Socio-Economic Contribution of Eight Coastal Communities to the Lobster Fishery in Belize

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF EIGHT COASTAL COMMUNITIES TO THE LOBSTER FISHERY IN BELIZE

Prepared and submitted by: CONSULTANT: Vincent Gillett Strategic Studies Consultancy Group Belize City, Belize

This study was made possible through funding received from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

May, 2008

Contents

Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Background 3 3. Methods 4 4. Results 5 5. Conclusions & Recommendation 19 6. Acknowledgements 21 7 References 22 8 Annexes 23

1. Introduction

The Belize fishery sector contributes significantly to the Belizean economy and to those communities that are directly engaged in the activity. Fishing, which traditionally has been a source of subsistence in coastal communities, has now, over the years, become a commercial activity providing employment and income to support many families in coastal communities. Most of the fishing effort targets the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) which is the most valuable fishery earning, in 2005, US$7.2 from the export of lobster tails and lobster head meat. This however, represents a decline in income derived from lobster tail export sales of about 8.7% and a concurrent decline in catch per unit effort as the fishing season progresses (Gongora, 2006). This decline is attributed to increase in fishing effort, or increases in the number of fishers, and fishing boats, that is typically experienced within the sector annually. In 2005, 2026 fishermen were reportedly licensed. This represents a 17% increase above those licensed in 2004. A more recent study (de Leon Gonzalez, 2007) suggest that the lobster resource is fully exploited and that caution should be exercised in monitoring and managing the fishery to ensure that the fishery does not become over-exploited.

As part of the ongoing effort to manage the lobster fishery, the Belize Fisheries Department embarked upon a socio-economic study regarding the contributions made to the lobster fishery by several fishing communities. It is anticipated that the study will provide some of the insights necessary to assist the department in developing policies or preparing legislation that would, in the long term, lead to a continued profitable and sustainable lobster fishery.

2. Background

Over the past four decades the Belize fishing industry was dominated by the lobster fishery. Belize is the third-largest producer of lobster in the Mesoamerican Reef with annual yields of 800 metric tons and annual revenue of approximately $6.5 million US (Gongora 2006; Hernandez 2007). Currently, the harvest of this species shows no significant signs of decline; production has stabilized at between 700 and 800 metric tons of whole lobster annually, with some spikes occurring in the last decade (Fig 1).

Fishermen in Belize are organized into cooperatives. Presently, there are five fishing cooperatives that are operational. Two of these, Northern and National Fishermen Cooperatives, account for most of the 2500- 3000 plus lobster fishermen as members or affiliates. Both of these cooperatives are located in Belize and also, are the only cooperatives that have a processing plant that processes fishery products for export. Belizean cooperatives retain all of their production and export it themselves thereby benefiting directly from the commercial value of the product. Table 1 below list the fishing cooperatives and the number of fishers affiliated to them.

The majority of the lobster harvesting is done in coralline habitats all along the coastline, using wooden traps, shades or “casitas” or diving using hooks. In the northern part of the country, the preferred gear is the wooden trap whereas the “hook-stick‟‟ is widely used in the south.

Fishing is normally carried out by fishers who reside in coastal communities along the coast of the mainland or from residents on the cayes or atolls (Annex 1). Fishers would normally travel to the fishing grounds or camp sites on the cayes or atolls to fish for lobsters (See Annex 11). The Fisheries Department has divided the fishing grounds into six fishing areas as depicted in the diagram in Annex III. The presence of the Belize Barrier Reef System and the diversity and richness of the coral reef ecosystem, where hundreds of species co-exist for feeding, nursing and reproduction, is largely responsible for the success of the lobster fishery.

Fig 1: Record of spiny lobster landings in Belize from 1946 to 2002, converted to total weight (FAO, 2003)

Table 1: Fishing Cooperatives Membership-2006

COOPERATIVE LOCATION PROD. NON-PROD. TOTAL Northern Belize City 373 342 715 National Belize City 324 170 494 Caribena San Pedro 15 121 136 Placencia Placencia Village 32 19 51 Rio Grande Punta Gorda 12 30 42 Source: Fisheries Department

3. Methods

The study was conducted following the methods described by Bunce et al. (2000) in the GCRMN Socioeconomic Manual for Coral Reef Management. Additionally, discussions were held with the Fisheries Department to identify and prioritize key coastal communities for inclusion in the study. The department also reviewed and approved the survey questionnaire

4 instrument and, identified staff who would participate in conducting the survey. The survey team also refined the draft questionnaire following “piloting” and uniform interpretation and agreement on protocol for conducting the interviews. Interviews were conducted primarily in June, July and August 2007. Some interviews were conducted in January of 2008, particularly in Belize City, as some of the fishers targeted were often unavailable. Importantly, the complete survey team participated in the exercise in the coastal communities in the northern part of the country. This was strategically important as many of the fishers in the north speak only Spanish. A copy of the questionnaire is attached as Annex III.

The coastal communities targeted included Sarteneja, Chunox, Placencia, Independence/Mango Creek, Hopkins, and Belize City. These communities represent approximately 26 % of the total coastal fishing communities (See Annex 1). They are however, communities that have historically, relied on coastal resources as a primary means of livelihood. In Belize City interviews were conducted at Northern Cooperative, National Cooperative, the Fisheries Department and the Belize City Market. These latter two locations were done just prior to the opening of the lobster season at which time fishers congregate at these points preparing for the season or renewing fishing and or boast licenses. A total of 83 fishers were interviewed.

At the conclusion of the interviews, the data were coded and entered into a spread sheet and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package.

4. Results

4.1 Overview of the data

The overarching purpose of the study was to get a sense of the contribution that lobster fishing was making to the socio-economic well being of fishers in Belize while the survey targeted specific fishing communities, the view was that these villages was highly representative of the importance of fishing to the economic well being of most coastal fishing communities. A brief description of the geography of the communities highlighted elaborates upon the socio economic importance of harvesting marine resources (lobster) in these communities.

The location of the fishing communities are shown on the map of Annex 1. Using the division of geographic areas defined by Palacio (2006), the first sub region is the “Extreme South” which includes the town of Punta Gorda and four villages including Monkey River and Punta Negra. The region is adversely affected by overfishing, largely influenced by Guatemalan and Honduran fishers. Coastal communities in this region are among the poorest with minimal job opportunities; the economic impact of tourism is minimal relative to other parts of the country.

Next is the „Southern‟ sub region, which includes six villages including Independence/Mango Creek, Placencia, and Hopkins. The predominant livelihood derives from mainland sources, primarily fruit agriculture and shrimp farming. Within recent years the Placencia Peninsula, which is the marine resource heartland of this sub region, has experienced the heaviest growth in

5 over-night tourism in the country1. One of the four remaining fishing cooperative “Placencia Fishermen Cooperative” is located on the peninsula in the village of Placencia.

Further north there is the „Central‟ sub region characterized by two urban communities, Belize City and Dangriga. Dangriga is the administrative and commercial district capital of the Stann Creek District, whose main economy consists of fruit and shrimp agriculture, and tourism. Belize City is the administrative and commercial centre for the Belize District as well as for the whole country. The exploitation of marine resources is a cash earning source for a minority of the Belize City population.

Slightly northeast of Belize City there is the „Cayes‟ sub region dominated by San Pedro Ambergris and Caye Caulker. Fishing was the primary income earner in both of these communities. This activity has however been overtaken by tourism as the major source of employment.

Finally, there is the „Northern‟ sub region, which includes the three villages – Chunox, Copper Bank, and Sarteneja. Fishing is the major economic activity of Sarteneja fishers who travel long distances along the entire coast of Belize in search of lobster and conch. Villagers in Chunox and Copper Bank also engage in fishing though less so than those from Sarteneja.

4.2 Fisher Survey Population and Distribution

From the survey, the listing recorded a total of eighty-three (83) fishers that were interviewed (Table 2). The smallest number of those fishers interviewed resided in Caye Caulker and Monkey River (1%). The majority of fishers resided in Sarteneja Village (39.8%). Of the remaining fishers, 12 % each resided in Placencia and Punta Gorda; 10.8% resided in Chunox; 9.6% in Independence; 7.2% in Hopkins and 6% in Belize City.

Table 2: Place of Residence of Fishers Interviewed

Cumulative Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent Valid Belize City 5 6.0 6.0 6.0 Caye Caulker 1 1.2 1.2 7.2 Chunox 9 10.8 10.8 18.1 Hopkins 6 7.2 7.2 25.3 Independence 8 9.6 9.6 34.9 Monkey River 1 1.2 1.2 36.1 Placencia 10 12.0 12.0 48.2 Punta Gorda 10 12.0 12.0 60.2 Sarteneja 33 39.8 39.8 100.0 Total 83 100.0 100.0

1 Belize Tourism Board figures indicate that between 1988 and 2005 the destinations with the largest numbers of hotels in decreasing numbers were San Pedro, Cayo, and Placencia. During that period the numbers in Placencia increased sevenfold, while in San Pedro, the numbers increased almost threefold. 6

4.3 Fisher Characteristic, Education and Economic Standing

For the fishers interviewed, ages ranged between 18 and 66. The mean age was 34.76 years and a median age of 35 years was recorded. The youngest fisher, 18 years, resided in Punta Gorda and the oldest, 66 years resides in Placencia Village. For fisher presently fishing in Belize, Belize City fishers ages were between 29 – 63 years. For Chunox the age range was 19-35; for Hopkins 34 -48; Independence 24-46; Placencia 31-66; Punta Gorda 18 -41 and Sarteneja 20 -58 years. The age data is summarized in Fig 2 below.

Respondents Age

Frequency

Mean = 34.76 Std. Dev. = 10.525 0 N = 83 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Respondents Age

Fig 2: Frequency Distribution of Respondents Age

Most fishers (72.3%) have attended and completed their primary school education (Table 3). Thirty percent (30%) have graduated from a secondary school and one (1.2%) fisher from Belize City has graduated from a tertiary level education institution. This is a slight divergence from Espeut‟s 1992 survey which indicated that 2.5% of the fishers had acquired university education.

Table 3: Level of Education of Respondents

Cumulative Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent Valid 1 1 1.2 1.2 1.2 None 2 2.4 2.4 3.6 Primary 60 72.3 72.3 75.9 Secondary 19 22.9 22.9 98.8 Tertiary 1 1.2 1.2 100.0 Total 83 100.0 100.0

4.4 Socioeconomic Status

About 66.3 % of all respondents owned their own the house they live in. Sixty-two (62 %) of the houses owned were concrete structure. The houses in Belize City (60%), Chunox (100%), Monkey River (100%) and Sarteneja (84%) were of concrete structures with modern amenities including running water, electricity and indoor bathrooms. Thirty three percent (33%) of house owned by the respondents were wooden structures (See Table in Annex IV a). Most of the wooden structures are in Caye caulker where all (100%) houses owned by fishers were wooden. This differed slightly from those houses owned by fishers in Punta Gorda and Placencia where 90% of the houses owned by fishers were wooden structures. All the fishers interviewed (100%) and resident in Caye Caulker and Monkey River owned their houses. In Punta Gorda ownership was slightly lower at 90% (See table in Annex IV b).

Bar Chart

30 Area of residence 25 Belize City Caye caulker Chunox 20 Hopkins Independence Monkey River 15

Placencia Count

0 Concrete Wooden Type of house

Fig 3: Bar Chart of house type

Bar Chart

20 Area of residence Belize City 15 Caye caulker Chunox Hopkins 10 Independence Count Monkey River 5 Placencia Punta Gorda Sarteneja 0 nonowner Owner House owner

Fig 4: Bar Chart of Count of House owner

4.5 Fishing Practices and Operations

The survey results indicate that 44.6% of the respondents own and captain their boat. Fishers are hired as crew members. The number of fishers working on a boat ranges from 1-14. The mean number of crew normally working on a boat, including a captain, is five (5).

Table 4: Percentage of Fishers who own a Boat

Cumulative Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent Valid Own boat 37 44.6 44.6 44.6 boat crew 46 55.4 55.4 100.0 Total 83 100.0 100.0

Fishers from Sarteneja show the highest level of ownership of boats (38%). Fishers (1.2%) who are least likely to own their boats reside in Caye Caulker and Monkey River. Table 5 below summarizes the comparative relationship between the number and percentage of fishers in each community who own their own fishing boats.

Table 5: Number and Percentage of Boat owners in each fishing village

Fishers normally fish in any one or more of the various fishing zones outlined on the Map in Annex V. The fishing areas defined falls well within the geographic areas previously described in section 4 above and includes fishing areas 1, 2 and 3 in the Central Province; fishing area 4 in the Northern Province; fishing area 5 also in the Central province and, fishing area 6 in the Southern Province.

Fishers surveyed identified the fishing areas where they would normally go to fish for lobsters. Their response is summarized in Figure 5 below. Further quantification is presented in the Table 6 below.

Bar Chart

12 Area of residence Belize City Caye caulker 10 Chunox Hopkins Independence 8 Monkey River Placencia 6 Punta Gorda

Count Sarteneja

0 Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Fishing Area

Fig 5: Preferred Fishing Area Fished by Fishers form the Coastal Communities

Table 6 show that the majority of fishers (65%) fish in fishing Areas 5 (32.5%) and 6 (32.5%). Fishing Areas 1 and 2 are the least preferred fishing areas. Fishers from Sarteneja work in all areas except Area 6. Their preferred areas are Fishing Area 5 and 6. Fishers from Hopkins fish exclusively in Area 5. Fishers from Placencia indicate a singular preference for Area 6 and those from Belize City show a distinct preference for fishing Ares 3 and 5.

Table 6: Cross Tabulation of Fishing Areas and Fishing Village

Fishing Area * Area of residence Crosstabulation

Area of residence Independ Belize City Caye caulker Chunox Hopkins ence Monkey River Placencia Punta Gorda Sarteneja Total Fishing Area 1 Count 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 Area % of Total .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 3.6% 6.0% Area 2 Count 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 % of Total 1.2% .0% 4.8% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 6.0% Area 3 Count 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 11 % of Total 2.4% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 10.8% 13.3% Area 4 Count 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 % of Total .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 8.4% 9.6% Area 5 Count 2 0 3 6 5 0 0 0 11 27 % of Total 2.4% .0% 3.6% 7.2% 6.0% .0% .0% .0% 13.3% 32.5% Area 6 Count 0 0 0 0 3 1 10 10 3 27 % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% 3.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 3.6% 32.5% Total Count 5 1 9 6 8 1 10 10 33 83 % of Total 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0%

Collectively, fishers work for an average of 7.24 hours per day. The majority (41%) of fishers reported that they work for 8 hours each day when in the field. Fishers, from all communities work an average of 5 to18 days per trip. The majority (21.7%) of fishers report that a fishing trip may extend to 18 working days. The data indicate that the mean number of trips taken to the fishing site is 60.5 trips per fishing season; the maximum recorded is 280 trips. There may be a problem of interpretation here as most (15.7%) reports a total of 24 trips to the fishing areas per season. The closed season for lobster is from February 15th to June 14th. This translates to approximately 240 calendar days for lobster harvesting activities.

Overall lobster catches range from 1 to 60 pounds per day for a calculated mean of 15.64 pounds per day. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of fishers catch 1 and 20 lbs of lobster per day over during the lobster season.

4.6 Cost of Fishing

A share system exists between boat owners/captains and crew. The system varies among individuals, communities and boat types. The system operates largely to cover boat maintenance and repair, fuel and food supplies, and salaries. The data indicate that the mean percentage of revenue spent on salaries, maintenance and repair, and fuel and supplies are 47.17%, 18.34% and 21.64% respectively (See figs 1, 2 and 3 in Annex VI). While cost of fishing is variable, the data also indicate that the overall average amount of income directed to salary by community is highest for fishers from Chunox (74%) and is the least for fishers from Hopkins village (27%). Income allocated for repairs (43%) and supplies (57%) are similarly highest for Chunox fishers and the least (2% repairs and 6% supplies) fishers from the village of Hopkins. Further comparisons are summarized in Table 7 below.

Table 7: Percent Income for Salaries, Repairs and Supplies

Location Salary Repair Supplies Belize City 41 16 16 Avg 65 30 35 Max 1 1 1 Min Chunox 74 43 57 Avg 80 30 50 Max 0 0 20 Min Hopkins 27 2 6 Avg 85 5 20 Max 1 1 1 Min Independence 63 17 21 Avg 80 30 30 Max 40 10 5 Min Placencia 57 13 17 Avg

Location Salary Repair Supplies 80 30 30 Max 1 1 1 Min Punta Gorda 52 16 12 Avg 80 30 30 Max 1 1 1 Min Sarteneja 43 23 25 Avg 90 50 45 Max 1 1 1 Min

4.7 Earned Income

Fisher earned income varies and reportedly lie between BZ$ 2,000 and BZ$ 30,000 per annum. The data show that 2.4% of fishers interviewed earned the reported minimum and 15.7% earned the maximum of BZ$ 30,000 per year.

The total average income for all fishers within all communities targeted in the survey was BZ$ 16,880 per year. Belize City fishers are the largest money income earner as 40% of those interviewed earn the maximum reported. Punta Gorda fishers, were the largest block low income earner as 40% of fishers earned the reported minimum (BS$5,000) within that community (See Table 7). Sarteneja fishers are the greatest beneficiary from the industry as they take in the largest amount (33%) of all income earned. The data also showed that no fisher (0%) from Sarteneja earned the maximum annual income recorded. Belize City fishers benefit the least as collectively, they collect 5% of all income earned annually.

Fishers from Hopkins earn the least from lobster fishing; they account for the least (6%) of the total annual income earned (See Table 8).

Table 8: Income Earned by Fishers in the Fishing Communities (BZ$)

Belize City Chunox Hopki ns Independence Placencia Punta Gorda Sarteneja Average 22000 20000 11500 19375 17500 15000 12576 Income/yr Maximum 30000 30000 30000 30000 30000 30000 20000 Income/yr Minimum 10000 10000 2000 5000 5000 5000 5000 Income/yr % fishers at 40% 11% 16% 38% 10% 30% 0% max income % fishers at 20% 11% 33% 13% 10% 40% 33% min income % of 9 14 6 12 14 12 33 annual income earned

Fishers consciously optimize their income earning capacity as the data show that high income earners fish in largely at Area 5 and Area 6 (See Fig 6 below). That is, most fishers, from every fishing community, targeted in the survey fish in Area 5 and 6. The exception to this is Caye Caulker; the data does not record fishers from this community operating in Area 5 or 6 (See Fig 7).

15 Fisher income $2,000 $5,000 12 $10,000 $20,000 9 $30,000

Count 6

0 Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Fishing Area

Fig: 6 Bar Chart Relating Income Level and Fishing Area

12 Area of residence 10 Belize City Caye caulker 8 Chunox Hopkins Independence 6

Count Monkey River Placencia 4 Punta Gorda Sarteneja 2

0 Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Fishing Area

Fig: 7 Fishing Area worked by fishers from the various Communities

4.8 Estimates of Catch and Marketing of Catch

Lobster catches range from 1 to 60 pounds per day. The data show that most fishers (20%) would catch about 20 pounds per day. A small percent of the fishers (1.2%) are at the upper end of the spectrum, landing the maximum reported 60 pounds per day. Further analysis of daily catch is presented in the table of Annex VII. Fishers from Sarteneja are the largest producers accounting for 39.8% of all landed catch. Fishers from Caye Caulker and Hopkins are the smallest (1.2%) producers.

Lobsters caught are generally sold to a fishing cooperative. Of the total catch of lobsters landed, eighty five percent (85%) is sold to a cooperative. The cooperative processes and markets the product locally or internationally. This arrangement is expected as fishers are most often affiliated with one of the five fishing cooperative currently operating in Belize. From the survey, it was noted that 84.3% the fishers‟ interview were members of a cooperative. Of the sampled population, only 15.7% identified themselves as independent fishermen (See Table 9 below).

Table 9: Cross Tabulation of Cooperative affiliation and Fishing Communities

Area of residence * Name of Cooperativ e Crosstabulation

Name of Cooperative Independent National Northern Plancencia Rio Grande Total Area of Belize City Count 0 4 1 0 0 5 residence % within Area .0% 80.0% 20.0% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Caye caulker Count 0 0 1 0 0 1 % within Area .0% .0% 100.0% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Chunox Count 0 5 4 0 0 9 % within Area .0% 55.6% 44.4% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Hopkins Count 4 1 1 0 0 6 % within Area 66.7% 16.7% 16.7% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Independence Count 5 1 2 0 0 8 % within Area 62.5% 12.5% 25.0% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Monkey River Count 1 0 0 0 0 1 % within Area 100.0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Placencia Count 0 0 0 10 0 10 % within Area .0% .0% .0% 100.0% .0% 100.0% of residence Punta Gorda Count 0 0 0 0 10 10 % within Area .0% .0% .0% .0% 100.0% 100.0% of residence Sarteneja Count 3 20 10 0 0 33 % within Area 9.1% 60.6% 30.3% .0% .0% 100.0% of residence Total Count 13 31 19 10 10 83 % within Area 15.7% 37.3% 22.9% 12.0% 12.0% 100.0% of residence

Fisher affiliation to a cooperative may also be linked to villages or geographic location. Fishers in the south may be affiliated with the Placencia Fishing Cooperative or the Rio Grande Cooperative of Punta Gorda. The data also showed that most of the independent fishers reside in Hopkins, Independence or Monkey River Village; all of which are southern coastal villages. The majority of the fishers interviewed (37.3%) were members of National Fishermen Cooperative (See Fig 8 below). National is one of the most successful fishing cooperative.

Fig 8: Cooperative Affiliation of Fishers in Area of Residence

20 Name of Cooperative Independent National Northern Plancencia 15 Rio Grande

10 Count

0 Belize Caye Chunox Hopkin Indepen Monkey Placen Punta Sarten City caulker s dence River cia Gorda eja Area of residence

4.9 Fishers Concerns

Most of the respondents were generally supportive of the effort made by government to properly manage the industry. Fishers were equally supportive of the continued good relationship between themselves, government and the Fisheries Department. However, in responding to the questions, three (3) issues elicited enthusiastic responses from the majority of fishers, which clearly demonstrated some latent concern. The issues that provoked the described response includes, cooperative membership, marine protected areas and licensing of fishermen.

4.9.1Cooperative membership

As stated earlier, most fishers are members of a cooperative. The role that cooperatives played in the historical development of fishermen is well known and appreciated by all fishers interviewed. Most fishers feel that fishing cooperatives should be fully supported and that the role they now play in the industry should be enhanced. The majority of the Fishers (42%) inform that, for the

15 continued survival of the industry, all fishers working in Belize should be a member of fishing cooperative. 10.8% of the fishers interviewed strongly disagree with this suggestion (See Table 10). Table 10: Response of Fishers to Membership in Cooperatives

Fishers should belong to a fishing cooperative

Cumulative Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent Valid strongly disagree 9 10.8 10.8 10.8 disagree 11 13.3 13.3 24.1 neutral 7 8.4 8.4 32.5 agree 7 8.4 8.4 41.0 strongly agree 28 33.7 33.7 74.7 don't know 21 25.3 25.3 100.0 Total 83 100.0 100.0

Opinions vary across communities. Note however the prominence of Caye Caulker (100%) and Belize City (40%) fishers among those that strongly disagree and, the strong “Strongly agree” (100%) support given by Sarteneja and Punta Gorda Fishers (See Fig 9 below).

Fig 9: Level of Support for Cooperatives Membership by Communities

10 Place of residence Belize City Caye Caulker Chunox 8 Hopkins Independence Monkey River Placencia 6 Punta Gorda

Sartenaja Count

0 strongly disagree neutral agree strongly don't know disagree agree Fishers should belong to a fishing cooperative

4.9.2 Marine Protected Areas

Respondents from all communities agreed that the creation of marine reserves contributed to a sustained lobster fishery in Belize. Fishers were generally knowledgeable about the location of each marine reserve and the generally, about the rules and regulations governing the activities of

16 fishers in the reserves. When asked whether more reserves should be opened to further protect lobster resources, fisher‟s responses were varied; eighteen percent (18%) strongly disagreed; 6.0% disagreed; 15% agreed and 20.5% strongly agreed. Approximately thirteen percent (13%) of respondents were neutral to the idea and 22% did not have a response or had no opinion on the matter. A summary of responses is presented in Fig10 below.

Support creation of reserves

15 Percent 10

0 strongly disagree neutral agree strongly agree don't know disagree Fig 10: Support creation of reserves

Disagreement came largely from Sarteneja (70%) and Belize City fishers (40%). Each of the villages of Caye Caulker, Chunox, Independence and Monkey River agreed and very strong agreement was expressed by the fishers (56%) from Punta Gorda (See Fig 11 below).

4.9.3 Licensing of Fishers

The population of fishers is increasing. The number of licenses issued increased from 1,718 in 1998 to 2,131 in 2004. The number of licensed fishers increased by 17% over 2004 figures in 2005 (Gongora 2006, Gillett 2007). Fishers are generally aware of the problem this is causing in terms of increasingly reduced income, and are thinking of ways to overcome this problem.

During the survey fishers were asked whether limiting the numbers of fishers licensed to harvest lobster would help to sustain the fishery. Result show that 26.5% of fishers could not contribute

14 Place of residence 12 Belize City Caye Caulker 10 Chunox Hopkins 8 Independence Monkey River

Count 6 Placencia Punta Gorda 4 Sartenaja

0 strongly disagree neutral agree strongly don't disagree agree know Fig11: Support for creation of marine reserves to the discussion or had no opinion to offer. Thirty six percent of the respondents supported limiting the number of licensed fishers while 24.1% either disagreed or strongly disagreed (See Fig 12 below).

20 Percent

0 strongly disagree neutral agree strongly agree don't know disagree Fig 12: Support Limiting the Number of Fishers

Table 11 below summarizes levels of support within the number of fishers‟ and within fishing communities. Notably, The fisher community in Belize City and Punta Gorda show support and agree (60%) for limiting the number of licenses issued while Sarteneja fishers strongly disagree.

5 Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

It has been recognized that the fisheries sector, and particularly the contribution of the lobster fishery to the sector, has been an important money earner for the country of Belize. The primary producers of the resource were the fishers from fishing communities like San Pedro in the north and Placencia in the south. Overtime however, the traditionally subsistence nature of fishing in most coastal community shifted to more “artisanal” operations particularly in the early 1970. The shift was further enhanced by the economic gains enjoyed by fishers and their decision to organize themselves into fishing cooperatives. Indications are that fishing communities have prospered over time as family groups gained access to and claimed other resources including house/lots and other social amenities. The gains made are more obvious in some localities than in others. This difference may be a reflection of the residual benefit of the greater number of fisher participation from the north than those from other localities. For, irrespective of the geographic location of the community, fishers are, in the majority of instances, house owners, stable income earners, and providers for their families including providing support for the acquisition of primary education for their children. More importantly, fishers are able to meet, singly or collectively, the cost of carrying on their fishing activities.

Fishers are experiencing rising cost in acquiring benefits from the fishery as a result of the decline of lobster on the fishing grounds. Competition from tourism and declining membership in fishing cooperatives are also important challenging. In the case of the latter, fishers are not in accord with making membership of fishers to a fishing cooperative mandatory.

The need to rationalize the management of the fishery is recognized. The introduction of marine protected areas is widely accepted. Full support for the establishment of other protected areas is non-existent within the fishing community.

The suggestion that the fishery could be more effectively managed if the number of licensed fishers would be limited warrants considerable debate. Fishers know that there are fewer resources being chased by a growing number of fishers. Fishers are, at best, discussing the idea of possibly limiting licenses.

Table 11: Support limiting number of Fisher license

Support Limiting the Number of Fishers * Place of residence Crosstabulation

Place of residence Independ Belize City Caye Caulker Chunox Hopkins ence Monkey River Placencia Punta Gorda Sartenaja Total Support strongly disagree Count 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 8 15 Limiting the % within Support Limiting 6.7% 6.7% 20.0% .0% 6.7% .0% .0% 6.7% 53.3% 100.0% Number of the Number of Fishers Fishers % within Place of 20.0% 100.0% 33.3% .0% 12.5% .0% .0% 10.0% 24.2% 18.1% residence disagree Count 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 5 % within Support Limiting .0% .0% .0% .0% 20.0% .0% .0% 20.0% 60.0% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of .0% .0% .0% .0% 12.5% .0% .0% 10.0% 9.1% 6.0% residence neutral Count 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 5 11 % within Support Limiting .0% .0% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% .0% 9.1% 18.2% 45.5% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of .0% .0% 11.1% 16.7% 12.5% .0% 10.0% 20.0% 15.2% 13.3% residence agree Count 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 0 5 13 % within Support Limiting 7.7% .0% 7.7% 15.4% 15.4% .0% 15.4% .0% 38.5% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of 20.0% .0% 11.1% 33.3% 25.0% .0% 20.0% .0% 15.2% 15.7% residence strongly agree Count 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 6 5 17 % within Support Limiting 17.6% .0% 11.8% .0% 5.9% .0% .0% 35.3% 29.4% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of 60.0% .0% 22.2% .0% 12.5% .0% .0% 60.0% 15.2% 20.5% residence don't know Count 0 0 2 3 2 1 7 0 7 22 % within Support Limiting .0% .0% 9.1% 13.6% 9.1% 4.5% 31.8% .0% 31.8% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of .0% .0% 22.2% 50.0% 25.0% 100.0% 70.0% .0% 21.2% 26.5% residence Total Count 5 1 9 6 8 1 10 10 33 83 % within Support Limiting 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0% the Number of Fishers % within Place of 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% residence

5.2 Recommendations

1. The survey was conducted during the closed season for lobster. Future surveys should be organized with the assistance of the fishing cooperative. The cooperative should organize the meeting of the survey team with fishers as a group.

2. The Fisheries Department should meet with the fishers to discuss the possibility of establishing a “limited entry lobster fishery”.

3. A discussion forum should be organized to discuss and review the impact of marine protected areas on the lobster fishery.

4. A socio-economic survey of the lobster fishery should be conducted at least every three years by the Fisheries Department.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study was made possible with funding provided by the Food and agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Belize Fisheries Department. The author also thanks the staff of the Fisheries Department and especially, Mr. James Azuela, Mr. Pott and Ms Marsha for their assistance. The author is especially thankful to the Northern Fishermen Cooperative Society Limited and the National Fishermen Producers Cooperative Society for their kind assistance and cooperation.

Bibliography

Bunce, L., P. Townsley, R. Pomero, and R. Polinac. (2000). Socio Economic manual for Coral Reef

Espeut, P. (1994). A Socioeconomic Baseline Survey of thirty Fishing Communities in Twelve CARICOM Countries.

Grant, S. (2004). Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve Data Collection Plan (Part 2)

Gillett, V. (2003). The Fisheries of Belize

Gordon, E.T. (1981) Phases of Development and underdevelopment in a Caribbean Fishing Village: San Pedro, Belize

Gongora, M. (2006) Regional Workshop on the Assessment and Management of The Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Gonzalez, M.E. (2007) technical Report on the Status of the Spiny Lobster in Belize

G.OB. (2005). The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Annual Report, 2005

Palacio, J. (2006). Coastal Communities at Age 25 –Ethnographer’s delight and dilemma

ANNEX 1: Coastal Communities

ANNEX II: Principal lobster-fishing camps and communities in Belize.

1) Ambergris Caye, 2) San Pedro, 3) Caye Caulker and St. George‟s Caye, 4) Belize City, 5) Turneffe Islands, 6) Lighthouse Reef, 7) Half-Moon Caye, 8) Caye Largo, 9) Dangriga, 10) Columbus Caye, 11) Glovers Reef, 12) Placencia, and 13) Gladden Spit.

ANNEX III: The Survey Questionnaire

Survey Questionnaire Forms

Fishermen Interview questionnaire

Date and time ______Captain _____ Crew _____ Interviewer ______Respondent # _____ Location ______Gender (M/F) _____

Demographics

1. How old are you? ______

2. What is your level of education?

Primary school graduate ______Secondary school graduate ______Sixth form graduate

______University graduate______

3. Where do you live? ______

4. How many years have you been fishing? ______

5. How many children live in your house? ______

6. Did/do your children attend school? ______

7. Are any of your children over 18 years? ______

8. What is your main language? ______And your secondary language ______.

9.How many people live in your household?______

10. Do you have any other job besides fishing? ______

11. Which job provides you with the most income? st 1 ______, nd 2 ______,

12. Are any other members in your household involved in an income-generating activity?

Yes _____ Who ______What activity? ______

No ______

13. Are there any females in your household who are involved in the fishing business? Yes _____

Who ______What activity? ______

No ______

Material & lifestyle

14. Do you: Own farm land _____ Own house lot _____ own house _____ Sailboat _____ skiff _____ outboard engine _____ canoe _____ Vehicle _____ bicycle _____ Washer _____ VCR/DVD player _____ phone _____ TV _____ stereo _____ refrigerator _____ stove _____ cellular phone _____

15. The roof of your house is made up of: Thatch _____ zinc _____ cement _____

16. The wall of your house is made out of: Palmetto _____ plywood _____ wood _____ cement _____

Windows: wooden _____ metal _____ glass _____ Floors: dirt _____ cement _____ wood _____ tile _____

17. Have you got? Running water: Yes ____ No _____ Electricity: Yes ____ No ______Type of toilet: Flush toilet ______Latrine ______

Fishing gear and methods

18. When fishing, what are the main species targeted? i) ______ii) ______iii) ______iv) ______

19. Which of the following types of fishing gear do you use? i) Diving with Hook Stick______ii) Lobster Traps______iii) Gillnet______iv) Lobster Shade/Casitas______

20. In which fishing zone do you normally catch lobster?

1. ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4____ 5 ___ 6 _____

21. What other fishing area (s) would you go to if your preferred fishing area is unavailable? ______

22. Which of the above fishing area produces the most lobsters? ______

23. Do you own the boat? Yes No

Are you the captain of the boat? Yes No

Are you a crew member? Yes No

24. How many crew members are usually on your boat? ______

25. On average, how many lbs (kg) of lobsters do you catch (landed) each day when you are at sea? ______

26. How many hours do you spend each day catching lobsters?______

27. How many days each week do you spend catching lobsters?______

28. How many fishing trips do you make each year to your fishing area? ______

29. What percentage of your boat‟s total catch is usually or generally sold to: Cooperative ______Hotels/Restaurants ______Local markets ______Own use ______other ______

Return on Investments

30 What percentage of your revenue is directed to payment of salary? ______

31 What percentage of revenue is directed to boat maintenance ands repair? ______

32. What percentage of your income is directed to fuel, ice and food? ______

33. On average, what is your net annual income from fishing?

______a) less than $5,000 ______b) $5,000 - $10,000

______C $10,000 - $20,000 ______d) $20,000 - $30,000

______d) greater than $30,000

34. In terms of your financial position in relation to your lobster fishing activities, which of the following best describes your standing for the last three years? ______a) Excellent ______b) Break-even

______c) Non-profitable ______c) Indebted

______d) Don‟t know

Attitudes

35. Are you a member of fishing co-operative? Yes ___ Which? ______No ___

36. Indicate degree of agreement with the following statements using the scale: don‟t know (6) strongly agree (5), agree (4), neutral (3), disagree (2), or strongly disagree (1) _____ a) Marine Reserves are important for protecting lobster resource _____ b) More Reserves should be opened to protect lobster resources _____ c) Penalties for illegal fishing for lobsters should be increased _____ d) Fishermen who fish for lobster should belong to fishing cooperative _____e) Limiting the number of Fishers catching lobsters would help sustain the fishery resource

37. In your opinion, our lobster fishery resources are currently……….?

______a) Under-fished ______b) Heavily-fished ______c) Fully-fished

______d) Over-fished ______d) Don‟t know

Threats and problems

38. What do you think are the top three major problems affecting the lobster fishery? Problems: i) ______ii) ______iii) ______

39. What do you think are the solutions to these problems? Solutions: i) ______

Solutions: ii) ______

Solutions: iii) ______

ANNEX IV a : House owner * Area of residence

Crosstab

Area of residence Independ Belize City Caye caulker Chunox Hopkins ence Monkey River Placencia Punta Gorda Sarteneja Total House nonowner Count 1 0 4 3 3 0 3 1 13 28 owner % within House owner 3.6% .0% 14.3% 10.7% 10.7% .0% 10.7% 3.6% 46.4% 100.0% % within Area of 20.0% .0% 44.4% 50.0% 37.5% .0% 30.0% 10.0% 39.4% 33.7% residence % of Total 1.2% .0% 4.8% 3.6% 3.6% .0% 3.6% 1.2% 15.7% 33.7% Owner Count 4 1 5 3 5 1 7 9 20 55 % within House owner 7.3% 1.8% 9.1% 5.5% 9.1% 1.8% 12.7% 16.4% 36.4% 100.0% % within Area of 80.0% 100.0% 55.6% 50.0% 62.5% 100.0% 70.0% 90.0% 60.6% 66.3% residence % of Total 4.8% 1.2% 6.0% 3.6% 6.0% 1.2% 8.4% 10.8% 24.1% 66.3% Total Count 5 1 9 6 8 1 10 10 33 83 % within House owner 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0% % within Area of 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% residence % of Total 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0%

ANNEX IV b : Type of house * Area of residence

Crosstab

Area of residence Independ Belize City Caye caulker Chunox Hopkins ence Monkey River Placencia Punta Gorda Sarteneja Total Type of Concrete Count 3 0 9 5 4 1 1 1 28 52 hous % within Type of hous 5.8% .0% 17.3% 9.6% 7.7% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 53.8% 100.0% % within Area of 60.0% .0% 100.0% 83.3% 50.0% 100.0% 10.0% 10.0% 84.8% 62.7% residence % of Total 3.6% .0% 10.8% 6.0% 4.8% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 33.7% 62.7% Wooden Count 2 1 0 1 4 0 9 9 5 31 % within Type of hous 6.5% 3.2% .0% 3.2% 12.9% .0% 29.0% 29.0% 16.1% 100.0% % within Area of 40.0% 100.0% .0% 16.7% 50.0% .0% 90.0% 90.0% 15.2% 37.3% residence % of Total 2.4% 1.2% .0% 1.2% 4.8% .0% 10.8% 10.8% 6.0% 37.3% Total Count 5 1 9 6 8 1 10 10 33 83 % within Type of hous 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0% % within Area of 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% residence % of Total 6.0% 1.2% 10.8% 7.2% 9.6% 1.2% 12.0% 12.0% 39.8% 100.0%

Annex V: MAP OF Fishing Areas/Zones in Belize

Source: Fisheries Department Report, 2005

ANNEX VI

Frequency 10

0 Mean = 0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 47.1205 Std. Dev. = Percent of revenue spent on 23.26224 N = 83 salaries

Fig 1: Percent of revenue spent on salaries

Frequency 10

5 Mean = 18.3855 Std. Dev. = 0 11.78034 N = 83 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00

Fig 2: Percent of revenue spent on maintenance and repairs

10 Frequency

5 Mean = 21.6386 Std. Dev. = 0 12.62651 N = 83 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00

Fig 3: Percent of revenue spent on fuel and supplies

ANNEX VII: Catch per Day by Community

Crosstab

Catch per day (lbs) 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00 12.0 15.00 20.00 23.0 25.0 30.00 35.0 40.0 60.0 Total Area of Belize City Count 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 residence % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% 6.0% Caye caulker Count 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% 1.2% Chunox Count 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 9 % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% 3.6% .0% 1.2% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 10.8% Hopkins Count 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 % of Total 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 3.6% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 7.2% Independence Count 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 % of Total 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% 2.4% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% 9.6% Monkey River Count 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% Placencia Count 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 10 % of Total .0% .0% .0% .0% 2.4% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% 1.2% 2.4% 2.4% .0% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% 1.2% 12.0% Punta Gorda Count 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 % of Total .0% 1.2% .0% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 1.2% 7.2% 1.2% .0% .0% .0% .0% .0% 12.0% Sarteneja Count 0 0 1 3 4 2 3 1 6 0 3 4 0 2 2 2 0 0 33 % of Total .0% .0% 1.2% 3.6% 4.8% 2.4% 3.6% 1.2% 7.2% .0% 3.6% 4.8% .0% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% .0% .0% 39.8% Total Count 2 1 1 4 13 2 4 1 9 1 10 17 1 4 9 2 1 1 83 % of Total 2.4% 1.2% 1.2% 4.8% 15.7% 2.4% 4.8% 1.2% 10.8% 1.2% 12.0% 20.5% 1.2% 4.8% 10.8% 2.4% 1.2% 1.2% 100.0%