Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Transcription

1 Caribbean Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus Scandinavian Fishing Yearbook/ Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Honduras, and Nicaragua Diving and Traps June 24, 2013 Seafood Watch Consulting Researcher Disclaimer Seafood Watch strives to have all Seafood Reports reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science and aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or its recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. Seafood Watch Standard used in this assessment: Standard for Fisheries vf2

2 Table of Contents About Seafood Watch Guiding Principles Summary Final Seafood Recommendations Introduction Assessment Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment Criterion 2: Impacts on other species Criterion 3: Management ness Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem Acknowledgements References

3 About Seafood Watch Monterey Bay Aquarium s Seafood Watch program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from The program s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of Best Choices, Good Alternatives or Avoid. The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes. Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports in any way they find useful. For more information about Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling

4 Guiding Principles Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished 1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Based on this principle, Seafood Watch had developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wildcatch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are: How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem? Each criterion includes: Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and online guide: Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife. Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they re caught. Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. 1 Fish is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates 4

5 Summary The spiny lobster is a commercially fished marine invertebrate. There are several distinct species of spiny lobster located in various areas of the world. This report provides information and recommendations for the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) fished in the waters of the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Honduras, and Nicaragua and fished with traps and by diving with the use of casitas and/or SCUBA gear. The spiny lobster is moderately vulnerable to fishing pressure. They tend to mature fairly quickly (between 2 to 3 years), compared to their life span (approximately 20 to 30 years). Recently matured spiny lobsters tend to spawn once a year, while older lobsters can spawn multiple times per year and females produce upwards of 50,000 eggs which can disperse widely. Regular stock assessments for Caribbean spiny lobster are rare. Some of the fisheries seem to be experiencing steady landing rates, while others are experiencing a decline in landings. While there is no definitive information about abundance, the information does suggest that the stock is overfished in most countries. Fishing mortality follows a coherent pattern to that of stock abundance and appears to indicate overfishing is occurring. The impact of the commercial fishery on the Caribbean spiny lobster in the Bahamas is ranked green while the fisheries in Belize, Brazil, Honduras, and Nicaragua are ranked red. The most common non-targeted species caught in the Caribbean spiny lobster trap fishery include various fin fish and crab species. The total discard rate for lobster fisheries is generally between 8% and 15%, but that includes a large number of invertebrates, such as stone crabs, which are generally returned alive. As such, it is unlikely any one species comprises more than 5% of the catch. Cormorants are known to be caught in similar fisheries in the Gulf of California. The impact on cormorants from the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery in Caribbean, Central and South American fisheries is unknown but is believed to not be a limiting factor in this fishery. No species of concern are caught in the spiny lobster fishery. The impact on other species is ranked green. Similarly, the free-dive and hand-harvest fisheries, including those that use casitas for lobster shelter do not result in large numbers of non-targeted species. Even in the areas in which casitas are used, animals move freely and are still harvested by hand with the use of nets and/or hooks. As a result, the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery is extremely selective and results in very little incidental catch. Occasionally, fishermen capture stone crab species for domestic consumption. Management of spiny lobster in all countries has not been effective at maintaining a stable, abundant population. The lack of readily available, current information about stock abundance and fishing mortality are concerns. Additionally, while all the countries mandate a minimum legal size and a closed season, both vary from country to country. Most countries also regulate the type and number of fishing gears in efforts to control the fishing effort. Despite the regulations in place, all countries seem to have difficulties enforcing the regulations, leading to high incidences of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. Overall, the management of the spiny lobster fisheries in the Bahamas and in Belize is ranked red. Brazil, Honduras, and Nicaragua are considered critical due to the high levels of IUU. The spiny lobster fisheries in the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Honduras, and Nicaragua are trap based or dived based and utilize casitas as shelters to attract lobsters (although Honduras and Nicaragua do not allow casitas). Both traps and casitas result in some damage to the benthic habitat but each country has regulations protecting some portion of habitat in reserves. The ecosystem impacts from the trap and casita based fisheries are considered moderate. 5

6 The spiny lobster fisheries in the Bahamas, Brazil, Honduras and Nicaragua are engaged in Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). Engagement in a FIP does not affect the Seafood Watch score as we base our assessments on the current situation. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a member organization of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions. The Alliance has outlined guidelines for credible Fishery Improvement Projects. As such, Seafood Watch will support procurement from fisheries engaged in a FIP provided it can be verified by a third party that the FIP meets the Alliance guidelines. It is not the responsibility of Monterey Bay Aquarium to verify the credibility or progress of a FIP, or promote the fisheries engaged in improvement projects. 6

7 Final Seafood Recommendations SPECIES/FISHERY CRITERION 1: IMPACTS ON THE SPECIES CRITERION 2: IMPACTS ON OTHER SPECIES CRITERION 3: MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS CRITERION 4: HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM OVERALL RECOMMENDATION Caribbean spiny lobster Bahamas Western Central Atlantic, Diving, Bahamas Caribbean spiny lobster Bahamas Western Central Atlantic, Traps (unspecified), Bahamas Caribbean spiny lobster Belize Caribbean Sea, Diving, Belize Caribbean spiny lobster Belize Caribbean Sea, Traps (unspecified), Belize Caribbean spiny lobster Brazil Southwest Atlantic, Traps (unspecified), Brazil Caribbean spiny lobster Honduras Caribbean Sea, Diving, Honduras Caribbean spiny lobster Honduras Caribbean Sea, Traps (unspecified), Honduras Caribbean spiny lobster Nicaragua Caribbean Sea, Diving, Nicaragua Green (3.83) Green (2.49) Red (2.00) Yellow (3.12) Good Alternative (2.78) Green (3.83) Green (2.87) Red (2.00) Yellow (3.12) Good Alternative (2.88) Red (1.41) Red (1.06) Red (1.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (1.47) Red (1.41) Green (2.49) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (1.98) Red (1.41) Red (1.06) Critical (0.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (0.00) Red (1.73) Green (2.49) Critical (0.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (0.00) Red (1.73) Red (1.30) Critical (0.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (0.00) Red (1.73) Red (1.30) Critical (0.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (0.00) 7

8 Caribbean spiny lobster Nicaragua Caribbean Sea, Traps (unspecified), Nicaragua Red (1.73) Green (2.49) Critical (0.00) Yellow (3.12) Avoid (0.00) Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact. Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4). Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score > , and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High 2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score 2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores. 2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High for either factor under Management (Criterion 3). 8

9 Introduction Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation The spiny lobster is a commercially fished marine invertebrate. There are several distinct species of spiny lobster located in various areas of the world. This report will provide information and recommendations for the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) fished within the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Honduras and Nicaragua. This lobster is fished with traps and by diving with the use of casitas or scuba gear. The Caribbean spiny lobster is found and fished along the coast of Florida, within the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the along the coast of Central and South America through Brazil (Holthuis 1991, Figure 1). It should be noted the Caribbean spiny lobster may be composed of genetically distinct stocks in the Caribbean Sea and along the Brazilian coast, although lobsters with genetic markers from each of these stocks are found within the entire range indicating mixing (Ehrhardt 2005). Additionally, the green lobster (Panulirus laevicauda) is also caught alongside the Caribbean spiny lobster in Brazilian waters. This mixed stock will be referred to as the Brazilian spiny lobster fishery throughout this report.? Figure 1 Distribution of P.argus. From Holthuis

10 Species Overview The spiny lobster, of the genus Panulirus, contains approximately 20 different species occurring worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters (Pollack 1995). The spiny lobster can be easily distinguished by the long, spiny antennae and by the lack of claws on the first four pairs of legs (Holthuis 1991). Spiny lobsters are typically found at depths from 0 to 90 meters, depending upon the species (Holthuis 1991). Juvenile lobsters usually spend their first few years in nearshore surf grass beds while adults favor rocky substrates and reefs areas that provide protection (GMFMC et al. 2011). Spiny lobsters tend to be nocturnal and migrate among depths, depending upon the season, and generally move deeper in winter months (Holthius 1991). Several different species of spiny lobster support commercial fisheries worldwide. As such, there are a variety of management bodies regulating the fisheries. The key management measures for most of the fisheries include minimum carapace length, season closures, and various gear restrictions. Bahamas and Belize The Bahamas and Belize are both members of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) which is an intergovernmental organization intended To promote and facilitate the responsible utilization of the region's fisheries and other aquatic resources for the economic and social benefits of the current and future population of the region (CRFM 2010). The Belize Fisheries Department is responsible for fisheries management in the country since the Fisheries Act of 1948 was passed. The lobster fishery is the most important of Belize s smallscale fisheries (Monnerreau and Pollnac 2012). The primary regulations in place for spiny lobster are minimum size limits, closed fishing seasons, prohibition of take on berried females, and a prohibition for the use of SCUBA gear. Lobsters are harvested with traps and by skin-diving (Monnerreau and Pollnac 2012). Lobster traps in Belize are typically unbaited (CRFM 2011a). The Bahamas regulates its fisheries through the Department of Marine Resources (formerly the Department of Fisheries) and restricts commercial fishing to nationals (CRFM 2008). Management regulations include minimum size, closed season, and permits required for traps or the use of hookahs while diving (FAO/WCAFC 2001). Gears used in the fishery include spears, hooks, compressors, traps and casitas. The use of casitas has become the predominant method, displacing spears and traps (CRFM 2011a). The number of casitas is unknown but their use is widespread. Some records indicate approximately 60,000 traps in use (CRFM, 2008). Brazil In Brazil, the lobster fishery is regulated by the Brazilian Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MFA) and enforced by the Institute for the Environment (IBAMA) within the respective ministry. The management system includes a participatory body, the Management Committee for Spiny Lobster Fishery (CGPL) (MFA 2010) and incorporates a Scientific Technical Spiny Lobster Subcommittee Working Group including many stakeholders (FAO 2003). The Brazilian lobster fishery incorporates both small artisanal fishers as well as mid- to large-sized industrial boats (Negreiros Aragao pers. comm. 2012). The Brazilian spiny lobster fishery (which includes a mixed catch of both the Caribbean spiny lobster and the green spiny lobster) includes regulations to limit the vessel licenses, close the season, protect nursery areas, restrict gear, and establish a minimum size (FAO 2003, and E. Godelman 2013 pers. comm.). Honduras The Honduras fishery includes management regulations intended to limit access and reduce the catch of immature or berried females (minimum sizes and season closures) (FAO 2003). DIGEPESCA is the governmental authority in charge of fishery management and regulation in Honduras. Nicaragua Nicaragua has established Ministerial Agreements which define fishing quotas and minimum sizes (FAO/WCAFC 2001, FAO 2003). Spiny lobsters in both the industrial fishery and the small scale fishery are caught by traps 10

11 and by diving (Ehrhardt 2000, Monnerreau and Pollnac 2012). Research indicates that spiny lobster stocks for Honduras and Nicaragua are likely one in the same (FAO/WCAFC 2001). There is a regional management agreement for spiny lobster in Central America established by OSPESCA (Organizacion del Sector Pesquero y Acuicola del Itsmo Centroamericano Agreement OSP-02-09). The agreement is essentially in accord with the regulations of each country. However, management regulations are not adequately enforced (FAO 2003). Production Statistics The Caribbean spiny lobster is widely captured throughout its ranged. Global capture production has varied widely with a minimum of approximately 3000 tonnes in 1950 and a maximum of 42,000 tonnes in 1995 with an average total value of US$500 million (Martinez et al. 2007). Landings from 2010 were approximately 35,600 tonnes and the average production over the last decade is approximately 36,000 (FAO 2012, Figure 2). The United States imports spiny lobster, including the Caribbean spiny lobster, from several countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The catch production from Brazil and the Bahamas has fluctuated around 7,000 tonnes each for the past decade (FAO 2009, Figure 3). However, recent catch from Brazil has dropped to almost half of that (pers. comm. Godelman 2013). The capture from Belize has been fairly consistent around 600 tonnes (FAO 2009). Honduras and Nicaragua each saw a reduction in capture around the year 2000 and again recently. Capture production in 2009 for Honduras and Nicaragua was 2,145 and 3,419 tonnes, respectively (FAO 2009). Figure 2 Global capture production. Data from FAO

12 Figure 3 Lobster stock (calculated as tail weight) and spawning biomass during the period 1999 to From Gongora Importance to the US/North American market. Spiny lobsters are fished throughout the Caribbean and along the Central and South American coastlines. The combined western Atlantic landings of the species were approximately 28,122 metric tons in 2008 (SEDAR 2010). Of the total spiny lobster imports to the United States, approximately 22% is from Brazil, 13% from the Bahamas, 12% from Nicaragua, an 11% from Honduras (NMFS 2012). Common and market names. Spiny lobsters, in general, are also known as rock lobsters. While known as spiny lobster, there are other less commonly used nomenclatures. The Caribbean spiny lobster is also known as Bermuda spiny lobster, common spiny lobster, crawfish, crayfish, Florida (spiny) lobster, West Indian langouste and West Indian spiny lobster (Holthuis 1991, NOAA 2011). Primary product forms The spiny lobster is marketed whole and sold live, cooked, and/or frozen. Tails are frozen or canned. 12

13 Assessment This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical Criterion 1 Summary CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER Region Method Bahamas/Western Central Atlantic Diving Bahamas Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score 2.00: Medium 4.00: Low 3.67: Low Green (3.83) Bahamas/Western Central Atlantic Traps (unspecified) Bahamas Belize/Caribbean Sea Diving Belize Belize/Caribbean Sea Traps (unspecified) Belize Brazil/Southwest Atlantic Traps (unspecified) Brazil 2.00: Medium 4.00: Low 3.67: Low Green (3.83) 2.00: Medium 2.00: High 1.00: High Red (1.41) 2.00: Medium 2.00: High 1.00: High Red (1.41) 2.00: Medium 2.00: High 1.00: High Red (1.41) Honduras/Caribbean Sea Diving Honduras Honduras/Caribbean Sea Traps (unspecified) Honduras Nicaragua/Caribbean Sea Diving Nicaragua 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 1.00: High Red (1.73) 1.00: High Red (1.73) 1.00: High Red (1.73) 13

14 Nicaragua/Caribbean Sea Traps (unspecified) Nicaragua 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 1.00: High Red (1.73) The spiny lobster is moderately vulnerable to fishing pressure. They tend to mature fairly quickly (between 2 to 3 years), compared to their life span (approximately 20 to 30 years). Mature spiny lobsters tend to spawn once a year and females produce upwards of 50,000 eggs, which can disperse widely. Regular stock assessments for the spiny lobster are rare. While there is no definitive information about abundance, most countries indicate the stock is overfished. Fishing mortality follows a similar pattern to that of stock abundance and appears to indicate overfishing is occurring. The Caribbean spiny lobster fishery in the Bahamas is ranked green while the fisheries in Belize, Brazil, Honduras, and Nicargua are ranked red. Criterion 1 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Inherent Vulnerability Low The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g., early maturing). Medium The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain). High The FishBase vulnerability score for species is , OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top-predator). Note: The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters: maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spatial behaviors (e.g., schooling, aggregating for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduction) and geographic range. Factor Abundance 5 (Very Low ) Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass. 4 (Low ) Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 3 (Moderate ) Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. 2 (High ) Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. 1 (Very High ) Population is listed as threatened or endangered. Factor Fishing Mortality 5 (Very Low ) Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the 14

15 mortality of species is negligible ( 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality) (Low ) Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught) (Moderate ) Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. 1 (High ) Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. 0 (Critical) Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing. CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER Factor Inherent Vulnerability BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA Medium According to the Seafood Watch PSA analysis, Caribbean spiny lobster appears to be of moderate vulnerability. {IMG-10411:1.1tbl} Factor Abundance BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS Low Indications are that the spiny lobster stock in the Bahamas is above the limit reference point (20%SSB0) and is fluctuating around the target reference point (40%SSB0) (Medley & Gittens, 2012). There is considerable uncertainty associated with the stock assessment as discussed below. Justification: The latest stock assessment was conducted in 2012 and contained a number of models, each with varying degrees of uncertainty. This uncertainty is created by, among other issues, a lack of catch reporting within the fishery with data for the stock assessment coming from exporters and a limited number of interviews with the fishing industry. The indications above are based on the most precautionary estimate, which attempted to account for unreported and illegal landings (believed to be 36% of the total landings) (Medley & Gittens, 15

16 2012). Despite these concerns over uncertainty, precautionary estimates place the abundance above the limit reference point. BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE High Overall stock size is estimated to have declined by 25% over the last decade. The spawning stock biomass appears to have declined by almost 9% and stock recruitment appears to have declined by around 36% (Gongora 2010). Justification: Most recent attempts at establishing the stock status have been based on fishery-dependent export data to determine age groups of exported lobster tails (Gongora 2010). Ninety-eight percent of the catches were represented by two age groups (ages 2 and 3) and, therefore, did not provide enough information for an adequate age-based cohort analysis (Gongora 2010). But, based on the available information of calculated tail weights from landings, the stock biomass decreased by 17.4% from 352 tons in 1999 to 292 tons in 2009 (See Figure 4), while the modeled spawning stock biomass declined by close to 9%. There were a large number of assumptions and uncertainties associated with the data used in the latest stock assessment models, but it is generally agreed the stock in the Belize area has declined over the period from 1999 to 2009 and has been assessed to be halfway between fully exploited and overexploited with declines in spawning biomass, recruitment biomass, and total biomass (FAO 2011). Figure 4 Lobster stock (calculated as tail weight) and spawning biomass during the period 1999 to From Gongora

17 BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL High There is very little information about the stock status; little effort has been made to monitor and evaluate the stock. The Brazilian stock of the Caribbean spiny lobster is believed to be distinct from that within the Caribbean, but there is still evidence of gene flow and recruitment occurring between the two (IBAMA 2008). Additionally, the Brazilian lobster fishery is also composed of the green spiny lobster. The stock abundance of the spiny lobster in Brazil is driven by variable levels of recruitment, likely a result of environmental changes like El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events (Butler et al. 2011). Past abundance estimates showed a significant decline over the 1990s, which is likely continuing (Butler et al. 2011). The consistently high levels of fishing mortality in the past and variable recruitment indicate the stock status is overfished (FAO 2001). HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS Moderate A stock assessment for the Caribbean spiny lobster in the Honduras-Nicaragua shelf area was conducted in 1999 (Phillips pers. comm. 2012). Based on fishing mortality (see Factor 1.3 below) it is likely that the status of the fishery is overfished, but as there is no current information assessing the stock, status in Honduras is unknown. Justification: An updated stock assessment process was started in 2008 and in 2010 a report was published as part of a USAID and WWF funded project, which provided preliminary information from the stock assessment (WWF 2010). There was no indication of abundance estimates relative to biological reference points (BRPs). NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA Moderate Biomass estimates, obtained by means of length cohort analysis, over the years have fluctuated widely (Butler et al. 2011). The last stock assessments for the Caribbean spiny lobster in the Honduras-Nicaragua shelf area was in 1999 (Phillips pers. comm. 2012) and is no longer considered to be a good indication of stock status. Factor Fishing Mortality BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS Low The most recent stock assessment demonstrates that, in the majority of models used, fishing mortality is below FMSY and, in the most precautionary case, is approaching FMSY (Medley & Gittens, 2012). There is uncertainty associated with this stock assessment due to limited data availability and coverage. 17

18 BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE High Gongora (2010) found high mortalities that corresponded with those from an earlier study in Fishing mortality, based on estimations of fishing effort as a number of fishing days, is above Fmax. Justification: Catch per unit effort has been declining over the past decade and fishing mortality appears to be high (Butler et al. 2011). Lobster landings, while relatively stable over the last five years, have declined since 1999 (See Figure 5) though effort (based on fishing days) has increased (CRFM 2011a, CRFM 2011b). Gongora (2010) recommends that fishing mortality needs to be reduced in order to maintain the fishery. Figure 5 Lobster landings during the period 1999 to From CRFM 2011b BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL High As with stock status, there is little information available regarding the fishing mortality. Even current statistics on total landings are not wholly accurate (Negreiros Aragao pers. comm. 2012). But the depletion model indicates that the stock has been decreasing while fishing mortality has been increasing (FAO 2001). There is a lack of consistent results from various models, but all results seem to indicate high levels of exploitation of the spiny lobster stock (FAO 2001). 18

19 HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS High Observer-on-board programs have witnessed an increase in fishing mortality (Sosa-Cordero and Ramirez- Gonzalez 2010). The Caribbean spiny lobster fishery in Honduras has been classified as overexploited (FAO 2006, FAO 2011). Justification: As noted above, a stock assessment process was started in 2008, and preliminary results published in a WWF report in 2010 provided estimates of fishing mortality for the and fishing seasons; however, there was no comparison against BRPs. The estimates for fishing mortality were greater than 1.0 in all cases (WWF 2010). NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA High Effort has been increasing over the historical numbers for the fishery and fishing mortality rates (F) have reached levels of 0.53 per year, while natural mortality is at 0.35 (Butler et al. 2011). Annual fishing quotas are in place, but are regularly exceeded (Monnerreau and Pollnac 2012). Further, the mean length of individuals harvested has also declined, indicating overfishing (Butler et al. 2011). 19

20 Criterion 2: Impacts on other species All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Crtitical Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix A. CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC - DIVING - BAHAMAS Subscore: 3.32 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 2.49 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Green (3.32) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - BAHAMAS Subscore: 3.83 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 2.87 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low 3.67:Low Green (3.83) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVING - BELIZE Subscore: 1.41 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 1.06 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 1.00:High Red (1.41) 20

21 CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - BELIZE Subscore: 3.32 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 2.49 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Green (3.32) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - BRAZIL Subscore: 1.41 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 1.06 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 1.00:High Red (1.41) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVING - HONDURAS Subscore: 3.32 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 2.49 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Green (3.32) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - HONDURAS Subscore: 1.73 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 1.30 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 1.00:High Red (1.73) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVING - NICARAGUA Subscore: 1.73 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 1.30 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 1.00:High Red (1.73) CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER - NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - NICARAGUA Subscore: 3.32 Discard Rate: 0.75 C2 Rate: 2.49 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore 21

22 Finfish 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Green (3.32) The most common non-targeted species caught in the Caribbean spiny lobster trap fishery include various fin fish and crab species. The total discard rate for lobster fisheries is generally between 8% and 15%, but that includes a large number of invertebrates, for example stone crab, which are generally returned alive. As such, it is unlikely any one species comprises more than 5%, and therefore constitutes a significant part of the catch. No species of concern are caught in the spiny lobster fishery, therefore, unknown finfish and invertebrates are scored as the main bycatch species. Criterion 2 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Inherent Vulnerability (same as Factor 1.1 above) Factor Abundance (same as Factor 1.2 above) Factor Fishing Mortality (same as Factor 1.3 above) FINFISH Factor Inherent Vulnerability BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE Medium Finfish and invertebrates of unknown taxa and species are considered to have a moderate vulnerability to fishing pressure (Seafood Watch 2012). BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS Medium Finfish and invertebrates of unknown taxa and species are considered to have a moderate vulnerability to fishing pressure (Seafood Watch 2012). 22

23 Factor Abundance BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE High The status of the populations of finfish and invertebrates caught by the spiny lobster fishery are unknown (Seafood Watch 2012). *Note: score adjusted to reflect report score BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS Moderate The status of the populations of finfish and invertebrates caught by the spiny lobster fishery are unknown (Seafood Watch 2012). BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL High The status of the populations of finfish and invertebrates caught by the spiny lobster fishery are unknown (Seafood Watch 2012). *Note: score adjusted to reflect report score BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS Low The status of the populations of finfish and invertebrates caught by the spiny lobster fishery are unknown (Seafood Watch 2012). *Note score updated to reflect report. Factor Fishing Mortality BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL High The status of the populations of finfish and invertebrates caught by the spiny lobster fishery are unknown (Seafood Watch 2012). 23

24 *Note: score adjusted to reflect report score BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS Low Fishing mortality on the unknown finfish and invertebrate species is considered to be a low concern (Seafood Watch 2012). Factor Discard Rate BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, HONDURAS HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), HONDURAS NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, NICARAGUA NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), NICARAGUA BRAZIL/SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BRAZIL BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS BAHAMAS/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS > 100% 24

25 Criterion 3: Management ness Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of nonretained species (bycatch strategy). The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High = Red or High Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical. Criterion 3 Summary Region / Method Bahamas / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / Bahamas Harvest Strategy Bycatch Strategy Score Red (2.00) Bahamas / Western Central Atlantic / Diving / Bahamas Red (2.00) Belize / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Belize Red (1.41) Belize / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Belize Red (1.00) Brazil / Southwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / Brazil Critical 2.00 Critical (0.00) Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Honduras Critical 2.00 Critical (0.00) Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Honduras Critical 0.00 Critical (0.00) Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Nicaragua Critical 2.00 Critical (0.00) Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Nicaragua Critical 0.00 Critical (0.00) Criterion 3 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Harvest Strategy Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ineffective, moderately effective, or highly effective. 25

26 5 (Very Low ) Rated as highly effective for all seven subfactors considered 4 (Low ) Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of rated highly effective and all other subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 3 (Moderate ) All subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 2 (High ) At minimum, meets standards for moderately effective for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of, but at least one other subfactor rated ineffective. 1 (Very High ) Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of rated ineffective. 0 (Critical) No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring. Factor 3.1 Summary FACTOR MANAGEMENT OF FISHING IMPACTS ON RETAINED SPECIES Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion Bahamas / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / Bahamas Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Bahamas / Western Central Atlantic / Diving / Bahamas Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Belize / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Belize Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Belize / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Belize Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Brazil / Southwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / Brazil Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Honduras Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Honduras Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Traps (unspecified) / Nicaragua 26

27 Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diving / Nicaragua Subfactor Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species. BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS Moderately Management of the spiny lobster fisheries in the Bahamas has been variable in the success at maintaining a stable population. Lobster populations are protected through the use of specific seasons to protect breeding females, gear restrictions, and limited entry into the fishery. Research about the stock and impacts on other species has been limited for Caribbean spiny lobsters. While methods for enforcement of existing regulations have been established, compliance with the regulations can be improved. Regionally, IUU is a large concern and is likely impacting the fishery in the Bahamas. It is believed that 36% of all landings are illegal or unreported (Medley & Gittens 2012). Normally such a high percentage of IUU would result in a critical ranking and a recommendation of avoid, however, it is believed that much of this IUU is legally landed lobster entering the local markets and the concern is with monitoring of catches rather than enforcement of regulations (although there are still significant concerns over enforcement). A lobster Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) aimed at bringing the Bahamian spiny lobster fishery up to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification standards was initiated in 2010 (CRFM 2011a). Overall, the management of the spiny lobster fisheries in the Bahamas is ranked yellow. Justification: The primary agency in charge of fisheries regulation is the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources. The Department of Marine Resources regulates the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery under the Fisheries Act. The law establishes minimum size limits (carapace length greater than 82.55mm) a regulated fishing season (closed between April 1 and July 31), and a prohibition on capture, possession, and/or sale of egg-carrying (or berried) females (CRFM 2011a, FAO 2001). The Bahamas fishery is limited solely to nationals and permits are required for the use of traps and of hookahs in diving (CRFM 2011a). Despite the declining trend in stock abundance, there have been no significant changes in the management. BELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE BELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE Moderately Management of the spiny lobster fisheries in Belize has been variable in its success at maintaining a stable population. Lobster populations are protected through the use of specific seasons to protect breeding females, gear restrictions, and limited entry into the fishery. Research about the stock and impacts to other species have been limited for Caribbean spiny lobsters. Many regulations are not often enforced. Despite prohibitions, 27

28 undersized lobsters make up almost 10% of landings. Overall, the management of the spiny lobster fisheries in Belize is ranked red. Justification: The primary agency in charge of fisheries regulation is the Belize Fisheries Department. The law establishes minimum size limits (carapace length greater than 76.2 mm), a regulated fishing season (closed between February 15 and June 14), and a prohibition on capture, possession, and/or sale of egg-carrying (or berried) females (CRFM 2011a, FAO 2001). Additionally, the Belize fishery prohibits the use of spearguns, hookah, SCUBA and explosives, and prohibits lobster fishing in marine reserves and the forereef (CRFM 2011a). Despite the declining lobster landings, there have been no significant changes in the management. Subfactor Recovery of Species of Considerations: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species or to limit fishery s impact on these species and what is their likelihood of success? To achieve a rating of Highly, rebuilding strategies that have a high likelihood of success in an appropriate timeframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for any overfished/threatened/endangered species. BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS Moderately Currently, the Department of Fisheries still considers the spiny lobster stock to be in good condition despite declining landings. However, they have initiated a fisheries improvement project to bring the stock into compliance with the Marine Stewardship Council s certification standards (CRFM 2011a). BELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BELIZE BELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVING, BELIZE Currently, the stock is considered overfished with overfishing occurring and, as such, is a stock of concern. There are currently no plans in place to improve the fisheries (FAO 2007). Subfactor Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the population and the fishery s impact on the species? To achieve a Highly rating, population assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliably determine the population status. BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), BAHAMAS BAHAMAS / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, DIVING, BAHAMAS Over the years, the data collection system for the Bahamian fishery has improved, but there is still more that needs to be done (FAO 2001). As there is no data collection or monitoring of landings, 36% of the landings are believed to be unreported (Medley & Gittens 2012). There is still a large amount of uncertainty related to 28