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A N N I V E R S A R YA N N I V E R S A I R E

VANUATUNATIONAL FISHERIESSECTOR POLICY2016–2031

A policy for the sustainable management, conservation and development of the fisheries sector in the Republic of Vanuatu

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity

VANUATUNATIONAL FISHERIESSECTOR POLICY2016–2031

A policy for the sustainable management, conservation and development of the fisheries sector in the Republic of Vanuatu

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity

© Government of Vanuatu 2017

All rights for commercial/for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved.

Original text: English

Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data

Vanuatu national fisheries sector policy 2016–2031: a policy for the sustainable management, conservation and development of the fisheries sector in the Republic of Vanuatu / ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity

1. Marine fishes – Vanuatu.

2. Fishery management – Vanuatu.

3. Fishes – Vanuatu.

4. Fisheries – Vanuatu.

5. Fishery law and legislation — Vanuatu.

6. Fishery policy — Vanuatu.

7. Fisheries — Government policy — Vanuatu.

I. Title II. Vanuatu. Fisheries Division III. Pacific Community

639.2099595 AACR2

ISBN: 978-982-00-1044-4

This plan was produced by the Vanuatu Department of Fisheries, with technical assistance from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Pacific Community (SPC).

Laid out and prepared for publication at SPC Headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia.

Printed by Colorite Graphics Printers, Vanuatu - 2017

iii

APPROVAL OF THE VANUATU NATIONAL FISHERIES SECTOR POLICY

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy is made in accordance with Part 3 Section 6(1) (a) of the Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014.

By virtue of powers conferred upon the Minister Responsible for Fisheries, under Section 6(1) (a) of the Fisheries Act No.10 of 20014, notice is hereby given for the approval of the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy.

COMMENCEMENT DATE

This policy commences on the date on which it is approved by the Minister.

Made at Port Vila this………day of …......………………… 2016.

………………………………………………………….

Honourable Matai Seremaiah NAWALU (MP)

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity

Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-2031iv

Acknowledgements

This Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy is the result of contributions from many people and stakeholders. Thanks are given to the staff of the Vanuatu Fisheries Department for their initial ideas to this policy; community leaders, fishers, the private sector, provincial leaders, non-governmental partners, line government departments, and the fishing industry for their contributions to the policy through many consultations; the former Director of Environment Department, Mr Jason Raubani, for his initial work on the draft. Special thanks are given to the Pacific Community through the Director of the Fisheries, Aquacul-ture and Marine Ecosystems Division, Mr Moses Amos, the Aquaculture Advisor, Mr Robert Jimmy, and the Coastal Fisheries Science and Management Adviser, Mr Ian Bertram. We thank the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency — through the assistance of its Management Officer, Mr Samasoni Sauni — for improving the structure and visibility of this policy. Importantly, this policy would not have been possible without funding from the Vanuatu Government, the United Nations Development Programme through the Vanuatu Climate Change Adaptation project, and the ACIAR community based-based fisheries project FIS/2012/074.

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Speech by the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity, Hon Matai Seremaiah Nawalu,

at the official launching of the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy,

Tagabe Ground, Wednesday 14 December 2016

Parliament Secretary for Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB)First Political Advisor of MALFFBDirectors of MALFFB and Directors from other government departments United Nations Development Programme representative Other development partners

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our main task on this occasion this morning is to launch the first ever national policy for the fisheries sector in Vanuatu. May I say that where the fisheries sector is today is the result of past planning, and where we will be in future will be the result of the policy vision we will launch today.


99% of Vanuatu is ocean; this vast ocean is home to one of the region’s largest fish stock — albacore tuna for which the annual catch is estimated at 8,000 tonnes per year. With other tuna resources, our produc-tion estimate lies in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes of fish per year. It is even more than this when deep bottom fish, reef fish and other reef and freshwater resources and other resource we have yet to explore are added.

Our people depend on these resources for food and income, and the country depends on revenue from resource rent and from exporting fees. During natural disasters, as we witnessed recently, when other land resources are affected, fish provides healthy food and income for our people and it is important that we continue to enjoy these benefits in the future.

Before I go ahead to launch this policy, may I take this time to reflect on some of the development challenges this sector has faced in the last 35 years.

1. Vanuatu is an important player in the industrial tuna fishery through the Palekula Fishing base on Santo. At that time, Palekula was servicing over 100 industrial fishing boats and processing up to 14,000 tonnes of fish per year. Over a thousand local New Hebrideans and ni-Vanuatu were employed and many more benefit from economic spinoffs of the Palekula base. We lost this eco-nomic activity soon after gaining independence, resulting in the loss of jobs and economic oppor-tunity. We still have our fish but we lack the vision to re-develop the industry in the last 30 years.

2. Soon after independence the government received much support from donor partners to develop the local fishing industry and empower our local people to participate in development. Fisheries centres were established on many islands in the country and fish markets established in Vila (Na-tai Fish Market) and Luganville (Santo Fish Market) to market fish from the island markets. This infrastructure failed not because we ran out of fish, it was because we did not have the vision to better manage these infrastructure developments.

Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-2031vi

3. The Republic of Vanuatu has many international fishing vessels registered under the shipping registry. For years, the flag fishing fleet was not effectively managed and the fleet was conducting IUU fishing, which led to the yellow card issued to Vanuatu by the EU in 2012. Again, we do not have the vision on how to better manage our flag fishing fleet to prevent IUU fishing; in addition, much needed revenue that would have been collected from this industry was lost.

4. Many ni-Vanuatu nationals continue to risk their lives to work on fishing boats with no proper training and no welfare security. Many of our nationals receive poor treatment at sea and some lost their lives as a result. We do not have roadmap on how to manage and develop the crewing industry.

5. The Sino-Van fish factory has failed to operate in the last 8–12 years, again because of the lack of vision to de-velop supporting infrastructure to attract landing of fish in our ports. Our fish continue to be landed in other countries, supporting the economies of those countries while our government struggles to generate revenue to support its services.

6. Unemployment continues to grow and there is not enough employment for our people to meet their livelihood needs. The fisheries sector can provide employment opportunities and it needs to be developed. A roadmap that provide for this development is important.

7. An unskilled workforce is a feature of the fisheries sector and we need to equip our people with the required skills so that they benefit from employment opportunities in the fishing industry, locally and abroad.

8. We are currently facing a shortage of fish to feed our growing population and the increasing number of tourists visiting our islands. We must increase production of our own fish so that we eat and we buy our own fish and circulate money within our local economy.

9. Aquaculture is a potential area but infrastructure support was not there and we did not enjoy the economic benefit from this development area, but we are improving now and this new policy will guide the sector to fur-ther grow the aquaculture industry.

We have not maximised the potential of the fisheries sector because our planning for this sector in the past has not been adequate.

Ladies and gentlemen, time has come to address these problems to transform the fisheries sector to improve overall performance.

The National Fisheries Sector Policy is our policy roadmap. This policy will guide our operations in this sector for the next 15 years.

The National Fisheries Sector Policy builds on the long-term development strategy of the National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030, and the overarching productive sector policy and the agritourism policy.

On the regional level, this policy follows on from the regional and international policies and treaties, including the Mela-nesian Spearhead Group roadmap on coastal fisheries; the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency regional monitoring, control and surveillance strategy; the Noumea strategy on coastal fisheries; the Pacific Regional Roadmap on Fisheries 2010; and the Sustainable Development Goals. This collective policy is the culmination of our national planning in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

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Our vision in the policy is to transform fisheries in Vanuatu. Our goal is to increase production, people’s incomes, food security, and nutritional status of all ni-Vanuatu. We will achieve this collective goal in eight priority areas:

1. Institutional setup, good governance and capacity building

2. Fisheries Investment, economic growth and employment opportunities

3. Sustainable food production and nutrition and non-communicable disease alleviation

4. Infrastructure support and product development and distribution

5. Environmental protection, climate change and disaster risk reduction

6. Information and communication technology

7. Strengthening compliance and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing prevention

8. Partnership building and equal opportunities to all citizens.

Within each priority area, strategic actions and specific policy directives indicate what will be done to achieve these goals.


The policy we launch today will revolutionise the fisheries sector. The people of Vanuatu will see changes for the better through this Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector policy. The fisheries sector will grow from strength to strength to develop the sector and increase production of quality, increase fish protein intake, economic activity and raise government revenue through the sustainable development of aquatic resources.

I now declare the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy officially launched.

Thank you very much and may God bless us all.

Vanuatu national fisheries sector policy 2016-2031viii

Director of Fisheries remarks by the official launching of the National Fisheries Sector Policy Agriculture Ground, Tagabe, Port Vila,

Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Hon Matai Seremaia Nawalu, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB); Hon Tom Kor, Minister of Parliament for Tafea Islands and Permanent Secretary for MALFFB; Directors of MALFFB and other directors; donor partners; MALFFB department officials;


I take this time to first of all welcome you all to this morning ceremony and thank you for joining us to cel-ebrate the launching of the first ever fisheries sector policy. Past national development plans of the govern-ment cover some aspects of the fisheries sector but they are not comprehensive enough to provide a clear roadmap for the development and growth of the sector.

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector policy, which we are here to launch, is home grown and developed by the staff of the department with assistance from the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. The approach taken is bottom up starting first with development of specific fisheries ac-tion plans.

The first is the national tuna management plan developed in the late 1990s, and followed by another nine plans including ones for: aquarium fish; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; sharks; and sea turtles; sea cucumber fishery management plan; national fishing fleet management plan; snapper fishery plan; fishing boat crew plan; and fishing vessel charter plan.

From these action plans, specific regulations were developed to guide day-to-day operations of the depart-ment in managing these fisheries areas. And in the last 15 years, the Fisheries Department has grown.

• in the 1990s, the Compliance and Licensing Section was established

• in 2004, the Management and Policy Section was established

• in 2008, the Seafood Verification Section was established

• in 2008, the National Fisheries Observer Programme was born, now with 30 observers

• in 2010, a freshwater aquaculture station was established at Tagabe

• in 2013, the Vanuatu flag fleet management role was taken over by the department

• in 2014, the International Fisheries Unit was established along with the Data Management Unit and the national VMS system added to the Compliance and Licensing Section

• in 2014, the new Fisheries Act came into force and at the same time Vanuatu became an IUU-,free country;

• in 2014, more females were recruited to the Fisheries Department, and I’m proud to say that the Fisheries Department now has 12 females and this year we produce our first qualified ni-Vanuatu female observer who has so far been doing well; so ladies and gentlemen, the department is implementing gender balance not by politics but through merit.

• in 2015, despite the disaster, the new departmental structure was approved with 71 positions and 52 staff. Staff qualification levels include masters, postgraduate diploma, degree, diploma and certificates and we continue to encourage staff to go on training and bringing in qualified new recruits but ensuring that there is a balance in the level of qualifications.

This year, 2016 the disaster recovery programmes are being rolled out including the expansion of the aqua-culture hatchery and fish farming facility at Tagabe and Santo and the revival of rural fisheries develop-ment across the country in partnership with our partners.

In 2016 we made good progress in the Sino-Van fishery development, which led to the first fish unloading trial last month and additional infrastructure work to commence soon.

ix

Overall, the budget of the department has grown and project funding has also grown. Revenue collection continues to grow since 2008 and I’m happy to announce that so far this year revenue collection has gone over that of last year. And we think that there is more potential for this sector to generate increased direct revenue and make significant contributions to the economy overall.

But it is common knowledge that the fisheries sector is increasingly becoming more dynamic and diverse and fisheries management has become more complex at the community, national, subregional, regional and international level. This complexity requires the careful marriage of scientific advice, good policy di-rection and legal minds of our lawyers to manoeuvre through the complexities. I trust my staff, who are all hard working local ni-Vanuatu people, that yes we can do it to grow the fisheries sector.

I take this time to thank the former directors and especially my predecessor for their contributions to initi-ate the evolution of the fisheries sector. I especially thank my managers and all the staff for their continued commitment and hard work, many times during overtime hours, public holidays and weekends which are valuable times for their families. I thank you for being passionate about your work and it is this passion that drives commitment and performance this far and I encourage you to continue to do so.

I thank the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Fisheries and Biosecurity through the leadership of the Minister and Director General, and other government ministers and departments for their support to the Fisheries Department. The Fisheries department cannot work on its own without the support of the whole government system.

Special thank you to SPC and FFA for their continued technical support to the department in the areas of scientific services, development and management support, and operational services. We thank also our do-nor partners: Australian government through the ACIAR project and the WorldFish project, the Japanese government through JICA and JOCV, the New Zealand government, the French government through the work of IRD, SPREP, UNDP and others for their support.

I thank also our industry players locally, in the region and internationally for working with us over the years and they are the ones giving us the revenue we collect. I especially thank our fishing crew operators for keeping the crewing industry alive despite lack of greater support from the government.

I thank also our non-governmental partners and communities whose support has raised the department to this level.

I thank also our media friends and journalists and especially the participants of the tunanomics workshop this year, the media have become more aware of fisheries and we look forward to continuing work with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now at the cross road, and we have an exciting time ahead of us but how do we maneuver this sector into that future to reach that exiting time?

Without a sectoral policy, there is no roadmap to follow, the big road for management, development, and conservation of fisheries resources is unclear, door to investment opportunities is unclear, and road to in-crease fish production unclear, donor partners do not see where the sector is going, and therefore cannot put their money where they want to assist on, investors do not see where the sector is going and cannot invest their money, line government department and ministries do not see where to align their priorities.

The National Fisheries Sector Policy is key to showing us the road to follow in the next 15 years to further grow the fisheries sector in Vanuatu and to increase production, facilitate industry development support, open employment opportunities, and improve economy of the country and health of our people.

We thank department staff for their contribution to this policy formulation, the Environment Department for its contribution, and SPC and FFA for their valuable input to this policy.

We hope to continue to do our best to implement this policy to bring the fisheries sector to its rightful place.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all an enjoyable time with us today to celebrate the launching of the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy.

Thank you.

Abbreviations

ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchCDS catch documentation schemeCLS Collecte Localisation SatellitesCOTS crown-of-thorns starfishEIA environmental impact assessmentEM electronic monitoringER electronic reportingEU European UnionFAD fish aggregating deviceFAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsFFA Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries AgencyFMAC Fisheries Management Advisory CouncilIATF international authorization to fishICCAT international Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic TunasICT information and communication technologyINGO International non-governmental organisationIOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IRD Institut de recherche pour le développementIUU illegal, unreported and unregulated fishingJICA Japan International Cooperation AgencyMALFFB Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Fisheries and Bio-securityMCS monitoring, compliance and surveillance MIPU Ministry of Infrastructure and Public UtilityMOA memorandum of agreementMOU memorandum of understandingNPOA National Plan of Action

a b

a Frozen albacore ready to be shipped to Fiji for processing. (Photo Sammy James)b Deep bottom snapper caught during a fishing technology training course. (Photo George Amos)

NCD non-communicable diseaseNGO non-governmental organisationNPFC North Pacific Fisheries Commission OGCIO Office of the Government Chief Information OfficerPMW Police Maritime WingPSC Public Service CommissionPWD Public Works DepartmentRFMO Regional Fisheries Management OrganisationSFVA Seafood Verification Authority SLO State Law OfficeSPC Pacific CommunitySPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment ProgrammeTAG Technical Advisory GroupUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUSP University of the South PacificVARTC Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training CentreVCF Vanuatu Cooperative FederationVDS vessel day schemeVFD Vanuatu Fisheries Department VIPA Vanuatu Investment Promotion AuthorityVISR Vanuatu International Shipping Registry VMS vessel monitoring system VMSS vessel monitoring system servicesVPMW Vanuatu Police Maritime WingVUFIMS Vanuatu Fisheries Information SystemWCPFC Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

c d

c Tilapia sampling by fisheries aquaculture assistant officer and some farmers. (Photo Kalna Arthur)d Fisheries Development Officer, Mr Willie Jimmy, showcasing a newly constructed pond filled with water at a community in Torba Province. (Photo Willie Jimmy)

Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-2031xii

Contents

Speech by the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity v

Director of Fisheries remarks viii

Executive summary 1

Constraints, issues and challenges within the fisheries sector 2

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 5

Overview 5

Policy development process 5

Policy vision, mission and guiding principles 7

Vision 7

Mission 7

Guiding principles 7

Strategic policy objectives 8

Strategic actions 9

SPO 1: Institutional strengthening and good governance 9

SPO 2: Fisheries investment and economic growth 11

SPO 3: Food and nutrition security and alleviation of non-communicable disease risk 13

SPO 4: Infrastructure support and product development 14

SPO 5: Environmental management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction 16

SPO 6: Information and communication technology improvement 18

SPO 7: Fisheries compliance and IUU prevention 20

SPO 8: Building partnership and networking 22

Policy implementation process 23

Steps in the process 23

Monitoring and evaluation 23

Annex 1: Implementation framework for the National Fisheries Sector Policy 24

1

Executive summary

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016–2031 is the umbrella visionary document of the Republic of Vanuatu, in which the Ministry responsible for Fisheries and its partners takes charge in delivering assistance to support the fisheries sector to achieve its target activities over the next 15-year period. The policy highlights priority issues in this sector and sets out a num-ber of key strategic actions to address these challenges.

This sector policy is in line and consistent with other policy documents of the Vanuatu government, such as the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) or “Vanuatu 2030, The People’s Plan”, the Overarching Productive Sector Policy (2012–2017), and various other relevant policies, and should be read with all other relevant fisheries poli-cies pertaining to Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016–2031 recognises all other fisheries-related subregional, regional and international policies and treaties that Vanuatu is a signatory to. Examples of these policies and treaties include the Melanesian Spearhead Group Coastal Fisheries Roadmap (2015–2024), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Regional Mela-nesian Spearhead Group Strategy (2010–2015), A new song for coastal fisheries – pathways to change: the Noumea Strategy (2015), the Pacific Regional Roadmap on Fisheries (2010), the Samoa Pathway (2014) and the Sustainable Development Goals (2014).

This policy seeks to coordinate the fisheries management, development and conservation activities of existing fisheries management plans, and the linkages to high-level strategies and monitoring programmes in the fisheries sector. Vanuatu’s continued efforts to remedy the man-agement challenges of its international fishing fleet to prevent illegal, unreported and unrelated fishing are a demonstration of its commitments to responsible fishing in the world’s oceans. It is not an easy task to manage an international fishing fleet that is based offshore because of capac-ity gaps and sustained resources. Vanuatu — through its Fisheries Department — endeavours to work towards fully discharging its international, regional and national responsibilities with regard to fisheries into the future.

The focus, however, is not just on sustainable stock management and biodiversity conserva-tion. Like other small island developing states, Vanuatu recognises the priority need for fisher-ies management, and advancing small-scale sustainable domestic fisheries and aquaculture developments using local operations around its provinces. In addition, Vanuatu acknowledges the need for larger commercial fishing ventures that promote employment and improved liveli-hoods, and ensure food and nutrition security.

About 80% of Vanuatu’s population dwell in rural areas, and these people depend heavily on coastal fisheries for their livelihood and food security. This policy seeks to promote community-based and co-management approaches to coastal fisheries. As Vanuatu’s human population continues to grow, diversification of fishing activities and development of alternative food and livelihood opportunities are critical to support increased production. Aquaculture and develop-ment of nearshore fisheries are viable options that this policy seeks to embrace and promote.

On the whole, Vanuatu continues to expend its efforts to work closely with private and business sector interests to increase possible opportunities in fishing, fisheries and aquaculture. Vanuatu embraces a balanced approach to fisheries and biodiversity through sustainable conservation, management and development. It is the expectation of this policy that the key actions set out here will be delivered appropriately, and with the joint support of the government and its part-ners. The scope of the policy covers all relevant matters pertaining to fishing and fisheries, in-cluding inland fisheries, coastal fisheries, oceanic fisheries and aquaculture.

Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-20312

Constraints, issues and challenges within the fisheries sector

The key challenges in the fisheries sector are best described as primarily related to governance and adminis-tration, implementing commitments and obligations, relatively poor progress and growth in domestic fisher-ies and aquaculture development, biodiversity research, political will, resources and resourcing. There are also ongoing operational issues common in fisheries that relate to target and non-target species, the marine environment and/or ecosystem, and human well-being. Specifically, current operational challenges relate to resource sustainability, fishing capacity, input and output controls, resource use and ownership, maximising benefits from resource utilisation, and mitigating impacts on the environment and non-target species.

As party to most regional fisheries management organisations and international fisheries treaties, conven-tions and arrangements, Vanuatu is expected to fully comply with its commitments and obligations. This has been a challenge although not impossible as demonstrated by Vanuatu being removed from the European Union illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities yellow card in 2014. Vanuatu is committed to working with its provincial governments to improve management and develop jurisdictions, and to working with communities to improve and expand community-based fisheries. These constraints and challenges are summarised below.

1. Absence of a national fisheries sector policy The lack of a national fisheries sector policy is reflected in the lack of strategic direction to foster growth of the fisheries sector.

2. Weak institutional setup and regulatory framework Imbalanced Fisheries Department organisational setup and inadequate human resources and weak link-ages to other service providers are the challengers faced in delivering services to rural communities, and account for the unfavourable climate for growth.

3. Lack of Infrastructure to support fishing and marketing Infrastructure support — including markets, boat and fishing gear — are the main hindrances to fisheries development and increased fish production, resulting in shortfalls in fish supply in urban markets.

4. Inadequately trained workforce The fisheries sector has the potential to increase employment opportunities locally and offshore but lack a skilled workforce and training facilities and service resources to support skill training.

5. Resources and resourcing A shortage of human and financial resources within the Fisheries Department limits the recruitment of essential positions such as in information and communication technology, and fisheries extension officers, and in the administration of the Fisheries Department.

6. Ineffective enforcement of regulations Enforcement of regulatory measures is lacking because of the lack of existing capacity and no collabora-tion with the prosecution office.

7. Lack of infrastructure for shore-based industrial tuna processing development Shore-based Industrial tuna fisheries development is constrained by a lack of onshore infrastructure, in-cluding dedicated areas for wharves, a processing facility, and slipway services, all of which makes Vanu-atu unattractive to investors in the fisheries sector.

8. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and implementation of the European Union (EU) IUU yellow card recommendations Vanuatu has made good progress in controlling its flag vessels against IUU fishing activities but inspec-tion of its international fishing fleet is a challenge and certification of catch for access markets in the EU are challenges that need to be addressed.

9. Meeting regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) commitments and obligations Despite improvements in compliance by vessels, attendance to annual RFMO meetings and reporting remain a challenge due to human resource issues.

10. Poor participation of government stakeholders Working in isolation from relevant line government departments has resulted in the over-burden, duplication and stretching of limited resources of Vanuatu’s Fisheries Department and ineffective programme implementation.

11. Land disputes affecting rural fish market centres 80% of rural fish preservation and market centres have ceased because of land ownership issues, and there is lack of cooperation between fishers and resources owners.

12. Limited access to financial resources It is extremely difficult for fishermen to get a loan from the bank, and insurance providers are hesitant to ensure fishing boats because of the high risk involved.

13. Lack of aquaculture development Aquaculture development is faced with a lack of a fully equipped hatchery facility, which prevents the production of farming stocks and, therefore, the growth of fish farming; addi-tionally, an aquaculture extension programme has yet to be fully developed.

14. Community-based management Many approaches of community-based fisheries management have been introduced to local communities but, to date, these approaches have not worked because there is no govern-ment policy direction on community-based fisheries development and management.

15. High cost of working with rural fishers It is too expensive for fishers in rural areas to export their fish to urban markets because of a lack of infrastructure such as a fishing boat and gear, preservation and market facilities, and transportation costs to urban markets.

e

e Using a sail on a canoe (a traditional fishing effort system rarely used nowadays in Vanuatu) to go out fishing for coastal pelagic fishes. (Photo Kalna Arthur)

f

h

i

j

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f VFD Officers inspecting a sea cucumber processing facility durring the sea cucumber harvest season in 2015. (Photo Sammy James)g Mr Sammy James of the Compete and Authority Division of VFD undertaking quality test on fish at a vendor market in Port Vila. (Photo Betsy Charley)h A display of fresh catch from a typical deep bottom fishing trip in a canoe. (Photo Pita Neihapi)i Fresh cultured marine shrimp harvested by Vate Prawns. (Photo Lency Dick)j Tilapia fish harvested from a small backyard pond. (Photo Kalna Arthur)

5

The Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy

OverviewThe Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy sets out the vision, high-level policy directions, and strategic implementation framework for the sustainable conservation, management and de-velopment of fisheries and aquaculture in the Republic of Vanuatu, and ensures integrated ap-proaches across all sectors. This fisheries sector policy is developed in accordance with Section 6(1) (a) of the Fisheries Act, which provides for general policy guidance on fisheries and aqua-culture matters. The term of this fisheries policy is 15 years, consistent with other sectoral poli-cies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Fisheries and Biosecurity, and the National Sustainable Development Plan 2016–2030, also referred to as ‘The People’s Plan’.

This policy focuses on improving: 1) fisheries governance, and sustainable and economically viable fisheries and aquaculture; 2) access to finance, improved infrastructures, market access, seafood safety and value- adding; and 3) sustainable growth, employment, food security and livelihood. The policy recognises and promotes gender equality, the participation of vulnerable groups in fisheries, and strengthens partnerships, collaboration and networking.

The use of information communication technology (ICT) and the increasing use of ICT in fisher-ies work, particularly in monitoring, compliance and surveillance of fishing operations inside and outside of Vanuatu waters is promoted. The need for information access and dissemination is critical for decision-making and visibility of the fisheries sector’s role in the economic devel-opment of the country and public education and awareness of the responsibility of the people of Vanuatu in managing their resources. The policy further recognises climate change and its adverse impacts on the environment and humanity, and the need for the fisheries sector to con-sider adapting and mitigating the impacts to reduce the risk of disasters.

The sector policy is an umbrella policy for the fisheries sector and should be read together with other fisheries-specific action plans, such as the:

• Revised Tuna Fishery Management Plan

• National Plan of Action on Sea Turtles

• National Plan of Action on Sharks

• National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and

• Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

• National Fleet Management Policy

• Aquarium Trade Management Plan

• Snapper Fishery Management Plan

• Sea Cucumber Management Plan

• National Fishing Vessel Charter Policy

• National Fishing Vessel Crewing Policy

Policy development processThe development of this policy is a result of a number of stakeholder consultations and a litera-ture review of existing fisheries management plans and departmental internal consultations. Six consultations were conducted at the national, provincial government and community levels.

f VFD Officers inspecting a sea cucumber processing facility durring the sea cucumber harvest season in 2015. (Photo Sammy James)g Mr Sammy James of the Compete and Authority Division of VFD undertaking quality test on fish at a vendor market in Port Vila. (Photo Betsy Charley)h A display of fresh catch from a typical deep bottom fishing trip in a canoe. (Photo Pita Neihapi)i Fresh cultured marine shrimp harvested by Vate Prawns. (Photo Lency Dick)j Tilapia fish harvested from a small backyard pond. (Photo Kalna Arthur)

Vanuatu national fisheries sector policy 2016 - 2031

Consultations began in 2013 but validation consultation workshops occurred in March and July 2016. These series of validation consultations were conducted in all provinces. In November 2016, the final national consultation and open forum in Port Vila was held to consider the final draft policy.

Stakeholders play a significant role in the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Vanuatu. Representatives attending the consultation workshops included government senior of-ficers, provincial government officers, area secretaries, community leaders, representatives from the private sector, youth and women’s groups, church leaders, resource owners, donor partners, non-governmental organisations, and regional and international fisheries organisations and in-stitutions.

k l

m

k Mr Clay Sara, Sanma Province Fisheries Development Officer with a good catch from a FAD test fishing trip in Santo. (Photo Clay Sara)l Successful construction of a bamboo FAD at south Santo by fishermen and Sanma Province Fisheries Development Officer. (Photo Clay Sara)m Two fishermen return from a fishing trip at Maskelynes Islands, south Malekula. (Photo Pita Neihapi)

7

Policy vision, mission and guiding principles

VisionHealthy and sustainable fisheries sector for the long-term economic, social and food security for current and future generations of the Republic of Vanuatu.

MissionTo provide an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable service delivery through a par-ticipatory approach to ensure long-term sustainable fisheries management, conservation and development.

Guiding principlesThe following guiding principles form the basis of the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy:

i) Optimum utilisation of fisheries and aquaculture resources to ensure ecological and so-cioeconomic sustainability in resource-use and domestic developments, while protect-ing cultural and traditional norms, including embracing customary marine tenure;

ii) Maximise net economic benefits from resource use in all fisheries waters and reinvest such benefits in the development of coastal and inland fisheries and the aquaculture sector in Vanuatu;

iii) Promote the use of rights-based management supported by best science and practices in all fisheries and aquaculture;

iv) Promote the principles of visibility, transparency, participatory and inclusivity, which includes relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes on fisheries and aquacul-ture management and development;

v) Safeguard the welfare of future generations, recognising gender equity and vulnerable groups, and protecting the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction; and

iv) Promote good governance and strengthen cooperation, partnerships and networking at all levels of the government and with civil societies and communities, including be-tween government and external partners and institutions.

k Mr Clay Sara, Sanma Province Fisheries Development Officer with a good catch from a FAD test fishing trip in Santo. (Photo Clay Sara)l Successful construction of a bamboo FAD at south Santo by fishermen and Sanma Province Fisheries Development Officer. (Photo Clay Sara)m Two fishermen return from a fishing trip at Maskelynes Islands, south Malekula. (Photo Pita Neihapi)


Strategic policy objectivesThis sector policy is structured around eight strategic policy objectives (SPO), each of which is underpinned by more specific strategic actions and policy directives.

1. Institutional setup and good governance: Sustained resources and resourcing that strengthen the fisheries institution in promoting and ensuring good governance, capac-ity building, training and technical service delivery;

2. Fisheries investment and increase economic growth: A strong fisheries sector generat-ing maximum economic growth, employment, and at the same time ensuring the sus-tainability of fish stocks, thereby securing food security and improving livelihoods of all communities;

3. Food and nutrition security and the alleviation of non-communicable diseases: A strong fisheries sector that increases the production of safe and healthy fish to feed the growing population, and thus providing a balanced diet and contributing to the allevia-tion of non-communicable diseases.

4. Infrastructure support and product development:Investment in onshore infrastruc-tures that support value-adding and product development in order to increase exports, consistent with internationally acceptable standards and certifications as required by competent authorities and potential markets;

5. Environment management, climate change and disaster risk reduction: Investigate the impacts of development on the environment, and the impacts of climate change and disaster on fisheries resources and habitats, particularly identifying and implementing key priority areas on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction;

6. Information and communication technology improvement: An improved fisheries and aquaculture sector that is supported by the improved development of informa-tion technology and management, including electronic reporting and monitoring, done within the requirements of the national ICT policy;

7. Fisheries compliance and IUU fishing prevention: Zero-tolerance of IUU activities, which requires the effective implementation of the National Fleet Management Policy, and ensures all Vanuatu flag and licensed fishing vessels are fully monitored and com-pliant;

8. Building partnerships and networking: Strengthen current partnerships, collaboration and networking between the Fisheries Department and other government agencies, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships that better promote the principles of visibility, transparency, participatory and inclusivity.

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Strategic actions

The following strategic policy actions and directives address the key constraints and challenges faced by the fisheries sector as set out in earlier sections of this policy. The strategic actions and policy directives are laid out under the eight strategic policy objectives (SPOs).

SPO 1: Institutional strengthening and good governance

Sustained resources and resourcing that strengthen the fisheries institution in promoting and ensuring transparency, good governance, capacity building, training and technical service delivery.

Strategic action 1: Strengthen institutions that administer and enforce fisheries sector policies and regulations that promote good governance

Policy directives

1. Review the organisational structure of the Fisheries Department

2. Assess and implement the separation of the Fisheries Department into a separate minis-try or entity

3. Create field officer positions for rural areas to cover expanding fisheries roles

4. Create positions for ICT and communications officers

5. Increase budgetary support and increase the skills of staff for a more complex fisheries management environment

6. Encourage access to finance and soft loans to support private sector development

7. Develop a strategy to improve monitoring, control and surveillance of tunas and coastal fisheries

8. Enact, review and enforce the regulatory framework from time to time

9. Implement recommendations in the Institution Strengthening Project report by the Pa-cific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Strategic action 2: Train all workers in the fisheries sector Policy directives

1. Develop a training plan to maintain the required skills for departmental operation

2. Develop a training syllabus and modules based on the needs of the fisheries sector

3. Seek capacity building opportunities for fisheries officers

4. Develop arrangements for work attachments and exchange programmes

5. Encourage formal training of officers at all qualifications and levels

6. Provide a budget for domestic training

7. Work with partners, donors and the fishing industry to support training and scholarships.


Strategic action 3: Inform and educate the public on relevant fisheries developments Policy directives

1. Prepare information security standards and procedures to promote information sharing and exchange

2. Promote use of electronic, visual and print media, radio programme workshops, semi-nars and public forums

3. Use and disseminate fisheries data (to be guided by binding rules)

4. Create position and recruit fisheries communications officer.

Strategic action 4: Maintain good fishing vessel reputation in the shipping registry Policy directives

1. Conduct due diligence on all new vessels entering and exiting the flag vessel registry

2. Ensure record of fishing vessels and reporting to shipping registry is up to date

3. Maintain clean record of IUU and related illegal and criminal activities during register-ing, flagging, chartering and licensing of fishing vessels

4. Maintain good cooperation with RFMOs

5. Ensure timely payment of annual RFMO dues and avoid accumulation of outstanding fees

6. Ensure that RFMO fee is cost recovered from fishing industry operators

7. Actively participate in annual RFMO meetings

8. Review appointments of Vanuatu’s RFMO representations.

Strategic action 5: Strengthen participation of stakeholders Policy directives

1. Consult with stakeholders in important fisheries developments

2. Engage with formal and informal resource groups at the government and community level

3. Activate the role of the Fisheries Management Advisory Committee

4. Develop memoranda of understanding to govern critical interagency relationships

5. Consult with non-governmental organisations and the fishing industry on new manage-ment measures and developments.

Strategic action 6: Provide equal opportunity to all sectors of community Policy directives

1. Encourage fair participation of women in all positions in the Fisheries Department

2. Open training opportunities to all community groups, including vulnerable groups

3. Encourage participation of youth in training opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture and value-adding processes.

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SPO 2: Fisheries investment and economic growth

A strong fisheries sector generating maximum economic growth, increase employment creation and livelihood development at the same time ensuring sustainability of fish stocks, healthy ecosystems

and environmentally sound practices.

Strategic action 7: Facilitate investment in the fisheries sectorPolicy directives

1. Create a conducive environment for investment in the fishing industry

2. Strengthen the role of the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority to facilitate investments

3. Develop a policy to support joint venture

4. Improve trade procedures for the fisheries sector

5. Improve institutional support for investment

6. Reduce barriers to investment and costs of doing business

7. Assist with the collaboration of all investment sectors

8. Continue to maintain the national stand to discourage harmful subsidies in the indus-trial fisheries sector.

Strategic action 8: Grow revenue base of fisheries sector through quota management or vessel day scheme

Policy directives

1. Assess opportunities for implementing a vessel day scheme (VDS) or quota manage-ment system to add value to Vanuatu fish stock

2. Review licensing system to balance investment and revenue increase

3. Develop and implement new fee initiatives, including export taxes, environmental fees, product sales and service costs

4. Consult the industry on these new revenue initiatives

5. Establish regulations and mechanisms to implement new revenue initiatives

6. Improve fee payment system from international clients

7. Develop policy on revenue growth in the fisheries sector

8. Balance revenue growth, resource management and industry benefits.

Strategic action 9: Undertake research and development in wild fisheries Policy directives

1. Encourage exploratory fishing for tuna and squid in Vanuatu’s exclusive economic zone

2. Encourage support for small-scale longline fisheries development (through the Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd) joint venture arrangement

3. Collaborate research on the potential for a deep-bottomfish fishery, reef and pelagic fish-ery and recreational fishing


4. Upgrading to medium-size fishing vessels that are suitable for ni-Vanuatu fishers.

5. Conduct biological research on the status of resources and invasive species

6. Collect accurate fishery data from subsistence and commercial fishing operators

7. Undertake 100% coverage in port sampling

8. Conduct socioeconomic surveys of the impact of coastal and industrial fishing activities

9. Establish research protocols for visiting scientists and institutions.

Strategic action 10: Facilitate full establishment and operation of Sino-Van Fisheries Limited

Policy directives

1. Gain government approval for the relocation and funding of the new Fisheries Depart-ment Office complex and mariculture station

2. Facilitate establishment of the new temporary fisheries wharf at Paray Bay

3. Facilitate completion of Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd1 factory support warehouses

4. Work with the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority to facilitate preferential treat-ment to Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd and other fisheries investors

5. Establish full operation of the Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd.

Strategic action 11: Strengthen coastal and nearshore fisheries development Policy directives

1. Deploy fish aggregating devices (FADs) in all provinces

2. Train all fishers in fishing skills and FAD management

3. Establish fishers associations to manage fishing infrastructure

4. Provide fishing gear and boat support to fishers associations on credit

5. Establish fish preservation facilities in strategic market locations across country

6. License all small fishing boat operators

7. Provide duty concessions to fishing boat operators

8. Maintain support and engagement with fishers associations

9. Cooperate with other line government departments to support coastal fisheries devel-opment.

Strategic action 12: Undertake aquaculture research and development Policy directives

1. Conduct research in freshwater hatchery production

2. Develop system of seed supply at cost recovery to farmers

3. Conduct farm production trials from standard farms

4. Undertake research in feed development

1 Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd is a joint venture company between the Vanuatu government and the China National Fisheries Corporation. The purpose of the joint venture company is for both parties to cooperate in the development of an onshore fishing industry and the processing of fish to support local economic development.

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5. Conduct training and capacity building for fisheries officers and farmers

6. Develop aquaculture extension services

7. Improve breeding quality of aquaculture species

8. Introduce new aquaculture species.

Strategic action 13: Minimise adverse environmental impacts on fisheries developmentPolicy directives

1. Undertake an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of major developments

2. Follow biosecurity protocols in aquaculture and the importation of new species

3. Monitor and mitigate negative impact of invasive species

4. Develop a policy on environmental fee collection from the tourism industry

5. Ensure that EIA activities undertaken by the Fisheries Department are cost recovered

6. Develop a guideline or standard practice for EIA work.

Strategic action 14: Create employment opportunities in the fishing industry Policy directives

1. Enact and implement the fishing boat crewing policy and regulations

2. Train existing and new fishermen to take up crew employment opportunities

3. Train fish handlers and processors to be ready for skilled labour export

4. Assist enactment of maritime legislation to facilitate crewing employment

5. Control operation of crew recruiting agent

6. Collaborate with industry operators on crew training and employment

7. Collaborate with the Department of Labour on employment matters.

SPO 3:Food and nutrition security and alleviation of non-communicable disease risk

Strong fisheries sector to increase fish production to ensure food and nutrition security needs and assist with the alleviation of non-communicable diseases.

Strategic action 15: Increase production of seafood at the national level Policy directives

1. Increase availability of fish for domestic consumption

2. Establish marketing system in rural areas to support fish production

3. Establish fish markets in towns, provinces and villages

4. Encourage the landing of fish by industrial fishing fleets in domestic ports

5. Channel tunas and bycatch fish to the local market

6. Provide funding support to fishermen to increase fish production.


Strategic action 16: Improve access to sufficient and safe seafood Policy directives

1. Increase consumption of seafood and help reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases

2. Establish domestic seafood quality standards

3. Apply standards to all seafood markets

4. Train fishers and fish receivers on proper handing and processing methods

5. Inform consumers of the risk of eating certain reef fish species

6. Develop education and awareness materials on seafood poisoning

7. Improve value-adding of fish products

8. Encourage production of healthy and environmentally sound fish farming

9. Maintain standards for exports and imports of seafood

10. Collaborate with the Department of Industry on food safety standards.

Strategic action 17: Sustain production of fish at the national level Policy directives

1. Strengthen fishermen’s association networking in the islands, provinces and at the na-tional level

2. Provide supporting infrastructure, training and mentoring to fishers associations and fishermen’s cooperative societies

3. Sustain fishing activities at all levels of operation from small-, medium- and large-scale fishing activities

4. Increase production of fish to meet the growing demand of Vanuatu’s population

5. Sustain production of fish from capture and aquaculture

6. Minimise wastage of resources

7. Provide subsidy to licensed fishing boats.

SPO 4: Infrastructure support and product development

Invest in infrastructures that support fisheries development, including, wharves and port facilities, processing facilities, aquaculture facilities, Fisheries Department offices.

Strategic action 18: Establish centralised international fisheries port at PalekulaPolicy directives

1. Conduct feasibility study for re-development of the former Palekula fishing base on Santo, involving an anchorage, slipway services and fish processing centre

2. Work with FFA to complete feasibility study of the Palekula site

3. Declare the area a special industrial zone to support fish processing industry

4. Establish and operate an international fisheries port under the framework of the Vanuatu Cooperative Federation

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5. Establish temporary fisheries wharf in Port Vila to support the landing and processing of fish by Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd in the short term

6. Encourage partnerships with donor governments and investors for the establishment of an international fisheries port

7. Encourage foreign investment in a large-scale, onshore tuna processing factory

8. The Vanuatu Cooperative Federation will provide business management services to the international fisheries port investment

9. Work with the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority to attract foreign investors to invest in the international fisheries port.

Strategic action 19: Establish centralised fish markets in urban and provincial centres Policy directives

1. Establish centralised fish markets in urban areas and province centres

2. Repair and maintain existing fish market facilities in provincial centres

3. Set up fish market outlets in rural areas

4. Rural fish markets to aggregate produce for shipment to urban markets

5. License all markets and/or receivers of fish

6. Fish bycatch from the industrial fishing fleet will be marketed by the Port Vila fish mar-ket and the Luganville fish market.

7. Protect the interests of small-scale fishermen by controlling fish supply and prices

8. Ensure that the quality and price of fish is fair to consumers.

Strategic action 20: Establish central aquaculture hatchery facilities and provide standard farm construction support

Policy directives

1. Establish freshwater hatcheries and holding facilities in the northern and southern re-gions to service fish farmers

2. Promote farming of tilapia and tiger prawn in demonstration farms to promote local ni-Vanuatu farmers

3. Secure funding to build a new mariculture station in Port Vila and a new freshwater aquaculture station on Santo

4. Facilitate construction of demonstration farms in provinces, based on new standards of small-, medium- and large-scale aquaculture farming

5. Identify suitable aquaculture lands

6. Trial a cyclone-proof design for floating farms

7. Seek funding for earth moving equipment

8. Assist farmers with construction, farming and marketing of produce.

Strategic action 21: Support the design and building of fishing boats Policy directives

1. Install new boat building machinery and equipment at the Fisheries Department boatyard


2. Increase production of locally designed fishing boats

3. Invest in building of medium size fishing vessels

4. Train boat builders via boatyard attachment trainings

5. Increase production of newly designed fishing gear and other marine items

6. Conduct training in boat maintenance for rural fishers

7. Amalgamate workshop and boatyard

8. Create engineering position and recruit

9. Collaborate with partners and investors on the improved design of small-scale fishing boats.

Strategic action 22: Improve Fisheries Department office infrastructure Policy directives

1. Seek government approval for the relocation of the Fisheries Department office and mariculture hatchery in Port Vila

2. Secure funding for new Fisheries Office building or rent office space in Port Vila

3. Relocate the main Vanuatu Fisheries Department Office in Port Vila to the new office

4. Maintain and build new provincial office buildings and staff houses in all provinces

5. Rent existing waterfront land in Port Vila to Sino-Van Fisheries Ltd for temporary fish-eries wharf development

6. Existing wharf facility to become the domestic fisheries wharf in Port Vila

7. Keep accurate inventory of building assets of the Fisheries Department.

Strategic action 23: Secure budget for new vehicles, motorbikes, fishing boats and a multipurpose vessel to support rural fisheries work

Policy directives

1. Seek budget support for new department vehicles to support fisheries work

2. Establish strict vehicle management measures, in line with Public Service Commission procedures

3. Secure funding to purchase motor bikes for rural areas to support fisheries work

4. Maintain Fisheries Department vehicles Vehicle maintenance to be serviced by work-shop mechanic

5. Secure funding to purchase a Fisheries Department vessel to be used for conducting fisheries activities and to service fisheries centres in rural areas (e.g. for FAD deploy-ment, surveys, and visits)

6. Create position of captain to manage vessel operation

7. Ensure that all fisheries centres have a small fishing boat to carry out fisheries work

8. Encourage new projects to provide budgetary support for the recruitment of project officers.

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SPO 5:Environmental management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

Investigate the impacts of adverse environmental impacts caused by climate change and natural disasters on fisheries resources and habitats, focusing on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Strategic action 24: Undertake an environmental impact assessment and baseline study to assess climate change impacts

Policy directives1. Develop a policy on long-term monitoring of coral reef health, sea water temperature

and resource status 2. Implement research studies to monitor coral bleaching, crown-of-thorns outbreak,;3. Develop standard operating procedure for responding to a climate change disaster such

as fish kill, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak4. Work with research institutions to establish a long-term climate change monitoring pro-

gramme 5. Assess the following: impact of coastal uplift caused by earthquakes, fish kill from in-

creased sea surface temperatures, and tropical cyclone damage6. Coordinate stakeholders to assess crown-of-thorn outbreak and damage7. Conduct stock assessment to monitor fish stock behaviour, fishing patterns and catch

composition as a measure of climate change 8. Establish data management and reporting procedures for climate change monitoring

results 9. Collaborate with other partners in addressing marine environmental monitoring.

Strategic action 25: Implement mitigation and adaptation activities in readiness for disasters

Policy directives1. Establish marine protected areas as food reserves for use during natural disasters 2. Restrict and ban commercialisation of endangered reef resources 3. Minimise wastage of resources by establishing preservation facilities to store and pre-

serve fish for use during disasters4. Implement and enforce fisheries regulations at the community level5. Train fishers on fish value-adding for use during disasters6. Develop alternative livelihood activities for communities, including ecotourism, handi-

craft production and aquaculture 7. Establish an available stock of fishing gear and FAD materials for use during natural

disasters 8. Take into account the expected impact of climate change on tuna stocks when estimat-

ing future national fisheries sector revenue 9. Develop mapping system to assess scale of climate change impacts on marine environ-

ment10. Provide adequate training to fishers, and strengthen fishers associations and encourage

the cooperation of all fishers.


Strategic action 26: Promote community-based management and climate change adaptation

Policy directives1. Develop guidelines and procedures for community-based fisheries management

2. Strengthen community-based management and climate change adaptation through community-based ecosystem plans

3. Preserve traditional resource management and fishing practices

4. Adapt co-management practices at the community level

5. Develop other livelihood opportunities

6. Work with provincial governments and communities to set aside marine areas for con-servation and ecotourism development.

Strategic action 27: Work with communities to Identify and establish marine conservation areas and develop ecotourism ventures

Policy directives1. Identify suitable biologically significant marine ecosystems across Vanuatu

2. Conduct surveys to verify the status of various resources

3. Work with communities to set up ecotourism development activities

4. Map marine protected areas in the country

5. Work with the tourism office to promote marine areas as tourist attractions

6. Promote community, provincial and national government cooperation in managing conservation areas

7. Encourage provincial governments to participate in marine policing.

SPO 6: Information and communication technology improvement

An improved fisheries sector supported by improved information and communication technology and information management, including electronic reporting and electronic monitoring, which are

implemented within the framework of the national ICT policy.

Strategic action 28: Develop standard procedure for information securityPolicy directives1. Prepare information security guidelines and procedures to guide the collection, produc-

tion and dissemination of information

2. Protect fishery-sensitive information from leaking out to the public

3. Create positions for ICT officers in the Fisheries Department to manage information

4. Disseminate information through all forms of media to improve visibility, education and awareness and for other development uses.

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Strategic action 29: Centralise Fisheries Department data management systemPolicy directives1. Progress the centralised management of fisheries data

2. Link database to the fisheries information management system

3. Encourage the Pacific Community to standardise the Fisheries department databases (such as TUFMAN, TUF-ART and TAILS) to accommodate coastal fisheries data

4. Use a standardised data collection system and recording format

5. Promote the use of both paper and electronic data recording logs.

Strategic action 30: Improve website, electronic reporting and electronic monitoring Policy directives1. Revamp the Fisheries Department website

2. Develop a website license application and issuance system

3. Implement electronic reporting and electronic monitoring and develop a national strat-egy for electronic reporting and electronic monitoring

4. Expand fisheries information management system to include all other fisheries and aquaculture areas

5. Replicate electronic reporting of coastal fisheries through registered fishing vessels

6. Adopt same reporting in aquaculture production farms.

Strategic action 31: Enhance vessel monitoring system operation Policy directives1. Maintain use of state-of-the-art information technology to monitor fishing vessels oper-

ating inside Vanuatu waters

2. Maintain cooperation with Police Maritime Wing of the Police Force and FFA on sur-veillance and VMS operation

3. Continue to work with Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS) to monitor flag vessels op-erating internationally

4. Request training support from CLS to improve national VMS operation

5. Assess options to enhance and integrate the two systems to improve effectiveness and cut costs to the government

6. Assess options to localise management of the national VMS operation

7. Strengthen engagement with Police Maritime Wing and FFA in surveillance operations

8. Formalise memorandum of understanding with the Police Maritime Wing.

Strategic action 32: Progress fisheries observer and port sampling to full cost recovery

Policy directives1. National fisheries observer and port sampling programme to become fully cost recovered

2. Equip all observers with safety gear and a uniform

3. Fully insure observers while they are at sea


4. Develop fully qualified debriefers to maintain quality control of observers

5. Transition into an electronic monitoring system

6. Extend the role of observers to cover coastal fisheries and aquaculture.

SPO 7: Fisheries compliance and IUU prevention

Advocate for zero-tolerance of IUU fishing activities, which requires the effective implementation of the national fleet management policy, and ensures all Vanuatu flag and licensed fishing vessels are

fully monitored and compliant.

Strategic action 33: Reduce and eliminate IUU fishing in the offshore fishery Policy directives1. Prevent the entry of fishing vessels with a historical record of IUU into the Vanuatu In-

ternational Shipping Registry

2. Enforce strict control of flag fishing vessels through compliance checks

3. Ensure that vessels leave the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry with a ‘clean re-cord’

4. Fully implement the National Plan of Action on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and the National Fleet Management Policy

5. Swiftly resolve any infringement by Vanuatu flag vessels

6. Fully enforce penalty notices on vessel operators and/or owners for breaches

7. Improve the condition of international authorization to fish licenses to require informa-tion on fishing licenses

8. Implement 24-hour monitoring of the VMS.

Strategic action 34: Limit RFMO membership to within the greater Pacific Ocean region Policy directives1. Withdraw Vanuatu’s membership to the International Commission for the Conserva-

tion of Atlantic Tunas, and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and encourage mem-bership within the greater Pacific Ocean region

2. Enact policy and regulations on the chartering of Vanuatu flag vessels (chartering of Vanuatu flag fishing vessels is authorised for RFMO members for which Vanuatu is a party to)

3. RFMO annual membership contribution should be cost recovered from fishing industry operators

4. Industry operators must comply and pay their RFMO fees in a timely manner

5. Create trust account to manage RFMO fees.

Strategic action 35: Reduce and eliminate IUU fishing in coastal fisheriesPolicy directives1. Register and license all small domestic fishing vessels

2. Enforce license conditions on all vessels to ensure compliance

3. Establish an applicable catch data recording system

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4. Enforce license conditions on processing license holders

5. Strengthen compliance at ports and airport check points

6. Work with partners to improve community fisheries compliance

7. Assist fisheries authorised officers to collect accurate information

8. Ban the import and sale of destructive fishing gear

9. Confiscate illegal fishing gear.

Strategic action 36: Strengthen the management of the Vanuatu flag fishing fleet Policy directives 1. Discontinue the current Vanuatu flag fleet management contract with the private entity and do not

allow any such contracts in the future

2. Fisheries Department to fully assume the role of managing the flag fishing fleet

3. Fisheries Department to maintain closure cooperation with fishing industry operators

4. Provide efficient and reliable service to vessel operators.

Strategic action 37: Implement catch documentation scheme in all flag vesselsPolicy directives 1. Finalise and implement a national control plan with FFA

2. Conduct food safety and catch documentation scheme inspections on vessels

3. FFA to conduct independent monitoring and approval

4. Complete EU certification of the Seafood Verification Authority

5. Issue catch certificates to flag vessels to enable access to the EU and other markets

6. Participate in trade negotiations.

Strategic action 38: Strengthen fisheries law enforcement and prosecution Policy directives 1. Establish cooperation with the Public Prosecution Office through a memorandum of understanding

2. Encourage attachment training of Fisheries Compliance Officer in the prosecution of fisheries cases

3. Increase the number of community fisheries authorised officers

4. Collaborate with the Policy Force to train community fisheries authorised officers

5. Improve administrative penalty regulations and enforcement

6. Strengthen inspection procedures at market outlets, restaurants and shops

7. Undertake investigation and prosecution training of fisheries authorised officers

8. Strengthen enforcement on the importation, sale and use of destructive fishing gear.


SPO 8: Building partnerships and networking

Strengthen current partnership, collaboration and networking between the Fisheries Department and other line agencies and industry, and encourage the establishment of new ones that better promote

the principles of visibility, transparency, participatory and inclusivity.

Strategic action 39: Formalise collaboration with line government departments and stakeholders through MOUs and MOAs

Policy directives 1. Formalise collaborations through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the

Police Maritime Wing, Air Vanuatu, Public Prosecutions Office, Cooperative Depart-ment, Industry Department, Environment Department, Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre, Vanuatu Maritime College

2. Formalise MOUs with other line-government departments and entities, communities and civil society groups where necessary

3. Assess, through the State Law Office, MOUs and memoranda of agreement (MOA) where necessary for consistency and legal issues

4. Encourage joint implementation and cost sharing opportunities where necessary.

Strategic action 40: Formalise collaboration with intergovernmental partners and governments through agreements and MOUs

Policy directives 1. Review and approve Joint Country Strategy and Service Level Agreement with SPC

and FFA and other regional intergovernmental organisations

2. Ensure these agreements are in line with this national fisheries sector policy

3. Focus technical assistance on priorities identified in the agreements

4. Request technical assistance to be channelled through the official protocol

5. Finalise transboundary cooperation with Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Strategic action 41: Partnership with other external partners Policy directives 1. Encourage other external partners to enter into an MOA for the services they intend to

provide

2. Focus of new projects to be on responding to national priorities identified in this sec-toral policy

3. Encourage partnerships and cooperation that enhance and advance priority works on fisheries

4. Include in the agreement delivery of research information to the Fisheries Department on completion of projects

5. Encourage new projects to support the funding of new positions within the existing structure.

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Policy implementation process

Steps in the processIn order for this policy to achieve its objectives, other factors will need to be addressed as out-lined in the following steps.

Step 1: The implementation strategy of this sector policy (see Annex 1) outlines the policy’s broad objectives, strategic actions and specific directives that relate directly to each priority ac-tion area, main aims, indicators and implementing partners.

Step 2: Relocation of the Fisheries Department Office and mariculture hatchery in Port Vila, and investment in a new office and mariculture buildings will support the effective implementation of this policy.

Step 3: Restructuring the Fisheries Department is necessary to better align with programmes, strengthen corporate services, and create vital new positions to ensure efficient administration and function of the organisation and associated budgetary support to allow this policy to be fully and effectively implemented.

Step 4: The policy implementation process will be regularly monitored by forums such as the National Development Technical Committee, and revision of the policy will be done as needed to make the policy relevant and effective.

Step 5: Fishers associations in all provinces must be established and strengthened under the National Fishermen’s Association, and regular trainings and consultations are critical to support implementation of this policy.

Step 6: Collaboration with the fishing industry will be maintained, and consultations with stakeholders will be undertaken during the course of implementing this policy.

Step 7: A midterm review of this policy should be completed by 2023 to track progress of imple-mentation, identify gaps and challenges, and provide recommendations. The results of the re-view can be used to advise on new development areas of interest to development partners.

Step 8: Final evaluation will be commissioned at the end of the policy period in 2031.

Monitoring and evaluationEffective implementation of this policy hinges on an effective monitoring and evaluation strat-egy with appropriate performance indicators and an efficient feedback mechanism. This entails carrying out information gathering at national, subnational, community, and sectoral levels.

The monitoring and evaluation framework will focus on measuring the outputs of each stra-tegic action and will provide the information needed to continually determine, assess and rec-ommend the way forward toward the successful implementation of this policy in achieving its long-term vision.


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l an

d ad

min

iste

r and

en-

forc

e th

e fis

herie

s sec

tor

polic

y an

d re

gula

tions

th

at p

rom

ote

good

go

vern

ance

• Re

view

the

orga

nisa

tiona

l str

uctu

re b

y 20

17

and

impl

emen

tatio

n by

201

8;

• M

CS S

trat

egy

for C

oast

al F

isher

ies b

y 20

17;

• Cr

ewin

g po

licy

and

regu

latio

ns c

ompl

eted

by

201

7;•

Gui

delin

es o

n ac

cess

to fi

nanc

e an

d so

ft lo

ans

by 2

018.

• Re

view

the

orga

nisa

tiona

l str

uctu

re, c

reat

e ne

w p

ositi

ons;

• In

crea

se b

udge

tary

supp

ort,

up-s

kill

staf

f; •

Faci

litat

e ac

cess

to fi

nanc

e an

d so

ft lo

ans;

• Im

prov

e M

CS;

• En

act,

revi

ew a

nd e

nfor

ce re

gula

tory

fram

ewor

k; •

Impl

emen

t rec

omm

enda

tions

of t

he IS

P re

port.

• N

ew V

FD o

rgan

isatio

nal s

truct

ure

com

plet

ed

and

impl

emen

ted;

• M

CS S

trate

gy o

n Co

asta

l Fish

erie

sapp

rove

d fo

r im

plem

enta

tion;

• Cr

ewin

g po

licy

and

legi

slatio

nsap

prov

ed fo

r im

plem

enta

tion.

VFD

, oth

er g

over

nmen

t lin

e m

inist

ries a

nd

depa

rtm

ents

, RF

MO

s, SP

C, F

FA,

dono

r age

ncie

s,

and

NG

Os

2: Tr

ain

all w

orke

rs in

the

fishe

ries s

ecto

r•

By 2

018,

VFD

hum

an re

sour

ce p

lan

is de

velo

ped

and

appr

oved

;•

At le

ast 1

-2 n

atio

nal t

rain

ings

com

plet

ed e

very

ye

ar, 2

017-

2026

;•

At le

ast 1

nat

iona

l tra

inin

g fo

r fish

erm

en a

nd

rura

l com

mun

ities

com

plet

ed e

very

yea

r;•

At le

ast 2

-3 sc

hola

rshi

ps fo

r und

ergr

adua

te a

nd

post

-gra

duat

e st

udie

s in

fishe

ries a

nd

aqua

cultu

re a

s of 2

018;

• Cr

ew tr

aini

ng c

omm

ence

by

2017

;•

Scho

ol c

urric

ulum

dev

elop

men

t com

plet

ed

by 2

017.

• D

evel

op tr

aini

ng p

lan,

trai

ning

sylla

bus a

nd m

odul

es,

capa

city

bui

ldin

g op

port

uniti

es, w

ork

atta

chm

ents

and

ex

chan

ge p

rogr

amm

es, a

nd fo

rmal

trai

ning

of o

ffice

rs;

• Al

loca

te b

udge

t for

trai

ning

; •

Wor

k w

ith p

artn

ers a

nd d

onor

to su

ppor

t tra

inin

g;•

Cons

ulta

tion

on sc

hool

cur

ricul

um a

nd fi

nalis

atio

n.

• H

uman

reso

urce

dev

elop

men

t and

trai

ning

pol

icy

is in

pl

ace

and

impl

emen

ted;

• N

atio

nal t

rain

ings

for o

bser

vers

, Van

uatu

hav

e

debr

iefe

rs, t

rain

ing

budg

et a

lloca

tion

fishe

rmen

trai

n-in

gs c

ondu

cted

ann

ually

; •

1-2

scho

lars

hips

eac

h ye

ar o

nfish

erie

s and

aqu

acul

ture

(m

aste

rs a

nd P

hDs o

n st

ock

asse

ssm

ent,m

odel

ling)

;•

Scho

ol c

urric

ulum

com

plet

ed a

nd u

sed

in s

ylla

bus

by 2

018.

VFD

, VM

C,go

vern

men

t lin

e m

inist

ries a

nd

depa

rtm

ents

,fis

hing

indu

stry

, fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

, do

nor p

artn

ers,

SP

C, F

FA,

trai

ning

inst

itutio

ns

25

3: In

form

and

edu

cate

the

publ

ic o

n re

leva

nt

fishe

ries d

evel

opm

ents

• Co

mpl

ete

the

info

rmat

ion

diss

emin

atio

n

proc

edur

e by

201

8;•

Info

rmat

ion

offic

er re

crui

ted;

•

Effe

ctiv

e m

edia

l com

mun

icat

ions

for n

ews

artic

les f

or ra

dio,

TV

and

new

spap

ers a

t lea

st 4

–6

times

a y

ear;

• Pr

omot

e fis

herie

s inf

orm

atio

n an

d di

ssem

inat

ion

durin

g pu

blic

foru

ms,

sem

inar

s and

wor

ksho

ps –

an

nual

act

ivity

;•

Org

anise

doc

umen

tary

film

s; •

Dev

elop

scho

ol c

urric

ulum

mat

eria

ls.

• In

form

atio

n se

curit

y st

anda

rd a

ppro

ved

and

impl

emen

ted;

• Co

mm

unic

atio

ns o

ffice

r rec

ruite

d;•

New

s art

icle

s for

radi

o, T

V, sc

hool

s and

ne

wsp

aper

s con

tinuo

usly

diss

emin

ated

; •

Scho

ol c

urric

ulum

mat

eria

l com

plet

ed.

• Pr

oced

ure

on in

form

atio

n se

curit

y in

pla

ce;

• 50

% o

f all

foru

ms a

nd sc

hool

s cov

ered

in th

e fir

st

5 ye

ars o

f the

pol

icy;

• 90

–100

% c

ompl

eted

with

fish

erie

s inf

orm

atio

n pu

blic

do

mai

n on

ly w

ell d

issem

inat

ed in

the

coun

try;

• Sc

hool

cur

ricul

um u

sed

to d

evel

op sy

llabu

s.

VFD

, SLO

,FFA

, SPC

, La

w C

omm

issio

n, N

GO

s

4: M

aint

ain

good

re

puta

tion

for f

ishi

ng

vess

els i

n th

e Sh

ippi

ng

Regi

stry

• Pr

epar

e fo

r the

revi

ew, c

ompl

eted

by

late

201

7;•

Cons

ulta

ncy

is ta

rget

ed to

be

com

plet

ed in

201

8;•

Refo

rm o

f Van

uatu

ope

n fla

g re

gist

ry

• ex

pect

ed to

be

com

plet

ed b

y 20

20.

• Co

nduc

t due

dili

genc

e on

all

vess

els e

nter

ing

and

exiti

ng V

ISR;

• U

pdat

e re

cord

of f

ishin

g ve

ssel

s;•

Vess

els a

sses

sed

befo

re;

• M

aint

ain

clea

n re

cord

of I

UU

and

rela

ted

crim

inal

ac

tiviti

es b

y re

gist

erin

g, fl

aggi

ng, c

hart

erin

g an

d

licen

sing

fishi

ng v

esse

ls;

• M

aint

ain

good

coo

pera

tion

with

RFM

O;

• Ti

mel

y pa

ymen

t of a

nnua

l RFM

O d

ues.

• Co

nsul

tanc

y re

port

app

rove

d an

d re

com

men

datio

ns

impl

emen

ted

appr

opria

tely

;•

IUU

reco

rds b

y fla

g ve

ssel

s red

uced

by

60–8

0% in

the

first

5 y

ears

, and

100

% b

y 20

26;

• Ve

ssel

regi

stry

refo

rmed

with

func

tions

con

siste

nt w

ith

best

pra

ctic

e.

VFD

,RFM

O, V

ISR,

fish

ing

indu

stry

, gov

ernm

ent

line

min

istrie

s and

de

part

men

ts, o

ther

st

akeh

olde

rs

5: S

tren

gthe

n pa

rtic

ipa-

tion

of st

akeh

olde

rs

• By

202

0 re

leva

nt m

emor

anda

of u

nder

stan

ding

sig

ned

betw

een

the

VFD

and

rele

vant

age

n-ci

es a

nd c

omm

uniti

es in

supp

ort o

f res

ourc

e m

anag

emen

t;•

By 2

026

at le

ast e

ach

prov

ince

has

a w

orki

ng TA

G

for f

isher

ies i

n pl

ace,

with

impr

oved

visi

bilit

y an

d fa

ir pa

rtic

ipat

ion

in re

sour

ce m

anag

emen

t.

• Co

nsul

t with

stak

ehol

ders

in

impo

rtan

t fish

erie

s dev

elop

men

ts;

• En

gage

with

form

al a

nd in

form

al re

sour

ce g

roup

s at

gove

rnm

ent a

nd c

omm

unity

leve

l;•

Activ

ate

the

role

of t

he M

anag

emen

t Adv

isory

Com

mitt

ee;

• D

evel

op M

OU

s to

gove

rn c

ritic

al in

ter-a

genc

y

rela

tions

hips

.

• Ac

tive

FMAC

, pro

vinc

es w

ill h

ave

an a

ctiv

e TA

G fo

r e

ffect

ive

man

agem

ent o

f fish

erie

s; •

Com

posit

ion

of F

MAC

s will

at l

east

hav

e a

fem

ale

and

othe

r non

-fish

erie

s sta

keho

lder

.

VFD

, lin

e go

vern

men

t m

inist

ries a

nd d

epar

t-m

ents

, pr

ovin

cial

gov

ernm

ent,

NG

Os,

fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

fis

hing

indu

stry

6: P

rovi

de e

qual

op

port

unity

to a

ll

sect

ors o

f com

mun

ity

• By

202

0, g

ende

r equ

ity a

nd fa

ir re

pres

enta

tion

of

stak

ehol

ders

in V

FD;

• By

202

0, sm

all-s

cale

fish

erie

s ope

ratio

ns in

volv

-in

g w

omen

and

you

th p

artic

ipat

ion

are

sup-

port

ed (e

.g. c

oast

al in

vert

ebra

te fi

sher

ies)

;•

Use

fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns a

nd in

clud

e fe

mal

e m

embe

rs.

• In

crea

se fe

mal

e st

aff i

n VF

D;

• En

cour

age

all g

roup

s of c

omm

unity

to

par

ticip

ate

in tr

aini

ng;

• En

cour

age

part

icip

atio

n of

you

th in

all

train

ing.

• At

leas

t 1–2

wom

en in

all

prov

ince

s fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns;

• At

leas

t 20–

30%

of w

omen

and

you

th p

artic

ipat

ing

in

train

ing;

• At

leas

t 10

or m

ore

MO

Us e

stab

lishe

d be

twee

n VF

D

and

com

mun

ities

on

smal

l-sca

le

fishe

ries o

pera

tions

.

VFD

, gov

ernm

ent l

ine

min

istrie

s and

dep

art-

men

ts, p

rovi

ncia

l go

vern

men

ts, N

GO

s, fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

, ci

vil s

ocie

ty

* The

defi

nitio

ns o

f all

abbr

evia

tions

use

d in

Ann

ex 1

are

foun

d in

the

list o

f abb

revi

atio

ns a

t the

beg

inni

ng o

f thi

s pol

icy.


Strategic objective 2: Fisheries investment and economic growth

A st

rong

fish

erie

s sec

tor g

ener

atin

g m

axim

um e

cono

mic

gro

wth

, inc

reas

e em

ploy

men

t , fo

od se

curit

y an

d liv

elih

ood

de

velo

pmen

t at t

he sa

me

time

ensu

ring

sust

aina

bilit

y of

fish

stoc

ks, h

ealth

y ec

osys

tem

and

env

ironm

enta

lly so

und

prac

tices

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Out

com

eSp

ecif

ic a

ctio

ns/a

ctiv

ities

Indi

cato

rsPa

rtne

rs

7. F

acili

tate

inve

stm

ent i

n th

e fis

herie

s sec

tor

• Spe

cial

indu

stria

l zon

e de

velo

pmen

t pro

cess

co

mpl

eted

by

2020

; • In

vest

men

t pro

cess

sim

plifi

ed;

• VIP

A ac

tive

to w

ork

clos

ure

with

go

vern

men

t dep

artm

ents

; • A

djus

t lic

ense

fees

for f

orei

gn fi

shin

g ve

ssel

s.

• Cre

ate

cond

uciv

e en

viro

nmen

t for

inve

stm

ent;

• Str

engt

hen

role

of V

IPA;

• D

evel

op p

olic

y on

join

t ven

ture

s; • Im

prov

e tr

ade

proc

edur

es o

n fis

herie

s; • Im

prov

e in

stitu

tiona

l sup

port

for i

nves

tmen

t; • R

educ

e ba

rrie

r to

inve

stm

ent a

nd c

ost o

f doi

ng b

usin

ess.

• Sin

o-Va

n Fi

sher

ies i

nves

tmen

t ful

ly e

stab

lishe

d a

nd o

pera

tiona

l;• S

peci

al in

dust

rial z

one

iden

tifie

d an

d

legi

slatio

n co

mpl

eted

; • P

roce

ssin

g in

dust

ry e

stab

lishe

d.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

VIP

A,

othe

r gov

ernm

ent

depa

rtm

ents

an

d m

inist

ries,

fishi

ng in

dust

ry

oper

ator

s

8. G

row

reve

nue

base

of

fishe

ries s

ecto

r• D

evel

op re

venu

e po

licy

of F

isher

ies

Dep

artm

ent b

y 20

17;

• New

initi

ativ

es id

entif

ied

and

regu

lato

ry m

ea-

sure

s est

ablis

hed

by 2

017;

• Pay

men

t sys

tem

impr

oved

for d

omes

tic a

nd

fore

ign

tran

sact

ion

by 2

017;

• Com

men

ce d

evel

opm

ent c

ompl

ianc

e m

onito

r-in

g sc

hem

e a

nd o

r VD

S fo

r lon

glin

e fis

hery

by

2017

;• Im

prov

e in

voic

ing

syst

em b

y 20

17;

• Str

engt

hen

prod

uct d

evel

opm

ent a

nd sa

le a

s of

201

6.

• Dev

elop

new

reve

nue

initi

ativ

es;

• Con

sult

the

indu

stry

; • E

stab

lish

regu

lato

ry m

easu

res

• Impr

ove

paym

ent s

yste

m;

• Dev

elop

pol

icy

on re

venu

e op

tions

; • B

alan

ce re

venu

e gr

owth

, res

ourc

e m

anag

emen

t and

in

dust

ry b

enef

its.

• Rev

enue

pol

icy

of V

FD c

ompl

eted

; • In

crea

se re

venu

e to

500

mill

ion

vatu

targ

et b

y 20

19;

• Pay

men

t sys

tem

impr

oved

; • N

o re

venu

e ou

tsta

ndin

g;• Im

plem

ent i

mpr

oved

invo

ices

.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

Fin

ance

D

ept,

othe

r gov

ern-

men

t dep

artm

ents

an

d m

inist

ries,

fishi

ng

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs

9: U

nder

take

rese

arch

an

d de

velo

pmen

t in

wild

fis

herie

s

• By

2020

, ove

r 60%

of t

he re

leva

nt

biol

ogic

al a

nd s

ocio

econ

omic

rese

arch

and

fis

hing

tria

ls c

ompl

eted

and

repo

rts

also

co

mpl

eted

; • R

esul

ts w

ill b

e us

ed fo

r for

mul

atin

g or

revi

sing

reso

urce

pla

ns a

t lea

st b

y 20

26;

• Exp

lora

tory

fish

ing

to d

eter

min

e fu

ll po

tent

ial o

f ne

w fi

sher

ies c

ompl

eted

by

2020

;• R

esea

rch

into

dev

elop

men

t of

recr

eatio

nal f

ishin

g in

the

prov

ince

s.

• Tria

ls on

cap

ture

fish

erie

s and

recr

eatio

nal f

ishin

g;• E

xplo

re fi

shin

g on

smal

l lon

g lin

e fis

hing

boa

t;• C

ondu

ct b

iolo

gica

l res

earc

h on

reef

reso

urce

s and

in

vasiv

e sp

ecie

s;• C

olle

ct a

ccur

ate

fishe

ry d

ata;

• 100

% c

over

age

in p

ort s

ampl

ing;

• C

ondu

ct so

cioe

cono

mic

surv

eys;

• Est

ablis

h re

sear

ch p

roto

cols

for v

isitin

g sc

ient

ists.

• Num

ber o

f res

earc

h, su

rvey

s and

fish

ing

tria

ls co

mpl

eted

ove

r tim

e;• R

epor

ts a

nd p

ublic

atio

ns fr

om re

sults

of

surv

eys a

nd tr

ials;

• An

incr

easin

g nu

mbe

r of s

tand

ard

farm

s es

tabl

ished

in th

e pr

ovin

ces;

• Res

eedi

ng o

f deg

rade

d ec

osys

tem

s suc

h co

ral r

eefs

, nu

rser

y ar

eas i

nclu

ding

man

grov

es a

nd o

ther

wet

land

s.

VFD

, fish

ing

indu

stry

do

nor p

artn

ers,

FFA,

SP

C

27

10: F

acili

tate

full

es

tabl

ishm

ent a

nd

oper

atio

n of

Sin

o-Va

n

Fish

erie

s Lim

ited

• Sin

o-Va

n co

mpa

ny fu

lly o

pera

tiona

l by

2017

;• B

y 20

18, t

wo

onsh

ore

proc

essin

g fa

cilit

ies i

n fu

ll op

erat

ion

and

prod

uctio

n, a

nd 7

0 fis

hing

ves

sels

base

d lo

cally

; • B

ycat

ch la

nded

from

fish

ing

boat

that

are

fit f

or

hum

an c

onsu

mpt

ion

dist

ribut

ed to

urb

an a

nd

rura

l are

as;

• By

2026

food

secu

rity

and

impr

oved

live

lihoo

ds

ensu

red.

• VFD

offi

ce a

nd h

atch

ery

relo

catio

n an

d fu

ndin

g ap

prov

al p

roce

ss;

• Con

stru

ctio

n of

tem

pora

ry w

harf

at V

FD lo

catio

n;

• Con

stru

ctio

n of

fact

ory

supp

ort w

areh

ouse

s at S

ino-

Van

fact

ory;

• Aw

aren

ess o

n fis

hing

indu

stry

.

• New

fish

erie

s wha

rf co

mpl

eted

;• T

wo

onsh

ore

proc

essin

g fa

cilit

ies o

pera

ting

to

full

prod

uctio

n;• 7

0-ca

p lic

ense

s tha

t max

imise

eco

nom

ic b

enef

its;

• Incr

ease

exp

orts

of f

roze

n an

d fre

sh fi

sh d

irect

ly fr

om

onsh

ore

faci

litie

s.

VFD

, Sin

o-Va

n Lt

d,

gove

rnm

ent l

ine

m

inist

ries a

nd

depa

rtm

ents

11: S

tren

gthe

n co

asta

l an

d ne

arsh

ore

fishe

ries

deve

lopm

ent

• FAD

dev

elop

men

t and

man

agem

ent p

lan

deve

l-op

ed b

y 20

17;

• Fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns e

stab

lishe

d in

all

prov

ince

s by

201

8;• G

radu

atio

n of

ass

ocia

tions

to c

oope

rativ

es b

y 20

18;

• All

coas

tal c

omm

uniti

es h

ave

acce

ss to

fish

ing

optio

ns b

y 20

20,

• exp

ande

d to

all

islan

ds b

y 20

20;

• All

asso

ciat

ions

’ mem

bers

trai

ned

by 2

020;

• V

FD to

acq

uire

mul

ti-pu

rpos

e ve

ssel

to su

ppor

t fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

.

• Inst

all F

ADs i

n al

l pro

vinc

es;

• Tra

in a

ll fis

hers

in fi

shin

g sk

ills;

• Est

ablis

h fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

; • P

rovi

de fi

shin

g ge

ar a

nd b

oat s

uppo

rt to

ass

ocia

tions

on

cred

it;

• Est

ablis

h fis

h pr

eser

vatio

n su

ppor

t in

stra

tegi

c m

arke

t loc

a -tio

ns a

cros

s cou

ntry

;• L

icen

se a

ll fis

hing

boa

t ope

rato

rs;

• Pro

vide

dut

y co

nces

sions

to li

cens

e op

erat

ors;

• Mai

ntai

n en

gage

men

t with

fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns.

• FAD

dep

loye

d in

all

islan

ds;

• Fish

ers A

ssoc

iatio

n es

tabl

ished

in a

ll

prov

ince

s and

isla

nds;

• Man

agem

ent p

lans

com

plet

ed fo

r all

asso

ciat

ions

; • Q

ualit

y an

d qu

antit

y of

fish

pro

duct

ion

incr

ease

d.

VFD

, fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns,

Prov

inci

al G

over

nmen

t, Co

oper

ativ

es D

ept,

Indu

stry

Dep

t,co

mm

uniti

es, d

onor

s,N

GO

s, SP

C

12: U

nder

take

aq

uacu

lture

rese

arch

and

de

velo

pmen

t

• Aqu

acul

ture

rese

arch

and

tria

ls co

mpl

eted

and

ap

plie

d by

202

0; F

inal

ise a

quac

ultu

re p

lan,

whi

ch

shou

ld b

e ad

opte

d an

d im

plem

ente

d by

201

8;

• Ach

ieve

200

smal

l aqu

acul

ture

farm

s ful

l ope

ra-

tiona

l by

2020

;• B

y 20

26, a

quac

ultu

re p

rodu

ce fu

lly

satis

fyin

g lo

cal f

ood

secu

rity

requ

irem

ents

and

m

odes

t exp

orts

; • S

ecur

e fu

ndin

g to

dev

elop

new

m

aric

ultu

re st

atio

n by

202

0.

• Dev

elop

new

aqu

acul

ture

and

mar

icul

ture

stat

ion;

• T

ry fr

eshw

ater

hat

cher

y pr

oduc

tion;

• S

eed

supp

ly c

ost r

ecov

ered

; • C

ondu

ct fa

rm p

rodu

ctio

n tri

als a

nd te

st st

anda

rd fa

rms;

• Fee

d re

sear

ch;

• Tra

in a

nd b

uild

cap

acity

of o

ffice

rs a

nd fa

rmer

s;• D

evel

op a

quac

ultu

re e

xten

sion

serv

ices

.

• Aqu

acul

ture

s fish

and

pra

wn

read

ily

avai

labl

e at

Por

t Vila

and

San

to m

arke

ts;

• Dem

onst

ratio

n fa

rms i

n al

l pot

entia

l isla

nds;

• Qua

lity

fish

prod

uctio

n ac

hiev

ed.

VFD

, fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns,

Prov

inci

al G

over

nmen

t Co

oper

ativ

es D

ept,

Indu

stry

Dep

t, co

mm

u -ni

ty, d

onor

s, N

GO

s, SP

C


Strategic objective 2: Fisheries investment and economic growth (

cont

’d)

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Out

com

eSp

ecif

ic a

ctio

ns/a

ctiv

ities

Indi

cato

rsPa

rtne

rs

13: M

inim

ise

adve

rse

envi

ronm

enta

l im

pact

s fr

om d

evel

opm

ent

• EIA

com

plet

ed o

n al

l maj

or d

evel

opm

ents

;• E

nfor

ce se

afoo

d re

gula

tions

on

all e

xpor

t fac

ilitie

s by

201

7;

• Cha

rge

vess

els d

ischa

rgin

g po

llute

d w

aste

to se

a;• In

crea

se a

war

enes

s on

fish

proc

essin

g fa

ctor

ies.

• Und

erta

ke e

nviro

nmen

t im

pact

ass

essm

ent o

n

maj

or d

evel

opm

ents

;• F

ollo

w b

iose

curit

y pr

otoc

ols i

n aq

uacu

lture

and

impo

rtat

ion

of n

ew sp

ecie

s;• M

onito

r and

miti

gate

neg

ativ

e im

pact

of i

nvas

ive

spec

ies;

• Dev

elop

pol

icy

on e

nviro

nmen

tal f

ee c

olle

ctio

n fro

m to

urism

indu

stry

; • E

IA a

ctiv

ities

und

erta

ken

by F

isher

ies D

epar

tmen

t ar

e co

st re

cove

red.

• Com

plia

nce

with

was

te m

anag

emen

t con

trol

led;

• No

inci

denc

e of

unc

ontr

olle

d w

ater

pro

duct

ion;

• Pub

lic c

once

rn a

dequ

atel

y de

alt w

ith.

VFD

, Env

ironm

ent

Dep

t, fis

hers

as

soci

atio

ns,

prov

inci

al

gove

rnm

ent

indu

stry

op

erat

ors,

co

mm

uniti

es

14: C

reat

e

empl

oym

ent

oppo

rtun

ity in

fish

ing

indu

stry

• Cre

w p

olic

y an

d re

gula

tion

appr

oved

and

impl

e-m

ente

d by

201

7;

• Rec

ruitm

ent o

f qua

lifie

d cr

ews b

y 20

17;

• Dev

elop

trai

ning

sylla

bus b

y 20

17;

• Lic

ensin

g of

cre

w a

gent

s by

2017

;• C

ertif

ied

fish

hand

lers

as o

f 201

8 an

d ex

port

ing

of

fishi

ng in

dust

ry w

orke

rs b

y 20

20;

• Rai

se c

rew

em

ploy

men

t abo

ve 3

00 b

y 20

18;

• Em

ploy

men

t opp

ortu

nitie

s inc

reas

ed b

y ov

er

50%

in 2

020.

• Ena

ct p

olic

y an

d re

gula

tion

on fi

shin

g bo

at c

rew

ing;

• Tra

in e

xist

ing

and

new

fish

erm

en to

take

up

crew

em

ploy

men

t opp

ortu

nity

;• T

rain

fish

han

dler

s and

pro

cess

ors i

n sk

illed

labo

ur

requ

irem

ents

for e

xpor

ts;

• Impl

emen

t pol

icy

and

regu

latio

n on

cre

win

g;

• Ass

ist e

nact

men

t of m

ariti

me

legi

slatio

ns to

faci

litat

e

crew

ing

empl

oym

ent;

• Con

trol o

pera

tion

of c

rew

recr

uitin

g ag

ent;

• Col

labo

rate

with

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs o

n cr

ew tr

aini

ng a

nd

empl

oym

ent.

• Exp

ortin

g of

qua

lifie

d fis

hing

boa

t cre

w;

• Exp

ortin

g of

qua

lifie

d fis

h ha

ndle

rs;

• Incr

ease

num

ber o

f cre

w in

dom

estic

and

in

tern

atio

nal f

ishin

g in

dust

ry.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

VM

C,

Port

s and

Har

bour

, La

bour

Dep

t, M

IPU

, RF

MO

s and

fish

ing

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs,

Fish

ing

and

Crew

ing

Agen

t, FF

A an

d SP

C,

dono

rs

29

Strategic objective 3: Increase food and nutrition security and aleviation of NCD risk

A st

rong

fish

erie

s sec

tor t

o in

crea

se fi

sh p

rodu

ctio

n to

ens

urin

g fo

od a

nd n

utrit

ion

secu

rity

need

s and

ass

ist t

o al

levi

ate

the

risk

of n

on-c

omm

unic

able

dis

ease

s

Prio

rity

act

ions

Targ

etPr

opos

e ac

tiviti

esIn

dica

tors

Part

ners

15: I

ncre

ase

pr

oduc

tion

of se

afoo

d at

th

e na

tiona

l lev

el

• By

2020

, all i

sland

s hav

e 3–

5 an

chor

ed FA

DS

depl

oyed

; • F

isher

s sup

porte

d w

ith fi

shin

g ge

ar; F

ish p

rese

rva-

tion

syst

em o

pera

ting

and

fishi

ng o

pera

tions

; • B

y 20

20, a

ll pro

vinc

es w

ill ha

ve ru

ral f

isher

ies

mar

kets

and

rura

l fish

ing

gear

shop

s est

ablis

hed;

• Cen

tral f

ish m

arke

t com

plet

ed in

201

7 in

Por

t Vila

, 20

18 in

San

to;

• By

2026

, alte

rnat

ive

duty

exe

mpt

ions

or s

ubsid

y by

VFD

com

plet

ely

supp

ortin

g lo

cal f

isher

men

;• B

y 20

20, f

isher

s and

fish

ers a

ssoc

iatio

ns a

re

oper

atin

g co

mm

erci

ally

as f

isher

ies c

oope

rativ

es.

• Incr

ease

ava

ilabi

lity

of fi

sh fo

r do

mes

tic c

onsu

mpt

ion;

• E

stab

lish

mar

ketin

g sy

stem

to ru

ral a

reas

to su

ppor

t fish

pr

oduc

tion;

• Est

ablis

h fis

h m

arke

ts in

tow

ns, p

rovi

nces

and

vill

ages

;• E

ncou

rage

land

ing

of fi

sh b

y in

dust

rial f

ishin

g fle

et in

do

mes

tic p

orts

;• C

hann

el tu

na a

nd b

ycat

ch fi

sh to

the

loca

l mar

ket;

• Pro

vide

fund

ing

supp

ort t

o fis

herm

en to

incr

ease

fi

sh p

rodu

ctio

n.

• Pro

gres

s rep

orts

on

livel

ihoo

d pr

ogra

mm

es;

• Ass

essm

ent a

nd te

chni

cal r

epor

ts;

• Pric

e of

fish

affo

rdab

le in

Por

t Vila

and

San

to m

arke

ts;

• Cen

tral

fish

mar

kets

in P

ort V

ila a

nd S

anto

est

ablis

hed;

• R

ural

fish

erie

s mar

kets

and

rura

l fish

ing

gear

shop

s es

tabl

ished

in a

ll pr

ovin

ces;

• Loc

al fi

sh a

vaila

bilit

y is

incr

ease

d in

Por

t Vila

and

San

to

mar

kets

;• Im

port

atio

n of

fish

is re

duce

d.

VFD

, Pro

vinc

ial g

over

n-m

ents

, fish

ers a

ssoc

ia-

tions

, Ind

ustr

y D

ept,

Coop

erat

ive

Dep

t,

Fish

ing

Indu

strie

s, SP

C,

FFA,

UN

DP,

JICA,

ACI

AR,

NG

Os,

com

mun

ities

an

d

civi

l soc

ietie

s

16: I

mpr

ove

acce

ss to

su

ffici

ent a

nd a

dequ

atel

y sa

fe se

afoo

d

• Sta

ndar

ds fo

r sea

food

for l

ocal

mar

kets

es

tabl

ished

and

enf

orce

d by

201

7;• N

ew m

arke

ts in

201

6 ar

e bu

ilt b

ased

on

stan

dard

s;• T

rain

ing

on se

afoo

d st

anda

rds d

evel

opm

ent;

• Sea

food

pre

para

tion

and

safe

ty a

war

enes

s co

nduc

ted;

• Im

plem

ent s

eafo

od re

gula

tions

by

2017

.

• Est

ablis

h do

mes

tic se

afoo

d qu

ality

stan

dard

s; • A

pply

stan

dard

s to

seaf

ood

mar

kets

; • T

rain

fish

ers a

nd fi

sh re

ceiv

ers o

n pr

oper

han

ding

and

pr

oces

sing

met

hods

;• In

form

con

sum

ers o

f risk

of e

atin

g ce

rtai

n re

ef fi

sh sp

ecie

s; • D

emon

stra

te sa

fe h

andl

ing

and

prep

arat

ion

of se

afoo

d;• Im

prov

e va

lue-

addi

ng o

f fish

; • E

nhan

ce su

stai

nabi

lity

of se

afoo

d su

pply

at n

atio

nal l

evel

; • D

evel

op v

alue

-add

ing

of fi

sh p

rodu

cts.

• Fish

mar

kets

in P

ort V

ila o

pene

d, a

nd d

evel

opm

ent o

f fis

h m

arke

t in

Sant

o co

mm

ence

d;• M

ore

seaf

ood

avai

labl

e at

mar

kets

;• T

rans

port

of s

eafo

od to

urb

an m

arke

t im

prov

ed b

y 20

17;

• Affo

rdab

le p

rice

of fi

sh in

Por

t Vila

and

San

to m

arke

ts;

• Loc

al fi

sh a

vaila

ble

in h

otel

s and

rest

aura

nts .

VFD

, pro

vinc

ial g

over

n-m

ents

fish

ers a

ssoc

ia-

tions

, Ind

ustr

y D

ept,

Coop

erat

ive

Dep

t, fis

hing

indu

strie

s, SP

C, F

FA, U

ND

P, JIC

A,

ACIA

R ot

her d

onor

pa

rtne

rs,a

nd c

ivil

soci

ety

17: S

usta

in p

rodu

ctio

n of

fis

h at

nat

iona

l lev

el• S

usta

inab

le FA

D p

rogr

am e

stab

lishe

d;• A

ssoc

iatio

ns st

reng

then

ed;

• Ass

ocia

tion

activ

ities

are

cos

t rec

over

y;• S

uppo

rt pr

ovid

ed to

indu

stria

l fish

ing

indu

stry

to

incr

ease

land

ing

of fi

sh to

dom

estic

mar

ket.

• Pro

duct

ion

of fi

sh is

sust

aina

ble

to m

eet g

row

ing

dem

and;

• Sus

tain

fish

ing

activ

ities

at a

ll le

vels;

• S

usta

in p

rodu

ctio

n of

farm

ed fi

sh;

• Pro

mot

e go

od a

quac

ultu

re p

ract

ices

; • M

inim

ise w

asta

ge o

f res

ourc

es;

• Pra

ctic

e va

lue-

addi

ng o

f fish

to im

prov

e va

lue.

• Con

tinue

fish

ing

activ

ities

;• M

ove

to la

rger

fish

ing

vess

els;

• Fish

qua

lity

and

valu

e-ad

ding

impr

oved

;• F

isher

s’ ac

tiviti

es p

rofit

able

.

VFD

, pro

vinc

ial

gove

rnm

ents

,fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

, In

dust

ry D

ept,

Coop

-er

ativ

e D

ept,

fishi

ng

indu

strie

s, SP

C, F

FA,

UN

DP,

JICA,

ACI

AR,

othe

r don

or p

artn

ers,

NG

Os,

com

mun

ities

an

d ci

vil s

ocie

ty


Strategic objective 4: Infrastructure support and product development

Inve

st in

infr

astr

uctu

res t

hat s

uppo

rt o

nsho

re d

evel

opm

ent o

f the

fish

ing

indu

stry

incl

udin

g sp

ecia

l ind

ustr

ial z

ones

, w

harf

s, fa

ctor

ies,

slip

way

s, bo

ats a

nd m

arke

ts

Prio

rity

act

ions

Targ

etPr

opos

e ac

tiviti

esIn

dica

tors

Part

ners

18: E

stab

lish

Inte

rnat

iona

l Fi

sher

ies P

ort

• Maj

or in

vest

men

t in

the

Inte

rnat

iona

l Fish

erie

s Po

rt a

ppro

ved

by g

over

nmen

t by

2017

;• N

egot

iate

with

inve

stor

s for

this

long

-ter

m

deve

lopm

ent;

• For

shor

t-te

rm te

mpo

rary

fish

erie

s wha

rf co

m-

plet

ed b

y 20

17;

• Ons

hore

pro

cess

ing

faci

litie

s ful

ly o

pera

tiona

l by

202

8;• V

alue

-add

ing

and

prod

uct d

evel

opm

ent c

om-

plet

ed b

y 20

26.

• Est

ablis

h te

mpo

rary

fish

erie

s wha

rf to

supp

ort l

andi

ng

and

proc

essin

g of

fish

for e

xpor

t; • A

ssist

to e

stab

lish

an in

tern

atio

nal F

isher

ies P

ort t

o se

rvic

e fis

hing

indu

stry

;• E

ncou

rage

inve

stm

ent i

n la

rge

scal

e on

shor

e tu

na p

ro-

cess

ing

fact

ory;

• A

ssist

cre

atio

n of

spec

ial i

ndus

tria

l zon

es to

acc

omm

o-da

te fi

sh p

roce

ssin

g in

dust

ry;

• Iden

tify

site

and

enac

t spe

cial

indu

stria

l zon

e.

• Fish

erie

s wha

rf co

mpl

eted

and

in o

pera

tion;

• Chi

na N

atio

nal F

isher

ies C

orpo

ratio

n on

shor

e

proc

essin

g fa

cilit

ies c

ompl

eted

and

full

oper

atio

n;• S

mal

l-sca

le fi

sher

ies o

pera

tions

in p

rovi

nces

;• V

alue

-add

ing

and

prod

uct d

evel

opm

ent t

este

d an

d co

mm

erci

ally

use

d;• F

ish p

rodu

cts e

xpor

ted

by a

ir an

d se

a.

VFD

, pro

vinc

ial

gove

rnm

ents

, fish

ers

asso

ciat

ions

, In

dust

ry D

ept,

Coop

-er

ativ

e D

ept,

VIPA

, VCF

, fis

hing

indu

strie

s, FF

A,

othe

r don

or p

artn

ers

19: E

stab

lish

ce

ntra

lised

fish

mar

kets

in

urb

an a

nd

prov

ince

cen

tres

• Com

pete

nt A

utho

rity

fully

est

ablis

hed,

wel

l-re

sour

ced

and

supp

orte

d;• P

ort V

ila m

arke

t est

ablis

hed

in 2

017;

pot

entia

l m

arke

ts se

cure

d by

201

7;

• Enf

orce

stan

dard

on

cons

truc

tion

and

oper

a-tio

n;

• Dev

elop

and

eac

h st

anda

rd p

roce

dure

s for

th

ese

mar

kets

.

• Est

ablis

h ce

ntra

l fish

mar

kets

in u

rban

are

as;

• Rep

air f

ish m

arke

t fac

ility

in p

rovi

ncia

l cen

tres

; • S

et u

p fis

h m

arke

t out

lets

in ru

ral a

reas

; • E

ncou

rage

mar

kets

to lin

k di

rect

ly to

mar

kets

in u

rban

are

as;

• Lic

ensin

g of

all

mar

kets

and

or f

ish re

ceiv

ers;

• Mar

ketin

g of

fish

byc

atch

from

indu

stria

l fish

ing

fleet

; • P

rote

ct in

tere

st o

f sm

all-s

cale

fish

erm

en;

• Qua

lity

and

pric

e of

fish

is fa

ir to

con

sum

ers.

• Num

ber o

f rou

tine

insp

ectio

ns w

ith su

cces

sful

in-

com

e in

crea

sing;

• Num

ber o

f exp

ort c

onsig

nmen

ts in

crea

sing

ev

ery

year

;• R

even

ues a

nd v

olum

e of

Van

uatu

fish

exp

orts

incr

eas-

ing

ever

y ye

ar;

• Em

ploy

men

t im

prov

ed b

y ov

er 5

0% in

the

pr

oces

sing

and

fishi

ng su

bsec

tors

;• G

DP

fishe

ries c

ontr

ibut

ions

incr

ease

d .

VFD

, mun

icip

al a

nd

VCF,

Coop

erat

ive

Dep

t, In

dust

ry D

ept.,

fish

ing

indu

stry

, fish

ers a

s-so

ciat

ions

, pro

vinc

ial

gove

rnm

ent c

ounc

ils,

NG

Os,

FFA,

SPC

, JIC

A an

d ot

her p

artn

ers

20: E

stab

lish

aqua

cultu

re

hatc

hery

and

farm

co

nstr

uctio

n su

ppor

t

• Dem

onst

ratio

n of

stan

dard

farm

s and

pon

ds

cons

truc

ted

for a

ll pr

ovin

ces a

nd in

ope

ratio

n by

202

0;• R

egul

ar tr

aini

ng o

n co

nstr

uctio

n of

stan

dard

fa

rms a

nd p

onds

, at l

east

2-4

sess

ions

a y

ear;

• Enc

oura

ge in

vest

men

ts in

thes

e in

itiat

ives

w

ith a

targ

et o

f usin

g cl

imat

e ch

ange

fund

s to

supp

ort t

hese

act

iviti

es fo

r pur

pose

s of f

ood

secu

rity

and

impa

ct o

f clim

ate

chan

ge o

n re

ef

syst

ems;

• New

bre

edin

g st

ock

secu

red

and

colla

bora

tion

agre

emen

ts w

ith p

artn

ers f

inal

ised;

• Env

ironm

ent a

nd b

iose

curit

y re

quire

men

ts fu

lly

oper

atio

nal i

n 20

20.

• Est

ablis

h fre

shw

ater

hat

cher

ies i

n th

e so

uth

and

nort

h to

se

rvic

e fa

rmer

s;• C

onst

ruct

dem

o fa

rms b

ased

on

deve

lope

d st

anda

rds;

• Sec

ure

fund

ing;

• B

uild

mar

icul

ture

stat

ions

in P

ort V

ila a

nd S

anto

; • T

arge

t far

min

g of

hig

h pr

iorit

y sp

ecie

s for

dem

o fa

rms;

• Iden

tify

suita

ble

aqua

cultu

re la

nd a

vaila

ble

by is

land

s;• T

rial c

yclo

ne p

roof

des

ign

for f

loat

ing

farm

s;• S

eek

fund

ing

supp

ort f

or e

arth

mov

ing

equi

pmen

t.

• At l

east

ove

r 10

stan

dard

and

com

mer

cial

farm

s and

po

nds c

onst

ruct

ed in

eac

h pr

ovin

ce;

• Incr

easin

g nu

mbe

r of h

ouse

hold

s or l

ocal

com

mun

i-tie

s eng

aged

in th

is in

itiat

ive;

• Incr

easin

g co

llabo

ratio

n w

ith V

FD to

supp

ort t

he c

on-

stru

ctio

n an

d op

erat

ion

of st

anda

rd fa

rms o

r pon

ds.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

pr

ovin

ces,

Bios

ecu-

rity

Vanu

atu

(form

erly

Q

uara

ntin

e D

epar

t-m

ent),

aqu

acul

ture

fa

rmer

s, ci

vil s

ocie

ty,

FFA,

SPC

and

don

or

part

ners

31

21: S

tren

gthe

n

Fish

erie

s D

epar

tmen

t bo

atya

rd a

nd p

rodu

c-ti

on o

f sm

all a

nd

med

ium

siz

e fis

hing

bo

at

• Inst

all n

ew b

oat b

uild

ing

mac

hine

ries b

y 20

17;

• Mas

s pro

duct

ion

of p

lyw

ood

Har

tley

fishi

ng b

oats

by

201

7 an

d on

war

ds;

• Mas

s pro

duct

ion

of a

ssoc

iate

d fis

hing

gea

r; • A

dopt

new

pro

mot

ion

syst

em, in

clud

ing

pric

ing

syst

em;

• Ope

n ge

ar sh

op in

Por

t Vila

; • P

rodu

ctio

n of

firs

t med

ium

-sca

le fi

shin

g bo

at b

y 20

20;

• Rep

air a

nd se

ll exi

stin

g bo

ats;

• Am

alga

mat

ion

of b

oaty

ard

and

wor

ksho

p an

d re

crui

tmen

t of m

echa

nic

in 2

017;

• Intro

duce

new

fish

erm

en c

redi

t sys

tem

.

• Inst

all n

ew m

achi

nes a

nd e

quip

men

t at F

isher

ies D

ept

boat

yard

;• In

crea

se p

rodu

ctio

n of

loca

lly d

esig

ned

fishi

ng b

oats

; • In

vest

in b

uild

ing

of m

ediu

m-s

ize fi

shin

g ve

ssel

s; • T

rain

ing

of b

oat b

uild

ers v

ia b

oaty

ard

atta

chm

ent t

rain

ings

;• In

crea

se p

rodu

ctio

n of

fish

ing

gear

and

oth

er m

arin

e ite

ms;

• Con

duct

trai

ning

in b

oat m

aint

enan

ce fo

r rur

al fi

sher

s;• A

mal

gam

ate

wor

ksho

p an

d bo

atya

rd;

• Cre

ate

mec

hani

c po

sitio

n an

d re

crui

t.

• Loc

ally

bui

ld b

oat s

prea

d to

the

prov

ince

s reg

ion;

• Pric

e of

loca

lly b

uild

boa

t low

er th

an im

porte

d bo

ats;

• Fish

ing

gear

read

ily a

vaila

ble

and

at a

fford

able

pric

e;

• Fish

erie

s sal

e sh

op o

pen

in P

ort V

ila b

y 20

20.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

pro

vin-

cial

cou

ncils

, For

estr

y D

ept,

Indu

stry

Dep

t, fis

hers

ass

ocia

tions

, FF

A, S

PC a

nd d

onor

pa

rtne

rs

22: R

eloc

ate

Fish

er-

ies

Dep

artm

ent o

ffic

e in

fras

truc

ture

and

mov

-ab

le a

sset

sup

port

• Con

stru

ctio

n of

new

Fish

erie

s Offi

ce c

ompl

ex

com

plet

ed b

y 20

18;

• Con

stru

ctio

n of

new

mar

icul

ture

hat

cher

y re

lo-

cate

d an

d co

mpl

eted

by

2018

;• R

enov

atio

n an

d bu

ildin

g of

new

offi

ces i

n al

l pro

v-in

ces c

ompl

eted

by

2020

;• S

ecur

e VF

D v

ehic

les s

uppo

rt fo

r Lug

anvi

lle, P

ort

Vila

, Tan

na, a

nd m

otor

bike

s for

oth

er is

land

s .

• Impr

ove

and

build

new

offi

ce b

uild

ings

and

staf

f hou

ses i

n al

l pro

vinc

es;

• Sec

ure

fund

ing

to b

uild

a n

ew F

isher

ies O

ffice

bui

ldin

g in

Po

rt V

ila;

• Dev

elop

exi

stin

g w

ater

front

land

in P

ort V

ila in

to d

omes

tic

fishe

ries w

harf;

• S

eek

budg

et su

ppor

t for

new

dep

artm

ent v

ehic

les t

o su

p -po

rt fi

sher

ies w

ork;

• Fish

erie

s Dep

artm

ent m

ulti-

purp

ose

vess

el is

bui

lt;• S

mal

l fish

ing

supp

ort b

oats

are

mad

e av

aila

ble

in a

ll fis

herie

s ce

ntre

s; • E

ncou

rage

pro

ject

to p

rovi

de b

udge

tary

supp

ort.

• VFD

offi

ce a

nd m

aric

ultu

re st

atio

n re

loca

ted;

• N

ew o

ffice

and

staf

f hou

ses c

ompl

eted

and

reno

vate

d in

all

prov

ince

s.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

MIP

U,

PSC,

PW

D, I

nter

nal A

f-fa

irs, p

rovi

ncia

l cou

n-ci

ls, c

omm

uniti

es


Priority objective 5: Environmental management, climate change and disaster risk reduction

Inve

stig

ate

the

impa

cts o

f env

ironm

enta

l and

clim

ate

chan

ge o

n fis

herie

s res

ourc

es a

nd h

abita

ts –

focu

s on

clim

ate

resi

lienc

e an

d di

sast

er ri

sk re

duct

ion

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Targ

et o

utco

me

Prop

ose

activ

ities

Indi

cato

rsPa

rtne

rs

23: U

nder

take

bas

elin

e as

sess

men

ts m

arin

e en

viro

nmen

t for

long

te

rm c

limat

e ch

ange

m

onit

orin

g

• Impl

emen

t all

the

rele

vant

stud

ies o

n th

e im

pact

of

clim

ate

chan

ge o

n fis

herie

s and

aqu

acul

ture

an

d co

mpl

eted

by

2020

;• D

evel

op a

nd e

ndor

se c

oral

reef

mon

itorin

g pl

an

by 2

018;

• Impl

emen

t pla

n by

202

0 an

d in

202

6;• Im

plem

ent s

peci

fic fi

sher

y pl

ans;

• Use

resu

lts o

f res

earc

h to

iden

tify

and

addr

ess c

li -m

ate

chan

ge im

pact

s and

disa

ster

risk

redu

ctio

n in

fish

erie

s and

aqu

acul

ture

reso

urce

pla

ns.

• Dev

elop

pol

icy

on c

oral

reef

mon

itorin

g an

d cl

imat

e ch

ange

; • Im

plem

ent r

esea

rch

stud

ies o

n th

e m

onito

ring

of

the

impa

ct o

f clim

ate

chan

ge o

n co

ral r

eef h

ealth

; • S

et u

p lo

ng-te

rm m

onito

ring

of se

a su

rface

tem

pera

ture

in

loca

tions

alo

ng V

anua

tu is

land

cha

in;

• Ass

ess i

mpa

ct o

f ear

thqu

akes

, cyc

lone

, ele

vate

d

tem

pera

ture

s on

cora

l ree

f hab

itat a

nd re

sour

ces

and

fishi

ng b

ehav

iour

; • A

sses

s and

doc

umen

t sca

le o

f dam

age

of re

ef b

y

crow

n-of

- tho

rns (

COTS

) out

brea

ks;

• Est

ablis

h da

ta m

anag

emen

t and

dat

abas

e su

ppor

t.

• Cor

al re

ef m

onito

ring

plan

com

plet

ed;

• Per

man

ent l

ogge

rs in

stal

led

and

mon

itore

d;• B

leac

hing

mon

itorin

g do

ne w

hen

occu

rred

and

repo

rted

; • C

OTS

cle

an-u

p ca

mpa

ign

esta

blish

ed;

• Num

ber o

f rep

orts

and

pub

licat

ions

pr

oduc

ed e

ach

year

.

VFD

, SPC

, SPR

EP, C

li-m

ate

Chan

ge O

ffice

, to

ur o

pera

tors

, En

viro

nmen

t Dep

t, N

GO

s, do

nor p

artn

ers,

com

mun

ities

and

ot

her p

artn

ers

24: I

mpl

emen

t m

itig

atio

n an

d ad

apta

-ti

on a

nd d

isas

ter r

isk

redu

ctio

n ac

tivi

ties

in

read

ines

s fo

r nat

ural

di

sast

ers

• Rur

al fi

sher

ies d

evel

opm

ent o

rient

ed to

disa

ster

pr

epar

edne

ss.

• Exp

and

aqua

cultu

re fa

rmin

g as

a so

urce

of f

ish

durin

g di

sast

ers b

y 20

20;

• Div

ert e

ffort

to o

uter

reef

fish

ing

to p

rese

rve

reef

re

sour

ces;

• Foo

d pr

eser

vatio

n an

d va

lue-

addi

ng a

s ada

pta -

tion

activ

ity;

• Stre

ngth

en m

arin

e pr

otec

ted

area

; • F

isher

ies m

anag

emen

t and

con

serv

atio

n w

ork

supp

orte

d by

all

com

mun

ities

; • F

isher

ies r

even

ue fo

reca

sted

to a

dapt

to c

hang

ing

wea

ther

pat

tern

s and

mov

emen

t of f

ish st

ock.

• Pre

serv

e ce

rtai

n re

ef re

sour

ces f

or u

se d

urin

g na

tura

l di

sast

ers.

• Set

asid

e m

arin

e pr

otec

ted

area

s as f

ood

rese

rve

durin

g na

tura

l disa

ster

s; • E

stab

lish

faci

lity

to st

ore

and

pres

erve

fish

dur

ing

disa

ster

s;• Im

plem

ent a

nd e

nfor

ce fi

sher

ies r

egul

atio

ns a

t co

mm

unity

leve

l;• T

rain

fish

ers t

o pr

eser

ve fi

sh fo

r use

dur

ing

disa

ster

;• D

iscou

rage

was

tage

of f

ish;

• Dev

elop

alte

rnat

ive

livel

ihoo

d ac

tiviti

es fo

r com

mun

ities

in

clud

ing

eco-

tour

ism, h

andi

craf

t and

aqu

acul

ture

; • A

dapt

eco

nom

ic d

evel

opm

ent t

o th

e im

pact

of w

eath

er

patt

ern

on tu

na st

ocks

; • D

evel

op m

appi

ng sy

stem

to a

sses

s sca

le o

f im

pact

s on

mar

ine

envi

ronm

ent.

• Ful

l im

plem

enta

tion

of n

atio

nal f

isher

ies

man

agem

ent p

lans

. Enf

orce

men

t of f

isher

ies

regu

latio

ns in

all

com

mun

ities

;• A

ctiv

e co

mm

unity

ale

rt o

n CO

TS o

utbr

eaks

; • N

etw

ork

on C

OTS

out

brea

ks a

ctiv

e;

• Per

cent

age

of c

oral

ble

achi

ng in

Van

uatu

is a

sses

sed;

• P

rogr

ess o

f rec

over

y is

asse

ssed

;• In

dica

tors

of c

limat

e ch

ange

in fi

sher

ies a

nd a

quac

ul-

ture

iden

tifie

d an

d us

ed.

VFD

, SPC

, SPR

EP, C

li-m

ate

Chan

ge O

ffice

, to

urism

ope

rato

rs,

Envi

ronm

ent D

ept,

NG

Os,

dono

r par

tner

s,

com

mun

ities

an

d ot

her p

artn

ers

25: S

tren

gthe

n

com

mun

ity-

base

d

man

agem

ent t

hrou

gh

coop

erat

ive

appr

oach

• Dev

elop

and

fina

lise

polic

y on

com

mun

ity-b

ased

m

anag

emen

t to

stan

dard

ise fo

rmat

and

uni

t of

com

mun

ity-b

ased

man

agem

ent;

• Inco

rpor

ate

tradi

tiona

l and

cul

tura

l val

ues i

n co

m-

mun

ity fi

sher

ies p

lans

; • E

ncou

rage

vol

unta

ry c

ompl

ianc

e of

fish

erie

s re

gula

tion

by c

omm

uniti

es;

• Enc

oura

ge c

oope

rate

man

agem

ent o

f fish

erie

s in

com

mun

ity o

wn

area

s.

• Stre

ngth

en c

omm

unity

bas

ed-m

anag

emen

t and

clim

ate

chan

ge a

dapt

atio

n;

• Pre

serv

e tr

aditi

onal

reso

urce

man

agem

ent a

nd fi

shin

g pr

actic

es;

• Ada

pt c

o-m

anag

emen

t pra

ctic

es a

t com

mun

ity le

vel;

• Dev

elop

and

impl

emen

t com

mun

ity p

lans

;• A

dopt

eco

syst

em a

ppro

ach

in c

omm

unity

bas

ed m

anag

emen

t; • D

evel

op o

ther

live

lihoo

d op

port

uniti

es.

• Num

ber o

f com

mun

ity fi

sher

ies p

lans

co

mpl

eted

and

impl

emen

ted;

• Tra

inin

g of

com

mun

ity w

orke

rs;

• App

oint

men

t of c

omm

unity

fish

erie

s au

thor

ised

offic

ers .

VFD

, SPC

, SPR

EP, C

li-m

ate

Chan

ge O

ffice

, to

urism

ope

rato

rs,

Envi

ronm

ent D

ept,

NG

Os,

do

nor p

artn

ers,

com

mun

ities

and

ot

her p

artn

ers

33

Priority

objective 6: In

form

atio

n an

d co

mmun

icat

ion

tech

nolo

gy (

ICT)

imp

rove

ment

An

impr

oved

fish

erie

s sec

tor s

uppo

rted

by

impr

oved

info

rmat

ion

and

com

mun

icat

ion

tech

nolo

gy a

nd in

form

atio

n m

anag

emen

t

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Targ

etPr

opos

e ac

tiviti

esIn

dica

tors

Part

ners

26: D

evel

op s

tand

ards

fo

r inf

orm

atio

n se

curi

ty

and

web

site

• Sec

urity

pro

cedu

res f

or in

form

atio

n co

llect

ion,

pr

oces

sing

and

diss

emin

atio

n ad

opte

d by

201

7;• D

atab

ases

com

plet

ed b

y 20

28;

• Info

rmat

ion

Offi

cer p

ositi

on e

stab

lishe

d at

V

FD b

y 20

17;

• VFD

web

site

impr

oved

and

all

com

pone

nts l

inke

d by

201

7.

• Pre

pare

info

rmat

ion

secu

rity

guid

elin

es a

nd p

roce

dure

s to

gui

de th

e co

llect

ion,

pro

cess

ing

and

diss

emin

atio

n of

in

form

atio

n;• P

reve

nt fi

sher

y se

nsiti

ve in

form

atio

n le

akin

g ou

t to

the

publ

ic;

• Cre

ate

posit

ions

for I

CT o

ffice

r in

the

Dep

artm

ent o

f Fish

erie

s.

• Info

rmat

ion

secu

rity

proc

edur

es c

ompl

eted

;• In

form

atio

n di

ssem

inat

ion

follo

w e

stab

lishe

d st

anda

rds

proc

ess;

• Cen

tralis

ed d

atab

ase

syst

em c

ompl

eted

.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

SPC

, O

GCI

O,

dono

r par

tner

s, ot

her

part

ners

27: C

entr

alis

ed V

FD

data

man

agem

ent a

nd

data

base

s an

d lin

k to

fis

heri

es in

form

atio

n m

anag

emen

t sys

tem

;

• Com

plet

e de

velo

pmen

t of a

cen

tralis

ed d

atab

ase

syst

ems t

hat l

ink

to o

ther

dat

a;

• Man

agem

ent U

nit e

nhan

ced;

• D

igita

l rec

ordi

ng sy

stem

fully

func

tiona

l; • O

ther

fish

erie

s dat

a lin

ked

to V

UFI

MS;

• SPC

and

FFA

dat

abas

e se

rvic

es se

rve

the

need

of

VFD

;• F

isher

ies d

ata

are

visib

le in

nat

iona

l sta

tistic

repo

rts .

• Pro

gres

s the

cen

tralis

ed m

anag

emen

t of f

isher

ies d

ata;

• Lin

k da

taba

se to

the

fishe

ries i

nfor

mat

ion

man

agem

ent

syst

em;

• Inte

grat

e w

ith re

gion

al sy

stem

s of S

PC, F

FA, a

nd o

ther

RFM

Os

to in

a ‘o

ne st

op sh

op’ m

anne

r for

eas

e of

acc

ess;

• Use

stan

dard

ised

data

col

lect

ion

and

reco

rdin

g fo

rmat

;• P

rom

ote

use

of b

oth

pape

r and

ele

ctro

nic

data

reco

rdin

g lo

gs.

• Fish

erie

s Dep

artm

ent D

ata

Man

agem

ent U

nit

is in

full

cont

rol o

f all

data

base

mat

ters

and

fish

erie

s dat

a is

up-

date

d on

the

syst

em;

• Tim

ely

deliv

ery

of c

orre

ctly

form

atte

d in

form

atio

n.

VFD

, SPC

, FFA

, OG

CIO

28: I

mpl

emen

t ele

c-tr

onic

repo

rtin

g an

d el

ectr

onic

mon

itor

ing

(ER/

EM)

• Dev

elop

EM

/ER

stra

tegy

;• C

ompl

eted

tria

lling

the

units

on

Vanu

atu

flag

fish -

ing

vess

els;

• Man

dato

ry u

se o

f EM

/ER

on a

ll fla

g ve

ssel

s by

2020

;• M

anda

tory

use

of E

M/E

R on

all

fore

ign

fishi

ng v

es-

sels

by 2

020;

• Dev

elop

obs

erve

r ope

ratio

n ba

se.

• Und

erta

ke tr

ial o

f ER/

EM;

• Dev

elop

nat

iona

l ER/

EM st

rate

gy;

• Exp

and

fishe

ries i

nfor

mat

ion

syst

em to

incl

ude

all f

isher

ies

to in

form

dec

ision

s; Ex

pand

ele

ctro

nic

repo

rtin

g to

coa

stal

fis

herie

s suc

h as

by

licen

sed

fishi

ng v

esse

ls;• A

dopt

sam

e re

port

ing

in a

quac

ultu

re p

rodu

ctio

n fa

rms.

• ER/

EM st

rate

gy c

ompl

eted

and

impl

emen

ted;

• Impr

oved

repo

rtin

g on

lice

nsed

fish

ing

vess

els;

• Impr

oved

com

plia

nce

inde

x.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

Pol

ice

Mar

itim

e W

ing,

fish

-in

g in

dust

ry, F

FA, S

PC,

tuna

-RFM

Os

29: E

nhan

ce v

esse

l m

onit

orin

g sy

stem

op

erat

ion

to m

onit

or

offs

hore

and

coa

stal

fis

hing

act

ivit

ies

• Nat

iona

l Ves

sel M

onito

ring

Syst

em P

rogr

amm

e

func

tioni

ng e

ffect

ivel

y;• 2

4/7

man

ning

con

tinue

;• F

lag

vess

el m

onito

ring

impr

ovem

ent;

• MO

U si

gned

with

PM

W im

plem

enta

tion;

• T

rain

ing

of o

ffice

rs;

• Rev

iew

of V

MS

syst

ems;

• Am

alga

mat

e th

e tw

o VM

S sy

stem

s by

2020

.

• Mai

ntai

n us

e of

stat

e- o

f-the

-art

VM

S to

mon

itor f

ishin

g

vess

els o

pera

ting

insid

e Va

nuat

u w

ater

s;• C

ontin

ue to

wor

k w

ith C

LS to

mon

itor f

lag

ve

ssel

s ope

ratin

g in

tern

atio

nally

;• S

eek

CLS

supp

ort t

o im

prov

e VM

S sy

stem

;• A

sses

s opt

ions

to e

nhan

ce a

nd in

tegr

ate

the

two

syst

ems

to im

prov

e ef

fect

iven

ess a

nd e

ffici

ency

at l

ess c

ost t

o th

e co

untr

y;

• Ass

ess o

ptio

ns to

loca

lise

man

agem

ent o

f the

nat

iona

l ves

sel

mon

itorin

g sy

stem

; • C

ontin

ue to

eng

age

with

Pol

ice

Mar

itim

e W

ing

and

FFA

in

surv

eilla

nce

oper

atio

ns;

• For

mal

ise m

emor

andu

m o

f und

erst

andi

ng w

ith V

PMW

.

• All

vess

els l

icen

sed

and

flag

to V

anua

tu in

full

com

pli -

ance

with

VM

S re

quire

men

ts;

• Am

alga

mat

ion

of th

e tw

o VM

S sy

stem

s com

plet

ed.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

FFA

, SPC

, fis

hing

indu

stry

, tun

a-RF

MO

s


Strategi

c objective 7: F

ishe

ries

com

plia

nce

and

IUU

fish

ing

prev

enti

on

Adv

ocat

e fo

r zer

o-to

lera

nce

in IU

U a

nd e

nsur

e al

l Van

uatu

flag

and

lice

nsed

fish

ing

vess

els a

re fu

lly m

onito

red

and

com

plia

nt

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Targ

etPr

opos

e ac

tiviti

esIn

dica

tors

Part

ners

30: R

educ

e an

d el

imi-

nate

IUU

fish

ing

in th

e of

fsho

re fi

sher

y th

roug

h im

prov

ed c

ompl

ianc

e

• Impl

emen

t NPO

A IU

U, N

atio

nal F

leet

Man

age-

men

t Pol

icy,

Nat

iona

l Con

trol

Pla

n, N

POA

on

shar

ks a

nd P

ort S

tate

Con

trol

pla

n;• IU

U-fr

ee c

ount

ry b

y 20

20;

• Pen

alise

infri

ngem

ents

on

time;

• Mai

ntai

n go

od re

puta

tion

in th

e Re

gist

ry;

• Fla

g fis

hing

ves

sels

earn

goo

d re

puta

tion.

• Pre

vent

ent

ry o

f fish

ing

vess

els w

ith h

istor

ical

reco

rd o

f IU

U

into

the

Vanu

atu

Inte

rnat

iona

l Shi

ppin

g Re

gist

ry;

• Enf

orce

stric

t con

trol o

n fla

g fis

hing

ves

sels

thro

ugh

com

plia

nce

chec

ks;

• Ens

ure

that

ves

sels

leav

e th

e VI

SR w

ith c

lean

reco

rd;

• Ful

ly im

plem

ent t

he re

com

men

datio

ns o

f the

NPO

A IU

U a

nd

the

Nat

iona

l Fle

et M

anag

emen

t Pol

icy;

• R

esol

ve a

ny in

fring

emen

t by V

anua

tu fl

ag v

esse

ls sw

iftly

be-

fore

WCP

FC m

eets

;• F

ully

enf

orce

pen

alty

not

ice

on v

esse

l op

erat

ors/

owne

rs fo

r bre

ache

s.

• Incr

easin

g nu

mbe

r of s

ucce

ssfu

l in

vest

igat

ions

on

IUU

cas

es;

• Aw

ards

on

fight

aga

inst

IUU

;• IU

U re

ports

;• S

ucce

ssfu

lly w

ithdr

awn

from

ICCA

T;• A

ll inf

ringe

men

ts a

ddre

ssed

.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

For

eign

Af

fairs

, oth

er

gove

rnm

ent l

ine

min

is-tr

ies a

nd d

epar

tmen

ts,

SPC,

FFA

, tun

a-RF

MO

s, fis

hing

indu

stry

31: L

imit

RFM

O m

embe

r-sh

ip b

y th

e Re

publ

ic o

f Va

nuat

u to

wit

hin

the

grea

ter P

acifi

c O

cean

re

gion

• With

draw

al fr

om IC

CAT

by e

nd o

f 201

6;• C

hart

er p

olic

y an

d re

gula

tion

enac

ted;

• Res

tric

t cha

rter

ing

of fl

ag v

esse

ls to

RF

MO

mem

bers

for w

hich

Van

uatu

is a

mem

ber;

• Att

end

50%

of R

FMO

mee

tings

by

2018

an

d fu

rthe

r im

prov

es th

erea

fter.

• With

draw

mem

bers

hip

to IC

CAT

and

IOTC

; • E

nact

pol

icy

and

regu

latio

n on

cha

rterin

g of

flag

ves

sels;

• P

reve

nt c

harte

ring

of v

esse

ls by

RFM

O m

embe

rs fo

r whi

ch

Vanu

atu

is a

non-

mem

ber;

• Mem

bers

hip

cont

ribut

ion

is co

st re

cove

red

from

the

fishi

ng

indu

stry

;• E

nsur

ing

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs c

ompl

y to

pay

thei

r RFM

O fe

es;

• Mai

ntai

n m

anag

emen

t of t

rust

acc

ount

s for

eas

e of

pay

men

t of

RFM

O fe

es.

• Tot

al w

ithdr

awal

from

ICCA

T;• B

ecom

ing

full

mem

ber o

f NPF

C by

201

7;• M

aint

ain

good

serv

ice

to R

FMO

s.

VFD

, MAL

FFB,

For

eign

Af

fairs

, oth

er

gove

rnm

ent l

ine

min

istrie

s and

de

part

men

ts, S

PC, F

FA,

tuna

-RFM

Os,

fishi

ng

indu

stry

32: R

educ

e an

d el

imi-

nate

IUU

fish

ing

in

coas

tal f

ishe

ries

• All

regi

ster

ed li

cens

ed b

y 20

18;

• Com

plia

nce

of sm

all f

ishin

g bo

ats

impr

oved

50%

by

2018

;• R

evise

d re

gula

tion

impl

emen

ted;

• Coa

stal

com

plia

nce

offic

ers t

rain

ed;

• Impo

rtat

ion

and

sale

of d

estr

uctiv

e ge

ar c

ease

d;

• Des

truc

tive

gear

con

fisca

ted .

• Lic

ensin

g of

all d

omes

tic fi

shin

g ve

ssel

s; • E

nfor

ce lic

ense

con

ditio

n to

ens

ure

com

plia

nce;

• Est

ablis

h ap

plic

able

cat

ch d

ata

reco

rdin

g sy

stem

on

tabl

et;

• Enf

orce

licen

se c

ondi

tion

on p

roce

ssin

g lic

ense

hol

ders

;• S

treng

then

com

plia

nce

at p

orts

and

airp

ort c

heck

poi

nts;

• Wor

k w

ith p

artn

ers t

o im

prov

e co

mm

unity

com

plia

nce;

• Ass

ist fi

sher

ies a

utho

rised

offi

cers

to c

olle

ct a

ccur

ate

info

rma-

tion;

• B

an im

port

and

sale

of d

estru

ctiv

e fis

hing

gea

r; • C

onfis

cate

illeg

al fi

shin

g ge

ar.

• Loc

al v

esse

ls op

erat

ing

viab

ly;

• No

mor

e im

port

atio

n an

d ille

gal s

ale

of d

estru

ctiv

e

fishi

ng g

ear;

• No

mor

e de

stru

ctiv

e fis

hing

gea

r in

the

coun

try.

VFD

, pro

vinc

es, f

isher

s as

soci

atio

ns, c

omm

uni-

ties,

Polic

e

33: S

tren

gthe

n m

an-

agem

ent o

f Van

uatu

fla

g fis

hing

flee

t

• Ces

satio

n of

the

vess

el m

onito

ring

sy

stem

serv

ices

con

trac

t by

2018

;• F

isher

ies D

epar

tmen

t ass

umes

full

resp

onsib

ility

of f

leet

man

ager

by

2018

; • G

ood

rela

tions

hip

is m

aint

aine

d

with

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs.

• Rem

ove

fleet

man

agem

ent c

ontra

ct w

ith th

e pr

ivat

e en

tity

and

disc

oura

ge su

ch c

ontra

cts i

n fu

ture

; • F

ully

ass

ume

role

of f

leet

man

agem

ent;

• Stre

ngth

en fl

eet m

anag

emen

t dut

y of

the

Fi

sher

ies D

epar

tmen

t;• B

uild

clo

se c

oope

ratio

n w

ith th

e fis

hing

indu

stry

ope

rato

rs;

• Pro

vide

effi

cien

t and

relia

ble

serv

ice

to v

esse

l ope

rato

rs.

• Ves

sel M

onito

ring

Syst

em S

ervi

ces c

ontra

ct c

ease

d;• V

FD a

ssum

e fu

ll re

spon

sibilit

y fo

r fle

et m

anag

emen

t.VF

D; M

ALFF

B, S

LO,

Tuna

Fish

ing

Vanu

atu

Ltd,

tuna

-RFM

Os

35

34: I

mpl

emen

t cat

ch

docu

men

tati

on s

chem

e in

all

flag

vess

els

• Cer

tific

atio

n st

anda

rds i

nstit

uted

;• S

eafo

od V

erifi

catio

n Ag

ency

cer

tific

atio

n pr

oces

s co

mpl

eted

by

FFA;

• EU

cer

tific

atio

n co

mpl

eted

;• C

atch

cer

tific

atio

n ap

plie

d to

all V

anua

tu fl

ag v

esse

ls fo

r fish

exp

orts

ann

ually

.

• Fin

alise

nat

iona

l con

trol p

lan

with

FFA

; • Im

plem

ent n

atio

nal c

ontro

l pla

n;

• Con

duct

food

safe

ty a

nd C

DS

insp

ectio

n on

ves

sels;

• In

depe

nden

t mon

itorin

g an

d ap

prov

al b

y FF

A;

• Com

plet

e EU

cer

tific

atio

n of

the

Seaf

ood

Verif

icat

ion

Auth

ority

; • Is

sue

catc

h ce

rtifi

catio

n to

flag

ves

sel t

o ac

cess

EU

and

oth

er

mar

kets

; • P

artic

ipat

e in

neg

otia

tions

on

fishe

ries t

rade

.

• Sea

food

stan

dard

s gaz

ette

d;• S

eafo

od re

gula

tion

gaze

tted;

• FFA

trai

ning

pro

cess

com

plet

ed;

• SFV

A ce

rtifi

ed b

y EU

;• F

ish e

ntry

to E

U a

utho

rised

by V

anua

tu.

VFD

; MAL

FFB,

SLO

, tun

a-RF

MO

s

35: S

tren

gthe

n fis

heri

es

law

enf

orce

men

t and

pr

osec

utio

n

• Com

plet

e at

tach

men

t with

Pro

secu

tion

Offi

ce;

• Dev

elop

and

sign

MO

U w

ith P

rose

cutio

n O

ffice

; • C

omm

ence

pro

secu

tion

of fi

sher

ies c

ases

;• R

ecru

it m

ore

com

mun

ity fi

sher

ies

auth

orise

d of

ficer

s .

• Stre

ngth

en e

nfor

cem

ent o

f fish

erie

s reg

ulat

ions

; • C

oope

rate

with

Pub

lic P

rose

cutio

n O

ffice

on

capa

city

bui

ld-

ing;

• Impr

ove

adm

inist

rativ

e pe

nalty

regu

latio

ns a

nd e

nfor

cem

ent;

• Stre

ngth

en in

spec

tion

at m

arke

t out

lets

, res

taur

ants

and

sh

ops;

• Und

erta

ke in

vest

igat

ion

and

pros

ecut

ion

train

ing

of fi

sher

ies

auth

orise

d of

ficer

s; • S

treng

then

enf

orce

men

t on

impo

rtat

ion,

sale

and

use

of

dest

ruct

ive

fishi

ng g

ear.

• Fish

erie

s pro

secu

tor a

dmitt

ed;

• MO

U si

gned

;• 5

cas

es su

cces

sful

ly p

rose

cute

d .

VFD

; MAL

FFB,

SLO

, Ju

stic

e M

inist

ry, P

ublic

Pr

osec

utio

ns O

ffice

, tu

na-R

FMO

s

36: P

rogr

ess

fishe

ries

ob-

serv

er a

nd p

ort s

ampl

ing

to fu

ll co

st re

cove

ry

• Obs

erve

r Pro

gram

me

achi

eves

hal

f cos

t rec

over

y by

202

3;• P

ort s

ampl

ing

to b

e fu

lly c

ost r

ecov

ered

by

2023

;• O

bser

vers

fully

cov

ered

on

trips

;• C

ompl

ete

train

ing

of m

ore

obse

rver

s.

• Dev

elop

nat

iona

l fish

erie

s obs

erve

r and

por

t sam

plin

g to

be

com

e a

full

cost

reco

very

pro

gram

me;

• Equ

ip a

ll ob

serv

ers w

ith sa

fety

gea

r, in

clud

ing

unifo

rm a

nd

prot

ectiv

e ge

ar;

• Ful

ly in

sure

obs

erve

rs w

hile

at s

ea;

• Sup

port

two

de-b

riefe

rs to

com

plet

e th

eir t

rain

ing

to a

ssist

qu

ality

con

trol o

f nat

iona

l obs

erve

rs;

• Pro

gres

s int

o el

ectro

nic

mon

itorin

g sy

stem

; • E

xten

d ro

le o

f obs

erve

rs to

cov

er c

oast

al fi

sher

ies a

nd a

qua -

cultu

re.

• Obs

erve

r pro

gram

me

full

cost

reco

vere

d by

203

1;• P

ort S

ampl

ing

achi

eves

full

cost

reco

vere

d by

203

1;• O

bser

ver n

umbe

rs re

ach

50 b

y 20

31.

VFD

; MAL

FFB,

FFA

, SLO

, Ju

stic

e M

inist

ry, P

ublic

Pr

osec

utio

ns O

ffice

, tu

na-R

FMO

s

37: R

evie

w v

esse

l lic

ens-

ing

proc

ess

and

reco

rd-

ing

syst

em

• Effi

cien

t lic

ensin

g sy

stem

for f

orei

gn v

esse

ls

and

IATF

;• M

aint

ain

up to

dat

e re

cord

of l

icen

ses a

nd IA

TF;

• Pro

vide

regu

lar u

pdat

e of

licen

ses a

nd

fee

colle

ctio

n.

• Mai

ntai

n ef

ficie

nt p

roce

ssin

g of

lice

nses

;• L

iaise

with

ope

rato

rs w

hen

proc

essin

g lic

ense

s;• In

trodu

ce o

nlin

e ap

plic

atio

n an

d pr

oces

sing

of li

cens

es.

• Effi

cien

t iss

uanc

e pr

oces

s;• G

ood

appr

ecia

tion

by c

lient

s;• C

ompl

eted

onl

ine

licen

se

• App

licat

ion

proc

ess;

VFD

; MAL

FFB,

FFA

, SLO

, tu

na-R

FMO

s

38: I

ntro

duce

long

line

vess

el d

ay s

chem

e (V

DS)

or

quo

ta m

anag

emen

t sy

stem

(QM

S)

• Rev

iew

legi

slatio

n to

acc

omm

odat

e VD

S or

QM

S fo

r im

plem

enta

tion

by 2

019;

• See

k as

sista

nce

from

FFA

.

• Wor

k w

ith F

FA to

des

ign

VMS

impl

emen

tatio

n po

licy;

• Wor

k w

ith N

ew Z

eala

nd M

inist

ry o

f Prim

ary

Indu

strie

s on

advi

ce o

n Q

MS

syst

em fo

r dec

ision

mak

ing;

• Ado

pt e

ither

of t

he tw

o.

• VD

S or

QM

S ad

opte

d.VF

D, M

ALFF

B,

FFA

, SPC

, SLO

,tu

na-R

FMO

s


Strategy

objective 8: Bu

ildi

ng p

artn

ersh

ip a

nd n

etwo

rkin

gSt

reng

then

par

tner

ship

, col

labo

ratio

n an

d ne

twor

king

with

line

Dep

artm

ents

, ind

ustr

y, a

nd a

lso

enco

urag

e es

tabl

ishi

ng

new

one

s for

vis

ibili

ty, t

rans

pare

ncy,

par

ticip

ator

y an

d in

clus

ivity

Stra

tegi

c ac

tions

Targ

etPr

opos

e ac

tiviti

esIn

dica

tors

Part

ners

39: F

orm

alis

e co

llabo

ra-

tion

wit

h lin

e de

part

-m

ents

and

sta

keho

lder

s th

roug

h M

OU

s an

d M

OA

s

• Fish

erie

s Dep

artm

ent t

o st

reng

then

net

wor

king

an

d pa

rtne

rshi

p w

ith re

leva

nt st

akeh

olde

rs su

ch

as li

ne o

r rel

evan

t gov

ernm

ent d

epar

tmen

ts, t

he

prov

ince

, com

mun

ities

and

pub

lic in

urb

an/r

ural

co

mm

uniti

es, F

FA, S

PC, t

una-

RFM

Os,

dono

r pa

rtne

rs, N

GO

s and

oth

ers.

• For

mal

ise c

olla

bora

tions

with

stak

ehol

ders

thro

ugh

an M

OU

an

d or

MO

As;

• For

mal

ise M

OU

s with

line

and

gov

ernm

ent D

epar

tmen

ts a

nd

gove

rnm

ent e

ntiti

es, c

o mm

uniti

es a

nd c

ivil

soci

ety

grou

ps;

• The

se a

rran

gem

ents

wou

ld fo

rm th

e ba

sis fo

r col

labo

ratio

n;• E

ncou

rage

join

t im

plem

enta

tion

unde

r MO

U;

• MO

Us a

nd M

OAs

are

to b

e a s

sess

ed b

y St

ate

Law

Offi

ce

whe

re n

eces

sary

for c

onsis

tenc

y an

d le

galit

y iss

ues.

• Coo

rdin

atio

n an

d w

ell-r

esou

rced

wor

ks o

n fis

herie

s and

aq

uacu

lture

;• M

OU

with

Pol

ice

Mar

itim

e W

ing

Com

plet

ed;

• MO

U w

ith A

ir Va

nuat

u co

mpl

eted

;• M

OU

with

Chu

rche

s com

plet

ed:

VFD

, Coo

pera

tive

and

Indu

stry

Dep

t, pr

ovin

cial

go

vern

men

t cou

ncils

, N

GO

s, co

mm

uniti

es a

nd

civi

l soc

iety

40: F

orm

alis

e co

llabo

ra-

tion

wit

h re

gion

al in

ter-

gove

rnm

enta

l par

tner

s th

roug

h M

OU

s an

d M

OA

s an

d SL

As

• Rev

iew

FFA

Ser

vice

Lev

el A

gree

men

t (SL

A) fo

r 20

19 o

nwar

ds;

• Rev

iew

SPC

JCS

and

ensu

re is

sim

ilar w

ith F

FA;

• Dev

elop

SLA

type

arr

ange

men

t with

SPR

EP a

nd

othe

r reg

iona

l par

tner

s.

• Est

ablis

h fo

rmal

arra

ngem

ents

thro

ugh

an M

OU,

MO

A of

SLA

w

ith re

gion

al in

terg

over

nmen

tal o

rgan

isatio

ns;

• Tec

hnic

al a

ssist

ance

targ

et a

ctiv

ities

iden

tifie

d in

the

MO

As

or S

LAs;

• Fish

erie

s Dep

artm

ent i

s re s

pons

ible

in th

e im

plem

enta

tion

of M

OAs

;• P

riorit

y ac

tiviti

es in

thes

e ag

reem

ents

refle

ct n

atio

nal p

riori-

ties;

• Req

uest

for t

echn

ical

ass

istan

ce to

be

chan

nelle

d th

roug

h th

e of

ficia

l pro

toco

l.

• FFA

SLA

succ

essf

ully

impl

emen

ted;

• SPC

Join

t Cou

ntry

Stra

tegy

succ

essf

ully

impl

emen

ted;

• Impl

emen

t at l

east

ano

ther

1 S

LA w

ith a

noth

er in

terg

ov-

ernm

enta

l par

tner

by

2023

.

FFA,

SPC

, USP

, SP

REP,

IRD

, oth

ers

41: P

artn

ersh

ip w

ith

othe

r ext

erna

l par

tner

s• B

y 20

20 V

FD w

ill h

ave

MO

Us w

ith a

ll re

leva

nt

stak

ehol

ders

and

line

Min

istrie

s as w

ell a

s int

erna

-tio

nal N

GO

s, do

mes

tic N

GO

s and

com

mun

ities

.

• Enc

oura

ge o

ther

ext

erna

l par

tner

s to

ente

r int

o M

OA

for

the

serv

ices

they

inte

nd to

pro

vide

;• E

ngag

emen

t with

ext

erna

l par

tner

s on

prio

rity

area

s of

natio

nal i

nter

est;

• Enc

oura

ge p

artn

ersh

ip a

nd c

oope

ratio

n th

at e

nhan

ce a

nd

adva

ncin

g pr

iorit

y w

orks

on

fishe

ries;

• Incl

ude

in th

e ag

reem

ent d

eliv

ery

of re

sear

ch in

form

atio

n on

com

plet

ion

of p

roje

ct;

• Pro

ject

s to

fund

new

pos

ition

s to

the

exist

ing

stru

ctur

e.

• Mor

e pa

rtne

rs se

cure

d an

d ac

tivel

y se

rved

pur

pose

s of

adva

ncin

g do

mes

tic fi

sher

ies a

nd a

quac

ultu

re su

stai

nabl

e m

anag

emen

t and

dev

elop

men

t.

VFD

, oth

er

gove

rnm

ent

line

min

is-tr

ies a

nd d

epar

tmen

ts,

SPC,

FFA

, FAO

, SPR

EP,

othe

r par

tner

s

vanuatu national fisheries - pacific community fisheries sector... · approval of the vanuatu...

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