Despite being moved once again to a new governmental department, the management of the fishery improvement project for Brazilian lobster made several notable advances that are going into effect for the 2018 fishing season.
For the fourth time since 2014, the Brazilian government changed the governing body for the FIP. In March 2017, the Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which manages the FIP, moved from under the auspices of Brazil’s Ministry of Industry, Development, and Commerce to the Office of the Presidency
The FIP is a partnership between the state of Ceará, Brazil, the Brazilian lobster exporters association (SINDFRIO), and the Center for Development and Sustainable Fisheries (CeDePesca). Its corporate partners include Brazilian lobster suppliers and exporters Compex, Icapel, Maris, Condessa, Ipesca, and Santa Lavínia, as well as Miami, Florida-based Tequesta Bay Seafood.
Despite the disruptions caused by the frequent moves, the FIP was able to promote and receive approval for several new management measures, including the adoption of a quota-based management system.
Going into effect in 2019, the quota sets a total allowable catch of 4,000 metric tons (MT) for red lobster and 900 metric tons for green lobster. Those figures were set following the publication of the FIP’s fourth stock assessment, which was compiled using industry data and management recommendations, according to CeDePesca.
In addition, with the FIP’s backing, the government’s Management Committee for the Lobster Fishery (CGPL) moved to prohibit sales of Brazilian lobster in the domestic market during the last four months of the fishery closure, and adopted a measure requiring the live delivery of lobster to processing plants.
“This measure will help to reduce fishing effort and will encourage the use of legal fishing gear (traps),” CeDePesca said.
The CGPL also approved the resumption of the monitoring of landings in 2018, and the formation of a working group that is tasked with defining implementation and control mechanisms for the new measures.
According to CeDePesca, Brazil’s live-weight lobster exports rose in 2017 to 5,982 MT, up from 4,712 MT in 2016. In 2015, live-weight lobster exports totaled 5,662 MT; in 2014, the total was 5,427 MT, and in 2013, lobster exports totaled 5,972 MT.
