TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO

IMPACT OF SHRIMP FISHERIES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

National report presented at the Regional Workshop held in Costa Rica; 14-14 January, 2000 By Ms. Sita Kuruvilla; National Coordinator (Ministry of Agriculture Land and Marine Resources Fisheries Division; N.H.A. Building South Quay; Port of Spain; Trinidad and Tobago; Fax: 634-4488, 623-8542; E-mail: [email protected] )

1. INTRODUCTION

The ecology of the marine environment of Trinidad and Tobago is influenced by the major freshwater and oceanic systems in the region. The river systems of northeast South America, have an important seasonal effect on the area of the continental shelf on which the islands are situated and the marine areas southwest of Trinidad which are particularly influenced by the outflow of the Orinoco river exhibit an estuarine environment. The oceanic North and South Equatorial currents, create a more oceanic environment off the north east and in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The continental shelf off the south, east, north and west coasts exhibits different ecological regimes, the Columbus Channel in the south can be considered an extension of the Orinoco Delta and is dominated by the seasonal discharges of the river. The Orinoco regime extends up along the inner parts of the east coast shelf, but offshore, there is the greater influence of the Guiana current. The north coast shelf is located at the origin of the Caribbean Current and with an inshore upwelling system is an area of relatively high productivity (IMR, Bergen, 1989). The Gulf of Paria off the west coast is a slightly stratified, semi-enclosed zone where outflows from the Orinoco and other rivers mix with water from the open ocean (Gines 1972). The combined effect of these oceanographic regimes and topographic features is a great diversity and seasonality in the marine fisheries resources.

Five species of penaeid shrimp are of commercial importance to both the artisanal and industrial fisheries of the northeast South America continental shelf. These are short-lived species (1-2 years), with a life cycle that includes an estuarine phase of development for the larval shrimp. After emigrating from estuaries as juveniles or sub-adults, the shrimp move into progressively deeper waters further from the coast where they complete there development, and spawn. The shrimp trawl fisheries of the region are therefore often described as gauntlet fisheries, where the shrimp are harvested at different stages in the life cycle by an inshore artisanal fleet and an offshore industrial fleet.

The demersal trawl fishery of Trinidad and Tobago developed in the early 1960's as an artisanal fishery targeting y2859ely the white shrimp Penaeus schmitti off the southwest coast of Trinidad and in the inshore waters of the Orinoco Delta on the coast of Venezuela. In 1977, the first official Fishing Agreement was signed between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela permitting access to sixty artisanal trawlers to inshore areas of the Delta. In 1985 the Agreement was renegotiated, permitting 70 artisanal vessels to operate under specified conditions in the Orinoco Delta for a seven month season. The vessels operated out of sites in the southwest peninsula of Trinidad and returned to base daily to sell their catch. Access to the Orinoco Delta shrimp fishery was terminated in 1995 and these vessels have largely retooled for other forms of inshore fishing. There are currently 71 artisanal trawl vessels operating in the Gulf of Paria out of sites along the West Coast.

In addition to the artisanal fleet, there were nine Gulf of Mexico-type industrial trawlers fishing locally in 1969 and a fleet of foreign registered industrial trawl vessels fishing off Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil and landing their catch in Trinidad for processing and export (Wood, 1977). During the period 1972 to 1979, the State-owned National Fisheries Company processed and exported shrimp from its fleet of 24 industrial trawlers. In addition, the company purchased shrimp and fish from vessels owned by nationals and from foreign-based trawlers fishing on the continental shelf of northeast South America. After 1985, the company disposed of its trawlers, some of which were bought by nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and entered the local fishery. There are currently 10 semi-industrial stern drag trawlers and 19 industrial trawlers in the local fleet.

The shrimp trawl fishery of Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be one of the country's more valuable fisheries, with the artisanal and semi-industrial fleets accounting for approximately 17% by weight and 11% by value of the total annual production of the country's artisanal fleet in 1996. Estimated landings for the artisanal and semi-industrial fleets in 1996 were 440mt of shrimp valued at US$1.00m and 281mt by-catch valued at US$0.2m. Estimated landings for the industrial fleet was 994 metric tonnes for 1995.

2. THE SHRIMP FISHERY

2.1 Shrimp resources (Species, area distribution, Figure 1 stock sizes etc.)

It is difficult to distinguish the extent of the shrimp stocks around Trinidad that originate in local wetlands from the extent that migrate into the area from South American nursery areas. It is certain that larval drift and other dispersion processes contribute to some extent. However, survival of drift larvae has never been studied. A 1978 estimate, calculated using shrimp production data from various countries, places the potential annual shrimp production of Trinidad at 37 kg per hectare of mangrove (Turner, 1974 from Ramcharan et al. 1982). Mangroves occupy a total of 8000 ha in Trinidad, giving an estimated annual shrimp production of 296 000 kg, or 300 tonnes. The actual shrimp production was in the order of 1780 tonnes in 1991 (Fabres and Kuruvilla 1992). The discrepancy between these figures could be at least in part as a result of the contribution of larvae and juveniles from the continental shelf. However, it is uncertain if other productive habitat like marsh and seagrass beds were fully taken into account in the production of the figures from Turner (1974).

In Trinidad and Tobago and the Guyanas, there are five (5) species of shrimp of the family Penaeidae which are exploited commercially: Penaeus notialis (pink shrimp), P. subtilis (brown shrimp), P. schmitti (white or cork shrimp), P. brasiliensis (hoppers) and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (honey or jinga shrimp or sea bobs. Dragovich et al.(1980) described P.subtilis, P. brasiliensis and P. notialis as eulittoral and sublittoral, y2859ely marine animals, and P. schmitti and X. kroyeri as eulittoral, euryhaline animals, based on their observed depth ranges and frequency of occurrence at different salinities.

On the Guyana/ Brazil continental shelf P. subtilis has been observed at depths from 12.8 to 91 m, P. brasiliensis from 30 to 90 m, and P. notialis from 27 to 62 m. P. schmitti and X. kroyeri are found in shallower waters, P. schmitti between 4 and 48 m, and X. kroyeri between 4 and 44 m (Dragovich et al, 1980; Garcia and Le Reste, 1981), resulting in significant overlap in distribution with soft-bottomed fishes of various groups.

Analysis of shrimp samples collected from commercial landings from 1991 to 1996 show that landings from artisanal trawlers operating inshore in the Gulf of Paria are composed of similar proportions of P. notialis and P. schmitti. P. subtilis and X. kroyeri are landed in small amounts. Generally, P. brasiliensis is rarely found in artisanal trawl landings. These analyses also show that landings from semi-industrial trawlers operating in the nearshore Gulf of Paria are composed y2859ely of P. notialis (71% total landings), and small amounts of P. schmitti and P. subtilis. No P. brasiliensis or X. kroyeri are landed.

Analyses of commercial landings for 1991 to 1992 (Maharaj et al 1993) show that industrial trawlers operating offshore in the Gulf of Paria land y2859ely P. notialis (60% total landings) and P. subtilis (31% total), with small amounts of P. brasiliensis. P. schmitti is rare, while X. kroyeri is absent from landings. Industrial vessels trawling in the Columbus Channel land mostly P. subtilis (51% total landings). P. brasiliensis and P. notialis are also abundant. No X. kroyeri is landed. No information is available on the species composition of shrimp catches from the north coast.

2.2 Fishing methods (Vessel and gear)

The trawl fleet comprises a total of 112 vessels: 84 artisanal (based on a vessel census conducted in 1998 by the Fisheries Division of Trinidad (Chan A Shing 1999)); 8 semi-industrial and 20 industrial (based on Fisheries Division records as at 1999). Table 1 outlines the characteristics of the fishing fleets in the shrimp trawl fishery.

The artisanal fleet lacks on-board storage facilities or electronic equipment. The catch is kept on ice in covered barrels which are also used to transport the catch to the market. These vessels are constructed of wood or fibreglass and carry one inboard engine.

The semi-industrial fleet usually have electronic fishing aids, communication equipment and a fish/ice hold. Type IV vessels represent the industrial fleet and are Gulf-of-Mexico (double-rigged) type trawlers are outfitted with fishing aids (echo sounder), communication (CB, VHF and SSB radio) and refrigeration equipment. Both the semi-industrial and industrial fleets carry inboard diesel engines and fixed, steel shafted propellers. There are no on-board facilities for processing.

Figure 1: Areas exploited by the various fleets

TABLE 1: Characteristics of an average fishing vessel in each of the three categories of trawlers.

All trawlers use four-seamed, flat nets. Artisanal trawlers use one stern trawl which is set and retrieved manually. Semi-industrial trawlers have one stern trawl which is operated with a hydraulic winch, while industrial trawlers use two nets attached to twin outriggers, and which are set and retrieved using a hydraulic (double-drum) winch.

2.3 Fishing grounds, practices and effort

The fishing grounds around Trinidad are located in fishing area 31 of the FAO major fishing area coding system (FAO 1972). All fleets operate in the Gulf of Paria on Trinidad's West Coast. In addition, the industrial fleet operates in the Columbus Channel south of the island, as well as on the north west of Trinidad. The areas and depths exploited by the various fleets are given in Figure 1 and Table 2. Some of the fishing grounds, namely the Gulf of Paria and the Columbus Channel are also exploited by Venezuelan trawlers.

TABLE 2: Areas exploited by the trawler fleets (Interviews with fishermen 1997
; Maharaj, Ferreira, and Lum Young 1993)

Trawling occurs all year round in the Gulf of Paria (for artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial) and in the Columbus Channel off the south coast (industrial trawlers). For industrial vessels the y2859e fishing season runs from May to August in the Gulf of Paria and from October to March on the south coast. In addition, some industrial vessels trawl off the north coast of Trinidad between the months of November to January. Vessels operating in the coastal waters of Trinidad trawl both day and night. For artisanal vessels, an average fishing trip lasts for eight hours but is recorded as one day. The average artisanal vessel has a crew for the day operations and another for the night. The average fishing trip for a semi-industrial vessel is 21 hours and is also recorded as a one-day trip. The average fishing trip for industrial vessels is fifteen days of which two days are used for travelling to and from the fishing grounds.

Table 3 gives the operational characteristics of an average fishing vessel in each of the four categories of trawlers.

TABLE 3: Operational characteristics of each trawler type

Source: Interviews with fishermen 1999; Extrapolation from Trawler Logbooks1991-92; Ferreira 1998.

The average number of fishermen on board an artisanal vessel is two. Generally, the average number of crew (including the captain) for semi-industrial and industrial vessels is three and four respectively. Based on the results of a census conducted in 1998, there are some 244 fishermen actively involved in the local trawl fishery (Chan-A-Shing, 1999 Of this, 142 work full-time on artisanal trawlers, 30 on semi-industrial and 72 on industrial trawlers.

The average artisanal trawler is owned by one individual and the vessel is generally operated by a family relation of the owner. The average semi-industrial and industrial trawler is also owned by one individual and the captain is usually a trained seaman. In many instances an individual may own more than one vessel within a fleet or across fleets.

Trawling in Trinidad and Tobago is almost entirely single trawling. Vessels may however join occasionally to carry out some pair trawling when shrimp or fish aggregations occur.

The estimated fishing effort for each of the trawl fleets for 1987 to 1996 is given in Table 4. These data were used to calculate the area swept by each of the fleets for the period 1992 to 1996, and these results are given in Table 5.

TABLE 4: Estimated fishing effort (days) for the trawl fishery for the period 1987 to 1996*

^* The method of estimating fishing effort by trawler fleet was refined from 1992 onward.

TABLE 5: Area swept (km²) by trawler category for 1992 to 1996

2.4 Shrimp catches (Historical development of the fishery by species)

The demersal trawl fishery of Trinidad and Tobago developed in the early 1960's as an artisanal fishery targeting y2859ely the white shrimp Penaeus schmitti. Jordan (1969), recorded an increase in the numbers of artisanal trawlers registered with the Fisheries Division from 66 in 1966 to 166 in 1969. These vessels operated out of sites on the west coast of Trinidad, and fished y2859ely off the southwest coast of Trinidad and in the inshore waters of the Orinoco Delta on the coast of Venezuela. In 1977, the first official Fishing Agreement was signed between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela permitting access to sixty artisanal trawlers to inshore areas of the Delta.

Chin Yuen Kee (1984), described the local trawl fishery as comprising 250 artisanal vessels, 22 Gulf of Mexico type trawlers, three (3) combination fish/shrimp trawlers and eight (8) semi-industrial stern trawlers. In 1985, the bilateral fishing Agreement with Venezuela was renegotiated permitting 70 of the 113 artisanal vessels to operate under specified conditions in the Orinoco Delta for a seven month season. The vessels operated out of sites in the southwest peninsula of Trinidad and returned to base daily to sell their catch. Access to the Orinoco Delta shrimp fishery was terminated in 1995, and this fleet has largely retooled for other forms of inshore fishing. The artisanal fleet based in the Gulf of Paria continued to operate.

In addition to the artisanal fleet, there were nine Gulf of Mexico-type industrial trawlers fishing locally in 1969 and a fleet of foreign registered industrial trawl vessels fishing off Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil and landing their catch in Trinidad for processing and export (Wood, 1977). During the period 1972 to 1979, the State-owned National Fisheries Company processed and exported shrimp from its fleet of 24 industrial trawlers. In addition, the company purchased shrimp and fish from vessels owned by nationals and from foreign-based trawlers fishing on the continental shelf of northeast South America. Between 1977 and 1985, the availability of shrimp and fish to the company fluctuated, and was dependent on the ability of the Government to obtain access for the industrial fleet, to the shrimp grounds off Brazil through bilateral Agreements or joint venture arrangements (Meyers, 1996). After 1985, the company disposed of its trawlers, some of which were bought by nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and entered the local fishery.

In 1988, a Government decision to limit the expansion of the trawl fishery placed a freeze on the numbers of vessels in all components of the fishery. The fleet sizes for the semi-industrial and industrial trawlers have fluctuated around the levels established in 1988.

The monitoring of shrimp catches for the artisanal and semi-industrial fleets is part of the established system of port sampling for the artisanal fishery, for which there is a long time series of data available. The system for sampling of the industrial fleet established in 1991, has however failed, and shrimp catches for this fleet are based on raised data from the few vessels sampled.

TABLE 6: Estimated shrimp landings (metric tonnes) for 1987 - 1996*

*The method of estimating landings by trawler category was refined from 1992 onward.
**There are no foreign trawl fleets operating out of Trinidad and Tobago, all vessels belong to the local fleet.

Table 7 indicates shrimp landings by species for 1992-1996 based on biological sampling of landings from 1991-1992 for the industrial fleet and 1992-1996 for all other fleets.

TABLE 7: Estimated shrimp landings (metric tonnes) by species for 1992-1996

2.5 By-catch (species andsize composition) and its utilization (see Appendix I)

A significant quantity of finfish (also referred to as groundfish) and crabs are caught as by-catch in the trawl fishery. Certain species of groundfish may be targeted according to market demand, or during the wet season when shrimp abundance decreases. The finfish of commercial importance commonly caught by trawling belong to the families Sciaenidae, Clupeidae, Gerreidae, Lutjanidae, Engraulidae, Haemulidae and Ariidae as well as Portunid crabs. The y2859e species of commercial importance landed by the trawl fleets are Micropogonias furnieri (croaker), Cynoscion jamaicensis, C. acoupa and Macrodon ancylodon (weakfish), Diapterus spp (blinch), Haemulon spp, Genyatremus luteus, and Orthopristis spp (grunts), Lutjanus spp, and Rhomboplites aurorubens (snappers), and Arius spp (catfish). Clupeids such as Sardinella spp., Anchoa spp and Cetengraulis spp. are landed occasionally, based on seasonal abundance, by the artisanal fleet only.

A study of the artisanal trawl fishery conducted between August 1986 and May 1987 identified 70 species of fin-fish from 40 families in the by-catch, as well as several species of Portunid crabs. Of the fish caught, commercially important species accounted for only 15-33% of the total finfish catch (Maharaj, 1989). The by-catch to shrimp ratio was 15:1 and the finfish:shrimp ratio was 9:1. It was estimated that approximately 94% of the by-catch of artisanal trawlers was discarded in 1986. Commercial landings statistics for the period 1987-1991 indicate that the by-catch landed by artisanal vessels is comprised of Sardinella brasiliensis, Anchoa sp., Diapterus sp., Lutjanus sp., Micropogonias sp. and Portunid crabs. A large quantity of juvenile fin-fish of several different species are also landed as 'mixed fish'.

In a one month study of the semi-industrial trawl fishery, Amos (1990) identified 25 species of fin-fish in the by-catch, from 14 families. The most abundant families were the Carangidae, Gerreidae, Lutjanidae, Sciaenidae, Triglidae and Portunidae. Approximately 60% of the fin-fish caught during this study was discarded and the by-catch:shrimp ratio was estimated at 12:1 and the finfish:shrimp ratio was within the range of 5-10:1. The by-catch landed by semi-industrial trawlers during the period 1987-1991 consisted of Harengula jaguana, Opistonema oglinum, Lutjanus sp., Cynoscion sp., Micropogonias sp., Portunid crabs and juveniles of the species listed above. Length frequency analyses for two of the most commercially important and abundant species, Micropogonias furnieri and Cynoscion jamaicensis, indicated that for both species over 95% of the individuals sampled were immature.

An update to the studies on the artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries (Maharaj 1989 and Amos 1990 respectively) was initiated by the Fisheries Division in July 1999. From analyses of the total catches of artisanal vessels, 30 species of fin-fish from 20 families and several species of Portunid crabs were observed in the by-catch. An estimated 92% of the by-catch of artisanal vessels is discarded and the by-catch:shrimp ratio was 16:1. From analyses of the total catch of semi-industrial vessels, 26 species of fin-fish from 18 families were identified in the by-catch. Approximately 69% of the by-catch of the semi-industrial fleet is discarded and the by-catch:shrimp ratio for this fleet is estimated at 11:1. The composition of the by-catch landed by artisanal and semi-industrial vessels in this study is similar to that of previous studies with the most common families being Carangidae, Gerreidae, Lutjanidae, Sciaenidae, Triglidae and Portunidae. These results are preliminary since the study is still in progress and will also include catches from the industrial fleet.

Analysis of industrial logbook returns for November to December 1991, indicate that 65% of the total by-catch is discarded. An estimated value of finfish:shrimp obtained from landing statistics for the period 1992-1996 is 1.7:1. These vessels land y2859ely Decapterus sp., Diapterus rhombeus, Lutjanus sp., Cynoscion sp., Micropogonias sp., several types of Sharks and 'mixed fish'. Details of the species composition of discards for the industrial fleet is not available but from logbook returns it was indicated that some of the commercially important species were discarded.

Discards from the artisanal and semi-industrial fleet are primarily clupeids, engraulids and juvenile sciaenid and gerrid species and portunid crabs. Juvenile flounders (Bothidae), sole (Soleidae) and catfish are also commonly discarded but they have little or no commercial importance in the local fishery.

Appendix I is a list of species identified in catches from the artisanal and semi-industrial fleets compiled from Maharaj (1989), Amos (1990) and the current survey of the Fisheries Division. Figure 2 gives the percentage composition of species present in the bycatch landed by all trawl fleets.

Groundfish is landed by all trawl fleets as either 'choice fish' or 'mixed fish' based on the size of the fish and both categories are comprised of the commercially important finfish already mentioned. 'Choice fish' is larger fish and has a higher market value than the 'mixed fish' which is smaller sized fish and juveniles. The "choice fish" category landed by artisanal vessels is 20 cm to 30 cm in length while the 'mixed fish' category is 8 cm to 22 cm. For the semi-industrial fleet 'choice fish' ranges from 16 cm to 32 cm while 'mixed fish' ranges from 9 cm to 22 cm in length. For the industrial fleet, the "choice fish" landed ranges from 28 cm to 54 cm in length while the 'mixed fish' ranges from 10 cm to 28 cm.

Figure 2: Percentage composition of species in bycatch landed by all trawl fleets

By-catch is sold fresh or chilled on the beaches to the householder, retail vendors, wholesalers and fish processors. Vendors may sell in retail markets and/or along the highways. 'Choice fish' is generally sold by wholesalers to fish processors, restaurants, and privately-owned fish processing companies which prepare fish for sale in supermarkets and the export market. 'Mixed fish' is sold in rural areas. Local markets are supplied with fresh fish on ice or a processed product, while the foreign markets receive the chilled or frozen product. The traditional export markets for fish are the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

2.6 Distribution of catches (Inland or export market)

Exports from the local industry have risen from 288 metric tonnes valued at TT$6.3 million in 1992 to 500 metric tonnes valued at TT$ 17.6 million in 1995. This increase is accounted for y2859ely by the demand from the United States, which accounted for 67% of the exports in 1995. Shrimp exports declined after 1995 to 163 metric tonnes in 1998, valued at TT$10 million with 96% of the exports going to CARICOM countries (Figure 3). The local market for shrimp has grown with the rise in tourism and the growth of the local economy which has supported sales to restaurants and hotels. Data is currently unavailable from the existing local distribution system.

Figure 3: Shrimp exports by weight for 1992 to 1998

The industry is now facing increasingly stringent quality control measures for exports of fish and fish products to the European Union and United States. In addition exports of shrimp to the United States (US) have been banned since March 1999 pending full compliance with US Laws on the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED's).

3. REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES

The legislative basis for management of domestic fishing is the Fisheries Act 1916, and the subsequent amendments to the Act, the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1966, and the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1975. The Act applies to all rivers and tidal waters in Trinidad and Tobago and to the 12 mile territorial sea. It does not apply to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Act is limited in scope and merely empowers the Minister to make regulations controlling the mesh size, form and dimensions of nets and appliances for fishing, and the manner of their use, setting minimum species sizes for species that may be fished or sold, declaring prohibited areas for fishing, prohibited fishing for specified species, either absolutely or by season or area, and prohibiting the sale of fish or any species of fish, again either absolutely or by season or area. Sanctions of TT$ 2,000 (US$ 323) or six months imprisonment are provided for most infractions.

The Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act 1970, provides for the designation of restricted areas. The Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Regulations 1973, require the permission of the Minister to enter and remove fauna from the restricted area. The Act is currently applied only to the management of coral reefs.

The Archipelagic Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone Act of 1986 provides for the declaration of archipelagic waters and the establishment of a 200 mile exclusive economic zone, in implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Act charges the Minister responsible for fisheries with responsibility for the proper conservation and management of living resources and for ensuring theat those resources aare not endangered by over-exploitation. Within this context, it provides for the determination of the allowable catch in respect of each fishery in the EEZ, the determination of the proportion to be harvested by citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. This Act defines the archipelagic waters and the basis for delimiting the EEZ. Access of foreign fishing vessels to the archipelagic waters, territorial sea or EEZ is based on an allowable catch allocated to such vessels from the total allowable catch for the fishery. Foreign fishing licences can be issued by the Minister responsible for fisheries who also provides the authority for surveillance and enforcement of regulations pertaining foreign fishing.

Legislation specific to Demersal Shrimp Trawling

Under Section 4 of the Fisheries Act, the Fisheries [Control of Demersal (Bottom) Trawling Activities] Regulations 1996, specifies restrictions on the areas of operation of the different trawler fleets. Trawling is prohibited on the east coast of Trinidad and within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Tobago. Trawling is permitted on the north and south coasts of Trinidad outside of two nautical miles, and in the Gulf of Paria subject to a depth zoning regime based on the operational capacity of the trawl fleets and an attempt to reduce conflict between the trawl fleets and other artisanal vessels. The regulations also prescribe a minimum stretched mesh size for the cod end of the trawl nets of 7.5 cm when trawling for fish, and 3.5 cm for shrimp.

The Fisheries [Control of Demersal (Bottom) Trawling Activities] (Amendment) Regulations 1998, specifies the amended zoning regime for the trawl fleets in the Gulf of Paria which requires artisanal trawlers to operate outside of one nautical mile from the coast, semi-industrial trawlers to depths of six fathoms or more and the industrial trawlers, to depths of 10 fathoms or more. As a result of conflicts arising between the industrial trawl fleet and artisanal and recreational fishermen on the north coast, the 1998 amendment further restricts trawling on the north coast to a specific area on the north-west of the coast and to a season from November and January. Trawling in this area is also prohibited at night.

The Fisheries Act of 1916 does not provide a legal basis for controlling access by nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to fisheries resources under the national jurisdiction, and recognition of the need to limit fishing effort in the trawl fishery has been effected through a 1998 decision of the Cabinet to restrict entry of new vessels, both artisanal and industrial to the fishery. This measure is effective to a greater extent for the semi-industrial and industrial fleet where permission for the importation of any new fishing vessel must be obtained from the Minister with responsibility for fisheries.

Under the Fisheries (Conservation of Marine Turtles) Regulations, 1994, the semi-industrial and industrial fleets are required to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on their nets. These regulations fall under Section 4 of the Fisheries Act and were drafted in accordance with trade requirements for the export of shrimp to the United States and the stipulations under Section 609 of United States Public Law 101 - 162.

The Fishing Industry (Assistance) Act, 1955, makes provisions for the granting of financial assistance to the fishing industry by such means as fuel rebates, tax waivers and subsidies on fishing equipment.

In recognition of the inadequacies in the existing legisation, a Fisheries Management Bill prepared in 1995, to be known on finalisation as the Marine Fisheries Management Act, will repeal the Fisheries Act of 1916 and the sections of the Archipelagic Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone Act of 1986. The Marine Fisheries Management Act will provide for the preparation of fishery management plans, and will in accordance with these plans, control and limit access to fish resources through the establishment of a licensing system for both local and foreign fishing vessels.

4. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (Past & present)

The resources of the Guyana-Brazil Shelf shrimp fishery are thought to belong to one stock. Recruitment and population dynamics of the local shrimp trawl fishery are therefore influenced by the activities within neighbouring trawl fisheries. Within the framework of the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC) Working Group on the Shrimp and Groundfish Resources of the Brazil - Guianas Shelf a series of sub-regional workshops from 1992 to present have supported collaboration on the assessment of shared stocks of shrimp and groundfish.

Within this Working Group, Trinidad and Venezuela have collaborated on assessments of the shrimp resources from the Orinoco Delta - Gulf of Paria. Results indicate that there has been an overall decrease of CPUE with time and both biomass and recruitment showed evidence of an overall decline during the study period. A correlation between recruitment levels and environmental influences of the Orinoco River was noted.

Assessments of two sciaenid species in the fisheries off the west coast of Trinidad also indicated overfishing through intensive exploitation of these resources by several gear types including trawling.

National management initiatives include the development and strengthening of national monitoring capabilities through the introduction of logbook and observer programs for the offshore fisheries and the implementation of a detailed bio-economic analysis of the y2859e components of the trawl fishery.

The current Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela Fishing Agreement outlines a collaborative approach to the management of shared resources. This Protocol has not however been activated on a bilateral basis.

5. IMPACT ON THE SHRIMP RESOURCES OF PRESENT EXPLOITATION PATTERN

A preliminary stock assessment of the shrimp resources exploited by the artisanal trawl fleet that formerly operated in Venezuelan waters (Lum Young et al. 1992) showed that fishing effort was possibly excessive unless the annual recruitment is particularly high. The results indicated that increased fishing effort in the Orinoco Delta, although it may produce increased yields, may not generate enough revenues to offset the increased fishing costs. In addition, increased fishing effort may result in reduced migration of shrimp offshore into the Columbus Channel and thus reduced yields to the industrial trawl fishery operating in the Channel. A preliminary costs and earnings study for this fishery for the 1991/1992 fishing season (Ferreira and Maharaj 1993) found it to be marginally profitable at best, operating at little better than breakeven point and at a loss in years when recruitment is particularly low.

A joint Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela assessment of the P. subtilis stock in the Orinoco Delta of Venezuela, Gulf of Paria and Columbus Channel was conducted by Alio et al. (1997). Combined catch and effort data for the trawl fleets of both countries for the period 1973 to 1996 were fitted to equilibrium and dynamic production models using the BIODYN software (Punt and Hilborn, 1996), as well as equilibrium models incorporating environmental variables using the CLIMPROD software (Freon, Mullon and Pichon 1993). This assessment suggests that overfishing during the period 1990 to 1993 (in the region of 15,500 to 19,500 days at sea) reduced the biomass level to below that required to produce the MSY of 1,200 to 1,300 tonnes resulting in lower catches over the period 1994 to 1996 of about 500 to 900 tonnes. It was recommended that fishing effort rey2859e at or below the 1996 level (9,000 days at sea) for a few years to allow the stock to rebuild. These results are considered to be preliminary due to the fact that there are gaps in the data in particular for the industrial fleet in the case of Trinidad.

A costs and earnings study of the Type II artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial fleets conducted by Ferreira (1998) found that, of the vessels surveyed, 33% of the artisanal, 50% of the semi-industrial, and 60% of the industrial were operating at a loss. The results of this analysis suggest that the artisanal boats are more efficient than the industrial ones, with the revenue per cost ratio, the benefit to crew and owner per unit of revenue, as well as the returns on investment being higher the smaller the trawler. In addition, the smaller trawlers are more labour intensive than capital intensive as compared to the larger trawlers, with the mean labour costs to current value of vessel being 0.7 for the artisanal, 0.2 for the semi-industrial, and 0.1 for the industrial.
A preliminary bio-economic analysis of the Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela trawl fishery was conducted by Seijo et al. (1999). The model covers a four-year period and incorporates four of the shrimp species exploited in the Gulf of Paria-Columbus Channel region: P. subtilis; P. schmitti; P. notialis; and X. kroyeri. The study recommends that the fishing effort of both the Trinidad and Venezuelan fleets not be increased beyond the current level (8,175 days in industrial fleet units for Trinidad, and 9,348 days for Venezuela). Maximum profits to this shared fishery could be attained by reducing the effort of each of the Trinidad and Venezuelan fleets by approximately 3,000 days. (The input parameters to the model need to be refined and hence the results must be considered to be very preliminary).

6. IMPACT ON FISH RESOURCES OF THE PRESENT SHRIMP EXPLOITATION PATTERN

Demersal resources were investigated under a demersal trawl survey programme conducted by R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in 1988 (Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, 1989). Additional data on groundfish species have been derived from several discrete surveys conducted over the past twenty years (Manickchand-Dass 1980; Amos 1990; Maharaj 1989; Fisheries Division 1986-unpublished).

A yield-per-recruit (Y/R) analysis for the whitemouth croaker, Micropogonias furnieri based on samples obtained by trawling in Trinidad waters between October 1977 and September 1982 (Manickchand-Heileman and Kenny, 1990) indicated that the maximum sustainable Y/R (175g) was already being obtained, and any increase in fishing mortality would result in overexploitation.

A further assessment of Micropogonias furnieri and Cynoscion jamaicensis (Jamaica weakfish) was performed using monthly catch and effort data for the period 1989 to 1997(Soomai et al 1999) from the artisanal and semi-industrial trawl fishery as well as the artisanal fishery comprising five gear types. Fishing mortality values were well above the optimum biological condition of the species and indicate that the resources are not generating optimum yield and most likely experiencing severe spawning potential decreases. The results of this assessment clearly indicate a very intensive exploitation of these resources.

A joint assessment by Trinidad-Tobago and Venezuela (Alio et al 1999) for M. furnieri in the Gulf of Paria and Columbus Channel using a surplus production biodynamic model suggests that the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) of the species in the region is approximately 1500t. The MSY was exceeded between 1987 and 1993 and in 1998 when 1800t were landed. It was recommended that effort should not be allowed to increase beyond current levels of exploitation and that the open access fishery be replaced by a limited effort regime.

A bio-economic analysis performed for M. furnieri and C. jamaicensis was used to test several scenarios over a fifty(50) year simulation. Yield, net revenues and biomass were observed for the species in an "Open Access Fishery", a "Limited Entry Fishery" fixed at the existing level for each fleet, and at conditions of "Optimum Fishing Effort" fixed at half of the present level of effort. The probability of exceeding the 0.3% of the present value of rent and of exceeding 0.3% of the initial biomass (BI) for both species increases with an increase in effort (Seijo et al 1999). The suggested management strategy is to move towards a Limited Entry Fishery with an optimum fishing effort estimated at half of the present level.

7. IMPACT ON NON-FISH BY-CATCH OF PRESENT FISHING PRACTICES

There is limited information on the non-fish bycatch of the trawl fishery. Populations of portunid crabs which form a significant component of this category are thought to have increased as a result of the discards from the trawl fishery, which are thought to be beneficial to scavenger species. This observation is based on normal fishing practices where much of the bycatch of crabs is returned to the sea alive. In addition, anecdotal accounts from interviews with the fishing industry have described this change in the fauna of the Gulf of Paria. There may also be incidents of turtle capture by the fishery but the areas commonly trawled do not appear to be important routes for turtle migration and records do not indicate a high incidence of turtle capture in the areas where trawling is permitted.

8. IMPACT ON THE BOTTOM HABITAT OF PRESENT FISHING PRACTICES

There have not been any studies to determine the impact of trawling on the benthos in national waters. Initial analysis suggests that the trawl grounds are swept twice per year by the fleets although this is probably an underestimate for the inshore areas to which the artisanal vessels are restricted.

9. PERCEPTION OF THE PRESENT SITUATION REGARDING SHRIMP EXPLOITATION, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

9.1. The Shrimp fishing industry

A survey of key individuals in the trawl fishery was carried out in November 1999, in the preparatory phase of Project EP/INT/724/GEF, to examine the perceptions of individuals involved in the shrimp industry of the issues related to shrimp exploitation and the impacts of this fishery on the resources and environment. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the position of trawler owners and operators on these issues. Key fishermen operating at the major trawl landing sites on the west coast were selected to be interviewed based on their willingness to co-operate with the Fisheries Division in the past. These individuals were either trawler owners who employed a fisherman to operate their vessels, active fishermen, or fishermen operating their own vessels. Eight (8) individuals representing the views of the artisanal, semi-industrial and industrial trawlers operating in the Gulf of Paria were interviewed.

All fishermen interviewed were generally of the view that pollution of the inshore area, due to industrial and agricultural run-off marine, has resulted in a significant decrease in fish populations. Many fishermen were also of the view that trawling for shrimp in inshore areas, which is prohibited under national legislation, is responsible for a further decrease in resources due to the removal, of large amounts of juvenile fish as by-catch, and physical damage to fishing grounds. Artisanal fishermen however, claimed that the operation of trawl nets, especially the industrial trawl nets, do more damage to fishing grounds than any other fishing gear. It was also the view of all fishermen that shrimp populations fluctuate seasonally but the fishery has rey2859eed profitable over the years.

It is the view of most fishermen that immediate management of shrimp and fish stocks resources is necessary. Management recommendations include an increase in current mesh size of trawl nets by ¼ inch will reduce by-catch while still y2859etaining the efficiency of catching shrimp. The view was also commonly held that shrimp and fish resources can be managed by the implementation of a closed season for trawling as well as limiting fishing effort by monitoring entry of new trawlers into the fishery. There was however a minority view that fishing effort should not be managed since the demersal trawl fishery is capable of regulating itself as vessels will enter or exit the fishery based on the economic returns to the fisherman.

Industrial trawler owners stated that large quantities of by-catch were inevitable due to the ecology of the area. The by-catch that is retained also includes small sizes of fish or juveniles which arelanded as "mixed fish" and the discards are comprised y2859ely of species with little or no commercial importance. At present, only small quantities of fish are discarded since there is a market in rural areas for the "mixed fish". Some of the fish which would have been discarded at sea by the industrial trawlers are used for making chicken feed.

All individuals interviewed could not perceive of any alternative fishing gear/method for catching shrimp but are willing to assist with testing of gear modifications or alternative gears if they are to continue operating in the trawl fishery. Some industrial trawler owners claim that they will support a government buy-out of trawlers. It is the common view of all trawl fishermen that there is an urgent need for government to enforce the regulations governing area/zone restrictions particularly with regards to artisanal vessels. This will ensure that juveniles are protected and will greatly reduce by-catch. Artisanal fishermen also believe that educating younger fishermen in resource management and increasing awareness on the impacts of fishing and land-based activities on the marine environment will contribute to management of the marine resources.

9.2 Other fishermen

Sources of information include a 'local knowledge survey' of 100 fishermen operating out of sites on the west coast of Trinidad, carried out by the Fisheries Division in 1994 (Ramjohn, 1995). The survey was developed in order to document the views, perceptions and attitudes of the fishing industry on resource management issues in the coastal area. The West Coast of Trinidad and the Gulf of Paria were studied because of the importance of the coastal area as a fishing ground and as a site for industrial activity, agriculture and shipping. The interviews were carried out using a questionnaire developed for the survey on a sample of 5% of the estimated population of fishermen, stratified by fishing method based on a 1991 census.

The results of the 1994 local knowledge survey indicated that the fishermen interviewed, perceived the greatest threat to the Gulf of Paria to be the trawling activity occurring there. All respondents noted a decline in individual catches and the majority thought that damage to the seafloor and destruction of juvenile fish by trawling was y2859ely responsible. Trawl respondents indicated that the major cause was pollution however 39% felt that trawling was responsible, with artisanal trawlers holding industrial trawlers responsible and industrial trawlers claiming that the inshore activities of artisanal trawlers was responsible.

The fishermen interviewed were generally of the view that the Government should introduce controls in the form of zonation, restricted areas and times of operation, and open/closed seasons for this particular fishing method in the Gulf of Paria. It was also noted that fishermen employing other methods considered trawling to be separate from other types of fishing and this perception affected their response to questions on the possible effects of over-fishing in the Gulf of Paria. It was not perceived that there could be over-fishing by other fishing methods.

A survey of key individuals in the trawl fishery was carried out in November 1999 in the Preparatory phase of Project EP/INT/724/GEF, to examine in greater detail the perceptions of the shrimp fishing industry to the issues related to shrimp exploitation and the impacts of this fishery on the resource and environment.

9.3 Environmental organizations

Environmental non-governmental organisations have a generally unfavorable perception of the impact of this fishery on both the habitat and the resources. There have been increasing efforts to lobby the Government to reduce the fishing areas accessible to the fleets and this has resulted in the closure of the North Coast fishing ground to the industrial fleet except for a season between November to January in a much reduced area off the western North Coast. Trawling in this area is also prohibited at night to reduce the possible of illegal fishing activity.

There have in addition been initiatives by groups operating out of coastal communities to place 'artificial reefs' in inshore areas in order to prevent the activity of trawlers in these areas.

9.4 The Authorities (Fishery & environment)

The Policy directions for this fishery are influenced by the Governments' recognition that the trawl fishery cannot be managed only for the shrimp resources harvested but must also be managed for the impact of this fishery on other inshore species taken as by-catch. Management policies must therefore consider the impact on other finfish resources and the fisheries which they support.

The Government recognises that a major factor contributing to over-fishing and over-capitalisation is the present "Open Access" regime which allows unregulated fishing effort in the fisheries. The Government in association with the fishing industry will attempt to manage fishing effort on the resources by controlling the number and type of local vessels within a given limit, and by implementing time and area closures, and fishing gear changes. The Government will also, through negotiation with neighboring countries, aim to reduce levels of fishing effort on shared fishing grounds.

The high proportion of finfish by-catch and its negative impact on the coastal ecosystem, as well as on the resources harvested by other fisheries, also influences policy decisions on this fishery. The Government therefore favours methods which minimise the amount of by-catch taken, and will accordingly, monitor international developments and undertake local studies to investigate the most effective approach, including the use of alternative gear and the introduction of by-catch reduction devices.

10. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES & PRACTICES BY THE SHRIMP FISHING INDUSTRY

There is little knowledge within the fishing industry of gear or fishing practices that are environmentally friendly alternatives for harvesting shrimp on a commercial scale. In some cases where the use of hand operated nets have been proposed this is proposed as an alternative to artisanal trawling in shallow inshore waters.

11. PERCEPTION BY THE SHRIMP FISHING INDUSTRY TO MODIFY THEIR FISHING PRACTICES TOWARDS MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES & PRACTICES

Interest has been expressed in technology for reducing by in the fishery by artisanal fishermen predominantly. The imposition of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED's) on the semi-industrial and industrial trawl fleets has been not been well accepted by the industry. The requirement to use these devices has been particularly unpopular with the semi-industrial fleet for which the U.S. export market is of less importance. This fleet claims that the device traps large debris in the net, causing damage to the net or significant loss of catch as shrimp are diverted away from the cod end.

Given the existence of regulations for the use of TED's within the national legislation, the industry cannot perceive how further modification of the trawl gear to reduce finfish by-catch will not affect the overall operation of the gear in the capture of shrimp and the economically important component of the by-catch.

12. AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ADJUSTING FISHING TO MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES

13. NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY ISSUES REQUIRING ACTIONS TO MEET ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SHRIMP EXPLOITATION

1. Strengthening of fishing sector organisations

2. Building of awareness within the fishing industry ( including the preparation of trawl-related information as an aid to communication).

3. Co-operative introduction of by-catch reduction technology and testing of the gear through commercial-scale field trials.

4. Monitoring and reporting on fishing operations and gear trials through logbook and observer programmes, and effective monitoring, control and surveillance.

14. PROPOSAL FOR A PLAN OF ACTION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES FOR SHRIMP EXPLOITATION AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL

A) Information Review (background to y2859e phase)

· Impact of trawling (Habitat and Ecosystem)
· Alternative shrimp capture methods (gear, operations, costs)
· Fishing regimes including bio/socio/economic scenario analyses (fishing effort allocation between fleets)
· Community review (dependency, contribution, aspirations, economic opportunities)

B) National Capacity Development

I) Develop a cooperative approach to Fisheries Management (structure, operations, support )

II) Fishing Community Development

· Strengthening of fishing sector organisations
· Re-training and alternative employment (identification and facilitation)
· Multi-stakeholder collaboration (with civic and commercial organisations)

III) Governmental Capacity Development

· Management Program Review ( Staff, funding, Program)
· Staff training (extension, management, regulatory, assessment)
· Information systems development (Catch and Effort, logbooks, biological, fisherman and fishing vessel)
· Monitoring, Control and Surveillance including orientation for Coast Guard, Police, Magistracy
· Legislation - Updating and harmonisation

C) Bilateral & Sub-regional Harmonisation

I) Reduction in Fishing Capacity and Harmonisation of Management Regimes

I) By-catch documentation (Area/ Time/ Gear)

II) Gear trials (BRD, alternative gear)

E) Management Plan Development

Appendix I

Most common species in trawl catches of Type II & III vessels.

Family	Common Name	Genus and Species
Albulidae	Bonefish	Albula vulpes
Ariidae	Catfish	Arius parkerii
		Arius felis
Batrachoididae	Toadfish	Batrachoides surinamensis
Bothidae	Dusky flounder	Syacium papillosum
Calappidae	Flecked box crab	Hepatus pudibundus
Carangidae	Atlantic bumber	Chloroscombrus crysurus
	Cavalli	Caranx hippos
	Moonshine	Selene vomer
Centropomidae	Snook, brochet	Centropomus undecimalis
	Snook, brochet	Centropomus ensiferus
Clupeidae	Herring	Hanengula sp.
	Spanish sardine	Sardinella aurita
	Atlantic thread herring	Opisthonema oglinum
Cynoglossidae	Duskycheek tonguefish	Symphurus plagusia
Dasyatidae	Stingray	Dasyatis americana
Engraulidae	Anchovy	Anchoa sp
	Anchovy	Lycengraulis grossidens
	Anchovy	Cetengraulis endentulus
Ephippidae	Spadefish	Chaetodipterus faber
Gerreidae	Blinch	Diapterus rhombeus
	Blinch	Eucinostomus havana
Haemulidae	Grunt	Anistoremus virginicus
	Grunt	Genyatremus luteus
	Black grunt	Haemulodon bonariense
Loliginidae	Squid	Lolliguncula brevis
	Squid	Loligo pealei
Lutjanidae	Lane snapper	Lutjanus synagris
Mugilidae	Mullet	Mugil curema
Penaeidae	White shrimp	Penaeus schmitti
	Pink shrimp	P. notialis
	Brown shrimp	P. subtilis
	Seabob, honey shrimp	Xiphopenaeus kroyerii
Polynemidae	Barbe	Polydactylus virginicus
Portunidae	Swimcrab	Callinectes sp
Scaeinidae	Jamaica weakfish, salmon	Cynoscion jamaicensis
	Acoupa weakfish, salmon	Cynoscion acoupa
	Smalltooth weakfish, salmon	Cynoscion steindachneri
	Whitemouth croaker, cro-cro	Micropogonias furnieri
	King weakfish, salmon	Macrodon ancylodon
	King croaker	Menticirrhus americanus
Serranidae	Sea bass	Diplectum radiale
Soleidae	Sole	Achirus achirus
	Sole	Trinectes paulistanus
Sphyraenidae	Bechine	Sphyraena guachancho
Tetraodontidae	Puffer fish	Sphoeroides testudineus
Trichiuridae	Cutlass fish	Trichiurus lepturus
Triglidae	Sea robin	Prionotus punctatus

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