Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association " The Viability of Longlining in the Southern Albacore Fishery A Fiji Perspective Presented by Brett Haywood Managing Director Sea Quest (Fiji) Ltd Sealand Processors (Fiji) Ltd Chairman PITIA Executive member FFIA
It is important to note that Fiji and her regional neighbours have been through challenging harvesting and economic conditions in recent years. Tropical Tuna are migratory which is a challenge to domestic companies in Fiji, and within the region, that rely on fishing grounds within close proximity to their domiciled operation. The two main factors that affect the catch, which is measured by CPUE (catch per unit effort) Fishing effort Oceanographic change / Weather patterns eg. El Nino, La Nina
Regional Benefits of domestic operations Economic Benefits Employment Good cross section of the community including equal gender opputunities in most sectors Education, training and ceritifcation Infrastructure Development Government revenues via internal economic activity and contributuion to GDP Export revenues Spin off economic benefits to other sectors
A snap shot of a domestic company Sea Quest is a 100% locally owned Fijian registered fish harvesting company that operates exclusively within Fiji s EEZ
Integration of SEA QUEST GROUP SEA QUEST (FIJI) LTD Fish harvesting Export SEA QUEST ENGINEERING Internal and external engineering solutions Fresh/Frozen Processing Value added products Retail shops Wholesale Export Ice sales Cold storage Group Employment of approx. 200 individuals
Since 2000 there has been dramatic change operating in the domestic Southern Albacore Fishery. Increased Effort and unfair competition subsidized DWFN fleets Reductions in CPUE Downward pressure on international market price s due to increased supply effecting revenue Oceanographic variances and stronger and more lengthy el-nino events
Who should be addressing these challenges? Adaption to these change s, up until now, have fallen on the domestic operator alone. With no state level sponsorship programs within PIC s, the future of the domestic industry relies on the Domestic operators cohesion and support from PIC Governments to support domestic operators, in particular; incentivizing and rewarding good company compliance and governance with guaranteed access that we can use as collateral/security within the financial sector to facilitate increased efficiency in terms of vessels for harvesting.
What are we as industry doing about these challenges The establishment of the FFIA (Fiji Fishing Industry Association) where 2 former associations joined together as a paramount Association to better convey our industries challenges and to address them through a unified platform.
FFIA is engaging and collaborating in multiple Pilot projects to improve traceability systems and transparent compliance; Electronic Monitoring Systems for the fleet Trialling E-log for real time monitoring of catch. partnerships with NGO s that recognize the balance and importance of sustainable commercial fish harvesting for the Pacific Island economies and peoples. Supporting the process of the Tokalau Arrangement to regionally manage southern albacore.
FFIA(domestic) and PITIA (regional) bodies promoting awareness Working with FFA(Forum Fisheries Agency)on multiple projects including providing data for their economic report on Fiji s domestic Industry to capture the value generated by domestic industries with transparency by providing actual Financials for economic reports. Voicing our domestic industries concerns through FFIA and PITIA to relevant Forums, domestic, regional and International.
Review of Financial and Economic Performance of the Fijian Offshore longline Industry Conclusion The purpose of the paper was to review the financial and economic performance of vessels operating in the National waters of Fiji in recent years and to provide a better understanding behind calculations of prices and the cost per hook used in bioeconomic analyses. The results of the analyses suggest that over the period examined operators barely obtained returns that covered their financial costs and were making significant economic losses on their investments.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) As the most recognized worldwide sustainable label that guarantees the consumer of the best fishing practices and management. A group of Fiji companies have completed rigorous audits to achieve accreditation for the first longline albacore fishery in the world. FFIA is seeking funding for the next 5 year certification that will extend certification to Yellowfin tuna in addition to Albacore and extend boundary from Fiji EEZ to Adjacent International waters
MSC certification and market access The first 5 years of MSC accreditation has benefitted some financially while others have been able to access new markets but little or no in the pocket value with the high costs of maintaining the system. Recertification of MSC seeks to extend to Yellowfin and extend fishing area beyond our EEZ to adjoining ABNJ, increasing volume to spread costs and achieve market demand and access through certification.
MCS including EMS and e-log Industry is playing a very proactive role in increasing compliance measures and ultimately seeking longer tenureship in terms of access with checks and balances that help the industry promote its transparency and good practice s. If we can be transparent and effective at managing our own EEZ or backyard, we believe this can roll out into the wider or regional management of Southern Albacore and benefit domestic industries regionally
Labour/crew opportunities Cross border maritime certifications, whereby crew can be recognized under STCW (F) at a regional level will create opportunities to increase employment regionally. Engage institutions to facilitate the design of curriculums for the Pacific which is dedicated to fishing industries as we see training investment lost to other industries when fishing certification is applied under STCW (without the (F))
FFIA is involved in 3 FAO Pilot projects 3 projects under the FAO/GEF Global Common Oceans ABNJ Project are being hosted or co-hosted by Fiji and can only happen through the active participation of the industry and support from Government. 1. EMS CCTV Project - hosted by Fiji through collaborative work between industry and Fiji Government 2. Seabird Project - hosted by Fiji through Fiji based foreign vessels and coordinated by Birdlife; and 3. Shark Tagging - co-hosted by Fiji and NZ and coordinated by WCPFC/NIWA of NZ with collaborative work with industry/ministry.
EMSELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM: Through FAO s ABNJ project we are working with technology firm Satlink, trialing their EMS systems The project was initiated and supported in kind by Industry and Fisheries are coordinating the project. The Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) will ultimately enhance observer coverage and compliance capabilities.
Environmental NGO s and Industry There is a broad spectrum of e-ngo s and we have been working a pragmatic approach toward future management practices to support a robust industry and healthy stock levels.
Collaboration with partners - WWF An AIS unit installed onboard AIS or Automatic Identification System as part of the Smart Fishing Initiative supplied by WWF
Financial Institutions / investment Gaps Due to corporate banking policy whereby vessels are not considered as security/collateral, domestic Longline industries find themselves operating aging less efficient vessels, which has been adding to losses as CPUE has decreased. Higher day to day running costs coupled with costly R&M and subsequent downtime is now the difference between in profit or loss. We are seeking future funding for investment in retooling vessels or investing in new vessels. Financial investment requires international institutional support.
Positive Developments for Government and Industry The appointment of a dedicated Minister of Fisheries in 2016 was well received by industry. It is certainly a significant development that we have our first dedicated line Minister We are also happy to congratulate our former Deputy Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and forests, Mr Sainala Naigali who was just last week appointed to the new dedicated role of PS for Fisheries. In early 2016 FFIA appointed an Executive Officer which bodes well in light of the new dedicated high level posts and FFIA s role to be an advisory to get the support from our Government that is essential for the future of the domestic LL industry.
Summary Conservation and supporting management measures is a very real responsibility for Industry and regulators alike to support and protect domestic investment and job security. All of us can take ownership as custodians of our seas for the future health of fish stocks and food security on a regional and global scale and Fiji should continue leading in strengthening change by leading by good example at home.
CONCLUSION & THE WAY FORWARD Sustainable, rational domestication of the tuna industry is the most effective way for PICs to maximize the economic benefits from tuna resources Collaboration in terms of eliminating IUU with Awareness of technologies - amongst Stakeholders, Policy Makers and Leaders for a sustainable and equitable contribution to the Pacific Island Nations and the Tuna resource