A TECHNICAL REPORT FOR THE SUB – COMMITTEE
ON PRODUCTIVE SECTORS
PREPARED BY
CONSERVATION AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND LABOUR
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM
UNITED NATIONS CENTRE FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
MARCH 1997

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The British Virgin Islands has an Extensive Exclusive Fisheries Zone of 84,000 sq.km. in which are located several fishing banks with diverse fish resources. This includes shallow water reef fish, deep slope and bank fish, pelagic's, crustaceans and mollusks. Some of the fish species such as sword fish and blue marlin are attractions for sport fishing tourism.

Fishing was the traditional occupation of British Virgin islanders before the recent spate of economic development. The Territory’s fishing zone is located in the path of several migratory fish species and is favored with productive fishing banks such as the Sea Mount and North Drop. These factors presume the development of a lucrative fishing industry.

The Fisheries sector as presently managed is not making adequate contributions to the economy of the Territory. A large percentage of its inherent revenue earning potential is still under-exploited. It is apparent that there is a need for specific policy directives and legislative regulations to guide the future focus of the sector. Issues that should be considered in setting these policies and strategies include;

• Low level of local participation in recreational fisheries and continued loss of revenue from sale of fish caught within BVI waters outside the Territory.
• Meager revenue from licensing of fishing vessels.
• Ineffective marketing system that favors fish exports by individual fishermen despite the high domestic demand.
• Consistent increase in value of seafood imports particularly those in demand by the tourist industry.
• Over reliance of the fishing industry on foreign markets for the supply of equipment and raw materials giving rise to high capital and maintenance costs.
• Inadequate surveillance and enforcement capability with reoccurring incidence of illegal fishing.
• Poor condition of existing facilities at landing sites which are not adequate to meet present demands.
• Few management measures to conserve existing fish stocks from over exploitation.
• Inconsistencies in available data to allow for development of management measures.
• Existing legislation’s are inappropriate to address recent developments in the fisheries sector.

Three types of fisheries operate in the BVI, artisanal, recreational and offshore pelagic. Traditional fishing methods are still predominant, but some initiatives are being made to encourage more longline fishing. Big game sport fishing by foreign-based vessels is a prominent issue in recreational fisheries as it relates to the licensing of vessels and the landing of fish caught.

An evaluation of the economic performance of the fisheries sector shows a steady increase in the quantity of fish landings from 730 – 1460 tonnes between 1981 and 1993. GDP contributions of the sector ranged between 3.3% in 1981 –to 3.1% in 1991.

Since the tourist and fishing seasons coincide there is considerable potential to develop the market for recreational and commercial fishery.

Pelagic species such as Dolphin, Swordfish, Tuna, Wahoo and Kingfish are often in demand. There is a high domestic demand for fish that is partly met by increasing imports of seafood. Most of the high import value is accounted for by the demand for delicacies like Lobsters and Conch by the tourist industry, in response to the declining catch rate of this fishery.

It is obvious that the BVI fishing industry has the potential to expand and make a greater contribution to the GDP. Its performance has been hampered by such constraints as inadequacies in existing policies, legislation’s, lack of capital, fishing practices and coastal development activities. Conflicts also exist in the use of traditional fishing grounds for tourism.

The urge for diversification of the economy could be met by increased government investment in the fisheries sector. New areas with high yield potential could be exploited. These include commercial fishing for Tuna and exploitation of those species as Crevalle jack which is not locally preferred.

Finally it should be emphasized that the sustainability of any development project for the fishing industry would be largely determined by an effective data collecting and management system as well a realistic stock assessment of the fishery resources.

1.0    INTRODUCTION

Fishing is a part of the tradition and culture of the British Virgin Islands. Government policy reserves commercial fisheries as a right for B V Islanders and Belongers. BVI has a total landmass of 155.4-sq. km. (60-sq. ml.) and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 mls. Fisheries is the primary natural resource however, its contribution to the GDP is often under estimated and its importance not fully appreciated. The BVI possesses rich and diverse reef and pelagic fish stocks, the integrated development of which can play a leading role in the diversification of the economy and reduction of the import bill for seafood’s.

The role of fisheries goes far beyond the commercial aspects, it is also important for food, nutrition, health and recreation of the territory.

Fisheries play an important role in tourism, which is often overlooked. Hotels, restaurants, the dive industry and the charter boat industry rely on fish either as a local cuisine as well as for recreation or for its attraction. Commercial longline fishery and sport fishery have multi- million dollar earning potential and their proper development should be considered as a strategic priority.

Whilst constraints to development should be investigated, potential threats to fisheries must be addressed. Coastal habitats, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are important to fisheries, must be protected from adverse development and degradation. Putting in place good management plans and effective surveillance and enforcement procedures would minimize resource use conflicts and illegal activity. The institutional capacity of the Conservation and Fisheries Department for fisheries management and enforcement must be strengthened.

This report presents an overview of the emerging issues in the development of the fisheries industry and is a first step towards an integrated development strategy for the fisheries sector.

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