1. 2nd SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries: 12-15th Nov
2nd SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries: 12-15th Nov. 2018, Noumea, New Caledonia
Paul Jay Tua – Research Section – Inshore Fisheries Division
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Solomon Islands Government

2. Presentation Outline Priority Areas of focus
Activities implementation and progress
Issues or Challenges in coastal fisheries management
Special request

3. Priority Areas of focus
Engagement of community and provincial government
Capacity building - fisheries development; trade, market and value adding and CBRM
Alternative livelihood options & Aquaculture
Education and Awareness
Implementing of policies and strategic management plans
Gender equity

4. Activities implementation and progress
Database
SPC – undertook and provide the business analysis for the inshore database
The Ministerial Management level– recently had consultation with FIMS with the concept of developing a database for inshore fisheries
CBRM
A tool to drive resource management and development in communities. FMA makes provision for recognising communities management plans, empowering communities
A CBRM Section was established within Inshore Division to oversee and implement CBRM activities in the communities and in partnership with NGOs and CBOs
Activities implemented: awareness programs/events; capacity building; information about resources; and alternative livelihoods
3. Management Plans/Instruments
SPC’s assistance –SIG/MFMR in developing Coral, Clams, Aquaculture Management and Development Plan and Aquaculture Biosecurity Strategy
4. Surveys (corals, trochus and clams)
Started this month (November 2018) and expected to continue next year 2019

5. Issues or challenges in coastal fisheries management
Database for storage of inshore fisheries data
Limited Resources – funds; expertise; manpower/HR; technologies
Meeting international, regional and national obligations
Political will (Budgetary support for coastal fisheries)
Political interference in fisheries management eg. bechdemer
Update on sea cucumber fisheries
- On 30th October an indefinite period of sea cucumber harvesting declared;
- Legality: an Order was made on the current fisheries (BDM)(Amendment) Regulation 2014 gazetted BDM Plan on the basis of Section 130 (2)(b) and (f)
Photo © G. Hodgson

6. Special request to SPC Provide assistance in terms of:
capacity building or other means to support fisheries officers, fishers and others concern on proper/ better product processing;
develop posters on size limits as stated in BDM management plan 2014, Schedule 5;
instructions/guidance on setting the prices of the bech-de-mer products
Identification of bechdemer species (Processed product)
Photo: SIG MFMR, 2009
Photo: SPC, 1994

7. End
Tagio tumas