As the 76th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Conference came to a close at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island last week, marine scientist Dr. Krista Sherman shared that there is a need for all hands to come on deck to help save the Nassau Grouper.
Dr. Sherman, a scientist at the Perry Institute shared that there are concerns with the declining population of the Nassau Grouper in The Bahamas. Her study on groupers in the Exuma National Park reflected that there was a reduction in fish less than 40cm total length, as well as larger than 40cm in length. Grouper populations inside the park showed greater numbers than those outside of the park. However, what was worrying for her and her team, is that the population inside the marine protected area is declining.
The Nassau Grouper makes long distance migrations in order to spawn in safety. However, fishers are catching the grouper while they are spawning, she said, which drastically reduces populations. Marine protected areas like the Exuma National Park are an effective fisheries management tool, she advised. For example, grouper populations in a protected yet under-managed area in the Berry Islands saw a greater decline than the Exuma National Park, although there is cause for concern due to preliminary signs of decline in the grouper population.
There are not a lot of new fish coming into the park, Dr. Sherman said, which highlights the need for research and monitoring, as well as communication and awareness building with stakeholders. An ongoing Big Fish Initiative will aid in stakeholder support.
“We are at a crossroads,” she said, “But we have an opportunity where we can choose how we want to move forward.”
Her presentation rounded off a slate of presentations made during the event, held November 6 -10, 2023, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
“We need to improve compliance and governance, and provide a framework so we can continue research uninterrupted,” she said.
“It needs to be sustainably managed so populations can recover so Bahamians can continue to enjoy the Nassau Grouper.”
Source: Felicity Darville
