Abstract

Expansion of the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands led to development of a fishery for spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). Spiny lobster was not a traditional element of the Virgin Islands diet, but it has become one of the Virgin Islands most important fisheries and supplies an important product to local restaurants and hotels. Members of the St. Thomas Fishermen’s Association have undertaken a tag and recapture study of the fishery in St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix. Preliminary results were presented at the 66th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute meeting in 2013, but tag recaptures have continued through November of 2016. The additional data have permitted calculation of refined growth, movement, mortality and population size estimates and provided additional information about movement of the resource in St. Thomas and St. John. Analysis of historical data collected by the Territorial Government has provided information about long-term trends in average carapace length and mortality. Management recommendations are provided which point out problems with the current quota system required by the Magnusan-Stevens Act. The project is a clear indication of the value of collaboration between fishermen and fishery managers.

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