BAHAMAS NATIONAL REPORT

By Lester Gittens & Michael BraynenDept. of Marine Resources,Govt. of The Bahamas

DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY

LITTLE BAHAMA BANK

GREAT BAHAMA BANK

NASSAU

Over 100,000 km2 of shallow water

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCH FISHERY

•Conch fishery is 2nd-3rd most important fishery

•Employs over 9,000 fishers

•Utilizes over 4,000 small vessels

•Conch caught by free diving and with compressors

•>60% of landings during April-July

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

•Fishery Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act 1977

•Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations 1986

•Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act 2004

•5yr (2010-2014) Strategic Plan

•Commercial fisheries reserved for Bahamian citizens 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION•Dept of Marine Resources has primary responsibility for management

•Multiple agencies conduct enforcement-Defence Force Officers -Customs Officers-Police Officers -Agriculture Officers

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

•Aquaculture sector targeted for development

•Multiple aquaculture ventures have received approvals and duty free concessions

•No successful long-term ventures

•Past failures currently under review

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

•Use of SCUBA for commercial fishing prohibited

•Limitations on the use of compressed air

•Expanding network of marine protected areas – conch surveyed in two

•Conch export quota system-limits landings

•Dept. of Marine Resources- CITES Scientific Authority

•Dept. of Agriculture – CITES Management Authority

CONSUMPTION & TRADE

•Most conch consumed locally- 1.3kg/capita/yr•Virtually all exports to USA (99% in 2011)

Queen Conch Landings and Exports

CONSUMPTION & TRADE

•Increase in value to >$3million

Value of Exports

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

3000000

3500000

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Year

Val

ue

($U

S)

*2009 data unavailable

ANNUAL CATCH STATISTICS•Collected by trip interviews •Supplemented by purchase reports submitted by processing plants that are located on most islands with major fishing communities•Data collected: total weight of conch landed, the local value of landings, landings by major-island and fishing effort • Commercial export amounts and value are also recorded

RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS

•5 density surveys conducted since 2009

•Represents small portion of conch occurrence and fishing grounds

•1Berry Islands:-• decline in juvenile densities compared to a 1987 study•Conch present in a new MPA- inadequate for reproduction

1Stoner et al 2009

SURVEY SITES

SW Abaco

Andros

Exuma Cays LSP

Lee S. Island

Berry Islands

RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS

•2Andros –low reproduction taking place• adult densities of 118/ha in small area•dominated by “samba” conch in higher density areas

• 3Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park- 10% of adults were reproducing

•Densities 6% lower in a shelf area•69% lower in a bank area between 2011 and 1994

2Stoner and Davis 2010 3 Stoner et al 2011

RESEARCH & STOCK ASSESSMENTS

•3At Lee Stocking Island- very low densities• 91% decline since 1991

•SW Abaco soon to be released

•Other research- the relationship between lip thickness, maturity and the presence of a flared lip

•4Juveniles not adequately protected in most Caribbean countries

•Multiple contributors: Community Conch, Bahamas Government, BNT,TNC

3 Stoner et al 2011 4Stoner et al 2012

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

•Recent progress made

•Recent surveys and research have provided a basis for improved management