Billfish Management Plan DRAFT 25082020

Home , Kajikia, Sailfish, Striped marlin, Tetrapturus

Maldives Billfish Management Plan 2020

AUGUST 2020 DRAFT

Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources & Agriculture Malé, Maldives

Table of Contents

List of Tables ...... 3 Abbreviations ...... 4 Part 1: Preamble ...... 5

1.1 Introduction and Title ...... 5 1.2 Scope and Application ...... 5 1.3 Guiding Principles ...... 6 1.4 Interpretation ...... 6 1.5 Entry into Force ...... 7 Part 2: Biology, Habitat and Behaviour ...... 8

2.1 Biology ...... 8 2.2 Habitat and Behavioural Traits ...... 13 Part 3: Overview of the Fishery ...... 14

3.1 Fishery ...... 14 3.2 Processing & Export ...... 15 Part 4: Purpose, Objectives and Strategies of the Plan ...... 17

4.1 Overall purpose ...... 17 4.2 Objectives and Strategies ...... 17 Part 5: Management measures ...... 23

5.1 Establishment of an advisory committee ...... 23 5.2 Licensing ...... 24 5.3 Involvement of foreign nationals in billfish fishery operations ...... 29 5.4 Best Practices ...... 29 5.5 Minimum Size Limit ...... 30 5.6 Export requirements ...... 30 5.7 Precautionary measures ...... 32 5.8 Offences and Penalties ...... 32 Part 6: Implementation of the Plan ...... 35 Part 7: Reviewing the Management Plan ...... 35 References ...... 36 Annex ...... 37

Annex 1: Glossary ...... 37 Annex 2: Logbook Template ...... 40

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Flow diagram of billfish supply chain ...... 15 Figure 2: Export of billfish products from 1997 - 2016 ...... 16 Figure 3: Illustration of how to measure lower jaw fork length ...... 30

List of Tables

Table 1: List of Billfish species found in the Maldives ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 2: Breakdown of each objective by strategies, actions, timeframe and responsible parties ...... 18 Table 3: Details of licence categories, their respective fees and period of validity ...... 29 Table 4: List of offences and their respective penalties ...... 33

Abbreviations

CG Coast Guard

EPA Environment Protection Agency

FIS Fisheries Information System

IGO Intergovernmental Organisation

IOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

LGA Local Government Authority

MCS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

MCS* Maldives Customs Services

ME Ministry of Environment

MFDA Maldives Food and Drug Authority

MIRA Maldives Inland Revenue Authority

MMRI Maldives Marine Research Institute

MNDF Maldives National Defence Force

MoED Ministry of Economic Development

MoFMRA Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture

MPS Maldives Police Services

NBS National Bureau of Statistics

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

RFBs Regional Fisheries Bodies

RFMOs Regional Fisheries Management Organisations

SWIOFC Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission

TAE Total Allowable Exports

Maldives Billfish Management Plan

Part 1: Preamble

1.1 Introduction and Title

1.1.1 This Management Plan shall be cited as “Maldives Billfish Management Plan” (hereinafter referred to as the Plan).

1.1.2 The Plan is made pursuant to Article 18 of the Act No. 14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) and constitutes a regulation made under this Act.

1.1.3 The Plan provides for the management of the fishery stated in Section 17 (a) (4) of the Act No. 14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives).

1.2 Scope and Application

1.2.1 Species and Activities

(a) The Plan applies to the following species (collectively referred to as “billfish” in this Plan): 1. Indo-Pacific sail fish (Xiphias platypterus) 2. Sword fish (Xiphias gladius) 3. Black marlin (Makaira indica) 4. Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara) 5. Striped marlin (Kajikia audax)

(b) The Plan shall apply to all activities carried out in the Maldives that may impact billfish resources, including but not limited to harvesting, processing, storage, trading, and exporting of billfish products from the Maldives.

1.2.2 Parties

(a) The Plan applies to all parties engaging in all activities targeting species listed in 1.2.1 (a).

(b) The Plan also applies to all parties, vessels, processing, and export facilities or places engaged in or otherwise connected with any activity within the scope of this Plan.

1.2.3 Exemption

The management measures in this Plan shall not apply to persons or parties who are undertaking an activity within the scope of this Plan for research purposes with a valid research permit issued by the Ministry under Research Regulation 2020.

1.3 Guiding Principles

1.3.1 Precautionary Approach: Timely and cost-effective measures shall be taken to safeguard ecosystems and prevent irreparable damage to them despite the lack of full scientific certainty.

1.3.2 Ecosystem-based management: The various and variety of interactions within an ecosystem, including anthropogenic elements, shall be recognised as opposed to accounting for matters, species, or ecosystem services in isolation.

1.3.3 Sustainable Development: In developing the fishery, the needs of the present shall be met without compromising the ability of the future generations to benefit from the resource.

1.3.4 Equity: Resources shall be acknowledged as shared and common goods and benefits obtained from the utilisation of resources shall be shared in a fair and just manner among all through the application of transparency, legitimacy, accountability and decentralisation.

1.3.5 Participatory Approach: All stakeholders, particularly those who are directly affected by a policy or a measure, shall be engaged in the decision-making process to ensure inclusivity and consensus-oriented outcomes.

1.4 Interpretation

1.4.1 This plan shall be interpreted and applied in the context of and in a manner consistent with the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives).

1.4.2 Unless stated otherwise, words or expressions used in this Plan have been given the meaning specified in Annex 1: Glossary.

1.5 Entry into Force

This Plan shall come into force six months following its publication on the Government Gazette.

Part 2: Biology, Habitat and Behaviour

2.1 Biology

Billfishes are highly migratory epipelagic fishes that inhabit all of the world’s oceans (Shimose et al. 2010). They are characterized by a protruding upper jaw that extends considerably beyond their lower jaw.

(a) Indo-Pacific sail fish

Scientific Name: Istiophorus platypterus Common Name: Indo-Pacific sail fish Local Name: Fangan’du Hibaru

• Stock distribution and habitat

Found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, it is mainly found in surface waters above the thermocline, mostly close to coasts and islands in depths from 0 to 200 m. The stock structure of Indo-Pacific sailfish in the Indian Oceans is uncertain where apparently there are local reproductively isolated stocks. At least one stock was reported in the Persian Gulf with no or very little intermixing with open Indian Ocean stocks. However outside of the Gulf, no stock differentiation has been determined.

• Feeding and food

They are found feeding on schools of smaller fish like sardines and anchovies, which they often shepherd with their sails, making them easy prey. They also feast on squid and octopus.

• Size and sizes at maturity

The Indo-Pacific sailfish is one of the smallest-sized billfish species, but is relatively fast growing. Maximum length has been recorded at 348 cm fork length, with maximum weight reported at 100.2 kg. It has been recorded to live for a maximum age of 13 years.

(b) Sword fish

Scientific name: Xiphias gladius Common name: Sword fish Local name: Thungan’du hibaru, Kanneli hibaru

• Stock distribution and habitat

Swordfish is a cosmopolitan species found in the tropical, temperate and sometimes in cold waters of all oceans. Swordfish prefer water temperatures between 18 and 22° C, but have the widest tolerance among billfishes, and can be found from 5 to 27° C. They can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m, while it has been reported to dive as deep as 2878 m (Sepulveda et al. 2010).

• Feeding and food

They feed on a wide range of pelagic fishes, such as mackerel, barracudinas, silver hake, rockfish, herring, and lanternfishes, but they also take demersal fish, squid, and crustaceans

• Size and sizes at maturity

They commonly reach length of about 300 cm total length, and the maximum length of 455 cm fork length. The maximum reported weight is 650 kg. Swordfish are reported to mature at around 221 cm, with a range between 156 – 250 cm.

Scientific name: Makaira indica Common name: Black marlin Local name: Kalhumas hibaru

• Stock distribution and habitat Black marlin is a highly migratory, large oceanic apex predator that inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Some rare individuals have been reported in the Atlantic Ocean but there is no information to indicate the presence of a breeding stock in this area. The black marlin usually occurs in surface waters, commonly in the 0 – 200 m depth, but recorded to depths of 915 m. They often occur in nearshore waters close to land masses, islands and coral reef areas (Nakamura, 1985).

• Feeding and food

Black marlins feed on dolphinfish, squid, cuttlefish, octopuses, mackerels, trevallies, swordfish, and large decapod crustaceans, but prefers small tunas when abundant.

• Size and sizes at maturity

The blue marlin one of the biggest fish in the world with a maximum reported length of 465 cm fork length, but common to 380 cm total length. The maximum published weight is 759 kg (Chi-Lu et al. 2007).

(d) Indo-Pacific blue marlin

Scientific name: Makaira mazara Common name: Indo-Pacific blue marlin Local name: Noomas hibaru

• Stock distribution and habitat

Indo-Pacific blue marlin is a highly migratory species found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Oceans. It is common in equatorial waters, but it is not usually seen close to islands and coral reefs. Indo-Pacific blue marlins are found in depths between 0 – 200 m.

• Feeding and food

They prefer the higher temperature of surface waters, feeding on mackerel and tuna, but will also dive deep to eat squid. They are among the fastest fish in the ocean, and use their spears to slash through dense schools, returning to eat the stunned prey.

• Size and sizes at maturity

They have the ability to reach a maximum length of 500 cm total length, but the average is around 350 cm total length. It has been known to reach weights of 906 kg (FAO catalogue). It is thought to mature between 130 to 140 cm eye-fork length in the Pacific Ocean (FAO). Maximum age as reported by Allen and Steene (1988) is 28 years.

(e) Striped Marlin

Scientific name: Tetrapturus audax1 Common name: Striped marlin Local name: Noomas hibaru

• Stock distribution and habitat

Striped marlin is a highly migratory pelagic species with a distribution extending through equatorial to temperate waters, with the highest catches and catch rates occurring within sub-equatorial and subtropical areas, particularly in the Paciﬁc Ocean (Nakamura,1985). In the Indian Ocean, fish are more densely distributed in equatorial regions with higher concentrations off eastern Africa, in the western Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and off northwestern Australia (Pillai and Shoji 1978). They occur in tropical to temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Striped marlins are found between 0-200 meters.

• Feeding and food

Striped marlin are opportunistic feeders of fish including mackerel, sardine, and anchovy. They will also eat invertebrates, including crustaceans and squids.

• Size and sizes at maturity

Maximum length for striped marlin is 420 cm total length, common to 290 cm total length. It has been reported to mature at around 210 cm. The maximum published weight for striped marlin is 440.0 kg (Allen and Steene, 1988).

1 Currently accepted as Kajikia audax but recognised as Tetrapturus audax by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.

2.2 Habitat and Behavioural Traits

Billfishes are distributed throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate waters around the world (Restrepo et al. 2016). Although they live primarily in the upper 200 meters of the ocean, their general habitat preferences and horizontal distribution ranges vary by species. Both families found in the Maldives; Istiophoridae (marlins and sailfishes) as well as Xiphiidea (swordfish) usually inhabit warm seas (Nakamura 1985).

Billfishes are apex predators that have a broad diet (Kitchell et al. 2006). They are opportunistic feeders known to feed upon fishes ranging from large tunas such as skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and bigeye tuna to other types such as dolphinfishes, flying fishes, barracudas and anchovies (Nakamura 1985; Potier et al. 2007; Elepathage et al. 2019). In shallow waters, they also feed on neritic pelagic fishes like mackerels and herrings. Studies of their gut content have revealed that cephalopods such as squids and cuttlefishes also contribute significantly to their diet (Potier et al. 2007; Loor-Andrade et al. 2017). However, the dietary composition differs between billfish species and the frequency of occurrence of prey species also varies by season (Loor-Andrade et al. 2017).

Part 3: Overview of the Fishery

3.1 Fishery

A small billfish fishery has existed in the Maldives for many years. The expansion of tourism industry in Maldives opened up a new market for billfish fishermen to sell their catch. This resulted in higher exploitation of billfish in the Maldives. Due to this demand created by the expanding tourism sector and export markets, billfish fishing had been shifting from an artisanal fishery to an increasingly commercialised fishery. The complete ban on shark fishery in 2010 also seems to have contributed to the rapid expansion of this fishery, owing to the shift of shark fishermen into the billfish fishery (Jauharee 2015).

The extent of billfish fishery in the Maldives is not yet fully understood as there is no mechanism to enumerate billfish landings in the country, except for the provisions in reef fish and tuna logbooks to report billfish catch. However, based on surveys conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture in 2017 and 2018, it is estimated that around 835 vessels and 1314 fishers are engaged in the fishery. It is difficult to determine what proportion of this figure constitutes full-time and part time fishers. Small boats (10 -15ft) that can accommodate 3 to 5 fishermen are commonly used in this fishery. The dinghies utilised in this fishery are usually 10 to 12ft in length and accommodates 1 to 2 fishermen. These vessels (especially the smaller vessels) shift between reef fishing and billfish fishing interchangeably, depending on the season, catch likability, and the price of fish.

There are two methods used by the fishermen to catch billfish, namely, Trolling and Drifting Droplines. The prominence of either of the two methods largely depends on the season. During the early months of Southwest monsoon, most fishermen are known to prefer trolling over drift lining. This is believed by the fishers to be the best period of the year for billfish fishing, and the trolling method is argued to be more efficient. During trolling trips, the boats use up to 4 lines, with a locally made artificial hookless lure, with wool strings attached. The threads of wools attached to the false head of the lure entangles the rough upper jaw’s bill when the fish attacks the lure. Once properly entangled, the fish is then pulled towards the boat and the bill is secured before killing it with a hard blow to its head. When using drifting droplines, fishers use a float, monofilament line, a swivel, a wire lead and a baited barbed hook (Jauharee 2015). A boat may deploy between 10 to 15 lines at a time. The most common species of bait used with drifting droplines are bigeye scads, mackerel scads and redtoothed triggerfish.

Billfish fishing vessels typically operate outside of the atoll. A typical fishing trip lasts for around 4 to 6 hours. Billfish fishers sell their catch to fish processors, and products are then sold to exporters.

Fishers Processors Exporters

Domestic Markets Resorts

Figure 1: Flow diagram of billfish supply chain

Billfish was also caught in the longline fisheries targeting bigeye tuna that operated between 1985 and 2009 and then 2011 and 2019. Swordfishes caught in the longline fishery accounted for more than half of the billfish bycatch landings in that fishery, although the other four species were also caught to some extent. Other tuna and reef fishers are also known to land billfishes.

3.2 Processing & Export

In most islands, the catch is sold to independent billfish processors, although in some islands the processing is done by fishers themselves. The bulk of the exports are salted dried. The drying process reduces the live weight of billfish up to a third of its bodyweight. Frozen billfish fillets are becoming an increasingly popular product as these fetch a higher price than salt dried billfishes. Salt dried fish are primarily for export to the Sri Lankan market while frozen fillets are marketed domestically and is also exported. Majority of the frozen and fresh/chilled billfish products are produced from the longline bycatch landings.

Billfish fishers are not required to report their catch data and not all landings are exported, hence it is difficult to gauge the quantity of billfish caught in the Maldivian waters with any degree of accuracy. However, the export data compiled by the Maldives Customs Service provide some understanding of the catch trend (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Export of billfish products from 1997 - 2019 (Source: Maldives Customs Services)

The bulk of the swordfish within the frozen and fresh exports in the last few years is likely to have been sourced primarily from the longline fleet. In 2009, the Government of Maldives ceased licensing of foreign longline vessels to allow for a completely localised fleet. This is likely to have contributed for an almost complete lack of frozen and fresh/chilled billfish exports in the Maldives during the subsequent years, as the majority of such forms of products are from the foreign longline bycatch landings of billfish.

In 1997 and 1998, all billfish products were exported exclusively to Sri Lanka. However, since 1999, the market has expanded to Europe, North America and several Asian countries.

Part 4: Purpose, Objectives and Strategies of the Plan

4.1 Overall purpose

4.1.1 The overall purpose of the management plan is to:

(a) Improve the management and conservation of billfish stocks through adaptive management actions that are aligned with the management recommendations or requirements of the relevant regional fisheries management organisations;

(b) Ensure long-term benefits to the people of Maldives through the responsible management of the fishery; and

(c) Act as the primary basis for guiding the authorities as well as stakeholders in the sustainable development of the fishery and trade.

4.2 Objectives and Strategies

4.2.1 The plan comprises of five specific objectives;

(1) Ensure that the harvesting, processing and trading of billfish is carried out in an environmentally sound manner most beneficial to Maldivians through the application of principles of sustainability, ecosystem-based management and the Precautionary Approach;

(2) Implement Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and strengthen data collection and data reporting mechanisms for the billfish fishery and trade;

(3) Prioritise evidence-based policymaking through the collection of biological and socio- economic data on billfish fishery and associated resources;

(4) Ensure equitable benefits to all Maldivians and improve their livelihoods through decentralised development of billfish fishery and trade;

(5) Increase education and awareness amongst stakeholders and the general public.

4.2.2 Strategies and actions developed to achieve these objectives are summarised in Table 2.

Table 1: Breakdown of each objective by strategies, actions, timeframe and responsible parties

Objective 1: Ensure that the harvesting, processing and trading of billfish is carried out in an environmentally sound manner most beneficial to Maldivians through the application of principles of sustainability, ecosystem-based management and the Precautionary Approach

Strategy Action Time frame Responsible parties

1.1.1 Establish a system of quotas (Total Allowable o MMRI Catch) for the fishery if and when stocks are Long-term o MoFMRA determined to be overfished and subject to (5 – 10 years) o Maldives Customs Services overfishing beyond the limits determined by IOTC

1.1.2 Apply minimum harvest size limits on billfish to o MMRI Immediate allow them to grow and reach maturity before o MoFMRA being susceptible to capture, as required by IOTC 1.1 Adopt precautionary under the Resolution 18/05 approach for the management of the fishery in the absence of reliable Long-term o MMRI biological or fishery data 1.1.3 Prohibit the exports of species whose stocks are determined to be overfished and subject to (5 – 10 years) o MoFMRA overfishing

o MMRI 1.1.4 Declare protected sites/ time-area closures to Long-term o MoFMRA protect billfish spawning grounds (5 – 10 years)

1.2.1 Implement and enforce the restriction on the use of o MMRI 1.2 Promote the use of any fishing method or gear prohibited by the Act Immediate o MoFMRA environmentally friendly No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) or any o MPS gears and techniques in other regulations the billfish fishery

1.3 Maintain a leading role in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), 1.3.1 Actively participate in the scientific and Regional Fishery Bodies o MoFMRA management processes of IOTC, SWIOFC and other Immediate (RFBs) and relevant relevant regional and international bodies o MMRI Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) in management and conservation of billfish

Objective 2: Implement Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) of billfish fishery and trade by strengthening mechanisms for data reporting

Strategy Action Time frame Responsible parties

2.1.1 Establish licensing arrangements for harvesters to o MoFMRA effectively monitor billfish catch rates and effort Immediate o Local Councils and obtain other important fishery dependent data

2.1 Establish an effectively 2.1.2 Establish licensing arrangements for billfish o MoFMRA controlled and monitored processing facilities to effectively monitor methods Immediate o MFDA trade flow and scale of processing

2.1.3 Establish registration arrangements in Fisheries o MoFMRA Information System (FIS), Keyolhu, to control and Immediate o MCS* monitor billfish trade

2.2.1 Require harvesters to submit catch-log data to the o Island Councils Immediate Ministry o MoFMRA

2.2.2 Require any facilities or individuals processing Immediate o MoFMRA billfish to submit purchase reports to the Ministry

2.2.3 Require export companies to maintain a record of quantities of billfish received (and sources) at the Immediate o MoFMRA 2.2 Establish an efficient species level and apply for a catch certificate for documentation scheme for each consignment they intend to export billfish fishery 1.3.2 Expand the catch documentation scheme to cover billfish exports and require that an approved catch certificate is submitted along with an export o MoFMRA Immediate declaration form (including a packing list by species o MCS* with weight) for all consignments of billfish that is exported

2.3 Establish an effective o MoFMRA monitoring and 2.3.1 Work with other government agencies (e.g. o MFDA enforcement system to Immediate Customs, MFDA, MIRA) to monitor exports o MIRA ensure effective o MCS* compliance

Objective 3: Prioritise evidence-based policymaking through the collection of biological and socio-economic data on billfish fishery and associated resources

Strategy Action Time frame Responsible parties

3.1 Improve data collection on 3.1.1 Implement a nationwide size sampling and survey o MMRI biological and socio- programme for billfish that are landed Immediate economic aspects of billfish

fishery to support

evidence-based 3.1.2 Gather geographical information on fishing grounds using catch logs in order to identify the o MoFMRA policymaking Immediate spatio-temporal exploitation patterns in billfish o MMRI fishery

3.1.3 Conduct a series of socio-economic surveys every four years to identify and understand the scale of Immediate o MoFMRA billfish fishery in the Maldives

Objective 4: Ensure equitable benefits to all Maldivians and improve their livelihoods through decentralised development of billfish fishery and trade

Strategy Action Time frame Responsible parties

4.1.1 Expand the import duty exemption scheme to 4.1 Increase profitability for incorporate billfish fishery, including the billfish fishing improvement of value-added billfish products and Immediate MoFMRA communities items imported for billfish harvesting vessel development

4.2 Foster new market 4.2.1 Support the diversification of value-added billfish Long-term opportunities for billfish products to maximise economic returns to billfish o MoFMRA (5 – 10 years) fishery and trade fishers and traders

4.4 Identify and engage 4.4.1 Establish, maintain, and update a fishers’ registry, stakeholders to ensure that Masveringe Dhaftharu, to understand fishing Immediate o MoFMRA policy decisions are made community dependence on billfish resources

through a Participatory Approach 4.4.2 Engage with stakeholders and take their views and feedback into account in the implementation of Immediate o MoFMRA management measures

4.4.3 Work in close liaison with key billfish fishing Immediate o MoFMRA communities and traders

Objective 5: Increase education and awareness amongst stakeholders and the general public

Strategy Action Time frame Responsible parties

5.1.1 Based on data availability, compile and o MMRI 5.1 Promote awareness and disseminate information on: o MoFMRA understanding of the • status of resource; o MoED billfish fishery and its Annual o MIRA • fishery; contribution to the o MCS* • Maldives economy trade and exports; and o NBS • revenue to Maldives

Part 5: Management measures

In the best interest of fishing communities and industry, it is critical that timely management measures are introduced through legislative instruments so that this resource is sustainably managed to the benefit of stakeholders and future generations. To achieve this, the following are proposed.

5.1 Establishment of an advisory committee

5.1.1 An advisory committee will be established to advise on policy matters to the Ministry relating to billfish fishery conservation, management, sustainable development, research, and trade (herein referred to as the Committee).

5.1.2 The Committee shall be appointed by the Minister within three months of implementation of the plan, and will comprise of the following members:

(a) A Chairperson (head of the Fisheries Division) (b) A scientist from MMRI (c) 3 representatives of billfish harvesters (d) 2 representatives of billfish exporters (e) A representative from the Ministry of Environment (f) A representative from the Ministry of Economic Development (g) A representative from Local Government Authority (h) A representative from a relevant locally registered NGO

5.1.3 The Ministry shall make a public announcement to call for Expression of Interest for the following Committee positions;

• Representatives of billfish harvesters; • Representatives of billfish exporters; • Representative from the NGO

5.1.4 The Fisheries Management Section of the Ministry shall execute the responsibilities of the Secretariat, including the maintenance of minutes and sharing of relevant documents with Committee members prior to meetings.

5.1.5 The Committee may invite specialists/advisors, representatives of the industry, or relevant government agencies, relevant regional or international organisations / institutions to specific meetings.

5.1.6 The Committee will meet on a biannual basis with special meetings to be called by the Chairperson when urgent matters arise.

5.1.7 The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be six members.

5.1.8 The mandate of the Committee shall be:

(a) Monitoring the implementation of the Plan and providing advice to the Minister on a biannual basis; (b) Discussion of policy matters relating to the billfish fishery; (c) Reviewing technical and other reports pertaining to the billfish fishery; (d) Advising on management measures in response to the outcomes and recommendations from the technical reports and stakeholder workshops.

5.2 Licensing

5.2.1 The following parties operating within the billfish fishery and trade must acquire a license:

(a) All commercial fishing vessels1;

(b) All commercial parties that perform any form of processing of billfish.

5.2.2 The Ministry shall maintain and update a billfish fishers’ registry, Masveringe Dhaftharu.

5.2.3 The general process of application for and issuance of licences shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Licensing Regulation 2020.

5.2.4 Prior to application for a Fishing Licence, the applicant shall ensure that the following requirements of the vessel are met:

(a) Vessel is registered at the Maldives Transport Authority; (b) Vessel has a seaworthiness certificate issued by the Maldives Transport Authority.

1 Includes all fishing vessels that may not directly target billfish but harvest a minimum of 24 billfishes within a period of one year.

5.2.5 Terms and conditions of Fishing Licence are:

(a) Licence

• The licensee must keep the license (or a certified copy) on board the vessel at all times.

(b) Fishing area • All vessels shall operate strictly within the maritime zones of the Maldives as defined by Act no.: 6/96 (Maldives Maritime Zones Act).

• The captain must ensure that a logbook is kept onboard the vessel at all times and is produced at the request of a fisheries ranger or enforcement officer.

• The captain shall ensure accurate and timely catch log reporting to the Ministry as per the data reporting guideline published on the Ministry’s website.

• All information provided in this manner shall be true, complete, and accurate.

• Failure to submit the log or provision of inaccurate or falsified information is an offence.

(d) Cooperating with Enforcement Officers, Fisheries Rangers and Fisheries Observers

• The licensee should cooperate with all enforcement officer(s), fisheries ranger(s) and fisheries observer(s), as defined by the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) and the general fisheries regulation 2020.

(e) Prohibited activities

The captain shall refrain from and ensure crew of the vessels refrain from, engaging in any if the activities listed below:

• Harvesting, retaining on-board, storing on-board, transhipping, transporting to a landing facility or landing any billfish species in contravention of the size

limits stipulated in this Plan;

• Fishing within designated protected areas under any other Laws or

regulations of the Maldives, as per harvesting restrictions;

• Targeting any species of fish protected under the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries

Act of the Maldives) or any other Laws, regulations and management plans;

• Retaining on-board, storing on-board, transhipping, transporting to a landing

facility or land any of the species protected by other laws or regulations in any

form.

• Conducting fishing or engaging in any related activities within 3 nautical

miles around FADs;

• Employing or involving a foreign national to directly harvest billfish for commercial purposes;

• Disposal of non-biodegradable waste or chemicals into the sea;

• Acting in contravention of any measures in this Plan or the Act no.: 14/2019

(Fisheries Act of the Maldives) or any of the regulations or management plans

pursuant to the Act or any pertinent laws or regulations.

5.2.6 Prior to application for a processing licence, the applicant shall ensure that the following requirements are met:

(a) Processors must be of Maldivian nationality or if the processing party is a company, it must be registered in the Maldives. (b) The processing facility has a valid hygiene certificate issued by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.

5.2.7 Prior to application for a processing licence, the applicant shall ensure that the following requirements are met:

(c) Processors must be of Maldivian nationality or if the processing party is a company, it must be registered in the Maldives.

(d) The processing facility has a valid hygiene certificate issued by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.

5.2.8 Terms and conditions of processing licence are:

(a) Processing Sites and Facilities

• A separate licence shall be acquired for each processing site or facility.

(b) Purchasing

• All purchases made under this licence must be from a licensed billfish fishing vessel.

• The methods and conditions of processing should be in accordance with regulations and guidelines established by Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

• Processing premises, equipment, packaging materials and tools may be subject to random inspections by the Ministry.

• The licensee may carry out salting of other tuna like species in the facility.

(d) Reporting

• All individuals and parties with this licence should submit a purchase report to the Ministry on a monthly basis as per the data reporting guideline published

on Ministry’s website.

• Record logs must include, but be not limited to, the following information:

o Details of the licensed party from whom the fish was purchased; o Purchase date; o Species and their respective size details; o If the processed products are prepared for export, the registration, and other details of the exporter

• All information provided in this manner shall be true, complete, and accurate.

• Failure to submit the log or provision of inaccurate or falsified information is an

offence.

• Licensees shall maintain the confidentiality of the data received from fishers as

part of a requirement from the Ministry and not share such data with any other

party besides the Ministry.

(e) Cooperating with enforcement officers, fisheries rangers and fisheries observers

• The licensee should cooperate with all enforcement officer(s), fisheries ranger(s), and fisheries observer(s) as defined by the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) of the Maldives and the General Fisheries Regulation 2020.

(f) Prohibited Activities

• Processing a species without a valid licence.

• Trading or retaining in a processing facility any species, part of species, or products made out of parts of species that are banned from extraction or trading is an offence.

• Acting in contravention of any measures in this Plan or the Act no.: 14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) or any of the regulations or management plans

pursuant to the Act or any pertinent laws or regulations.

5.2.9 Licensing categories may vary based on the scale and nature of operations. The categories, details of the licence fees and the period of validity of the licences are summarised in Table 3.

Table 2: Details of licence categories, their respective fees and period of validity

Category Duration Fee (MVR)

Fishing Vessels 12 months 100

Processing facilities 12 months 100

5.2.10 None of the aforementioned licences shall be transferable.

5.2.11 Licences should be renewed as per the Licensing Regulation 2020 and renewal will be subject to annual reviews and payment of the licence fee.

5.3 Involvement of foreign nationals in billfish fishery operations

No foreign national shall be engaged in harvesting of billfish for commercial purposes.

5.4 Best Practices

5.4.1 The collection of billfish should not involve any methods of fishing that are prohibited by the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) and any pursuant regulations to it.

5.4.2 In the event where any unintentional catch of protected species occurs, the animals should be released immediately without harming, using a method that will result in minimum harm while releasing.

5.5 Minimum Size Limit

5.5.1 No party shall harvest, retain on board, store on-board, tranship or land any specimen smaller than 60 cm in Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) of any of the following species, and shall return them immediately to the sea in a manner that maximises post-release survival potential without compromising the safety of crew:

(a) Indian Ocean Striped Marlin (b) Black Marlin (c) Indo Pacific blue marlin (d) Indo Pacific Sailfish

Figure 3: Illustration of how to measure lower jaw fork length

5.5.2 No party shall trade or process any species of billfishes stated in 5.5.1 in contravention of the

stipulated lengths.

5.5.3 Any person who engages in the harvesting, trading and processing of any billfish species in

contravention of the size requirements applicable to that species, shall be liable to penalties as

stated in Section 5.8.

5.6 Export requirements

5.6.1 Ownership of export operations

Billfish exporters must be of Maldivian nationality or if the exporting party is a company, it must be registered in the Maldives.

5.6.2 Purchasing

(a) Exporters shall ensure that all processed purchases are made from a licensed party.

(b) Exporters shall record via the Fisheries Information System, Keyolhu daily purchases pertaining to but not limited to the following information:

• Details of the licensed party from whom the fish was purchased; • Individual or vessel that harvested the fish; • Purchase date; • Species and their respective weight

5.6.3 Packing conditions

(a) Billfish product for export shall be packed separately by species and the package clearly labelled with the species name, quantity (number of pieces & weight) of the product and the licence number of the exporter.

(b) Billfish product for export shall be packed in accordance with the quality standards required by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.

5.6.4 Catch certificate

(a) Each billfish export consignment shall be accompanied by a catch certificate issued by the Ministry.

(b) Application for the catch certificate shall be submitted via the Fisheries Information System, Keyolhu.

5.6.5 Prohibited activities

(a) Breaching the confidentiality of the data received from fishers as part of a requirement

from the Ministry and sharing such data with another party besides the Ministry.

(b) Acting in contravention of any measures in this Plan or the Act No.14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives) or any of the regulations pursuant to the Act is an offence.

5.7 Precautionary measures

5.7.1 Where the Ministry finds evidence or has been advised that a species of billfish within the Indian Ocean is under stress or at a critical risk of being overfished, the Ministry, in consultation with MMRI and the Committee, may take precautionary management measures not stated in this Plan to protect the wild stock.

5.7.2 These measures may include but are not limited to the following:

(a) Declaring the closure of a specific area within Maldives and prohibiting the extraction of billfish from the no-take zone;

(b) Prohibiting the capture, processing or export of a specific species of billfish;

(d) Implementing a species catch / export quota;

(e) Impose other restrictions on activities that may affect billfish stocks.

5.8 Offences and Penalties

5.8.1 Acting in contravention of any of the above management measures or conditions of a licence is an offence. 5.8.2 If an offence is repeated for a third time, the licence of the offender shall be revoked and withheld for a period of three months.

5.8.3 Penalties for non-compliance shall be applied as per Table 4.

5.8.4 Procedures for penalisation shall be in accordance with the Penalty Regulation 2020.

Table 3: List of offences and their respective penalties

Offence Fine (MVR) Repeated offence

MVR 1000 in addition to Using a prohibited method to harvest billfish 3000 the previous fine (up to (licensed vessel) MVR 50,000)

MVR 500 in addition to the Engaging in commercial billfish fishery without a 3000 previous fine (up to MVR valid licence 10,000)

Harvesting, retaining on-board, storing on-board, MVR 700 in addition to the transhipping, transporting to a landing facility or 2000 previous fine (up to MVR landing any billfish species in contravention of the 5000) size limits stipulated in this Plan

MVR 500 in addition to the Conducting fishing or engaging in any related 5000 previous fine (up to MVR activities within 3 nautical miles around FADs 10,000)

MVR 300 in addition to the Foreign national engaging in harvesting of billfish 1000 previous fine (up to MVR for commercial purposes 5000)

MVR 1000 in addition to Employing a foreign national to harvest billfish 3000 the previous fine (up to resource for commercial purposes MVR 10000)

MVR 200 in addition to the Failure to submit trip logs to the Ministry as 750 per trip previous fine (up to MVR conditioned by the fishing licence 10000)

MVR 2000 in addition to Engaging in fish processing without a valid licence 5000 the previous fine (up to MVR 30000)

Trading, processing, retaining in a processing facility MVR 700 in addition to the or displaying any species, part of species, or 2000 previous fine (up to MVR products made out of parts of species that are 5000) banned from extraction or trading

MVR 300 in addition to the Failure to submit reports/information to the 1000 previous fine (up to MVR Ministry as conditioned by the processing licence 10,000)

MVR 500 in addition to the Provision of inaccurate or falsified information to the 3000 previous fine (up to MVR Ministry 10,000)

MVR 500 in addition to the Sharing of data received from fishers with any other 5000 previous fine (up to MVR party besides the Ministry. 10000)

In addition to the fine, blacklist the exporting Attempting to export a billfish product without a 5000 party and withhold the catch certificate issuance of catch certificates for 3 months

In addition to the fine, blacklist the exporting Exporting or attempting to export a billfish species in 5000 party and withhold the contravention of the size limits stipulated in this Plan issuance of catch certificates for 3 months

Part 6: Implementation of the Plan

6.1 The Ministry is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Plan as per Table 2.

6.2 The Ministry shall also work closely with other key stakeholders, in particular enforcement agencies, to monitor and ensure compliance and enforcement of all management measures.

6.3 The Maldives Marine Research Institute shall formulate a plan of action to guide all research activities that the institute is responsible for under this Plan.

Part 7: Reviewing the Management Plan

7.1 This Plan shall be reviewed and revised every three years by the Ministry.

7.2 The Ministry shall engage with billfish fishing communities, licence holders, processors, exporters and other stakeholders in the review process.

7.3 Upon review, if and where applicable, management measures shall be revised, or new measures put in place based on scientific findings and other relevant data.

7.4 The Maldives Marine Research Institute shall advise the Ministry on biological and ecological aspects of the fishery to be incorporated in reviewing of the Plan.

References

Allen, G. R., and R. C. Steene. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Page Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, 6798. Australia.

Chi-Lu, S., C.-S. Liu, and S.-Z. Yeh. 2007. Age and Growth of Black Marlin (Makaira indica) in the Waters off Eastern Taiwan. Pages 1–21 Scientific Committee Third Regular Session. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Honolulu, United States of America.

Elepathage, T. S. M., D. Tang, and L. Oey. 2019. The Pelagic Habitat of Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the Changing Environment of the North Indian Ocean. Sustainability (Switzerland) 11(24):1–19.

Jauharee, A. R. 2015. The Maldives billfish fishery – an update.

Kitchell, J. F., S. J. D. Martell, C. J. Walters, O. P. Jensen, I. C. Kaplan, J. Watters, T. E. Essington, and C. H. Boggs. 2006. Billfishes in an ecosystem context. Bulletin of Marine Science 79(3):669–682.

Loor-Andrade, P., J. Pincay-Espinoza, M. Carrera-Fernández, and R. Rosas-Luis. 2017. Feeding habits of billfishes (Carangaria: Istiophoriformes) in the Ecuadorian Pacific Ocean. Neotropical Ichthyology 15(3). Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia.

Nakamura, I. 1985. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. Page FAO Species Catalogue. Fisheries Research Station, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Pillai, P. P., and U. Shoji. 1978. Distribution and biology of the striped marlin , Tetrapturus audax (Philippi) taken by the longline fishery in the Indian Ocean. Bull. Far Seas Fish. Res. (16):9–32.

Potier, M., F. Marsac, Y. Cherel, V. Lucas, R. Sabatié, O. Maury, and F. Ménard. 2007. Forage fauna in the diet of three large pelagic fishes (lancetfish, swordfish and yellowfin tuna) in the western equatorial Indian Ocean. Fisheries Research 83(1):60–72.

Restrepo, V., M. J. Juan-Jordá, B. B. Collette, F. L. Frédou, and A. Rosenberg. 2016. Tunas and Billfishes. Page First Global Marine Assessment (World Ocean Assessment).

Sepulveda, C. A., A. Knight, N. Nasby-Lucas, and M. L. Domeier. 2010. Fine-scale movements of the swordfish Xiphias gladius in the Southern California Bight. Fisheries Oceanography 19(4):279–289.

Shimose, T., K. Yokawa, and H. Saito. 2010. Habitat and food partitioning of billfishes (Xiphioidei). Journal of Fish Biology 76(10):2418–2433.

Annex

Annex 1: Glossary

(a) Aquaculture Culture, propagation, keeping, raising, and ranching of aquatic living resources on the Territory and in the maritime zones of the Maldives.

(b) Commercial fishing Fishing or Harvesting for the purpose of obtaining a financial benefit.

(c) Enforcement officer Any officer designated pursuant to Section 57 of this Act to enforce regulations made under this Act.

(d) Fisheries Ranger Persons who are appointed for and by the Ministry under Act No. 14/2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives).

(e) Fishing / Harvesting 1. searching for the purpose of catching, taking, killing and harvesting of fish;

(2) attempting to search for, catch, take, kill or harvest fish;

(3) engaging in any other activity that results in the searching, catching, taking, killing or harvesting of fish;

(4) placing or searching or retaking of any fish aggregating device or equipment including “radio beacons”;

(5) undertaking any operation at sea or on an island in preparation for any activity mentioned in subsections (1), (2), (3) or (4).

(f) Fishing vessels Any type of vessel, ship or any other thing which is used for fishing, which has been prepared for fishing, or which is usually used for fishing or related activities.

(g) Logbook Any instruments used to record data on fishing trips, including catch and effort data, submitted electronically or via any other medium determined by the Ministry.

(h) Lower jaw-fork length Projected straight distance from the tip of the lower jaw to the shortest caudal ray (fork of the caudal fin).

(i) Management plans The plan with regard to fisheries planning, management and development in relation to Chapter Three of this Act.

(j) Master / Captain Person holding the most responsible position at any given time on-board a fishing vessel.

(k) Minister The minister responsible for fisheries, including aquaculture.

(l) Ministry The ministry responsible for fisheries, including aquaculture.

(m) Offence Administrative offences prescribed in this Act.

(n) Precautionary measures In the absence of complete information based on scientific research or where a matter has not been proved, measures adopted to manage the natural resources in a sustainable manner considering the possibility of an adverse outcome if such measures are not taken.

(o) Processing Activities undertaken to package, pack or bring any change to fish in order to preserve fish for a long period.

(p) Processing facilities Lands, buildings, or such other places on or in which:

(1) fish or aquaculture products are cleaned, packaged, dried, salted, chilled, frozen or otherwise processed for sale in and outside the Maldives; or

(2) fish or aquaculture products are stored for the purposes of packaging, canning, drying, cleaning, salting, chilling, freezing or otherwise for processing for sale in and outside the Maldives.

(q) Regional Fisheries Management A multi-lateral organization with responsibility to Organisation coordinate management and establish conservation and management measures for highly migratory fish stocks, fish stocks that straddle national fisheries management boundaries and other high seas species.

(r) Territory The territory of the Maldives as defined in Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.

(s) Vessel Owner The person who fulfils the duties and obligations of, represents as having the rights of, or accepts the obligations of, whether in personal capacity or through another person, the owner; and person or persons associated with the owner, or the manager, director or secretary of a legal entity.

Annex 2: Logbook Template

FORM – A001 ފޯމު މަޢުލޫމާތު މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ހިބަރުގެ

އަދަދު ފަޅުވެރިންގެ ނަން އުޅަނދުގެ

P 1 2 3 4 A - 0 1 - 1 0 T ނަންބަރު ލައިސަންސް

00 : 00 ލެފިގަޑި 00 : 00 ފުރިގަޑި ބަނދަރު ފުރި ދުވަސް / މަސް / އަހަރު ތާރީޚް ފުރި

ޑީސަލް ޕެޓްރޯލް ލީޓަރ އަދަދު ތެލުގެ ހޭދަކުރި ދަތުރަށް ބަނދަރު ލެފި ދުވަސް / މަސް / އަހަރު ތާރީޚް ލެފި

މައުލޫމާތު މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ކުރާ

ނަނު ބޮއި ނަނު ވަދު

00:00 ގަޑި ނަގާނިމުނު ނަނު 00:00 ގަޑި ދޫކުރަންފެށި ނަނު މައުލޫމާތު އާލާތުގެ ފަހަރު ނަނުދޫކުރި އަދަދު ނަނުގެ ދޫނުރި

ދު އް ހަ ރަ ސަ މަސްވެރިކަންކުރި

ބަރުދަން ކޯޑް ބާވަތް އެން ބޭނުންކުރި

1 ބާވަތް އެން ބޭނުންކުރި

2 ބާވަތް

ބަރުދަން ޢަދަދު ތަފްޞީލް މަހުގެ ބޭނި ބަރުދަން ޢަދަދު ތަފްޞީލް މަހުގެ ބޭނި

ކިލޯ ގިއުޅު ކިލޯ ހިބަރު ފަންގަނޑު

ކިލޯ ތޮޅި ކަށިނޫ ކިލޯ ހިބަރު ނޫމަސް ހިބަރު

ކިލޯ ފަރުތޮޅި ފަރުމަސް ކިލޯ ހިބަރު ކަޅުމަސް

ކިލޯ ހަލުވިމަސް ކިލޯ ހިބަރު ް ޑ ް ޕ ި އ ަ ރ ް ޓ ސް

ކިލޯ މުޑަހަނދި ކިލޯ ހިބަރު ތުންގަޑު / ހިބަރު ކަންނެލި

ކިލޯ އެހެނިހެން ކިލޯ ކަންނެލި ރީނދޫއުރަހަ

ހެދިގޮތް ޢަދަދު ބާވަތްތައް ހިފުނު ކިލޯ ކަންނެލި ލޯބޮޑު ކަނޑުމަސް 1 2 3 4 މިޔަރު ކަނޑި ކިލޯ ކަޅުބިލަމަސް

1 2 3 4 މިޔަރު ފީ ކިލޯ ރާގޮނޑި

1 2 3 4 މިޔަރު ވޮށިމަސް ހިފުންމަނާ ކިލޯ ލައްޓި

1 2 3 4 މިޔަރު އޮއިވާލި ކިލޯ ވޮށިމަސް ބާވަތްތައް

1 2 3 4 މިޔަރު އެހެނިހެން ކިލޯ މާނިޔަމަސް އެހެނިހެން

1 2 3 4 ކަހަނބު / ވެލާ ކިލޯ ކުރުމަސް

1 2 3 4 ދޫނި އައިންމަތީ ކިލޯ ފިޔަލަ

މައުލޫމާތު މަހުގެ ވިއްކުނު

އެހެނިހެން ü ފަރާތަކަށް ާ ރ ު ކ ި އ ަ ލ ް ޕ ސަ ހިބަރުމަސް ü މާރުކޭޓަށް ü ފަރާތަކަށް މަސްލޮނުއަޅާ ü ރިސޯޓަކަށް ü ފަރާތަކަށް އެކްސްޕޯޓްކުރާ މަސް ü ފަރާތް މަސްވިއްކި

އެހެނިހެން 6 މުގުރާން 5 ރޮނޑު ވާލަން 4 ކަޅުރޮނޑު 3 ރިތްމަސް 2 މުށިމަސް 1 ބާވަތް އެމުގެ

ކޯޑް

މަރުވެފައި 4 ގެއްލުންވެފައި ބޮޑެތި ދޫކޮށްލިއިރު 3 އަނިޔާވެފައި ކުދިކުދި ދޫކޮށްލިއިރު 2 ބޭ ނުލި ގެއްލުމެއް އެއްވެސް ދޫކޮށްލިއިރު 1 ހެދިގޮތް

އި ސޮ ނަމްބަރ ފޯން ނަން ފަރާތުގެ ދެއްވި މަޢުލޫމާތު

FMS-01/2019/-V1