A Collaborative Assessment of the Virgin Islands Spiny Lobster Fishery Una Evaluación Colaborativa de la Pesquería de Langosta de Islas Vírgenes Une Évaluation Concertée de la Pêche des Langoustes D'îles Vierges

Virgin Islands spiny lobster resources were evaluated through a cooperative research project between the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) and Virgin Islands Fishermen. Virgin Islands fishermen tagged over 5,000 spiny lobsters, carried out observers who measured entire catches and recaptured nearly 10% of the lobsters tagged. Additionally, historic data on landings and port sampling were assembled and analyzed for status of resources. The results were used to provide resource management recommendations to the CFMC.