FishSource

Honduras Caribbean spiny lobster - trap (FIP)

Last Updated: 2024-05-14

Progress Rating: D

Evaluation Start Date: 2012-07-01

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: WWF (W), WWF Guatemala/ Mesoamerica (WGM)

Stock Profile Link
Caribbean spiny lobster - Western Central Atlantic

Comments:

The last stage 4 result is now 24-36 months old with recent stage 3 progress reported within the past 6 months. The FIP remains D rated.

1. FIP Development	Sep 11	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 September 2011 — MSC pre-assessment completed (summary available)
2. FIP Launch	Jun 11	Confirmation of project participants 1 June 2011 — FIP participants are identified
2. FIP Launch	Sep 23	Workplan made public 1 August 2024 — Updated 2024 Workplan 28 September 2023 — Updated 2023 workplan 21 October 2021 — Updated workplan uploaded 1 October 2018 — Honduras Lobster Revised FIP Action Plan 1 June 2017 — Annual workplan updated June 2016 1 July 2012 — Annual action plan available with activities and milestones 2013-2016
3. FIP Implementation	Sep 24	FIP activities undertaken 1 September 2024 — An outreach tour was conducted in Honduras to train spiny lobster fishers on the new capture reporting system and user manual, aimed at improving compliance for the 2024-2025 season. Key workshops were conducted in Roatán, La Ceiba, and Guanaja to clarify reporting procedures, discuss concerns, and emphasize the importance of accurate data submission for sustainable fishery management. 27 August 2024 — The FIP has produced a user manual for catch reporting to assist spiny lobster trap vessel owners in accurately completing monthly reports and complying with procedures for submission to DIGEPESCA's Statistics Unit. 13 June 2024 — A summary of the plan for the stock assessment training course has been made available; the course is aimed at building capacity in evaluating spiny lobster resources using specific R tools. Preliminary data and analyses from Nicaragua and Honduras will support the hands-on training, enhancing stock assessment skills for sustainable resource management. 1 March 2024 — The FIP has produced a new logbook format that will record both industrial and artisanal fishing and will also record bycatch; the new format is set to be implemented during the 2024-2025 season. 1 March 2024 — The FIP is reviewing the fishery management plan for spiny lobster; a draft FMP has been made available that includes new management proposals. 1 October 2021 — Updated FIP action plan; HCR development is ongoing 1 September 2021 — FIP 3-year audit conducted via virtual meeting; report made available 3 August 2021 — Bi-national stock assessment completed; peer-review process underway 1 September 2020 — The National Working Group and key actors on a national level are trained and are able to run the MARPLESCA model for evaluating the spiny lobster stock in Honduras 16 May 2019 — First meeting of bilateral working group held in May 2019 15 March 2019 — Official designation of DIGEPESCA and INPESCA personnel to form the Bi-national Working Group 31 March 2018 — MCS activities are considered with a budget in DIGEPESCA's annual Plan for 2018 31 March 2018 — The Honduras government is considering precautionary measures to mitigate impact on habitats, such as prohibiting disposal of traps at sea 31 March 2018 — Presentation of the preliminary assessment to the binational working group and proposed and agreed assessment method to be used 1 November 2017 — Bi national working group (Nicaragua and Honduras) met in Panama to conduct preliminary exercise to harmonise and validate methods of assessment 1 June 2017 — Meetings of the National Working Group continue to happen and a workplan has been developed. Results of the preliminary assessment have been presented and work is in progress to establish formally the Binational Working Group (Honduras/Nicaragua). 1 January 2017 — Apply the risk-based analysis methodology "Consequence Scale Analysis" (CSA) to estimate the risk of the impact of traps on the health of habitats 1 December 2016 — Review the effectiveness of conservation measures in use 1 September 2016 — Update the Fisheries Law 1 September 2016 — Develop inclusive consultation procedures of stakeholder participation 1 February 2016 — SWOT analysis of the MCS system completed by WWF 1 June 2014 — Data formally requested to DIGEPESCA and SENASA WWF requested CEM to develop a transparency portal in collaboration with the Public Prosecution Office to make public IUU information
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Oct 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 22 October 2021 — Increase in PI 3.2.4; FIP review was developed in August 2021. Information in a recent review of the DIGEPESCA audits supports the indicator meeting a conditional pass. 2 April 2019 — Increase in PI score 2.4.3 1 December 2017 — Logbook modified by DIGEPESCA to include new column for recording and reporting data on non-target/by-catch species in the 2017-2018 season 5 August 2017 — Publication of the new Fisheries Law in the offical journal "La Gaceta" 1 August 2017 — National Working Group for Lobster Stock Assessment (Act of Conformation). Completed. National Working Group was established in August 2017 4 November 2016 — Creation of a national working group to work on stock evaluation 1 October 2015 — Stock assessment model developed and preliminary analysis undertaken 1 June 2014 — CEM signed a MOU with DIGEPESCA to collaborate in the systematization and analysis of catch information through the development of a digital platform system where data is being collected. 1 June 2014 — Information from fishing seasons 2009-2014 has been provided by DIGEPESCA, and data from previous years now online. 1 June 2013 — Pilot observer program initiated to monitor catch and bycatch on trap boats
5. Improvements on the Water	Mar 17	Verifiable improvement on the water 1 March 2017 — Increase in BMT scores for PIs: 2.4.1 (habitat outcome). The impacts of the fishery on critical habitats (coral reefs and seagrasses) was determined. 1 April 2016 — Increase in BMT scores for PIs - 1.1.1.; 1.2.3.; 1.2.4 and 3.2.3
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public