Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve. Research Report No. 11. Utilization of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve by Artisanal Fishermen. Research Report No. 12. Socioeconomic and Cultural Role of Fishing and Shellfishing in the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve

摘要

Catch and landings on St. John are described for a six-month period (January to June 1981). Methods include port interviews, annual catch reports, informal interviews and questionnaires. Resources taken near or landed on St. John by 28 commercial fishermen were categorized into ten different fishing methods. Landings for the period of study total 16,067 pounds (fish, shellfish and crustaceans) for a total value of $38,221. The subsistence fishermen were interviewed and were found to set from one to ten fish traps and some handline fishing. Most, if not all of the commercial fishing activities take place outside of the Biosphere Reserve. The major impact is socio-economic, rather than resource utilization.