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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.

Literature Review of Gear-based Management Options in the Caribbean for Four Reef Fishing Methods: Fish Traps, Spears, Hook and Line, and Beach Seines

November 4, 2016

Many Caribbean reef fisheries have been overexploited for decades and often their decline has been accelerated by a loss of habitat. Improved management of Caribbean reef fisheries is vital to ensure their future sustainability. Reef fisheries in the Caribbean are difficult to manage due to the use of multiple fishing gear types, the number of species harvested, and the dispersed landing sites used by the fishers. Additionally, there is very little published information available on Caribbean reef fisheries and limited research into the effects of management. This review provides a synthesis of the published literature on four gears commonly used in Caribbean reef fisheries: fish traps, spears, hook and line, and beach seines, summarizing evidence on best management practices for each gear. The authors provide brief descriptions of each of the four gear types as well a synthesis of their use, biological impacts, and ecosystem impacts.The management recommendations are general recommendations on gear restrictions that could be applied to any Caribbean reef fishery.

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.