Download Survey Design - Strombus gigas, queen conch caribbean initiative

Queen Conch Experts
Workshop
Miami, United States of America,
22–24 May 2012
Paul Medley
The Report
6. “The results from the workshop have been compiled
in this report in the form of conclusions and
recommendations. The workshop participants were of
the opinion that the recommendations, if implemented,
would apply best practice in these fisheries.”
Data, Analysis and Information
Survey Design
 Use previous experience of conch surveys
 Base the survey on:
 depth stratification
 known fishing area
 habitat survey
 Use experienced conch fishers and biologists
for data collection
 Ensure diver safety
Catch and Effort Monitoring
 Routine reporting by the fishing
industry
 Collect data to standardise CPUE
 VMS for larger vessels (>= 15m length)
 GPS for smaller vessel
Total Catch Recording
 All catches recorded or estimated:
 local landings
 IUU
 exports
 Conversion factors for different levels of
processing
 Sample landings for size, sex and maturity
Stock Assessment
 Assessment approaches differ,
reflecting available data and the local
fishery
 Operational model to simulate conch
fishery data
Management Strategy
Management Strategy
 Harvest control rules
 Independent peer review process to
evaluate data, assessment and
management strategy
 Test “deep water” biomass if it is a critical
assumption of the harvest strategy
Precautionary Harvest Levels Based
on Surveys
 Safe sustainable yield:
 8% of mean/median fishable biomass
 Conch density reference point:
 100 adult conch / ha (or higher)
Precautionary Controls
 Prohibit compressed air based diving
 Implement a harmonised 2-3 month closed period
around spawning
 Proscribe gears or methods for catching queen conch
 Establish enforceable harmonised minimum:
 size limits on shells (length / flared lip)
 meat weight
Capacity
 License vessels
 Apply a limited entry system
 Measure fleet fishing capacity
 Implement a capacity reduction program, if
necessary
Ecosystem Management
 MPAs or no take zones should consider conch
fisheries
 Habitat maps should cover conch habitat
 Stock identification (larval surveys & genetic
studies)
 Ecosystem model
 Ecological Risk Assessment
Management Implementation
Management Processes
 Co-management to improve management and
compliance
 Scientific Working Groups to review advice
 National fishery management plans
MCS and IUU
 Improve co-operation and share enforcement
information
 Use Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
 Implement an auditable “chain of custody”
 Research practical technology to enhance the
traceability
 Implement (harmonised) closed seasons
 Develop a regional vessel registration system,
including positive and negative (IUU) vessel lists
CITES
 Draft and submit a resolution for 16th meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES summarising in
general terms the findings, conclusions and
recommendations of this Expert Workshop and other
relevant guidance concerning the management of
and trade in Queen conch.