Utilization of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve by artisanal fishermen

Boulon, Ralf; Clavijo, Ileana

Catch and landings on St. John are described for a sixmonth period (January to June 1981). Methods include port interviews, annual catch reports, informal interviews and questionnaires. Resources taken near or landed on St. John by 28 commercial fishermen were categorized into ten different fishing methods. Landings for the period of study total 16,067 pounds (fish, shellfish and crustaceans) for a total value of $38,221. West-Indian fish traps represent the greatest proportion of the landings followed by bottom longline and handlines. The subsistence fishermen were interviewed and were found to set from one to ten fish traps and some handline fishing. Traps are usually hauled on the weekends and yield from six to fifty pounds of fish per month. Fish are used to supplement the diet provided from regular income. Most, if not all of the commercial fishing activities take place outside of the Biosphere Reserve. The major impact is socio-economic. rather than resource utilization. The primary resource use impact within the Biosphere Reserve comes from subsistence and recreational fishermen. The majority of subsistence level fishing takes place from Rams Head to East End and south of Cruz Bay. Total fish traps observed in Biosphere Reserve waters are less than two dozen. All lobstering in NPS waters is done by hand and is concentrated around Fish and Reef Bays where grassbeds are more abundant. Hook fish taken in NPS waters is mainly limited to bottom fishing and trolling by recreational vessels, both of which are nearly impossible to sample. BVI fishermen do not appear to fish in these water preferring their own waters which are less overfished. It appears that little intensive fishing takes place within the Biosphere Reserve/National Park. This area may serve as a refuge for many individuals that would be harvested if they were outside the Biosphere Reserve. This protected area may also serve as a recruitment source and emigration base for areas outside the Biosphere Reserve where fishing pressure is greater. Even with little fishing, the numbers, sizes and species composition could be affected by more intensive fishing outside the Biosphere Reserve thus, creating an external vacuum producing the same effect as overfishing.