Abstract

Data collection within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fish sanctuaries have traditionally been done by teams of scientist with specialized skills. The Caribbean Fish Sanctuary Partnership (C-FISH) Initiative has, so far, initiated the Community-based Live Fish (CLIF) methodology in five fish sanctuaries or MPAs in Jamaica and one in the Eastern Caribbean. This methodology involves fishers, wardens and community members, utilizing activities similar to fishing methods they already employ in the trap fishery within their respective islands. CLIF involves catching fish using tradi-tional fish traps over a one month period, with two day soak times. Fish were anesthetised using a natural product (clove oil), identified, weighed, and measured. After recovery from the anesthetic, fish were released using a specially de-signed container to ensure safe transition to the reef without being predated on. Here we present preliminary results from the first round of CLIF monitoring in fish sanctuaries in Jamaica (Oracabessa, Bluefields, Salt Harbour and Gallea-on). Mean fish biomass per trap inside the sanctuaries ranged from 0.18 ? 0.05kg – 0.46 ? 0.08kg, Bluefields and Oracabessa respectively; While mean fish biomass per trap outside the sanctuaries ranged from 0.09 ? 0.04 kg – 0.42 ? 0.17 kg, in Oracabessa and Galleon respectively. All things being equal the value of fish catches to a fisher using ten traps (seven traps inside the sanctuary and three traps outside) over a period of one month, based on current market prices, ranges from US$ 140.40 – 269.76 in Bluefields and Galleon, respectively.

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