Abstract

The oceanic pelagic fishery has historically been the most important commercial fishery of national importance in Trinidad and Tobago. The flying fish fishery accounts for about 70-90% of the total weight of pelagic landings at beaches on the leeward side of Tobago (pandohee 1996). Fishing effort is seasonal from November of one year to July of the next year. The flying fish fleet consisted of about 75 pirogues and one iceboat between 1988 - 1991. It employed approximately 125 fishermen. Fishing practices involved the use gillnets, small dip-nets and the occasional hook-and-line method. The latterwas used to obtain fresh baitneeded in the capture of larger pelagics. Landings for the 1990/91 fishing season were estimated at about 359 mt, with an ex-vessel value of at least TT$395,OOO, and a retail value in excess of TT$790,OOO. Catches were landed at five locations where they were transported by jeeps and "pick-up vans" to the three processing plants on the island at the time. Approximately 75-80% of the processed flying fish continues to be exported. The major portion goes to Barbados and other Caribbean islands. In 1991, one processor secured an order of 40 mt whole flying fish to Japan. Management strategies pertaining to this fishery focus on defining the limits of foreign fishing effort. In January 1991 Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados signed a fishing agreement, which included provisions for Barbadian flying fish vessels to operate off Tobago (Samlalsingh et al. 1992). The pelagic fleet originally consisted of open wooden (bumboats) sailing boats of about 12ft in length, propelled by oars. Following extensive damage to the fishing fleet by hurricane Flora in 1963, and supported by the provision of credit facilities and subsidies by the government, the fleet was largely replaced by motorized vessels (as per records of the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries, THA).\All coastal communities around the island depend greatly on the fishing fleet and their activities for daily fish sustenance. This has given rise to small (processing) cottage industries, which contribute to supplementing household income. One cottage industry can at times produce, as much as, 90-108 lbs of processed flying fish on a daily basis. With the national unemployment rate at 21 %, many young men upon completing their secondary school education choose to go into fishing as a career. Only a small percent operate full-time. The majority work for a relative or for some other investor on a regular or part-time basis. Retirees purchased vessels and hire crew to work, thereby adding to the investment in a growing industIy. Training toward obtaining the launch captains and engineers license is an on-going activity. The principal Trainer is a member of the staff of the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries. The Maritime Services Division conducts examinations twice yearly.\Continued poaching of our country's fishing resources by neighboring countries and some international fishing fleets is of concern, especially with respect to sustainability of the biomass and its ability to support Trinidad and Tobago's need for fish in years to come. Recognizing the need for effective surveillance and management of the fishery resource under each country's jurisdiction, the FAO/UN Code of Responsible Fisheries, Rome 1995, was produced. Article 7, Section 7.1.7 of the document reads: "States should establish, within theirrespective competencies and capacities, effective mechanisms for fisheries monitoring, surveillance, control and enforcement to ensure compliance with conservation and management measures, as well as those adopted by sub-regional or regional organizations or arrangements". Article 7, Section 7.1.8 reads: "States should take measures to prevent or eliminate excess fishing capacity and should ensure that levels of fishing effort are commensurate with sustainable use of fishery resources as a means of ensuring the effectiveness of conservation and management measures". Against this background the Govemment of Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with the Tobago House of Assembly may initiate discussion with neighboring states re the issue of bilateral fishing agreements.

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