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the percent of exports from certified suppliers. Each

fishery certified covers a particular species (e.g., spiny

lobster) in a particular place (e.g., Belize). The size of

the area contained in that fishery depends on the

species population dynamics and on the data used to

demonstrate sustainable management.

Usefulness

This indicator can be considered a proxy for the

likelihood of successful, sustainable management of

the primary fisheries in the region, with an increasing

percent of eco-certified fisheries indicating an

increased likelihood of successful management.

By comparing the trends in fisheries certification to

trends in population abundance (e.g., D10 -- Conch

Abundance and D11 -- Spiny Lobster Abundance)

and fisheries yields (D9 -- Volume of Production),

Sergio Hoare / WCS

the effectiveness of certification as a strategy for

sustainable marine resource use can be evaluated.

As the queen conch is listed under the CITES

However, fisheries production is not a closed system.

convention, conch exports are allowed only by

Products sold in local markets go largely unmeasured

countries that demonstrate adequate management

-- in terms of both volume of production and total

of their stocks. Thus Mexico and Belize have

monetary value. Conservation efforts within marine

demonstrated some degree of adequate management

protected areas can also contribute to improved

of their conch fisheries, although the requirements

viability of the species. Therefore, the attribution of

for CITES are much less stringent than actual eco-

success to the certification scheme must be balanced

certification schemes developed by the MSC.

against these other factors that also influence the

Honduras was banned from exporting conch in 2004

long-term viability of the species and sustainability of

due to concerns of overexploitation (including citations

fisheries activities.

related to illegal and undersize harvesting).

Status

Wild-caught shrimp are an unlikely candidate for eco-

certification due to the ecological damage and by-

The largest marine export products in the region are

catch resulting from shrimp trawling. One exception

lobster, conch and shrimp. Although export production

exists for the very small-scale artisanal shrimp

volumes for these species are well documented, no

harvest using cast nets. However, appropriately sited

eco-certification programs have yet to be established

and well-managed shrimp aquaculture does have the

in the MAR.

potential for some type of eco-certification, with two

such efforts now underway in Belize (through WWF

A feasibility study was conducted by WWF for the

and Environmental Defense).

Banco Chinchorro, Mexico, lobster fishery28. This

study highlighted some difficulties for attaining

Data

Data Needs

MSC certification for any relatively small area in the

Caribbean due to the long larval stage of lobster and

Information needed to define certification data

the wide range of the meta-population. However,

parameters include the following:

continuing research on larval connectivity is reducing

the spatial envelope of connectivity, and now similar

· Natural population abundance (densities) over

certification efforts are underway with the Sian Ka'an

time,

Biosphere Reserve lobster fishery (also in Mexico).

· Catch per unit effort over time,

An example of a certified lobster fishery (outside the

· Minimum size and weight requirements for

MAR but in Mexico) is the Gulf of California lobster

extraction,

fishery, which was recently certified by the MSC.

As an alternative to the requirements of full MSC

· Prescribed harvesting seasons,

certification, several organizations have supported

regional efforts to establish "better management

· Restricted fishing zones, and

practices" in the lobster and conch fisheries as a first

D8

step toward potential certification within the MAR29.

· Accepted fishing gear and methods.

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