Fishing Activity
Type of production system: Subsistence; Artisanal Fishery Area
Bottom type: Coral reef; Soft bottom clean sand. Depth zone: Coastal - Close shore, littoral (0 m - 20 m). Vertical distribution: Benthic.
Fishers tend to go to areas that have coral heads or rocks to set traps.
Geo References 
Exclusive Economic Zone Areas (EEZ) | JAM - Jamaica |
More Geo References
The following area codes have been found as intersecting the location of
Jamaica Artisanal spiny lobster - Island shelf and proximal banks Target Species
Carapace: 76 mm and over.
Vessel Type
Fishing vessels not specifiedCatch Handling and Processing Equipment
None
Flag State

Jamaica
Fishing Gear
PotsFish pot or Antillean ¨Z¨- shape traps. Free and SCUBA diving, spearguns.
Related Fisheries - Fishery(ies) switching activity seasonally or targeting the same stock
Jamaica Industrial queen conch fishery - Shallow waters and offshore banks Seasonality
July to March
Environmental limitationsHurricanes, bad weather or sea conditions may affect harvest levels.
List of fishery Indicators
Fishery Indicators
Type | Measure | Value | Unit | Time period |
---|
Nominal Effort | Number of vessels | 18 artisanal (canoe) vessel | vessels | 2014 |
Employment | Number of fishermen | 240 | Persons | 2015 |
Source of Information
Fisheries Division of Jamaica, Ministry of Agriculture. Personal communication, January 2016.
http://www.moa.gov.jm/Fisheries/index.phpBibliography
Cooke-Panton, K. 2014. An analysis of Puerulus settlement of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) stock in Jamaica with practical management recommendations.
Morris, R. A. 2011. A Bioeconomic analysis of the jamaican industrial Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) fishery. United Nations University, Fisheries Training Programme.
http://www.unuftp.is/static/fellows/document/ricardo10_prf.pdfMartin-Murray, A. 2010. The use of production models and length frequency data in stock assessments in Jamaica fisheries, building on the Caribbean spiny lobster observations. [Unpublished/manuscript]. United Nations University, Fisheries Training Programme.
Kellym R. Report on the spiny lobster fishery in Jamaica. In Report of the second workshop on the management of Caribbean spiny lobster fisheries in the WECAFC Area. Havana, Cuba, 30 September - 4 October 2002. FAO Fisheries Report/FAO Informe de Pesca. No. 715. Rome. FAO, 2003. 273p.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/Y4931B/y4931b0e.htm#bm14Gittens, L.G. 2001. An assessment of recent (1996-2000) biological and socioeconomic characteristics of the Jamaican lobster (Panulirus argus) fishery, with implications for future management. MSc. Thesis, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Barbados.
Aiken, K. 1997. Jamaica spiny lobster investigations. FAO Fish. Rep. 200: 11-22.
Haughton, M.O. and King, D.P.F. 1989. Stock Assessment of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) in Jamaica. Proc. Gulf Carib. Fish. Inst. 42:119-126.
Aiken, K. 1984. Lobsters – Their biology and conservation in Jamaica. Jamaica Journal. 17(4):44-17.
Aiken, K. 1983. Further investigation of the Jamaican spiny lobster fishery. FAO Fish. Rep. No. 278, suppl:177-191.