2nd SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries: 12-15th Nov 2nd SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries: 12-15th Nov. 2018, Noumea, New Caledonia Paul Jay Tua – Research Section – Inshore Fisheries Division Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Solomon Islands Government

Presentation Outline Priority Areas of focus Activities implementation and progress Issues or Challenges in coastal fisheries management Special request

Priority Areas of focus Engagement of community and provincial government Capacity building - fisheries development; trade, market and value adding and CBRM Alternative livelihood options & Aquaculture Education and Awareness Implementing of policies and strategic management plans Gender equity

Activities implementation and progress Database SPC – undertook and provide the business analysis for the inshore database The Ministerial Management level– recently had consultation with FIMS with the concept of developing a database for inshore fisheries CBRM A tool to drive resource management and development in communities. FMA 2015 makes provision for recognising communities management plans, empowering communities A CBRM Section was established within Inshore Division to oversee and implement CBRM activities in the communities and in partnership with NGOs and CBOs Activities implemented: awareness programs/events; capacity building; information about resources; and alternative livelihoods 3. Management Plans/Instruments SPC’s assistance –SIG/MFMR in developing Coral, Clams, Aquaculture Management and Development Plan and Aquaculture Biosecurity Strategy 4. Surveys (corals, trochus and clams) Started this month (November 2018) and expected to continue next year 2019

Issues or challenges in coastal fisheries management Database for storage of inshore fisheries data Limited Resources – funds; expertise; manpower/HR; technologies Meeting international, regional and national obligations Political will (Budgetary support for coastal fisheries) Political interference in fisheries management eg. bechdemer Update on sea cucumber fisheries - On 30th October 2018 - an indefinite period of sea cucumber harvesting declared; - Legality: an Order was made on the current fisheries (BDM)(Amendment) Regulation 2014 gazetted BDM Plan on the basis of Section 130 (2)(b) and (f) Photo © G. Hodgson

Special request to SPC Provide assistance in terms of: capacity building or other means to support fisheries officers, fishers and others concern on proper/ better product processing; develop posters on size limits as stated in BDM management plan 2014, Schedule 5; instructions/guidance on setting the prices of the bech-de-mer products Identification of bechdemer species (Processed product) Photo: SIG MFMR, 2009 Photo: SPC, 1994

End Tagio tumas