1. The use of Data in Fisheries Management
Tuna Data Workshop
April 2016
SPC, Noumea

2. A long story short …
From this workshop, you might think data is collected to fulfil WCPFC obligations, but ..
SPC/FFA members decided to collect data a few decades ago
So, Regional standards were developed …
To monitor and assess shared
highly migratory fish stocks, &
fleet activities
Why do we collect

3. What is fisheries data used for?
To answer the basic questions:
Who is fishing... domestic fleet, foreign fleet, artisanal
How are fish being fished?… gear, method, seine net, spear
When does fishing take place?… seasonal, day/night, time
Where is fishing occurring?… coastal, EEZ, high seas
What species are being caught?… yellow bellied sea-snake
Why do people fish?... food, money, fun … beat Shelton in a comp 

4. What is fisheries data used for?
Three broad areas:
Science and research
Set catch and/or effort limits
Develop management framework
legislation, regulations, policy
MCS programmes

5. Science and Research Stock assessments
Effects of fishing on the fish stock
Past and current status of the stock
Predictions / projections - how a stock will respond to current and potential management measures
Provides information to set catch/effort limits

6. Science and Research Fishery dynamics Fishery characterisation
Effects of fishing on Marine ecosystem
Associated species – bycatch, special interest spp
Environmental health/degradation
Environmental influence on fish stocks
habitat availability, primary production
Climate change
Oceanography, SST, SSH, salinity

7. Setting fishery targets
Setting targets help to achieve management objectives, such as …
Sustainability
Avoid or reduce overfishing
Maintain stock health
Optimise/maximise economic benefits
Ensure food security
Promote domestic / onshore development

8. Setting fishery targets
Use relevant information to set targets – input/output controls ;
Input - Effort limits
hooks, sets, days, no. and size of vessels, gear
Outputs – catch limits
no. or volume of fish, species, fish size
Other targets – e.g. reducing impact on other spp.

9. Setting fishery targets
Use relevant information to set targets ;
Biological – stock status, bycatch interactions
Other impacts – plastics, crew OHS, land based infrastructure/resources
Economics – vessel profitability, GDP, employment
Trade and market – supply and demand, prices, certification
Social – negative social impacts, public perception, role of women in the community

10. Management Develop and implement regulatory frameworks
International Obligations / Agreements
UNCLOS, UNFSA, IPOA, Code of conduct and guidelines
RFMO Conventions, Conservation and Management Measures
Regional/subregional arrangements
FFA, PNA, MSG, TVM
National: Fisheries Act, regulations, management plans, policies, MCS programmes

11. Management Improve decision making processes
Evaluate and respond to fishery responses
Improve data reliability and accuracy of info about fishery health and performance
Review objectives and desired outputs
Evaluate effectiveness of management tools
Stakeholder engagement and cooperation
Public accountability and awareness on fishery performance

12. Who uses fisheries data?
Fisheries management authorities i.e. Govts, RFMO’s
Industry – harvest, processing, exporters
Academics - Scientists and researchers
NGO’s – environmental groups, fishing associations, fisher associations etc
Markets
The general public