Rovindra Lakenarine
In Guyana, fisheries contribute approximately 3% to the national GDP and support the livelihoods of over 10,000 people. However, the sector is under pressure from possible overfishing and bycatch, which threaten the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the economic viability of coastal communities. Despite the known vulnerability of marine fauna to bycatch, there remains little knowledge of the bycatch composition of these species, especially in developing countries.
Taking the weight of a shark. © Rovindra Lakenarine.
My research addresses these urgent challenges by comprehensively assessing marine megafauna bycatch within Guyana’s artisanal gillnet fisheries. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with fishers at major landing sites, supported by species identification guides to improve reporting accuracy and landing site surveys. The study intends to engage local fishing communities in data collection and future mitigation strategies, promoting a collaborative approach to conservation.