Unsustainable Fishing

Analysis of Turneffe’s Commercial Fisheries and their Sustainability

Overview:

Turneffe’s commercial fishery concentrates primarily on Caribbean Spiny Lobster (panulirus argus, Queen Conch (strombus gigas), with finfish (snapper, grouper, barracuda, etc.) as secondary commercial targets. The sustainability of Turneffe’s commercial fishery is a major concern and very much a threat to the health of the Atoll.

Data is somewhat limited, but data available from 2004 - 2009 indicates a concerning level of decline. Although good data is not available for the past several years, fishing effort has increased and empirical evidence indicates a fairly dire outlook for this fishery.

Spiny Lobster
Although spiny lobster fishing has been a part of Turneffe for centuries, although catches have declined significantly over the past three decades due to over fishing.

As noted by Catterall (1996), the economy of Belize is based on fishing, agriculture and tourism with Spiny Lobster accounting for 60% to 75% of the value of all fisheries exports. The majority of the Spiny Lobster catch in Belize originate from Turneffe.

Lobsters were historically harvested by free diving, with lobster pots being introduced in the mid 20th century. At present, there are 25-30 active fishing camps at Turneffe with the largest utilizing more than 2000 lobster pots. More recently, lobster pots have been substantially replaced by “lobster shades” which are various devices set on the sea floor under which lobster seek shelter. A lobster fishing season and size limit are in place, although budgetary limitations limit enforcement capabilities.

Conch
Large populations of Queen Conch have existed at Turneffe since at least 400 A.D. when the Maya fished Turneffe. Like spiny lobster, conch populations have declined significantly in recent years due to severe over fishing.

Conch thrive in the seagrass shallows at Turneffe and are easily collected by fishermen using small dories or walking the seagrass flats. A fishing season and a size limit are in place, but again, enforcement is lacking.

Finfish
Although many varieties of finfish live on the reefs and flats at Turneffe, Grouper (primarily Nassau Grouper) and Snapper (Red Snapper, Dog Tooth Snapper, Mutton Snapper and Yellow Tail Snapper) are the principle commercial targets. In particular, Grouper and Snapper have declined significantly over the three past decades.

Grouper and snappers are unique in that they gather in large aggregations at traditional locations to spawn. These spawning locations have been used by these species for countless generations. This behavior makes them highly susceptible to over fishing as commercial fishermen easily target these sites. Overfishing of spawning aggregations has wiped out grouper and snapper populations in many Caribbean locations.

Fishing for finfish in Belize has primarily been done with hand lines or simple fishing tackle. Gillnet fishing had become increasingly popular, although a country-wide gillnet ban instituted in 2020 (see Accomplishments) has altered this practice. Several spawning aggregation sites exist around Turneffe Atoll, and these sites are now protected. As always, enforcement remains an issue.

Commercial Fishing Data

Prior to opening of the Marine Reserve, Turneffe Atoll Trust did an analysis of Turneffe’s commercial fisheries. This included extensive interviews with Turneffe fishermen. Data was obtained for 2004-2009, but similar information has not been readily available for later dates. In spite of increased fishing effort, significant declines in conch and lobster production were noted during this time frame from 2004 to 2009. Over the past 1-12 years fishing effort has increased and empirical information indicates continued decline in all commercial species.

Status of Turneffe’s Fishing-Fisherman’s Perspective

Turneffe Fishery Analysis 2010