Solomon Islands Fisheries Overview PRIORITY ADAPTATIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE FOR FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS: REDUCING RISKS AND CAPITALISING ON OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP Iron Bottom Sound, Honiara 18th – 19th April 2013 By Rosalie Masu Deputy Director Inshore (ag)

Areas to be covered Brief Introduction of Solomon Islands Current Fisheries Management Measures/Approaches Future Plans

Introduction Vast archipelago of 992 islands, 347 inhabited Landmass is 28,000 sq km EEZ is 1.63 million sq km Reef area is 5,750 sq km Population estimate is > .5 million persons (2005) Annual growth rate in 1999 was 2.8% and doubled to 4.4% in 2005 (one of the highest) 40% below 15yrs, 58% between 15 – 64 yrs, 2% over 65 yrs Meaning SI has a very young population which is growing very fast.

Introduction Cont… 85 % of the population are rural coastal dwellers who rely heavily on marine resources Fish consumption per capita is 33 kg/yr

Importance of Fisheries Provide food Source of income - employment - traditional money - selling of resources Traditional Medicine Cultural Values Contribute towards our country’s economy

Coastal or Inshore Fisheries Kile (2000) estimated that subsistence – artisanal annual production at $SBD60 million which is about $USD7 million. Gillett and Lightfoot (2002) estimated the subsistence – artisanal annual production at $US9.963 million.

Target Species FINFISH Sharks for fins but rarely for meat Women – Coastal finfish sp. Children – Coastal finfish sp. Men – Outer reef INVERTERBRATES Sea-cucumber Trochus Crayfish Mangrove-shells Mud crab Clams

Type of fishing methods Spear-fishing Gill-netting Hand-linning Collection by hand for inverterbrate Traditional methods – using coconut frowns Traps Even dynamite fishing too!!

Export Value for Inshore Fisheries

Major contributors to the Export Value Beche-der-mer Trochus Button Blanks – from trochus Sea weed Coral (CurioTrade) Sharks-fin Reef fish/fillet Aquarium fish Cray Fish

Inshore fisheries purchased from Provinces by exporters 1991 - 2011 Choiseul Western Malaita Isabel Central Guadalcanal Temotu Honiara Makira/Ulawa Renbel

Aquaculture 90’s – export of farmed tiger prawns Current Efforts: Seaweed Farming as an alternative. Target production for 2013: 1500mt Small backyard ponds – Tilapia (Mosambique) GIFT Tilapia – Risk Assessment Complete, Biosecurity Protocols. Current Research: Milkfish&Mullet Peanut Fish (Sticopus Horrens)

Fresh Water Fishery Mostly for subsistence only Shells (gastropods, bivalve) Prawns Fish eg. Tilapia Eels

Tuna Fishery Tuna Catch by Domestic and Foreign Vessels 2000 - 2011

Tuna Species From 2000 – 2011, Catch was dominated by Skipjack. Yellow Fin – 24% Big Eye – 1% Albacore – 2% Others – 1%

Tuna is exported as: Frozen Canned Smoked Fishmeal Chilled Loin

Effort Trend Depletion of important commercial species is very evident Generally effort is higher as compared to the “good old days” Due to high fishing pressure - shift from subsistence to cash base - increase population

Management Measures for Inshore Fisheries Ban for Export Size Limits Gear Restrictions Reduce fishing pressure – Aquaculture Options - iFADs Management Plans for key commercial species. Encourage Marine Protected Areas and Managed Areas through CBRM/CBFM and EAFM approaches. NGO partners – Monitoring in project Sites

Management Measures for Tuna Fisheries Solomon Islands managing Tuna together with other countries as part of Regional Cooperation through: PNA (Parties to the Nauru Agreement), FFA, W Tuna management Plan. Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) New Policy: To land tuna catches onshore Encourage Onshore based investments

Future: Near Fisheries Bill: Pass June/July sitting Management Plans finalised for key commercial species Strengthen Partnership: Communities (CBOs), NGOs, Provincial, Regional Organisations, Industries.

Thank you!!