Unsustainable Fishing Practices Prompt Urgent Call for Change by Authorities

Authorities on Friday raised alarm over unsustainable fishing practices, warning that the capture of juvenile fish and overfishing could imperil both the food source and tourism.

The Fisheries Division issued an urgent appeal to fisherfolk to adopt more sustainable practices, particularly regarding the catching of undersized fish and intensive fishing of single species.

Speaking during a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) tour, Raliyah Green, data collection officer at the division, encouraged fishermen to stop these unsustainable practices.

“When it comes to sustainable fishing, we at Fisheries are trying to stop the fishermen from overfishing one species of fish because when you overfish a species, the chance of you getting adult fish lessens the more you fish that species,” she said.

“Sometimes, especially when the sailing boats go out and catch jacks or the ice boats catch dolphins or any type of fish, you will find that they have some juveniles. While you cannot prevent juveniles from being with the bigger fish, we [want that] if a fisherman is at sea and he catches a juvenile fish and he realises that, [we want him] to release it back [into the sea] so that it can become an adult.”

Green noted that catching juvenile fish reduces the likelihood of catching adult fish from certain areas and, over time, could negatively impact the industry. Most of the juvenile fish being caught are dolphins, along with reef fish such as chubs and potfish, she added.

Green stressed that Barbados’ tourism sector, as well as the local population, depended heavily on fresh fish, and the Fisheries Division wanted sustainable practices maintained to ensure multiple generations had access to an abundance of fish.

“It is a very big concern because one of the attractions of Barbados is fish. No fish and we would be losing a part of Barbados, so we need fish,” she said. “So it would be great if the fishermen put back the fish once they are alive. It doesn’t take that long for fish to mature, but if you catch a fish less than five pounds, that would be considered a juvenile and that is what we are trying to avoid.”

Several fishermen over the years have complained that it is harder to fish now than before. They report having to go out further and stay out at sea longer for bountiful catches.

To address this issue, the Fisheries Division has set up Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), floating devices placed in various areas of the island’s waters to attract fish.

“They were placed in different areas around the island so the fishermen can go to those sites and catch fish because it’s an attraction site for the fish. Adult fish go to the FADs, and fishermen catch them and bring them back, giving the juvenile fish a chance to become adults. Not every fisherman goes to a FAD every day, but when you do, the chances of you catching big fish increase,” Green explained.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb