Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
STATUS OF CORAL REEF FISHES
In most of the English-speaking islands, reef fisheries are artisanal and are mainly based on the
use of fish traps (fishpots), but there are few data on reef fisheries as greater attention has
been paid to pelagic fisheries. In St. Lucia, reef fishery landings were estimated in 1993 to be
116 metric tons, but this is probably an underestimate. Catches include as many as 40-55
species, the majority of which are considered to be over-fished, based on the absence of
large, mature fish, and a predominance of small, quick maturing herbivores. Detailed studies
of trends in reef fish stocks have been conducted in the Soufriere Marine Management Area
since 1995, and show an increase in both abundance and size of some key species. One
small reserve showed a doubling in total biomass of commercially important species in 2
years, with abundance being significantly higher for parrotfishes and snappers. Fishermen
believe that catches have increased in adjacent Fishing Priority Areas, where the total weight
of food fish had doubled by 1999. Species richness increased by 20% over the same period.
Coral reefs represent the primary fisheries resource in Antigua and Barbuda, where
demersal fish make up the major proportion of total fish landings. The spiny lobster is the
most important species economically, especially in Barbuda from where most of the catch
is exported. Reef fish populations have declined significantly in recent years because of
natural disasters and over-fishing, indicated by a decrease in size of landed fish and a
proliferation of algae on many reefs.
In September 1999, a fish kill affected reef species on Barbados, Martinique, Grenada, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago, and in some islands it was attributed to factors
related to the fresh water plumes from the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. In most islands the
specific cause was not determined, but in Barbados a high incidence of a Streptococccus
pathogen was believed to be responsible.
In the BVI, populations of all commercially important species appear to be over-fished,
particularly conch, spiny lobster, and most species of groupers and snappers, due to
growing local populations and a booming tourism industry. Commercial catches of all
species in 1998 were estimated at 819,330kg. The decline in demersal fish and lobsters due
to trap fishing over the last 10-20 years has also been reported by local dive guides and
recreational divers and there are anecdotal reports of popular dive sites teeming with
lobster and large reef predators only a decade ago. Recreational hook and line fishing is
minimal and collection of ornamental fish for the aquarium trade is prohibited.
The French Caribbean
There are 228 fish species in 59 families, with the average fish density on Guadeloupe
varying between 119 and 550 fish per 100m 2 , with the highest numbers being in the
protected zone of Pigeon Island. The estimated fish biomass in Guadeloupe and other
islands of the French West Indies varies between 368 and 1893kg per hectare. Fish stocks in
all the islands are over-exploited and large fish are relatively rare (groupers, snappers,
parrotfish). Fishing on Guadeloupe in essentially traditional with 2034 professional
fishermen in 1998, working from 1062 fishing boats. There are also about a thousand
people who fish regularly, but are not licensed. The annual demand is 15,800mt of fish,
whereas the total landings for Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélémy and Saint-Martin is about
322