BUSINESS CASE FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING FIJI TUNA LONGLINE
BUSINESS CASE FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING FIJI TUNA LONGLINE FLEET Longline Electronic Monitoring Planning Workshop FFA, Honiara, Solomon Islands 16 -18 Oct 2019
Background on EM trial in Fiji • Objective of trial: deploy electronic monitoring systems (EMS) on 50 vessels and trial its use as a compliance tool • Designed to cover Fiji-flagged vessels fishing inside the EEZ (linked to MSC certification) • Trial on Electronic Monitoring (EM) started in 2015 with support from the Fiji Government and industry (FFIA). Both are partners in the ABNJ Tuna Project • Implemented with GEF funds of more than $1 million USD • Integrated with regional platforms (through SPC) • Offshore Fisheries Management Decree allows for the use of electronic data on Fiji fishing vessels
TOR for the Business Case Study • Develop a Business Case for Electronic Monitoring (EM) in the Fijian tuna longline fleet. • Include an examination of the operational measures necessary to implement Electronic Monitoring (EM) technologies in the Fijian fleet. • Assess the costs and benefits of implementing routinely EM technologies in Fiji • Propose cost-recovery scenarios to sustainably use EM as an MCS and data collection tool beyond the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna project
Key messages from MRAG AP study • There are real and tangible benefits that flow from adopting EM • EM is an established technology that will in the medium term become part of a management tool box in the Pacific…. . it will not go away • EM in developing countries with low observer costs, will cost you more • Cost recovery should see the increase in attributable costs flow to industry and not to government • Single provider or multiple provider models? • Fiji caught a bit in the middle with broader Pacific developments
Model template developed by MRAG AP Example scenario for 90 vessels (in FJD) Variable costs based on a risk-based approach
Estimated cost of sustaining EM • Cost-recovery based on the assumption that industry covers the costs pertaining to vessels and Gov’t maintains a functioning EM Unit responsible for analysis and follow-up • Observer programme not included: additional cost of about 200, 000 FJD
Outcomes of consultations on the Business Case for EM • Formal consultation was held on 29 January 2019 in Suva, including participation by SPC and FFA. • Ministry of Fisheries expressed a strong commitment to continue with EM, considering the clear benefits to the tuna sector (some are still potential benefits). • Industry continues to support EM, but is concerned with costs and cost-recovery. Called for more tangible benefits from EM for the industry (provide rapid access to data). • Very important to consider developments in the regional context (WCPFC, FFA, PNA, SPC)
Sustaining EM: steps being taken in Fiji A policy decision and budget consideration by Cabinet on the way forward for EM in Fiji, including cost-recovery • Approval of the proposed ‘interim’ decision to maintain the current EM program in Fiji (50 longline vessels), and with Satlink SL (Spain) as the service provider, until a WCPFC decision on a region-wide EM program, which is expected in the next 2 -4 years. Cost-recovery is based on the principle that industry absorbs “on boat costs”. The Fiji Government would then cover the additional costs either through new budget allocation, reallocation of funds in the budget or through offsets from Donor funding. The revised estimates costs are: a. Industry I. (full fixed cost) $327, 600 $6552 per vessel; or ii. (full fixed cost less obs levy) $212, 600 $4252 per vessel b. Government i. Full cost $664, 700 ii. Full Cost less $160 K Observer saving $504, 700
The call for a Policy Key issues to address: • What EM is to deliver? • How EMS will be implemented: e. g. all vessels, 20% monitoring, 5% wet observing; all foreign boats; domestic coverage? • Which EMS approach to adopt: Single service provider, multiple provider (e. g. pacific VMS approach) • How will EMS be used: data sharing with other agencies; prosecutions; accidents at sea; marketing; regional obligations • Cost recovery principles: exactly how will cost recovery be applied.
Vinaka Vakalevu Thank you
- Slides: 10