Iii. Mission and Vision 3

DRAFT BUSINESS PLAN 2016-2018

I. INTRODUCTION

This Business Plan identifies the activities to be undertaken by the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network for fisheries-related activities for the next two to three years through December 31, 2018. It reflects the new energy and ambitions of the Network to facilitate cooperation in the fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in the wake of the 5th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop hosted by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries in Auckland, New Zealand March 7-11, 2016.

The Business Plan 2016-2018 builds on the previous three-year plan and provides the framework and goals for the International MCS Network, based on the Work Plan and the other decisions adopted by the Membership at the March 2012 business meeting in Valparaiso, Chile.

To ensure the long term sustainability of the Network, a broader range of both financial and in kind support is required from the Network Members and other sources. Currently, the Network operates on a minimal budget supported primarily by a three-year grant provided by the United States. Almost all other financial support is raised within six months to one year before the Network’s biennial conference, the Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW). A long term fundraising strategy is critical to ensure the success of future Network activities and endeavors.

II. HISTORY

Since the end of the last century, there has been a global rise and proliferation of IUU fishing due to the globalization of the fishery industry and increased demand for fishery products. In 2001, consultations on IUU

1 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA fishing culminated in the adoption of the International Plan of Action to prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU). The IPOA-IUU has guided the international efforts to combat IUU fishing activities ever since.

In January 2000, consistent with ongoing IUU consultations, Australia, Chile, the European Union, Peru and the United States drafted the “Responsible Fishing Declaration, Santiago 2000,” in which they agreed to organize and establish an international network for coordination of fisheries enforcement. They further agreed to create and task an Executive Committee with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The Santiago Declaration invited all interested States and entities to participate in a meeting to be held before the next FAO Committee on Fisheries meeting in early 2001. Accordingly, in January 2001, a meeting was convened in Key Largo, Florida, U.S., where the International MCS Network was officially established. By that time, the members of the Executive Committee included Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, and the United States, all of whom were present in Key Largo, along with representatives of the European Commission and FAO. The original five drafters of the Santiago Declaration plus Canada are therefore considered the six co-founders of the International MCS Network.

The establishment of the Network provided a global platform that had never existed before for fisheries law enforcement officers and MCS professionals to share information and experiences on suspected IUU fishing activities and to join forces in enforcing fisheries legislation. Identifying and pursuing IUU activities requires resources and capabilities that are often beyond the reach of any individual nation. Only through cooperation among the enforcement authorities of coastal States, flag States, port States and market States, can the gaps in information be filled and corroborated with data from inspection or surveillance from other States.

In 2009, global IUU fishing activities were estimated to cause losses in the range of $10-23 billion USD annually. This estimation is currently under review, taking into account progress in several areas due to efforts of the international community to combat IUU fishing. The gradual strengthening of the Network, which is made up of dedicated MCS practitioners who know each other personally, has facilitated some of these international efforts and cooperation, including but not limited to exchange of information and best practices, mutual technical and logistic support and joint activities. However, despite the progress made over the last 20 years, there is still a long way to go in combating IUU activities in all parts of the world.

An emerging beacon and guide for future international efforts to combat IUU is the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which entered into force as a legally binding international instrument on June 5, 2016. Thirty parties have ratified the agreement so far, and many more are expected to join and/or adopt port measures presently. However, full implementation of the measures set forth in the PSMA by all relevant port States, including in developing countries, will require the support of the international community. The Network can play its part by promoting exchange of MCS expertise between countries.

III. MISSION AND VISION

The Mission of the International MCS Network is to promote and facilitate cooperation and coordination among Members through information exchange, capacity development and collaboration in order to achieve the improved effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring, control and surveillance activities in order to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and related fisheries activities on local, regional and international levels.

2 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA The Vision of the Network is to be recognized as the principal point of contact, facilitator and foremost authority on all issues relating to MCS in order to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and related fisheries activities on local, regional and international levels.

The Network pursues the following strategic objectives in order to achieve its mission

 Coordinate and encourage international cooperation on MCS and raise awareness of MCS issues;  Facilitate increased information exchanges and collaborative MCS activities among Members;  Assist in strengthening the human and technical capacity of Members to implement and maintain effective and efficient MCS schemes. IV. MEMBERSHIP

The International MCS Network is an informal arrangement of member States, regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and regional economic integration organization. The Network encourages participation from fisheries inspectors, investigators, attorneys, foreign service officers, forensics specialists and others who are charged with fisheries-related MCS and who respond to IUU activities. Although membership is limited to the three categories listed above, the Network works closely with other intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), in particular FAO, and they are considered important partners.

In order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of MCS, the Network facilitates cooperation and information sharing among all member States and organizations, as well as between Network Members and third parties. In particular, the biennial Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW)—the only international conference focused on operational-level MCS practitioners—provides Members and other participants opportunities to have in-depth discussions and establish relationships with their counterparts in countries and organizations from outside of their regions.

The Network currently comprises fifty-nine (59) member countries, two RFMOs and one regional economic integration organization (the European Union), the full list as follows: Australia European Union Micronesia (Federated States Bahamas France of) Burkina Faso Fiji Morocco Cabo Verde Ghana Mozambique Cambodia Greenland New Zealand Cameroon Grenada Nicaragua Canada Iceland Nigeria Cayman Islands India Norway CCAMLR Indonesia Oman CCSBT Ireland Panama Chile Kenya Papua New Guinea Colombia Kiribati Peru Costa Rica Korea (Republic of) Philippines Cook Islands Malawi Scotland Curaçao Mauritania Senegal Denmark Mauritius Seychelles El Salvador Sierra Leone

3 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA Solomon Islands Thailand Uruguay Somalia Timor-Leste Vietnam South Africa Tonga Yemen Spain United Kingdom Tanzania United States Membership in the Network is voluntary and free of charge, but Members are expected to cooperate with the Network and other Member governments whenever possible, e.g., by participating in information exchanges, responding to requests for information, and collaborating on work programs. Members are also expected to follow Network communications and activities and provide input, suggestions, and comments where applicable.

V. STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION

Executive oversight and management of the Network is provided by an Executive Committee of Network Members, which, as of July 14, 2016, is led by an elected Chair and Vice Chair. The terms and specific authorities and responsibilities of the Chair, Vice-Chair(s) and Executive Committee, as well as the basic requirements for membership and periodicity of meetings, are reflected in the Governing Framework, the Strategic Plan and Workplan, effective March 2012.

With respect to office management and financial matters, in 2010, the Network entered into an agreement with the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD) to assume fiscal sponsorship for all financial support received on behalf of the Network and to host the Network Secretariat. IGSD is a not-for-profit tax- exempt corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. IGSD was founded in 2003 by President Durwood Zaelke with the mission is to promote just and sustainable societies and to protect the environment by advancing the understanding, development and implementation of effective, accountable and democratic systems of governance for sustainable development.

IGSD also served as the Secretariat for the International Network of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) from 2004 through 2015, a global network of over four thousand leading environmental enforcement practitioners in both the public and private sectors. IGSD continued to manage projects for INECE through June 2016. Websites for IGSD and INECE are available at www.igsd.org and www.inece.org respectively.

IGSD also provides management and financial support to the Network under a separate grant agreement between the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and IGSD, which began in December 2014 and ends October 31, 2017. This is the second such grant agreement between NOAA and IGSD; the first applied to the period of July 2011 through December 2013. Under the NOAA award to IGSD the responsibilities of IGSD are:  Securing staff (who are considered to be IGSD employees assigned to the Network) and consultants  Financial management and other support which includes human resources, oversight of staff, grant management and project management  Assisting and supporting the Network with administrative tasks and travel logistics  Assisting the Network with organizing and implementation of capacity training, developing membership and partnerships  Assisting and supporting the Executive Committee  Identification of additional resources and funding for Network activities

4 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA  Support for the recent 5th GFETW and future planning for the next GFETW  Assisting with outreach

VI. FINANCIAL AND IN KIND SUPPORT

Since its inception, the International MCS Network has received both financial support and in kind support from Members who have included Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. FAO has been a leading sponsor of the Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW) in 2014 and 2016. Other financial and in kind support has been received from NGOs such as the Pew Charitable Trusts, Stop Illegal Fishing and Conservation International. In coordination with New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) also helped facilitate regional participation in the 5th GFETW. For the most recent initiative of the Network, the Stop IUU Fishing Award contest, which has been conducted twice (in 2014 and 2016), financial sponsorship was provided by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).

The Network has received significant financial support from the United States (in the form of two grants awarded to the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) for management of the Network Secretariat and related Network activities). The first grant award period was July 2011 through December 2013 and the current grant is for the award period December 2014 through October 2017, as described above in Section V above.

The current 2016 budget (calendar year) of the Network Secretariat is $250,000 USD. Major budget allocations consist of compensation and benefits of Secretariat staff, financial management and other services from IGSD, Network Secretariat expenditures, appropriate travel as required and logistical and program planning for approved Network capacity building activities. The Network Secretariat is hosted by IGSD in its offices in Washington, DC, United States.

Previously, the International MCS Network Secretariat consisted of three staff which were a Network Coordinator, a Fisheries Analyst and a Training Coordinator. Since 2012, budgetary constraints have limited the Secretariat to only two permanent staff. These are currently the positions of Executive Director and Coordinator. Increased annual financial and in kind support would not only expand the Network Secretariat and enable it to provide more services to the members, and to be more effective and efficient but also allow the expansion of the scope of its activities.

Budgets for the GFETW are prepared separately in coordination with the Executive Committee and the specific GFETW Steering Committee; financial and in kind support are solicited for the GFETW. Total expenditures for the 4th GFETW were $220,000 USD and $325,000 USD for the 5th GFETW. More support was raised by the Network for the 5th GFETW, enabling an increase in travel sponsorship for developing countries from 14 to 29 participants.

IGSD provides for funds received on behalf of the Network in two ways; one per the US Government regulations for federal grants and the second per the fiscal sponsorship agreement between the Network and IGSD. IGSD maintains separate accounting records for Network revenues and expenses in accordance with US general accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Funds are disbursed to vendors and contractors as required per project and authorized by the IMCS Network Executive Director or the Executive Committee. IGSD prepares

5 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA financial and narrative reports as requested by individual IMCS Network supporters, Network staff and the Executive Committee. Furthermore, IGSD engages the services of an outside accounting firm to prepare its annual audit and 990 (US tax return for non-profit entities).

To ensure the long term financial viability of the Network, Member countries should to consider providing annual grants if possible in support of the activities of the International MCS Network.

VII. NETWORK ACTIVITIES

VIII. Encourage and Facilitate Cooperation between Fisheries MCS and Enforcement Agencies and Raise Awareness of International MCS Issues

The communication strategy of the International MCS Network aims to increase knowledge, publication and dissemination of the Network’s achievements and to encourage members to use the Network for cooperation and exchange of information with other members.

The primary vehicle for both awareness-raising and exchange of information is the Network website (www.imcsnet.org). A new version of the website was introduced in 2012, the design of which is currently being updated. A Members-only website portal workspace will soon be available for sharing of documents, Member point of contact (POC) lists, and other tools, resources and Members-only communications. The Network website also contributes to raising the awareness of the public at large of the negative impact of IUU fishing on conservation of living marine resources and of international MCS issues.

The Network also disseminates information through the newsletters and email communications, in particular with its Member POCs. The Network newsletter highlights MCS projects and methodologies which showcase successful collaboration and other best practices. Members will be solicited for articles and topics for the Newsletter. The Network will continue to explore the use of social media and other emerging virtual tools to facilitating cooperation between members as well as exchange, sharing and dissemination of information.

IX. Organize Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshops

In the period of 2005 to 2016, the Network has organized five Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshops (GFETWs). The first Workshop was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 2005; the second, in Trondheim, Norway in August 2008; the third, in Maputo, Mozambique in March 2011; the fourth, in San José, Costa Rica in February 2014; and the fifth, in Auckland, New Zealand in March 2016.

The aim of the GFETW is to bring together MCS practitioners as well as experts from related fields from across the world to discuss and exchange best practices, lessons learned and information on current activities national, regional and global levels. The GFETW is the only international conference for fisheries compliance and enforcement officers, where they can meet their counterparts and other MCS practitioners from around the world and where they can openly discuss issues and problems related to their work. For each GFETW, the Network strives for regionally balanced participation of MCS practitioners including from developing countries.

Although the themes and focus of each GFETW have been different, all Workshops have been organized according to the same model. The Network together with the authorities of the host country establishes a Steering Committee with the responsibility to oversee conference planning, programming and organization. The

6 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA Network Secretariat, in close collaboration with representatives of the host country, executes the decisions taken by the Steering Committee. Any Members interested in contributing to the planning of the GFETW may volunteer to participate in the Steering Committee.

One of the first tasks of the Steering Committee is to develop the high-level programme for the GFETW. Consistent with this programme, the Network Secretariat issues a Call for Abstracts for presentations by circulating it to the full Network subscriber list (which is open to all and currently has 750 subscribers) and posting it on the conference website (www.gfetw.org), established in 2013. The website is also used for pre- registration and final registration and to disseminate conference materials and information to participants during and immediately after Workshops.

The 6th GFETW will build upon the results of the past five Workshops and will cover current and critical MCS issues and will respond to the expressed needs of the Network’s members and others in the MCS community. The 6th GFETW Steering Committee will be formed as soon as a host nation is confirmed.

Financial and in kind support are expected to be required for the 6th GFETW. Expenditures for the 5th GFETW were $325,000 USD. As always, the Network Secretariat will endeavor to raise the necessary funds to support the 6th GFETW, in close collaboration with the host country and Steering Committee. In addition to Member contributions of financial and in kind support for GFETWs, FAO typically makes significant contributions, and certain NGOs have provided financial and in kind support for organization of past Workshops as well.

X. Organize Stop IUU Fishing Award Contests

In 2012, the Network launched a new initiative, the Stop IUU Fishing Award contest. The contest recognizes MCS innovations being used in both small and large-scale fisheries that demonstrate creativity, success and tangible solutions which prevent and deter IUU fishing. The three winners of the first contest and the three winners of the second contest were sponsored to attend the 4th GFETW in Costa Rica and the 5th GFETW in New Zealand, respectively. At each conference, the winners were invited to deliver presentations in a special session. Funding for their travel was provided by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).

Combating IUU is not always a straightforward exercise in practice and requires effort, talent and ingenuity from all sources. The Stop IUU Fishing Award seeks to stimulate the creativity of fisheries authorities, MCS practitioners and other organizations and individuals to deploy efforts to combat IUU activities. The two contests have generated considerable interest from all over the world, and the announcements of winners combined with the platform they are given to deliver presentations about their projects at the GFETW has raised the awareness about the challenges posed by IUU fishing in its diverse forms.

The Network will launch the 3rd Stop IUU Fishing Award contest in parallel with preparation for the 6 th GFETW and will seek support from ISSF and other organizations, as necessary. The Network Secretariat will also continue to publicize the winning projects of past contests, which have included a number of simple and elegant MCS solutions that could be replicated and piloted in other developing countries.

XI. Facilitate, Strengthen and Improve Capacity of Members

Composed exclusively of MCS practitioners, the International MCS Network represents a unique global source of MCS expertise. The Network promotes the cooperation and exchange of information between Members and,

7 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA where possible and appropriate, facilitates the provision of assistance in responding to suspected IUU incidents or for strengthening capacities to apply fisheries legislation including by international, regional or national training activities. As appropriate, the Network also coordinates with other intergovernmental organizations and initiatives working to combat IUU fishing.

Network Capacity Building Activities

Development of MCS capacities in developing countries is a priority area in which much more can be done. As MCS is typically a duty of public authorities, training and development of new technology and methodologies is in most countries organized “in house”. These capacities cannot be freely acquired on the market in the form of contracting consultancies. Cooperation between national fisheries MCS and enforcement agencies is preferable, but options for cooperation between fisheries MCS and enforcement agencies for mutual assistance in these fields are not fully exploited.

Therefore, the Network Secretariat coordinates requests for MCS expertise from countries and international organizations such as FAO through MCS practitioners from member countries, where appropriate, referencing other sources of expertise such as the Register of Vetted MCS Experts.

XII. Register of Vetted Experts

In 2013, the Network agreed to establish a Register of Vetted MCS Experts, which was intended to be a tool for Network members organizing trainings and other capacity building activities. Vetted MCS experts can be called in response to any requests for expertise in MCS matters.

After an initial application period, an Evaluation Committee selected seven experts (4 from the UK, 1 Iceland, 1 Portugal, 1 New Zealand) with extensive hands-on experience within fisheries enforcement authorities. Attempts to find sponsors/co-sponsors for capacity building activities for vetted MCS experts have had mixed results. A request from INTERPOL could not be fulfilled in late 2014, when the Network lacked funds to co-sponsor the expert’s participation. However, in 2015, the Network was able to support the participation of an expert in a training held in Indonesia at NOAA’s request.

Current plans are to enhance the Register of Vetted Experts, in particular expanding it to include regionally diverse experts who can communicate in Spanish, French and other languages. In addition, the list, which has consisted mainly of retired fisheries MCS experts, could also include MCS practitioners currently employed by fisheries enforcement authorities.

A second application period will be opened in the second half of 2016. In accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Network, vetted experts must be qualified to carry out of trainings of trainers and other national MCS staff as well as associated follow up support and evaluation.

XIII. Exchange of MCS Equipment

After contributing to trainings in Ghana and Benin in 2013, the Network began coordinating requests and offers for transfers of MCS equipment, primarily spare mesh gauges. The exchange of inspection equipment fosters joint efforts, cooperation and collaboration between authorities that require MCS

8 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA equipment but do not have sufficient funding to acquire new equipment and authorities that are replacing equipment, which is re-useable.

The Network has had modest success with the Equipment Exchange programme. Because shipping to some destinations is expensive and unreliable, the Secretariat has helped donor countries to coordinate transfers in other ways. For example, in 2014, the Dutch authorities persevered in conveying mesh gauges to Benin, with the help of the EU Mission in Benin. In 2015, the Network Secretariat helped coordinate transfers of a large number of spare mesh gauges and scallop rings from Ireland’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to enforcement officials from Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Somalia and South Africa by arranging for travelers from Europe to carry the gauges in their luggage when traveling to Africa. In particular, ICPO-INTERPOL staff carried a large number of the SPFA gauges to the 4th Fisheries Crime Working Group meeting in Cape Town, South Africa in October 2015. Following this trend, in March 2016, a representative of Norway carried spare mesh gauges to the 5th GFETW in Auckland, where they were donated to recipients from Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

The Network will proactively promote the Equipment Exchange programme, which could include other types of equipment and vessels, through its website and other channels. Where applicable, it may submit questionnaires to Members on the availability of decommissioned assets as well as equipment needs of developing countries. The Network will also explore the possibilities for funding of the transfer of such equipment to developing countries, as appropriate, upon request.

XIV. MCS Sub-network of compliance officers for Tuna RFMOs (New Activity)

Provided that financial support is available from FAO and with the consent of the tuna RFMOs (t-RFMOs), the Network will engage in the setting up of a sub-network for compliance officers of t-RFMOs. The modalities and dynamics of this sub-network will be agreed between the Network (as represented by IGSD in any contract or MOU), FAO and the t-RFMOs. In principle, the sub-network will mobilize compliance officers of t-RFMOs as well as MCS practitioners of relevant coastal States, likely resulting in south-south cooperation in many instances. The Network is in a position to coordinate with many relevant flag States, and will do so where appropriate.

XV. Options for Research

The Network will continue to coordinate any requests from university students and research institutions seeking options for research projects. The Network will seek to match requests for projects, assistance and initiatives of Network Members requiring support in relation to the development of new MCS technologies and methodologies, for example, industry participative compliance programs for inshore fisheries, identification and monitoring of reference vessels representative for inshore fleet.

Collaborative MCS Activities

9 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA In pursuit of its objectives and consistent with its Governing Framework, the International MCS Network will seek strategic alliances with other organizations in the fields of IUU fishing and environmental crime. The Network will seek to be represented at prominent international events dealing with IUU and MCS issues, and, where appropriate, it will expand relationships with other relevant organizations through the development of strategic partnerships.

As regards fisheries crime, the Network will continue to cooperate with INTERPOL’s Fisheries Crime Working Group (FCWG), and, in particular, its efforts to coordinate with the FCWG Capacity Building project.

The Network will assist and support international projects such as Sea Scout, which intended to boost international cooperation in combating IUU fishing activities.

10 The International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Network www.imcsnet.org | 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA