Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP)

1. Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP)

2. Oceanic Fisheries Programme OFP Goal (FAME Strategic Plan 2010-2013) “Fisheries exploiting the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information”

3. Objectives To provide high-quality scientific information and advice for regional, sub-regional and national management authorities on the status of, and fishery impacts on, stocks targeted or otherwise impacted by regional oceanic fisheries To provide high-quality fishery monitoring services and capacity developmentto support the management of oceanic fisheries by regional, sub-regional and national fisheries management authorities To provide high-quality data management services and capacity development to support the management of oceanic fisheries by regional, sub-regional and national fisheries management authorities To improve understanding of pelagic ecosystems in the western and central Pacific Ocean

5. Oceanic Fisheries Programme • Client-based scientific service delivery • SPC members • FFA and sub-regional groups • WCPFC • Capacity building a major cross-cutting theme • 2012 budget approximately 8.2 million CFP units ~ AUD/USD 9 million

6. 2012 Funding

7. Upcoming Funding Issues 2013 is 3rd and final year of PNG Tagging. No remaining project resources to sustain tagging fieldwork beyond possibly one central Pacific cruise (targeting bigeye) in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Following SciCOFish (EU) project and NZAID Pacific Economic Growth Observer project, no remaining funding to support SPC’s regional training and standards coordination role.

8. Stock Assessment & Modelling

9. Result areas Result 1.1: Regional oceanic fisheries management policy and decision-making by WCPFC are informed by the best science-based stock assessments and advice Result 1.2: FFA’s oceanic fisheries management initiatives are supported by the best science-based stock assessments and advice

10. Result areas Result 1.3: National tuna oceanic fisheries policy and decision-making are informed by the best science-based stock assessments and advice Result 1.4: Enhanced capacity of SPC members to interpret stock assessment information and advice

11. Result 1.1 WCPFC Outputs 2012 • Stock assessments for: • South Pacific albacore • Silky shark • Oceanic whitetip shark • Southwest Pacific striped marlin • Specific management advice: • Development of reference points and harvest control rules • Projections for tropical tunas to assist CMM development • Support of the Management Objectives Workshop • Independent review of the bigeye tuna assessment

12. South Pacific albacore

13. Result 1.1: WCPFC Activities in 2013 • Stock assessments for: • Silky shark (addressing some concerns) • Blue sharks (north and south Pacific) • Southwest Pacific swordfish • Specific management advice: • Development of reference points and harvest control rules • Projections for tropical tunas to assist CMM development • Support of the Management Objectives Workshop • Implementing recommendations from the review of the bigeye tuna assessment

14. Result 1.1: WCPFC Challenges Problems in longline catch statistics – particularly around charter fishing, and any statistics from China and Chinese Taipei – adding uncertainty to the stock assessments; Access to Japanese data to implement bigeye tuna review recommendations

15. Result 1.2: Sub-Regional Outputs in 2012 • FFA : • Analysis of management options • PNA : • Reference points and harvest control rules • Purse seine and Longline Vessel Days Scheme input (including several country visits) • Continued input on MSC certification • Te VakaMoana and Sub-committee for South Pacific Tuna and Billfish (SC-SPTBF): • Albacore allocation data inputs (including modelling and several country visits) • Range contraction • Characterisation of southern fisheries for albacore, striped marlin, and swordfish

16. Range contraction

17. Range contraction

18. Result 1.2: FFA Activities in 2013 • FFA level: • Greater joint work on bioeconomic analysis – particularly to support new management measures • PNA level: • Continued push on Harvest Control Rules and reference points • Input to MSC certification as required • TVM / SC-SPTBF: • Country visits to support allocation discussions • Bioeconomic analysis around the albacore fishery

19. Result 1.3: National Outputs in 2012 • Final NTFSRs completed for: • Kiribati, Cook Islands, and Solomon Islands • Multiple country visits to support both Longline Vessel Days Scheme and South Pacific albacore tuna discussions • Country-specific reports for several countries: • impacts of FAD closures • interactions between industrial and small-scale fisheries • Phase 2 development of the secure country websites • Solomon Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands

20. Issue-Specific National Reports A mechanism to provide more frequent country level analysis and advice on issues of general interest within the region Economies of scale – undertake the same analysis for multiple countries at the same time Better scientific insights – can examine patterns across multiple areas to gain a better understanding of overall processes

21. FAD closure impacts

22. FAD closures continued

23. Industrial fishing impacts .....

24. Result 1.3: National Activities for 2013 • Further country visits • Country specific reports on: • Nature and extent of ‘by-product’ taken in purse seine fisheries • Two more set’s to be determined by HoF • Shark interactions, more small-scale fisheries?? • Country webpage work: • Tuvalu, Samoa, Vanuatu

25. Result 1.4: Capacity Building Outputs in 2012 Huge weakness in 2012: only ½ National Scientist was available and focus was placed on other national work

26. Result 1.4: Capacity Building Activities in 2013 • Funding secured for 7th Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) in July 2013 • Aiming for at least three attachments in 2013, more if we are able to get a second national scientist in place • Focus on short pieces of work to support management advice • Work around webpage narratives

27. Fisheries Monitoring Tim Lawson, Principal Fisheries Scientist Deirdre Brogan, Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor Peter Sharples, Observer Support and Development Coordinator Sifa Fukofuka, Observer Training and Support Officer Manasseh Avicks, Observer Training and Support Officer (North Pacific) Glen English, Observer Training and Support Officer (South Pacific) Ferral Lasi, Data Collection Officer

28. Result Areas Result 2.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective data management services to support regional oceanic fisheries management Result 2.3: Enhanced national oceanic fishery monitoring and data management by SPC members to meet national and international obligations Result 2.4: Enhanced capacity of SPC members in fisheries monitoring, data management and data use

30. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2012 Paired spill and grab samples were collected on purse seiners, and the size selectivity bias of grab samplers was estimated from paired samples from 25 trips. The results were published in Working Paper SC7–ST–WP–3. Funded by WCPFC since 2009, funding also provided by NZ for the Data Collection Officer since 2011. This project will terminate in 2013. MFCL catch data were adjusted with species compositions determined from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias using a “high resolution” model. The adjusted data were used in the 2012 stock assessments.

31. Purse-seine species composition “heat maps”

32. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2013 Corrections for bias in purse-seine species composition data using the current method and a new multinomial approach will be examined using simulations. MFCL species composition and length data will be determined from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias and the results will be used in stock assessments. Continued collection of paired spill and grab samples on purse seiners. The goal is 15 more trips, including trips from Noro, Solomon Islands, for which data from port sampling of landing categories will also be compared.

33. Result 2.3: Enhanced Fishery Monitoring in SPC Members Activities in 2012 • Provided regional coordination of national fishery monitoring: • MOUs updated for funding and assistance for Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. • Duty travel by OFP staff to French Polynesia, Nauru and Solomon Islands to review tuna fishery statistical systems. • Developed and enhanced national observer programmes • Report of PIRFO Competency Based Training and Certification Project was finalised, with assistance from consultant Grant Carnie. • A PIRFO Trainer Assessor’s Workshop and a PIRFO Training Resources Workshop were held in Noumea. • An Artisanal Fishery Monitoring Guide and a Species Identification Guide for Small-Scale Fisheries were developed.

34. Result 2.3: Enhanced Fishery Monitoring in SPC Members Activities in 2013 Will provide technical support for tuna and artisanal data systems through in-country visits for six members. Ninth Meeting of the SPC/FFA Tuna Fishery Data Collection Committee. Part 1 was held in Rarotonga in February. Part 2 may be held mid-year to finalise updates to the observer forms. Data collection forms (5000 units shipped in 2012), sampling manuals, species guides, training videos, newsletters and other information will continue to be provided.

35. Pocket Species Identification Guide for Small-Scale Fisheries

36. Result 2.4: Enhanced Monitoring Capacity in SPC Members Activities in 2012 • National Tuna Data Workshops were held in Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and the Sixth regional Tuna Data Workshop was held in Noumea. • Fourteen national and sub-regional observer training courses were held with 198 participants, of which 173 passed and were certified: • 7 national observer training workshops (Cook Is, FSM, Solomon Islands x 2, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Fiji) • 3 sub-regional observer training workshops (held in Suva, Santo x 2) • 3 national (PNG) observer training workshops assisted (Kavieng x 3) • Several country visits for pre-selection training and testing • Seven trainee observer trainers from Federated States of Micronesia (1), Fiji (1), Marchall Islands (1), Papua New Guinea (3), Solomon Islands (1) worked towards certification. • Two regional (Noumea, Honiara) and four national (PNG x 3, Kiribati) observer debriefer training workshops were held.

39. Funding for observer training and support SCICOFish funding for three positions – Observer Coordinator, Senior Observer Trainer, Observer Trainer – terminates in late 2013 and early 2014. New Zealand Aid funding for two positions – Observer Debriefer Training Officer, Observer Trainer – terminates in late 2014. The meeting may wish to consider funding options for the long-term support of observer programmes.

40. Result 2.4: Enhanced Monitoring Capacity in SPC Members Activities in 2013 National Tuna Data Workshops are planned for Solomon Is and one other PICT. The Seventh Regional Tuna Fisheries Data Workshop and a Regional Artisanal Tuna Data Workshop will be held. At least ten basic observer training courses, sub-regional or national, including pre-selection of participants and training of trainee trainers. Trainee observer trainers will continue to work towards certification. Three debriefer training courses (sub-regional or national) will be conducted for observers satisfying the prerequisites. The 13th Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop was held in Rarotonga in February.

41. A Plea to Members Regarding • Training • More to do than ever • Generics before professional training • Pre-selection criteria must be adhered to • Longer time to train non-graduates • Debriefing training (four (4) phases - time required) • Eligibility • Experience – sea time - different vessels • Communicates well • Good role model • Satisfactorily attends “Introduction to Debriefing” workshop (2weeks) • On–site training (from 1-6 months depending on resources) • Final Certification assessment (1 week – when assessor available)

42. A Plea to Members Regarding • Trainer development • Certified PIRFO Debriefer • Satisfactory performance as PIRFO Debriefer • Six attachments to PIRFO basic trainings • Pass Level IV Train the Trainer course • Certified as PIRFO Trainer • (employable as Trainer but cannot supervise PIRFO basic training) • Experience as PIRFO Trainer • Pass PIRFO (certificate IV level) “Assessor” assessment • Certified as “PIRFO Trainer and Assessor” • (employable as Trainer and Assessor and qualified to run PIRFO Basic Training courses (with assistance from PIRFO Trainers) and to Certify newly trained observers once they have completed all PIRFO competency standards)

43. Data Management

44. OFP DATA MANAGEMENT SECTIONRESULT AREAS Result 3.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective data management services to support regional oceanic fisheries management Result 3.2: The oceanic fisheries management initiatives of FFA and other sub-regional fisheries organisations are supported by efficient and cost-effective data management services Result 3.3:Enhanced NATIONAL oceanic fishery data management by SPC members to meet national and international obligations Result 3.4:Enhanced capacityof SPC members in data management and data use

45. OFP DATA MANAGEMENT - STAFF

46. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 3.1 – WCPFC Data Support2012 Highlights • WCPFC 2011 data compiled  WCPFC stock assessments • Continued improvements in timeliness and quality of data provided .. • WCPFC SC working papers… • Overview of the WCPO tuna fishery, 2011 • Scientific data available to the WCPFC (highlighting data gaps) • Estimates of Annual Catches in the WCPFC Statistical area • Status of Observer Data Management • WCPFC Tuna Fishery Yearbook (2011) published – November 2012 • WCPFC public domain data (to 2010/2011) generated – November 2012 • Provision of summary catch/effort tables for the evaluation of tropical tunas CMM • Support for ROP (Regional Observer Programme) • Technical advice to WPEA OFM (Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam) • continued improvements in data gaps …

47. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 3.1 – WCPFC Data Support2013 Work Plan • Continuation of standing commitments, including … • WCPFC Data compilation/management • Various SC/TCC papers • WCPFC Yearbook 2012 • WCPFC public domain data • Dissemination of WCFPC data (increasing Coastal and Flag-state requests) • Data gaps input into Compliance Monitoring Reports (CMRs) • Enhancement and ongoing maintenance of WCPFC Scientific data Web pages • Technical advice to WPEA OFM • … ad hoc requests … • ROP data management • Observer Data Manager, Audit officer and data entry technicians • Support for ROP data entry • SPC Noumea • WCPFC Secretariat • SPC Member countries • More comprehensive outputs for stock assessments and other WCPFC work • Increasing # of requests for provision of ROP data under WCPFC data rules

48. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 3.2 – FFA, PNA and others - Data Support2012 Highlights • Provision / Receipt of data according to FFA/SPC Data Exchange agreement • Collaboration on National/Regional IMS initiatives • Sharing of database systems • TUBs (Observer Viewer) to FFA • Observer Debriefing System to FFA • CES system to FFA • FFA OPM (Observer Placement management system) - access provided to SPC • Contribution to Regional MCS work (through IUU Liaison Officer) • Two papers provided for Annual US Treaty Consultation (March 2012) • Provision of data summaries – ongoing and ad hoc … • e.g. preparation for WCPFC meetings, LL and PS VDS, MOW, TVM, SC-SPTBF

49. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 3.2 – FFA, PNA and others - Data Support2013 Work Plan • Enhancement of FFA/SPC Data Exchange agreement • .. and thereby both organisations can provide improved service to the member countries • Closer collaboration on National/Regional IMS initiatives • 2nd SPC/FFA IMS meeting (7th March 2013) • Joint member country visits • Agreed and complimentary work plans • Continuation of standing commitments, including … • Various data summaries prepared for FFA, PNA and other organisations’ meetings • Papers for Annual US MLT Treaty consultation • Data-related support to LL and PS VDS, MOW, TVM, SC-SPTBF, etc. • Provision of SPC-developed database tools (e.g. VMS-Logsheet reconciliation) • Continued contribution to FFA in MCS/IUU through the DEVFISH2 position

50. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 3.3 – National Data Management Data Support2012 Highlights • Database development • TUFMAN updated to version v6.27 • TUF-ART (TUFMAN Artisanal) • TUBs (observer – now web based) • TUBs VIEWER (web-based) • Observer Debriefing System (web –based) • General move to web-based systems… • Database Installations/Distributions • TUFMAN -- 14 member countries; synchronised with backups at SPC • TUF-ART – 8 member countries • TUBs (web-based) - 2 member countries on a trial basis + FFA • OFP apps (e.g. CES) now available “on-demand” via secure download from SPC web site • Tools to distribute data and provide remote support, e.g. • FTP and YOUSENDIT– facilitating the transfer of electronic data/scans over the internet • TEAMVIEWER– facilitating the remote support of in-country database systems