Ecosystem and Fish Stock Assessments within Fisheries Protected and Priority Areas
A Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plan will guide the protection and sustainable use of the Virgin Islands’ marine environment. It will define key zones for conservation, fisheries, recreation, and development—supporting climate resilience while enabling a balanced blue economy.
Introduction
Fisheries is an extremely important sector in The Virgin Islands, both from a livelihoods and economic development perspective. Fish provide an important source of protein for locals and fisheries has been identified as a third potential economic pillar, alongside tourism and financial services.
Fish populations, however, are under stress, including from climate change-induced impacts to critical fish habitats and fish migration due to warming waters.
World over, protected areas have been proven effective in conserving and restoring fish populations. The Virgin Islands has declared a number of Fisheries Protected Areas and Fisheries Priority Areas; however, these areas are not actively managed, largely due to a lack of data to support development of robust management plans.
The Impact
This project will deliver ecosystem and fish stock assessments for the Territory’s network of Fisheries Protected Areas and Fisheries Priority Areas declared under The Virgin Islands Fisheries Act, 1997.
These assessments will provide a wealth of critical data to facilitate development of scientifically-informed management plans to support the active and effective management of these areas to achieve desired conservation and rehabilitation outcomes.
Ultimately, the assessments will support sustainable growth and climate-resilient development of the fisheries sector and wider Blue Economy.
The Problem
Over-reliance on large-scale net fishing threatens local marine biodiversity and the long-term viability of the blue economy.
The Solution
Adopting a data-driven Fish Stock Assessment process to set sustainable catch limits and protect the livelihoods of local fishers.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Stay up to date with latest updates on our projects, initaives and events