1. Oceanic Fisheries Programme

2. Oceanic Fisheries Programme
OFP Goal (FAME Strategic Plan ) “Fisheries exploiting the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information”

3. Oceanic Fisheries Programme
Stock Assessment & Modelling
WCPFC Services
Sub-Regional &National Services
IT Support
Data Management
Data Acquisition & Quality Control
National Services & Capacity Building
Fisheries Monitoring
Observer Training & Support
National Fishery Monitoring Support
Ecosystem Monitoring & Assessment
Tuna Tagging & Biology
Ecosystem Dynamics & Climate Change
Ecosystem Modelling
Deep Water Snapper
By-Catch Monitoring

4. Oceanic Fisheries Programme
Client-based scientific service delivery
SPC members
FFA and sub-regional groups
WCPFC
Capacity building a major cross-cutting theme
2015 projected budget approximately 8.6 million CFP units

5. Approximate 2015 Income (CFP Units)
Funding and Projects
Source of funds
Approximate 2015 Income (CFP Units)
SPC core
1,200,000
Programme funding (AUS)
900,000
Programme funding (NZ)
300,000
WCPFC services and projects (WCPFC)
2,400,000
SciCOFish (EU)
790,000
Food security projects (AUS)
960,000
Science & information project (NZ)
690,000
PIOFMPII (GEF)
390,000
Other miscellaneous project sources

6. Stock Assessment & Modelling
Regional stock assessments
for tuna and tuna-like species
undertaken
Subregional fisheries management initiatives supported
National fisheries management initiatives supported
Capacity built
and communication
improved

7. Recent highlights

8. Recent highlights

9. key areas

10. Other emerging issues Scientific review WCPFC decisions National needs
Capacity building
Independent reviews
Scientific review
Increased bioeconomic analysis
Harvest Control Rules
Improve communication
WCPFC decisions
More short-term attachments
Data analysis training
National needs

12. Some guidance from you …
Is this still a priority area?
How does it compare to other priorities?
If we can’t do it all – which parts are important?

13. Fisheries Monitoring Tim Lawson, Principal Fisheries Scientist
Deirdre Brogan, Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor
Peter Sharples, Observer Support and Development Coordinator
Siosifa Fukofuka, Observer Training and Support Officer
Manoi Kutan, Observer Debriefer Training and Support Officer
Glen English, Observer Training and Support Officer (South Pacific)
Ferral Lasi, Data Collection Officer

14. Result Areas
Result 2.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective fishery monitoring and analytical services to support regional oceanic fisheries
Result 2.2: Enhanced national oceanic fishery monitoring by SPC members to meet national and international obligations
Result 2.3: Enhanced capacity of SPC members in fisheries monitoring, data management and data use

15. Administration and data analysis
STAFF – 2013 to March 2015
MAIN FOCUS
Section Manager
Administration and data analysis
Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor
National fisheries monitoring programmes
Observer Support and Development Coordinator
Senior Observer Trainer and Support Officer
Observer Debriefer Training and Support Officer (to March 2015)
Observer Training and Support Officer (to Dec 2014)
Observer support and training
Data Collection Officer (to Aug 2013)
Sampling protocols, including paired grab and spill samples

16. Section administration and data analysis
STAFF – from April 2015
MAIN FOCUS
Section Manager
Section administration and data analysis
Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor
National fisheries monitoring programmes
Observer Programme Adviser
Observer Programme Training Coordinator
Observer support and training
EU/SCICOFISH and NZ Aid project funding ends in March 2015.
FMS, OPA & OPTC positions will be on programme funding (AusAid) from April 2015 onwards.
What level of regional support for observer programmes is required in the future? To be discussed tomorrow (WP6).

17. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2013-2014
WCPFC Project 60: “Collection and Evaluation of Purse-Seine Species Composition Data” to compare spill samples and grab samples collected on purse seiners was completed. The final report was submitted to SC10 as Information Paper ST–IP–02.
Purse-seine catches and length frequencies are now estimated from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias, using GLMs or pooling, on a regular basis.
See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

18. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Key Issue
From the final report of WCPFC Project 60: “Spill sampling has been shown, on both a theoretical and empirical basis, to be a more accurate and reliable protocol for the collection of species and size composition data than grab sampling.”
So, where to from here? SC10 has requested that a “Plan” for implementation be developed.
But for SPC members, implementation is really up to the national observer programmes. All that is required is a bin on the vessel, an observer trained in spill sampling, and a cooperative crew.
Some programmes, particularly PNG and Solomon Islands, have experienced observers that can train others. Otherwise, SPC can provide assistance.

19. Dimensions of the Standard Spill Sampling Bin
See Information Paper SC10-ST–IP–02 for the spill sampling protocol.

20. Result 2.2: Enhanced Fisheries monitoring Activities in 2013-2014
Data collection forms, sampling manuals, species ID guides and training videos were developed and distributed.
MOUs were updated for provision of technical assiantance and funding for sampling programmes: Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
In-country technical assistance was provided: FSM, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.
Attachment training at SPC was provided: Kiribati, Marshall islands.
Pacific Island Regional Fisheries Observer (PIRFO) standards were developed.
See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

21. PIRFO Purse-Seine Fish ID Cards
PIRFO Tuna Purse-Seine Training Videos

22. Result 2.2: Enhanced Fisheries Monitoring Key Issues
A large number of requests to implement and support national artisanal tuna monitoring programmes have been received; however, SPC manpower is limited.
Resource materials for implementing artisanal fishery monitoring are now available, so some members may only require remote SPC assistance.
In 2015, activities will re-focus on reviewing the status of national tuna monitoring systems, with feedback to members.
AusAID funds for supporting tuna monitoring programmes – such as personnel and equipment – are available in 2015.

23. AusAid Artisanal Fishery Monitoring Logo
Tuvalu Workshop, April 2014
Artisanal Fishery Monitoring in Kiribati

24. Result 2.3: Enhanced Capacity Activities in 2013-2014
Tuna fishery observer training courses: 12 in 2013 and 6 in 2014
Observer debriefer training courses: 5 in 2013 and 5 in 2014
Training of observer trainers: 9 national trainers now certified, 4 trainees
Regional Observer Coordinator’s Workshop
PIRFO Trainers Workshop
Annual Regional Tuna Data Workshop
National Tuna Data Workshops: Samoa and Tuvalu in 2013, Tuvalu and Vanuatu in 2014
Regional Artisanal Tuna Data Workshop for 12 members in 2013
See Information Paper 4: FAME Programme Report, 2013–2014

25. Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop
11-14 February 2015, Noumea

26. Result 2.3: Enhanced capacity Key Issues
The Observer Programme Training Coordinator will transition from training to coordinating.
This will allow the OPTC to also coordinate debriefer training courses and on-the-job debriefer training.
Observer and debriefer training will incorporate e-reporting and e- monitoring, alongside the development of PIRFO standards.
Observer training may transition from national courses to sub-regional courses, in training centres such as the Vanuatu Maritime College in Santo, and possibly others (while PNG continues its training at NFC).
Training in Frontline Management, with mentors, will also be conducted.

27. From “Careers Paths For Tuna Fishery Observers”
in the SPC Fisheries Newsletter #143 (Jan-Apr 2014)
Observer  Debriefer  Observer Trainer  Frontline Manager
The number of active observers has recently been about 450 per annum.

28. Data Management Services
WCPFC
Subregional fisheries agencies
Data Management Services
Member country -
TOOLS / ADVICE
Member country - CAPACITY

29. Relatively large section covering diverse work…
Also supports Data Entry and national E-Reporting officers in PICTS

30. Data Management Services
WCPFC
Data compilation/audit  WCPFC stock assessments
WCPFC SC working papers
WCPFC Tuna Fishery Yearbook
WCPFC public domain data
Summary Tables to evaluate CMM on Tropical tunas
Data gaps input into CMRs
ROP (Regional Observer Programme) Data Management
Technical advice to WPEA OFM
(Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam)
Data Management Services

31. Data Management Services
Subregional fisheries agencies
(FFA, PNAO, TVM, etc.)
Collaboration on IMS initiatives
Better integration/sharing of regional database systems
Consistent observer database - SPC/FFA/PNAO/WCPFC
New web reporting tools for FFA and PNAO work
Collaboration with E-Reporting/E-Monitoring initiatives (e.g. PNA iFIMS observer tablet initiative)
Data summaries to support regional meetings / processes
Support to FFA/PNAO in preparation for WCPFC meetings
PS and LL VDS (PNAO)
US Treaty consultations and MOC (FFA)
Data Management Services

32. Data Management Services
Member country -
TOOLS / ADVICE
Data Processing Services at SPC
National Database tools
TUFMAN, TUF-ART, CES
Expansion of Observer data entry in-country (TUBs)
New TUFMAN 2 development
New web reporting tools
E-Reporting and E-Monitoring products and support (see HOF9 WP-7)
Improving data quality and coverage (audits)
Data Management Services

33. Data Management Services
Member country - CAPACITY
Annual Tuna Data Workshops (April 2015)
SPC Attachments (four per year)
In-country National DM Workshops
In-country Database system training
Improve capacity for satisfying WCFPC reporting obligations (training in web tools)
Establishment of OFP DATA HELPDESK
PIRFO Observer web site update
Data Management Services

34. Data Management – Emerging priorities
E-Reporting and E-Monitoring
(trials leading to implementation)
Enhanced DATA SHARING
(National IMS and TUFMAN-2)
DATA
Better quality
More timely
More accessible
More efficient
More cost effective
Enhanced DATA QUALITY and COVERAGE through reports and targeted auditing
Enhanced REPORTING TOOLS for INTEGRATING different data types
(National IMS and web reporting tools)
Enhanced training techniques and tools to BUILD CAPACITY

35. Ecosystem Monitoring & Assessment
Francisco Abascal
Marie-Currie
Ashley Williams
Snapper
Valerie Allain
Ecosystems
Tom Peatman
Tagging
Francois Roupsard
Tuna Tissue Bank
Caroline Sanchez
Tagging
Bruno Leroy
Tagging
Sylvain Caillot
Databases
Elodie Vourey
Lab +
Team CLS +
Team IRD +
Team Lewis +
Team PNG

36. Oceanic Fisheries Programme Ecosystem Monitoring & Assessment
Tuna Tagging & Biology
Ecosystem Dynamics & Climate Change
Ecosystem Modelling
Deep Water Snapper
By-Catch Monitoring
Emerging Priorities
~35000 tuna tagged
WCPO Tissue Bank
Equatorial tuna biology
Stock provenance & mixing
2 scientific cruises
CC Monitoring
Improved CC forecasting
eDNA and meta barcoding
Ocean acidification
Adaptation
Ecosystem effects of fishing
Seapodym for 5 species
Microplastic contamination
Wildlife forensic information
Cost effective monitoring
Harvest Control Rules
Application to Data poor fisheries
Baseline analyses
Food security species
National by-catch policies
Standards for effective mitigation

37. Tuna Tagging & Biology Highlights
20 YFT tags ≥ 24hrs Surface Behaviour
Data coverage
red = surface
white = data
Compile spatial information on tuna vertical behaviours

38. Tuna Tissue Bank Highlights
BioDaSys
Provide a world class bank of biological samples for WCPO
Remove the long time-lags associated with sample collection
Provide for complete spatial & temporal coverage
Underlying relationships for stock assessment (e.g. growth)
Trophic & CC monitoring
Certification and IUU

39. Ecosystems, Bycatch, CC Monitoring
Highlights
Resilient Ecosystem to perturbations
Sensitive to changes in tuna forage
Sharks, swordfish and marlin most impacted by tuna fisheries (direct and indirect effects)

40. SEAPODYM & CC Modelling
Skipjack, albacore, bigeye, yellowfin and swordfish models available
Explore EEZ scale influences of climate and fishing
Edited 27 papers for Special Issue of Deep-Sea Research Part II on climate change and fisheries
Improved international recognition of OFP as a centre for Pacific CC research.
Yellowfin Model
CC Forcings with ENSO
Web accessibility

41. Deepwater Snapper Species ID Cost effective monitoring methods
Biological parameters for assessment
Indicators for applying harvest control rules

42. Capacity 4 Pacific Island Post Graduate students
3 long term Pacific Island attachments
International attachments
Short course and in-country training
Specifically focussed on using and understanding SEAPODYM

43. key activities
Central Pacific tagging with industry collaboration to assess Drifting FAD influences
Incorporation of tagging in tuna models
Bigeye and Yellowfin assessment parameters
PS Bycatch assessments
Mitigation analyses
Continued biodiversity & CC monitoring
Wildlife forensics (DNA, eDNA, fatty acid, chemical isotopes)
Ocean acidification vulnerability analyses
New CC simulations with ENSO and adaptation
Apply first data poor fishery approach to a DWS assessment

44. Summary
Established EMA section as a leading knowledge centre for pelagic ecology in the Pacific.
Established a worldwide network of collaboration.
Work plan developed to support the other sections of OFP and to deliver practical ecosystem and bycatch advice to SPC members and other (sub) regional bodies.
Work plan provides opportunity for long term attachments to build and supplement capacity