Examining the development of a parrotfish fishery in The Bahamas: Social considerations & management implications

Parrotfish play a critical role in helping to maintain the health of coral reefs. Although they have not been thought of as a primary target species for fishers in The Bahamas, recent investigations highlight the expansion of an emerging fishery driven by increased preference for the fish. While the ecological significance of parrotfish has been established, there have yet to be many studies to understand the social drivers of the fishery, including why fishers are choosing to harvest the species. This project seeks to gain a better understanding of those drivers by conducting a socio-economic survey to understand the motivations, perceptions, and attitudes of fishers with regards to harvesting parrotfish. Surveys were collected from 164 fishers throughout The Bahamas. The data indicate that more than 50% of those surveyed are targeting parrotfish specifically and most are selling their catch to a variety of consumers, highlighting the continued development of local market conditions. Fishers also have varying understandings of the importance of the ecological function of parrotfish, highlighting the need for the inclusion of education as a complement to any management and conservation efforts. Additionally, statistical analysis of the survey responses demonstrated that certain social factors (including island of residence, contributions to and sources of income, and fisher status) resulted in significant differences that need to be considered in order for any management attempts to be successful. This project demonstrates that a holistic analysis of fisheries that incorporates social, ecological, and economic aspects while also assessing their dynamics is essential before determining and implementing management and policy decisions.