The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Fisheries Development in the BVI
Emerging Issues
(continued)

6.0 LEVEL OF FISHERIES IMPACT ON RESOURCES

Fishing practices can impact on the sustainable use of fish resources and maintainance of fish stocks at productive levels. One that is highly noticeable is the high involvement of artisanal fishermen in shallow water reef fishery. There were over 6000 traps in use in 1994. CFD surveys, supported by the records of hurricane damage assessment showed that about 4,852 traps were lost in 1995. These suggest an over – exploitation in the trap and possibly lobster fishery. A corresponding decline has occurred in the catch per fisherman and total annual fish landed through this method. A second impact is the incidence of drifting fish traps that continuously trap fishes. This situation has prompted the idea of using biodegradable panels on fish traps. There is also a noticeable decline in the conch and whelk resources due to over exploitation.

Ameliorative measures that have been suggested include the development of commercial hook and line fishery as well as artisanal fishery for such species as tuna, mackerel, dolphin and big game sport fishery. Closed and open seasons or areas and restriction in size could also be imposed for certain type of species that are known to be depleted. Enforcement would have to be done with the cooperation of the local fishermen. These should allow for replenishment of fish stocks.

6.1 Fisheries Management and Conservation:

Various management plans have been proposed for the BVI fisheries sector, but none has been adopted for full implementation. The draft Fisheries Act of 1996, has provisions for the preparation and continuous review of a management and development plan for fisheries. Such a plan is expected to

• identify each fishery and assess the present status of its exploitation,
• specify objectives to be achieved in the management of each fishery,
• specify the management and development measures to be taken,
• specify the licensing programs to be followed for each fishery, the limitations if any, to be applied to local fishing operations and the amount of fishing, if any, to be allocated to foreign fishing vessels.

Under the Act, the Minister of Natural Resources, has powers to demarcate fishing priority areas, fishing protected areas, fisheries management areas and to declare certain fish species as protected for conservation purposes.

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