Engaging Local & International Partners to Advance Effective Management for Vulnerable & Valuable Fishery Resources

Many commercially and ecologically valuable species form fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) to reproduce or breed.  Unfortunately, some aggregating species such as groupers and snappers are under threat because of unsustainable fishing practices coupled with significant changes to their habitats that have been driven by coastal development, climate change and diseases. Protecting critical habitats and sustainably managing these species is key to ensuring both their long-term survival and the lucrative fisheries they support. 

On March 13, 2024, Dr. Krista Sherman, Senior Scientist with the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) led a Spawning Aggregation Fisheries Workshop to discuss ongoing national and regional efforts to assist with sustainably managing species that aggregate to spawn. The purpose of the workshop was to inform and engage relevant stakeholders about the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) project – “Improving ecosystem approach to fisheries by advancing fish spawning aggregation information gathering and increase of public engagement in the WECAFC region”.

The three pilot countries for this project are The Bahamas, Belize and Cuba. Dr. Sherman has been an active member of the regional WECAFC Spawning Aggregation Working Group since 2018 and was selected as the in-country focal point for implementation of this project in The Bahamas. Last week’s workshop was designed to both update and share information on aggregating species with a focus on Nassau grouper & mutton snapper (the two species with a regionally endorsed fishery management plan) and solicit feedback to help sustainably manage these resources. 

For context, Dr. Sherman (PIMS) and Dr. Aaron Adams (Bonefish & Taron Trust [BTT]) shared information on FSAs using the critically endangered Nassau grouper and recreationally prized bonefish as case study species that have been models for local research and conservation in The Bahamas. This was followed by presentations on the status of national fishery landings for Nassau grouper and mutton snapper, stakeholder perspectives on Nassau grouper management and an overview of national and regional FSA management plans by Dr. Sherman and Dr. Lester Gittens (Department of Marine Resources [DMR]).

Participants included staff from government and non-governmental organizations with experience in either marine resource management, law enforcement, education and outreach or policy (Photo 1). They were invited to reflect on these topics, ask questions and provide feedback on the feasibility of the recommendations outlined in the regional management plan for Nassau grouper and mutton snapper (Photos 2-3). 

Earnest Moss, (DMR Officer based in Crooked Island) said, “The workshop was exciting, interesting and informative and I will share this information with the local fishermen”.

“I mostly enjoyed the interactive exercises to identify gaps in knowledge about spawning aggregations and their locations along with our discussions about them” stated Patrick Collie (DMR Officer from Mayaguana). Improving public education on my island should help to increase understanding of the importance of these spawning aggregation sites. If people understand why spawning aggregations are important, they won’t fish on them, and I wouldn’t have to patrol these areas as much.”