National report of the Commonwealth of Dominica

Riviere D. Sebastian
Fisheries Division
Ministry of Agriculture + The Environment
Government Quarters
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: 767 448 2401
Ext: 3391
Fax: 767 44 80140
email [email protected] [email protected]

1. SYNTHESIS OF LARGE PELAGIC FISHERIES

1.1 Introduction

The large pelagic species fisheries form a very important component of the marine fisheries of Dominica. It is doumented that large pelagic fishes like yellowfin tuna, dolphin fish, kingfish, swordfish are becoming important species in the local landings from the resources in our marine habitat. They are generally considered to be seasonal and fetch high prices on the market. Efforts to increase the landed volume of large pelagic species locally have been ongoing. Artisanal longline fishing techniques are being introduced, and various fishing communities are showing interest in building and deploying fish aggregating devices to improve fish production. Table 1 summarises the available data on size of the national fishing fleet, the number of fishers and the main species they target.

Table 1. Showing boat description, target species, crew and number of fishers

Source: Dominica Fisheries Division 2000

In Dominica the migratory pelagic species are targeted during the months of January to June, when it becomes the major fishing activity. This fishery contributed about (38%) of total fish landings in 1998 and has increased by 10% in 2000. Table 2 shows the place of the large migratory species in the overall national fisheries landings

Table 2. Showing Status of Major Fisheries

Source: Dominica Fisheries Division 2000

1.2 Fishing area

Dominican fishers take most of their catch off the west, north and south coasts of the island. A variety of fishing gears is used. They include: Gillnets, beach seine. The use of these gears will depend on factors such as, weather condition, size of craft and engine and the experience of the crew.

1.2.1 Fishing activities schedules

Fishing activities are not always consistent. For example beach seine fishing can occur at anytime, depending on the availability of the targeted species. A better understanding of the fishing activities and schedules is illustrated below.

Table 3. Fishing Activities Schedules - ILLustrated

1.3 History of data collection system

The Fisheries Division has been collecting catch and effort data since 1982. The data collection system was part of an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Fisheries Initiative. Later (1992) it became part of the CARICOM Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management Programme. The data was entered by daily landings and not according to fishing trips.

The information, which was generated, was very limited, as the available analytical programmes could not be used to manipulate the data, for the production of various reports. Total landings for various sampled sites as well as total annual landings could be estimated quite easily. However, it was not possible to obtain any production information by species, boat categories or by gear type.

1.3.1 Present catch and effort data system

Catch and effort data has been collected on a random sampling system basis. Officially thirty-two fish landing sites are recognized. Catch and effort data is presently collected from eleven of these sites, including parts of the west coast as well as areas in the north and south

1.3.2 Sampling schedule

Sampling schedule is a joint initiative of the data collector and the data collector supervisor who visists each landing site at least once monthly. During the visit, data collectors highlight difficulties faced, problems with sampling techniques, difficulty with fish species or fishing gear and methods. Discussion with fishers and other stakeholders form an important component of work of the data collector. This is important as it helps to strengthen links between the data collectors and fishers.

1.3.3 Data management

Data is brought to the office during the first week of every month. The data sheets are checked by data entry personnel and all errors corrected before entry into the computer databases.

Fish catch and effort data is stored in the Trip Interview Programme (TIP) database and Licensing and Registration data is stored into Licensing and Registration Systems (LRS) Database. There is a schedule for making ‘backups’ of the data once every two weeks but this is not strictly enforced. However, backups of all data entered into the computer from 1994 are available in TIP or Excel format and those done before that period are available in Lotus 123 format.

1.4 Marketing and distribution

1.4.1 Domestic

Prior to the establishment of the Roseau Fisheries Complex (RFC) most fish were sold directly from landing sites.^[1] hen there is an over supply at the RFC, the excess catch is sold to near-by and distant communities in most cases from hired trucks or from boats. Fish is not usually gutted when sold to the public. Very often small pelagic fish species such as flyingfish, skipjack, and robin, are sold from landing sites, but blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, marlin, swordfish and dolphinfish are only sold in rural communities when a glut exist.

Although on prime objectives of the RFC was to absorb the glut, it has been observed that on some occasions its storage capacity and the rate of sales/ stock-turnover have affected fishers. During the last few years for example, in the months of August to December FAD and artisanal longline fishers have produced large amounts of yellowfin tuna, marlin and swordfish. Because of the over supply, the average price has dropped; in addition, there has been some evidence of lost income though spoilage. Normally the retail prices for fish in Dominica are as follows: pelagic species at EC $6.00 per pound, demersal species at EC$5.00 per pound

1.4.2 Imports

Dominica imports some quantities of canned seafood, salted cod and very small amounts of frozen fish.

1.4.3 Exports

There are no records of fish exports.

1.5 Management options and policies

Besides its efforts to manage the fish stocks, the role of the Fisheries Division also include the provision of the necessary support to the human dimension of fisheries. Social and economic issues of fisheries are very important.

The fisheries Act of Dominica (1987) gives the government the authority to manage fisheries. To date the draft fisheries regulations are yet to be gazetted. An important provision in the draft regulations refers to a co-management approach of the fish resources of Dominica.

A joint approach to management is strongly advocated. The term “Co-management” also called collaborative, joint, mixed, multi-part, community base is priority. It is believed that fisheries is not just about managing or catching fish, rather it should include managing those who catch the fish. Therefore policy makers recognize this as important to the fisheries industry. According to Farvar, M.T & Feyarahere, B.G 2000 “Natural Resource Management (NRM) is also a political issue”.

2. MOORED FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES

The concept of moored Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) was introduced in Dominica during the mid 1980’s, but it was not until a few years later that the first FAD was officially constructed and deployment. Assistance for developing FAD came from the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO). In the development process the idea was promoted among individual fishers, Fisheries Study Groups and Co-operatives. Some experimental FAD were deployed offshore of a number of fishing communities.

Fishers were aware that pelagic fish aggregated around floating objects such as, nets, logs and other debris. Normally they would monitor hovering seabirds that followed drifting objects around. Occasionally they would encounter schoals of pelagic species around such objects offshore. The use of stabilized objects or anchored platforms around which both large and small pelagics can shelter soon became an alternative to making long circuits in search of drifting objects. Reports that fishing around moored FAD has been yielding excellent results have heightened fisher interest in Dominica. Fisheries officials are pleased with this development because it may, for example, ease the fishing pressure on demersal species and it is more cost effective in terms of the daily expenses for long trips. It is also seen as a way of reducing the costs of search and rescue when fishers go missing on longer trips. Table 4 summarises the available information on FAD construction and deployment in Dominica.

Table 4. FAD Constructed and Offshore Distance of Deployment

The devices were deployed ranging from about 3-6 miles off shore.

2.1 Acceptability

Despite several training sessions on the merits of FAD, the concept has recently gained favour among fishers, after eight years. Recognizing its importance the Fisheries Division persisted with the concept, which is now hailed a success story. More details on the current status of FAD is provided in the following sections.

2.2 Materials used

Generally, a FAD is constructed from bamboo in lengths between 20-30 feet and about 10-15 fee wide. Other materials consist of rope, tyres, anchor, shackles and swivels. For easy siting, materials such as flagpole and RADAR reflectors are installed.

2.3 FAD in recent times

More recently FAD are constructed from medium to large pieces of purse seine net, plastic containers, circle and PB 7 buoys. In some instances green coconut branches are also used. Bamboo constructed ones are not very common nowadays. It is not clear why, however some fishers indicate that constructing them out of bamboo is too time consuming and may be even less effective.

2.4 Location

Recently the location of Fish Aggregating Devices has been given lots of attention. In some instances they have been located between 30-35 miles due west of the village of Dublanc, 10-15 miles west of Cabrits, about 7 miles off Colihaut and 8 miles out of Mahaut. In contrast to 14 years ago when the idea was newly introduced, over the last few years there has been a sharp increase in the number of FAD deployed and the will of fishers to construct more is rising. Attributed to this is the significant increase in pelagic fish fished on FAD mainly on the northwest, west and south coast.

2.5 Costing

Constructing a FAD is not cheap. Since the idea has caught on well, the amount of money fishers spend for fuel and time is less. The cost is often based on the complexity and the size. On average one cost about EC$3000 for floating materials alone. Rope for anchor EC$500.00 and anchor EC$300.00. Added to that, there is the cost of deployment, which is determined by factors such as distance or location and size of boat.

Proper maintenance of a device is very important. In fact, it is better not to construct one if in doubt on how to maintain it. A few Dominican fishers who are experienced in that field say that for a durable FAD, maintenance is important. They did not deny that depending on its location and a reasonable life expectancy period more that half of the construction and deployment cost is needed for maintenance.

2.6 Management and Social and Economic Considerations

The management and Social Economic Considerations of FAD is perhaps not well understood. Detailed information of fish caught on FAD, where deployed, and the types of FAD are now being addressed. Over the last year about four zonal consultations were held. During these consultations and in the daily working of the Fisheries Division, FAD management is discussed but sometimes not in a significant way. However community-based meetings specifically in areas where FAD are deployed continue.

It is generally felt that the management of FAD is not easy. Continuous dialogue and surveillance at sea is a must. At this point the later is infrequent from the Division’s standpoint.

Fishers often complain of the lack of cooperation among them when fishing on FAD. Few are willing to contribute towards the construction, deployment and management of it. Theft is becoming a regular complaint. When a large number of fishers are fishing on a FAD they may each deploy several lines; in such cases it is becoming routine to hear of suspicions where a fish caught on one fisher’s line is removed by another. Lines entangling, allegations of persons wilfully cutting FAD, or vessels mistaking cutting FAD are other serious concerns.

It is hoped that when the Fisheries Regulations are gazetted much of these problems will be eliminated or mitigated. They will include an important provision relating to FAD. It will specify that “No fisherman/one will be able to deploy a FAD without written permission from the Chief Fisheries Officer and surveillance would be compulsory”.

It is evident that more attention should be given towards the management of FAD. Lack of cooperation among fishers encourages “free riders”

2.7 Yields, Seasonality and Catch

The principal function of FAD is being achieved in Dominica. The sharp increase in catch is a success story. Reports from fishers indicate that catches have increased by 60-70% and more. According to Guiste, 2001, landings of yellowfin tuna and tuna-like species have increased in number during the months of July and August. He attributed this to the deployment of a number of FAD between 4-30 miles off the coast of Dominica, and the budding artisanal longline fishing activities. The catches recorded for 2001 are as follows:

FAD Data from July - August 2001

There is no specific data bank/center for FAD, however, a few fishers in some pockets on the island records their catch.