English, Sinhala and Tamil Versions available at www.seasl.lk

January to June 2014

Welcome to the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka’s (SEASL) first Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin. This edition explains the progress the SEASL has made to develop and implement activities to improve the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab (SLBSC) fishery in the first half of 2014; the results of the first independent assessment of the fishery and a summary of initial suggestions proposed by fishermen’s leaders, seafood companies and government agencies to improve the fishery. Inaugural SLBSC FIP Steering Committee Meeting: The first meeting of the SLBSC Steering Committee was held at the Conference Hall of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) in Colombo on 7th March 2014. The meeting was presided over by the Director General DFAR, Mr. Nimal Hettiarachchi, and attended by the presidents of fishing community organisations from Kalpitiya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. Seafood companies were represented by Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd. Officers of the DFAR’s Fisheries Management and Quality Control Divisions, as well as the National Aquatic Resource Research and Development Agency’s (NARA) Marine Biological Resources Division also took part in the meeting.

The SEASL / NFICC partnership continues: In March the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) approved the first year budget of SEASL’s SLBSC three year FIP at its annual general meeting in Washington. The NFI CC has generously agreed to provide core funding to the SEASL to develop the FIP and implement activities to improve the fishery in 2014 – 2015. Key activities that will be implemented using NFI CC funds include a study of the population biology of BSC (NARA); a SPR based stock assessment (DFAR and fishing communities) in Mannar and performance monitoring and evaluation of the FIP.

Assistance to fishing communities from ILO UN’s LEED Project: In May, the International Labour Organisation of the United Nation’s (ILO UN) Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) project offered to support fishing communities’ involvement in the FIP. The LEED project, funded by AusAID’s ACRP3, will provide financial and technical assistance the Kilinochchi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Union to assess crab fishing gear selectivity and to facilitate northern fishing communities’ participation in the FIP.

Assistance from IOM’s Stability Support Programme: In June, the International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) offered to support the FIP, under IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AusAID / DIBP). Financial and technical assistance will be provided by IOM to assist the DFAR and fishing communities in Kalpitiya to undertake an assessment of the SLBSC stock(s).

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.1

English, Sinhala and Tamil Versions available at www.seasl.lk

The SLBSC FIP adopts SPR for Stock Assessment: At the end of June, with the assistance of Jeremy Crawford, NFI CC’s Asian Coordinator, the SEASL contacted Dr. Jeremy Prince, Associate Professor at Murdoch University, Western Australia, to learn more about lengthen based spawning potential ratio (LB SPR) and the possibility of using this technique to assess SLBSC stocks(s).

MSC Principles <60 60-79 ≥80 Score P1 Biological Status 7 0 0 0.0 P2 Ecological Impact 13 2 0 0.07 P3 Fishery Management 4 5 0 0.28

Overall Score 24 7 0 0.11

The FIP in Brief: The SLBSC FIP is a collaborative initiative by northern and north western fishing communities, the SEASL and the Sri Lankan authorities and agencies responsible for fishery management (see right). The immediate objectives of the SLBSC FIP are to understand and improve the biological status of the stock; to reduce the ecological impact of the fishery; to strengthen and encourage consultative co-management of the resource; to encourage economic equity between producers and processors and to encourage social equity between fishing communities. The long term goal of the SLBSC FIP is to maximise both production and direct and indirect income from the fishery, without undermining the future viability of the crab stock(s) or causing damage to the marine environment.

MSC based SLBSC Fishery Assessment An independent assessment of the SLBSC fishery, co-financed by the NFI CC, was conducted by the SEASL in 2012. The assessment was undertaken in accordance with the principles, criteria and principal indicators for sustainable fisheries, proposed by the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Fishery Assessment Methodology. The assessment suggests that the SLBSC fishery would currently fail all three of MSC’s core principles (see below). The lack of data and information describing the biological status and ecological impact of the fishery, as well as the absence of fishery specific management strategies and regulations are the main reasons why the fishery’s failed to 24 of MSC’s 31 principal indicators. The assessment highlights the key areas that need to be addressed by the FIP, to move the fishery towards sustainable exploitation of the SLBSC resource.

Suggestions to Improve the SLBSC Fishery increase information & knowledge about

the fishery enforce regulations that prohibits

monofilament nets introduce a regulation for the SLBSC

fishery stop Indian trawlers from fishing in Sri

Lankan waters enforce the regulation that prohibits

trawling by Sri Lankan fishermen ensure that the Steering Committee

represents the participants in the fishery . increase information & knowledge about

the social & economic status of the fishery. encourage & promote producer

organisation in marketing & processing introduce a minimum mesh size for the

fishery explore alternative fishing gears that can

be adapted for use by Sri Lankan trawlers reduce the number of small crabs caught

by fishermen / bought & processed by seafood companies

reduce the impact of catching berried females

Northern BSC Fishery

North Western BSC Fishery

July to December 2014

Welcome to the second edition of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka’s (SEASL) Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin. It’s been a busy six months, enough for a double issue! The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) successfully completed the first ever fishery stock assessment in Sri Lanka, using length based spawning potential in in Puttalam Lagoon. The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) began a yearlong study of the population biology of the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab (SLBSC) fishery off the coast of Jaffna, while in Kilinochchi District, the Poonakary Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Union (FCSU) commenced a series of SLBSC programmes with the FCSUs in Mannar and Jaffna. The Poonakary FCSU also initiated an assessment of the spawning potential of the blue swimming crab in the Palk Bay. Details of all these activities and more can be found in this edition of the SEASL’s Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Assessing the fishery in Puttalam Lagoon: Puttalam Lagoon is one of two key fishing grounds for blue swimming crab in Sri Lanka. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) undertook a series of field activities to promote

consultative co-management of the blue swimming crab fishery in Puttalam Lagoon, in association with the SLBSC fishery improvement project (FIP), between June and December. Crab fishing communities in Palakuda, Anawasala and Baththalangunduwa assisted the IOM and FIP to complete the first ever fishery stock assessment in Sri Lanka, using length based spawning potential (LB SP). Field data was analysed by Dr. Adrian Hordyck and Dr. Jeremy Prince at Murdoch University, in Western Australia. Preliminary results indicate that the LB SP ratio (SPR) for the fishery was 0.46. This is above the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) proxy SPR upper Reference Point for Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)1. The ratio of fishing mortality (F) to natural mortality (M) was 1.03. The results suggest that the blue swimming crab fishery in Puttalam Lagoon is current being fished at a sustainable level. The conclusions of the first ever stock assessment of the BSC fishery in Puttalam Lagoon were discussed with fishing community leaders in November. A series of follow up activities, including action against illegal, monofilament (thangus) nets; an effort survey of blue swimming crab fishermen; action against mechanised trawling and a study on the bycatch of blue swimming crabs in the fyke net fishery, were planned for 2015. In December, IOM distributed legal multifilament nylon nets to 33 blue swimming crab fishermen, who agreed to hand over 150 kg of illegal nets to the District Secretary. IOM’s Assisted Voluntary

Return and Reintegration programme, Community stabilization through livelihood support and information campaign is funded by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

1 J. Prince (2014) A Technical Report on a SPR@Size assessment of the Blue Swimmer Crab fishery in Southeast Sulawesi. Technical Report for IMACS, USAID. Oct. 2014 pp. 30

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.2

Understanding and managing the FIP: A comprehensive understanding of the population biology of the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab is fundamental to the development of an effective harvest control strategy for the fishery, complete with harvest control rules and tools. Limit and target

reference points based on LB SP necessitate species specific scientific estimates of mortality (M), growth (k), the theoretical maximum length (Linf) and length on 50% and 95% maturity (L50 and L95). Dr. Prince and Dr. Hordyck’s preliminary analysis of the Puttalam Lagoon fishery used a series informed assumptions based on estimates of M/k, Linf, L50 and L95 for female blue swimming crab. These assumptions were derived from scientific studies of blue swimming crab populations in south and southeast Asia. In October, a team of research scientists from the NARA led by Dr. Sisira Haputhanthri (Principal Scientific Officer) commenced a yearlong scientific study to estimate key parameters of the population biology of the SLBSC population off the coast of Jaffna, in the north of Sri Lanka. NARA’s study will provide members, partners and associates of the

fishery improvement project with new data and information on catch and effort; the relationship between crab length (width) and crab weight; crab reproductive biology, including size on maturity, spawning season(s) and fecundity and the food and feeding habits of SLBSC. NARA’s final report will also include estimates of key stock assessment parameters including growth, mortality, MSY and the LB SPR. NARA will submit an interim scientific report at the end of March 2015. In December, the SEASL’s fishery improvement project team initiated a survey of fishing effort in partnership with the Puttalam District FSCU. A field visit by the Environmental Conservation Trust to Puttalam Lagoon was facilitated by the FIP, after which the FIP team met with senior staff at Verité Research to explore legal provisions and penalties associated with illegal mechanised bottom trawling in Sri Lanka (see right).

At the end of December, the SEASL convened a meeting of the leading Sri Lankan seafood companies, which export SLBSC. Representatives of Alpex Marine (Pvt) Ltd., Ceylon Fresh (Pvt) Ltd., Ceylon Food (Pvt) Ltd., and Taprobane Seafood (Pvt) Ltd., were briefed on the progress of the fishery implement project and the FIP’s plans for 2015. Direct and indirect benefits arising from ‘sustainably sourced’ blue swimming crab products were discussed by the companies, in the context of existing and potential markets for blue swimming crab products, South East Asia and North America.

Ways to incentivise the participation of Sri Lankan seafood companies in the FIP such as branding ‘sustainable sourced’ Sri Lankan blue swimming crab products were explored. The pros and cons of adopting a logo (see right) for sustainably sourced Sri Lankan blue swimming crab products were considered. The meeting closed with company representatives pledging to support, commercially and financially, the SLBSC fishery improvement project as it moves forward in 2015. Key FIP documents including the logic model, three development plan, annual plan, budget forecast and performance monitoring and evaluation framework were updated at the end of the year to reflect the actions successfully completed by the members, partners and associates of the FIP in 2014. Copies of all of these documents will be available to download from the SEASL’s web site (www.seasl.lk), in order to facilitate independent, third party verification of the status and the achievements of the FIP. SEASL’s implementation, management and performance

monitoring of the SLBSC fishery improvement project were made possible by generous core FIP funding from the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC).

Northern fishing communities implement the FIP: The Sri Lankan half of the Palk Bay, the other half is in India, is the main fishing ground for blue swimming crab in Sri Lanka. Fishermen in three districts – Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna – harvest

crabs throughout the year from the shallow, muddy waters of the bay. In July, the International Labour Organisation’s Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) project extended its support to the Poonakary Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Union (FCSU) to enhance northern fishing communities’ engagement in the SLBSC fishery improvement project.

In October, November and December, members of the Irainamathanagar Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) measured, weighed and sexed over 6,000 crabs as part of the Poonakary FCSU’s LB SP assessment of the blue swimming crab fishery in the Palk Bay. Preliminary analysis of the field data collected in October, by Dr. Adrian Hordyck and Dr. Jeremy Prince (Murdoch University, Western Australia), indicated that the SPR for the Palk Bay blue swimming crab fishery is 0.31. When the principal LB SP parameters (i.e., M/k, Linf, L50

and L95) were varied to investigate different sensitivities, the SPR for the fishery ranged from 0.25 to 0.35. F/M equalled 4.02, which indicates relatively high fishing pressure. This result may have been due to the low numbers of larger females (see below) in the October sample (Dr. Adrian Hordyck pers. comm.). The SPR for the Palk Bay blue swimming crab fishery is nevertheless above the MSC’s lower SPR proxy for MSY (0.3)2. The relatively large size at which female crabs enter the fishery (see below) may explain this result, enabling the majority of female crabs to spawn before they are caught. The preliminary data collected by the Poonakary FCSU - analysed by Murdoch University - suggests that the blue swimming crab resource on the Sri Lankan side of the Palk Bay is currently being exploited at a sustainable level.

In December, the Poonakary FCSU organised a series of awareness programmes for FCS leaders from Mannar, Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts. The biology and ecology of blue swimming crabs was explained in relation to prospective fishery management measures. The origins and current status of the SLBSC fishery improvement project were explained and the opportunities and challenges to improving the blue swimming crab fishery were explored. Each workshop concluded with a presentation by fishermen’s leaders about the key local issues affecting the crab fishery and the actions needed to address them. The

Poonakary FSCU’s involvement in support of the SLBSC fishery improvement project are financed by the ILO UN’s LEED project, which in turn is financed by the Australian Agency for International Development’s Australian Community Rehabilitation Programme Phase 3.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MFAR) submitted a project to the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) programme in October. In November, the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) Mr. Nimal Hettiarrachchi, invited the SEASL’s SLBSC FIP Coordinator, as well as officers and staff from the NARA, to discuss the implementation of the DFAR /

BOBLME sub project. Under this sub project, DFAR officers and staff will conduct a fishing effort survey of the SLBSC fishery in four districts. Based on the survey results DFAR will formulate a draft fishery management plan in collaboration with other members of the FIP, with technical assistance from Dr. Sewandi Jayakody at the University of Wyamba. The draft fishery management plan will be developed using BOBLME’s eco-system approach to fisheries management.

2 J. Prince (2014) A Technical Report on a SPR@Size assessment of the Blue Swimmer Crab fishery in Southeast Sulawesi. Technical Report for IMACS, USAID.

Oct. 2014 pp. 30

FIP forwards in 2015: The SEASL will continue to drive the SLBSC FIP forwards in 2015, building on the momentum generated by the generous support provided by the NFI CC, IOM, ILO UN and BOBLME this year. The SEASL hopes to extend these successful partnerships and associations, as well as to encourage new organisations / agencies to partner or associate with the FIP in 2015.

1st Quarter SLBSC FIP Targets Begin working with the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Programme Identify retailers and distributors interested in ‘sustainably sourced’ SLBSC products Conduct Marine Stewardship Council technical training (MSC’s fishery assessment methodology) Complete the Poonakary FSCU’s sub project / SEASL stock assessment for the Palk Bay fishery Lobby & advocate against mechanised trawling in SLBSC fishing grounds Publish NARA’s Mid Term Report on the population biology of SLBSC Convene the 2nd SLBSC National Steering Committee Meeting Secure funding - US$100,000 - for 2015 / 2016

2nd Quarter SLBSC FIP Targets Publish reports & studies- stock assessment, fishing effort, gillnet selectivity

Draft a Harvest Control strategy for the SLBSC fishery Write and sumit sub project(s) for MSC Principle 2: Ecological Impacts of the SLBSC fishery

Update SLBSC FIP documents

3rd Quarter SLBSC FIP Targets Dr. Prince & Dr. Hordyck in Sri Lanka - technical training on LB spawning potential Finalise a Harvest Control Strategy with rules and tools for the SLBSC fishery

4th Quarter SLBSC FIP Targets Conduct the annual SLBSC stock assessment using LB SPR

Complete a MSC Assessment of the SLBSC fishery with a Certified Approval Body Update SLBSC fishery improvement FIP documents

The FIP in brief: The SLBSC fishery improvement project is an ongoing process to improve the SLBSC fishery initiated

by seafood companies (processors), in collaboration with government authorities and agencies (regulators) and BSC fishing communities (producers). Producers, processors and regulators are the members of the SLBSC fishery improvement project. Partners co-finance members to implement actions to improve the fishery. Associates directly implement actions in support of the immediate objectives and long term goal of the SLBSC fishery improvement project. Presently, the immediate objectives (IO) and the long term goal of the SLBSC fishery improvement project are derived from the MSC’s fishery assessment methodology:

(IO1) the fishery is conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited populations and for those populations that are depleted; the fishery is conducted in a manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery;

(IO2) fishing operations allow for the maintenance of the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem (including habitat and associated dependent & ecologically related species) on which the fishery depends;

(IO3) the fishery is subject to an effective management system that respects local, national and international laws and standards and incorporates institutional and operational frameworks that necessitate responsible exploitation of the resource, in a manner that is socially & economically equitable.

The long term goal of the SLBSC FIP is to ensure that the fishery can continue indefinitely at a level that maintains the ecological health and abundance of SLBSC and the diversity, structure and function of the ecosystem / habitats on which it depends, as well as minimising the adverse effects that it causes by means of a consultative co-management system that ensures the sustainable exploitation of the SLBSC resource and maintains the present and future economic and social options and benefits arising from the fishery in an equitable manner.

English, Sinhala and Tamil Versions available at www.seasl.lk/index.php/sustainablefisheries/slbscfip

July to December 2018

The new Sri Lanka longline fishery improvement project (FIP) is an initiative of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL). The FIP is a tripartite collaboration by the SEASL with government authorities responsible for regulating and managing the fishery and promoting exports, and the longline boat owners’ associations engaged in harvesting yellowfin & bigeye tuna & swordfish. The FIP’s goal is to ensure that these fisheries can continue indefinitely at a level that maintains the biological health & abundance of yellowfin & bigeye tuna & swordfish stocks & the diversity, structure & function of the habitats and ecosystem upon which the fisheries depend. The FIP aims to minimize any adverse effects the fishery may cause by means of a management system implemented in conformity with national & international laws. The FIP’s long term goal is to maintain the present & future economic and social options & benefits arising from the fisher, in accordance with international norms for social responsibility & equity in supply chains for Sri Lankan seafood. Details of actions implemented by the members of the new FIP over the last six months are described in this the 3

rd edition of the Sri Lankan Longline FIP Bulletin.

The following organisations, agencies and exporters are members of the new Sri Lanka longline FIP

GLOBAL SEAFOODS [PVT] LTD

Improving the biological status of fisheries

Senior officers and staff of the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (DFAR) and the National Aquatic Resources, Research & Development Agency (NARA) worked to maintain Sri Lanka’s high level of compliance with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) requirements during the second half of 2018.

The IOTC’s 16th Working Party on Billfish was held in September in South Africa. Officers from DFAR and NARA presented Sri Lanka’s latest data and information regarding swordfish catch at the meeting. Swordfish is one of the three target species under the new Sri Lankan Longline FIP. In October DFAR and NARA officers attended the IOTC’s 9th Working Party on Methods and the 20th Working Party on Tropical Tunas. The meetings were held in Seychelles. Copies of the IOTC reports on each meeting can be downloaded here and here. The 21st session of the IOTC’s Scientific Committee was also held in the Seychelles between 3rd and 7th of December 2018. Officers from DFAR and NARA presented Sri Lanka’s report to the meeting. A copy of the IOTC’s report on the meeting can be found here.

SEASL / NARA FIP Sub Project - Stock Assessment: In November the SEASL’s Technical Committee approved a new sub project in collaboration with NARA to train and build the capacity of scientists and fishery managers on IOTC stock assessment methods,

harvest strategy evaluation and collect data. The sub project will also collect data and conduct stock assessment of FIP target species, using non-conventional stock assessment methods. Technical training and capacity building will be conducted by Dr Toshihide Kitakado, Professor, Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. Dr Toshihide Kitakado is the Chairperson of the IOTC Working Party on Methods. The technical training and capacity building programme will take place on 13th, 14th and 15th March 2019. The collection of species, length, sex and weight data for the non-conventional assessment of target species’ stock status will commence in February 2019. Data will be collected in collaboration with members of the SEASL, in collaboration with NARA and DFAR. The data will be analysed jointly by NARA and the longline FIP.

Sri Lanka Longline FIP

Bulletin No.3

Multi-day Boat Owners’ Associations

Improving the ecological status of the longline fishery

BRT / DFAR FIP Sub Project: The formulation of a new Sri Lanka National Plan of Action for the Conservation & Management of Sharks (SLNPOA–Sharks) was completed during the second half of 2018.

The new SLNPOA Sharks (2018 – 2022) provides an overview of the Sri Lankan Shark Catch between 2014 and 2017. It contains an analysis of the Shark Catch by gear type and fishery (i.e. within and beyond Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone – EEZ). The report differentiates directed and non-directed Shark Catch, wherein Sharks are the target or non-target species respectively. The data and analysis presented in the new SLNPOA–Sharks highlights the relatively low level of interaction between Sri Lanka’s EEZ and beyond EEZ fisheries with Sharks per se (< 2% of the total catch). The report draws attention to the even lower level of interaction between longline fishing and Sharks.

A draft final report of the SLNPOA Sharks (2018 – 2022) was completed during the reporting period. The draft report was presented to the National Technical Committee for discussion on 19th October. The Technical Committee comprised representatives of the DFAR, NARA, Sri Lanka Customs (SLC), Sri Lanka Navy, Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Comments and suggestions received during the Technical Committee meeting, together with further consultations with NARA, DFAR, SLC and the Blue Resources Trust (BRT) were incorporated into the draft final SLNPOA Sharks 2018 – 2022 in November.

The Final Report was submitted to the DFAR on 11th December 2018. The new SLNPOA Sharks (2018 – 2022) highlights the key Shark species for which conservation measures are required (i.e. thresher, oceanic whitetip and whale sharks). It also contains new initiatives to improve the management of directed and non-directed Shark catch The Final Report identifies the key species caught in the non-directed Shark catch (e.g. silky shark, blue shark and mobulids), for which more data and information needs to be collected over the next five years.

DFAR will review and finalize the new SLNPOA Sharks (2018 – 2022) in January. Thereafter it will be sent to the ministry for approval. Once approved, the new SLNPOA Sharks (2018 – 2022) will be submitted to the IOTC by the ministry in 2019. District level workshops with primary stakeholders (i.e. boat owners / fishermen) to introduce the new SLNPOA Sharks 2018 – 2022 will be conducted by DFAR from January 2019. The new Sri Lanka NPOA – Sharks (2018 - 2022) will enable Sri Lanka to maintain its current status in relation to IOTC obligations for compliance and management measures (click here for details). The report will also improve the fishery’s score against Principle 2 of the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Fishery Standard – Minimising Environmental Impact, by December 2019.

The review and revision of the SLNPOA – Sharks was co-financed by the Blue Resource Trust. The sub project is implemented by pelagikos pvt ltd in collaboration with DFAR and NARA

Improving the management of the longline fishery

SEA PACT / DFAR FIP Sub Project – Local / Crew-based Observer Programme: In June SEA PACT - a group of leading North American Seafood Companies dedicated to driving stewardship and continuous improvement of social, economic, and environmental

responsibility throughout the global seafood supply chain - agreed to co-finance the development and implementation a Local / Crew-based Observer pilot programme with DFAR. The pilot programme seeks to address the challenge of collecting independently verifiable catch and scientific data from Sri Lanka’s large fleet of less than 24 m multi-day fishing vessels. 1,350 vessels operate beyond Sri Lanka’s EEZ. The IOTC’s Resolution 11/04 On a Regional Observer Scheme requires contracting parties to collect verified catch data and other scientific data for tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC area of competence. At least 5% of the number of operations/sets for each gear type by the fleet of each contracting party while fishing in the IOTC area of competence of 24 meters overall length and over, and under 24 meters if they fish outside their EEZ shall be covered by this observer scheme. For vessels less than 24 meters if they fish outside their EEZ, the above mentioned coverage should be achieved progressively by January 2013. Sri Lanka has yet to meet the 5% target for the 1,350 multiday vessel fishing beyond Sri Lanka’s EEZ.

In July a new data collection protocol for local (crew-based) observers was developed by the FIP in consultation with the DFAR in Colombo, Negombo and Chilaw. The new data collection protocol combines existing logbook data and semi-structured pre and post departure interviews with each skipper with electronic temporal and spatial data for each fish caught. The new data collection protocol was discussed with multi-day boat owners’ associations in Negombo and Chilaw in August. By the end of the September the first two Local Observers had been trained by officers of the DFO Negombo, prior to their departure from Negombo and Dikkowita Fisheries Harbours. By the end of November 20 Local (Crew-based) Observers had been trained by DFAR and the FIP to collect catch and scientific data, with electronic spatial and temporal references from less than 24 m multi-day longline fishing vessels. By the end of the year the DFAR’s District Fisheries Office (DFO) in Negombo had recovered independently verifiable trip, catch and scientific data from 17 out of the 20 vessels. The data was processed by the DFAR’s Electronic Data Unit (EDU) in Colombo, then analysed by pelagikos pvt ltd. The analysis of data form all 17 vessels will be completed by pelagikos pvt ltd in March 2019.

The new data collection protocol and rationale was presented to the ITOC by DFAR in November at 14th Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics. The proposal received positive comments from Chair, IOTC Secretariat, Australia, Taiwan, Spain, France, South Africa and from Pakistan. The members of the WPDCS acknowledged the efforts of Sri Lanka to set up a data collection system based on digital photography, electronic logbooks and crew as observers, on small, multi-day fishing vessels (9.7 m to 28.6m / average 12.4 m) fishing beyond Sri Lanka’s EEZ - given numerous logistical difficulties.

The WPDCS noted that the use of digital photographs in the newly established data collection system, the electronic logbook and the crew as observers, allowed the data to be independently verifiable and that metadata such as date, time and location could be extracted from the photographs, implementing de-facto as manual form of electronic

monitoring system (EMS). Several proposals to develop the Local Observer Programme to the next level were received, notably from South Africa and Australia. DFAR will work with the IOTC, boat owners and skippers to further improve the Local Observer Programme in April 2019. Under the second phase of the sub project DFAR will select a further 10 to 15 five skippers and their crew as Local Observers, with the aim of achieving 100% collection of IOTC catch and scientific data. A prototype for the new elogbook lite smartphone app designed by DFAR’s Electronic Data Unit was developed by hyNetz pvt ltd in October and November. A working demonstration of the app was completed in December. DFAR will commence testing the elogbook lite app in January 2019. The app will be deployed by DFAR later in the year.

The design, development and implementation of the DFAR’s a Local Observer Programme is co-financed by SEAPACT. The sub project is implemented by pelagikos pvt ltd in collaboration with DFAR and Boat Owners’ Associations in Chilaw and Negombo

Social responsibility & improving economic equity

The Technical Committee appointed by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) at the beginning of the year met during the second half of the year, to explore market opportunities associated with developing a brand identity for Sri Lankan seafood. It is envisaged tht the brand will build on Sri Lanka’s global reputation for high quality seafood

products and emphasise the unique selling points associated with Sri Lankan seafood, such as sustainability, social responsibility and equity in supply chains.

SLL FIP / Fishery Status Report The results of a MSC approved pre-assessment conducted by CapMarine (Pty) Ltd in 2018 suggested that the three target species under the new longline FIP are operating at a level consistent with a

conditional pass of MSC’s Fishery Standard. However the pre-assessment concluded that all three fisheries would fail a full assessment because two of MSC’s 28 Performance Indicators scored < 60. The MSC approved pre-assessment was co-financed by New England Seafood International

Consultations were held with members of the new FIP throughout the reporting period. A national steering committee meeting is schedule for early 2019. The new longline FIP was upgraded to a COMPREHENSIVE FIP by FishChoice on fisheryprogress.org in December 2018.

To view further details about the longline FIP on fisheryprogress please click here.

Seven of Sri Lanka’s leading seafood manufacturers - Ceylon Fresh Seafood, Global Seafood, Jay Seafood, Lihini Seafood, NorthWest Fishery, Taprobane Seafood Group & Tropic Sri Lanka - are Corporate Members of the new FIP

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Soft copies of this edtion of the Sri Lanka Longline FIP Bulletin are avaiablle in English and Sinhala. For more details about the new longline FIP please email steve@pelagikos.lk

Performance Indicators ≥80 60-79 <60 Overall

Target Species

Yellowfin Tuna 12 14 02 0.68

Bigeye Tuna 12 13 02 0.69

Swordfish 12 13 02 0.69

July to December 2015

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka’s (SEASL) Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin. The FIP (fishery improvement project) has made reasonable progress again over the past six months, implementing a series of sub projects to improve the biological and ecological status of the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab (SLBSC) fishery. The FIP has also begun work on fishery specific management measures that will maintain the biological and ecological status of fishery at a level consistent with a ‘sustainably managed fishery’ according to international protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. Over the last six months the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has completed a yearlong scientific study the population biology of the SLBSC fishery. Dr. Jeremy Prince and Dr. Adrian Hordyck visited the FIP, providing technical assistance and encouragement. Students from Uva Wellasa University completed their final year research projects and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) and SLBSC fishing communities complete the first ever assessments of ‘fishing effort’ in both fisheries. At the end of the year fishermen’s cooperative societies’ unions (FCSU) launched campaigns against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. Details of all these activities and more can be found in this edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the stock Dr. Sisira Haputhanthri, Principal Scientist of the Marine Resources Management Division at NARA and his staff completed the collection of field data for NARA’s scientific study of the population biology of the SLSBC in December 2015. More than 35,000 BSC from four landing centres in Jaffna District during the past 12 months. NARA’s field research programme was coordinated by the SEASL’s field coordinator for the Northern Province, Theva Sutharsan. Monthly samples collected by NARA’s field research team have been analysed in the laboratory by NARA research officers. Key population biology parameters that will be established by NARA from the research include the length / weight relationship for male and female BSC; growth; mortality; size on maturity; fecundity; spawning seasonality and diet.

NARA’s final report on the population biology of SLBSC in the Bay of Bengal will be submitted to the SEASL at the end of February 2016. NARA’s research findings – the first publishd scientific study of blue swimming crabs in Sri Lankan – wil be presented in the next Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

In August, Dr. Jeremy Prince the Director of Biospheric (Pvt) Ltd and Dr. Adrian Hordyck from the Centre for Fish, Fisheries Research, Murdoch University in Western Australia conducted a national seminar and a technical workshop at NARA on length based spawning potential (LBSP). They also participated in a discussion on size selective harvest control strategies with staff of the Fishery Management Division of the DFAR. In December the FIP continued its collaboration with Dr. Prince and Dr. Hordyck, seeking to improve the estimates of the BSC life history parameters that are used to assess stock status in data poor fisheries using length based spawning potential.

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.4

A literature review and analysis of BSC scientific studies led to a revision of the estimates of each BSC life history parameter used by the FIP in earlier LBSP assessments as follows

Life History Parameters Symbol Previous Revised

Mortality Growth Ratio M/k 1.50 1.34

Length on 50% Maturity L50 95 mm 100 mm Length on 95% Maturity L95 135 mm 135 mm

Average Maximum Length Linf 170 mm 180 mm Fecundity with Age β 3.0 3.0

These values were then used by the FIP to generate revised Spawning Potential Ratios (SPR) for the SLSBC fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal, using an updated version of the online LBSP application ‘What’sthecatch’ developed by Dr. Hordyck. The SPRs generated by the latest analysis are lower than the initial assessments of SPR for the SLSBC fisheries in both the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal. This is due largely to the increased estimated average maximum size of female BSC. However, the latest SPR values for SLBSC stock in the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal are still above the Lower Target Reference Points (TRP) for a sustainably managed finfish fishery.

Crab Gulf of Mannar BSC Fishery Bay of Bengal BSC Fishery

Lower TRP SPR = 30% SPR = 30%

Upper TRP SPR = 40% SPR = 40%

Stock Status 2015 SPR = 36% SPR =37%

Management fishing effort’ should remain

the same in 2016 ‘ fishing effort’ should remain

the same in 2016

Districts Puttalam Mannar, Kilinochchi, Jaffna

Ayantha Abeygunawardana a final year student from the Uva Wellessa University (UWU) completed her field work on the reproductive biology of the SLBSC in Mannar District in December. She was supervised by Dr. Sepalika Jayamana, Dean of the Faculty of Aquatic Resources and Export Crop Technology at Uva Wellasa University. Ayantha’s final report and research paper on the reproductive biology of BSC in the Bay of Bengal will be published in March 2016. Her findings will be presented in next Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the ecological status of the fishery Researching and documenting the BSC fishery’s impact on non target species (i.e., the bycatch), critical marine habitats (e.g., mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds) and the broader marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal are crucial steps towards improving the ecological status of the BSC fishery. Wathsala Dolawaththa another a final year student from the UWU completed his final year research project on the impact of the SLBSC fishery on non target species in the Bay of Bengal in December 2015. He too was supervised by Dr. Sepalika Jayamanne, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture at Uva Wellasa University. Wathsala’s final report and research paper on the impact of the SLBSC fishery on non target species in the Bay of Bengal will be published in March 2016. His findings will be presented in next Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the management of the SLBSC fishery A comprehensive set of laws and regulations are available and used to govern and manage fisheries in Sri Lankan. However a set of rules and regulations specific to the SLBSC fishery has not yet been formulated. This is a key area of improvement that will be addressed by the SLSBC FIP in 2016. Officers and staff of the DFAR took an important step towards formulating a set of rules and regulations specific in 2015. The DFAR successfully completed the first ever ‘fishing effort’ survey of the BSC fisheries the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal. The results of the ‘fishing effort’ surveys were shared with fishing communities, seafood companies and NARA through a series of workshops held at the district level and in Colombo in October and November. BSC fishing communities have also conducted their own assessments of ‘fishing effort’ in each BSC fishery. The results of the DFAR survey and the fishermen’s cooperatives’ survey will be discussed with fishing communities and DFAR staff in 2016. The outcomes of these discussions will be used to formulate a set of management rules and regulations specific to the SLBSC fishery.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers and country boats continues to be the principal external obstacle obstructing the FIP’s efforts to improve the management of the SLBSC fishery. Fishing communities are reluctant to discuss measures to improve the management of the BSC fishery, when they are prevented from fishing on three days every week, due to IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu vessels in Sri Lankan waters (see right). An appeal to the Supreme Court by presidents of three FCSU leaders on 5th October 2015, was deferred (again) until 20th January 2016. Sri Lankan fishermen are appealing against the Appeal Court’s decision

in May 2015 to reject the fishermen’s petition against the Attorney General’s Department, for taking inappropriate action to deter Tamil Nadu trawlers from fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters. In June a Facebook page1 was launched by civil society organisations to support Sri Lankan fishermen’s fight against IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu vessels in Sri Lankan waters. The FB page provides daily media updates in Sinhala, Tamil and English on the Tamil Nadu trawler issue. In October FCSU leaders from Jaffna (Anthony Emiliyampillai), Kilinochchi (Josep Francis), Mannar (N. M. Alam) and Mullaitivu (Mariadasa) launched a leaflet, poster and postcard campaign to stop IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. 13,000 postcards were sent to the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Fisheries Minister, Chief Minister. Postcards were also sent to the heads of foreign missions in the US, UK and EU calling for an immediate end to IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu vessels in

Sri Lankan waters. Anpan Sosai of Uva Wellasa University completed his study of the economic impacts of Tamil Nadu trawlers on small scale fishermen in Mannar District. He was supervised by Ms. Indika Wikramarathna, Faculty of Aquatic Resources and Export Crop Technology. Anpan’s final report and research paper on the economic impacts of Tamil Nadu trawlers on small scale fishermen in Mannar District will be published in March 2016. His findings will be discussed in the next Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

1 https://www.facebook.com/STOP-Indian-Trawlers-1664473020454507/timeline/?ref=bookmarks

Social and economic equity International protocols for FIPs and sustainably sourced seafood have yet to address social or economic issues associated with ‘sustainably managed’ fisheries. Members of the SLSBC FIP (i.e., producers, processors and regulators) are committed to improving the biological and ecological status of the fishery and putting in place collaborative management measures that will maintain the sustainability of the fishery. The members of the FIP are equally committed to ensuring that all benefits that arise from improvements to the fishery are shared equitably between BSC fishing communities, BSC manufacturers (and their employees) and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Over the last six months the by the Poonakery FCSU successfully completed two sub projects to improve the social and economic equity of the fishery. First the management and micro enterprise development capacity of 11 FCS in Poonakery Divisional Secretariat Division were enhanced through cooperative development training and provision of cooperative book sets and banking support. All 16 FCS are now categorised as ‘functional’ by the FCSU. All FCS under the Poonakery FCSU now employ clerks to maintain cooperative society books and administration and deliver at least one ‘service’ to their members. The top six ranked FCS out of 11 were then provided with grants and training by the FCSU to start micro enterprises related to the fishery sector. All six societies are now engaged some form of fishery related micro enterprise (e.g., buying and selling seafood or micro fuel station).

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report The FIP commenced a six monthly ‘internal assessment process’ in December 2015 to estimate the status of the SLBSC fishery against three internationally recognized protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. The assessments are unofficial / internal / FIP dependent assessments of the status of the fishery. The results suggest that:

The FIP is currently at Stage 3: Implementation - encouraging improvements The fishery’s score against the MSC’s Fishery Assessment Methodology (v2.0) is 0.37. The FIP’s internal assessment suggests that the fishery would FAIL the MSC’s Standard for sustainable fisheries. The overall score for the fishery against Seafood Watch’s Criteria of Capture Fisheries (v2.0) is 2.12. The FIP’s internal assessment suggests that the fishery would be ranked RED and Seafood Watch would recommend consumers to AVOID SLBSC products.

Moving the FIP forwards in 2016: The improvements to the SLBSC fishery described above would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (SEASL core funding). The Interanational Labour Organisatsion’ Local Empowerment through Economic Develolpment (LEED) project (with FCSU), the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem programme (with DFAR) and The Asia Foundation (with the FIP) also contributed generously to the successful implementation of the FIP. Members of the FIP are deeply grateful to these organisations and their staff for their continuing support, understanding and patience of all the efforts that are being made to improve the SLBSC fishery.

Taprobane Seafood Group (Pvt) Ltd in association with Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods co-financed the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab FIP in 2015. Alpex Marine (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Catch (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Foods (Pvt) Ltd, OLS Foods (Pvt) Ltd and Prawn Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd are members of the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab FIP.

Soft copies of Blue Swimming Crab Bulletins in English, Sinhala and Tamil and key FIP documents can be downloaded from the SEASL website (www.seasl.lk). For further details about the FIP please email steve@pelagikos.lk

January to June 2016

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin. Over the past six months the FIP (fishery improvement project) continued to make credible progress towards helping the fishery to become the first internationally recommended, sustainably managed BSC crab fishery in Asia. The FIP has initiated a series of new sub projects to improve the fishery’s impact on non-target species, marine habitats and the marine ecosystem over the last six months. Fishermen, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and manufacturers have also taken significant steps towards introducing a harvest control strategy for the fishery. Details of these activities and more are presented this edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the stock The National Aquatic Resources, Research and Development Agency’s (NARA) final report on the population biology of BSC in the Bay of Bengal was submnitted to the FIP in June. NARA’s research findings – the first scientific study of BSC in Sri Lanka – include descriptions of maturity, size on maturity, sex ratios, spawning seasons, fecundity, the carapace width to weight relationship, feeding ecology and estimates of the spawning potential of BSC stocks off the western coast of northern Sri Lanka. Dr. Sisira Haputhanthri and his research team presented three scientific papers at the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lankan Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Research in May. Scientific papers by the NARA team on morphometrics, reproductive biology and food and feeding habits will be published in the proceedings of the SLAFAR sessions later in the year. Ayantha Abeygunawardana a final year student from the Uva Wellessa University presented a paper on aspects of the reproductive biology of the BSC in the Bay of Bengal at the 6th Research Symposium of the UWU in January. Ayantha’s research also highlighted the infection of BSC by

the parasitic barnacle Sacculina sp., for the first time in Sri Lanka (see right). Ayantha was supervised by Dr Sepalika Jayamana, Dean, Faculty of Aquatic Resources and Export Crop Technology at UWU. In June Dr Adrian Hordyck (near right) at Murdoch University’s Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research launched a new app1 based on Dr Jeremy Prince’s theory length based spawning potential. The FIP test drove the new app in using the size on maturity and length frequency data collected from BSC fishing grounds in 2014/15 and 2016. Values for M/k and L50/Linf were recommended by Dr Prince (far right). The spawning potential (SP) values for BSC in Sri Lanka were above the upper target reference point (TRP) for maximum sustainably yield (MSY) in 2016 (SP = 40%) and above lower TRP for MSY (SP = 30%) in 2014/15. The next assessment of BSC stocks will commence in January 2017.

Year Sri Lanka Fishing Grounds Bay of Bengal Gulf of Mannar

production 100% 80% 20%

2015/16 45.4% (44%) 45% (46%) (43%) 47% (51%)

2014/15 31.8% (31%) 32% (33%) (29%) 31% (33%)

Improvements to the biological status of the stock were co-financed by the NFI Crab Council

1 http://barefootecologist.com.au/

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.5

Improving the ecological status of the fishery A major focus of the FIP over the past six months has been to improve the FIP’s understanding of the ecological impact of fishery on non-target species (NTS), marine habitats and the broader marine ecosystem (MSC Principle 2). The FIP adopted the Marine Stewardship Council’s Risk Based Framework (RBF) for data limited fisheries as the theoretical framework through which to assess the fishery’s impact on NTS. The FIP has combined MSC’s RBF framework with quantitative field studies to identify NTS that might be ‘at risk’ due to the BSC fishery. In March Wathsala Dolawaththa submitted his final year dissertation describing the impact of the BSC fishery on NTS off the coast of Mannar (Bay of Bengal). Wathsala was also supervised by Dr. Sepalika Jayamanne, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture at UWU. In May Eranga Gunasekera (see below), a final year students at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Ocean University successfully completed the second scientific study of the ecological impact of the BSC fishery on NTS. Eranga conducted her research in the Gulf of Mannar fishery (Puttalam Lagoon) with the support of fishing communities in Anawasala, Kalpitiya. Eranga was supervised by Dr M. M. Fairoz, Senior Lecturer, Department of Fishery Resources at Ocean University. She presented her findings at the 2016 Annual Sessions of SLAFAR held at NARA on the 20th May 2016. In July Eranga will become the FIP’s first Research Assistant. Thereafter she will complete the second and third NTS species assessments in the Gulf of Mannar fishery, before moving on to research the ecological impact of the fishery on NTS in the Bay of Bengal fishery. By the end of the year the FIP plans to have conducted six NTS studies: three in each fishery. This data will give the FIP a better understanding of the fishery’s impact on NTS and what measures (if any) are necessary to ensure that the fishery’s impact is consistent with a sustainably managed fishery. Preliminary analysis of the on-going field data collection from 475 catches, over 46 days from four fishing grounds indicate that BSC comprise 51% of the total catch (8.30 tons). A further 39% of the catch was retained BSC fishermen. Only 10% of the catch was discarded. No ETP species have so far been observed in the catch of BSC fishermen. The hooked-nosed sea snake (Enhydrina schistosa) is the only Out of Scope species recorded to date. 84 NTS recorded have so far been recorded, of which four are emerging as potential conservation concerns. These are the spiral melonga (Pugilina cochlidium = 14.92%); pale edged stingray (Dasyatis zugei = 5.58%); blue spotted stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii = 4.82%) and the sea catfish (Arius spp., = 3.35%) The full results of the ecological impact assessment of the fishery on NTS will be known towards the end of the year.

The FIP began investigating the fishery’s impact on marine habitats and the broader marine ecosystem in April 2016. Jeewantha Bandara, a final year undergraduate at the Department of Zoology, Colombo University will create GIS maps of marine habitats in the vicinity of BSC fishing villages off the western coast of Jaffna using secondary data and community mapping excercies (see right). Using GIS data generated by mobile phones loaded with the FIP’s ‘Net Finder’ app, he will overlay fishermen’s fishing activities on the maps of marine habitats and estimate the impact of the BSC fishery on marine habitats in Jaffna District.

Dr. Sandaruwan and his team at the Colombo University School of Computing suucessfully developed the ‘Net Finder’ app in June. Jeewantha has begun digitising the locations of marine habitats based on secondary data and locations identified by BSC fishing communities. The phones will start generating GPS data in August.

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery were co-financed by the NFI Crab Council and Santa Monica Seafoods through FishWise’s Responsible Vendors Sourcing Programme

Improving the management of the SLBSC fishery In June the FIP began to draft a harvest control strategy for the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka: the last piece that needs to be fitted into the sustainably fishery jigsaw. The harvest control strategy for Sri Lankan BSC fisheries will be based upon a collaborative approach to size selective fishery management. Size selective management is most appropriate for resource poor, data limited fisheries like the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka. The collaborative approach to size selective fishery management proposed is built upon four key documents (see below). These documents collectively make up the harvest control strategy for BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka. The strategy is based on the existing legislative framework for the management of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka. The management plan has been designed to be practical. The draft harvest control strategy utilizes existing organizational as well as administrative and management capacities of Sri Lanka’s regulatory authorities, BSC fishing communities and BSC manufactures in Sri Lanka. The administrative mechanisms, institutions and individuals necessary to implement the strategy for BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka are already in place.

Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996

A Regulation for BSC Harvest Control Rules & Tools Fishery Management Plan(s)

Over the next three months each components of the draft harvest control strategy will discussed with every fishing community harvesting BSC; with representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) and NARA and the major BSC manufactures in Sri Lanka. The FIP will facilitate these discussions. The FIP will encourage producers, processors and regulators to reach agreement on the key conditions that need to be put in place for each component, to ensure the future management of the BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka maintains the biological and ecological status of the fishery at a level consistent with a sustainably managed fishery.

BSC fishing communities and manufactures continued to drive Sri Lanka’s efforts to end illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lanka, one of the biggest threats to the sustainable management of northern Sri Lankan fisheries. In January the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) hosted a discussion with heads of foreign missions in Colombo about the need to stop IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. In February more than 200 Sri Lankan fishermen and civil society organizations took to the streets in Colombo to protest against IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu in Sri Lankan waters (see right). A public seminar was held the same the evening, in which MPs, academics and fishermen’s leaders from the north urged the Sri Lankan government to take meaningful measures to stop IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. The Faceook page2 ‘stopindiantrawlers’ continued to post daily updates and information on persistent IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters over the last six months.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Food and The Asia Foundation

2 https://www.facebook.com/STOP-Indian-Trawlers-1664473020454507/timeline/?ref=bookmarks

Improving economic and social equity International protocols for FIPs and sustainably sourced seafood have yet to begin to address economic or social equity in sustainably managed fisheries. Members of the FIP in Sri Lanka are committed to ensuring that the benefits that arise from improvements to the fishery are shared equitably between fishing communities, manufacturers (and their employees) and the government of Sri Lanka. In the first half of 2016 the FIP continued to build the administrative and management capacity of BSC fishermen’s cooperatives in BSC fishing grounds. Eleven cooperatives in Kilinochchi District have already received assistance under this programme. Support for cooperative development was extended to include seven cooperatives (and one union) in Jaffna Districtand nine cooperatives in Puttalam District. Field assessments evaluate the administrative and management needs of the cooperatives. Office bearers and clerks are then give a one day exposure tour by Poonakary Fishermen's Cooperative Societies Union (see right), where they meet successful village level cooperatives. Then programme of clerk training begins including salary payments. This enables societies to achieve a basic level of administration and management within six months.

Improvements to economic and social equity in the fishery were co-financed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development Project and the NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report The second unofficial / unapproved / unauthorized internal assessment of the fishery - by the FIP - against three internationally recognized protocols for sustainably sourced seafood was completed on 30th June 2016. The internal assessment suggests

The FIP is currently at SFP Stage 3: Implementation - encouraging improvements

The fishery would score 0.44 using the MSC’s Fishery Assessment Methodology (v2.0). The fishery would currently fail (SG < 60) the MSC’s standard for sustainable fisheries.

The fishery would score 2.11 using the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Criteria of Capture Fisheries (v2.0). The fishery would currently be ranked red / avoid by Seafood Watch.

In April Taprobane Seafood (TSF) Group (Pvt) Ltd became the first Corporate Member of the FIP. TSF continued to set the standard for co-financing the FIP by raising 43% of the total cost of the FIP to date. Fresh Catch (Pvt) Ltd became the second Corporate Member of the FIP in June. Other SLBSC exporters are represented by the Seafood Exporters’ Association of the Sri Lanka (SEASL). Improvements to the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka thar are described in this bulletin would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, the Interanational Labour Organisatsion’s Local Empowerment through Economic Develolpment (LEED) project, The Asia Foundation, Santa Monic Seafoods, FishWise and Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods. Members of the FIP are extremely grateful to these organisations and their staff for their continuing support, understanding (and patience) in respect of all the efforts that are being made to improve the SLBSC fishery.

Soft copies of Blue Swimming Crab Bulletins in English, Sinhala and Tamil can be downloaded from the SEASL website (www.seasl.lk). For further details about the FIP please email steve@pelagikos.lk

Improving the management of the SLBSC fishery In June the FIP began to draft a harvest control strategy for the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka: the last piece that needs to be fitted into the sustainably fishery jigsaw. The harvest control strategy for Sri Lankan BSC fisheries will be based upon a collaborative approach to size selective fishery management. Size selective management is most appropriate for resource poor, data limited fisheries like the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka. The collaborative approach to size selective fishery management proposed is built upon four key documents (see below). These documents collectively make up the harvest control strategy for BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka. The strategy is based on the existing legislative framework for the management of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka. The management plan has been designed to be practical. The draft harvest control strategy utilizes existing organizational as well as administrative and management capacities of Sri Lanka’s regulatory authorities, BSC fishing communities and BSC manufactures in Sri Lanka. The administrative mechanisms, institutions and individuals necessary to implement the strategy for BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka are already in place.

Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996

A Regulation for BSC Harvest Control Rules & Tools Fishery Management Plan(s)

Over the next three months each components of the draft harvest control strategy will discussed with every fishing community harvesting BSC; with representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) and NARA and the major BSC manufactures in Sri Lanka. The FIP will facilitate these discussions. The FIP will encourage producers, processors and regulators to reach agreement on the key conditions that need to be put in place for each component, to ensure the future management of the BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka maintains the biological and ecological status of the fishery at a level consistent with a sustainably managed fishery.

BSC fishing communities and manufactures continued to drive Sri Lanka’s efforts to end illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lanka, one of the biggest threats to the sustainable management of northern Sri Lankan fisheries. In January the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) hosted a discussion with heads of foreign missions in Colombo about the need to stop IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. In February more than 200 Sri Lankan fishermen and civil society organizations took to the streets in Colombo to protest against IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu in Sri Lankan waters (see right). A public seminar was held the same the evening, in which MPs, academics and fishermen’s leaders from the north urged the Sri Lankan government to take meaningful measures to stop IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters. The Faceook page2 ‘stopindiantrawlers’ continued to post daily updates and information on persistent IUU fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters over the last six months.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Food and The Asia Foundation

2 https://www.facebook.com/STOP-Indian-Trawlers-1664473020454507/timeline/?ref=bookmarks

Improving economic and social equity International protocols for FIPs and sustainably sourced seafood have yet to begin to address economic or social equity in sustainably managed fisheries. Members of the FIP in Sri Lanka are committed to ensuring that the benefits that arise from improvements to the fishery are shared equitably between fishing communities, manufacturers (and their employees) and the government of Sri Lanka. In the first half of 2016 the FIP continued to build the administrative and management capacity of BSC fishermen’s cooperatives in BSC fishing grounds. Eleven cooperatives in Kilinochchi District have already received assistance under this programme. Support for cooperative development was extended to include seven cooperatives (and one union) in Jaffna Districtand nine cooperatives in Puttalam District. Field assessments evaluate the administrative and management needs of the cooperatives. Office bearers and clerks are then give a one day exposure tour by Poonakary Fishermen's Cooperative Societies Union (see right), where they meet successful village level cooperatives. Then programme of clerk training begins including salary payments. This enables societies to achieve a basic level of administration and management within six months.

Improvements to economic and social equity in the fishery were co-financed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development Project and the NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report The second unofficial / unapproved / unauthorized internal assessment of the fishery - by the FIP - against three internationally recognized protocols for sustainably sourced seafood was completed on 30th June 2016. The internal assessment suggests

The FIP is currently at SFP Stage 3: Implementation - encouraging improvements

The fishery would score 0.44 using the MSC’s Fishery Assessment Methodology (v2.0). The fishery would currently fail (SG < 60) the MSC’s standard for sustainable fisheries.

The fishery would score 2.11 using the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Criteria of Capture Fisheries (v2.0). The fishery would currently be ranked red / avoid by Seafood Watch.

In April Taprobane Seafood (TSF) Group (Pvt) Ltd became the first Corporate Member of the FIP. TSF continued to set the standard for co-financing the FIP by raising 43% of the total cost of the FIP to date. Fresh Catch (Pvt) Ltd became the second Corporate Member of the FIP in June. Other SLBSC exporters are represented by the Seafood Exporters’ Association of the Sri Lanka (SEASL). Improvements to the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka thar are described in this bulletin would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, the Interanational Labour Organisatsion’s Local Empowerment through Economic Develolpment (LEED) project, The Asia Foundation, Santa Monic Seafoods, FishWise and Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods. Members of the FIP are extremely grateful to these organisations and their staff for their continuing support, understanding (and patience) in respect of all the efforts that are being made to improve the SLBSC fishery.

Soft copies of Blue Swimming Crab Bulletins in English, Sinhala and Tamil can be downloaded from the SEASL website (www.seasl.lk). For further details about the FIP please email steve@pelagikos.lk

July to December 2016

Over the last six months the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab (SLBSC) fishery improvement project (FIP) has focused on improving the ecological status of fishery. The FIP completed field studies to assess the impact of the fishery on non-target species and used smartphones, remote sensing and a GPS app to investigate the fishery’s interactions with vulnerable marine habitats. To improve the management of the fishery a voluntary code of conduct to improve the management of SLBSC fisheries was drafted. The FIP continues to promote economic and social equity. Details of these activities are presented in this edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the stock A length-based approach to estimate spawning potential (SP) appropriate for data deficient, resouce poor fisheries was used to assess the biological status BSC stocks in 2015 and 2016. The assessments suggest that BSC stocks in the Palk Bay (right) and in the Gulf of Mannar fisheries were above the target reference point (SP = 30%) in 2016. The third annual assessment of the biological status of BSC stocks will be completed in February 2017.

Improvements to the biological status of the stock were co-financed by the NFI Crab Council

Improving the ecological status of the fishery For the past two years the FIP has been working with academics and undergraduates at Uva Wellesa University (Dr. Jayamanne), Ocean University (Dr. Fairoz) and the University of Colombo (Prof. de Silva) to assess the ecological impact of fishery on non-target species and marine habitats. Impacts on non-target species Eight field research projects have been completed to investigate the impact of BSC fishing on non-target species. As of December 2016, students and researchers had assessed

the composition of 929 BSC catches over a period of 78 days. A total of 151 non-target species have so far been identified in the catches of BSC fishermen. 84 finfish species, 20 crustaceans, 27 mollusc species and 20 assorted echinoderms and ‘other’ species have so far been observed in the catches from the BSC fishery. In December the conservation status of each non-target species was checked using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List1 and Fishbase2. The conservation status of 102 non-target

species was unknown. Eight non-target species were classified by IUCN as ‘data deficient’.

1 http://www.iucnredlist.org/

2 http://www.fishbase.org/home.htm

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.6

One endangered and three vulnerable species were observed in the catches studied. None of the four endangered, threatened or protected (ETP) species (two stingrays, a shark and a sea cucumber) were present above a negligible or sporadic level of the overall catch (i.e., >0.1%).

Thirty seven species of concern were identified in the bycatch of BSC fishermen. Six were classified as near threatened species. The conservation status of the other 31 species was species of least concern. Seven out of the 31 species of concern were landed in quantities greater than 0.1% but less than 0.5% of the total catch. Only one species of concern, the pale-edged stingray (Dasyatis zugei – left) was landed in quantities greater than 2.5% (4.47%), but less than 5.0% of the total catch. Sri Lanka is recognised internationally as a ‘hotspot’ for terrestrial and marine biodiversity. A number of high

profile ETP species including whales, dolphins, dugong, turtles and saltwater crocodiles are found in Sri Lankan waters. No high profile ETP species have been recorded in the catches of BSC fishermen in the Palk Bay or the Gulf of Mannar fisheries. The FIP’s non-target species research programme was conducted by Eranga Gunesekera, a graduate from Ocean University.

Impacts on marine habitats Jeewantha Bandara, an undergraduate student at the University of Colombo’s Department of Zoology, combined satellite data and community maps of marine habitats and BSC fishing grounds to build a GIS platform on which to map the fishing activities of BSC fishermen. Jeewantha used the “Net Finder” app designed and developed by Dr. Sandaruwan and his team at LK Simulations and Samsung smartphones to track the fishing activities of BSC fishermen in October, November and December. Jeewantha used the data to estimate the potential and actual interaction between the fishermen’s nets and critical marine habitats in the grounds of the BSC fishery by plotting the fishermen’s fishing activities on the GIS platform for mangroves, sea grass beds and coral / rocky reefs (right). Jeewantha’s initial results indicate that the BSC fishery does not interact with mangrove habitats in Jaffna District. 6.8% of seagrass beds in BSC fishing grounds were affected by the fishery (684 ha / 10,060 ha). Less than 0.5% of total area of coral / rocky reef habitat was affected by BSC fishing activities (26 ha/ 5,286 ha). The data and information generated by students and researchers working with the FIP suggests that the ecological impact of the bottom-set crab net fishery on non-target species and marine habitats is a moderate conservation concern.

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery were co-financed by the NFI Crab Council (non-target species) and Santa Monica Seafood’s’ Responsible Vendors Sourcing Programme (RVSP), administered by FishWise (habitats)

Improving the management of the SLBSC fishery The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 (left) sets out the provisions for the regulation and management of fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters. Under the Act and amendments the Director General is responsible for the administration of fisheries and aquatic resources, regulation and development. He or she is responsible for licensing of fishing operations; the registration of fishing boats; protection of fish and other aquatic resources; conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources; the prosecution of offenses and penalties and the regulation of harvesting, sale, transporting, processing of fish resources for export. The SLBSC fishery operates in accordance with the provisions, regulations and amendments under the Fisheries Act. To date no provisions or regulations have been circulated specifically for the fishery. To improve the management of the fishery the FIP facilitated a series of consultations with the officers and staff of DFAR, leading BSC manufacturers and BSC fishing communities in the Palk Bay and the

Gulf of Mannar fisheries to identify the ‘best practices’ for harvesting BSC. The outcome of these discussions was a draft voluntary Code of Conduct for blue swimming crab fishing (see below). The code is designed to ensure the sustainable use of resources by applying good management measures to maintain the status of the BSC stocks at healthy levels and to minimize the impact on the marine environment and the associated species. The code is both a philosophy for fishing and a practical way of ensuring that there will be crabs for future generations to catch.

Draft Voluntary Code of Conduct for blue swimming crab fishing

1) Fishermen will fish in compliance with the Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 2) BSC shall only be harvested using 4ply or 6 ply bottom-set crab nets with a minimum mesh

size of 4½” (114.3 mm) 3) The maximum height of a bottom-set crab net shall be 15 eyes. The maximum length of a

net piece shall be 1,500 eyes 4) A maximum number of 35 net pieces / panels shall be set per fishermen per day 5) The soakage time for bottom-set crab net shall be not more than 12 hours (6.00 pm to 6.00

am). 6) A fisherman will not deliberately place or set his nets on coral / rocky reefs or sea grass beds. 7) Fishing for BSC will be limited to six night per week (Sunday evening to Saturday morning) 8) Any person who intends to supply BSC for export shall not use any other gears such as traps,

trawls, fixed nets, other than the bottom-set crab net prescribed above. 9) Fishermen will dispose of all used, damaged, discarded crab nets on land, in an

environmentally safe manner, to avoid ‘ghost fishing’ 10) Any person who engages in fishing for BSC in compliance with this code and or purchases,

sells or processes BSC harvested for export shall assist the DFAR in the collection of catch, effort data and production data as and when requested by staff and officers of the respective DFEO and or the Fishery Management Division in Colombo.

The draft code will be discussed further with stakeholders early in 2017. Implementation, monitoring and

compliance surveys will commence thereafter. The impact of the voluntary code of conduct of for BSC fishing will be used to formulate a legally binding regulation for the SLBSC fishery

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by Chicken of the Sea Frozen Food

Improving economic and social equity International protocols for FIPs and sustainably sourced seafood do not address economic or social equity in sustainably managed fisheries: their concerns are exclusively ‘environmental’. Members of the FIP are committed to ensuring that any benefits arising from improvements to the fishery are shared equitably between fishing communities, manufacturers and the government of Sri Lanka.

Integrating producer organisations into supply chains for sustainable sourced seafood is one way to improve the economic and social equity of a sustainably manged fishery. To integrate, producer organisations must be capable of administrating and managing their members’ production and engaging effectively with buyers and manufacturers. The FIP continued to work with BSC producer organisations in Kayts, Delft, Poonaryn and Manthai West (Palk Bay) and Kalpitiya (Gulf of Mannar) to their administrative, management and enterprise capacity over the last six months. Creating, supporting and developing responsible producer organisations is an integral part of the

FIP’s efforts to enhance the economic and social equity of the BSC fishery. Responsible producer organisations will also be needed to implement the management measures necessary to maintain the biological and ecological status of the BSC fishery at a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery.

Improvements to economic and social equity in the fishery were co-financed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) Project and the NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report Every six months the FIP conducts an unofficial / unapproved / unauthorized / unwelcome internal assessment of the fishery, against three international protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. At the end of December 2016 the FIP thinks the fishery….

….is at SFP Stage 4: Delivering Impacts - delivering improvements in policies and / or fishing practices

….would score 0.57 against the MSC’s Fishery Assessment Methodology (Target ≥ 0.60)

….would score 2.12 against the Seafood Watch program’s Criteria of Fisheries (Target ≥ 2.20)

On behalf of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) the FIP is grateful to the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council for its generous financial support to improve the SLBSC fishery since 2013. The FIP is also grateful to the Interanational Labour Organisatsion’s Local Empowerment through Economic Develolpment project, Santa Monic Seafoods, FishWise, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, Taprobane Seafood Pvt LTd and Fresh Catch Pvt Ltd who co-financed sub projects described in this edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Soft copies of all six edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil. To request a copy please email steve@pelagikos.lk

January to June 2017

Actions to improve the biological and ecological status of blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and introduce management measures to maintain the status of the stocks were successfully implemented by the Sri Lankan BSC (SLBSC) fishery improvement project (FIP) in the first six months of 2017. Initiatives to improve the economic equity and social responsibility of supply chains linking these fisheries to international markets for Sri Lankan crab products were also implemented by the FIP. Details of these activities are presented in this the 7th edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the stocks The third annual assessment of the status of BSC stocks in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar was successfully completed by the FIP Febraury 2017. 5,245 and 2,915 females crabs were measured in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries respectively. The status of the stock in each fishery was analysed using the length-based approach to (estimating) spawning potential ratio (LBSPR) developed by Dr. Jeremy Prince (Biospherics Pvt Ltd) and Dr. Adrain Hordyck (Murdoch University). The LBSPR app is freely available on The Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox website. Each LBSPR assessment was run using key life history characteristics derived from studies of BSC populations in Sri Lanka and South and South East Asia. The third annual stock assessment indicated that the status of the BSC stock in the Palk Bay (Spawning Potential = 47%) was above both the Limit Reference Point (LRP SP = 20% / Red) and Target Reference Point (TRP SP = 30% - 40% / Green) for the fishery in 2017 (see above right). In the Gulf of Mannar the stock status was slightly lower (Spawning Potential = 41%), but still above the LRP and TRP for the fishery in 2017 (see right). The results of the third annual stock assessment suggests that the status of the stocks is above the level associated with a sustainably managed fishery (i.e,, at or above the Target Reference Point) in both the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries. The FIP is grateful to Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies in Mandativu, Irainamathanagar and Palakuda, as well as to leading apex agents Devaraj and Arul Mirindo in Mannar and Lal, Wasanath Kumar and Nixon in Kalpitiya and to Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd (Thusi in Mannar) and Alpex Marine Pvt Ltd (Lakmal in Puttalam) for their continued support and willingness to let the FIP measure crabs in their respective landing centres and collection centres in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries.

Improvements to the biological status of the stock were co-financed Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd, Fresh Catch Pvt Ltd and the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.7

SP = 47%

SP = 41%

Improving the ecological status of the fisheries Impacts on non-target species in the Palk Bay fishery: Five studies have been completed by undergraduate students and the FIP since 2015, to assess the impact of the fishery on non-target species. A total of 535 catches (7.77 mt) have been assessed over 37 days. BSC comprised 69.6% of the total catch (5.40 mt). A further 1.13 mt of non-target species caught were sold or consumed by fishermen (14.6%). 1.23 mt of the total catch was discarded (15.9%). One hundred and thirteen (113) non-target species were identified in the BSC catch from the Palk Bay fishery. Three out of the 113 non-target species were identified as main species using the Seafood Watch Program’s (SFW) Criteria for Fisheries. The three main species were the chocolate-chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus), the spider conch (Lambis truncata) and the pale-edged stingray (Telatrygon (Dasyatis) zugei). The fishery’s ecological impact on each species was assessed using the Productivity - Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) method described in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Risk Based Framework for data limited fisheries. The sub score for the spider conch (Lambis truncate – see right) was the lowest score of the three main species assessed (PSA = 77). The PSA Score is equivalent to a Moderate Conservation Concern for the impact of the BSC fishery on other species in the Palk Bay.

Impacts on non-target species in the Gulf of Mannar fishery: Five non-target species have been completed by undergraduate students and the FIP since 2016, to assess the impact of the fishery on non-target species. A total of 557 catches (13.65 mt) have been assessed over 58 days. BSC comprised 44.9% of the total catch (6.13 mt). A further 6.48 mt of non-target species caught were sold or consumed by fishermen (47.4%). 1.04 mt of the total catch was discarded (7.6%). One hundred and twenty four (124) non-target species were identified in the BSC catch from the Gulf of Mannar fishery. Five out of the 124 non-target species were identified as main species using the SFW Program’s Criteria for Fisheries. The five main species were the blue-spotted stingray (Dasyatis kuhlii), the pale-edged stingray (Telatrygon (Dasyatis) zugei), spiral melongena (Pugilina cochlidium), sea catfish (Arius maculatus) and spider conch (Lambis truncata). The fishery’s ecological impact on each species was assessed using the PSA method described in MSC’s Risk Based Framework for data limited fisheries. The sub score for the blue-spotted stingray (see left) was the lowest score of

the five main species assessed (PSA = 72). The PSA score is equivalent to a Moderate Conservation Concern for the impact of the BSC fishery on other species in the Gulf of Mannar.

Impacts on marine habitats & ecosystems: In June Santa Monica Seafood pledged funds to complete the study of the ecological impact of BSC fishing on marine habitats in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar and the broader marine ecosystem. A sub project to track BSC fishing boats using smartphones and a GPS tracking app developed by LK SIM pvt ltd will commence field implementation in August 2017. The results of the research will be published by the end of the year.

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery were co-financed by the NFI Crab Council (non-target species) and Santa Monica Seafood’s’ Responsible Vendors Sourcing Programme (RVSP), administered by FishWise (habitats)

Improving the management of the SLBSC fisheries Blue swimming crab fishery management meetings were convened by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) at the national and district level during the last six months. The Director General Mr Christy Fernando formerly endorsed the voluntary code of conduct for BSC fishing in Sri Lanka in February 2017. District fishery management meetings were then convened by the Assistant Director Fisheries in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Puttalam District Fisheries Offices (DFO) with BSC fishing communities in March, to discuss and decide how to monitoring and assess compliance with the code.

In May and June the first compliance survey of the voluntary code of conduct for BSC fishing in Sri Lanka was conducted by Fisheries Inspectors under each DFO. The survey was conducted with representatives of 76 BSC fishermen’s cooperative societies in 17 Fisheries Inspector Divisions (FID), in four districts bordering the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries. The overall level of compliance with the code was 92% in the Palk Bay fishery. The highest level of compliance was observed in Kilinochchi District (94%), closely followed by Jaffna (93%) and Mannar districts (89%). Failure to register some fishing boat and engines; the continuing use of illegal mono-filament crab nets in one or two landing centres and area wise variations in the net height and number of net pieces were the main compliance issues highlighted, which need to be improved. The overall level of compliance with the code in the Gulf of Mannar fishery was 86%. The highest level of compliance was observed in Mannar District (91%), while Puttalam District scored 82%. Here too the failure of fishermen too register fishing boat and engines; the continuing use of illegal mono-filament crab nets in one or two landing centres and area wise variations in the net height and number of net pieces were the main compliance issues highlighted, which need to be improved. The results of the initial compliance survey were discussed by the DFAR with fishermen’s leaders in June. Fishery management meetings at the FID level were proposed to address the compliance issues highlighted in each district. Area specific fishing practices such as ‘net height’ and ‘number of net pieces per boat’ will form part of the adaptive management measures at the district level. Management measures to be taken if the stock status falls below the Target Reference Point will also be agreed and implemented at the district level. A draft regulation to improve the management of the BSC fisheries in Sri Lanka was submitted by the FIP to the Director General, at the end of June. A legally binding national regulation to improve the management of the fishery will be concluded by the end of the year.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) Project of the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations, NFI Crab Council and

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods

91%

82%

86%

93%

94%

89%

92%

Improving economic equity and social responsibility Economic equity and social responsibility are crucial components of sustainably managing small scale fisheries. If the financial benefits of sustainably sourced seafood are not share equitably throughout the supply chain and responsibly within fishing communities, where is the incentive for hundreds of small scale fishermen to sustainably exploit these resources? Integrating fishermen’s cooperative socities into supply chains for BSC products is one way to improve the economic equity of the fisheries. Data collected in June demonstrated that if fishermen sell their catach to their cooperative, and if the cooperative sells the village catch to an apex agent or manufacturer, then fishermen receive higher prices for their catch. In short, shortening supply chains improves the economic equity of the fishery. However, to integrate societies into supply chains, cooperatives must demonstrate a level of administrative and management capacity sufficient to engage professionally with apex agents and manufacturers. For the last three years the FIP has worked to improve the business management capacity of cooperatives representing BSC fishermen. In Kilinochchi District 15 out of the 16 village level cooperatives are now engaged in buying and selling at least a part of the village catch. Seven out of the fifteen societies are functioning as micro enterprises; buying crabs and fish from their members and selling them directly to apex agents. Two cooperatives – Irainamathanagar and Velaipaddu – sell their catch directly to Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd. Over the last six months the FIP provided enterprise development training to a further six cooperative societies in Neduntivu, through the provincial Department of Cooperative Development. Nine new micro enterprise development grants were given to cooperatives in Kayts (above), Manthai West and Kalpitiya DS Divisions.

Improvements to social and economic equity were co-financed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) Project and the NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report Every six months or so, the FIP conducts an internal assessment of the fishery against three international protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. At the end of June 2017 the FIP thinks the fishery….

is at SFP Stage 6: Independent / International Certification (the SLBSC fishery is being independently assessed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program)

might score 0.65 against the MSC’s Fishery Standard (Target ≥ 0.60)

might score 2.98 against the Seafood Watch program’s Criteria of Fisheries (Target ≥ 2.20)

On behalf of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) the FIP is hugely grateful to the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) for its generous financial support to improve SLBSC fisheries since 2013. The FIP is also grateful to the Interanational Labour Organisatsion’s Local Empowerment through Economic Develolpment (LEED) Project, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, Santa Monic Seafood, FishWise, Taprobane Seafood Pvt LTd and Fresh Catch Pvt Ltd for co-financing one or more of the sub projects described in this edition of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Soft copies of all seven edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

To request copies please email steve@pelagikos.lk

June to December 2017

Actions to improve the biological and ecological status of blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and introduce management measures that will maintain the status of the stocks at a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery were implemented by the Sri Lankan BSC (SLBSC) fishery improvement project (FIP) in the second half of 2017. Initiatives to improve social responsibility and the equity of supply chains linking these fisheries to international markets for Sri Lankan crab products were also supported by the FIP. Details of these actions are described in the 8th edition of the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the BSC stocks

The status of BSC stock in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar have been assessed annually since 2014. The assessments have been conducted in collaboration with fishing communities, suppliers and seafood manufacturers in each fishery. The stock status has been assessed using a length-based approach to (estimating) spawning potential ratio (LBSPR) developed by Dr. Jeremy Prince (Biospherics Pvt Ltd) and Dr. Adrain Hordyck (University of British Colombia). The LBSPR app is freely available on The Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox.

The assessment results (below) suggest that the status of BSC stocks in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar was at or above the Target Reference Point for a sustainably managed crab fishery (TRP = 30%), in each of the last three years. The results of the 4th stock assessment will be published in the next bulletin.

Target Reference Point

BSC Fishery LBSP Results

2014/15 2016 2017 2018

30%

Palk Bay 32% (31% - 33%)

44% (43% – 45%)

47% (46% – 49%)

?

Gulf of Mannar 31% (29% - 33%)

46% (42% – 50%)

41% (39% – 43%)

?

Improvements to the biological status of the stocks were co-financed Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd and the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

Improving the ecological status of the fisheries Impacts on marine habitats & ecosystems: In June, Santa Monica Seafood LLC generously agreed to continue supporting the FIP’s research into the ecological impact of BSC fishing on marine habitats in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, and the broader marine ecosystem. The ‘net finder’ app developed in 2016 by LKSIM Pvt Ltd ((see right) enables the FIP to track BSC fishing boats - using a smartphone’s inbuilt GPS function. The collection of more data from the fisheries commenced in August 2017. The ‘net finder’ app allows fishermen to mark the ‘start point’ and ‘end point’ of each net that they set. Fishermen then use the GPS function in their phones – through the ‘net finder’ app - to locate the position of their nets the following day.

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.8

The app is good for the FIP and good for BSC fishermen. Using the app, fishermen can head directly to the nets the next day. This saves fishermen both time and money otherwise spent of fuel when searching for their nets. The app also allows fishermen to remove the flags from their nets, which means that other fishermen cannot so easily steal them. Fishermen using the app are also claiming that using the app gives them confidence to set their nets further out from the shore (up to 20 km), because they know the ‘net finder’ app will take them directly to their nets the next day. Fishing for crabs further offshore, in deeper waters is good for the fishermen (= bigger crabs) and good for the crab fishery (= no immature crabs in the catch). Another benefit for fishermen is that unlike a handheld GPS, the app is free and unlike other tracking devices, there are no installation or maintenance costs. The data being used by the FIP to assess the ecological impact of the fishery on marine habitats, can be used in the future to improve the traceability of ‘sustainably sourced’ Sri Lankan BSC products. Palk Bay Fishery

To assess the fishery’s ecological impact, national and international data describing the distribution of mangroves, seagrass and coral / rocky reefs were used to generate a base maps for marine habitats in the Palk Bay. Fishing communities were then asked to contribute their own knowledge through a community-based habitat mapping survey. Smartphones and the ‘net finder’ app have so far been used by 30 BSC fishermen in six villages in Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts. 97 fishing trips had been ‘tracked’ and the data used to identify the extent of village fishing grounds of BSC fishermen in the Palk Bay. Initial results indicate that the BSC fishery potentially overlaps with 9.6% of seagrass beds and 0.61% of coral / rocky reefs in the Palk Bay (as of 08/04/18). BSC fishermen do not set their nets near mangroves (0%) or in marine protected areas (0%). The results of the ecological impact assessment so far, are encouraging. More data will be collected in 2018, to further improve the FIP’s understanding of the ecological impact of the fishery in the Palk Bay. Gulf of Mannar Fishery

The same data sources were used build base maps for mangroves, seagrass and coral / rocky reefs in the Gulf of Mannar. The results of community based mapping surveys were also added. Smartphones and the ‘net finder’ app have also been given to 30 BSC fishermen in six villages in Puttalam and Mannar districts. 105 fishing trips have been ‘tracked’ as of 08/04/18 and the data has been used to identify the extent of village fishing grounds of BSC fishermen in the Gulf of Mannar. In the Gulf of Mannar the Initial results indicate that the BSC fishery potentially overlaps with 16.7% of seagrass beds, 5.6% of coral / rock reefs and 0.7% of mangroves. BSC fishermen do not set their in marine protected areas (0%). Again the initial data that has been collected is encouraging, in the Gulf of Mannar. Here too the results are encouraging and more data will be collected in 2018, to further improve the FIP’s understanding of the ecological impact of the fishery in the Gulf of Mannar.

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery were co-financed by Santa Monica Seafood through FishWise’s RVSP

Improving the management of the SLBSC fisheries The first ever District Fishery Management Plans (DFMP) for Sri Lanka’s blue swimming crab fisheries were finalised for all four districts towards the end of 2017. Fisheries Inspectors under the District Fisheries Offices (DFO) of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) in each district conducted village by village consultations with blue swimming crab fishermen. Then district fishery management meetings were convened with leaders of fishermen’s societies from each Fishery Inspector Division. The DFMPs were endorsed by fishermen’s representatives in these meetings. The Assistant Directors in each district submitted the DFMPs to the Director General, in October. The DFMP were approved by the Director General in November 2017.

Each District Fishery Management Plan sets out the location, extent, area and maritime boundary of the fishery, as well as the landing centres constituting the fishery in each district. The DFMPs include a description of the harvest strategy for BSC fishing in each district (i.e. bottom-set crab nets), as well as the control mechanisms adopted by fishermen and the DFAR to maintain the status of the stock at a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery (i.e. size selectivity and restrictions on effort). References Points appropriate for a data limited, resource poor fishery are contained in each DFMP. Each DFMP also includes the results of previous stock assessments and a schedule for the next assessment of stock status. The harvest control rules and harvest control (management) tools proposed by fishing communities for each Reference Point are explained in the DFMP.

The DFMPs include a ‘bycatch management strategy’ to minimise the fisheries’ impact on non-target species, particular species of national and international concern. Provisions for the DFO of the DFAR to monitor the implementation of the DFMP and take appropriate measures to ensure compliance are included in each DFMP. Each DFMP sets out the procedures to be followed by fishermen and the DFAR to resolve any disputes arising between fishermen within the fishery, and a list of actions to be implemented to further the improve the fishery in 2018/19. The DFMPs will be revised and as necessary updated following the publication of results of the 4th annual stock to be conducted in 2018.

A Regulation for BSC fishing: In October, the draft regulation to improve the management of Sri Lankan BSC fisheries submitted by the FIP to the Director General, DFAR was revised to include comments and observations from the Legal Officer, DFAR. Once the revisions are approved by DFAR, the draft will be sent by the Director General to the Attorney General’s Department for legal scrutiny and further comment.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

Improving social responsibility and economic equity Social responsibility and economic equity are equally important components of sustainably managing small scale fisheries. If the financial benefits of ‘sustainably sourced’ seafood are not share equitably throughout the supply chain, where is the incentive for thousands of small scale fishermen to sustainably exploit these resources? And if a fishery or a supply chain is irresponsible - using child labour, bonded or slave labour or employees’ working conditions are not decent - will consumers still buy ‘sustainably sourced’ seafood? Over the last four years the FIP has given grants worth more than LKR 3.0 million (US$ 20,000) to fishermen’s cooperative to start or improve small enterprises linked to fishing, maingly buying and selling fish. The ILO UN LEED project has contributed a futher LKR 9.0 million (US$ 60,0000) to enable cooperatives to buy seafood from their members and sell directly to suppliers / manufacturers. Building enterprise capacity and shortening supply chains are key facets of improving equity in the supply chains for Sri Lankan BSC products. Only Sri Lankan fishermen harvest Sri Lankan BSC. There is no evidence of child labour, migrant, bonded or slave labour working on BSC fishing boats or in supply chains for Sri Lankan BSC products. The ILO UN LEED project promotes and ensures Decent Work Standards in processing centres owned by fishermen’s cooperatives, which link Sri Lanka’s BSC fisheries to international markets for Sri Lankan BSC products.

Improvements to social responsibility and economic equity were co-financed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) Project and the NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report Every six months or so, the FIP conducts an internal assessment of the fishery against three international protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. By the end of December 2017 the FIP thinks the fisheries….

are at SFP Stage 6: Independent / International Certification: The SLBSC fishery has been independently assessed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program since 2016 and is currently being assesses against the MSC’s Fishery Standard (see below)

could score 0.70 against the MSC’s Fishery Standard (Target ≥ 0.60): In November the two fisheries were submitted for ‘pre assessment’ against the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Fishery Standard, by a MSC approved Certified Assessment Body. The cost of the ‘pre assessment’ was co-financed by Verwijs Import Export B.V. and Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd

could score 2.98 against the Seafood Watch programme’s Criteria of Fisheries (Target ≥ 2.20)

On behalf of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) the FIP is grateful to the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) for its generous financial support since 2013. The FIP is also grateful to Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd, Santa Monic Seafoods LLC, FishWise and Verwijs Import Export B.V. for their investment in one or more of the sub projects described in this edition of the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Soft copies of all eight (!!) edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil. To request copies please email steve@pelagikos.lk

January to June 2018

Actions to improve the biological and ecological status of blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and introduce management measures to maintain the status of the stocks at a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery were implemented by the Sri Lanka BSC (SLBSC) fishery improvement project (FIP) in the first half of 2018. Initiatives to improve social responsibility and the equity of supply chains linking these fisheries to international markets for Sri Lankan crab products were also supported by the FIP.

Details of these actions are described in the 9th edition of the Sri Lanka Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Improving the biological status of the BSC stocks The 4th annual assessment of BSC stocks in the Palk Bay (PB) and Gulf of Mannar (GoM) was conducted by pelagikos pvt ltd in collaboration with fishing communities and seafood companies in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Puttalam districts in February and March. The assessment was supervised by Fishery Inspectors from the District Fisheries Offices of the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (DFAR). 6,769 female crabs were measured at nine landing centres in the Palk Bay fishery. 3,974 female crabs were measured at nine landing centres in the Gulf of Mannar fishery. The average size of the crabs measured in the two fisheries was 138 mm (PB) and 131 mm (GoM). The percentage of immature crabs in the catch was 7.4% (PB) and 16.0% (GoM). The status of the stocks was assessed using a length based approach to estimating spawning potential ratio (LBSPR).

The LBSPR app is freely available in the very wonderful Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox.

Palk Bay Assessment 2018 The result of the LBSPR assessment suggests that the status of the BSC stock in the Palk Bay is above the level of a sustainably managed BSC fishery (Target Reference Point SP = 30%); and well above the Limit Reference Point for the fishery (LRP SP = 20%). The variation in spawning potential between the three districts (see right) is consistent with the behavioural ecology of BSC, the location landing centres and the distances travelled by BSC in each district. Along the eastern shoreline of the Palk Bay, small and medium sized crabs predominate and fishermen fish closer to the shore (< 5 km). Around the islands in the north and towards to tip of Mannar Island in the south, medium and large sized crabs make up most of the catch and fishermen fish up to 15 km from the shore. The 2018 assessment is consistent with the LBSPR results over the past three years, suggesting that the fishery in the Palk Bay is has been and is currently being managed at a sustainable level.

TRP 2017 2016 2014/15

30% 47% (46% – 49%)

44% (43% – 45%)

32% (31% - 33%)

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.9

Gulf of Mannar Assessment 2018 The result of the LBSPR assessment in the Gulf of Mannar also indicates that the status of the BSC stock is above the level of a sustainably managed BSC fishery (TRP SP = 30%); and well above the Limit Reference Point for the fishery (LRP SP = 20%). Here too variations were observed in the spawning potential estimated between the districts in the fishery. In Puttalam District the lower spawning potential result (33%) reflects the nature of the fishery. BSC fishing takes place almost exclusively in the sheltered, shallow (<5 m), brackish waters of the Puttalam Estuary Complex. The Puttalam Estuary Complex comprises the estuaries of the Mei Oya, Kala Oya and Panparippu Oya, which are enclosed by the a sand spit that extends for more than 35 km north of Kalpitiya, enclosing the Dutch and Portugal bays. The Puttalam Estuary Complex is an ideal nursery habitat for juvenile and maturing small and medium sized crabs. In Mannar District BSC fishing grounds are located 5 – 10 km from the shore, in the open water of the Gulf of Mannar. Here the catch is dominated by medium and large sized crabs. The 2018 assessment is consistent with the LBSPR results over the past three years. This suggests that the fishery has been and is currently being managed at a sustainable level.

TRP 2017 2016 2014/15

30% 41% (39% – 43%)

46% (42% – 50%)

31% (29% - 33%)

Improvements to the biological status of the stocks were co-financed Taprobane Seafood Group Pvt Ltd and the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

Improving the ecological status of the fisheries Impacts on marine habitats: Field research to assess the ecological impact of BSC fishing on critical marine habitats in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar continued throughout the first part of 2018. The research began in 2016 as a Final Year undergraduate project, with financial support from Santa Monica Seafood LLC,

New information and data on the location of mangroves, seagrass, limestone reefs, coral reefs and BSC fishing grounds was collected using community-based surveys. The surveys were conducted with more than 70 fishing communities, in 17 Fishery Inspector Divisions, in the four districts that make up the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries. New GPS data was also added using the smartphone ‘net finder’ app developed by LKSIM Pvt Ltd in 2016.

The new GPS data and the digitized community based surveys were added to the digital database of critical marine habitats in the two fisheries. The database was used to assess the ecological impact of BSC fishing on critical marine habitats in the Palk Bay (see right) and Gulf of Mannar (overleaf).

A preliminary analysis of the community based data suggests that 10.8% of critical marine habitats in the Palk Bay and 12.3% of critical marine habitats in the Gulf of Mannar may be impacted by bottom-set crab fishing. The highest level of potential interaction was observed for seagrass beds in the Palk Bay (17.1%) and in the Gulf of Mannar (13.7%). 45% of all seagrass beds in Sri Lanka (342,751 ha) are located in the shallow, nutrient rich waters of the Palk Bay (88,524 ha / 25%) and the Gulf of Mannar (68,452 ha / 20%)

Palk Bay (ha) Gulf of Mannar (ha)

Total Impact? % Total Impact? %

Mangroves 6,732 1 0.0% 1,919 - 0.7%

Seagrass 88,524 10,962 12.4% 68,452 9,364 13.7%

Limestone Reefs 16 0 0.0% 6,001 181 3.0%

Coral Reefs 7,235 69 1.0% 2,598 190 7.3

Marine Habitats 102,507 11,031 10.8% 78,970 9,735 12.3%

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery co-financed by Santa Monica Seafood through FishWise’s RVSP and NFI Crab Council

Improving the management of the SLBSC fisheries In 2016 a Code of Conduct for BSC fishing was developed with fishing communities to promote the sustainable exploitation of BSC resources. The code endorsed good management measures with the aim of maintaining the status of the BSC stocks at a healthy level; and to minimize the impact on the marine environment and the associated species. The code was endorsed by the Director General, DFAR in February 2017. The first compliance survey was conducted in the both fisheries April / May 2017. A second survey was completed at the beginning of this year. The results suggest that compliance with the code has increased in all districts and in both fisheries overall.

68 BSC fishermen’s representatives from 17 Fishery Inspector (FI) Divisions reveiwed, revised and updated the BSC Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar at the end of June. Fisheries Inspectors organised meetings with representatives of all BSC fishing communities in their divisions prior to these meetings, to discuss the FMPs and any amendments or changes. The Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar FMPs were endorsed by fishermen’s representatives in district meetings at the end of June. The Assistant Directors in each district have submitted the FMPs to the Director General. The two FMPs will be incorporated in the District Fisheries Management Area proposals currently being formulated by DFAR, later in the year.

A Regulation for BSC fishermen / A Schedule for exporters: The draft Regulation for BSC fisheries submitted to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department by DFAR last year, returned to DFAR in the early part of this year. The AG’s Department proposed a number of changes to the draft Regulation, including formulating a Schedule for BSC exports under the Import, Export and Re-Export Act (2017). The Schedule has since been drafted and submitted to the AG’s Department for comment. The Schedule includes a minimum purchasing size for exporters, their suppliers and agents. The AG’s Department approved the revised Regulation for BSC fisheries in June. The Regulation sets out the legal provisions for harvesting BSC, as follows No person shall

Compliance

2017 2018 %

Palk Bay 92% 97% +3%

Jaffna 93% 98% +6%

Kilinochchi 94% 98% +4%

Mannar 89% 95% +6%

Gulf of Mannar 85% 94% +9%

Mannar 91% 99% +8%

Puttalam 83% 92% +9%

a) harvest blue swimming crabs using bottom-set nets with a mesh size of less than 114.3 millimetres (4½”) or a yarn of more than 6 ply;

b) use rigid or collapsible baited traps to harvest blue swimming crabs. c) All persons shall dispose of used, damaged or discarded bottom-set crab nets on land, in an

environmentally safe manner.

All persons, agents or companies engaged in harvesting, sale, purchasing, transport, re-sale, manufacture and or export of blue swimming crabs or blue swimming crab products shall provide any information and data about the fishery to Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources when requested.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

Improving social responsibility and economic equity Social responsibility and economic equity are increasingly important components of sustainably managing small scale fisheries. If the financial benefits of sourcing seafood from sustainably managed fisheries are not shared equitably throughout the supply chain, then where is the incentive for small scale fishermen to sustainably exploit the resources? Similarly, if seafood supply chains use child labour, migrant, bonded or slave labour or employees’ working conditions are poor, consumers will not buy seafood simply because it is sustainably sourced. Only Sri Lankan fishermen harvest Sri Lankan BSC. There is no evidence of child labour, migrant, bonded or slave labour in the BSC fishery or in the supply chains for Sri Lankan BSC products. Improvements to social responsibility and economic equity in the fishery and supply chains for Sri Lanka BSC

were co-financed by Taprobane Seafood Group and NFI Crab Council.

SLBSC Fishery / FIP Status Report Every six months or so, an internal assessment of the fishery is conducted against three international protocols for sustainably sourced seafood. At the end of June 2018 the FIP thinks the fisheries….

are at SFP Stage 6: Independent / International Certification: The SLBSC fishery has been independently assessed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program since 2016 and has been assessed against the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Fishery Standard (see below)

could score 0.83 against the MSC’s Fishery Standard (Target ≥ 0.60): In November the two fisheries were submitted for ‘pre assessment’ against the MSC Fishery Standard, by a MSC approved Certified Assessment Body. The MSC Pre Assessment was completed and submitted in March. The cost of the ‘pre assessment’ was co-financed by Verwijs Import Export B.V. and Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd

could score 3.18 against Seafood Watch’s Criteria of Fisheries (Target ≥ 2.20)

The Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) and other members of the FIP are grateful to the

National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) for its continuous and generous support of the FIP since 2013. Members of the FIP are also grateful to Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd, Santa Monic Seafoods LLC, FishWise and

Verwijs Import Export B.V. for investing in one or more of the sub projects described in this edition of the Sri Lanka Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Soft copies of all nine edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil. To request copies please email steve@pelagikos.lk

July to December 2018

The Sri Lankan blue swimming crab (SLBSC) fishery improvement project (FIP) was initiated by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) in May and officially launched by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development in November 2013. The SLBSC FIP is a tripartite initiative that brings together producers (fishermen), processors (seafood companies) and regulators (government agencies) to improve the biological and ecological status of blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and introduce management measures that will maintain this status at a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery: now and in the future. After five years of hard work the members of the FIP finally achieved their immediate objective this year.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program recommended the BSC fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar to consumers as a GOOD ALTERNATIVE on the 19th of December 2018

Country Sri Lanka

Fishing Area Eastern Indian Ocean

Gear Gillnets & entangling nets (unspecified)

Fisheries Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar

SW Rating GOOD ALTERNATIVE GOOD ALTERNATIVE

SW Score 2.337 2.208

© 2018, Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

The blue swimming crab fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar are the first and second fisheries in Sri Lanka and the ONLY blue swimming crabs in Asia to achieve this recommendation. Copies of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program’s assessment reports can be downloaded from the Seafood Watch web site (https://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations)

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.10

SW Criterion 1 - Impacts on the species under assessment

Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar

Target Species Score 3.318 2.644

The status of blue swimming crab stocks in each fishery has been assessed every year since 2015, using a length based approach to calculating spawning potential (LBSP). The LBSP app developed by Dr. Jeremy Prince and Dr. Adrian Hordyk is freely available in Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox. More than 34,000 female blue swimming crabs have been measured by members of the fishing communities in collaboration with local crab manufacturers and their agents. Stock status data collection is supervised by the district staff of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The results of the LBSP assessments (see left) suggest that the status of BSC stocks in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar fisheries has been above the Target Reference Point (30%) for a sustainably managed BSC fishery in each of the past four years.

SW Criterion 2 - Impacts on other capture species

Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar

Other Species Score 1.00 1.00

Several undergraduates from Uva Wellesa University and Ocean University have completed their final year dissertations by studying the ecological impact of the BSC fisheries on other capture species over the past five years. Another eight studies have been completed by FIP up to December 2017. The results reveal that bottom-set crab nets catch more than 150 other species. By weight other capture species contributed 30% of the catch in the Palk Bay and 55% of the catch in the Gulf of Mannar fisheries. Out of this 15% and 47% were sold or consumed in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries respectively. Less than 15% of the total catch was discarded in both fisheries.

The majority of other capture species were caught in very low numbers. In the Palk Bay the commonest other capture species were cuttlefish (3.89%), chocolate-ship seastar (3.4%) and the pale-edged stingray (2.9%). In the Gulf of Mannar the in the commonest other capture species were the blue-spotted stingray (15.8% left), the pale-edged stingray (15.3% far left) and the spiral melongena (9.0%). In the Gulf of Mannar BSC fishermen use larger mesh nets to target both BSC and small rays. No turtles, indo-pacific humpbacked dolphins or dugongs were observed in the bottom-set nets of blue swimming crab fishermen.

BSC Fishery TRP 2014/15 2016 2017 2018

Palk Bay 30%

32% 44% 47% 45%

Gulf of Mannar 31% 46% 41% 37%

SW Criterion 3 - Management effectiveness

Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar

Management Score 3.00 3.00

Since the end of the civil conflict in Sri Lanka in 2009 to 2016, the blue swimming crab fisheries in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar have been ‘managed’ by the seafood industry and Sri Lankan through market demand for medium (>150 g) and large (>200g) sized crabs and fishermen using 4½” (114.13 mm) mesh net to catch medium and large sized crabs. In 2017 a Code of Conduct for Responsible Crab Fishing was introduced by the FIP, based on best practices identified by fishermen and the Sri Lankan seafood industry. In 2018 steps were taken to formalise the best practices set out in the Code of Conduct. A regulation for BSC fishing and a schedule for purchasing, processing and exporting blue swimming crabs were formulated and approved by all stakeholders. The regulation and export schedule will become law in 2019. To further improve the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource’s management of the two fisheries new fisheries management areas have been proposed in each district (see right). Steps to form fisheries management committees in each Fishery Inspector Division - under the authority of Assistant Director Fisheries in each district - are already underway. Management plans for the BSS fisheries in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar have been introduced and became operational in 2018.

SW Criterion 4 - Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem

Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar

Habitats & Ecosystem Score 3.00 3.00

Sri Lanka is an island in the tropics richly endowed with a high diversity of both terrestrial and marine habitats. Mangrove forests, seagrass beds, rocky reefs and coral reefs are common around the entire island, including in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar. Field research begun as another undergraduate project in 2016 enabled the FIP to build a Geographic Information System to map the potential interaction between BSC fishing and critical marine habitats in each fishery. The GIS combines secondary data on marine habitats, with GPS tracking data and community based mapping of fishing grounds and marine habitats. The estimated potential interaction of the fisheries was <0.1% and <1% for mangroves, 11.4% and 16.7% for seagrass and 7.67% and 5.5% for rocky and coral reefs in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries respectively. The level of potential interaction between the bottom-set crab net fisheries and critical marine habitats in each fishery is well below the 50% threshold for moderate ecological concern.

Co-financing the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab FIP (2013 – 2018)

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total

Direct Investment $13,000 $105,000 $112,500 $83,000 $86,000 $49,000 $448,500

The SLBSC FIP is a US$ 450,000.00 direct investment. The National Fisheries Institute Crab Council co-financed the core cost of the FIP each year (48%). These funds were contribued through Taprobane Seafood Group (TSG), the only Corporate Member of the FIP. TSG (3%) and Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (4%) also contributed directlt to the FIP. The International Labour Organisation of the United Nations’ Local Empowerment through Economic Development project contributed 25% of the total direct investment. These funds provided by the Australian government’s Department for Aid and Trade - supported cooperative development in the Palk Bay fishery. The International Organisaiton for Migration (6%), Santa Monica Seafood through Fishwise’s Responsible Sourcing Vendors Programme (4%), the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem programme (4%), The Asia Foundation (3%) and Ceylon Fresh (<1%) also invested directly in the FIP over the last six years. At least the same amount again (US$450,00.00) has been indirectly invested in the FIP (i.e. staff time, traveling, meetings, technical assistance, support and enthusiams) by the officers and staff of the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Taprobane Seafood Group, Uva Wellesa Univerisity, Ocean Univeristy, University of Colombo and pelagikos pvt ltd since 2013. The MBA Seafood Watch program’s audited the fishery free of charge from 2017.

The Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka, fishing communiteis and the government of Sri Lanka are extremely grateful to all those who contribued to improving Sri Lanka’s blue swimming crab

fisheries, resulting in a GOOD ALTERNATIVE recommendation by Seafood Watch in December 2018.

Moving from Good Alternative to Best Choice by 2021

The FIP’s new objective is to further improve the Sri Lanka’s BSC fisheries, moving both fisheries from a Yellow (>2.20 - GOOD ALTERNATIVE) rating, to a Green (>3.20 - BEST CHOICE) rating by the end of 2021. To do achieve this, the members of the FIP now need to Criterion 1 maintain or improve the status of the stock in each fishery

Criterion 2 collect and submit more data on the impact of the fishery on other capture species

Criterion 3 gazette and implement the regulation, export schedule, fisheries management areas and establish the fisheries committees under the Assistant Directors in each distict

Criterion 4 verify the potential interactions between BSC fishing grounds an marine habitats and introduce measures to furthre reduce the potential for interaction.

Soft copies of all ten edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil at www.pelagikos.lk For more details about anything abut the FIP please email steve@pelagikos.lk

January to June 2019

The Sri Lankan blue swimming crab fishery improvement project (FIP) was initiated by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council and the Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka in May 2013 and officially launched by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development in November of the same year. The FIP is a tripartite initiative that brings together fishermen, seafood companies and government agencies to improve the biological and ecological status and the management of the fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar to a level equivalent to a sustainably managed fishery: now and in the future. The FIP also works to ensure that Sri Lankan blue swimming crab supply chains are equitable and responsible. The fisheries are the only fisheries in Sri Lanka and the only BSC fisheries in South and Southeast Asia to be eco-recommended (GOOD ALTERNATIVE) by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch programme.

Improving the biological status of the BSC stocks

The 5th annual assessment of the status of BSC stocks in the Palk Bay and in the Gulf of Mannar was implemented by pelagikos pvt ltd between 3rd March and 15th July 2019. The stock assessment was conducted in collaboration with fishing communities and seafood companies in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Puttalam districts. The stock assessment was supervised by Fishery Inspectors (FIs) from the District Fisheries Offices (DFO) of the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (DFAR) in each district. Stock status was assessed using a length based approach to (estimating) spawning potential ratio (LBSPR). The LBSPR app is freely available in the Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox.

2019 Palk Bay Assessment: 8,768 female crabs were measured from 19 landing centres located in the three districts that border the Palk Bay fishery. The average size (carapace width) of the crabs measured in the Palk Bay fishery was 132 mm. The crabs ranged in size from 79 mm to 204 mm. 87% of the crabs sampled were mature. 7% of the crabs sampled were immature. 6% of the sample was infected with the parasitic barnacle Sacculinidae (Rhizocephala). The result of the 2019 LBSPR assessment (SP = 42%) suggest that the status of the BSC stock in the Palk Bay continues to be maintained above the Target Reference Point (TRP) for fishery (TRP = 30% Spawning Potential). The results in 2019 are consistent with the LBSPR results over the past four years, suggesting that the BSC fishery in the Palk Bay has been and continues to operate at a level equivalent with a sustainably managed fishery.

Lower TRP 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

30% 32% 44% 47% 45% 42%

The Blue Swimming Crab

Bulletin No.11

Gulf of Mannar Assessment 2019: 4,532 female crabs were measured from 14 landing centres located in the two districts that border the Gulf of Mannar fishery. The average size (carapace width) of the crabs measured in the fishery was 140 mm. The crabs ranged in size from 90 mm to 205 mm. 92% of the crabs sampled in the Gulf of Mannar fishery were mature. 7% of the crabs sampled were immature. 1% of the crabs sample was infected with the parasitic barnacle Sacculinidae. The result of the 2019 LBSPR assessment (SP = 57) suggest that the status of the BSC stock in the Gulf of Mannar continues to be maintained above the Target Reference Point (TRP) for fishery (TRP = 30% Spawning Potential). The results of the 2019 assessment are consistent with the LBSPR results over the past four years, suggesting that the fishery in the Gulf of Mannar has been and continues to operate at a level equivalent with a sustainably managed fishery.

Improvements to the biological status of the stocks were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council and the Taprobane Seafood Group Pvt Ltd

Improving the ecological status of the fisheries Ecological impacts on non-target species: The FIP continued to receive support from researchers to collect information and data about the ecological impact of the bottom-set crab net fishery on non-target species (NTS) in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar fisheries in the first half of 2019.

Hasamini Thilakarathne an undergraduate student from Ocean University researched the ecological impact of bottom-set crab nets on NTS at Sinnakudirippu landing centres in Kalpitiya (Puttalam District / Gulf of Mannar fishery), for her final year dissertation in 2018/19. Hasamini sampled 141 crab catches with a total weight of 1.34 tons. 58 NTS were observed including finfish (31), crustaceans (09), molluscs (15), echinoderms (02) and cnidarians (01). 82% of the catch by weight was retained (BSC 50% / non-target species 32%), while the balance (18%) was discarded. No endangered, threatened or protected species (ETP), Out of Scope or Primary NTS were present in the catch.

Subaha Vijayakumaran an undergraduate student from Uva Wellessa University researched the ecological impact of bottom-set crab nets on NTS at Thooriayoor landing centre in Velenae DS Division (Jaffna District / Palk Bay fishery) for her final year dissertation in 2018/19. Subaha sampled 153 crab catches with a total weight of 1.27 tons. 84 NTS were observed including finfish (32), crustaceans (23), molluscs (18), echinoderms (09) and cnidarians (02). 85% of the catch by weight was retained (BSC 45% / non-target species 40%), while the balance (15%) was discarded. No endangered, threatened or protected species (ETP) or Out of Scope were present in the catch. One Primary NTS was observed.

Lower TRP 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

30% 31% 46% 41% 37% 57%

The pale-edged stingray (Telatrygon zugei) is one of the most common NTS observed in the catch from the bottom-set nets used by fishermen to harvest BSC in the two fisheries. The pale-edged stingray is rated ‘Near Threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List1, even though there is no scientific data (e.g. age at maturity, longevity, average reproductive age, gestation time, reproductive periodicity, average annual fecundity, annual rate of population increase, natural mortality, growth rate, fishing mortality and population trend) to support this rating across any of its range. The species’ distribution extends from the east coast of India throughout the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia to Japan. In Sri Lanka the pale-edged stingray is targeted by Sri Lankan fishermen in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay using 5½” and 6” bottom-set nets. These nets also catch BSC.

Dilukshani Gayathry, also an undergraduate student from Uva Wellessa University, researched the stock status and size on maturity of the pale-edged stingray (Dasyatis zugei) at Thaluppadu landing centre in Mannar Town DS Division (Mannar District / Gulf of Mannar fishery) for her final year dissertation in 2018/19. Dilukshani sampled 1,404 pale-edged stingrays from the landings of BSC fishermen. 57% of the samples were female. Female disc width ranged from 93 mm to 260 mm. The average size was 172 mm. Size at first maturity was 164.3 mm. 95% of females were mature at 194.3 mm. The maximum fecundity observed was three embryos. Embryo size ranged from 57 mm to 75 mm.

In March Subaha and Dilukshani joined pelagikos pvt ltd as research assistance to continue and complete researching the ecological impact of bottom-set crab nets on NTS species and in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar fisheries. Together with Jeewantha Bandara they completed a two more NTS studies in the Palk Bay fishery (Chettipalam and Velaipaddu) and four studies in the Gulf of Mannar fishery (Thalupaddu, Vankalai, Baththalangunduwa and Pookulam). One final study will be completed in the Palk Bay fishery (Karainagar) in August 2019. Once these studies are completed the FIP’s 2017 ecological impact assessment report on NTS in each fishery will be updated and published.

Ecological impacts on marine habitats Technical reports describing the ecological impact of the BSC fishery on marine habitats in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar were updated in March. There was no change in the overall findings (see right), which suggest that the ecological impact of bottom-set crab net fishing on marine habit in both fisheries is low for critical marine habitats such as mangroves, sea grass beds, limestone and coral reefs.

Improvements to the ecological status of the fishery co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council with technical assistance from Ocean University and Uva Wellessa University

1 https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/60160/104082989

Palk Bay (ha) Gulf of Mannar (ha)

Total Impact? % Total Impact? %

Mangroves 6,732 1 0.0% 1,919 - 0.7%

Seagrass 88,524 10,962 12.4% 68,452 9,364 13.7%

Limestone Reefs 16 0 0.0% 6,001 181 3.0%

Coral Reefs 7,235 69 1.0% 2,598 190 7.3

Marine Habitats 102,507 11,031 10.8% 78,970 9,735 12.3%

Improving the management of the fisheries

Fisheries Inspector Division Meetings: The current status of the fisheries, the progress of the FIP and future plans and the key issues that need to be addressed to further improve the fisheries were presented / discussed with representatives of BSC fishing communities through a series of Fisheries Inspector Division (FID) meetings convened by the DFAR’s DFO during the first quarter of 2019. Representatives of more than 60 Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies participated in 17 meetings held in the four districts bordering the two fisheries. The FIP’s proposal to introduce a regulation for BSC fishing and a schedule for exporters was endorsed by BSC fishing communities in both fisheries. The proposal to declare ‘district level’ Fishery Management Areas was also supported by BSC fishermen. According to fishermen the following key issues need to be addressed by the FIP in 2019/20. (1) Catching and purchasing very small crabs (< 99 g / < 119 mm); (2) Different grading practices and pricing issues within and between the two fisheries; (3) Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Tamil Nadu trawlers in Sri Lankan waters and (4) Illegal trawl net fishing by Sri Lankan boat owners in the fishing grounds of BSC fishermen in both fisheries.

Improvements to the management of the BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council with management assistance from the District Fisheries offices of the DFAR

Improving economic equity and social responsibility

Economic Equity: Beach prices for BSC remained stable during the first six months of 2019. Six months after achieving the Seafood Watch GOOD ALTERNATIVE rating, there has yet to be any evidence of a ‘price premium’ associated with the Seafood Watch eco-recommendation as a result of Sri Lankan BSC products accessing global markets for eco-recommended / certified sustainably sourced seafood. Social Responsibility: The FIP began exploring options to recycle BSC fishing nets at the beginning of the year. A local solution to discarded plastic crab nets is available, but more research is needed to recycle nylon nets in Sri Lanka. The FIP plans to begin a pilot programme to recycle plastic nets with fishing communities and work with companies to find a local solution to nylon net recycling in the second half of 2019/20.

Improvements to social responsibility and economic equity in the fishery and supply chains for Sri Lanka BSC were co-financed by the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council

The Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) and other members of the FIP are grateful to the

National Fisheries Institute Crab Council (NFI CC) for its continuous and generous support of the FIP since 2013. Members of the FIP are also grateful to Taprobane Seafood Pvt Ltd, Uva Wellessa Univeristy and Ocean

Unversity for investing / supporting in one or more of the sub projects described in this edition of the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin.

Soft copies of all nine edtions of the Blue Swimming Crab Bulletin are available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

To request copies please email steve@pelagikos.lk