Fact Sheets

10 Western Central Pacific Fisheries Convention related fact sheets

5 Species fact sheets in English and French

Newsletters

PDF files of the OFM Project Newsletter can be downloaded here.

Annual Reports

Baseline Study and Performance Indicators for the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFMP)

Introduction

THE UNDP/GEF-supported International Waters Project (IW-Project) for the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PacSIDS) has had a significant input into oceanic fisheries management and research in the Pacific Islands region. This input commenced with a Pacific SAP (Strategic Action Programme) Project (RAS/98/G32), implemented between 1999 and 2004. This project had two components: i) oceanic fisheries management and ii) integrated coastal and watershed management.  The three-year oceanic fisheries management element was considered a pilot, and underpinned the successful conclusion and entry into force of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries (WCPF) Convention.

In 2004 the GEF PDF-B fund supported the design of a second SAP project, the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFMP), which commenced in late 2005. This five-year project is designed to assist Pacific island countries as they reform, realign and restructure their national fisheries laws, policies, institutions and programmes to take up the new opportunities which the WCPF Convention creates, and discharge the responsibilities which the Convention requires.

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this Report is to:

1. review the applicable GEF international Waters Operational Strategy, describe the GEF International Waters process, stress-reduction and environmental status indicators framework at a project level[1] and suggest any appropriate revisions;
2. describe the baseline situation, in mid-2005 before OFMP implementation in relation to:
3. measures in place at national, sub-regional and regional level for the conservation and management of the oceanic fish stocks of the WCPO and the protection of the WTP LME (Western Tropical Pacific Large Marine Ecosystem)  from fisheries impacts;
   1. the status of the fisheries, the  target stocks and the  ecosystem including trophic status and status of key non-target species; and
   2. initial measures of the GEF monitoring and evaluation indicators outlined in the project Logframe Matrix (Annex L).

Mid Term Review of the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project

This Mid Term Evaluation report sets out findings, lessons learnt and recommendations for the UNDP/GEF Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFM Project). The report is developed in compliance with the terms of reference for the assignment. The conclusions and recommendations set out in the report are solely those of the evaluators and are not binding on the project management and sponsors.

Mid-term evaluations are intended to identify potential project design problems, assess progress towards the achievement of objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of other UNDP/GEF projects), and to make recommendations regarding specific actions that might be taken to improve the project. It is expected to serve as a means of validating or filling the gaps in the initial assessment of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency obtained from monitoring. The mid-term evaluation provides the opportunity to assess early signs of project success or failure and prompt necessary adjustments[1].

The objective of the PIOFM MTE is to provide an assessment of the progress made towards the OFM project’s objectives and outputs. It should also identity strengths and weaknesses and provide an evaluation of the implementation and management of the project by identifying factors that have facilitated or impeded the achievements of the project objectives and outputs. In addition, the MTE should also provide recommendations and lessons learned to assist on defining future directions for the project.

Quarterly Reports

Quarterly Reports

Terminal Evaluation

Executive Summary

The Pacific Islands Oceanic Fishery Management Project (OFMP) has run from 2005 to 2011, and is focused on strengthening management of the tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific, and through this impacting positively on the environmental characteristics of the West Pacific Warm Pool Large Marine Ecosystem. The project seeks to achieve its governance and environmental objectives through the development and strengthening of regional and national institutions and associated capacities.

A particular focus of capacity development is the establishment and operation of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and ensuring the active and appropriate participation of the fifteen PacSIDS embraced within the project, both directly, and through existing regional technical institutions, the FFA and SPC Fisheries.

Findings

The project’s two greatest achievements are facilitating the establishment of the WCPFC and ensuring that Pacific Small Island Developing States (PacSIDS) are able to contribute fully to the deliberations of the Commission and to meet their membership obligations (in terms of legislation, fishery policies, and monitoring, control and surveillance systems).

The capacity building elements of the project have helped give PacSIDS’ fishery representatives the enhanced confidence to present and negotiate their positions at Commission meetings, to be actively involved in the technical meetings of the Commission, and to sit as equals at the same table as Distant Water Fishing Nations.

At outcome level, this project has proved successful and effective, with outcomes likely to result in durable impacts in line with the environmental and development objectives that guided the project’s design.

Crucially the very significant and on-going changes in the regional management and governance of tuna stocks and fisheries in the western and central Pacific would not have taken place asquicklyas they have done without the intervention of this project.

The particular features that limit the availability and application of GEF funding – constraints such as the need to address global environmental issues; the need to, in the context of international waters, have clear transboundary dimensions; and that GEF funding can only be used to meet incremental costs – have been particularly well used in the design of this project to channel funding and intervention to areas of need that generally fall outside the mandate of other sources of funding.

Assessment of the sustainability of project outcomes highlights some of the strengths deriving from the establishment of the WCPFC, but also points up the institutional weaknesses evident at a national level. But the project has actually achieved rather more than was planned, even at the national level. The work of the project has done much to establish and strengthen national systems and skills in planning, managing information, developing / modifying legislation, inspection, observer coverage, participation in science programmes – which is altogether positive. But the project was not designed to accomplish fundamental reform and restructuring of fisheries administrations, and inconsistencies in this area continue to undermine the full worth of project achievements, and challenge the sustainability of many of its outcomes and future impacts.

NGO & Civil Society Pacific Oceanic Fisheries Management Workshop

A workshop on regional oceanic fisheries management in the western and central Pacific is to be held at the Tanoa Plaza, Suva, Fiji on 24 – 25 April. The workshop has been organised by WWF South Pacific Office and is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project executed by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The workshop will contribute to the effort to raise stakeholder participation and awareness, specifically environmental non-governmental organisations and civil society, in national and regional oceanic fisheries management processes namely the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention (WCPFC). The workshop will be facilitated by Mr. Ian Cartwright and seeks to develop an:

• understanding of the current status of oceanic fisheries, with an emphasis on the four key tuna species and associated by-product and by-catch;
• appreciation of fisheries management issues, and the importance of maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, with an emphasis on fish stocks and habitats;
• awareness of the network of fisheries management arrangements in the Pacific, including national, sub-regional (PNA), regional (FFA) and multilateral (WCPFC) levels;
• understanding of the intended work of the Commission, emphasising the requirement for transparency, and engagement by Pacific Island nationals including NGOs;
• agreement on the potential areas of interest and involvement by Pacific NGOs in fisheries issues, with an emphais on oceanic (tuna) fisheries;
• understanding of the WWF/GEF work programme and provision of feedback on intended activities; and
• identification of information gaps, effective communication methods and needs of NGOs to support involvement in fisheries management.

WWF have a well coordinated, strategic initiative as part of their work programme that seeks to improve tuna fisheries management in the Western and Central Pacific and are recognized observers at the WCPF Commission meetings. They have sought to involve expert advice from regional resources to compliment their personnel for this workshop, and in this regard Mr Cartwright who has an established career in Australia in fisheries management and a former Deputy Director of FFA, is supported by presenters from the Pacific Community Oceanic Fisheries Programme and the FFA. Representatives from a number of regional environmental non governmental organisations have been invited to participate at the Suva workshop, including Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, IUCN Suva, Greenpeace Pacific, Birdlife and others.

The Summary Record and Outcomes of the NGO & Civil Society Workshop on Oceanic Fisheries Management in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area held at Suva, Fiji on 24 - 25 April 2007 is here.

Institutional Strengthening under the Oceanic Fisheries Management Project for Nauru

The intended outcome of Institutional Reform activities of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project is expected to help public sector fisheries administrations change through reformation, realignment and to become strengthened by enhancing the capacities of national non-governmental organisations to participate in oceanic fisheries management.

Project funds to date have been directed on the basis of identified in-country priorities, as per the original endorsed project document, updated in-country priorities identified after recent in-country visits by the Project Coordinator, integration with any activities identified by donor agencies (eg., AusAID, NZAID), and any other means by which the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members identify such institutional reform priorities with the FFA.

The Government of Nauru requested an Institutional Strenthening Scoping Study as a matter as a matter of priority and this study was undertaken in 2007. In accordance with the request from Nauru the IS Scoping work covered the whole of the NFMRA

Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority (NFMRA) Institutional Strengthening Scoping Study Report

Mr. Robert Ferraris who has extensive experience in the area of institutional strengthening was the FFA project leader consultant led this exercise, with Darren Cameron (FFA Fisheries Management Adviser) who managed the work. An AusAID representative Mr. Gordon Anderson was an important IS scoping team member during the initial in-country visit to Nauru and with the preparation of draft scoping study document in cooperation with the NFMRA.

The Nauru Institutional Strengthening (IS) Scoping Study Draft Report comprising the draft Activity Feasibility Study and Design Document was presented to the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority (NFMRA) in April 2007. At this time FFA consultant, Mr Garry Preston of Gillette, Preston and Associates visited NFMRA to conduct an on-ground assessment of the draft Activity Feasibility Study and Design Document.  On the request of the Nauru Fisheries Minister, Mr. Roland Kun, Garry presented the outline of the Activity Feasibility Study and Design Document to the President and Cabinet (comprising 5 Ministers). The proposal and its recommendations for institutional strengthening in Nauru was received in a positive light by the Nauruan government and Minister Kun advised FFA officers that he was keen to seek donor support for the implementation of the proposed project.

AusAID have now agreed to fund implementation of a large Institutional Strengthening Project on the basis of the OFM funded (IS) Scoping Study with the recruitment of a Fisheries Management Institutional Strengthening Specialist to be based in Nauru, being initiated in May 2008.

The Government of Kiribati in late 2007 requested an Institutional Strengthening Scoping Study for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Development.  In-country visits to conduct this work occurred in November 2007 and April 2008.  This work will be a topic in a future edition of this newsletter.

For further information please contact:
Darren Cameron
Fisheries Management Advisor/FFA/ phone: (677) 21124 
Email:  darren.cameron@ffa.int

Review of Institutional Reform and Institutional Strenghtening in Pacific Fisheries

This page contains a report on experiences and lessons learned from fisheries institutional reform (IR) and institutional strengthening (IS) activities in the Pacific. Critical input into this report came from discussions at a workshop conducted at the FFA Headquarters in Honiara on 15-16 May 2007.

This workshop was co-funded by FFA Trust Funds for National Institutional Strengthening Review and the OFM Project.

Discussions at this workshop, together with information garnered from informal discussions with of member country representatives at the annual Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in 2007 and other reviewed literature has led to this valuable review of the factors necessary for sustainable institutional reform and strengthening. Information on the pros and cons of different Statutory Authority and Departmental fishery governance models is likely to be of considerable interest to persons with fisheries management responsibilities at all levels.

Model Legislation Review

At the national level, the OFM Project will assist Pacific SIDS to undertake legal reforms associated with the implementation of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the WCPF Convention and other relevant international legal and policy instruments. A number of key new provisions will be specifically required for implementation of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the WCPF Convention but more broadly the legal reforms will assist Pacific SIDS by:

• putting the key principles of the Code of Conduct, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the WCPF Convention into national law, including the precautionary approach, the ecosystem approach, protection of biodiversity and preservation of long term stock sustainability following existing model draft legislation from Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu;
• providing a statutory base for processes of stakeholder consultation;
• giving statutory force to Management Plans, using existing models from Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands;
• overhauling decision-making processes, especially for licensing, to increase transparency; and
• creating new institutional arrangements, including consideration of options such as independent self-financing authorities for fisheries management and cost recovery programs.

The attached review provides a basis for setting up a checklist and a template that can be used for gauging the best practices when reviewing fisheries legislation. Some provisions are dealt with in more detail than others, with greater attention being devoted to those aspects of a fisheries law which will need revision in order to bring the law into line with modern conservation and management approaches, as well as looking at novel aspects designed to give effect to UNFSA and WCPFC.

Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Fisheries Management - An Article

Application of the Ecosystem-Based Approach to Fisheries Management in Tuna Fisheries at the Western-Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)
Samasoni Sauni, Moses Amos

Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Solomon Islands
Correspondence: samasoni.sauni@ffa.int; moses.amos@ffa.int

Abstract
The issues related to tuna fisheries in the Western-Central Pacific continue to challenge decision-making among various stakeholders in the tuna industry. The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has adopted the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management (EAFM) to manage tuna fisheries among its 17 member countries and territory. In 2005 the Agency started this work and includes series of meetings within its Members aiming to incorporate ecosystem related issues National Tuna Management Plans. Tuna fisheries contribute directly to small and poor economies of FFA members and the EAFM approach will help members meet their obligations towards ensuring sustainable fishing and fisheries in the WCPO. The paper explains the approach in the context of Pacific Island countries’ situations and further presents insights into its intended outcome.

Keywords: ecosystem-based approach, fisheries management, sustainable fishing and fisheries

TRAIN-SEA-COAST COURSE

Responsible Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region: implementation of Post-UNCED International Instruments

School of Marine Studies Facilities, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
9th - 20th July 2007.

The International Ocean Institute-Pacific Islands and the School of Marine Studies at the University of the South Pacific invite nominations for people to participate in the next Train Sea Coast (TSC) course. The course on Responsible Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region: implementation of Post-UNCED International Instruments will be offered at the School of Marine Studies Facilities from 9 - 20 July 2007.

The overall goal of the TSC is capacity building at the local level. Thus, the course emphasizes

1. building up of permanent national capabilities;
2. sustainability of efforts;
3. cost-effectiveness;
4. responsiveness to the specific needs of the countries involved; and
5. long-term impact.

The TSC methodology ensures that the highest pedagogical and technical standards are attained and arrangements are established for cooperation among the training centres so that training courses, experience and personnel may be shared for the benefit of all the members of the network. All TSC courses can be shared by TSC members who may adapt and deliver the courses as many times as needed.

Please see attachment for more information regarding this course.

Watching fisheries management in the eastern Pacific

The FFA Secretariat lead a delegation that participated as observers in the recent Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Ad Hoc Meetings held at La Jolla, California (USA) from the 5-10 February 2007. The FFA delegation to this meeting included two FFA staff, Mr. Samasoni Sauni, a Fisheries Management Advisor Officer and Mr. Darren Cameron, Fisheries Management Advisor, and two representatives from the FFA member countries, Mr. Bernard Thoulag, Executive Director for the Federated States of Micronesia National Oceanic Resources Management Authority; and Ms Tooti Tekinaiti the acting Director for the Kiribati Fisheries Department. Both country representatives are Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project focal points of contact for their respective countries.

The IATTC members spend the week in long discussions in three consecutive sessions on Conservation and Management Measures, Finance and By-catch. The outcome of the meetings included a series of recommendations and statements that are expected to form the basis for further discussion and endorsement at the IATTC annual meeting to be held in June 2007.

The exposure to the way in which the IATTC conducts meetings by way of debate and discussion on related issues common to the WCPFC was considered of great benefit to the FFA delegation that attended the ad hoc IATTC meeting. The FFA Secretariat has traditionally supported the attendance of member country representatives at the meetings of other regional fisheries management organizations in an effort to build capacity of its membership for their participation in regional management events in the western and central Pacific.

The IATTC meeting did not reach a general consensus on possible management measures that would address priority issues on excessive catch of juveniles and adult stocks of bigeye and yellowfin. Nonetheless, the discussion at the meeting evolved to take into account possible complimenting measures or a ‘tool kit' of measures such as spatial and temporal closures, global total allowable catches, capacity limits and effort controls, as well as restrictive FAD fishing.

On financial matters, the IATTC meeting spent a great deal of time debating the funding formula used in their proposed 2007 budget, particularly in regard to variables used in the formula. There was clear separation in the debate, between the Latin American countries plus USA and Vanuatu in opposition to Japan, Spain, Taiwan and Korea. 

The IATTC By-catch Working Group was not able to agree on issues of discussion relating to by-catch. Eventually the group stressed the need for more research findings to further guide management decisions in future Commission meetings.

The participation of member country representatives and that of Mr. Cameron at the IATTC meeting are supported by the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Opportunities for Ecosystems Approaches to Fisheries Management in the Pacific

International workshop on opportunities for ecosystem approaches to fisheries management in the Pacific Ocean tuna fisheries

 Valerie Allain •  Simon Nicol •  Jeffrey Polovina •  Marta Coll •  Robert Olson • Shane Griffiths •  Jeffrey Dambacher •  Jock Young •  Jesus Jurado Molina •

 Simon Hoyle •  Tim Lawson

PNG Tuna Tagging Project Cruise Report

A report of the first Papua New Guinea Tuna Tagging Project cruise, carried out in Papua New Guinea during August to November 2006 is available.

The PNG Tagging Project is a joint research project being implemented by the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA).

Seamounts & Pelagic Fisheries Interactions Under Study

In October 2005, SPC's Oceanic Fisheries Programme, in collaboration with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), started a five-year endeavor called the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (OFM project). The OFM project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Scientific Assessment and Monitoring Enhancement Component of the project (including ecosystem analysis) is implemented by SPC. One of the objectives of the OFM project is to obtain an enhanced understanding of the ecology of seamounts, in particular their influence on the aggregation and movement of pelagic fish species, and also the impact of fisheries 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 report is available for download

Studying SEAMOUNTS

2nd Tuna Data Workshop

The Pacific Islands Oceanic Project (GEF) was the main sponsor of the 2nd Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-2) which took place at the SPC headquarters from the 7^th to 11^th of April.Participants from 15 FFA member states, two French territories and the Philippines took part in the workshop.The main aim of the workshop was to acquaint the group with the best methods for preparing annual catch estimates and to share experiences of managing tuna data.

Work for the participants started early, as completed national status reports outlining the current state of tuna data collection and management in their countries were carried to the workshop. These status reports, now available on-line, formed the basis of the first plenary session when participants revealed how the work was advancing in their own countries.

A presentation on annual catch estimates was followed by protracted small group exercises on calculating the catch estimates for three fictitious fisheries. The experience gained in this exercise gave many participants the confidence to determine their own national fleet tuna catch estimates. Many participants had compiled their annual catch estimates before the close of the workshop and well in advance of the April 30^th deadline for submission established by the WCPFC. Additional workshop presentations and discussions included: facilitating data exchange, assessing various resource requirements, database training and strengthening the legal basis of tuna data collection.

The main recommendations of the workshop were to (i) explore mechanisms to better facilitate data exchange amongst member countries, (ii) develop and provide resource material to help countries prepare for data audits, (iii) disseminate the results of the FFA project on legal obligation for data provision and request that SPC and FFA work together to prepare guidelines for the legal provision of data, and (iv) improve support and raise awareness for role of the National Tuna Data Coordinator, both at the national and regional levels.

More information on the workshop, including the main outputs and final recommendations in full are available from.

For further information please contact:

Deirdre brogan
Email:  DeirdreB@SPC.int

First Tuna Data Workshop

The collection, management and reporting of data is an important foundation for managing the world’s largest tuna fisheries. In recognition of the importance of this work GEF funding was used to run a Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-1) at SPC, New Caledonia. The workshop was aimed at National Tuna Data Coordinators who are employed in each of the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs). Additional co-funding was supplied by the EU under its PROC FISH project This, the first data workshop, concentrated on the collection and management of tuna fishery data. Presentations by Oceanic Fisheries Programme staff were structured under the broad concept titles of ‘Why’, What’ and ‘How’ in regards to tuna data collection. Participants were encouraged to contribute and did so strongly throughout the workshop. The group sessions outputs were used to compile and enhance important final outputs on; the reasons to collect data at the national level, the problems encountered and possible solutions to these collection problems. It is hoped that for future workshops the focus will more to the dissemination of tuna data. The next workshop is provisionally planned for the first quarter in 2008.

SPC Stock Assessment Workshop, 3rd - 14 July 2006

SPC recently hosted a stock assessment workshop for fisheries officers from countries and territories within the Western and Central Pacific region. The workshop was one component within the larger Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Oceanic Fisheries Management Project. The workshop was expanded to also include non-project member countries as well, using other funding sources. This communication is intended to provide you with a brief overview of the workshop. The workshop was held at SPC headquarters in Noumea from the 3rd – 14th July, and was attended by 17 participants, one each from Palau, FSM, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Tokelau, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Workshop facilitators from the SPC included Brett Molony, Adam Langley, David Kirby, Bruno Leroy, Valerie Allain, John Hampton and Don Bromhead. Considerable support was also generously provided by many other staff from the Oceanic Fisheries Programme. The workshop spent three days providing essential background theory (e.g. species biology, modeling theory etc) before moving into more intensive sessions on individual parameter estimation methods, which were discussed over the next 4 days. The final three days included a session on ecosystem considerations (e.g. current research directions, requirements within WCPFC etc) as well as exercises to provide participants the opportunity to discuss recent assessments in small groups. These included exercises to:

1. Discuss and contrast the four target tuna assessments
2. Form their own conclusions and recommendations from an assessment report where the actual conclusions had been removed.
3. Develop and deliver a powerpoint presentation that required groups of participants (grouped by region) to demonstrate an understanding of stock assessment theory and the implications of recent assessments for fishery management in their specific regions.

Overall the workshop was considered to be very successful. The participants demonstrated themselves to be a highly motivated and very hard working group and it was a pleasure to work with them over the two weeks. As an indicator of their dedication, it should be noted that they took it upon themselves to work after hours, on weekends and on public holidays! Participant feedback from survey forms filled out by all participants at the end of the workshop was also very positive, and useful in highlighting some areas where the workshop might be improved for the next time it is held. Importantly, it appears that many of the participants from the workshop will be attending the upcoming Scientific Committee in Manila in August. We would hope that their increased understanding of stock assessment theory and of the assessments produced by the OFP will significantly facilitate your country or territories participation in the SC, as well as assist in decision making at a domestic level. Further workshops should continue to strengthen this capacity to participate in these processes. A full report detailing the workshop will be available in late September. In the meantime, participants will also be sent CDs containing the workshop presentations, copies of their computer based practical exercises, as well as the reference papers used during the workshop.

Queries please contact:

Don Bromhead
Fisheries Scientist,
Oceanic Fisheries Programme,
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Ph: +687 620120, Email: DonaldB@spc.int

SPC Tuna Stock Assessment and Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Workshops

This information is to alert GEF focal point officers to the upcoming OFP-SPC Tuna Stock Assessment and Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Workshops to be run at SPC Headquarters (Noumea) in mid-2008. Invitations to these workshops have already been sent to specific fisheries officers, via Heads of Department in each country. Therefore this notice is purely “for information” and does not require any actions to be taken by its recipients.

As of the 19th of February, invitations to specific fisheries officers were sent to the Heads of Department (Fisheries) in each FFA member country. These invitations were to attend:

1. One of two Stock Assessment Workshops (focused on Western and Central Pacific tuna fisheries) being run by SPC between 19th-25th June and 30thJune - 4th July 2008
2. An adjoining two day Ecological Risk Assessment Workshop to enhance in country understanding and use of Ecological Risk Assessment research (26th-27th June 2008).

The ERA workshop sits between the two Stock Assessment Workshops to allow cost effective participation by all countries and territories. The following provides some background to these workshops.

Stock Assessment Workshops

You may recall that in July 2006 and July 2007, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme of the SPC held 1-2 week long stock assessment workshops for oceanic fisheries officers from Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The workshops were part of the GEF funded “Oceanic Fisheries Management Project” and also utilized other funding sources. The purpose of the workshop was to increase understanding of stock assessments and oceanographic impacts within Pacific Island Countries and Territories; enable informed communication of these issues within country; enable increased contribution to Scientific Committee and Commission decision making; and, increase national capacity for data analyses/interpretation.

Post workshop appraisals in 2006 and 2007 identified that the long term success of this capacity building endeavour will depend upon three critical factors:

1. Nomination of appropriate staff and their continued participation on an ongoing basis
2. Annual workshops on an ongoing basis
3. Remote (online) revision and training in between the annual workshops

Annual stock assessment workshops and remote training have already been planned and implemented, and SPC-OFP will continue to work closely with national fisheries departments to ensure suitably qualified staff are provided this important training opportunity.

Ecological Risk Assessment Workshop

The OFP-SPC has been funded by the WCPFC to undertake an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) for the Western and Central Pacific tuna fisheries. The purpose of the ERA research is to provide scientific advice to the Commission and its members regarding which bycatch species are at the highest potential risk of being adversely impacted by the fisheries operating in the Convention area. ERA’s are also being requested at a national level as part of the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) currently being adopted by many Pacific Island Countries. The ERA workshop aims to increase in country understanding and use of ERA research to assist in management decision making and resource allocation at both national and regional (WCPFC) levels.

Participant Eligibility

In order to assist in the selection of appropriate staff, SPC-OFP is inviting specific officers based on a number of criteria:

Essential

1. The officer is expected to attend the Scientific Committee meeting in 2008 and/or in future years

Plus one of the following

2. Participation in at least 4 of 6 online revision exercises between November 2007 and May 2008

3. Level 2 workshop attendance in 2007

4. A university level science degree (with fisheries or marine biology component). Post graduate degrees (Masters, PhD) are an advantage but not at all essential.

This selection process has been introduced to maximize the effectiveness of the training resources available and thereby ensure that the benefits of the stock assessment workshops are realized at a national and regional level. However, OFP-SPC recognizes and is sympathetic to the fact that not all countries and territories are in a position to send an officer who meets the criteria above, due to resource constraints and other commitments. If this situation arises, OFP-SPC will be happy to discuss and help identify other officers in country fisheries departments who might be appropriate participants in this training.

Funding

In previous years, funding for FFA countries to attend these workshops has been provided via the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded “Oceanic Fisheries Management Project”. However, in 2008, funding for participants from FFA member countries is being provided through the WCPFC administered and Japanese Government funded “WCPFC Project on Capacity Building in Fisheries Statistics, Regulation and Enforcement for Small Island Developing States”.

The closing date for nominations is April 1st 2008

Once again, invitations to these workshops have already been sent to specific fisheries officers, via Heads of Department in each country. Therefore this notice is purely “for information” and does not require any actions to be taken by its recipients.

However, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding the workshops

Kind regards

Don Bromhead, Brett Molony
Fisheries Scientists
Oceanic Fisheries Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Ph: +687 260120

Stock Assessment Workshop 2006

The Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) hosted a Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) for fisheries officers from Pacific Island Countries and Territories, at SPC headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia, 3rd–14th of July 2006. The report of the workshop is attached.

Stock Assessment Workshop 2007

Nominations for fisheries officers from Pacific Island Countries and Territories to attend one of two stock assessment workshops (focused on Western and Central Pacific tuna fisheries) being run by SPC in 2007 are being sought.

You may recall that in July 2006, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme of the SPC held a 2 week stock assessment workshop for oceanic fisheries officers from Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The workshop was part of the GEF funded “Oceanic Fisheries Management Project” and also utilized other funding including the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, PROCFISH OCT and PROCFISH ACP. The purpose of the workshop was to increase understanding of stock assessments and oceanographic impacts within Pacific Island Countries and Territories; enable informed communication of these issues within country; enable increased contribution to Scientific Committee and Commission decision making; and, increase local capacity for data analyses/interpretation. SPC will be holding two stock assessment workshops in 2007, using funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project and other sources.

• Workshop 1 (June 25th -30th 2007, Noumea) is intended for officers who have not undertaken such training previously, and will contain similar content to the 2006 workshop (see attached report for details).
• Workshop 2 (July 2nd -7th 2007, Noumea) is intended predominantly for participants from the 2006 workshop, and will refresh and build further upon the knowledge imparted to them last year.

In addition to covering the basic theory of stock assessment in some detail, both workshops will provide discussion of recent changes and improvements to the WCPO tuna assessments, as well as provide increased focus on oceanographic impacts and discuss recent ecological risk assessment analyses and other ecosystem research. We would strongly encourage last year’s participants to attend Workshop 2 to ensure that the increased knowledge and understanding gained last year are not lost over time.

Countries who wish to participate in these workshops are asked to provide a nomination (see attached form) by the 15th of March. In doing so, please note the following conditions:

• There are 12 places available in each workshop (so 24 overall). This is 8 more places available than in 2006.
  
• Each country or territory can initially nominate one officer only, to attend either workshop 1 or 2, but not both.
• The OFP only holds enough funding to cover the travel and per diem for one officer per country or territory. In the event that there are still vacancies available after nominations have closed, those countries or territories that wish to send a second participant will be offered the opportunity to do so.
  
• The costs associated with a second officers attendance will be carried by the requesting country or territory.
  
• Nominations close on the 15th of March 2007.

For further information, please contact
Dr Don Bromhead
Fisheries Scientist
Oceanic Fisheries Programme
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Ph: +687 260120 DonaldB@spc.int