National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Religious Affairs,
Turks and Caicos Islands, Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management

Document prepared by Kathy Lockhart, MSc., Assistant Director Fisheries
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Turks and Caicos Islands. (August 2023)

FISHERIES AT A GLANCE

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) and Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management (FMRM) has been through significant changes from natural phenomenon (storms), economic effects (economic downturns COVID19), and inter-government department changes. FMRM and the Ministry have been actively reviewing priority areas in the fisheries sector; drafted proposed amendments to the fisheries legislation, sought stakeholder participation for alternatives and diversification for the commercial fishery, and collaborated with external agencies for internationally funded research/data collection for the fisheries. As the fisheries industry is evolving, the TCIG continues to develop alternative aspects of the fisheries. Alternatives include re-development of Aquaculture with guided legislation instruments, increase and strengthen the recreational fishing activities, investigate pelagic fishing activities and harmonize the various stakeholder needs of the fisheries including food security. Both Caribbean Spiny Lobster and Queen Conch continue to be captured as commercially important fisheries for export. However, the domestic market has increased in both need and economic incentives for all marine fisheries including that of the Fin-fish fishery. The current Government has taken the approach to encourage and maintain food security from both the fisheries and agriculture sectors. With the assistance of internationally funded projects, TCIG has been able to obtain additional data for the Queen conch, development of Stakeholder landing sites and development of Fin-fish age & growth parameters.

HOW TO CITE: Lockhart, K., 2026. National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in The Turks and Caicos Islands. Contribution 10.17, p 229-239 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume II: National Reports on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Papers presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=971

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