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enhancing marine sustainability and potentiating the blue economy

FAO LAC Shrimp By-Catch

By IW:LEARN

June 20^th, 2018

As nets open, hundreds of pounds of squirming and shimmering fish, crabs, corals and starfishes slam onto the deck. A couple of fishers crouch down, pick a few brownish shrimp and valuable fish out of the mass and unceremoniously dumb the rest overboard. This is the enduring image of tropical shrimp bottom trawling. Fortunately, the days of astronomical bycatch ratios, where 15 to 20 kilograms of fish were caught per kilogram of shrimp are slowly coming to an end. Strong public condemnation, a desire by fishers to improve their fishing practices and an international and national effort, led GEF, FAO and countless partners to transform wasted resources for a sustainable future.

Funded by GEF through IW, the REBYC-II LAC Project is executed by FAO and dozens of partners in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. REBYC-II LAC partners are creating a context where bottom trawl fisheries commit to sustainably through co-management and an ecosystem approach to fisheries.

Bottom trawling in Latin America and the Caribbean has a dubious history but is also a significant driver of job creation and income in many economically depressed areas. Shrimp–both farmed and wild caught- is the second most valuable seafood export in the region- making it a significant source of hard cash. It is a key source of employment, such as in Costa Rica, where just 30 boats provided livelihoods to almost two thousand people. Additionally, many fisher-women work in bottom trawling post-harvest activities and in the distribution and sale of fresh or processed fish derived from bycatch. REBYC-II LAC supports actions to guarantee employment, income and livelihoods of communities involved in this fishery.

The social and economic benefits of bottom trawling are often obscured by negative environmental impacts –particularly the volume of bycatch described above. With project support, this is also changing. Earlier this year, the Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (INVEMAR) of Colombia and its partners in the private sector, tested a prototype net in the deep-water shrimp trawl fishery off the Pacific Coast. The prototype net- which is made with newer lighter materials and contains both a turtle excluder device and a bycatch reduction device- was developed through a participatory and cooperative approach involving INVEMAR, vessel owners and captains, net makers, NGOs, and various Government Agencies and with the technical support of experts from NOAA (United States) and INAPESCA (Mexico). After the first series of field tests, preliminary results show a bycatch reduction of 20%. The lower weight and drag of the net also reduced fuel usage 25%. Fuel savings lower carbon emissions and increase profitability. In an economically depressed region such as the Pacific Coast of Colombia, the potential impact of these changes is considerable for all coastal fishers, not only those involved in trawling. Other REBYC-II LAC countries are reporting similar results. When bycatch reduction is added to other management measures such as closed seasons and spatial planning the fishery itself can move towards sustainability.

If the collaborative work between national and regional partners continues bottom trawling fishing practices across the region may significantly and lastingly change. The project is showing that when bycatch is effectively managed and utilized, it can contribute to food and nutrition security and constitute an important source of food for local populations.

This story provides an illustration of how GEF IW projects are already addressing themes in the new GEF IW strategy for the 7th GEF Replenishment. In this case the story highlights how projects can address Objective 1. Strengthening Blue Economy opportunities. In GEF-7, investments will be strengthening nations Blue Economy opportunities, through three areas of strategic action: 1) sustaining healthy coastal and marine ecosystems; 2) catalyzing sustainable fisheries management; and, 3) addressing pollution reduction in marine environments.