Regional FIP Summary. NFI Crab Council Annual Meeting. March 6, 2016

Transcription

1 Regional FIP Summary NFI Crab Council Annual Meeting March 6, 2016

2 Regional FIP Summary 1 FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATES National Fisheries Institute Crab Council Boston, March 2016 The Crab Council funds Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) for the blue swimming crab fisheries in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The majority of these funds come from a self-imposed assessment on imported crab products. The funds are stewarded by in-country associations who apportion Crab Council support into projects to understand, improve and manage the fisheries, including stock assessments, gear exchange, environmental studies and stakeholder engagement. For the 2015/2016 funding cycle, the Crab Council will provide over $400,000 to in-country partner associations. Details on the progress of these projects follow. In November 2015, the Crab Council hosted the first Regional Asian Blue Swimming Crab FIP Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The three-day meeting included a review of FIP progress, a look at stock assessments, a review of fishery governance and scientific perspectives on stock enhancement. This highly successful workshop was attended by blue swimming crab stakeholders at the fishery, government and NGO levels. In August 2015, the Crab Council passed an enhancement policy that limits in-country associations from spending more than 25% of their Crab Council funds on enhancement work. Although enhancement may become part of stock rebuilding efforts, they are not considered part of the FIP until proven necessary and effective. In August 2015, the NFI Crab Council enacted a policy that called for the testing of a Control Document/Audit system in Indonesia to monitor the sustainable harvest of blue swimming crabs. Through a documentation and audit process at various control points, the system aims to assure that the supply chain does not contain undersized crabs or berried females. Training for the NFI Crab Council s Control Document occurred during a weeklong workshop (November 23-28, 2015) in Surabaya, Indonesia. Led by APRI and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, the instructional course educated fishery stakeholders on the administration of the Control Document s product sourcing platform.

3 Regional FIP Summary 2 The Control Document will be pilot tested in Indonesia with assistance from Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) starting early Following the completion of the pilot test, the Crab Council and SFP will evaluate the Control Document system and make any necessary modifications before attempting implementation. Jeremy Crawford, the Crab Council Asian Liaison, retired from that position in October. The Council commends Jeremy for his accomplishments in moving our projects forward and wish him well in his new position. A search for a replacement is underway. In addition to contributions from member companies, the Crab Council and the in-country industry associations receive support and funding from the World Bank, the Walton Family Foundation, the Packard Foundation, Starling Resources, U.S AID, 50 in10, the Environmental Defense Fund, Rare and a number of United Nations organizations. We also rely on and greatly appreciate the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund for support and guidance for our FIPs.

4 Regional FIP Summary 3 Regional FIP Summary: April 2015-March 2016 FIP BENCHMARK TRACKING

5 Regional FIP Summary 4 INDONESIA STAKEHOLDERS Private Sector: Mgmt Committees: Government: Academia: NGO/AID: Technical: FIP Manager: APRI Processors Data Management Committee (DMC), Kendairi +Tiworo Strait; MMAF (Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries), P4KSI (Agency for Marine Research), SDI (DG Capture Fisheries), DKP Kendari, DKP Demak, BBPPI (DG Fisheries Research for Fisher Resource Development), DG of Fishery Quarantine + Inspection Agency, P2HP (DG Fisheries Product Processing and Marketing) University Diponegoro (UNDIP, Semarang), University Halu Oleo (UHO Sulawesi), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB, Bogor) USAID-IMACS, SFP, Pelagic Data System, RARE, EDF, Starling Michael De Allessi, University of Washington; Michael Abbey, NOAA Fisheries, Dr. Neel Inamdar, Dr. Jeremy Prince Dr. Hawis Madduppa SCOPE Area: Gear: Java Sea; SE Sulawesi Coastal bottom-set gillnet and trap fishers SUMMAR The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has approved two Ministry decrees that impact blue swimmer crab (BSC) fisheries in Indonesia. One, for minimum carapace width at 10 cm (later amended to >55grams for 2015 and 10 cm for 2016 as a phasing process) and no berried female crab. The second Ministry Decree annexed all coastal and coastal-seine trawlers. This has been made possible through continuous FIP advocating from APRI and their constituents.

6 Regional FIP Summary 5 Research branch of MMAF, P4KSI, has been conducting an official BSC stock assessment for the JAVA SEA since January Enumerators at landing sites and onboard observers have been collecting catch and effort data in 6 of the 9 proposed sites, as well as assessing statistical fishery data from the MMAF. In February 2015, P4KSI hosted an annual review of the assessment with fishery managers and industry stakeholders to discuss the data that s been collected and their managerial implications. Interim results indicated blue swimmer crab stocks were heavily and over exploited; evidence of size overfishing pointed towards coastal trawlers. Harvest control rule recommendations were: closed near-shore fishing areas, effective implementation of minimum carapace width of 10 cm or above, fishery closures for spawning seasons, use of selective and environmental friendly gears such as collapsible traps and bottom set gillnets, no berried female crab and the implementation of a system to allow crab habitats to recover. P4KSI s work will advise to a Fishery Management Framework for the Java Sea that s planned to be completed this year. The results of stock assessment survey was evaluated by the National Committee for Fisheries Policy (Komnaskajiskan) in the end of APRI completed the first workshop to update the MSC Gap analysis from 2009 with fishery stakeholders from the MMAF, Universities, leaders from fisher communities, mini-plant representatives, NGO s and processors. The analysis was led by an accredited third-party Dr. Robert Wakeford (MRAG). Robert s work will dovetail efforts to update and redesign a comprehensive FIP Action Plan for Indonesia and help craft measurable milestones to show improvements towards the MSC standard. The second workshop to update MSC Gap analysis for Java Sea was conducted in February 2015 with all key stakeholders (government, universities, industries) with the help by Dr. Robert Wakeford (MRAG). Through a partnership with USAID-IMACS and APRI, SE Sulawesi fisheries in Kendair and Tiworo Strait were able to establish a multifaceted steering committee, complete a stock assessment using Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) for 2 year data collection, complete an MSC Gap Analysis by an accredited 3 rd party as well as pilot the IFISH server. IFISH is a new fishery data collection and assessment platform that would transition a paper based enumerator system to go online. This would allow stakeholders to upload and assess fishery data in real time. Harvest control rules and target/limit reference points have been established through the steering committee. The Kendari experience will be used as a replicable model for provincial fisheries to organize, collect data and make fishery management decisions at scale. Kendari will look to address MSC PI s from the Gap Analysis in their next work plan with IMACS- piloting an ASEAN FIP Protocol template, work on co-management initiatives to empower fisher groups and pilot control document systems with mini-pants in With the support of NFI Crab Council, training on control document was conducted by the end of 2015, with all APRI member and local government participated. Preliminary data assessment to support the control document and fisher stewardship program has been conducted in Madura on 7-11 December This activity was supported by Pelagic Data System (PDS) and Dalberg, and assessing the

7 Regional FIP Summary 6 supply chain in PT Kelola Mina Laut (KML). The goals are to assess the data needs and opportunities of the Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fishery and its associated supply chain in Madura, Indonesia and to help inform key stakeholders on setting up the Fisher Stewardship Program pilot to support implementation of the control document system. The control document/audit scoping started in February 2016 for trial in three locations: Madura, Lampung and Kendari, as a basis for trial implementation by the second semester in The Directorate of Fishery Resources (SDI) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) seeks to develop a series of (three) pilot projects encompassing the design, implementation and assessment of sub-wpp-scale2, multi-stakeholder Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fishery management initiatives. The MMAF Directorate General Capture Fisheries Fisheries Resources Management has issued a letter on Task Force Team for BSC Fishery Management Pilot Project that will be implemented This year APRI will focus to support Stock Assessment programs in both Kendari and the Java Sea, complete the National Fishery Management Framework, formalize a steering committee for WPP-712 (Java Sea) and review modified collapsible trap designs with escape vents. In addition to environmental indicators, APRI will look to improve enforcement and compliance of fishery policies through assessing supply chains, empowerment and organization of fisher communities and pilot traceability systems through control documents. FIP ACTIVITY TABLE FIP ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES COMPLETED NEXT STEPS PARTNER/S Stock Assessments SE Sulawesi, Tiworo Strait (Kendari) Est. Data Mgmt Committee Implement an EAFM model Application of SPR Harvest strategy through reference points and harvest control rules Application of IFISH Est. Data Mgmt Committee (DMC) Data Collection (2yr) using SPR methods Provisional Stock Status Target/Limit Ref. Points (govt. approved) Continue data collection Socio/economic studies to understand incentive schemes and help improve compliance at fisher and mini-plant level Formalize harvest strategy UNHALU DKP/MMAF IMACS/USAID P4KSI Mini Plants Fishers SFP

8 Regional FIP Summary 7 Java Sea (WPP-712) Gill net and trap Ecosystem Harvest Strategy based on reference points and harvest control rules Stock Assessment Biological Ref. Points Target/limit ref. points Stock Density Mapping Seasonality Inform Harvest Control Rules Inform National Management Framework Harvest Control Rules (govt. approved) MSC Pre Assessment Interim harvest strategy Work Plan Application of IFISH Lit. Review Stock Assessment Proposal/ Methodology approved Data Collection Training Data Collection (1 yr.) Annual Report and stakeholder conference Harvest control rules proposed Pilot control document system Implement a Community version of IFISH Outline actions when fishery meets target/limit reference points Continue data collection Increase number of sampling sites P4KSI inputs to Fishery Management Framework Establish reference points and correlating actions at these thresholds Investigate feasibility of online data collection platforms at a National level P4KSI/MMAF Establish a pragmatic and efficient method to assess MSC P2 indicators Conduct Assessments Determine whether management strategies P4KSI collecting catch composition of other species for gillnet and trap fishers MPA/Nursery ground fishery closures to Inclusion in FIP Planning Investigate feasibility for RBF assessment methods with the fishery consultant Craft TOR s for assessing MSC P2 indicators P4KSI MRAG IBP

9 Regional FIP Summary 8 Fishery Management need to be considered for MSC P2 indicators protect premature crabs and habitats Risk Based Framework Fishery Management Framework N. Java, WPP-712 Consultancy Work Legal management framework to maintain productivity of crab resources Harvest Strategy based on reference points and control rules Monitor, Control and Surveillance systems Organization of fisher groups through comanagement initiatives Draft Fishery Management Framework BSC fishery on National priority list Ministry decree on10cm minimum carapace width, and no berried crab Ministry decree of no coastal trawlers Regular stakeholder consultations Complete Fishery Management Framework Formalize multifaceted steering committee for WPP-712 (Komunitas Rajungan) Pilot Traceability/Control Document System Pilot co-management initiatives seeking to organize fisherman groups Modified collapsible trap design Enforcement Plan of Ministry Decree s 1 and 2 MMAF P4KSI BBPPI DG Quarantine and Inspection SFP Michael De Allessi (Walton) Neel Inamdar (Packard) EDF/Starling Java Sea, WPP-712 Update MSC Gap Analysis MSC FIP Framework FIP Action Plan Monitor & Evaluation Tools Letter of Agreement, signed Planning Stakeholder meeting to update MSC Gap Analysis Coordinating efforts between MRAG and APRI Complete Gap Analysis Complete FIP Action Plan and update M&E tools MRAG-UK

10 Regional FIP Summary 9 PHILIPPINES STAKEHOLDERS Private Sector: PACPI Processors Government: BFAR, NSAP, NFRDI, LGU s (Regions 5, 6, 7, 8) Academia: NGO/AID: Mgmt Committees: FIP Manager: University of Philippines USAID-ECOFISH Implementing Committee (BFAR+LGU s) Ms. Josette Emlen Jamoles Genio SCOPE Area: Gear: Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8; Visaya s and Samar Gillnet and trap SUMMARY PACPI completed the MSC Gap Analysis with MRAG and fishery stakeholders in September A draft of the FIP Action Plan with measureable milestones was circulated between stakeholder groups. The final pre-assessment report was completed in May The alignment to MSC would allow for broader recognition of improvements, recommended by groups such as CASS and Seafood Watch. The realignment means more stakeholders are involved in the FIP process and help the FIP manager organize and monitor sub-project initiatives.

11 Regional FIP Summary 10 PACPI welcomed new member Millennium Ocean Star in 2015 and in early 2016, Byrd International was added to the roster of member exporters, leaving Saravia Blue as the only blue swimmer crab processor not part of PACPI. Industry alignment that keeps in-country processors and their supply-chains on an even playing field is key to securing sustainable resources. To dovetail their Stock Enhancement efforts, PACPI are courting partnerships with Government of Iloilo and Negros. The latter is undertaken through the initiatives of a private hatchery operator that draws cooperation from the Barangay councils and local government units. BFAR is also looking into piloting crab rearing technology. Stock Enhancement will be a part of local management framework that would prescribe good enhancement protocols and monitoring efforts. Since January 2014, a Joint Administrative Order has approved a National Fishery Management Plan. Last August 2015, the first stakeholders consultation for the JAO was held that aimed to review accomplishments, discuss shortcomings and problems in the field, particularly on enforcement, and identify priority projects to address the gaps. An Implementing Committee was created and composed of representatives from BFAR, Local and Provincial Government Units, NSAP, SEAFDEC and industry. Following the appeal of PACPI to the government to allot budget for BSC assessment studies in Visayan Sea, NSAP has started data collection on catch and effort, length frequency measurement, and reproductive biology last October This is a continued effort of BFAR in support to the industry s MSC-based FIPs as well as on the implementation of JAO. USAID-ECOFISH have completed a year s worth of data collection using SPR methodology and Bohol documented an SPR of 27%. Short of the healthy reference stock, project partners have agreed to phase out lift nets in favor of pots to prevent catching of juvenile blue crabs. Initial activities have revolved around redesigning crab pots (e.g. wider valve, bigger mesh size, material consideration) and IEC on JAO and stock enhancement. BFAR will fund fisher livelihood programs such as crab pot making. LGUs are looking into formulating local ordinances in the pilot municipalities to support implementation of these harvest strategies. The implications of the project would be a fishery management and data collection framework that could be replicated at scale.

12 Regional FIP Summary 11 FIP ACTIVITY TABLE FIP ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE COMPLETED NEXT PARTNER/S Stock Assessment ECOFISH Bohol Visayas (Regions 5, 6, 7, 8) Increased productivity of ecosystems using EAFM. Trial a community led data collection models. Advocate methods for assessing data-deficient, small-scale fisheries such as the SPR method to BFAR. Stock Status [Visayas] Identify potential stock units Biological Reference Points Target/Limit Reference Points Harvest Control Rules Rebuilding strategy Harvest Strategy MOU with PACPI and LGU Workplan/Budget Data sampling (12 months completed) Year-end report with stakeholders Harvest strategies consultation MSC Pre Assessment and FIP Action Plan Drafted Stakeholder group reviewed current available stock data from the Visayas Identified groups to be responsible to continue stock assessment work BFAR/NSAP took on assessment for Visayan Sea (24 areas in Negros and Iloilo) Complete data sampling Annual report with stakeholders Review management options Advocate community based management systems Implement harvest strategies Stock Assessment and Fishery Management workshop. JAO implementation Committee to have a review and implementation plan. Replication of SPR in areas not covered by NSAP Workshop on SPR Coordinate with NGO and academe on SPR assessment ECOFISH/USAID BFAR Provincial Gevernment & LGU Region 7 BFAR (Implementation Committee) LGU s 5, 6, 7, 8

13 Regional FIP Summary 12 Ecosystem Management Fishery Management JAO, (Joint Administrative Order) Visayas (Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8) Establish a pragmatic method to assess MSC P2 indicators Conduct Assessments Determine whether management strategies need to be considered for MSC P2 indicators Legal management framework to maintain productivity of the resource Harvest Strategy based on reference points and control rules Regular Stakeholder meetings Monitor, Control and Surveillance (MCS) plan Co-management initiatives Draft FIP Action Plan to address MSC P2 Indicators Stakeholders reviewed ETP, by-catch, retained and habitat issues in net and trap fisheries Identified possible studies to assess MSC P2 issues using RBF methods JAO issued Gov t Implementation Committee created MSC Pre-Assessment / MSC Action Plan drafted Initial stakeholder consultation Initial discussions of Implementing Committee on JAO implementation TOR s for studies to assess ET, by catch, retained species issues Assess feasibility of RBF methods Determine whether or not management strategy is needed Solicit academe to be involved in MSC P2 gaps Finalize MSC FIP Framework, Action Plan, and M&E tools Continue discussion of Implementing Committee on implementation of JAO TOR s for subprojects Stock assessment and fishery management workshop IEC on JAO Implementing Partner- TBD MRAG BFAR LGU

14 Regional FIP Summary 13 Consultancy Work Enhancements Hatchery Crab Cages Crab Tanks MSC Gap Analysis MSC FIP Framework FIP Action Plan Monitor & Evaluation Tools Rebuild crab stocks using enhancement techniques Establish good enhancement policies Explore quantitative methods to assess enhancement efforts Harvest strategy that includes enhancement in a meaningful way MSC Gap Analysis and FIP Action Plan drafted Workshop with stakeholders to craft FIP Action Plan Hatchery constructed Reseeding happening Hatchery constructed Re-seeding happening Crab Cages operated by PACPI Crab Tanks are being investigated Outreach for partnerships with SEAFDEC and Local Government Units to implement/manage enhancement initiatives Follow-up with consultant to publish Fishery Analysis Complete FIP Action Plan with stakeholders Solicit WWF for technical assistance Enhancement costbenefit Enhancement cost/benefit Good enhancement protocols Craft enhancement strategy Contract private hatchery in Negros Establish partnerships with Government, NGO and research organizations MRAG-UK BFAR LGU 5-8 UP PACPI NFI BFAR NFI PACPI

15 Regional FIP Summary 14 VIETNAM STAKEHOLDERS Private Sector: Steering Committee: Government: Research: NGO: FIP Manager: VASEP Crab Council processors Crab Advisory Committee, Fisher Community, Kien Giang Provincial Peoples Committee DARD, DECAFIREP, MARD RIMF, NIO WWF Ms. Thuy Nguyen Thi Dieu SCOPE Area: Gear: Kien Giang Province Trap, Gillnet SUMMARY Since the initiative s inception, VASEP Crab Council companies have been working WWF-Vietnam to plan and implement the FIP. The FIP has been planned and assessed using MSC standards and advised through 3rd party consultations. After the Annual Review last October, the FIP is well on track with improvements made on a number of MSC Principle Indicators regarding P1, P2 and P3. The FIP is dedicated to continuous data collection for the stock assessment with the Research Institute of Marine Fisheries (RIMF), using recognized methods to estimate biomass (i.e. Beverton Holt Yield Curve). The stock assessment has produced adoption of Target and Limit Reference Points and a working status of stock. These two outputs will be used as a basis for stock rebuilding strategy. Recommendations for harvest control rules include: gear modifications to increase size selectivity, seasonal reduction of fishing effort, enforcement of area

16 Regional FIP Summary 15 demarcation for gear and boat types and enforcement of legal minimum carapace width at 10 cm. As a result of the FIP, new policies for increased mesh sizes has been approved and implemented for bottom-set gillnets, collapsible traps and Chinese trap gear types. Co-management and community-campaigns have been planned and implemented since 2015 and will continue into These initiatives are catered to help improve compliance and stewardship of harvest strategies that are in place to recover blue swimmer crab resources and improve fisher livelihoods. The FIP has also solicited RIMF to conduct a bio-economic study to highlight the economic upside to good fishing practices and industry alignment. Vietnam will also look to pilot traceability and control document systems in BSC supply chains with VASEP Processors, DARD and the Crab Council. The VASEP Crab Council also became a grantee as a prototype to pilot 50in10 s Theory of Change. The approach looked at the entire system of a fishery that includes empowerment of fisher communities and effective management rather than solely environmental indicators. The program would further be rolled-out to an investible proposition from the private sector for fishers keen to take responsibility for their resource. While foundations and multilaterals can provide up-front investments to catalyze change, private finance can sustain it over the long term. This will be in collaboration with already planned co-management, social-economic and compliance systems. FIP ACTIVITY TABLE FIP ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES COMPLETED NEXT VASEP PARTNER/S Stock Management RIMF Stock Assessment Full assessment of BSC stock status in Kien Giang Scientific basis for management and sustainable exploitation of BSC resources Log book and enumerator programs Work Plan / Budget RIMF Partnership Data sampling and log book protocol 3 years of data collection completed (fishery exceed MSY by 20%). Target/Limit reference points accepted by DARD; Continue support data sampling and logbook program Updated stock assessment VASEP to help motivate DARD to implement Harvest Control Rules and establish harvest strategy. RIMF DARD WWF

17 Regional FIP Summary 16 Ecosystem Management Risk Based Framework (RBF) Exploitation rates Biological baselines Seasonality trends Target/limit ref. points Managerial inputs Use of pragmatic methods for assessing MSC Principle 2 indicators Assess vulnerability of by-catch, other economically utilized, and ETP specie interactions for gill net and trap fisheries Determine whether management strategy needs to be considered Harvest Control Rules identified and under review by DARD Increased mesh size selectivity for BSC gear types RBF training completed RBF Assessment for ETP, By-Catch, Retained species, ecosystems (MSC Principle 2) completed Update RBF Assessment for ETP, By-Catch, Retained species, ecosystems. Mesh size for traps to increase. Interaction with sea turtles to be verified. Effective enforcement of MPA s DARD WWF Implementing Partner- TBD Fishery Management CAC (Crab Advisory Committee) Est. Steering Committee Management framework to address MSC Principle Indicators 1 & 2 Aug annual FIP review: agreed to reduce effort by 20% DARD to strengthen enforcement of minimum size and Develop law enforcement plan with support from Peoples Committee Explore control document system DARD WWF Fisher communities

18 Regional FIP Summary 17 Legal system to enable productivity of the resource Fishery Management Plan Co-management area closure (<5m depth) Implementation of minimum legal mesh sizes for traps, gillnets and Chinese traps VASEP CC agreed on no sourcing undersize crabs with DARD and BSC supply chains Update Fishery Management Plan VASEP to help DARD establish harvest strategy within supply chains Implement comanagement and communication efforts

19 Regional FIP Summary 18 THAILAND STAKEHOLDERS Private Sector: Government: NGO: Civil Society: FIP Managers: TCPG Companies / TFFA (Thai Frozen Foods Association) Department of Fisheries (DoF); Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) WWF Fisher groups (informal), Kungkrabaen Bay Royal Development Center Pramook Takiankam (TFFA), Kritsana Kaewplang (WWF) SCOPE Area: Gear: Surat Thani (Ban Don Bay) Collapsible trap, gillnet SUMMARY The Thai FIP, in-part with WWF, will focus on Ban Don Bay in Surattani, which is the biggest landing site of Thailand. WWF-Thailand has solicited a 3 rd party consultant to complete the MSC Pre Assessment, Scoping Document and draft FIP Action Plan, which is in line with CASS and Monterey Bay Aquarium standards for recognizable FIPs. In addition, National Plan of Action on Sustainable Management of Blue Swimming Crab was initiated in 2015 to facilitate the FIP implementation with wider scope in national level of some activities. The NPOA consists of 4 strategies: (a) improving information on BSC fisheries and relevant resources, (b) establishing the direction on BSC restoration, (c) controlling inputs to BSC fisheries, and (d) promoting local participation and responsible BSC fishing.

20 Regional FIP Summary 19 A draft FIP Action Plan has been circulated to stakeholders for preliminary comments. However, some additional tasks need to add to the current action plan in order to formulate a comprehensive one. Currently, the action plan is in the process of revising with technical support from MRAG. TOR, milestones, responsible agencies, and budget of each task will be developed as input for revision in a 5-year workplan. It is expected to be available in April At Surat Thani level, a research study proposal has been developed for the implementation. It covers stock assessment, environment impact on BSC fisheries, related ecosystem, as well as development of crab bank and technology transfer. FIP TABLE FIP ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES COMPLETED NEXT PARTNER/S Consultancy Work (see MSC 100) MRAG MSC Gap Analysis MSC FIP Framework Surat Thani, FIP Action Plan Monitor & Evaluation Tools MSC Pre Assessment FIP Scoping document FIP Action Plan drafted Technical Working Group Review Stakeholder Review Revised Action Plan (Comprehensive FIP) All parties agree on revised FIP Action Plan WWF Department of Fisheries Surat Thani Fishers

21 Regional FIP Summary 20 SRI LANKA STAKEHOLDERS Private Sector: Seafood Exporter s Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) (via Taprobane Seafoods) Mgmt Commmittee: FIP Steering Committee Government: Civil Society: Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resourcs; National Aquatic Research Agency Jaffna Fishermen s Cooperative Societies Union (FSCU); Pooknakary FCSU, Mannar FCSU; Puttalam FCSU NGO/AID: UN-International Labour Organisation; International Organisation for Migration; Australian Department for Aid and Trade ILO, UN-IOM, FAO UN Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Programme; The Asia Foundation FIP Manager: Dr. Steve Creech SCOPE Area: Gear: Indian Ocean; Bay of Bengal (Palk Bay) and Gulf of Mannar (Puttalam Lagoon) Bottom set nylon crab nets SUMMARY Two annual stock assessments covering each of the two management units (Bay of Bengal / Gulf of Mannar) have been completed with financial and technical support form organizations including SEASL, UN-ILO, UN-IOM and NARA. NARA, the national entity for fishery science, is in the process of completing a scientific investigation of the population biology of the blue swimming crab in Sri Lanka. This will be completed by the end of March Partnership with UN ILO and IOM have focused on supporting fisher livelihoods and community led management initiatives and have included supporting community based stock assessments using a length based spawning potential (LBSP) approach. LBSP is a rapid and cost-effective stock assessment method that is intended to help fisher communities and formal fishery regulators (i.e., DFAR / NARA) manage and monitor wild-caught resources. The second annual assessment of BSC stock in each fishery were

22 Regional FIP Summary 21 completed in February The Australian government s Department of Aid and Trade sponsored LBSP scientists Dr. Jeremy Prince and Dr. Adrian Hordyk in 2015 to provide technical assistance to DFAR, NARA and the FIP on the LBSP approach and its application in the Sri Lankan BSC fishery. In other fishery management initiatives between SEASL and fishermen s cooperative societies unions (FCSU) Poonakeary with financial assistance form UN-ILO Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) project have sponsored research on crab net selectivity studies that will further support the management of the immature crabs from entering the fishery. In 2015 undergraduate students from the Uva Wellasa Universtiy and Ocean University conducted empirical assessments of the fishery on non-target species (NTS) using MSC s Risk Based Framework for data poor fisheries. A FIP steering Committee was established by SEASL with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), fisher co-ops and fisher groups and NARA in The national steering committee has met twice. The third annual meeting will take place in March The national steering committee seeks to dovetail data collection efforts with fishery management initiatives for blue swimmer crab fishers and fisheries annually. Sri Lankan coastal fisheries have long been plagued with trawler issues both domestically and abroad from India. A dialogue with the Foreign Minister, DFAR and fisher communities has been actively supported by the FIP. Fishery stakeholders continue to lobby and petition for policy changes that would prohibit destructive trawler activities in small scale crab fishermen s fishing grounds. The DFAR with support from the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) completed fishing effort surveys in both fisheries to further improve the understanding and management of the fishery. FIP TABLE FIP ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES COMPLETED NEXT PARTNER/S Stock Assessment Gulf of Mannar Fishery LBSP 2015 LBSP 2016 Bay of Bengal Fishery LBSP 2015 LBSP 2016 Conduct rapid fishery assessment for datadeficient, small-scale fisheries. SPR Stock Status Target Ref. Points Harvest Control Rules Proposal/Work Plan/ Budget Data collection SPR Assessment Proposal/Work Plan/ Budget Data collection Present findings to fishery managers Outline management options Present findings to fishery managers IOM / NFI CC ILO UN / NFI CC

23 Regional FIP Summary 22 Harvest Strategy/Mgmt inputs SPR Assessment Gillnet selectivity study continuing Continue data collection on gillnet selectivity Scientific Study of SLBSC Population Biology Bay of Bengal Fishery NARA Stock Status Biological baseline info Catch/Effort Scientific basis for Management Proposal/Work Plan/ Budget Data Collection Mid-year report Complete data collection Stakeholder review of results and management inputs NFI CC EcosystemMgmt Non Target Species Study Bay of Bengal Uva Wellasa University Non Target Species Study Gulf of Mannar Ocean University Establish a pragmatic and efficient method to assess bycatch, retained, and ETP interactions Assess vulnerability of by-catch, retained and ETP specie interactions for gill net fishers Determine whether management strategy needs to be considered Potential partner outreach Review current available information Determine an assessment methodology / workplan and budget NFI CC Fishery Management Fishery Management planning will commmence in 2016/2017 Est. collaborative and inclusive fishery management body Identify management goals Est. fishery management framework based on good science Establish fishery steering committee with DFAR, NARA, SEASL, and Fisher Co- Ops Stakeholder meetings Dialogue with Fishery Managers and Review data collection regimes, potential management implications, and fishery management goals. TBC

24 Regional FIP Summary 23 Petition for sovereignty of Sir Lankan waters with regard to Indian trawler issues Foreign Ministry on trawler issues Solicit legal advice on trawler issues