Second Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries Fiji

Second Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries Fiji SPC Noumea, New Caledonia, 12 th to 15 th November 2018

Fiji’s Coastal Fisheries Management • UN Oceans Conference 5 -9 th June, 2017 – #Ocean. Action 19929: Delivering Improved Coastal Fisheries Management Services in Fiji – The objective of this voluntary commitment is to begin a program of immediate reform of the coastal fisheries sector – Creation of a coastal fisheries management division within the Ministry of Fisheries • Fiji 2017 -2018 – Government announces the establishment of a new Coastal/Inshore Fisheries Division – Supported and reflected in Fiji National 5 yr & 20 yr Development Plan (NDP)

Coastal Fisheries Priorities • Inshore Fisheries Management Division (IFMD) creation and recruitment of staff. • Immediate establishment of coherent policies and strategies dealing with coastal fisheries management. • Finalisation of Fiji’s NFP • Compliance Strategy – Consistent inshore fisheries compliance approach and application • Data Sharing Policy • Fisheries Management Plans • Inshore Fisheries Management Plan • Legislative Review • Review and strengthening of inshore fisheries regulations • Fees & Charges • Fisheries Information Management Systems • Consistency of information capture and use • Developing Capacity

Coastal fisheries Activities • Establishment of the Inshore Fisheries Management Division – Compliance Team – Data Collection Team – Management and Policy Officer • Development of Key Policies, Plan’s & SOP’s – Inshore Fisheries Policy Framework • Use of OFMA and training and authorisation of inshore fisheries officers under OFMA – Fiji Fisheries Compliance Strategy • Honorary Fish Warden Strategy • Forms and SOP’s to assist consistent compliance approach • Establishment of 2 new Marine Reserves – Kiuva and Naiqoro Passage Spawning Aggregation Marine Reserves • Operation Wasawasa II – Inshore Fisheries Patrols – OP orders , inter-agency co-ordination and trainings • Implementation of the Seasonal Ban – Groupers & Coral Trout – SOP development to inform consistent implementation, inter-agency coordination and Training, media and now planning for next year…

Coastal Fisheries Management Challenges • Inshore Fisheries Data – Revival of Fiji’s Inshore Fisheries Market & Creel survey – Requesting SPC input and support • Management of key species – Management Plans • Review of Fiji’s Inshore Fisheries legislations – Fees and Charges • Review and Implementation of Size limits – Scientific information is there, implementation is needed now – Requesting SPC input and support • Capability Development and Enhancement (22 New Staff) – 7 Compliance Officers – 12 Data Collectors – 1 Senior and 2 Fisheries Officers

Vinaka