Caribbean fights to protect high-value, declining species

Threats from climate change, declining reefs, overfishing and possible loss of several commercial species are driving the rollout of new policy measures to keep Caribbean fisheries sustainable. Regional groups and the US-based NGO Wild Earth Guardians have petitioned for the listing of some of the Caribbean’s most economically valuable marine species as vulnerable, endangered or threatened with extinction. In addition, regional scientists believe that climate change could alter the ranges of some of the larger species and perhaps wipe out existing ones. Fisheries ministers of the Caribbean say they are concerned that “extra-national activities and decisions” could impact the social and economic well-being of their countries and their access to international markets. They have agreed to work together to protect both the sustainability and trade of several high value marine species.

At a meeting in November 2014, the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) expressed alarm at the US government’s decision to list the Nassau Grouper, a commercially traded species, under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Even after successfully thwarting the listing of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), they fret that other species would go the way of the Nassau Grouper. The conch and Nassau grouper are two of 19 Caribbean species the Wild Earth Guardians say are in need of protection. The list includes one coral, one ray, five sharks, two sawfish, four groupers and the Queen Conch. Regional fisheries officials know that such listings will shut down international trade of the affected species. Alternatively, it could lead to rigorous permits and quota systems that prevent trade by vulnerable populations in countries that are without working management structures.

http://www.caribbean360.com/news/caribbean-fights-to-protect-high-value-declining-species#ixzz3fDWgNRnr