1. SESSION 6.3 Update on the status of Artisanal tuna fisheries data collection
Sixth Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-6) April 2012 SPC, Noumea, New Caledonia

2. Why collect artisanal data?
Artisanal fisheries make a significant contribution to GDP
Source: Gillett, R. (2009), Fisheries in the economies of the Pacific island countries and territories.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2009.

3. Why collect artisanal data, contd.
To quantify the contribution of artisanal fisheries to:
Livelihoods
Food security
Employment
Culture and recreation
Tourism
To quantify the value of FADs (some obligations)
For domestic and regional (WCPO) management purposes

4. What is the artisanal tuna data collection programme?
The main objective of the programme is to provide total catch estimates for small-scale or artisanal/ subsistence vessels that target tuna or pelagic species.
Method
Catch and effort data is collected at the trip level from small-scale vessels that regularly target tuna or pelagic species.
Logbook forms are used to compile this data, at the point of unloading and these are preferably filled in by Fishery Officers
The ‘Fishing Activity Form’ is a very important element of the programme and is used to estimate logbook coverage or to scale up the logbook data.
Length frequency sampling at a level of 5% (minimum) of all unloaded trips is also recommended gives management data.
(as per slide)

5. We have other small-scale vessels that don’t regularly target pelagic species
The artisanal tuna data collection programme is most compatible with collecting catch and effort data from vessels targeting tuna / pelagics
It can be used to collect data from other small scale fisheries
However, challenges arise if the fishery your are sampling are dominated by non-pelagic species.
These challenges are less about the data collection forms (although there may be some issues) and more in terms of funding support, reporting and assigning staff.
(as per slide)

6. The Forms

7. The Forms

9. Length Frequency Sampling – Artisanal Fishery

10. The logbook form is set up to capture one ‘Fishing Event’.
Issues with the Forms
1. Fishing Event
The logbook form is set up to capture one ‘Fishing Event’.
A fishing event is a period of time in which a vessel uses one type of fishing gear in one fishing area.
A new form should be started when a new or an additional fishing event is started. This is important consideration in the artisanal fishery as vessels often switch gears during the trip.
If you already have national logbook form for artisanal fisheries, check whether it can capture ‘fishing events’.
(as per slide)

11. 3. The final use of the fish
Form issues contd.
2. Fishing Activity Form
Is a key form
Indicates the total number of trips that have been carried out. Logbooks only indicate the catch for one trip.
Similar to the ‘Fishing Activity Form’ provided to industry. It helps to gauge the logsheet coverage (now VMS being used).
It can be difficult to implement this form, especially if you are aiming to trap 100% of trips.. It will depend on local conditions, no. of boats / no. Of fishery officers etc. See manual...
3. The final use of the fish
The logsheet form does not capture the final use of fish (sold etc), since this is not known at the point of unloading. Market Survey Data can be used to capture the amount / value of fish that pass through the Fish Market.
(New Market Survey Manual being developed by CFP, SPC)
(as per slide)

12. NEW ! Links with other data collection programmes
The same forms can be used to get data from other vessel based fisheries. Using the same form across different fisheries will make things easier for staff, data management etc.
Deep Bottom Snapper Fishery
The Deep Water Snapper Workshop (July ‘11) suggested that the artisanal tuna data forms are compatible with their data collection needs. This is particularly helpful if fishers switch gears during the trip or during the season.
Sports Fishing Vessels
The form will met the needs of data collection from sports fishing vessels. (Note there are older DCC sport fishing forms available which include competition forms).
Creel Survey
The SPC Creel Survey Manual (now in testing phase) will probably use the artisanal tuna form to capture catch and effort data.
(as per slide)

13. The questions the data can answer
Annual Catch Estimates
Value of the fishery or contribution to GDP
Effect of FAD deployment programme (catch rates, economics)
Interactions between commercial and artisanal fishery
Length based management of fishery.
Contribution to regional stock assessments
(as per slide)

14. National Sampling Design
Consider: How many boats you have, their distribution and what type of questions you want your data to answer.
Decide on where the sampling will be done and what level of sampling is required.
Adhere to general principles of ‘random sampling’.
A ‘snapshot’ or low frequency survey using the ‘Creel Survey Manual’ may be more appropriate for countries with low number of vessels, limited resources or for outer islands with poor access.
The final national sampling design maybe constrained by resources (staff, transport, funds) and access to sites.
Good data practice
Document your national sampling design and your data collection and management procedures.
(as per slide)

15. Resources AusAID funding (2012 to 2015)
Generous amounts for positions and equipment.
National data workshops (best for countries with multiple staff)
Regional Artisanal Data Workshop (2013)
Manual for artisanal tuna data fishery (first draft available)
(as per slide)