Oceanic Fisheries Programme

Oceanic Fisheries Programme

OFP Goal (FAME Strategic Plan 2013-2016)

“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”

Oceanic Fisheries Programme

• Client-based scientific service delivery– SPC members– FFA and sub-regional groups– WCPFC

• Capacity building a major cross-cutting theme• 2015 projected budget approximately 8.6

million CFP units

Funding and ProjectsSource of funds Approximate 2015

Income (CFP Units)SPC core 1,200,000Programme funding (AUS) 900,000Programme funding (NZ) 300,000WCPFC services and projects (WCPFC) 2,400,000SciCOFish (EU) 790,000Food security projects (AUS) 960,000Science & information project (NZ) 690,000PIOFMPII (GEF) 390,000Other miscellaneous project sources 1,200,000

Stock Assessment & ModellingRegional stock assessments

for tuna and tuna-like speciesundertaken

Subregional fisheries management initiatives

supported

National fisheries management initiatives

supported

Capacity builtand communication

improved

Recent highlights

Recent highlights

2015-16 key areas

Regional stock assessmentsfor tuna and tuna-like species

undertaken

Subregional fisheries management initiatives

supported

National fisheries management initiatives

supported

Capacity builtand communication

improved

Bigeye tuna (entire Pacific)South Pacific albacoreKey shark species

FAD closures impactsLongline economics …Limit setting / plans

Vessel Days SchemeTokelau ArrangementRange contractionBioeconomic modelling

Short term attachmentsStock Assessment Training WorkshopsWP13 - proposal

Other emerging issues

Increasing Pacific Island participation in oceanic fisheries stock assessment (WP-13)

Partially funded:provides basic understandingfor fisheries

Currently unfunded:Hands-on andpathway to scientific career

Stock Assessment training Workshops

(SAWs)

Short-term training attachments

Data analysis workshops

Long-term training attachments

Some guidance from you …

Fisheries MonitoringTim Lawson, Principal Fisheries Scientist

Deirdre Brogan, Fisheries Monitoring SupervisorPeter Sharples, Observer Support and Development Coordinator

Siosifa Fukofuka, Observer Training and Support OfficerManoi Kutan, Observer Debriefer Training and Support Officer

Glen English, Observer Training and Support Officer (South Pacific)Ferral Lasi, Data Collection Officer

Result Areas

• Result 2.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective fishery monitoring and analytical services to support regional oceanic fisheries

• Result 2.2: Enhanced national oceanic fishery monitoring by SPC members to meet national and international obligations

• Result 2.3: Enhanced capacity of SPC members in fisheries monitoring, data management and data use

STAFF – 2013 to March 2015 MAIN FOCUSSection Manager Administration and data analysis

Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor National fisheries monitoring programmes

Observer Support and Development Coordinator

Senior Observer Trainer and Support Officer

Observer Debriefer Training and Support Officer (to March 2015)

Observer Training and Support Officer (to Dec 2014)

Observer support and training

Data Collection Officer (to Aug 2013) Sampling protocols, including paired grab and spill samples

STAFF – from April 2015 MAIN FOCUSSection Manager Section administration and data

analysisFisheries Monitoring Supervisor National fisheries monitoring

programmesObserver Programme Adviser

Observer Programme Training Coordinator

Observer support and training

• EU/SCICOFISH and NZ Aid project funding ends in March 2015.

• FMS, OPA & OPTC positions will be on programme funding (AusAid) from April 2015 onwards.

• What level of regional support for observer programmes is required in the future? To be discussed tomorrow (WP6).

Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2013-2014

• WCPFC Project 60: “Collection and Evaluation of Purse-Seine Species Composition Data” to compare spill samples and grab samples collected on purse seiners was completed. The final report was submitted to SC10 as Information Paper ST–IP–02.

• Purse-seine catches and length frequencies are now estimated from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias, using GLMs or pooling, on a regular basis.

• See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

Result 2.1: WCPFC ServicesKey Issue

• From the final report of WCPFC Project 60: “Spill sampling has been shown, on both a theoretical and empirical basis, to be a more accurate and reliable protocol for the collection of species and size composition data than grab sampling.”

• So, where to from here? SC10 has requested that a “Plan” for implementation be developed.

• But for SPC members, implementation is really up to the national observer programmes. All that is required is a bin on the vessel, an observer trained in spill sampling, and a cooperative crew.

• Some programmes, particularly PNG and Solomon Islands, have experienced observers that can train others. Otherwise, SPC can provide assistance.

Dimensions of the Standard Spill Sampling BinSee Information Paper SC10-ST–IP–02 for the spill sampling protocol.

Result 2.2: Enhanced Fisheries monitoring Activities in 2013-2014

• Data collection forms, sampling manuals, species ID guides and training videos were developed and distributed.

• MOUs were updated for provision of technical assiantance and funding for sampling programmes: Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

• In-country technical assistance was provided: FSM, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

• Attachment training at SPC was provided: Kiribati, Marshall islands.

• Pacific Island Regional Fisheries Observer (PIRFO) standards were developed.

• See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

PIRFO Tuna Purse-Seine Training Videos

PIRFO Purse-Seine Fish ID Cards

Result 2.2: Enhanced Fisheries MonitoringKey Issues

• A large number of requests to implement and support national artisanal tuna monitoring programmes have been received; however, SPC manpower is limited.

• Resource materials for implementing artisanal fishery monitoring are now available, so some members may only require remote SPC assistance.

• In 2015, activities will re-focus on reviewing the status of national tuna monitoring systems, with feedback to members.

• AusAID funds for supporting tuna monitoring programmes – such as personnel and equipment – are available in 2015.

AusAid Artisanal Fishery Monitoring Logo

Artisanal Fishery Monitoring in Kiribati

Tuvalu Workshop, April 2014

Result 2.3: Enhanced Capacity Activities in 2013-2014

• Tuna fishery observer training courses: 12 in 2013 and 6 in 2014

• Observer debriefer training courses: 5 in 2013 and 5 in 2014

• Training of observer trainers: 9 national trainers now certified, 4 trainees

• Regional Observer Coordinator’s Workshop

• PIRFO Trainers Workshop

• Annual Regional Tuna Data Workshop

• National Tuna Data Workshops: Samoa and Tuvalu in 2013, Tuvalu and Vanuatu in 2014

• Regional Artisanal Tuna Data Workshop for 12 members in 2013

• See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop11-14 February 2015, Noumea

Result 2.3: Enhanced capacity Key Issues

• The Observer Programme Training Coordinator will transition from training to coordinating.

• This will allow the OPTC to also coordinate debriefer training courses and on-the-job debriefer training.

• Observer and debriefer training will incorporate e-reporting and e-monitoring, alongside the development of PIRFO standards.

• Observer training may transition from national courses to sub-regional courses, in training centres such as the Vanuatu Maritime College in Santo, and possibly others (while PNG continues its training at NFC).

• Training in Frontline Management, with mentors, will also be conducted.

From “Careers Paths For Tuna Fishery Observers”in the SPC Fisheries Newsletter #143 (Jan-Apr 2014)Observer Debriefer Observer Trainer Frontline Manager

The number of active observers has recently been about 450 per annum.

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Data Management

Services

WCPFCSubregional

fisheries agencies

Member country - TOOLS / ADVICE

Member country - CAPACITY

Data Management

Also supports Data Entry and national E-Reporting

officers in PICTS

Relatively large section covering diverse work…

Data compilation/audit WCPFC stock assessments

WCPFC SC working papers

WCPFC Tuna Fishery Yearbook

WCPFC public domain data

Summary Tables to evaluate CMM on Tropical tunas

Data gaps input into CMRs

ROP (Regional Observer Programme) Data Management

Technical advice to WPEA OFM (Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam)

Data Management

Services

WCPFC

Data Management

Services

Collaboration on IMS initiatives

Better integration/sharing of regional database systems Consistent observer database - SPC/FFA/PNAO/WCPFC New web reporting tools for FFA and PNAO work

Collaboration with E-Reporting/E-Monitoring initiatives (e.g. PNA iFIMS observer tablet initiative)

Data summaries to support regional meetings / processes Support to FFA/PNAO in preparation for WCPFC meetings PS and LL VDS (PNAO) US Treaty consultations and MOC (FFA)

Subregional fisheries agencies

(FFA, PNAO, TVM, etc.)

Data Management

Services

Data Processing Services at SPC

National Database tools TUFMAN, TUF-ART, CES Expansion of Observer data entry in-country (TUBs) New TUFMAN 2 development

New web reporting tools

E-Reporting and E-Monitoring products and support (see HOF9 WP-7)

Improving data quality and coverage (audits)

Member country - TOOLS / ADVICE

Data Management

Services

Annual Tuna Data Workshops (April 2015)

SPC Attachments (four per year)

In-country National DM Workshops

In-country Database system training

Improve capacity for satisfying WCFPC reporting obligations (training in web tools)

Establishment of OFP DATA HELPDESK PIRFO Observer web site update

Member country - CAPACITY

Data Management – Emerging priorities

DATABetter qualityMore timelyMore accessibleMore efficientMore cost effective

E-Reporting and E-Monitoring(trials leading to implementation)

Enhanced DATA SHARING

(National IMS and TUFMAN-2)

Enhanced REPORTING TOOLS for INTEGRATING different

data types(National IMS and web reporting

tools)

Enhanced DATA QUALITY and

COVERAGE through reports and targeted

auditing

Enhanced training techniques and tools to BUILD CAPACITY

Ecosystem Monitoring & AssessmentTom Peatman

TaggingElodie Vourey

Lab

Valerie AllainEcosystems

Sylvain CaillotDatabases

Bruno LeroyTagging

Ashley WilliamsSnapper

Caroline SanchezTagging

Francois RoupsardTuna Tissue Bank

Francisco AbascalMarie-Currie

+ +Team CLS Team IRD

+ +Team Lewis Team PNG

1. ~35000 tuna tagged2. WCPO Tissue Bank

1. 2 scientific cruises2. CC Monitoring3. Improved CC forecasting

1. Ecosystem effects of fishing

2. Seapodym for 5 species

1. Cost effective monitoring2. Harvest Control Rules

1. Baseline analyses2. Food security species

1. Equatorial tuna biology2. Stock provenance & mixing

1. eDNA and meta barcoding2. Ocean acidification3. Adaptation

1. Microplastic contamination2. Wildlife forensic information

1. Application to Data poor fisheries

1. National by-catch policies2. Standards for effective

mitigation

2013-2014 Emerging Priorities

Tuna Tagging & BiologyHighlights

20 YFT tags ≥ 24hrs Surface Behaviour Data coverage

•red = surface•white = data• Compile spatial

information on tuna vertical behaviours

Tuna Tissue BankHighlights

BioDaSys • Provide a world class bank of biological samples for WCPO

• Remove the long time-lags associated with sample collection

• Provide for complete spatial & temporal coverage

• Underlying relationships for stock assessment (e.g. growth)

• Trophic & CC monitoring• Certification and IUU

Ecosystems, Bycatch, CC Monitoring

Highlights• Resilient Ecosystem to

perturbations• Sensitive to changes in tuna

forage• Sharks, swordfish and

marlin most impacted by tuna fisheries (direct and indirect effects)

SEAPODYM & CC Modelling

• Yellowfin Model• CC Forcings with ENSO• Web accessibilitywww.spc.int/ofp/seapodym

• Skipjack, albacore, bigeye, yellowfin and swordfish models available

• Explore EEZ scale influences of climate and fishing

• Edited 27 papers for Special Issue of Deep-Sea Research Part II on climate change and fisheries– Improved international

recognition of OFP as a centre for Pacific CC research.

Deepwater Snapper

• Species ID• Cost effective

monitoring methods• Biological parameters

for assessment• Indicators for applying

harvest control rules

Capacity

• Short course and in-country training– Specifically focussed on

using and understanding SEAPODYM

• 4 Pacific Island Post Graduate students

• 3 long term Pacific Island attachments

• International attachments

2015-2016 key activities• Central Pacific tagging with industry collaboration to assess

Drifting FAD influences• Incorporation of tagging in tuna models

• Bigeye and Yellowfin assessment parameters• PS Bycatch assessments• Mitigation analyses

• Continued biodiversity & CC monitoring• Wildlife forensics (DNA, eDNA, fatty acid, chemical isotopes)

• Ocean acidification vulnerability analyses• New CC simulations with ENSO and adaptation

• Apply first data poor fishery approach to a DWS assessment

Summary

• Established EMA section as a leading knowledge centre for pelagic ecology in the Pacific.

• Established a worldwide network of collaboration.

• Work plan developed to support the other sections of OFP and to deliver practical ecosystem and bycatch advice to SPC members and other (sub) regional bodies.

• Work plan provides opportunity for long term attachments to build and supplement capacity