A debate swirls around whether fish species depletion in Antigua and Barbuda is a current problem or a future threat. Experts are casting a net over the broader implications for ocean ecosystems and resource usage with livelihoods, diets and recreational activities at risk.
The Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division reports an overall increase in fish production, with periodic drops linked to economic disruptions and management regulations like the Great Recession and the 2013 Fisheries Regulation.
Finfish production rose from approximately 1,000 metric tons in 2007 to 1,500 metric tons in 2020. Queen Conch production has remained stable, ranging between 200 to 500 metric tons annually. Caribbean Spiny Lobster production has fluctuated, peaking around 2012-2014, with a post-2015 upward trend, ranging from 200 to 3,500 metric tons annually.
Chief Fisheries Officer Ian Horsford also highlights a study where species diversity and mean sizes for key species are greater inside reserves at 50% maturity, allowing fish to reproduce at least once before capture.
Horsford acknowledged potential future declines, with predictions suggesting a shift towards pelagic fish . However, he pointed out regional assessments often present data in a way that does not completely reflect local realities.
Many fishermen believe there has been a decline in fish, citing decreased catches. They attribute this to climate change, seaweed, and illegal fishing. One fisherman, Kirby Jr., remains neutral, calling for more research, as it could be the selected fishing areas or species migration patterns.
Meanwhile , the Antigua & Barbuda Annual Sport Fishing Tournament has seen a steady reduction in participation, from its peak in 2017 with 47 teams and 239 anglers to 27 teams and 144 anglers in 2024.
The Tournament Director, Robert Hall says the increase in sargassum seaweed is affecting catches causing individuals to turn from trolling ( used for shallow and deep-water fishing) to vertical jig fishing ( used for only deep-water fishing). Hall adds “ People don’t really want to have to spend that kind of money, because it is very expensive, it’s not a cheap sport. They don’t want to spend that money to make the journey over to Antigua to not catch fish and basically just pull the seaweed all weekend long.”
Ocean Governance
Fishermen are divided on ocean protection. Some say the Fisheries Division needs to do more,while others believe it is too small to police the ocean effectively. Chief Executive Officer Ian Hosford says the ocean is vast and fishing is a business , therefore the division battles with a rise in management cost, natural elements and market changes.
The (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) IUU Fishing Risk Index 2023 report shows Antigua and Barbuda falling 11 ranks to 135 out of 152 countries since 2021 in overall risk of IUU activities. There is less of a dependency on fish as a primary source of protein but coastal vulnerability has worsened with an increase in port compliance incidents and a decline in coastal conditions.
The Comptroller of Customs, Raju Boddu during an interview on ABS radio’s ‘Current Affairs with Aziza Lake’ says there is a lack of trained marine enforcers and customs checks near shore, leading to underreporting and smuggling.
Ian Horsford adds ”In the past, we used to have joint patrols between fisheries, customs and immigration. We no longer do that. So there’s a need for that…most custom officers don’t know that, but customs officers are fisheries officers under the Fisheries Act 2006. “ He adds there is a need for regular interagency meetings and training programs.
Regionally, Horsford discloses illegal activity from Japanese fishermen has been replaced by Taiwanese. The European Union has been consulted about concerns on French territory Saint Barthelemy ( St. Barth) in Barbuda . Otherwise, Antigua and Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament Director points to “dozens and dozens” of Fish attraction device (FAD) fishing as one of the illegal activities by French territories in Antigua .
Meanwhile , Former Fisheries Minister, Hon. E.P. Chet Greene says IUU fishing is not alarming and reaffirms his commitment to eradicating it with fishermen cooperation. The role was handed over to Hon.Anthony Smith Jr on July 16 as the first Independent Member of Parliament to serve the country’s cabinet.
Data Collection
The Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Milton Haughton emphasizes the need for research to determine thriving and declining fish stocks as the marine infrastructure (coral reefs and mangroves) dwindles.
Haughton adds “There are profound changes taking place in the marine environment, and this is impacting the production, the abundance, distribution, reproduction of many different fish species, but the impacts are different on different species.
“So what we need to do then in this situation is to enhance our data collection and monitoring program so that we improve our knowledge and understanding of exactly what is going on and implement appropriate policies and safeguards and protection and conservation measures.”
The Director of barbudanGO, Pethrolyna Issac, adds with 33% of the twin isles’ coastline designated as marine protected areas, the lack of monitoring and assessment—due to incompatible schedules over the years—makes it difficult to determine the impact on fish stocks. She says Barbuda has moved from being physically managed on a day to day basis to facing a three-year delay.
On the other hand, the Director of the Island Policy, Professor Kalim Shah, argues, “It is not a matter of more data; it’s a matter of more strategic data and what we do with that data.”
Program Coordinator of the Caribbean Network Fisherfolk Organization, Mitchelle Lay says what is constituted as data can also impact these decisions stating a need for both scientific research and long-term data gathering with primary stakeholders often excluded from policy discussions.
He says: “The data generated may not reflect the situation simply because… it’s gathered over a short period of time, which is not consistent with what is the reality on the ground, because the reality in the fisheries sector changes day, weekly, monthly.”
Uncertainty surrounds the future. While some adapt to the evolving situation, others are despondent.