Report And Proceedings Of The Expert Consultation On Shared Fishery Resources Of The Lesser Antilles Region

The final report forms Part I of the volume, and reviews our knowledge of distributional patterns of commercial invertebrates (conch and lobster), demersal and small and large pelagic fish stocks occurring in the Lesser Antilles subregion of the WECAF Commission area, and on the basis of existing information, places these resources in objective categories from a fisheries management perspective. The main options for management of domestic and foreign fishing are outlined. Part II contains background documents on a variety of topics, including reviews of the existing data base on invertebrates and demersal fish stocks, swordfish and oceanic pelagics. An objective classification of stocks by mode of sharing is presented, foreign fishing activity in the subarea is reviewed, and seasonality and migrations of pelagic fish discussed. An overview of options for shared stock management is also included.

This work analyzes the management of shared fish stocks; protection of the underwater cultural heritage; the possibilities of establishing marine protected areas and other means for safeguarding vulnerable marine ecosystems; the use of the high seas for intelligence as well as recent developments on interdiction of vessels on the high seas.