Three Year Summary Report Cooperative Fishery Statistics Program

Tobias, William

The Division of Fish and Wildlife maintained computerized commerical fisherman license and landings database files and conducted bioprofile sampling of spiny lobsters and reef fishes in fulfillment of its requirements as particpant in the State/Federal Cooperative Statistics Program. For the period April 1993-March 1994, April 1994-March 1995 and April 1995-March 1996, the Division of Fish and Wildlife maintained computerized commercial fishermen license and landings database files and conducted bioprofile sampling of spiny lobsters and reef fishes in fulfillment of its requirements as participant in the State/Federal Cooperative Statistics Program. The number of commercial fishermen registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands during the fishing year (July-June) decreased by 24% from 1993-1994 (474) to 1995-1996 (362). A total of 17,554 trips were made in 1993-1994 compared to 12,271 trips in 1995-1996, representing a 30% reduction in fishing effort. In September 1995, the Virgin Islands sustained a direct hit by Hurricane Marilyn which impacted all aspects of the commercial fishing industry. Reported landings and value for the commercial fisheries resources in the U.S. Virgin Islands were 1,409,188 pounds/$5,647,731 for 1993-1994, 1,361,542 pounds/$5,377,168 for 1994-1995 and 960,194 pounds/$3,860,871 for 1995-1996. The price per pound of fisheries resources landed in the territory remained stable for the three--year period with the exception of conch increasing to $5.00/pound on St. Croix. Fish pots, line fishing and net fishing were the most popular fishing methods employed representing 43%, 26% _and 14%, respectively, of the total landings for the three-year period. Although similar fiShing methods are used on both island groups, significant differences exist in the fishery due to habitat type, insular shelf platform size, proximity to deep water, geographical location and ethnic background of the fishermen. Reporting efficiency by commercial fishermen was improved by increasing communication between data collectors and the fishermen. A New Catch Record Form was introduced in 1994- 1995 on St. Croix to increase data collection and fisheries management capability. The New Form provides for the collection of fishing effort data and requires catch to be recorded by individual family group instead of fishing category. Biostatistical data were obtained on 2,465 lobster from 201 interviews and 24,886 reef fish from 260 interviews during the three-year period.