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Proposed Regional Approach to Improved Management of Sea Cucumber Fisheries

Mini- HoF meeting Noumea, 4 June 2012. Proposed Regional Approach to Improved Management of Sea Cucumber Fisheries. Outline:. Background to proposal Recent meetings on sea cucumber (BDM) Proposed process Recommendations. Background:.

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Proposed Regional Approach to Improved Management of Sea Cucumber Fisheries

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  1. Mini-HoF meetingNoumea, 4 June 2012 Proposed Regional Approach to Improved Management of Sea Cucumber Fisheries

  2. Outline: • Background to proposal • Recent meetings on sea cucumber (BDM) • Proposed process • Recommendations

  3. Background: • Sea Cucumber (Beche-de-mer) have been commercially exploited from PICTs for over a century • In the last decade exports of BDM for the region were valued at over USD50 million per year • BDM are simple to process, and trade injects significant cash into rural coastal communities • Some of these communities have few alternative sources of income • Many thousands of people derive incomes & food from SC

  4. Background cont: • BDM fisheries are the second most valuable, behind tuna fisheries • Many PICTs BDM fisheries are seriously overfished • If managed sustainably, the fishery would yield much greater income • The BDM fishery needs more attention similar to that paid to the regions tuna fisheries • There are unique aspects of this fishery that a more regional approach to its management could be considered • With some cooperation and attention it’s possible to turn this fishery into models of sustainability

  5. SC Fishery Management Workshop [Nov 2011: Nadi]: Key Needs • Develop sound national management frameworks for SC fisheries • Develop monitoring and enforcement capacity • Update/better information on markets and prices • Network to regularly exchange experience/information

  6. Technical Agencies, RO & Donors meeting: [Wollongong: April 2012] • Discussed broader SC fishery issues and looked for possible solution to improving management • Attendance were: researchers, technical agencies, regional organization (SPC), NGO, donors • Meeting identified 2 technical studies required as first step

  7. Wollongong: cont. • Examine historical levels of BDM production in region, and estimate the benefits currently lost as a result of inadequate management arrangements • Investigate the degree to which fees and taxes or other economic tools could improve BDM management: and how these measures could be enhance through regional cooperation

  8. Wollongong: cont. • Some donors indicate interest to assist this process • ACIAR to contribute financially to support both studies • TRAFFIC offered to assist in a regional study into trade patterns of BDM • Strong possibility that the World Bank could assist in near-future

  9. MSG Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee[May 2012] • MSG countries historically have been significant market suppliers of BDM • Control largest part of the resource/SC habitat • Chronically overfished with BDM fisheries closed in 3 of the 5 MSG countries • MSG countries face similar problems in controlling harvest across remote areas • MSG countries have expressed interest with cooperating on coastal fisheries management

  10. MSG FTAC cont. • SPC consulted fisheries officials of the MSG countries and attended the May 2012 MSG FTAC meeting • Presented the proposals on sea cucumber (BDM) studies for future management purposes • MSG FTAC supported the proposed studies

  11. Proposed process • SPC would coordinate an informal working group for BDM regional management with reps from MSG members, technical agencies and invited experts • SPC will develop ToRs for the working group, which will oversee the development of the two technical studies and a “visioning” paper for BDM management and development

  12. Proposed process cont. • SPC work with MSG to transform the informal working group into a more formal task force – sub-regional approach including MCS, capacity development, possible cost recovery • WG/task force to liaise with World Bank – Pacific Fisheries Engagement Strategy • SPC to present results of studies to HoF in February 2013

  13. Recommendation to HoF • Discuss/provide comment on the concept of the two proposed studies and the proposed activities to move this process forward; and • Endorse and support the process presented including the participation of MSG members in the proposed informal working group and its development into a more structured task force.

  14. 2 Studies: • Examine historical levels of BDM production in region, and estimate the benefits currently lost as a result of inadequate management arrangements. • Investigate the degree to which fees and taxes or other economic tools could improve BDM management: and how these measures could be enhance through regional cooperation

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