Tony Iarocci, Iarocci Global Marine Caribbean Fisheries Management Council August 20, 2015 Connecting Fishermen and Fisheries Data: Using a Cooperative Gear Development Project to Improve Catch Reporting Many Caribbean fish traps are designed to catch a broad range of species including lobsters Project Concept Many Caribbean fish traps are designed to catch a broad range of species including lobsters When both fish and lobsters are in a trap the catch of both is reduced Project Concept The use of more specialized traps that specifically target lobsters could increase lobster catch Lobsters are a high value species and higher catch value could provide a fishing alternative to offset declines in catch of other fish species Project Concept Develop fishing methods to improve sustainable fishing Demonstrate the value of reporting of commercial fishery data Project Goals Introduce alternative trap designs to increase lobster catch Work with fishermen to build and rig traps Provide prototype lobster traps to fishermen Project Activities Introduce alternative trap designs to increase lobster catch Work with fishermen to build and rig traps Provide prototype lobster traps to fishermen Train fishermen to collect high quality fishery dependent data Build confidence in the value of data to improve fishery knowledge Project Activities Nagubo, PR Rincn, PR Geraldo RiveraHector Benitez Jonathan GiaveronRichard Sanchez Jos MontanezMiguel Vall Gilberto DelgadoEssan Bodillo Brando GomezJos Vall Jos RiveraNelson Crespo Angel FigueroaGello Vargas Santiago Gomez Miguel Cruz Yolando Figueroa St Thomas, USVI St Croix, USVI Winston LedeeTom Daley Tony BlanchardNicky Martinez Gregory LedeeHomer Kelly Daryl Bryant Project Locations and Fishermen Variations of Florida lobster trap Biodegradable material Escape vents Trap Designs Variations of Florida lobster trap Biodegradable material Escape vents Partial Wood Trap Designs Variations of Florida lobster trap Biodegradable material Escape vents Partial Wood Variations Trap Designs Data Collection Trap Data Catch per trap Discards per trap First 25 traps Local traps and Florida traps Data Collection Trap Data Catch per trap Discards per trap First 25 traps Local traps and Florida traps Lobster Data First lobsters Trap type Location Lobster sex, size, and eggs Data Analysis Potential Trap Data Compare catch in each trap type Compare value of catch Annually Per trip Total catch Bycatch Discards Lobster Data Lobster size structure Related to sustainable fishing Indicator of potential harvest Trap selectivity Lobster reproduction Lobster mortality Data Collection 4 Fishermen 21 Trips 578 Traps 722 Lobsters Additional Alternative Gear Escape vents Additional Alternative Gear Gill Nets Ballyhoo Nets