Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 STATUS OF CONCHS AND LOBSTERS Throughout this region, queen conch (Strombus gigas) and spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) have important economic, social and cultural values. But over-exploitation, illegal fishing, poor enforcement, and lack of trans-boundary management over the last 30 years have resulted in declining populations and decreases in catches. The Mexican Atlantic has the greatest conch catches, while the largest lobster catches are from Nicaragua. Management of these fisheries varies throughout the region, although illegal fishing is common and trans-boundary issues are largely ignored. M e x i c o : Extensive over-exploitation in the late 1970s caused conch stocks to collapse, leading to fishery closures in Yucatan (1988) and seasonal closures in Quintana Roo (1991). Shallow water conch and lobster populations have declined and deeper water populations are at risk since collection using scuba and hookah is permitted. Larger lobster populations are found in Bahia de la Ascencíon, Espirtu Santo Bay and Banco Chinchorro. Lobster regulations include minimum size (145mm) restrictions, 4 month closure, and a ban on collecting berried females. Belize: Lobster is the biggest, most important fishery and years of over-fishing have altered both lobster and conch populations. The populations are skewed towards smaller lobsters, while many conch are legal size but not sexually mature; yet the overall status of lobster and conch is not known. Regulations include closed seasons for lobster (Feb 15-June 15) and conch (July-Sept), gear restrictions (no scuba), prohibited take of egg-bearing lobsters, and minimum size restrictions for lobster and conch (18cm). There is extensive illegal fishing and the use of baited gill nets to harvest lobsters damages reefs. Honduras: Lobster and conch are important commercial and artisanal fisheries. Conch are collected by free or scuba diving and harvesting restrictions include a closed season (March-August) and minimum size (22cm); there are no regulations for the lobster fishery. Historically, Honduras had the largest lobster catches, but these have drastically declined. Few large lobsters exist and populations of conch and lobsters are only found in deeper waters. Lobster and conch collecting is prohibited in Cayos Cochinos Reserve, and they are overfished in the Bay Islands, whereas the status on the offshore banks is unknown. Nicaragua: Lobster is the most important fishery by Miskito artisanal, industrial, and pirate industrial fishermen. Fishing effort has doubled in the last 10 years, yet lobster populations are not considered to be heavily over-fished by the locals. Little is known about conch. There are no regulations to conserve lobster or conch and illegal fishing by foreign vessels (Honduras) is the greatest threat. Management recommendations include closed seasons, size and weight restrictions consistent with size or sexual maturity, gear restrictions, protection of nursery and spawning grounds, establishment of no-take zones, limited entry or quotas, gathering more information on status and distribution, alternatives to fishing, and measures to 298
Status of Coral Reefs of Northern Central America improve trans-boundary management of larger, regional fisheries, including greater enforcement and harmonisation of regional regulations. Country Conch Lobster Fish Belize 252 502 111 Guatemala -- -- 213 Honduras 490 (1996) 306 160 Mexico 3,293 613 93,291 Nicaragua 162 3,729 4,088 The harvest for the major marine resources - strombid conch, lobster, and fish 1998 in metric tons (mt) abundant in the Caribbean, and important families include Scaridae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Acanthuridae, Lutjanidae, Haemulidae and Serranidae. There is higher species diversity, more abundant herbivores, and 2-3 times higher predator biomass in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, than on adjacent unprotected reefs. Mexico has an advanced fishing industry, concentrated mainly on the Pacific side. Coral reef fisheries concentrate on snappers, groupers and parrotfishes, but fisherman often avoid reef areas to prevent net damage and instead fish for larger fishes found near rocky points. Harvesting for reef invertebrates (e.g. sea cucumbers and molluscs) and aquarium fish (angelfish, butterflyfish) is high and the fishery is poorly regulated. Most reef fishing targets groupers, grunts, barracudas, snappers, snook, and Atlantic Spanish mackeral on reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan. Fishing regulations near Veracruz in the SW Gulf of Mexico have been fairly successful at limiting fishing to subsistence and recreational fishing, but fishing on the Campeche Bank is intense and the resources are heavily exploited, particularly lobsters and groupers. Six spawning aggregations on the Yucatan have been commercially fished for grouper (Epinephelus spp.) for over 50 years and catches continue to increase, yet these aggregations are considered to be over-fished. Regulations exist for the amount, size and depth of collection of black coral, but it is over-exploited and commercially threatened. A lack of enforced fishing regulations, increases in tourism, and lack of alternatives to fishing threaten the status of coral reef fishes in unprotected areas. Yet, awareness on the need to develop sustainable fisheries is increasing with actions underway to designate new protected areas (Xcalak), and implement tighter fishing regulations at existing ones (Banco Chinchorro, Sian Ka’an, Cozumel, Contoy Island). Belize There are more than 317 reef fish species with higher fish density on shallow reefs (primarily surgeonfish) versus deeper fore reefs (primarily parrotfish). Densities on shallow reefs are generally higher at Glovers, Lighthouse, and Central Barrier than Turneffe and the northern barrier. Abundance at deep sites is very similar, although Lighthouse has the lowest. Belize has a small but expanding commercial and subsistence fishing industry. Lobster is the most important fishery, followed by marine fishes, conchs, and Penaeus spp. shrimps. Now shrimp mariculture accounts for more than the value of all fisheries combined. At least 10 spawning aggregations are currently over-exploited, the largest one is at Gladden Spit with 299
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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FOREWORD Over the past few years, I
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CONTENTS COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERR
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories T
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON T
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Executive Summary CORAL BLEACHING I
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Executive Summary South Asia Most r
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Executive Summary parts of Fiji and
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Executive Summary management and mo
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Executive Summary tourism developme
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Executive Summary problem is loomin
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6. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH A
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Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs of East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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11. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL
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Status of Southeast and Central Pac
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12. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AMERIC
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Status of Coral Reefs of American S
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AGRRA AIMS ASEAN B
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