The collapse of coral reef related fisheries especially the commercially important grouper-snapper complex is a continuing problem across the Caribbean. The loss of large, reef dwelling fish has detrimental repercussions on the ecology of coral reefs and the food security and economies of coastal communities.

As commercially preferred species disappear, there is a trend for fishermen to target new fish species, often from lower trophic groups. These alternative species command a lower market price and to maintain income levels there is normally a concurrent shift by fishermen from selective fishing methods (such as hook and line), to less selective gears (such as gill nets). As fish populations diminish, social, spatial and technological competition occurs at multiple scales as fishermen extend their range beyond traditional boundaries in search of new fish populations and increase the effort they exert to catch them.

As mixed fisheries which are seasonally and spatially variable, coral reef fisheries present an ecologically complex management challenge. Since these fisheries are exploited by a variety of different resource users, employing a range of different techniques, they are also difficult from a human perspective. As flaws in the success of conventional fisheries management techniques have become increasingly apparent, there has been an important paradigm shift away from “top down” control and towards the development of participatory management initiatives. Ideally these can operate effectively at a local level whilst feeding in to a national policy framework.

The loss of large, reef dwelling fish has detrimental repercussions on the ecology of coral reefs and the food security and economies of coastal communities.

UCME have been working alongside Utila's fishermen since 2007, analysing catch data from the small scale fishery as well as collating traditional knowledge, such as locating key fishing grounds and known seasonal fluctuations in fish populations. Working within and with the fishing community has enabled UCME to identify fisheries management priorities and as this programme continues to develop, UCME is integrating ongoing fisheries research in to the application of participatory management. This work also provides the foundation for the sustainable fisheries programme and the promotion of sustainably caught fish through our Fair Fish programme.