Working Paper 031 FISHERIES MANAGEMENT Children seeking to harness the treasures of the oceans Educational Guide Funded by European Union The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Indian Ocean Commission concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by Indian Ocean Commission in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Indian Ocean Commission. © 2014 Indian Ocean Commission Nelly Ardill (text and pedagogical concept) Maya de Salle-Essoo (student information sheet) Pierre Rajaonarison (illustrations) Additionnal acknowledgements to Toky Rasoloarimanana for technical coordination Shirley Chan for the support on graphic design Photo credit (cover photograph); www.marinephotobank.org This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and can no way be taken to the reflect the views of the European Union. CHILDREN SEEKING TO HARNESS THE TREASURES OF THE OCEANS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT An educational guide using a multidisciplinary approach to help children learn about integrated fisheries management in the South Western Indian Ocean region INTRODUCTION The sustainable management of fishery resources is of management strategies and strategic importance for the economy of the islands control measures to prevent of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), neighbouring illegal fishing and the loss of countries and those of the great lakes region in Africa. competitive advantages In fact, fishing is one of the major sources of revenue guaranteed by the preferential anda source of protein for a large proportion of the status of ACP countries. The region’s population. However, concerns are increasingly main objectives of the beingraised regarding stock depletion and illegal fishing. programme aim to consolidate More than10 million tonnes of fish of different species the traditional fishery sector, are caught in the region per annum, without taking into promote aquaculture to enable accountwastage due to non-target catches, which are greater added value of catches and thrown back to sea and post-harvest losses. to strengthen the food security of the region. The IOC is already implementing several programmes funded by the European Union, concerned with - Raising awareness of young people and aquatic resource management and protection of civil society remains a priority to ensure the marine environment. However, to provide more the protection of aquatic ecosystems and coherence to these initiatives and to promote effective to respond to the concept of sustainable and sustainable management of the shared aquatic development. resources, a regional fishery and aquaculture strategy is being established. Twenty countries are participating in this project and have been engaged in an exercise to consider the future development of their fishery D. Gréboval sectors. The aim of this exercise is to establish a SmartFish Team Leader sustainable fisheries management strategy for the region. The project is entitled, SmartFish. Students of SmartFish countries, together with their teachers, have been invited to participate in this project with a view to identifying problems associated with their aquatic environment and to propose short- and long-term solutions which will meet the needs of the population whilst preserving fish stocks. This strategy takes into account the need to have access to pertinent and reliable data on species and ecosystems. This will enable the region to respond to the present incapacity to set up common CONTENTS Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 How to use this guide ?................................................................................................................................... 6 Part l............................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................... 11 - The region .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 - The environment .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 - Biodiversity .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 - Ecosystems ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 - The food chain ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 - Threats (erosion, pollution, overfishing and bad practices) .............................................................................................................. 43 - Overfishing .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Part II ......................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................... 56 - Fisheries Management principles ................................................................................................................................................................... 57 - Management of aquatic areas - fisheries zones .................................................................................................................................... 63 - Management of research activities - science and technology ..................................................................................................... 71 - Management of law enforcement ................................................................................................................................................................. 77 - Management of the fishing gear ................................................................................................................................................................... 82 - Management of fisheries products ............................................................................................................................................................... 93 - Management of food security ......................................................................................................................................................................... 108 - Management of fishers ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 115 List of Information Sheets Exploring the aquatic environment in the region Information sheet 1 : World map Information sheet 2 : Map of the SmartFish region Information sheet 3 : Climate change Exploring the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems Information sheet 4 : Lakes, swamps, estuaries, lagoons and coral reef environment. Information sheet 5 : Coastal environments (wetlands, mangroves, and coastal forests) Information sheet 6 : Deep water environment (high seas and lakes) Exploring the species and the resources Information sheet 7 : Fish Information sheet 8 : Aquatic mammals Information sheet 9 : Reptiles Information sheet 10 : Molluscs Information sheet 11 : Echinoderms Information sheet 12 : Crustaceans Information sheet 13 : Algae and coastal forests Information sheet 14 : Aquatic birds Understanding the food chain Information sheet 15 : The food chain Information sheet 16 : The story of a small seed Information sheet 17 : Food poisoning Threats to the ecosystems Information sheet 18 : Erosion (the impact on the ecosystems and humans) Information sheet 19 : Pollution (the threats to the environment and the species) Information sheet 20 : Overfishing Management of the aquatic environment - fishing zones Information sheet 21 : Fishing zones Information sheet 22 : Traditional management practices Information sheet 23 : Fisheries management institutions Management of fishing equipment Information sheet 24 : Subsistence fishing gear Information sheet 25 : Traditional fishing gear Information sheet 26 : Industrial fishing gear Management of fishery