US Presidential Memorandum -- Comprehensive Framework to Combat IUU Fishing

On the 17 of June the US President issued a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies entitled: "Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud"

Beyond the potential impact that this may (or may not) have on the realities of IUU Fishing, is quite encouraging that a head of state (and a powerful one) tackles this issue "head on", particularly because it will imply close collaboration under the UN agreements (something they have been mostly reticent to do in the past), and (not less importantly) because most of its constituency, outside the coastal states, may not even know what the acronym IUU stands for.

I have very limited experience working with US organisations, did some work for USAID and I'm presently part of a advisory group to WWF USA in regards Catch Certification Schemes and IUU Fishing control mechanisms. While a bit simplistic (mostly because the little knowledge of non-US realities) and sometimes a bit dogmatic on their approaches, I found them always driven, ready to experiment and supportive to sensible approaches that "make sense"; hence I'm optimistic of their involvement on these matters.

The memorandum (original here) is quite general, but incorporate a surprising number of organisations (see section 3 below) whose budgets are beyond anything that anyone else is doing!  So, lets wait and see... and hopefully participate ;-)

Key transcripts below: 

IUU fishing continues to undermine the economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries and fish stocks, both in the United States and around the world.  Global losses attributable to the black market from IUU fishing are estimated to be $10-23 billion annually, weakening profitability for legally caught seafood, fueling illegal trafficking operations, and undermining economic opportunity for legitimate fishermen in the United States and around the world.

It is in the national interest of the United States to promote a framework that supports sustainable fishing practices and combats seafood fraud and the sale of IUU fishing products.  To achieve these objectives, the United States will need to enhance the tools it has available to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including by implementing the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing; strengthening coordination and implementation of existing authorities to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud; working with the Congress to strengthen and harmonize the enforcement provisions of U.S. statutes for implementing international fisheries agreements; and working with industry and foreign partners to develop and implement new and existing measures, such as voluntary, or other, traceability programs, that can combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, and ensure accurate labeling for consumers.

Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to ensure that seafood sold in the United States is legally and sustainably caught and to combat the negative impacts of seafood fraud on the United States, I hereby direct the following:

Section 1.  Policy.  

(a)  It shall be the policy of the United States for all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud by strengthening coordination and implementation of relevant existing authorities and, where appropriate, by improving the transparency and traceability of the seafood supply chain.  All agencies and offices charged with overseeing the seafood supply chain and verifying the authenticity of its products shall implement and enforce relevant policies, regulations, and laws to ensure that seafood sold in the United States is legally caught and accurately labeled.
(b)  It shall also be the policy of the United States to promote legally and sustainably caught and accurately labeled seafood and to take appropriate actions within existing authorities and budgets to assist foreign nations in building capacity to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud.  In addition, agencies shall identify opportunities to enhance domestic and international efforts to combat global IUU fishing and seafood fraud.

Sec. 2.  Establishment.  

There is established, as a subcommittee reporting to the National Ocean Council established by Executive Order 13547 of July 19, 2010 (Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes), a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of State and Commerce, or their designees.  The Task Force shall meet not later than 60 days from the date of this memorandum and at least quarterly thereafter.

Sec. 3.  Membership.  

In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Task Force shall include designated senior-level representatives from: (a) the Department of Defense; (b) the Department of Justice; (c) the Department of the Interior; (d) the Department of Agriculture; (e) the Department of Commerce (f) the Department of Health and Human Services; (g) the Department of Homeland Security; (h) the Office of Management and Budget; (i) the Council on Environmental Quality; (j) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (k) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; (l) the United States Agency for International Development; and (m) such agencies and offices as the Co-Chairs may, from time to time, designate.

 Sec. 4.  Functions.  

Consistent with the authorities and responsibilities of member agencies, the Task Force shall perform the following functions:
(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall report to the President through the National Ocean Council, with recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.  The Task Force should consider a broad range of strategies, including implementation of existing programs, and, if appropriate, development of new, voluntary or other, programs for seafood tracking and traceability.  In providing these recommendations, the Task Force shall identify: 
(i) existing regulatory authorities and make recommendations regarding further authorities that may be warranted;
(ii) enforcement best practices and challenges; 
(iii) benefits provided by such a framework, as well as potential impacts on the U.S. fishing industry;
 (iv) opportunities to address these issues at the international level through the regional fisheries management organizations as well as bilateral efforts, such as technical assistance and capacity building; 
(v) priority actions that will be taken by agencies, including strengthening coordination between Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies; and
 (vi) industry approaches that contribute to efforts to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including with respect to seafood traceability and ways to minimize any costs and reporting burdens on small businesses.
(b) Upon receiving guidance from the President on the recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Task Force shall begin its implementation of those recommendations and, within 1 year, report to the President, through the National Ocean Council, on its progress.
(c) The Task Force shall also consider the need for other strategies for addressing IUU fishing and seafood fraud and may provide recommendations on the development and enhancement of those strategies.
(d) In undertaking these efforts, the Task Force shall coordinate its efforts with other Presidential initiatives focused on related issues, including the work of the
Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking established in Executive Order 13648 of July 1, 2013 (Combating Wildlife Trafficking), and activities being conducted pursuant to Executive Order 13659 of February 19, 2014 (Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses).
(e) The Task Force shall, as applicable, consult with governments at State, local, tribal, and regional levels to achieve the goals and objectives of this memorandum, as well as the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and academia.
 
Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  

(a) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable domestic and international law, and subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.  (c) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to require the disclosure of confidential business information or trade secrets, classified information, law enforcement sensitive information, or other information that must be protected in the interest of national security or public safety. (d) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

PNA increases fishing day price to US$8,000 for 2015

The Ninth Meeting of PNA Ministers meeting in Majuro June 12-13, 2014 agreed to raise the fishing day fee from the current benchmark of US$6,000 to US$8,000 starting January 1, 2015.

The decision to raise the fishing day benchmark has implications for the United States Treaty and the PNA is putting the U.S. government and its tuna industry on notice that they will have to increase the amount provided in the treaty to meet the new minimum benchmark fishing day fee in order to continue fishing in the region in 2015 and beyond.

In increasing the fishing day benchmark to US$8,000, Ministers reaffirmed that the benchmark is intended to apply to foreign fishing vessels and that ongoing consideration was essential for domestic fleets.

Implementation of a Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) for purse seiners fishing in PNA waters has resulted in a nearly four-fold increase in revenues to the eight member nations since 2010. The Ministers noted with appreciation the positive response to their call in 2013 for improved management of non-fishing days in the VDS, which has led to a standardized definition for non-fishing days throughout PNA waters and a tightening of previous loopholes that the fishing industry exploited in 2013.

Other key decisions include:

•  Ministers endorsed the recommendations from Officials to set the Total Allowable Effort for 2014 and 2015 at 44,623 days per year.
• Ministers welcomed progress on development of the first VDS for longline fishing vessels. At the meeting, the new longline VDS plan was signed by Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands.
•  With the benchmark price set to increase to US$8,000 in 2015, Ministers agreed that the financial terms of the United States Treaty fall well short of what is now the regional norm. The Ministers called for amendment to the financial arrangement for 2015 and beyond to reflect the increasing value of access being provided to the U.S. fleet. The Ministers also reaffirmed that national laws must apply to U.S. vessels, in the same way that they apply to other vessels fishing in PNA waters. PNA Ministers supported the Forum Fisheries Commission decision to reach agreement on outstanding issues with the U.S. at the next session to be held in New Zealand in July.
• Ministers confirmed the economic importance of domestic purse seine development to some Parties to promote sustainable national economic development, including such developments as the FSM Agreement (FSMA). Ministers also noted the significant concerns raised by some Parties about the lack of adequate financial return for the value of access granted to FSMA vessels.
• Despite welcoming progress made by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in adopting and applying measures to conserve and manage tuna stocks, the Ministers noted with concern shortfalls in measures adopted at the last Commission meeting for conservation and management of bigeye tuna, arising largely from the continuing opposition by some fishing states to apply effective measures for management of high seas fishing. Ministers called on the WCPFC to ensure a greater contribution to bigeye tuna conservation from the distant water longline fleets that largely benefit from this stock from catches taken in the high seas.
• Ministers also expressed grave concern over continuing abuse of WCPFC measures by some fishing states to obstruct the domestic tuna development of Small Island Developing States and strongly supported the WCPFC requirement for Commission Members to support the ongoing development and strengthening of the VDS to manage the purse seine fishery. Ministers called on all members of the WCPFC to ensure that conservation measures do not transfer a disproportionate burden to Small Island Developing States in accordance with the WCPFC Convention and the WCPFC-endorsed resolution on the Special Requirements of Small Island Developing States.
• Ministers signed a resolution to formalise the amendment to the Third Implementing Arrangement that was agreed to by Ministers in July 2013 to remove the prohibition of fishing in the Eastern High Seas area adjacent to PNA waters.

Original source here

Food Losses and Waste in Fishing Vessels

Food loss and waste are heavily dependent on the specific conditions and local situation in a given country or culture. In low-income countries food losses result from wide-ranging managerial and technical limitation in harvesting techniques, storage, transportation, processing, cooling facilities, infrastructure, packaging and marketing systems.
The main sectors of concern are small- and medium-scale fisheries, agriculture production and processing.

In this interview, my friend and former colleague Frank Chopin, Senior Fishery Industry Officer, Fishing Operations and Technology Branch (FIRO), addresses food losses and waste in fishing vessels and what FAO is doing to reduce these losses globally.

FAO’s Committee on Fisheries greenlights Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance

Countries took a major step forward in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing today as they endorsed a set of international guidelines that will hold states more accountable for the activities of fishing vessels flying their flags.

The FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance spell out a range of actions that countries can take to ensure that vessels registered under their flags do not conduct IUU fishing, one of the greatest threats to sustainable fisheries and related livelihoods.

Although the guidelines are voluntary, their endorsement by members of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), currently meeting in Rome, is a public signal by countries of their intent to adhere to a shared set of standards for flag state performance. Worked out over several years of negotiations, the guidelines now enjoy broad levels of international buy-in and support.

Precise numbers are hard to come by, but it is believed that IUU fishing has escalated over the past 20 years, especially in the high seas, and is now estimated to amount to 11-26 million tonnes of fish harvested illicitly each year, worth between $10 and $23 billion.

Taken together with FAO’s 2009 Agreement on Port State Measures, which works to prevent entry into ports by IUU fishing vessels and therefore block the flow of IUU-caught fish into national and international markets, these guidelines will provide a potent tool to combat IUU fishing in the coming decades.

An end to flag hopping

A flag state refers to any country – whether coastal or landlocked – that registers a fishing vessel and authorizes it to fly its flag.

Flag states are already required to maintain a record of their registered vessels together with information on their authorization to fish, such as the species they may fish for and the type of gear they may use.

However, many fishing vessels engaged in illegal activities circumvent such control measures by "flag hopping" – repeatedly registering with new flag States to dodge detection, which undermines anti-IUU efforts.

The Voluntary Guidelines aim to crack down on this practice, among other things, by promoting greater cooperation and information exchange between countries, so that flag states are in a position to refuse to register vessels that have previously been reported for IUU fishing, or that are already registered with another flag state.

The guidelines also provide recommendations on how countries could encourage compliance and take action against non-compliance by vessels, as well as on how to enhance international cooperation to assist developing countries to fulfill  their flag state responsibilities.

The guidelines draw on existing international maritime law as well as international instruments such as the 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement, 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU fishing.

Committee on Fisheries

COFI is the only global inter-governmental forum except for the UN General Assembly where international fisheries and aquaculture problems and issues are periodically examined and where recommendations for action by governments, regional fishery bodies, NGOs, fish workers, FAO and the international community are made.

Member countries are meeting for the 31st session of COFI at FAO headquarters in Rome until the end of the week.

Papua New Guinea warned over insufficient action against illegal fishing

Kids fishing in Kavieng, Niu Irelan, PNG

The European Commission (CE) as officially warned Philippines and Papua New Guinea (PNG) over insufficient action to fight against illegal fishing. The decision highlights that these countries are not doing enough to fight illegal fishing. 

It identifies a series shortcomings, such as lack of full implementation of its system of sanctions to deter IUU activities deficiencies in monitoring, controlling and surveillance (MCS activities) of fisheries.

Is important to know that Philippines and PNG have a very complex and intertwine fisheries, with many Philippine flagged vessels operating in the PNG EEZ, adding a level of complexity to fisheries controls.  

The decision does not, at this stage, entail any measures affecting trade. Both countries are being given a "yellow card" warning and a reasonable time to respond and take measures to rectify the situation. 

The Commission has also proposed an action plan for each country to address the shortcomings. Should the situation not improve within six months, the EU could take further steps, which could entail trade sanctions on fisheries imports, as was done recently with Guinea, Belize and Cambodia.

The Commission considers that the Philippines and PNG do not currently completely fulfil their duties as flag, coastal, port or market State in line with international law.  The decision follows a long period of informal discussions with the countries in question since 2012. A formal procedure of dialogue with these countries to resolve the identified issues and implement the necessary action plans will now take place.

On a side note, we (FFA/DevFish II) has been working with PNG for various years now on legal instruments, capacity building, developing a Plan of Action against IUU fishing (NPoA – IUU) and Standard Operating Procedures and Catch Certification (my jobs). 

Nevertheless, while we can facilitate, nothing we can do replaces the country’s own responsibility in regards the implementation of the requirements.

Looking forwards to the challenge of helping PNG work his way out of this situation.

Official EU press release here

Mapping the progress of the Port State Measures Agreement

not there yet... we need 2 more...

The Pew Environmental Trust published this interactive map showing progress toward bringing the Port State Measures Agreement, or PSMA, into force. 

The international treaty, adopted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2009, strengthens and harmonises port controls to prevent illegally caught fish from entering the global market.

Fish does not become illegal trough processing, but is rather caught illegally and then landed illegally. Stronger port controls will leave IUU fishers with fewer places to land sell their catch and greatly reduce illegal fishing around the world. The treaty will enter into force 30 days after 25 nations have ratified it.

We still not there yet... we need 2 more (the EU counts only as 1 country)

Original page here

The "bridge building" challenges of training regulators in fisheries

There are many challenges associated to training people "into" fisheries, if they don't come from fishing families or the industry, even in fishing "nations" like many of the Pacific Islands.

I believe that there is a "fisheries" culture, that is quite difficult for "outsiders" to access if they don't have direct links to it. On the other hand, people inside the "culture" while quite protective, do respect those who take the time to learn how things work in their world. 

Big part of my work, when training people that normally comes from the "outside", goes beyond the rules and regulations only, as I try to foster a understanding in between these two worlds, and create a bridge, based on two pillars: knowledge and respect of each other roles and world.

Easier said than done tho... in any case while sending future and present inspectors to sea for a month would be my ideal, this is not yet possible. 

So early morning unloads, vessels inspections at the hours the industry work (as opposite as ministry working hours), and getting them to talk about their jobs is the next best thing.

These images are from this morning at 5am, from an unloading in Suva's newest wharf... ironically named "Brussels Boulevard"!

Training Inspectors in Fiji under a SPC/FFA/DevFish II Programme

Longliners in Suva harbour

EU Market Access Requirements are not new concepts as such, however, experience with their implementation and sustainability has been highly mixed, especially in Pacific Islands. While the idea of accessing many wealthy customers is very tempting, the decision to export to the EU is to be based on a cost benefit analysis. Exporting to the EU is not an obligation, and it requires an equal amount of effort by the government authorities and the private sector.

Presently the EU requires official guarantees in the form of certification in two different areas, Seafood Safety and from non-Illegal, Unreported or Unregulated (IUU) fisheries. 

SPC’s Fisheries Development & Training Section has recognised that there will continue to be a constant demand for CA Regulatory verification for both established and expanding EU approved CA’s (PNG, Solomon Islands and Fiji) and for developing CA’s (currently Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Kiribati). It is therefore critical that a the  SPC/FFA/DevFish II regional standard training program first developed in 2012 is to be delivered again in 2014, to the same level as to guarantee continuity and harmonisation in between countries .

For the next 3 weeks i would be in Fiji running a hands on training for 20 officers from around the Pacific on EU market Access issues.

Is specially comforting that two of my co trainers (and more importantly, friends!) are Pacific Islanders who at some stage in the long gone past I trained as well, and today we train as a team... not many better feelings than that one!

FFA Operation Tui Moana 2014 continues vigilance over Fishing in Pacific

Another comprehensive maritime surveillance operation wound up its annual phase for 2014 on the weekend, with Operation Tui Moana ending a ten-day operation on Friday evening.

Samoa Air aircraft about to depart Faleolo to conduct a maritime patrol of Samoa’s EEZ.

TUI MOANA 2014 (OPTM14) stretched from 14-23 May across the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and high seas of Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Tokelau and Tuvalu. Opportunities also arose throughout the operation to extend coverage into the EEZs of Kiribati (Phoenix), Australian, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia with their cooperation. 

Coordination and planning of Tui Moana involved patrol boats, aerial and national HQ surveillance of more than 2m square kilometres of ocean, and months of networking led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) staff. 

Several cases remain open for investigation, and there was one apprehension from the 200+ remotely sensed/sighted vessels and the 30 vessels boarded during Operation Tui Moana.  FFA Director General James Movick says regional cooperation on maritime surveillance continues the enduring message of vigilance against illegal, unreported and unlicensed fishing.

“The statistics for fishing vessels encountered in this Operation were lower than ever before, and this matches the current economic conditions in the long line fishery, the predominant fishery in Tui Moana ocean area.”

“With catch rates and product prices relatively low, we have seen numerous fleets tie up lately.  Now more than ever, it is important that surveillance efforts maintain a high standard of vigilance.  It is an unfortunate fact that when times are tough, the incentives for illegal fishing are greater so it is important to reinforce the message that Pacific nations and our surveillance partners are monitoring and aware of what’s happening in our fishing waters,” he says.

Tui Moana operations have been undertaken annually in Polynesia for the last 13 years. In 2014, surveillance tracking by the seven aircraft, four member country patrol boats, and three naval ships revealed EEZs provided the largest capability ever.  

Patrol boats from Samoa, Tuvalu and two from Tonga took part in this multi-lateral Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Operation, supported from the air with 210 flying hours by military surveillance aircraft. These came from the Quadrilateral Defence partners of Australia and New Zealand, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and two aircraft each from French Polynesia and New Caledonia.  The flights cost the Quadrilateral partners a total of over USD$4 million.  The French Armed-forces New Caledonia also provided a frigate (FNS VENDEMIAIRE) and a patrol Boat (LA GLORIEUSE) whilst the USCG also supplied USCGC WALNUT to patrol the region. USCGC WASHINGTON, though outside of the region, also reported fishing vessel contacts and conducted boardings in the Palau EEZ.

Inspector Tepaki Baxter from the Cook Islands, Police Officer Simaile Tautaititi from Samoa and Sub-Lieutenant Azania Fusimalohi from Tonga supported the operation by watch keeping at the FFA RSFC’s Joint Coordination Centre in Honiara and similar regional crossover happened at sea. Australia’s Fisheries Management Authority provided two senior fisheries officers to sea-ride VENDEMIAIRE. Samoa and Cook Islands Fisheries/Police officers were deployed on WALNUT and Cook Islands Fisheries and Police Officers joined the Samoa’s Patrol Boat NAFANUA.   

FFA's Director General Movick noted Tui Moana as the final operation for Commander Mike Pounder of the Royal Australian Navy, who plans and coordinates these multilateral operations in the role of Surveillance Operations Officer in FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC), as he ends his three-year term with the FFA RSFC and returns to Canberra later this year.

“We have seen the FFA RSFC grow in strength and effectiveness since Mike has joined the team and extend our appreciation for the   diligence and capacity- building he has brought to national Maritime HQ’s in the region, “ says Movick.

“Through his efforts we have seen ongoing improvements in communications, data and information sharing between all the diverse partners in Pacific maritime surveillance over our regional fisheries.” 

He also thanked the Government of Australia for its strong support and partnership with FFA in conducting these regional operations “in guarding against illegal fishing activity in Pacific waters. The cost and resources involved with funding for patrol boat fuel and supplies, travel and accommodation for the watch-keepers in Honiara and for the FFAs Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre during all operations are substantial, and I know our members join me in acknowledging this assistance from Australia as a key development partner to the agency,” he says. Movick also thanked the defence and naval ‘quad’ partners of Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States for the excellent support they offer to FFA’s annual maritime surveillance operations.

Original FFA press statement here

Done with the Tuna Conference

Finished my presentation and on my way back to NZ. Hopefully the message in my last slide got trough.

In any case this was a talk party... everyone from the EU to Asia, uses the magic word of "sustainability" and they are all committed to it... but then; fishing effort, number of vessels and non technical barriers to trade that affect the smallest countries, continue to pile up... 

Is frustrating, but if we loose hope on change... then change will surely never happen.

Solid message from the head of the Pacific Islands main fisheries organisation

The message of the presentation by Dr. Glenn Hurry, Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), could not have been more direct.

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture - 2014

Every two years my former employer FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the Unites Nations) publishes its report over the status of fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. Is the best source of information available on the topic, here are some of it key findings.

According to the latest edition of FAO’s The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, global fisheries and aquaculture production totalled 158 million tonnes in 2012 - around 10 million tonnes more than 2010.

The rapid expansion of aquaculture, including the activities of small-scale farmers, is driving this growth in production.

At the same time per capita fish consumption has soared from 10 kg in the 1960s to more than 19 kg in 2012.

The new report also says fish now accounts for almost 17 percent of the global population’s intake of protein -- in some coastal and island countries it can top 70 percent.

FAO estimates that fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of 10–12 percent of the world’s population.

Since 1990 employment in the sector has grown at a faster rate than the world’s population and in 2012 provided jobs for some 60 million people engaged in capture fisheries and aquaculture. Of these, 84 percent were employed in Asia, followed by Africa with about 10 percent.

Fish remains among the most traded food commodities worldwide, worth almost $130 billion in 2012 – a figure which likely will continue to increase.

An important trend sees developing countries boosting their share in the fishery trade – 54 percent of total fishery exports by value in 2012 and more than 60 percent by quantity (live weight).

This means fisheries and fish farming are playing an increasingly critical role for many local economies. Some 90 percent of fishers are small scale and it is estimated that, overall, 15 percent are women.  In secondary activities such as processing, this figure can be as high as 90 percent.

Global marine capture fishery production was stable at about 80 million tonnes in 2012, the new report indicates.

Currently, under 30 percent of the wild fish stocks regularly monitored by FAO are overfished – a reversal in trend observed during the past few years, a positive sign in the right direction. 

Just over 70 percent are being fished within biologically sustainable levels. Of these, fully fished stocks – meaning those at or very close to their maximum sustainable production – account for over 60 percent and underfished stocks about 10 percent.

Global aquaculture production marked a record high of more than 90 million tonnes in 2012, including almost 24 million tonnes of aquatic plants. China accounted for over 60 percent of the total share. 

Aquaculture’s expansion helps improve the diets of many people, especially in poor rural areas where the presence of essential nutrients in food is often scarce. 

However, the report warns that to continue to grow sustainably, aquaculture needs to become less dependent on wild fish for feeds and introduce greater diversity in farmed culture species and practices.

The report also notes that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a major threat to marine ecosystems and also impacts negatively on livelihoods, local economies and food supplies.

Food chain traceability is increasingly a requirement in major fish markets, especially in the wake of recent scandals involving the mislabelling of food products. FAO provides technical guidelines on certification and ecolabelling which can help producers demonstrate that fish has been caught legally from a sustainably managed fishery or produced in properly run aquaculture facility.

Highlights of the report here.       Full Report here

The world tuna conference in Bangkok this week

The biggest gathering of major tuna industry players, tuna governing bodies, NGOs, service providers and government officials from 21-23 May

On my way to Bangkok, I been invited by INFOFISH to be a speaker at their annual Tuna conference,  the biggest event in the Tuna world... and I'm trilled to be asked.

My talk elaborates on a subject that I'm quite keen and have been championing for a while: the need to capture data as well as fish at industry level.

My presentation will challenge the perception that we need to collect data for certifications only (Catch Certs for market access, ecolabelling, etc)... it proposes that data capture by industry is fundamental for todays fisheries at management, bio-economic, trade and MCS levels. And that certifications are a useful by product, but they should not be the driver... this latest attitude (unfortunately the most prevalent) is like putting the cart in front of the horse.

Finally I like to challenge the main industry players if they would accept from their logistics and banking providers, the same amount of transparency they offer to their regulators and customers?

So lets look for our solutions on those two sectors, instead on the loading the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations with that load or  trusting that transparency to commercial brands such as the ecolabels.

Otherwise we always are going to be on the back foot, like now...

The programme of the conference is here

Unusual places for a fisheries consultant

Muscar in Herzegovina

The hills of Sarajevo

The deaths of Sarajevo...

Over the last week I have been working in Serbia and Bosnia - Herzegovina. Places I never expected to work, been a fisheries consultant.

However, as they go trough the ascension process to the EU (after the incredible fratricidal dismembering of the former Yugoslavia) I been asked to go trough a series of seminars (Belgrade, Sarajevo and Bagna Luka) to facilitate the understanding of the EU requirements and the role of Ecolabels and other commercial certifications in the aquaculture and fisheries sector, under a programme from the Swiss government.

Life can take you to quite unexpected places, if you don't have many preconceptions on how it should be!

So much for comercial fisherman been always the bad guys!

from the Waiheke Island Gulf News!

Happy they got caught!

Happy World Tuna Day!

In 2011, the 8 PNA countries , that comprise much of the world’s tuna fishing waters declared May 2 to be World Tuna Day. Today marks the very first—a time for global celebration of these amazing fish and a reminder of the need to conserve them. 
From the gigantic, warm-blooded, 680-kilogram Atlantic bluefin to the smallest skipjack, the label “tuna” actually includes more than 20 species that range from the tropics to the frigid waters of the Arctic and the Southern Ocean. 
World Tuna Day recognizes the critical role these fish play in marine ecosystems. They support some of the world’s largest and most valuable fisheries, as well as many people who rely on them for their livelihoods.  

And at a personal level, I owe the last 20 years of my life to that fish. Thanks and respect!

The World's Largest Seafood Trade Event in Brussels (4-8 May 2014)

As you may imagine trade events are not my cup of tea...

The Brussels seafood show is the biggest conglomeration of seafood buyers and sellers in the world.  And while this particular type of people ain't my favourites... they are part of the deal. I only wish they knew more about the people down the line, the fishers and the workers their decisions affect. 

Part of my work portfolio is with a Swiss Government organisation (SIPPO) whose innovative approach to assistance, is to by pass governments and offer assistance directly to small and medium size producers in some development and transitional countries that pass some stringent criteria in regards sustainability, compliance and social responsibility. My work is to advice the organisation during the selection process and during the trade show offer them technical support around market access issues, eco-labelling and private certifications.

The package that SIPPO offers this companies includes a stand at fair, extensive matchmaking services, a communication package, support during the preparation and follow-up phase, a preparation workshop in Brussels and hotel accommodation during the trade fair.

There some key reasons i do this job (even if i don't like going to Brussels);

1. The effect is immediate, with one company (2 peruvian brothers) they started with 8 employes, 3 years later they have 70, no other project I ever work hast that direct impact.
2. I get he opportunity to interact with many of the regulatory decision makers from the EU that assist to the show (assist countries to implement their requirements is a key part of my work),
3. I really like the people I work with. 

Furthermore they seem to like me, because the keep contracting me to do the technical side as well as to do all the publications involved , which I do with my friend Raul under - Freshfish - (Branding -Strategy - Design)

If you happen to be in Brussels come and say hello: SIPPO Pavilion - hall 7 | stand 7-1953, as you imagine being from Switzerland they are very organised and the free chocolates are excellent :-) 

Lack of access to data frustrates scientists in the Pacific

A meeting of over 20 stock assessment scientists from the Asia–Pacific region last week heard that the scientific assessment of tunas in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) continues to be hampered by some fishing states not making data available to scientists. Dr Shelton Harley, head of the Stock Assessment and Modelling team within the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Oceanic Fisheries Programme noted that ‘the most frustrating aspect is that the data have been collected and are just sitting on computers in countries and not contributing to the efforts to determine the health and safe harvest levels for the largest tuna resource in the world.’
 
The purpose of the annual meeting, hosted by SPC, is to review progress in assessing the status of bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas in the WCPO. This year is critical as it will be the first time in three years that these tunas are being assessed and also the first assessment for bigeye tuna since the independent review of the previous assessment conducted in 2012. Bigeye tuna is the species whose health has been of most concern in recent years, with rising catches associated with purse-seine fishing around fish aggregating devices.
 
The independent review – funded by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) – stressed the importance of scientists having access to detailed operational-level data from the fisheries, but despite this, there has been very little movement from those fishing states that hold the data. In early 2014 three scientists from Taiwan came to SPC headquarters in New Caledonia and brought these important data on Taiwanese fishing with them. Some very useful analyses were conducted, but after two weeks the scientists went home and took the data with them. While this was a useful first step, it means that follow-up analyses that might be required as the assessments develop and as other data are received cannot be undertaken. Nevertheless, Dr Harley expressed appreciation to the Taiwan fisheries administration for this useful first step, and encouraged other major fishing countries to support the stock assessments by allowing scientists access to these data.
 
On a more positive note, Dr Harley noted that the upcoming assessments would be drawing heavily on the results from the Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme (www.spc.int/tagging). Almost 400,000 tunas have been tagged since 2006, with over 70,000 fish recaptured. This programme will be important in better understanding the rate of fishing and the connectivity of tuna across the WCPO.
 
The completed stock assessments will be presented to the 10th Regular Session of the WCPFC Scientific Committee when it meets in Majuro, Marshall Island in August 2014.

Original article here

Why are we putting so much efforts in managing and supporting tuna developments in the Pacific?

Tuna processing is the biggest employment provider for woman in the Pacific (i.e. 70% of Soltuna's workforce)

Small and remote island nations in the Pacific are custodians of the last great ocean fishery, but face huge challenges in economic development and managing the impact of climate change.

The Pacific fisheries have been feeding the world’s tuna appetite for many decades and have now reached their maximum yield potential. While some tuna species are in decline, we are focussing management and control efforts on achieving a safe long-term catch limit that will ensure sustainability of the fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific.

Although access fees to DWFN (Distant Water Fishing Nations - i.e. Taiwan, China, Korea, EU, Japan, etc) equate to only a fraction of the catch value, such revenues are of critical economic importance for many Pacific island economies where the scale of marine resources typically outweighs other natural-resource wealth.

This is particularly true for the smaller island and atoll states, most of which have few other opportunities for sustainable economic development. 

Hence is a complicated equation where the needs and realities of each country will deliver a different outcome as there is no "one size fits all" solution. 

Organisations like SPC, FFA, NZAid, AUSAid, the EU via programmes like DEVFish II, PHAMA and others are supporting this work in the region, and in many cases thanks to your taxes.

Training on non IUU Catch Certification in Noro, Solomon Islands

Back on my favourite working place in the Pacific, Noro in the western province of the Solomons.

Solomon Islands tuna accounts for around 7 percent of the total Western and Central Pacific Ocean catch – more than 150,000 tonnes – with an estimated value of US$180 million. However, the bulk of the catch is taken by foreign fishing vessels under licensing agreements and processed elsewhere. Access fees paid to Solomon Islands represent only around 5 % of the landed (not retail) value of the catch.

I always believed that the set up here in Noro represents what fishing industry should be in the Pacific. Two operations, NFD (fishing pole&line - small purse seine fleet) and SolTuna loining - canning employing over 1600 people (99% locals), majority owned by the Solomon Islands Retirement Fund, management is positive and really into it people.

Working here under a AusAID-funded initiative training fisheries officers, skippers and processors on the inner workings of Catch Certification Schemes.