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Open Access Fishing in a Fresh Water Swamp in Trinidad in the Caribbean

By Carlisle A Pemberton

ABSTRACT

This paper describes fishing in a fresh water Swamp, the Nariva Swamp, on the eastern coast of Trinidad, in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. This Swamp is one of international significance, since it is a home to the famous endangered specie, the manatee (Trichecus manatus). Also, the Swamp has a large population of two species of economic importance in Trinidad and Tobago, the armored catfish or cascadura (Hoplosternum littorale)- and the ampulariid snail or black conch (Pomacea urceus). Farmers in the area supplement their diet by the consumption of these species as well as sell them to add to their income stream.

The paper is based on a survey of 99 farmers of the Swamp and shows that fishing is a major activity of the farmers, who also farm a variety of agricultural crops. The paper also describes the subsistence nature of the fishing carried out. It also attempts to assess the contribution of the fishing to the diet of the families living in the Swamp.

The relative profitability of fishing versus agricultural activities is examined in the paper. Finally, the paper address the small scale nature of the fishing in the Nariva Swamp and argues that this small scale production has permitted the sustainable utilization of the fishery resource, even though this fishery remains basically open access.

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