Regional workshop on Approaches to the implementation and monitoring of community-based ecosystem approach to fisheries management (CEAFM): finding common ground between the coastal fisheries and conservation approaches in the Pacific (Noumea, 29 November to 3 December 2010) Day Three summary • Day three focused on monitoring (for fisheries and conservation purposes), with a presentation to set the scene on what has been tried with successes, challenges and lessons learned. • Participants broke into working groups and results of the discussion were presented back in plenary in two reporting sessions. Monitoring challenges • Considerable expenditure on monitoring of LMMAs and other similar initiatives ( up to 60% of project budgets). • In many cases, biological analysis not sufficiently robust to inform management decisions • Very little data collection and analysis of social and economic aspects or wider ecosystem/cumulative effects • Communities often do not understand the results of monitoring analysis • Consequently, monitoring data and analysis not widely used • BUT adaptive management has continued to occur – but more on the basis of ‘learning by doing’ rather than being driven by the results of monitoring Where to from here • Major re-think is occurring • Information and monitoring needs for EAFM go well beyond expensive and limited UVC and various transect methods • Not every site requires the same monitoring; all need some form of data/ information to inform management plans and subsequent adaptation , others will be monitored/ sampled to address particular issues – a tiered approach Some key considerations • Golden rules for the future seemed to be that monitoring and information gathering/ dissemination should be: • driven by CEAFM management objectives, on the basis of need to know, not nice to know • based on well defined outcomes and be fit for purpose (management and stakeholders) • cost/effective and sustainable • based on the overall needs of coastal communities, not just ‘showcase’ communities Discussion groups • • • • • • Firstly, looked at data and information needs to inform CEAFM. Clear differences between what governments and coastal communities want/need Very long lists emerged, with considerable diversity Deciding on priorities was a hard task hard to do, given that the process needs to be iterative, and based on specific needs/ sites/ circumstances Results confirmed the need for ‘fit for purpose’ and alignment with objectives and outcomes of the specific CEAFM undertaking One size will not fit all Day 3 summary – All GroupsGovernment Needs Vulnerability of communities and fisheries; the management needs Structure of the community, governance and traditional systems) Biodiversity values / ecosystem service Dependency on fisheries resources Catch and effort Compliance Site locations –physical and biological characteristics Baselines; stocks, communities, infrastructure Water quality Reports of problems – early warning and planning for follow-up and priority research Broader ecosystem impacts e.g. watershed management issues Outside issues e.g. watershed management issues sedimentation etc Compliance Baselines; stocks, communities, infrastructure Fish species of high importance to community Water quality Habitats Emerging problems – early warning to plan mitigation/adaptation Catch and other fisheries data including trends, seasonality etc General data on fish and invertebrates Site locations - physical and biological characteristics Day 3 summary – All Groups Communities Enough info to get indicators (what species are being exploited) Perception of stock status and trends Fishing pressure/ levels of harvesting Description of outside influences (e.g. rivers, catchment etc, emerging issues (CC?), Ciguatera Traditional / cultural uses of resources Status of target/key species What fish are being caught and trends (recorded by local fishermen eg markets, CPUE surveys ) Economic opportunities Recovery time for depleted species Info on closures – when can I harvest again? Aquaculture Site information - boundaries and key features (e.g. mangroves, coral cover, invertebrates etc) Compliance What is the management / action plan – (situation, problems, action needed) Threats (local and global AND possible solutions; research, experiences and findings elsewhere) “Sustainable Yield” PM Questions Made progress on: • The key elements for a data and information strategy system • Data and information storage, security, access and use • Evaluating and measuring the effectiveness of monitoring and information • The use of monitoring information and data to influence and inform CEAFM decision making processes Day 4 • Day four will focus on collaborations and how we can all work closer together, with two presentations (one from a management perspective, the second from a conservation perspective to set the scene on what has been tried with successes, challenges and lessons learned. • Participants will then stay in their same group as the previous day to discuss specific issues regarding collaborations (at the national level including assistance from CROP agencies, NGOs etc), with the results of the discussion presented back in plenary at the end of the day. Questions for Day 4 Groups 1 and 3 – Developing Collaboration and Communication • What are the barriers to collaboration/communication and how can they be broken down by working closer together? • What are the key collaboration/ communication strengths of the main players (CROP agencies, communities, national departments, universities etc) in relation to CEAFM? • How can national cooperation, including i) between government departments and ii) between governments and NGOs to improve CEAFM outcomes? • How can current approaches to climate change (include funding) be harnessed to achieve better CEAFM outcomes Questions for Day 4 Groups 2 and 4 – Implementing and maintaining collaboration • How best to maintain and extend communication tools and networks? • How to collaborate effectively, by drawing on the strengths of the key players, to deliver CEAFM? • What are the key principles/considerations that should drive a standardised approach to EAFM, ensuring a common message is delivered to communities? • How to address the long term sustainable funding/resourcing of CEAFM initiatives?