Among many of the interesting and “unusual” jobs, I did last year, was to be a presenter at the 1st Capacity-Building Project to Progress the Implementation of International Instruments to Combat IUU Fishing (CAPFISH), organised by the World Maritime University. Next week I’ll be involved in the 2nd one.
My involvement came via an invitation from Francis Neat Professor, Sustainable Fisheries Management, Ocean Biodiversity and Marine Spatial Planning there and the Nippon Foundation Chair, whom I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity
It was an amazing experience to share the presenter role with very well known and qualified academics and officers of international organizations like UBC’s U. Rashid Sumaila, ILO Brandt Wagner, EU’s IUU policy Roberto Cesari, my former colleagues from FAO Matthew Camilleri, Alicia Mosteiro and Ari Gudmundsson and Jung-re Riley Kim, she is one of the people I have learned to admire the most over the last years of WCPFC meetings since she the chair of all the main meetings (she is a Policy Officer of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries). Her impeccable style and professionalism have impressed me so much during the facilitation and management of the meetings… honestly, I was just stoked to be next to her in the programme! Particularly since I’m the only one of the 27 scholars presenting that is not affiliated with an institution
I always was interested in the WMU, in fact, is the kind of place I would love to have the opportunity to study… their PhD in Maritime Affairs is one that I have been aiming for years… but as self-employed is impossible since I need to work to live and the costs of studying there, while accessible are not cheap. Yet if you have the opportunity to get a scholarship via your employer I totally recommend you give it a go, the faculty is impressive!
Anyway, the report of the1st workshop was very complimentary of my presentation and I quote it below… I really really looking forwards to the next one next week!
Mr. Blaha delivered an engaging presentation on IUU fishing in the Western Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fishery, with many practical lessons centred around regional cooperation for developing countries. He began by noting that, while the states in this region are often seen as Small Island Developing States, they are in reality large ocean nations. They are also members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
The region is vast and boasts one of the largest fisheries in the world. Fisheries are absolutely key in this area, with the majority of government revenue in many states coming from fishing, and communities relying on fisheries for jobs, livelihoods and food security. Fisheries management is consequently taken very seriously and none of the major tuna stocks in the region are considered to be overfished or subject to overfishing.
Every five years FFA conducts a study quantifying IUU fishing in the region. The 2016 study confirmed that the key threat to the region was from unreported fishing from licensed vessels, rather than illegal fishing. However, the 2021 update demonstrated a 50% reduction in the level of unreported catch, mainly thanks to better coordination and monitoring efforts by countries in the region. The FFA members have pooled their efforts and resources to create a unique set of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) tools, particularly those focused on tracking vessels in local waters. Together with larger states with interests in the region, such as Australia, New Zealand, the USA and France, they undertake joint surveillance operations over the entirety of the Western and Central Pacific. Other important initiatives include observer programmes, use and development of electronic reporting and monitoring mechanisms, and the development and consistent application of the Harmonized Minimum Terms and Conditions for Access by Fishing Vessels. In 2020, the Harmonized Terms also incorporated the labour standards of the Work in Fishing Convention, requiring vessels to comply with these standards before being issued fishing licenses.
Nevertheless, challenges remain in managing such a large fishery. These include data management, difficulties in monitoring high seas transshipments, the need to keep up with increasing efficiency of fishing operations, under-resourcing of fisheries administrations, climate change, subsidies, and geopolitical issues which arise when dealing with distant water fishing fleets.
Mr. Blaha also suggested that there is a need to attract more diversity and new ways of thinking when dealing with the complex issue of fisheries management.