Who we work with
DEVFISH
Pacific Island countries need policy change to increase local industry development to create economic growth. Currently local fishing industry has low numbers of jobs, poor earnings from employment and a low impact on poverty alleviation and food security. For example, Pacific Islands countries catch just $200 million worth of tuna from its fisheries while foreign nations fishing in the same waters catch over $1 billion.
The Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific ACP Countries Project (DEVFISH) is a European Union funded regional project, which encourages governments to make policy changes that can make it easier for local Pacific fishing industries to grow and profit.
Activities to achieve this goal include analysis, consultation and training at the regional level on shared and common aspects of tuna development. On the national level, DEVFISH supports a range of activities such as strengthening fish producers' associations and improving consultation between private sector and Government, helping with seafood safety requirements for access to European markets and creating national plans for development.
Read current DEVFISH regional and national reports and media releases
More reports are available through the links below.
Project Closure
| Attachment | Size |
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| DEVFISH Closure Meeting Summary | 510.89 KB |
Economic benefits and development reports
How do small island developing states maximise the economic benefits from their fisheries? The below reports provide more information and analysis on economic benefits of fishing and lessons learnt from economic development initiatives in the Pacific.
Gender issues in Pacific Islands fisheries
This report examines national, regional and international articles, documents, field reports and books written on women in development, gender in development, women in fisheries, and the assessment, management and development of Pacific Islands tuna fisheries.
Studies show that men and women are both involved in all aspects of the tuna industry with most women found in the processing (small scale and commercial) and marketing for the domestic market. Most men are found in the capture and commercial marketing areas.
More information about the positive and negative impacts of fisheries on women and suggested actions to improve gender equity are found in the two parts of the report, downloadable below.
| Attachment | Size |
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| Gender issues in P. I. Tuna Industries 1.pdf | 1021.17 KB |
| Gender issues in P.I. tuna industries II .pdf | 1.9 MB |
Introduction to DEVFISH
The Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific ACP Countries Project (DEVFISH) is a European Union funded regional project, with the objective of increasing the economic benefits to Pacific Island countries from tuna fisheries. It aims to do this by creating the right policy and economic environment for the further development of fishing and processing operations, with emphasis on the private sector.
FFA’s Strategic Plan has two work programmes – Management and Development. DEVFISH is the lead donor-funded project in the Development area.
Timing and staff
The Project is now in the final year of its four year duration. It has three permanent staff: Mike Batty is the Team Leader and Fisheries Development Policy Specialist, and is based at FFA in Honiara;
Jonathan Manieva is the Fisheries Development Officer, based in Noumea with SPC; and
Leonard Paia is the Project Coordinator, also at FFA.
In December Mike will move to a new job with SPC, and the project will be supervised by Peter Philipson, Fisheries Economics Adviser, at FFA.
Approach
The Project is designed to support regional thinking and national action. The regional component supports analysis, consultation and training at the regional level on shared and common aspects of tuna development. The national component can support a range of activities, from strengthening fish producers’ associations and improving consultation between private sector and Government, to helping with seafood safety requirements for access to European markets. The Project is helping countries to develop national action plans, and implement them. Reports and results are being widely distributed - many can be downloaded from this web page.
Coordination
The third meeting of the project steering committee was held just before the FFC meeting in Palau in May 2008. This reviewed project reports, and discussed the work plan for 2008/09. At the national level, requests to the project for help can be made by a representative of the private sector, normally a fishing industry association, endorsed by FFA's Government contacts. Most countries have now identified a suitable mechanism and requests have been actioned from most FFA member countries.
Current activities
By mid 2008, Project staff had visited all of the 14 Pacific ACP countries, in some cases several times, for consultations and to advance the work programme. Regional reviews of the economic benefits derived from different development strategies for the major tuna export fisheries and processing industries have been completed, as well as studies on other small-scale export fisheries.
Two major studies on development strategies for the region were completed in early 2008 and follow-up work is now in progress.
Twelve Pacific ACP countries have now received assistance including technical studies, training, equipment and support for fisheries associations. A tuna industry development action plan was prepared in Papua New Guinea, as well as a fisheries development master plan for Tuvalu. Assistance with development planning is in now progress.
Value-Adding to Fish - Business Manual
This business report provides practical guidelines to assist existing entrepreneurs in the Pacific Island fishing business community with the setting up of sustainable and profitable seafood value-added businesses making value-added products from target species and the by-products of tuna fisheries. Download chapters below.
| Attachment | Size |
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| 1.The Manual.pdf | 492.36 KB |
| 2. Processing Pacific Blue Marlin.pdf | 274.71 KB |
| 3. Bottom fish exports.pdf | 33.35 KB |
| 4. Marlin Processing 12 April batch 11.xls | 149 KB |
| 5. Yellowfin Processing Jerky and sashimi.xls | 509.5 KB |
| 6. Wahoo processing.xls | 68.5 KB |
| 7. Mahimahi Processing 26 April.xls | 69.5 KB |
| 8. Bottom fish export Case Study 2.xls | 34.5 KB |
DEVFISH project operations
The below reports detail the operations of the DEVFISH project including the work of the Steering Committee, feedback on priority issues to inform the DEVFISH project, reports and reviews of the DEVFISH project and a concept note for a second phase of the project.
Fishing vessel safety
SPC and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), through the EU-funded DEVFISH project, are reviewing international tools for improved fishing vessel safety and provides assistance to members on these matters.
This work relates to 2 international conventions:
1) The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel sets out the regulatory framework for the training and certification of fishing vessel personnel. The convention is the first attempt to make safety standards for crews of fishing vessels mandatory internationally.
2) The Torremolinos Protocol established a safety regime for fishing vessels of more than 24 m including safety provisions of the protocol cover construction, stability, machinery, fire protection, protection of crew, lifesaving equipment, emergency procedures, radio communication, navigation equipment, vessel certification and port state control.
Some of the likely impacts of the Torremolinos Protocol and 1995 STCW-F Convention on the Pacific Islands were discussed during a regional seminar held in Fiji in March 2006. The following points were noted:
• The Pacific is well ahead of other regions in that it already has training and certification standards for fishing vessel personnel. In the mid 1990s, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) developed a common certification structure for trading and fishing vessels, which is regularly revised by a subcommittee of the Pacific Islands Maritime Association (PacMa). Most Pacific Island countries have adopted it.
• A number of model training programmes for fishing vessel personnel are available and used throughout the region (e.g. SPC Safety Certificate, SPC/Pacific Island Qualified Fishing Deckhand Certificate, etc.). The pre-sea induction training system
used in Papua New Guinea is also aligned with the requirements of STCW-F for basic pre-sea safety training for all fishing vessel personnel.
• While the protocol and convention apply to large fishing vessels (>24 m), it is possible for national laws to extend their applicability to smaller classes of vessels.
• National administrations and the regional fishing industry need to be familiar with the provisions of the protocol and convention and prepare for their entry into force. The current status of requirements and standards in the region means that their
effective implementation should be relatively straightforward.
• Due to the current limited number of signatories, ratification of the protocol and convention by Pacific Island countries could drive their entry into force.
• SPC could underpin a regional mechanism and be the focal agency in assisting countries with the implementation of the protocol and convention.
The attached brochure contains more information about relevant protocols, their impact on Pacific islands and the work of the DEVFISH project on these issues.
| Attachment | Size |
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| Fishing Vessel Safety brochure.pdf | 164.88 KB |
DEVFISH Videos
The DEVFISH project produced the following videos
2010 DEVFISH TV Commercial
DEVFISH 5 Minute Video
MCS Training Needs Analysis - TOR for Consultant Tender
TERMS OF REFERENCE
MCS Training Needs Analysis: For the identification of training requirements and the effective means of meeting those requirements, in support of the Regional MCS Strategy 2010 - 2015.
For more information please download the attachment
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| MCS_TNA_TOR_For_Consultant_Tender..pdf | 65.99 KB |
MSC Fisheries Update - 8 September 2011 Fiji Albacore longline
Read updates about the progress of the following fisheries in the MSC program and find out when stakeholder input is invited on a fishery assessment or certification:
1. Fiji albacore tuna longline - Site visit scheduled
2. OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle - Announcement of full assessment
3. OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle - Proposed assessment team
4. SPPO North East Atlantic mackerel - Fishery certified
1. Fiji albacore tuna longline - Site visit scheduled
The certification body, Intertek Moody Marine, has announced that the Fiji albacore tuna longline fishery is now entering the information gathering phase of the assessment. The primary objective of this stage is to collect information on the fishery and in particular to speak to representatives of the fishery, fishery management bodies and other stakeholders of the fishery. Meetings will be carried out during the week 9 to 15 October 2011 in Suva, Fiji.
Because this assessment will use the Risk-Based Framework, the certification body will request stakeholders to participate at meetings to obtain qualitative information about this fishery.
Any stakeholder with information on this fishery that should be considered in the assessment, or who wishes to meet with Intertek Moody Marine should contact Jo Akroyd or Paul Knapman, no later than 2 October 2011.
§ Download the full announcement (PDF, 40 kb)
2. OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle - Announcement of full assessment
The certification body, Food Certification International Ltd., has announced that the OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle fishery has entered full assessment. Initially FCI seeks to open a dialogue with all organisations or individuals with a direct interest in the fishery.
Anyone wishing to provide comments or information to the assessment process (relevant to the status of the stock, ecosystem interactions or fishery management practices) is invited to contact Melissa McFadden.
§ Download the full announcement (PDF, 310 kb)
§ Download the assessment timeline (PDF, 240 kb)
3. OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle - Proposed assessment team
The certification body, Food Certification International Ltd., has put forward nominations for the fishery assessment team that will be responsible for assessing the OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle fishery against the MSC Standard.
Any stakeholder wishing to provide comments on the suitability or otherwise of any of the nominees is invited to contact Melissa McFadden no later than 5pm GMT, 18 September 2011.
§ Download the assessment team nomination announcement (PDF, 51 kb)
4. SPPO North East Atlantic mackerel - Fishery certified
The 15 working day period during which parties could have lodged an intent to object to the Certification Body, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), determination that the SPPO North East Atlantic mackerel fishery should be certified closed on 2 September 2011. No objections were received and the determination therefore holds. The new certificate will be in effect for 5 years, contingent on the fishery successfully completing annual audits of its status against the MSC standard.
The MSC ecolabel may now be applied to catches taken from this fishery after the agreed eligibility date of 15 August 2011, by those companies with appropriate Chain of Custody certification in place.
OFMP
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFM Project) is executed by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in conjunction with the Pacific Community Oceanic Fisheries Programme (SPC) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The United Nations Development Programme is the Implementing Agency.
The goals of the Project combine the interests of the global community in the conservation of a marine ecosystem covering a huge area of the surface of the globe, with the interests of some of the world’s smallest nations in the responsible and sustainable management of resources that are crucial for their sustainable development.
Regional Organisations in the Pacific
FFA is affiliated with a number of regional organisations in the Pacific. This affiliation is formalised through the advisory body known as the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP). The following organisations are members of CROP:
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Secretariat of the Pacific Community The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is a regional technical and development organisation. SPC work programmes develop the technical, professional, scientific, research, planning and management capability of Pacific island people. The agency has three main divisions: land, marine and social. SPC's headquarters are located in Noumea with a sub-branch in Suva. |
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Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat As the administrative arm of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (FORSEC) undertakes programmes and activities that support, or implement, decisions made by the Forum Leaders. The Forum Secretariat is also the base of CROP. The Secretariat is based in Suva, Fiji. |
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South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme's (SPREP) charter is to strengthen the capacity of Pacific island members to plan and manage their own national environmental programmes and to enchance regional cooperation to deal more effectively with issues that are transboundry in nature or which require interventions at the global level. The work of the organisation covers nature conservation, pollution pervention, climate change and economic development. |
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South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) work focuses on providing assistance to its 20 member countries in three key programme areas: Ocean and Islands Programme, Community Lifelines Programme and Community Risk Programme. |
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Pacific Islands Development Programme The role of the Pacific Islands Development Programme (PIDP) is to provide professional services and research information to Pacific Island governments. The organisation is based at the East-West centre in Hawaii is involved in the following five major activity areas: Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, United States/Pacific Island Nations Joint Commercial Commission Secretariat, research, education and training. |
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South Pacific Tourism Organisation The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated to promote the Pacific Islands as a tourist destination. The SPTO's objectives, through tourism are: strengthening regional cooperation; contributing to sustainable development; promoting global awareness of the region; enchancing the resources of the region; and promoting the cultural diversity of the region. |
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University of the South PacificThe University of the South Pacific (USP) provides tertiary education to the Pacific region. USP has 12 Member Countries and three campuses: Laucala Campus located in Suva, Fiji; Alafua Campus located in Apia, Samoa; and Emalus Campus located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. USP Centres are located in each Member Country. |
FFA also cooperates with many other pacific islands orientated organisations including
SPC
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is a regional technical and development organisation. SPC work programmes develop the technical, professional, scientific, research, planning and management capability of Pacific island people. The agency has three main divisions: land, marine and social. SPC's headquarters are located in Noumea with a sub-branch in Suva. FFA and SPC work together on a range of projects regarding fisheries. These include:
GEF Oceanic Fisheries Management project
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
Cooperation with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
Crop Marine Sector Working Group
WCPFC
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the central decision making body for management of tuna fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Conservation and management measures (CMMs) of the Commission are legally binding and apply to all WCPFC members and the Convention area. Whereas members of FFA are from the Pacific Islands, members of WCPFC are FFA members and distant water fishing nations.
WCPFC's current members include Australia, China, Canada, Cook Islands, European Community, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Chinese Taipei, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America and Vanuatu. Out of a total of 32 participating territories and members of WCPFC, over half (17) are FFA members, forming a significant voting bloc (although so far in the WCPFC's history decisions have been made by consensus).
The Western and Central Pacific Ocean accounted for 54% of the world's tuna catch in 2007 making tuna a key economic resource. Increasingly industry, environmental organisations and the international community are closely monitoring the outcomes from WCPFC annual meetings.
FFA's support for members at the WCPFC
FFA coordinates subregional workshops, preparatory meetings for the WCPFC Scientific Committee and Technical Committee meetings and FFC meetings so that all its 17 members have information and discussions to prepare for their participation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) at its annual meeting. This support is an important part of FFA's ongoing efforts to increase national capacity and strengthen regional solidarity so that member countries can manage their fisheries for the benefit of people today and for future generations.
Preparations are now underway for WCPFC7, and associated special FFC76, which will be hosted at the JW Marriot Ihilani Resort, at Ko Olina, Honolulu, Hawaii:
Special FFC76: Monday 29th November - Saturday 4 December 2010
WCPFC FAC4 and WCPFC Heads of Delegation meeting: 5 December 2010
WCPFC7: 6 - 10 December 2010
FFA Members access Meeting Papers for Special FFC and WCPFC here
Visit Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission website (and to access WCPFC7 meeting papers)
Reports and Media Releases about WCPFC
Unfinished business remains as WCPFC ends
WCPFC Photos
This week the Annual Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is being held in Ko Olina, Hawaii. News on outcomes from the meeting will be released on 10 December 2010 (Hawaii time).
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the central decision making body for management of tuna fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Conservation and management measures (CMMs) of the Commission are legally binding and apply to all WCPFC members and the Convention area. Whereas members of FFA are from the Pacific Islands, members of WCPFC are FFA members and distant water fishing nations.
New film 'Oceanic Guardians' launched today to celebrate Pacific Island success in establishing rules for fishing
A new film titled 'Oceanic Guardians' (www.youtube.com/pacificislandfish) was launched today by the UNDP-GEF funded Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFMP) at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Celebrating the success of Pacific Islands' negotiations to establish a tuna commission to set and enforce rules on tuna fishing, 'Oceanic Guardians' is shot in high definition video featuring the world's first underwater footage of longline fishing in the Pacific Islands, traditional canoe racing in the Solomon Islands and Tongan-owned and crewed patrol boats and fishing vessels.
OFMP plans to strengthen implementation of fisheries management rules by small islands
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, FRIDAY19 MARCH 2009: FFA, UNDP, SPC, WWF and SPREP staff met over the past two days to plan a process for the design of a new phase of assistance to Pacific Islands under the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFMP).
Pacific Islands proposals on sharks and swordfish adopted at WCPFC
PAPEETE, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA, 10 DECEMBER 2009: Proposals from Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members on sharks and
swordfish were adopted at the 6th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting today.
Pacific Island countries are the custodians of the last remaining healthy tuna stocks in the world and manage a marine area of 30 million square kilometres, supported with technical advice and services from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). FFA members participate at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission along with other fishing nations (such as Asian nations, EU and US) to set rules for fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
FFA members finalised a process first begun in 2006 to put in place limits to the catch on swordfish. The WCPFC adopted key amendments proposed by FFA members to the Conservation and Management Measure on Swordfish including:
WCPFC Area Catch Value Estimates (as at August 2011)
Introduction
This report aims to provide estimates of the value of catches of the four main commercial species caught in the Western and Central Paciffic Fisheireies Commission (WCPFC) Convention Area, that is, albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares). The report is based on most recent catch data (August 2011) provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and prices obtained from a range of sources on which the estimated values are based.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Value of WCPO tuna fisheries August 2011.xls | 1.88 MB |
| WCPO tuna value Nov 2010.xls | 1.75 MB |