Opening statements
Ministers’ joint statement
Appendix A. List of Participants
Appendix B. Agenda
Appendix C. List of documents
Appendix D. Country reports on the management of shrimp and groundfish stocks of the Brazil-Guianas shelf
Appendix E. Opening statements of the fisheries ministers and representatives of ministers
Inauguration
39. The Ministers’ Meeting was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 29 March 2001, at the kind invitation of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
40. Fisheries Ministers from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, Representatives of Ministers from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Venezuela, and observers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) attended the meeting. The list of participants is given in Appendix A of this report.
41. Representatives and/or ambassadors from the Brazilian, French, Surinamese and Venezuelan embassies in Trinidad and Tobago attended the inauguration.
42. On behalf of the Director General of FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf, the Secretary of WECAFC, Mr Bisessar Chakalall, expressed FAO’s sincere appreciation to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting the meeting and for its generous hospitality.
43. Mr Chakalall noted that the meetings were a climax of a series of four fish stock assessment workshops conducted during the past five years and involving the member countries of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf. The member countries are Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. He mentioned that the principal objective of the meeting was to bring the results of the stock assessments of commercially important species of shrimp and fish to the attention of fisheries managers and ministers responsible for fisheries in the participating countries. These results have implications for the management and sustainable utilisation of these resources most of which are either shared or straddling. The meeting was also expected to identify an appropriate strategy for effective co-operation in fisheries research and management of the Brazil-Guianas shelf. According to Mr Chakalall, the WECAF Commission’s support to the establishment of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf represented an important starting point for regional co-operation in the management of fisheries resources in the region.
44. The Honourable Minister of Food Production and Marine Resources of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Trevor Sudama, delivered the feature address and opened the meeting. The Minister mentioned that WECAFC was created to promote regional co-operation in the conservation, development and utilisation of the living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic region. He observed that the Commission has contributed significantly to fisheries management and development in the region and noted that Trinidad and Tobago, like many other countries of the Brazil-Guianas sub-region, is an active member of WECAFC and the Ad Hoc Working Group. Mr Sudama noted that the human resource and institutional capacity of the Fisheries Division of Trinidad and Tobago were significantly enhanced through participation in the various workshops and training courses organised by the Commission.
45. The Honourable Minister said that the Ad Hoc Working Group provided technical support to the Fisheries Division of Trinidad and Tobago and congratulated the Group on its achievements. According to Mr Sudama, an important element in decision-making and policy formulation is accurate, timely and reliable biological, social and economic data and information and observed that the Ad Hoc Working Group was attempting to fulfill this role. He encouraged the Group to continue and improve their work in order to provide decision makers with the information necessary to make fisheries management decisions that would lead to sustainable fisheries in the Brazil-Guianas region.
46. Closing, Mr Sudama briefly explained how Trinidad and Tobago benefited from participating in the Ad Hoc Working Group. In this regard, he noted the improved co-operation with Venezuela and the opportunity provided by the Ad Hoc Working Group to implement the 1989 Protocol for Co-operation in Fisheries Research between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The Minister said that he anticipated a meeting that would yield positive results, which would translate into social and economic benefits for the countries of the Brazil-Guianas sub-region.
Election of Chairman
47. The Minister of Food Production and Marine Resources, Mr Trevor Sudama, was elected as Chairman.
Adoption of Agenda
48. The meeting adopted the Agenda presented in Appendix B. The documents presented to the meeting are listed in Appendix C.
49. The opening statements of the Fisheries Ministers and Representatives of Ministers from Brazil, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are found in Appendix E.
50. The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Suriname, Mr Geetapersad Ganagaram-Panday, read out the following statement on behalf of the Ministers and Ministers’ Representatives present at the meeting.
51. We, the Ministers responsible for fisheries and the Representatives participating in the Meeting of Fisheries Ministers and Fisheries Managers of the member countries of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf, organised by FAO and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, recognise that attaining sustainable management of fisheries of the Brazil-Guianas shelf is of significant importance for the food security of our countries, for the attainment of national economic and social development goals, and for the well-being and livelihoods of individuals and families dependent on these fisheries.
52. We are aware that it is our duty to ensure that the resources of the region and especially those of the Brazil-Guianas shelf, are utilised and managed in a sustainable and environmentally acceptable manner to sustain the high consumption of fish in our region.
53. Consequently, we reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries through policies and programmes to secure the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
54. We note that the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) provides the countries with a neutral forum and mechanism for regional co-operation in fisheries management and conservation, that crosses the political, geographic, cultural and language barriers that exist in the region and we undertake to find ways to strengthen and support WECAFC and the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf.
55. We note the shared nature of many of the important resources of the Brazil-Guianas shelf and the need for regional approaches to fisheries management and conservation, such as the one being promoted for the Brazil-Guianas shelf, to ensure sustainable fisheries production.
56. We therefore recognise and support the important role played by the Ad Hoc Working Group, within the framework of WECAFC, in providing an effective mechanism for the interaction of fisheries managers and scientists at the regional level and for the generation and sharing of information and analyses essential for responsible management of these valuable resources.
57. We take note of the status of the fisheries resources of the Brazil-Guianas shelf as outlined in this report and the management recommendations generated by the Ad Hoc Working Group.
58. We are concerned that there are indications of over-exploitation in a number of the important fishery resources of the region and note the remedial options suggested. We undertake to seriously consider these recommendations in formulating our national strategies for the management of our fisheries.
59. We recognise the importance of establishing clear objectives for our fisheries to facilitate their optimal utilisation and acknowledge the need for the fishers and fishing industry to be informed and consulted in designing and implementing fishery management plans and strategies.
60. We considered the report of the meeting and reaffirm our common determination to continue supporting the work of our fishery management institutions and to build and strengthen them as necessary. We support their on-going full participation in the activities of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
61. We express our appreciation for the support provided by FAO to the Ad Hoc Working Group, the Government of Norway, DANIDA and CFRAMP and call on FAO and these agencies to consider maintaining their support to the Ad Hoc Working Group.
62. The meeting adopted the statement.
Date and Place of next Meeting
63. The meeting agreed that managers and ministers of the member countries of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf should meet every three years. The timing of the meeting would depend on the progress of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
Adoption of the Report
64. The Meeting considered the report and adopted it on 29 March 2001.
Brazil
VIEIRA, Italo José
Chefe do Centro de Pesquisa e Extensao Pesqueira do Norte do
Brasil (CEPNOR)
Av. Tancredo Neves, s/n - Campus da FCAP
CEP - 66077-530 Belém Pará
Tel: 55 91 274 1237/7570
Fax: 55 91 274 1429
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected] br
NEGREIROS ARAGÃO, Jose Augusto
Pesquisador
Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais
Renováveis - IBAMA
Rua Nunes Valente 1988 - Bloco B
Apto 302, Dionísio Torres,
60 125 070 - Fortaleza, Ceará
Tel: (55) 85 272 16 00, (55) 85 244 2901
Fax: (55) 85 227 9081
E-mail: [email protected]
France/French Guiana
COURBIN, Francis
Deputy Head of Mission
Embassy of the French Republic
6th Floor Tatil Building
11 Maraval Road
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 622 2388, (868) 622 7447
Fax: (868) 628 2632, (868) 622 4848
E-mail: [email protected]
CHARUAU, Anatole
Délégué Régional IFREMER
B.P. No. 477
Domaine de Suzini
97330 Cayenne Cedex
French Guiana
Tel: (594) 30 22 00
Fax: (594) 30 80 31
E-mail: [email protected]
Guyana
WIGGINS, Shawn
Senior Fisheries Officer (ag)
Fisheries Department
Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock
18 Brickdam
Georgetown
Tel: (592) 22 59559/61833
Fax: (592) 22 59551/2
E-mail: [email protected]
Suriname
GANGARAM-PANDAY, Geetapersad
Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries
Letitia Vriesdelaan, 10
Paramaribo
Suriname
Tel: (597) 477698/477830
Fax: (597) 470301
E-mail: [email protected]
BABB-ECHTELD, Yolanda
Fisheries Officer
MAHADEW, Moenindre
Director of Fisheries
Fisheries Department
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries
Cornelis Jongbawstraat 50, Paramaribo
Tel: (597) 472233/(597) 476741
Fax: (597) 424441
E-mail: [email protected]
Trinidad and Tobago
SUDAMA, Trevor
Minister of Food Production and Marine Resources
Ministry of Food Production and Marine Resources
St. Clair Circle, St. Clair
Tel.: (868) 622 1221/5
Fax: (868) 622 4246
JORDAN, Carlisle
Director of Fisheries
JOBITY, Ann Marie
Senior Fisheries Officer
KURUVILLA, Sita
Fisheries Officer
FERREIRA, Lara
Fisheries Officer
SOOMAI, Suzuette
Fisheries Officer
Fisheries Division
Ministry of Food Production and
Marine Resources
Tel: (868) 634-4504/5
Fax: (868) 623-4488
E-mail: [email protected]
Venezuela
ALVARADO, Nicolas
Director de Fomento Pesquero
Del Servicio Automo de Recursos Pesqueros y Acuicolas
(SARPA)
Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria
Torres Este, Piso 10
Caracas 1010
Tel: (58-2) 5781855 or 5090383-4
Fax: (58-2) 5781855 or 5743587
E-mail: [email protected]
ARELLANO, Julio
Attaché for Fisheries and Energy
Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela
16 Victoria Avenue
Port of Spain
Trinidad
Tel: (868) 627 9821, (868) 627 9823, (868) 627 9824
Fax: (868) 624 2508
E-mail: [email protected]
LAGARDE, Gustavo
Director de Adminístracíon y Control
Pesquero
Ministerio de la Producción y el Comercio
Parque Central - Torre Este
Piso 10 (SARPA)
Caracas
Tel: (58-2) 5781314
Fax: (58-2) 5781855
E-mail: [email protected]
OBSERVERS
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
HAUGHTON, Milton
Scientific Director
CARICOM Fisheries Unit
Princess Margaret Drive
P.O. Box 642
Belize City, Belize C.A.
Tel: (501) 2 34443/34444
Fax: (501) 2 34446
E-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
PHILLIPS, Terrence
RAU Leader/Biologist
CARICOM Fisheries Unit
C/o Fisheries Division
Ministry of Agriculture and Labour
Bay Street, Kingstown
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
Tel: (784) 457-3474
Fax: (784) 457-3475
E-mail: [email protected]
HOST GOVERNMENT STAFF
Liaison Officer
JORDAN, Carlisle
Director of Fisheries
Ministry of Food Production and Marine Resources
35 Cipriani Boulevard
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 623-5989
Fax: (868) 623-8542
E-mail: [email protected]
FAO FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy
COCHRANE, Kevern
Senior Fishery Resources Officer
Marine Fishery Resources Service
Fishery Resources Division
Tel: 39 06 5705 6109
Fax: 39 06 5705 3020
E-mail: [email protected]
GUMY, Angel
Senior Fishery Planning Officer
Development Planning Service
Fishery Policy and Planning Division
Tel: 39 06 5705 6471
Fax: 39 06 5705 6500
E-mail: [email protected]
SOMA, Katrine
Fishery Analyst
Development Planning Service
Fishery Policy and Planning Division
Tel: 39 06 5705 3593
Fax: 39 06 5705 6500
E-mail: [email protected]
FAO SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE CARIBBEAN
CHAKALALL, Bisessar
Regional Fishery Officer/
Secretary of WECAFC
FAO Representation
P.O. Box 631-C
Bridgetown
Barbados
Tel: (246) 426-7110
Fax: (246) 427-6075
E-mail: [email protected]
SECRETARIAT
Host Government
Liaison Officer
JORDAN, Carlisle
Secretary
DUFF, Theresa
FAO
Secretary of WECAFC
CHAKALALL, Bisessar
Liaison Officer
ALLEYNE, Marion
Secretaries
MARTIN, Deborah
JOSEPH, Roanne
Managers’ Meeting
1. Opening of the meeting.
2. Adoption of the agenda.
3. Background and objectives of the meetings.
4. Review of the status of shrimp and groundfish stocks, including bio-economic analyses, in the countries of the sub-region, and the implications for management:
5. Modalities of co-operation: the future work of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
6. Improving the effectiveness of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
7.Priority areas for future work of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
8. Preparation of the Managers’ Meeting report.
9. Preparation of the report to Fisheries Ministers.
10. Other business.
11. Date and place of the next meeting.
12. Closing.
Ministers’ Meeting
1. Opening statements of Ministers and Representatives.
2. Consideration of meeting report.
3. Consideration of Ministers’ Joint Statement.
4. Adoption of the report.
Fisheries Managers Meeting, 26-28 March 2001
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/1 |
Draft Annotated Provisional Agenda |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/2 |
Background and Objectives of the Meetings |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/3 |
National Fishery Management reports prepared by the national scientists at the Fourth Workshop on the Assessment of Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries on the Brazil-Guianas Shelf, 2-13 October 2000, Cumaná, Venezuela.
|
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/4 |
Modalities of Co-operation: the future work of the WECAFC Ad
Hoc Working Group |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/5 |
Improving the Effectiveness of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Shrimp and
Groundfish Working Group of the Brazil-Guianas Shelf in Facilitating Responsible
Fisheries Management |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/Inf.1 |
Provisional List of Documents |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MAN/01/Inf.2 |
WECAFC and Responsible Fisheries Management in the Western
Central Atlantic Region |
Fisheries Ministers Meeting, 29 March 2001
|
WECAFC/B-G/MIN/01/1 |
Draft Annotated Provisional Agenda |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MANRep/01/1 |
Report of the Fisheries Managers Meeting (prepared by the
Fisheries Managers Meeting) |
|
WECAFC/B-G/MANRep/01/2 |
Draft Report to the Fisheries Ministers (prepared by the
Fisheries Managers Meeting) |
Note: The documents made available to the Fisheries Managers Meeting would also be available to the Fisheries Ministers.
BRAZIL. Ordenamento das Pescarias Demersais no Norte do Brasil
BRAZIL. Management of the Demersal Fisheries in the North of Brazil (Unofficial Translation)
FRENCH GUIANA. Management of Shrimp and Snapper Fisheries
GUYANA. Status of Groundfish and Shrimp Fisheries
SURINAME. Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. National Report on Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries
VENEZUELA. Informe Nacional
VENEZUELA. National Report (Unofficial Translation)
Introdução
1. No Brasil a pesca extrativa marítima é uma importante fonte de proteína, bem como uma atividade geradora de emprego e renda. Estima-se que cerca de 450 mil pessoas vivam diretamente da atividade que também é estratégica para um país com 8500 km de costa. Desde o início dos anos 80, a produção total oriunda do extrativismo marítimo gira em torno de 600 mil teladas anuais, embora apresente tendência de decréscimo, nos últimos anos, devido a sobreexplotação de alguns dos principais recursos tradicionalmente explotados.
2. Seja por fatores culturais, seja pela produtividade relativamente baixa do ambiente marinho, a demanda por pescado no país é sempre maior que a oferta, com um consumo per capita anual de 6,4 kg. Como conseqüência o balanço de divisas da pesca é tradicionalmente negativo. Em 1998 as exportações e importações totalizaram, respectivamente, US$ 120 e US$ 452 milhões. A partir de 1999, observa-se um começo de recuperação devido a aquicultura, especialmente de camarão, e do desenvolvimento da pesca de altura, voltada principalmente para atuns e afins.
3. Nos anos recentes, o governo vem adotando estratégias e linhas de ação para a gestão sustentável dos recursos pesqueiros, buscando o estabelecimento das bases para a recuperação da produtividade e competitividade da atividade pesqueira, assegurando o seu desenvolvimento em bases sustentáveis. Neste sentido, Grupos de Estudos, em nível nacional e internacional, sobre os principais recursos pesqueiros vem sendo fundamental para oferecer subsídios que permitam orientar as ações do governo.
4. Nos últimos cinco anos, representantes do MMA/IBAMA/CEPNOR têm participado ativamente das atividades e reuniões do grupo de trabalho Ad Hoc da WECAFC sobre Avaliação de Estoques de Camarões e Peixes Demersais da Plataforma Continental Brasil-Guianas”, cujo objetivo principal é identificar alternativas para o ordenamento das pescarias com base nos resultados das avaliações e outros subsídios científicos. Como resultado desta participação, observa-se uma importante melhora no nível dos trabalhos de investigação e os resultados vem assegurando um melhor ordenamento das pescarias, inclusive com uma efetiva participação do setor pesqueiro.
Situação Atual das Pescarias Demersais na Região Norte
5. As pescarias de recursos demersais na região Norte do Brasil possuem elevada importância social e econômica, destacando as pescarias de camarão e pargo, sendo por esta razão as mais estudadas e portanto abordadas neste informe. Porém, não se pode deixar de reconhecer a importância de outras espécies, capturadas com abundância nas pescarias de camarão e pela pesca artesanal. O ordenamento destas pescarias é realizado pelo Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA).
Pescarias de Camarão
6. As pescarias industriais de camarão representam a segunda fonte de divisas da pesca extrativa, superada apenas pela pesca de lagosta, e são sustentadas, basicamente, por uma única espécie de camarão (Farfantepenaeus subtilis). As exportações chegaram a atingir cerca de US$ 75,4 milhões, o que demonstra a importância econômica da atividade. Nos últimos anos, porém, vem mostrando tendência de queda e em 1999 totalizaram apenas US$ 30,4 milhões, acompanhando a diminuição dos desembarques.
7. Apesar das medidas de regulamentação destas pescarias virem sendo implementadas desde meados dos anos 80, os desembarques vem apresentando acentuada tendência de queda nos últimos anos, como conseqüência de padrões de pesca inadequados. A produção chegou a atingir picos de mais 6000 t, em 1987, 1988 e 1993, mas em 1999 totalizou apenas 3262 t, embora a captura por dia de mar tenha se mantido, a grosso modo, constante, em torno de 122,5 kg.
8. A diminuição na abundância provocou também a diminuição da frota que passou de 230 embarcações em 1994 para 134 em 1999. Estudos demonstram que isso é conseqüência da diminuição do nível de recrutamento e abundância que nos últimos anos mostraram-se bem inferiores aqueles observados no final dos anos 80 e início dos anos 90. Observa-se ainda que, durante os últimos dez anos, a quantidade de camarão pequeno nos desembarques aumentou significativamente, indicando uma possível sobrepesca de crescimento.
9. Diante deste quadro, emergem as seguintes recomendações para a administração destas pescarias:
Pescarias de Pargo
10. As pescarias industriais de pargo se iniciaram no Nordeste do Brasil, em 1961, e depois expandiram-se para a região Norte. As capturas são realizadas em bancos oceânicos e na borda da plataforma continental com a utilização de espinhel vertical, rede de espera e, mais recentemente, armadilhas. Atualmente não estão sendo concedidas permissões de pesca para a captura de pargo, porém, a frota vem crescendo de forma significativa na região. No estado do Pará passou de 50 barcos em 1995 para 86 barcos em 1997, enquanto os desembarques, no mesmo período, passaram de 493 t para 2972 t, o que, aliado ao elevado valor da espécie no mercado internacional, demonstra a importância da atividade
11. Além do crescimento descontrolado da frota pesqueira, o elevado índice de captura de indivíduos jovens é um outro fator que vem colocando em risco a sustentabilidade dos estoques. Apesar de proibida, a pesca de indivíduos jovens, menores que 42 cm, chega a representar 72% na pesca de linha e 63% na pesca com armadilha. Este problema ocorre devido a fiscalização ineficiente bem devido as dificuldades provocadas pela medida que permite o desembarque de 15% de indivíduos jovens.
12. Considerando o exposto, faz-se necessário uma revisão do conjunto de medidas de regulamentação destas pescarias contemplando os seguintes aspectos:
Trabalhos Futuros
13. É de fundamental importância a manutenção dos programa de amostragens biológicas e coleta de dados de captura e esforço de pesca, bem como dados ambientais, cobrindo tanto a pesca industrial como a pesca artesanal, e toda a área de distribuição dos recursos, de forma que se possa compreender melhor o ciclo de vida das espécies, desde sua fase juvenil até a fase adulta, e assim avaliar os efeitos das pescarias sobre os estoques.
14. Em termos de ordenamento das pescarias recomenda-se que o setor produtivo seja estimulado a participar com ampla representação nas negociações das medidas a serem implementadas. Uma forma de efetivar esta participação seria através dos Contratos de Gestão, cuja proposta já encontra-se em discussão no âmbito do IBAMA.
Introduction
1. The marine capture fishery in Brazil is an important source of protein, as well as of employment and income. It is estimated that about 450 thousand people live directly from the activity that is also strategic for the country with its 8500 km of coast. Since the beginning of the eighties, the total production originating from the marine capture fisheries has been around 600,000 t per year, although it has shown a decreasing trend in recent years, due to over-exploitation of some of the main resources.
2. Due to cultural factors as well as a relatively low productivity of the marine environment, the demand for fish in the country, with an annual per capita consumption of 6.4 kg is always larger than the supply. As a result, in 1998, for example, the total exports and imports were, respectively, US$ 120 and US$ 452 million. However, since 1999, there have been signs of a recovery due to aquaculture, especially of shrimp, and of the development of the high sea fisheries, especially for tunas.
3. In recent years, the government has adopted strategies and actions for the sustainable management of the fishing resources, with a view to allowing for the recovery of production and promoting competitiveness of fishing activities on a sustainable basis. In this regard, national and international Study Groups on the main fishing resources are becoming fundamental sources of advice to guide the government’s actions.
4. In the last five years, representatives of MMA/IBAMA/CEPNOR have participated actively in the activities and meetings of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf. This participation has led to an important improvement in the standard of the research work undertaken by Brazilian participants and the results are leading to improved management of the fisheries, as well as an effective participation of the fishing sector in management.
Current situation of the Demersal Fisheries in the North of Brazil
5. The fisheries for demersal resources in the northern region of Brazil have high social and economic importance, especially the shrimp and red snapper fisheries. Therefore, these two have been emphasised in these studies undertaken within the Ad Hoc Working Group and in this report. Even so, the importance of other species also caught in abundance in the shrimp fisheries and small-scale fisheries has to be recognized. The management of these fisheries is the responsibility of the Brazilian Institute for Environment and Natural Renewable Resources (IBAMA).
Fisheries for Shrimp
6. The industrial shrimp fisheries represent the second largest source of income from marine renewable resources in the country, second only to the spiny lobster fishery. A single species, the brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus subtilis), sustains this fishery. The exports reached a peak of about US$ 75.4 million in 1988, which demonstrates the economic importance of the activity. In recent years, it has, however, shown a decrease and in 1999 amounted to just US$ 30.4 million, as a result of a decrease in landings.
7. Despite the implementation of management measures in the mid-eighties, the landings have decreased sharply in recent years. As a result, while production reached a peak of more than 6000 t in 1987, 1988 and 1993, it was only 3262 t in 1999, although the catch per fishing day was kept roughly constant at around 122.5 kg.
8. The decrease in the abundance also provoked a decrease in the size of the fleet from 230 vessels in 1994 to 134 vessels in 1999. Studies demonstrated that this is a consequence of a decrease in recruitment and abundance of shrimp in recent years compared to the levels observed at the end of the eighties and beginning of the nineties. During the last ten years, it has also been observed that the relative fraction of small shrimp in the landings has increased significantly, indicating that the effects of over-fishing may be getting worse.
9. In view of this scenario, the following recommendations are made for the management of these fisheries:
Fisheries for Red Snapper
10. The industrial fisheries for red snapper began in the northeast of Brazil in 1961 and later they expanded to the northern area. Fishing occurs on oceanic banks and on the border of the continental shelf making use of vertical longlines, gillnets and, more recently, traps. In recent years, no new fishing permits have been granted for the red snapper fishery, but even so, the fleet has been increasing in the area. In the state of Pará, for example, there was an increase in fleets from 50 vessels in 1995 to 86 vessels in 1997. The landings, for the same time period, increased from 493 t to 2972 t, which, allied to the high value of the species in the international market, demonstrates the importance of this resource.
11. Apart from the lack of control over the growth of the fishing fleet, the high proportion of young individuals caught is another factor that increases risk to the stocks. Despite being prohibited, capture of young individuals less than 42 cm, accounts for 72% of the landings with handlines and 63% of those from traps. This problem is a result of inefficient enforcement and the difficulties induced by the measure that permits landings including up to 15% of young individuals.
12. Considering these points, it is necessary to revise the management measures for these fisheries to incorporate the following aspects:
Future Work
13. It is of fundamental importance to maintain the programme of biological sampling and the collection of catch and fishing effort data, as well as environmental data, covering both the industrial and small-scale fisheries and the whole area of distribution of the resources. This will lead to a better understanding of the life cycle of the species and allow for the evaluation of the effects of fishing on the stocks.
14. In terms of fisheries management, it is recommended that the fishery sector should be encouraged to participate with wide representation in the negotiations of the measures to be implemented. An effective way to promote this participation would be through Management Contracts for which a proposal is already under discussion in IBAMA.
Introduction
1. In French Guiana constraints exist in commercialisation of marine products because of the small human population (150 000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 2000s). The per capita purchasing power is also very low. The infrastructure in French Guiana for commercialising and utilising its total marine production has not been fully developed. Since the departure of the US and Japanese fleets and transition to a French fleet, the two main fisheries, penaeid shrimps and snappers, are managed by the European Union (EU), on the advice of the French government. Both of these fisheries are exploited by foreigners. People from Guyana harvest the shrimp, fishing from 63 French licensed boats owned by four main companies. For snappers, the fleet consists of 41 licensed vessels from Venezuela. At the subsistence level, an artisanal fishery directly supplies the population with various ground fishes. All the fishes are landed in Cayenne.
2. The strategy of the government for management has been to effect a progressive decline of the fleet from 90 shrimp trawlers at the beginning of the 1980s to 55-60 boats in the 2000s.
3. A status quo approach is observed for the Venezuelan fleet, due to great difficulties in controlling and regulating their fishing effort given the poor regional control.
4. The meetings and workshops inside WECAFC introduced another dimension in assessing the stock. The use of new methodologies in the Working Group has permitted better accuracy and better comparison with stocks of the same species on the Brazil-Guianas shelf.
SHRIMP FISHERIES
5. The area of the shrimp fishing grounds is approximately 24 000 km2, between 10 and 60 m depth, with industrial trawlers operating at depths of 30 to 60 m. Usually between 3,500-4,200 t of penaeid shrimps are landed annually in Cayenne. P subtilis dominates the catches and has been the subject of recent assessments. It generates around 200 million francs (or US$ 30M), in French Guiana exceeded only by the satellite launch facility and gold mining.
Management Issues
6. The fishery has been regulated, for 10 years, by a constant Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 4,108 t and a regulated reduction of the fleet, which currently stands at 63 boats, generating an effort in recent years of 16,000-17,000 days at sea. Recent assessments indicate a recommended new TAC of 3,820 t and a limit of the effort level to 19,000 fishing days. There is no evidence that conservation objectives are not being achieved. However, to ensure sustained stable catches, a minimum requirement would be to adjust the TAC and maximum effort levels to these precautionary levels as identified by the biomass dynamic model. Given that these recommended effort levels exceed the current effort and the proposed TAC is around current catches, this should not be onerous to the fishery. The results of an alternative assessment approach (VPA) indicate a need for a reduction in effort towards a target level of 11,500 fishing days (45 trawlers). However, these results require further investigation and are considered impractical to implement at present. For the current exploitation pattern, a reduction in effort will lead to an increase in the numbers of larger shrimp in catches and corresponding increase in revenue for lower levels of fishing effort. Current effort is around 16,000 fishing days, achieved by 63 vessels. Industry should be consulted over this management measure.
7. Consideration could be given to improving the exploitation pattern by, for example, introducing closed areas (e.g. 12 miles limit) or increasing the cod-end mesh sizes. At present, scientific advice is only available for consideration of closed seasons, which would be too economically onerous for the fishing industry. A tentative recommendation is that a mesh size of 45 mm is enforced and an inshore 12-mile limit is placed on fishing vessels, subject to research being conducted to quantify the impact of these controls prior to their full implementation. Without such research, not only can the benefits not be quantified, but also the changes may invalidate the current assessment and prevent reliable assessments for a number of years until adequate data on the new regime is obtained.
8. The exploitation pattern could be improved by reducing by-catch and instituting processing and marketing of unavoidable fish by-catch. Currently, 30,000 t of marine products are discarded annually. As well as shifting selection to larger size categories of shrimp, alternative exploitation patterns should be used to reduce catches of undesirable species and non-commercial fish species. The development of the processing of the by-catch of fishes is an important aim for the fishery.
Current Status of the Shrimp Fishery
9. The shrimp biomass does not appear to be over-exploited. The current biomass is well over 50% of the unexploited stock size. Both current catches and effort are below the levels expected to achieve maximum sustainable yield (MSY), which is the limit reference point that should never be exceeded. The confidence intervals indicate relatively accurate estimates for the MSY reference points assuming the model is correct. The precautionary levels of catch and effort being implemented allow for errors and unexpected effects (e.g. environmental) on the stock.
Stock Assessment Recommendations
Management Recommendations
10. For achieving sustainable use, set the TAC to 3,820 tonnes and limit the effort to 19,000 fishing days.
Future Work
11. Improvements in the assessment will be achieved with better accuracy in sampling the landed shrimps. In order to optimise gear selectivity, experiments are being programmed for the future.
SNAPPER FISHERIES
12. In French Guiana, red snapper is harvested by 41 licensed hand-liners from Venezuela, operating under licenses granted by the European Union. In 1999, the Venezuelan hand-liners caught 1600 nominal t. Small individuals are common in the landings and between 1985 and 1999, from 37, 000 landed fishes (6% of the catch) to 600, 000 snappers (56%) were in the range 20-30 cm (fork length). The boats are obliged to sell 75% of their total catch to processors in Cayenne.
13. Traps are forbidden in the whole EEZ of the continental shelf of French Guiana, by a local regulation. In spite of that interdiction, Martinique and Guadeloupe have a small fleet of 3 boats fishing with traps. The activities of these boats could be contributing to the increasing trend of small fishes on the market. Many Venezuelan boats are also fishing part time with traps. French fishermen in French Guiana are concerned about ghost fishing, lost traps that continue to catch fish, and are claiming that, if the number of trap-boats cannot be controlled by coast guards, devices such as auto destructible panels, allowing the snappers to exit from the trap, should be introduced.
14. Catches from unauthorised boats are landed in Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela (Isla Margarita) and in the French Antilles. In recent years, the landings in these countries have increased. It is obvious that the stock must be studied through a regional approach, in which Venezuelan fishermen will provide important inputs due to their experience on the Brazil-Guianas shelf. The present analysis shows that the total effort in that fishery is too high.
15. At present, the EU regulation only addresses the number of vessels, not their identity and each month there are changes in the list of licences, obtained through radio communication when boats enter French Guiana’s EEZ.
Management Issues
16. In the French Guiana area, the use of the handlines was interpreted by the managers as a way to prevent overfishing of the stock. The present number of licences for 41 Venezuelan handliners, doubling the previous number, (plus 5 never facilitated for Barbados), was calculated without a scientific basis at the beginning of the 90s. A decrease in effort, in order to allow for an increase in biomass, is now unavoidable and there should be a preliminary reduction in effort towards a target of 5,000 fishing days, in order to return to the values observed at the end of 80s.
17. A drastic reconsideration of the number of licences and their switching between boats is indispensable. A return to 20 licenses, as initially established by the EU, would correspond to 250 fishing days per boat per year, which corresponds to the present strategy of Venezuelan fishermen.
18. There is a need to improve regional co-operation for managing the fishery. Significant catches are taken from this stock, but not reported to French Guiana. Improved monitoring and management can probably only be achieved with greater co-operation with Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana.
19. Further research is required on biological parameters, as well as specific research programmes on growth and migration. Improvements in data collection would produce more reliable analyses allowing improved exploitation of this stock.
The Current Status of the Snapper Fishery
20. In the past, the red snapper was not considered an important species in French Guiana because it does not address local, socio-economic issues. Only two French companies are involved and the fleet of Venezuelan boats does not come under French authority. Furthermore, given the amount of effort being implemented at the time, it was considered unlikely that handlines could over-exploit the stock or have a major, ecological impact.
21. However, recent analysis has shown that the stock is now overfished. Between 1995-1999, the effort and landings increased by 50%. At the same time, the mean length of the fishes decreased by 20%. However, the stock could be rebuilt with an immediate 15-25% decrease of effort.
22. Despite the dramatic decrease in size observed in recent years, the fishermen do not perceive the extent of the problem because most of them have licenses for each country and their perception of the fishery is from all over the Brazil-Guianas shelf.
Stock Assessment Recommendations
Management Recommendations
Future Work
23. Improvements in the assessments are expected if a better knowledge is developed from sampling the landed snappers. The landings made outside the area seem to be very important and as an explanation of the decrease in length of the snappers, fishermen affirm that the larger fishes are sorted and sold separately in the Caribbean islands, but not in Cayenne. This needs to be investigated.
24. In addition, it is necessary to evaluate the quantities of by-catch landed, mainly groupers of which 15 to 20 species are present in the same fishery.
Introduction
1. The fishery sector is of critical importance to the economy and social well being in Guyana. Fish is a major source of animal protein in Guyana. In 1996, for example, per capita consumption was 59.8 kg.
2. In 1999, fisheries contributed just under 6% (G$ 6.9 billion) of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The total value of fish products in 1997 was G$ 20.7 billion and domestically marketed finfish accounted for G$ 14.3 billion. Export earnings in 1999 from fisheries were approximately G$ 9.025 billion. Exports of finfish rose from 931 t in 1989 to 4,869 t in 1999. Exports of prawns and seabob in 1999 were 1,280 t and 4,902 t respectively.
3. The fishing industry employs over 11,000 persons in the harvesting, post harvesting and other related areas. Fisheries contribute significantly to government revenues in Guyana through licence fees and consumption taxes on imported fuel for boats.
4. The Government of Guyana has adopted a precautionary approach towards the management and sustainable development of the fisheries resources. The government is at present in the process of finalising new legislation for the sector. Also, the draft Fisheries Management Plan prepared in 1994 is being reviewed.
GROUNDFISH FISHERY
5. The inshore artisanal fishery is comprised of an estimated 1,300 vessels. Activity in this fishery is pursued exclusively by Guyanese and the fishing gears in use include pin seines, Chinese seines, cadell lines, gillnets and handlines. The fishery is comprised of about 4,000 artisanal fishermen, 25% of whom are boat owners. Approximately 90% of the total fish production comes from the artisanal fishery. Fish species of commercial importance harvested by this fishery include bangamary (Macrodon ancylodon), butterfish (Nebris microps), grey snapper (Lutjanus griseus) and gillbacker (Arius parkeri). Whitebelly shrimp (Nematopalaemon schmitti) is caught exclusively by the Chinese seine gear.
Management Issues
6. The majority of bangamary and butterfish are harvested by three gear types: trawl nets, gillnets and Chinese seines. Catch and length frequency data for 1996 to 1998 have been collected and were suitable for incorporation into the stock assessments.
7. According to the draft Fisheries Management Plan for Guyana, the issues of importance for management in the groundfish fisheries include:
Stock Assessment
8. The assessments for finfish conducted over the past four years were as follows. Per-recruit modelling was carried out for Macrodon ancylodon (bangamary) and Nebris microps (butterfish) and multi-species, multi-gear analyses on the interaction between the shrimp and bangamary fisheries.
9. The analyses showed that the trawl and Chinese seine fishers harvested bangamary at an age far below the age at 50% maturity. This situation could lead to a relatively large decrease in spawner biomass per recruit with only a small increase in fishing effort. The gillnet fishers harvest bangamary above the age at 50% maturity. Therefore, increasing effort with this gear would result in a smaller decrease in spawner biomass per recruit.
10. The estimates of fishing mortality for this species indicated that it is being harvested at levels above the target reference points. This was supported by an examination of CPUE, which showed a substantial decline between 1996 and 1998. No reliable estimates of fishing mortality could be obtained for butterfish.
11. Recruitment overfishing seems to be occurring in the trawl and Chinese seine fisheries.
Recommendations
12. In the case of the Chinese seine fishery, regulations could focus on limiting the number of licences to those operators already in the fishery while attempting to reduce support for any new or renewals of Chinese seine operations. Limitations on the numbers of seines per vessel could also be considered.
13. In the case of directed trawling for finfish, a limited entry precautionary approach may be taken, with consideration being given to:
14. The bangamary assessments indicate that action needs to be taken to reduce fishing mortality on this species, particularly on the younger individuals.
15. In the case of the nylon gillnet fishery, a detailed investigation of the by-catch from this gear may be required and if found to be necessary, then regulations on mesh size could be introduced. The number of licences issued could also be restricted. Later, other limitations on effort could also be addressed.
SHRIMP FISHERY
16. The shrimp fishery is economically and socially the most important fishery in the country. It was formally established when processing plants were built in Georgetown in the early 1960s and fleets landed shrimp in Guyana from fishing operations carried out in the entire region. This international fishery expanded rapidly until 1975. After the region’s adoption of EEZs in 1977, the fishery became a national fishery, which resulted in a very significant drop in the landings and also in the amount of fishing effort. The amount of fishing effort was further reduced when the 1980s fuel crisis forced the fleet to operate closer to port. At present, the industrial fleet consists of 73 shrimp trawlers and 48 seabob/finfish trawlers (15 of which are inoperative). These vessels are mostly of the standard Gulf of Mexico type and they operate at distances of 40-145 km offshore in waters 18-91 metres deep. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) are mandatory for the entire trawl fleet. The local fleet is licensed to catch seabob and finfish mainly, while the foreign fleet targets prawns.
Management Issues
Stock Assessment
17. Stock assessments of the three most important shrimp species in the Guyana fishery were accomplished in four regional workshops held in Trinidad (1997), Guyana, (1998), Brazil (1999), Venezuela (2000) and an in-country workshop in 19971, and during the inter-sessional periods between workshops. The assessment activities included organising databases, assessment analyses to understand the recruitment and stock dynamics of each of the species and an analysis of the impact of fishing on the different size or age groups. Two stock assessment methods (tuned length cohort analysis and sequential population analysis) were used in the assessments of the first two species (P. brasiliensis and P. subtilus). The third species (P. notialis) was analysed using the tuned length cohort analysis procedure only.
18. Stock assessment results suggest that the observed decrease in landings is due to a steady decline in the abundance of the three main species of shrimp exploited by the Guyanese fleets.
19. The status of exploitation of the stocks indicate that P. subtilis and P. notialis are fully utilised at the present time, while similar assessments of P. brasiliensis indicate very high values for the fishing mortality rates, especially during the 1990s, which may be indicative that this species is presently being over-exploited.
20. The stock assessment analyses showed that the decrease in shrimp abundance is in part due to an excess of exploitation that may be affecting the stock production. However, decreasing rainfall in recent years may also have been negatively affecting production.
Conclusions
21. The main shrimp resources in the Guyana fishery are in need of management to secure their longer-term sustainable use and to maximise revenue and employment. This is due to the following:
Fishery Management Recommendations
Stock Assessment Recommendations
Introduction
1. The Fisheries Sector in Suriname can be divided into the following sub-sectors:
2. Approximately 8,000 persons are employed in the Fisheries Sector, comprising about 10% of the total workforce. In 2000, export revenues were more than US$30 million and only the Mining Sector exceeded this amount. Shrimp was the largest export product for the sector. Artisanal fisheries are very important for the social life in certain rural areas because of its provision of employment.
3. The approach of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries towards this sector is based on promoting sustainable growth of income and employment. However, this does not necessarily mean that this should be done by increasing the catches, but rather by taking measures to encourage landing a greater part of the catches in Suriname and thus increasing the added value for exports. Unexploited fisheries and aquaculture are also strongly promoted. To conduct all these activities under responsible fisheries management practices, both a new Fisheries Law and a Fisheries Quality Assurance Law have been drawn up. The latter has already been approved by the National Assembly, whereas the former is expected to be approved this year.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries acknowledges the research undertaken within the Ad Hoc Working Group as a part of the Government strategy to exchange scientific information and analysis and obtain technical advice for the better management of those fishery resources taking into account their shared/transboundary nature. Therefore, the budget of these research activities will be integrated into our research budget for the Fisheries Sector.
SHRIMP AND SEABOB FISHERIES
5. Commercially the brown, pink spotted shrimp and seabob are the most important species. The catches as well as the landings of seabob are increasing, while the others are decreasing.
Management Issues
Current Status of Shrimp Resources
6. Catches for the shrimp species are decreasing and the abundance of the stock has also decreased.
7. Catches for seabob are still increasing but no information is available on the present status of the stock.
Conclusions and Recommendations
RED SNAPPER FISHERIES
8. The stock in the EEZ of Suriname has been exploited for decades by Venezuelan fishermen. The resource is considered to be either fully or over-exploited.
Management Issues
Conclusions and Recommendations
9. Unless appropriate controls are implemented for this fishery, there is a large risk of over-exploitation. Therefore, it is recommended to:
GROUNDFISH FISHERIES
10. The large groundfish are targeted by drifting gillnets with large mesh sizes (driftnets), while the small groundfish are largely targeted by the trawlers.
Management Issues
Current Status of Finfish Resources
Conclusions and Recommendations
INTRODUCTION
1. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, in its Medium Term Policy Framework (2001-2003) identifies for the Agricultural Sector:
“Employment creation; national food and nutrition security; sustainable natural resource management; increased foreign exchange earnings; empowerment of rural communities; and enhanced contribution to Gross Domestic Product.”2. At the macro-level, the policies and objectives of relevance to marine fisheries and aquaculture are:
“To promote sustainable management of natural resources to provide institutional infrastructural support to fishermen and aquaculturists. Establishment and development of links with national and international agencies for necessary financial and technical support.”3. The fisheries sector of Trinidad and Tobago contributed TT$74 million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1998. Fish landings for 1999 were estimated at 10,000 t. Fish exports for 1998 (including re-exports) were estimated at approximately 8,633 t valued at TT$ 92.4 million. The estimated number of vessels involved in the fishing industry between 1998 and 1999 was 1536, which provided direct employment to approximately 13,000 persons and indirect employment to 50,000. The sector also contributed significantly to rural stability as the well-being and livelihood of many coastal communities is dependent upon fishing due to limited alternative employment opportunities.
4. The shrimp trawl fishery of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the country’s more valuable fisheries. From 1992 to 1999, annual shrimp landings were 1,000 to 2,000 t valued at TT$15 to 33 million, and exports were valued at TT$6 to 18 million. The trawl fleet comprises 84 artisanal, 9 semi-industrial, and 21 industrial vessels.
5. Groundfish is predominantly landed as by-catch from the demersal shrimp trawl fleet as well as the artisanal gillnet (monofilament, multifilament) and line (palangue, à la vive, banking) fisheries that target carite (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) and other coastal pelagic species. The main species of commercial importance in the groundfish fishery in the Gulf of Paria and Columbus Channel are Micropogonias furnieri (whitemouth croaker or cro-cro) and Cynoscion jamaicensis (Jamaica weakfish or salmon). These species are important in the artisanal fishery, which in 1995-1999 landed 500-700 t of croaker valued at TT$2.5 to 4.5 million and 100-300 t of salmon with a value of TT$0.5 to 3.5 million. In 1999, exports for croaker and salmon were valued at TT$1.63 million and TT$0.12 million respectively. There are 578 vessels landing groundfish on the west and south coasts of Trinidad.
6. An estimated 8,800 t of by-catch from shrimp trawlers is discarded at sea annually. This includes a significant quantity of juvenile croaker and salmon and other species of commercial importance. The impact on the resources and the effect on commercial fisheries that target “by-catch” species are major issues in the management of these fisheries. The implementation of a monitoring programme is required to advise the development of appropriate management strategies.
7. Trinidad and Tobago has participated in eight regional workshops of the Ad Hoc Working Group2. Participation in this Working Group has contributed to capacity building in the area of stock assessment and bio-economic analysis and provided a mechanism for the interaction of scientists and fisheries managers at a regional level.
8. Analyses conducted under the Ad Hoc Working Group have addressed research/management issues regarding the current status of the major shrimp and groundfish stocks and the appropriate level of fishing effort to avoid over-exploitation of the resources and attain economic efficiency in the operation of the fleets.
9. A National Consultation was held in 2000 to present the findings of the Ad Hoc Working Group to the stakeholders and to initiate their participation in the management of these fisheries. Scientists must work with managers and stakeholders in implementing appropriate management strategies for these fisheries.
STATUS OF RESOURCES
Shrimp Fishery
10. Penaeus subtilis (brown shrimp) is one of the dominant species exploited by both the Trinidad and Venezuelan trawl fleets in the Orinoco-Gulf of Paria region. Joint biological and bio-economic analyses were conducted for 1973 to 1996 and 1995 to 1998, respectively. It is to be noted that the data obtained from the Trinidad industrial fleet for these assessments were limited. Results indicate a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of approximately 1,300 t at a fishing effort of 13,000 days-at-sea for both fleets combined and that the fishing effort should be maintained sufficiently below 13,000 days-at-sea for several years to allow for the rebuilding of stocks. At current levels of effort (8,175 days-at-sea for the Trinidad fleet and 9348 for the Venezuela fleet) there is a 39% probability of the biomass falling below sustainable levels. The studies suggested that the shrimp resources were over-exploited and a reduction to 80% of current levels of effort will reduce this probability to 15% and improve profits to the fishery by 12%.
Groundfish Fishery
11. Biological and bio-economic assessments for croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and salmon (Cynoscion jamaicensis) were conducted for 1989-1997, using data from the artisanal and semi-industrial trawl fleets, and the artisanal gillnet (monofilament and multifilament) and line (banking, palangue, a-la-vive) fleets of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, a joint analysis for croaker was conducted for 1987-1998 using data from the Venezuelan and Trinidad trawl fleets and the artisanal gillnet and line fleets of Trinidad. Results show that the current level of effort exceeds the levels at which yields of both species are maximised. The Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for croaker is 1,500 t and has generally been exceeded from 1987-1994 and in 1998 with landings ranging between 1,800 to 2,800 t per annum. These analyses used limited information from Trinidad’s industrial trawl fleet as well as information on the size structure of the species caught by Trinidad’s trawl, gillnet and line fleets.
12. A major decline in yield, net revenues and biomass of both species is expected if an ‘open-access-fishery’ is continued. The net present value and the biomass of croaker were examined under alternative management strategies including combinations of limiting or banning certain gears. The recommended management option was to limit the effort of all fleets in order to maintain the resource and the profits to the fishery at sustainable levels.
MANAGEMENT ISSUES
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Shrimp Trawl Fishery
Groundfish Fishery
General Recommendations
Priority Areas for Future work
INTRODUCCIÓN
1. Las pesquerías de extracción juegan un papel de importancia económica y social en Venezuela. Tradicionalmente, el sector pesquero venezolano se ha dividido en el subsector pesquero artesanal y el subsector pesquero industrial. El primero, de mayor tradición y distribuido a lo largo de las costas marítimas y ambientes continentales venezolanas, representa aproximadamente el 70% de los desembarques totales del país. Generando cerca de 170 000 empleos directos. Este subsector, evidentemente como fuente generadora de empleos directos e indirectos, tiene una mayor importancia desde el punto de vista social, así mismo, se destaca como fuente de producción de alimento a bajo costo. El subsector industrial, conformado por las flotas atunera, arrastrera, pargo - mero e industria de procesamiento y comercialización de productos pesqueros, genera una cantidad de aproximadamente 14 000 empleos, pero en contraste con el subsector artesanal, representa una mayor fuente de divisas ya que el mismo está orientado a la explotación de recursos de mayor valor en el mercado internacional.
2. El Gobierno de Venezuela, responsable de la administración, manejo y conservación de sus recursos pesqueros, ha apoyado y adoptado voluntariamente lo establecido en el Código de Conducta para la Pesca Responsable; lo ha tomado como punto de referencia importante, a fin de actualizar su normativa legal vigente y futura, sin perder de vista el objetivo de incrementar la producción pesquera en forma sustentable. Dentro de ese orden de ideas, el gobierno venezolano, se ha propuesto aprobar una nueva Ley de Pesca, que contempla diferentes medidas para la conservación, protección y uso sostenible de los recursos pesqueros y el medio ambiente natural. En esta nueva Ley se establecen disposiciones novedosas que permite mejorar la administración del recurso pesquero y de las actividades que se desarrollan alrededor de él. Por ejemplo, en la Ley se incluyen, entre otras disposiciones: el uso obligatorio de diferentes tipos de dispositivos (por ejemplo el uso de baliza satelital) para controlar la actividad que realiza la flota industrial y disminuir la pesca ilegal; el uso de dispositivos o modificaciones en los artes de pesca a fin de evitar o disminuir la pesca incidental; protección de los caladeros para la pesca artesanal; se garantiza el reconocimiento de la tradición en el uso de un rubro pesquero o zona específica de pesca para las comunidades pesqueras artesanales; protección social para los pescadores artesanales; la factibilidad de ayuda económica e incentivos fiscales para los inversionistas en la actividad pesquera; se dictan normas sanitarias para el proceso de producción y comercialización; se establece la base para el proceso de transformación y modificación de las flotas pesqueras, etc.
3. Venezuela ha venido apoyando y apoyará en el futuro todo proceso integración, sobre todo aquellos que implican el intercambio periódico de información e ideas entre los países de la región, sobre el estado de los recursos pesqueros, ya que mediante este tipo de actividad existe la posibilidad de adoptar estrategias comunes para el uso sustentable de los recursos pesqueros. Por lo tanto avalamos la labor realizada por el Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc de WECAFC sobre Camarones y Peces de Fondo de la Plataforma Brasil-Guayanas. Así mismo, los resultados de dichas actividades han permitido caracterizar los recursos, y permiten, a los Gobiernos y en especial a los Administradores Pesqueros, tomar decisiones futuras, sobre la base de la mejor evidencia científica, para establecer y actualizar normas de manejo y planes de ordenamiento. La labor que realiza el Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc, ha sido útil y es importante mantenerla a lo largo del tiempo, sobre todo para los Estados vecinos que comparten recursos comunes, porque a través de sus resultados y recomendaciones, se podrá lograr la explotación sustentable y sostenible de los mismos.
PESQUERÍAS DE CAMARÓN
Importancia y contribución a la pesca
4. La pesca de arrastre en la zona Atlántica de Venezuela (Golfo de Paria, Delta del Orinoco y zona Atlántica propiamente dicha) es de gran importancia económica y social para la región oriental del país. En ella realizan operaciones 1 200 pescadores artesanales y 151 embarcaciones de diferentes tipos: 30 arrastreros artesanales (8-12 m de eslora), 111 arrastreros industriales (17-32 m de eslora) y 10 arrastreros con redes pelágicas que orientan sus capturas a peces de fondo (34 m de eslora). Estas pesquerías comprenden cuatro especies de camarón en orden de importancia en cuanto a los desembarques totales: Farfantepenaeus subtilis o camarón marrón (56%), Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis o camarón rosado (menor al 2%), Litopenaeus schmitti o camarón blanco (25%) y Xiphopenaeus kroyeri o camarón tití (19%).
Manejo
5. En Venezuela las pesquerías de arrastres son reguladas por diferentes normas legales, dentro de las cuales se destacan:
Estado de los Recursos
6. En colaboración, y dentro del espíritu de trabajo del Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc, se logró integrar los datos de información para el camarón marrón (Farfantepenaeus subtilis) recurso compartido entre Trinidad y Tobago y Venezuela. Las evaluaciones indican que el Rendimiento Máximo Sostenible (RMS) es aproximadamente 1 300 t, las cuales se deben alcanzar con un esfuerzo óptimo de pesca de 13 000 días de pesca. Un enfoque precautorio sugiere la reducción del 10% sobre ese nivel de esfuerzo, o sea de 11 700 días de pesca. La distribución del esfuerzo compartido Trinidad y Tobago-Venezuela deberá acordarse dentro del marco del Acuerdo Pesquero de los dos países o mediante un proceso de negociación.
7. Con respecto al camarón blanco (Litopenaeus schmitti) se determinó que el mismo es capturado de forma ocasional, con grandes fluctuaciones a través del tiempo (1973 - 1999). Durante 1999, sus descargas de las embarcaciones industriales son del orden de las 262 t y las de los artesanales son 140 t. Las tendencias de la capturas por unidad de esfuerzo pesquero (CPUE) son variables y poco definidas, lo cual sugiere que el impacto de la pesca sobre este recurso es aun limitado.
Conclusiones y Recomendaciones
8. Considerando que la flota industrial ha orientado sus esfuerzos hacia áreas de pesca específicas, camarones o peces, pero no necesariamente ambos grupos, el esfuerzo debe registrarse, a través del uso de bitácoras o registros de descargas, de acuerdo al área de operación de las embarcaciones. Esta información más específica, permitiría realizar una estimación del impacto real sobre cada uno de los recursos considerados.
9. También debemos evaluar distintas opciones tecnológicas para resolver los problemas de la capturas de fauna de acompañamiento del camarón y otras especies no comerciales o prohibidas por la legislación venezolana.
10. Antes de tomar una decisión en forma definitiva, se analizará las posibilidades y las posible implicaciones económicas y sociales, para reducir el esfuerzo pesquero. Cualquiera que sea la solución adoptada (reducción de la cuota de esfuerzo en el Golfo de Paria o reducción del número de embarcaciones), no se permitirá el aumento de la actividad arrastrera en la misma.
Trabajo Futuro
11. El SARPA procederá a informar sobre los resultados de esta reunión al ente responsible de la investigación en Venezuela, el Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología. Así mismo se propondrá el establecimiento de un proyecto de investigación para la evaluación integral de los recursos pesqueros del Golfo de Paria y la zona Atlántica. Paralelamente, el SARPA implementará un programa intensivo para la captación y registro confiables de datos sobre capturas y esfuerzo de pesca en todos los muelles donde opera la flota nacional. Es importante resaltar, que todas estas propuestas se desarrollarán con el apoyo del Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc.
PESQUERÍAS DE PECES DE FONDO
Importancia y contribución a la pesca
12. En Venezuela la pesquería de peces de fondo comenzó como pesca incidental de los sistemas de arrastre que estaban dirigidos fundamentalmente a la captura de camarones. Con el incremento progresivo del valor comercial de las especies de peces capturadas, esta pesca dejó de ser incidental y se ha orientado a una pesca dirigida a peces usando artes inadecuados o camaroneros. La flota arrastrera ha venido incrementando las descargas de peces desde 1986, sobretodo la de la curbinata (Macrodon ancylodon) como consecuencia del creciente uso como insumo para las plantas procesadoras de filete de pescado, ubicadas principalmente en Guiria y Cumaná. La flota pargo/mero está compuesta por unas 700 embarcaciones, de las cuales sólo 240 operan en las Guayanas. Esta flota ubicada en la región oriental del país (Estados Nueva Esparta y norte de Sucre). En comparación con la flota arrastrera que pesca peces, esta flota si usa artes (palangre de fondo) que están orientados específicamente a la captura de peces de fondo.
Manejo
13. Desafortunadamente no se ha implementado una norma especifica de manejo para este tipo de pesquería. Para su regulación, se aplican los normas incluidas en las Resoluciones que se usan para la pesca de arrastre y otros reglamentos nacionales.
Estado de los Recursos
14. Para la flota arrastrera, la importancia comercial de las especies de peces que tradicionalmente capturan, han cambiado a través del tiempo, y en los últimos años ha disminuido el interés por la mayoría de ellas. Así tenemos que para 1987 la proporción de las capturas fue la siguiente: curbina (Cynoscion virescens) 27%, corocoro (Haemulidae) 19% y curbinata (Macrodon ancylodon) 14%; en comparación en el año 1998: curbinata 61% y curbina 15%. En 1999, las mayores descargas de la flota arrastrera corresponden a la curbinata (Macrodon ancylodon), la cual representa aproximadamente el 60% (3800 t) del total de peces capturados (9021 t en 1999). Esta especie se captura principalmente en la zona del Delta del Orinoco. El nivel del esfuerzo adecuado para esta especie se estima debería estar cercano a los 4 600 días de pesca, no obstante, se debe estandarizar el mismo, debido a que esta especie es mayoritariamente capturada por el sistema de arrastre por popa cuyos datos se deben contabilizar en forma separada del resto de la flota arrastrera. La curbina (Cynoscion virescens) representa la segunda especie de pez de importancia comercial para la región Golfo de Paria-zona Atlántica, con desembarques que han venido disminuyendo desde 1993 (1200 t) hasta estabilizarse en 1999 en 600 t.
15. El número de embarcaciones venezolanas que pesca el pargo colorado (Lutjanus purpureus) y que operan en la Región Plataforma Brazil-Guyanas es aproximadamente unas 240. De acuerdo a los datos reportados las descargas están cercanas a 4400 t. Las estadísticas para la especie se registran como peso total, cuando los peces son capturados en el mar Caribe, y como peso desviscerado cuando son pescados en aguas extranjeras, por lo tanto se debe corregir esta diferencia en las estadísticas nacionales, mediante la aplicación de un factor de corrección. Los resultados de la evaluación evidencian que el nivel de esfuerzo actual para esta especie está por encima del recomendado para una pesquería sostenible.
16. Debido a la importancia social y económica de esta pesquería en Venezuela, y a su impacto político en la región, se recomendará el establecimiento de un programa mejorado de evaluación de este recurso. El mismo se debe desarrollar en colaboración con el Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc.
Conclusiones y Recomendaciones
17. No podemos permitir que el esfuerzo pesquero se incremente en el futuro cercano, por lo tanto, debemos proponer que el nivel del mismo se mantenga (régimen de esfuerzo limitado) por debajo de los valores reportados en 1999. Como estamos hablando de varias especies de peces, cuyo esfuerzo podría variar, lo más conveniente, es proponer el intercambio de información permanente entre las diferentes Administraciones Pesqueras de los países de la plataforma Brazil-Guayanas, a los fines de tomar decisiones en forma homogénea.
18. Debemos establecer canales de comunicación permanentes con los entes responsables de la administración pesqueras de la región, a los fines de intercambiar información sobres las embarcaciones nacionales que operan en aguas de otro país, como es el caso de las embarcaciones pargo/mero que operan en Suriname y Guayana Francesa. Podríamos presumir que algunas de ellas podrían estar operando sin la permisería venezolana vigente, lo que la transformaría, a los que la ejercen, en pesca ilegal, no declarada, y no documentada.
19. Debemos desarrollar el establecimiento de un proyecto regional mejorado para la evaluación de estos recursos, así como la inclusión de un programa de registro de operaciones pesqueras y otros procesos que permitan la obtención de información más confiable. El mismo, debe ser desarrollado dentro del marco de cooperación con el Grupo de Trabajo Ad Hoc.
Introduction
1. Capture fisheries play an important economic and social role in Venezuela. Traditionally the fishing sector of Venezuela has been divided in an artisanal (small scale) sector and an industrial sector. Small-scale fisheries are widely distributed along marine and riverine coasts and contribute about 70% of the country’s total fish landings. They have an important social impact since they provide direct employment to approximately 170,000 persons and are a source of relatively low cost food supply. The industrial fisheries, composed mainly of tuna, trawler and snapper/grouper fishing boats, and a processing industry generate employment for about 14,000 persons and, in contrast with the artisanal fisheries they are also an important source of foreign exchange, because they are directed towards species with high value at international markets.
2. The Government of Venezuela, which is responsible for the conservation and management of fishery resources, has voluntarily supported and adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Code has been taken as an important reference to update the present and future legal framework, also bearing in mind the purpose of increasing fish production in a sustainable way. The Government is at present working on the preparation and further approval and enforcement of a new Fisheries Law that will include a variety of measures to conserve and promote the sustainable use of fishery resources and their environment. The new law will include novel provisions to improve the management of fishery resources and the activities connected to their utilisation. For example, the Law will include: the obligation to use equipment (e.g. satellite connections) in order to control activities of the industrial fleet and to diminish illegal fishing; the use of equipment or modifications in fishing gear to avoid or diminish incidental catches; protection of fishing grounds of the artisanal fisheries; recognizing traditions in the use of a specific fishery or specific fishing zone for artisanal fishing communities; social protection of artisanal fishermen; the possibility of economic and fiscal incentives for investors in the fishing industry; sanitary rules for processes of production and marketing; establishing the basis for transformation and modification of the fishing fleets, etc.
3. Venezuela has been supporting and will continue to support any integration process, in particular those that may imply regular exchange of information on the state of fishery resources among the countries of the region. Through these types of activities it is possible to adopt common strategies for the sustainable use of fishery resources. Therefore Venezuela appreciates the work achieved by the Ad Hoc Working Group. The results of its activities have allowed for improvement in the knowledge of these fishery resources and have provided information for governments and especially for fishery managers, to enable them to take decisions on the basis of the best scientific evidence available in order to update regulations and management plans. The results of the work and the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Working Group have been useful and there is a need to continue it in the future to ensure sustainable exploitation, in particular concerning countries that share fishery resources.
SHRIMP FISHERIES
Importance and Contribution
4. The trawl fisheries in the Atlantic zone of Venezuela (Gulf of Paria, Orinoco Delta and Atlantic Ocean) are of significant economic and social importance for the eastern part of the country. There are 1 200 fishermen operating 250 nets in shallow coastal areas in the northern part of the Gulf of Paria and 151 fishing vessels of various types targeting shrimp and groundfish: 30 artisanal trawlers (8-12 m long), 111 industrial trawlers (17-32 m long) and 10 trawlers with pelagic gear aiming for bottom fishes (34 m long). Shrimp fisheries land four species: Farfantepenaeus subtilis or brown shrimp (56%), Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis or pink spotted shrimp (less than 2%), Litopenaeus schmitti or white shrimp (25%) and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri or sea-bob (19%).
Management
5. Various legal provisions regulate trawling fisheries in Venezuela. The most important ones refer to:
State of Exploitation
6. In collaboration with the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group, it was possible to integrate data and information in relation to brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus subtilis), a resource shared between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Joint assessments indicate that the MSY for this species is around 1,300 t, which should be reached at an effort level of 13,000 fishing days. A precautionary approach would suggest that effort should be reduced by 10%; hence a maximum effort level of 11,700 fishing days should be applied for this species. The allocation of effort between the fleets of both countries should be agreed within the framework of the Fishery Agreement between both countries or through a negotiating process.
7. With regard to white shrimp, Litopenaeus schmitti, it has been determined that it is caught on an occasional basis, with important fluctuations in abundance as noted in the period 1973-1999. During 1999, landings from industrial vessels reached 262 t, while those from artisanal fisheries were about 140 t. The CPUE trend is variable and not well defined, suggesting that the impact of fishing on the population is still limited.
Conclusions and Recommendations
8. Taking into account that the industrial fleet has directed its efforts towards specific fishing areas, targeting shrimp or fishes, but not necessarily both groups, the effort should be recorded through the use of logbooks or landing records, by areas of operation of the vessels. This more specific information would allow for estimation of the real impact on each of those resources.
9. Different technological options to solve the problems posed by by-catches and by the incidental capture of other non-commercial species or the capture of species prohibited by the Venezuelan legislation should also be evaluated.
10. An analysis of the possible economic and social implications posed by reducing fishing effort will be conducted before a final decision is taken in this regard. Whatever decision is made (reduction of effort quotas in the Gulf of Paria or reduction in the number of vessels), an increase in trawling effort will not be allowed.
Future Work
11. SARPA will proceed to inform the Ministry of Science and Technology, which is the responsible body for fisheries research in Venezuela, on the outcomes of this meeting. The implementation of a research project for the integral evaluation of the fishery resources in the Gulf of Paria and the Atlantic zone will also be proposed. At the same time, SARPA will implement an intensive programme to collect and record on a reliable basis, data on catches and fishing effort in all harbours where the national fleet operates. It is envisaged that these proposals will be developed with the support of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
GROUNDFISH FISHERIES
Importance and Contribution
12. Groundfish fishing began in Venezuela as incidental catches in trawl fisheries directed to shrimp. The increasing commercial value of the fish species caught led to the development of a fishery targeted at groundfish, utilising inadequate gear or shrimp fishing gear. The trawl fleet has been producing increasing fish landings since 1986, mostly whitemouth croaker (Macrodon ancylodon) as a consequence of the growing utilisation of this species as an input for fish fillet processing plants located mainly in Guiria and Cumana.
The red snapper/grouper fleet located in the eastern region of the country (Nueva Esparta and north of Sucre), is composed of about 700 vessels, of which only 240 operate in the Guianas. In comparison with the trawler fleet that targets fishes, (but that may catch also shrimp), the red snapper fleet utilises fishing gear directed specifically aimed at catching bottom fishes.
Management
13. Unfortunately, no specific regulation for the management of this fishery has been put into practice. The Resolutions applied for its regulation are those utilised for trawl fisheries as well as other national regulations.
State of Groundfish Resources
14. The commercial importance of the fish species traditionally caught by the trawl fleet has changed overtime. Lately, the interest in the majority of species has decreased. In 1987 the proportion in the landings was as follows: curbina (Cynoscion virescens) 27%, corocoro (grunts) 19% and curbinata (M. ancylodon) 14%. In 1998 the composition was M. ancylodon 61% and Cynoscion virescens 15%. In 1999, the largest landings from the trawl fleet are reported for M. ancylodon, which represented 60% of the total fish landings of 9,021 t. This species is mainly caught in the Orinoco Delta. The level of effort considered adequate for the exploitation of this species is close to 4,600 fishing days. However, for assessments the fishing effort should be standardised, due to the fact this species is mostly landed by stern trawlers, whose data should be considered separately from the rest of the trawling fleet. Cynoscion virescens represents the commercially second most important species for the Gulf of Paria region and Atlantic zone with landings that have been decreasing since 1993 (1,200 t) until they stabilised in 1999 at about 600 t.
15. The number of Venezuelan vessels targeting red snapper (Lutjanus purpureus) in the Brazil-Guianas region is about 240 boats. According to reported data, the landings are about 4,400 t. The statistics on red snapper are recorded as whole weight for fish caught in the Caribbean Sea and as gutted weight for fish caught in foreign waters. Thus this difference should be corrected in national statistics by applying a conversion factor. According to the results of the evaluation, it seems that the current effort level is above the one that is recommended for a sustainable fishery.
16. Due to the social and economic importance of this fishery in Venezuela and its political impact in the region, an improved stock assessment programme for this fishery resource will be recommended. The programme should be developed in collaboration with the Ad Hoc Working Group.
Conclusions and Recommendations
17. An increase in fishing effort in the near future should not be allowed. Thus, it should be proposed that the level of fishing effort be maintained (limited effort regime) below the levels reported in 1999. Since reference is being made to various fish species that may be able to sustain different levels of effort, another important option is to propose the exchange of information on regular basis among the various Fishery Administrations of the countries of the Brazil-Guianas shelf, with the purpose of taking homogeneous decisions.
18. Channels of communications should be established on a permanent basis with the bodies responsible for fisheries administration in the region, with the purpose of exchanging information on the national vessels that operate in other country’s waters, as is the case of the snapper/grouper vessels operating in Suriname and French Guiana. It could be assumed that some of them are operating without a valid Venezuelan fishing license and therefore could be considered to be performing an illegal, unregistered, unregulated fishing activity.
19. An improved regional project for the stock assessment of this fishery resource should be developed, including the establishment of a registry of fishing operations and other processes that allow for the collection of more reliable information. The project should be developed within the co-operative framework of the Ad Hoc Working Group.
Statement by the Representative of Brazil
Statement by the Representative of Brazil (Unofficial Translation)
Statement by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Suriname
Statement by the Honourable Minister of Food Production and Marine Resources of Trinidad and Tobago
Inicialmente, informamos que não possível a participação de nosso Ministro neste evento devido a problemas de governo que exigiam sua presença no Brasil. A delegação brasileira gostaria de felicitar a FAO, WECAFC e CFRAMP, bem como os governos da Noruega e Dinamarca, pelo apoio na promoção das atividades e reuniões deste Grupo de Trabalho Ad Hoc sobre as Pescarias de Camarão e Peixes Demersais da Plataforma Brasil-Guianas. Reconhecemos e apoiamos o importante papel desempenhado pelo grupo, dentro da estrutura da WECAFC, constituindo-se num mecanismo efetivo para a interação de gerentes de pescarias e cientistas ao nível regional, para a geração e compartilhando de informação e análises essenciais para administração responsável destes valiosos recursos.
As pescarias de peixes demersais no Norte do Brasil são de elevada importância social e econômica, especialmente aquelas voltadas para o camarão e pargo, que são as mais estudadas e, portanto, enfocadas no presente informe. Entretanto, a importância de outras espécies, capturadas em abundância nas pescarias de pequena escala e como fauna acompanhante do camarão, tem que ser reconhecidas. A administração destas pescarias é responsabilidade do Instituto brasileiro por Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis Naturais (IBAMA).
A pesca industrial de camarão no Norte do Brasil representa a segunda maior fonte de divisas entre as atividades que explotam os recursos naturais renováveis marinhos no país, sendo secundada apenas pela pesca de lagosta. Uma única espécie, o camarão-rosa (Farfantepenaeus subtilis), sustenta esta atividade. As exportações alcançaram um pico de cerca de US$ 75,4 milhões em 1988, o que demonstra a importância econômica da atividade. Em anos recentes anos, porém, observa-se uma tendência de declínio, e o valor exportado em 1999 foi de apenas US$ 30,4 milhões, acompanhando a diminuição dos desembarques.
Apesar da implementação de medidas de regulamentação já em meados dos anos 80, os desembarques diminuíram acentuadamente nos anos recentes, como conseqüência de padrões de pesca inadequados. A produção, que nos anos de 1987, 1988 e 1993, alcançou picos de mais 6 000 teladas, foi de apenas 3 262 telada, em 1999, embora a captura por dia de pesca tenha, a grosso modo, se mantido constante, ao redor 122,5 kg.
As pescarias de pargo ocorrem em bancos oceânicos e na borda da plataforma continental, com o uso de espinhéis verticais e, mais recentemente, armadilhas. Atualmente não estão sendo concedidas permissões de pesca para a atividade, mas mesmo assim, a frota tem aumentado na área. No estado de Pará o número de embarcações passou de 50, em 1995, para 86, em 1997, enquanto os desembarques, no mesmo período, aumentaram de 493 teladas para 2 972 teladas, o que, aliado ao elevado valor da espécie no mercado internacional, demonstra a importância deste recurso.
O governo brasileiro está atento e bastante preocupado com a possibilidade de sobrepesca deste recursos demersais. Medidas para promover a administração apropriada destas pescarias estão sendo implementadas e melhoradas e esperamos que, brevemente, seja possível reverter este cenário atual de declínio das pescarias. Nesta sentido, os resultados obtidos pelo grupo de trabalho são fundamentais para orientar as ações do governo.
O governo também está consciente da necessidade de melhorar os estudos sobre os recursos pesqueiros como um todo e está comprometido em apoiar, dentro do possível, o trabalho que vem sendo realizado pela equipe do CEPNOR. Reafirmamos nosso compromisso com a implementação do Código de Conduta para Pescarias Responsáveis com políticas e programas que garantam a sustentabilidade da atividade pesqueira. Finalmente agradecemos ao Governo de Trinidad and Tobago pela gentileza do convite.
Muito obrigado
First, we would like to inform that it was not possible for our Minister to attend this meeting due to pressing governmental commitments. The Brazilian delegation would like to congratulate FAO, WECAFC, CFRAMP, as well as the governments of Norway and Denmark, for their support and promotion of the activities and meetings the Ad Hoc Working Group. We recognise and support the important role played by the group, within the framework of WECAFC, in providing an effective mechanism for the interaction of fisheries managers and scientists at the regional level, for the generation and sharing of information and analyses essential for responsible management of these valuable resources.
The groundfish fisheries in the north of Brazil have high social and economic importance, especially the shrimp and red snapper fisheries. Therefore, these two fisheries have been emphasised in these studies undertaken within the Ad Hoc Working Group and in this report. Even so, the importance of other species also caught in abundance in the shrimp fisheries and small-scale fisheries has to be recognized. The management of these fisheries is the responsibility of the Brazilian Institute for Environment and Natural Renewable Resources (IBAMA).
The industrial shrimp fishery in northwestern Brazil represents the second largest source of income from marine renewable resources in the country, second only to the spiny lobster fishery. A single species, the brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus subtilis), sustains this fishery. The exports reached a peak of about US$ 75.4 million in 1988, which demonstrates the economic importance of the activity. In recent years, it has, however, shown a decrease and in 1999 amounted to just US$ 30.4 million, as a result of a decrease in landings.
Despite implementation of management measures in the mid-eighties, the landings have decreased sharply in recent years. As a result, while production reached a peak of more 6 000 t in 1987, 1988 and 1993, it was only 3 262 t in 1999, although the catch per fishing day was kept roughly constant at around 122.5 kg.
Fishing for red snapper has been taking place on oceanic banks and on the edge of the continental shelf with the use of vertical longlines, gillnets and, more recently, traps. Currently, no new fishing permits were being granted for the red snapper fishery, but even so, the fleet has been increasing in the area. In the state of Pará, for example, there was an increase from 50 vessels in 1995 to 86 vessels in 1997. The landings, for the same time period, increased from 493 t to 2972 t, which, allied to the high value of the species in the international market, demonstrates the importance of this resource.
The Government of Brazil is aware and quite concerned about the possibility of overfishing of these demersal resources. Measures to promote the appropriate management of these fisheries are being improved and some new ones being implemented and we expect to revert shortly to the current situation of the decline in the fisheries. In this regard, the results obtained by the Ad Hoc Working Group are becoming fundamental sources of advice to which the Government resorts in order to manage these resources.
The Government is also conscious of the need to improve studies on the fishing resources as a whole, and it is committed to supporting the work that is being undertaken by the Ad Hoc Working Group and the team of CEPNOR. The Government also reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries through policies and programmes aimed at securing the sustainability of the fisheries sector. Finally, we would like to thank the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the kind invitation to attend the Meeting of Fisheries Ministers.
I thank you.
It is indeed an honour and a pleasure to address you on behalf of the Government of Suriname.
I thank the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and my colleague, The Hon. Trevor Sudama, for hosting this very important meeting and for their kind hospitality.
This meeting is important for Suriname because our scientists were able to work with other colleagues to analyze the fisheries resources in Suriname. On the basis of these results, we plan to make management decisions for sustainable use.
The fisheries sector is very important for Suriname. Fish is not only a vital source of food in Suriname, but also an important contributor to income and employment, especially in these days when our two other important agricultural sub-sectors: rice and bananas, are facing serious difficulties.
Approximately 8000 persons are employed in this sector comprising about 10% of the total workforce. Last year export revenues were more than US$30 million exceeded only by the mining sector. Shrimp was the largest export product for the sector. Artisanal fisheries are very important for the social life in certain rural areas because of the employment opportunities they provides.
Therefore, it is our duty to ensure that our fish resources and especially that of the Brazil-Guianas shelf, are utilised and managed in a sustainable and environmentally acceptable manner to sustain both our national consumption as well as our exports, and also, for the social and the economic benefit of our society.
The approach of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries towards this sector is based on promoting sustainable growth of income and employment. However, this does not necessarily mean that this should be done by increasing the catches, but rather by taking measures to encourage landing a greater part of the catches in Suriname and thus increasing the added value for exports. Unexploited fisheries and aquaculture are also strongly promoted. To conduct all these activities under responsible fisheries management practices, both a new Fisheries Law and a Fisheries Quality Assurance Law have been drawn up. The latter has already been approved by the National Assembly, whereas the former is expected to be approved this year.
In conducting all these activities we recognise that fishing activities do not take place independently, but that they all interact and that each type of fishery has an impact on most of the others. Our goal is to ensure that the interests of the many stakeholders are equitably taken into account and safeguarded in the long term. We also recognise that fisheries management must be based on scientific evidence and that we must make use of the most comprehensive and recent information available.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries acknowledges the research undertaken within the Ad Hoc Working Group as part of the Government strategy to exchange scientific information and analyses and to obtain technical advice for the better management of those fishery resources, taking into account their shared/transboundary nature.
Suriname strongly supports the work of the WECAF Commission and we have decided that the programme of these research activities will be integrated in our national research programme for the Fisheries Department. However, as you will understand we are facing serious budgetary constraints and hence, request FAO and donor agencies to maintain their support in our research activities.
As you may be aware, Suriname will be hosting the Tenth Session of the WECAF Commission in October this year. I hope all of you will be able to attend, and I would especially like to invite my colleague, who is chairing this meeting, The Hon. Trevor Sudama, to attend this meeting and be my guest.
Also, I would like to convey that Suriname proposed, and it was agreed, that a meeting be convened of representatives of the fishing industry and scientists in the region to discuss the status of the shrimp resources of the Brazil-Guianas Shelf and other matters of interest to the industry. We agreed to request our shrimp industry to convene the meeting provided they could receive technical assistance and advice from FAO.
The fishing industry of Suriname itself has requested us to conduct a survey of the fisheries resources in the waters of Suriname and is requesting a similar study to that of the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen Survey that was carried out in the eighties. Since the resources in this region are shared we are soliciting the support of the other countries in this region, especially those comprising the Ad Hoc Working Group in order to approach donors to assist us in undertaking this survey.
Mr Chairman, I would like to make use of this opportunity to thank FAO and all the donors for their support, not only to the fisheries, but also to the other subsectors within our agricultural sector. Also I would like to thank the EU for supporting our Fisheries Department in its effort to manage the fisheries in Suriname in a sustainable manner.
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, in closing, I thank you for your attention.
Thank you.
Honourable Ministers of Fisheries, Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Fisheries Scientists of Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela, Representatives of the CARICOM Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management Programme, Director of Fisheries and Fisheries Officers of the Ministry of Food Production and Marine Resources, Trinidad and Tobago.
I am, indeed, delighted to present this brief statement from the perspective of Minister of Food Production and Marine Resources in Trinidad and Tobago with responsibility for Fisheries, after having reviewed the national report of this meeting prepared by my officers who have participated in this workshop.
I wish to extend my congratulations to the organisers of this meeting of Fisheries Managers and Fisheries Ministers of the Ad Hoc Working Group, in particular FAO and to all who have participated over the past four days. First of all, I wish to acknowledge the continued support of FAO and the Governments of Norway and Denmark, as well as CFRAMP, in facilitating these meetings and providing technical support to the Ad Hoc Working Group.
The report on the assessments of the shrimp and groundfish fisheries has underscored the importance of these fisheries, not only in terms of revenue generation within the national economy, but also in terms of its socio-cultural and traditional importance to rural, coastal communities in Trinidad and Tobago.
I fully appreciate the significant importance of these fisheries and acknowledge that the implementation of appropriate and timely management measures are critical for long-term sustainability of these resources. We have been cautioned that failure of fisheries managers to implement these measures can have dire consequences for the future of the industry. I wish to make particular mention of growing environmental concerns with regard to the high levels of discards from these fishing operations.
The joint assessments for shrimp and groundfish between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela conducted under the Ad Hoc Working Group clearly indicate that these resources are over-exploited. These joint assessments, conducted in collaboration with neighbouring Venezuela are particularly significant in light of the shared nature of these stocks and the exploitation of these resources by fishing fleets of both countries.
These assessments suggest that a shift away from an open access regime to limited entry, i.e. a reduction to 80% of current levels of effort directed at shrimp will improve biomass sustainability and profits to the fishery. The report also states that a major decline in yield, net revenues and biomass is expected, if this present open access regime to the groundfish fishery is maintained. In this regard, it is important to note that the major management recommendation is to limit effort of all fleets for resource sustainability and economic survival of the industry.
Consistent with the recommendations contained in the national report, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago will consider freezing the numbers of artisanal, semi-industrial and industrial trawlers operating in local waters at current levels and the implementation of a phased programme of reduction of the local trawl fleet to 80% of current levels of effort. In terms of the groundfish fishery, the Government will also consider freezing the number of vessels engaged in this fishery (trawlers, vessels employing monofilament and multifilament gillnets, lines including banking, a-la-vive and palangue) at current levels.
The implementation of a limited entry regime represents a dramatic shift in Government’s policy. It would therefore be necessary to put in place the appropriate legal framework and adequate, administrative and extension support, coupled with appropriate monitoring mechanisms to implement the system. Consistent with our policy of stakeholders’ involvement in the formulation and implementation of management plans, it is of critical importance to mount a public education and awareness programme to ensure that the fishing industry and other stakeholders are fully apprised and involved in the process of the development of this system.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to endorse the recommendation to activate the 1989 Protocol on Co-operation in Fisheries Research between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. This recommendation was also made by both Governments in 1999 at the Fisheries Commission Meeting in Port of Spain. It is the considered view of the Government that FAO can facilitate this process. My understanding is that both Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are participating in the GEF/UNEP funded project and would be promoting the adoption of environmentally, friendly techniques and practices to address the issue of by-catch and discards from the trawl fishery.
Mr Chairman, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to register its firm commitment to participating in the future work of the Ad Hoc Working Group. In order to ensure that benefits are sustained, Trinidad and Tobago has identified a number of priority activities in the short term. These include the implementation of a logbook programme for the industrial trawl fleet and a biological sampling programme for the groundfish fishery; the conduct of joint length-based assessments and bio-economic analyses with Venezuela for both fisheries.
In conclusion, these workshops serve not only to foster a greater sense of camaraderie among regional fisheries scientists and fisheries managers but also serve to stimulate discussions and information sharing. This is the initial process in adopting regional approaches to fisheries management and is especially important in light of the globalisation of fisheries management issues and recent international initiatives to promote sustainable fisheries management and conservation. The outcome of this meeting of Fisheries Scientists and Fisheries Ministers of the Ad Hoc Working Group is therefore very timely and welcomed.
I thank you.
