Approaches to Community-Based Fisheries Management in the Pacific

Regional workshop on Approaches to the implementation and monitoring of community-based ecosystem approach to fisheries management (CEAFM): finding common ground between the coastal fisheries and conservation approaches in the Pacific (Noumea, 29 November to 3 December 2010)

Outline FAO definition of EAF? What is EAF? What is EBM? What is CEAFM? Challenges Opportunities

EAF definition used FAO (2003) An ecosystem approach to fisheries strives to balance diverse societal objectives by taking into account the knowledge and uncertainties about biotic, abiotic and human components of ecosystems and their interactions and applying an integrated approach to fisheries within ecological meaningful boundaries. The purpose of EAF is therefore to plan, develop and manage fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiple needs and desires of societies, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of goods and services provided by the marine ecosystem

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) EAF is a set of principles and a framework to improve management not a set methodology It builds on conventional fisheries management It considers : Broader effects of fishing on the environment Impacts of other sectors on fisheries and the ecosystem they need to survive Humans are a key part of the ecosystem All PICTs have committed to adopting and implementing EAF Application and operationalisation a challenge Main focus is on coastal fisheries: subsistence, artisanal and small-scale commercial.

Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) Approach or direction being taken by governments and NGOs for environmental management and biodiversity conservation Fisheries is addressed within a broader context Many of the other aspects are similar/the same as EAF: Broader effects of fishing (target and non-target species) on the environment Impacts of other sectors on fisheries and the ecosystem they need to survive The human/social component including traditional knowledge

Community-based Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Nothing new, more building on and improving on current practices evolutionary, not revolutionary Next stage in aligning and bringing together conservation/ biodiversity/ fisheries management and monitoring and the approaches taken Like EAF and EBM it includes all stakeholders in a consultative approach to developing management and monitoring arrangements Effective coastal biodiversity conservation cannot be achieved without sustainable marine resource use (people are key) At the community level, fisheries and environmental management are on parallel tracks or the same.

Challenges There are many challenges to the implementation of CEAFM and these include: Funding and resourcing at all levels, with regional and national bodies, NGOs and communities Capacity building and retaining capacity at all levels Collecting the appropriate data to be able to measure success or otherwise, with the backdrop of possible climate change effects. Implementing management arrangements with sometimes different objectives (EAF or EBM) in the absence of scientific data Using adaptive management techniques as new information becomes available Maintaining food security for coastal communities with the need for alternative income generating opportunities Dealing with emerging threats, e.g. climate change

Opportunities As stated in the workshop objective and purpose, the aim is to: Bring the main stakeholders together to encourage discussion and explore different approaches to find common ground Work together to see where a standard approach to monitoring data collection can be achieved so data can be comparable between locations across the region Work together for sustainable management of resources, drawing on the strengths of those involved Continue to foster collaborations and develop new partnerships between all concerned

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