Division of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME)

The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division undertakes a range of capacity development activities with its 22 PICT members, covering both oceanic and coastal fisheries.Oceanic fisheries:• The annual Regional Tuna Data Workshop, which runs over a week and provides capacity development in the data management area, and in particular assists countries with their WCPFC reporting obligations;• Provision of comprehensive database systems and reporting tools, with an all-inclusive helpdesk facility;• In-country database and data management training workshops;• SPC short term database and data management training attachments;• The stock assessment workshops (introductory and advanced), an annual (funding permitting) pair of two one-week capacity development workshops to enhance member’s understanding of the stock assessments and their capacity to scientifically engage at WCPFC Scientific Committee;• Capacity building on harvest strategies and Management Strategy Evaluation as part of the NZ project for the next 4 years or so (both national and sub-regional training workshops);• The ‘junior’ Pacific Island professional positions in each section – a one year position integrated into one of the SPC-OFP sections (currently staff from RMI, Samoa and Vanuatu);• Capacity building associated with the implementation of electronic reporting of commercial and small-scale tuna fisheries data;• Capacity building associated with the implementation of on-board video-based electronic monitoring of longline fishing operations and associated processing and analysis of data;• Capacity building associated with the implementation of scientific data collection from longline an purse seine fisheries in ports around the region;• Capacity building associated with tuna tagging research voyages and participation by members (currently biennial);• Establishing, reviewing and revising regional standards for observers (PIRFO);• Coordinating regional, sub-regional and national PIRFO observer trainings (as per annually agreed Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop schedule);• In-country tag-recovery officer and biological sampling for observer/port-sampler trainings;• Co-ordinate and quality assure in-country and sub-regional PIRFO debriefer training (as per annually agreed Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop schedule);• Annual PIRFO Trainer/Assessor workshop held for PIRFO trainer development (leading to vocational trainer qualifications); and• Quality assurance of observer training and debriefer training in the region (noting that there is now almost sufficient capacity within members to conduct these trainings, and SPCs role is more on standards/QA with occasional periods of SPC doing training where there are gaps).Coastal fisheries• Survey methodologies for a range of coastal and reef finfish and invertebrate species through in-water surveys including habitat and market and creel surveys using standardised approaches where possible;• Analysing interpreting the data that have been collected through in-water and/or market and creel surveys and turning this into management advice for governments;• Preparing draft fishery management plans and policies based on the best available scientific advice so these can be taken forward for endorsement and implementation; • Data base development and maintenance at the national level with links to to the regional databases hosed at SPC;• Coastal fisheries and aquaculture monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement through sub-regional and national workshops, including the production of awareness-raising materials;• Legal advice and developing capacity for drafting legislation, management plans, regulations etc both at the national and subnational levels;• Attachment training at SPC for 1-2 weeks on specific activities that benefit the national fisheries department;• Pacific Islander Junior Professional programme where staff from fisheries departments are recruited for 12 to SPC and then return to their position back at the national level;• Aquaculture development initiatives and strengthening local capacity at both the fisheries departments and with the private sector;• Undertaking import risk assessments as part of aquatic biosecurity for the importation of marine species from one country to another;• Business skills for small-scale fishers wishing to set up a small business;• Data collection using e-reporting and web technology for small-scale fisheries.• The construction and deployment of fish aggregating devices (FADs) including site selection, deployment procedures, maintenance, and fishing techniques that can be used in association with FADs;• Other small-scale fishing methods including fishing for the large diamond-back squid and small pelagics, sports fishing and other non-extractive methods where appropriate; and• On-board handling of tuna for small-scale operators to maintain quality, especially for export markets.In addition, the SPC is about to embark on a regional project over 4 years to strengthen leadership and management skills for fisheries officers in the Pacific region. This includes partnerships with universities and mentors to assist in the project.