Formulating a fisheries policy: How can the workshop help? Coastal Fisheries Policy and Planning Course, 28/01/08 – 8/02/08, Apia, Samoa Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Contents 1.Clarification: Policies vs. plans 2.How to develop a fisheries policy 3.Fisheries policy: Structure, contents, examples 4.Examples of policy Not in Workshop In Workshop Not in Workshop Some in Workshop

1 Clarification: Policies vs. plans

What is Policy? A set of objectives (≥1) and (perhaps) means to reach them A policy must include objectives (at least one) A policy often includes means Examples: – Policy 1: Maximize well-being by relying on the market system – Policy 2: Maximize flow of net benefits from resources with the help of community management. – Policy 3: Maintain ecosystems

Policies (cont.) Policies sometimes present a hierarchial list of objectives Examples – Maximize the flow of net benefits from marine resources Strengthen CFM in coastal areas – Ensure democratic decision making in communities – Provide training to communities Introduce ITQs in offshore area

What is plan? A plan is a set of means (ways/steps/actions) to achieve an objective. – Really a blueprint – Rather like a recipe A plan always derives from a policy(-ies) It always includes means It sometimes includes (re-states) objectives

Plans (cont.) Plans exist on many levels – Broad plans (overall plan) – Detailed plans (sub-plans) – There are usually several levels of subplans Plans (if written) tend to be much larger documents than policies

Overlap There tends to be an overlap between policies and plans This, no doubt, is a source of confusion Policy Plan Overlap

Overlap (cont.) – Means mentioned in policies are really (very simple) plans Example: Strengthen CBFM in coastal areas by providing training to community members – Plans often restate objectives – Sub-plans are usually stated with an objective (a sub-objective derived from the overall plan) Example: Reach a certain level of ecosystem awareness in a fishing community; (i) Set up an ecosystem course (ii) provide literature, (iii) offer access to experts.

2 How to develop policies

Many different ways Always based on knowledge and understanding of the situation – What is the opportunity/problem/situation? – What is the proper action? Sources of policies: Examples – Perceived need (i.e. obvious) – Brainstorm sessions – SWOT ( S trength- W eakenss- O pportunity- T hreat ) analysis – Comparison with others (imitation) – Expert views

3 Fisheries policies: Structure and contents

A policy document 0.Preamble 1.The policy statement – Objective(s) – Means 2.Rationale (amplification/clarification) Generally contains : Always Often Usually

0. The preamble 1.How this policy relates/contributes to other national/regional/local policies. 2.How this policy conforms or is compatible with international obligations 3.How this policy is or is not supported or is compatible with basic law Workshop: Sections 1, 5 Pio, Peter, Vina

1. The policy statement The objectives – Example: Maximize the sustainable flow of net benefits from marine resources in coastal waters Means – Example: By introducing property rights in the fisheries – Example: By strengthening CBFM Workshop: Sections 2,3,6,7 Ragnar, Vina, Mike,

2. Rationale (amplification) Why the policy is a good idea – Description of situation/problem/opportunity – How the proposed policy deals with this reality – How the means (ways) will work and why they are preferable to others – What are the expected benefits and what are the risks Workshop: Sections 2,3,6,7 Ragnar, Vina, Mike,

A policy document does (and should) not be long 0.Preamble: page 1.Policy statement: page 2.Rationale pages Perhaps 1-7 pages – the shorter (basically) the better (provided clarity is retained)

Example Vina’s Manihiki pearl “fishery” A policy outline 0. Preamble – The following policy is in accordance with national and regional policies of marine utilization. – It is in accordance with international views and obligations of the Cook islands – It is in accordance with the basic spirit of the law but requires some legal modifications

Policy outline (cont.) 1.Policy statement – Objective: Maximize the present value of the flow of net economic benefits from Manihikis’s pearl industry to the Manihiki population on ecologically sound and sustainable basis – Means: (1) Maintain the current system of TURFs, (2) Introduce a system of oyster IQs transferable within the community (3) Set up a system for TAQ-setting (4) Strengthen the MCS and FJS parts of the FMR

Policy outline (cont.) Rationale (amplification) – The pearl industry has run into serious problems of overstocking, disease, low growth and quality. – This is primarily caused by the common property in ocean water (fresh seawater). – This can be cured by ITQs in quantity of oysters. – Total Allowable Quantity will be set by the community management unit (MIC) supported by expert biological and economic advice

Rationale (cont.) TURFs retained because space is also a potential limiting resource ITQs allocated to Community members (ca families) 50% on the basis of historical participation/investment), 50% equally. ITQs transferable within the community. This allows beneficial reallocation of the activity while retaining all benefits within the community. In due course wider transferability may be allowed by the community MCS & FJS strengthened for obvious reasons

END

Fisheries policy and planning Policies and plans in the field of fisheries Examples – Policy: Rebuild whale stocks – Plan:Stop whaling Ban whaling Convince nations to adhere to the ban by imposing sanctions by paying them