UPDATES CFMC
July 2024
In the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC)'s bulletin you will find announcements, facts about marine species, and valuable information on fishing rules and regulations for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
SHARING FISHERIES SCIENCE IN THE CARIBBEAN
BY MEAGHAN EMORY
Fisheries scientists and managers visited St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to share knowledge about fisheries science and the fisheries management process, with local fishing communities.
of the
More than 50 persons attended a 3-day workshop on fisheries science and management as part of the Marine Resource Education Program. There were 34 participants, 15 presenters (nine from NOAA Fisheries and CFMC staff members), two moderators, five guest visitors, and two staff members Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Representatives from recreational and commercial fishing communities across the U.S. Virgin Islands attended the workshop.
Participants
2024 Marine Resource Education Program in St Croix, U S Virgin Islands Photo courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Following items were discussed at the workshop:
History and overview of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
How Fishery Management Councils work
How fisheries scientific data is used in decisionmaking process
Fish population dynamics and stock assessments
How socio-economic considerations are incorporated in decision-making process
How fishers and stakeholders are involved in the management process
The Marine Resource Education Program is facilitated by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and led by fishers for fishers to:
Learn the nuts and bolts of marine fisheries science and management
Demystify acronyms and vocabulary
Acquire the tools and knowledge for an effective engagement in their regional Fishery Management Council
Connect with key regional fishery science and management experts
With this purpose, the program helps to organize led by fishers workshops in several regions across the U.S. The first U.S. Virgin Islands workshop was held on 2017 in St. Thomas, USVI This year was the first time the Fisheries Science & Management Workshop took place on St. Croix, and it was a huge success.
Participants removed otoliths (earbones) from fish and learned how these are used to determine a fish’s age Photo courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
Several fisheries scientists and managers presented at the 2024 Marine Resource Education Program in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
NOAA Fisheries representatives at the Marine Resource Education Program in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in May 2024.
Attendees participated in several group activities during the 2024 Marine Resource Education Program in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
https://mrep.gmri.org/ https://mrep.gmri.org/.
