16 November 2011

Belize Fisheries Department

Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries

Volume 7, Issue 1.

Catch of the Quarter

In this issue:

Managed Access Catch Shares Launched

Press Release
1 2
The Fisheries Department through this medium, hereby advises the GENERAL PUBLIC of its implementation of the MANAGED ACCESS or CATCH SHARES Project in July 2011. The Project was designed to EMPOWER FISHERS by FIRSTLY ensuring greater participation in the decision-making process that would impact their livelihood and SECONDLY by improving the benefits to be derived from the fish stocks themselves in terms of increased fish landings, larger size classes and increased prices and revenues. Benefits accruing to the ecosystem from the PROJECT are to include the recovery and rejuvenation of coral reef and seagrass habitats damaged by intense and unsustainable fishing pressures, as well as the recovery of the fished stocks that are a part of a complex and wider food web and energy transfer relationship which contributes to the maintenance of the overall health and sustainability of the Belize Barrier Reef Complex. The Managed Access Project is being implemented (continued on page 3)

Managed Access Pilot 1 Project Belize Turtle Watch Program Editorial

Spanish Research Ves- 2 sel Miguel Oliver CRFM Aquaculture Workshop 2011 Benefits of Marine Protected Areas CRFM/JICA Partnership

3 6 7

Points of Interest:
Catch Shares Pilot Project commences in Belize. CRFM Aquaculture Development Workshop held in Kingston Spanish Research Vessel Miguel Oliver Benefits of implementing Marine Reserves JICA collaborates with CARICOM and the CRFM Sea turtle census to be carried out in our waters.

The Honourable Minister Rene Montero as he addresses the audience at the inauguration ceremony of Managed Access Catch Shares pilot project on July 1st 2011.

Belize Turtle Watch Program

By Linda Searle
The Belize Fisheries Department and Ecological Mariners, ECOMAR have partnered with the World Wildlife Fund, WWF, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT and Good Creole Food Incorporated, GCFI to promote the Belize Turtle Watch Project which endeavors to determine if Climate Change will have any impacts on Sea Turtles in Belize. In order to determine what impacts sea turtles, the 2011 Belize Sea Turtle Census, BSTC was created so all persons that reside or work on the coast of Belize can report their observations of sea turtles. An outreach program, such as the 2011 Belize Sea Turtle Workshop which was held from Jun 6-9, 2011. Twenty seven participants from Belize and Mexico represented 12 organizations at the event. The workshop included a 2 day theory session in Belize City and a 2 day field exercise at Turtle Shores, Belizes nesting beach that possesses the (continued on page 4)

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Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1 .

Editorial
By George Myvett
This THIRD INSTALLMENT of Catch of the Quarter focuses on a broad range of topical issues that are reflective of the diverse agenda of the Fisheries Department which is, in principle, charged with the regulatory leadership of the Fisheries Sector. This of course includes a Capture Fishery or Traditional Fishery component, as well as an environmental stewardship and fish farming or aquaculture component. The Managed Access Pilot Project featured on pp. #1 serves as a signature of the commitment of the Fisheries Administration to identify and craft the appropriate management tool that would be needed to effectively improve and expand social and economic benefits for fishers on a long-term basis, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the fish stocks in terms of their ability to reproduce and replenish themselves. The intervention of the Miguel Oliver in the seas of Belize is a reminder of the importance of the genesis and applica-

tion of scientific information in informing sound policy and management decisions. The feature on pp. #3 by Mr. Terrence Phillips reaffirms the importance of aquaculture globally in regards to the question of food and nutritional security, as well as employment and poverty alleviation. The aquaculture article also brings into focus the promise and potentials of small scale tilapia farming in Belize as well as other destinations in the CARICOM Caribbean. The Belize Turtle Watch Programme featured on pp. #1 provides a birds eye view into the positive outcomes that can accrue when the Fisheries Technical Staff works in concert with its Development Partners at the national, regional and wider-global levels to foster and strengthen conservation efforts for a species that is important to the patrimony of the larger human family. The timely contribution by Fisheries Officer James Azueta on the Importance of Marine Protected Areas is a salient reminder that the stewardship of fish stocks and other marine resources must of necessity bring in its wake a dedicated focus on the wider marine environment, including representative samples thereof.

By Kenneth Esquivel

Spanish Research Vessel Miguel Oliver

On January 4th, 2011, I had the opportunity to participate in a Regional Scientific Investigation Campaign that was conducted onboard a fisheries scientific research vessel Miguel Oliver property of the General Sea Secretariat of Spain. This regional scientific investigation campaign was developed as a result of an agreement of cooperation for the proper management of Fisheries Resources between the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Organization (OSPESCA) and the General Secretariat of the Sea, under the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs. The scientific investigation was carried out in the Caribbean territorial waters of each Central American country. Its main objectives were: To collect biological samples for its posterior analysis in the different investigation centers. To have pictures of all the different captured species in order to produce a complete guide. To evaluate the physical oceanographic conditions by obtaining T/S of the water column
This is the Spanish Research Vessel MIGUEL OLIVER as it dropped anchor off the coast of Belize City on February 2nd 2011.

To have knowledge of the bathymetry and the morphology of the marine floor using a Multi-haz echo sounder EM302. (continue on page 5)

Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1 .

Page 3

CRFM Aquaculture Development Workshop 2011

Aquaculture, like fisheries, plays a very important but often unsung role in economies around the world, in both developed and developing countries. According to the FAO State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report 2010, aquaculture continues to be the fastest-growing animal-food-producing sector and to outpace population growth, with the per capita supply increasing from 0.7 kg in 1970 to 7.8 kg in 2008. Aquaculture accounted for 45.7 percent of the worlds fish food production for human consumption in 2008, and is set to overtake capture fisheries as a source of food fish. While aquaculture production (excluding aquatic plants) was less than 1 million tonnes per year in the early 1950s, production in 2008 was 52.5 million tonnes, with a value of US$98.4 billion. The fishery sector is a source of income and livelihood for millions of people around the world. It is estimated that, in 2008, 44.9 million people were directly engaged, full time or part time, in capture fisheries or in aquaculture, and at least 12 percent of these were women. It is also estimated that, for each person employed in capture fisheries and aquaculture production, about three jobs are pro-

Excerpt from address by Mr. Terrence Phillips at the Aquaculture Development Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica.
duced in secondary activities, including post-harvest, for a total of more than 180 million jobs in the whole of the fish industry. The majority of fishers and aquaculturists are in developing countries, mainly in Asia, which has experienced the largest increases in recent decades, reflecting in particular the rapid expansion of aquaculture activities. The aquaculture sector is not well developed in the CARICOM region, with significant development limited to countries like Jamaica and Belize. Other countries like Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago have begun to put more emphasis on aquaculture as an area for development. The practices mainly involves the use of ponds to culture such species as penaeid shrimp, tilapia, carp and cachama. Also, there is long line culture for algae in St. Lucia and the mangrove oyster in Jamaica. Most CARICOM states have limited land and fresh water resources, however some, like Belize, Guyana and Suriname, do have ample supplies. On the other hand, most states have larger expanses of marine space than land mass, which offers the potential for the promotion and development of mariculture. As such, the approach to aquaculture development will have to be multifaceted in its focus, design and implementation in order to address the needs of those with ample land and fresh water resources and those with less of these resource endowments. The CRFM has identified the promotion and development of aquaculture as one of the program areas within its Strategic Plan and Medium Term Plans 2004/2007 & 2008/2011. (cont. page 4)

Reminder: The Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus straitus fishing season closes on the 1st of December 2011 & will re-open on the 1st of April 2012!

Managed Access Pilot Project (cont.)

at TWO Pilot Testing Sites: the Glovers Reef Marine Reserve and the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. Only fishers whom have customarily fished these sites were eligible for licenses! The new licensees would be needed if they wished to continue to fish these areas. Application for licenses were made at the main Fisheries Department Offices during normal working hours (Monday to Friday) during the months of September and October. Any queries, observations or requests for information on the Managed Access Project which has been implemented by the Fisheries Department can be made in person at the departments Offices in Belize City or Punta Gorda, or can be alternately made over the phones at: 224-4552 or 203-2623 for the Belize City office or 722-2662 for the Punta Gorda office By e-mail at: fisheries_department@fisheries.gov.bz.

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Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1

Belize Turtle Watch (cont)

spearheading the Adopt A Beach Program. In this program organizations, resorts, and individuals are asked to adopt a portion of the approximately 100 miles of sandy beaches in Belize so that they can monitor them for nesting turtles and their hatchlings 60 days later. Participants of the 2011 Sea Turtle Training Workshop will also conduct in-water assessments of sea turtles that forage within their MPAs. Questionnaires will also be used to measure anecdotal information on sea turtles and climate change. There will be specific questionnaires for fishermen, marine guides, resort owners and tourists to assess current knowledge, sea turtle abundance, and threats to sea turtles and changes in shorelines. Beach characterization was introduced by Dr. Marianne Fish from WWF during the 2011 Belize Sea Turtle Training Workshop. Participants used two methods to characterize the beach at Turtle Shores and now have the knowledge and tools to measure the beaches in their protected areas. Characterizing beaches twice a year and after storms will assist in measuring impacts from climate change on Belizes shorelines and impacts on nesting sea turtles. In the latter part of 2011, we will gather all information on sea turtle activity and beach profiles in Belize and prepare an update to the Belize Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan (STRAP) that was prepared in 1992. The addendum to the STRAP will include information on the current status of sea turtles in Belize and will identify threats, ways to mitigate threats, and will establish or renew the objectives of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network. For more details on the Belize Turtle Watch Program please contact Mr. Isaias Majil at Fisheries at 2244552 or Ms. Linda Searle at ECOMAR at 671-3483 or linda@ecomarbelize.org or visit www.ecomarbelize.org/turtle_watch. development of aquaculture within their respective countries; further analyze their aquaculture situations and outline country specific action plans. They will also give consideration to the development of a regional network of aquaculture organizations, including fisheries authorities, research and training institutions and other stakeholder organizations to facilitate information sharing, research and capacity building. It is hoped that the teams will return home to further develop their respective plans through a consultative process with relevant stakeholders, and then come back for a follow-up workshop in August/September 2011 to finalize these plans. The lessons learned from these activities will serve to inform the Master Plan. Thank You.

The 2011 Belize Sea Turtle Training Workshop began with informative presentations but also included practical field work exercises and a turtle necropsy exercise.

greatest number of nesting Hawksbills. Participants were immersed in sea turtle biology and conservation, conducted necropsies and learned how to locate and relocate turtle nests. It was a great opportunity for biologists from throughout Belize to network with their colleagues and a reunion is being planned for the end of the nesting season. Part of the BSTC included reaching out to stakeholders that explore the reef, like marine guides and tourists, and also coastal property owners located near sandy beaches where turtles may nest. From March through June 2011, a student from the University of Exeter came to Belize to volunteer with ECOMAR to launch the In-Water Observation Program, which she used for her Masters thesis. A group of recent graduates from St. Johns College in Belize were also volunteering with ECOMAR which was

CRFM Workshop 2011 (cont)

With this in mind, it included aquaculture development policy formulation as one of the areas to be addressed under the Master Plan Study. This First Regional Aquaculture Development Planning Workshop, which is aimed at providing training in project cycle management, including problem analysis and planning, and to assist in the preparation of draft action plans for sustainable aquaculture development in the Member States represented here, is being implemented as one of two aquaculture pilot projects under the Master Plan Study. Over the next seven days participants will share experiences and lessons learned from the promotion and

Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1

Page 5

Spanish Research Vessel Miguel Oliver (cont)

The campaign began on the 4th of January 2011 at the Port of Colon in Panama and was finalized on the 2 nd of February 2011 at the Port of Belize. The surveys were conducted using a LOFOTEN (Trawl with gates) bottom trawling net which had two layers of polyethylene net meshes for hard sea floors. The total length of the net was 48.7m; with a catch bag of 14.3m in length and mesh size of 35mm and an approximate weight of 1000kg. On the trawling net there was a Netsonda ITI SIMRAD system with sensors that registered information about the dynamic characteristics of the trawling net, opening of the doors, vertical opening of the net, position of the net, depth and temperature. Also there was a SCANTROL ISYM (Intelligent Symmetry Control) that allowed an advance control of automatic trawling through the trawling winches and the nets. All trawls took place during the day. The nights were solely used to locate areas that were appropriate for trawling activity without damaging the fishing equipment and also to prevent disruption to marine ecosystems. Ideal trawling areas were possible to locate by the recording of the sea floor bathymetry, by means of the high resolution Mulihaz echo sounder EM 302 located on the vessel. Recording of the sea floor bathymetry was a continuous 24 hour process. Effective trawling time in each transect area was 30 minutes. The trawl time starts when the net has been set properly on the sea floor and ends when the net is initially hoisted. The trawling time was recorded by the sensors placed in the net (ITI SIMRAD). The details of every trawl (GPS coordinates, depth, trawl time etc.) were obtained from the vessel control room and were recorded on the corresponding datasheets. In all the trawls, measurements surveys were conducted on possible commercially important species (fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans of commercially importance). These measurements were: Total length (TL-cm) Pre anal length (PL-1/2cm) Dorsal length of the mantle (1/2cm)-cephalopods Carapace length (1/2cm) crustaceans For certain species these measurements were recorded with a distinction between both sexes. The portion of the catch which consisted of invertebrates were classified, weighted and quantified. Throughout the region 409 different species were identified and some 100 species were unidentified. From the most abundant species in the whole Central American region Belize has four of those species, Polymixia lowei (Beardfish), Saurida normani (Shortjaw Lizardfish), Illex spp. (Shortfin squid), & Squalis cubensis (Cuban Dogfish.) In Belize there were 118 different species. In Belize, three transect were carried out with a total of 8 trawls in three specific areas with trawling depth ranging between 269-1204 meters. These areas were transect No. 1 Glovers Area, transect No. 2 southern tip of Turneff Islands and transect No. 3 between Turneff and Light House Reef. In conclusion, it is important to further study the biology of the organisms caught in order to determine to what extent, if possible, it can be exploited. This type of scientific research campaign should be conducted at least for a period of 5 years in order to have a true representation of the data for further analysis (biomass, stock abundance). The catch in terms of weight varied from 4.47 to 37.22 kilograms in Belize, indicating that bottom trawling is not the most suitable method for deep water fishing in Belize. Other fishing methods should be considered in order to increase the capture of other species that were not captured with this method due to the limited sample area.

The fish on the left is the Beard fish Polymixia lowei, and the Shortjaw Lizardfish, Saurida normani is on the right. Source: www.fishbase.org

The Short fin squid Illex sp. (left) and the Cuban Dogfish Squalis cubensis (right). Photographs courtesy of Mr. Kenneth Esquivel.

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Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1 .

Benefits of Marine Protected Areas

By James Azueta
What is a marine protected area? A marine protected area (MPA) is an area of the sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biodiversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means. MPAs include marine parks, nature reserves and locally managed marine areas that protect reefs, seagrass beds, shipwrecks, archaeological sites, tidal lagoons, mudflats, saltmarshes, mangroves, rock platforms, underwater areas on the coast and the seabed in deep water, as well as open water. In 1988, The World Conservation Union (IUCN) General Assembly called upon national governments, international agencies and the non-governmental community to: Provide for the protection, restoration, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the marine heritage of the world through the creation of a global, representative system of marine protected areas and through management in accordance with the principles of the World Conservation Strategy of human activities that use or affect the marine environment. In many parts

nursery and feeding habits; raising the profile of an area for marine tourism and broadening local economic options; providing opportunities for education, training, heritage and culture and providing broad benefits as sites for reference in long-term research. How do MPAs benefit fisheries? Marine protected areas with core no-take reserves play an important role in arresting and reversing the global and local decline in fish populations and productivity. The global fish catch is reported to be in decline since the late 1980s. Indications of this decline include, fishing for smaller and lowervalue species; having to fish further from home bases and the destruction/degradation of fish habitats in coastal areas.

of the world there is a growing focus and appreciation of the need for more MPAs and for better management generally of coastal and marine environments. Why do we need marine protected areas? Modern technology has increased the range of uses of, and access to, marine environments, supporting industries such as fishing, tourism, aquaculture and the development of new forms of drugs from marine biodiversity. But unless managed sustainably, the uses and users of marine ecosystems can threaten, change and destroy the very processes and resources that they depend on. Current management systems are failing to maintain the productivity & biological diversity of marine ecosystems. The consequences of this failure are serious and farreaching. The most obvious effect is seen in impacts on the longstanding and widespread use of marine resources for seafood. The global fish catch has been in constant decline since 1989 and the downward trend is projected to continue. Marine biodiversity, ecosystems and resources are also threatened by impacts reaching the sea from the land, through pollution by nutrients, chemicals and silt, and through changed river flows. Marine protected areas help protect important habitats and representative samples of marine life and assist in restoring the productivity of the oceans and avoid further degradation. They are also sites for scientific study and can generate income through tourism and sustainable fishing. MPAs provide a range of benefits for fisheries, local economies and the marine environment including, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; arresting and reversing the global and local decline in fish populations and productivity by protecting critical breeding,

South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the largest MPA in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, covering an area of 117,878 acres.

Traditionally MPAs and reserves (including specific fisheries management measures such as closures, catch restrictions and catch shares) have benefited fisheries through stock enhancement and management. Protection of habitat is important to key life cycle stages including spawning, juvenile settlement, nursery grounds and major feeding grounds. Strategically located protected areas provide sites for settlement and early growth of juveniles which when mature spill over into adjacent fished areas. There is a substantial weight of evidence in favor of the beneficial role of MPAs in a range of different types of fisheries, in different global localities and within different fisheries management regimes. MPAs on their own are not sufficient as a single management tool, except possibly in smallscale subsistence fisheries where other management systems may not be very effective. For fisheries, MPAs generally can be considered to provide support for stock management; improved socio-economic outcomes for local communities; support for fishery stability; and ecological offsets.

Catch of the Quarter

Volume 7, Issue 1 .

Page 7

CRFM/JICA Partnership
Excerpt from address by Mr. Kazuo Udagawa at the Aquaculture Development Workshop in Kingston Jamaica.
This Regional Aquaculture Training Course is a part of the activities under The Study on Formulation of a Master Plan on the Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources for Coastal Community Development in the Caribbean. It is a technical assistance project under the CARICOM/Japan cooperation. The Agreement (Scope of Work) for the Study was signed on December 15, 2008 by CARICOM, CRFM and JICA by addressing the following five main components, namely 1) Pelagic resource development and management, 2) Aquaculture development policy formulation, 3) Regional fisheries database development, 4) Support for community-based management (including sedentary resource management), and 5) Education and Training in the component fields in the CARICOM States. The Study commenced in March, 2009, with the appointment by JICA of IC Net Limited, a Japan-based consulting firm, as the Japanese Executing Agency for the Study. IC NET has been working in collaboration with the CRFM Secretariat to deliver the outputs of the Project. The objectives of the Study are to formulate a master plan for sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture in the Caribbean, focusing on smallscale operators in coastal communities and to transfer relevant technologies to the institutions and staff members of the CRFM member states and the CRFM Secretariat during the course of the Study. As you may know, Japan has a long history of community based resource management. The foundation of community based management is the exclusive right to use coastal resources by a coastal community, particularly artisanal fishers. With close communications and a trusting relationship, fishers not only observe the regulations but also create stricter self regulation to realize sustainable use of fisheries resources. Fishers may decide to shorten the fishing period by imposing fishable hours of a day or fishing season. They may release small fish and crustaceans voluntarily. They can also monitor illegal fishing activities by themselves.

Aquaculture is also well researched and practiced in Japan. Fish farms are usually small scale family operation in Japan. Japanese experience is useful for the CARICOM member countries. In order to verify the strategy for the Master Plan, a number of pilot projects have been implemented. Three components and a total of 6 Pilot Projects are ongoing now. The Pilot Projects were decided at the host countrys own initiative and all the countries involved have agreed on the implementation process and responsibilities, including hosting regional workshops (for some countries). This regional aquaculture training is one of the Pilot Project. Although the Pilot Projects were implemented in a limited number of countries, the knowledge and lessons learned shall be shared with all member countries by conducting workshops and dissemi-

In June, JICA personnel met with the Fisheries Department to discuss the progress of Belizes Alternative Feeds for Tilapia Farming pilot project.

nating reports. We are planning to have a dissemination workshop to invite all the CARICOM member countries in November this year and to present the draft of the Master plan. I trust this regional aquaculture workshop will be successful and the results will be presented during a later dissemination workshop. Thank you.

Vision of the Master Plan The sustainable use of fisheries resources by coastal communities is promoted. Goal Coastal communities and fisheries departments take measures for the sustainable use of fisheries resources. Strategy Diversification and creation of alternative incomes, & participatory fisheries resource management

True or False Challenge:

By Miguel Sosa ___The MIGUEL OLIVER performed a total of 10 trawls in Belizean waters. ___The Fisheries Department was established in 1987. ___ The Conch season closed on July 1st. ___ 26 people attended the Belize sea turtle workshop. ___ A closed season exists for the Blue Land Crab. ___ Nemo (the Clownfish) lived on the Belize Barrier Reef. Answers for this section: False, True, True, False, False, False!!!

Persons who wish to make comments on any of the articles contained in the Catch of the Quarter, or would alternately like to provide ideas on future articles are invited to call or write the Fisheries Department Offices as follows: Phone: 501-224-4552 Fax: 501-223-2986 E-mail: catchofthequarter@hotmail.com

Fisheries Department Quiz:

Answers for this section are: 1C, 2B,
3A, 4D

1. What does EAF represent? 2. Co-management can be divided into which of these three? 3. What does WSSD represent? 4. What is the name of the fish on the cover?

A. East American Financing B. Environmental Archives and Fisheries C. Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries D. Every Airplane Flies A. Consultative, Reproductive, Correlated B. Consultative, Collaborative Delegated C. Communicative, Restorative and Collaborative D. Creative, Communicative and Delegated A. World Summit for Sustainable Development B. World Survey for Surroundings and Development C. World, Seas, Sky and Dams D. Worlds Swimming Sea Donkey A. Caranx latus B. Caranx crysos C. Coryphaena hippurus D. Oligoplites saurus

Seafood Section : Tilapia Fish & Chips

By Marsha Vargas

Ingredients Makes fours servings

oz (7g) packet of active dried yeast cup warm (110F/38C) water cup warm (110F/38C) milk Pinch of sugar cup all purpose flour 2 lb (900g) baking potatoes, such as russet or Burbank Vegetable oil, for deep-frying 1 lb (675g) skinless Tilapia fillet, cut into 4 serving pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper Parsley sprigs, for serving Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions
1. To make the batter, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a medium bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir to dissolve the yeast. Stir in the milk and sugar. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place until bubbling, about 1 hour. 2. Peel the potatoes and cut into sticks about 2 in (6cm) long and in (1cm) wide. Rinse, drain, and pat dry with paper towels. 3. Preheat the oven to 250F (130C). Fill a wide, deep saucepan halfway with oil and heat to 325F (160C). Place half the potatoes in a deepfrying basket and lower carefully into the hot oil. Deep-fry for 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender but pale-colored. Drain and transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining potatoes. 4. Line another baking sheet with paper towels. Season the Tilapia with salt and pepper and dust with flour. Increase the oil temperature to 375 F (190C). In two batches, dip the Tilapia in the batter, carefully add to the oil, and deep-fry until golden brown. Transfer to the sheet and keep warm in the oven. 5. Return all the potatoes to the frying basket and deep-fry for 34 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. Drain well. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and lemon. Source: http://recipes.aarp.org/recipes/fish-and-chips