A Multifaceted Comparison of Highly Migratory Species Regulation in the Caribbean (the United States, the Bahamas, and Jamaica) By Andrew Blitman University of Miami Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Objective To compare the HMS management plans of the United States, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. Sub-Objectives 1. Determine the number of encounters of HMS in study 2. Create categories for comparison of HMS plans 3. Compare the HMS plans of the 3 countries
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) Nonprofit founded in 1986 Mission to conserve Billfish worldwide Focus: - Research - Education - Advocacy of responsible fisheries management - To influence decision makers with sound science to successfully conserve billfish
Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) Vulnerable as of 2011 (Collette 2011) Atlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) Not Assessed Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Least Concern as of 2011 (Collette 2012) White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) Vulnerable as of 2011 (Collette 2011) Note: New assessments will be released in a few years
1.Overfishing 2.Bycatch 3.Pollution/Climate Change
HMS Management Challenges Wide geographic distributions Billfish regularly migrate across the international boundaries Regulations differ among countries Management of highly migratory species requires international and regional cooperation
Important Facts about Recreational Fisheries In the United States: 6 million American anglers fish in the Caribbean - 3.2 million anglers, 23 million trips in Gulf of Mexico (FEUS 2012) - 2.8 million anglers, 20 million trips in South Atlantic (FEUS 2012) Total Revenue - $16.6 billion (US) - Gulf of Mexico - $10 billion (FEUS 2012) - South Atlantic - $6.6 billion (FEUS 2012) - Size of Industry in USA alone at $58 billion in 2012 (FEUS 2012)
Important Facts about Recreational Fisheries (Continued) Globally Speaking: There are 58 million anglers (Cisneros- Montemajor & Sumaila 2010) Provide between 21 and 50 million jobs worldwide (Garcia and de Leiva-Moreno 2003)
Study Area Coordinates that Mark Geographic Boundaries of Study Area - 30 N, 85 W NW Boundary - 15 N, 85 W SW Boundary - 15 N, 70 W SE Boundary - 30 N, 70 W NE Boundary Countries Studied The United States The Bahamas Jamaica
Methods 1. Assessed the Status of the HMS Fisheries: a) Used GIS to Determine Spatial Extent of Fisheries in Each Country b) Used Billfish Tagging Data (from TBF s Tagging Database) and HMS Fisheries Records (from NOAA and the MOAs of the Bahamas and Jamaica) to Examine the Targeted Species within the Selected Area 2. Reviewed the Literature: a) Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com) b) Science Direct (http://sciencedirect.com) c) Scopus (http://scopus.com) d) NASA s Ocean Color Project (http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/) 3. Determined the Criteria for Comparing the Three Countries 4. Created a Matrix Based on the Comparison Criteria
Billfish encounter data (12,496 points) were obtained from TBF s Tagging Program Database, and represent tagging events, release events, and recapture events from 1990 to 2013. Table 5-1: Species Percent of Total Billfish Species Number of Encounters Percent of Total Blue Marlin 4,768 38.15% Sailfish 6,308 50.47% Swordfish 416 3.35% White Marlin 932 7.50% Total 12,424 100%
These recapture events were calculated from just the recapture event and/or the original tagging event.
The Most Important Points: An Introduction to the Matrix* A B C Element of HMS Policy 1 Funding 4 Sub- Elements 2 HMS Boundaries (MPAs) 23 Sub- Elements 3 Enforcement 17 Sub-Elements 4 Community Involvement 6 Sub- Elements 5 Billfish-Specific Laws 17 Sub-Elements United States The Bahamas Jamaica Yes Yes Yes Yes None None Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes None Yes Yes None *In total, 72 distinct criteria were evaluated in this report. These five are the most important criterion categories.
Management of Bycatch, Discards and Non-target Species: 21 Do regulations or policies seek to minimize bycatch and other impacts to nontarget species? 22 Are fishing gear, methods, and practices required to be sufficiently selective? 23 Are technical measures being implemented to minimize waste, discards and bycatch? 24 Do regulations or policies seek to: A Discourage, phase out or replace unsustainable fishing gear methods and practices; and B Promote the development and implementation of technology and methods to minimize discards and increase survival rates of discarded target and nontarget species? Yes No No Yes, but not in all American fisheries No No Yes No No Yes No No Yes, but not in all American fisheries No No
Are there any educational or outreach programs that encourage conservation of billfish or tuna through: Responsible consumer practices; Education and Outreach Yes No No Yes No No General education; or Yes No No Promotion of awareness of responsible fishing practices. Are there any educational, or outreach programs designed to inform fishermen about relevant fisheries laws and regulations as well as relevant international authorities? Yes No No Yes Yes No Are there education and training programs designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of fishermen? Yes No information available No
Key Findings of the Matrix Only the United States has all five criteria for an integrated HMS plan The United States and the Bahamas addressed criteria for: - Funding - Enforcement - Community involvement - Billfish-specific laws Jamaica only has: - Funding - Enforcement
Key Findings of the Matrix In all 3 countries, FMPs have legal force - Jamaica s FMP needs to reflect long-term conservation goals In all 3 countries, science and data play a pivotal role in management decisions Only the United States limits bycatch, though HMS enforcement exists in all 3 countries - USA NOAA, NMFS, and Coast Guard - Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Department of Natural Resources (DONR) - Jamaica MOA
Conclusions Billfish support immense fisheries worldwide In spite of economic importance, little knowledge of current population status since 2011 A standardized model possible, but not likely The United States is the leader in HMS policy Magnuson-Stevens Act Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) Billfish Conservation Act (BCA) The Bahamas and Jamaica have many of the tools to adopt American policies, but need political will to institute the desired policy changes.
Time constraints. Lack of interviews Literature was limited by restricted access to foreign documents Interview government officials Interview local fishermen Include the entire Caribbean in a study
My parents, grandparents, The University of Miami and brother, cousins, and the Masters of Professional extended family and friends Science (MPS) Program Maria Estevanez ESRI User Conference Joe Matthews (University of Florida) The Billfish Foundation Peter Chaibongsai (TBF) Andrew Cox (TBF) Michael Kelly (TBF) Ellen Peel (TBF) Dr. Neil Hammerschlag Dr. Jill Richardson Julie Hollenbeck The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) Dr. Guy Harvey Dr. Eric Prince (NOAA) Susan Cocking of The Miami Herald The United States of America You My Wonderful Audience