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Status of Queen Conch fisheries in The Caribbean Netherlands

Status of Queen Conch fisheries in The Caribbean Netherlands. Panama 23-25 October 2012 Pieter van Baren. The Caribbean Netherlands. Recent constitutional change 10-10-2010 Netherlands Antilles dissolved Bonaire, Saba & Sint Eustatius become special municipalities.

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Status of Queen Conch fisheries in The Caribbean Netherlands

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  1. Status of Queen Conch fisheries in The Caribbean Netherlands Panama 23-25 October 2012 Pieter van Baren

  2. The Caribbean Netherlands • Recent constitutional change • 10-10-2010 Netherlands Antilles dissolved • Bonaire, Saba & Sint Eustatius become special municipalities

  3. The Caribbean Netherlands

  4. The Caribbean Netherlands

  5. The Caribbean Netherlands • There are 2 governmental layers (national & island) • The islands are responsible for fisheries in territorial waters • The national government is responsible for fisheries in the EEZ • National legislation on Queen Conch which applies on all 3 islands • Each island has its own legislation • Saba is the only island with specific fishery legislation. Bonaire and St. Eustatius have incorporated their fishery legislation into the marine environment ordinances • No data on landings, abundance or catch effort • Enforcement has always been a problem on these islands

  6. The Caribbean Netherlands The national legislation concerning Queen Conch • CITES Fishery legislation BES • For everyone in the fishing zone, and the license holders in the territorial sea, prohibited to fish for: a. sea snails belonging to the species Strombusgigas of less than 18 cm in length; in the case that sea snails have already been removed from their shell, the minimum weight of the meat should be 225g;

  7. Bonaire • Queen Conch legally protected since 1985 • Stock currently too low to allow a fishery • Legislation was not enforced until the mid-1990’s • In 2005 the enforcement was stepped up • Since August of 2010 start of a 3 year Conch restoration project • Establishing a baseline of abundance & reproduction • Building relationship with local fishermen • Building awareness

  8. Bonaire Bonaire Marine Environment Ordinance • 1. It is prohibited to collect conch without a permit from the Executive Council. The permit will be issued with conditions set by the Marine Environment Commission • 2. The maximum number of permits will be set by the Island Resolution Containing General Provisions under advice from the Marine Environment Commission • 3. By the Island Resolution Containing General Provisions further conditions may be set on the conch fishery • Current moratorium on permits • Poaching is a big problem

  9. Saba • Currently no commercial fishing for Queen Conch • Historically supported large conch fisheries until mid 1990’s • Intensive & unsustainable fishing during mid 1980’s • Decline of the stock on the Saba Bank • Severely overfished by foreign vessels • Coastguard enforcing legislation since 1996 • Saba Bank source of larval recruitment for entire region • Moratorium on commercial harvesting of conch • Permits being requested for the Saba Bank • Saba island government indicated the wish to establish the Saba Bank as a conch reserve • Present & future

  10. Saba Marine Environment Ordinance Saba • The collection of sea snails (conch) in the marine park is only allowed in accordance with the following provisions: • (a) It is forbidden to catch conch using scuba or Hookah equipment, • (b) It is forbidden to catch conch smaller than 19 cm (7,5 inches) or conch which do not have a well developed lip, • (c) It is prohibited to take more than 20 conch per person per year, • (d) The collection of conch is only for private use and consumption, • (e) It is prohibited for non-inhabitants which are not Saban to catch conch, • (f) Persons who collect conch must report their catch at once to the manager of the Statia Marine Park.

  11. St. Eustatius • Since 10-10-2010 no export of conch • 2 fishermen fishing for conch • Fishing with scuba at a depth of 30 to 40 m • open boats (20 & 28ft) with outboard engines • illegal poaching in the marine park • both fishers have had the bends • Present: data monitoring (conch survey) • Future: fishery ordinance with quota system for conch

  12. St. Eustatius Marine Environment Ordinance St. Eustatius • (a) The collection of sea snails (conch) in the marine park is only allowed in accordance with the following provisions: • (b) It is forbidden to catch sea snails using scuba or Hookah equipment, • (c) It is forbidden to catch sea snails smaller than 19 cm (7,5 inches) or sea snails which do not have a well developed lip, • (d) It is prohibited to take more than 20 conch per person per year, • (e) The collection of conch is only for private use and consumption, • (f) Persons who collect conch must report their catch at once to the manager of the Statia Marine Park.

  13. lasers camera ..Conch... 2012 St Eustatius 2013 Saba Bank

  14. Thank you for your attention

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