CFMC Takes Action Newsletter | April-June 2025

CFMC Takes Action

Caribbean Fishery Management Council

CONSERVING, RESTORING AND MANAGING OF FISHERY RESOURCES IN THE US CARIBBEAN

APRIL-JUNE 2025

Vol. 1 No. 2

Newsletter to inform and share the progress of diverse projects that advance the sustainability of the U.S. Caribbean fisheries.

We are proudly highlighting how the CFMC collaborative work is advancing fisheries sustainable management in the US Caribbean by integrating scientific and fishers’ perspectives through the implementation of two projects funded by NOAA Fisheries Let’s learn from the project leaders Héctor J Ruiz Torres, Michelle T Schärer Umpierre, Álida Ortiz Sotomayor and Jannette Ramos García

PROJECT 1:

Local Ecological Knowledge Strengthens Monitoring of Queen Conch and Nassau Grouper Habitats: Environmental Vulnerability Data to Assess the Ecological Needs of Two Species under Recovery Plans

Small-scale fishers from southwestern Puerto Rico are deeply connected with the scientists in the monitoring of key habitats, gathering biological and environmental data, and sharing decades of accumulated experiences.

Fishers collaborate with monitoring and research processes.

Caribbean Fishery Management Council

Photo: HJR Reefscaping

Fishers’ good understanding of the ecosystems processes gathered from constant presence at sea and years of experience are impressive, and the success of sharing these perspectives is remarkable. Thanks to these interactions, it has been possible the location of juvenile queen conch (Aliger gigas) critical habitats, on seagrass beds, rocky substrates, and sandy bottoms.

They also contributed to the identification of the frequent conch movements in response to seasonal cues or changes in environmental conditions. Hurricanes Georges (1998) and María (2017) were mentioned as turning points that led to widespread loss of seagrass beds due to sedimentation, and to changes to coastal marine topography. In some areas, fishers understand that habitat recovery remains incomplete even after decades.

Fishers have been highlighting the uptick in Nassau groupers (Epinephelus striatus) in localized rocky and coral reef zones, and the importance of habitat diversity and seasonal shifts in habitat use. These observations are critical in defining habitat vulnerability, in characterizing recruitment areas, and in recognizing the impacts of fisheries management interventions upon these animal populations.

Queen Conch (Aliger gigas) / The illustration was provided by Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program

Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus)

Photo: HJR Reefscaping

Although fishers rarely use some scientific terms, their experiences reveal a keen awareness of extreme events' consequences. The rise in seawater temperatures, altered seasonal cycles, and increased unpredictability in these two species’ abundances and behaviors have been remarkably noted.

The overwhelming presence of sargassum inundations is a topic of increasing concern. In fact, the growing frequency and intensity of dense sargassum mats and blooms are impacting many coastal zones, impede navigation, limit underwater visibility, increase the water’s acidity, and smother nearshore juvenile habitats. One fisher described how these algal blooms, combined

with freshwater runoff, drastically alter water quality and disrupt the environment for species that rely on good estuarine conditions.

The implementation of this project demonstrates how Local Ecological Knowledge is a form of know-how grounded in experience and environmental consciousness. By having them as data collectors, environmental observers, and co-managers of marine and coastal resources, insight into the past conditions, current state and vulnerability of critical nursery habitats can be introduced.

LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE

This is the set of knowledge, practices, and ideas that communities have acquired through their personal experience regarding the ecological relationships of their environment and the organisms that live in it.

Source: https://www ecosur mx/aplicacionde-conocimiento-ecologico-local-para-laconservacion-de-tiburones-y-rayas/

Fishers are helping the team of scientists in building a clearer picture of the complex dynamics and pressures upon essential fish habitats for species of the project interest by:

debulking recruitment adaptation processes in a changing ocean documenting species behaviors understanding patterns in juvenile abundances

exploring environmental shifts (sargassum blooms, warming waters, and post-storm habitat loss)

Therefore, their continuous involvement ensures that both scientific institutions and local communities remain engaged and participate in the research process. Listening to those who work the sea every day not only strengthens the quality of the information collected but also lays the foundation for a more adaptive, inclusive and resilient approach to fisheries governance in the face of changing environments.

Caribbean Fishery Management Council

PROJECT 2:

Understanding Impacts of Extreme Events on the Fishery Ecosystem and the Fishers’ Communities in the U.S. Caribbean

An essential part of understanding the impacts of extreme events on fisheries is becoming aware of the perspective of the fishers themselves. This includes: what impacts fishers identify in their communities and fishing grounds, how much they know about the issue, and their observations of the environment in which they live and work. Engaging in dialogue with fishers about

extreme events is one way to gather their input and build a knowledge base about the impacts of these events and the level of understanding that fishing communities have of them.

A series of dialogues has been conducted in the implementation of this project. These dialogues are the result of visiting numerous fishing communities in Puerto Rico. A variety of attitudes and levels of knowledge has been identified in this process.

Fishery Management Council

Jannette Ramos García interviewing fisher Luis Pérez in Añasco, PR / Photo: Jannette Ramos García

Depending on the terminology used by the team, fishers could feel unsure on how to respond, as sometimes they are unfamiliar with theoretical concepts. However, there are specific issues that capture the attention of fishers because they are directly related to observations they make daily. One of these issues is the recent and drastic increase in sea temperature.

Sargassum influxes is another recurring topic. Some recognize that this floating alga brings dolphinfish and other pelagic species with it and even consider its beneficial role for fishing. Others, however, see it as a threat, which, when it sinks into coastal areas, destroys habitats and affects their catches. Some even showed photos of their traps subjected to sargassum sludge. These environments, generally foul-smelling and associated with fish mortality, are immersed in layers of decomposing organic matter. Such divided opinions show that community perceptions depend largely on the type of fishing gear used and the area where they operate.

Connecting with fishers often requires breaking the ice; some, who are timid, may feel uncomfortable at first. Perhaps because of their role in society, women were, in many cases, the most vocal and observant.

Fishing trap with sargassum

Photo: Nelson Crespo

For example, in the community of El Corozo in Cabo Rojo, a fisherwoman described how accumulations of sargassum sludge have caused mangrove mortality, noting that this phenomenon has become visibly more frequent in recent years. Meanwhile, a resident from the Rincón community recounted how, since Hurricane Maria, ocean currents have shifted—and with them, the fishing grounds.

These voices demonstrate that, even if technical language is not used, there is valuable knowledge that must be recognized, valued, and considered in decision-making processes. What is often lacking is not awareness, but better communication techniques, access to contextualized information, and spaces for dialogue where experiences are validated as part of collective knowledge. It is urgent that these spaces be strengthened, especially at a time of increasingly rapid environmental change.

The development of this project clearly demonstrates how, through honest and simple dialogues, it is possible to understand complex realities, combining uncertainties and experiences, encompassing multiple opinions, and, above all, being aware of these communities' desire to continue fishing despite the challenges. Listening respectfully and documenting their words is not only valuable, but also necessary to face the future with greater knowledge and effectiveness.

CFMC Takes Action

Caribbean Fishery Management Council

Fishers interviewed at the Santo Cristo de la Salud Fishing Village, ‘El Boquete’, Peñuelas, PR

Photo: Jannette Ramos García