Find Fisheries expertise in Dominica

Fisheries, together with forestry and agriculture contribute 15% to Dominica’s GDP (2008). Dominica’s fisheries are largely artisan, and it has one of the smallest fishing industries in the Caribbean and has a fairly short coastline of 148 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical miles. The industry employs approximately 2800 individuals in the primary sector, of which about 40% are full time, and there are estimated to be about 60 vendors and processors.

Most of the catch is for local consumption and most fish landed is sold directly to the public at the landing sites by the fishermen as landings are not sufficient to support an export market. Indeed, a number of fishing vendors import fish during the off season to supply the local market.

Marine fishing is composed of long-line fishermen who target the migratory pelagics, and there are also a large number who use fish traps to target demersal species. Lobsters are also highly valued and targeted mainly for the hotel industry. The lobster catch profile largely consists of the spotted spiny lobster, the green lobster, the copper lobster and the slipper lobster.

The only inland fishery is the fresh water prawn culture industry. There were believed to be about half a dozen farmers engaged in this industry in 2005.

A major obstacle for the fishing industry, as is the case for most industries in Dominica is hurricanes.

The Dominica Rural Enterprise (DREP) is a micro-enterprise that provides support in the areas of landing site development, the boat revolving scheme and institutional strengthening. There are also six co-operatives on the island, and seven fishery study groups that form the basis for the development of co-operatives.

The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOAF) is the primary public sector institution responsible for the sector. In terms of the approach to sustainability, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) funded the Coastal Resources Inventory Project (CRIS) which enables the Division to more effectively monitor marine resources and environmental dynamics and to ensure these resources are used sustainably. CRIS is governed the by Fisheries Act No. 11 of 1987 which is based on OECS legislation. This act provides for conservation measures such as the establishment of marine reserves, conservation measures such as closed seasons as well as a number of restrictions on the type of gear that can be used.