Parrotfishes in the Caribbean : a regional review with recommendations for management

Abstract

Parrotfishes are caught primarily by fish traps and spearfishing (targeted and incidental) for personal and commercial consumption. Over half (65 percent) of the responding countries and overseas territories indicated that they have either a complete harvesting ban or fishing regulations in place to promote the protection of parrotfishes to some extent. About half (56 percent) of the responding countries have fishery-independent surveys for parrotfishes, but the metrics evaluated by these surveys are not the same. Similarly, parrotfish-related outreach and education was varied throughout the Caribbean. Twelve countries (32 percent) report having specific parrotfish outreach campaigns or materials, while in other countries campaigns and materials were geared towards marine conservation in general. Most countries agree that long-term protection for parrotfishes is critical, but consensus about the specific measures required to achieve this is lacking.