Regional Approach to Sea Cucumber Fisheries Management Proposal in PICTs
Sea cucumbers (Beche-de-mer) play a vital economic role in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), with exports valued at over USD 50 million annually. However, the fisheries are at risk due to overfishing. Proposals at recent meetings aim to develop sustainable management frameworks, enhance monitoring and enforcement, and improve market information exchange. By implementing a regional approach, these valuable fisheries can be safeguarded for future generations.
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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: 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
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
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
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
Wollongong: cont. 1. Examine historical levels of BDM production in region, and estimate the benefits currently lost as a result of inadequate management arrangements 2. 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
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
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
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
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
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
Recommendation to HoF i. Discuss/provide comment on the concept of the two proposed studies and the proposed activities to move this process forward; and ii. 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.
2 Studies: 1. Examine historical levels of BDM production in region, and estimate the benefits currently lost as a result of inadequate management arrangements. 2. 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
