Queen conch - Ocean Wise Seafood · Queen conch is a benthic grazer and does not play an excep onal...

Queen conch

Strombus gigas

Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin IslandsDiver and hand collected

September 6, 2016Sara McDonald, Seafood Watch Staff

DisclaimerSeafood Watch® strives to have all Seafood Reports reviewed for accuracy and completeness by externalscien sts with exper se in ecology, fisheries science and aquaculture. Scien fic review, however, does not cons tute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch® program or its recommenda ons on the part of the reviewing scien sts. Seafood Watch® is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

© Scandanavian Fishing Yearbook/www.scandposters.com

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Table of Contents

Table of ContentsAbout Seafood WatchGuiding PrinciplesSummaryFinal Seafood RecommendationsIntroductionAssessment

Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessmentCriterion 2: Impacts on other speciesCriterion 3: Management EffectivenessCriterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem

AcknowledgementsReferencesAppendix A: Extra By Catch Species

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About Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly foundin the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch® defines sustainable seafood as origina ng from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, whichcan maintain or increase produc on in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or func on of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch®makes its science-based recommenda ons available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded fromwww.seafoodwatch.org. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conserva on issues and empower seafood consumersand businesses to make choices for healthy oceans.

Each sustainability recommenda on on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes themost current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this informa on against the program’s conserva on ethic toarrive at a recommenda on of “Best Choices,” “Good Alterna ves” or “Avoid.” The detailed evalua on methodology is available upon request. Inproducing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch® seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Othersources of informa on include government technical publica ons, fishery management plans and suppor ng documents, and other scien ficreviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch® Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculturescien sts, and members of industry and conserva on organiza ons when evalua ng fisheries and aquaculture prac ces. Capture fisheries andaquaculture prac ces are highly dynamic; as the scien fic informa on on each species changes, Seafood Watch®’s sustainabilityrecommenda ons and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes.

Par es interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture prac ces and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports inany way they find useful. For more informa on about Seafood Watch® and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch® program atMonterey Bay Aquarium by calling 1-877-229-9990.

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Guiding Principles

Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as origina ng from sources, whether fished or farmed, that can maintain or increase produc on inthe long-term without jeopardizing the structure or func on of affected ecosystems.

Based on this principle, Seafood Watch had developed four sustainability criteria for evalua ng wildcatch fisheries for consumers and businesses.These criteria are:

How does fishing affect the species under assessment?

How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species?

How effec ve is the fishery’s management?

How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem?

Each criterion includes:

Factors to evaluate and score

Guidelines for integra ng these factors to produce a numerical score and ra ng

Once a ra ng has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommenda on. Criteria ra ngs and the overall recommenda on arecolor-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and online guide:

Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause li le harm to habitats or other wildlife.

Good Alterna ve/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they’re caught.

Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.

“Fish” is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates

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Summary

This report provides recommenda ons for queen conch (Stombus gigas) in the Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Turks andCaicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Bahamas and Nicaragua have the highest produc on at 750 mt and 603 mt, respec vely, butNicaragua supplies the greatest amount to the U.S. market by weight.

In all loca ons, queen conch are hand collected. "Diver" refers to those fisheries that use compressed air (SCUBA and/or hookah), while "handcollected" refers to those fisheries that use only free divers. Queen conch stocks are highly vulnerable to the effects of fishing because theyrequire a minimum density of 50-100 adults/ha {Prada and Appeldoorn 2014} {Stoner 2009}. Moreover, this species' distribu on makes itsuscep ble to harvest by divers using SCUBA or hookah. Conch suscep bility to fishing also is higher in countries that use large industrial vesselsto transport several dozen divers to harvest loca ons (e.g., Nicaragua and Honduras). The ra ngs discussed in this assessment are highly variable,depending on the health and management of the conch stocks as well as other species that may or may not be targeted with queen conch.

In Belize, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the USVI, spiny lobsters are caught with queen conch. Because spiny lobstersare more valuable, they are typically the preferred target species. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, both hawksbill and green sea turtles are caughtopportunis cally in the conch/spiny lobster mul -species fishery. Hawksbill turtle is listed as "Cri cally Endangered" on the IUCN Red List, whilegreen sea turtle is listed as "Endangered." In the USVI, fishers also catch the West Indian top shell snail while targe ng queen conch. Thepopula on may be depleted and management ac ons (size limits and seasonal closures) may or may not be effec ve {Toller and Gordon 2005}.

There are possible, minimal, indirect habitat impacts of boat anchors on the substrate (reefs or seagrass beds), but because no gear is involved,there are no direct impacts of the gear on the substrate. Queen conch is a benthic grazer and does not play an excep onal role in the ecosystem,and it does not appear that the fisheries have had nega ve gene c impacts to the stocks, but the gene c diversity of queen conch in theCaribbean is currently being inves gated.

Summary of Recommenda ons

The only best choice recommenda on is for Honduras, which has limited its fishery produc on to 210 mt/year. Belize, Nicaragua, and the U.S.Virgin Islands are all good alterna ves. The stock in Nicaragua appears healthy, but high fishing mortality may change its status in the future.Currently, the driving factor for Nicaragua is the state of the spiny lobster fishery, because this species is caught simultaneously with queenconch. The queen conch stocks in Puerto Rico and the USVI are recovering from being overfished. In the USVI, conch fishers also target the WestIndian top shell snail, which is the driving factor for this recommenda on. There are three avoid recommenda ons: the Bahamas, Puerto Rico,and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The queen conch stocks in the Bahamas are depleted and there is evidence that fishing mortality isunsustainable. Queen conch management is not adequate to recover the stocks. The avoid score in Puerto Rico is driven by the fishing mortalityscores for both queen conch and spiny lobsters and queen conch abundance. In TCI, queen conch stocks are depleted, and the fishery also targetsendangered hawksbill and green sea turtles as well as spiny lobsters. Seafood Watch considers the inten onal harvest of endangered and cri callyendangered sea turtle species as insufficiently precau onary, which causes the ra ng to be ineffec ve.

Final Seafood Recommenda ons

SPECIES/FISHERY

CRITERION 1:IMPACTS ON THESPECIES

CRITERION 2:IMPACTS ON OTHERSPECIES

CRITERION 3:MANAGEMENTEFFECTIVENESS

CRITERION 4:HABITAT ANDECOSYSTEM

OVERALLRECOMMENDATION

Queen conchVirgin Islands CaribbeanSea, Diver

Yellow (2.709) Red (1.732) Yellow (3.000) Green (4.123) Good Alterna ve(2.760)

Queen conchPuerto Rico Caribbean Sea,Diver

Red (1.414) Red (1.732) Yellow (3.000) Green (4.123) Avoid (2.346)

Queen conchBelize Caribbean Sea, Handcollected


Queen conchBahamas NorthwestAtlan c, Diver

Red (1.414) Green (5.000) Red (1.000) Green (4.123) Avoid (2.323)

Queen conchHonduras Caribbean Sea,Diver

Yellow (2.644) Green (5.000) Green (4.000) Green (4.000) Best Choice (3.813)

Queen conchNicaragua Caribbean Sea,Diver


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Scoring GuideScores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing opera ons have no significant impact.

Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4).

Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Cri cal scores

Good Alterna ve/Yellow = Final score >2.2-3.2, and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) areVery High Concern2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Cri cal scores

Avoid/Red = Final Score ≤2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern ortwo or more Red Criteria, or one or more Cri cal scores.

Because effec ve management is an essen al component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommenda on for any fishery scored as a Very High Concernfor either factor under Management (Criterion 3).

Queen conchTurks and caicos islandsNorthwest Atlan c, Handcollected

Red (1.414) Red (1.000) Red (1.000) Green (4.000) Avoid (1.542)

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Introduc on

Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommenda on

This report provides recommenda ons for queen conch (Stombus gigas) in the Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Turks andCaicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In all loca ons, queen conch are hand collected. "Diver" refers to those fisheries that use compressedair (SCUBA and/or hookah), while "hand collected" refers to those fisheries that use only free divers.

Species Overview

Distribu on and Life HistoryThe queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large marine gastropod distributed throughout the wider Caribbean Sea (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Geographic range of queen conch throughout the wider Caribbean (from NMFS 2014).

Queen conch inhabit shallow areas o en less than 30 m and will shi their preferred habitats as they mature (NMFS 2014) (Prada andAppeldoorn 2014). Larvae se le in nearshore, coarse sandy areas of less than 5 m (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). Juveniles inhabitprotected back-reef and pre-reef terraces, and remain buried for up to a year, while non-ma ng adults prefer hard bo oms or sandy algalflats (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). Ma ng and spawning can take place in a variety of habitats, including shallow waters, rodolithreefs, and deeper coarse sandy waters between 20 and 45 m (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). Overexploited popula ons also tend to aggregate indeep waters (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014).

Ma ng occurs in warm water during the summer and requires an average minimum adult density of 100 individuals/ha (56-185 individuals/hadepending on habitat type) (NMFS 2014b) (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). Thus, conch are suscep ble to Allee effects if encounterrates are too low and they experience density-dependent popula on growth (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). A er internalfer liza on, females produce large egg masses that can contain over 1 million eggs (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). They are able tostore their eggs for several weeks prior to laying the egg mass, which takes 3 to 5 days to incubate. They can produce up to 13 egg massesannually. Upon hatching, veliger larvae remain in the water column 2 to 4 weeks on average and up to 2 months before se ling. Currentsdetermine whether some areas are sources or sinks (or both) of queen conch stocks (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014) (CFMC 2014).

Conch is long-lived, with a possible lifespan of 30 years (NMFS 2014). The minimum age of reproduc on is approximately 3-1/2 to 4 years, but ishigher in the Bahamas (4 to 5 years; pers. comm., Anonymous 2016), when it reaches approximately 22 cm and a lip thickness of 10-15

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mm (NMFS 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014) (Stoner et al. 2012). Once mature, conch stops growing, but con nues to increase its lipthickness, which can be a more reliable measure of maturity than size (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). As a benthic grazer, conch feeds on seagrassdetritus and epiphytes as well as filamentous alga. Food availability can determine female egg volume; i.e., they produce more eggs per egg masswith greater food availability (NMFS 2014) (CFMC 2014). These life history characteris cs make queen conch popula ons vulnerable to fishingpressure. Their high visibility to divers and tendency to aggregate also make them suscep ble to commercial fishing (NMFS 2014). Fishingpressure can influence distribu on, which can deplete accessible nearshore areas, concentra ng adults in deeper waters that are less accessible tofree divers (NMFS 2014).

ManagementIn 1992, the Conven on on Interna onal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed queen conch under Appendix II,which are "species that are not necessarily now threatened with ex nc on but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled"(https://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php). As a result, countries must obtain permits from the CITES authority to commercially exportand import queen conch (NMFS 2014). CITES conducted official reviews of queen conch in 1995 and 2001 and subsequently released itsrecommenda ons in 1997 and 2003 (NMFS 2014). The 2001 review determined that queen conch stocks were overfished and many were notreproduc vely viable (CITES 2003). As a result, CITES prohibited the importa on of queen conch from Honduras, among several other countriesnot included in this report (CITES 2003). This CITES review spurred several countries, including Honduras, Belize, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, tocreate and implement management measures to increase stock densi es to ensure the long-term health of queen conch popula ons. In addi on,the Queen Conch Working Group, coordinated by the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council, has convened workshops and mee ngs since the2003 recommenda ons to improve region-wide management of queen conch (http://www.strombusgigas.com/workshops.htm).

Management authori es for the countries in this report are as follows:

BahamasThe queen conch fishery in the Bahamas is managed under the Bahamian Fishery Resources (Jurisdic on and Conserva on) Act of 1977 and itsregula ons (created in 1986), the Wildlife Conserva on and Trade Act of 2004 that incorporates CITES rules, and the Archipelagic Waters andMari me Jurisdic on Act of 1993 (Gi ens and Braynen 2012).

BelizeThe Capture Fisheries Unit (CFU) of the Belize Fisheries Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Environment andSustainable Development, manages the queen conch fishery in Belize. The CFU is "responsible for providing the necessary legisla ve andmanagement interven ons to facilitate the con nued development and proper management of Belize’s marine fisheries resources"(http://www.agriculture.gov.bz/Fisheries_Dept.html).

HondurasThe queen conch fisheries in Honduras are managed by the General Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture (DIGEPESCA), which licenses onlyfour vessels to catch conch for scien fic research, and tracks them via satellites (NMFS 2014b).

NicaraguaThe Ministry of Natural Resources and MARENA Environment along with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) manage thequeen conch fishery in Nicaragua (INPESCA 2014) (NMFS 2014). They establish annual export quotas based on the results of fisheriesindependent research (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014b). They implement size restric ons and seasonal closures (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014).

Puerto RicoIn Puerto Rico, the queen conch fishery in territorial waters is managed by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, while stocksin the EEZ are managed by the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CFMC) under the Caribbean Fisheries Management Plan (CFMP). TheCFMP must be approved by the U.S. Na onal Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The Turks and Caicos IslandsThe Department of Environment and Mari me Affairs (DEMA) sets a suggested queen conch total allowable catch (TAC) (NMFS 2014). Althoughnot a signatory to CITES, the TCI reports catch to CITES and has a Scien fic Authority Commi ee that reviews the stock assessments and helpsdetermine maximum sustainable yield (MSY) (DEMA 2012).

The U.S. Virgin IslandsQueen conch in the territorial waters of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are managed by the USVI Department of Planning and NaturalResources (DPNR) (Cimo, L. et al. 2014). A small por on of the EEZ east of St. Croix on Lang Bank is open to fishing and managed under theCFMP and the U.S. Na onal Marine Fisheries Service. The DPNR reports catch sta s cs to the Na onal Marine Fisheries Service SoutheastFisheries Science Center, the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CRFM), FAO, and CITES (NMFS 2014) (Cimo, L. et al. 2014).

Produc on Sta s cs

The meliness of the data varies by country (Table 1). The Bahamas has the highest produc on at 750 mt, closely followed by Nicaragua with 603mt (in 2013), while it appears that the USVI has the lowest (17 mt in 2012).

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https://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php

http://www.strombusgigas.com/workshops.htm

http://www.agriculture.gov.bz/Fisheries_Dept.html

Table 1. Descriptors of the queen conch fishery in the Caribbean. Data from (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014) (Gi ens and Braynen 2012) (CFU2013) (INPESCA 2014) (NMFS 2014) (CFMC 2014) (NMFS 2014b).

Importance to the US/North American market.

In 2013, the greatest amount of queen conch meat by weight imported into the U.S. came from Nicaragua (Table 2 (Cimo, L. et al. 2014)), whichwas 38% of all queen conch imports that year. This is evidence of the rapid increase in landings in Nicaragua since 2009. This value is greater thanthe annual landings reported by (INPESCA 2014) and (NMFS 2014) above in Table 1 because the data are from different sources. Imports werereported by (Cimo, L. et al. 2014), who used sta s cs from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). These sta s cs likely came from CITESpermit informa on and is probably more accurate with respect to imports than the landings data reported by (INPESCA 2014) and (NMFS2014).

Between 2010 and 2012, Belize exported the highest amount of queen conch meat to the U.S. market; prior to that, U.S. imports weredominated by the Turks and Caicos Islands (2004-2009) and Honduras (2001-2003). At $12.31/kg in 2013(http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial- sheries/foreign-trade/), total imports in 2013 were valued at more than $21.3 million(excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). For the USVI and Puerto Rico, landings for 2012 (187,100 kg, see Table 1) were worth anaddi onal $2.3 million, using the 2013 market value (CFMC 2014). Thus, the annual U.S. market for queen conch is approximately $23 million.

Table 2. Annual U.S. imports of queen conch meat (kg) from 2001-2013 (from (Cimo, L. et al. 2014)).

Common and market names.

"Caracol rosa, caracol reina, caracol pala, lambi, carrucho, botuto, guarura, cambombia, cambute, queen conch, pink conch, or giant conch"(Prada and Appeldoorn 2014, p. 8).

Primary product forms

The edible product of queen conch is cleaned meat. There is also commercial trade in the shells, but this is not relevant to the currentassessment.

CountryApprox

No.Fishers

No.smallboats

(dories)

No.industrial

boats

Freediveonly

Approx.annual

produc on(mt)*

$ annualproduc on

(millionsUSD)

%export

Bahamas 9300 4000 no 750 (2011)$3.5

(2011)36%

Belize*2759

(2000)800 yes

389.3(2011)

$4.1(2011)

85%

Honduras 2000 no 210 90%

Nicaragua 1650 70 22 no603.4

(2013)90%

Puerto Rico128

(2008)no

170.1(2012)

Turks andCaicos

253 146 yes260.6

(2013) $3.8

(2013)46-51%

USVI no 17 (2012)

Country 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total

Bahamas192,880 125,723 57,692 91,568 164,268 146,208 124,618 186,128 275,796 219,554 243,599 260,980 380,121 2,469,135

Belize274,738 169,616 171,526 229,092 239,131 272,174 166,783 243,175 301,347 331,300 328,031 479,724 386,334 3,592,971

Honduras922,278 1,020,204 810,724 2 187,913 150,799 23,433 136,324 197,255 151,718 184,798 3,785,448

Nicaragua44,371 29,115 34,223 31,974 80,974 201,805 87,566 102,144 198,745 302,527 308,859 406,833 657,956 2,487,092

Turks andCaicos 302,319 337,931 278,324 400,510 453,630 318,378 272,220 394,611 347,621 264,955 181,955 105,211 118,889 3,776,554

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http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial-fisheries/foreign-trade/

Assessment

This sec on assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) rela ve to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available ath p://www.seafoodwatch.org.

Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment

This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing ra nginfluences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown.

The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 ra ng isdetermined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern

Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern

Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Ra ng is Cri cal if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Cri cal

Criterion 1 Summary

Queen conch stocks are highly vulnerable to the effects of fishing because they require a minimum density of 50-100 adults/ha {Prada andAppeldoorn 2014} {Stoner 2009}. Moreover, their distribu on makes them suscep ble to harvest by divers using SCUBA or hookah. Conchsuscep bility to fishing also is higher in countries that use large industrial vessels to transport several dozen divers to harvest loca ons (e.g.,Nicaragua and Honduras). Queen conch was listed under Appendix II of CITES in 1992 as a consequence of overfishing throughout the Caribbean(USFWS 2012). Today, many stocks are overfished with densi es too low to allow for a viable popula on or recovery {Stoner 2014} {NMFS2014}. In the areas where there are no reference points and declining stocks, the inherent vulnerability of the species is high enough to rate theabundance as high concern. Popula ons were so depleted in Honduras that they closed the commercial fishery (NMFS 2014). There is now ascien fic fishery that is allowed to commercially export only 210 mt/year (NMFS 2014). Except for Nicaragua, landings have decreased andconsist of juveniles or undersized individuals. Only the USVI, Puerto Rico, and Turks and Caicos Islands have target or limit reference points.Thus, except for Nicaragua and Honduras, the decline in landings, CPUEs, and increases in catch of juveniles indicate that fishing mortality ofqueen conch is of high concern in many Caribbean countries that export conch to the U.S.

Criterion 1 Assessment

SCORING GUIDELINES

Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

Low—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteris cs that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g.,early maturing).

Medium—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteris cs that make it neither par cularlyvulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderatemaximum size, and middle of food chain).

High—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 56-100, OR species exhibits life history characteris cs that make is par cularlyvulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduc on rate, large body size, and top-predator). Note:

QUEEN CONCH

Region / MethodInherentVulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score

Virgin Islands/Caribbean Sea Diver 1.00: High 2.00: High Concern 3.67: Low Concern Yellow(2.709)

Puerto Rico/Caribbean Sea Diver 1.00: High 2.00: High Concern 1.00: High Concern Red (1.414)

Belize/Caribbean Sea Hand collected 1.00: High 3.00: ModerateConcern

2.33: ModerateConcern

Yellow(2.644)

Bahamas/Northwest Atlan c Diver 1.00: High 2.00: High Concern 1.00: High Concern Red (1.414)

Honduras/Caribbean Sea Diver 1.00: High 3.00: ModerateConcern


Yellow(2.644)

Nicaragua/Caribbean Sea Diver 1.00: High 3.00: ModerateConcern


Yellow(2.644)

Turks and caicos islands/Northwest Atlan c Handcollected

1.00: High 2.00: High Concern 1.00: High Concern Red (1.414)

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The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters:maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spa al behaviors (e.g., schooling,aggrega ng for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduc on) and geographic range.

Factor 1.2 - Abundance

5 (Very Low Concern)—Strong evidence exists that the popula on is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainableyield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass.

4 (Low Concern)—Popula on may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished

3 (Moderate Concern) —Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing.

2 (High Concern)—Popula on is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherentvulnerability to fishing.

1 (Very High Concern)—Popula on is listed as threatened or endangered.

Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality

5 (Very Low Concern)—Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainableyield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribu on to the mortality of species is negligible (≤ 5% of a sustainable level offishing mortality).

3.67 (Low Concern)—Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fisherydoes not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribu on to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality isunknown, but the popula on is healthy and the species has a low suscep bility to the fishery (low chance of being caught).

2.33 (Moderate Concern)—Fishing mortality is fluctua ng around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has amoderate-high suscep bility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place.

1 (High Concern)—Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species isdepleted, and no management is in place.

0 (Cri cal)—Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing.

QUEEN CONCH


VIRGIN ISLANDS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERPUERTO RICO/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERBELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTEDBAHAMAS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVERHONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERNICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTED

High

The score is based on the Seafood Watch produc vity a ribute table. Age at maturity = 3; Max avr. age = 1; Reproduc ve strategy = 2; Densitydependence = 1; Total average = 1.75 (NMFS 2014) (NOAA Fishwatch 2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014).

Ra onale:

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Table 3. Seafood Watch Vulnerability analysis for queen conch (Strombus gigas) scores as "high" vulnerability ((NMFS 2014) (NOAA Fishwatch2014) (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014) (pers. comm., Anonymous)).

Age at Maturity

Max Avr. Age

Reproduc ve Strategy

Density Dependence

Total Average

Result

Between3-4 years

(40 months min.)

4-5 years for

Bahamas

≥ 20 years Demersal egg layer

Yes (suscep ble to Allee effects)

1.75

SFW Produc vityValue (from table)

3 1 2 1 High Vulnerability

VIRGIN ISLANDS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

High Concern

According to (NMFS 2015), conch in the USVI are overfished; however, maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is likely underes mated (NMFS2014). Stocks for St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John were depleted in the 1990s. A 2010 survey of all three islands found higher densi es thanpreviously es mated, but also included new survey sites. Stocks are responding posi vely to management regula ons (NMFS 2014). Because ofthe overfished status, Seafood Watch deems the abundance of queen conch in the USVI as "high" concern.

PUERTO RICO/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

High Concern

Stocks are depleted from historic overfishing, but abundance is increasing (NMFS 2014). The stock is overfished and density in surveyed areas isbelow the minimum threshold to avoid recruitment failure (56-100 adult conch/ha) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Density ranges from 5.5 to73.8 conch/ha (NMFS 2014). Juveniles are the largest age class (NMFS 2014).

BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTED

Moderate Concern

Despite slight popula on increases in 2003-2004, the discovery of a deep-water stock, and high recruitment in the back reef, the 2003 CITESreview expressed concerns about Allee effects and reproduc ve failure (NMFS 2014). But more recently, stocks have been increasing in bothabundance and size (CFU 2013). Despite this increase, mean length is s ll below the size at 50% maturity, and the current stock is mostlyjuveniles (72%). These facts indicate that primarily juveniles are being harvested and that popula on increases may not necessarily be made ofincreases in adults (Gongora 2012) (CFU 2013) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b).

In conjunc on with several partners, the Belize Fisheries Department has created dra biomass and harvest reference points (as part of the newadap ve management strategy) that will be implemented in October 2016 (pers. comm., Anonymous). Because these reference points have notyet been implemented, the stock size in rela on to that reference point is unknown as of this wri ng. But there is no evidence to indicate thatthe stock is overfished or at risk. Thus, Seafood Watch rates the abundance of queen conch in Belize as "moderate" concern.

Ra onale:

13

Queen conch in Belize was declared as overexploited in 1994 (NMFS 2014). Since then, the country has implemented management measuresincluding establishing size limits and quotas, alloca ng quotas to fishing coopera ves, prohibi ng the use of SCUBA, and crea ng MarineProtected Areas (CFU 2013) (Gongora 2012) (NMFS 2014b). Between 2006 and 2012, the average density of queen conch has more thantripled, increasing from 106.3/ha to 337.4/ha (Figure 2) (CFU 2013). This corresponds with an increase in mean shell length of almost 20 mmbetween 2008 and 2012 (Figure 2) (CFU 2013). Mul plying 337.4 by 28% (percent of adults), adult densi es are around 94/ha, which is abovethe low end of the range for the minimum density for successful reproduc on (56-185 ad/ha), but below the recommended average of 100adults/ha (Prada and Appeldoorn 2014).

Figure 2 Increasing trend in queen conch density and mean shell length in Belize 2006-2012 (from CFU 2013).

BAHAMAS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVER

High Concern

Queen conch was listed under CITES Appendix II in 1992 (NMFS 2014) (NOAA Fishwatch 2014) (USFWS 2012). Appendix II species are those"that are not necessarily now threatened with ex nc on but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled"(h ps://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php). There are no reference points and the stock inherent vulnerability is high (scored in Factor 1.1).Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the abundance of queen conch in the Bahamas as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

14

Queen conch densi es in the Bahamas have declined drama cally over the past 25 years, but vary by loca on. Specifically, densi es in the shelfhabitat at Lee Stocking Island have decreased 91% since 1991, while those in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park have declined by 69% (16adults/ha) (NMFS 2014b). There are high numbers of samba conch (a smaller, undesirable phenotypic variant with a thicker shell) near AndrosIsland, but when those are removed from analyses, there are only 3 conch/ha of queen conch (NMFS 2014b). Patchy areas (13% of sampledsites) south of the Berry Islands Bank have densi es high enough for successful reproduc on at 50-100 conch/ha, but areas to the north andwest have few to no queen conch (NMFS 2014b). Only 3 of 11 survey sights have adult densi es high enough for reproduc on (> 55/ha, Table 4)(Stoner et al. 2014). The most recent survey in the island of Eleuthera was conducted more than 10 years ago in 2003, which recorded a widerange of densi es.

Table 4. Comparisons of popula on parameters for "subadult" and "adult" queenconch in Bahamian loca ons surveyed by Community Conch, 2009-2015 (pers.comm., Anonymous 2016). In 2009, the conch popula on in the Berry Islands MarineFishery Reserve was not yet protected from fishing. Data are for bank areas < 15' deepwhere fishing can occur by free diving and hookah.

Loca on surveyedYear

ofsurvey

Numberof

surveylines

Density of“subadults”

(no./ha)

Densityof

“adults”

(no./ha)

Shelllength

(mm)

Lipthickness

(mm)

Berry Islands SWfishing ground 2009 73 70.2 ±

140.5118 ±282 153 ± 20 15 ± 3

Berry Islands Westbank 2009 70 0.6 ± 1.9 0.7 ± 1.8 nd nd

Berry IslandsMarine FisheryReserve

2009 42 12.4 ± 30.5 4.4 ± 8.5 190 ±30 3 ± 2

East coast ofAndros Island 2010 82 53.8 ± 65.7 3.5 ±

15.2 210 ±42 8 ± 9

Grassy Cays,Andros Island 2010 58 35.1 ± 60.1 117 ±

162 177 ±27 15 ± 7

Lee Stocking Island,Exuma Cays (banksonly)

2011 70 73.1 ± 18.9 5.8 ±15.2 190 ± 21 9 ± 7

Exuma Cays Landand

Sea Park (banksonly)

2011 52 10.9 ± 4.5 16.6 ±50.5 200 ± 22 21 ± 10

Sandy Point, Bight ofAbaco 2012 87 10.1 ± 18.9 6.4 ± 9.6 187 ± 19 6 ± 4

Mores Island, Bightof Abaco 2012 115 7.8 ± 20.6 9.8 ±

16.7 198 ± 24 9 ± 5

Jumentos Cays &Ragged Islands 2013 176 14.8 ± 49.1

122 ±138 186 ± 20 19 ± 7

Li le Bahama Bank 2014 215 8.3 ± 17.7 30.1 ±59.3 205 ± 19 11 ± 7

Eastern Sand Bores 2015 157 3.9 ± 9.7 52.1 ±55.6 186 ± 15 20 ± 4

15


HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderate Concern

In 2003, CITES recommended that all countries prohibit the importa on of queen conch from Honduras, but in 2005 allowed the export ofconch meat collected in "scien fic surveys" (NMFS 2014) (USFWS 2012). Recent surveys (2009-2011) indicated that conch densi es range from93 to 248/ha (NMFS 2014b). The surveys do not iden fy the propor on of adults versus juveniles (NMFS 2014b). During the same period, thees mated standing stock (21,143 mt) is 100 mes greater than the research quota (210 MT) (NMFS 2014b). There are no reference points forthe stock, but recent management measures appear to be effec ve in allowing the species to recover (NMFS 2014). Therefore, Seafood Watchrates the abundance of queen conch in Honduras as "moderate" concern.

Ra onale:

On the northern coast, popula on densi es (7.3/ha) are well below the densi es required for reproduc on (NMFS 2014). Higher conch densi esat deeper depths indicate that popula ons in the shallow areas have been exploited (NMFS 2014).

NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderate Concern

Abundance es mates have increased between 2005 and 2009 from 112 adults/ha to 176-267 adults/ha, and density of juveniles was 1,715ind/ha (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). But no informa on exists on whether this stock is above or below target or limit reference points. Basedon the healthy densi es of adults and juveniles, the stock appears to be viable and healthy, and there is no evidence to indicate that the stock isoverfished or at risk. Thus, Seafood Watch rates the abundance of queen conch in Nicaragua as "moderate" concern.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTED

High Concern

Historically, the Turks and Caicos queen conch popula on was considered one of the last healthy conch popula ons. But recent declines in catchcombined with habitat degrada on, increased market demand, and effects from hurricanes indicate that the popula on may bedeclining (NMFS 2014). Abundance is unknown rela ve to target thresholds. The most recent queen conch survey was published in 2001, whichreported adult densi es inside a marine protected area (575 ind/ha) as almost four mes greater than those outside the MPA (149 ind/ha)(NMFS 2014b). There also is a deep area that is not an MPA with adult densi es greater than 550 ind/ha (pers. comm., Claydon 2016). Theresults of a more recent survey are unpublished, but report a decline in adult densi es to less than 100 ind/ha (NMFS 2014b). Although themore recent survey did not replicate the 2001 survey, stocks are declining. The decline in abundance and density of individuals combined withthe high inherent vulnerability are why Seafood Watch rates queen conch abundance in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

Historically, the stock has been enhanced by the release of larvae from the Caicos Conch Farm. But brood stock from this farm came fromcollec ng wild egg masses, so the net benefit is unknown. The farm also has recently reduced its produc on, which may affect abundance andrecruitment of the wild stock.


Low Concern

Fishing in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is only permi ed in Lang Bank, east of St. Croix. In 2008-09, annual quotas for Lang Bank andthe territorial waters of St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John were established at 50,000 lbs (22 MT) each (NMFS 2014). According to (NMFS2015), conch in the USVI are not undergoing overfishing. Total landings have been below the USVI (St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. Johncombined) MSY/OFL (109,369 lbs) since 2009 (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Total landings in 2012 were 36,771 lbs (St. Croix) and 592 lbs (St.Thomas + St. John) (CFMC 2014). Stock densi es are increasing, which may indicate that MSY is greatly underes mated (NMFS 2014). Becauseit is probable that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level that will allow the stock to build, and because popula on trends areincreasing in the short and long term due to effec ve management, Seafood Watch deems fishing mortality of queen conch in the USVI as "low"concern.

Ra onale:

16

The CFMC calculated the MSY by averaging catch from commercial landings from 1999-2005. This is also the overfishing limit (OFL)(CFMC 2013). These calcula ons do not include catch from recrea onal fisheries and are thus underes mated (CFMC 2013). The op mum yield(OY) is the same as both the allowable biological catch (ABC) and the annual catch limit (ACL). The MSY /OFL in USVI is 109,369 lbs (Table8) (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Commercial fishing is not allowed in the EEZ with the excep on of Lang Bank. Landings in 2012 in the USVI(territorial waters plus EEZ) are below OFL and the 50,000 lb quota for each management unit (Table 10), indica ng that fishing mortality is ator below a sustainable level (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Recent visual surveys indicate that the adult densi es are greater than the minimum of100 adults/ha needed to be reproduc vely viable (NMFS 2014).

Figure 3 Queen conch commercial landings 2008-2012 in St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John in pounds of whole weight and the Caribbean-wideOFL for 2010. Landings include harvest from both territorial and federal waters (from CRFM 2014).

proxy

proxy


High Concern

There is conflic ng informa on about the sustainability of fishing mortality of queen conch in Puerto Rico. According to Amendment 2 of theConch Fisheries Management Plan (CFMC 2013), landings are below the Puerto Rican maximum sustainable yield (MSY), where MSY (based onaverage landings from 1995-2005) = OFL = 403,349 lbs of meat. Between 2009 and 2012, annual landings were less than 375,000 lbs (170.1MT) of meat, which is below the OFL (CFMC 2013). As a result, in 2014 NMFS changed the status of queen conch in Puerto Rico and the USVI,sta ng that overfishing was no longer occurring (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Even though catch rates are below the OFL, NMFS (2014b)calculated that the conch fishery in Puerto Rico had one of the lowest sustainability scores in the Caribbean. In addi on, fishing mortality isgreater than natural recruitment, and "Yield per Recruitment (YPR) is reached at an age below that of first reproduc on (~3.2 years)" (NMFS2014). Finally, illegal fishing takes place during the seasonal closure (NMFS 2014b). It therefore appears that cumula ve fishing pressure may betoo high to recover the stock, which Seafood Watch deems as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

17

The CFMC calculated the MSY by averaging catch from commercial landings from 1999-2005, which is also the overfishing limit(OFL) (CFMC 2013). These do not include catch from recrea onal fisheries and are therefore underes mated (CFMC 2013). The op mum yield(OY) equals both the allowable biological catch (ABC) and the annual catch limit (ACL). The MSY /OFL in Puerto Rico is 403,349 lbs (Table 7)(CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Commercial fishing is not allowed in the EEZ. Therefore, the OY/ABC/ACL in the EEZ is zero (Table 7) (CFMC 2013)(CFMC 2014). Recent landings in Puerto Rican territorial waters are below the OFL, indica ng that overfishing is not occurring (Table 8) (CFMC2013) (CFMC 2014).

Figure 4 Management reference points and proxies for queen conch in the U.S. Caribbean federal waters. Reference points (MSY, OFL, OY) arebased solely on commercial landings. The ACL for St. Croix is on combined federal/territorial landings (from CFMC 2013).

Figure 5 Puerto Rico commercial and recrea onal landings in pounds of whole weight from 2008-2012 and Caribbean-wide Overfishing Limit(OFL) for 2010 (from CRFM 2013). Landings are from state waters only.

proxy

proxy


Moderate Concern

Based on mean shell length, it is likely that landings mostly consist of juveniles and that the minimum harvest meat weight requirement is low(pers. comm., Stoner 2016). But it appears that management measures may be effec ve (Gongora 2012) (NMFS 2014). Although there are noreference points, recent increases in abundance, popula on density, and total length indicate that fishing may be sustainable (CFU 2013). Belizehas received posi ve feedback from the interna onal fisheries management community for its efforts to sustainably manage its queen conchfishery (CFU 2013). Mortality is unknown in rela on to any target or limit reference points, but the popula on does not appear to be depletedand effec ve management appears to be in place. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the mortality of queen conch in Belize as "moderate"concern.

Ra onale:

18

Between 2000 and 2011, Belize ranked fi h in landings of queen conch, with 389.3 MT caught by approximately 2,750 fishers (NMFS 2014b)(Prada and Appeldoorn 2014). Fishing effort and landings steadily increased since 1996 and had nearly doubled by 2011, which is cause forconcern (Figure 4) (CFU 2013).

Figure 6 Landings of queen conch meat and fishing effort in Belize (from CFU 2013).

BAHAMAS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVER

High Concern

Although the fishery is spread across a large area, localized fishing pressure in some areas is unsustainable (e.g., near Andros Island, the Bight ofAbaco, and the banks of the Exuma Cays) (FAO 2011) (NMFS 2014) (Stoner et al. 2014). Total landings in 2015 were 541 MT, but may begrossly underes mated because (in 2008) the Bahamian fisheries monitoring program "did not document 86% of the es mated total conchcatch based on consump on and trade sta s cs" (Talaue-McManus and Hazell 2008).

Also, fishing mortality is unknown, an increasing reliance on hookah has contributed to the depleted or overfished popula on throughout mostof the islands, and shell middens show high juvenile mortality (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). Management effec veness is not sufficient tosustain a healthy popula on (Stoner et al. 2014). Therefore, Seafood Watch considers queen conch mortality in the Bahamas as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

19

Queen conch landings in the Bahamas gradually increased between 1980 and 2012, but have drama cally decreased since then (Figure 3) (pers.comm., Anonymous 2016).

Figure 7 Conch meat landings and exports from the Bahamas 1983-2015 (from Bahamas Dept. of Marine Resource via pers. comm., Davis).

HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderate Concern

Honduras commercially exports conch meat taken during scien fic surveys; the amount is limited to 210 MT/year (NMFS 2014b) (NMFS 2014).There are no reference points for fishing mortality. Current management measures (e.g., very low export quota, moratorium on commercialfishing) have been implemented to mi gate overfishing and illegal fishing, and to help stocks to recover. Thus, Seafood Watch deems currentfishing mortality of queen conch in Honduras as "moderate" concern.

Ra onale:

In response to CITES concerns about lack of informa on, illegal fishing, high exports, and low popula on densi es, the Honduran governmentclosed the queen conch fishery from 2003 to 2006. Prior to the moratorium, Honduras had an industrial, offshore conch fishery that allowedthe use of SCUBA. Fishers brought their catch to offshore processors that cleaned and packaged the meat. Offshore processing can obscure thetracking and calcula on of the catch and landings (NMFS 2014). Based on the historically high number of divers suffering from the bends andlow conch densi es in shallow areas, fishers were exploi ng deepwater popula ons, which can serve as recruitment areas (NMFS 2014) (Pradaand Appeldoorn 2014). Moreover, some concerns about poaching s ll exist (NMFS 2014).

In 2013, the United States imported nearly 185,000 kg of conch meat from Honduras, which is 88% of its export quota (Cimo, L. et al. 2014).

20


Moderate Concern

Nicaragua allows SCUBA and hookah as part of an industrial commercial queen conch fishery. Industrial landings and exports have increaseddrama cally since 2008 (NMFS 2014). The status of the stock is unknown, but appears to be increasing. There are no target or limit referencepoints for mortality and the effec veness of management measures is unknown. But given the recent increases in abundance, managementappears to be effec ve. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the mortality of queen conch in Nicaragua as "moderate" concern.

Ra onale:

During lobster season, fishers targe ng lobsters account for 60% of the conch catch, while the remaining catch takes place when lobster seasonis closed (NMFS 2014) (Navarro 2014). Industrial commercial fishing vessels are 20 m long and carry 26 fishers, while ar sanal boats are slightlysmaller at 15 m and carry three fishers (Navarro 2014). Since 2008, landings have increased from 56.47 MT to 603.4 MT (1,330,459 lbs) in2013 (Figures 5 and 6, Table 5) (NMFS 2014) (INPESCA 2014). Nearly all the landings are exported (Figure 6) (NMFS 2014).

Figure 8 Total queen conch landings from Caribbean Nicaragua in tons of fillet 100% clean.

Figure 9 Nicaragua's queen conch landings and exports by weight from 2000-2011 (from NMFS 2014).

Figure 10 Queen conch landings of cleaned fillets, in pounds (from INPESCA 2014).

21


High Concern

The current TAC (quota) is set at 50% MSY (800,000 lbs) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Between 2004 and 2011, TACs were between 80% and90% of MSY (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Annual TACs and landings have decreased drama cally since 2006 (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b)(NMFS 2014). In addi on, more fishers began targe ng queen conch as a result of declining stocks of spiny lobster (NMFS 2014). This resultedin an increase in effec ve fishing effort and a concomitant decrease in catch per unit effort (CPUE) of conch (NMFS 2014). Landings ofuncleaned meat in 2011 were 823,239 lbs, which was below the TAC of 1.3 million pounds (80% MSY) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Finally,queen conch stocks in the Turks and Caicos Islands are subject to widespread poaching by fishers from nearby Hispaniola (NMFS 2014) (DEMA2012) (DEMA 2012b). Declining stocks and CPUEs combined with recent high quotas (as a % of MSY) are why Seafood Watch is ra ng fishingmortality of queen conch in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

22

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) peaked in 2008, then declined so drama cally that the CPUE in 2010/11 was approximately half of the averageCPUE between 1993 and 2006 (Figure 7, (NMFS 2014b)). This decline also partly results from two hurricanes that hit TCI in 2008 (pers. comm.,Claydon 2016) (NMFS 2014). Landings of uncleaned meat peaked in 2009 (1,666,413 lbs), which exceeded the quota for that year, butdecreased by more than 60% the following year (2010) to only 636,875 lbs (Table 9, (NMFS 2014)). This decline in landings may also haveresulted from the two hurricanes that depleted juvenile year classes, which then did not recruit into adults (pers. comm., Claydon 2016).Current TAC is 800,000 lbs.

Figure 11 Expected and observed catch per unit effort (CPUE) of queen conch in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1974-2011. Red lineindicates landfall Hurricanes Ike and Hannah (from DEMA 2012b).

Figure 12 Maximum sustainable yield (MSY), total allowable catch (TAC or quota), unclean, and clean landings of queen conch in the Turks andCaicos Islands (from DEMA 2012b).

23

Criterion 2: Impacts on other species

All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion1. Seafood Watch® defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples includediscards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing.

To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is mul plied by the discard rate score (rangesfrom 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use rela ve to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 ra ng isdetermined as follows:




Ra ng is Cri cal if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Cr cal

Criterion 2 Summary

Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 sec on; a full list and assessment of the main speciescan be found in Appendix B.

QUEEN CONCH - BAHAMAS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC - DIVER

Subscore: 5.000 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 5.000

Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore

No other main species caught

QUEEN CONCH - BELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA - HAND COLLECTED



Caribbean spiny lobster 2.00:Medium 2.00:High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.414)

QUEEN CONCH - HONDURAS/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVER



No other main species caught

QUEEN CONCH - NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVER



Caribbean spiny lobster 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.732)

QUEEN CONCH - PUERTO RICO/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVER




QUEEN CONCH - TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC - HAND COLLECTED



Hawksbill turtle 1.00:High 1.00:Very High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.000)

Green sea turtle 1.00:High 1.00:Very High Concern 2.33:Moderate Concern Red (1.526)


24

In Belize, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the USVI, spiny lobster is caught with queen conch. Because spiny lobster ismore valuable, it is typically the preferred target species. Spiny lobster stocks (spawning, recrui ng, and total biomass) in Belize are declining, andfishing mortality (based on es ma ons of fishing effort as a number of fishing days) is above F {Gongora 2010}. Inherent vulnerability tofishing is moderate, and the stock status in the other loca ons is unknown. Therefore, there is moderate concern over the abundance of spinylobster in the other loca ons. In Nicaragua, the Turks and Caicos, and Belize, declining CPUEs with increases in juvenile catch cause fishingmorality to be of high concern. In Puerto Rico, the stock is currently subject to overfishing and landings in 2014 exceeded the overfishing limit.Therefore, spiny lobster fishing mortality in Puerto Rico is high concern.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, both hawksbill and green sea turtles are caught opportunis cally in the conch/spiny lobster mul species fishery.Hawksbill turtle is listed as "Cri cally Endangered" on the IUCN Red List, while green sea turtle is listed as "Endangered." The catch of adulthawksbill turtle in this fishery is cause for concern.

In the USVI, fishermen catch the West Indian top shell snail while targe ng queen conch. The popula on may be depleted and managementac ons (size limits and seasonal closures) may or may not be effec ve {Toller and Gordon 2005}. Thus, fishing mortality of the West Indian topshell snail in the queen conch fishery in the USVI is of high concern.


SCORING GUIDELINES


(same as Factor 1.1 above)





Caribbean spiny lobster


QUEEN CONCH - VIRGIN ISLANDS/CARIBBEAN SEA - DIVER



West Indian top shell 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.732)

Caribbean spiny lobster 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern Green (3.873)

M AX

NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTEDBELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTEDVIRGIN ISLANDS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERPUERTO RICO/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Medium

According to the Seafood Watch Suscep bility table, the Caribbean spiny lobster has a moderate vulnerability.

Ra onale:

Values and results of the Seafood Watch suscep bility table and vulnerability calcula on.

Avg. Age atMaturity

Avg. MaxAge

Reproduc veStrategy

DensityDependence

Final Score

Result Length

70-80 mm 20-30years

Brooder None suggested,

but unknown

Score 2 2 2 - 2

SourceEhrhardt 2005Chavez 2001

Ehrhardt 2005Ehrhardt 2005SEDAR 2010

Behringer andButler 2006

ModerateVulnerability

25



Moderate Concern

Biomass es mates obtained by length cohort analysis have fluctuated widely (Butler et al. 2013). The most recent stock assessment for theCaribbean spiny lobster in the Honduras-Nicaragua shelf area was in 1999 and is no longer considered to be a good indica on of stock status.Stock status is unknown and inherent vulnerability is moderate. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates the abundance of Caribbean spiny lobster inNicaragua as "moderate" concern.


Moderate Concern

There are no reference points, and the inherent vulnerability of the Caribbean spiny lobster is moderate (as scored in Factor 2.1). Therefore,Seafood Watch deems the abundance of Caribbean spiny lobster in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "moderate" concern.


High Concern

The Caribbean spiny lobster stock in Belize has declined from 1999 to 2009 and is between fully exploited and overexploited, with declines inspawning biomass, recruitment biomass, and total biomass (FAO 2011) (Gongora 2010). Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the spiny lobsterabundance in Belize as "high" concern.

Ra onale:

Using tail weights from landings, the stock biomass has decreased by 17.4% from 352 t in 1999 to 292 t in 2009, while the modeled spawningstock biomass declined by close to 9%. Recent stock assessment models incorporated several assump ons about and uncertain es associatedwith the data (FAO 2011).


Moderate Concern

According to (NMFS 2015), abundance is unknown. But a recent study by (Olsen et al. 2014) es mated the St. Thomas/St. John stock asslightly over 400,000 individuals, and that annual landings are less than 10% (37,000 lobsters). In St. Croix, stocks were modeled at an averageof 550,000 (175,000-900,000) individuals between 2000 and 2010 (Olsen et al. 2014). The model for St. Croix indicated that the popula onincreased over most of the period, but recently decreased (Olsen et al. 2014). The average length of harvested individuals in St. Croix is close tothe minimum legal harvest size, and the size distribu on of lobsters in the wild is much smaller than that in St. Thomas (Olsen et al. 2014).There are no target or limit reference points for biomass. Thus, it is unknown if the stock is overfished or approaching being overfished,although it seems unlikely based on the recent popula on assessment (Olsen et al. 2014). Because the score for Factor 2.1 (stock inherentvulnerability) is medium and abundance is considered as unknown, stock status is scored "moderate" concern.


Moderate Concern

According to (NMFS 2015), abundance is unknown. Moreover, it is unknown if the stock is overfished or approaching being overfished (NMFS2015). Because this is unknown and the score for factor 2.1 (stock inherent vulnerability) is medium, stock status is scored "moderate" concern.


High Concern

Effort has been increasing over the past decade, and fishing mortality rates (F) have reached levels of 0.53 per year, while natural mortality is at0.35 (Butler et al. 2013) (Benne 2010). Annual fishing quotas are in place but are regularly exceeded (Monnereau and Pollnac 2012). Annualcatch from both the dive and trap fisheries combined is approximately 980,000 lbs of tails(h p://fisheryimprovementprojects.org/fip/nicaragua-lobster-fishery-improvement-project/). The mean length of individuals harvested also hasdeclined, which can indicate overfishing (Butler et al. 2013) (Valle-Esquivel 2011). Therefore, fishing mortality is considered "high" concernbecause the conch fishery is a substan al contributor to lobster fishing mortality and because lobsters are experiencing overfishing.

Ra onale:

26


Over the last decade, fishing effort has increased while catch has remained stable (Benne 2010). Divers use kayaks that are deployed from amothership and will catch lobsters as deep as 50 meters (Valle-Esquivel 2011). As a result, divers have been killed from the bends and otherdiving related accidents (Arcadis 1999). A study comparing an open-access dive fishery to a limited entry trap fishery documented lowerabundance and smaller size distribu ons of the catch in the dive fishery (Benne 2010). In general, 22% of the catch by diving was undersized ascompared to the trap fishery (Benne 2010). This may result from the open-access nature of the fishery rather than the method of capture.


High Concern

This is a mixed fishery that targets queen conch, spiny lobster, and sea turtles. Landings are highly variable, with some decreases a ributed tohurricanes in 2008 and 2009 (CRFM 2012). According to (Clerveaux et al. 2002), landings (392,436 kg) were above F (379,563 kg).Accoun ng for increases in effort, engine power, and depth, between 1990 and 2000, CPUE for exported lobster declined from 65 kg/boat perday to 20 kg/boat per day and nearly half (41.3%) of the landings (by number) were undersized (Ulman et al. 2015) (Clerveaux et al. 2002). As of2002, there was no indica on that management ac ons were effec ve (Clerveaux et al. 2002). Therefore, Seafood Watch deems fishingmortality of Caribbean spiny lobster in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "high" concern.

M SY


High Concern

The Caribbean spiny lobster season overlaps with the queen conch fishing season for 5 months from October to February, and they are fishedtogether during these months. Gongora (2010) found high lobster mortali es that corresponded with those from an earlier study in 2007, andthese could occur during the mixed conch-lobster fishery, the directed lobster fishery, or both (Gongora 2010). There is no way to tease apartlobster landings that occurred while fishers were targe ng queen conch from those that occurred while specifically targe ng lobsters. Spinylobster fishing mortality, based on es ma ons of fishing effort as a number of fishing days, is above F . Therefore, fishing mortality ofCaribbean spiny lobsters in Belize is rated "high" concern because this mixed fishery for conch and lobster is a substan al contributor to lobsterfishing mortality and because lobsters are experiencing overfishing.

M AX

Ra onale:

Catch per unit effort has been declining over the past decade, and fishing mortality appears to be high(h p://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/169976/0). Lobster landings, although rela vely stable over the last 5 years, have declined since1999 (Figure 8) while effort (based on fishing days) has increased (CRFM 2011a) (CRFM 2011b). Gongora (2010) recommended that, tomaintain the fishery, fishing mortality should be decreased (Gongora 2010).

Figure 13 Lobster landings Belize 1999-2009.


Very Low Concern

27

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

West Indian top shell


This is a mixed fishery in which fishers target queen conch and spiny lobster simultaneously. The propor on of landings caught by diving versustraps was very different for St. Thomas/St. John (2% landings from diving) versus St. Croix (92% landings from diving) (Olsen et al.2014). According to (NMFS 2015), overfishing is not occurring. In addi on, (CFMC 2014) showed that between 2008 and 2012, annualcommercial landings were below the overfishing limit (OFL) for St. Thomas/St. John. Average annual landings from 2012-2014 were 82.5% ofthe Annual Catch Limit (ACL). For St. Croix, landings were greater than the OFL through 2010. But between 2011 and 2014, average annuallandings decreased to only 58% of the ACL (which is 10% lower than the OFL) (CFMC 2014) (CFMC 2015). Based on recent landings data,overfishing is not occurring and landings are below target reference points. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the mortality of the U.S. VirginIslands Caribbean spiny lobster in the queen conch fishery as "very low" concern.


High Concern

The conch fishery in Puerto Rico is a mul species mixed fishery, in which divers will target spiny lobster and queen conch simultaneously. Thus,it is impossible to determine the fishing pressure that conch fishing exerts on spiny lobster compared to the pressure by a directed spiny lobsterfishery. Between 1983 and 2001, roughly 43% of spiny lobster landings were caught with SCUBA (SEDAR 2005). According to (NMFS2016), overfishing is occurring. (CFMC 2014), however, showed that, between 2008 and 2012, commercial landings were below the overfishinglimit for catches in state and federal waters combined (CFMC 2014). (CFMC 2015) reported that average annual landings between 2012 and2014 (345,997 lbs) were 105.5% of the annual catch limit (ACL) (327,920 lbs). The ACL is 10% lower than the OFL of 364,355 lbs (CFMC 2014)(CFMC 2015). But landings in 2014 alone (376,766 lbs) were 3.4% above the OFL (CFMC 2015). Based on the fact that NMFS has determinedthat spiny lobsters are undergoing overfishing and that landings in 2014 exceeded the OFL, Seafood Watch rates fishing mortality of Caribbeanspiny lobster in Puerto Rico as "high" concern.

NICARAGUA/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTEDBELIZE/CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTEDVIRGIN ISLANDS/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERPUERTO RICO/CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

< 20%

Because conch are hand collected, the fishery is highly selec ve (CFMC 2013). There are no discards, and fishers do not use bait.


Medium

Based on calcula ons using the Seafood Watch produc vity table, the inherent vulnerability of the West Indian top shell snail is moderate(Toller and Gordon 2005).

Ra onale:

Inherent vulnerability and produc vity values for the West Indian top shell snail (from (Toller and Gordon 2005)).

average = 2.25, moderate inherent vulnerability

Avr. Age atMaturity

< 5 yrs 3

Avr. Max age 30 1

Reproduc ve strategy

Broadcastspawner

3

Density dependence

Allee effectsunknown

2

28



Hawksbill turtle





Moderate Concern

Abundance of the West Indian top shell snail is unknown. No quan ta ve data exist regarding popula on size or trends (Toller and Gordon2005). But interview data suggest declines in abundance away from shallow, easily accessible, nearshore and inshore habitats to deeper areasthat are only accessible to SCUBA divers (Toller and Gordon 2005). Higher abundances and larger animals were documented in areas withfishing restric ons. Because the abundance is unknown and stock inherent vulnerability is medium (as scored in Factor 2.1), Seafood Watchdeems the abundance of the West Indian top shell snail as "moderate" concern.


High Concern

This is a mixed-species fishery in which fishers targe ng queen conch also catch spiny lobster and West Indian top shell snail. Thus, it isunknown the extent to which the queen conch fishery contributes to top shell snail mortality. There are no target or limit reference points and Fis unknown. Exis ng management measures consist of minimum harvest size and a closed season. There is insufficient informa on to determinethe effec veness of these measures, and it appears that there is li le compliance with the minimum size restric on (Toller and Gordon 2005).For these reasons, Seafood Watch deems the mortality of the West Indian top shell snail as "high" concern.


< 20%



High

Hawksbill sea turtle is a large species (100-150 lbs and 2-3 ) that is thought to be long-lived (but lifespan is unknown), and reproduces slowly(breeds every 2-3 years). Consequently, its popula ons are vulnerable to anything that can cause high mortality rates, especially high rates ofadult mortality. Among other factors, high mortality rates can be caused by interac ons with fishing gear and bycatch (fromh p://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/hawksbill.htm).


Very High Concern

Hawksbill sea turtle in the North Atlan c is listed as "Cri cally Endangered" under the IUCN Red List and "Endangered" under the U.S.Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). It is also listed under Appendix I of the Conven on on Interna onal Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). CITES prohibits the interna onal trade of Appendix I species. Threats to hawksbill seaturtle include fisheries bycatch, habitat destruc on, exploita on (hun ng), egg preda on, light pollu on, and climate change. These have causedworldwide popula on declines of more than 80% over the past three genera ons (h p://www.iucnredlist.org/details/8005/0). Thus, itsabundance is rated "very high" concern.


High Concern

29



The conch fishery in TCI is a small-scale, mul species fishery that also targets spiny lobster and opportunis cally takes hawksbill and green seaturtles (Stringell et al. 2013) (DEMA 2012). A recent study es mated that the minimum annual catch of hawksbill turtle in TCI was between 114and 277 individuals, which equalled 2.30-7.61 MT (Stringell et al. 2013). Just over 10% of harvested hawksbills were mature individuals and33% were below legal size limits (Stringell et al. 2013). The catch of any adults can adversely affect this cri cally endangered sea turtlepopula on. For this reason, Stringell et al. (2013) recommended that the catch of hawksbills be prohibited during the spiny lobster season(which would include 5 months of the 9-month queen conch season) (Stringell et al. 2013). There are minimum and maximum size limits, aclosed season from August to March, and prohibi on against harvest of eggs or nes ng females (DEMA 2015). The new regula ons have nothad enough me to determine their effec veness. Therefore, hawksbill sea turtle mortality in the TCI queen conch fishery is of "high" concern.

Ra onale:

The harvest of hawksbill turtles increased with increasing spiny lobster CPUEs and was inversely propor onal to conch CPUEs (Figure 9,(Stringell et al. 2013)). Adult breeding hawksbill turtles are present in the waters of TCI year-round.

Figure 14 Green turtle (dark grey) and hawksbill turtle (light grey) harvest at each of four categories of conch and lobster fishery seasons atSouth Caicos. Closed and Open categories refer to both fisheries together. "Conch Open" represents periods when the conch fishery is open andlobster fishery closed, and vice versa for "Lobster Open." Data from December 2008 to November 2010 (24 months).


< 20%


30

Criterion 3: Management Effec veness

Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of non-retained species (bycatch strategy).

The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 ra ng is determined as follows:



Score ≤2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern = Red or HighConcern

Ra ng is Cri cal if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ra ngs are Cri cal.

Criterion 3 Summary


SCORING GUIDELINES

Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy

Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of Concern, Scien fic Research/Monitoring, Following of Scien ficAdvice, Enforcement of Regula ons, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ‘ineffec ve,’ ‘moderatelyeffec ve,’ or ‘highly effec ve.’

5 (Very Low Concern)—Rated as ‘highly effec ve’ for all seven subfactors considered

4 (Low Concern)—Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘highly effec ve’ and all other subfactors rated at least‘moderately effec ve.’

3 (Moderate Concern)—All subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effec ve.’

2 (High Concern)—At minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effec ve’ for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern,but at least one other subfactor rated ‘ineffec ve.’

1 (Very High Concern)—Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘ineffec ve.’

0 (Cri cal)—No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concernspecies), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring.

Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy

Factor 3.1 Summary

Region / Method Harvest Strategy Bycatch Strategy Score

Bahamas / Northwest Atlan c / Diver 1.000 0.000 Red (1.000)

Belize / Caribbean Sea / Hand collected 3.000 0.000 Yellow (3.000)

Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diver 4.000 0.000 Green (4.000)

Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diver 3.000 0.000 Yellow (3.000)

Puerto Rico / Caribbean Sea / Diver 3.000 0.000 Yellow (3.000)

Turks and caicos islands / Northwest Atlan c / Hand collected 1.000 0.000 Red (1.000)

Virgin Islands / Caribbean Sea / Diver 3.000 0.000 Yellow (3.000)

FACTOR 3.1: MANAGEMENT OF FISHING IMPACTS ON RETAINED SPECIES

Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion

Bahamas / Northwest Atlan c / Diver Ineffec ve Ineffec ve ModeratelyEffec ve

Ineffec ve Ineffec ve Ineffec ve ModeratelyEffec ve

Belize / Caribbean Sea / Hand collected ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diver HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diver ModeratelyEffec ve

N/A ModeratelyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

31

The scores for harvest management strategies vary by stock and country. Each species within a subfactor may score differently. The overall scorefor each subfactor is based on the lowest scoring species.

Low Concern - HondurasThe best performer is Honduras. Honduras responded to the 2003 CITES review by closing its commercial fishery and, a er 3 years, allowing onlya small propor on of the catch (210 MT/yr) that was collected during scien fic surveys to be sold and exported commercially {NMFS 2014}{NMFS 2014b}.

Moderate Concern - Belize, Nicaragua, USVI, and Puerto RicoLike Honduras, Belize also ins tuted management measures in response to CITES. It prohibits the use of compressed air and works closely withthe four queen conch fishing coopera ves to implement quotas. Some effec ve management is in place, and a new adap vemanagement/limited-entry requirement is being implemented in 2016 for the conch-lobster mul species fishery (pers. comm.,Anonymous). Spiny lobster stocks have declined and are between fully exploited and overexploited, with declines in spawning biomass,recruitment biomass, and total biomass {FAO 2011} {Gongora 2010}, and the conch-lobster mul species fishery is a substan al contributor tothe mortality of the species. Although popula ons appear to have stabilized recently, fishing effort needs to be reduced, which, based on pilottest results, is likely to occur under the newly implemented management regime {Gongora 2010}.

The queen conch stock in Nicaragua appears to be healthy and resilient to increasing fishing pressure. This may change in the future and shouldbe monitored. Conch fishers simultaneously target the Caribbean spiny lobster. Management of the spiny lobster stocks in Nicaragua is not aseffec ve as management of the queen conch stock, which caused the management criterion for Nicaragua to be rated moderate concern.

The USVI and Puerto Rico have had mixed results. Their queen conch stocks are overfished but are in the midst of a 15-year rebuildingplan. Visual surveys in the USVI indicate increasing densi es, with adult densi es in St. Croix and St. Thomas possibly greater than 100 ind/ha.The St. John stock is s ll quite low. The most recent survey in Puerto Rico is nearly 10 years old. A survey of three stocks in the EEZ off PuertoRico indicates that deepwater rodolith reef areas had high abundances of adult conch {NMFS 2015} {Garcia-Sais 2012}. This may indicate that themoratorium in the EEZ is effec ve, or that those areas may not have ever been fished intensively because of their depth. Management of spinylobster in Puerto Rico and the USVI also is of moderate concern. Conch fishers in the USVI also target the top shell snail, the management ofwhich is of moderate concern.

Very High Conern - Bahamas and Turks and Caicos IslandsThe lowest scoring fisheries for harvest management strategy are the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), but for queen conch stocks,the Bahamas is the only one to score a very high concern. For Belize and TCI, other species that are caught and retained in the conch fisherycaused them to score very high concern.

In the Bahamas, there are no size or weight restric ons or quotas on fishing for local consump on {Stoner 2009} {Stoner 2012} {NMFS 2014b}.Moreover, site-specific management plans to accommodate for the site-specific characteris cs of the stocks do not exist and there is no seasonalclosure during spawning. Queen conch fishing in the Bahamas is no longer viable in several areas and densi es in many loca ons are not highenough to rebuild the popula on {NMFS 2014} {Stoner 2014}.

For the TCI queen conch stocks, both enforcement and stakeholder inclusion were rated as ineffec ve, while the other factors are moderatelyeffec ve. There is no recent stock assessment, and poaching by nearby Hispaniola appears to be problema c {NMFS 2014} {DEMA 2012}. TCIfishers simultaneously target Caribbean spiny lobster and two endangered sea turtle species (hawksbill and green sea). Consequently,management of the queen conch fishery scored a very high concern.

Subfactor 3.1.1 – Management Strategy and Implementa on

Considera ons: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence thatmanagement goals are being met? To achieve a highly effec ve ra ng, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that themeasures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species.

Puerto Rico / Caribbean Sea / Diver ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

Turks and caicos islands / NorthwestAtlan c / Hand collected

Ineffec ve Ineffec ve ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

Ineffec ve ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

Virgin Islands / Caribbean Sea / Diver ModeratelyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

ModeratelyEffec ve

BAHAMAS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVER

Ineffec ve

32

The queen conch fishery in the Bahamas is managed under the Bahamian Fishery Resources (Jurisdic on and Conserva on) Act of 1977 and itsregula ons (created in 1986), the Wildlife Conserva on and Trade Act of 2004 that incorporates CITES rules, and the Archipelagic Waters andMari me Jurisdic on Act of 1993 (Gi ens and Braynen 2012). Under these laws, the Bahamas has an export quota (which has increasedsubstan ally between 2008 and 2012), seasonal restric ons, a requirement that the animals have a "well formed flaring lip," and a prohibi onon the use of SCUBA (Gi ens and Braynen 2012). There are no fishing quotas (only those for export). Limited use of hookah is allowed througha permit system, but evidence indicates that hookah is increasingly used farther offshore and, though hookah theore cally should be used at30-60 , in actuality it is used everywhere (Gi ens and Braynen 2012) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b), (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). TheBahamas also has a system of countrywide marine reserves, including the no-take Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (NMFS 2014b).

There are no size or weight restric ons or quotas on fishing for local consump on (Stoner et al. 2009) (Stoner et al. 2012) (NMFS 2014b).Moreover, site-specific management plans to accommodate for the site-specific characteris cs of the stocks do not exist, and there is noseasonal closure during spawning. It appears that this management regime is insufficiently precau onary to protect the queen conch popula onin the Bahamas from being overfished (Stoner et al. 2009) (Stoner et al. 2012) (Stoner et al. 2013) (Stoner et al. 2014), which Seafood Watchconsiders "ineffec ve."

BELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTED

Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchSize and weight restric ons (7 inches and 3 oz clean meat, respec vely), and seasonal closures for ma ng/spawning were implemented in 1977(NMFS 2014). More recently, the government has created a network of mul -use marine reserves and it prohibits the use of SCUBA. But thepurpose of the marine reserves is to protect endangered species, and they may not be as effec ve at protec ng conch (NMFS 2014b).Prohibi ng the use of compressed air protects the deeper stocks that might recruit to the back reef areas, but this link requiresinves ga on (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b) (CFU 2013). A na onal quota is divided monthly among four fishing coopera ves (NMFS 2014b)(CFU 2013). Once the quota is met, the season is closed and coopera ves stop accep ng meat (CFU 2013) (NMFS 2014b). Belize has recentlyimplemented a new "managed access" regime for conch and lobster, which is an area-based tenure system that will set science-based harvestcontrols in an adap ve management framework (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016).

Although average lengths have been increasing since 2008, those of harvested individuals are below the required minimum and indicate theharvest of juveniles (NMFS 2014b). Average density in 2012 was 337.4 ind/ha with approximately 94 adults/ha, which is just below therecommended minimum for a reproduc vely viable popula on. This indicates that some effec ve management is in place, but there is a needfor increased precau on, which Seafood Watch considers moderately effec ve. Moreover, poaching by fishers from neighboring countries(Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico) is known to occur but is difficult to quan fy. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the harvest managementstrategy and implementa on as moderately effec ve.

Spiny lobster

The Belize Fisheries Department does not allow the use of SCUBA, hookah, spearguns, and explosives when fishing for spiny lobster. It alsoprohibits harves ng berried or mol ng individuals, landing dead lobsters, or catching lobsters in marine reserves (CRFM 2011a). In addi on,there is a seasonal closure from mid-February to mid-June, and there are minimum size restric ons (carapace > 3 inches; tail weight > 4 oz.)(CRFM 2011a). Belize has recently implemented a new "managed access" regime for conch and lobster, which is an area-based tenure systemthat will set science-based harvest controls in an adap ve management framework (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016).

Despite these measures, between 1999 and 2009, CPUE, biomass, recruitment, and stock size all declined, while fishing mortality increased by46% (Gongora 2010). Spiny lobster fishing mortality, based on es ma ons of fishing effort as a number of fishing days, is aboveFMAX (Gongora 2010). It is too soon to tell if the new adap ve management framework will be effec ve. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates themanagement strategy for spiny lobster in Belize as moderately effec ve because some management measures are in place, but there is a needfor increased precau on, and other management measures are too new to evaluate their effec veness.

HONDURAS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Highly Effec ve

The Honduran government closed the commercial queen conch fishery in 2003 in response to concerns expressed by CITES about thepopula on health, fishing mortality, poor recordkeeping, and illegal fishing (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). In 2007, the government authorizedthe commercial sale and export of queen conch caught during scien fic surveys. Scien fic collec on was temporarily suspended in 2008, butresumed in 2009 (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Currently, vessels must obtain a license to collect queen conch and are tracked by satellite(NMFS 2014b). Vessels are required to land their catch at an authorized processing plant that must submit a bill of sale to the HonduranFisheries Directorate (NMFS 2014b). Exports are limited to 210 MT/year and each vessel is required to carry an observer who quan fies thecatch (NMFS 2014b). Average densi es appear to have increased since a low of 7.3 ind/ha in 1996. In 2011, average conch densi es in threeloca ons were 141 ind/ha, but the propor on of adults to juveniles is unknown. If these are adults, then it represents a viable popula on. Theaverage standing stock is 100 mes greater than the export quota (NMFS 2014b). The new management measures ins tuted in response toconcerns by CITES appear to be effec ve and appropriate. Standing stock data indicate that the management has been implementedsuccessfully; therefore Seafood Watch deems the management strategy as "highly effec ve."

33

NICARAGUA / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchMeasures to manage the queen conch fishery in Nicaragua include limits on size (20 cm, 9.5 mm lip thickness) and weight (172 g processedmeat), and a seasonal closure during ma ng (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). The use of compressed air has contributed to the drama c increasein landings since 2009. But adult (176-267 ind/ha) and juvenile (1,715 ind/ha) densi es appear to be sustainable (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b).Moreover, the lip thickness of sampled individuals exceeded the 15 mm minimum recommended (NMFS 2014b) (Stoner et al. 2012). For thesereasons, Seafood Watch deems the queen conch management strategy in Nicaragua as "highly effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThere is no fisheries management plan for spiny lobster in Nicaragua (MRAG 2013). Annual fishing quotas are in place but are regularlyexceeded (Monnereau and Pollnac 2012). Seasonal closures have been implemented since 2012 and are being monitored (MRAG 2013)(INPESCA 2015). The mean length of individuals harvested has declined, as have landings, despite an increase in fishing effort. These facts canindicate overfishing (Butler et al. 2013) (Valle-Esquivel 2011). Moreover, evidence of IUU fishing of undersized and berried females indicatesover-exploita on of the species (Ehrhardt et al. 2011). There is a need for increased precau on; therefore, Seafood Watch deems themanagement strategy for Caribbean spiny lobster in Nicaragua as "moderately effec ve."

PUERTO RICO / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchCommercial fishing for queen conch in the U.S. EEZ off Puerto Rico is prohibited (NMFS 2014). Management measures for the territorial watersof Puerto Rico include a minimum size of 22.9 cm and minimum lip width of 9.5 mm (NMFS 2014). There is a seasonal closure duringma ng/spawning from 1 August to 31 October and bag limits of 150 conch per person/day or 450 conch per boat/day, but no harvest quota(NMFS 2014). Recent landings are below the OFL, indica ng that the stocks are no longer undergoing overfishing (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014).Despite these measures, the stock is overfished, with adult densi es too low to be viable (densi es are increasing but they are s ll very low). Inaddi on, fishing mortality is greater than natural recruitment, and "Yield per Recruitment (YPR) is reached at an age below that of firstreproduc on (~3.2 years)" (NMFS 2014). Finally, illegal fishing "commonly" takes place during the seasonal closure (NMFS 2014b). Therefore,Seafood Watch deems the management strategy for queen conch in Puerto Rico as "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThe Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is responsible for fisheries management within the state waters of Puerto Rico. Thisagency collects fisheries-dependent data. Spiny lobster fisheries regula ons include a minimum carapace length of 89 mm and prohibi ons ontaking berried females and using gaffs. Also, fishers must land lobsters whole. (Matos-Caraballo et al. 2006) found that increased enforcementefforts since the mid-1990s reduced the percentage of undersized lobsters that were landed. According to (CFMC 2014), lobster landings from2008-2012 in federal and state waters combined were below the overfishing limit (OFL) for federal waters alone. There are some slightdiscrepancies among reports. For some years, the corrected landings reported in (Matos-Caraballo 2012) were greater than the state andfederal combined landings reported in (CFMC 2014), and in 2016, the NMFS has determined that spiny lobsters in Puerto Rico are undergoingoverfishing (NMFS 2016). Despite these discrepancies, landings reported in (Matos-Caraballo 2012) were s ll below the Federal OFL from2008-2012. There is some management in place but increased precau on is warranted. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems this as "moderatelyeffec ve."

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTED

Ineffec ve

Queen conchThe Department of Environment and Mari me Affairs (DEMA) sets a suggested total allowable catch (TAC) for queen conch at 50% of MSY, butthe actual quota varies and is o en greater than the suggested TAC (NMFS 2014). In addi on, there is no recent stock assessment. Despitethese efforts, recent declines in the stock have been a ributed to habitat degrada on (including the effects of two hurricanes), increaseddemand, and poaching (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Based on recent, precipitous declines in CPUE and thedocumented but unquan fied poaching, the management strategy of queen conch in the TCI is "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThe conch fishery in TCI is a small-scale, mul species fishery that also targets Caribbean spiny lobster. Management measures include minimumsize and tail weights, and prohibi ons against harves ng berried females, egg masses, and mol ng individuals, and against using SCUBA,hookah, explosives, or chemicals (Tewfik and Bene 2004). There is also a closed season (April to the end of July), which creates a "derby-style"fishery upon opening (Tewfik and Bene 2004). Substan al noncompliance with these regula ons may be contribu ng to decreases in catch perunit effort and possible recruitment overfishing (Tewfik and Bene 2004). This indicates a need for increased precau on. Seafood Watch deemsthe management strategy and implementa on of spiny lobster in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "moderately effec ve."

Hawksbill and green sea turtlesThe conch fishery in TCI opportunis cally takes hawksbill and green sea turtles (Stringell et al. 2013) (DEMA 2012). They are listed as"Endangered" (green) and "Cri cally Endangered" (hawksbill) under the IUCN. Although there might be recent increases in source popula onsof TCI sea turtles (Richardson et al. 2009), Seafood Watch considers the inten onal harvest of endangered and cri cally endangered sea turtlespecies as insufficiently precau onary, which causes the ra ng to be "ineffec ve." This ineffec ve ra ng drives the overall score for Factor 3.1.1.

34

Ra onale:

Queen conchManagement measures require a minimum size (18 cm) and weight (225 g) and a flared lip (but no lip thickness) (DEMA 2012) (NMFS 2014)(NMFS 2014b). The fishery has limited entry through licenses, and there is a network of Marine Protected Areas, 10% of which are no-takezones (DEMA 2012) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Use of compressed air is prohibited and there is a seasonal closure of exports, but fishing cans ll occur for local markets year-round (DEMA 2012) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). The government has recently installed a radar sta on tohelp combat poaching from nearby Hispaniola. In addi on, although not a signatory to CITES, the TCI reports catch to CITES and has a Scien ficAuthority Commi ee that reviews the stock assessments, helps determine MSY, and recommends the TAC based on 50% MSY (DEMA 2012).

Spiny lobsterNearly two-thirds of the spiny lobsters caught in the first month of the season are immature and nearly half are undersized (Table 11) (Tewfikand Bene 2004). Moreover, a er the first month, nearly one-third are undersized and more than 10% are berried females (Tewfik and Bene2004).

Figure 15 Mean carapace length (mm), percent undersized (< 83 mm CL), immature, breeding P. argus landed and CPUE for temporalincrements during the 1998-1999 season (divers only), South Caicos, TCI (N = sample size) (from Tewfik and Bene 2004).

The carapace length of landed lobsters increases with increasing depth. Depending on diver ability, the prohibi on against hookah and SCUBAwill tend to concentrate free divers to shallower, more accessible areas. Thus, highest noncompliance with fishing regula ons (catch ofimmature, undersized, and berried females) was documented in well-known nearshore juvenile habitats on the southwestern coast (Tewfik andBene 2004).

Hawksbill and Green Sea TurtlesA recent study es mated the minimum annual catch was between 176 and 324 individuals (green) and 114 and 277 individuals(hawksbills) (Stringell et al. 2013). Half of the green turtles and one-third of the hawksbill turtles were below legal size limits (Stringell et al.2013). Moreover, just over 10% of harvested hawksbills were mature individuals (Stringell et al. 2013). Catch of any adults can adversely affectthis cri cally endangered sea turtle popula on. New management measures for hawksbill include minimum and maximum size limits,prohibi ons on harves ng nes ng females and eggs, and seasonal closure from August to March. These were only implemented in 2015, so it istoo soon to determine if they will be effec ve. For green turtle, harvest of nes ng females and eggs is prohibited.

VIRGIN ISLANDS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderately Effec ve

35

Subfactor 3.1.2 – Recovery of Species of Concern

Considera ons: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species orto limit fishery’s impact on these species and what is their likelihood of success? To achieve a ra ng of Highly Effec ve, rebuilding strategies thathave a high likelihood of success in an appropriate meframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for anyoverfished/threatened/endangered species.

Harvest of queen conch, spiny lobster, and top shell snail (whelk or burgao) is regulated by the U.S. Virgin Island's Department of Planning andNatural Resources (DPNR), Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

Queen conchCommercial fishing for queen conch in the U.S. EEZ off the USVI is prohibited with the excep on of Lang Bank (NMFS 2014). Managementmeasures for both the EEZ and territorial waters of the USVI include a minimum size of 22.9 cm and minimum lip width of 9.5 mm (NMFS2014) (DPNR 2012). There is a seasonal closure during ma ng/spawning from 1 August to 31 October, a bag limit of 200 conch per vessel/day,an annual harvest quota of 50,000 lbs per management area, and a requirement to land the whole animal live and in the shell (CFMC 2013)(NMFS 2014) (DPNR 2012). Recent landings have been below the OFL, indica ng that the stocks are no longer undergoing overfishing and thatfishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). Moreover, recent surveys have revealed that average densi esare greater than 200 ind/ha and successful recruitment (NMFS 2014). The stock is in year 10 of a 15-year rebuilding plan. Therefore, SeafoodWatch deems the management strategy for queen conch in USVI as "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterIt is difficult to dis nguish landings from territorial waters versus those from federal waters. Therefore, the USVI DFW works closely with theCaribbean Fisheries Management Council (CFMC) and U.S. Na onal Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on spiny lobster management in bothterritorial and federal waters (Olsen et al. 2014), From 2008-2012, spiny lobster landings in St. Thomas/St. Johns (territorial and federal waterscombined) were below the overfishing limit of 115,777 lbs (CFMC 2014). In St. Croix, landings (territorial and federal waters) were below theOFL (119,230 lbs) since 2011 (CFMC 2014). According to NMFS (2015), overfishing is not occurring, but it is unknown whether the stock is inan overfished state. Regula ons require lobster to be landed whole with a minimum 3.5 inch carapace length (DPNR 2012). Regula ons alsoprohibit harvest of berried females, spearfishing, and use of hooks, gigs, or chemicals. Within the territorial waters of St. Croix, St. Thomas, andSt. John, there is no daily catch limit (outside of the na onal park), closed season, or harvest quota (DPNR 2012). The unknown status of thestock indicates that there is a need for precau on. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the management effec veness of spiny lobster in the U.S.Virgin Islands as "moderately effec ve."

Top snail (a.k.a. top shell, whelk, burgao)Fishers must land the top shell snails whole (in the shell) with a shell diameter greater than 2-7/16 inches (62 mm). There is a seasonalclosure from 1 April to 30 September. According to Meyer (2012), there is a no-take reserve created specifically for top shell snails and, withinthe Virgin Islands Na onal Park, there is a harvest limit of one gallon (in shell) per person per day (DFW 2005). The stock status is unknown andthere are no target or reference points; however, evidence indicates that the management measures are successful (Meyer 2012). A 2005 reportsuggested that the stock structure was greatly influenced by harves ng and that the rela ve number of large individuals was declining (Tollerand Gordon 2005). Some effec ve management is in place, but there is a need for increased precau on. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates this as"moderately effec ve."


Ineffec ve

Queen conch fishing is no longer viable in several areas, and densi es in many loca ons are not high enough to rebuild the popula on (NMFS2014) (Stoner et al. 2014). For example, less than 20% of survey sites for Andros Island and Grassy Creek are reproduc vely viable (NMFS2014) (Stoner et al. 2014). Many surveyed sites have a high percentage of juveniles that are now being harvested (NMFS 2014). These factorsindicate that management lacks an adequate strategy for rebuilding the stocks.


Moderately Effec ve

36

Queen conchIn 1994, CITES declared the queen conch stock in Belize as "over-exploited and in danger of stock collapse due to spawning failure" (NMFS2014, p. 40). Since then, the country has implemented management measures including establishing size limits and quotas, alloca ng thosequotas to fishing coopera ves, prohibi ng the use of SCUBA, and crea ng marine reserves (CFU 2013) (Gongora 2012) (NMFS 2014b). Stockdensi es have increased as a result, but there are s ll indica ons that the stock is not fully recovered (NMFS 2014b). This indicates that therecovery of queen conch in Belize has been moderately successful.

Spiny lobsterSpiny lobsters stocks have declined and are between fully exploited and overexploited, with declines in spawning biomass, recruitment biomass,and total biomass (FAO 2011) (Gongora 2010), and the conch-lobster mul species fishery is a substan al contributor to the mortality of thespecies. (Gongora 2010) cites poor research and monitoring and illegal fishing during the closed season as contribu ng factors. Thoughpopula ons appear to have stabilized recently, fishing effort needs to be reduced (Gongora 2010). The Belize Fisheries Department will beimplemen ng a new limited-entry, adap ve management framework that was successfully piloted in two marine reserves (Glover's Reef andPort Honduras). Therefore, Seafood Watch rates the recovery of the spiny lobster as "moderately effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Based on concerns by CITES about illegal fishing and overfishing, low abundance, and poor recordkeeping, the Honduran government placed a3-year moratorium on fishing for queen conch in 2003 (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Subsequently, they authorized commercial exports fromscien fic collec ons with a maximum quota of 210 MT/yr. Prior to the moratorium, landings were more than 25 mes greater, at 5,300MT/year (NMFS 2014b). Recent density es mates indicate that the stock is recovering; therefore, this factor is rated as "highly effec ve."


N/A

Queen conch stocks in Nicaragua have never been depleted or overfished (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Caribbean spiny lobster stocks do notappear to be depleted, but overfishing may be occurring (Butler et al. 2013) (Ehrhardt et al. 2011) (Valle-Esquivel 2011).


Moderately Effec ve

Stocks have declined drama cally since a peak in the 1980s (NMFS 2014). Management measures may not have improved abundance, butthere have been no stock assessments or visual surveys since 2006. Fishing effort has increased while landings have decreased (NMFS 2014).The stocks are overfished and, despite recent increases in density, as of 2006 the stocks were too small to be reproduc vely viable (NMFS2014). Because of a lack of recent data, it is unknown if the recovery has been successful. Recent landings (from 2008-2012) have decreased tobelow the OFL. This prompted the NMFS in 2014 to change the status of the stock to no longer undergoing overfishing (CFMC 2014) (NMFS2015). Fishing mortality is being controlled at a level that is expected to be effec ve, but there is no evidence yet to make that determina on,which Seafood Watch rates as "moderately effec ve."


Ineffec ve

Hawksbill sea turtle is listed by the IUCN as "Cri cally Endangered" and green turtle is "Endangered." Any mortality of breeding individuals(e.g., nes ng females) can nega vely affect the stock. Harvest of adult sea turtles has resulted in decreased popula ons since the 1980s andreduced gene c diversity (Stringell et al. 2015). Based on a recent study and recommenda ons by Stringell et al. (2015), the TCI governmentrecently passed legisla on requiring a maximum size limit and a decreased minimum size limit (Stringell et al. 2015), as well as a seasonalclosure for hawksbill and a moratorium on collec ng eggs and nes ng females of both species. But given the "Cri cally Endangered" IUCNstatus of hawksbill sea turtle, recovery is deemed "ineffec ve."


Highly Effec ve

The current rebuilding strategy appears to be effec ve. Densi es have increased, with average densi es above 200 ind/ha for all three islandscombined, the highest of which was for St. Thomas at 583.4 ind/ha (NMFS 2014). More than 50% of the popula on consisted of juveniles, withthe remainder in the older age classes, which indicates successful recruitment (NMFS 2014). Current harvest control rules are allowing the stockto rebuild. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates this factor as "highly effec ve."

37

Considera ons: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the popula on and the fishery’s impact on thespecies? To achieve a Highly Effec ve ra ng, popula on assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliablydetermine the popula on status.


Moderately Effec ve

Based on trade sta s cs, it is likely that more than 85% of the es mated conch catch was not documented by the Bahamian fisheriesmonitoring system (NMFS 2014b) (NMFS 2014). Thus, landings are probably underreported, which limits the ability to properly manage thefishery. The non-profit Community Conch has conducted several visual surveys and stock assessments throughout the Bahamas and has foundthat several popula ons are depleted and may not be reproduc vely viable (Stoner et al. 2014) (Stoner et al. 2013). Based on recent research,Stoner (2012) has recommended ins tu ng a minimum lip thickness requirement to ensure harvest of mature individuals. Other managementrecommenda ons include closures in areas with depleted stocks that are not reproduc vely viable, elimina ng the use of compressed air,establishing seasonal closures, and a total allowable catch (TAC) (Stoner et al. 2009) (Stoner et al. 2012) (Stoner et al. 2013) (Stoner et al. 2014).Scien fic research by non-governmental agencies is robust and independent, but not necessarily part of the queen conch management processin the Bahamas. In addi on, funding for research and management is challenging. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates scien fic research andmonitoring of queen conch in the Bahamas as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conch The Belize Fisheries Department conducts biennial surveys on queen conch densi es and gathers monthly data on landings, landingcomposi on, and exports (Gongora 2012). Other research on marine protected areas and fishery-dependent data are collected by the Wildlife Conserva on Society, Toledo Ins tute for Development and Environment, the Southern Environmental Alliance, and the Environmental Defense Fund (CFU 2013) (Gongora 2012). In conjunc on with several partners, the Belize Fisheries Department has created dra biomass and harvest reference points (as part of the new adap ve management strategy) that will be implemented in October 2016 (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). Data collec on has become more consistent, survey sites have been expanded, and CPUEs are more accurate. Therefore, Seafood Watch considers research and monitoring to be "highly effec ve" for this species.

Spiny lobster(Gongora 2010) conducted a stock assessment using fisheries-dependent data from 1999 to 2009. He conducted an age-based cohort analysisbased on landings of lobster tails at six fishing areas (Gongora 2010). Prior to this stock assessment, research and monitoring programs inBelize were insufficient to adequately manage the fishery (Gongora 2010). This stock assessment report is now more than 5 years old; thus, thedata may be insufficient to maintain the stock. Therefore, Seafood Watch considers scien fic research of the Caribbean spiny lobster in Belize as"moderately effec ve".


Highly Effec ve

The Honduran General Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture (DIGEPESCA) conducted annual conch surveys between 2006 and 2012(except 2008) in more than 450 sites throughout its fishing grounds (NMFS 2014b). The surveys have shown drama c increases in density sincethe early 2000s (NMFS 2014). Onboard observers verify the conch quotas collected during scien fic surveys, which are capped at 210 MTannually (NMFS 2014b). DIGEPESCA licenses only four vessels to catch conch, and these are tracked using satellites (NMFS 2014b). Becausefisheries-dependent (volume of landings) and -independent (surveys) data are collected regularly to closely monitor the health of the stock andthe fisheries mortality, Seafood Watch deems the scien fic research and monitoring of the Honduran queen conch fishery as "highly effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MARENA) and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) establish annual export quotasbased on the results of the fisheries-independent research for both spiny lobster and queen conch (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014b). These includestudies of distribu on, abundance, and popula on structure (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Fisheries-dependent monitoring informa onincludes data about landings and sales (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014b) (MRAG 2013). Assessments about stock status are conducted regularlyand appear to be robust and complete (MRAG 2013) (Valle-Esquivel 2011). But for spiny lobsters, fishing effort and yields are only available forthe industrial por on of the fishery (roughly 50%) (MRAG 2013). Ar sanal landings and effort for spiny lobsters are not regularly recorded, buttemporary closures of the industrial and ar sanal fisheries are closely monitored at the regional level (MRAG 2013) (INPESCA 2015). Therefore,Seafood Watch deems the scien fic research and monitoring of queen conch and spiny lobsters as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

38

Subfactor 3.1.3 – Scien fic Research and Monitoring

Queen conch and spiny lobsterFisheries-dependent data on catch and fishing effort are collected regularly through a trip cket system and compiled by the Department ofNatural and Environmental Resources, Puerto Rico Fisheries Research Laboratory. The PR Fisheries Research laboratory then reports thesedata to the Na onal Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center, the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CRFM), FAO,and CITES (NMFS 2014). Fisheries-independent data through visual surveys are not conducted regularly.

The most recent territory-wide visual survey for queen conch was conducted nearly 10 years ago in 2006, and there is no informa on onsurveys for spiny lobsters (NMFS 2014). There are no abundance es mates for either species, and target and limit reference points aretherefore calculated from landings data for both species (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Some data collec on related to the stockis collected through fisheries-dependent monitoring, but data may be insufficient to maintain the stock. Thus, Seafood Watch rates the scien ficresearch and monitoring of queen conch and spiny lobsters in Puerto Rico as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchAccording to DEMA (2012b), studies are "urgently needed." DEMA conducted a visual survey in 2015, but the data are not yet available (pers.comm., Claydon 2016). Visual surveys of stock composi on, distribu on, and density have not been conducted since 2001 (DEMA 2012)(DEMA 2012b). Therefore, TAC and stock assessments are based on produc on models (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). The Turksand Caicos Islands regularly collects fisheries-dependent data including catch and fishing effort (Clerveaux et al. 2014) (DEMA 2012). Therefore,Seafood Watch deems this factor as "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThe most recent stock assessment was conducted in 2001 (Clerveaux et al. 2002) (Lockhart et al. 2007). It reported declining catches per uniteffort (CPUEs), that the fishery was opera ng near MSY, and it exceeded the maximum economic yield (Clerveaux et al. 2002) (Lockhart et al.2007). This fishery has con nued to operate as open access, but there are no recent reports on landings and reference points. The data may beinsufficient to maintain the stock; therefore, scien fic research for spiny lobster in the Turks and Caicos is deemed "moderately effec ve."

Hawksbill and green sea turtlesSeveral recent studies by independent researchers and academics have es mated sea turtle catches and abundance in the TCI conch fishery andhave interviewed fishers about their willingness to comply with new regula ons on size and season, and restric ons on harves ng eggs andnes ng females (Stringell et al. 2013) (Stringell et al. 2015) (Richardson et al. 2009). Recent studies have contributed to the formula on of newsea turtle regula ons in an a empt to create a sustainable sea turtle fishery (DEMA 2015). There is much controversy about the feasibility of asustainable sea turtle fishery in the Caribbean (Richardson et al. 2009). Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the scien fic research and monitoringof sea turtles in the TCI as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Conch, lobster, and top shell snailFisheries-dependent data on catch and fishing effort are collected regularly through a trip cket system and compiled by the USVI Departmentof Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) (Cimo, L. et al. 2014). The DPNR then report these data to the Na onal Marine Fisheries ServiceSoutheast Fisheries Science Center, the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CFMC), FAO, and CITES (NMFS 2014) (Cimo, L. et al. 2014).

Queen conchFor queen conch, fisheries-independent data through visual surveys are conducted regularly. The most recent survey was conducted in 2010 andindicated that densi es of adults and juveniles is increasing (NMFS 2014). It appears that the management process is using up-to-date andappropriate methods to monitor the health of the stock and fishing mortality. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the scien fic research andmonitoring of the queen conch in the USVI as "highly effec ve."

Spiny lobsterFisheries-independent data consist of larval recruitment studies conducted by SEAMAP-Caribbean, and a revised stock assessment wasconducted in 2014. The previous stock assessment was conducted in 1991. Landings data in rela on to allowable catch limits (ACL) andoverfishing limits (OFL) are reported by the CFMC. Because of the sporadic assessments of the stock, scien fic research and monitoring of spinylobster is "moderately effec ve."

Top shell snailFisheries-independent data are collected sporadically. For example, (Meyer 2012) collected data on the size distribu on of of top shell snails inthe USVI specifically to compare this distribu on to a protected stock in Bermuda. Prior to this research, the most recent fisheries-independentdata (visual surveys) were reported by (Toller and Gordon 2005). Moreover, landings data are not published. Therefore, Seafood Watch deemsscien fic research and monitoring of the top shell snail in the USVI as "moderately effec ve."

39

Considera ons: How o en (always, some mes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scien fic recommenda ons/advice (e.g. do they setcatch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effec ve ra ng is given if managers nearly always follow scien fic advice.


Ineffec ve

The export quota does not limit conch landings for local consump on, but has been reported to curtail harvests (Gi ens and Braynen 2012).There are no other harvest control rules, the use of compressed air allows fishers to exploit deeper areas that may be providing spawning stock,the number of MPAs is limited, and area-specific management is lacking. It does not appear that the Bahamian Department of NaturalResources is managing queen conch stocks using the most recent scien fic research. Thus, Seafood Watch rates this factor as "ineffec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchThe Fisheries Department establishes new quotas every year based on the abundance surveys (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). Quotas maynot necessarily be based on the best available data. Despite compliance with the quotas, there are high landings of juveniles that are below theminimum size limit (NMFS 2014b). This could indicate that fishing mortality may not be sustainable; thus, the following of exis ng scien ficadvice is "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterAlthough there are size, season, and gear restric ons, there are no controls on fishing effort (Gongora 2010) (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016).Fishing for spiny lobster is open access, but fishers are organized into fishing coopera ves (Gongora 2010). Between 1999 and 2009, CPUE,stock size, and recruitment all declined, indica ng that fishing mortality may not be sustainable; thus, the following of current scien fic advice is"moderately effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Since the closure in 2003, it appears that Honduras is following the advice of CITES and adhering to the 210 MT export quota (NMFS 2014)(NMFS 2014b). It is monitoring stock health and, despite increases in density, Honduras has con nued to limit the fishery to four vessels forscien fic purposes (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Therefore, this factor is deemed "highly effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Recent increases in landings of queen conch were supported by several surveys that documented healthy adult and juvenile abundances anddensi es (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Although there are no reference points for queen conch, Nicaragua has based itsmanagement of queen conch on scien fic surveys. For spiny lobster, the Nicaraguan government calculates the acceptable biological catch(ABC) based on fisheries-independent data and -dependent (CPUE) informa on (MRAG 2013). If the spiny lobster quota is exceeded, thefishery is closed (MRAG 2013). Moreover, based on informa on about the status of the stock, Nicaragua has recently been implemen ngtemporary closures. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates this category as "highly effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchRecent landings are below the OFL, indica ng that management is following scien fic advice (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). But the overfishedstatus of the stock indicates that management had not always or consistently followed scien fic advice (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014) (NMFS2014) (NMFS 2015). Therefore, this factor is deemed "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterLandings between 2008 and 2012 of spiny lobsters in state and federal waters combined are below the federal OFL, indica ng thatmanagement is following scien fic advice for lobsters as well (CFMC 2014). But conflic ng informa on presented in (SEDAR 2005) suggeststhat overfishing may be occurring. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates the management track record for spiny lobsters in Puerto Rico as"moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

40

Subfactor 3.1.4 – Management Record of Following Scien fic Advice

Subfactor 3.1.5 – Enforcement of Management Regula ons

Considera ons: Do fishermen comply with regula ons, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly Effec ve ra ng, there must be regularenforcement of regula ons and verifica on of compliance.

Queen conchThere are years when the actual quota has exceeded the suggested quota (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Fisheries-dependent data are collectedregularly, but as discussed in the previous sec on, data on stock abundance, distribu on, density, and popula on structure are lacking.Therefore, management is based mostly on model projec ons and data on effort and catch (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b) (Clerveaux et al. 2014)(NMFS 2014). This is considered "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThis is an open access fishery. There are restric ons on size and method of capture, as well as seasonal closures and prohibi ons on harves ngberried females (Lockhart et al. 2007). Effort has been increasing while catches have decreased, resul ng in declines in CPUE (Clerveaux et al.2002). The TCI government created a fisheries management plan to establish target and limit reference points, decrease fishing effort, and workwith other countries to increase enforcement (Lockhart et al. 2007). The Department of the Environmental and Coastal Resources hasimplemented some measures in the management plan, including increased fishing license fees to decrease fishing effort, and has prohibitedlocal restaurants and hotels from possessing or offering lobster during the closed season. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems this "moderatelyeffec ve."

Hawksbill and green sea turtlesRecommenda ons discussed in Stringell et al. (2015) to establish a maximum size limit and decrease the minimum size limit for hawksbill andgreen sea turtles were implemented by the TCI government (Stringell et al. 2015). Another recommenda on to implement species-specificseasonal closures was suggested and supported by the majority of fishers who were consulted. A seasonal closure was implemented forhawksbill turtle but not green sea turtle (DEMA 2015). New measures in response to scien fic research that also involved fishers have beenimplemented. Based on the scien fic controversy surrounding the feasibility of a sustainable hawksbill fishery in the Caribbean, combined withtheir highly endangered status, Seafood Watch rates this as "moderately effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Queen conchIt appears that management consistently follows scien fic advice. The USVI queen conch popula ons are managed under the U.S. QueenConch Fisheries Management Plan under the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CFMC) (CFMC 1996). It is in year 10 of a 15-yearrebuilding plan (NMFS 2015). Except for an area east of St. Croix, there is a moratorium on fishing for queen conch in the U.S. EEZ. When the50,000 lb quota in the territorial waters of St. Croix is reached, the fishery in the small por on of the U.S. EEZ also is closed (NMFS 2014). Forease of enforcement, management measures for the territorial and federal waters are iden cal (NMFS 2014). Conch densi es have increasedbetween 2002 and 2010, indica ng that the management measures appear to be effec ve. Therefore, this criterion is "highly effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThe allowable catch limits and overfishing limits appear to be appropriate based on the stock assessment (Olsen et al. 2014). (Olsen et al. 2014)actually recommended that these target and limit mortality reference points for St. Thomas/St. Johns be increased based on the health of thestocks. This indicates that the management measures appear to be effec ve and thus this criterion is "highly effec ve."

Top shell snailThe USVI/DPNR/DFW follows the scien fic advice presented in (Meyer 2012). These include a minimum shell size, seasonal closures, protectedareas, and bag limits in the Virgin Islands Na onal Park (DPNR 2012) (DFW 2005). These measures have resulted in a size structure of the stockthat is similar to a fully protected stock in Bermuda (Meyer 2012). That said, few individuals measured during visual surveys were above theminimum harvest size, promp ng a recommenda on to shi the seasonal closure to cover the peak spawning month of January (Meyer 2012).Thus, management nearly always follows scien fic advice, promp ng a "highly effec ve" ra ng.


Ineffec ve

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force, Police Force, Customs Department, and agricultural officers are responsible for enforcing Bahamian fishingregula ons (Gi ens and Braynen 2012). Specifically for queen conch, they enforce the export quota, ban the use of SCUBA, and authorize thelimited use of compressed air (Gi ens and Braynen 2012). The conch fishery is spread throughout the Bahamas across several islands, whichmakes enforcement of exis ng rules challenging. Also, there are no coopera ves or centralized processing areas to patrol, and fishers clean theconch at sea, some mes underwater (pers. comm., Anonymous 2015). Without the intact shell, it is impossible to enforce the flared liprequirement. Although the CITES export quota is 400,000 lbs of meat, exports in 2014 were 550,000 lbs, indica ng that one of the more easilymonitored management requirements is not being enforced. Therefore, enforcement of the rules managing the queen conch fishery theBahamas is deemed "ineffec ve."

41


Highly Effec ve

Regula ng landings through four fishing coopera ves can improve the monitoring and enforcement of fishing regula ons. A Managed AccessProgram implemented in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund has increased the monitoring and repor ng of catch and decreasedillegal and unreported fishing (CFU 2013). Moreover, each fishing coopera ve is required to submit weekly reports on landings as a condi on ofits Memorandum of Understanding (CFU 2013). The coopera ves will close the fishery if they reach their quota before the end of the season(CFU 2013) (Gongora 2012). The queen conch and spiny lobster fisheries in Belize are regularly monitored and regula ons are enforced, soenforcement is considered "highly effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Onboard observers are used to help verify and quan fy landings so that Honduras stays within the 210 MT annual quota (NMFS 2014b). TheHonduran government licenses only four vessels to catch queen conch and monitors their movements through satellite tracking (NMFS 2014b).Moreover, vessels are required to take their landings only to processing plants authorized for queen conch, and these plants must submit salesdocumenta on to the Fisheries Directorate (NMFS 2014b). Based on this informa on and the restricted exports, it appears that the monitoringand enforcement of queen conch in Honduras is "highly effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Fisheries inspectors of the Nicaraguan Ins tute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) monitor and enforce queen conch and spiny lobstermanagement and protec on rules, and they coordinate with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) (Navarro 2014). Inaddi on, INPESCA communicates with and regularly reports queen conch exports and landings to both CITES and the FAO (Navarro2014). Unfortunately, illegal poaching by fishers from nearby countries has been documented (Navarro 2014) (NMFS 2014). In addi on, anundetermined amount of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing of spiny lobster takes place. This includes illegal fishing of undersizedor berried females, unlicensed vessels, poaching by foreign vessels, and unreported catch (MRAG 2013). But regional municipali esclosely monitor and enforce the temporary closures (INPESCA 2015). Based on the health of the queen conch stocks, it appears that themanagement measures are effec vely enforced. But based on the informa on about spiny lobster, Seafood Watch rates this as "moderatelyeffec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have a coopera ve agreement to jointlyenforce queen conch and spiny lobster fishery regula ons (CFMC 2013). But the patchy distribu on of both species and limited funding,personnel, and equipment render enforcement of the fisheries challenging (CFMC 2013). Agencies therefore rely on voluntary compliance.Thus, Seafood Watch rates enforcement of queen conch and spiny lobster management regula ons in Puerto Rico as "moderately effec ve."


Ineffec ve

Queen conchDEMA (2012b) expressed concerns about poaching by nearby countries, illegal use of compressed air, and landings of undersized/underweightconch (DEMA 2012b). Enforcement is limited by a lack of financial resources, recent departures in personnel, and not enough conserva onofficers patrolling the waters (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Therefore, Seafood Watch rates the enforcement of managementregula ons for the queen conch fishery in the Turks and Caicos Islands as "ineffec ve."

Spiny lobsterAn average of 33% of spiny lobster landings are of undersized individuals, over 40% are immature, and nearly 21% are breeding females (Tewfikand Bene 2004). The lack of compliance is highest in the first month of lobster season and in fisheries that take place in nearshore habitats onthe southwest coast (Tewfik and Bene 2004). Enforcement is believed to be inadequate; therefore, Seafood Watch rates this factor for spinylobster in the TCI as "ineffec ve."

Hawksbill and green sea turtlesUn l recently, the only management of the sea turtle fishery was a minimum size limit (Stringell et al. 2013). The TCI government has recentlyimplemented legisla on requiring a maximum size limit and decreasing the minimum size limit (Stringell et al. 2015). This rule came aboutthrough consulta on with fishers, which indicates a greater likelihood of compliance; however, the regula on is too new to evaluateenforcement. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems this "moderately effec ve."

42

Subfactor 3.1.6 – Management Track Record

Considera ons: Does management have a history of successfully maintaining popula ons at sustainable levels or a history of failing to maintainpopula ons at sustainable levels? A Highly Effec ve ra ng is given if measures enacted by management have been shown to result in the long-term maintenance of species over me.


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conch, spiny lobster, and top shell snailNOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)/Division ofEnvironmental Enforcement have a coopera ve agreement to jointly enforce queen conch fishery regula ons (CFMC 2013). But the patchydistribu on of these species and limited funding, personnel, and equipment render enforcement of the fishery challenging (CFMC 2013).Agencies therefore rely on voluntary compliance. Thus, Seafood Watch rates enforcement of queen conch management regula ons in theUSVI as "moderately effec ve."


Ineffec ve

Current management measures have resulted in stock declines throughout most of the Bahamas, with the excep on of a few more remoteareas and no-take MPAs (Stoner et al. 2013) (Stoner et al. 2014) (NMFS 2014b) (NMFS 2014). Thus, Seafood Watch rates the track record as"ineffec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchThe management track record shows some improvements in the stock since the early 1990s, but the stock s ll may be in an overfishedcondi on (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b) (CFU 2013) (Gongora 2012). As men oned previously, average conch densi es and lengths areincreasing, but the majority of the stock (72%) consists of juveniles, and much of the catch is below the minimum size. Densi es of adults in theno-take protected areas are almost five mes higher than those in fished areas (NMFS 2014), which indicates that more can be done to protectthe fished popula ons. In addi on, as of June 2016, the mul species tenure system that was piloted in the Glover's Reef and Port HondurasMarine Protected areas will be implemented countrywide (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). Because of the mixed success of queen conchmanagement in Belize and the addi on of the new adap ve management strategy, Seafood Watch rates the track record as "moderatelyeffec ve."

Spiny lobsterSome successful management of spiny lobster exists in two marine reserves (Glover's Reef and Port Honduras) with limited-entry fisheries. Asof June 2016, the mul species tenure system that was piloted in the Glover's Reef and Port Honduras Marine Protected areas will beimplemented countrywide (pers. comm., Anonymous 2016). Management measures for the remainder of Belize have resulted in declines inrecruitment and stock size, but the new adap ve management regime is promising. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates the track record for spinylobster as "moderately effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

Prior to 2003, management of the queen conch stock in Honduras was poor and resulted in an overfished popula on with popula on densi esso low it was unlikely to recover (NMFS 2014). A er a 3-year closure, limited commercial exports are authorized only for conch collected duringscien fic surveys (NMFS 2014) (NMFS 2014b). Recent implementa on of a quota, observer coverage, and limited access appear to have beeneffec ve at increasing abundance and stock density to appropriate levels. For these reasons, Seafood Watch rates the recent track record inHonduras as "highly effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Management measures have resulted in the long-term maintenance of the queen conch stock structure and abundance, thus retaining theecosystem integrity. For spiny lobsters, the track record is uncertain. Based on decreasing CPUE, increased fishing effort, and declining sizes ofindividuals, it appears that overfishing of the spiny lobster stock may be occurring.


Moderately Effec ve

43

Subfactor 3.1.7 – Stakeholder Inclusion

Considera ons: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organiza ons thathave an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conserva on groups, etc.). A HighlyEffec ve ra ng is given if the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input.

Queen conchRecent decreases in landings to below the OFL indicate that some management measures may be working (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). As aresult, the NMFS removed queen conch from the list of fisheries that are undergoing overfishing (NMFS 2015). It is s ll in an overfished state,and a visual survey from 2006 indicated that adult densi es were too low to maintain a viable stock (NMFS 2014). The track record appearsuncertain and therefore is considered "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterSpiny lobster landings between 2007 and 2012 decreased (CFMC 2014) (Matos-Caraballo 2012). According to (Matos-Caraballo 2012), thislikely resulted from decreased fishing effort that was precipitated by the economic downturn and higher fuel prices, rather than anymanagement measures. Management measures including minimum carapace length were ins tuted in the mid-1980s in response to possibleoverfishing. Compliance with the minimum carapace length requirement appeared to improve with increased enforcement efforts. In addi on,state and federal landings for all gear types are below the federal OFL, although (SEDAR 2005) reported that spiny lobsters may be undergoingoverfishing. Because of this uncertain track record, Seafood Watch deems this criterion as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conchUn l 2008, the queen conch stock in the Turks and Caicos Islands was considered one of the healthiest in the Caribbean (NMFS 2014). Recentdrama c declines indicate that the management track record is uncertain and needs to address concerns about illegal fishing and habitatloss (DEMA 2012) (DEMA 2012b) (NMFS 2014). Therefore, Seafood Watch deems the management track record as "moderately effec ve."

Spiny lobsterThe management track record is uncertain because stock assessment data are more than 10 years old. Therefore, Seafood Watch deems this as"moderately effec ve."

Sea turtlesPrior to recent legisla on, the only management of sea turtle harves ng was a minimum size limit, which is not an appropriate managementmeasure for highly vulnerable, very long-lived species that reproduce slowly. The newly implemented maximum size requirement as well as theseason closures and prohibi ons from collec ng eggs and nes ng females have not been in place long enough to evaluate. Therefore, SeafoodWatch deems this as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Recent decreases in landings to below the OFL indicate that some management measures may be working (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014). As aresult, the NMFS removed queen conch from the list of fisheries that are undergoing overfishing (NMFS 2015). A visual survey from 2008-2010indicated that densi es were increasing. Average densi es for the three islands combined were above 200 ind/ha, with more than 50% juveniles.Densi es for St. Thomas and St. Croix, therefore, may be above the recommended minimum for reproduc vely viable popula on (100adults/ha) (NMFS 2014). But it is s ll in an overfished state. The track record appears to be improving and therefore is considered "moderatelyeffec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

The Bahamas Department of Marine Resources has co-sponsored several surveys and stock assessments throughout the country (Stoner et al.2009) (Stoner et al. 2013) (Stoner et al. 2014). These assessments have involved local communi es through interviews and surveys (Stoner etal. 2009), and the Department of Marine Resources intends to incorporate the study results into future management strategies (Gi ens andBraynen 2012). But outside of scien fic research, there is no evidence of public involvement in the management of queen conch in theBahamas. Thus, stakeholder inclusion is rated as "moderately effec ve."


Highly Effec ve

44

Factor 3.2: Bycatch Strategy

SCORING GUIDELINES

Four subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy and Implementa on, Scien fic Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scien ficAdvice, and Enforcement of Regula ons. Each is rated as ‘ineffec ve,’ ‘moderately effec ve,’ or ‘highly effec ve.’ Unless reason exists to rateScien fic Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scien fic Advice, and Enforcement of Regula ons differently, these ra ng are the sameas in 3.1.

5 (Very Low Concern)—Rated as ‘highly effec ve’ for all four subfactors considered

4 (Low Concern)—Management Strategy rated ‘highly effec ve’ and all other subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effec ve.’

The Belize Department of Fisheries works closely with the fishing coopera ves, relying on them to monitor landings and comply with theminimum size requirements and fishing methods, to maintain quotas (for queen conch), and to adhere to seasonal restric ons (CFU 2013). Thegovernment involves NGOs, fishing coopera ves, and other stakeholders in public mee ngs and relies on the informa on gathered by theseorganiza ons in se ng new quotas and implemen ng new regula ons. Thus, stakeholder inclusion is considered "highly effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

There is no men on of stakeholder involvement in the management decision-making process for queen conch in Honduras. But the FisheriesDirectorate authorizes a select number of vessels and works closely with processors to gather data on sales and landings. Therefore, SeafoodWatch deems this factor as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Researchers from the Nicaraguan Ins tute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) work closely with fishers and processors to gather data onlandings and to develop standardized weight conversion factors (Navarro 2014). The extent of public par cipa on in the regulatory process isunknown. Therefore, Seafood Watch rates this as "moderate concern."

PUERTO RICO / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERVIRGIN ISLANDS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Moderately Effec ve

Fishers are required to report their catch through a daily trip cket system (Cimo, L. et al. 2014). In addi on, the CFMC considers the socio-economic implica ons of any amendments to their Fisheries Management Plans, and the Fisheries Management Council process typically holdsmee ngs that are open to the public and allow for public input (CFMC 1996) (CFMC 2013) (CFMC 2014).

The rela onship between lobster fishers and the DFW varies by island (Olsen et al. 2014). Fishers in St. Thomas appear to have a posi ve,coopera ve, and collabora ve rela onship with fisheries managers, in which the fisheries are co-managed by government officials and thefishers (Olsen et al. 2014). But fishers in St. Croix harbor feelings of mistrust toward the government, which has resulted in a lack of coopera onand communica on (Olsen et al. 2014). As described by (Olsen et al. 2014), "the failure of the Territorial Government to establish acollabora ve rela onship with the fishing community over the past three decades not only endangered collabora on between two fishermen'sorganiza ons, but also endangers management of the St. Croix resource in the future" (p. 451). Because this is a mul species fishery, thedifferences in stakeholder engagement between St. Thomas and St. Croix likely extend to the queen conch and top shell snail fisheries as well.Therefore, Seafood Watch deems this criterion as "moderately effec ve."


Moderately Effec ve

Queen conch and spiny lobsterIn 2004-2005, the Department of Economics, Planning and Sta s cs conducted a survey to determine local consump on of queen conch(DEMA 2012). The Department of Economics, Planning and Sta s cs plans to develop a stakeholder engagement process (DEMA 2012) (DEMA2012b). In addi on, representa ves of various fishing communi es on the inhabited islands provide input into fisheries management on behalfof their individual communi es (pers. comm., Claydon 2016). Therefore, Seafood Watch rates this factor as "moderately effec ve."

Hawksbill and green sea turtlesRecent discussions about implemen ng new management measures to control the harvest of sea turtles in the TCI have included ac veconsulta on with fishers and have been modified based on their input (Stringell et al. 2015) (Richardson et al. 2009). This recent managementprocess is transparent and includes stakeholder input, and is therefore considered "highly effec ve."

45

3 (Moderate Concern)—All subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effec ve.’

2 (High Concern)—At minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effec ve’ for Management Strategy but some other factors rated‘ineffec ve.’

1 (Very High Concern)—Management exists, but Management Strategy rated ‘ineffec ve.’

0 (Cri cal)—No bycatch management even when overfished, depleted, endangered or threatened species are known to be regularcomponents of bycatch and are substatn ally impacted by the fishery

All species are retained. Therefore, there is no need for a bycatch management strategy.

Subfactor 3.2.3 – Scien fic Research and Monitoring

Considera ons: Is bycatch in the fishery recorded/documented and is there adequate monitoring of bycatch to measure fishery’s impact onbycatch species? To achieve a Highly Effec ve ra ng, assessments must be conducted to determine the impact of the fishery on species ofconcern, and an adequate bycatch data collec on program must be in place to ensure bycatch management goals are being met

Subfactor 3.2.4 – Management Record of Following Scien fic Advice

Considera ons: How o en (always, some mes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scien fic recommenda ons/advice (e.g., do they setcatch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effec ve ra ng is given if managers nearly always follow scien fic advice.

Subfactor 3.2.5 – Enforcement of Management Regula ons

Considera ons: Is there a monitoring/enforcement system in place to ensure fishermen follow management regula ons and what is the level offishermen’s compliance with regula ons? To achieve a Highly Effec ve ra ng, there must be consistent enforcement of regula ons andverifica on of compliance.

FACTOR 3.2: BYCATCH STRATEGY

Region / MethodAllKept Cri cal Strategy Research Advice Enforce

Bahamas / Northwest Atlan c / Diver Yes No HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

HighlyEffec ve

Belize / Caribbean Sea / Hand collected Yes

Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diver Yes

Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diver Yes

Puerto Rico / Caribbean Sea / Diver Yes

Turks and caicos islands / Northwest Atlan c / Handcollected

Yes

Virgin Islands / Caribbean Sea / Diver Yes


Highly Effec ve


Highly Effec ve


Highly Effec ve


Highly Effec ve

46

Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem

This Criterion assesses the impact of the fishery on seafloor habitats, and increases that base score if there are measures in place to mi gateany impacts. The fishery’s overall impact on the ecosystem and food web and the use of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM)principles is also evaluated. Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management aims to consider the interconnec ons among species and all natural andhuman stressors on the environment.

The final score is the geometric mean of the impact of fishing gear on habitat score (plus the mi ga on of gear impacts score) and theEcosystem Based Fishery Management score. The Criterion 2 ra ng is determined as follows:




Ra ng cannot be Cri cal for Criterion 4.

Criterion 4 Summary

Impacts of the queen conch fisheries on the ecosystem and habitat are low to very low. Queen conch are hand collected by free diving or usingcompressed air. Two countries, Belize and the Turks and Caicos Islands, prohibit the use of compressed air, while the other countries allow diversto use either SCUBA, hookah, or both. There are possible minimal indirect habitat impacts of boat anchors on the substrate (reefs or seagrassbeds, CRFM 2014), but because no gear is involved, there are no direct impacts of the gear on the substrate. Queen conch is a benthic grazer anddoes not play an excep onal role in the ecosystem. It does not appear that the fisheries have had nega ve gene c impacts to the stocks, but thegene c diversity of queen conch in the Caribbean is currently being inves gated.


SCORING GUIDELINES

Factor 4.1 - Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate

5 (None) - Fishing gear does not contact the bo om

4 (Very Low) - Ver cal line gear

3 (Low)—Gears that contacts the bo om, but is not dragged along the bo om (e.g. gillnet, bo om longline, trap) and is not fished on sensi ve habitats. Bo om seine on resilient mud/sand habitats. Midwater trawl that is known to contact bo om occasionall

2 (Moderate)—Bo om dragging gears (dredge, trawl) fished on resilient mud/sand habitats. Gillnet, trap, or bo om longline fished onsensi ve boulder or coral reef habitat. Bo om seine except on mud/sand

1 (High)—Hydraulic clam dredge. Dredge or trawl gear fished on moderately sensi ve habitats (e.g., cobble or boulder)

0 (Very High)—Dredge or trawl fished on biogenic habitat, (e.g., deep-sea corals, eelgrass and maerl)Note: When mul ple habitat types are commonly encountered, and/or the habitat classifica on is uncertain, the score will be based on themost sensi ve, plausible habitat type.

Region / MethodGear Type andSubstrate

Mi ga on of GearImpacts EBFM Score

Bahamas / Northwest Atlan c / Diver 4.00: Very LowConcern

0.25: Minimal Mi ga on 4.00: LowConcern

Green(4.123)

Belize / Caribbean Sea / Hand collected 4.00: Very LowConcern


Green(4.123)

Honduras / Caribbean Sea / Diver 4.00: Very LowConcern

0.00: No Effec veMi ga on

4.00: LowConcern

Green(4.000)

Nicaragua / Caribbean Sea / Diver 4.00: Very LowConcern


Green(4.123)

Puerto Rico / Caribbean Sea / Diver 4.00: Very LowConcern


Green(4.123)

Turks and caicos islands / Northwest Atlan c / Handcollected

4.00: Very LowConcern

0.00: No Effec veMi ga on

4.00: LowConcern

Green(4.000)

Virgin Islands / Caribbean Sea / Diver 4.00: Very LowConcern


Green(4.123)

47

+1 (Strong Mi ga on)—Examples include large propor on of habitat protected from fishing (>50%) with gear, fishing intensity low/limited,gear specifically modified to reduce damage to seafloor and modifica ons shown to be effec ve at reducing damage, or an effec vecombina on of ‘moderate’ mi ga on measures.

+0.5 (Moderate Mi ga on)—20% of habitat protected from fishing with gear or other measures in place to limit fishing effort, fishingintensity, and spa al footprint of damage caused from fishing.

+0.25 (Low Mi ga on)—A few measures are in place (e.g., vulnerable habitats protected but other habitats not protected); there are somelimits on fishing effort/intensity, but not ac vely being reduced

0 (No Mi ga on)—No effec ve measures are in place to limit gear impacts on habitats

Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

5 (Very Low Concern)—Substan al efforts have been made to protect species’ ecological roles and ensure fishing prac ces do not havenega ve ecological effects (e.g., large propor on of fishery area is protected with marine reserves, and abundance is maintained at sufficientlevels to provide food to predators)

4 (Low Concern)—Studies are underway to assess the ecological role of species and measures are in place to protect the ecological role ofany species that plays an excep onally large role in the ecosystem. Measures are in place to minimize poten ally nega ve ecological effect ifhatchery supplementa on or fish aggrega ng devices (FADs) are used.

3 (Moderate Concern)—Fishery does not catch species that play an excep onally large role in the ecosystem, or if it does, studies areunderway to determine how to protect the ecological role of these species, OR nega ve ecological effects from hatchery supplementa on orFADs are possible and management is not place to mi gate these impacts

2 (High Concern)—Fishery catches species that play an excep onally large role in the ecosystem and no efforts are being made to incorporatetheir ecological role into management.

1 (Very High Concern)—Use of hatchery supplementa on or fish aggrega ng devices (FADs) in the fishery is having serious nega veecological or gene c consequences, OR fishery has resulted in trophic cascades or other detrimental impacts to the food web.

Factor 4.1 - Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate

Factor 4.2 - Mi ga on of Gear Impacts

BAHAMAS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVERBELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTEDHONDURAS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERNICARAGUA / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERPUERTO RICO / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTEDVIRGIN ISLANDS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Very Low Concern

Queen conch are hand collected through free diving or the use of compressed air, so there is no gear involved. But there are possible indirecteffects of anchoring boats that carry the divers/snorkelers to and from the reef (CFMC 2014). According to CFMC (2014, p. 113), queen conchharvest "is expected to have li le to no adverse direct effects on the physical environment in general, including Acropora species and theirdesignated cri cal habitat." Therefore, Seafood Watch considers the habitat effects of the fishery as "very low" concern.


Minimal Mi ga on

The Bahamas has no quotas on taking queen conch, and fishers are using hookah farther and farther offshore (See Criterion 3). But it does havea series of no-take marine reserves. Keeping in mind that diver impacts to the seafloor are minimal, we rate this as "minimal" mi ga on.


Minimal Mi ga on

Impacts on the seafloor from divers is minimal. Belize has implemented a network of mul -use marine reserves, prohibits the use of SCUBA,and has seasonal quotas. Therefore, habitat mi ga on in Belize is "minimal."


No Effec ve Mi ga on

48

Factor 4.2 - Mi ga on of Gear Impacts

Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

Diver impacts to the seafloor are minimal. Catch and exports are limited, but there is no men on of marine protected areas or seasonalclosures. Therefore, "no effec ve" mi ga on is in place.


Minimal Mi ga on

There is a seasonal closure, but no men on of any marine protected areas or quotas. Diver impacts to marine habitats are minimal. SeafoodWatch scores this as "minimal" mi ga on.


Minimal Mi ga on

Puerto Rico implements seasonal closures during spawning and daily quotas. Fishing for queen conch in the US EEZ is prohibited. Diver impactsto the seafloor are minimal. Seafood Watch rates mi ga on of gear impacts as "minimal."


No Effec ve Mi ga on

Alhtough diver impacts to the habitat are minimal, there is no men on of season or area closures, and quotas are frequently exceeded. Thus,there is "no effec ve" mi ga on.


Minimal Mi ga on

Seasonal closures, quotas, and a prohibi on on fishing in the US EEZ, combined with the minimal impacts to habitats by divers, contribute to a"minimal" mi ga on score.

BAHAMAS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, DIVERBELIZE / CARIBBEAN SEA, HAND COLLECTEDHONDURAS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERNICARAGUA / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERPUERTO RICO / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVERTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, HAND COLLECTEDVIRGIN ISLANDS / CARIBBEAN SEA, DIVER

Low Concern

Larval transport occurs throughout the Caribbean and gene c studies have found high diversity in adjacent se led areas (NMFS 2014).Popula on sources and sinks are unknown and it has been recommended that each stock be managed as if it were self-recrui ng (NMFS 2014).But researchers with the Smithsonian Ins tute for Biodiversity Genomics and the Global Genome Ini a ve are inves ga ng the gene cdiversity of queen conch throughout the Caribbean (h p://nmnh.typepad.com/). Ul mately, the DNA database created by these researcherscan be used to iden fy and combat poaching and unreported fishing (h p://nmnh.typepad.com/).

Queen conch is a benthic grazer, ea ng seagrass detritus (NMFS 2014), and is not a species of excep onal importance. Some countries also havemarine protected areas where fishing is prohibited, but they may not necessarily be a substan al propor on of the habitat. Therefore, SeafoodWatch deems the ecosystem effects of the queen conch fisheries throughout the Caribbean as "low" conserva on concern.

49

Acknowledgements

Scien fic review does not cons tute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch® program, or its seafood recommenda ons, on the part of thereviewing scien sts. Seafood Watch® is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

Seafood Watch would like to thank four anonymous peer reviewers for graciously reviewing this report for scien fic accuracy.

50

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Appendix A: Extra By Catch Species

Green sea turtle






High

Green sea turtle is a large species (300-350 lbs and 3-4 ) that is long-lived (80-100 years), matures late (20-50 years), and reproduces slowly(breeding every 2-4 years). Consequently, their popula ons are vulnerable to anything that can cause high mortality rates, especially high ratesof adult mortality. Among other factors, high mortality rates can be caused by interac ons with fishing gear and bycatch (fromh p://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/green.htm and h p://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/imperiled/profiles/rep les/green-sea-turtle/).


Very High Concern

Green sea turtle in the North Atlan c is listed as "Endangered" under the IUCN Red List and as "Threatened" under the U.S. EndangeredSpecies Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). It is also listed under Appendix I of the Conven on on Interna onal Trade in Endangered Species ofWild Flora and Fauna (CITES). CITES prohibits the interna onal trade of Appendix I species. Threats to green sea turtle include fisheriesbycatch, habitat destruc on, exploita on (hun ng), egg preda on, light pollu on, and climate change. These have caused worldwide popula ondeclines over the past three genera ons (h p://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4615/0). Thus, its abundance is rated as "very high" concern.


Moderate Concern

The conch fishery in TCI is a small-scale, mul species fishery that also targets spiny lobster and opportunis cally takes hawksbill and green seaturtles (Stringell et al. 2013) (DEMA 2012). A recent study es mated that the minimum annual catch of green sea turtle in TCI wasbetween 176 and 324 individuals (2.90-6.82 MT) (Stringell et al. 2013). None of the sea turtles was a mature individual, but 50% were belowlegal size limits (Stringell et al. 2013). Aside from a minimum size limit, there are no management measures regula ng the green sea turtlefishery in TCI. But there are regula ons prohibi ng harvest of eggs and nes ng females (DEMA 2015). There was no associa on between greensea turtle catch and the conch fishery, but green turtle catch decreased with increased spiny lobster CPUEs (Stringell et al. 2013). Therefore,green sea turtle mortality in the TCI queen conch fishery is of "moderate" concern.


< 20%


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Queen conch - Ocean Wise Seafood · Queen conch is a benthic grazer and does not play an excep onal...

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