Fisheries Management Plan of Sierra Leone. Marine Fisheries Sector. 2020-2025

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN OF SIERRA LEONE MARINE FISHERIES SECTOR 2020 - 2025 MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES 7th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATION ...ccccccsssssesscscccsccccssscsccsccccesscsccscccacescsscsscccccsscsccsccecccscsssscccccescssssscccccssossess 1 EXCCULIVE SUININATY ...esscccccecccncesssccccccessesscccccccessssscsccccssssssssccccesscssescccceesesssssccocsscssssssceceesees 2 L INTRODUCTION... .ccccscssessessssscssccscceccsccsccscccccscccccccccscesccsccesccccecccccccccccsscsscescesseseeeeees 3 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR ....ccscssccssessesceseccscescsssssccccssssssssccecees 3 21 Industrial fishery ...ccccsecsccccccccccccccsssssssssnsscccesscccccssecscsccssesessessssecsccescsesseesessseesseseseseseeeeees 3 2.2 Semi-industrial fishery ..cccccccccccesesscsssscscsccccesssscccesssscssceeeseseeessssscsesseccseeeesseeesessssssseseeeeees 4 2.3 Marine artisanal fishery ...cccccccccccssssssssnscsccccessccsccsssssssssneeseeccesssesccscccccsseaeseseeesssessseeeeeees 5 2.4 Inland fishery and Aquaculture ...ccccccsecccccsssnecccccsesecccccsssccccccsneecccesseecscecsuseceesseseeeesensgees 5 3 FISHERIES RESOURCES ....scscsssssscsccsccescsccssccsccccsscessssccsccsscsccssccccescsssescsccsscsssesscecens 6 3.1 The Pelagic fish Stocks ..rsccccccccccccccscsecsssssssssnsccccccesesccccesseccssseseesscessesecccessccesseessssseeeseneeees 6 3.2 The Demersal fish StOCKS ...ccccccccccsssscccessssssscccscsccesssssscsssncceceeesesesesssssscesecceeeesesssseessneeees 6 3.3 Current status of the fisheries reSOUrCES ....cccsersesecessereceececseeceececsenesececnneesecceseeseceeenneseeees 7 3.3.1 Penadeid SHinip Fishery ......cccccccccccccccecscessccseesecescesseesceseesesesesecsaecsasssesesecsscesueseussesscsessseeseesseesasass 7 3.3.2 — Demersal Fishery ......ccccccccccccccccccecscccessceeescceescceescecesesecssesceseseesesecseecssseseeueeeceesecsesensseesseseeeseessaeeges 9 3.3.3. Small Pelagic Fishery... 3.3.4 TUN Fishery ...ccccccccccccccccesccecssceesccesscceeseccessceseesceececssececececsseceseeseesesensecesseeeeseeessseseeeesenseeeesseeenes 4 KEYISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE FISHERIES .....cccsccsscssessccscescsssesecesceceeses 13 5 PURPOSE/OVERALL OBJECTIVE. ....ccccssccsccsccscsssescssccsccscesssscccccsscesssscsscssccssessseces 14 6 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ....cccccccssscssscsccsccsccscssceccccccsccsccsscccccsccscescsccecccscessssees 14 7 SCOPE AND OPERATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN uicsscsscsscsscescesceseeeseeees 15 8S KEY POLICY DRIVERS u...sssssssssessevsscsscsccsccsscsscssssssscscscesscsccsccsccscccscssceccescescescsscseees 15 9 MANAGEMENT MEASURES AND ALTERNATIVES ....scccsccscsssecscsscesssscssccsscssssees 15 9.1 Framework for Management Measures for Shrimp Trawler ........ccssssssssssssscceesevesseenees 15 9.2 Framework for Management Measures for Demersal Trawler ......ssccccssecesssecerssseereeeens 17 9.3 Framework for the Management of the Small pelagic .....cccsesecccessseseccecerrsececssreseceeennes 18 9.4 Framework for the management of TUnd Specie .rcccccssseccecesssescccsssccccecsseesceccsnceceeees 19 10 RELATED MANAGEMENT JURISDICTIONS, LAWS AND POLICIES. .......00000 20 LL REFERENCES, ......ccccccccsccssssssscsccccccscesccsccscccscescescsccccccsscsscsccacccsessssccccccscsscsscccccesesees 20 ABBREVIATION AIS: CECAF: CMA: CMSY: CPUE: EAF: EEZ: FAD: FAO: FMP: GCLME: GDP: GEF-AF: GoSL: GRT: ICCAT: ICLARM: IEZ: IMBO: ISFM: JMC: KPIs MDAs: MFMR: MAF: MoE: MoFED: MPAs: NPOA-IU: R/V: RFMO: ScOP: SLAFUC SLMA: SRFC: SETC: USSR: VMS: Automatic Identification System Committee on Central Eastern Atlantic Fisheries Co Management Association Catch Maximum Sustainable Yield Catch Per Unit Effort Ecosystem Approach for Fisheries Management Exclusive Economic Zone Fish Aggregating Device Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries Management Plan Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Gross Domestic Product Global Environment Facility-Additional Financing Government of Sierra Leone Gross Registered Tonnage International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Inshore Exclusion Zone Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography Institutional Support for Fisheries Management Joint Maritime Committee Key Performance Indicators Ministries, Departments and A gencies Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry of Environment Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Marine Protected Areas National Plan of Action to Deter, Prevent and Eliminate Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Research Vessel Regional Fisheries Management Organization Scientific Observer Programme Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen Consortium Union Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Sub Regional Fisheries Commission Scientific Economic and Technical Committee Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Vessel Monitoring System 1 INTRODUCTION The provisions therein in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act of 2018 provide the legal justification for the development of fisheries management plans for target fish stocks that will set out conservation and management measures that will restore the fish stocks and sustainably utilize the resources for wealth creation at all levels. 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR The fisheries sector is a vital component of the economy of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone's fisheries resources have an estimated capitalised economic value of USD 735 million. Fish catches from the sector are worth an estimated first sale value of over US$ 200 million annually. It provides direct employment to some 200,000 persons and indirect employment to some 600,000 persons (almost 10 percent of the population) along coastlines in Western Area, Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Pujehun and Bonthe. More specifically, in coastal areas an estimated 25 percent of the male population of working age is reported to be involved in part-time fishing. The sector contributes more than 10 percent to the country’s GDP. The total annual production is estimated to be 228,000 tons. The marine artisanal catch is estimated to account for about 150,000 tons (MFMFR IDAS, 2019) and industrial catch production is estimated to be 78,000 tons (MFMER IDAS, 2019). In essence, the marine artisanal subsector accounts the bulk of the total annual fish production in Sierra Leone. The fisheries sector in Sierra Leone is organized in four broad sub sectors — industrial, semi industrial, marine artisanal and inland and aquaculture. 2.1 Industrial fishery The industrial fishery operates mostly in deep waters with average depth 30 meters, beyond the Inshore Exclusion Zone which ranges up to 6 nautical miles from the baseline of the EEZ of Sierra Leone and it is characterized mainly by foreign national fishing fleet which, include fish trawlers, shrimpers, tuna purse seiners, support vessels and carriers. Presently, the purse seiners, demersal fish trawlers, midwater trawlers and shrimpers dominate the industrial fishery. The gross registered tonnage (GRT) of the shrimpers is generally between 100-150 tons whilst that of the finfish trawlers is between 150-600 tons. The tuna purse seiners, carriers and supply vessels operating in Sierra Leone waters have GRTs between 1000-3000. Figure 1 below shows time series data on the evolution of licensed fishing vessels in the EEZ of the Sierra Leone from the 1980s to present. The total fishing fleet progressively increased in the 1980s reaching a peak in 1987 with a total of 300 fishing vessels constituting finfish trawlers, shrimpers, purse seiners, long liners, canoe support vessels. This was due to the lack of comprehensive legislative and management frameworks. Since then, the number started to take a downward dive, fluctuating between 80 to 100, until recently, when the total number of fishing fleet started to increase reaching 156 in 2016. 2.3 Marine artisanal fishery Marine artisanal fishery operates in estuaries, creeks, bays and coastal waters extending from the shoreline to a depth of 15-45m. This fishery comprises of variety of dugout and planked canoes which employs diverse ranges of fishing gears, including cast nets, ringnets, driftnets, setnets, beach seines, pots & traps, fencing and hooks & line. The marine artisanal fishery contributes significantly to the total national fish production. It serves as a social and economic engine for national development as it enhances food security, generates revenue and create employment in the fishing communities. The recent frame survey in 2018 has recorded a total of 12,000 fishing canoes actively operating in Sierra Leone. The total artisanal fleet has increased by 2,000 since the last frame survey in 2011 which recorded 10,000 canoes. The artisanal fishery is not well regulated in terms of effort control, hence, there is a tendency for potential increase in the marine artisanal fleet in the near future if restrictive measures are not taken. The artisanal sector has not progressed significantly over the past 30 years, as fishers use the same fishing craft, engines and fishing gears and are unable to develop due to poor management and low investment in improved technology. 2 Ad eee of Be me 2.4 Inland fishery and Aquaculture Inland fishery operates in rivers, a few lakes, floodplains and swamps. The main revers include Great Scarcies, Little Scarcies, Rokel, Jong, Moa and Sewa. The fishery is also characterized by mostly dugout canoes of diverse sizes that are propelled largely by paddles and sails. The type of species of the freshwater systems depends on the part of the river (Head, upper reaches, middle reaches, lower reaches and estuaries). Some species include Momyrus rume; M. tapirus; Hemichromis fasciatus; Talipia Beutlkoferi, Barbus socratus; Raiamis scarciensis; Auchenoglannis occidentalis; Chrysichthys jahnelsi; Synodontis thysi; Marcursenius mento; Byrycinus longipinis; Sysnodantis thysi; Claris leaviceps; Malapterurus electricus and Lates niloticus. There are wide range fish catching methods including nets, traps, pots, and herbal and poisons. This sector plays a pivotal role in providing cheap protein for the population in the interior as well as income for the fishers, processors and traders. In terms of fish production, it has great potential, which the Government could exploit by providing effective extension support to make it more economically viable and environmentally sustainable. In the case of aquaculture, it is mostly practiced in inland valley swamps and wetlands and it has great potential for development because of the suitable natural environment. The Government, with support from the FAO, World Fish, research institutions and other international agencies has made some strides particularly in the culture of tilapia and catfish species; nonetheless, the immense potential for commercial fish farming is still untapped. Fish farming is still in its rudimentary stage and the enabling environment is inadequate. 3 FISHERIES RESOURCES The Sierra Leone Territorial waters are considered to be endowed with abundant multispecies that are characteristic of marine tropical finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. Some 200 species of fish have been identified in the country’s EEZ. However, about 80 species of finfish have been found to be relatively common with commercial and scientific importance, species mix is highly diversified. The fisheries resources of Sierra Leone may be classified into four main categories: (i) pelagics, (ii) demersals (111) crustaceans and (iv) others (mostly molluscs). 3.1 The Pelagic fish stocks The pelagic fish stocks are classified into true pelagics, semi-pelagics and large pelagics. The clupeids (Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardinella maderensis, Sardinella aurita, Illisha Africana, Caranx hippos,) are the most important of the small pelagics mainly for local consumption. The semi-pelagics include Brachydeuterus auritus, Priacanthus arenatus, Balistes capricus, Ariomma bondi and these are associated with regions of high zooplankton productivity. Large pelagics are found associated with upwelling zones and the important ones include Thunnus albacores, Katsuwonus pelamis and are mainly for international market. 3.2. The Demersal fish stocks The most dominant demersal fish resources are broadly classified into the following families: i) Sciaenidae, which comprise of the croakers, principally Pseudotolithus senegalensis, P. typus and P. brachynathus; ii) Haemulidae, which comprise chiefly of the Pomadasys jubelini, Pomadasys rogeri and Plectorhyncus macrolepis; iii) Sparidae, these are dominated by Sparus caeruleostictus, Pagellus bellotii, P. coupei, Dentex canariensis; and iv) The Polynemidae of which the dominant species are Galeiodes decadactylus, Polydactylus quadrifilis and Pentanemus quinquarius. Other important demersal fish species in Sierra Leone waters are the Lutjanids, dominated by Lutjanus goreensis, and L. dentatus. The Serranidae are also represented largely by Epinephelus aeneus and E. goreensis. Other species include Pseudopeneus prayensis, Drepane Africana, Cynoglossus spp, Arius latiscutatus and A. heudeloti.Sharks and rays are the other important fish stocks in Sierra Leone Waters .The shark species are dominated by the Carcharhinus spp, shyrna spp and Rhizoponodron spp. The ray species include Rhinobatos spp, Dasyatis spp, Raja spp etc. (Lutjanus fulgens golden snapper) Dentex canariensis (Red snapper) The shellfish resources are dominated by the crustaceans (shrimps, crabs and lobster), cephalopods (cuttlefish) and molluscs (gastropods and bivalves). Penaeus notialis (Pink shrimp) 3.3 Current status of the fisheries resources The fisheries resources of Sierra Leone have been subjected to heavy fishing pressure for decades by foreign commercial industrial fishing vessels and the artisanal fishing fleet. Previous surveys in the 1980s had indicated decrease in biomass of key commercially exploited fish species. In 2006 and 2007, the Norwegian fisheries research vessel, R/V Dr. Fridt jof Nansen carried out surveys in Sierra Leone waters under the GCLME! regional project, the surveys estimated the standing stock of about 300,000 metric tons with pelagic constituting about 90% of the estimated biomass. Similarly, in 2008 — 2011, a comprehensive fish stocks assessment surveys were carried out in Sierra Leone waters for three years by the Senegalese research vessel, R/V Itaf Deme under the auspices of the EU-funded project, Institutional Support to Fisheries Management. The results of the survey show that the standing stocks of commercially valuable demersal species are low in comparison to the actual landings, which means that the fishery is harvesting each year a major proportion of the stock at sea, which is symptomatic of a sign of over- exploitation’. Also, length frequency data of the various species shows a low proportion of adult fish in the catch. The survey result also shows an increased exploitation of juvenile sardinella in Sierra Leone by licensed foreign industrial trawlers which has potential social and economic implications especially to the artisanal fishermen as they directly compete for the same resources. The subsequent subsections will highlight the exploitation status of specific targeted fish stocks/assemblages that are of high commercial importance to the fisheries sector of Sierra Leone. 3.3.1 Penaeid Shrimp Fishery The Shrimp fishery is one of the important fisheries in Sierra Leone. There are three most commercially exploited penaeid shrimps in Sierra Leone waters. They include Penaeus notialis (the pink shrimp), which is the most dominant species caught in Sierra Leone; followed by Penaeus kerathurus (Tiger shrimp) and Parapenaeus longirostris (Deepwater rose shrimp), which is less abundant and under exploited. Other species with market potential is the Parapeneopsis atlantica (white shrimp). Both the pink and the tiger shrimps inhabit mud or muddy sand bottoms. The pink shrimp occurs in depths ranging between 10 meters and 100 meters whereas the tiger shrimp occur in depths between 5 meters and 50 meters. The life cycle of the penaeid shrimps is spent in both marine and estuarine environments based on the developmental stages. They spawn at sea and the early life stage of the shrimp later move towards the coastal zones, in bays, estuaries and in the mangrove vegetation in 1 Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem project which was implemented in collaboration with the FAO. 2 Sierra Leone Summary Report - Resource Surveys (2008 - 2011) June 2011, Sierra Leone Institutional Support to Fisheries Management 9th EDF ACP SL 019/1 search of abundant foodstuff and ambient environmental conditions ideal for their growth. As they grow, they tend to migrate toward deeper waters, during which time they are exposed to diverse fishing gears in artisanal, semi-industrial and industrial fisheries, suffering huge juvenile mortality. Studies conducted on the shrimp fishery in Sierra Leone by Ssentongo G. W; Ansa-Emmim M., (1986)? et. al indicated the best shrimping season to be between April and September. This is supported by results from the analysis of time series production catch landings from the Statistics Unit of the MFMR, showing that more than half of the total shrimp catch is landed during this period. This period is rainy season marked with torrential downpour and the catches are mainly of small-sized shrimps. In addition, it is during this period when about three quarters of the recruitment into the shrimp fishery takes place with the highest peaks in April and May. The shrimp fishery plays a critical role in the economic development of Sierra Leone. Since the late 70s when the shrimp fishery came into prominence, the penaeid shrimps have been subjected to incessant fishing intensity by the increasing number of both local and foreign shrimp trawlers that constituted the dominant fleet among the licensed fishing vessels in Sierra Leone. The dominance continued until late 2000 when the fishing capacity drastically reduced with the advent of the midwater trawl fishery. The total annual shrimp landings recorded an unprecedented 3000 tons in 19914. Since then, the production has been declining, stagnating around 1,000 tons in recent time due to decrease in fishing efforts. Despite the importance of the shrimp fishery in Sierra Leone, it has major ecological and socioeconomic problem that it is characterized by high bycatch rates (more than four-fold of the shrimp catch) mainly due to the indiscriminate use of illegal fishing gears in nursery and spawning areas. Biao, A (1996), indicated that the shrimp trawlers deliberately target finfish during the day, making bycatch a target fishery. There is an established market for the bycatch and discards from the shrimp fishery. This situation is worrisome as the composition of the bycatch is largely a mix of adult and juvenile high-valued target finfish species such as the sciaenid, sparids, lutjanids, carangids, crustaceans and cephalopods, etc. In addition, the bycatch rates in the shrimp fishery in recent times, is high resulting in some discards. This is of huge concern to fisheries managers because of its negative effects on sustainability. Independent analyses conducted by Chaytor and Ndomahina (1991), Showers P.A.T (1999)®, ISFM project (2010) and Biao eft al indicated that the harvest capacity had surpassed a sustainable exploitation level. In other words, the shrimp resources are either fully exploited or overexploited. The recent assessment done by the Scientific Observer Program using a ten-year time series (2008 2018) datasets of shrimp catch in Sierra Leone also indicated the shrimp stock to be overexploited’. The various assessments recommended a reduction in the fishing intensity. In view of the current state of the shrimp fishery and considering the ecological, biodiversity and economic importance of the fishery, the MFMR has developed a management framework in Table 4 that will seek to rebuild the shrimp fishery by sustainably exploiting the resource. The 3 Ssentongo G. W; Ansa-Emmim M., 1986 FAO 4 Showers, P.A.T, 1999. Escalation in Shrimp Production in the Sierra Leone Industrial Fishery. Naga, The ICLARM Quarterly (Vol. 22, No.3) July-September 1999 > Baio, A (1996). Bycatch and Selectivity Studies in the Shallow Water Shrimp Traw] Fisheries off Freetown, Sierra Leone. MPhil., Thesis, University of Bergen, Norway. ® Showers, P.A.T, 1991. Status of the shrimp stocks of Sierra Leone. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Fisheries Industries Development, 25-29 November 1991, Freetown, Sierra Leone. (mimeo) 7 Annual Report of the Scientific Observer Program, December, 2019, P.49 management measures will focus on i) to regulate the fishing effort, ii) reduce the volume of by catch, 11) preserve habitat and environment. 3.3.2 Demersal Fishery The demersal fishery plays a pivotal role in the fisheries sector of Sierra Leone. This fishery targets high valued demersal fish resources such as the sparids, sciaenids, albulids, haemulids serranids, polynimids, ariids, etc. These demersal resources have been subjected to increasing exploitation pressure for decades now. The status of some of these demersal resources is highlighted below. 3.3.2.1 Sciaenid (Croakers) Fishery The Sciaenid family constitutes a high percentage in catch landings in Sierra Leone and it plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the fisheries sector as well as contributes to food security and revenue drive. This family includes species of Pseudotolithus senegalensis (Lady), Pseudotolithus typus (Lady long-neck), Pseudotolithus elongatus (Bobo Croaker, Gwangwan), Pseudotolithus brachygnatus (Whiting), Pseudotolithus epipercus (Guinea Croaker). These species are inshore demersal resources and largely distributed inshore and can occur in estuaries and brackish waters with muddy and sandy bottoms. They thrive in a wide range of salinity. The Pseudotolithus senegalensis (Lady), Pseudotolithus typus (Lady long-neck) have a wider distribution and grow faster than Pseudotolithus elongatus. The species can grow to about 30 cm in total length. In Sierra Leone, the croakers which are predominant in coastal inshore waters are commercially exploited mainly by both artisanal fishing vessels in inshore coastal areas. Few industrial fishing vessels sometimes target the croakers outside the inshore exclusion zone. Croakers also constitute a critical portion of the demersal catch landings and the shrimp trawlers take a large proportion of them as by-catch. Over the past decades, the juvenile mortality of these species has been increasing as a result of increase in the by-catch rate in the shrimp fishery. This situation is aggravated by the indiscriminate use of illegal fishing gears in spawning and nursery habitats, thereby causing possible stock recruitment failure or disturbance in stock recruitment. Time-series data on catch landings from the MFMR has shown a declining trend since in the mid-2000. Recent estimates by the CECAF Scientific Sub-Committee Demersal Working Group (South) have concluded that the croakers are either fully exploited or overexploited and recommended to reduce the fishing effort. Despite the decreasing trend in catch landings, fishing intensity continues to increase unabated as the croaker fishing has become a lucrative fishery in recent years, supporting an export oriented onshore processing outfit that exclusively targets croakers. Both decked semi-industrial trawlers and the undecked semi-industrial canoes exclusively target the croakers to supply the ever-growing demand of the processing facilities. The decked semi-industrial trawlers are currently without VMS or AIS transponders and there are frequent reports of them fishing in the IEZ illegally destroying spawning and nursery areas and at the same time competing with small fishing canoes for the coastal resources. This illegal activity, most times lead to destruction of fishing gears of fishermen in the IEZ. The Ministry has plans to install class B AIS transponders on all decked semi-industrial fishing vessels in the near future. The artisanal fishermen that also target the croakers in the IEZ are using under-meshed monofilament fishing nets to harvest the croakers, crustaceans and other fish species in the spawning areas up the rivers that empty into the estuaries, bays, etc. In view of the above and giving the importance of the sciaenid stock to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone, the MFMR is proposing management framework for demersal trawlers in Table 4 with a view to rebuilding the demersal stocks including the scianids to a level that will be sustainably exploited and utilized for the benefit of everyone. The management measures will seek to address the following: i) improve the status of the Sciaenid fish stocks, 11) enhance the wellbeing of the ecosystem. 3.3.2.2 Sparid Fishery The Sparid family forms an important component in the demersal catch landings in Sierra Leone. They constitute Pagrus caeruleosticus, Pagellus bellottii, Dentex angolensis, Dentex congoensis, Dentex canariensis, Dentex macrophthalmus and most of them spawn in coastal waters and spend their adult lives in deep waters. Some of the sparids are multiple spawners and are deep water dwellers. They are high-valued export species and are largely exploited by industrial trawlers and motorized hook and line artisanal canoes with insulated boxes. The bulk of the species are caught as by-catch in the shrimp fishery and in the midwater trawl] fishery that targets a mixture of small pelagic and coastal demersal finfish resources. The sparids have been under high fishing intensity for decades and estimates from several CECAF demersal Working Groups held from late 1990s to recent indicate that the species are either fully exploited or overexploited. In view of the foregoing and considering the importance of the sparids to the socio-economic development of the country, the Ministry has proposed specific management measures with a view to rebuilding the stock and its ecosystem. The proposed measures are found in Table 5 of section 9 of this document. 3.3.3 Small Pelagic Fishery The exploitable species of the small pelagic include Herring (Sardinella spp), Bongo (Ethmalosa fimbriata), Lati (Illisha Africana), Carangids — Mackerels (e.g., Decapterus spp,). However, the Sardinella spp. constitutes the bulk of the small pelagic catches. The Sardinella fish stock exploited in Sierra Leone waters comprises of two species, Sardinella Maderensis (flat herring) and Sardinella aurita (round herring). Sardinella aurita is a Northern fish stock shared among countries in the Eastern Central Atlantic, including Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Sardinella resources are transboundary stocks and make significant socio-economic contributions to these countries. The stock is exploited by both artisanal fishery and industrial fishery. In Sierra Leone, the flat herring (Sardinella maderensis) contributes significantly to food security and socio-economic development of the artisanal fishermen. The Sardinella fish stock is currently being subjected to high fishing pressure, with the juvenile herring (normally called Mina) exclusively being exploited for an existing thriving market due to societal preference for the juvenile herring. The “Mina” fishing is now a fishery in its own right. Several assessments have indicated that the herring stock is fully exploited. Baio (2010)® observed 8 Ssentongo G. W; Ansa-Emmim M., 1986 FAO 10 the decline of the contribution of herring to the artisanal catch from 60.1% in 1973 to only 12.6% in 2006 and suspected growth overfishing may be the cause due to the intensification of the Mina fishery. Recent analysis of CPUE trends from IFDAS datasets already identified signs of stock instability under very high fishing intensity on the Sierra Leone shelf (see Table 1 below). The 2019 Fridtjof Nansen acoustic survey under the EAF Nansen project recorded a total biomass of 130,800 tons for the Sardinella spp. (Sardinella maderensis = 37,500 ton; Sardinella aurita = 93,300 tons). Table Catch statistics for Sardinella spp. (DOTS 28,744.43 4.853 POTS 36,001.30 4.864 OU 52,351.88 5.772 PUTS 38,023.01 4.116 The comparative analysis in Table 2 below illustrates a decline in biomass estimates for Sardinella spp. in trawl] surveys dating from the 1990s to 2019. Table 2 Comparison of biomass estimates for Sardinella spp. from 1991 — 2019. Biomass (Mainly (Sardinella) (Tonnes) GoSL/USSR/FAO, 1982-1991 513,400 GCLME R’/V Fridtjof Nansen, April to May 2006 269,000 GCLME Fridtjof Nansen, May —June 2007 100,000 ISFM Project, R/V ITAf Deme, May-June 2008 227,000 R/V Itaf Deme, May to June ,2009 282,100 R/V Itaf Deme, Nov. to Dec., 2010 231,400 R/V Fridtjof Nansen, Aug. to Sept., 2019 130,800 (S. aurita,93,300, S. maderensis, 37,500 Biomass (2018) 112,000 MSY =7940; Catch =38,023 (P.A.T. Showers (2020). ScOP report ( biomass?) Also, recent hike in the fishing intensity due to increase in the number of midwater trawlers has also exerted excessive pressure on the health of the stock. In view of the above and considering the socio-economic importance of the Sardinella stock to Sierra Leone, the MFMR is proposing management framework that will prevent further overfishing and possible collapse of the fishery. The management objectives will seek to achieve the following: restore biomass of fully and overexploitation coastal fisheries resources; enhance ecosystem well-being by preserving and minimizing adverse impacts on the ecosystem and improve governance of the marine artisanal fishery sector. The management measures are found in Table 5 below. 3.3.4 Tuna Fishery Sierra Leone is geographically located along the West Coast of Africa in the Eastern Central Atlantic, where there is an abundance of Tuna and tuna-like species as well as other large pelagic species. Sierra Leone has been known as a country with enormous potential for tuna fishery from the late 1950s and since then distant water tuna fishing vessels have been exploiting the tuna and tuna-like resources in the EEZ. The nationalities of tuna fleet currently licensed in Sierra Leone 8 Showers, P.A.T, 1999. Escalation in Shrimp Production in the Sierra Leone Industrial Fishery. Naga, The ICLARM Quarterly 11 largely include Spain, France, Belize, Ghana, Senegal, Panama, Italy, etc. The species exploited are mainly Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), Bluefin tuna (Zhunnus thynnus). The catches also constitute Billfishes and other large pelagic species such as the Atlantic white marlin (Kajika thazard), Atlantic sailfish ([stiophorus albicans), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) that are fished directly or are incidental to the tuna catch. Other tuna species occurring in the catch are frigate tuna (Auxis thazard), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and the mackerels (Scomberomorus species). The exploitation of the Atlantic tunas in Sierra Leone by distant water tuna fishing vessels has been increasing since early 2010 contributing about close to 50% of the total annual revenue accrued from the license fees. Despite this increase, the fishery is associated with increased incidental catches (by-catch) due to the increasing use of fish aggregating device (FAD) fishing. The by-catch caught by purse seiners are discarded at sea or conserved for consumption on board or sold on the West Africa’s markets. The juvenile tunas which largely constitute Skipjack are mainly landed for use by tuna canneries in the region. This existing market is somehow serving to incentivize purse seiners and long liners operating in the region to catch juvenile tunas. There are 33% licensed tuna fleet operating in Sierra Leone that are fitted with the national vessel monitoring system (VMS), and there are plans underway to install VMS on all the fleet. In addition, fisheries observers have still not been assigned on board licensed tuna fleet. This situation has led to ineffective monitoring of activities of licensed tuna fleet operating offshore of the EEZ of Sierra Leone. In as much as Sierra Leone is a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the MFMR has proposed specific management measures that will compliment ICCAT regulations that geared towards effective management of the tuna fishery. With insights on the status of some key fish stocks from the preceding subsections, the Ministry with support from the World Bank GEF-AF project, has instituted a fish stock assessment through the Scientific observer Program which IMBO is currently implementing. The preliminary report of the scientific observer program carried out by IMBO in collaboration with the MFMR has also indicated that the landings of industrial fishing vessels is predominantly pelagic species in recent time, and this is of concern. The encoding of data from the industrial fisheries including the backlogs has provided 10-years’ time-series catch-and-effort data that has enabled the initial estimation of the essential parameters for indicator species and taxonomic groups to obtain estimates of the reference points needed for management. The Catch Maximum Sustainable Yield (CMSY) model was applied to this decade-long set of fisheries statistical data in the newly created database holdings of the ministry, and the following management parameters were estimated: MSY, Biomass, Bmsy, Fmsy, M, B/Bmsy, F/Fmsy. The results of stock assessment analyses and graphical trends indicate that the Sierra Leone fisheries was indeed under very heavy exploitation particularly during the period 2015-2017. The results did not identify signs of overfishing between the years of 2008-2014; negative estimates started to appear in 2015 until the peak in 2016-17. Signs of overfishing were so evident that the MFMR was obliged to act promptly and impose some very strong management measures to arrest the negative trend. These measures included the limiting the number of licensed vessels, increasing the licensing fees and the imposition of a 1-month closed season on industrial fishing during the month of April, 2019. 12 4 KEY ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE FISHERIES As mentioned in the preceding section, the excessive exploitation of the fish species closed to the coast as a result of increasing pressure of fishing effort in the capture fisheries has considerably increased the fishing mortality over the years. Although the total number of the industrial fishing fleet is gradually decreasing due to the moratorium that was instituted for new entrants since 2018, the artisanal fishing fleet currently operating in the EEZ of Sierra Leone is 12,000 units according to the 2018 frame survey report. There is likely indication that the increasing trend of the artisanal fleet will continue if mitigating actions are not taken now. Over the past decades, juvenile mortality of these fish species has been increasing in the by-catch and discards in the industrial traw] fishery, particularly in the shrimp fishery. Significant quantities of the by-catch are juveniles of targeted high-valued species. This situation is largely due to the indiscriminate use of destructive fishing methods and illegal fishing nets in spawning and nursery areas by industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal fishing fleets. Additionally, the average active trawling hours in the industrial fishery have been increasing progressively in recent time. In 2016, the VMS data recorded 188,000 active trawling hours for all licensed industrial trawlers, whilst in 2017, an average of 254,106 active fishing hours for all trawlers was recorded by the VMS, which is about 26% increase in just one year. (See table below) Table 3 Trend in trawling hours by vessel/gear type between 2016 and 2017 Fisheries industrial statistics based on records for 2016 and 2017 compared T Tr Pelagic trawlers 16 T increase n The above issues have largely contributed to the overexploitation of most valuable fish stocks. The fish stocks are undergoing both recruitment and growth overfishing. Recent estimates by the CECAF Scientific Sub-Committees Demersal Working Group (South) in 2017 have recommended an overall reduction of fishing effort and catch as most of the commercially exploited species in the region are either fully exploited or over-exploited. The economic analysis of the industrial fishery shows that the fishery does not deliver the expected benefit to the national economy. The payment of license fees, royalties, transshipment and landing fees even at the increased rates imposed in the past year does not make up for the costs of overfishing and the prevention of profitability by the national industry. The fisheries also faced with another threat mainly caused by anthropogenic activities that have negative implication to the health of the aquatic and marine ecosystem. The indiscriminate removal of the vegetation cover such as the mangrove plant as wood for fish smoking, boat building, rice farming, salt mining, housing etc. has degraded spawning and nursey habitats, thereby causing 13 possible stock recruitment failure or disturbance in stock recruitment. The continuous pollution of the marine environment with plastics, heavy metal chemicals from runoffs, etc. can have long lasting negative impact on the flora and fauna of the breeding and nursery areas. Another threat to the sustainable management of the fisheries resources is limited knowledge of the current fish stocks status. There is inadequate reliable information on the exploitation status of both the demersal and pelagic resources. The last comprehensive fish stocks assessment was conducted in 2007 with the support from the EU. Although there is an ongoing effort to evaluate the fish stocks using the Scientific Fisheries Observer program through the World Bank funded project, GEF-AF, it is crucial that a comprehensive fish stock appraisal is conducted to ascertain the current biomass (standing stock) vis-a-vis the potential yield and fishing effort per fishery. The recent fish stock assessment conducted by the Norwegian Research Vessel, Fridt jof Nansen and the ongoing fishery survey funded by the Chinese Government will provide insight on the current status of the fish stocks and inform management on the measures to take to effectively manage the fisheries resources. However, in the absence of the required data and stock assessment results, the Ministry is implementing a precautionary approach through the measures mentioned above. In addition, the Statistics Unit of the Ministry that monitors the performance of both the input and output of the fisheries by collecting and analyzing daily catch and effort data needs a considerable support in order to improve the fisheries data collection system that will generate quality and reliable fisheries and socioeconomic data. Data collection in the artisanal sub-sector has not been comprehensive for the past nine years. Although data collection was done in some landing sites, the Ministry needs to urgently improve data collection and analysis with a view to providing benchmarks for informed management decisions. Effective enforcement of the Fisheries Acts and the Regulations has been a challenge due to inadequate subvention from the central Government. Also, there is need for institutional reform for the Ministry to improve on its performance. Sierra Leone cannot export fish and fisheries products to the European Union due to lack of functioning Competent Authority that is able to demonstrate compliance with sanitary and hygiene standards and adhering to regulations. This is a disincentive to potential investors to invest into export-oriented processing facilities. 5 PURPOSE/OVERALL OBJECTIVE The overall objective of this fisheries management plan is to create a profitable fisheries sector that contributes significantly to socio-economic development through sustainable management and utilization of fisheries resources while also conserving the environment. In the medium term, the management plan will set levels of sustainable exploitation for targeted fisheries and create rights and allocation mechanisms for such fisheries. 6 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES This management plan seeks to achieve the following management objectives: i. To regulate the fishing effort by fishing fleets in both the industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal sub-sectors to a level that will ensure sustainable exploitation of fish stocks at maximum economic yield (MEY) ii. To improve the status of target fish stocks within biologically acceptable levels iii. To protect aquatic and marine habitats and biodiversity 14 iv. To improve the knowledge-base on the status of the fish stocks v. To effectively implement the fisheries legislation and regulations vi. To enhance value addition and export opportunities vil. Tostrengthen stakeholder engagement in decision making process vill. To ensure compliance with regional and international fisheries instruments ix. To provide for food security through fish supply x. To provide for a profitable national industry xi. To ensure effective service delivery of the MFMR 7 SCOPE AND OPERATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN The plan will cover a period of five years, from September 2020 to August 2025. In order to successfully implement the plan, an annual work plan will be hived out every year during the 5-year duration. They will be subjected to review by the MFMR in collaboration with the Scientific, Economic and Technical Committee (SETC) and research institutions including IMBO based on any major changes in the exploitation state of the fish resources. During the period in question, an effective data collection system will be established, and relevant data collected will be analysed by the Statistics Unit of the MFMR in collaboration with IMBO. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources will prepare annual report on the status of the resources and progress on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of Management Plan, which will be presented to the SETC for discussion and approval and thereafter shared to relevant stakeholders. 8 KEY POLICY DRIVERS The management plan will be consistent with the guiding principles for the sustainable exploitation and development of the resources such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management; the Principle of Precautionary Approach, the Fisheries Policy, 2016, Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2018, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations, 2019 and the Medium-Term National Development of Sierra Leone 9 MANAGEMENT MEASURES AND ALTERNATIVES As mentioned earlier, this section will focus on instituting frameworks for management of the following fleet segment targeting shrimp species, demersal species, small pelagic and tuna species respectively. The measures and recommendations in this section will seek to restore the stocks as a whole and the ecosystem wellbeing of the marine environment. 9.1 Framework for Management Measures for Shrimp Trawlers Table 4 Management Measures for Shrimp Trawlers a. Moratorium on licensing of additional No. of Fishing MFMR, JMC, Jan 2020 fishing vessels implemented*~ license SLMA b. Seasonal Closed Season implemented No fishing period MFMR, JMC, 2021 every year CMA c. Shrimp fishing restricted to 15 nm VMS data MFMR,JMC June 2022 during day and from 6pm -6am) at night by June 2022 d. Trawling hours restricted to 4 hrs. per WMS trawl data MFMR,JMC December trawl. 2022 e. Reduction of illegal fishing in the artisanal sector h. Capping of shrimp trawlers Number of legal fishing nets Pp Pp a. Reduced volume of by-catch by 40% By-catch data MFMR,JMC Jan 2025 during the life of the plan b. The mesh size of the Cod-end of the Size of fish MFMR,JMC Dec 2020 trawl net increased to 45mm landed c. Square mesh panels in shrimp trawl By-catch data MFMR,JMC June 2023 gear for juvenile escape implemented Lo a. All Shrimp and Cephalopod trawlers VMS data MFMR,JMC Sept 2020 are fitted with satellite-based VMS that is functional Co [Bane aa | a. 100% coverage of Fisheries Observers Fisheries MFMR, JMC ongoing on board licensed shrimp trawlers Observer report LC a. All four MPAs operationalized and Number of MFMR, JMC, June 2022 enforced marker buoys Consortium installed b. Inshore exclusion zones (IEZ) WMS data and MFMR,JMC Sept 2020 enforced Logbook a. Mangrove’ vegetation cover is Percentage of MFMR, Jan 2025 improved during the life of the plan mangrove cover MoAF, MoE preserved b. Improved fuel-efficient smoked ovens No. of improved MFMR, MoA, 2025 widely used by fish processors within smoked ovens MoE the 5" year of the plan [| c. Reduce Conflict between industrial and ongoing Artisanal sector a. Biomass of principal fish stocks Assessment MFMR,JMC Dec 2023 determined reports with Biomass b. Regular catch and effort and biological Records of MFMR,JMC Jan 2021 data on shrimp fishery collected and updated catch and analyzed effort data ( “““ The cumulative number of licensed fishing trawlers (shrimp, cephalopods, pelagic and demersal) is fixed at a maximum of 70 vessels as a precautionary measure. The number will be reviewed after the completion of a comprehensive fish stock assessment which is ongoing. 9.2. Framework for Management Measures for Demersal Trawlers Table 5 Management measures for the Demersal Trawlers data on key fish stocks collected, effort data report | a. Moratorium on licensing of additional — No. of vessels MFMR,JMC Jan 2020 fishing vessels implemented*** licensed b. Restriction of vessel size limitation Vessel size MFMR,JMC Sept 2020 implemented c. Total number of active trawling hours Trawling time MFMR,JMC Jun 2021 reduced to 4hrs per trawl d. Seasonal Closure implemented every No fishing MFMR, JMC 2021 year Pd a. Reduced volume of by-catch by 20% Volume of by- MFMR,JMC Jan 2025 during the life of the plan catch b. The mesh size of the Cod-end of the Average size of MFMR,JMC Dec 2022 trawl net increased to 70 mm fish landed c. Ban on the use of monofilament nets No. of legal MFMR, JMC June 2021 enforced fishing net used a. All demersal and mid-water trawlers VMS data MFMR, JMC Sept 2020 fitted with satellite-based VMS that is functional b. All decked semi-industrial trawlers AIS data MFMR, JMC June 2021 fitted with AIS Class-B transponders cas a. 100% coverage of Fisheries Observers Observer Report MFMR,JMC Sept 2020 on board licensed industrial trawlers Radio report b. Frequent fisheries patrols conducted No. of patrols MFMR,JMC Ongoing c. Frequent community surveillance No. of patrols MFMR,JMC Ongoing patrols conducted by CMAs d. Frequent spot-check on fishing vessels No. of spot MFMR,JMC Ongoing during discharge, landings and checks conducted transshipment a. All four MPAs operationalized and MFMR,JMC Mid 2022 enforced b. Inshore exclusion zones restriction MFMR,JMC Ongoing enforced c. Mangrove vegetation cover in fragile MFMR, Jan 2025 habitats is improved during the life of MoAF, MoE the plan a. Micro-credit project granted and No. of Micro- MoFED, Sept 2024 implemented credit projects MFMR, other implemented MDAs a. Biomass of principal fish stocks Survey reports MFMR,JMC Dec 2022 determined with update biomass b. Regular catch and effort and biological Updates catch and MFMR Jan 2021 BR 7 eee collated and analysed c. Fisheries Observers and enumerators frequently trained comprehensive fish stock assessment which is ongoing. 9.3 Framework for the Management of the Small pelagic Table 6 Management measures for Pelagic Trawlers number of MFMR personnel trained, and quality of data improved Sept 2020 The cumulative number of licensed fishing trawlers (shrimp, cephalopods, pelagic and demersal) is fixed at a maximum of 70 vessels as a precautionary measure. The number will be reviewed after the completion of a ( a. Moratorium on licensing of No. of licensed MFMR, JMC Jan 2020 additional fishing vessels vessels implemented*** b. Restriction of vessel size limitation Size of vessel MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 implemented SLMA, Navy c. Total number of active trawling hours Trawling time MFMR, JMC June 2021 reduced to 4hrs d. Seasonal Closure implemented every No fishing MFMR 2021 year e. Regulate the entrants of new artisanal Number of MFMR, JMC, fishing fleet to the fishery artisanal fishing Consortium vessel capped a. Regulate the fishing of Juvenile MFMR, JMC, June 2022 herring (Minah) Navy b. The mesh size of the Cod-end of the Size of fish MFMR, JMC Dec 2022 trawl net increased from 60 mm to 70 mm c. Ban on the use of monofilament nets No. of illegal MFMR, JMC June 2022 and other illegal fishing gears and fishing nets methods enforced seized a. All industrial trawlers fitted with VMS data MFMR, JMC, June 2021 satellite-based VMS that is functional Navy b. All decked semi-industrial trawlers AIS data MFMR, JMC, Dec 2021 fitted with AIS Class-B transponders Navy Cd a. 100% coverage of Fisheries Observer Report MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 Observers on board licensed trawlers Radio report Navy a. Regular fisheries patrols conducted No. of patrols MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 Navy b. Regular community surveillance No. of patrols MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 patrols conducted by CMAs and Navy, CMA Consortium c. Regular patrols conducted in the No. of patrols MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 MPAs by the CMAs Navy, CMA d. Regular spot-check on fishing vessels No. of spot MFMR, JMC, Sept 2020 during discharge, landings and checks Navy transshipment conducted a. Biomass of pelagic fish stocks Quantity of MFMR,IMBO Dec 2022 determined catch b. Regular catch and effort and Catch and effort MFMR,IMBO Jan 2021 2 s p £ eke biological data on pelagic fishery collected Biological sampling system in fish landing sites implemented Regulations and international conventions applied Exchange views and information on fishing access agreements targeting pelagic resources Regional cooperation on sustainable management enforced data Length Frequency, Maturity, Growth Regional management measures National fisheries data MFMR, IMBO MFMR, MDAs, SRFC, RFMO MFMR, MDAs, SRFC, RFMO MFMR, MDAs, SRFC, RFMO Jun 2021 Jan 2021 2021 2021 The cumulative number of licensed fishing trawlers (shrimp, cephalopods, pelagic and demersal) is fixed at a maximum of 70 vessels as a precautionary measure. The number will be reviewed after the completion of a comprehensive fish stock assessment which is ongoing. 9.4 Framework for the management of Tuna species Table 7 Management Measures for Tuna Fishing Vessels consistent with regional data needs po ew a. Quota per species implemented Catch per species MFMR, JMC, Sept 2024 ICCAT a. FAD management plan developed MFMR, Tuna MFMR, JMC, Jan 2022 by operators and approved by Vessels Operators Navy, SLMA MFMR Eee a. By-catch mitigation measures Volume of by- MFMR,JMC Jan 2024 implemented catch rears a. Tuna vessels fitted with satellite- VMS data MFMR, JMC ongoing based VMS that is functional Po a. 10% coverage of Fisheries Observer Report MFMR, JMC Sept 2023 Observers on board licensed Tuna Radio report vessels a. Regular fisheries patrols conducted No. of patrols MFMR,JMC Sept 2020 b. All Tuna vessels monitored with AIS data MFMR, JMC Jan 2021 AIS transponders 24/7 b. Complied with ICCAT No. of MFMR,JMC Jan 2023 recommendation to monitor transshipment at transship at sea sea a. ICCAT recommendation complied — Update data sets MFMR, JMC, Short term with reporting system ICCAT b. Data collection and submission to Updates catch and MFMR Jun 2021 ICCAT improved effort data report a. More trained staff recruited to No. of trained Jan 2021 improve data collection regime staff b. Frequent capacity building program No. of trained MFMR,JMC Jan 2021 for all technical and scientific staff staff involved in data collection conducted Sento c. Logbook information updated Logbook MFMR Jan 2021 10 RELATED MANAGEMENT JURISDICTIONS, LAWS AND POLICIES The provisions and measures in this plan are consistent with the following: i. The 2016 National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy ii. Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2018 iii. Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations 2019, 11 REFERENCES Baio, A (1996). Bycatch and Selectivity Studies in the Shallow Water Shrimp Traw] Fisheries off Freetown, Sierra Leone. MPhil., Thesis, University of Bergen, Norway. CECAF Scientific Sub-Committees Demersal Working Group (South) in 2017 Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem project which was implemented in collaboration with the FAO. Arthur E. Neiland, A. E., Cunningham, S., Arbuckle, M., Baio, A., Bostock, T., Coulibaly, D., Gitonga, N. K., Long, R., Sei, S., 2016. Assessing the Potential Contribution of Fisheries to Economic Development —The Case of Post-Ebola Sierra Leone Showers, P.A.T, 1991. Status of the shrimp stocks of Sierra Leone. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Fisheries Industries Development, 25-29 November 1991, Freetown, Sierra Leone. (mimeo) Annual Report of the Scientific Observer Program, December, 2019, P.49 Showers, P.A.T, 1999. Escalation in Shrimp Production in the Sierra Leone Industrial Fishery. Naga, The ICLARM Quarterly Showers, P.A.T, 1999. Escalation in Shrimp Production in the Sierra Leone Industrial Fishery. Naga, The ICLARM Quarterly (Vol. 22, No.3) July-September 1999 Showers, P.A.T. (2020). Annual Scientific Observer Program (ScOP) Report. MFMR and IMBO Scientific Observer Program. 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