FishSource

Honduras Caribbean spiny lobster - trap (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-12-06

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 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	Mar 24	FIP activities undertaken 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 — The Honduras government is considering precautionary measures to mitigate impact on habitats, such as prohibiting disposal of traps at sea 31 March 2018 — MCS activities are considered with a budget in DIGEPESCA's annual Plan for 2018 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