Technical Priorities for Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Fiji
Priorities identified during the Third SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries in Fiji include developing legislative frameworks, managing species for food security, establishing MPAs, reviewing size limits, and enhancing aquaculture practices. Actions taken since the meeting include improved market surveys and data collection for better fisheries management.
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Third SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries FIJI COASTAL FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
Coastal Fisheries Technical Priorities 1. Developing a fit for purpose legislative and regulatory framework to enable and support sustainable fisheries and review of fisheries legislations and licensing regime 2. Managing species to maximize food security and economic value and protecting species under pressure through effective management plans and robust MCS 3. Declaring 30% of Fiji fisheries waters as MPA s 4. Review of fin fish size limits - Set-size campaign 5. Establish scientific, regulatory and commercial framework for fin fish industry 6. FAD Program & Sea Safety
Aquaculture Technical Priorities 1. Development of a 5yr aquaculture strategy and an aquaculture development plan 2. A governance framework to support aquaculture development at country level. This includes i) a good aquaculture administrative framework with designation of a lead agency in charge of integrating and coordinating actions ii) robust aquaculture statistics and adequate demand-oriented research in support of policy and planning. 3. Identify two new species for long-term aquaculture development e.g. rabbit fish, mangrove jack 4. Biosecurity, Hatchery (Best practices & Guidelines, Standards - Broodstock & Seeds Quality), Farm Development 5. Implement a communications programme to inform Fijians on the opportunities and good practice of aquaculture
Actions Taken Since RTMCF2 (Nov 2018) 1. The meeting noted that more countries now conduct market surveys in addition to catch and effort landing data for coastal fisheries management, recommended that a number of issues be addressed, such as: a. Separation of enforcement and research (survey) roles of fisheries officers demarcation of roles of IFMD compliance and data collection officers g. Increased capacity and training in collection, storage and analysis of fisheries data series of trainings for Market Survey Data Collectors on fish ID, survey methodology, data entry, cleaning, verification and analysis 2. The meeting recommended the acquisition and use of length data for target species in coastal fisheries management, while mindful that data for other parameters are also needed for coastal fisheries management (such as size at maturity) - (SPR work done with 76 finfish species. On-going work on review of size limits - Set size campaign)
CONTINUED 3. The meeting reaffirmed the high importance of sea cucumber fisheries to the region, emphasised the need to reverse the decline in sea cucumber stocks, and noted the lack of examples at the national level to demonstrate successful management of sea cucumber resources - sea cucumber fishery closed in 2017; Sea cucumber management Plan drafted to inform successful management
Coastal Fisheries Issues or Challenges 1. Establishing and maintain increase compliance with fisheries rules across all Fiji coastal waters. 2. Need to strengthen the Market Survey Data Collection Program 3. Development of management plans and regulations for important inshore fisheries resources such as mud crabs, giant clams, coconut crabs and lobsters. 4. Need to improve fish warden system for Fiji 5. Developing data and supporting methodologies for understanding key species (biological, social, cultural and economic aspects).
Aquaculture Issues or Challenges 1. Marketing and Sales of Aquaculture commodities- Especially freshwater species (tilapia)- Design a tilapia marketing development plan 2. Access to finance for aquaculture development, in particular for small holders. Commercial credit and insurance providers continue to be risk averse regarding aquaculture, and it is also the case for small-scale fishing. However, in many countries producers still depend on non-formal sources and this reduces their capacity to invest in production systems and to finance operating costs (feed, seed, water management). 3. Aquaculture research centers and Higher level tertiary education in aquaculture should also be encouraged
