Boopendranath Fisheries Co-management 2008

Possibilities and Concerns Possibilities and Concerns

regarding Fisheries Coregarding Fisheries Co--Management Management

in Indiain India

Dr. M.R. BoopendranathDr. M.R. Boopendranath

Principal ScientistPrincipal Scientist

Fishing Technology DivisionFishing Technology Division

Central Institute of Fisheries TechnologyCentral Institute of Fisheries TechnologyP.O. Matsyapuri, CochinP.O. Matsyapuri, Cochin--682 029, India682 029, India

EE--mail: mail: [email protected]@hotmail.com

1.0 Major technological changes in the1.0 Major technological changes in the

capture fisheries of Indiacapture fisheries of India• Introduction and popularization of synthetic fishing

gear materials.

• Introduction of trawling in mid-1950s

• Expansion in mechanized fleet in terms of numbers,

size, installed horsepower and capacities

• Improvement in efficiency and diversification of

trawls, purse seines, gillnets and lines, for

mechanized sector.

• Expansion of fishing grounds for harvesting deep

sea fishing for deeps sea prawns, lobsters and

cephalopods.

• Adoption of modern technologies such as

echosounder and GPS

• Chartering and joint venture schemes.

1.1 Major technological changes in the capture 1.1 Major technological changes in the capture

fisheries of India..2fisheries of India..2

• Motorization of traditional fishing crafts and

expansion in fishing grounds

• Improvement of traditional fishing units, in terms of

craft modernization, gear materials, gear efficiency

and dimensions.

• Introduction of ring seines in mid-1980s and

rapid expansion of ring seine units in terms of size

of crafts, horsepower of OBM, craft materials,

increase in overall dimensions of the ring

seines and mechanized purse line hauling.

1.2 Major technological changes in the capture fisheries1.2 Major technological changes in the capture fisheries

Major fishing systems became more efficient

though introduction of new materials, improved

designs and better gear and catch handling and

improved capacities.

Present development focus:Selective fishing gear and practices

Environment- friendly fishing gears

Energy conservation in harvesting

Enhancement of resources


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Coracle

Large stern trawler

One-man canoe


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A typical beach landing scene


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A ring seine vessel surveying for shoals


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Ring seine landings


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A mini-trawler in operation


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Steel and wooden trawlers


Catch of trawlers


A commercial Purse Seiner, operating off Cochin


Catch of carangids caught by purse seine, off Cochin


Catch of tuna caught by purse seine, off Cochin

A view of 40 tonne catch of threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) obtained by demersal trawling by a 110 m LOA Factory Trawler (inset),

off west coast of India


A view of 22 tonne catch of horse mackerel (Megalaspis cordyla) obtained by midwater trawling, off north-west coast of India


2.0 Status of marine fishery resources2.0 Status of marine fishery resources

Capture fisheries in India in general and Capture fisheries in India in general and Gujarat in particular has been progressing Gujarat in particular has been progressing in a haphazard way, with insufficient in a haphazard way, with insufficient management and control, which has been management and control, which has been leading to rapid transition to leading to rapid transition to overexploitation.overexploitation.

The substantial increase in fishing effort The substantial increase in fishing effort has resulted in the decrease in per capita has resulted in the decrease in per capita area per active fishermen and per boat in area per active fishermen and per boat in the shelf fishing grounds and also in the the shelf fishing grounds and also in the CPUE.CPUE.


Problems of juvenile finfish mortality and Problems of juvenile finfish mortality and

bycatch discards increased with the bycatch discards increased with the

intensification of shrimp trawling and smallintensification of shrimp trawling and small--

meshed gillnetting. meshed gillnetting.

The proliferation of mechanized and The proliferation of mechanized and

motorized fleet increased the catch but had motorized fleet increased the catch but had

a negative impact leading to growth a negative impact leading to growth

overfishingoverfishing, economic , economic overfishingoverfishing and and

ecosystem ecosystem overfishingoverfishing. .

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A recent analysis of time series data of marine landings A recent analysis of time series data of marine landings has shown that ‘the fishing down marine food webs’ is has shown that ‘the fishing down marine food webs’ is visible in all maritime states including Gujarat. The study visible in all maritime states including Gujarat. The study has shown that fishing down ecosystem effect is visible has shown that fishing down ecosystem effect is visible in Gujarat from 1961 onwards with a decline of in Gujarat from 1961 onwards with a decline of 3.253.25MTL MTL from TL=4.2 to TL=4.0 at the rate of 0.008 TL per year from TL=4.2 to TL=4.0 at the rate of 0.008 TL per year ((BhathalBhathal (2005). (2005).

The study also substantiated that strong geographical The study also substantiated that strong geographical expansion of fishing effort to previously unexploited expansion of fishing effort to previously unexploited areas has taken place in Gujarat, from 1990 onwards. areas has taken place in Gujarat, from 1990 onwards.

There is an immediate need to curb existing There is an immediate need to curb existing overcapacity and redistribute the remaining effort across overcapacity and redistribute the remaining effort across the the trophictrophic levels from large predators to small prey levels from large predators to small prey fishes as suggested for other parts of the world (fishes as suggested for other parts of the world (PaulyPauly et et al., 1998; 2002). al., 1998; 2002).

Excess fishing capacity Excess fishing capacity –– IndiaIndia

10998

784

3694

2014

1558

19048

14862

29241

983

14183

8862

5642

58911

75591

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 80000

Mechanised trawlers

Mechanised purse seiners

Mechanised gill netters

Mechanised bag netters

Other mechanised boats

Total mechanised boats

Total motorised boats

Optimum fleet size (Kurup and

Devaraj, 2000)

Present fleet size (CMFRI, 2005)

2.7x

1.3x

3.8x

4.4x

3.6x

3.1x

5.1x

"All the great sea"All the great sea--fisheries are fisheries are

inexhaustible." inexhaustible." -- Thomas Huxley (1883), during the International Fisheries Thomas Huxley (1883), during the International Fisheries

Exhibition in LondonExhibition in London

““There will be virtually nothing left to There will be virtually nothing left to

fish from the seas by the middle of fish from the seas by the middle of

the century, if current trends the century, if current trends

continuecontinue””-- Conclusion of Worm et al (2006), Science 314: 787Conclusion of Worm et al (2006), Science 314: 787--790790

3.0 Excess fishing capacity3.0 Excess fishing capacity

Fishing capacity is the ability of a stock of inputs (capital) Fishing capacity is the ability of a stock of inputs (capital) used in fisheries to produce output, measured as either used in fisheries to produce output, measured as either effort (or indicators of effort) or catch (FAO, 2001). effort (or indicators of effort) or catch (FAO, 2001).

Overcapacity (or excess capacity) is the capacity in Overcapacity (or excess capacity) is the capacity in excess of the (desired) stock of inputs that will produce a excess of the (desired) stock of inputs that will produce a desired level of outputs (e.g., a set of target fishing desired level of outputs (e.g., a set of target fishing mortality rates for the species being harvested) and will mortality rates for the species being harvested) and will best achieve the objectives of a fishery management plan. best achieve the objectives of a fishery management plan.

Excessive fishing capacity leads to Excessive fishing capacity leads to overfishingoverfishing and affects and affects long term sustainability of resources, biodiversity and long term sustainability of resources, biodiversity and environment and economic viability of fishing operations.environment and economic viability of fishing operations.

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The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) (FAO, 1995) recommends that "(CCRF) (FAO, 1995) recommends that "States should States should prevent prevent overfishingoverfishing and excess fishing capacity and and excess fishing capacity and should implement management measures to ensure that should implement management measures to ensure that fishing effort is commensurate with the productive capacity fishing effort is commensurate with the productive capacity of the fishery resources and their sustainable utilizationof the fishery resources and their sustainable utilization" " (Article 6.3). (Article 6.3).

The International Plan of Action for the Management of The International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA) was elaborated within the Fishing Capacity (IPOA) was elaborated within the framework of the Code of Conduct with the objective of framework of the Code of Conduct with the objective of attaining an efficient, equitable and transparent attaining an efficient, equitable and transparent management of fishing capacity for fisheries conservation management of fishing capacity for fisheries conservation and sustainable management (FAO, 1999). and sustainable management (FAO, 1999).

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CCRF advocates that nations and regional fishery CCRF advocates that nations and regional fishery organizations, in the framework of their respective organizations, in the framework of their respective competencies and consistent with international law, to competencies and consistent with international law, to achieve worldwide, equitable and transparent achieve worldwide, equitable and transparent management of fishing capacity (FAO, 1995). management of fishing capacity (FAO, 1995).

The actions in this direction include assessment and The actions in this direction include assessment and monitoring of fishing capacity, the preparation and monitoring of fishing capacity, the preparation and implementation of national, regional and international implementation of national, regional and international plans of action (FAO, 1999). plans of action (FAO, 1999).

The excess fishing capacity stems essentially from the The excess fishing capacity stems essentially from the widespread tendency towards overcapitalization and widespread tendency towards overcapitalization and overfishingoverfishing under free and openunder free and open--access conditions. access conditions. Excess harvesting capacity may take the form of any Excess harvesting capacity may take the form of any combination of people, fishing gear, fishing vessels and combination of people, fishing gear, fishing vessels and variations in their capacities and efficiencies. variations in their capacities and efficiencies.


Excess capacity is assessed by comparing the existing Excess capacity is assessed by comparing the existing capacity to an optimal or desired level, using various capacity to an optimal or desired level, using various reference points such as maximum sustainable yield reference points such as maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and maximum economic yield (MEY).(MSY) and maximum economic yield (MEY).

Excess fishing capacity is estimated by a variety of Excess fishing capacity is estimated by a variety of techniques of differing sophistication and data techniques of differing sophistication and data requirements (FAO, 1998; 1999a; 2000; 2001), such as: requirements (FAO, 1998; 1999a; 2000; 2001), such as:

–– BioeconomicBioeconomic analysis, analysis,

–– SchocasticSchocastic production frontier analysis, production frontier analysis,

–– Fishing power analysis, Fishing power analysis,

–– Data envelopment analysis and Data envelopment analysis and

–– Peak to peak analysisPeak to peak analysis

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4.0 Approaches to fishing effort management4.0 Approaches to fishing effort management

The growth of fishing capacity is controlled either The growth of fishing capacity is controlled either by limiting the use of 'inputs' (limited entry by limiting the use of 'inputs' (limited entry schemes, fishing holidays) or by placing a limit schemes, fishing holidays) or by placing a limit on 'output' such as an upper limit on the volume on 'output' such as an upper limit on the volume of landings. of landings.

Directly limiting fishing inputs may facilitate the Directly limiting fishing inputs may facilitate the tendency to expand capacity by improving the tendency to expand capacity by improving the elements of fishing effort that have not been elements of fishing effort that have not been restricted. Hence technical developments that restricted. Hence technical developments that effectively increase fishing effort must be effectively increase fishing effort must be compensated by appropriate adjustments made compensated by appropriate adjustments made to the restrictions imposed on the fishery. to the restrictions imposed on the fishery.

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A consensus is emerging in favour of using individual A consensus is emerging in favour of using individual transferable quotas (transferable quotas (ITQsITQs) management to control fishing ) management to control fishing capacity, particularly in developed countries. This system capacity, particularly in developed countries. This system of capacity regulation generally limits the number of fishing of capacity regulation generally limits the number of fishing units and allocate a share of the total allowable catch units and allocate a share of the total allowable catch (TAC) to each unit and allows the sale or lease of the right (TAC) to each unit and allows the sale or lease of the right to quotas. to quotas.

Making these rights transferable increases the possibility of Making these rights transferable increases the possibility of efficient use of fisheries inputs, reducing fishing capacity to efficient use of fisheries inputs, reducing fishing capacity to a level that accords with the quantity of fish available for a level that accords with the quantity of fish available for harvesting. harvesting.

However, not all fisheries are amenable to quota However, not all fisheries are amenable to quota management, either for social and cultural reasons or management, either for social and cultural reasons or because of the multibecause of the multi--species nature of the fishery, for species nature of the fishery, for which complex schemes are usually needed to offset the which complex schemes are usually needed to offset the increased incentive to discard bycatch.increased incentive to discard bycatch.


A rightsA rights--based regulated access system based on based regulated access system based on a strong inclusive cooperative movement of a strong inclusive cooperative movement of stakeholders with builtstakeholders with built--in transferable quota in transferable quota system and buysystem and buy--back or rotational right of entry back or rotational right of entry schemes for capacity management and schemes for capacity management and optimization in the shelf fisheries, under a cooptimization in the shelf fisheries, under a co--management regime, in collaboration with the management regime, in collaboration with the Union Government and the neighbouring states Union Government and the neighbouring states with confluent ecosystems and shared fishing with confluent ecosystems and shared fishing grounds, grounds, seems to hold potential for capacity seems to hold potential for capacity management in the shelf fisheries of Indian statesmanagement in the shelf fisheries of Indian states..

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Major focus need to be given for the sustainability shelf Major focus need to be given for the sustainability shelf resources, as more than 95% of the landings are derived resources, as more than 95% of the landings are derived from this zone of maximum productivity. from this zone of maximum productivity.

Restoration and enhancement of fishery resources need Restoration and enhancement of fishery resources need to be ensured in shelf waters by all possible resource to be ensured in shelf waters by all possible resource conservation and enhancement strategies such as area conservation and enhancement strategies such as area closures, seasonal closures (fishing holidays), mesh closures, seasonal closures (fishing holidays), mesh regulation, minimum landing size, ban on destructive regulation, minimum landing size, ban on destructive fishing practices, restructuring and diversification of fishing practices, restructuring and diversification of fishing effort to underexploited areas and resources, fishing effort to underexploited areas and resources, ranching and restoration of nonranching and restoration of non--productive fishing productive fishing grounds, in addition to the removal of excess capacity grounds, in addition to the removal of excess capacity from the fishing fleet (buyback schemes), rights based from the fishing fleet (buyback schemes), rights based access control and responsible fishing practices. access control and responsible fishing practices.

Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and fishing logs need Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and fishing logs need to be made mandatory for large vessels (>20 m LOA) to be made mandatory for large vessels (>20 m LOA) and newly inducted resourceand newly inducted resource--specific deep sea fleets, to specific deep sea fleets, to forestall tendency for zonal transgressions. forestall tendency for zonal transgressions.


Since a large number of people depend on fisheries, Since a large number of people depend on fisheries, implementation of any of the measures demands implementation of any of the measures demands thorough evaluation of social as well as economic factors thorough evaluation of social as well as economic factors and incorporation of possible tradeand incorporation of possible trade--offs among social, offs among social, economic and ecological objectives of management. economic and ecological objectives of management.

Fishing effort management is not possible in isolation, in Fishing effort management is not possible in isolation, in the state of Gujarat alone, as the fishing grounds and the state of Gujarat alone, as the fishing grounds and accessible fishery resources extends far beyond the accessible fishery resources extends far beyond the jurisdiction of the state (12 nautical mile from the coast jurisdiction of the state (12 nautical mile from the coast line) and hence need to be region based and line) and hence need to be region based and harmonized among the maritime states sharing the same harmonized among the maritime states sharing the same resources and fishing areas.resources and fishing areas.

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Evolve regionalized consensus Code of Conduct Evolve regionalized consensus Code of Conduct

for Responsible Fishing, in close participation with for Responsible Fishing, in close participation with

all stake holdersall stake holders, , within a cowithin a co--management regimemanagement regime

Traditional, motorized and mechanized fishermen Traditional, motorized and mechanized fishermen

organizations sharing the same fishing ground and organizations sharing the same fishing ground and

resourcesresources

Fisheries research organizations Fisheries research organizations

Fisheries managersFisheries managers

Pointers from CCRF and IPOA for sustainable fisheries developmenPointers from CCRF and IPOA for sustainable fisheries developmentt

Take measures to facilitate transition from free Take measures to facilitate transition from free and open access regime to rights based controlled and open access regime to rights based controlled access coaccess co--management regime, with strict management regime, with strict enforcement of a system of licenses (authorization enforcement of a system of licenses (authorization to fish) in traditional, motorized and mechanized to fish) in traditional, motorized and mechanized sectors and promoting cooperative movement sectors and promoting cooperative movement among stakeholders.among stakeholders.

Periodically revalidate maximum sustainable yield Periodically revalidate maximum sustainable yield of resources in the existing fishing grounds and of resources in the existing fishing grounds and determine fishing units and their capacities in each determine fishing units and their capacities in each category and fishing zones for sustainable category and fishing zones for sustainable harvesting of resources.harvesting of resources.

Pointers from CCRF for sustainable fisheries developmentPointers from CCRF for sustainable fisheries development

Address the question of excess capacity squarely and take Address the question of excess capacity squarely and take steps to remove excess capacity over a time schedule.steps to remove excess capacity over a time schedule.

Standardize fishing systems operating in different sectors Standardize fishing systems operating in different sectors and prevent unauthorized technological changes affecting and prevent unauthorized technological changes affecting capacities and fishing power. capacities and fishing power.

Conduct periodic audit of craftConduct periodic audit of craft--gear combinations operating gear combinations operating on the fishery in terms economics of operation, energy on the fishery in terms economics of operation, energy consumption (Gross Energy Requirement), selectivity, consumption (Gross Energy Requirement), selectivity, ecological and environmental impacts and promote the use ecological and environmental impacts and promote the use of those systems which minimizes cost of fish production, of those systems which minimizes cost of fish production, energy use, ecological and environmental impacts, by energy use, ecological and environmental impacts, by effective management strategies.effective management strategies.

Identify and delimit Protected Areas in marine and inland Identify and delimit Protected Areas in marine and inland water ecosystems. water ecosystems.


Evolve a system for marking fishing vessels and Evolve a system for marking fishing vessels and

fishing gear (both traditional & mechanized).fishing gear (both traditional & mechanized).

Standardise the capacities, dimensions and Standardise the capacities, dimensions and

specifications of fishing units in each category.specifications of fishing units in each category.

Maintain registry of all fishing vessels operating in Maintain registry of all fishing vessels operating in

waters under State jurisdiction with all essential waters under State jurisdiction with all essential

detailsdetails

Evolve regulations for mandatory survey of Evolve regulations for mandatory survey of

mechanized fishing vessels and fishing gears. mechanized fishing vessels and fishing gears.


Promote selective fishing gear and Promote selective fishing gear and practicespractices

Optimum mesh size in trawl Optimum mesh size in trawl codendscodends

Optimum hook size and shape for linesOptimum hook size and shape for lines

Square mesh windows in trawlsSquare mesh windows in trawls

Bycatch reduction devices in trawlsBycatch reduction devices in trawls

Turtle Excluder Devices in trawlsTurtle Excluder Devices in trawls

Juvenile Excluder Devices in trawlsJuvenile Excluder Devices in trawls

Trawl designs with improved resource specificityTrawl designs with improved resource specificity

Optimum mesh size for gill netsOptimum mesh size for gill nets

Optimum mesh size for purse seinesOptimum mesh size for purse seines

Escape windows in fish and lobster trapsEscape windows in fish and lobster traps


Evolve an efficient monitoring, control and Evolve an efficient monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system.surveillance (MCS) system.

Effectively use Geographical Information Effectively use Geographical Information System for fisheries management; System for fisheries management; monitoring and control of fishing effort and monitoring and control of fishing effort and energy use.energy use.

Develop a dynamic Fisheries Information Develop a dynamic Fisheries Information Portal providing easy access to authentic Portal providing easy access to authentic information and facilitate fisheries research, information and facilitate fisheries research, management and businessmanagement and business


Evolve and promote a package of practices Evolve and promote a package of practices for energy conservation in fish harvestingfor energy conservation in fish harvesting

Low energy fishing techniquesLow energy fishing techniques

Low drag trawlsLow drag trawls

Pair trawlingPair trawling

Economic vessel speedEconomic vessel speed

Hull design and displacement optimisationHull design and displacement optimisation

AntiAnti--fouling measuresfouling measures

Choice of enginesChoice of engines

Right sizing of enginesRight sizing of engines

Emission standardsEmission standards

Preventive maintenance of enginesPreventive maintenance of engines

Reduction gear, propeller size and propeller nozzleReduction gear, propeller size and propeller nozzle

SailSail--assisted propulsionassisted propulsion

Use of advanced technology (Use of advanced technology (EchosounderEchosounder, GPS, PFZ information, GIS), GPS, PFZ information, GIS)

Fleet managementFleet management


Evolve a mandatory programme of training Evolve a mandatory programme of training

and certification for nonand certification for non--motorised, motorised,

motorised and mechanised fishermen in:motorised and mechanised fishermen in:Safe navigation Safe navigation

Responsible fishing Responsible fishing

Log keeping and reportingLog keeping and reporting


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Boopendranath Fisheries Co-management 2008