SPC ACTIVITIES

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SECTION Technical assistance provided to the National College in Kavieng, PNG

Fisheries Development Officer, ping students with the skills One IFGT course was pro- William Sokimi, continued his required to command a 40-m grammed for delivery in Port work with the National - vessel in PNG waters. Moresby while another was eries College (NFC) and the conducted in Kavieng. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Because this was the first CFO 3 loan-funded Community Fish- course to be implemented, only The IFGT courses assisted recip- eries Management and Develop- seven students were enrolled in ients in acquiring the necessary ment Project (CFMDP). At NFC, order to enable the four teach- fishing skills to set up a viable William worked on implement- ing staff to improve delivery of and sustainable fishing opera- ing a Certificate in Fishing Oper- the course modules, and to bet- tion immediately after receiving ations 3 (CFO 3) course, and ter organise the overall struc- their fishing assets from the assisted with several other pro- ture for future courses. An oral RCFDP project. This loan grammes scheduled to be imple- examination carried out at the scheme was meant to help loan mented with the CFO 3 course. end of the course by an inde- recipients while they famil- These included two European pendent consultant examiner, iarised themselves with han- Union Integrated Fishing Group Mr Simon Reid, revealed that dling their new vessels and Training (EU-IFGT) courses and students did not have the acquired new fishing skills. The an EU-Masterfisherman’s course. required skills to be skippers of college’s Small Fishing Opera- Baiting assignments, using 40-m vessels. Six of the students tions (SFO) course was tailored "bouke-ami" and "" type were issued attendance certifi- to meet the EU requirements methods, were also undertaken cates and were advised to whereby loan recipients carried as part of the NFC fishing meth- repeat the CFO 3 course the fol- out actual fishing trips as part of ods enhancement exercise for lowing year to obtain the their familiarisation training community development. Work Certificate of Competency level and had an extra week fishing with the CFMDP involved - required. (The seventh student so that at the end of the course ging and deploying five shallow- was expelled from the course.) they had the capital to continue water fish aggregating devices with their fishing business. (FADs). A moderation exercise for all CFO courses was carried out The IFGT courses emphasised: Certificate in Fishing during the last phases of the Operations (CFO) 3 course CFO 3 course by Mr Grant 1) safe boat operations using Carnie of the Australian Fish- safe operations plans; William’s work at NFC mainly eries Academy. Mr Carnie iden- focussed on implementing the tified several deficiencies in the 2) safety and gears checklists; CFO 3 course to ensure it was three CFO courses. These main- appropriately conducted and ly concerned the elimination of 3) on-board hygiene and prop- that assessments and standards slight inconsistencies in course er handling of catch; were maintained at the level preparation, authentication of required for national develop- sea-time, selection of appropri- 4) basic post harvest knowledge; ment. The CFO 3 course trains ately qualified candidates, qualified skippers for the fish- record keeping, delivery strate- 5) operations, maintenance and ing industry, keeping them gies and incompatible assess- trouble shooting propulsion abreast of industrial develop- ment methods. systems for outboard engines ment manning requirements as or small diesel engines; approved by the PNG Depart- European Union (EU) – ment of Transport Maritime sec- Integrated Fishing Group 6) keeping log records of catches tion in compliance with the Training (IFGT) courses and fishing areas; and International Maritime Organi- zation (IMO) Standards of The CFO section at NFC was 7) basic small fishing business Training, Certification and tasked with running the IFGT management principles. Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978 courses requested by the EU – convention. The course is the Rural Coastal Fisheries Devel- William monitored the delivery college’s most advanced stage opment Project (RCFDP). These of this course by the NFC tutors, of the vessel operators pro- courses were run around the plus assisted with fishing trials gramme, and focuses on equip- same time as the CFO 3 course. of new lift nets described below.

2 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

EU-Masterfisherman course Kanawi, NFC’s Masterfisherman; CFMDP FAD moorings. The Mr Kaius Mai, NFC’s Fisheries coastal communities where the The groups of fishermen who Technician; and Mr Malakai FADs were deployed were were the initial loan recipients of Komai, NFC’s Fisheries Technical advised that they could do the EU-RCFDP were selected as Assistant. without these accessories if they prime candidates for the first could not afford them, or if the EU-Masterfisherman course, The concept behind the con- accessories were not available, since they had improved their struction of these FADs was to but that the accessories extend- fishing operations and devel- make it as simple and affordable ed the lifespan of the FADs in oped their own fishing experi- as possible so that coastal com- the water. ences using the vessels and fish- munities could maintain and rig ing gears issued under the loan FADs of their own. The FADs A sea bottom survey was con- scheme. The EU-RCFDP man- were constructed from locally ducted at each FAD site to agement team considered it to grown bamboo stems cut to determine the depth and slope be a strategic move to train this four-metre lengths and bound of the bottom. In all FAD sites, pool of fishermen to a "Master- with tarred 6 mm Kurolon rope. villagers were shown how to " level, because the Each FAD consisted of four bam- use a simple sounding line and fishermen would then be able to boo stems. Tires — which are a hand-held GPS to carry out assist and oversee the perform- durable and can sustain rough the surveys. A 200 m x 80 kg test ance of all new and recurrent EU weather conditions — were used monofilament line was marked loan recipients. These master- to bind the raft (Fig. 1) and as every 10 m and wound onto a fishermen would provide assis- strongpoints for connecting the hand-reel with three, 60-g oval tance and oversight in sustain- mooring section. Three of the lead sinkers attached to the able and viable fishing opera- raft’s mooring connectors were loose end of the line. tions with concentrated effort on wheelbarrow tires, and two were productivity through the larger car tires. Bamboos of suffi- The five FAD deployment sites enhancement of fishing skills. cient age were chosen for the rafts, were Lavongai and Tioputuk in The course also trained fisher- and were slowly cured over an the New Hanover group of men in carrying out leadership open fire to make them stronger Islands; Nanovaul and Ngoto roles so that they could coordi- and to rid them of insects. (Kunevulit) in the Tigak group; nate the efforts of other EU- and Panachais on the West coast RCFDP fishermen in the devel- Although the FAD designs were of New Ireland. The FAD at opment of rural commercial meant to be as inexpensive as Lavongai was moored in 120 m fishing operations. With these possible, the FAD deployment depth, at Tioputuk in 122 m, at trained leaders in place it is team decided to include chain Nanovaul in 22 m, at Ngoto hoped that safe, sustainable, and other accessories such as (Kunevulit) in 85 m, and at consistent and profitable fishing swivels and shackles in the Panachais in 121 m. operations can be further devel- oped in the rural commercial fish- eries sectors. Again, William’s role was to monitor the delivery of this course and provide assis- tance when needed.

Inshore (shallow-water) FAD rigging and deployment

The inshore FAD project was a follow up to CFMDP strategies for promoting sustainable fish- ing practises in rural communi- ties, where pressure on reef fish stocks can be relieved by encouraging villagers to fish for pelagic fish species near inshore FADs. This work was carried out over three weeks and involved the assistance of Mr Peter Watt, Community Management Adviser for the CFMDP; Mr Samol Figure 1: Using bamboo and a tire to rig a FAD raft

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 3 SPC ACTIVITIES

Polypropylene rope was used to moor the FADs at Lavongai, Kunevulit (Ngoto) and Panachais, while at Tioputuk and Nanovaul 3 mm monofilament mainline was used. Engine blocks, cater- pillar tracks and heavy scrap engine parts weighing between 80 and 120 kg were used for the FAD anchors (Fig. 2).

Two weeks after the FADs were deployed at Lavongai and Tioputuk, reports started com- ing in that baitfish were aggre- gating around the FADs and that pelagic fish (e.g. skipjack tuna, frigate mackerel, yel- lowfin tuna, bigeye scads, sail- fish, marlin, wahoo and mahi mahi) were already being caught in the vicinity. Later, villagers from Panachais met with William and the college Master- fisherman to request assistance with fishing methods that are effective around FADs since baitfish and pelagic fish species were already aggregating around the FAD deployed off their vil- lage.

The FAD at Ngoto (Kunevulit) was visited by William, the col- lege CFO tutors and the course participants, a month after deployment. It was reported that a large school of fish was circling the general area of the FAD, and that baitfish were also seen in the area. Unfortunately, most of the rope that bound the FAD had been removed and the bamboos were held together mainly with the wheelbarrow tire (Figs. 3a and b). The Ngoto (Kunevulit) FAD had been vandalised for the Kurolon tarred rope that bound the bamboos. This was one of two FADs deployed for the peo-

Figure 2 (top): Engine blocks connected together with 8 mm galvanised chain to form FAD anchors

Figures 3 a (middle) and b (bottom): Ngoto FAD before (neatly bound) and after vandalism

4 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES ple of the Tigak Island group "Bouke-ami" and "basnig" includes several species of who are the traditional fishing type bait fishing trials anchovies, sprats, and other ground owners of the area. The herrings and sardines. FAD deployed off the main Two baiting methods were tri- Nanovaul village was complete- alled during the project. These The baiting methods were ly removed by one of the vil- were based on the bouke-ami adopted from Japan and the lagers who had been a partici- (stick-held) and the bas- and while the bas- pant at the FAD awareness pro- nig lift net techniques. The trials nig system has not been con- gramme carried out in the vil- were carried out during the EU- ducted in the Western and lage before the FAD was IFGT and the EU-Masterfisher- Central Pacific Ocean region, deployed. man courses. The nets were con- bouke-ami bait fishing was structed at the college (Fig. 4) common in the pole-and-line FAD vandalism is one of the industry, although this was main problems with inshore The bait netting trials focussed mainly carried out on larger FAD programmes. Even though on providing local fishermen vessels that were 18 m or more community awareness pro- with an alternative fishing in length. grammes were carried out in method that can be used (at a New Ireland to educate the subsistence-commercial level) Three bouke-ami night opera- community about the benefits as an alternate income generat- tions were carried out with NFC of installing a FAD in their fish- ing activity as well as providing staff and participants from the ing area, the FADs were still additional food for the house- IFGT and the Masterfisherman vandalised. Perhaps a better hold. The lift net methods pro- courses. The first operation strategy is to encourage com- duce live bait as well as whole trained the crew on how to munities to purchase their own dead bait and can be a potential carry out the operation, while gear and then request assistance subsistence-commercial prod- the second and third night oper- with constructing and deploy- uct for value-adding. The sizes ations involved practical exer- ing their FADs. The use of natu- of target species can be selected, cises to achieve catch results. ral materials or inexpensive depending on the mesh size This involved the use of lights gear may reduce the probability used and these methods can be (Fig. 5) to attract baitfish, and of vandalism but this lessens worked off small vessels. The setting the nets to achieve opti- the chances of keeping the FAD target species are potential long- mum results regardless of moored long enough to aggre- line bait as well as good food whether the sea current was gate fish. Mooring rope and fish, including: sardines (such running or nearly slack. The binding gear with sufficient as Sardinella lemuru), scads (e.g. bouke-ami net was attached to a strength is an essential compo- Selar crumenophthalmus, Selar bamboo pole that was moved nent of FAD construction, but it boops, and Alepes mate), garfish away from the boat by two also attracts thieves. and hairback herring (Nemata- other bamboo poles, one from losa come). Smaller baitfish the bow and the other from the stern of the vessel (Fig. 6). Ropes were used to haul the loose end of the net when baitfish become attracted.

During the first night trial, four bouke-ami sets were made, and each time, the major school of baitfish escaped capture except for a few, although an abun- dance of baitfish aggregated around the lights after a short time. It took only 1.5 hours to aggregate sufficient baitfish for the operation. Lights were set at around 1800 hours, just before dusk, and by 1930 hours, large schools of baitfish were aggre- gated around the lights. During the second and third trials par- ticipants had perfected their newly acquired skills and the Figure 4: Constructing the bouke-ami net at the college

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 5 SPC ACTIVITIES

baiting exercises were carried out successfully. Three sets were carried out on each occasion, and on each set, the potential for catching 200 kg plus of bait was evident. Only around 50 kg (Fig. 7) were taken ashore on each occasion to be identified and dis- tributed to participants and staffs, while the rest of the bait was released alive into the sea.

Only one baiting operation was carried out using the basnig net. This was done after the bouke- ami exercises and involved three sets. The single night trial was sufficient to convince par- ticipants that the technique also has potential for catching bait- fish on a large scale. Although the operation requires two boats (Fig. 8) or an outrigger canoe style boat, the operation is simi- lar to bouke-ami. The second boat replaces the bamboo for attaching the net, with bamboo poles used to keep the two boats apart at a set distance (Fig. 8). The light attraction and luring procedure is the same as for bouke-ami and all the same pre- cautions must be taken during the baiting operation, including consideration of current strength.

Bait species identified after the bouke-ami and basnig hauls included sardinella (Sardinella lemuru, Sardinella melanura, Ambly- gaster sirm), anchovy (Thryssa mystax, Stolephorus waitei, Encra- sicholina punctifer, Encrasicholina devisi), cardinal (Apogon fragilis), scad (Selar crumenophthalmus), silversides (Hypoatherina barnesi) and sprats (Spratelloides lewisi).

Figure 5: Underwater lights used for attracting baitfish

Figure 6: Setting the bouke- ami net using bamboo poles to move it away from the boat

Figure 7: Sardinella caught during the bouke-ami baiting exercises

6 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

Figure 8: Connecting the two boats with bamboo poles to use the basnig lift net

Input to a corporate planning exercise in the Solomon Islands

In October, the Solomon Islands Government revenues, resource be addressed by DFMR. Most Department of Fisheries and management, monitor- groups reported that updating Marine Resources (DFMR) ing, and organisational capacity. the Act, implementing manage- invited stakeholders in all areas Fisheries staff made presenta- ment plans and capacity build- of the local and provincial fish- tions on each of the priority ing for DFMR were the top eries sectors, related govern- areas, identifying key outcomes three areas to be addressed ment departments and regional under each. urgently. organisations to a workshop to review a draft corporate plan After the presentations, partici- Over the two-day period, other developed for the department. pants were split into four focus presentations were made, some The process was part of an insti- groups to discuss a series of top- looked specifically at the tutional strengthening project ics. The four groups included provinces and rural fishing being implemented by the New DFMR staff, Provinces’ officials, activities, while others focused Zealand Government through the fishing sector, NGOs and on marketing and value-adding. NZAID. A consultant facilitated regional organisations. Lindsay Overall, the views expressed by the two-day workshop, and SPC participated in the latter group. the different groups were simi- Coastal Fisheries Programme Two topics focused on the key lar, and the process was excel- Manager, Lindsay Chapman, outcomes and whether they lent, especially if all of the input attended the workshop. adequately covered the issues is taken on board and reflected and directions for DFMR. in the final version of the DFMR The draft corporate plan was Another topic area involved corporate plan. developed through a consulta- participants in listing the top tive process and workshop with three issues that most needed to fisheries staff, and compiled by the NZAID-funded consultant in conjunction with fisheries staff. This workshop reviewed the draft corporate plan, which allowed stakeholder input. The draft corporate plan identified six priority areas: rural liveli- hoods, value of the Solomon Islands fishery, Solomon Island

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 7 SPC ACTIVITIES

DEVFISH update

Coordination meeting establishment of tuna fishing identifying the current situation associations; and a range of in the country and the required The Development of Tuna Fish- other activities. training needs, and also the sta- eries in the Pacific ACP Countries tus of fishing associations. Project (DEVFISH) held its first SPC’s work activities planning meeting in Honiara in the last quarter Supporting national processes for (3–5 October). Present at the private sector participation in meeting were the Solomon Six Pacific ACP countries were tuna management and develop- Islands EU representative, Paul visited by Jonathan and Mike: ment plans is an important part Baker; the Forum Fisheries Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tonga, of the DEVFISH project. The Agency’s (FFA) Manager of the Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue. process involves the establish- Economics and Marketing Divi- The purpose of the trips was ment and strengthening of tuna sion, Len Rodwell; FFA’s Tuna four-fold: fishing associations. The need for Industry Adviser, Masao Nakada; effective associations to represent Lindsay Chapman from SPC; • Collect up-to-date informa- fishing interests has been and the DEVFISH team Mike tion on the domestic tuna acknowledged in all countries vis- Batty (team leader), Jonathan fishing industries of these ited. In countries with an estab- Manieva and Teriba Tabe (Fig. 9). countries; lished association, the is involved in securing The meeting established • Review the economic and fiscal concessions or assistance DEVFISH’s work plan for the policy environment in which from government for their respec- first year of operation. Activities they operate in each country; tive fisheries. This is the main area will include conducting tuna Jonathan is working on. fishery case studies, looking at • Review the status of fishing domestic development in differ- associations and mechanisms Summary of tuna ent countries (or in different for consultation between fishing associations tuna fisheries), including post- government and the tuna harvest activities; a review and industry; and In Solomon Islands and Nauru refinement of existing models there is no formal private sector developed at FFA on tuna fish- • Identify constraints and pos- tuna representative interest group, ery or vessel economics; the sible areas for assistance although processes are under- documenting of successes and under the project. way to establish associations. failures in different strategies used to promote domestic tuna Country visits, in addition to In Solomon Islands, the interest fishery development; country reviewing reports and gather- is driven by two main domestic visits to collect tuna fishery ing other domestic tuna fishery commercial operators. Status information; the setting up or information, were crucial for and assistance to the Solomon Islands Fishing Industry Associ- ation is very much in the same status as with Nauru.

The Nauru Tuna Fishermen’s Association was primarily initi- ated by local fishermen to convey their concerns to government, and to address specific issues affecting their fishery. An elected executive committee is pursuing initial processes of establishing the association. Jonathan has provided a sample constitution, which is being reviewed by the executive committee. Upon acceptance of a final constitution, further assistance to register the association will be provided. The Figure 9: DEVFISH team, Teriba Tabe (left), Nauru Fisheries and Marine Mike Batty (centre) and Jonathan Manieva (right) Resources Authority acknowl-

8 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES edges the process undertaken, as The Samoa Fish Exporters’ 2006. There are also organisa- it appropriately meets the Association (SFEA) is formally tions representing small-scale requirement of its new tuna man- established, and is most active fishermen and sportsfishing agement plan for stakeholder in commercial tuna fishing interests on Rarotonga. representation. interests. It represents commer- cial tuna boat owners and In Niue, the Niue In Tonga, the Tonga Export exporters, and was instrumental (NFP) joint venture is the only Fishing Association (TEFA) has in securing the recent relief on commercial tuna exporter, and been long established and is loan interest. SFEA is represent- the company is directly repre- operational and active in its ed on the Commercial Fisheries sented on the Tuna Management functions. TEFA represents the Management Advisory Council Advisory Committee (chaired interests of tuna longline fisher- (CF-MAC), a consultative com- by the Minister of Agriculture, men, as well as exporters of mittee chaired by the Minister Fisheries and Forestry). Niue deep bottom fish and aquarium of Fisheries, which provided Island Fishermen’s Association species. TEFA has been success- substantial input into the new (NIFA) represents dinghy fish- ful in negotiating concessions, Tuna Management and Devel- ermen on the same committee, notably duty free fuel for the opment Plan 2005–2009. Associ- while the Vaka Association rep- industry, and provides several ations representing artisanal resents canoe fishermen. Both representatives on the national fishermen on the two islands of associations are formally estab- Tuna Management Committee Savaii and Upolu seem to be lished and have been vocal on (established under Tonga’s less active, and there are plans management issues. NIFA was Tuna Management Plan). This to re-vitalize a new association recently instrumental in secur- committee also includes repre- to represent alia fishermen. ing a supply of duty free fuel for sentatives from the snapper small-scale fishermen. fishery, the Game Fishing The Cook Islands Tuna Industry Association, and a range of gov- Association was formed in late A synopsis of the report from ernment departments, and is 2005, and has secured govern- the last countries visited and chaired by the Secretary for ment support for establishing a detailed updates of the project Fisheries. It meets about once a revolving fund to provide long- can be viewed at: year; and because of this infre- line bait to the tuna industry. quency, a sub-committee, com- The association also intends to http://www.ffa.int/ prising representatives of tuna provide input into the ongoing fishing interests and govern- development of a National Tuna ment, will coordinate requests Management Plan – a process to the DEVFISH project. that should be completed in

Set Your Longline Deep brochure

The French version of the Set Your Longline Deep brochure was produced and distributed in the fourth quarter. In addi- tion, WWF who funded the printing and distribution of this brochure in both English and French (Fig. 10) has also had the brochure translated into Spanish for distribution in Costa Rica, and other countries in Central and South America.

Figure 10: Brochure in English and French

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