way of life for the fishers and their families.

In conclusion, the local fishermen were advised to work along with Mr. Shamal Connell, the CARIFICO Liaison Officer for the west coast and in a spirit of unity for the success of the CARIFICO Project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

 

Published in Press release
Monday, 09 December 2013 13:43

FAD Workshop Documents, 9-11 December 2013

 CRFM Review - relevant developments re FADS

Date

 

 

Author

 

Title

 2013      CRFM   REPORT OF CRFM - JICA CARIFICO / WECAFC - IFREMER MAGDELESA Workshop on FAD Fishery Management
2013     M. Haughton   Opening Remarks - Milton Haughton, Executive Director
2013     CRFM   Draft Agenda CARIFICO Workshop 9-11 Dec 2013
2013     CRFM   Information Note (Revised) CARIFICO Workshop
2013     CRFM   Press Release 1
2013     S. Singh-Renton   Recent Policy Developments of Relevance to FADs
2013     P.A. Murray   Introduction to the CRFM Website and Collaboration Tools
2013     R. van Anrooy   UN-FAO/WECAFC: Latest Developments and the 15th Session
2013     L. Walker   CLME+ Project Update: Next Steps
2013     C. Sidman   Testing an Engagement Strategy to Support Co-management of FAD
2013     H. Oxenford   UWI Research and Training Activities Relevant to FADs
2013     M. Ishida   JICA Activities for the Profitability and Sustainability of FAD Fisheries
2013     N. Mikuni   Design of FAD, CARIFICO
2013     M. Ishida   CARIFICO Approach to Co-management
2013     M. Vargas   Belize Country Report
2013     H. Simon   Antigua and Barbuda Report
2013     J. DeFoe   Dominica Country Report
2013     F. Calliste   Grenada Country Report
2013     B. Chauvet   Haiti Country Report
2013     K. Frangoudes   Martinique Country Report
2013     S. Heyliger   St. Kitts and Nevis Country Report
2013     S. Ferrari   St. Lucia Country Report
2013     H. Johnson   St. Vincent and the Grenadines Country Report
2013     M. Wirjodirjo   Suriname Country Report
2013     R. Redman   Trinidad and Tobago Country Report
2013     R. Hensen   Caribbean Netherlands, with emphasis on St. Eustatius
2013     P. Gervain   FADs Construction. The Basic Rules (Design and Modeling of FADs)
2013     L. Reynal   The Currents in the Region and the use of FADs (FAD Construction)
2013     Y. Le Roi   Analysis of Work and of Safety Conditions in Anchored FAD Fishing
2013     L. Reynal   Objectives and Status of MAGDELESA Project
2013     H. Mathieu   Small Scale FAD Fisheries, Fishing Behavior and Incentives
2013     K. Frangoudes   FAD Management System in Martinique and Guadeloupe
2013     H. Mathieu   Different Means of Contributing to FADs Fishing Selectivity
2013     J. Timor   Who is the FAD Fisher in Martinique
2013     C. Pau   Reproduction of Blackfin Tuna: Preliminary Results
2013     L. Reynal   FAD Fishing with "Bois fouille" at Leogane (Haiti)
2013     S. Eugene   Quality of FAD Fishing products (Preliminary results on quality; Protocol on Studies by the PARM)
2013     E. Mohammed   Present Status of Fish Resources Caught in Association with Fish Attraction Devices (FADs) and their Management
2013     S. Singh-Renton   An Overview of sub-regional fisheries management plan for Blackfin tuna fisheries in the Eastern Caribbean
2013     L. Reynal   The Transformation of the IFREMER/WECAFC Working Group on FADs into a joint JICA/IFREMER/CRFM/WECAFC Working Group on FADs
2013     CRFM   Group Photo
2013     CRFM   Photo of Participants
2013     CNFO   CNFO Report
2013     CRFM   Press Release # 2

 

 

Published in CARIFICO

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