SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES

Number 116 (January – March 2006)

Two important meetings were held during the first quarter of 2006. The fifth Heads of Fisheries (HOF) meeting took place at SPC’s headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia from 3 to 7 April. The yearly HOF meeting is the sole SPC Activities Page 2 occasion that enables those in charge of managing fisheries in the Pacific Islands to gather and examine the issues and problems affecting fisheries and marine resources, share News from in and around the region experiences with colleagues, and provide invaluable advice Page 19 and guidance to SPC's Marine Resources Division. The outcomes of this meeting can be found in this newsletter Fish for today and tomorrow: from pages 2 to 7. Community-based fisheries An SPC/Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) workshop on development and management Pacific Island regional deep-sea bottom trawling and high- ensures long-term sustainability seas biodiversity conservation was also held in Noumea from 29 to 30 March. Fisheries managers from SPC and FFA, Kim Des Rochers Page 27 together with specialists from intergovernmental and non- governmental agencies met informally to consider bottom Tools for improved fishing vessel trawling and protection of biodiversity in the high seas in safety: The Torremolinos Protocol the context of the 2005 Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific Community Conference. More information on the outcomes and the STCW-F Convention of this workshop can be found, annexed to the Heads of Michel Blanc Page 30 Fisheries report on agreed outcomes, at: Seamounts and pelagic fisheries http://www.spc.int/coastfish/Reports/HOF5/HOF5-outputs.pdf interactions under study Jean-Paul Gaudechoux Valérie Allain Page 33 Fisheries Information Adviser [email protected] Giant clam fishing on the island of Tubai, Austral Islands, French Polynesia: Between local portrayals, economic necessity and ecological realities Sébastien Larrue Page 36 SPC ACTIVITIES

FIFTH HEADS OF FISHERIES MEETING The fifth Secretariat of the Pacific trawling is important. The meet- cient time to complete neces- Community (SPC) Heads of ing asked SPC and FFA to contin- sary fieldwork, complete the Fisheries (HoF) meeting took ue to provide advice on these data analysis and report writ- place at SPC Headquarters in options, including possible sug- ing, and to report the results Noumea, from 3 to 7 April 2006. gested texts, merits, timeliness, back to each country. A no- It was chaired on behalf of New costs and benefits, and geo- cost extension for the pro- Caledonia by Vincent Denamur, graphic applicability in accor- gramme was essential and head of the Service de la Marine dance with international agree- there was available funding Marchande et des Pêches ments and decisions, to HoF, and in the budget to support this. Maritimes. to the Forum Fisheries Committee, as required over the (b) All members of the Steering HoF is a regional meeting of forthcoming period leading up Committee expressed concern Pacific Island countries and terri- to the Forum leaders meeting. that no country reports had tories that addresses the entire been completed and submit- range of issues of interest to OUTPUT 2. Coastal fisheries sci- ted to countries, and this situ- national and territorial fisheries ence: The PROCFish1 and CoFish2 ation needed to change. Fish- services. As such, it plays a unique Steering Committee met in eries Departments could no role in promoting dialogue and Noumea on 1 April 2006 to longer justify to their govern- experience-sharing between island review progress and to discuss ments the funding spent in nations and territories, as well as the findings of the mid-term support of PROCFish-C field- guiding the work of SPC’s fish- evaluation of the coastal compo- work activities, with no eries programmes. It comple- nent of the European Commis- results or report to show. ments the role of the Forum sion/SPC PROCFish project. Countries needed their Fisheries Committee and the Eleven Pacific-ACP3 and French reports in a timely manner so Western and Central Pacific OCT4 countries were present at they could use this informa- Fisheries Commission, whose pri- the meeting, along with tion to help manage their mary emphasis is on tuna fisheries observers from several non-ACP inshore resources. The Steer- management, whereas HoF's countries, and SPC programme ing Committee clearly stated focus includes aquaculture, coastal staff. Staff of the PROCFish-C that a strategy needed to be fisheries management and devel- team presented results of their developed between PROCFish-C opment, and living marine work with regards to socioeco- and countries to ensure resource science. In addition, HOF nomics, finfish, invertebrates, reports, even at a site level in is a broad-ranging and relatively and database development. draft form, would be provid- informal venue for discussion that These presentations were well ed in a timely fashion. can include any issue of interest or received. Other presentations significance to participants. included a general overview of (c) Capacity building within the programme and the work countries was also highlight- The following paragraphs sum- conducted so far, the recommen- ed as an area the programme marize the points of agreement dations of the mid-term evalua- should focus on. Capacity in of SPC member country and ter- tion, and the proposed workplan survey methodologies and ritory fisheries heads on key for 2006. The four main outcomes data entry does occur, meeting issues. of the Steering Committee are: although data analysis and interpretation was highlight- OUTPUT 1. Deepsea bottom (a) The Steering Committee ed as one area of capacity trawling and high seas fisheries strongly supported the find- building that countries need- management: HoF discussed the ing in the mid-term evalua- ed. The Cook Islands offered options informal workshop on tion to seek a no-cost exten- to host such a workshop, the subject held the previous sion of the programme to making sure that adequate week) in order to gain a better ensure it will fully meet its computers would be avail- understanding of the issues stated objective. With only 11 able. A second area for capac- involved and of the range of months remaining for the ity building was in using GIS views available. HoF recognised PROCFish-C and CoFish pro- and Map Info data. Countries that the issue of high seas bottom gramme, there was insuffi- needed the skills to present

1 Pacific Regional Oceanic and Coastal Fisheries Project 2 Extension of the PROCFish Project to the remaining Pacific ACP countries not covered in the initial phase of PROCFish 3 African, Caribbean and Pacific 4 Overseas countries and territories

2 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES

information visually to senior (a) continued support for ACP investigation of stock status and decision makers and minis- and OCT members in fishery prospects, and local develop- ters, in order to convey differ- monitoring, with emphasis ment, of southern albacore fish- ent messages, especially in on operational support, train- eries. The meeting noted that, regard to inshore resources ing and coordination for while the total quantity of and local marine habitat. In- national observer and port southern albacore captured country capacity building in sampling programmes; within the region as a whole is general was an overall con- much less than that of the tropi- cern for the countries and ter- (b) continued development of cal tunas, many Pacific Island ritories present at the meeting. ecosystem models, which countries have significant invest- provide advice on the ecosys- ments in fisheries that depend (d) In reviewing the logical tem approach to management on albacore. The meeting wel- framework for the of the region's tuna fisheries; comed the FFA/SPC initiative PROCFish-C programme, the to develop an albacore research Steering Committee support- (c) a major focus on regional plan, and requested that this ed the proposed changes tuna tagging, including both item be added to the OFP work made by the reviewer and tropical tunas (skipjack, yel- plan for 2006. presented in the mid-term lowfin and bigeye tuna) and programme evaluation. South Pacific albacore tuna; OUTPUT 5. Ecosystem approach and to fisheries (EAF): Assisting SPC OUTPUT 3. Oceanic fisheries sci- members with the implementa- ence: The meeting noted the con- (d) the development of national tion of the EAF by 2010, and continued work of the oceanic com- capacity building associated centrating on coastal fisheries ponent of PROCFish in fishery with the above activities. and aquaculture, was endorsed monitoring and ecosystem model- as the main overall objective of ling and assessment. The Pacific The meeting recommended the the Coastal Fisheries Programme. Community expressed strong SciFish project to the EC for The meeting emphasised that support for SciFish (Scientific favourable funding considera- although the EAF is the way for- Support for Oceanic Fisheries tion. The region looks forward to ward, the region should not lose Management in the Western and the project's early implementa- sight of the need to achieve sus- Central Pacific Ocean), a project tion. tainable development of fisheries planned for continued European and aquaculture – that imple- Community funding support that OUTPUT 4. Southern albacore menting the EAF is not an end in will continue several PROCFish- fisheries: the meeting directed itself, but is only a tool to better Oceanic activities. The meeting that, in the development of new achieve the main aim of sustain- supported the directions the funding proposals, SPC should able development, including SciFish project design is taking, be careful to ensure that priority maximising value of fisheries pro- notably: continue to be attached to the duction. The meeting endorsed

Participants at the Fifth Heads of Fisheries Meeting

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 3 SPC ACTIVITIES the new Coastal Fisheries transfering aquatic organisms, priority is for new skills in eco- Programme Strategic Plan, noting both imported to and exported nomics, mariculture and legisla- that annual workplans should pay by Pacific Islands. As well as tion to be acquired. particular attention to the quantifi- being an environmental protec- cation of indicators so progress tion issue there are major eco- OUTPUT 10. Linkages between can be readily assessed. nomic implications, both in max- sectors and fisheries ecosystem imising the value of exports and services: HoF noted the need for The role of SPC's Oceanic minimising economically damag- a coastal ecosystem services Fisheries Programme in developing diseases. Furthermore, aquat- study that would help countries ing scientific information about ic bio-security is a necessary prin- to make decisions about different oceanic fisheries ecosystems, for ciple for applying the ecosystems potential “trade-offs” in coastal application by SPC member and approach to both fisheries and fisheries ecosystem use. SPC was regional oceanic fisheries man- aquaculture. The issue was recog- requested to expedite such a agement processes, was noted by nised as being complex, involv- study if resources were available. HoF. The Oceanic Fisheries ing the jurisdiction of several The meeting also noted that the Programme Strategic Plan was government departments, as well application of the EAF to coastal endorsed as an appropriate as several regional agencies fisheries and aquaculture needs framework for expediting this including the Pacific Regional to include inland waters and work. Environment Programme (SPREP) mangroves, and that the applica- and SPC (Land Resources tion of the EAF to nearshore OUTPUT 6. EAF methodology: Division). HoF agreed there was pelagic fisheries overlaps both The meeting directed that SPC, in a definite gap to be filled, and an SPC's coastal and oceanic work assisting members to apply the urgent need for a regional level of programmes. EAF to coastal fisheries and support in helping members to aquaculture, should use the EAF fill this gap. However, the meet- OUTPUT 11. Regional fisheries principles established by FAO. ing was concerned that the pro- meeting notice board: HoF noted They should also build on the posal by SPC for the establish- that it would be useful for SPC to implementation framework ment of a regional aquatic bio- compile and actively maintain a being developed by FFA for security support unit should not calendar of meetings that involve application to oceanic fisheries duplicate the capabilities of other Pacific Island fisheries heads and by its member countries and ter- agencies, and that it would need fisheries departments. This cal- ritories, and not develop an inde- to take into account all the neces- endar should be available on a pendent framework for coastal sary linkages and potential issues. public website, as well as a sum- fisheries. The meeting noted the HoF endorsed the SPC pre-pro- mary of the current year’s events importance of developing formal posal for regional aquatic bio- disseminated monthly by email linkages between the Council of security. SPC was requested to to fisheries departments. Regional Organisations in the seek its implementation noting Pacific (CROP) at the regional the target is for full regional cov- OUTPUT 12. Information-sharing: level, and between government erage by 2010. Several countries mentioned the departments and other relevant ongoing difficulty of obtaining stakeholders at the national and OUTCOME 9. Enhancement of information that is directly rele- local levels, for the application of CFP skills base under new vant to Pacific Island fisheries the EAF. strategic plan: HoF participants and aquaculture management strongly believed that in order to and development. HoF strongly OUTPUT 7. EAF implementation: effectively assist members in emphasised the need for SPC to the meeting noted the impor- implementing the ecosystem increase and enhance its role as tance of the “bottom-up” approach to coastal fisheries and the pivotal point for sharing approach in the application of the aquaculture it was necessary to information between Pacific EAF, in which all relevant stake- expand the capacity of SPC's Islands on fisheries and aquacul- holders are consulted, both dur- Coastal Fisheries Programme. ture, particularly the sharing of ing the design of the system and HoF recommended that expert- Pacific Island successes and fail- in its operation. The meeting also ise be sought in project econom- ures. The meeting also re-empha- noted the need for regular infor- ics, mariculture, coastal legisla- sised Output 24 of the previous mation on and communication tion, and that existing project- (fourth) HoF, referring to the with and between members dur- based capacity in coastal fisheries importance of the European ing the application of the EAF. resource and socioeconomic sci- Community proposed ACP- entific assessment be consolidat- FISH2 project, and requested that OUTPUT 8. Regional aquatic bio- ed on a more stable funding base. SPC explore avenues for the security proposal: The meeting However, when new programme inclusion of SPC member territo- drew attention to the problems of funding becomes available, the ries in the activities of the project,

4 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES which currently addresses only general consensus that the use of tion in FFA processes, or by SPC the needs of ACP countries. certain modern adaptations to alone — to make a full regional the traditional equipment, partic- economic/scientific service avail- OUTPUT 13. HoF meeting frequen- ularly underwater breathing able to all Pacific Islands, includ- cy: HoF expressed a preference apparatuses and torches, should ing non-FFA territories, for the for meeting in full session every be targeted for prohibition, but planning and development of two years in future, but that that the region should not lose tuna fisheries." HoF requested intermediate technical sessions, sight of the high potential selec- that SPC discuss the issue with concentrating particularly on tivity of spearfishing and the fact FFA in the first instance, and coastal fisheries issues, could be that this is the one fishing noted that it was mutually bene- held during intermediate years, method that requires the fisher to ficial for all Pacific Islands, coincidental with any member enter the fishes' habitat and have whether countries or territories, country and territory input into an understanding of the under- to work within a shared regional project steering committees. water environment. framework for the development Niue, as the next in line for the of shared fisheries resources. chair of HoF, made an offer, sub- OUTPUT 15. Economic component ject to Cabinet approval, for host- to national scientific reports on OUTPUT 16. CITES: HoF mem- ing the next full meeting. tuna fisheries: HoF noted that bers requested that SPC, in most of SPC's territory members recognition of the CITES regional OUTPUT 14. Spearfishing: HoF do not have access to the eco- workshop to be held in Australia recommended that SPC develop nomic fisheries development and in May 2006, quickly develop an targeted information products to planning advice that FFA pro- information product for Pacific assist fisheries managers in pub- vides to SPC/FFA member coun- Island fisheries managers describ- licising the different spearfishery tries. A mechanism needs to be ing the practical implications of management issues in member developed — through SPC/FFA CITES Appendix 2 listing of countries and territories. The collaboration involving more humphead wrasse. Such an meeting noted that there was a substantive observer participa- information product would keep HoF members informed about the potential listing of other Pacific Islands fishery species, including sea cucumbers, in future.

OUTPUT 17. General capacity building: It was proposed that one of the primary tasks of the SPC Director of Marine Resources would be, with the cooperation of national and territorial fisheries heads, to put together a compre- hensive database of SPC member capacity, building on the informa-

The meeting was, as always, interesting and productive, covered a wide range of topics and provided important guidance for SPC’s future work in fisheries

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 5 SPC ACTIVITIES

tion that will have already been OUTPUT 18. Strategic Plan for efforts to promote the adoption collected for the Forum members. Fisheries Management and of local farm-made feeds and A questionnaire should also be Sustainable Coastal Fisheries in facilitate the development of circulated to provide some initial the Pacific Islands: The meeting cost-effective formulated feeds, guidance. (This is carried forward noted that this strategic plan was making maximum use of locally from the fourth HoF meeting [output the first formal regional mecha- available materials. (In view of #29] since it has not yet been nism produced by the countries the importance of the issue, and achieved. SPC will need to develop of the region for harmonisation of the need to make sure that it con- the information from first principles national policy on coastal fish- tinues to be seen as a high priori- since no information was available eries management, particularly ty by development agencies and from the Pacific Plan process). The underlining the role of communi- partners, the meeting carried for- meeting further recommended ties and the “bottom-up” ward this Output 15 of the fourth that, arising from this activity, a approach – that it was a member- HoF meeting.) capacity-building planning exer- owned regional policy instru- cise, setting out existing strengths ment and should not be confused OUTPUT 21. Pearl mariculture: in different countries, needs, and with institutional work-program- After reviewing the current sta- opportunities, and taking into ming documents like the SPC tus and trends of pearl maricul- account the findings of previous Coastal Fisheries Programme ture, HoF discussed recommen- regional analyses, be carried out. Strategic Plan. The meeting also dations for regional collaboration Heads of Fisheries recognised noted that the regional plan does by SPC and endorsed them in that the problem of capacity is not not cover the entire CFP work principle. It was noted that in the simple and cannot usually be area, and that the time was ripe past, there were exchanges of solved simply by providing more for review of the regional plan to expertise between countries, and training – that personnel mobility take account of new institutional the meeting encouraged the con- and the capacity of small islands and policy developments and tinuation of this spirit of good- to absorb continuous training, the need to coordinate and har- will in the region. There are criti- were also factors, and that these monise regional fisheries man- cal training needs within the should be taken into account by agement activities at the coastal, industry, which need to be the Plan. The meeting suggested oceanic and now ecosystem addressed and the meeting that this might usefully form the scales. aligned itself with the opportuni- subject of an SPC workshop for ties for increasing skill capacity senior fisheries staff. OUTPUT 19. Regional collabora- as provided through institutions tion on seaweed: The meeting such as James Cook University in deliberated upon the SPC frame- Australia, and donors such as the work for regional collaboration Australian Centre for International to increase the level of maricul- Agricultural Research (ACIAR). ture of kappaphycus seaweed in Farmers may also increase prof- the Pacific arising from a techni- itability by utilising advances in cal consultation with key stake- technology (e.g. triploid oysters), holders in the region. It was and HoF urged SPC to develop recognised that seaweed offers regional guidelines for the an alternative livelihood to fish- appropriate implementation of ing coastal resources, and in pearl mariculture technology. countries where it is being produced it is an important econom- OUTPUT 22. Fisheries MPA brief: ic commodity at a local scale. HoF urged SPC to produce a However the price paid to sea- briefing on the use of Marine weed farmers could motivate or Protected Areas for the achieve- deflate expectations. There is a ment of fisheries ecosystem man- need for strengthening market- agement goals, and in particular ing and processing opportunities to implement Output 6 from the utilising the regional collabora- fourth HoF meeting, which was: tion outlined in the SPC frame- The (fourth HoF) meeting work. requested SPC to coordinate a review of the effectiveness, in OUTPUT 20. Feed formulation: terms of fisheries management, Feed sourcing is a common bot- of Marine Protected Areas with tleneck inhibiting the efficiency fisheries management objectives, of the aquaculture sector. HoF for discussion at HoF and for the urged SPC to coordinate regional information of member countries

6 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES and territories. This review al for further development and development projects, worth would also clarify the definition implementation, HoF asked that AUD 184,000, within the Pacific of the term “marine protected an appropriate balance between region. The meeting noted that area”. theoretical and practical compo- the Sustainable Aquaculture nents be achieved in course con- Project comes to an end in 2006 OUTPUT 23. Safety at sea for tents. HoF also commended the and that there is a possibility of small fishing boats: HoF noted New Zealand School of Fisheries ACIAR funding a second project, the progress towards the fourth of NMIT for its long-term and building on the mini-project con- meeting of HoF (output #27)5 by valuable inputs into the capacity cept. Representatives noted that various agencies, and welcomed building of fisheries administra- the project had provided direct, the prospect of implementation tions, and requested that SPC practical assistance in aquaculture of the technical cooperation proj- maintain close links with NMIT and, provided the availability of ect by FAO to assist countries in at all levels of training, and to mini-project support is well publi- addressing this problem. continue with the provision of cised and opportunities continue short vocational training courses to be equitably provided, strongly OUTPUT 24. HoF endorsed the aimed at the fisheries private sec- endorsed the value of a second- “Fisheries Training Program” tor of Pacific Island countries and phase project. proposal, by the University of the territories. South Pacific (USP), which was OUTPUT 26. After a presentation presented following recent dis- OUTPUT 25. The representative of on the application of aquaculture cussion and development by USP the Queensland Department of economics in the Pacific, and not- and SPC. The proposal outlined a Primary Industries and Fisheries ing previous interventions from flexible and incremental learning (QDPI&F) provided an update on HoF calling for coastal fisheries programme for a certificate, the status of the Sustainable economic assistance at the diploma, and degree in sustain- Aquaculture Project funded by regional level, HoF was support- able fisheries. The proposed cer- ACIAR, with key partner agen- ive of further work proposed by tificate in sustainable fisheries cies being QDPI&F, the WorldFish QDPI&F in conjunction with will replace the SPC/Nelson Center and SPC. Particular SPC. The meeting particularly Marlborough Institute of emphasis was placed on describ- requested that the Aquaculture Technology (NMIT) Fisheries ing the mini-project component Economic Decision Toolkit be Officer’s certificate course in 2007 coordinated by SPC, which has updated with additional com- or 2008. In endorsing the propos- placed 14 small research and modities.

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SECTION Between 12 September and 7 December 2005, Fisheries Development Officer, William Sokimi 1) finalised a draft report on providing technical assistance on small-scale baitfishing trials, 2) gave a Commercial Fishing Operations 3 (CFO 3) course presentation at the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Fisheries College, and 3) conducted fish aggregating device (FAD) experiments with the Asian Development Bank's Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Project (CFMDP) in Kavieng, PNG.

Preparations for practical module of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Officer’s Course in Vanuatu William spent a week in Fisheries Officers course to be during the course; making rec- Luganville, Santo in Vanuatu conducted in Santo in June 2006 by ommendations for necessary working with the Vanuatu Mar- SPC and the Nelson Marlborough upgrades, replacements or acqui- itime College’s (VMC) Office Institute of Technology. Activities sitions; and arranging for the Manager and Masterfisherman to included surveying fishing ves- deployment of a FAD at least a make preparations for the practi- sels and assessing safety equip- month before the students cal fishing component of the ment and fishing gear to be used arrived in Santo.

5 Safety at sea for small fishing vessels: HoF reviewed and endorsed the outcomes of the recent FAO/SPC regional expert consultation on sea safety in small fishing vessels. While recognising that sea safety is most effectively pursued at the national and local level, Heads of Fisheries welcomed external assistance, provided that this was very clearly targeted at the practical implementation of national initiatives. The meeting urged SPC to approach FAO and IMO for potential assistance to member countries to facilitate sea-safety strategies and improvements in sea accident data recording and analysis. The meeting also recommended that SPC establish a Sea-Safety Special Interest Group bulletin and provide information to its members covering electronic location solutions to improve search and rescue operations.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 7 SPC ACTIVITIES

Three of the fishing vessels require standard annual over- haul and slipping work to be carried out, as well as additional upgrading work in preparation for the practical fishing trips. The FTV Etelis was the main vessel used during the previous rural fishing courses, and more work needs to be done to prepare it for the upcoming fishing exercises, including replacement of the echo sounder transducer.

William and Nare Wolu, VMC’s Masterfisherman, compiled a list of jobs to be carried out on the fishing vessels in preparation for the course, including slipping the FTV Etelis, installing of a line hauler (funded in part by SPC's Fisheries Training Section) on the Figure 1: FTV Etelis slipped and undergoing upgrading in FTV Evolan, and fitting and test- preparation for the practical fishing trips in June. ing the engine on the FTV Em Nao. VMC uses four vessels in the its length. The absence of safety practical nautical and fishing rails around the vessel's sides VMC has the standard equipment components of its courses. The and aft end and the lack of space for safely operating their vessels FTV Euphrosyne II, an 18-m full- make it less than ideal for proper on fishing trips, although, the structured timber vessel, is used commercial fishing training, but main components for construct- for merchant seamanship and it has a hydraulic system, and ing fishing gear for the different nautical training. The FTV Etelis with a few modifications it will fishing methods are not in stock. (Fig. 1), a 10-m half-cabin marine be used to demonstrate horizon- A list of gear required for the plywood vessel, is used for tal longline fishing. The FTV Em course was compiled, and a sur- small-scale commercial fisheries Nao is a 6-m, half-cabin marine vey was carried out to determine training. The FTV Evolan, a 10-m plywood vessel constructed with what was locally available, and vessel, is also constructed from funds provided by SPC’s Fish- the costs for purchasing them. marine plywood, but with a eries Training Section several cabin covering three-quarters of years ago.

Institutional strengthening with the Tonga Fisheries Department

Coastal Fisheries Programme The retreat provided all section • lack of communication inter- Manager, Lindsay Chapman, and heads with the opportunity to nally and with stakeholders; consultant, Mike King, travelled discuss their outputs, con- to Tonga to participate in an insti- straints, and possible solutions, • the quality of data and the tutional strengthening project with group discussions to refine availability of analysis; with Fisheries Department staff. the outputs. Some of the com- This work, which has been in mon issues raised included: • lack of funding for operational operation for several years, is activities, especially with the linked to longer-term assistance • lack of office space and no air- salary increases, with salaries that is being provided through conditioning, making it very now accounting for 91% of the the Australian Government difficult to work on hot days; total fisheries budget; and (AusAID). The AusAID project funded a three-day retreat for sen- • lack of computers with peo- • lack of skilled staff (63% of the ior fisheries officers, and Lindsay ple needing to share; 102 staff have no qualifica- and Mike attended. tions) and training opportuni- • poor Internet access, especial- ties for all staff. ly during working hours;

8 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES

Other issues discussed included Other activities in Tonga flight to the US. The company the possible privatisation of com- hoped that each vessel would mercial activities the Fisheries Lindsay met with members of catch about a tonne of fish (of all Department was involved in, espe- the local tuna and deep-water species) during a 10-day trip. cially those that were losing money. snapper fisheries to get an During the past year or so, the Staff had mixed feelings about this, update on these activities. boats were catching many small as these activities had been in oper- Apparently, tuna catches are fish (of target species). This was ation for a long time, and there slowly picking up. One boat was being discouraged, as the fish were staffing issues as well. also fishing for swordfish during were worth less, were difficult to periods when the moon is full export, and the company had The retreat was a good means for and doing quite well; they were genuine concerns about harvest- getting an idea of the Fisheries hoping to export the swordfish to ing sexually immature fish. The Department's work activities and Australia, as there is a good mar- company had recently changed the problems they face. The pre- ket for it. the hook size they used from sentations were excellent and the 12/0 to 13/0 circle hooks, result- discussions were frank and open. The deep-water snapper fishery ing in a reduction in the number At the conclusion, the Secretary has nearly 30 boats fishing. One of small fish being landed. for Fisheries, Sione Vailala Matoto, company sent boats on 10-day thanked staff for their input and fishing trips, with 3 to 4 days off asked for continuing feedback to before the next trip, in coordina- help him in doing his job. tion with the weekly Thursday

Regional seminar and workshop on implementing the STCW-F Convention

William Sokimi and Fisheries the region. [Note from ed.: More • IMO representatives high- Training Adviser, Michel Blanc, information on the STCW-F lighted IMO’s objective to travelled to Suva, Fiji to attend a Convention and the Torremolinos gain worldwide support for regional seminar and workshop Protocol is provided in Michel Blanc’s the ratification and imple- (20–24 March) on implementing feature article on p. 30] mentation of the 1995 STCW- the STCW-F Convention. The F Convention with considera- 1995 STCW-F Convention semi- The workshop was attended by 25 tion of the 1993 Torremolinos nar is part of ongoing efforts of participants representing Australia Protocol and Torremolinos the International Maritime Organ- and 13 Pacific Island countries, International Convention for ization (IMO), in collaboration including Cook Islands, Federated the safety of fishing vessels. with SPC’s Regional Maritime States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Only six states have ratified Programme, to educate regional Marshall Islands, New Zealand, the STCW-F convention inter- government maritime organisa- Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, nationally. IMO requires 15 tions, as well as relevant stake- Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, states to ratify the convention holders, on the Convention's con- and Vanuatu. before it can enforce this tents and implementation process. internationally; This was the eighth in a series of The main purpose of the IMO nine regional seminars and work- STCW-F workshop in Fiji was to • Country representatives agreed shops, which is part of an initia- enhance awareness of the STCW-F that, from the standpoint of tive by the IMO Secretary General regulations and the 1993 Torremolinos encouraging safety for fishing in response to Assembly resolu- Protocol/Convention in the Pacific vessel personnel, the region tion A.925 (22) (adopted on 29 Islands region. The workshop could benefit from imple- November 2001). This response was conducted to encourage menting the STCW-F Conven- urges member governments to Pacific Islands Maritime Authori- tion in the Pacific Islands. How- consider accepting the 1993 ties to understand and consider ever, representatives needed Torremolinos Protocol and the the safety aspects for fishing ves- to return to their home coun- 1995 STCW-F Convention at the sels referred to in the 1995 tries and consult with appro- earliest opportunity, and to use STCW-F Convention and the priate stakeholders before these instruments as the founda- 1993 Torremolinos Protocol and further action could be taken; tion for encouraging the training Torremolinos International Con- and certification of personnel vention for the safety of fishing • Meeting representatives agreed working on regional fishing ves- vessels. The main workshop con- that maritime authorities sels to ensure safe fishing opera- clusions and outcomes were: within the region should tions and safe fishing vessels in carry out in-country aware-

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 9 SPC ACTIVITIES

ness programmes to empha- implement the Convention; meeting and that IMO would size the safety aspects of the IMO could also assist with follow up later to coordinate STCW-F Convention and its identifying pathways for efforts made by the represen- impact if it is implemented. funds to facilitate the imple- tatives, and liaise with indi- SPC offered to work with mentation of the STCW-F vidual countries on their regional maritime institutions Convention; and progress. to assist in this; • IMO stated that it would give • IMO offered to provide tech- country representatives time nical assistance to countries to return home to brief stake- that wished to ratify and holders on the outcome of the

Technical assistance to New Caledonia’s longline companies

During February and March, attended, only five of whom were lowfin tuna (27%). The catch also Fisheries Development Officer, newly arrived captains from included opah (10%), bigeye tuna Steve Beverly, worked with France. The workshop was a (3%), and swordfish, marlin, mahi Province Nord and Pêcheries de combination of lecture, video and mahi and wahoo (8%). 7500 hooks Nouvelle-Calédonie (PNC — see practical hands-on gear fabrica- were used in total. The catch per Fisheries Newsletter #99) in New tion. In addition, several publica- unit of effort (CPUE) was Caledonia in training new long- tions were disseminated, includ- 1.2 fish/100 hooks and 30 kg/100 line skippers. Several fishing cap- ing SPC’s longline manual, a 1996 hooks, somewhat below average tains had been recruited from SPC report on Navimon, and tur- for New Caledonia. France to work on domestic long- tle and shark ID booklets. Copies liners in New Caledonia, either of sea surface temperature and Generally, all work during setting for PNC or for another company, altometric charts downloaded and hauling was carried out Navimon. The two companies from the Internet were also hand- according to normal procedure, have joined forces and now oper- ed out along with several useful with one or two exceptions. No ate as a single fleet with 18 boats: web addresses. The original plan repair work was being done on nine fishing out of Noumea and was to begin fishing with the new branchlines during the haul. This nine out of Koumac, located to captains immediately after the is unusual. Normally there is an the north. One of the problems brief workshop for one month, extra empty bin for coiling dam- facing New Caledonia's domestic with a follow-up visit in six aged branchlines. Gaffing, spik- longline fishery is the lack of local months. However, due to vessel ing, bleeding, gilling and gutting captains with high seas and long- breakdowns, only one fishing trip were all done properly on the line fishing experience. In France, was made after the workshop. F/V Karaavha 4. However, fish there is a substantial workforce of were left on the deck too long experienced fishing captains, but The trip was on the F/V Karaavha 4, after processing, and should have very few with tuna longline fish- whose captain had experience in been placed on ice within 10 to 20 ing experience. Steve helped to the swordfish fishery in the Indian minutes after landing. Also, fish fill the gaps in the new captains' Ocean (La Réunion and Mada- were apparently not re-iced in the experience by providing some gascar). The boat travelled for one- morning after initial chilling. The short-term training in tuna long- and-a-half days to the southwest first icing (called pre-icing) chills line techniques. before the first set. Five sets were the fish, and re-icing removes air made around the line of banks pockets around the fish. This Steve accompanied some of the (Argo, Kelso, and Nova Banks) should be done the following new captains on PNC’s longline that lie in the southwest quadrant morning after each haul (see vessels on regular longline fish- of New Caledonia’s EEZ. All of the Fisheries Newsletter # 79). The fish ing trips to observe and work sets had the same basic character- hold should be inspected regular- alongside them and to offer istics: 1500 hooks set in 35 hook ly for water, air pockets, and advice on fishing strategies and baskets using California sardine, exposed fish. Fish, however, were on-board fish handling. He then Sardinops sagax, for bait. The lines generally in good condition after reported findings back to PNC's were set in the morning and unloading. Core temperatures of management and Province Nord. hauled in the afternoon. fish ranged from 0 to 1.5°C, which Earlier, a one-day workshop was falls within an acceptable range. held to introduce the new cap- The catch of 90 fish weighed tains to the basics of longline fish- about 2260 kg, and consisted The F/V Karaavha 4 was not par- ing. In all, about 14 fishermen mostly of albacore (52%) and yel- ticularly suitable as a medium-

10 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES scale longliner. The main defi- four of five days to reach the fish. first or second day of the trip, ciencies were its limited range After finding good fishing they will be forced to return to and fish hold capacity. This is grounds, a boat stays near the port without having adequate true despite the fact that it had fish as long as possible. A boat time to land a large catch. The been stretched from 16 m to 19 m with a longer range and larger Karaavha boats have limited before it arrived in New fish hold can stay out for three capacity in any case, and can Caledonia (as were eight other weeks, enabling it to search for only store only about 6 mt of similar PNC boats). Longline several days and then fish for a chilled fish. The fleet is also age- trips on these boats are typically total of 10 to 12 days. The ing and plagued with numerous ten days with six days of fishing. Karaavha boats cannot do this. breakdowns. It's clear the new Normally, it could take a medi- Unless the crews are lucky and French captains have a daunting um-scale longliner as many as find large numbers of fish on the job ahead of them.

Technical assistance provided to the Marshall Islands

Lindsay travelled to the Marshall ice maker, a block ice crusher, a fishbase, with the rest of the catch Islands in late February and early 25-KVA generator with diesel kept for home consumption. The March to assist the Marshall motor (in the engine room), two manager mentioned that the size Islands Marine Resources fresh water storage tanks, a toilet of fish was dropping and that the Authority (MIMRA) in under- and shower area, an open area fishermen were travelling farther taking a survey and assessment under cover for landing and sort- to catch fish. The manager also of the rural fishing centres (fishing catch from fishermen, and a noted that the drop in fishermen bases) operated by MIMRA, to small wash area for rinsing fish. supplying the fishbase was a determine what is needed to The manager explained that in result of the private sector taking restore these to full operation, 2000–2001 there were 40 to 50 the initiative, with some fisher- and to examine the feasibility fishermen supplying fish to the men buying fish from other fish- and sustainable operation of the fishbase, with shipments of over ermen and taking them directly centres. MIMRA requested that 1000 lb (450 kg) of fresh fish sent to Majuro for marketing. all eight fishbases be assessed, to Majuro twice per week. most of which are in the outer Currently, there are about 15 fish- The Ine sub-centre facility con- islands. Given the limited time, ermen supplying fish to the fish- sists of one shelter/building Lindsay was able to assess only base, with shipments of around housing an office with storage three fishbases, the remaining 500 lb (225 kg) of fresh fish sent to space, two 1-t cold stores, a block fishbases would need to be Majuro twice per week. Fish- ice crusher, a 13-KVA generator assessed later in the year. ermen are fishing 4 nights per with diesel motor (in the engine week and land an average of 20 room), two fresh water storage There are two types of fishbase lb (9 kg) each of reef fish to the tanks, a toilet and shower area, operations (using solar energy to power chest freezers and diesel generators to power ice plants and freezers), plus two main marketing centres, Majuro and Ebeye. All of the fishbases and collection vessels were provided under Japanese aid over many years, and Japanese aid was also used for ongoing vessel maintenance and upgrading of fishbase facilities.

Arno and Ine fishbases

The Arno facility (Fig. 2) consists of one building housing an office with storage space, a 3-t cold store, a 1-t cold store, a 24-block

Figure 2: The fishbase at Arno

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 11 SPC ACTIVITIES an open area under cover for get good catches. This was partly The second building is a smaller landing and sorting catch from because there were more fisher- version of the first, with a battery fishermen, and a small wash area men, but also because the fish room with 2 banks of 24 2-V bat- for rinsing fish. The Ine fisher- were becoming more scarce and teries. These are used to provide men are mainly involved in smaller in size. To overcome the lighting etc. for this building only, spearfishing, but also did some cost of travelling farther to fish- with an inverter used to produce gillnetting and hook-and-line ing grounds, a boat would take 110 volts AC. These were the orig- fishing. There are currently 50 to more fishermen (usually eight or inal batteries installed in 1997, 60 fishermen at Ine, with about nine), with the costs of fuel, ice, and were working fine. The build- 30 of these supplying the sub- and oil shared among all of the ing also has several storage rooms centre. They fish two to four fishermen plus a separate share and a large chiller room that was times per week, predominantly set aside for the boat. never completed as there is no spearfishing at night with a chiller unit/refrigeration. The torch. An average trip includes Likiep fishbase room was around 12 m3 capacity four to six hours in the water, but with 10 cm (4 in) insulated panels. this might extend to the whole The Likiep fishbase was estab- Again, there was a separate con- night on some occasions. On lished in 1993, and consists of two crete water sank attached to this average, fishermen sell around buildings, each with a separate building. 20 lb (9 kg) each to the fishbase, power source. The main building keeping the rest of the catch for has a battery room (Fig. 3) with The power source for the build- home consumption. The catch two banks of 16 heavy duty 12- ings consists of large banks of consists almost entirely of reef volt batteries (each battery weighs solar panels mounted on the roof fish. The Ine fishbase supplies 60 kg) to provide 110-volt AC of each building (Fig. 4). The 200 to 300 lb (90 to 135 kg), twice power from DC current through main building has two banks of per week, to the Arno fishbase, an inverter. One bank of batteries 3-amp panels, each 14 panels and this is added to the Arno fish provides power to two chest long and 4 panels wide (56 pan- for transporting to Majuro. The freezers (110 V), with the second els in each bank). The smaller Ine fishermen have a small diesel bank supplying power to one building has two banks of 3-amp launch they use to transport the chest freezer and lighting for the solar panels, each 6 x 4 panels or fish from Ine to Arno, and the ice building. The batteries were all 24 panels. from Arno to Ine. replaced in July 2005. A separate room houses the three chest freez- With this arrangement, ice is The fishermen reported that fish ers, plus there is an office with made in small trays in the chest are getting smaller in size, pre- storeroom, an open storage area freezers (Fig. 5) and sold to peo- ferred species (unicorn fish, red where the fuel drums are kept, an ple in the village. Given that the snappers, rabbit fish and large open area where the fish is collection vessel comes to Likiep goatfish) were harder to find, weighed and iced in coolers, and every two to three months, most fishing trips were longer, and it a concrete water storage tank. ice is used for domestic purposes was necessary to travel farther to rather than fishing, as there is no place to store fish in between collection vessel trips. Therefore, the fishbase had very little chance to make money, so some of the freezer space is rented out to villagers to store frozen goods.

According to local fishermen, the main fishing method used is han- dlining or bottomfishing in the lagoon for snappers and groupers. Next is trolling outside the reef for tunas and other pelagic species, although this is costly, given the price and availability of fuel. The other method being used is night spearfishing, and this appeared to

Figure 3: Banks of batteries in the battery room of the main building

12 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES

be on the increase. Some fishermen said they did not like this method, as they felt it could quickly reduce fish populations in an area. Overall, the fishermen thought that fishing was acceptable; although it was better a few years ago, when there was a live reef fish operation working around the area.

Ebeye fishbase and marketing facility

Ebeye is one of two main marketing centres for the fishbase operations. The facility consists of a 1 t/day plate ice machine with a cold storage capacity room of 3 to 4 t. There is a large processing area and display cabinets for the fish, although most fish is sold direct from ice chests (Fig. 6).

The Ebeye fish market mainly purchases its fish from the fishbases in the outer islands, by run- ning a fish collection vessel. The vessel travels to a fishbase, carrying ice and fuel for fishing operations, as well as passengers and cargo. The boat stays at the fishbase for one day. The manager of the fishbase sells the fuel and ice to local fishermen so they can fish while the boat is in port. The fishbase manager then purchases the fish using money (carried by the skipper) from that fishbase’s bank account in Ebeye. Some local produce is also purchased by the fishbase manager. The boat is then loaded and the fish, produce, passengers and cargo transported back to Ebeye. The boat makes either one or two trips per month, depending on fish sales at Ebeye.

Figure 4: Solar panels on the roofs of the two fishbase buildings at Likiep

Figure 5: Making ice in the chest freezers at Likiep

Figure 6: Fish being sold from ice chests at Ebeye fish market

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 13 SPC ACTIVITIES

When the boat returns to the The Likiep fishbase has very few Spearfishing at night appeared to Ebeye fish market, the catch is opportunities to make money, be the main fishing method used unloaded and sold, with many and the current schedule for the in most locations, with reports of people preferring specific collection vessels is erratic. This declining catches close to the species. This results in some fish needs to be formalised and regu- main villages. In some cases, the being hard to sell, even at lower lar trips made with adequate favoured species were harder to prices. Fish that are not sold after funding provided to purchase find and were getting smaller, one week are generally cut into fish from local fishermen. indicating overfishing of species strips and processed into a salted Receipts need to be issued for in some areas. This will need to be and dried product (Fig. 7). The each purchase or sale, so there is closely monitored, as any increase market also purchases fish local- a paper trail and the financial in the operation of the collection ly on Ebeye, although this is usu- side of the operation can be vessels may increase fishing effort ally fish that people transport on audited from time to time. and further deplete fish resources the inter-island cargo ship. in these areas.

Preliminary assessment of the fishbases visited

The accounts were found to be incomplete with some inconsis- tencies between records of income and expenditure kept at different locations. The accounting during the time of fishing trips to Likiep was the main problem area, as the money from fuel sales was used for fish purchases and there were no receipts issued for the operations. This caused confusion as to which account was paying for what, and which account should be credited with income. Lindsay made suggestions on accounting practices, including keeping records for each account separately, and several simple spread- sheets were developed to record daily or monthly records for income and expenditure. Figure 7: Salting and drying fish strips at Ebeye fish market

DEVFISH Project update

The Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific-ACP States Project (DEVFISH), which is jointly implemented by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and SPC, continues to undertake the activities of its first-year work programme.

Country visits • review the economic and pol- During the visit, several possible icy environment in which in-country projects were identi- Project staff Mike Batty and they operate in each country; fied. Subject to receiving suitable Jonathan Manieva continued their • review the status of fishing requests from a consultative travel to Pacific-ACP countries dur- associations and mechanisms committee, the project is ready to ing February, with visits to Fiji, for consultation between gov- provide technical assistance for: PNG, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. As with ernment and the fishing earlier trips, the purpose was to: industry; and • a feasibility study and action • identify constraints and pos- plan for the Madang Marine • collect up-to-date information sible areas for assistance Industrial Park in PNG; on the domestic tuna fishing under the project. • an environmental impact industries in the four countries; assessment for the proposed

14 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES

Samoa regarding assistance to form a new association to represent alia fishers.

The first of the three sub-regional workshops is scheduled for April in Apia, Samoa. The project will bring together representatives of fishing industry/fishermen's associations, managers of leading tuna fishing companies, as well as government officials involved in tuna fisheries management and development from Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue.

Figure 8: Processing of purse seine-caught tuna Association support now provides almost 5000 jobs in PNG, mainly for women Fishing associations will form China National Fishing Corpo- Fieldwork for an assessment of part of a consultative committee ration (CNFC) and Vanuatu fish processing waste disposal to provide industry input to the Government tuna packing options for the Soltai cannery development of a national policy and processing facility; and and loining plant in Noro, for development and manage- • a workshop to establish and Solomon Islands was also com- ment of the tuna industry. To plan activities for a national pleted. The cannery has survived date, 10 countries have been vis- fishers’ association in Tuvalu. a long period of civil and eco- ited, with 7 of these having iden- nomic disruption in Solomon tifying needs in either setting up As part of a broader regional Islands, but requires substantial a tuna fishermen’s association or study on the economic benefits of investment. Assistance with the support in capacity building and locally based purse-seine fish- design and costing of a new enhancement for the association. eries, it was confirmed that the refrigeration plant will also be economic contribution of onshore provided. processing of purse seine-caught fish (Fig. 8) will be evaluated in The need for technical assistance PNG. to Tonga in the area of fishing port management was identified As in previous visits, a number and assessed following country of requests for information were visits by project staff. Another received from industry and gov- planned project will trial new ernment officials, in most cases technology that enables better for reports and studies. targeting of fish as an option to improve efficiency and reduce Country assistance costs. The trial of a satellite fish finding system with the Tonga A consultant was engaged to assist Exporter Fishing Association is Samoa with improving seafood envisaged for May and June safety and quality policies, pro- 2006. grammes and practices, and with progressing Samoa's application to There is ongoing discussion with the European Union for exporting the Niue Island Fishermen’s products to there. The consultant Association on their readiness to started a three-week assignment at receive assistance for establish- the end of March. The project is ment of a headquarters. liaising with the EU-funded "Strengthening Fisheries Products" Fishing associations representing programme to determine when artisanal fishermen on Savaii and assistance will become available to Upolu in Samoa seem to be less other countries in the region. active. Jonathan is communicat- ing with interested parties in

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 15 SPC ACTIVITIES

Summary of tuna fishing associations in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tuvalu

In Papua New Guinea, the have resulted in two separate committee of government offi- Fishing Industry Association has fishing associations. The Fiji Boat cials, these associations will be been active in representing com- Owners Association (FBOA) rep- involved in future consultations. mercial fishing interests for 15 resents long-established fishing years. It is unique in the region in companies, while the Fiji In Tuvalu, an association of fish- having two representatives on Offshore Fisheries Association ers on the main island of the board of the National (FOFA) represents many of the Funafuti has operated in the past, Fisheries Authority, the govern- newer entrants who rely more on but currently seems to be inac- ment agency responsible for fish- foreign-owned vessels. FOFA tive. There are plans to establish eries management and develop- also aims to promote indigenous a national fishing association, ment at the national level. While Fijian participation in the indus- which would be registered under the association has traditionally try, although Fijian owner/skip- Tuvalu’s cooperatives legislation. been represented by its long-serv- pers are also members of FBOA. Tuvalu’s Tuna Management Plan ing chairman in both national The formal channel for consulta- has not been approved by the and regional fora, it also employs tion between government and government. Since the plan's an executive officer to follow up industry is the National Offshore intended term was 2002–2006, it on day-to-day activities. A Tuna Council, although this has not seems likely to expire before ever Management Advisory Committee been very active in recent years. becoming effective. was also established during the The process of developing the review of the Tuna Management current 2006–2010 Tuna Manage- The remainder of the Pacific- Plan, which includes representa- ment Plan relied more on open ACP countries are scheduled to tives of both the longline and meetings with stakeholders. be visited in June and July 2006. purse-seine fisheries. Agreement was reached during the visit that Vanuatu has two fishing associa- Detailed updates and reports of this committee would serve as tions: one representing small- the project can be viewed at: the channel for national requests scale commercial fishers, and the to the DEVFISH Project. other representing sport fish- www.ffa.int/DEVFISH ing/charter boat owners. While In Fiji, divisions over the manage- Vanuatu’s current Tuna Manage- ment of the tuna longline fishery ment Plan was developed by a

TRAINING SECTION Development of new programmes in sustainable fisheries at the University of the South Pacific (USP)

New programmes in fisheries are sciences with socioeconomic facilitates professional develop- being developed at USP in studies and practical or applied ment in fisheries departments in response to a regional demand for studies with theoretical knowl- the region. Candidates with the training in applied sustainable edge. The programmes will be SPC/NMIT Fisheries Officers fisheries. The new programmes offered as certificate (one year, certificate can progress directly are collaborative (with SPC), equivalent to the SPC/Nelson to second year (diploma). USP’s interdisciplinary (fisheries sci- Marlborough Institute of Tech- distance and flexible learning ence, social science), include a mix nology [NMIT] Fisheries Officer programmes enables all certifi- of theoretical and practical stud- course), diploma (two years, cate and diploma courses to be ies, are flexible in learning modes, equivalent to USP’s former undertaken in the major home allow either generalization or spe- Diploma of Tropical Fisheries), countries. The wide choice of cialization, and facilitate profes- and degree (three years) in sus- courses enables generalization or sional development in fisheries in tainable management. The first specialization in areas such as Pacific Island countries (PICs) year will replace the existing food technology, economics, SPC/NMIT course, and will be extension, research, and/or poli- The proposed new programmes offered in collaboration with SPC cy and management. focus on issues such as fisheries (and NMIT if funds are avail- sustainability and management able). The cross-crediting and In particular, the first year of in PICs, and integrates fisheries incremental learning approach studies provides basic under-

16 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SPC ACTIVITIES standing and core competencies, modified in 2003, is still relevant biannual), at a national training and integrates practical and theo- to the training needs of junior institution. Attendance to the retical subjects. It can be offered fisheries officers. course will be restricted to staff of as the first of three years for the fisheries departments (graduates degree for continuing students, SPC will continue to offer a four- from USP certificate or diploma or as a stand-alone certificate week course combining the in sustainable fisheries as well as suitable for fisheries assistants. It observer programme and the other fisheries officers requiring is designed to be generally practical fishing components of refresher training in those two equivalent to the SPC/NMIT the SPC/NMIT Fisheries Officers areas). Fisheries Officers certificate, the course. This course will be held content of which, reviewed and on a regular basis (annual or

AQUACULTURE SECTION Aquaculture activities in Samoa

SPC's Aquaculture Officer, at the lows the government’s decision before it was suitable for request of Samoa Fisheries to remove the hatchery from its hatchery use. This turbidity is Department, carried out a study current location because of reno- caused by waves, runoff, and to examine the possible reloca- vation of and construction work underground freshwater tion of their Toloa mollusc hatch- on a tourist site nearby. Two pos- springs, the latter of which ery, and carried out demonstra- sible sites were pre-determined affects the water's salinity tions on tilapia hatchery opera- by staff: Asau in Savaii and (salinity is 22 ppt at Asau and tions, feed formulation and pro- Taumaesina at Upolu. 35 ppt at Taumaesina).The sea- cessing, tilapia harvesting, and water water at Asau may also live marketing activities. A work- Concerns were raised by the have high nutrient loads due shop was also conducted to pres- Assistant Chief Executive Officer to freshwater runoff. ent results of the study as well as that there is a need for the com- observations on field visits for mercialization of aquaculture in 2. adequate infrastructure such new aquaculture developments. Samoa and some action should as roads, electricity, telecom- be taken to improve hatcheries munications, supplies, and Activities included meetings with and grow-out activities. Some of freshwater. Antonio Mulipola, Assistant the present activities had been Chief Executive Officer, Ministry affected by the Japanese Inter- 3. close proximity to technical of Agriculture Fisheries and national Cooperation Agency's support from government or Forests (MAFF) and other senior activities in building a port and academic research centres. fisheries staff, about relocating the other facilities. There should be Alafua campus is in Apia. Toloa hatchery and aquaculture an output from aquaculture and activities. Additional meetings at present this has not been real- 4. a lack of domestic, industrial about feed formulations and ized to an expected level and a lot and agricultural pollution. other aquaculture supplies for the has to be carried out. development of aquaculture in 5. close proximity to Paolo Deep Samoa were held with Michelle L. After much consideration, it Marine Reserve, which may Macdonald, Marketing Manager seems Taumaesina is the better result in fewer conflicts of Samoa Breweries LTD; Loise site for a multi-purpose mollusc interests that may arise Moala, Manager, Farm Supplies hatchery. The advantages of the between communities and Ltd; Mr Fililagi, Farm Super- Taumesina site include: resource users. intendent, MAFF, Apia, Samoa; Pueata Pueata, Agriculture Store 1. plentiful, good quality seawa- 6. ample area for ease of opera- Corporation; and FAO aquacul- ter and access to freshwater. tion, and future expansion. ture volunteers. Asau does not have access to Asau is situated on a slope regular freshwater. Taumaesina with limited space for future Relocation of Toloa hatchery also has a clean beach front, expansion. and good current and tidal The relocation of the Fisheries flow, which will provide clean 7. There is space and thus provi- Division's mollusc hatchery at water for the hatchery. Asau's sion for sand filter tank, larval Toloa is being pursued by Samoa beach front water is turbid and rearing tanks, live food pro- Fisheries Department. This fol- would require good filtration duction tanks, reservoir for

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 17 SPC ACTIVITIES

emergency use, water pump, 3. Demonstrations for simple 5. Locally available feeds (e.g. generator, aeration system and feed formulation (developed agricultural byproducts such other hatchery equipment to feed for hatchery and grow- as pawpaw and banana be installed at Taumaesina at a out) were carried out after vis- peels) will be used until com- lower cost compared to Asau- iting all feed outlets in Apia. mercial feeds are available. where transport and other difficulties will arise and may 4. Tilapia hatchery operations, Sideline activities cost more. using the tank method, were demonstrated, including har- 1. The Samoa Fisheries Depart- 8. more available hatchery staff vesting and transporting ment has approached FAO and general manpower. from Chanel College fish- for assistance in purchasing a ponds to the fisheries depart- feed mill for making tilapia 9. more opportunities for train- ment office. Tilapia purging feed. Some information on ing, extension and informa- and live sales were demon- machines is available from tion dissemination. strated in the Apia market to Malaysia. The site for the feed the fisheries department staff. mill installation (Nafanua) 10. more centrally located with was inspected, and it was access to domestic and inter- 5. Potential commercial fresh- found that the building needs national airlines and shipping water prawn and tilapia renovation before the routes. farms were visited. machines can be installed.

11. better access to centres for Aquaculture workshop 2. Nafanua is in an ideal loca- health management, disease tion for a freshwater, multi- diagnosis and treatment. A workshop was held in Apia to species hatchery, but the present the results of the survey freshwater water supply from 12. close proximity to the Uni- of tilapia farms on Upolu and the nearby mountains should versity of the South Pacific's Savai'i, and on basic aspects and be tested. Alafua campus, the Pacific requirements for tilapia and Regional Environment Pro- prawn aquaculture. Numerous 3. A survey was conducted of gramme, and international comments, questions and issues the shops and outlets for agencies such as the United were raised afterwards. Some of stock feeds that could be used Nations Food and Agriculture these include: for fish feed formulations. Organization. Advised workshop partici- 1. There is potential for tilapia pants to stop using copra A separate report is being com- and prawn farming and farm- meal from present source as it piled on the relocation of the ers would like to expand pond is not good quality. Toloa hatchery. This will be in line sizes but have difficulties in with a report prepared by FAO obtaining the capital to do so. 4. There is a need to determine Mariculture Officer, Alessandro Some farmers are seeking the cost of importing wheat Lovatelli, who is producing a guidance and assistance in bran from Flour Mills of Fiji document outlining how to set sourcing cheaper feeds. (FMF). A product of FMF, up a low-cost, multi-purpose Punjas Breakfast crackers, is hatchery. Another option is to 2. Staff at the Samoa Fisheries sold in supermarkets. This is build similar facilities at the pres- Department are keen to the only company producing ent site (at Toloa) in Taumaesina. obtain more information on wheat bran in Fiji, and farming aspects. arrangements could be made Other activities to import wheat bran in the 3. There is a need for hands-on same container as the biscuits. 1. An examination of potential training on hatchery and sites for tilapia and prawn grow-out aspects, including farming on both Upolu and feed formulation, marketing, Savaii was conducted. and transportation of tilapia.

2. Information on general tilapia 4. Information on the tank aquaculture, including SPC's method was explained and manual on hatchery opera- demonstrated, and new farm- tion and tilapia grow-out was ers are keen to raise tilapia, used during field work and based on the positive results distributed to Samoa Fish- obtained at the Chanel College eries Department staff. Fish ponds.

18 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

MOTHER-OF-PEARL ON ICE: NEW CERAMICS MIGHT SERVE IN BONES AND MACHINES Beneath the shimmer of an oys- tals and pliant proteins arranged In that structure, sheets of micro- ter's mother-of-pearl, an intricate like bricks and mortar, respec- scopic hexagonal ice crystals microstructure bestows both tively. Materials specialists have formed vertically in the chamber. strength and toughness on the long envied the composite's As those crystals grew, they natural ceramic. Now, scientists resilience, which is superior to forced the powder and binders to have come up with a way to that of human-made ceramics. congregate between the pure-ice replicate that structure in sheets. Freeze-drying removed human-made substances. Past efforts to artificially replicate the ice, and high-temperature the shells' architecture have typi- sintering then solidified each The process exploits one of the cally stalled after a few microlay- ceramic-binder layer into a solid most common transformations ers or generated cruder lamina- plate. Finally, the researchers in nature, the freezing of water; tions than those in the real stuff, selected a substance to play the so it's remarkably simple and says team member Eduardo Saiz role of nacre's protein and intro- potentially inexpensive and Using the new method, he, duced it into the spaces between environmentally friendly, its Deville, and Antoni P. Tomsia of the ceramic plates. developers say. the Lawrence Berkeley lab, and Ravi K. Nalla, now at Intel To create bonelike composites, These researchers, at the Corporation in Chandler, the researchers employed epoxy Lawrence Berkeley (California) Arizona., fabricated centimeters- as the mortar between plates of National Laboratory, have used thick chunks of ceramic with hydroxyapatite, which is the pre- their new approach to create an internal layering almost as thin as dominant ceramic in bone and exceptionally rugged substance that of natural nacre. teeth. For non-biological materi- that may serve as a scaffold for als, they bound alumina plates new bone growth. The method To make a micro-structured with a mortar containing an alloy also works well with non-biolog- ceramic, Deville and his col- of aluminum and silicon and, in ical materials, report Sylvain leagues mixed water with finely some cases, titanium. Such com- Deville and his colleagues in the ground ceramic powder and posites may prove useful to January 27 issue of Science. polymer binders. They then many industries, including elec- Using it, the team has fabricated poured the blend into a chamber a tronics, machining, and aero- novel metal-ceramic composites few centimeters across. By care- space manufacturing. that benefit from a seashell-like fully controlling subfreezing tem- internal architecture. peratures at the chamber's bottom Source: Science News Online, and top, the researchers produced Week of 28 January 2006; vol. 169, no. 4 Mollusks such as abalone and a temperature gradient that gen- http://www.sciencenews.org oysters create their iridescent erated an ice structure sometimes armor, known as nacre, from brit- observed in frozen seawater. tle calcium carbonate micro-crys-

KIRIBATI DESIGNATES LARGE MPA, TO BE FUNDED BY ENDOWMENT The Republic of Kiribati has des- more than 120 species of corals revenue suffered from cancella- ignated one of the world's largest and hundreds of species of fish, tion of fishing licenses to foreign MPAs in a bid to guard against including the world's highest fleets. Although a management overfishing and climate change. population densities of Napoleon plan for the site is not expected to The nearly uninhabited Phoenix wrasse, according to scientists. be set for another year or so, it is Islands Protected Area (PIPA), anticipated that commercial encompassing 184,700 km2 with The protected area will be funded inshore reef fishing, including by eight atolls and two submerged through an endowment being ini- foreign vessels, will be banned in reef systems, covers an area more tiated with private funding from the PIPA. than half the size of Germany. Conservation International, an Located midway between Fiji NGO. The endowment will Subsistence reef fishing by the and Hawai'i in the Central finance administration of the pro- fewer than 50 residents of the Pacific, the PIPA contains near- tected area and also compensate Phoenix Islands archipelago will pristine coral ecosystems, with the Kiribati government for lost be allowed to continue. The PIPA

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 19 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION also includes deep water, and it is the endowment, to be expanded MPA News 7:4). The PIPA endow- unclear yet whether commercial with matching funds from private ment will be overseen by a board fishing for offshore pelagics, like and public institutions. The size of of managers including CI, the gov- tuna, will be allowed. The the endowment will depend on ernment of Kiribati, and others. endowment is projected to last in the value of the fisheries to be perpetuity, assuming manage- closed, as well as projected PIPA Funding is contingent upon ment of the protected area is administration costs; the final fig- proper PIPA management by administered in good faith by the ure is being researched. The New Kiribati. "If protection ever stops, Kiribati government. England Aquarium, based in the money goes away," says Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has Stone. It is anticipated that other "If the coral and reefs are protect- conducted biological surveys in national governments will assist ed, then the fish will thrive and the Phoenix Islands since 2000, with management. New grow and bring us benefit," said and was first to initiate talks with Zealand, for example, has indi- Kiribati President Anote Tong, the Kiribati government regard- cated its willingness to provide announcing the PIPA designation ing protection of the ecosystem. flyovers by enforcement aircraft in March in conjunction with the The aquarium will continue to to guard against illegal activity in Eighth Conference of the Parties provide research support for the the Phoenix Islands. to the Convention on Biological PIPA and assist with developing Diversity (CBD), held in Curitiba, its management plan. The PIPA will help Kiribati meet Brazil. "In this way, all species of international treaty obligations, fish can be protected so none Greg Stone, vice president of including the Convention on become depleted or extinct." The global marine programs for the Biological Diversity's protected PIPA announcement was accom- New England Aquarium, says area goal to create comprehen- panied by commitments from creating the PIPA is the only way sive, effectively managed, and other island nations at the CBD to mitigate and protect reefs from ecologically representative sys- meeting to expand protection for climate change. "With climate tems of MPAs by 2012. The gov- their coastal waters. change, there's not much you can ernment is also considering pur- do for reefs to mitigate on-the- suing listing of the Phoenix The endowment ground impacts except for Islands as a UNESCO World removing all other existing Heritage site. The geographic isolation of threats," he says. He adds that Kiribati and its Phoenix Islands because of the healthy fish popu- Depending on how one defines archipelago (one of three island lations and lack of direct human "marine protected area", the PIPA groups in the nation) has histori- impacts in the Phoenix Islands, could be considered the world's cally insulated the area from out- the reefs there are recovering third largest MPA, behind only side pressures. But foreign fleets quickly from the 2003 bleaching the Great Barrier Reef Marine have expressed growing interest event. In their excellent condi- Park (Australia) and the in fishing there and the threat of tion, he says, the Phoenix Islands Northwestern Hawaiian Islands climate change looms: a bleach- are essentially a baseline reef — a Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve ing event occurred in the control site. "They offer a valu- (USA). The list would exclude Phoenix Islands for the first time able reference point for measur- areas closed to certain fishing in 2003. "With recent advances in ing the impact of climate change gear, some of which are several the fishing industry and impacts on reef systems there and else- times larger. of global climate change, isola- where," he says. tion can no longer be relied on to The PIPA includes a 60-nm conserve these atolls," says The endowment will be similar to boundary around each of its Kiribati Environment Minister ones enacted by CI to protect atolls, which in most cases rise no Martin Puta Tofinga. South American rainforests. In an more than 2 meters above sea essay in the October 2005 issue of level. The protected area com- To launch the development of a MPA News, CI personnel prises 5% of the entire EEZ of management plan and the described the application of this Kiribati, the largest atoll nation in endowment, the Kiribati govern- tool — termed "conservation the world. Kiribati includes two ment signed a memorandum of incentive agreements" — to MPAs other, more-populated island understanding with two organiza- through the provision of continu- groups in addition to the tions: Conservation International ous, long-term financial incentives Phoenix Islands. (CI) and the New England to conserve marine resources Aquarium. CI, through its Global rather than exploit them for short- Source: MPA News, vol. 7, no. 9 Conservation Fund, is financing term gain ("Conservation Incen- (April 2006) the initiation phase of the PIPA tive Agreements As a Tool for www.mpanews.org and is beginning capitalization of Developing and Managing MPAs",

20 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

OCEAN SURVEY REVEALS TINY CARNIVOROUS SPONGES, EERIE DEAD ZONE, AND MORE Revelations by high-tech track- the Census has enrolled leading plains to the foamy and sparkling ing devices about the coastal global experts in a 10-year scien- surface, from hot seafloor vents to migrations of endangered fish tific partnership, unprecedented the ice oceans at both poles. Areas and of large animals in the open in scale, to assess and explain the of exploration include the sub- Pacific Ocean top the highlights diversity, distribution and abun- merged edges of continents, from the growing ranks of dance of life in all oceans, a base- seamounts dotting the ocean’s researchers conducting the glob- line against which future change floor, and coral reefs. al Census of Marine Life at its may be measured. 2005 mid-point. Using new approaches and tech- They are assembling in one place nologies, including supersensi- A Census project tagging thou- for the first time most of what we tive visual and acoustic devices, sands of endangered salmon to know about marine life, and Census researchers can sample chart their individual travels, marking what is unknown and life in all ocean realms and iden- with profound implications for may yet be unknowable. They tify specimens quickly through protection of threatened stocks, are reconstructing the history of genetic science and digital image will expand its array of under- ocean life since fishing became libraries. water monitors from British important, censusing the present Columbia north along the conti- state, and using the past and “Immense scale challenges the nental shelf to Alaska and south present to forecast future marine Census,” says Dr Victor A. to California. The system could lives. They are satisfying basic Gallardo of Chile, Vice-Chair of spread worldwide to monitor human curiosity about what the Census Scientific Steering traffic and tribulations of the lives beneath the waves as well Committee. “The deep-sea floor is many species that migrate along as generating insights useful for an area of 300 million square kilo- the shallow coastal highways. better managing and preserving meters, of which the area sampled ocean resources. to date is equal to a few football Meanwhile, Census scientists fields. The number of seamounts increased by more than 50% from The 10-year project began in 2000 (underwater mountains rising at 2004, the number of reporting with about 250 collaborators, and least 1000 meters from the ocean devices on the large animals that an almost seven-fold increase has floor, often extinct volcanoes that typically venture from the shallow taken place in the five years since failed to grow tall enough to shelves into the deep Pacific then. Some 1700 experts from 73 become islands) is estimated at Ocean. Some 1800 open ocean ani- nations are today working to between 30,000 and 100,000, of mals of 21 species, including produce the First Census by which a few hundred have been sharks, turtles, seals, sea lions, and 2010. In November 2005, some biologically sampled, less than 50 seabirds carried Census tags dur- 150 leaders of all components of of them sampled well. Representa- ing 2005. Some of the tags, resem- the Census met in Frankfurt to tive sampling on a global scale is bling cellphones, call information review progress and harmonize the key for an effective census”. into scientists via satellite each their efforts to cover all habitats time the animal surfaces. A web- and species by 2010. Discoveries and highlights, site (www.toppcensus.org) allows 2005: Fish with chips the public to follow some of these The Census reached maturation creatures in near real-time. in project breadth in 2005 with 17 Marine animals carrying com- initiatives, four of them new this puter chips that report their loca- Tags show tuna are the marine jet year. Expeditions to previously tions show that fish and many set. A tagged bluefin tuna recorded unexplored regions rose from 8 other species use well-defined its stunning trans-Pacific migra- in 2004 to 14 in 2005, with many ocean zones. tion — three crossings in 600 days, more planned through 2010. The a distance of 40,000 km, greater years 2006-2008 will see the most The POST (Pacific Ocean Shelf than Earth’s circumference. intense field work; the results Tracking) project has revealed the will be analyzed and integrated Pacific migration routes of young First Census of Marine Life in 2009-2010. wild salmon from US and at Mid-Point Canadian rivers. Because many The research spans species from salmon die in the ocean, knowing Drawing comparisons to the microbes to whales, from their usual travels along marine Domesday Book that comprehen- nearshore to mid-ocean, from the highways has far-reaching impli- sively surveyed England in 1066, world’s deepest mud in the abyssal cations worldwide for authorities

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 21 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION who determine when fisheries will also be able to monitor the lecting, TOPP research may just should be open or closed to con- return migration of adults, pro- help make travelling a bit safer serve endangered stocks. viding information that could for this highly endangered help better protect endangered species”. The salmon are implanted with stocks”. almond-sized electronic tags scanned Discoveries and highlights, by devices on the ocean floor when Science suggests smart fishing 2005: Diversity they pass over, like an electronic tag on a car passing through a highway “The dream of abundant and Carnivorous sponges and other tollbooth (see animation at: sustainable stocks of commercial new species in Southern Oceans: http://www.postcoml.org/videos/ fish is now one step closer, Unexpected biodiversity greeted how_it_works.htm). The data reveal thanks to this Census of Marine scientists on two expeditions to the movement and survival of each Life program. The new data the abyssal plains and basins of tagged fish as it migrates within the reveal for the first time those the South Atlantic and Southern system and the distribution of all zones of the ocean where we Oceans. Although those seas are the tagged fish. have the highest leverage for low in biomass, they are rich in conservation and thus smarter variety, and scientists say 50% to The current array of monitors fishing,” said D. James Baker, 90% of specimens collected from stretches more than 1550 km, President of the Academy of the two expeditions are new to from Washington State, through Natural Sciences of Philadelphia science. The southern deep abyss British Columbia to north of the and former long-time chief of the may hold reservoirs of genetic Alaskan panhandle. By 2010, the US National Oceanic and diversity and evolutionary nov- Census of Marine Life (CoML) Atmospheric Administration, elties. Among the most intrigu- team aims to cover the entire responsible for management of ing creatures were tiny carnivo- western North American coast, marine fisheries. rous sponges, about 5 mm (0.2 with a goal to replicate the net- in) in diameter, which engulf work on continental shelves Why did the fish other organisms with their worldwide. Continental shelves cross the ocean? “mouths” (sponges typically average about 80 km (50 mi) feed by filtering small particles wide, and the edge of the shelf The Tagging of Pacific Pelagics from the water). Three of four occurs at an average depth of (TOPP) project, meanwhile, carnivorous sponge species about 200 m (660 ft), where it falls found many salmon sharks found in the Southern Ocean steeply into the deep sea. Salmon (Lamna ditropsis) from Alaska abyss had never been seen and many other marine animals share with humans an attraction before. Sponges with calcium travel extensively along shelves. to warmer winter destinations skeletons living much deeper and frequently migrate to desti- than expected also created sur- The number of fish tagged almost nations like Hawaii. Growing to prise. Also found: minute unicel- tripled in 2005 with some 2700 more than 300 kilograms (660 lular animals (called “xeno- salmon from 19 US and Canadian pounds), the salmon sharks can phyophore”) using sediment stocks in 16 river systems, up attain speeds of more than 50 grains to construct delicate shells from 1050 fish tagged from 14 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. that resemble soccer balls. stocks in 8 river systems in 2004. The project's shark team also The monitor performed nearly recorded an unprecedented 305- Novelties Still in North Atlantic: flawlessly, revealing substantial day track of a white shark that Exploring the northern Mid- differences in the paths, speed, completed a full migratory cycle Atlantic Ridge, beneath the most- distribution and survival of from coastal waters to off-shore traveled ocean surface on Earth, species and stocks within species, and back again. researchers documented several both wild and from hatcheries. new and rare species, including TOPP's state-of-the-art tags have strange varieties of deep-sea fish, Among other benefits, the work also allowed marine turtle two possibly new species of will provide clues about how fish researchers to determine how squid and, at the ocean floor, at behaviour would change should much energy a leatherback sea least four new species of sea ocean waters warm. turtle burns at sea. Says TOPP cucumbers. They also found researcher Bryan Wallace: almost one-quarter of demersal Says POST lead scientist, David “Imagine that the turtles are cars. (deep swimming) fish species Welch: “New developments in These measurements allow us to identified were new to the study the technology mean that we will know their ratings for miles per area, reflecting how much there be able to monitor individual fish gallon on the road, not just idling is yet to learn about the distribu- with tags that will last 10–20 in traffic. And with the help of tion and abundance of species years. For salmon, this means we habitat data the turtles are col- known already.

22 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

DNA identifiers for 800 fish: DNA found on hydrothermal vents pre- Denmark, Germany, and the barcodes, a standardized segment viously discovered north of the Netherlands. The area once teem- of the genome, can rapidly and equator provides clues to the ing with large animals would be accurately identify species. The mysterious deep currents that unrecognizable to the early civi- Census now has a library of bar- may disperse them. lizations that lived there, charac- codes for almost 800 fish species, terized today by quiet mud flats. and another 1000 species will be Whales follow undersea ridges: Ocean historians also document- added by mid-2006. Researcher Tagging of baleen whales show ed that recent conservation Bronwyn Innes (Tasmania, they use the mid-ocean ridge as a efforts such as hunting bans and Australia) barcoded eight tuna feeding area and north–south habitat protection have benefited species and used the barcodes to migration route in the North seals as well as some birds. identify tuna carcasses on longlin- Atlantic. ers in the Indian Ocean. Some Global demography of tuna and misidentifications were revealed, Expansion of nearshore cover- billfish since 1950: Using records including instances of endan- age: In a cooperative effort to cat- of fish hooked on longlines in gered Southern Bluefin being alog biodiversity in the open oceans, researchers found misidentified as yellowfin or big- nearshore environment, scien- the abundance and species diver- eye tuna. tists and volunteers are now sity of large pelagic fish declined working at 80 official Census rapidly over the past 50 years. Microbe database: Marine sites around the world, encom- Global concentrations of such key microbes are the tiniest of ocean passing more than three-quarters predators such as tuna, marlin, species but constitute 90% of the of the world’s coastlines. and swordfish decreased dramati- ocean’s biomass and cycle 98% of cally worldwide. The research the carbon and nitrogen. To census Discoveries and highlights, also uncovered four regions microbes, CoML in 2005 launched 2005: Abundance where high diversity persists, off an array of online resources that the east coasts of the US, Australia, allows researchers to exploit Dead zone around tsunami epi- and Sri Lanka; south of Hawaii; molecular, environmental, geospa- center: On the first scientific and in the southeastern Pacific. tial, and taxonomic information, expedition to the epicenter of the “MicrOBIS”. MicrOBIS allows December 2004 tsunami, dead- Discoveries and highlights, researchers to cross-check the liest in recorded history, Census 2005: Synthesis identity of collected microbes biologists found little or no effect against known species. on deep-sea fauna except at one North Pacific Pilot Inventory: To site off Sumatra roughly 4000 m test the feasibility of the global Discoveries and highlights, (2.5 miles) deep, where five Census, a team of CoML experts 2005: Distribution months after the disaster there in the North Pacific Science was no evidence of large animals Organization (aka. PICES) pre- Unexpected presences in Arctic: during an 11-hour dive. The pared the pilot Census “Marine Census explorers in the Arctic absence of biological life at the Life in the North Pacific: The Ocean’s frigid Canada Basin dis- site was “unprecedented in 25 Known, Unknown, and covered many creatures never years of deep-sea sampling”. Unknowable”. The report sur- seen there before, including sev- veys bacterio-plankton, phyto- eral species of squid and the Scientists coordinating data from plankton, zooplankton, unex- area’s first known octopus. surface ships from small air- ploited fishes and invertebrates, planes documented in 2005 commercially important fishes First Atlantic hydrothermal vent major fluctuations in the abun- and invertebrates, seabirds, south of equator: An international dance of feeding whales, pelagic marine mammals, and turtles. team of researchers, towing fish, and plankton in the Gulf of While everything cannot be remotely operated vehicles to Maine. known in detail because of the explore the southern Mid-Atlantic vastness of the system and rapid Ridge, found the first known Reconstruction of North Sea fluctuations of some popula- hydrothermal vents south of the marine life back to Middle Ages: tions, the North Pacific report equator in the Atlantic. They sam- Creatively mining historical data encouragingly points the way pled animals adapted to life in from such sources as salt tax toward the 2010 Census. these extreme vent environments, records, Census researchers have where water, super-heated to revealed drastic declines in popu- OBIS inventory grows 350°C in the Earth’s crust, flows lations of whales, seals, birds, from “black smokers” on the deep large fish, and oysters during the Perhaps the foremost legacy of ocean floor. Comparison of the past 500 years in the Wadden Sea, the inaugural Census will be the specimens collected with those part of the North Sea bordering geographical information system

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 23 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION it is creating for all data about increase of 62% from 5.2 million newly added in the first 11 marine life where the species of records last year. months of 2005, an average of 6.5 the specimen and the place it was species added monthly. The total observed are reliably recorded. OBIS today contains more than number of marine fish species in 40,000 of an estimated 230,000 the database is now 15,717. A USD 9.5 million meta-data- marine species described in sci- base, the Ocean Bio-geographical ence literature so far (which may Source: www.sciencedaily.com (6 Information System (OBIS), now only represent only one-tenth of January 2006) links 60 databases containing 8.4 all marine species in existence). Adapted from a news release issued million taxonomic records by Census of Marine LifeCensus of (species, date, latitude, longi- Of the 40,000 species of all types Marine Life, January 2006) tude, and depth found), an inventoried, 78 are marine fish

THE REPRODUCTION OF BLUEFIN TUNA IN CAPTIVITY: PROMISING FIRST RESULTS Last summer, eggs from captive market when their flesh has Absence of reproduction bluefin tuna were successfully reached optimal quality capable in captivity fertilised in vitro in Spain. This of satisfying the very specific step towards the reproduction of expectations of gourmets, If bluefin tuna reproduced in cap- bluefin tuna in captivity could notably the Japanese. tivity, domestication and farming have important consequences on could provide a solution by meet- the future development of aqua- This type of business is expanding market demand while min- culture. The research was con- ing in the Mediterranean because imising pressure on wild stocks. ducted under the EU-financed it is very profitable. But this com- Unfortunately, since the first Reproduction of the Bluefin Tuna mercial success created the risk of cages were put into use in 1996, in Captivity (REPRO-DOTT) overexploitation of stocks, partic- there has been no spontaneous project by a team of Spanish, ularly in the Mediterranean reproduction of captive individu- French, Maltese, Greek, Italian, where part of the population als in the Mediterranean. German and Israeli researchers. migrates every summer to spawn. Alarmed over this situa- That is why a large-scale research Bluefin tuna farming is a huge tion, the ICCAT1 , GFCM2 and the project aimed at improving challenge for the years to come. European Union have adopted understanding of the reproduc- The success of this fish on mar- rules for the strict management of tive cycle of captive bluefin tuna kets worldwide, particularly in bluefin tuna, aimed in particular was launched by a consortium of Japan and America, has at regulating the fattening activi- eight marine research institutes3 , increased its commercial value ty (caging declaration, sampling of which seven from the (see Fishing in Europe No 23, procedure, list of authorised Mediterranean area. The REPRO- September 2004, pp. 10–11). farms, monitoring of quantities DOTT project is financed by the caged and marketing). Each con- European Commission in the Bluefin tuna farming in the tracting party has put in place amount of EUR 1.5 million under Mediterranean is currently based measures such as inspections to the Fifth Framework Programme on fattening the fish in “floating reduce catches of juveniles. In for scientific research. It began in cages”. The animals are some- 2006, the ICCAT Scientific 2003 and will expire at the end of times caught at a considerable Committee will assess the bluefin 2005. There is obviously great distance from the fattening zone tuna stock and the ICCAT will interest in the project because it is and are brought to the “farm” in study the effectiveness of man- expected to help meet continually specially designed cages towed agement measures in place. rising market demand and ease by a slow-moving boat. The tuna pressure on a stock that is in dan- are fattened on sardines and ger for the moment. anchovies and placed on the

1 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas — the regional fisheries organization responsible for the management of tunas and related species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas, including the Mediterranean. 2 General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean —the regional fisheries organization responsible for the management of fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. 3 Instituto español de Oceanografia, Universidad de Cadiz, Institut français de Recherche pour l'Exploration de la Mer, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences, Università degli Studi di Bari and Universität Heinrich-Heine Düsseldorf.

24 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

Three years of research A view from the Pacific The scientific consortium worked closely with the tuna fattening In the Pacific region, Japanese researchers working on the reproduction companies based in the region of of southern bluefin tuna have adopted a different tactic than that of their Cartagena, Spain, where this European counterparts. Indeed, they have opted for control of all activity began to develop at the environmental conditions, enclosing the tuna in large pens and letting end of the 1990s. The research them spend years getting accustomed to their captive environment, was carried out on their captive which provides optimal conditions of water quality and temperature. specimens, because the consortium opted to conduct its Their method has produced results: in June 2002, researchers from research under the “normal” con- Kinki University in Osaka completed the first full reproductive cycle, ditions of fattening in cages, obtaining eggs from individuals born in captivity. The major constraint rather than under laboratory con- of such a method is its unforeseen ability in terms of the date of ditions. obtaining eggs.

The first two years of research conducted under the REPRO- A long way to go taking a bluefin tuna out of the DOTT project were spent trying water provokes a traumatism to improve knowledge of the This result does not, however, that kills it within hours. In the reproductive cycle of bluefin mean that bluefin tuna farming is course of the project, many indi- tuna, based on observations and just around the corner. viduals died after being captured analysis of tissue samples from Numerous scientific and techni- and immobilised in preparation the reproductive organs. The cal hurdles still have to be for inoculation with the hormon- research thus helped improve cleared. First, it has to be shown al implants. So the scientists had biological knowledge, particular- that this experiment can be to invent a method for injecting ly on the species’ maturation reproduced with other individu- the implants at a distance, using cycle. als in other conditions. The dif- an underwater shotgun. ferent parameters of the experi- It is important to realise that fer- ment will then have to be This extreme fragility has always tilization does not take place in analysed and translated into a been attributed to the stress of the female’s body, but from the reliable protocol capable of being captivity. The scientists believe contact of sperm and eggs in the transposed to other circum- there may be other factors, how- marine environment. To simplify, stances. ever. The complete domestica- the female releases her eggs, tion of bluefin tuna will involve which the male then fertilizes by The REPRO-DOTT project ceases increased handling: the introduc- releasing his sperm. with the production of fertilized tion of implants, transfers of fry, eggs, moreover. The subsequent isolation of breeding stock, care, During the third year, the scien- stages, including the very deli- tissue sampling, etc. So it will be tists developed and tested means cate stage of hatchery, still have important to understand how of controlling the reproductive to be studied in other research this traumatism is fatal to indi- cycle (i.e. of artificially provoking projects. At this point, there is a viduals of the species and to ovulation in the females and the need to discover ways and tech- come up with means and tech- production of sperm by the niques for increasing the number niques for remedying the prob- males). They used a method of of eggs that hatch, to ensure reg- lem. hormonal induction of spawning. ular production of larvae with This consists in using hormonal acceptable survival rates, and to Source: Fisheries and Aquaculture implants, in other words, sub- provide the best support for their in Europe, No. 27, December 2005 stances that are inoculated into growth, and for the growth of fry, http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/ the organism to stimulate ovula- etc. fisheries/policy_en.htm tion and trigger the production of sperm. An implant developed by Handle with care the consortium ended up attain- ing the desired result. Ovocytes A major problem still has to be were collected in the cages and solved: how to handle these very fertilized in vitro. The first viable big animals – an adult weighs bluefin tuna larvae were born from 180 to 400 kg – which para- shortly afterwards. doxically are very fragile. Simply

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 25 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT An international forum on coral between biodiversity and climate versity. It aims to bring together reef ecosystem biodiversity is change. key international and national being co-organised by the French experts in order to review current Research Institute for Develop- These issues are particularly scientific knowledge in the field ment (IRD) and the Secretariat of important in New Caledonia, of coral diversity, identify aca- the Pacific Community (SPC) which has one of the largest bar- demic research priority areas, under the auspices of France, the rier reefs in the world, and is and prioritize applications for New Caledonia Government and known as one of the world’s bio- sustainable development. Provinces. The forum will take diversity hotspots. New place at the IRD Noumea Centre Caledonia's barrier reef is also a For further information about the in Noumea, New Caledonia, from candidate for the UNESCO programme and conference ses- 30 October to 3 November 2006. World Heritage Sites in 2007. sions, see: www.ird.nc/biodec, or However, facing strong pressure contact the Scientific Committee: Although comparable with from the development of human Claude Payri, [email protected], humid forests, the specific rich- activities, in particular openpit or the Organizing Committee: Mina ness of coral reefs remains poorly mining, New Caledonia needs Vilayleck, [email protected] characterized, and numerous preservation programmes for its interactions between species that coral reef ecosystem. live in coral reef habitats are still unknown. The spatio-temporal The Coral Reef Ecosystems variability of reef formations is Biodiversity (BIODEC) forum is under-investigated, although it is part of the national and interna- essential in the association tional research strategy on biodi-

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Original text: English

Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Marine Resources Division, Information Section, BP D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia Telephone: +687 262000; Fax: +687 263818; [email protected]; http://www.spc.int/coastfish

26 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 manage the country’s inshore FISH FOR TODAY AND fisheries resources from the capi- TOMORROW: COMMUNITY- tal in Port Moresby. Community-based resource BASED FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT management in PNG AND MANAGEMENT ENSURES Conservation and sustainable management of fisheries resources LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY can be difficult to achieve at a community level because marine resource conservation measures Nearshore fisheries are critically and the need to earn a cash important to Pacific Island peo- Kim Des Rochers1 income are often viewed by fish- ple, both for food security and ers as incompatible. The solution income, but expanding popula- lies in education and awareness, tions and environmental degra- Enabling a community to take and the CFMDP is working with dation are placing increasing some form of control over the local PNG-based NGOs to raise pressure on these fisheries. management of its reefs and awareness about fisheries and mangroves is essential for the marine resource-related issues. By And while Pacific Island govern- successful management and working with NGOs, the project is ments use regulations to manage long-term sustainability of these maximizing the long-term sus- nearshore fisheries resources, resources. The Coastal Fisheries tainability of its community-based these regulations are rarely suc- Management and Development management work, which should cessful for a variety or reasons. Project (CFMDP), through its continue long after the project Problems include the difficulty of community-based management comes to a close in 2007. enforcing national regulations in component, is building commu- subsistence fisheries, which nity capacity to manage reefs and The CFMDP has enlisted the involve large numbers of fishers, mangroves within three coastal support of Ailan Awareness, an the great variety of species that provinces in PNG. environmental NGO, to help are targeted, the myriad fishing educate and raise awareness in methods employed in nearshore The CFMDP is a 3.5-year project rural coastal communities in waters, and the (often) small that promotes the sustainable New Ireland Province about the individual catches. In addition, exploitation of marine resources importance of community-based most Pacific Island fisheries in PNG’s coastal waters; the main resource management. Ailan agencies are under-staffed and goals of the project include Awareness regularly visits have very limited budgets, mak- improving management of remote coastal communities, per- ing research, management and inshore fisheries resources in forming marine environmental enforcement difficult for many. PNG, and assisting in alleviating awareness shows using music, poverty through sustainable dance, videos and distributing Government enforcement of fish- marine resource use. The project, information materials developed eries regulations is particularly which is funded by the PNG gov- by the project. difficult in a country such as ernment through a concessionary Papua New Guinea (PNG), loan by the Asian Development The CFMDP also holds training which has extensive coastlines, Bank, is being implemented by workshops for provincial fish- numerous island groups, and Gillett, Preston and Associates, eries officers, relevant NGOs, many isolated coastal communi- Inc., through the PNG National and people from the private fish- ties with different languages and Fisheries Authority (NFA). eries sector. The training aims to vastly differing cultural prac- enable provincial fisheries and tices. Enforcement is further NFA is in the process of devolv- other resource people to effec- complicated by the fact that ing some of its authoritative tively initiate and support com- coastal communities often oper- powers to provincial and local munity-based management (CBM) ate under their own traditional level governments around activities, both now and after the governing structure, and may coastal PNG. This is being done project ends. CFMDP training resent what they consider to be because NFA recognizes that it is workshops are in two parts. government interference. impossible for them to effectively Participants are first educated

1 Kim Des Rochers is the Fisheries Information Adviser for the PNG Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Project. Email: [email protected]

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 27 FISH FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW: COMMUNITY-BASED FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT. . .

cerns in any given village’s FMP Alleviating poverty through community-based management might include the following: dynamite fishing, anchor dam- One of the main functions of the CFMDP is to alleviate poverty. This age to reefs, driving fish into gill is being addressed, in part, through the project’s infrastructure work nets, harvesting female lobsters (e.g. small wharves, jetties, and fish processing plants), which makes and crabs with eggs, and dump- it possible for fishermen to get their fish catches to markets. But to ing rubbish into the sea. ensure that fishermen do not overfish — now that they have a ready way to earn cash from their catch — CFMDP has instituted a One of the main points that community-based management aspect to the project, whose work CFMDP drives home, both to its includes educating fishermen and women about how to take care of workshop participants and to their resources, so that resources can be sustainably harvested for communities, is the importance of generations to come. In addition, it’s impossible for PNG’s National community ownership of FMPs. If Fisheries Authority, or even provincial fisheries offices, to manage everyone in the community isn’t resources in the more remote parts of PNG (provincial fisheries onboard or in agreement with the departments in PNG are typically understaffed and lack operating budgets). So it is only obvious and natural for communities to take actions and penalties within their responsibility for their resources, looking after them in a way that FMP, then community-based their grandchildren and their grandchildren will always have fish. management doesn’t stand a chance of actually working. about various coastal ecosystems encouraged and motivated to Fines and penalties (e.g. reefs, mangroves, and estu- manage their own marine aries), their biological and eco- resources. A resource issue mentioned in just logical function, and how they about every community is the use are inter-related. Participants Village fisheries of Derris, a plant found through- also learn what management of management plans out much of the Pacific, and fisheries and marine resources which is used to stun fish to make entails, and why it’s necessary When working with communi- them easier to catch. An active and important. This part of the ties, Ailan Awareness invites ingredient in Derris is rotenone, a training emphasizes the neces- community members to contact pesticide that also harms other sary techniques and skills the CFMDP office if they want marine animals, not just the fish required to prepare and present assistance with or advice on that are being targeted. Solutions information (such as fisheries managing their resources and to problems such as this most biology and management tech- developing rules and regulations often take the form of fines. For niques) at the village level. specific to their communities’ example, one community has reefs and coastal areas, but decided to place a ban against cut- The second part of the workshop makes it clear that it is up to the ting mangrove trees within a cer- focuses on training participants communities to seek out tain distance from the shoreline. If in the CBM process, and covers CFMDP’s help. This ensures that someone is caught and found how to launch an awareness- the project works only with com- guilty, that person must pay a fine raising campaign in village communities that are serious about within two weeks of the offence. munities, how to engage vil- and committed to managing In most instances, the community lagers in discussions about their fisheries resources. elects a committee to enforce the marine resource issues in their rules it draws up. community, and how to help When the CFMDP office receives communities develop and draft requests for assistance in devel- Once an initial FMP has been their own set of rules and regula- oping a CBM strategy, Ailan drafted, it is taken back to the tions governing the marine Awareness and a CFMDP staff community for final approval. resources they depend on. member pay a visit to that com- This part of the CBM process is munity to talk with villagers necessary so that communities Some fishing communities pos- about the CBM process. They feel the FMP belongs to them and sess detailed knowledge about help identify various marine that everyone is in agreement the marine environment that is resource issues in the communi- about what should be contained based on experience. This knowl- ty, and work with the communi- within it. edge can contribute towards ty to devise a list of solutions to more enlightened, effective, and address these issues. This prob- The question has arisen whether equitable remedies and solutions lem-solution list forms the basis it is possible for communities to for managing reefs and man- of a village fisheries manage- actually enforce the penalties set groves, and provides a basis on ment plan (FMP). The list of fish- forth in their own FMP, because which communities can be eries and marine resource con- just about everyone is related to

28 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 FISH FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW: COMMUNITY-BASED FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT. . . one another. In response to this, enacted revised PNG Fisheries What’s next? the CFMDP’s Coastal Fisheries Management Act, which acknowl- Advisor, Peter Watt, gave the edges FMPs as actual laws. One of the goals of the CFMDP is example of a community that had Because of the new Act, the FMPs to reduce fish catches of the more drafted its own FMP, and where a are not just a wish list of solutions heavily fished species. To this village magistrate recently heard to resource problems, they are, in end, the project is developing a case involving fishermen driv- fact, gazetted and drafted into the alternative income-generating ing fish into their gill nets. This national law. projects for fishermen. As an particular community’s FMP stat- example, the project is rigging ed that such an action was pun- To date, seven communities in and deploying fish aggregating ishable. The magistrate found the New Ireland Province have devices (FADs) to move fishing fishermen guilty, and ordered developed their own FMPs, and pressure offshore to less targeted their fishing nets to be confiscat- more communities are in the fish species. Ailan Awareness is ed. Watt explained that one of the process of doing so. Although the assisting in this endeavour by things CFMDP tries to instill in CFMDP has moved into the giving a workshop to interested communities is a sense of owner- other target provinces, the CBM community members on how the ship in their resources and their process continues in New Ireland FADs are made and work. This FMP. "If they have that, then and requests for help are directed will hopefully give community there’s a chance that community solely to Ailan Awareness and members a better appreciation members will put pressure on one the cadre of participants that for these and encourage them to another to adhere to it," he said. have been trained by the CFMDP look after and maintain them. for this purpose. What will give the village FMPs some “bite” is the soon-to-be

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 29 maintenance and inspection; in TOOLS FOR IMPROVED FISHING other words, a regulatory system designed to oversee the funda- VESSEL SAFETY: THE mentals of safe operations. The standards must be universally TORREMOLINOS PROTOCOL adopted and this requires some sort of international binding AND THE STCW-F CONVENTION agreement. The Torremolinos Convention and its 1993 Protocol provide the necessary framework. It is a well-known fact that fishing is one of the most dangerous Michel Blanc Just as important as the standards occupations in the world. The fol- Nearshore Fisheries Development for the vessels, there must be stan- lowing statistics from the Inter- and Training Adviser, dards for the crew, their training, national Labour Organization Secretariat of the Pacific qualifications and work methods. Community (ILO), the International Maritime Because fishing is an industry that ([email protected]) Organization (IMO) and the Food operates in open seas, interacts and Agriculture Organization of with other maritime industries, the United Nations (FAO) clearly • Most of the world's fishing and is global in operation, it is demonstrate the extent of the fleet comprises boats that also important that common crew safety problem in the global fish- operate in artisanal fisheries. training standards be used, partic- ing industry. ularly when it comes to qualifica- According to the IMO, 80% of tion and certification. Those stan- • Each year there is an average accidents are caused by human dards must be universally adopt- of 24,000 fatalities and 24 mil- error and most of these errors can ed and recognised and the only lion non-fatal accidents (non- at some point be attributed to way to do this is through the fatal injuries are grossly management deficiencies that framework of an international under-reported according to create pre-conditions for acci- convention. This is the purpose of the ILO). dents. Personnel must be effec- the Convention on Standards of tively managed to ensure that Training, Certification and Watch- • While fishing represents less they have appropriate training keeping for Fishing Vessel Person- than 1% of occupations world- and that they work in accordance nel, 1995 (STCW-F Convention). wide, 7% of all worker fatali- with relevant labour laws and ties occur in the fishing indus- agreed on conditions. The proce- The 1977 Torremolinos try. dures, methods and systems used Convention and its 1993 on fishing vessels must be prop- Protocol • The fishing fatality rate is esti- erly managed to ensure that they mated at 80 deaths/100,000 work effectively and efficiently The safety of fishing vessels has individuals per annum, and produce the required out- been a matter of concern to IMO which is 79 times higher than comes. Finally, the mechanical since it came into existence. In the overall occupational fatal- components involved (hull, 1977, the first ever international ity rate. machinery, fishing gear, etc.) conference on the safety of fish- must also be managed to ensure ing vessels was held in The community nature of much that they are properly maintained Torremolinos, Spain. The confer- of the world’s fishing activities, and perform in accordance with ence adopted the Torremolinos and the potentially devastating their designed capacity. Convention (1977), which estab- impact that high injury and fatal- lished a safety regime for fishing ity rates can have on fishing com- The solutions for improving fish- vessels of more than 24 metres. munities, is demonstrated by ing vessel safety are thus straight- The Convention looked at con- another set of statistics. forward: seaworthy vessels, well- struction standards and some trained and competent crews, and safety related equipment for fish- • In 1995, the total world fish- safety-oriented management. ing vessels in a similar way that ing fleet (of all types) was the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) about 3.8 million vessels. Seaworthy boats are of critical Convention does for cargo and importance, but it is necessary to passenger vessels. Found too • About 15 million people are have standards for their design stringent by the major fishing employed aboard fishing ves- and construction, as well as for nations, however, the Convention sels and about 98% of these the vessel equipment and outfit- was never ratified. people work on vessels less ting. Along with these standards than 24 m in length. there must also be standards for

30 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 TOOLS FOR IMPROVED FISHING VESSEL SAFETY: THE TORREMOLINOS PROTOCOL AND THE STCW-F CONVENTION

of more than 24 m, for engineers programmes, the competences to on vessels producing more than be assessed, and the required 750kW, and for crew in charge of experience and qualification for radio communications. It also tutors. There is a strong empha- requires basic (pre-sea) safety sis on sustainability (FAO Code training for all fishing vessel per- of Conduct), fatigue manage- sonnel. The Convention embraces ment, and the active involve- the concept of competency-based ment of all parties in training training. It does not deal with development. manning levels. Six states have so far ratified the STWC-F Convention (15 are required).

In 1993, a Protocol to the Conven- tion was adopted (Torremolinos Protocol). The Protocol updates and amends the 1977 Convention taking into account technological evolution and the need to take a pragmatic approach to encourage ratification of the Convention. The safety provisions of the Protocol cover construction, sta- bility, machineries, fire protection, The above instruments were pro- protection of crew, life saving moted at a regional seminar in equipment, emergency proce- late March, in Suva, Fiji, as part of dures, radio communications, Document for Guidance on an initiative from the IMO to urge navigation equipment, vessel cer- Training and Certification of member governments to consider tification and port state control. Fishing Vessel Personnel accepting the 1993 Torremolinos Some of the provisions are Protocol and the 1995 STCW-F restricted to fishing vessels of First published in 1985, and thor- Convention. This was the eighth more than 45 m. To date, six states oughly revised in 2001, the in a series of nine regional semi- have ratified the Protocol (15 are Document combines the conven- nars run by Milhar Fuazudeen required for its entry into force). tions and recommendations (IMO Technical Officer) and adopted by ILO and IMO with David Harrod (Maritime Safety The 1995 STCW-F Convention the wide practical experience of Consultant). Participants includ- FAO in the field of fishermen’s ed 10 maritime administrators, 8 The STCW-F Convention com- training. training providers, 3 fisheries plements the Torremolinos administrators and 2 fishing oper- Protocol by setting the regulatory The Document is aligned with ators as well as staff from both framework for the training and the provisions of the STCW-F SPC maritime and SPC fisheries certification of fishing vessel per- Convention. It provides guid- programmes. sonnel. STCW-F is the “sister” ance to set the framework for a Convention to the 1978 STCW training system for fishing vessel With regards to the likely Convention (training and certifi- personnel appropriate to the size impacts of Torremolinos and cation of seafarers), as amended and nature of the fishery (all sizes STCW-F on Pacific Islands, sev- in 1995, with similar provisions. of fishing vessels are covered). eral important points were made The Document addresses issues at the seminar. The STCW-F Convention such as the methods of training addresses the training and certifi- and assessment (competency- • The Pacific Islands region is cation standards for skippers and based training is promoted), the well ahead of other regions in watchkeepers on fishing vessels content and duration of training that it already has training and

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 31 TOOLS FOR IMPROVED FISHING VESSEL SAFETY: THE TORREMOLINOS PROTOCOL AND THE STCW-F CONVENTION

certification standards for fish- which are very few in Pacific and contribute to the prevention ing vessel personnel: a com- Island countries (PICs), the of loss of lives onboard fishing mon certification structure for application of these instru- vessels. trading and fishing vessels ments is flexible. It is possible was developed by SPC's for national laws to extend the Obviously, the introduction of Regional Maritime Pro- applicability of Torremolinos relevant standards for vessel gramme in the mid-1990s and STCW-F to smaller class- safety and crew training can only through a consultation process es of vessels. provide a safer working environ- involving heads of marine ment, improved safety, wider departments and training • National administrations and employment options, and sus- institutions. It is monitored on the regional fishing industry tainability of livelihood to fishing an ongoing basis through a need to be aware of and famil- vessel personnel. However, the sub-committee of the Pacific iar with the provisions of these change will have a cost, not only Islands Maritime Association international instruments and for fishing vessel operators (PacMa) (latest version is to prepare for their entry into (upgrading of safety systems), available from SPC's Regional force. The current status of but also for training institutions Maritime Programme). requirements and standards in (wider application of competen- the region means that the cy-based training and assess- • Training institutions in the effective implementation of ment) and maritime administra- region are already familiar the Protocol and Convention tions (certification and surveys). with the concept of compe- would not be too difficult. These cost implications need to tency-based training, and a be considered and carefully number of model training • Due to the current limited assessed: SPC and the Forum programmes for fishing ves- number of missing signato- Fisheries Agency (FFA), through sel personnel are available ries, PICs, by ratifying the the European Union-funded and being used throughout instruments, may drive their DEVFISH project, will soon the region (e.g. SPC's safety entry into force. undertake a regional study on certificate and SPC/Pacific this issue, the results of which Island Qualified Fishing • SPC's Regional Maritime and will be widely distributed to fish- Deckhand certificate). The Fisheries Programmes can eries and maritime stakeholders. pre-sea induction training underpin a regional mecha- system used in Papua New nism and be the focal agen- For more information, contact: Guinea for new vessel crew is cies in assisting countries also relevant as it is aligned with the implementation of John Hogan, Regional Maritime with the requirements of the Protocol and Convention. Programme Coordinator: STCW-F for basic pre-sea [email protected] safety training for all fishing SPC shares the opinion of the Michel Blanc, Nearshore vessel personnel. IMO that implementing the 1993 Fisheries Development and Torremolinos Protocol and the Training Adviser: • While the Protocol and 1995 STCW-F Convention will [email protected] Convention apply to large significantly improve the safety fishing vessels (i.e. > 24 m), record of the fishing industry

32 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 that an operational definition of SEAMOUNTS AND PELAGIC seamounts, and one that is particularly relevant to pelagic fisheries, FISHERIES INTERACTIONS should include underwater features less than 1000 m above the UNDER STUDY sea floor, and having different geologic features such as terraces, ridges, banks, plateaux, and In October 2005, SPC's Oceanic shelves. Fisheries Programme, in collabo- Valerie Allain, ration with the Forum Fisheries Fisheries Scientist Only those seamounts that extend Agency (FFA), started a five-year (Ecosystem Analyst) up into the euphotic zone1 and endeavor called the Pacific Secretariat of the Pacific the lower level of the deep scatter- Community Islands Oceanic Fisheries ing layer (DSL)2 will have an Management Project (OFM proj- ([email protected]) influence on pelagic fish species. ect). The OFM project is funded by the Global Environment the Pacific and future projects How many seamounts Facility (GEF), and the Scientific under development. Afterwards, are in the Pacific Ocean? Assessment and Monitoring many topics relating to Enhancement Component of the seamounts and pelagic fisheries The number of potential project (including ecosystem were discussed, and some of seamounts in the Pacific Ocean analysis) is implemented by SPC. these are summarized below. could be 30,000, although less than 1000 have been properly One of the objectives of the OFM What is a seamount? identified and less than 150 have project is to obtain an enhanced been explored. There is a critical understanding of the ecology of A seamount is generally defined need to gather accurate, fine- seamounts, in particular their as an isolated underwater moun- scaled bathymetric data to prop- influence on the aggregation and tain that rises more than 1000 m erly identify the seamounts. movement of pelagic fish species, above the seafloor. However, Bathymetric data on the location and also the impact of fisheries workshop participants agreed of seamounts comes from two on seamount ecosystems.

To organise this specific activity, a seamount research planning workshop, gathering 14 seamount and benthic and pelagic fisheries experts, took place at SPC headquarters in Noumea on 20 and 21 March 2006.

The objective of this workshop was to review existing knowledge about seamounts in the Pacific in relation to pelagic fisheries, and plan activities within the timeframe of the OFM project to gather more information on the ecology of seamounts and pelagic fisheries. Three dimensional diagram of the Bear Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean whose summit reaches about 1000 m depth The workshop began with partic- (source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: ipants' presentations of work http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/deepeast01/logs/ conducted around seamounts in sep13/media/bear_seamount.html)

1 Sea surface waters where enough light penetrates for photosynthesis to occur (i.e. down to about 80 meters or more). The depth of the euphotic zone varies with the water’s extinction coefficient, angle of incidence of sunlight, length of day, and cloudiness. (FishBase Glossary). 2 A horizontal zone of living organisms, usually schools of fish, occurring below the surface in many ocean areas. The zone derives its name from the layer of water scatters or reflects sound waves, causing echoes in depth sounders. The DSL tends to rise towards the surface at night, and to descend during daytime. (Encyclopedia Britannica; FishBase Glossary).

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 33 SEAMOUNTS AND PELAGIC FISHERIES INTERACTIONS UNDER STUDY

stages of some species (e.g. spawning grounds, feeding grounds, nursery areas). Because fish aggregate around seamounts, they became a target for fishermen. Two examples of fisheries that have developed around seamounts include the tuna fishery around Capricorn Seamount in Tonga, and Cross Seamount in Hawaii. Already some dramatic depletion of resident fish populations around seamounts has been observed (e.g. the swordfish fishery around Brittania Seamount in Australia).

Do pelagic fisheries have an impact on seamounts? Position of potential seamounts based on analysis of 2-minute gridded global relief (ETOPO2) satellite data. Seamounts are very fragile and Data from Kitchingman A. and Lai S 2004. Inferences on specific ecosystems mainly potential seamount locations from mid-resolution bathymetric unknown but characterized by a data. Fisheries Centre Research Reports. 12(5):7–12. very particular fauna. Each time major sources: ship-derived data Capricorn Seamount in Tonga, a new seamount is explored, a and satellite-derived data. for example, is a particularly pro- high percentage of the species ductive fishing area. collected are new to science, and Ship-derived data are generally the fauna often show a high very detailed and are of high reso- A commonly stated hypothesis degree of endemism4. Hence, lution, but these data only cover to explain the aggregation of seamounts constitute ecosystems small oceanographic areas. These pelagic fish around seamounts is of very special interest for con- kinds of data allows for locating the unique water circulation servation and it is important to seamounts, but can also provide around seamounts, and the exis- evaluate the impact of human very detailed topographic maps of tence of enhanced phytoplank- activities on them in order to pre- seamounts. Satellite-derived data ton production3, which in turn vent destruction and damage to provide the potential location of supports a rich ecosystem. Large these poorly known and unex- seamounts, offering complete cov- numbers of small fish, crus- plored features. erage of an ocean. Resolution taceans, and squids feeding on depends on the dataset used, but large quantities of phytoplank- Heavy bottom trawling fishing no detailed topographic informa- ton and zooplankton will attract gear dragged on the top or on the tion on seamounts is available. pelagic fish such as tuna. slopes of seamounts can cause Considerable work is still required However, the enhanced produc- significant damages to seamount to obtain an accurate and precise tion hypothesis has not been fauna. However, some pelagic list of seamounts in the Pacific observed in many explored fisheries (e.g. purse seine, long- Ocean. seamounts. A new idea is that the line) are operated from the sur- DSL is trapped by seamounts face, and if the lines hang above What is the influence of and will act as the feeding the seamount (i.e. they do not seamounts on pelagic source, thus attracting predatory touch it), it is suspected that species and fisheries? species. pelagic fisheries in surface waters are unlikely to impact the fauna Fishermen are well aware that Seamounts probably have differ- living directly below on the seamounts attract pelagic fish; ent roles for different life-history seamounts. But, removing large

3 A flora of freely floating, often minute organisms that drift with water currents. Like vegetation, phytoplankton uses carbon dioxide, releases oxygen, and converts minerals to a form that animals can use when feeding on phytoplankton. Phytoplankton constitute the base of the food chain, and are consumed by zooplankton that are in turn consumed by small fish that constitute the food of larger fish. (Encyclopedia Britannica). 4 A species whose distribution is confined to a given area is said to be endemic to that area. For example, some particular species of sponges or crabs are only found on a specific seamount, therefore, they are said to be endemic to this seamount and not found anywhere else.

34 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 SEAMOUNTS AND PELAGIC FISHERIES INTERACTIONS UNDER STUDY quantities of pelagic predators there are data from onboard The Papua New Guinea (PNG) could cause disequilibrium of the observers for a small percentage tagging project will focus on the ecosystem around seamounts. of the fleet. These data are on a Bismarck Sea/Solomon Seas and much finer scale and include adjacent areas, and will visit The general lack of knowledge bycatch species composition. The some seamounts. This is the first about seamount ecosystems (loca- OFM project will try to determine phase of a larger regional tuna tion, and geological, biological, if there is any apparent connec- tagging project, and one of the oceanographical characteristics) tion between fisheries data (catch objectives is to tag tunas around shows the importance of imple- per unit of effort, species compo- seamounts to investigate the menting studies on their ecology sition, size of fish caught) and behaviour of fish and their site to acquire a better understanding seamount presence/absence or fidelity. Biological sampling, par- of their potential impact on pelag- other characteristics. Datasets ticularly of stomach contents, ic fisheries and vice versa. from previous large-scale tagging will be carried out during the programmes will also be tagging cruises to gain a better Analysing existing data reanalysed to investigate whether understanding of the trophic there is any obvious site fidelity impact of seamounts on the fish. The OFM project's first task will for fish tagged in the vicinity of be to obtain an accurate list of seamounts. The Seamount Planning Work- seamounts. This will be done by shop allowed experts to share reanalysing the Kitchingman and Acquiring new data their views on the ecology of Lai dataset to remove any false seamounts and to plan research identification of seamounts and In addition to analysing existing efforts for the coming years. to identify submarine banks rele- data, new field work will be Another meeting will be organ- vant to fisheries. undertaken during the OFM ised in two to three years' time to project to enhance our under- review the work undertaken This dataset of seamounts will be standing of seamount ecosys- thus far, and future studies to be examined in reference to fisheries tems in relation to pelagic fish- undertaken. catch and effort data provided by eries. Several sampling cruises SPC member countries and dis- are already planned for the first tant water fishing nations, and part of the project. compiled by SPC's Oceanic Fish- eries Programme. In addition,

Catch per unit of effort (CPUE in kg per 100 hooks) of the longline tuna catch in 2002 per 1 degree square. Black triangles represent potential seamounts whose summits are between 50 and 1000 m depth. In the circle is shown the high catches around Capricorn Seamount. Data from SPC's Oceanic Fisheries Programme.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 35 On Tubuai, giant clams are regu- GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE larly harvested by the general population for subsistence pur- ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL poses (Chabouis 1965). Of the island’s 1979 inhabitants, 323 ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA: people, often heads of families, hold professional farmer/fisher BETWEEN LOCAL PORTRAYALS, cards, which are required by the government. Nevertheless, cer- ECONOMIC NECESSITY tain families fish more than others and are recognised as "good" AND ECOLOGICAL REALITIES giant clam fishers. About 10 families of fishers are more heavily involved in collecting pahua. INTRODUCTION Almost all giant clam fishers are Sébastien Larrue1 located in the township of Mahu Located south of the Tropic of in the southern part of the island Capricorn some 670 km south- (Fig. 1) west of Tahiti, Tubuai is part of follow-up to three fact-finding the Austral Islands group. Tubuai trips to the island of Tubuai EFFICIENT ARTISANAL is a high island located between where giant clams have become a FISHING TECHNIQUE the islands of Rapa in the south- significant source of income for a east and Raivavae in the north- small segment of the population. All fishers basically use the same west. It is volcanic in origin and technique to collect pahua. They has a land area of only 45 km2. In In addition to discussing the har- travel by boat to the middle of the contrast, the lagoon, which is vest of giant clams, the trade lagoon, out to the coral heads or enclosed by a coral reef, has an channels used, and income gen- to the reef, and insert the end of a area of 88 km2. Fishers collect erated, this article provides t-shaped metal bar, about 60 to 70 Tridacna maxima, a bivalve mol- another example of the "gap" cm long, between the two halves lusc known locally as pahua, from between local views, economic of the giant clam’s shell. They the lagoon. This edible giant reasoning and scientific claims then rapidly lever the bar to clam, which is found throughout regarding resources — a gap that detach the clam from its coral much of the Pacific2 is strictly pro- makes it difficult to agree on a base. Some fishers use what they tected and is listed in Appendix II common approach to the man- call a "hook" to detach the clams. of the CITES agreement3. Only agement of the clams. This tool, which is similar to a Pacific Islanders still have the gaff, is a flat metal pole about 60 right to collect giant clams and in STATUS OF GIANT CLAM cm long, one end of which is French Polynesia, regulations HARVESTS ON TUBUAI curved back. The hook is some- permit the harvest of specimens times attached to the end of a of more than 12 cm in size. The issue of T. maxima harvests two-metre pole, enabling fishers on Tubuai is complex; it is diffi- to detach clams from the surface Although giants clams have been cult to determine who exactly down to depths of two metres. widely harvested in most island collects giant clams, how often According to some reports, the groups of French Polynesia, par- they do so, and in what quanti- hook has the advantage of ticularly in the Society Islands, T. ties. However, it is well known, pulling the pahua off the rocky maxima is still abundant in the at least on Tubuai, that many base without damaging it (Larrue eastern Tuamotu Islands and people harvest them. In addition, 2005). The hook is derived from a Austral Islands where signifi- according to inhabitants, the traditional sickle-shaped wooden cant-sized populations remain pahua belong to everyone and tool that made it possible to (Gilbert 2005). Nevertheless, the breed in large numbers, from the remove giant clams from corals recent decline in stocks in a few beach out to the reef. Some without damaging them. Tuamotu island groups and in believe that the pahua can even the Austral Islands is a cause of move about on the sandy bot- Normally, the clam meat is sup- concern for the Ministry of tom, rather like the migration of posed to be extracted onboard Marine Affairs. This article is a rock lobsters in the Caribbean. the vessel and cleaned in the

1 Senior Lecturer in Geography, University of French Polynesia. Email: [email protected] 2 The geographical distribution of Tridacna maxima covers the western tropical Pacific, the Red Sea and the coasts of East Africa (Rosewater 1965). 3 Washington Convention – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

36 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . .

lagoon before being piled into a makeshift container, locally called a touque (Fig. 2). The touque is the basic unit for giant clam fishing and represents about 20 kg of meat. Touques are made from old paint cans or plastic buckets. A touque can hold between 100 and 140 giant clams (i.e. around 5 to 7 pahua per kilo- gram of meat, a quantity that obviously varies depending on the size of the clam).

Clam fishers’ yields are based on the number of touques filled per hour. This number varies depending on the fishing site (abundance of the clams, accessi- bility, swell, water depth), the size of the clams harvested (12 cm or more), and how experienced the person is at harvesting clams. These parameters therefore mod- ify fishing yields considerably. In fact, depending on these vari- ables, filling a touque with giant clams takes between one and two hours of fishing time. According to our surveys, on average it takes an experienced fisher 90 minutes to fill a touque. This time includes both collecting the clams and cleaning them before packing them in the buckets. Figure 1: Tubuai and its lagoon, showing the giant clam fishing areas. Today, this artisanal fishery seems to be gaining in populari- ty, and this has implications for conserving the resource, especially as the income earned through giant clam fishing is relatively substantial.

QUANTITIES HARVESTED AND PAHUA FISHERY INCOME

As far back as people can remem- ber, giant clams have been harvested on Tubuai, which implies that T. maxima has formed part of the normal diet in the Austral Islands for many years. Neverthe- less, while people did fish for giant clams in the past, this was done mostly to meet local food Figure 2. A touque of giant clams (Tridacna maxima). needs. Today, however, although These clams (>19 cm long) were collected from many people continue to eat Haramea. A touque is the local unit for giant clam pahua on Tubuai, except for sales, and represents 20 kg of pahua meat Seventh-Day Adventists who (i.e. 100 to 140 giant clams).

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 37 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . . consider giant clams to be tabu further detail below, that fish- Only a few fishers, who at pres- (prohibited), the clams have ers are not "in a rat race for ent have little involvement in become a significant and even income" but fish on an "as obtaining income from pahua, vital source of income for many needed" basis (i.e. they do not have reported that the number of fishers. go fishing if they feel that they giant clams is declining every- still have enough money). where around the island and has According to estimates, fishers been for the past five or six years on Tubuai harvest 1940 touques of Not all fishers are at the same (i.e. since commercial channels clams per year (i.e. 40.64 tonnes economic level. In fact, depend- have increased). of meat representing about ing on the person, the number of 243,840 giant clams)4, with an touques collected each month WILL INCREASING COMMERCIAL overall economic value on varies from 1 to 45, bringing in CHANNELS KILL THIS PRIZED Tubuai of some XPF 19,400,0005. monthly incomes of between RESOURCE? In addition to this quantity, giant XPF 16,000 and 360,000, respec- clams are occasionally harvested tively. All the fishers interviewed On Tubuai there are two major by the local community for food work to fill orders, some of channels, or origins, for the giant and by a few "unregistered" pahua which are placed on a regular clam fishery: 1) fishers fill orders fishers. Except in rare instances, basis whereas others are change- from Tubuai’s "non-fisher" popu- no fisher works alone; rather able or occasional. This situation lation, and 2) fishers respond they fish in groups of two to reflects the existence of several directly to requests from Tahiti. It seven people, often from the commercial channels for pahua is also possible for certain fishers same family. Giant clams can be on Tubuai. to use a hybrid system (i.e. one harvested all year round on the based on a combination of both island of Tubuai, but the price of In addition to these regular fish- local demand and orders from a touque varies (between XPF ers, there are also associations Tahiti). There are also additional 8000 and 10,000) depending on and religious groups that carry minor channels. three factors: out large-scale, one-off harvests for specific events. This is partic- Origin of demand 1. Geography: in Mahu, a touque ularly the case for the Mormon for giant clams generally sells for XPF 8000, community, which every year in while it can reach as much as April, sends about 27 touques to The first channel consists of XPF 10,000 around Haramea. Tahiti to finance travel costs for orders from people on Tubuai their young people. Some local who order one to four touques of 2. Climate: the state of the people said that in April 2005, the pahua from certain families. lagoon (e.g. heavy swell and association Ia tauturu ia na When the fisher has enough low temperatures) affects shipped out nearly one tonne of orders, he goes fishing. Payment fishing trips and can result in giant clams harvested in one day is made directly by local cus- price increases. During the by 11 people. tomers to fishers, with no mid- Southern Hemisphere winter, dleman involved. This is proba- the price of a touque is about A preliminary study carried out bly the most visible channel. XPF 10,000 all around the on Tubuai by the Fisheries Questions then arise about island. Department indicated that giant where local orders end up: Why clam resources would be endan- do people on Tubuai order giant 3. Economy: according to a few gered by harvests of more than clams? Do they eat them them- fishers, the price of a touque four tonnes of meat annually selves, sell them, or send them as also varies depending on fish- (Gilbert, op.cit.). Therefore, even if gifts to family on Tahiti or ers’ needs for ready cash. The there were errors in the models Rurutu? same fisher might sell a used to set that threshold, the dif- touque for XPF 8000 at the ference between the maximum In fact, people on Tubuai who beginning of the month and quantity recommended to ensure order clams from fishers say that for XPF 10,000 at the end of the sustainability of this resource they do so to send them to rela- the month if he needs money. and the quantities actually collect- tives on Tahiti. This case often Similarly, the frequency of ed locally (i.e. more than 10 times involves "gifts" for festive occa- fishing trips also depends a greater than the replacement sions, but certain families buy great deal on how much fish- threshold) is such that there can pahua from relatives who are still ers feel they need money. We be no doubt that the giant clams living on Tubuai. Whatever the noted, as we will explain in are currently being overexploited. situation, this process is based

4 Estimate based on an average of 120 giant clams/touque. 5 Pacific franc; XPF100 is equal to EUR 0.840 and USD 1.09

38 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . . more on a form of "the exchange the elders when there was no hold about two touques. The cost of friendly services" than on commercial channel worthy of of shipping one sack is XPF 1000, commerce. Nevertheless, there the name on Tubuai. which is one-twelfth the air may be cases where this system freight cost. An employee in of family solidarity should be One of the first "official" commer- charge of registering all items verified as some people place cial giant clam operations on loaded onto the ship Tuhaa pae, orders with fishers every month, Tubuai was linked to the initia- estimated that slightly more than supposedly to "send to their rela- tive of a popaa6 , who in 1990 sent 40 touques of pahua are shipped tives". giant clams to Tahiti on a regular each month from Tubuai to basis. A middleman there Tahiti, which equals about 800 We consider that there are two received the pahua and supplied kg/month. According to our possibilities: either their relatives hotels, restaurants and super- informant, Raivavae exports on Tahiti eat practically nothing markets on Tahiti. The clams much more, about 2000 kg/ but pahua, or they resell these were packaged to meet the month. However, we think this is giant clams to hotels and restau- health standards required for an underestimate, since a single rants. Alternatively, the ship- large retail stores. The quantities Tubuai family specialising in ments are not based on aspects of of T. maxima sent equalled about giant clams harvests an average kinship at all but rather are direct 500–600 kg of meat per month. of 45 touques/month, which responses to orders from hotels At the time, the fishers who equals 900 kg of meat. Given this and agro-food industries on worked for the restaurant owner information, the Tahiti Fisheries Tahiti. Within this first channel each harvested 50 kg of meat in Department is trying to clarify then, there are people on Tubuai four or five hours of fishing. This the situation by obtaining better who act as "middlemen" (i.e. they was apparently the maximum estimates and — with the sup- place orders with fishers and yield and so the people who port of local authorities — has set resell the giant clams to contacts fished had the reputation of up controls for this purpose in Tahiti: restaurants, food vans, being good giant clam fishers. through the Rural Development major hotels, exporters, super- Today, that person no longer con- Service on Tubuai. markets, etc.). ducts this business, but others have taken over the work. A sensitive local situation The second channel consists of fishers working directly on On Tubuai there are only two It is not always easy to obtain orders for people in Tahiti. This ways of shipping goods: by boat information about giant clam channel is less visible and is or by plane. The plane makes an fishing on Tubuai because it is extremely difficult to obtain reli- average of four return trips a something of a "secret fishery" able information on. In principle, week. Giant clams are shipped that islanders do not discuss the fishers involved ship the by air for urgent but costly readily with "outsiders". In fact, orders to Tahiti but do not leave orders. The cost of air freight is there are no written records on Tubuai. In a very few instances, high: XPF 6000 to send one the giant clam fishery and the fishers such as those who live on touque (20 kg) of giant clams from Mayor’s Office has no informa- Mataura, supply pahua to the few Tubuai to Tahiti. People who say tion or reports on it. Giant clams snack bars on the island. that they are sending their giant account for significant financial clams to relatives often do so by revenues for fishers, and are even According to island elders, in the plane. However, this is quite an essential source of income for past people harvested pahua to expensive for a family shipment some. Only a few fishers dared to sell on Tubuai. At the time, this when the local cost of the touque respond to the embarrassing simply involved sales for local is added in, XPF 16,000 for one question — Is income from pahua consumption by people on the touque shipped to Tahiti. vital for your family or is it just island, often during festive occa- extra income? — by admitting sions. People harvested about Given the prohibitive cost of air that this income was essential for three touques of giant clams per freight, a large proportion of their households. People are day and sold the pahua for XPF exports appear to be carried by afraid to say that pahua can gen- 100/kg, which was very little boat except when shipments are erate increased levels of income income for work they considered urgent. Although the boat makes out of fear that the Territorial tedious. Fishers today are satis- only two return trips a month, Government will want to tax it. fied to see a touque sell for the low shipping costs compen- XPF 8000–10,000. Obviously the sate for the inconvenience. When Given this setting, the informa- current situation bears no rela- shipped by boat, the giant clams tion we did obtain tended to tionship to the time described by are packaged in flour sacks that show that the issue of possibly

6 Local name for people from metropolitan France.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 39 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . . managing giant clams is a source resource. These adults seem to be has none, and the bivalve itself is of conflict. In addition to work by more concerned with the future not subject to any prohibitions10. the Fisheries Department, local of pahua for their children. How- According to elders, pahua have authorities (the Mayor’s Office, ever, this is not the case with the never held any kind of symbolic Municipal Council and Council elders, who seem to want to prof- meaning on the island, unless it of Elders) have for several years it as much as possible from the has been forgotten. Apart from been discussing the possible resource without really worrying the ban on bringing the shells implementation of a rahui7 on about the future. While some back to land, they do not know of giant clams. On the island, the people do not want to hear any- any specific prohibitions relating authorities are aware that the thing about a rahui on giant to pahua. However, the giant pahua is subject to commercial- clams, they would like a rahui to clam is known locally as te metua level operations. However, it was be put on the price: No less than vahine o te miti (the mother of the at the specific initiative of the XPF 20,000 per touque. sea), which reveals that it was Tahiti Fisheries Department that traditionally considered impor- discussions about this matter Half of the Mayor’s Council is tant within the rest of the ecosys- recently resumed. In short, the still in favour of a rahui, while the tem. And, and in former times, Mayor’s Council, assisted by the other half is against it. Given this priests used giant clam shells for island’s "wise men", is divided conflict, the role of the elders religious rituals on the marae11, on this matter. must not be underestimated. In again indicating the giant clams' invoking the fact that no rahui on significance (Audran 1926). According to a few members of giant clams exists in oral tradi- the Council, a rahui must be put tions, it is apparent that the effect What is perhaps more interesting in place to ensure the survival of of their opinions is to swing the is that during a rahui, the prohib- the giant clams, but much hard situation in favour of uncon- ited area was delineated by neck- work still needs to be done to trolled fishing. laces of giant clam shells attached convince everyone of this. to the trees at the boundary of the According to several reports, LOCAL CONCEPTS ABOUT THE tabu zone. These areas were mon- managing pahua stocks by means PAHUA FISHERY ON TUBUAI itored by people called toohitu, of a rahui is vital to conserve "guardians of the sea". During the these resources. However, many Faced with apparently increasing rahui on giant clams, the sea was islanders believe that there are commercial exploitation, we felt divided up, and each part had a never-ending supplies of pahua. that it was important to find out name. However, the elders can no whether the people of Tubuai longer recall the names. When It is particularly noteworthy that, attributed any symbolic impor- the rahui was removed, people contrary to expectations, the old tance to giant clams that could be would go out fishing together, people, fishers or members of the used to limit harvests. which would ease tensions elders, are for the most part between families. Traditionally, against the rahui although they The sociocultural position giant clams were harvested with are supposed to be the guardians of giant clams pointed sticks made from the of tradition and resources. A few wood of the aito (Casuarina) root, elders stated that there has never The giant clam is apparently a and the meat was removed with been a rahui on giant clams on food that people are most likely bamboo "blades"(Gilbert, op. cit.). Tubuai and they do not under- to eat during festive occasions. It stand why there should be one is very commonly eaten at wed- Apart from this sketchy and now. In general, pahua fishers dings, during a ma’a8 or during largely irrelevant information, between the ages of 30 and 45 do the heiva9. According to fishers, it we were not able to gain any not seem to be particularly is much less commonly eaten other information on the socio- opposed to a rahui. Many are during regular meals "because cultural position of giant clams fathers with children but, more collecting pahua is a lot of work". on Tubuai. This suggests that it importantly, they are better In contrast to Raivavae, which would be difficult today to base a informed than the old people has a few legends about giant rahui on any kind of symbolism about a possible decline in the clams (Lherbier 1944), Tubuai in an effort to protect the

7 Rahui is the traditional system for managing lagoon resources. Sites were closed to fishing for a set time or a ban on harvesting specific species was imposed until such time as the ban was removed by the Council of Elders or wise men. 8 Ma'a refers to a traditional Tahitian meal with food steamed underground in a traditional oven, but also to a social or family gathering. 9 Heiva, which used to be called tiurai, is a long period of festivity during July. 10 Except for Seventh-Day Adventists who do not eat it. 11 Marae are religious edifices and traditional sacred sites. They usually consist of different levels of raised platforms built from stone, on which diverse ceremonies were practiced.

40 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . . resource by referring to tradition. before. According to the Rural been taken from. This tabu had On Tubuai, the only symbolism Development Service Officer on two bases: 1) to avoid cluttering that giant clams currently seem Tubuai, "There are giant clams the beaches with piles of shells to have can be summed up in everywhere around the island, that could cause injury, and 2) to terms of financial value. except between the airstrip and allow "reproduction of the the pass". This informant also shells". This practice is still in Is the pahua endangered on said that the shellfish is effect and the Tahiti Fisheries Tubuai? Fishers’ responses recolonising areas it had disap- Department encourages fishers peared from between Mataura to follow it. People are increasingly attracted and the first motus (islets) in to the income generated by pahua Mahu. Many fishers think that the shells fishing. The islanders consider come back to life in the lagoon. that the giant clams belong to In fact, fishers do not believe that Some fishers said that they had everyone, and individuals are stocks are declining as scientists noticed that after six months, the free to harvest as much as they claim. In addition to the reasons shells that they had thrown back like, as long as "they’re not afraid mentioned above, they think that into the lagoon "came back to to get their feet wet going out to collecting giant clams is not life", allowing renewal of the get them". harmful to the renewal of the giant clams. In this regard, some resource for two main reasons. "newly arrived" fishers who did When first asked about their pur- The first is based on a cultural not respect this tabu were strong- pose in fishing for pahua, many argument or recourse to tradition ly criticised by the community for fishers responded "to send to rel- — which is oral and therefore bringing giant clam shells back to atives in Tahiti". People may not difficult to verify — that claims the land. Since then, everyone has respond truthfully either because people have harvested giant been expected to respect the pro- they are afraid of being taxed on clams for many generations hibition and are persuaded that this fishery or because the without destroying the stocks. they are promoting giant clam authorities on Tahiti might put reproduction when they leave the restrictions on the collection of The second is linked to practices. shells in the lagoon. Neverthe- giant clams. At present, fishers In the past, custom dictated that less, as can be seen in Figure 3, are suspicious of territorial giant clam shells were never not everyone is following the pro- authorities and of what is being brought back to land (except for hibition. According to one fisher said about the decline of giant specific uses related to religious on Tubuai who was still living on clam stocks. Fishers also chal- rituals). They had to be thrown Tahiti in 1950, there were as many lenge certain scientific informa- back into the lagoon they had giant clams between Paea and tion that was poorly understood during meetings with the Fisheries Department. For example, they do not agree that a period of five years is needed for giant clams to reach their "adult stage". Fishers think that clams reach this adult stage in two to three years. However, there is some confusion in their minds between the adult stage, which — from an ecological point of view — corresponds to sexual maturity, and the legal fishing size of 12 cm. In fact, fishers believe that the adult stage corresponds to the authorised size for collecting giant clams.

Almost all fishers interviewed Figure 3: Opening giant clams with a knife on had been harvesting giant clams the beach. Theoretically it is “prohibited” by for 15 to 20 years and sometimes custom to open pahua on the beach and to leave longer. They said that they had the shells there. This ban has also been issued not noticed any decline in stocks, by the Tahiti Fisheries Department, which with some saying that there were advocates throwing the empty shells back into now more giant clams than the lagoon to facilitate settlement of juvenile giant clams.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 41 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . .

Papearii as there are on Tubuai. If Tabu zones front of their houses a few hun- there are not many giant clams on dred metres into the lagoon and Tahiti now "this is indeed because Given the situation described, we all the way out to the reef. In people brought the shells back to tried to find out if certain ancient Haramea, the fishers we encoun- land". beliefs linked to the French tered said that they also went Polynesian concept of tabu and across from their homes to the Secondly, fishers think that clean- sacred sites still exist, particularly lagoon and out to the reef. Many ing the giant clams in the lagoon regarding possible forms of tra- said that they had been harvest- "releases" and scatters the shell- ditional management of giant ing giant clams for 20 to 30 years fish’s eggs, which then develop clam stocks. and had not noticed any decline into new specimens. As with the in the pahua stock. miraculous "resurrection" of the However, traditional customs, shells, this is not the case. Accord- including those relating to the It appears that fishing areas are ing to the Fisheries Department, sacredness of sites and fishing no longer prohibited to permit at most this process might stimu- practices, seem to have disap- renewal of resources. The com- late and speed up reproduction in peared from Tubuai. Even the munity has no recollection of the nearby giant clams by releasing marae are no longer given any last time a rahui was used on pheromones that act as sexual special attention and are general- Tubuai. Furthermore, some eld- stimuli. In no case do the eggs ly overgrown by vegetation and ers themselves say that these thus released develop to term. treated with indifference12. For bans never involved giant clams. example, in Haramea, a 1.2-m Nevertheless, according to a few Given the current state of affairs, phonolite still standing on the reports, the motu pahua are the therefore, fishers do not see the ground, and locally called "the result of long-term dumping of point of setting up protection ringing rock", was once used to giant clam shells by the elders. zones for giant clams since they call people together, but to the According to these reports, it was do not believe that their fishing best of our knowledge, no one traditionally forbidden to get rid habits are a threat to the resource. remembers its precise history. of the shells elsewhere in the Their opinion is supported by According to legend, the island lagoon. The gradual build-up is the fact that there are still signifi- lost its navel, which was carried supposed to be the origin of the cant numbers of the shellfish in off to Maiao13 by the bird motu14. Today it is difficult to clar- nearly every part of the lagoon. guardian who was disappointed ify matters: is this a simple myth However, although they feel that in the behaviour of man. No one that has become part of the col- giant clam stocks are not actually remembers the exact reasons lective memory or is it the sur- endangered, opinions seem to be behind this disappearance and it viving traces of historically based divided. Some fishers have is rare to find a person who can facts? noticed that the number of giant still tell the entire history of Motu clams has declined all around the Ofai, the only phonolithic vol- In terms of traditional lagoon island. Based on what they have canic island in the lagoon. resource management, the old observed, the few fishers willing practices have been "forgotten". to admit this are not against the In practice, the local communities The islanders know that the rahui idea of an updated and well- fish all around the island, except system was used on Tubuai, but adapted rahui. For the moment, in those spots where the geomor- very few people know exactly they are in the minority. How- phology of the lagoon is not suit- when the system was aban- ever, it is important to note that able for harvesting giant clams. doned. Thus, there are no longer this group consists of fishers who When they want to collect giant any areas temporarily closed to are not dependent on income clams, fishers from Mataura go Tridacna maxima harvest, either in earned from giant clams, which by boat in the direction of fact or in the memory of oral tra- allows them a certain measure of Haramea or the first motus, dition. detachment. This is not the case Mautaro and Toéna, 6 km off- for fishers who are more heavily shore from Mataura. This entails CONCLUSION involved in sharing the proceeds fuel costs and probably explains from the sale of giant clams. why there are very few pahua There is little awareness of a pos- fishers in Mataura. In Tamatoa/ sible decline in pahua and many Mahu, people go directly out fishers seem to be convinced that from where they live and fish in this resource is inexhaustible, or

12 Except by a few people who are trying to maintain the island’s cultural heritage. 13 A high island in the Society group . 14 This version appears rather far fetched to us and we think that it is more likely that this pile of shells is the result of the lagoon’s own natural selection or hydrodynamic segregation processes.

42 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 GIANT CLAM FISHING ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI, AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA . . . at least that is the impression bans are implemented. But most Gilbert A. 2005. Vers une gestion they gave. However, we did note importantly, vestiges of oral tra- durable de trois lagons de that near the village of Mahu — dition seem to be used by certain Polynésie Française : Fangatau, in the very area where the largest elders as a shield to protect their Tatakoto (Tuamotu de l’Est) et number of giant clam fishers can economic interests. In fact, many Tubuai (Australes). Rapport be found — some 120 to 140 of them are directly involved in final, IRD/Service de la Pêche pahua are needed, on average, to obtaining revenue from the giant de Tahiti, juin 2005, 113 p. fill a touque. On the Haramea clam fishery. The existing gap side, 90 to 100 giant clams are between the local portrayal of the Larrue S. 2005. Rapport pour une enough to fill one. Although situation, economic reasoning, participation des acteurs large giant clams continue to be and scientific claims makes joint socio-économiques à la ges- harvested near Haramea, it does management of giant clam tion durable des ressources en seem that the fishers in Mahu are resources very difficult. In addi- bénitier dans le lagon de now harvesting large pahua from tion, this fishery is vital for Tubuai. Université de la younger generations. In addi- numerous families on Tubuai, Polynésie Française. Conven- tion, several fishers admitted that whose standard of living is one tion 5.0020/MPP/SPE, sep- they had to go into increasingly of the lowest in French Polynesia. tembre 2005, 30 p. deeper waters to find large giant clams. BIBLIOGRAPHY Lherbier L. 1944. Le bénitier (pahua), légende de Raivavae. Certainly there are still large Audran H. 1926. Marae des îles B.S.E.O n°71:442–447. numbers of Tridacna maxima on Tubuai et Raivavae. Bulletin Tubuai, but if the commercial de la Société des Études Rosewater J. 1965. The family sector continues its uncontrolled Océaniennes 12:35–36. Tridacnidae in the Indo- growth, we believe the situation Pacific. Indo Pacific Mollusca could quickly become critical. A Chabouis D. 1965. Contribution à 1(1):347–394. few indigenous people share this l’étude du régime alimentaire opinion and tend to favour put- des anciens polynésiens des ting a rahui in place. According to îles Australes. Bulletin de la them, giant clams will go the Société des Études Océanien- same way as remu seaweed15 if no nes 152 et 153:599–602.

15 This type of seaweed was harvested in large quantities by the community and sold with no control measures. Today it has almost disappeared.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006 43 44 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #116 – January/March 2006