Abstract

Fishing in the US Virgin Islands has been a part of island survival and culture since before Europeans and slave trade found its way into the Caribbean. However, any potential decreases in Virgin Island fisheries, is likely to directly impact the viability of the local fishing industry, and have negative consequences to the fishing communities and their fisheries-dependent livelihoods. The aim of our research is to collect, study, and analyze local ecological knowledge of fishermen and the St. Thomas fishing community and how such knowledge of the past and the present can be best used to inform future sustainable and resilient decisions in regards to USVI fisheries and its management. Our research methodologies includes community-based participatory methods, observational studies, historical archival research, and literature review to gather subjective information to be evidence-based evaluated using qualitative models and methods of analysis. Such methods include content analysis, qualitative classification, photographic interpretation, longitudinal or panel analysis, classification matrixes, and mapping of social networks. We also seek to understand the conditions and thresholds that are likely to produce a sort of “domino effect” and negative feedback mechanisms, ensuing fishery decline resulting in species extinction, coral decay, loss of jobs and food, and increased fish prices in a recession weakened tourism-based economy. We will contribute to the construction of a web-based archive, which will include our findings and digitally cataloged photos and data. This archive will provide the fishing community and future generations with easily accessible public knowledge about themselves, their history, and their environment.

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