NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Fisheries Development in the BVI
Emerging Issues
(continued)
9.0 EMERGING ISSUES
9.1 Fisheries Policy:
Various management plans and proposals have been made over the years
but none has been fully adopted and implemented. There is also
insufficient integration between fisheries and the other sectors of the
economy whose activities might impact on fish resources. There is a need
to set clear policy guidelines on what the future of the fisheries sector
in the BVI should be.
9.2 Recreational Fisheries:
Issues that have been observed are as follows:
a) The level of BVI participation in recreational fisheries has
been less than 50% in almost 10 years, while earnings from issuing of
recreational fishing license in 6years was only U.S. $68, 233.
b) Foreign based fishing boats constituted 71.3% of licenses
given between 1987 and 1995. These vessels operate within BVI’s
fisheries zone and land their catch at their home base, the value of
which has been estimated to be $600,000 and $360,000 in 1988 and1989
respectively.
c) In comparison, seafood imports between 1992 – 1995 was valued at
U.S. $8,531,304.
It is apparent that a large percentage of the benefits and income
generated by sport fishing tourism accrues offshore to neighboring
islands. This portrays the need to harness the revenue earning potential
of the sector in various ways:
- Encourage local investment in the fishery particularly Big Game
Sport Fishing.
- Increase license fees across the board, particularly for
foreign-based vessels.
- Review the terms attached to recreational fishing licenses with
regard to catching fish for sale. Incentives could be provided to
encourage compliance with regulations on landing and reporting of
catches.
- Regulate the fishery by putting in place conservation measures to
protect targeted species from over exploitation.
9.3 Economic Performance of Fisheries Sector:
Earnings from two major sectors, tourism and financial services mostly
support the economy. The GDP contributions of the Fisheries sector have
been relatively low but steadily rising. There is a high potential for the
sector to contribute more if proper management measures and strategic
investment initiatives are put in place. This should in the long term,
enhance the diversification of the territories economic base. The
situation as of now presents the following issues-
a) Meager revenue from licensing of fishing vessels for all forms of
fishing activities i.e. artisanal, commercial and recreational;
resulting from an overdue review of policies in the sector.
b) Huge revenue loss from illegal fish exports and inadequacies
in the present marketing system. Large quantities of fish caught by
artisanal fishermen are sold outside the territory.
c) Consistent increase in value of seafood imports, particularly with
respect to frozen shrimps, lobsters and other crustaceans, which are in
demand by the tourist industry. It rose from 1.6% of the total value of
imports in 1992 to 49% in 1995.
d) High reliance of the fishing industry on imports of materials to
maintain its services. Boats, engines, fishing gears and live bait are
most often imported. A lot of capital is thus required to venture into
the industry.
In view of the above specific policy directions and legislative
regulations need to be put in place to manage the resources within the
sector and increase its contributions to the GDP. Initiatives could
include the diversification of the fishing industry into new areas with
high yield potentials. The following could be considered:
- Increase in commercial fishing license fees which can be justified
by increased government investment in the fisheries sector in terms of
provision and maintenance of facilities such as landing sites, provision
of guarantee on loans for purchase of fishing boats and equipment;
customs duty exempt for fishing equipment.
- Establishment of a local bait industry.
- Investments in aquaculture and mariculture and the demarcation of
some bays for this type of fishery such as the Cove in Salt Island,
Paraquita Bay on Tortola, Hans Creek on Beef Island and Anegada Ponds.
9.4 Fish Marketing:
Marketing is not fully streamlined as fishermen still process and sell
their own catch and seafood imports are high. The issues to be considered
are:-
a) The BVI Fishing Company as a marketing outlet depends on
supply of fish caught by local fishermen, although there is no
regulation compelling fishermen to land their catch at the company or
any other landing sites.
b) Supply of fish to the tourist industry is subject to the
quality, preservation, processing and type of fish required; which is
most often pelagic species and the peak period of demand which is during
the tourist season.
c) Consumer’s precaution to the purchase of shallow water
reef fish and some pelagics, a significant proportion of which are known
to be associated with ciquatera.
There is need for effective marketing strategies that would include
provision of incentives to use the facilities provided by the fishing
company. The potential for exportation of such fish species as Crevale
Jack and Blue runners, which are caught in abundance but which local
market is unreliable, should be considered.
Consumer confidence in locally caught fish products would be enhanced
with the development of a research project to examine the extent of
ciquatera poisoning in BVI fish stocks. An obligatory testing of all
species throughout all seasons with ciquatera testing reagent could be
initiated.
9.5 Surveillance and Enforcement:
Surveillance and enforcement plays a big role in protecting the rights
of licensed fishermen and the present arrangement is still inadequate to
stop illegal fishing and export activities that constitute a loss of
revenue to the government. There is need for the establishment of a
fisheries surveillance and enforcement unit with trained officers and
appropriate equipment including a patrol boat capable of a greater range
and improved sea-going ability.
9.6 Infrastructures:
There are few landing sites with adequate facilities to serve the 150
fishermen, who have to hustle for jetty space with other boating
activities. High rental charges are being charged for use of privately
owned commercial jetties. Landing sites serve both as outlets for the
purchase of fish landed by fishermen and data collection points. They
could facilitate the grouping of fishermen into cooperatives, with
benefits such as training and increased environmental awareness. The need
to establish more sites with basic amenities such as electricity, water,
dock/ ramp, storage shed and security should be a priority. The dock
facilities at the BVI Fishing Company need to be made more accessible to
encourage its use by bigger vessels.
9.7 Resource Conservation:
Management measures presently in place are those relating to the
minimum size of lobster, protection of berried female lobster and minimum
mesh size for fish traps. The juveniles and spawning adults of fish are
not protected. Few of the habitats used as breeding areas are protected.
The only marine protected area related to fisheries is the Horseshoe Reef
in Anegada.
Marine protected areas have been shown to be capable of benefiting
fisheries and conservation in two major ways:
- They supply a secure source of eggs and juveniles to neighboring
fisheries thus providing an insurance against over exploitation and
boosting catches.
- Restriction of fishing allows adults to reach their maximum size and
populations increase, when high enough, adult fish may migrate out of
the protected area into adjacent fishery where they can be caught.
There is need for demarcation of more fisheries protected areas with
such regulatory measures that would help to rejuvenate the overexploited
reef fish stocks.
9.8 Data and Information Management:
Direct data on fish resources are not adequate for inshore and reef
species. Most of the information in this review was derived from regional
and international reports. Data collection is often inconsistent. The
Fisheries unit has three data collectors who are often faced with
skepticism and reluctance by fishermen to release information on their
catch. There is need to strengthen the capacity of the fisheries unit to
computerize its licensing, catch and fishing effort data an gain the
co-operation of local fishermen.
9.9 Identified Problems and Constraints
A. Artisanal/Commercial Fishery
1. Over exploitation of fish stocks.
2. Fishing practices contribute to depletion of reef fish stocks.
3. Over-exploitation of present stocks of benthic invertebrates
and crustaceans.
4. Age structure of fishermen influenced by changes in focus of
the economy, social status and high capital requirement.
5. Increasing imports of shellfish to meet demands by the tourism
servicing industry.
6. Under utilization of pelagic fish stocks due to higher capital
requirement, length of time required for fishing.
7. Illegal slaughtering of leatherback turtles during nesting season and
catching of other turtles outside
B. Recreational Fisheries
1. Level of BVI participation in recreational fisheries less
than 50% in ten years (1987-1996)
2. Earnings from recreational fishing licenses in six years
(1991-1996) only US$68,233
3. Foreign based vessels operate within the BVI Exclusive Fishing
Zone and land their catch at their home base
4. Permits/licenses issued without specified conditions/term
5. Several registration/clearance requirements and fees imposed by
different agencies create additional expenses for sport fishermen who
want to use the BVI
6. License fees are low and need to be revised
C. Performance of the Sector
1. Meager revenue from licensing of fishing vessels for all
forms of fishing activities.
2. Huge revenue loss from illegal fish exports and inadequacies in
the present marketing systems.
3. Consistent increases in value of seafood imports particularly
frozen shrimps. Lobsters and crustaceans in demand by the tourist
industry. This rose from 1.6% of total seafood imports value in 1992 to
49% in 1995.
4. High reliance of fishing industry on imports of materials and
equipment.
D. Fish Marketing and Distribution
1. Disenchantment of local fishermen with services provided at
the fishing company, no regulation to back the operation of the fishing
company.
2. Tourist industry demands are mostly for pelagic species.
3. Some shallow water reef fish known to be associated with
ciguatera (fish poisoning).
4. BVI Fishing Company Recovery Plan still pending.
5. No Government venture into exportation of fish not locally
preferred.
E. Surveillance and Enforcement
1. Inadequate personnel and equipment to carry out fisheries
surveillance and enforcement within the Conservation & Fisheries
Department.
2. Part-time fishermen not inclined to register for fear of
taxation.
F. Legislation
1. The proposed 1996 Fisheries Act is still pending.
G. Infrastructure
1. Few landing sites with inadequate facilities.
2. High rental charges at privately owned jetties.
H. Resource Conservation
1. Present fishing practices have resulted in over exploitation
of reef fish stocks with declined catch landings.
2. Habitats and spawning grounds are impacted by land development
and tourism activities.
3. Illegal collection and export of exotic fish species.
4. Inadequate management measures particularly for the protection
of juveniles and spawning adults.
5. Inadequate management of physical development activities and
water use.
I. Data and Information Management
1. Inconsistency in present data collection system.
2. Reluctance of fishermen to release information on fish exports
or landings.
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