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Our Program is working to assist CAFTA-DR governments in improving fisheries regulation, management and enforcement Over-fishing, much of it done in disregard of national fisheries regulations, contributes to the degradation of the region’s marine environment. Unsustainable over-harvesting threatens the livelihoods of fisherman, important domestic food sources and the long-term viability of CAFTA-DR seafood exports.
Coordination of Fisheries Laws complements and supports objectives of other Program sub-themes. For instance, Activities to protect endangered sea turtles under Theme B, Protecting Wildlife depend in part on environmentally sound fisheries practices. Similarly, the Program supports compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which, in addition to sea turtles, protects a number of CAFTA-DR’s aquatic species, such as the queen conch, which is a victim of poaching and overfishing for food and for its striking shell, a favorite tourist souvenir.
Some Program Activities regarding fisheries laws relate to general capacity building, while others focus on species which are experiencing population decline due to illegal and overfishing. In all these Activities, we work with regional and national authorities and the private sector.
- General Enforcement Capacity Building. The Program supports CAFTA-DR countries in developing self-sustaining marine conservation enforcement bodies capable of effective of fisheries conservation laws and prosecution of violations. In this effort, the Program collaborates with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization of Central America (OSPESCA) which operates under the Central American Integration System. OSPESCA’s mission is to promote the development and coordinated management of regional fisheries activities.
In terms of general capacity building, the Program also contributes to regional knowledge of evolving concepts and methods of fisheries management, such as ecosystem based fisheries management (EBFM), and offers opportunities to build international alliances—for instance in developing International Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) capacities to contribute to a regional plan of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
- Focus Species: The Spiny Lobster. The Program supports a project to work with governments, fishermen, exporters, buyers, NGOs, foundations and local communities to transform the spiny lobster trade. Overexploitation of this small crustacean has resulted in declining stocks and reduced catches.
The spiny lobster, commercially harvested by diving or using wood, plastic or metal traps, is exported in large quantities to the U.S., making the U.S. market one of the key drivers of unsustainable fishing in the region. Honduras and Nicaragua are by far the predominate exporters, accounting for 90% of CAFTA-DR spiny lobster exports.
The Lobster Project is multi-faceted, promoting protection of critical lobster habitats, best fisheries practices (BFPs), enforcement of regulations, education of government and industries about CAFTA-DR requirements to enforce lobster fisheries laws, establishment of quotas, increased demand for sustainably-caught lobster and public education on the effects of consuming under-size lobster.
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As part of its work with the Industrial Fishermen’s Association of Honduras (APESCA), the Lobster Project conducted experiments to promote the use of “environmentally-friendly traps”. These traps feature an expanded opening of 2 1/8 inches which allows juvenile lobsters to escape catch, permitting them to survive, grow, reproduce and rebuild their population.
In May 2009, OSPESCA ratified a Regional Lobster Regulation, later adopted by the Honduran government, which includes stipulations regarding lobster trap openings, catch of berried females and minimum catch size. In addition, it sets a goal of phasing out dive fishing in two years.
This regulation marks significant progress toward more sustainable practices. Various factors, including the Lobster Project’s experiment with modified traps, contributed to its ratification by OSPESCA and adoption by Honduras.
Continuing project activities are expected to include meetings with the fishing industry and distribution of materials to communicate the change and promote compliance with the regulation.
Juvenile spiny lobsters take up refuge in crevice shelters provided by large sponges. Photo: NOAA
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/
car_spiny_lobster.htm
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The Lobster Project promotes compliance with and improvement of fisheries management and regulations in a variety of ways, including sponsorship of opportunities for discussion, education and forging alliances.
Discussion of New Honduran Fishing Law. In connection with the new OSPESCA Lobster Regulation and Honduras’s revision of its Fisheries law of 1959, the project sponsored a meeting for comment on the new regulation before it was sent to Congress.
The event, which was held in Tegucigalpa and attended by 80 participants, including government officers, fish product exporters, fishermen and NGOs, featured a presentation on ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), enforcement of current regulations under CAFTA-DR, voluntary adoption of best fisheries practices (BFPs), the establishment of a quota system and fisheries concessions.
EBFM Workshop with OSPESCA. At this workshop to introduce and promote EBFM to CAFTA-DR mangers, scientists and decision-makers, Program Implementers shared their experience in applying EBFM in the Lobster Project. EBFM advocates an integrated approach to fisheries management, which takes into account biological, economic and social factors affecting fisheries—a more holistic concept than the traditional single species approach.
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Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
