Fishing Industry Notes

Fishing is an extractive industry providing a major food source.
Caricom countries earn over US$300 million annually from fish and fish product exports.

Bahamas: US$83 million
Surinam: US$39 million
Belize: US$28 million
Guyana: US$50 million
Jamaica: US$13 million
The Caribbean fishing industry relies heavily on boat owners who hire small crews.
Fishermen typically sell their catch locally.
Commercial fishing involves larger crews using trawlers, sometimes managed by cooperatives.

Many fish feed on plankton, specifically phytoplankton, which require sunlight to grow.
The best fishing grounds are in shallow waters, typically not exceeding 200 meters in depth.

Coast: Proximity to the coastline is crucial for accessing fish resources.
Indented coastlines offer harbors and bays for fishing boat operations.
The development of fishing industries in the Caribbean is facilitated by coastal settlements.

Fish is perishable, leading to potential wastage without readily available markets.
Domestic (Local) Market: Fishermen sell to local populations.
Commercial Market: Fishermen sell to supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels.
Cooperative Societies: Facilitate sales to foreign buyers by negotiating on behalf of fishermen. In Belize, the Cooperative Society sells to USA, Europe, and Japan.
Profits are distributed to members as a “second payment” at year-end.

Drift Nets: Vertically hung nets catch fish near the surface.
Trawling: Trawlers drag cone-shaped nets across the seabed to catch fish like cod, haddock, and hake.
Seining: Nets are floated vertically using corks to encircle schools of fish, then dragged onto boats or shore.
Lining: Long lines with up to 1000 hooks are towed, often used to catch fish near the sea floor.

Trawling fleets with large nets lead to over-fishing in coastal waters, catching both large and small fish.
Resulting in a decrease in the number of fish being caught year after year.
Trinidad fishermen face issues with Venezuelan authorities due to nets with smaller holes than allowed in Venezuela.
Guyana has encountered problems with Venezuela and Trinidad entering its waters with huge trawlers to fish.
Depletion of crucial fish stocks like grouper, lobster, and snapper.

Poor marketing arrangements restrict the expansion of commercial fishing.
Foreign markets (USA and Europe) are unreliable.
European and American markets require the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system.
HACCP involves monitoring and recording all aspects of fish production from catching to unpacking.
Small fishermen struggle to comply with these regulations due to inadequate facilities.

Caribbean fishermen often lack the best boats and equipment.
Most operate from small boats (4-11 meters), limiting them to within 16 kilometers of the shore.
Restricts their ability to locate and tap available fish stocks.
Few large commercial boats exist relative to the total fishing capacity.

Solid waste from cruise liners and commercial boats pollutes the sea with oil, sewage, and scrubber wastewater.
Polluted waters harm fish habitats, contaminate fish, and reduce fish stocks.

Massive destruction of mangroves for coastal tourism development destroys fish breeding grounds.
Negatively impacts the reproduction cycle and reduces fish populations.

Lack of government investment in the fishing industry and cooperative societies hinders fishermen.
Need for refrigerators to prevent spoilage due to lack of reliable markets.
Small fishermen struggle to access loans for modern equipment and bigger boats.

Advanced fishing trawlers use sonars or echo-sounding equipment to locate schools of fish.
Modern boats have refrigeration plants to keep fish fresh for longer.
Radars allow fishing vessels to navigate waters safely.

Designated areas for education, research, and ecotourism.
Protect and restore endangered fish species.
Attract tourists and provide alternative livelihoods.
Maintain fish life and restore processes like water purification and carbon capture.
Example: The Bahamas' 176-square mile Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park.
Reserves also in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Belize, and the Cayman Islands.

Countries designate fishing and closing seasons.
Closing season occurs during fish-breeding periods.
Example: In Cayman Islands, lobster season runs from December 1 to the last day of February.
Only three lobsters per person or six per boat per day are allowed during lobster season.
Open season for conch in Cayman begins on November 1 and runs until April 30.
Up to five conch per person or 10 per boat per day can be taken.

Young fish below a minimum size must not be removed from the sea.
Scuba diving for fish is prohibited in water over 15 meters deep.
Fishing for depleted fish stock (e.g., grouper) is prohibited, with government-instituted bans.
Penalties for breaking the law must be enforced consistently.

Removal of mangroves for housing and tourism development is a threat to the marine environment.
Pollution from pesticides or domestic sewage also affects the marine environment.