Abstract

A new restoration activity funded by the Deepwater Horizon Restoration Open Ocean Trustees aims to collect and evaluate existing fisheries data to identify restoration opportunities and support restoration planning in the Caribbean. The overarching objective is to establish a baseline for fisheries threats in the Caribbean. This will be achieved by compiling existing fisheries data into a data system, evaluating the breadth and limitations of the data, and identifying the greatest threats in the Caribbean and potential areas of restoration. Accurate and accessible catch and discard data for yellowfin tuna and blue marlin will be collected from existing sources to help identify fisheries and geographic-specific stressors and risks. Data harmonization will be accomplished during the compilation step. Once compiled, catch and discard information will be used to assess restoration opportunities for blue marlin and yellowfin tuna in Caribbean fisheries. The project will also help support the evaluation of restoration projects reducing the impacts of stressors on Open Ocean resources. This project will be funded through June 2025.