Third Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-3) June 2009, Auckland, New Zealand Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) SESSION 3.1 Data collection for Artisanal Tuna Fisheries

Presentation Outline What are Artisanal tuna fisheries ? Why collect data from Artisanal tuna fisheries ? What is the current status of data collection in Artisanal tuna fisheries ? What are the issues/problems with respect to data collection in Artisanal tuna fisheries ? Recommendations for data collection … Discussion …

What are Artisanal Fisheries ? “ Artisanal Fisheries ” are – “ Small-scale fisheries carried out by people who rely on fishing to support their families and other local people ” (SYMPOSIA – web dictionary) “ Fisheries involving skilled but non-industrialized operators; typically a small-scale, decentralized operation; normally subsistence fisheries although sometimes the catch may be sold. Usually fishing trips are short and inshore and fishing vessels are small but in developed countries may apply to trawlers, seiners or longliners. Also called small-scale fisheries ” (FISHBASE GLOSSARY : )

What are Artisanal Fisheries ? It is acknowledged that artisanal fisheries throughout the Pacific Islands target a variety of fish and crustaceans, and are extremely important for each country… … however, the work of the WCPFC only covers those artisanal fisheries that primarily target pelagic tuna …

What are Artisanal Fisheries ? In the Pacific-Island context, the following are characteristics we usually align with artisanal fisheries targeting tuna. Vessels : Small, open boats with outboard, or sometimes inboard engines, sometimes canoes... Fishing Activities : Troll and handline gears, but the methods of using these gears may vary Fish free tuna schools, but also around FADs when FADs are available Generally one-day trips only Catch Disposal Vessels that often dispose the catch at market places, but also strong subsistence base (e.g. home consumption and sharing with family and community members)

Importance of Artisanal Fisheries Artisanal fisheries are very important to Pacific Island countries, primarily for Food security Local economy It is important to inform the WCPFC of the existence of Artisanal Fisheries because... It is a source of tuna exploitation Acknowledges importance as a national fishery Will then be included as a WCPFC fishery Will ensure that any interaction issues with larger commercial tuna fisheries are considered

Importance of Artisanal Tuna Fisheries Information (data) is required by the WCPFC for your artisanal fisheries to help describe your fishery formally include the catch/effort data in WCPFC data sets (e.g. WCPFC Tuna Fishery Yearbook) formally include the catch/effort data in the stock assessments Properly conduct any interaction analyses, if required... Note that catches from artisanal fisheries are not included in the calculation for budget contributions to the WCPFC

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Data Collection The type of data collection used for Artisanal Fisheries includes – CREEL survey (vessel level) Logbooks (vessel level) Market Survey (total daily catch) Count of vessels (vessel census)  PROs and CONs for each Some methods are useful for obtaining overall catch levels but not useful for scientific purposes (e.g. No effort, No CPUE trends) To obtain data for scientific purposes, will usually require data recorded at the vessel trip level (a burden to fishers ??) Need to separate effort and catch for each distinct fishing method for each day !!

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Data Collection Problems involved in Artisanal Fisheries data collection No/few resources to collect data No data collection system established Difficulties covering widely-dispersed landing sites No obligation to provide information (fishers) Lower priority than other fisheries... Variety of types of fishing and target species Difficult to cover with one data collection system Separation of tuna and non-tuna fisheries – different systems ?

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Data Collection Important considerations when designing data collection system... What method is the most appropriate ? Data collected must be appropriate for - National requirements WCPFC requirements Standardised data collection forms ! Protocol should be obtaining representative coverage Important considerations when implementing a data collection system... Sufficient resources (staffing and equipment) Data management system (getting useful information... ) Appropriate liaison with fishers, post-harvest people...

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Survey Survey... 5 responses received so far... ?? with no artisanal fisheries 12 responses outstanding

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Survey Preliminary Results No seasonal fisheries Variety of gears used  TR and HL used in all countries surveyed  Trips often use combinations of gears, e.g. TR/HL and TR/RF  Tuna drift longline (Phil.)  Drift Gillnet (Phil.)  Pole-and-line and Harpoon (FP) Variety of data collection methods used  Port Sampling  Creel Survey  Logbooks  Market records Subsistence fishing exists in all countries  less % of total catch directed to subsistence where population is higher + market available FADs used, where available...

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Survey Preliminary Results... Estimated levels of activity for artisanal craft targeting tuna... RMI  10 islands - 11 fish-bases - 27 vessels Philippines  7 regions – numerous landing sites - >1,500 vessels Nauru  1 island – 4 landing sites – vessel (incl. Canoes) Tokelau  3 landing sites – vessels (100% subsistence) French Polynesia  5 island groups – 35 islands – 338 vessels  [Excludes poti marara game fishery vessels]

Artisanal Tuna Fisheries – Survey Where to from here ? Compile information from surveys into summary tables for report In collaboration with PICTs, use information from surveys to...  Consider what problems exist in obtaining data from artisanal fisheries – can they be resolved ?  Improve regional standard data collection forms.  Develop systematic approach for including these fisheries in WCPFC fisheries (where not already done...)  Develop plan to establish/improve data collection, where required...