Abstract

Deepwater red snappers (Lutjanidae) support valuable fisheries throughout the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). Management of these fisheries, where it exists, is based on the single-species approach. Life history traits such as slow growth and spawning aggregation make snappers highly vulnerable to overfishing, and their essential habitats are under increasing threat from human activities. The limited potential yield in the WCR means that this resource is likely to become quickly overcapitalised and overexploited. Being top predators and keystone species, reduction in the abundance of snappers could have profound adverse impacts on the whole ecosystem. In this chapter, a number of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) measures for deep slope snappers are discussed. The impacts on fishers and the demands on the countries would have to be considered when developing EBFM plans for these species. The low potential yield favours small to medium-scale fisheries for deepwater snappers in the WCR.

Introduction

Deepwater snappers support valuable artisanal, commercial and recreational fisheries throughout their range, including in the WCR. Many deepwater fish stocks are exploited beyond sustainable levels and some have already collapsed (Koslow et al. 2000; Morato et al. 2006; Clark et al. 2006). Overexploitation is also evident in the deepwater snapper fisheries throughout the WCR. It is widely acknowledged that fisheries management needs to move from a single-species approach to one that integrates ecosystem considerations. EBFM is an improvement over single-species management because it ensures that the health and productivity of ecosystems will be maintained, and provides the foundation for long-term sustainability of the fisheries they support. This chapter, which is not meant to be exhaustive, presents a brief discussion of what the ecosystem approach would entail for management of deep slope snappers in the WCR, and the underlying biological, ecological and socio-economic considerations.

Red Snapper Fisheries and Their Status in the Caribbean

There is a long history of fishing for deepwater snappers in the WCR, with several species targeted in artisanal, commercial and recreational fisheries. The US has the highest annual landings of snappers (over 2,000 tonnes/ yr), while in the southern Caribbean, Venezuela had the highest landings with over 3,800 tonnes in 2003 (FAO 2005a).