Application of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

1. Application of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management A Pohnpei Case Study – Federated States of Micronesia

2. History • Top Down Regulatory Measures • FOREST conservation (1971) • Endangered species (1980) • Marine and aquatic resources (1981) • CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT (1982) • Marine Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge System (1999) • Bottom – Up Approach • Establishment of MPA Network – Locally Managed Marine Areas Network (2003) • MPA Executive Committee • Marine Advisory Council (MAC)

3. Characteristics of Pohnpei Coral Reef Fisheries • Declines in abundance • Declines in fish size • Declines in fish fecundity (number of eggs produced) • Loss of species (e.g. giant clam) • Deteriorating reef condition • Habitat loss • Worsening water quality • Reduced catch and income, impoverished fishers

4. Declining Fish Abundance • Data from the last 12 years of underwater fish monitoring within the Kehpara Marine Sanctuary shows ongoing and significant declines in spawning grouper • A continuation of these trends without proper management will result in a the loss of this spawning site around 2020

5. Declining Fish Size and Egg Production A single illegal fishing event at Kehpara in 1998 resulted in declines in mean size and age of E.polyphekadion Less fish and smaller fish mean fewer eggs

6. Fishers and Markets Rely on Under-sized, Immature Fish Undersized and immature fish dominate up to 90% of marketed catch for some species

7. Loss of Ecologically Important and Iconic Species for Tourism Development • Giant clams- Endangered (no breeding populations) • Max. age – 100 years • Humphead wrasse- Endangered (no large adults, rapid population declines in recent years) • Max. age – 25 years • Bumphead parrotfish- Endangered (90% population decline since 1960s) • Max. age – 42 years

8. Sedimentation and Loss of Nursery and Feeding Habitat • 1998— “The dredge sites surveyed have soft silty bottoms that do not appear to support food sources for animals in comparison to the reef flats, seagrass beds and mangrove areas.” Smith, R. et al. (1998) SOPAC Tech. Report 257. • 2005 — “Some reefs have been adversely affected by sediment runoff, dredging and predation……and have caused a major loss of coral cover and diversity….” Turak and Devantier. (2005) REA Report to CSP. • 2006 — “….sedimentation (from poor farming and land-use practices) smothers corals and leads to substantial coral mortality in the lagoon. The mud is not flushed out….”Victor et al. (2006) Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

9. Micronesia Challenge and Coastal Fisheries • Micronesia Challenge status: • 36,687 out of 122,289 hectares of near shore is under conservation/management… (GAP analysis 2010) • Management agencies involved with MC: PRMC • DLNR – Management/Regulatory mandate (MC) • OFA – Economic Development/AIG (PIMPAC) • CSP – Community Network (LMMA Network) • Opportunities and challenges to MC: • Sustainable Financing • Enhancing conservation & management practice and awareness • Research and capacity building • Enforcement and compliance • Increase population vs. unstable economy

12. Community Request Municipal Government Project Team Traditional Leaders/Project Team Explain about the programme Seek their blessing Community/Project Team Project Task Force Prepare plan of activities Not endorsed Community Consultation/Workshops Situation analysis using the problem/solution tree Establish Community Committee Community Undertakings Project Team Undertakings DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN Endorsement/Approval by Community and Project Team Department of Land and Natural Resources Implementation Community Project Team Develop community by-laws and/or relevant policy Monitoring and Evaluation -Bi-annual review by Community and Project Team -Review Report for discussion

13. Current Management • Export ban on marine resources, except aquacultured products or by permit only • Seasonal ban on sale and catch of: • Turtles June – August & December – January • P.areolatus: January-May • E. poly & E. fusco: February-May • Restrictions on net mesh size less than 4 inches; • 10-year moratorium on kemeik, merer, maudand giant clam • Size limits • 10 species or groups of fish (e.g. grouper)

14. Current Management 2003 2010 • 6 learning sites representing +20 villages • MPA Executive Committee • 6 village chiefs sharing lessons • Watershed Steering Committee • Inter-agency/community reps • Marine Advisory Council • 25 members (fisherman/fish market owners) • Fisheries Working Group • Multi-agency/organization committee

15. Fisheries Reform • Launched a fisheries awareness campaign • Target groups • Community-based initiatives • Data poor stock assessments • Decentralization of resource management roles (turf) • Municipality ordinance incorporating & recognizing community-based management plans

16. Challenges Community buy-in Translating SCIENCE into MANAGEMENT Enforcement & Compliance Financial resources Data management

17. Lessons Learned • Fisheries management is far greater than any one agency can solve alone • Press leaders to prioritize fisheries issues • Accessibility of information and awareness • Involve fisherman in decision making process • Once a plan is developed, be responsive, be ready to adapt strategies • Synchronize or align our efforts • Avoid duplication, rather supplement & maximize complementary efforts.

18. Kalahngan/Thank you