The artisanal thread herring fishery of Kingston Harbour: A review

Eight species of pelagic clupeid fishes contribute to a small artisanal fishery in Kingston Harbour. This paper reviews studies of this fishery carried out over a period of three years between 1980–1983. The thread herring Opisthonema oglinum contributes the largest biomass of catch in this industry, which may have amounted to as much as 250 t yr⁻¹ under favorable conditions. Evidence from a more recent study suggests that catches may have declined in recent years. Sustainability of the fishery is dependent on high levels of eutrophication supported by continued pollution of the harbor environment by domestic and industrial wastes. Consumers of these fish stocks are residents of poverty stricken areas of Kingston who are thus vulnerable to any contaminants entering the food chain from industrial or agricultural sources.