SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ISSUES St. Eustatius September 25, 2012 Earlston B. McPhee BAHAMAS Ministry of Tourism

IMPORTANCE OF FISHERIES Oceans and water make up over 70% of earth’s surface Oceans and water make up over 70% of earth’s surface Over 540 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the fish and seafood industries Over 540 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the fish and seafood industries An estimated 3 billion people depend on fish for 15% of their average animal protein intake An estimated 3 billion people depend on fish for 15% of their average animal protein intake Roughly 75% of fish caught is used for human consumption. Roughly 75% of fish caught is used for human consumption.

IMPORTANCE OF FISHERIES Cost of illegal and unreported fishing - $ b per year Cost of illegal and unreported fishing - $ b per year Contribution of fish to global diets – 17kg per person on average Contribution of fish to global diets – 17kg per person on average Fish products is the most-traded of food commodities globally with a value $102b in 2009, up 9% from 2007 Fish products is the most-traded of food commodities globally with a value $102b in 2009, up 9% from 2007

GROWING DEMAND ON FISHERIES Demand is proportional to growth in world’s population – tripled from 2.5b in 1950 to 7b 2012 Demand is proportional to growth in world’s population – tripled from 2.5b in 1950 to 7b 2012 Developing countries and coastal areas depend more on fish as staple food. Developing countries and coastal areas depend more on fish as staple food. Asia has the highest consumption of seafood – combining high per-person consumption with large populations Asia has the highest consumption of seafood – combining high per-person consumption with large populations Fish provide 26 percent of Asian animal protein but only 7% for North and Central America Fish provide 26 percent of Asian animal protein but only 7% for North and Central America

GROWING DEMAND ON FISHERIES Total production of fish products globally increased from 140m tonnes in 2007 to 145m tonnes in 2009 Total production of fish products globally increased from 140m tonnes in 2007 to 145m tonnes in 2009

SUPPLY – A MAJOR ISSUE Over 32% of the world’s fish stock is overexploited and depleted. Over 32% of the world’s fish stock is overexploited and depleted. Since 1950’s with the development of industrialized fishing 90% of all large fish has disappeared. Since 1950’s with the development of industrialized fishing 90% of all large fish has disappeared. It is estimated due to exploitation whereas long- lines used to catch ten fish per a hundred hooks, they are only reeling in one, if lucky. It is estimated due to exploitation whereas long- lines used to catch ten fish per a hundred hooks, they are only reeling in one, if lucky.

Promote Sustainable Fisheries Management Mitigate destructive fishing practices Mitigate destructive fishing practices - Long-line fishing - The use of dynamite - Bleaching Control Illegal Fishing: Control Illegal Fishing: Place effective patrol of fishing areas Place effective patrol of fishing areas Enforcement and heavy penalities Enforcement and heavy penalities Educate general public of reasons for no fishing Educate general public of reasons for no fishing Blue Flag Individual boat program Blue Flag Individual boat program

Promote Sustainable Fisheries Management…..cont Establish closed season for threaten species Establish closed season for threaten species - Stone Crab (June 1 – October 15 th ) - Crawfish (April 1 – July 31 st ) - Nassau Grouper (December 1 – Feb 28 th ) Encourage Good Fisheries Mgmt: Encourage Good Fisheries Mgmt: Develop code of conduct for fishing vessels Develop code of conduct for fishing vessels Size Limits Size Limits Crawfish tails must be 5 1/2 inches Crawfish tails must be 5 1/2 inches Conch – Well formed and flared lip Conch – Well formed and flared lip

Education and Awareness Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation – Local NGO Initiatives : Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation – Local NGO Initiatives : –Hold workshops for fishermen on importance of marine reserves & sustainable fisheries practices –Annual Teachers Training workshop during Summer –Annual Children Summer Camp to educate about marine environment –Execute a campaign to reduce demand for Nassau Grouper – postcard with a grouper – “eat more beef” –Coordinates The Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholar (BESS) program – HS graduates interested in environmental studies.

Education and Awareness Radio and Television Shows on impact of Overfishing and importance of sustainable fisheries. Radio and Television Shows on impact of Overfishing and importance of sustainable fisheries. National School Competition on over- fishing issues – “if a fish could talk” National School Competition on over- fishing issues – “if a fish could talk” During Coastal Awareness Month – Display of Banners Nationally – “save some fish for our children” During Coastal Awareness Month – Display of Banners Nationally – “save some fish for our children”

Indo-Pacific Lionfish May have been introduced into Atlantic via Florida during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 from an Aquarium May have been introduced into Atlantic via Florida during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 from an Aquarium Now spread as far east as Bermuda and South past Lesser Antilles Now spread as far east as Bermuda and South past Lesser Antilles 5 Week study shows lionfish caused 79% reduction in recruitment of native fishes 5 Week study shows lionfish caused 79% reduction in recruitment of native fishes A major threat to coral-reef ecosystems as it’s a predator and competitor to native reef species. A major threat to coral-reef ecosystems as it’s a predator and competitor to native reef species.

Mitigation Efforts: Promotion of Fishing Tournaments – Prizes for most caught lionfish Promotion of Fishing Tournaments – Prizes for most caught lionfish Public education on how to catch and clean lionfish Public education on how to catch and clean lionfish Encourage the public to consume lionfish by having lionfish tasting at public events Encourage the public to consume lionfish by having lionfish tasting at public events Discourage the use of lionfish for the pet trade Discourage the use of lionfish for the pet trade

Climate Change Impact Sea temperatures will change – resulting in coral bleaching Sea temperatures will change – resulting in coral bleaching Fish will migrate to cooler waters; some will become extinct Fish will migrate to cooler waters; some will become extinct Other habitat will suffer – wetlands will be inundated by increasing sea levels. Other habitat will suffer – wetlands will be inundated by increasing sea levels.

Negative impacts on fish stock Overdevelopment in coastal areas Overdevelopment in coastal areas Over-fishing Over-fishing Illegal fishing Illegal fishing Pollution of marine ecosystems Pollution of marine ecosystems Increase in demand due to increased population Increase in demand due to increased population Destruction of fishing habitats – mangrove removal and seabed disturbance Destruction of fishing habitats – mangrove removal and seabed disturbance Source: US Department of commerce Source: US Department of commerce

Negative impacts on fish stock cont.. Coral reef destruction Coral reef destruction Climate Change Climate Change

THANK YOU!! MERCI!!