Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vanuatu Christopher K. Arthur

Outline Vision Objectives Main fisheries and aquaculture activities Fisheries programs and management Future plans to maintain benefits

Key Features of Vanuatu EEZ – 668,220 km2 Reef area – 1,244 km2 Land area – 11,880 km2 Population – 252,000 Population growth rate – 2.6%

Vision The people of Vanuatu will enjoy the highest levels of social and economic benefits through sustainable development and management of Vanuatu’s fisheries resources.

Objectives of fisheries sector Ensure that exploitation of fisheries resources within Vanuatu waters is sustainable Harvest resources in a way that maximizes the long term economic and social benefits Contribute to the food security of ni Vanuatu Meet sub-regional, regional and international responsibilities and requirements

Main fisheries and aquaculture activities

Oceanic Fisheries Purse seiner Longliner transhipment Locally based foreign longliner

Oceanic fisheries - recent catch & value Total tuna catch from EEZ in 2012 = 8,279 t Number of Vanuatu flagged vessels in 2012 = 135 Catch of flagged vessels outside EEZ > 40,000 t Revenue for Vanuatu > VT100 million Target tuna species: A Albacore Yellowfin Bigeye Skipjack

Coastal Fisheries Bottom-dwelling fish Near-shore pelagic fish Invertebrates

Coastal fisheries catch 540 tonnes/yr Commercial Subsistence Source: Gillett 2009

Examples of commercial catch & value   Coastal Fisheries Production Category in 2012 Deep Bottom Marine Aquarium Trochus Total Snapper Trade Fishery Fishery Value (USD m) Catch 8.2 (T) 5 (T) approx 27.9 (T) 41.7 (T) Value 48,016.30 187,996.75 333,927.27 569,940.32   Coastal Fisheries Production Category in 2012 Deep Bottom Marine Aquarium Trochus Total Snapper Trade Fishery Fishery Value (USD m) Catch 8.2 (T) 5 (T) approx 27.9 (T) 41.7 (T) Value 48,016.30 187,996.75 333,927.27 569,940.32 Examples of commercial catch & value Type of fishery   Deep-bottom Snapper Aquarium trade Trochus Catch (t) 8 3 + pieces 28 Value (USD) 50,000 190,000 335,000

Freshwater and estuarine fisheries No reliable catch information available Estimate is 80 tonnes per year Contributes to food security Source: Gillett 2009

Freshwater aquaculture Cage culture of tilapia 65-70 tonnes p.a. Catfish and barramundi > 40 tonnes p.a. Household tilapia ponds Freshwater prawns ~500 kg Source; Vate Oceans Garden

Coastal aquaculture Marine shrimp Giant clams and other ornamental products Green Snail and Trochus Sea cucumber? Teouma Prawns

Fisheries programs and management Development and Capture Division Research and Aquaculture Division Seafood Verification Division Compliance Division Management and Policy Division Administration Division

Future plans to maintain benefits We must address many ‘drivers’ of the sector, especially population growth Increased fishing pressure Increased habitat degradation Increased global demand for fish Vanuatu National Fisheries Policy (draft) National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (draft)

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