PRESENTED BY PATRICK D. SAYON

COMMUNITY SCIENCES COORDINATOR LIBERIA

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WHAT IS COMMUNITY SCIENCES?

COMMUNITY SCIENCES IS MONITORING THE COASTAL AND INSHORE MARINE RESOURCES USING A SET OF BASIC SCIENCE PROCEDURES TO SYSTEMATICALLY GATHER AND INTERPRET DATA AND INFORMATION ON THE STATUS AND HEALTH OF LOCAL RESOURCES.

WHY DO COMMUNITY SCIENCES?

MONOFILAMENT NETS KILL JUVENILE FISH

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BEACH SEINING KILLS JUVENILE FISH

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PIRATE TRAWLERS

INJURIES TO FISHERS BY PIRATE TRAWLERS

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KILLING OF PROTECTED SPECIES

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KILLING OF PROTECTED SPECIES

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THE CONSEQUENCES OF DYNAMITE FISHING

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES The community sciences program is design to build capacity of West African artisanal fisher communities to monitor and better manage their local coastal and inshore marine resources – fisheries, beaches, mangrove areas, etc.

Supports a change to a “user rights” base approach. This gives fisher communities the rights and responsibility to manage inshore marine resources

Builds strong and informed community groups with capacity to manage local fisheries resources sustainably and who can use data and facts to advocate for improved fisheries at a national level

Gathers data and information for ten procedures using data sheets that collect information that fishers and community members find useful and relevant to their circumstances

DATA SHEETCOMMUNITY SCIENCESShoreline Monitoring

DATA FORM

Community Name Robertsport City, Grand Cape Mount County

Date January 4, 2011

Community Science Chief Charles Simpson

Deputy Community Science Chief Andrew K. Nyanforh

Logistics Manager Augustine Tregbe

Coordinator(s) Patrick D. Sayon

MONITORING PROCEDURES

1. Fish Monitoring2. Air Temperature3. Wind and Rain4. Water Surface 5. Water Temperature 6. Trawling 7. Shoreline Survey8. Tide Level9. Hygiene Checks 10. Destructive Fishing Practices

Fish Monitoring

Why: Fish monitoring provides an indication of the health of fish stocks.

What: Fish monitoring collects information on the relative size of the main fish species caught by canoe fishermen.

Equipment:

Fish Measuring BoardRuler

Procedure:

Choose AT RANDOM any two fishermen who have just returned from fishing Interview them and fill in the data sheet

Look at the two fishermen’s catch and pick out the smallest and the biggest fish from the main species they have caught. Measure the length of those

fish and write the lengths down in the table below

From left to right is Augustine Tregbe measuring fish length, the catch of Edward Wiah and Soreba

interviewing Edward.

Recorded by: Soreba M. SumahParticipants: All volunteersDate: January 4, 2011

Boat 1 Boat 2Name of boat captain Edward Wiah Mark BotoeType of boat Kru canoe Popo canoeNumber of crew members

None 8 members

Location where most fish was caught

At the River Mouth At the mouth of the River

Distance to that location:

40 minutes 1 hour

DATA ENTRY

WHAT GEAR DID YOU USE FOR FISHING TODAY?

Gear Type Number of Gear UsedBoat 1 Boat 2

Beach Seine  Bottom gill netCast nets    Channel Net    Couta Net / Couta Chain    Hook and Line 3 linesLong Line (Murrell)  Mackerel Net    Mina Net    Purse Seine (bonga chain, herring chain)

  

Set net (legochain)    Shark fishing net    Trap (for lobsters, crabs)    Yelefufu net    English net    Two finger slack    

SIZE OF THE CATCH?

NAMES OF SPECIES

Smallest (cms) Largest (cms)

Boat 1 Boat 2 Boat 1 Boat 2

Grouper 16 cm 18 cm

Penten (halfbeak) 12 cm 13 cmCavalla fish (Crevalle jack) 13 cm 15 cm

Gar- fish (needlefish) 33 cm

Cassava fish (croaker) 7 cm 24 cmButter nose (threadfins) 5.5 cm 8 cmPike fish(European barracuda) 12 cm 14.5 cm

Rock head(boe drum) 3.5 cm 4 cm

Database – Cassava Fish / Croaker /Pseudotolithus elongatesYEAR MONTH Robertsport West Point Marshall Buchanan Harper Grand Cess

Smallest Largest Smallest Largest Smallest Largest Smallest Largest Smallest Largest Smallest Largest2010 January - - 16.5 cm 23.5 cm - - - - - - - -

February 14.0 cm - 10.0 cm 14.0 cm - - - - - - - -March 14.0 cm - - - - - - - - - - -April - - - - - - - - - - - -May 12.0 cm 22.0 cm - - - - - - - - - -June - - 16.0 cm 19.0 cm - - - - - - - -July - - 14.5 cm 22.0 cm - - - - - - - -August - - 7.5 cm 12.5 cm - - - - - - - -September 10.9 cm 14.2 cm 12.5 cm 13.0 cm - - - - - - - -October 14.0 cm 21.0 cm 11.0 cm 13.0 cm - - - - - - - -November - - - - 35.3 cm 45.0 cm 40.4 cm 75.5 cm - - - -December - - - - - - - - - - - -

2011 January 7.0 cm 24.0 cm 25.0 cm 25.2 cm 40.0 cm 88.0 cm 42.0 cm 98.0 cm - - - -February - - - - 40.0 cm 77.0 cm 15.0 cm 78.0 cm - - - -March - - 25.5 cm 75.0 cm - - - - - -April 7.7 cm 7.8 cm 25.5 cm 30.5 cm 57.0 cm 82.0 cm - - - -May 5.0 cm 30.0 cm 8.0 cm 12.0 cm 25.3 cm 39.3 cm - - - - - -June 5.0 cm 30.0 cm 8.0 cm 9.0 cm - - 55.0 cm 74.0 cm - - - -July 7.5 cm 11.3 cm - - - - 10.3 cm 13.0 cm - - - -August 22.0 cm 26.0 cm 13.0 cm 14.0 cm 14.0 cm 50.0 cm 36.0 cm 75.0 cm - - - -September 12.0 cm 14.0 cm 14.0 cm 27.0 cm 13.0 cm 14.0 cm 34.0 cm 74.0 cm - - - -October 10.0 cm 10.0 cm 15.5 cm 18.5 cm 30.0 cm 30.4 cm 17.0 cm 17.0 cm - - - -November 34.0 cm 34.0 cm - - - - 35.0 cm 62.8 cm - - - -December 62.0 cm 62.1 cm 16.0 cm 27.0 cm 19.0 cm 23.0 cm 53.0 cm 60.1 cm - - - -

2012 January 10.4 cm 10.4 cm - - - - 53.0 cm 61.0 cm 44.0 cm 98.0 cm 28.0 cm 36.0 cmFebruary 10.9 cm 10.9 cm 19.0 cm 22.0 cm 11.0 cm 15.0 cm 35.0 cm 60.0 cm 15.0 cm 78.0 cm - -March 25.0 cm 35.0 cm 24.0 cm 31.0 cm 28.0 cm 64.0 cm 25.4 cm 50.3 cm - - - -April - - 11.0 cm 16.0 cm - - 36.0 cm 43.0 cm 57.0 cm 82.0 cm - -May - - 13.0 cm 18.0 cm - - 43.0 cm 68.0 cm - - - -June - - - - - - 40.0 cm 65.0 cm 55.0 cm 74.0 cm - -July - - 13.5 cm 14.0 cm - - 42.0 cm 50.0 cm 10.3 cm 13.0 cm - -August 27.0 cm 37.0 cm 10.0 cm 14.0 cm - - 43.0 cm 85.0 cm - - 45.0 cm 61.0 cmSeptember - - - - - - 55.0 cm 65.0 cm 37.0 cm 74.0 cm - -October - - 11.0 cm 15.0 cm - - - - 11.0 cm 13.0 cm - -November 29.0 cm 31.0 cm - - 41.0 cm 51.0 cm 30.2 cm 65.2 cm 35.0 cm 62.8 cm - -December - - 10.0 cm 14.0 cm - - 45.0 cm 85.0 cm 53.0 cm 60.1 cm 31.0 cm 51.5 cm

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Cassava Fish / Croaker /Pseudotolithus elongates

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FISH PRICES

SpeciesPer bucket / dozen / individual Price (per unit)

Boat 1 Boat 2 Boat 1 Boat 2

Grouper individual LD$ 75.00

Penten (halfbeak) Per bucket LD$ 500.00

Cavalla fish (Crevalle jack)

4pcs LD$ 200.00

Gar- fish (needlefish)

½ dozen LD$ 200.00

Cassava fish (croaker) individual LD$ 250.00Butter nose (threadfins) ½ dozen LD$ 200.00Pike fish(European barracuda) Per bucket LD$ 450.00Rock head(boe drum) Per bucket LD$ 450.00

HOW MANY HOURS DID EACH FISHERMAN SPEND FISHING TODAY OR LAST NIGHT?

WHAT DID EACH FISHERMAN DO WITH THE FISH THEY CAUGHT TODAY?

Time Boat 1 Boat 2

12 hours of more Yes

6 to 12 hours yes

3 to 6 hours

Less than 3 hours

Did with MOST of your catch Did with SOME of your catch

Boat 1 Boat 2 Boat 1 Boat 2Sold yes yes yesGave to processor in familyHousehold food yesTraded for productsGave to crew as paymentGave away yesThrew away

WHICH DAYS DID THE FISHERMEN GO FISHING OVER THE PAST LAST 7 DAYS?

DayYES, WENT FISHING ON THIS DAY

Boat 1 Boat 2

MONDAY Yes Yes

TUESDAY yes Yes

yes Yes

WEDNESDAY yes Yes

yes Yes

THURSDAY yes Yes

yes Yes

FRIDAY yes Yes

yes Yes

SATURDAY yes yes

SUNDAY No fishing No fishing

WATER TEMPERATURE What: This procedure records the temperature of the water. Why: Water temperature affects the physical and chemical properties of water and has a great influence on the health of inshore marine creatures, affecting their feeding and reproduction habits. If water temperature increases consistently over time then the health of the fish and other creatures and plant life may be adversely affected. Equipment: BucketWater Thermometer Procedure:Fill up the bucket with water collected near the shoreline. In the future, always use the same location for gathering the water.Immediately place the thermometer in the bucket of water and hold it there for 2 minutes.Record the reading given by the thermometer in the Data Form.

DATA ENTRYRecorded by : Charles W. Simpson

Participants : Augustine, Andrew, new recruit Timothy E. Doe, Abraham and Boakai

Date : January 4, 2011

Time : 10:24 am

Landmark used: Popo beach, Kru town

_29_ Degrees Celsius

The first time of checking water temperature; Timothy fetches water to monitor the temperature, volunteers reading the thermometer and then record.

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Jan. Feb. Mar April May June July Aug Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.25.5

26

26.5

27

27.5

28

28.5

29

29.5

30

30.5

Chart for Water Temperature in Degree Celsius , 2011Chart for Water Temperature in Degree Celsius , 2011

TRAWLING What: Monitoring the presence of trawlers operating within sight of the shore and recording the Identification Number of that boat (if possible). Why: To collect and report information on trawlers working illegally in the Inshore Exclusion Zone in your locality. Equipment: binocular, camera and a trawler spotter (an analogue phone with a specially designedApp) Procedure:• Volunteers and fishers pay attention to the number of trawlers seen from

the shore or nearshore.• Volunteers consult with fishermen and community members on trawlers• When trawlers are seen, volunteers use the trawler spotters to record them• Enter the information into the Data sheet

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* Trawler Spotter Training

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*Trawler Spotter Training

DATA ENTRY

Recorded by : Andrew K. Nyanforh Participants : Boakai, Abraham, Theresa and Charles  Date : January 4, 2011  

Trawlers seen around 3 nautical miles near your community in the past monthDate Time Vessel Identification

Number or part of Number (if visible)

Direction of Travel (North, West, South, East )

Activity of the boat (e.g. fishing,

anchored, travelling)

  01-10-2011

  11:00am

  Twin trawlers (TJ170 & 171)

  West

 fishing

People who lost gear because of trawlers in the past month and items lost:

NameNumber and Type of Gear

Lost

NONE 

NONE 

PIRATE / ILLEGAL TRAWLERS

0

5

10

15

20

25

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

Robertsport

West Point

Marshall

Harper

Grandcess

Buchanan

2010 2011 2012

Number of trawlers seen in each community

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Number of persons who lost gears due to trawlers in 2011

January

February

March

April May JuneJuly

August

Septem

ber

October

November

December

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Series1

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Black Salmon/Cobia / Rachycentron canadum

SHORELINE SURVEY

What: Monitors carefully observe a specified area of the shoreline or beach area which is just above the regular high tide level. Why: This helps communities to observe and record changes in that area, and especially those caused by pollution and improper waste disposal. Equipment:20m measuring tape Procedure:Lay down your 20m measuring tape measure on the shoreline, parallel to the sea level. Identify a landmark from which to begin laying out the tape measure. Always use this same landmark when doing this type of monitoring in the future, and make sure that the tape measure is spread out in the same direction. Walk slowly down the tape recording what you see within 2 metres of either side of the tape measure, such as plastic bags, wood, old bits of fishing nets, bottles, dead fish, birds and animals, human faeces, etc. Note any unusual noises, smells in the Observations section.

DATA ENTRYRecorded by : Naomi JarboParticipants : All volunteersDate : January 15 2011Landmark used: Custom beachHuman Data          Observed (Y/N)? NUMBER seen?  Human Feces No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more

  Boats on shore yes 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreOther none

Wildlife    Birds No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more

 

Turtles No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreCrabs No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreDead fish No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreDead birds No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreShells No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreOther none

Debris      Debris found (Y/N)? Number of items (#)  Plastic bag No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more  Plastic bottles No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more  Old fishing nets No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more  Rope No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; more

 Wood No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreSeaweed No 1-5 ; 6-10 ; 11-15 ; moreOther none

Other Observations:  The beach is very clean

DESTRUCTIVE FISHING PRACTICES What: In this procedure, community volunteers record whether destructive fishing practices are being practiced in the community.

Why: Destructive practices damage various components of the ecosystem and contribute to putting a pressure on marine resources. For example, the use of dynamite fishing destroys the seabed which prevents fish from finding suitable spawning ground to reproduce and provide fish for the future. Equipment:

None Procedure:During the month before monitoring, community volunteers should stay informed about the destructive fishing practices used in and around the community. Record the information on the data form.

DATA ENTRYDestructive practices

Has dynamite been used for fishing (circle one)

Yes, No

Are poisons or acids used for fishing (circle one)

Yes, No

Is light fishing used in the evening (circle one)

Yes, No

Are monofilament (rubber) nets used by fishers

Yes, No

Are nets with mesh Sizes smaller than 2 fingers used to fish (circle one)

Yes, No

Have endangered species been landed (circle one)(e.g. Dolphin, Turtle, etc..)

Yes, No Specify Species: Turtle

COMMUNITY CONFERENCES & DATA SHARING

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40

*Joint Meeting with Fishermen and Forestry Association

PROGRESS & ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

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*Before↑

*Now↓

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BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE:

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AFTER:

BEFORE AFTER

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WISE WORDSIN OUR WORLD TODAY, THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE;THOSE WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN;THOSE WHO WATCH THINGS HAPPEN;THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING

DOUBTLESS TO MENTIONED THAT ‘ALL THINGS ARE DIFFICULT BEFORE THEY BECOME EASY’. HENCE, ‘WHAT YOU DO OR DREAM, YOU CAN BEGIN IT. BOLDNESS HAS GENIUS, POWER AND MAGIC IN IT. ONLY BE FOCUSED – FOR WHEN YOU FAIL, PEOPLE WILL MOCK AT YOU AND LAUGH, BUT WHEN YOU SUCCEED, YOU ARE BOUND TO RECEIVE COMMENDATION. Remember, “The time to fight iuu fishing activities is upon us”.

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