Caribbean Coral Reef Fisheries Workshop
San Juan, Puerto Rico September 30 – October 1, 2002

NOAA Fisheries Service in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico’s Sea Grant Program, hosted a Caribbean Coral Reef Fisheries Workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico in conjunction with the 9th meeting of U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The workshop included over 160 attendees including the 42 speakers and panel members.

Participants included:

• Representatives from the artisanal fishing community from Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands,
• Ornamental fish collectors from Puerto Rico,
• University researchers and students,
• Members of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council,
• Local non-governmental organizations, and
• Representatives from Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
  

The main objectives of the workshop were to exchange experiences of best management practices and develop recommendations for sustainable reef fisheries. There were four focal themes of the workshop all in the Caribbean context:

1. Coral reef fisheries use;
2. Coral reef fisheries in the broader context of coastal zone management;
3. Regulations and enforcement; and
4. Education and outreach.

The workshop consisted of a series of presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Fishers targeting food fish species and ornamental fishes took part in panel discussions, and the style of the workshop permitted ample time for the audience to participate and make recommendations. The workshop is contributing to the development of local action strategies to address overfishing in Puerto Rico and USVI.

 

Workshop Documents:

A Summary of Recommendations was compiled during the final day of the workshop. These were presented to the Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) during the first day of their meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A Fisheries Constituent Summary was developed to highlight the views of the coral reef fisheries in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands expressed at the workshop. These concerns included, but were not limited to, ways to local governments could improve coral reef fisheries regulations and enforcement, informing and involving coral reef fisheries in coastal zone management regulation development and issues, and provided a medium for the different fisheries to voice their concerns about Federal and state actions.

Workshop Proceedings:

• Table of contents and workshop summary that highlights major outcomes and recommendations;
• A list of all the major recommendations;
• The workshop agenda and a list of the participants;
• A transcript of the material presented during the workshop; and
• Full proceedings of the workshop.

The following documents were developed before the workshop so that attendees could understand the issues and concerns of coral reef fisheries and management in Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.

• Coral Reef Fisheries Uses in Puerto Rico and USVI;
• Natural Reserves in Puerto Rico and USVI;
• Ornamental Fish Trade in Puerto Rico; and
• Enforcement Statistics.
  

Similar workshops were held for the Pacific Islands in Fall 2003. Pacific Islands Coral reef Fishery Management workshop was in Guam for Am. Samoa, CNMI, and Guam in Oct. 2003 and the Hawaii Coral Reef Fishery Management workshop was held on Oahu in Nov. 2003.

Return to Coral Reef Fishery Management Page.

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