KEP. INT. WI-IAL. CUMMN (SPkCIAL ISSUE 151, 1994 LLl

Cetaceans and Gillnet Fisheries in Mexico, Central America and the Wider Caribbean: A Preliminary Review

Omar Vidal Departamento de Ciencias Marinas and Centro do Conservacidn y Aprovechamiento de 10s Recursos Naturales, Itzstituto Tecnoldgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey-Campus Guaymas, Ap. Postal 484, Guaymas, Sonora 85400, Mexico Koen Van Waerebeek Centro Peruano de Estudios Cetoldgicos, c/o Asociacirjn de Ecologia y Conservacidn, Vanderghetz 560, Lima 27, and Lloyd T. Findley Cetztro de Invmtigacirjn y Desarrollo de 10s Recursos Naturales de Sonora-Unidad Guaymas, Miramas 63 Plata Alta, Col. Miramas, Guaymas, Sonora 84150, Mexico

ABSTRACT This paper reviews published and unpublished information on the mortalily of cetaceans in gillnets in Mexico, Central America and thc widcr Caribbean. Data on this incidental mortality arc provided from only nine of the 36 nations in the area (Colombia, the Dominican Republic. French Guiana, Honduras, Mexico. Panama, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela); the lack of mortality records from the othcr countrics reffects poor or non-existent documentation. We surveyed those types of passive fishing gear which potentially or actually entrap cetaceans in this large area; these included gillnets with mcsh sizes of 18 to 400rnm. At least 14 species of cetaceans have been caught in fishing nets in this area: , common , bottlenose dolphins, tucuxis, Atlantic spottcd dolphins, spinner dolphins, clymcne dolphins, Risso's dolphins, killer , pygmy sperm whales, botos, gray whales, humpback whales and balaenopterids. At least another five species are potentially at risk: pantropical spottcd dolphins, striped dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, false killer whales and short-finned pilot whales. Of special concern is the endangered in the norther11Gulf of California, Mexico. KEYWORDS: INCIDENTAL CAPTURE; NORTH PACIFIC; NORTH ATLANTIC; VAQUITA; COMMON ; ; ; ; ; RISSO'S DOLPHIN; KILLER ; BOTO; PYGMY : ; ; PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN; ; WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN; FALSE ; -SHORT- FINNED.

INTRODUCTION incidental captures on the populations of cetaceans in the region. Here we can only outline the problem and indicate The problems of the incidental capture of cetaceans during the many gaps existing in the information from various fishing operations have been highlighted in recent years, countries and their fisheries. e.g. Brownell et al. (1989). Data on the magnitude of such kills as a result of large-scale pelagic fisheries have been collected for certain regions, such as the eastern tropical Pacific tuna purse-seine fishery (e.g. Hall and Boyer, 1987; Published records 1988; 1989; 1990) and the Japanese high-seas mothership Worldwide reviews of fisheries interactions with cetaceans salmon driftnet fishery (Jones, 1990). However, mortality have been prepared by Mitchell (1975) and Northridge due to small-scale artisanal fisheries, particularly coastal (1984). Based on available literature, Northridge (1984) gillnet fisheries, remains largely unmonitored. The coastal concluded that most gillnet and trap fisheries in the distribution of many cetacean species, particularly Caribbean region (FA0 Marine Fishing Area 31) and in dolphins and , renders them at risk from gillnet the Mexican and Central American Pacific region (FA0 fisheries and the potential effect on their populations is a Area 77) are unlikely to involve interactions with marine cause for concern among scientists, conservationists and . We found only a few published reports dealing fishery managers (IWC, 1994). with cetaceans incidentally caught in gillnets in these two In this paper we review the limited available information regions (Caldwell and Caldwell, 1971; Mitchell, 1975; on the incidental mortality of cetaceans in gillnets in O'Shea et al., 1986; Engeman and Bromaghin, 1990; Mexico, Central America and the wider Caribbean (Fig. Ottley et al., 1988; Vidal, 1989; 1990; In press; Agudo, 1). We document those types of passive fishing gear 1990; Van Waerebeek, 1990). (gillnets and traps) which potentially or actually capture As a result, much of the information we present on the cetaceans in this area. The review is preliminary and covers fisheries in the countries involved comes from internal only 26 of the 36 nations in the region. Much more effort unpublished fishery reports provided by some of the will be required to fully assess the magnitude and impact of individuals or organisations we contacted. Gulf of Mexico

Caribbean Sea

Pacific Ocean

Fig. 1. Study arca: Mcxico, Central America and the wider Caribbean.

Table 1 Nations and overseas territories/departments within the study area (English spellillgs are used).

Mexico Surinam Guadeloupe, with St. Martin North Haiti Guatemala French Guiana and St. Barthelemy (France) Turks and Caicos Islands (UK) Belize Trillidad and Tobago Monserrat (UK) Jamaica El Salvador Netllerland Antilles* Antigua and Barbuda (UK) Cxba Honduras Grenada St. Kitts and Nevis Cayman Islands Nicaragua St. Vincent and the Grel~adines Virgin Islands (British) Bahamas Pananla St. Lucia Virgin Island (USA) Bemudas Colo~nbia Barbados Anguilla (UK) Venezuela Martinique (France) Puerto Rico (USA) Guyana Domii~ica Dominican Republic

* Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Maarten South, St. Eustatius and Saba.

METHODS Published accoullts of cetacean mortality in gill~letsin the region are scarce or non-existent for most countries. Information was gathered in two ways. Firstly, over 150 Table 2 letters soliciting information were sent to government Cetaceans mentiontd in this survey. agencies, universities and individuals (not llecessarily involved in cetacean research). The replies received Vaquita, sinus provided limited information (primarily related to the T~~cuxi, fluviatilis Col~~nlondolphin, Delphinus delphk fisheries and not to cetacean interactions). Secondly, Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops nuncatus personal observations by the authors, cetacean research , frontalis biologists and/or reliable local fishermen were used for Pantropical spotted dolphins, Stenella attenuata attenuato and Mexico, Colombia, Surinam, French Guiana and S.a, graffmani Venezuela. Difficulties in obtaining data may have been Spill~lerdolphins, Stenella longirosn6 longirosffis, S.1. orientalis and S.1, centroarnericana due either to its uilavailability or the reluctance of the Striped dolphin, SteneNa coeruleoalba authorities to provide it for internatiollal scrutiny. Sources Clymene dolphin, Stenella clymene are identified for each country. Pacific white-sided dolphin, obliquidens In our report, 'potentially at risk' means that incidental Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus Killer whale, Orcinus orca entanglement is strongly suspected but not actually Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhyrichus recorded; 'risk' is inferred for coastal species previously , Pseudorca crossidem reported killed in the same or similar kinds of fisheries. Pyg~llyspernl whale, breviceps The 36 nations and overseas departments within the Boto, geofiensis (also known as the Anazon ) study area and the 19 species of cetaceans involved in the Gray whale, Eschrichtim robustus Hu~npbackwhale, Megaptera novaeangliae survey are given in Tables 1and 2, respectively, and shown Unidentified balaenopterid whale, spp. in Fig. 1. ACCOUNTS OF CETACEAN-GILLNET probably an important cause of mortality for gray whale INTERACTIONS BY COUNTRY calves in and near the calving grounds in the Gulf, as has been reported for other areas along the migratory route of No data were available for Belize, Guatemala, El the species (e.g. Brownell, 1971). Salvador, Guyana, the Netherla~id Antilles, Haiti and There are two major artisanal fisheries using gillnets in Anguilla. [For data on Grenada, Montserrat, and St. Kitts Mexico. We have no data on the fishery along the Gulf of and Nevis, see Antigua and Barbuda.] Mexico coastline, other than that gillnets are extensively used. A summary of the available information on the Gulf of California fishery is given below. ~exico' Almost all available information on incidental mortality of cetaceans in gillnets in Mexico is limited to the northern Artisnnul gillnet fishery of the upper Gulf of Califorizin Gulf of California, and, therein, to only one species, the PORTS vaquita, Phocoena sinus (Vidal, In press). Iiowever, since The main ports are San Felipe and Puertecitos in Baja 1979, two of us (OV and LTF) have fi-equently found fresh Califor~lia(Norte) and El Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto carcasses of common and bottlenose dolphins (Delphirzvs Peiiasco in Sonora. delphis and Tursiops truizcatus) on beaches of the central Gulf (coast of Sonora and Sinaloa) which showed signs of entrapment in gillnels (e.g. net marks on head and trunk, TARGET SPECIES tip of dorsal fin and lobes of caudal fin cut away to allow for The main target species are: sierra, Scomberonzorus sierra, easier removal from the net, etc.). Interviews with local and Monterey Spanish mackerel, S. concolor fishermen also substantiate incidental captures. (Scombridae); totoaba and corvinas, Totoaba macdorzaldi Information is lacking on total numbers of dolphins killed, and Cynoscion spp. (Sciaenidae); striped mullet, Mugil but recent findings suggest that incidental mortality could cephnlus (Mugilidae); several species of including be relatively high locally. For cxample, 19 common lamnids (white , Carcharodon carcharias, and dolphin carcasses were found between late February and shortfin mako, Isurus oxyri~zchus),carcharhinids (lemon late March 1990 along five kilometres of beach at a single shark, Negaprion brevirostris, Pacific sharpnose shark, location north of Estero de Tastiota, ca GOkm NE of Rhizoprionodon lo~zgurio, and Carcharhin~is spp., Guaymas, Sonora. Gillnets are one of the most common especially blacktip shark, C. linzDatus, and dusky shark, C. types of fishing gear used throughout the Gulf of California obscur~u), alopiids (bigeye thresher, Alopias and we suspect that dolphins (of at least these two species) sz~perciliosus),sphymids (scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna are often caught in other areas where gillnets are common lewini) and triakids (brown smoothhound, Mustelus henki, (e.g. Los Cabos, La Ribera, La Paz, Loreto and Muleg6 in and sicklefin smoothhound, M. lurzulatus); and rays Baja California Sur; Puertecitos, Bahia San Luis Go~lzaga including myliobatids (e.g. bat ray, Myliobatis culifornica, and San Felipe in Baja California (Norte) (BCN); El Golfo and cownose ray, Rhinoptera steindachizeri), the stingray, de Santa Clara, Pucrto Pefiasco, Desemboque, Puerto Dusyatis brevis, and mobulas, Mobula spp, Lobos, Puerto Libertad, Bahia Kino, Guaymas, Bahia Lobos, Tobari, Baliia Santa Birbara, Yavaros, and Las AREA OF OI'EHATION Bocas in Sonora; and Estero de Agiabampo, Operations occur thl-oughout the entire area, generally Topolobampo, Bahia de Navachiste, Bahia Santa Maria, close to shore, but often as far as Rocas Consag, a s~nall Altata, MazatlAn and Teacaphn in Sinaloa). Common and rocky island in the central part of the (generally shallow) bottlenose dolphins, as well as other small cetaceans, are upper Gulf. probably caught in other areas of Mexico where gillnets are commonly used. In addition, at least four entanglcments of gray whales, VESSELS AND CREW Eschrichtius robustus, all in the Gulf of California, have Boats comprise pangrzs of (mainly) fibreglass, 6-8m long, been documented. Riley (1979) reported a gray whale near with 2-3 local men. Boat numbers by port are: San Felipe, Punta Colorado, La Ribera, Baja California Sur (BCS), 260; El Golfo de Santa Clara, 226; and Puertecitos, 30; dragging a large gillnet wrapped mainly around its tail. there is no i~lformationavailable for Puerto Peiiasco. The This was released when the net was removed by fish are handled fresh and iced. fishermen. K. Balcomb (Ccnter for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, WA, USA) presented a film (XIV International Meeting of the Mexican Society for the Study GEAR (GILLNETS) of Marine Mammals, La Paz, March 1989) on the lengthy Monofilament nylon nets of the following mesh sizes are efforts culminating in the release of a gray whale entrapped used: 85mm (mackerels and corvinas); 100-150mm (sharks by a gillnet near Playa Palmilla, BCS. Finally, Vidal(1989) and rays) and 200-305mm (totoaba). Totoabas also have reported separate incidents (1978 and 1984) wherein two been frequently fished with the same nets from shrimp gray whales (a calf, and a small juvenile) were temporarily boats. Each panga carries 1-2 panels of the following trapped in gillnets near Yavaros, Sonora; one of the two lengths: lnackerels and corvinas (451)m), sharks and rays calving grounds for this species in the Gulf of Califor~lia (680m) and totoaba (180m). (Gilmore et ul., 1967; Findley and Vidal, In press). Both whales were eventually released by local fishermen. Vidal OI'EBATIONS I (1989) concluded that entanglements in gillnets are Trips usually last about five hours. Nets are set for either bottom, midwater or near surface fishing at depths between 7 arid 40m. They are set (and usually retrieved) in 1 Since this review was completed, results of further work have bcen I presented by Zavala-Gonzalez et al. and these are published in this the early morning. The soak time ranges from ca 12-24 volumc, pp. 235-8. hours. LA4 VIDAL et af.: MEXICO. CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

ECONOMICS AND HISTORY de Estudios de Desiertos y OcCanos, in litt., 11 February In general the fish is supplied to the domestic market, 1988, Puerto Peiiasco, Sonora). although some of the corvina, totoaba, shark and ray All marine mammals are legally protected in Mexico. products are exported. The fish are processed fresh, iced, frozen or salt-dried (shark and ray fins, and shark skins and some meat). The important totoaba fishery began on a very Table 3 small scale in the mid-1920s. From 1929, it responded to a Suiilnlary of the iilcideiltal lllortality of Phocoena sinus in fishing growing USA market and improved its fishing methods, activities in the Gulf of Califorl~ia,1985-1992 (Vidal, In press)*. progressing from dynamiting and hook-and-line and primitive gillnetting to (especially after 1942) the use of Year No. individuals Year No. individuals efficient nylon gillnets (Flanagan and Hendrickson, 1976). Most totoaba fishing boats operated out of San Felipe, El 1985 35 1989 13 1986 > 2 1990 36 Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto Peiiasco, which had been 1987 6 1991 22 established near the main fishing areas which include the 1988 9 1992 5 large Colorado River estuary (Arvizu and ChBvez, 1972; Flanagan and Hendrickson, 1976). After a peak catch of * Mortality ~l~i~ubersare minima; tile best l~lol~itoredyears were 1985, 2,261 tons of totoaba meat in 1942, and despite intensified 1990 and 1991. fishing efforl, annual catches declined to a minimum of approximately 59 tons in 1975. Consequently, the Mexican government declared a complete ban on fishing the species Considering the probable low population size and very (Flanagan and I-Iendrickson, 1976). However, illegal and limited range of the vaquita, the current (and potential) 'experimental' fishing has continued at El Golfo de Santa levels of incidental mortality due to fishing activities, the Clara and around San Felipe (Vidal, In press; difficulties in implementing and enforcing long-term Lagomarsino, 1991). Comparable availabIe inforlnation is conservation measures quickly and other detrimental lacking for the shark and ray gillnet fishery, but it has been factors affecting the upper Gulf of California ecosystem, growing rapidly in the upper Gulf of California since the the vaquita is in immediate danger of extinction (Robles early 1940s and continues to operate without controls. et al., 1987; Vidal, In press). On 10 June 1993, the Mexican Government declared the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California and the Colorado River delta to protect EFFORT DA'TA the vaquita, the totoaba and their natural habitat (Vidal, Little information exists for determining total fishing effort 1993). At present, we have no systematically gathered in the area. Vidal (In press) su~n~narisedavailable information on the incidental mortality of the region's information for 1990 as follows: El Golfo de Santa Clara - common and bottlenose dol~hins but mortalitv is 126 gillnets in use for sharks and rays (Feb.-Jul.), 125 for suspected to be high, and other fisheries (e.g. the purse- mackerels (Apr.-Sept.) and at least 30 for totoaba (Jan.- seine fishery for sardines, etc.) are possibly detrimental May); San Felipe -300 for sharks and rays (Feb.-Jul.), 300 (Mitchell, 1975; Vidal et al., 1993). for mackerels (Apr.-Sept.) and at least 30 for totoaba (Jan.-May); Puerto Peiiasco - 136 for sharks and 52 for smaller fishes (Sept. 1989-Jan. 1990); and Puertecitos - 30 CONCLUSlON for sharks (year-round). Cetaceans potentially at risk in Mexican waters are: humpback whales, Megaptera novaeungliae (Gulf of INTERACTIONS WI'TH CETACEANS California and rest of Mexican Pacific); spotted dolphins, Vaquitas, common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are Sterzella attenuata graffmani (Pacific); common dolphins regularly caught. Fishermen report that vaquitas become (Gulf of California, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico); entangled in the early morning, when the net is hauled and bottlenose dolphins (Gulf of California, Pacific and Gulf of they are usually brought aboard. I-Iowever, for the larger Mexico); Pacific white-sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus entangled dolphins, the fins are often cut-off to allow obliquidens (southwestern Gulf of California); the three removal from the net when the carcass is shaken out and subspecies of spinner dolphins (Perrin, 1990), S. they are rarely brought aboard. Except for two reports by longirostris longirostris (tropical and subtropical Pacific), fishermen, all vaquitas were found dead in the net. Some S.1. orientulis (endemic to the eastern Pacific) and S.1. fishermen from San Felipe reported eating vaquita meat. centroamericnna (coastal waters of Mexico and Central Sometimes, bottlenose or conlmon dolphin meat is used as America); and Atlantic spotted dolphins, S. frontalis, and bait in hook-and-line fisheries, but dolphins are not S. longirostris (Gulf of Mexico). actively pursued for this purpose in the area. Catch data There is an urgent need to monitor and to reduce the since 1985 (minimum known catches) are shown in Table 3. incidental mortality of the vaquita in fishing activities. The best monitored years were 1985, 1990 and 1991, the Vidal (In press) identified the following research needs and years with the highest catches as one might expect (data management requirements for the conservation of this from Vidal, In press). At least 35 vaquitas are estimated lo species: (I) reduce incidental mortality by enforcement of be killed each year in fishing activities (Vidal, In prcss). existing law prohibiting totoaba fishing activities; (2) Detailed catch information is lacking for the other two determine the magnitude of incidental mortality in other cetaceans involved, although from second-hand gillnet fisheries (i.e. sharks and rays, mackerels, corvinas, information, Mitchell (1975) estimated that perhaps 50 etc.) to provide accurate estimates of the total annual rate bottlenose dolphins are taken yearly by the shark and of incidental mortality; (3) investigate possible modified or lotoaba fisheries, mainly north of San Felipe. We know of alternative fishing methods (e.g. net modifications andlor many unpublished records of both common and bottlenose deployment) that could reduce incidental mortality; and dolphins entangled in gillnets in the upper Gulf (e.g, at (4) obtain accurate estimates of population size and least eight common dolphins between February to June possible seasonal movements. In addition, effort should be 1984 near Puerto Peiiasco, R. Boyer, Centro Intercultural made to obtain more information on incidental mortality of REP. INT. WHAL. COMMN (SPECIAL ISSUE 15), 1994 225 common and bottlenose dolphins and gray whales and the Golfito, Chomes, Puerto Thiel and Manzanillo. Along the possible effects of this mortality on their regional Atlantic coast the principal ports are Puerto Limdn, Barra populations. del Colorado and Puerto Viejo.

I-Iondurasl TARGET SPECIES PORTS The following species are caught: corvinas (Sciaenidae, The major ports are Puerto Cartes, Tela, La Ceiba, Cynoscion); seabasses (Serranidae, Epinephelus); Roatan, Guanaja, Trujillo and Puerto Lempira on the snappers (Lutjanidae, Lutjanus); sierra mackerels Atlantic coast and San Lorenzo and Amapala on the (Scombridae, Scornberomorus); jacks (Carangidae, Pacific coast. Caranx); snooks (Centropomidae, Centropomus); dolphinfish or dorado (Coryphaenidae, Coryphaena AREA OF OPERATION hippurus); and sharks of the families Sphyrnidae Operations on the Atlantic coast are within 4.5km of the (hammerheads, Sphyma) and Carcharhinidae (requiem shore. sharks, Rhizoprionodon lo~zgurio,Carcharhirzus porosus, C. leucas and Galeocerdo cuvier). GEAR (GILLNETS) Information on the number of boats using gillnets was not AREA OF OPERATION provided. The monofilament nylon nets have a mesh size of Fishing takes place along the entire Pacific coast within ca 75mm. Panel lengths range from 50-400m and there are 1- 54km offshore (80% within 22km), in the Gulf of Nicoya 4 panels/fisherman. and near the far-offshore Isla del Coco and the Costa Rican Dome. Fishing is also mainly coastal in the Atlantic. OPERATIONS A typical trip lasts from 1-3 days and each fisherman makes VESSELS AND CREW 150-180 tripslyr. Bottom and surface fishing occurs in Boats are made of wood and fibreglass. Two types of waters ranging from 2-25m in depth. The fish are vessels operate in the Pacific: pangas (4-8rn long, 60% of processed fresh. all boats) and lanchas (7-12111). In the Atlanticpnngns (4- 8m) comprised 95% of all boats. Over 5,300 boats INTERACTIONS WI'TH CETACEANS operated in 1990: Punta Arenas (1,100); Isla Chira (602); Small cetaceans have been incidentally killed. Suspected Playa del Coco (200); Quepos (260); Costa del P5jaro species are Stenella attenuata graffmani (Pacific), the Costa (230); Portete (160); Cuajiniquil (175); Isla Venado (140); Rican (S. longirostris, Pacific), bottlenose Samara (62); Golfito (59); Chomes (80); Puerto Thiel(60); dolphins (Pacific, Atlantic), tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis, Manzanillo (25); plus 853 distributed in smaller Atlantic - see Cars and Bonde, 1993) and common communities. Country totals were also provided for the dolphins (Pacific, Atlantic). Dolphins generally become following years: 1981 (502 boats); 1982 (615); 1983 (761); entangled at night, at entrances to rivers or coastal lagoons 1984 (800); 1985 (1,038); 1986 (1,163); 1987 (2,707) and (and are thus most likely bottlenose dolphins). There are 1989 (3,000). The fish are handled fresh and iced. Crews no cetacean catch data, with incidental mortality being range in size from 1-3. reported as occurring 'rarely'. No information was provided on any utilisation of the by-catch and no efforts to GEAR (GILLNETS) reduce the by-catch were reported. The gillnets used have a mesh size of 85-150mm (the In addition, 166 boats were reported to participate in a minimum allowed by law is 85mm). Panels are 500-600111 lobster fishery deploying traps, but interactions with long and 7-10m deep. Both set and drift nets are used. cetaceans are probably minimal. OPERATIONS Nicaragua2 Trips usually last about 1 day (60% of all boats) or 4-5 Artisanal fisherics use gillnets set from small boats (4m days. Bottom, midwater and surface fishing takes place in long) and catch snappers, sciaenids and other small fishes waters ranging from 5-100m. along the coasts (within 10km offshore). There are no data on incidental mortality, but bottlenose, tucuxi (Atlantic), ECONOMICS pantropical spotted (Pacific only) and common dolphins The catch is mostly for domestic use. However, some are potelltially at risk. Apparently, a lobster fishery also snappers, sea basses, dolphinfish and shark fins are exists, possibly using traps. exported (both fresh and frozen).

Costa Rica" DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERY AND CURRENT TRENDS Approximately 66 fishing communities exist along the Both fishing effort and catches have been increasing since Pacific coast, the most important (by number of boats) are 1979, especially since 1981. Between 1981 and 1987, the Punta Arenas, Isla Chira, Playa del Coco, Quepos, Costa number of artisanal fishing boats increased four times, with del Phjaro, Portete, Cuajiniquil, Isla Venado, Samara, nearly 80% of fishing concentrated within 22km of the coast. 1 Information from M. Castell611 (in lift., 27 August 1990). Deparlalnento de Pesca. Secretariat of Natural Resources of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS Although no information on incidental catches was 2The only relevant information was providcd by R. Shnchcz (in lift., 8 February 1990), Ccntro dc Investigaciones Pesqueras, Nicaraguan provided, bottlenose, pantropical spotted, Costa Rican Ministry of Fisheries, Managua. spinner and common dolphins are potentially at risk along Vnformation provided by E. Madrigal (in litt., 10 July 1990). the Pacific coast, while bottlenose, tucuxi and common Dcpartamento de Pesca y Caza, Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture, dolphins may be at risk along the Atlantic coast. Sa~iJose. 226 VTDAL et al.: MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Considering the relatively high fishing effort, these GEAR (GILLNETS) fisheries should be monitored lo determine any The nets used have mesh sizes of 90-140mm. Panels are interactions with cetaceans. 180m long and 9-14m deep. Each vessel carries from 1-4 panels. Panama4 There are two main gillnet fisheries in Panama, both off the OPERATIONS Pacific coast. The available iafonnation is summarised Trips last from 1-5 days and boats usually make 50-100 below. tripslyr totalling about 225,000 panels. Surfacc and bottom fishing takes place in waters of 1.8-36m depth using set Shark fishery of the Pac$c Coast nets. The soak time is 4-45 hours. PORTS The main ports are Pedregal, Provincia de Chiriqui; ECONOMICS AND I-IIS1'ORY Vacamonte, Provincia de Panama and Ciudad de Panama. This was a very important fishery in past years, but presently is decreasing. TARGET SPECIES The target species include requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae), smootl~hounds (Triakidae) and lNTERACTIONS WlTN CETACEANS hammerheads (Sphyrnidae). Only one definite record has beell reported; that of an 'adult male' bottlenose dolphin caught cu 6Okm east of AREA OF OPERATION Panama City. Pantropical spotted dolphins (Pacific), Fishing operations are coastal and around islands. common dolphins (Pacific and Caribbean) and tucuxi, (Caribbean) are potentially at risk. There are no laws or VESSELS regulations applying to cetaceans, but there are a number Boats are made of wood, steel or fibreglass and are from of coastal conservation areas that may provide protection 15-23m long. The number of boats operating out of each for some of their habitats. port varies, but no more than ten operate at a given time. The fish are iced. Colombia The few documented incidental kills of cetaceans in gillnets GEAR (GILLNETS) are from Vidal (1990). Information on the gillnet fisheries Mesh sizes range from 150-200mm. Panels are 126-180m is based on I-IernBndez (1986) and Arias and Anzola long and 7.5-11.0m deep. Each boat carries 2-4 panels. (1989).

OPERATONS Artisanal fishery of the Atlantic coast of Colombia Trips last from 5-15 days and each boat usually makes 15- PORTS 25 trips annually. About 2,000 panels are fished each year The main ports are Dibulla, Riohacha, Manaure, Cabo de in total. Both set and drift nets are used, with most fishing la Vela, Bahia Portete, Pueblo Viejo, Tasajera, Gaira, at the bottom in depths of 18-54m. T11e soak time is from Santa Marta, Taganga, Parque Tayrona, Cartagena, 6-10 hours. Galerazamba, Bard, Told, Islas del Rosario, Archipelago of San Bernardo, El Rincbn, Caimanera, Puerto Viejo, ECONOMICS AND HISTORY Coveiias, Berrugas, Aspcscordel, Coopetold, Turbo, El The product is sold fresh (meat) or salt-dried (fins, skin). Roto, Punta UrabB, Citnega, Unguia, Bajo Atrato, and Total landings are estimated to be 68,000-90,000 kglyr. San Andrts and Providencia Islands. Although the fishery was very important some years ago, it has been decreasing due to the lack of good markets. TARGET SPECIES INTERACTIONS WlTH CETACEANS The major target species are mackerel (Scombridae, At least bottlenose and common dolphins and Stenella spp. Scomberomorus), snooks (Centropomidae, Centro- have been occasionally killed to use their meat for bait for pomus), snappers (Lutjanidae, Lutjarz~ts), jacks the shark fishery (Vidal, 1992). (Carangidae, Caranx) and various species of sharks.

Artisanal fishery for fin-fishes ('peces de escama') of1 the AREA OF OPERATIONS Pacific Coast Fishing occurs between the Gulf of UrabB and Guajira PORTS peninsula (the border with Venezuela). Fishing occurs from many localities along the coast in coastal waters. VESSELS AND CREW Boats are made of wood, fibreglass and aluminum and are TARGET SPECIES of two types: cayzicos (4-6m long) and canoas (8-10m). The The main target species are sciaenids, mackerels number of boats is only available for the Santa Marta (Scombridae) and snooks (Centropomidae, Centro- region where 440 operate. The fish are handled fresh and pomus). iced. Crew size ranges from 2-4.

VESSELS GEAR (GILLNETS) The fishery involves some 3,000-4,000 wooden boats, 8- Data are available only for the Santa Marta region where 10.5m long. The fish are handled fresh or iced. the stretched mesh size ranges from 85-4001nm. Most nets are made of monofilament nylon but there are some 4 Information was provided by D.H. Arosemena (in litt., 24 August 1990), DirecciBn General de Recursos Marinos, Ministry of multifilament nets. Panels are 18-600m long and 3.2- Commerce and Ind~~striesof Panama. 21.5m deep. There is usually only one panel per boat. OPERATIONS TARGET SPECIES Again, data are only available for the Santa Marta region Fishing is mainly for piinelodid catfishes (Sorubim) and where set nets are usually used. Vessels operate for about characids (Colossoma). 247 days per year. The soak time ranges from 2-16 hrs. AREA OF OPERATION ECONOMICS Fishing takes place in the Arauca, Meta, Guaviare, The fish, either processed fresh, frozen or canned are for Vichada and Tomo rivers. the domestic market. VESSELS INTERACTIONS WIT11 CETACEANS Wooden vessels, 4-101n long, are used. The fish are Reported catches (Vidal, 1990) are of one individual each handled fresh and iced. of the , Kogia breviceps (November 1988, Gulf of Morrosquillo), tucuxi (September 1986, INTERACTIONS WlTH CETACEANS Bahia de Cispath, mouth of Sin6 River), Risso's dolphin, Boto, Inia geoffrerzsis, and tucuxi are at risk (Vidal, 1990; Grampus griseus (Islas del Rosario), bottlenose dolphin Borobia et al., 1991). (1989, Tierra Bomba, ca Cartagena), Atlantic spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis (April 1989, Bahia de Artisanal fishery of the Colombian Amazon Barbacoas, ca Barii). Pantropical spotted, striped, S. PORTS coeruleonlba, and common dolphins and short-finned pilot The main ports are Leticia, Puerto Narifio, La Pedrera, whales, Globiceplzalu macrorhynchus, are potentially at Araracuara and Alto CaquetB, Orteguaza and Putumayo risk (Vidal, 1990). rivers.

DISCUSSION TARGET SPECIES In view of the large mesh-sizes of the nets, sizes which The target species are pimelodid catfishes and characids. regularly catch cetaceans in other regions (e.g. Read el al., 1988; Vidal, In press; this paper), this fishery should be AREA OF OPERATION monitored to document the number and species of Fishing occurs in the Amazon, Putumayo, CaquetB, dolphins incidentally killed. Orteguaza and Vaupks rivers.

Artisanal fishery of the Pac$c coast of Colombia VESSELS Wooden boats, 3-8m long, are used. The fish are handled PORTS The main ports are Bahia Solano, Ensenada de Utria, fresh and then dried or iced. Golfo de Upica, Boca Charambirh, Punta Soldado, Puerto Buenaventura, Pueblo Nuevo, Punta Merizalde, Saija, INTERACTIONS WlTH CETACEANS At least two boto were caught near Puerto Narifio in ca Chacbn, Corozal, Playa de Coco, Trapiche, Noanamito, Chontal, Milagros, Chajal and Salahonda. 1986 (Vidal, 1990). Beltran and Trujillo (1992) reported that during 1991-2, 17 dolphins (botos and tucuxis) were found dead in an area of ca 80kmz in the Colombian TARGET SPECIES Amazon: 55.6% in gillnets, 22.2% hunted and 11.1% The major species caught are mullets (Mugilidae, Mugil), struck by boats. croakers and corvinas (Sciaenidae), snappers (Lutjanidae, Lutjan~w)and various species of sharks. Venezuela According to Northridge (1984), most of the reported AREA OF OPERATION 167,000 tonnes of landed catches of fishes by Venezuela in Fishing occurs between the borders with Ecuador and 1981 came from artisanal fisheries along the coast, and Panama. included mullets (Mugilidae), croakers and corvinas (Sciaenidae), groupers (Serranidae), grunts (EIaemulidae) VESSELS AND CREW and sharks. Caldwell and Caldwell (1971) reported that Wooden and fibreglass boats, 6-8m and 10-12m long, are beach-seine nets used along the Venezuelan coast and on used. The fish are handled fresh and iced. offshore islalids incidentally kill some cetaceans, mainly bottlenose dolphins and tucuxi around some river mouths. INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS Botos are occasionally incidentally killed in fishing gear, Hu~npbackwhales, bottlenose, common and two types of and those dolphins taken are sometimes eaten (O'Shea spotted dolphins (S.a. attenuatu and S.a. graffmani) are et al., 1986). potentially at risk (Vidal, 1990). One of us (KVW) Agudo (1990) reported that in the area between g055'- interviewed members of the fishing community at 1lo25'N and 61'50'-64'301W, local fishermen use 80- Buenaventura in March 1990. Although neai-ly all were 130mm mesh gillnets 50-200m long and 5-12m deep. In circumspect on the matter, one person stated that February 1987, 1,537 nets were reported fishing in this harpooning of dolphins for bait is a common practice in the area. Although no systematic efforts have been made to area. determine the species of cetaceans involved, or the rate of incidental mortality and its impact on the cetacean Artisanal fishery of the Orinoco River Basirz populations, preliminary reports indicate that since early PORTS 1988, cetacean deaths in gillnets have been 'frequent'. The main ports are Puerto Lbpez, Puerto Gaitfin and caught have been used for bait and for human Puerto Carreiio (Meta River), San Jose del Guaviare, consumption. Agudo (1990) reported the sale of six Puerto Inirida and Barrancominas (Guaviare and Inirida dolphins (Stenella frontalis, S. longirostris and S, clyrnene) rivers) and Arauca River. to be used as bait in the bottom-longline shark fishery. He also reported that other cetaceans incidentally killed were (foreigners are not specified but are supposedly mainly common and bottlenose dolphins, tucuxi and Balaerzoptera from Venezuela and Guyana) while in the estuarine and sp. Venezuelan longliners operating out of French Guiana riverine fisheries 50% of the crew are locals. occasionally harpoon dolphins for bait (Van Waerebeek,

1990). Pantropical spotted dolphins, false killer, sbort- GEAR (GILLNETS) I finned pilot and humpback whales are potentially at risk. Both set and drift nets are used with a range of mesh sizes. Panels are up to 4km long and 1Om deep. Surinam Information is based on two publicatio~ls describing OPERATIONS Surinam's fisheries (Charlier, 1988; 1989). The only data Gillnets take cn 50% of total landings (40% for driftnets on cetacean-fisheries interactions come from osteological only). AH present: fishing methods are directed towards materials from incidentally killed tucuxi housed in two demersal species and the pelagic element is almost museums in the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum van completely unexploited. Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden (C. Smeenk, in litt., 20 July 1990) and the Zoologisch Museum, Amsterdam (P.J.H. ECONOMICS AND TRENDS van Bree, pers. comm., 13 June 1990). Offslrore fishing Present overall production (all fisheries except shrimp) is 4 activity in Surinam is dominated by a Venezuelan red estimated at 11,000 tonnes (about three times that I snapper (Lutjcrn~u purpureus) line fishery and an recorded in the official statistics). Domestic consumption is international trawl fishery for shrimp and fin-fish. Between estimated at 6,800 tonnes with the remainder of the fish 18,000 and 20,000 tonnes of penaeid shrimps are caught being exported. Fishery resources of the Surinam annually by a flotilla of 120 to 140 trawlers mainly from Exclusive Economic Zone apparently include several South Korea and Japan. The coastal artisanal fishery is underexploited fin-fish stocks and Charlier (1989) described below. suggested that improved versions of the present coastal gillnetters should be developed. Artisanal coastal and wtunrinc fin-fish fishery U POR'l-S INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS The main ports are Paramaribo, Braamspunt and Pomona. Tucuxi are known to be incidentally killed: three animals Boats are also based in or near villages (85% along the were presumably caught in gillnets at the mouth of the lower part of the Surinam River). Surinam River and two animals at the mouth of the Coppename River (May 1964-November 1972), the skeletal materials are kept in Amsterdam. Three tucuxi at TARGET SPECIES Pomona and one at Braamspunt were caught in 'shrimp Fishing is mainly for inshore demersal species. Large traps' at the mouth of the Surinam River (April-June 1963) demersal species include only a few corvinas (Sciaenidae: and the skeletal materials are in Leiden. Seven other Cynoscion acoupa; C. strindnchneri) and sea catfishes animals were also received in Leiden (February-May 1971) (Ariidae: Arius parkeri; A. proops). Small demersal from the Fishery Department of Surinam that were species include other corvinas and croakers (Sciaenidae: probably caught in fishing activities at the mouth of the Macrodon ancylodon; Cynoscion virescens; Nebris Surinam River (at Braamspunt or Pomona). Bottlenose microps), other sea catfishes (Ariidae: Arius grandicnssis; dolphins and humpback whales are potentially at risk. A. quadriscutis; A. passarzy; Bagre spp., etc.), snappers Fishermen who seemed reluctant to provide details (Lutjanidae: Lutjanus synagris), grunts [Haemulidae), admitted that dolpbins were caught 'occasionally' but snooks (Centropomidae) and a few other fish families. dolphin meat is not consumed and carcasses are discarded at sea (C. Lietaer, ABOS, Paramaribo, irz litt., 9 October AREA OF OPERATION 1990). Fishing occurs in shallow coastal waters (<15m deep) including estuaries of the Corantijn, Nickerie, French Guiana i Coppenarne, Surinam and Marowijne rivers. Data are based on observations of fishing gear and vessels and on personal interviews with both local and foreign I VESSELS AND CREW fishermen conducted by one of us during a visit from 25 The smallest boat used is the korjaal (flat-bottom canoe) April-1 May 1989 (Van Waerebeek, 1990). used in lagoons. Larger boats of similar type are used in rivers and estuaries. In coastal marine waters two types of PORTS 'Guyana' boats predominate: decked and open gillnetters. Only Cayenne (04"56'N, 52"201W) and Saint-Laurent-du- Decked 'Guyana' boats seen in Cayenne, Guyana, were Maroni, Marowijne River (05"30fN, 54'02'W) were typically ca 15m long (KVW, pers. obs.). The available surveyed. information 011 numbers of boats for Surinam are: decked gillnetters (30 in 1989), open gillnetters (81 in 1987), TARGET SPECIES estuary gillnet fishery (87 in 1987), riverine drift and set The target species of the fishery are grey mullet I gillnets (74 in 1987). Fish are handled fresh and iced. Crew (Mugilidae) , several sciaenids and carangids, tarpon size varies with the type of vessel: decked gillnetter, 4-5 (Megalops) and sharks. men; open gillnetter, 34; estuari~le,1-4; and riverine, 3- 4. Total numbers of fishermen were: 284 on open AREA OF OPERATION gillnetters; unknown on decked gillnetters (in 1987, Fishing occurs near Cayenne and on the Marowijne River. reported to have increased now); 218 in the estuarine Reportedly, foreign fishermen based at Cayenne also gillnet fishery; and 205 in the riverine set and drift gillnet operate in Surinam and Brazilian waters. Local artisanal fishery. In the coastal fisheries, 5-50% of the crew are local fishermen mainly fish close to shore. i VESSELS AND CREW TARGET SPECIES Wooden boats, typically 15-20m long, are used. About 20- The main species taken are the serra Spanish mackerel 25 Brazilian vessels and approximately a dozen (Scomberomorus Drasiliensis) and the king mackerel (S. Venezuelan boats operate out of Cayenne. Crewmen are cavalln) . all locals at Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, The fish are handled fresh and iced. VESSELS At least 107, 10m-long boats operate out of Trinidad. GEAR (GILLNETS) Most nets are made of multifilament ilylon with a mesh size of 200mm, but at least some small-mesh monofilament nets GEAR (GILLNETS) are used, presumably in the inshore fishery. One net Most nets are of multifilame~ltnylon (set at night) although observed being repaired had a panel size of 2,000m long there are a few mo~lofilarnentny1011 nets (set during the and 7m deep. day). Mesh size is 100-110mm and panels are 100-150m long and lorn deep. Each boat carries 1-2 panels. OPERATIONS Trips may last up to a week. The Brazilian vessels operate throughout most of the year. OPERATIONS Trips usually last overnight. The nets are mostly of the drift type and are deployed at dusk and retrieved around ECONOMICS midnight after a 6 hour soak time. Fishing usually occurs in The fish (fresh and iced) is for the domestic market. shallow (c50m) waters and takes place at the surface. Somctimes monofilament large-mesh nets (for sharks) are INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS bottom set. A total of 5,325 trips was made in 1989. At least two species of small cetaceans are commonly mentioned by fishermen as incidentally killed. The smaller one is almost certainly the tucuxi and the 'much' larger one TOTAL LANDINGS may be either the bottlenose or common dolphin. Dolphins In 1989, 1,662 tonnes of serra Spanish mackerel and 174 are generally considered of no value and are usually tonnes of king mackerel were landed (figures include some discarded at sea. Some Brazilian fishermen said they had hook-and-line catches). tried dolphin meat but did not particularly like it. However, dolphi~isare occasionally harpooned for fish bait. One fisherman estimated that for every trip lasting a INTERACTIONS WITI-I CFXACEANS week, about 4-5 dolphins become entangled, but actual The only recorded entanglement was of a killer whale effort data (i.e. number of trips) are not available. Van (Ottley et al., 1988). The fisherman reported that the Waerebeek (1990) deduced from fishermen's assertions animal became entangled in his drift gillnet as it was being that the Brazilian gillnet fishery off French Guiana may hauled, in the Gulf of Paria between Kronstadt and Gaspar account for considerable dolphin mortality, possibly as Grande islands, ia 6-7m of water.The trapped animal died many as a few thousand animals per year. As an overseas after struggling for over an hour. The whale was one of department, French Guiana is governed by the same laws about 15 individuals. Bottlenose dolphins and humpback as France, and an order (20 June 1970) by the Director of whales are potentially at risk. French Maritime Fisheries prohibits the destruction, pursuit, or capture by any means, whether intentional or DISCUSSION unintentional, of all species of dolphins (Marashi, 1986). Although only one documented incidental take exists, the relatively high fishing effort makes it important that more DICUSSION information is gathered. B. Chakalall (FAO) reported Although information is preliminary, it appears that some use of driftnets around both islands by day fishermen relatively high numbers of dolphins may have been killed. who leave the nets to drift for 3-5 and sometimes up to 8- This suspected mortality may be significant for relatively 10 hours (H. Giebcn, 16 November 1986, in litt., to S. small and possibly localised populations of such species as Leatherwood). the tucuxi and the bottlenose dolphin. It is important that However, of more concern is the fact that Taiwanese the fisheries are moilitored to accurately estimate the drift-netting activities have been observed for the first time extent of this incidental mortality. Also, as recommended in the western Atlantic-Caribbean region. S. Johnson by Van Waerebeek (1990), special attention should be (Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing given to existing and proposed marine and estuarine Association) reported6 the presence of 15 Taiwanese conservation areas, such as the Sinnamary and Iracoubo vessels at dock in Port of Spain. According to the report, estuary, Kaw Marshes, Pointe BChague and lower American experts who inspected photographs of the Oyapock River. Observers should be placed on the vessels provided by Johnson identified drift nets aboard. Brazilian vessels to document and evaluate the extent of Moreover, M.G. Sturm (in litt., 17 July 1990) of the incidental kills and the species of dolphins involved. Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Marine Affairs, reported that several Taiwanese fishermen have been landing Trinidad and Tobago5 catches at Trinidad's main markets. If allegations of high- PORTS seas gillnetting operations in the area are confirmed, the Trinidad is the main fishing port, but the area of operation impact on cetacean populations should be evaluated as was not reported. soon as possible.

Tishery information was provided by M.G. Sturm (in lilt., 8 August 1990), Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Marine Affairs. The Arizona Daily Star., Tucson, AZ, USA, 16 August 1990. Barbados' ECONOMICS The limited informatioll available concerns gilInets and fish Fishermen can earn US$1.80-2.851kg for reef fishes and traps used by Barbadian fishermen. Gillnets are used to US$4.00-8.501kg for lobsters. The catch is processed catch flying fishes. The surface set nets have a mesh size of frozen. 4145mm. Panels are 10-30m long and 3m deep. Fish traps ('Antillean traps') are used to catch 'reef fishes'. Mesh size INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS varies from 25-38mm and traps are 2-3m long and 1-2m No cetacean entanglements were reported. deep and set at depths of 5-100m. At least three species of cetaceans are potentially at risk: bottlenose dolphin, short- finned pilot whale and unidentified species of spotted Gillizet fishery for flying fishes and demersal fishes, an.d dolphins. turtles (ports not given) TARGET SPECIES The main target species are flying fishes (Exocoetidae) , Martinique demersal fishes e.g. snappers (Lutjanidae), sea basses and No repIy to our request for data was received. The only groupers (Serranidae), and sea turtles. information is that multifilament gillnets, apparently of small-mesh, have been see11 (September 1990) in small, open wooden boats used for near-shore fishing in the AREA OF OPERATIONS vicinity of Fort de France. The vessels were equipped with Fishing occurs in both territorial and contiguous zones. high-powered outboard motors and were mostly launched from the beach (B. Van Waerebeek, pers. comm.). Also VESSELS AND CREW see Guadeloupe. Open wooden and fibreglass vessels (2.5-9.2m) are used. Sloops (4.3-19.8111) are also used in Grenada and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (0ECS)s . Crew size ranges from 2-4. Information on three types of fishery (pot, gillnet and beach seine)y was provided by the OECS, although the GEAR (GILLNETS) areas of operation were not provided by country. Mesh sizes (stretched) vary by species: flying fishes, 181nm; information for some individual countries was also demersal fishes, 72mm; sea turtles, 128-144mm. Nets are provided and is included at the elid of this section. made of nylon and panels are 100-165m long and ca 5m deep. The gear is hauled manually. Pot fishery (ports rzot given) 'TARGET SPECIES OI'EKATIONS The main target species are snappers (Lutjanidae), sea Fishermen operate daily in waters of 36-54111 deep. Nets basses and groupers (Serranidae), surgeonfishes are set in the evening and the soak time is about 12 hours. (Acanthuridae), jacks (Carangidae), squirrel- and soldier- Catches are usually 0-36kg per panel. fishes (Holoce~ltridae),goatfishes (Mullidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), grunts (Haemulidae=Pomadasyidae) and lobsters. ECONOMICS AND HISTORY Fishermen can earn US$2.00-2.85lkg. Gillnets have been AREA OF OPERATlONS traditionally used for pelagic fishes (e.g. flying fishes). In The fishery occurs inshore on shallow shelf waters, banks Grenada and Dominica some fishermen are now using and reef ecosystems. bottom-set gillnets for demersal fishes.

VESSELS AND CREW INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS Vessels (2.5-8.8m long) made of wood and fibreglass are No incidental catches were reported. Bottlenose and used. The catch capacity ranges from 364-682kg. Fish are common dolphins and humpback whales are potentially at handled fresh. Crew size is usually 2-3 men. risk.

GEAR (POTS) Beuch seine fishery (ports not given) Pots are made of wire or bamboo and have mesh size of 32- TARGET SPECIES 51mm. The gear is hauled manually. The main species caught are clupeids, carangids and belonids. OPERATIONS Mainly bottom fishing is carried out with a soak time of 2-3 AREA OF OPERATIONS days and a retrieval time of 4-6 hours. Catches usually The fishery occurs in coastal waters. range from 0-236kg per pot. VESSELS AND CREW 7 Information provided by the Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, St. Michacl, in lift., 24 Open wooden and fibreglass vessels (2.5-9.2m long), July 1990. known in Grenada as 'double enders', are used. Crew size 8 Most of the information for the members and associatcd states of the can reach 8-10. OECS, which includes Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grcnada, Monlserrat, St. Kills and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent arid the Grenadines, was providcd by D.C. Joscph (in lin., 17 GEAR (REACH-SEINES) September 1990), Fisheries Unit, OECS, Kingstown, St. Vincent and Nets of mesh size 25-38mm made of twine (thicker) or the Grenadines. Vcoopldiy nets arc also used to catch flying fishes and othcr fishes nylon are used. Panel length and depth were reported as which are attracted to a temporary fish aggregating device made of 500-600 x 200-300 meshes, respectively. Nets are hauled floating dried banana leaves. manually. OPERA'I'IONS Guadeloupe About 144-192 trips per year are made. Up to 1,360kg of The only information available is that members of the fish are caught per panel. French delegation at a 1986 Workshop on Coastal Protected Areas, hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Natural ECONOMICS Areas Management Programme, mentioned the use of Fishermen are paid US$1.00-2.50lkg. gillnets it1 Guadeloupe to H. Gieben (in litt., 16 November 1986, to S. Leatherwood; received by the authors August INTERACTIONS WITH CETACEANS 1990). Japanese and Koreans reportedly deploy 'tri-nets', No cetacean entanglements were reported. Unless they are which are three nets with different size meshes hung very large beach seines, they should have little effect on together. Because the foreign fishermen are secretive dolphins, but ambiguous data makes it difficult to judge. about their activities, little other information is available. The short-finned pilot whale is potentially at risk. St. Vincent and the Grenadines No gillnet or trap interactions with cetaceans have been Puerto Rico (USA) recorded. Traditional cetacean fisheries for 'blackfish' We received no reply to our request for data. The only (Globiceph~zlu)and humpback whales are described by information available is that gillnets (both set and drift several authors (e.g. Caldwell and Caldwell, 1975; Price, types) are used and that a minimum 38mm mesh-size is 1985). allowed (J.E. Rivera, in litt., to J. Lien; received by the authors 24 August 1990). H. Gieben (in litt., 16 November St. Lricicr 1986, to S. Leatherwood) cites Dr. Joe Kimmel of the No incidental catches of cetaceans are reported. Reeves Fisheries Research Laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico as stating 'that he was not aware of any gillnet fishing (1988) summarised information on direct catches of going on nor had heard of porpoises or whales being cetaceans, mainly thc short-finned pilot whale. taken.' USA laws protecting marine mammals are applicable in Puerto Rico. Bottlenose, common and Doiniizicrr spinner dolphins, Stenella spp., short-finned pilot whales Northridge (1990) reports that the Barbados driftnet type and humpback whales are potentially at risk. has been introduced to Dominica. The current status of the hand-harpoon fishery for the short-finned pilot whale Dominican Republic11 (IWC, 1982) is unknown. This species is potentially at risk from gillnets. Artisanal Jislzery of Samana' Bay PORTS The maill ports are SAnchez and Puerto Viejo. Fishing Antigull and Barb~idu takes place in Samanh Bay. Some information was provided for Antigua alone: a total of less than 50 gillnets (both set and drift) are used to catch TARGET SPECIES sea turtles. Mesh size is limited to 38mm, and nets measure The main target species are snooks (Centropomidae) and under ca 900m in length and 100m or less in depth (E. mullets (Mugilidae). Boyer, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands and Housing, St. Johns, Antigua, in litt., VESSELS AND CREW 13 July 1990, to J. Lien, Whale Research Group, Memorial Wooden cayucos and botes crewed by 1 or 2 men are used University of Newfoundland, Canada; received by the in the fishery. authors 24 October 1990). GEAR (GILLNETS) Virgin Islands (British) Multifilament nylon gillnets with mesh sizes from 40- Fisheries officers maintain that there are no fishery 100mm are used. Panels are 30-255m long and 4-5.7m incidents involving cetaceans. However, it has been deep. Each vessel usually carries 4-5 panels. ru~noured that 'ghost' gillnets have washed up on the shores of Anegada, British Virgin Islands' northernmost OPERATIONS island, probably from illegal fishing by foreign vessels (H. Nets are set at the surface at night, then retrieved in the Gieben, West Indies Laboratory, St. Croix, US Virgin morning after a soak time of about 12 hours. Islands, iri litt., 16 November 1986, to S. Leatherwood, Sail Diego, California, USA; received by the authors August INTEKACTIONS WITI-I CETACEANS 1990). Bottlenose dolphins, Stenella spp., short-finned A 3m humpback whale calf was caught (date not given) in a pilot whales and humpback whales are potentially at risk. gillnet in Samani Bay, 1.5km from Pueblo Viejo, on the east: side of Sdnchez and San Lorenzo Bay (at 19"14'N, Virgin Islands (USA)lO 60"36'W), The calf was cut into pieces and eaten by the Only scant information is available. Fishing gear employed fishermen, who also sold some of the meat. The use of nets by commercial fishermen includes monofilament gillnets is illegal from November to May in the humpback Silver and surround nets for the harvest of reef fishes, such as Bank Sanctuary and nearby areas, but this has been jacks (Carangidae) and parrotfishes (Scaridae). There are difficult to enforce. CRSBJBP is preparing regulations no records of cetacean by-catches in the fishery. US laws aimed at better protecting the whales entering Sananh protecting marine mammals are applicable in the US Bay. This bay, which is another important humpback Virgin Islands. whale area, has been proposed for inclusion in the Silver Bank Sanctuary. 1" Information was provided by Wm. Tobias (in liu., 4 October 1990). Dcpartnlcnt of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and 11 Information was providcd by I. Bonnelly de Calvcnti (in lift., 7 Wildlife, Governmcnt of the Virgin Islands of thc United States, St. Septenlbcr 1990), Comisidn Rcctora del Santuario de Ballenas Croix. Jorobadas del Banco de la Plala (CRSBJBP), Santo Domingo. Turks and Caicos Islands12 monitoring of gillnet fisheries; (3) investigate alternative There are no gillnet fisheries reported for the country. Two fishing methods that could reduce or eliminate incidental lobster trap boats work the deeper edges of the Caicos mortality; (4) develop studies to assess the abundance of Bank, but interactions with cetaceans are not known or cetaceans incidentally killed in order to understand the suspected. Humpback whales are seen regularly about impact of increased mortality due to fisheries (especially 45km south of these islands. for the vaquita); and (5) design and implement regional educational programmes to increase the awareness of local Jamaica fishermen and the general public to the problems faced by According to H. Gieben (in litt. 16 November 1986, to S. cetacean populations interacting with gillnet fisheries. Leatherwood; received by the authors August 1990) Urgent attention should be given to the endangered gillnets primarily are used close to shore, and no conflicts vaquita in the upper Gulf of California, Mexico (see with cetaceans have been reported. Common and striped Mexico for recommendations). Special attention should dolphins are potentially at risk. also be given to the tucuxi, Sotaliafluviatilis, along coastal waters of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and French Cuba Guiana. This may be the most commonly killed small We received no reply to our request for data. The only cetacean in the Caribbean, Monitoring of incidental information comes from H. Gieben (in litt., 16 November mortality is also important for: the coastal pantropical 1989, to S. Leatherwood; received by the authors August spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata graffnzani (Pacific coast 1990) who believes that gillnetting is becoming quite of Mexico, Central America and Colombia); spinner popular in Cuba. dolpjlins (Stenella Zongirostris centroarnericana off the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, S. I. Cayman Islands13 orientalis off the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central America The Cayman Islands possess a narrow insular shelf which and Colombia); the offshore pantropical spotted dolphin, supports limited fisheries operated by local fishermen. Stenella attenuata attenuata (off the Pacific coast of Mexico, There are no pelagic gillnet or trap fisheries around the Central America and Colombia); and colnmon and islands. Inshore net fishing is restricted to a few (7-10) bottlenose dolphins for all countries. licensed seine-net fishermen who set their nets mainly for sea turtles. Trap fishing by locals is also confined to inshore waters. The traps used are the small, traditional, wire- mesh and frame 'fishpots' widely used in the Caribbean. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There have been no reports of any cetaceans entrapped. We thank the following individuals and organisations for providing information on fisheries and/or cetacean-gillnet Bahamas interactions: D.C. Joseph (OECS, Kingstown, St. Vincent The most recent report on the commercial fisheries and the Grenadines), R.W. Thompson (Department of (Bahamas Department of Fisheries, 1990) states that Fisheries, Nassau, Bahamas); the Ministry of Agriculture, gillnets are not used (in fact, they are prohibited) and fish Food and Fisheries (Saint Michael, Barbados); P. Bush pots are not used extensively. The most common method (Cayman IsIands), G. Acevedo, C, Gdmez and H. Mojica for capturing sea basses (Epinephelus), groupers (Instituto Nacional de 10s Recursos Naturales Renovables (Mycteroperca) and other commercially important 'big y del Ambiente, Bogota, Colombia); E. Madrigal (San fish' (principally snappers, Lutjanus) is by trapping them in Jose, Costa Rica); I. Bonnelly de Calventi (Santo 'arrowhead-shaped' or 'rectangular' wire traps. Such Domingo, Dominican Republic); M. Castell6n devices are unlikely to trap cetaceans. The capture or (Tegucigalpa, Honduras); R. Boyer (Centro Intercultural molesting of marine mammals is illegal in the Bahamas. At de Estudios de Desiertos y Ockanos, Puerto Peiiasco, least three species of cetaceans are knohn to be found close Mexico); W. Tobias (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands); C. to shore: bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins and Smeenk (Leiden, Netherlands); P.J.H. van Bree humpback whales. (Amsterdam, Netherlands); R. Sanchez (Instituto Nicaraguense de la Pesca, Managua); B. Van Waerebeek (Belgium), D.H. Arosemena (Ciudad de Panama, DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN ORDER Panama); J. Lien (Newfoundland, Canada); M.G. Sturm OF PRIORITY (Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago), S. Leatherwood (San Diego, California, USA), C. Lietaer (Paramaribo, From the limited information available, seldomly reaching Surinam) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (Grand beyond the anecdote, it is evident that considerably more Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands). We also thank W.F. data are needed to assess the effects of gillnet fisheries on Perrin, J. Kashiwada (Southwest Fisheries Science Center, cetaceans in this large area. Every effort should be made La Jolla, California) and A. Rogge (ABOS, Brussels) for to: (1) further document existing gillnet fisheries and those assistance with references; E.M. Alvarado (Muse0 del that may develop, by soliciting co-operalion from local Mar, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, BogotB, fishery officers and biologists, and through dedicated Colombia) and G. Alvarez-Manilla, P. Cendbn, W.C. surveys by independent observers in those areas thought to Graham, K.-H. Holtschmit, F. Manrique and L. be most seriously affected; (2) identify and stimulate Miiggenburg of ITESM-Campus Guaymas for their help. interested local residents (e.g. biology students) and Centro Peruano de Estudios Cetoldgicos alld research by organisations to become actively involved in the KVW are partially funded by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (England), through S.R. Whyte. 12Inforrnation was provided by C. Ninnes (irt lifl.,17 July 1990), Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Natural Resources. The late P.J.P. Whitehead, and two anonymous reviewers lUnforlnatio11 was provided by P. Bush (in litt., 10 October 1990), read early drafts of the manuscript and offered valuable Natural Resources Laboratory, Cayman Islands Government. suggestions for its improvement. ncr. IIY I. wnfib. LUIVLIVII REFERENCES Proyectos Especiales Francisco Jose de Caldas, COLCIENCIAS. BogotB, Colombia. 26lpp. Agudo, I. 1990. 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