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An Assessment of Montserrat's Fisheries

November 4, 2016

This report provides an assessment of Montserrat's fisheries, and includes an estimate of the status of six species targeted by the fishery.

Sustainable Fisheries & Coastal Zoning in Montserrat: Legal & Institutional Assessment of Authorities & Approaches

October 1, 2015

In February 2015, the Government of Montserrat and the Waitt Institute signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Blue Halo Montserrat, a comprehensive ocean and coastal management project with a goal of sustainable management of Montserrat's ocean and coastal waters. BHM seeks to develop a Montserrat Sustainable Ocean Policy that will ensure long-term health of Montserrat's waters through ocean zoning, protected areas, and fisheries reforms. This Report is an evaluation of Montserrat's laws and institutions to support the design and implementation of a comprehensive ocean zoning and management system in the country as part of the Blue Halo Initiative. The Report identifies existing authorities to achieve a comprehensive ocean zoning system in the waters surrounding Montserrat, evaluates potential options for ocean planning and management implementation, and provides recommendations for ways to develop a comprehensive ocean management system for Montserrat. The Report recognizes that comprehensive ocean management should build from the existing legal system, take pragmatic steps given anticipated capacity and funding, and provide effective incentives and requirements to ensure compliance and long-term sustainability of ocean resources.

A Review of the Ecology and Economics of Montserrat's Marine Resources

June 7, 2015

Montserrat is a small, volcanic island in the Caribbean Sea that has undergone significant economic and ecological change over the past three decades due to disruption caused by a hurricane and prolonged volcanic activity. Montserrat's marine ecosystems face a variety of threats, including sedimentation from the volcano, storm damage, coastal development, and climate change-associated sea level rise. While fishing plays a small economic role in Montserrat in terms of its contribution to national GDP, it is an important source of income and food security, and is culturally significant. There are currently about 100 fishers active in Montserrat, targeting over 200 species of fish and invertebrates. Landings are substantially lower than they were prior to the onset of volcanic activity, reflecting the lower number of fishers and the loss of access to productive fishing grounds. There are currently very few fisheries management regulations that are enforced in Montserrat, but regulations proposed in 2009 would restrict fishing gear and seasons, protect certain species, and facilitate the creation of marine reserves. Montserrat currently does not have any ocean zoning aside from the Maritime Exclusion Zone, which restricts access to the waters adjacent to the volcano.

Baseline Review of the Status and Management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries in the Caricom Region

January 1, 2011

This report provides a review of the status and management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries in the CARICOM region. It provides a general overview of the habitat requirements and threats to survival of this lobster, along with the distribution and population in each country with Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries. Each country's domestic use, international trade, and conservation and management measures are also reviewed.