COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS In Martinique there are three very different ecosystems: the mangroves, the seaweed meadows and the coral formations. It is estimated that 40 kilometres of the coast of Martinique is occupied by mangroves. Of these, 17 kilometres are in Fort de France Bay, 9 kilometres are shared equally between Cul-deSac Marin and Le Robert Bay, 2.5 kilometres in Sainte-Luce, 2.1 kilometres in La Caravelle and 10 kilometres are distributed among the small bays on the South Atlantic coast. It is a highly productive ecosystem that provides a permanent habitat for numerous species. It is also a site for reproduction, breeding young or simply feeding for other species. Therefore the mangroves play a very important role in Martinique’s marine ecosystems. The seaweed meadows cover more than 40 km2 distributed among the island’s bays (mainly Fort de France Bay) and some shallow areas in the south of the island. The five main species of seaweed are the basic food for many species of fish and turtles. It is a highly productive ecosystem, as it is also the reproduction site for many species. The seaweed meadows are also where young lobsters, conch (Strombus gigas) and sea urchins are found. The coral reefs are more developed in the east, and have to contend with strong tides. They are 70 kilometres long, covering a surface area of 200 km2 along the southern coast and the southern Atlantic coast, with depths up to 30 metres. Between Le Vauclin and Sainte-Marie there are two active stretches, one near the coast, and the second, with a large population of seaweed, between 2 and 5 kilometres from the coast. There are also reefs opposite Sainte-Anne peninsula and another formation between Sainte-Anne, Sainte Luce and Trois Rivières. There are very necrotised remains of coral formations in the bays of Fort de France, Cul de Sac de Le Marin and Le Robert. On the Caribbean coast, which has a very narrow shelf, there are coral formations with no bio-constructive activity. 

 

 SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS In 2006 the population was estimated to be 436 131 with a growth rate of 0.7%, a density of 1 067 inhabitants/ km2 and a life expectancy of 79.2 years. Unemployment affects 22.4% of the active population. Although Martinique has recovered from the devastating effects of a hurricane in 1980, there are still problems of overcrowding, unemployment and insufficient development. More than 70% of employment is generated by the service sector (tourism and administration). Industry (oil refining, pineapple preserves and production of sugar and rum) provides around 17% of employment. Tourism is a significant market for the catches that are landed, while the oil refining industry and the proximity of a large producer like Venezuela provide fuel at reasonable prices to a fleet that has a high unit power with inefficient engines. Nearly 10% of the population works in agriculture. 10% of the surface area of the island is farming land in the valleys and on the coast, which is mainly used for the production of tropical pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables and sugar cane for the production of rum (one of the main exports). 

 

Consumption of fishing produce is very high, around 50 kilograms per inhabitant per year. Island production does not satisfy demand, which is partly met by imports from Venezuela and Saint Vincent. There are no exports of fishing produce, but annual imports of goods are worth EUR 29 million. The imported goods go directly to the supermarkets and fishmongers. There are eight importers of fresh produce and five for frozen produce. Direct sales at landing points are the general rule. There are no auction markets and there are serious shortages of preservation facilities at the landing points. However, the sale of catches made in Guyana’s waters is much more structured. There have been attempts at creating fish processing industries such as La Société Nouvelle Poisson Pilote Industrie in Case Pilote focused on producing smoked fish and fish pastes. However, it experienced problems obtaining regular supplies of raw materials. A plan is currently being considered for the processing of local fishing produce. 

 

It is difficult to determine the exact number of people who work in the fisheries sector, as there are a large number of undeclared casual workers. In 2004 only 1 294 fishermen were registered. It is estimated that undeclared employment may be double the number of registered fishermen between July and November and triple in the ‘Miquelon’ season, from November to June, although in the latter case the fishermen are at sea for very short periods. 

 

The Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes et des Elevages Marins was set up, which launched a series of measures for the conservation of fish resources: • Creation of eight entirely fishing ban zones (see map) in Baie du Trésor (Trinité, 1999), Ilet à Ramiers (1999), Sainte Luce (1999), Baie du Robert (2000), Trinité (2002), Petite Anse d'Arlet (2002), Case Pilote (2002) and Sainte Anne. The creation of two additional zones in Prêcheur-La Perle and Le François is under consideration. • Installation of thirty Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in addition to the fifteen that were installed previously. • Regulation of fishing for lobster, conch and sea urchins. • Installation of three artificial reefs in protected areas (Ramier, Le Robert and Case Pilote) in 2003. • The creation of regional reserves is under consideration. 

The fishing ban zones have proven effective in mangroves and seaweed meadows, where certain species feed. This is the case for lobsters in Le Robert, where there has been an increase in productivity. With regard to the programme of installation of Fishing Aggregating Devices (FADs) it is estimated that each one can maintain a concentration of ten boats with an average crew of three. The main problem with this programme is that few of these devices are yet known to fishermen. Although there appears to be potential for using them for some sub-surface species such as blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), note that it is estimated that there are between 100 and 200 private Fish Aggregating Devices that are currently illegal. Fishing focused around this type of device has the advantage of greater economic value of the species caught in them. Also it alleviates the fishing pressure on demersal resources and reduces fuel consumption per catch unit. In addition it prevents activity in the Exclusive Economic Zones of the neighbouring countries and prevents people from starting to fish species that are not very profitable owing to their low concentration. However, the effect of the concentration of resources can result in the impact of catches being concentrated. It would be worth supplementing this strategy by deploying tools to evaluate the resources in question. The management of the populations of molluscs and crustaceans involves various measures: permits for professional fishing only, increase in the minimum size of catches, obligation to declare catches, etc. Fishing for sea urchins was banned for several years, although later it was permitted again within a very strict framework. 

 

 AQUACULTURE The temperatures in Martinique provide a good environment for the continuous growth of aquatic species, allowing several cycles per year in species with short cycles. Despite the high consumption level, aquaculture production is not in line with the preferences of local consumers and is mainly aimed at tourists. As well as the IFREMER station some important bodies in Martinique aquaculture are: • ADAM (Association pour le Développement de l'Aquaculture Martiniquaise), does experiments and training and manages an incubation tank for red drum. It was created in 1981. • ADEPAM (Association pour la Défense des Producteurs Aquacoles Martiniquais), guides and gives technical and management support to new businesses. It was created in 1997, and has 20 members. It has two incubation tanks for the production of juvenile tilapia and post-larvae of giant river prawns. • COOPAQUAM (Coopérative des Aquaculteurs de la Martinique), was established in 2005 by 12 producers. It handles preparation, processing and sales of freshwater and marine produce. There are various circumstances that have not allowed major projects to develop. These include poor skills in production techniques, the lack of organisation of the sector, production being orientated towards species that are not well known in the market, high transport costs for materials and raw materials for food, the remoteness of the European market, competition with other uses for the coast and, above all, the availability of juveniles. In particular, the drop in production of giant river prawns is firstly because of viruses in the production of post-larvae.