COASTAL FISHERIES WORKING GROUP CFWG MARCH 2019 NOUMEA

COASTAL FISHERIES WORKING GROUP (CFWG) MARCH 2019, NOUMEA

OUTLINE • Purpose and Structure of CFWG • Terms of Reference • Membership • Past meetings

PURPOSE • CFWG was formed following a Pacific Island Leaders decision in 2016 • WHY: To bring together a small stakeholder group of representatives of communities, national and regional agencies and institutions • to discuss current & potential coastal fisheries initiatives • ensuring that adequate level of support, resources and services are directed towards assisting national fisheries agencies and local communities to manage their coastal fisheries resources.

The CFWG is a standalone grouping addressing the PI Forum Leaders request to SPC to “coordinate with National Fisheries Agencies, CROP agencies and regional and national community groups, to strengthen support and resourcing for coastal fisheries management”

STRUCTURE OF CFWG • Chaired by: SPC • Answers/Reports to PI Forum Leaders via PIFS • Exercises equal rights/rules of engagement for members • Exercises special attention to the representation of coastal communities, gender and youth

The new Coastal Fisheries Governance Approach – the Big Picture

MEMBERSHIP • 3 CROP Agencies (SPC, PIFS + 1) • Regional Civil Society (2) • Community fisher representatives (1 from each subregion) • Regional/International NGO’s and Research/Academia organisations (3) • National fisheries agencies (1 from each subregion) • Donors (2) • Membership rotates each meeting

TERMS OF REFERENCE • Building a strong coordinated approach and implementation at the national and sub-national levels • Provide regional guidance and support to SPC to build momentum and implementation of the New Song • Discuss, advocate the importance of coastal fisheries for the long-term sustainability of societies (food security and livelihoods) • Develop, improve, identify priorities, strengths, weaknesses and gaps in implementation plans and guide relevant regional partners in efforts to develop joint funding proposals

CFWG MEETINGS • CFWG 1 – December 1 st 2017 • CFWG 2 – April 18 th 2018 • CFWG 3 – November 16 th 2018 • CFWG 4 – March 14 th 2019

CFWG 1 KEY OUTPUTS • Agreeing to To. R and sorting out membership representation • CFWG established a Coastal Fisheries ‘Law and Policy Task Force’ (three members) to provide support and advice on legal and policy issues

CFWG 2 KEY OUTPUTS • Agreeing to produce a document merging the New Song, Future of Fisheries Roadmap and CF Report card, so as to ease briefing new, rotating CFWG members • To identify funding support for RTMCF • Countries should be asked to provide data e. g national agencies budgets to improve the report card • Law and Policy task force, consolidating list of relevant laws and policies • Task force will provide recommendations on issues to be raised at the next PIFL meeting

CFWG 3 KEY OUTPUTS • Supported and endorsed a paper, policy brief ‘Value loss of sea cucumber fisheries’ to be presented to Leaders • Agreed to use the CFWG serves as a channel through which women's groups can raise issues and request for action • Agreed that BDM, Coastal Fisheries brief be submitted to Ho. F 11 and Fisheries Ministers forums • Agreed to set up a ‘working group’ to assist with refining New Song indicators