UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMENo. TA 2541
Cover
REPORT
to the
GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH HONDURAS (BELIZE CITY) on
INVESTIGATIONS INTO MARINE FISHERIES, PARTICULARLY SPINY LOBSTER AND SHRIMP RESOURCES
CONTENTS


Based on the work

of

D. Weber

FAO/TA Marine Fishery Biologist


FAO/UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE) REPORTS ON FISHERIES

This document is Report No.TA 2541 in the series of FAO reports produced under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Since 1 January 1966, reports produced under the former Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance (EPTA) have appeared in the UNDP(TA) series. The numbering of the reports in the UNDP(TA) series is unbroken and follows consecutively the numbering of the former EPTA series.

Since 1 January 1962, those reports which concerned FAO technical assistance in fisheries have been numbered consecutively in a subseries within the general series.

The present report is the one-hundred-and-forty-seventh report in the fishery subseries: FAO Fish.UNDP(TA) Rep., FE/UNDP(TA) 147.


For bibliographic purposes, this document may be cited as follows:

FAO 1968 Report to the Government of British Honduras (Belize City) on investigations into marine fisheries, particularly spiny lobster and shrimp resources. Based on the work of D. Weber, FAO/TA Marine Fishery Biologist. Rep.FAO/UNDP(TA), (2541):28 p.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1968


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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Acknowledgements

1. PROGRAM OF WORK

2. STATUS OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY

Lobster production

Fishing effort
Catch per unit effort
Total catch
Average size of catch

Statistical forms
Molting and spawning

Lobster tagging studies

Tag types
Movement
Growth

Length/weight/maturity relationship

Carapace length/tail weight relationship
Tail length/tail weight relationship
Size at maturity

Shrimp resources

Catch statistics
Incidental catch

Fishery laboratory and research vessel

3. RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.

ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out from February 1967 to February 1968 as a continuation of a Technical Assistance program initiated in 1965.
As a part of this survey, tagging lobsters was undertaken to determine their growth and movement. Different tag types were evaluated, and a system for recovery data analysis formulated. Statistical data collection on the newly founded shrimp fishery was started and market and field sampling begun. Statistical data collection on conch and scale fish are being implemented along with regulations governing fishing permits and licensing for all sections of the industry.