Abstract

Over 4500 fish pots were lost in the Dominican pot fishery during the passage of Hurricanes Lenny in 1999, Dean in 2007and Omar in 2008. Additionally, it is estimated that fishers lose on average five percent of the pots deployed annually through theft, relocation due to changes in tides and currents, encounters with marine traffic and conflict with other fishing operations. These pots which retain full capture function will continue to fish well in excess of twelve months. During continuous observation of seven months fin fish were entrapped an average of 189 fish per pot.The experiment was conducted on the West Coast of Dominica using ten (10) Antillean Z-type pots, straight funnel entrance to demonstrate the Ghost Fishing function of lost traps by observing them using SCUBA, and other underwater observation of fish behavior and condition. It was also observed that even after one year, the capture function was still present in some of the pots.The research revealed micro and macro estimation of mortality in the ten pots as well as affected organisms in those pots.

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