ANNEX 3 - Inception Report

Transcription

1 "Strengthening Fisheries Management in ACP Countries" ANNEX 3 - Inception Report Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana Project ref. N SA-3.2- B15 Region: Southern Africa Country: Botswana June 2012 Assignment by: Project Funded by the European Union. This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Prof Ian Cowx on behalf of Landell Mills and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. The content of this document does not necessarily reflect the views of the concerned governments.

2 Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana Project ref. N SA-3.2- B15 Name of individual consultant Professor Ian Cowx Contents amendment record This report has been issued and amended as follows: Revision Description Date Signed 1 First draft 24/06/ Report 25/06/2012 Designed and produced at Landell Mills Ltd Task Management by Charlotte Howell Quality Assurance by David Uglow This report has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Landell Mills and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 2

3 Contents LIST OF ACRONYMS... 4 SHORT BACKGROUND... 5 COMMENTS ON TERMS OF REFERENCE... 5 APPROACH TO THE ASSIGNMENT (METHODOLOGY)... 6 SET UP AND MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL TEAM... 7 PROPOSED WORK PLAN (INCLUDING TRAVEL PLAN OF EXPERTS)... 8 RESULTS OF INITIAL DOCUMENT REVIEW, CONSULTATIONS AND TNA ETC KEY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED/SOLVED (IF ANY) RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDICES Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 3

4 LIST OF ACRONYMS Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States ADSB Aquaculture Development Strategy for Botswana ALCOM Local Community Development Programme CBNRM Community Based Natural Resources Management CEDA Citizen Enterprise Development Agency DWNP Department of Wildlife and National Parks FAO United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization FD Fisheries Division FMPOD Fisheries Management Plan of the Okavango Delta NDP9 National Development Programme 9 SADC Southern African Development Community ToR Terms of Reference TNA Training Needs Assessment WUC Water Utilities Corporation Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 4

5 Short Background Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana The fisheries sector in Botswana is composed of inland fisheries and aquaculture. While the contribution of the fisheries sector to the national economy is insignificant (0.002% of GDP), the sector is certainly an important provider of income, employment and food security in some rural areas. The majority of the national fish production (averaged about 155t) is from the Okavango aquatic system where conflict between commercial fishers and recreational fishing promoters is a real concern. Therefore other fishing and fisheries opportunities need to be developed to relieve the current pressure on the existing fisheries whilst creating employment, generating income and also providing a diverse, good quality diet for the rural communities and the population in general. One possible opportunity is to exploit the fish stocks in dams and reservoirs, but their fishing potential are not yet properly known. In the 1980s and 1990s an initiative was undertaken through the Aquaculture for Local Community Development Programme (ALCOM) led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to conduct preliminary surveys for assessing the potential for developing fisheries in small water bodies in the southern part of Botswana. However, the methodologies were unsustainable since there was no appropriate involvement of local communities and not much was done with regard to capacity building. This project will provide Technical Assistance to the Fisheries Division (FD) to carrying out a stock assessment in the major dams in the country and to set up a monitoring system and provide training on the job to local concerned staff of the FD/research institutes. Purpose To assist the FD of the DWNP in undertaking a fish stock assessment in the selected dams in order to determine the status of fish stocks; and To strengthen FD capacity for continued monitoring to ensure sustainable utilization of resources. Outputs Preliminary study on the presence and abundance of the fish stocks in the major dams (Gaborone, Shashe, Letsibogo, Bokaa, Nywane) is devised; Guidelines for development of fish stock assessment/monitoring methodology are prepared. Comments on Terms of Reference Current fisheries in Botswana are limited to a few natural systems and four main, but relatively small, dams. The dams are considered to be underexploited and opportunities to increase yield are likely. However, care must be taken in such presumptions until the full market chain is understood. This includes exploitation by subsistence fishers for their own consumption as well as distribution through informal markets. These must form part of the assessment criteria before formulating policy to increase exploitation pressure. Previous attempts to develop methodologies for stock assessment in the reservoirs have proven unsustainable since there was no appropriate involvement of local communities and little was done on capacity building both within the communities and in FD and national institutions. These particular elements will be addressed by identifying training needs at various levels and providing guidance to address the shortcomings. The project is orientated towards the five major dams in Botswana yet there are numerous (>300) community dams. These are used for local fish production but are important resources that appear to have been overlooked. Although it will not be possible to include these in the proposed field assessments, it is recommended mechanisms to assess their production Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 5

6 potential are included in the strategy and thus are also visited to get an understanding of the way they function. No exit strategy is given within the project, such as the use of the information on stock status when known. This will be addressed by providing guidance on the potential management direction for the dams given a range of scenarios. Approach to the assignment (methodology) The project will been broken down into a series of activities that will form the framework of the report. These comprise a collation and review of available information, consultations, participatory analysis, training of FD staff in stock assessment, development of guidelines for monitoring the fish stocks in the major dams and community dams and draft of a framework for management of the dams. The activities (report) will address, where possible, the following main elements: The status and characteristics of the dam fisheries, including and possible temporal trends in the fisheries exploitation patterns, gear characteristics, demographic characteristics of the fishing communities and externalities impacting on fisheries The location of fisheries with respect to sectoral, regional and national development plans and evaluation of laws and regulations relevant to the fishery Consultations with the FD, external agencies which have potential impact on the fisheries, key communities and stakeholders to ensure their participation in development of the management process. These include, but are not exclusive to: DWNP, FD, WUC, WorldFish; FAO; fishing communities Issues to be addressed (See section 7), including indentifying main potential and constraints relevant to the development of the dams for fisheries purposes Preparation of guidelines for monitoring and assessing the status of the fish stocks in the major dams and community dams Field testing the guidelines on dams and analysis of provisional data in conjunction with FD staff to build capacity Undertake training needs assessment and conducting a training programme to meet the needs of FD personnel. The general strategy for approaching the stock assessment of the major dams is outlined in Figure 1. This strategy encompasses the various actions required to carry out stock assessment on the dams and areas that will be targeted during the training elements of the project. It should be noted that a needs assessment identified each of these areas as gaps in skills and the training has subsequently been modified. This strategy specifically does not just deal with the technical issues of stock assessment and its effectiveness or limitations, but works within a regional policy framework and attempts to target approaches that address poverty and livelihoods issues. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 6

7 General policy decisions WHY Data collection objectives WHAT Analytical methods Fishery indicators Data variables HOW Logistics and resources Strategy for estimating variables Data collection methods Data management Storage and processing System appraisal and Feedback Planning and implementation Validation of data collection programme Figure 1. Framework for undertaking a stock assessment on major dams in Botswana Set up and members of the Technical Team Landell Mills is executing the study through the services of one expert who has served as technical consultant on many fisheries-related missions: Key expert: Inland fisheries management expert Prof Ian Cowx The project implementation is backstopped from the Landell Mills Ltd headquarters in the UK, by Charlotte Howell-Jones, the project manager. The team will work in close collaboration with members of the FD as follows: Balisani Marotsi Chief Wildlife Officer Thethela Bokhutlo Wildlife Officer I (local coordinator) Supi Khuting Wildlife Officer I Montshwari Molefe Wildlife Officer II Choto Choto Wildlife Officer II Modiegi Bakahe Wildlife Officer II Segolame Gagoitsiwe Game scout Swaratlhe Setshwane Game Scout Kesego Kutoro Chief Technical Assistant Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 7

8 Proposed work plan (including travel plan of experts) The project implementation has been broken down into four phases as follows: Phase I: Preparation phase Conducting a literature review to understand better the structure and functioning of fisheries and aquaculture in Botswana. Preparation of training materials for stock assessment, especially in relation to target reservoir fisheries. Phase II: Study mission I Briefing with the Regional Facilitation Unit for Southern Africa and the Fisheries Division Document / data review and planning Stakeholder / field visits and capacity development Training needs assessment of FD staff and local stakeholders Visit target reservoirs to understand functioning of fisheries, catch methods, species caught, post-harvest activities, marketing chains, role of stocking, capacity and responsibilities of local communities Preliminary training in stock assessment methodologies and identification of an optimal strategy for catch assessment for target reservoirs, specifically engaging local stakeholders Study development and reporting Draft inception report Elaboration of a preliminary study on the presence and abundance of the resources in the target reservoirs in collaboration with the FA Preparation of preliminary guidelines for assessment of the status of the fish stocks in the main reservoirs. Phase III: Field testing Field testing of proposed methodology 2-3 months Phase IV: Study mission II: Training and validation Review of field trials issues, limitations Training in data handling and analysis, including provisional assessment of fishery status based on the field trial Revision of guidelines on stock assessment methodology and training of key persons Preparation of materials for the workshop, including exit strategy for options to manage the reservoirs. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 8

9 The work plan for phase II - study mission I is as follows: DATE LOCATION ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE STATUS 18/06/12 Gaborone Introduction and preliminary meeting Introductions Completed 19/06/12 Gaborone Meeting with fisheries staff and Briefing discussion Completed briefing each other on fish stock about issues and assessment (the needs and expectation from FD staff) and manipulation of the conflicts of the fishery sector programme 20/06/12 Gaborone Reading of fish stock assessment Familiarization of Completed documentation and familiarization of status and issues the activities that have been carried Consultation with out. Tour Gaborone dam and Bokaa stakeholders and dam and interact with the stakeholders in relation to fishing activity. understanding functioning and management of target reservoirs 21/06/12 Gaborone Theory session on fish stock Capacity building Completed assessment 22/06/12 Gaborone Continuation of theory session on fish Capacity building Completed stock assessment 23/06/12 Gaborone Preparation of inception report and Inception report Completed drafting sections on fisheries status and guidelines 25/06/12 Letsibogo dam Depart to Letsibogo dam and set the Capacity building and Completed net (overnight setting). Tour Dikabeya consultation with community dam on the way to stakeholders and Letsibogo dam understanding functioning and management of the 26/06/12 Letsibogo dam Retrieve set nets from Letsibogo dam and perform a practical session on data collection and laboratory diagnosis as part of fish stock assessment. Meet with the stakeholders in the afternoon to get more information 27/06/12 Field/ Francistown 28/06/12 Field /Francistown 29/06/12 Field/ Francistown reservoir Capacity building Completed Tour Dikgathong dam in the morning Consultation with Completed and meet with the possible stakeholders and stakeholders. Depart to Francistown in the afternoon and tour Shashe dam. understanding functioning and Meet with the stakeholders in Shashe management of the dam reservoir Tour the Jacklas No.2 community dam Consultation with Completed in the morning and meet with the stakeholders and stakeholders. Tour Ntimbale dam in understanding the afternoon and meet with the functioning and stakeholders. management of the reservoir. Depart to Gaborone Travel Completed Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 9

10 30/06/12 Gaborone Analysis of data from field visits 02/07/12 Gaborone Further drafting sections on fisheries status and guidelines 03/07/12 Gaborone Further training and discussion on fish stock assessment and findings from the field with FD staff 04/07/12 Gaborone Further training and discussion on fish stock assessment and findings from the field with FD staff 05/07/12 Gaborone Preparation of interim report and debriefing report 06/07/12 Gaborone FD Debriefing depart to UK and end of phase I on fish stock assessment 07/07/12 Consultant departs Botswana Note holiday in Botswana Capacity building Capacity building Capacity building Obtain feedback from fisheries staff The proposed work plan for phase IV - study mission 2 is as follows. It is proposed the mission will be scheduled in late September or early October around the 3-day holiday at the end of September. DATE LOCATION ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE Day 1 Gaborone Travel to Botswana Day 2 Gaborone Meeting with fisheries staff and briefing on fish Briefing discussion stock assessment field work about fishery assessment Day 3 Gaborone Initial collation and preliminary analysis of data Capacity building and data analysis Day 4 Gaborone Training in data analysis using data collected Capacity building and data analysis Day 5 Gaborone Training in data analysis using data collected Capacity building and data analysis Day 6 Gaborone Training in data analysis using data collected Capacity building and data analysis Day 7 Gaborone Drafting sections on fisheries status of dams and Drafting FTR revision of guidelines Day 8 Gaborone Training in preparation of fisheries management plans Capacity building Day 9 Gaborone/ Preparation of material for stakeholder Preparation for Maun workshop workshop Day 10 Gaborone/ Preparation of material for stakeholder Preparation for Maun workshop workshop Day 11 Gaborone/ Stakeholder workshop Workshop Maun Day 12 Gaborone/ Review of outcomes of workshop Feedback and Maun preparation of FTR Day 13 Gaborone Revision of dam assessment strategy and management plans Drafting of FTR Day 14 Gaborone FD Debriefing depart to UK and end of phase IV on fish stock assessment Obtain feedback from fisheries staff Consultant departs Botswana Results of initial document review, consultations and TNA etc Review of the technical document revealed that little data exist for the target reservoirs. Summary information is listed in Tables 1 and 2 and data on fisheries production in Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 10

11 Figure 2. It is important to realise that the increase in fisheries production in 1999 was probably a result of persons normally recruiting to military service being orientated towards exploiting the dams. Table 1. Baseline information on large dams in Botswana (source Mmopelwa 2000) Area km2 Catchment area km2 Depth max m Depth mean (m) Conductivity us No of species Licensed fishers Average CPUE (kg/net) Gaborone Shashe Letsibogo Bokaa Not Nywane exploited Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 11

12 Fish yield (kg) Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana Table 2. Baseline information (source Mmopelwa 2000) and predicted potential yield from major dams in Botswana using environmental correlation methods (MEI morphoedaphic index) Area km2 Conductivity us Depth mean (m) MEI MEI Estimated production (kg/ha/yr) Gaborone Shashe Letsibogo Bokaa Nywane The key issues from the data review is that available information is inadequate to make an assessment of the status or potential yield in the short term because there are no longer term data series and it is impossible to carry out catch assessment surveys because there are insufficient fisheries exploiting the dams to adopt a classic catch assessment strategy Gaborone Shashe Year Figure 2. Trends in fisheries production from major dams in Botswana (source Mmopelwa 2000 and FD Annual report 2002/3) Consequently there is a need to develop a strategy that uses fisheries independent methods (experimental approaches) as well a strategy that links to the management objectives of the reservoirs. In this context it was recognised that fisheries is only one user amongst several resource users of the dams, as highlighted in Figure 3. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 12

13 Drinking & Trampling Defecation & nutrient loading Cattle watering Litter, noise etc Recreation and Tourism Yacht club Urban development Water supply Irrigation Wildlife Drinking Dying in mud Water level management Fish stocks Birds + other piscivores Illegal fishing Commercial licensed fisheries dried fresh Recreational fisheries Subsistence fisheries Domestic consumption Domestic consumption Aquaculture Figure 3. Interaction between resource users at major dams in Botswana Outcomes of training needs review Staff of the FD were interviewed regarding their training needs to target training most appropriately. It was recognised that the staff have a diverse range of skills in fisheries and many do not come from a fisheries background. The key aspects they considered critical to cover were related to the what, why and how dimensions in Figure 1. They also required training in practical elements as defined below. It should be noted the implementation programme is specifically designed to address these needs by having interactive discussion about the theory of stock assessment practical elements in the field, laboratory sessions programme and data handling sessions. THEORY NEEDS To understand what fish stock assessment is all about The importance of fish stock assessment Methods of fish stock assessment Who is responsible for fish stock assessment (DWNP/fishers) Tools used for data capture (record sheets) Types of gears used (reservoirs and rivers) How nets are set and where Biological characteristics and how they are examined Analysis and interpretation of results after sampling Key species Disease diagnosis Storage of species for further examination (diseases or taxonomy) Where and when to sample (frequency) Type of information to include when surveying fishers. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 13

14 PRACTICAL NEEDS Net setting (how) Biological analysis of sampled species Data analysis and storage Disease diagnosis (laboratory procedure). Key issues to be addressed/solved (if any) As previously indicated, there are some 300 community dams in the country that potentially are important sources of fish and some have been stocked with breams. These are not, as such, included in the project but their assessment is vital if the FD is to maximise fisheries production and understand the impact of their stocking strategy on these systems. Although it will not be possible to include these in the proposed field assessments, it is recommended mechanisms to assess their production potential are included in the strategy and thus will also be visited to get an understanding of the way they function. It was noted during the inception phase that there was a small typo on the timetable of activities included in the initial proposal for the project, which indicated that Prof. Ian Cowx would only be in country for 30% of the contracted 38 days. In fact Prof. Ian Cowx will be in country for 30.5 days of the assignment, which is the equivalent of 80% of the contracted working days. In addition, this inception report has incorporated further details on the level of training and mentoring which will take place during the first mission and the data collection activities. Please refer to the Proposed workplan section. Recommendations Little is known about the fisheries and environmental characteristics of the major dams in Botswana or the community dams. It is recommended the FD engage with WUC to promote integrated management of the reservoirs for multiple use, rather than trying to develop the fisheries in isolation. The major dams are unlikely to fulfil a major role in terms of fish production to supply urban areas in Botswana and it is recommended that the outcomes of the assessment are examined relative to their potential role in supporting tourism in terms of recreational fisheries. It is possible recreational fishing may contribute considerably more in terms of economic development and sustainable livelihoods. This will be encompassed in the outputs of the project. There is a distinct need to provide support in the utilization of the stock assessment data collected from the dams towards preparation of management plans it is proposed this is included in the deliverables of the project in terms of training and preliminary preparation for several dams. References Fisheries Section (2002/2003) Annual Report. Ministry of Agriculture, Mimeo. Mmopelwa T.G. (2000) Fisheries potential in WUC dams. Consultative workshop on secondary ue of dams, and eco-tourism. Fisheries Section, Ministry of Agriculture, Mimeo. Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 14

15 Appendices Appendix 1. Trends in fish production data from major dams (source Mmopelwa 2000 and FD Annual report 2002/3) Gaborone Breams Barbels Silver catfish Labeo Carp Total Shashe Breams Barbels Silver catfish Labeo Total Bokaa Breams 3741 Barbels 5572 Total 9313 Letsibogo Breams 5744 Barbels 1073 Total 6817 Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 15

16 Annex 2: Proposed outlines for the technical document to be devised within assignment TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON FISHERIES AND MAJOR DAMS IN BOTSWANA 3 USES AND IMPACTS OF THE DAMS 4 STATUS OF THE FISHERY AND ITS ECOSYSTEM 4.1 Production trends 4.2 Fishing effort 4.4 Indicators of exploitation 4.5 Aquaculture 4.6 Post-harvest Sector 4.7 Fish marketing and distribution 4.8 Socio-economic aspects of the fisheries 5 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND POLICY OBJECTIVES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES 6 ISSUES AFFECTING FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT 7 OPTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DAM FISHERES 8 DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING COMPONENT 8.1 Theoretical aspects 8.2 Practical aspects 8.3 Guidelines for monitoring major dams NOTE manuals for above training components will form appendices to this report. The monitoring guidelines will form a series of operating procedures for each component, e.g. catch assessment methods, gill netting. REFERENCES APPENDICES Appendix 1: People consulted Appendix 2: Fisheries stock assessment training manual Appendix 3: Guidelines for monitoring major dams in Botswana Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 16