Malden W. Miller CREP Demonstration Project Manager [email protected]

TOWARDS A FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN for the NEGRIL MARINE PARK

Jamaica in the Caribbean

MAP OF JAMAICA SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE NEGRIL MARINE PARK

STUDY SITE • The Negril Marine Park (NMP) is managed by an NGO • The Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society (NCRPS) • Area of NMP 160 sq. Km • From Davis Cove in the north to St. Johns Point in the south • Including 7 miles of white sand beach

METHOD • Consultations with fishers commenced in June 2005….Follow up Meetings in November 2005 • We listened……………..mainly ☺ • 8 Major fishing communities were targeted • Little Bay, Homers Cove, Salmon Point, Davis Cove, Cousins Cove, Orange Bay, Green Island & South Negril River • Approximately 80 fishers participated

ISSUES • • • • • • • • •

Threats to fisheries, fish nurseries and habitats Fisheries management strategies Education Marine Park permitting and licensing system for fishers Fines and penalties for breach of fisheries legislations Fisheries Management Plan and co-management Data Alternative livelihoods Fishers organizations

FISHERS COMMENTS PRIOR TO MEETING • Why are you here?

• Here to oppress fishers! • What did you bring for us? • Get off the beach!! • GO TO HELL!!!! #@%&!^>?#$% • The usual friendly greeting • Mainly South Negril River

FISHERS COMMENTS Threats

• Poor agricultural practices (sediment, fertilizers, pesticides) • Tourism, coastal development • Global warming, hurricanes • Improper waste disposal (sewage, garbage) • Poor fishing practices: seine nets, dynamite

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

• Fish traps: Use 1 ¼” or 1 ½ “ mesh ideal 1 ½” was “starvation wire” • 90% supported banning seine nets. • Some seine net fishers were willing to increase the net size, change gear type but wanted to look at options first, or not change at all. • Keep dynamite out of the area. What were the Rangers doing about this?

Education & Permit System for Fishers, Penalties , FMP, Co-mgt

• Education was important for younger generation • Majority in favor of permit and licensing system once it was explained • Harsher penalties: Warning for first offence, fine (>$50,000) and confine for 2nd, 3rd offence • In favor of a Fisheries Mgt. Plan and comanagement. Willing to become wardens

Data, Alternative livelihoods, Fishers Organizations

• Data was important and willing to share info • Willing to discuss alternatives. Older fishers: Difficult to change at my age. • Fishers Organizations were important but efforts to date have failed.

LESSONS LEARNT (1)

• Important to involve stakeholders early • Their involvement heightens the sense of ownership and involvement in decision-making • Leads towards effective enforcement, self policing • Critical to have a venue that encourages full participation • Stronger working relations between NMP and fishers – need more informal meetings

LESSONS LEARNT (2)

• Meetings are a useful tool in getting fishers involved in the decision-making • Important to have the government fisheries division at all meetings • Active participation and empowerment of stakeholders in the development of the plan and is important in its successful implementation

LESSONS LEARNT (3)

• Public awareness campaigns are important to level the playing field • Hands on training for fishers THE END Thanks to: Counterpart Caribbean (funding), CERMES (technical support), NCRPS, & CREP.