Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-2031

A N N I V E R S A R Y A N N I V E R S A I R E 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 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 © 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. v 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 MALFFB Directors 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. Ladies and gentlemen, 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. vii 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. Ladies and gentlemen, 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; Ladies and gentlemen, 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 Research CDS catch documentation scheme CLS Collecte Localisation Satellites COTS crown-of-thorns starfish EIA environmental impact assessment EM electronic monitoring ER electronic reporting EU European Union FAD fish aggregating device FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FFA Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency FMAC Fisheries Management Advisory Council IATF international authorization to fish ICCAT international Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ICT information and communication technology INGO International non-governmental organisation IOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IRD Institut de recherche pour le développement IUU illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency MALFFB Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Fisheries and Bio-security MCS monitoring, compliance and surveillance MIPU Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utility MOA memorandum of agreement MOU memorandum of understanding NPOA 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 disease NGO non-governmental organisation NPFC North Pacific Fisheries Commission OGCIO Office of the Government Chief Information Officer PMW Police Maritime Wing PSC Public Service Commission PWD Public Works Department RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organisation SFVA Seafood Verification Authority SLO State Law Office SPC Pacific Community SPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme TAG Technical Advisory Group UNDP United Nations Development Programme USP University of the South Pacific VARTC Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre VCF Vanuatu Cooperative Federation VDS vessel day scheme VFD Vanuatu Fisheries Department VIPA Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority VISR Vanuatu International Shipping Registry VMS vessel monitoring system VMSS vessel monitoring system services VPMW Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing VUFIMS Vanuatu Fisheries Information System WCPFC 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 g 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 Overview The 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 process The 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 Vision Healthy and sustainable fisheries sector for the long-term economic, social and food security for current and future generations of the Republic of Vanuatu. Mission To 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 principles The 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) Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-20318 Strategic policy objectives This 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. 9 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. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203110 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. 11 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 sector Policy 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 Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203112 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. 13 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 development Policy 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. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203114 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 Palekula Policy 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 15 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 Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203116 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. 17 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 directives 1. 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 outbreak 4. 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 damage 6. Coordinate stakeholders to assess crown-of-thorn outbreak and damage 7. 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 directives 1. 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 disasters 4. Implement and enforce fisheries regulations at the community level 5. Train fishers on fish value-adding for use during disasters 6. 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 ment 10. Provide adequate training to fishers, and strengthen fishers associations and encourage the cooperation of all fishers. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203118 Strategic action 26: Promote community-based management and climate change adaptation Policy directives 1. 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 directives 1. 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 security Policy directives 1. 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. 19 Strategic action 29: Centralise Fisheries Department data management system Policy directives 1. 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 directives 1. 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 directives 1. 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 directives 1. 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 Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203120 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 directives 1. 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 directives 1. 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 fisheries Policy directives 1. 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 21 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 vessels Policy 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. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203122 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. 23 Policy implementation process Steps in the process In 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 evaluation Effective 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. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203124 A n n e x 1 : I m p l e m e n t a t i o n f r a m e w o r k f o r t h e N a t i o n a l F i s h e r i e s S e c t o r P o l i c y S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 1 : I n s t i t u t i o n a l s t r e n g t h e n i n g a n d g o o d g o v e r n a n c e Su st ai ne d re so ur ce s an d re so ur ci ng th at s tr en gt he n th e fi sh er ie s in st itu tio n in p ro m ot in g an d en su ri ng g oo d go ve rn an ce , c ap ac ity bu ild in g, tr ai ni ng a nd te ch ni ca l s er vi ce d el iv er y St ra te gi c p ol ic y ac tio ns Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es /d ir ec ti ve s In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 1: S tr en g th en in st it ut io n al an d a d m in is te r a n d e n fo rc e th e fis h er ie s se ct or p ol ic y an d re g ul at io n s th at p ro m ot e g oo d g ov er n an ce • Re vi ew th e or g an is at io n al s tr uc tu re b y 20 17 an d im p le m en ta tio n b y 20 18 ; • M C S St ra te g y fo r C oa st al F is h er ie s b y 20 17 ; • C re w in g p o lic y an d r eg u la ti o n s co m p le te d b y 20 17 ; • G ui d el in es o n a cc es s to fi n an ce a n d s of t l oa n s b y 20 18 . • Re vi ew th e or g an is at io n al s tr uc tu re , c re at e n ew p os iti on s; • In cr ea se b ud ge ta ry s up p or t, up s ki ll st af f; • Fa ci lit at e ac ce ss to fi na nc e an d s of t l oa ns ; • Im p ro ve M C S; • En ac t, re vi ew a nd e nf or ce re gu la to ry fr am ew or k; • Im pl em en t r ec om m en da tio ns o f t he IS P re po rt . • N ew V FD o rg an is at io na l s tr uc tu re c om p le te d an d im p le m en te d ; • M C S St ra te g y on C oa st al F is he rie sa p p ro ve d fo r i m p le m en ta tio n; • C re w in g p ol ic y an d le gi sl at io ns ap p ro ve d fo r im p le m en ta tio n. VF D , o th er g ov er n m en t lin e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , RF M O s, S PC , F FA , d on or a g en ci es , an d N G O s 2: T ra in a ll w or ke rs in th e fis h er ie s se ct or • By 2 01 8, V FD h um an re so ur ce p la n is d ev el op ed an d a p p ro ve d ; • A t l ea st 1 2 n at io na l t ra in in g s co m p le te d e ve ry ye ar , 2 01 7 20 26 ; • A t l ea st 1 n at io na l t ra in in g fo r f is he rm en a nd ru ra l c om m un iti es c om p le te d e ve ry y ea r; • A t l ea st 2 3 s ch ol ar sh ip s fo r u n d er g ra d ua te a n d p os t g ra d ua te s tu d ie s in fi sh er ie s an d aq ua cu ltu re a s of 2 01 8; • C re w tr ai ni ng c om m en ce b y 20 17 ; • Sc h oo l c ur ric ul um d ev el op m en t c om p le te d b y 20 17 . • D ev el op tr ai n in g p la n , t ra in in g s yl la b us a n d m od ul es , ca p ac ity b ui ld in g o p p or tu n iti es , w or k at ta ch m en ts a n d ex ch an g e p ro g ra m m es , a n d fo rm al tr ai n in g o f o ffi ce rs ; • A llo ca te b ud g et fo r t ra in in g ; • W or k w ith p ar tn er s an d d on or to s up p or t t ra in in g ; • C on su lta tio n o n s ch oo l c ur ric ul um a n d fi n al is at io n . • H um an re so ur ce d ev el op m en t a nd tr ai ni ng p ol ic y is in p la ce a nd im p le m en te d ; • N at io na l t ra in in g s fo r o b se rv er s, Va nu at u ha ve d eb rie fe rs , t ra in in g b ud g et a llo ca tio n fis he rm en tr ai n in g s co nd uc te d a nn ua lly ; • 1 2 sc ho la rs hi p s ea ch y ea r o nf is he rie s an d a qu ac ul tu re (m as te rs a nd P hD s on s to ck a ss es sm en t,m od el lin g ); • Sc h o o l c u rr ic u lu m c o m p le te d a n d u se d in s yl la b u s b y 20 18 . VF D , V M C ,g ov er n m en t lin e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , fis h in g in d us tr y, fis h er s as so ci at io n s, d on or p ar tn er s, SP C , F FA , tr ai n in g in st itu tio n s 25 3: In fo rm a n d e d uc at e th e p ub lic o n re le va nt fis h er ie s d ev el op m en ts • C om p le te th e in fo rm at io n d is se m in at io n p ro ce d ur e b y 20 18 ; • In fo rm at io n of fic er re cr ui te d ; • Ef fe ct iv e m ed ia l c om m un ic at io ns fo r n ew s ar tic le s fo r r ad io , T V an d n ew sp ap er s at le as t 4 –6 tim es a y ea r; • Pr om ot e fis he rie s in fo rm at io n an d d is se m in at io n d ur in g p ub lic fo ru m s, se m in ar s an d w or ks ho p s – an nu al a ct iv ity ; • O rg an is e d oc um en ta ry fi lm s; • D ev el op s ch oo l c ur ric ul um m at er ia ls . • In fo rm at io n se cu rit y st an d ar d a p p ro ve d a nd im p le m en te d ; • C om m un ic at io ns o ffi ce r r ec ru ite d ; • N ew s ar tic le s fo r r ad io , T V, s ch oo ls a nd ne w sp ap er s co nt in uo us ly d is se m in at ed ; • Sc ho ol c ur ric ul um m at er ia l c om p le te d. • Pr oc ed ur e on in fo rm at io n se cu rit y in p la ce ; • 50 % o f a ll fo ru m s an d s ch oo ls c ov er ed in th e fir st 5 ye ar s of th e p ol ic y; • 90 –1 00 % c om p le te d w ith fi sh er ie s in fo rm at io n p ub lic d om ai n on ly w el l d is se m in at ed in th e co un tr y; • Sc ho ol c ur ric ul um u se d to d ev el op s yl la b us . VF D , S LO ,F FA , S PC , La w C om m is si on , N G O s 4: M ai nt ai n g oo d re p ut at io n fo r f is h in g ve ss el s in th e Sh ip p in g R eg is tr y • Pr ep ar e fo r t he re vi ew , c om p le te d b y la te 2 01 7; • C on su lta nc y is ta rg et ed to b e co m p le te d in 2 01 8; • Re fo rm o f V an ua tu o p en fl ag re gi st ry • ex p ec te d to b e co m p le te d b y 20 20 . • C on d uc t d ue d ili g en ce o n al l v es se ls e nt er in g an d e xi tin g V IS R; • U p d at e re co rd o f f is hi ng v es se ls ; • Ve ss el s as se ss ed b ef or e; • M ai n ta in c le an re co rd o f I U U a n d re la te d c rim in al ac tiv iti es b y re g is te rin g, fl ag g in g, c h ar te rin g a n d lic en si n g fi sh in g v es se ls ; • M ai nt ai n g oo d c oo p er at io n w ith R FM O ; • Ti m el y p ay m en t o f a nn ua l R FM O d ue s. • C on su lta nc y re p or t a p p ro ve d a nd re co m m en d at io ns im p le m en te d a p p ro p ria te ly ; • IU U re co rd s b y fla g v es se ls re d uc ed b y 60 –8 0% in th e fir st 5 y ea rs , a nd 1 00 % b y 20 26 ; • Ve ss el re gi st ry re fo rm ed w ith fu nc tio ns c on si st en t w ith b es t p ra ct ic e. VF D ,R FM O , V IS R, fi sh in g in d us tr y, g ov er n m en t lin e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , o th er st ak eh ol d er s 5: S tr en g th en p ar ti ci p a ti on o f s ta ke h ol d er s • By 2 02 0 re le va n t m em or an d a of u n d er st an d in g si g n ed b et w ee n th e VF D a n d re le va n t a g en ci es a n d c om m un iti es in s up p or t o f r es ou rc e m an ag em en t; • By 2 02 6 at le as t e ac h p ro vi nc e ha s a w or ki ng T A G fo r f is he rie s in p la ce , w ith im p ro ve d v is ib ili ty a nd fa ir p ar tic ip at io n in re so ur ce m an ag em en t. • C on su lt w ith s ta ke ho ld er s in im p or ta nt fi sh er ie s d ev el op m en ts ; • En g ag e w ith fo rm al a nd in fo rm al re so ur ce g ro up s at g ov er nm en t a nd c om m un ity le ve l; • A ct iv at e th e ro le o f t he M an ag em en t A d vi so ry C om m itt ee ; • D ev el op M O U s to g ov er n c rit ic al in te r ag en cy re la tio n sh ip s. • A ct iv e FM A C , p ro vi nc es w ill h av e an a ct iv e TA G fo r e ffe ct iv e m an ag em en t o f f is he rie s; • C om p os iti on o f F M A C s w ill a t l ea st h av e a fe m al e an d ot he r n on f is he rie s st ak eh ol d er . VF D , l in e g ov er n m en t m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar t m en ts , p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en t, N G O s, fis h er s as so ci at io n s fis h in g in d us tr y 6: P ro vi d e eq ua l op p or tu n it y to a ll se ct or s of c om m un it y • By 2 02 0, g en d er e qu ity a nd fa ir re p re se nt at io n of st ak eh ol d er s in V FD ; • By 2 02 0, s m al l-s ca le fi sh er ie s op er at io ns in vo lv in g w om en a nd y ou th p ar tic ip at io n ar e su p p or te d (e .g . c oa st al in ve rt eb ra te fi sh er ie s) ; • U se fi sh er s as so ci at io n s an d in cl ud e fe m al e m em b er s. • In cr ea se fe m al e st af f i n VF D ; • En co ur ag e al l g ro up s of c om m un ity to p ar tic ip at e in tr ai n in g ; • En co ur ag e p ar tic ip at io n of y ou th in a ll tr ai ni ng . • A t l ea st 1 –2 w om en in a ll p ro vi nc es fi sh er s as so ci at io ns ; • A t l ea st 2 0– 30 % o f w om en a nd y ou th p ar tic ip at in g in tr ai ni ng ; • A t l ea st 1 0 or m or e M O U s es ta b lis he d b et w ee n VF D an d c om m un iti es o n sm al l-s ca le fis he rie s op er at io ns . VF D , g ov er n m en t l in e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar t m en ts , p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en ts , N G O s, fis h er s as so ci at io n s, ci vi l s oc ie ty * Th e de fin iti on s of a ll ab br ev ia tio ns u se d in A nn ex 1 a re fo un d in th e list o f a bb re vi at io ns a t t he b eg in ni ng o f t hi s po lic y. Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203126 S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 2 : F i s h e r i e s i n v e s t m e n t a n d e c o n o m i c g r o w t h A s tr on g fi sh er ie s se ct or g en er at in g m ax im um e co no m ic g ro w th , i nc re as e em pl oy m en t , fo od s ec ur ity a nd li ve lih oo d de ve lo pm en t a t t he s am e tim e en su ri ng s us ta in ab ili ty o f f is h st oc ks , h ea lth y ec os ys te m a nd e nv ir on m en ta lly s ou nd p ra ct ic es St ra te gi c ac ti on s O ut co m e Sp ec if ic a ct io ns /a ct iv it ie s In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 7. F ac ili ta te in ve st m en t i n th e fis h er ie s se ct or • S p ec ia l i n d us tr ia l z on e d ev el op m en t p ro ce ss co m p le te d b y 20 20 ; • I nv es tm en t p ro ce ss s im p lif ie d ; • V IP A a ct iv e to w or k cl os ur e w ith g ov er n m en t d ep ar tm en ts ; • A d ju st li ce n se fe es fo r f or ei g n fi sh in g v es se ls . • C re at e co n d uc iv e en vi ro n m en t f or in ve st m en t; • S tr en g th en ro le o f V IP A ; • D ev el op p ol ic y on jo in t v en tu re s; • I m p ro ve tr ad e p ro ce d ur es o n fi sh er ie s; • I m p ro ve in st itu tio n al s up p or t f or in ve st m en t; • R ed uc e b ar rie r t o in ve st m en t a n d c os t o f d oi n g b us in es s. • S in o V an F is h er ie s in ve st m en t f ul ly e st ab lis h ed a n d o p er at io n al ; • S p ec ia l i n d us tr ia l z on e id en tif ie d a n d le g is la tio n c om p le te d ; • P ro ce ss in g in d us tr y es ta b lis h ed . VF D , M A LF FB , V IP A , ot h er g ov er n m en t d ep ar tm en ts an d m in is tr ie s, fis h in g in d us tr y op er at or s 8. G ro w re ve n ue b as e of fis h er ie s se ct or • D ev el op re ve n ue p ol ic y of F is h er ie s D ep ar tm en t b y 20 17 ; • N ew in iti at iv es id en tif ie d a n d re g ul at or y m ea su re s es ta b lis h ed b y 20 17 ; • P ay m en t s ys te m im p ro ve d fo r d om es tic a n d fo re ig n tr an sa ct io n b y 20 17 ; • C om m en ce d ev el op m en t c om p lia n ce m on ito r in g s ch em e a n d o r V D S fo r l on g lin e fis h er y b y 20 17 ; • I m p ro ve in vo ic in g s ys te m b y 20 17 ; • S tr en g th en p ro d uc t d ev el op m en t a n d s al e as of 2 01 6. • D ev el op n ew re ve nu e in iti at iv es ; • C on su lt th e in du st ry ; • E st ab lis h re gu la to ry m ea su re s • I m pr ov e pa ym en t s ys te m ; • D ev el op p ol ic y on re ve nu e op tio ns ; • B al an ce re ve nu e gr ow th , r es ou rc e m an ag em en t a nd in du st ry b en ef its . • R ev en ue p ol ic y of V FD c om p le te d ; • I n cr ea se re ve n ue to 5 00 m ill io n v at u ta rg et b y 20 19 ; • P ay m en t s ys te m im p ro ve d ; • N o re ve n ue o ut st an d in g ; • I m p le m en t i m p ro ve d in vo ic es . VF D , M A LF FB , F in an ce D ep t, ot h er g ov er n m en t d ep ar tm en ts an d m in is tr ie s, fi sh in g in d us tr y o p er at or s 9: U n d er ta ke re se ar ch an d d ev el op m en t i n w ild fis h er ie s • B y 20 20 , o ve r 60 % o f t h e re le va n t b io lo g ic al a n d s o ci o ec o n o m ic r es ea rc h a n d fis h in g t ri al s co m p le te d a n d r ep o rt s al so co m p le te d ; • R es ul ts w ill b e us ed fo r f or m ul at in g o r r ev is in g re so ur ce p la n s at le as t b y 20 26 ; • E xp lo ra to ry fi sh in g to d et er m in e fu ll p ot en tia l o f n ew fi sh er ie s co m p le te d b y 20 20 ; • R es ea rc h in to d ev el op m en t o f re cr ea tio n al fi sh in g in th e p ro vi n ce s. • T ria ls o n c ap tu re fi sh er ie s an d re cr ea tio n al fi sh in g ; • E xp lo re fi sh in g o n s m al l l on g li n e fis h in g b oa t; • C on d uc t b io lo g ic al re se ar ch o n re ef re so ur ce s an d in va si ve s p ec ie s; • C ol le ct a cc ur at e fis h er y d at a; • 1 00 % c ov er ag e in p or t s am p lin g ; • C on d uc t s oc io ec on om ic s ur ve ys ; • E st ab lis h re se ar ch p ro to co ls fo r v is iti n g s ci en tis ts . • N um b er o f r es ea rc h , s ur ve ys a n d fi sh in g tr ia ls co m p le te d o ve r t im e; • R ep or ts a n d p ub lic at io n s fr om re su lts o f su rv ey s an d tr ia ls ; • A n in cr ea si n g n um b er o f s ta n d ar d fa rm s es ta b lis h ed in th e p ro vi n ce s; • R es ee d in g o f d eg ra d ed e co sy st em s su ch c or al re ef s, nu rs er y ar ea s in cl ud in g m an gr ov es a nd o th er w et la nd s. VF D , f is h in g in d us tr y d on or p ar tn er s, F FA , SP C 27 10 : F ac ili ta te fu ll es ta b lis h m en t a n d op er at io n o f S in o V an Fi sh er ie s Li m it ed • S in o Va n co m pa ny fu lly o pe ra tio na l b y 20 17 ; • B y 20 18 , t w o on sh or e pr oc es si ng fa ci lit ie s in fu ll op er at io n an d pr od uc tio n, a nd 7 0 fis hi ng v es se ls ba se d lo ca lly ; • B yc at ch la nd ed fr om fi sh in g bo at th at a re fi t f or hu m an c on su m pt io n di st rib ut ed to u rb an a nd ru ra l a re as ; • B y 20 26 fo od s ec ur ity a nd im pr ov ed li ve lih oo ds en su re d. • V FD o ffi ce a nd h at ch er y re lo ca tio n an d fu nd in g ap pr ov al p ro ce ss ; • C on st ru ct io n of te m po ra ry w ha rf a t V FD lo ca tio n; • C on st ru ct io n of fa ct or y su pp or t w ar eh ou se s at S in o Va n fa ct or y; • A w ar en es s on fi sh in g in du st ry . • N ew fi sh er ie s w ha rf c om pl et ed ; • T w o on sh or e pr oc es si ng fa ci lit ie s op er at in g to fu ll pr od uc tio n; • 7 0 ca p lic en se s th at m ax im is e ec on om ic b en ef its ; • I nc re as e ex po rt s of fr oz en a nd fr es h fis h di re ct ly fr om on sh or e fa ci lit ie s. VF D , S in o Va n Lt d, go ve rn m en t l in e m in is tr ie s an d de pa rt m en ts 11 : S tr en g th en c oa st al an d n ea rs h or e fis h er ie s d ev el op m en t • F A D d ev el op m en t a nd m an ag em en t p la n de ve l op ed b y 20 17 ; • F is he rs a ss oc ia tio ns e st ab lis he d in a ll pr ov in ce s by 2 01 8; • G ra du at io n of a ss oc ia tio ns to c oo pe ra tiv es b y 20 18 ; • A ll co as ta l c om m un iti es h av e ac ce ss to fi sh in g op tio ns b y 20 20 , • e xp an de d to a ll is la nd s by 2 02 0; • A ll as so ci at io ns ’ m em be rs tr ai ne d by 2 02 0; • V FD to a cq ui re m ul ti pu rp os e ve ss el to s up po rt fis he rs a ss oc ia tio ns . • I ns ta ll FA D s in a ll pr ov in ce s; • T ra in a ll fis he rs in fi sh in g sk ill s; • E st ab lis h fis he rs a ss oc ia tio ns ; • P ro vi de fi sh in g ge ar a nd b oa t s up po rt to a ss oc ia tio ns o n cr ed it; • E st ab lis h fis h pr es er va tio n su pp or t i n st ra te gi c m ar ke t l oc a tio ns a cr os s co un tr y; • L ic en se a ll fis hi ng b oa t o pe ra to rs ; • P ro vi de d ut y co nc es si on s to li ce ns e op er at or s; • M ai nt ai n en ga ge m en t w ith fi sh er s as so ci at io ns . • F A D d ep lo ye d in a ll is la nd s; • F is he rs A ss oc ia tio n es ta bl is he d in a ll pr ov in ce s an d is la nd s; • M an ag em en t p la ns c om pl et ed fo r a ll as so ci at io ns ; • Q ua lit y an d qu an tit y of fi sh p ro du ct io n in cr ea se d. VF D , f is he rs a ss oc ia tio ns , Pr ov in ci al G ov er nm en t, C oo pe ra tiv es D ep t, In du st ry D ep t, co m m un iti es , d on or s, N G O s, SP C 12 : U n d er ta ke aq ua cu lt ur e re se ar ch a n d d ev el op m en t • A qu ac ul tu re re se ar ch a nd tr ia ls c om pl et ed a nd ap pl ie d by 2 02 0; F in al is e aq ua cu ltu re p la n, w hi ch sh ou ld b e ad op te d an d im pl em en te d by 2 01 8; • A ch ie ve 2 00 s m al l a qu ac ul tu re fa rm s fu ll op er a tio na l b y 20 20 ; • B y 20 26 , a qu ac ul tu re p ro du ce fu lly sa tis fy in g lo ca l f oo d se cu rit y re qu ire m en ts a nd m od es t e xp or ts ; • S ec ur e fu nd in g to d ev el op n ew m ar ic ul tu re s ta tio n by 2 02 0. • D ev el op n ew a qu ac ul tu re a nd m ar ic ul tu re s ta tio n; • T ry fr es hw at er h at ch er y pr od uc tio n; • S ee d su pp ly c os t r ec ov er ed ; • C on du ct fa rm p ro du ct io n tr ia ls a nd te st s ta nd ar d fa rm s; • F ee d re se ar ch ; • T ra in a nd b ui ld c ap ac ity o f o ffi ce rs a nd fa rm er s; • D ev el op a qu ac ul tu re e xt en si on s er vi ce s. • A qu ac ul tu re s fis h an d pr aw n re ad ily av ai la bl e at P or t V ila a nd S an to m ar ke ts ; • D em on st ra tio n fa rm s in a ll po te nt ia l i sl an ds ; • Q ua lit y fis h pr od uc tio n ac hi ev ed . VF D , f is he rs a ss oc ia tio ns , Pr ov in ci al G ov er nm en t C oo pe ra tiv es D ep t, In du st ry D ep t, co m m u ni ty , d on or s, N G O s, SP C Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203128 S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 2 : F i s h e r i e s i n v e s t m e n t a n d e c o n o m i c g r o w t h (c on t’d ) St ra te gi c ac ti on s O ut co m e Sp ec if ic a ct io ns /a ct iv it ie s In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 13 : M in im is e ad ve rs e en vi ro n m en ta l i m p ac ts fr om d ev el op m en t • E IA c om pl et ed o n al l m aj or d ev el op m en ts ; • E nf or ce s ea fo od re gu la tio ns o n al l e xp or t f ac ili tie s by 2 01 7; • C ha rg e ve ss el s di sc ha rg in g po llu te d w as te to s ea ; • I nc re as e aw ar en es s on fi sh p ro ce ss in g fa ct or ie s. • U nd er ta ke e nv iro nm en t i m pa ct a ss es sm en t o n m aj or d ev el op m en ts ; • F ol lo w b io se cu rit y pr ot oc ol s in a qu ac ul tu re a nd im po rt at io n of n ew s pe ci es ; • M on ito r a nd m iti ga te n eg at iv e im pa ct o f i nv as iv e sp ec ie s; • D ev el op p ol ic y on e nv iro nm en ta l f ee c ol le ct io n fro m to ur is m in du st ry ; • E IA a ct iv iti es u nd er ta ke n by F is he rie s D ep ar tm en t ar e co st re co ve re d. • C om p lia n ce w ith w as te m an ag em en t c on tr ol le d ; • N o in ci d en ce o f u n co n tr ol le d w at er p ro d uc tio n ; • P ub lic c on ce rn a d eq ua te ly d ea lt w ith . VF D , E nv iro n m en t D ep t, fis h er s as so ci at io n s, p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en t in d us tr y op er at or s, co m m un iti es 14 : C re at e em p lo ym en t op p or tu n it y in fi sh in g in d us tr y • C re w p ol ic y an d re gu la tio n ap pr ov ed a nd im pl e m en te d by 2 01 7; • R ec ru itm en t o f q ua lif ie d cr ew s by 2 01 7; • D ev el op tr ai ni ng s yl la bu s by 2 01 7; • L ic en si ng o f c re w a ge nt s by 2 01 7; • C er tif ie d fis h ha nd le rs a s of 2 01 8 an d ex po rt in g of fis hi ng in du st ry w or ke rs b y 20 20 ; • R ai se c re w e m pl oy m en t a bo ve 3 00 b y 20 18 ; • E m pl oy m en t o pp or tu ni tie s in cr ea se d by o ve r 50 % in 2 02 0. • E na ct p ol ic y an d re gu la tio n on fi sh in g bo at c re w in g; • T ra in e xi st in g an d ne w fi sh er m en to ta ke u p cr ew em pl oy m en t o pp or tu ni ty ; • T ra in fi sh h an dl er s an d pr oc es so rs in s ki lle d la bo ur re qu ire m en ts fo r e xp or ts ; • I m pl em en t p ol ic y an d re gu la tio n on c re w in g; • A ss is t e na ct m en t o f m ar iti m e le gi sl at io ns to fa ci lit at e cr ew in g em pl oy m en t; • C on tr ol o pe ra tio n of c re w re cr ui tin g ag en t; • C ol la bo ra te w ith in du st ry o pe ra to rs o n cr ew tr ai ni ng a nd em pl oy m en t. • E xp or tin g o f q ua lif ie d fi sh in g b oa t c re w ; • E xp or tin g o f q ua lif ie d fi sh h an d le rs ; • I n cr ea se n um b er o f c re w in d om es tic a n d in te rn at io n al fi sh in g in d us tr y. VF D , M A LF FB , V M C , Po rt s an d H ar b ou r, La b ou r D ep t, M IP U , RF M O s an d fi sh in g in d us tr y op er at or s, Fi sh in g a n d C re w in g A g en t, FF A a n d S PC , d on or s 29 S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 3 : I n c r e a s e f o o d a n d n u t r i t i o n s e c u r i t y a n d a l e v i a t i o n o f N C D r i s k A s tr on g fi sh er ie s se ct or to in cr ea se fi sh p ro du ct io n to e ns ur in g fo od a nd n ut ri tio n se cu ri ty n ee ds a nd a ss is t t o al le vi at e th e ri sk o f n on c om m un ic ab le d is ea se s Pr io ri ty a ct io ns Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 15 : I n cr ea se p ro d uc ti on o f s ea fo od a t th e n at io n al le ve l • B y 20 20 , a ll is la nd s ha ve 3 –5 a nc ho re d FA D S de pl oy ed ; • F is he rs s up po rt ed w ith fi sh in g ge ar ; F is h pr es er va tio n sy st em o pe ra tin g an d fis hi ng o pe ra tio ns ; • B y 20 20 , a ll pr ov in ce s w ill h av e ru ra l f is he rie s m ar ke ts a nd ru ra l f is hi ng g ea r s ho ps e st ab lis he d; • C en tr al fi sh m ar ke t c om pl et ed in 2 01 7 in P or t V ila , 20 18 in S an to ; • B y 20 26 , a lte rn at iv e du ty e xe m pt io ns o r s ub si dy by V FD c om pl et el y su pp or tin g lo ca l f is he rm en ; • B y 20 20 , f is he rs a nd fi sh er s as so ci at io ns a re op er at in g co m m er ci al ly a s fis he rie s co op er at iv es . • I n cr ea se a va ila b ili ty o f f is h fo r d om es tic c on su m p tio n ; • E st ab lis h m ar ke tin g s ys te m to ru ra l a re as to s up p or t f is h p ro d uc tio n ; • E st ab lis h fi sh m ar ke ts in to w n s, p ro vi n ce s an d v ill ag es ; • E n co ur ag e la n d in g o f f is h b y in d us tr ia l f is h in g fl ee t i n d om es tic p or ts ; • C h an n el tu n a an d b yc at ch fi sh to th e lo ca l m ar ke t; • P ro vi d e fu n d in g s up p or t t o fis h er m en to in cr ea se fi sh p ro d uc tio n . • P ro g re ss re p or ts o n li ve lih oo d p ro g ra m m es ; • A ss es sm en t a n d te ch n ic al re p or ts ; • P ric e of fi sh a ffo rd ab le in P or t V ila a n d S an to m ar ke ts ; • C en tr al fi sh m ar ke ts in P or t V ila a n d S an to e st ab lis h ed ; • R ur al fi sh er ie s m ar ke ts a n d ru ra l f is h in g g ea r s h op s es ta b lis h ed in a ll p ro vi n ce s; • L oc al fi sh a va ila b ili ty is in cr ea se d in P or t V ila a n d S an to m ar ke ts ; • I m p or ta tio n o f f is h is re d uc ed . VF D , P ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en ts , f is h er s as so ci a tio n s, In d us tr y D ep t, C oo p er at iv e D ep t, Fi sh in g In d us tr ie s, S PC , FF A , U N D P, J IC A , A C IA R, N G O s, c om m un iti es an d ci vi l s oc ie tie s 16 : I m p ro ve a cc es s to su ff ic ie nt a n d a d eq ua te ly sa fe s ea fo od • S ta nd ar ds fo r s ea fo od fo r l oc al m ar ke ts es ta bl is he d an d en fo rc ed b y 20 17 ; • N ew m ar ke ts in 2 01 6 ar e bu ilt b as ed o n st an da rd s; • T ra in in g on s ea fo od s ta nd ar ds d ev el op m en t; • S ea fo od p re pa ra tio n an d sa fe ty a w ar en es s co nd uc te d; • I m pl em en t s ea fo od re gu la tio ns b y 20 17 . • E st ab lis h d om es tic s ea fo od q ua lit y st an d ar d s; • A p p ly s ta n d ar d s to s ea fo od m ar ke ts ; • T ra in fi sh er s an d fi sh re ce iv er s on p ro p er h an d in g a n d p ro ce ss in g m et h od s; • I nf or m c on su m er s of ri sk o f e at in g c er ta in re ef fi sh s p ec ie s; • D em on st ra te s af e h an d lin g a n d p re p ar at io n o f s ea fo od ; • I m p ro ve v al ue a d d in g o f f is h ; • E n h an ce s us ta in ab ili ty o f s ea fo od s up p ly a t n at io n al le ve l; • D ev el op v al ue a d d in g o f f is h p ro d uc ts . • F is h m ar ke ts in P or t V ila o p en ed , a n d d ev el op m en t o f fis h m ar ke t i n S an to c om m en ce d ; • M or e se af oo d a va ila b le a t m ar ke ts ; • T ra n sp or t o f s ea fo od to u rb an m ar ke t i m p ro ve d b y 20 17 ; • A ffo rd ab le p ric e of fi sh in P or t V ila a n d S an to m ar ke ts ; • L oc al fi sh a va ila b le in h ot el s an d re st au ra n ts . VF D , p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en ts fi sh er s as so ci a tio n s, In d us tr y D ep t, C oo p er at iv e D ep t, fis h in g in d us tr ie s, SP C , F FA , U N D P, J IC A , A C IA R ot h er d on or p ar tn er s, an d c iv il so ci et y 17 : S us ta in p ro d uc ti on o f fis h a t n at io n al le ve l • S us ta in ab le F A D p ro gr am e st ab lis he d; • A ss oc ia tio ns s tr en gt he ne d; • A ss oc ia tio n ac tiv iti es a re c os t r ec ov er y; • S up po rt p ro vi de d to in du st ria l f is hi ng in du st ry to in cr ea se la nd in g of fi sh to d om es tic m ar ke t. • P ro du ct io n of fi sh is s us ta in ab le to m ee t g ro w in g de m an d; • S us ta in fi sh in g ac tiv iti es a t a ll le ve ls ; • S us ta in p ro du ct io n of fa rm ed fi sh ; • P ro m ot e go od a qu ac ul tu re p ra ct ic es ; • M in im is e w as ta ge o f r es ou rc es ; • P ra ct ic e va lu e ad di ng o f f is h to im pr ov e va lu e. • C on tin ue fi sh in g a ct iv iti es ; • M ov e to la rg er fi sh in g v es se ls ; • F is h q ua lit y an d v al ue a d d in g im p ro ve d ; • F is h er s’ ac tiv iti es p ro fit ab le . VF D , p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en ts , fis h er s as so ci at io n s, In d us tr y D ep t, C oo p er at iv e D ep t, fis h in g in d us tr ie s, S PC , F FA , U N D P, J IC A , A C IA R, ot h er d on or p ar tn er s, N G O s, c om m un iti es an d c iv il so ci et y Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203130 S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 4 : I n f r a s t r u c t u r e s u p p o r t a n d p r o d u c t d e v e l o p m e n t In ve st in in fr as tr uc tu re s th at s up po rt o ns ho re d ev el op m en t o f t he fi sh in g in du st ry in cl ud in g sp ec ia l i nd us tr ia l z on es , w ha rf s, fa ct or ie s, s lip w ay s, b oa ts a nd m ar ke ts Pr io ri ty a ct io ns Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 18 : E st ab lis h In te rn at io n al Fi sh er ie s Po rt • M aj or in ve st m en t i n th e In te rn at io n al F is h er ie s Po rt a p p ro ve d b y g ov er n m en t b y 20 17 ; • N eg ot ia te w ith in ve st or s fo r t h is lo n g t er m d ev el op m en t; • F or s h or t te rm te m p or ar y fis h er ie s w h ar f c om p le te d b y 20 17 ; • O n sh or e p ro ce ss in g fa ci lit ie s fu lly o p er at io n al b y 20 28 ; • V al ue a d d in g a n d p ro d uc t d ev el op m en t c om p le te d b y 20 26 . • E st ab lis h te m p or ar y fis h er ie s w h ar f t o su p p or t l an d in g an d p ro ce ss in g o f f is h fo r e xp or t; • A ss is t t o es ta b lis h a n in te rn at io n al F is h er ie s Po rt to s er vi ce fis h in g in d us tr y; • E n co ur ag e in ve st m en t i n la rg e sc al e on sh or e tu n a p ro ce ss in g fa ct or y; • A ss is t c re at io n o f s p ec ia l i n d us tr ia l z on es to a cc om m o d at e fis h p ro ce ss in g in d us tr y; • I d en tif y si te a n d e n ac t s p ec ia l i n d us tr ia l z on e. • F is h er ie s w h ar f c om p le te d a n d in o p er at io n ; • C h in a N at io n al F is h er ie s C or p or at io n o n sh or e p ro ce ss in g fa ci lit ie s co m p le te d a n d fu ll op er at io n ; • S m al l-s ca le fi sh er ie s op er at io n s in p ro vi n ce s; • V al ue a d d in g a n d p ro d uc t d ev el op m en t t es te d a n d co m m er ci al ly u se d ; • F is h p ro d uc ts e xp or te d b y ai r a n d s ea . VF D , p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en ts , f is h er s as so ci at io n s, In d us tr y D ep t, C oo p er at iv e D ep t, VI PA , V C F, fis h in g in d us tr ie s, F FA , ot h er d on or p ar tn er s 19 : E st ab lis h ce nt ra lis ed fi sh m ar ke ts in u rb an a n d p ro vi n ce c en tr es • C om p et en t A ut h or ity fu lly e st ab lis h ed , w el l re so ur ce d a n d s up p or te d ; • P or t V ila m ar ke t e st ab lis h ed in 2 01 7; p ot en tia l m ar ke ts s ec ur ed b y 20 17 ; • E n fo rc e st an d ar d o n c on st ru ct io n a n d o p er a tio n ; • D ev el op a n d e ac h s ta n d ar d p ro ce d ur es fo r th es e m ar ke ts . • E st ab lis h c en tr al fi sh m ar ke ts in u rb an a re as ; • R ep ai r f is h m ar ke t f ac ili ty in p ro vi n ci al c en tr es ; • S et u p fi sh m ar ke t o ut le ts in ru ra l a re as ; • E nc ou ra ge m ar ke ts to li nk d ire ct ly to m ar ke ts in u rb an a re as ; • L ic en si n g o f a ll m ar ke ts a n d o r f is h re ce iv er s; • M ar ke tin g o f f is h b yc at ch fr om in d us tr ia l f is h in g fl ee t; • P ro te ct in te re st o f s m al l-s ca le fi sh er m en ; • Q ua lit y an d p ric e of fi sh is fa ir to c on su m er s. • N um b er o f r ou tin e in sp ec tio n s w ith s uc ce ss fu l i n co m e in cr ea si n g ; • N um b er o f e xp or t c on si g n m en ts in cr ea si n g ev er y ye ar ; • R ev en ue s an d v ol um e of V an ua tu fi sh e xp or ts in cr ea s in g e ve ry y ea r; • E m p lo ym en t i m p ro ve d b y ov er 5 0% in th e p ro ce ss in g a n d fi sh in g s ub se ct or s; • G D P fis h er ie s co n tr ib ut io n s in cr ea se d . VF D , m un ic ip al a n d VC F, C oo p er at iv e D ep t, In d us tr y D ep t., fi sh in g in d us tr y, fi sh er s as so ci at io n s, p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en t c ou n ci ls , N G O s, F FA , S PC , J IC A an d o th er p ar tn er s 20 : E st ab lis h a q ua cu lt ur e h at ch er y an d fa rm co n st ru ct io n s up p or t • D em on st ra tio n o f s ta n d ar d fa rm s an d p on d s co n st ru ct ed fo r a ll p ro vi n ce s an d in o p er at io n b y 20 20 ; • R eg ul ar tr ai n in g o n c on st ru ct io n o f s ta n d ar d fa rm s an d p on d s, a t l ea st 2 4 s es si on s a ye ar ; • E n co ur ag e in ve st m en ts in th es e in iti at iv es w ith a ta rg et o f u si n g c lim at e ch an g e fu n d s to su p p or t t h es e ac tiv iti es fo r p ur p os es o f f oo d se cu rit y an d im p ac t o f c lim at e ch an g e on re ef sy st em s; • N ew b re ed in g s to ck s ec ur ed a n d c ol la b or at io n ag re em en ts w ith p ar tn er s fin al is ed ; • E nv iro n m en t a n d b io se cu rit y re q ui re m en ts fu lly op er at io n al in 2 02 0. • E st ab lis h fr es hw at er h at ch er ie s in th e so ut h a n d n or th to se rv ic e fa rm er s; • C on st ru ct d em o fa rm s b as ed o n d ev el op ed s ta n d ar d s; • S ec ur e fu n d in g ; • B ui ld m ar ic ul tu re s ta tio n s in P or t V ila a n d S an to ; • T ar g et fa rm in g o f h ig h p rio rit y sp ec ie s fo r d em o fa rm s; • I d en tif y su ita b le a q ua cu ltu re la n d a va ila b le b y is la n d s; • T ria l c yc lo n e p ro of d es ig n fo r f lo at in g fa rm s; • S ee k fu n d in g s up p or t f or e ar th m ov in g e q ui p m en t. • A t l ea st o ve r 1 0 st an d ar d a n d c om m er ci al fa rm s an d p on d s co n st ru ct ed in e ac h p ro vi n ce ; • I n cr ea si n g n um b er o f h ou se h ol d s or lo ca l c om m un i tie s en g ag ed in th is in iti at iv e; • I n cr ea si n g c ol la b or at io n w ith V FD to s up p or t t h e co n st ru ct io n a n d o p er at io n o f s ta n d ar d fa rm s or p on d s. VF D , M A LF FB , p ro vi n ce s, B io se cu rit y Va n ua tu (f or m er ly Q ua ra n tin e D ep ar t m en t) , a q ua cu ltu re fa rm er s, c iv il so ci et y, FF A , S PC a n d d on or p ar tn er s 31 21 : S tr en g th en Fi sh er ie s D ep ar tm en t b o at ya rd a n d p ro d u c ti o n o f s m al l a n d m ed iu m s iz e fi sh in g b o at • I ns ta ll ne w b oa t b ui ld in g m ac hi ne rie s by 2 01 7; • M as s pr od uc tio n of p ly w oo d H ar tle y fis hi ng b oa ts by 2 01 7 an d on w ar ds ; • M as s pr od uc tio n of a ss oc ia te d fis hi ng g ea r; • A do pt n ew p ro m ot io n sy st em , i nc lu di ng p ric in g sy st em ; • O pe n ge ar s ho p in P or t V ila ; • P ro du ct io n of fi rs t m ed iu m s ca le fi sh in g bo at b y 20 20 ; • R ep ai r a nd s el l e xi st in g bo at s; • A m al ga m at io n of b oa ty ar d an d w or ks ho p an d re cr ui tm en t o f m ec ha ni c in 2 01 7; • I nt ro du ce n ew fi sh er m en c re di t s ys te m . • I ns ta ll ne w m ac hi ne s an d eq ui pm en t a t F is he rie s D ep t bo at ya rd ; • I nc re as e pr od uc tio n of lo ca lly d es ig ne d fis hi ng b oa ts ; • I nv es t i n bu ild in g of m ed iu m s iz e fis hi ng v es se ls ; • T ra in in g of b oa t b ui ld er s vi a bo at ya rd a tt ac hm en t t ra in in gs ; • I nc re as e pr od uc tio n of fi sh in g ge ar a nd o th er m ar in e ite m s; • C on du ct tr ai ni ng in b oa t m ai nt en an ce fo r r ur al fi sh er s; • A m al ga m at e w or ks ho p an d bo at ya rd ; • C re at e m ec ha ni c po si tio n an d re cr ui t. • L oc al ly b ui ld b oa t s pr ea d to th e pr ov in ce s re gi on ; • P ric e of lo ca lly b ui ld b oa t l ow er th an im po rt ed b oa ts ; • F is hi ng g ea r r ea di ly a va ila bl e an d at a ffo rd ab le p ric e; • F is he rie s sa le s ho p op en in P or t V ila b y 20 20 . VF D , M A LF FB , p ro vi n ci al c ou n ci ls , F or es tr y D ep t, In d us tr y D ep t, fis h er s as so ci at io n s, FF A , S PC a n d d on or p ar tn er s 22 : R el o ca te F is h er ie s D ep ar tm en t o ff ic e in fr as tr u ct u re a n d m o v ab le a ss et s u p p o rt • C on st ru ct io n of n ew F is he rie s O ffi ce c om pl ex co m pl et ed b y 20 18 ; • C on st ru ct io n of n ew m ar ic ul tu re h at ch er y re lo ca te d an d co m pl et ed b y 20 18 ; • R en ov at io n an d bu ild in g of n ew o ffi ce s in a ll pr ov in ce s co m pl et ed b y 20 20 ; • S ec ur e VF D v eh ic le s su pp or t f or L ug an vi lle , P or t Vi la , T an na , a nd m ot or bi ke s fo r o th er is la nd s . • I m pr ov e an d bu ild n ew o ffi ce b ui ld in gs a nd s ta ff ho us es in al l p ro vi nc es ; • S ec ur e fu nd in g to b ui ld a n ew F is he rie s O ffi ce b ui ld in g in Po rt V ila ; • D ev el op e xi st in g w at er fro nt la nd in P or t V ila in to d om es tic fis he rie s w ha rf ; • S ee k bu dg et s up po rt fo r n ew d ep ar tm en t v eh ic le s to s up po rt fi sh er ie s w or k; • F is he rie s D ep ar tm en t m ul ti pu rp os e ve ss el is b ui lt; • S m al l f is hi ng s up po rt b oa ts a re m ad e av ai la bl e in a ll fis he rie s ce nt re s; • E nc ou ra ge p ro je ct to p ro vi de b ud ge ta ry s up po rt . • V FD o ffi ce a nd m ar ic ul tu re s ta tio n re lo ca te d; • N ew o ffi ce a nd s ta ff ho us es c om pl et ed a nd re no va te d in a ll pr ov in ce s. VF D , M A LF FB , M IP U , PS C , P W D , I n te rn al A f fa irs , p ro vi n ci al c ou n ci ls , c om m un iti es Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203132 P r i o r i t y o b j e c t i v e 5 : E n v i r o n m e n t a l m a n a g e m e n t , c l i m a t e c h a n g e a n d d i s a s t e r r i s k r e d u c t i o n In ve st ig at e th e im pa ct s of e nv ir on m en ta l a nd c lim at e ch an ge o n fi sh er ie s re so ur ce s an d ha bi ta ts – fo cu s on c lim at e re si lie nc e an d di sa st er r is k re du ct io n St ra te gi c ac ti on s Ta rg et o ut co m e Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 23 : U n d er ta ke b as el in e as se ss m en ts m ar in e en vi ro n m en t fo r lo n g te rm c lim at e ch an g e m o n it o ri n g • I m pl em en t a ll th e re le va nt s tu di es o n th e im pa ct of c lim at e ch an ge o n fis he rie s an d aq ua cu ltu re an d co m pl et ed b y 20 20 ; • D ev el op a nd e nd or se c or al re ef m on ito rin g pl an by 2 01 8; • I m pl em en t p la n by 2 02 0 an d in 2 02 6; • I m pl em en t s pe ci fic fi sh er y pl an s; • U se re su lts o f r es ea rc h to id en tif y an d ad dr es s cl i m at e ch an ge im pa ct s an d di sa st er ri sk re du ct io n in fi sh er ie s an d aq ua cu ltu re re so ur ce p la ns . • D ev el op p ol ic y on c or al re ef m on ito rin g an d cl im at e ch an ge ; • I m pl em en t r es ea rc h st ud ie s on th e m on ito rin g of th e im pa ct o f c lim at e ch an ge o n co ra l r ee f h ea lth ; • S et u p lo ng t er m m on ito rin g of s ea s ur fa ce te m pe ra tu re in lo ca tio ns a lo ng V an ua tu is la nd c ha in ; • A ss es s im pa ct o f e ar th qu ak es , c yc lo ne , e le va te d te m pe ra tu re s on c or al re ef h ab ita t a nd re so ur ce s an d fis hi ng b eh av io ur ; • A ss es s an d do cu m en t s ca le o f d am ag e of re ef b y cr ow n of t ho rn s (C O TS ) o ut br ea ks ; • E st ab lis h da ta m an ag em en t a nd d at ab as e su pp or t. • C or al re ef m on ito rin g p la n c om p le te d ; • P er m an en t l og g er s in st al le d a n d m on ito re d ; • B le ac h in g m on ito rin g d on e w h en o cc ur re d an d re p or te d ; • C O TS c le an u p c am p ai g n e st ab lis h ed ; • N um b er o f r ep or ts a n d p ub lic at io n s p ro d uc ed e ac h y ea r. VF D , S PC , S PR EP , C li m at e C h an g e O ffi ce , to ur o p er at or s, En vi ro n m en t D ep t, N G O s, d on or p ar tn er s, co m m un iti es a n d ot h er p ar tn er s 24 : I m p le m en t m it ig at io n a n d a d ap ta ti o n a n d d is as te r ri sk re d u ct io n a ct iv it ie s in re ad in es s fo r n at u ra l d is as te rs • R ur al fi sh er ie s de ve lo pm en t o rie nt ed to d is as te r pr ep ar ed ne ss . • E xp an d aq ua cu ltu re fa rm in g as a s ou rc e of fi sh du rin g di sa st er s by 2 02 0; • D iv er t e ffo rt to o ut er re ef fi sh in g to p re se rv e re ef re so ur ce s; • F oo d pr es er va tio n an d va lu e ad di ng a s ad ap ta tio n ac tiv ity ; • S tr en gt he n m ar in e pr ot ec te d ar ea ; • F is he rie s m an ag em en t a nd c on se rv at io n w or k su pp or te d by a ll co m m un iti es ; • F is he rie s re ve nu e fo re ca st ed to a da pt to c ha ng in g w ea th er p at te rn s an d m ov em en t o f f is h st oc k. • P re se rv e ce rt ai n re ef re so ur ce s fo r u se d ur in g n at ur al d is as te rs . • S et a si d e m ar in e p ro te ct ed a re as a s fo od re se rv e d ur in g na tu ra l d is as te rs ; • E st ab lis h fa ci lit y to s to re a nd p re se rv e fis h d ur in g d is as te rs ; • I m p le m en t a nd e nf or ce fi sh er ie s re g ul at io ns a t co m m un ity le ve l; • T ra in fi sh er s to p re se rv e fis h fo r u se d ur in g d is as te r; • D is co ur ag e w as ta g e of fi sh ; • D ev el op a lte rn at iv e liv el ih oo d a ct iv iti es fo r c om m un iti es in cl ud in g e co t ou ris m , h an d ic ra ft a nd a q ua cu ltu re ; • A d ap t e co no m ic d ev el op m en t t o th e im p ac t o f w ea th er p at te rn o n tu na s to ck s; • D ev el op m ap p in g s ys te m to a ss es s sc al e of im p ac ts o n m ar in e en vi ro nm en t. • F ul l i m p le m en ta tio n o f n at io n al fi sh er ie s m an ag em en t p la n s. E n fo rc em en t o f f is h er ie s re g ul at io n s in a ll co m m un iti es ; • A ct iv e co m m un ity a le rt o n C O TS o ut b re ak s; • N et w or k on C O TS o ut b re ak s ac tiv e; • P er ce n ta g e of c or al b le ac h in g in V an ua tu is a ss es se d ; • P ro g re ss o f r ec ov er y is a ss es se d ; • I n d ic at or s of c lim at e ch an g e in fi sh er ie s an d a q ua cu l tu re id en tif ie d a n d u se d. VF D , S PC , S PR EP , C li m at e C h an g e O ffi ce , to ur is m o p er at or s, En vi ro n m en t D ep t, N G O s, d on or p ar tn er s, co m m un iti es an d o th er p ar tn er s 25 : S tr en g th en co m m u n it y b as ed m an ag em en t th ro u g h co o p er at iv e ap p ro ac h • D ev el op a nd fi na lis e po lic y on c om m un ity b as ed m an ag em en t t o st an da rd is e fo rm at a nd u ni t o f co m m un ity b as ed m an ag em en t; • I nc or po ra te tr ad iti on al a nd c ul tu ra l v al ue s in c om m un ity fi sh er ie s pl an s; • E nc ou ra ge v ol un ta ry c om pl ia nc e of fi sh er ie s re gu la tio n by c om m un iti es ; • E nc ou ra ge c oo pe ra te m an ag em en t o f f is he rie s in co m m un ity o w n ar ea s. • S tr en gt he n co m m un ity b as ed m an ag em en t a nd c lim at e ch an ge a da pt at io n; • P re se rv e tr ad iti on al re so ur ce m an ag em en t a n d fi sh in g p ra ct ic es ; • A da pt c o m an ag em en t p ra ct ic es a t c om m un ity le ve l; • D ev el op a nd im pl em en t c om m un ity p la ns ; • A do pt e co sy st em a pp ro ac h in c om m un ity b as ed m an ag em en t; • D ev el op o th er li ve lih oo d op po rt un iti es . • N um b er o f c om m un ity fi sh er ie s p la n s co m p le te d a n d im p le m en te d ; • T ra in in g o f c om m un ity w or ke rs ; • A p p oi n tm en t o f c om m un ity fi sh er ie s au th or is ed o ffi ce rs . VF D , S PC , S PR EP , C li m at e C h an g e O ffi ce , to ur is m o p er at or s, En vi ro n m en t D ep t, N G O s, d on or p ar tn er s, c om m un iti es a n d ot h er p ar tn er s 33 P r i o r i t y o b j e c t i v e 6 : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y ( I C T ) i m p r o v e m e n t A n im pr ov ed fi sh er ie s se ct or s up po rt ed b y im pr ov ed in fo rm at io n an d co m m un ic at io n te ch no lo gy a nd in fo rm at io n m an ag em en t St ra te gi c ac ti on s Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 26 : D ev el o p s ta n d ar d s fo r in fo rm at io n s ec u ri ty an d w eb si te • S ec ur ity p ro ce du re s fo r i nf or m at io n co lle ct io n, pr oc es si ng a nd d is se m in at io n ad op te d by 2 01 7; • D at ab as es c om pl et ed b y 20 28 ; • I nf or m at io n O ffi ce r p os iti on e st ab lis he d at V FD b y 20 17 ; • V FD w eb si te im pr ov ed a nd a ll co m po ne nt s lin ke d by 2 01 7. • P re pa re in fo rm at io n se cu rit y gu id el in es a nd p ro ce du re s to g ui de th e co lle ct io n, p ro ce ss in g an d di ss em in at io n of in fo rm at io n; • P re ve nt fi sh er y se ns iti ve in fo rm at io n le ak in g ou t t o th e pu bl ic ; • C re at e po si tio ns fo r I C T of fic er in th e D ep ar tm en t o f F is he rie s. • I nf or m at io n se cu rit y pr oc ed ur es c om pl et ed ; • I nf or m at io n di ss em in at io n fo llo w e st ab lis he d st an da rd s pr oc es s; • C en tr al is ed d at ab as e sy st em c om pl et ed . VF D , M A LF FB , S PC , O G C IO , d on or p ar tn er s, o th er p ar tn er s 27 : C en tr al is ed V FD d at a m an ag em en t an d d at ab as es a n d li n k to fi sh er ie s in fo rm at io n m an ag em en t sy st em ; • C om pl et e de ve lo pm en t o f a c en tr al is ed d at ab as e sy st em s th at li nk to o th er d at a; • M an ag em en t U ni t e nh an ce d; • D ig ita l r ec or di ng s ys te m fu lly fu nc tio na l; • O th er fi sh er ie s da ta li nk ed to V U FI M S; • S PC a nd F FA d at ab as e se rv ic es s er ve th e ne ed o f VF D ; • F is he rie s da ta a re v is ib le in n at io na l s ta tis tic re po rt s . • P ro gr es s th e ce nt ra lis ed m an ag em en t o f f is he rie s da ta ; • L in k da ta ba se to th e fis he rie s in fo rm at io n m an ag em en t sy st em ; • I nt eg ra te w ith re gi on al s ys te m s of S PC , F FA , a nd o th er R FM O s to in a ‘o ne s to p sh op ’ m an ne r f or e as e of a cc es s; • U se s ta nd ar di se d da ta c ol le ct io n an d re co rd in g fo rm at ; • P ro m ot e us e of b ot h pa pe r a nd e le ct ro ni c da ta re co rd in g lo gs . • F is he rie s D ep ar tm en t D at a M an ag em en t U ni t is in fu ll co nt ro l o f a ll da ta ba se m at te rs a nd fi sh er ie s da ta is u p da te d on th e sy st em ; • T im el y de liv er y of c or re ct ly fo rm at te d in fo rm at io n. VF D , S PC , F FA , O G C IO 28 : I m p le m en t el ec tr o n ic r ep o rt in g a n d el ec tr o n ic m o n it o ri n g (E R /E M ) • D ev el op E M /E R st ra te gy ; • C om pl et ed tr ia lli ng th e un its o n Va nu at u fla g fis h in g ve ss el s; • M an da to ry u se o f E M /E R on a ll fla g ve ss el s by 2 02 0; • M an da to ry u se o f E M /E R on a ll fo re ig n fis hi ng v es se ls b y 20 20 ; • D ev el op o bs er ve r o pe ra tio n ba se . • U nd er ta ke tr ia l o f E R/ EM ; • D ev el op n at io na l E R/ EM s tr at eg y; • E xp an d fis he rie s in fo rm at io n sy st em to in cl ud e al l f is he rie s to in fo rm d ec is io ns ; E xp an d el ec tr on ic re po rt in g to c oa st al fis he rie s su ch a s by li ce ns ed fi sh in g ve ss el s; • A do pt s am e re po rt in g in a qu ac ul tu re p ro du ct io n fa rm s. • E R/ EM s tr at eg y co m pl et ed a nd im pl em en te d; • I m pr ov ed re po rt in g on li ce ns ed fi sh in g ve ss el s; • I m pr ov ed c om pl ia nc e in de x. VF D , M A LF FB , P ol ic e M ar iti m e W in g, fi sh in g in d us tr y, F FA , S PC , tu n a RF M O s 29 : E n h an ce v es se l m o n it o ri n g s ys te m o p er at io n t o m o n it o r o ff sh o re a n d c o as ta l fi sh in g a ct iv it ie s • N at io na l V es se l M on ito rin g Sy st em P ro gr am m e fu nc tio ni ng e ffe ct iv el y; • 2 4/ 7 m an ni ng c on tin ue ; • F la g ve ss el m on ito rin g im pr ov em en t; • M O U s ig ne d w ith P M W im pl em en ta tio n; • T ra in in g of o ffi ce rs ; • R ev ie w o f V M S sy st em s; • A m al ga m at e th e tw o VM S sy st em s by 2 02 0. • M ai nt ai n us e of s ta te o f-t he a rt V M S to m on ito r f is hi ng ve ss el s op er at in g in si de V an ua tu w at er s; • C on tin ue to w or k w ith C LS to m on ito r f la g ve ss el s op er at in g in te rn at io na lly ; • S ee k C LS s up po rt to im pr ov e VM S sy st em ; • A ss es s op tio ns to e nh an ce a nd in te gr at e th e tw o sy st em s to im pr ov e ef fe ct iv en es s an d ef fic ie nc y at le ss c os t t o th e co un tr y; • A ss es s op tio ns to lo ca lis e m an ag em en t o f t he n at io na l v es se l m on ito rin g sy st em ; • C on tin ue to e ng ag e w ith P ol ic e M ar iti m e W in g an d FF A in su rv ei lla nc e op er at io ns ; • F or m al is e m em or an du m o f u nd er st an di ng w ith V PM W . • A ll ve ss el s lic en se d an d fla g to V an ua tu in fu ll co m pl i an ce w ith V M S re qu ire m en ts ; • A m al ga m at io n of th e tw o VM S sy st em s co m pl et ed . VF D , M A LF FB , F FA , S PC , fis h in g in d us tr y, tu n a RF M O s Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203134 S t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e 7 : F i s h e r i e s c o m p l i a n c e a n d I U U f i s h i n g p r e v e n t i o n A dv oc at e fo r ze ro t ol er an ce in IU U a nd e ns ur e al l V an ua tu fl ag a nd li ce ns ed fi sh in g ve ss el s ar e fu lly m on ito re d an d co m pl ia nt St ra te gi c ac ti on s Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 30 : R ed u ce a n d e lim i n at e IU U fi sh in g in t h e o ff sh o re fi sh er y th ro u g h im p ro ve d c o m p lia n ce • I m p le m en t N PO A IU U , N at io n al F le et M an ag e m en t P ol ic y, N at io n al C on tr ol P la n , N PO A o n sh ar ks a n d P or t S ta te C on tr ol p la n ; • I U U f re e co un tr y b y 20 20 ; • P en al is e in fr in g em en ts o n ti m e; • M ai n ta in g oo d re p ut at io n in th e Re g is tr y; • F la g fi sh in g v es se ls e ar n g oo d re p ut at io n . • P re ve nt e nt ry o f f is hi ng v es se ls w ith h is to ric al re co rd o f I U U in to th e Va nu at u In te rn at io na l S hi pp in g Re gi st ry ; • E nf or ce s tr ic t c on tr ol o n fla g fis hi ng v es se ls th ro ug h co m pl ia nc e ch ec ks ; • E ns ur e th at v es se ls le av e th e VI SR w ith c le an re co rd ; • F ul ly im pl em en t t he re co m m en da tio ns o f t he N PO A IU U a nd th e N at io na l F le et M an ag em en t P ol ic y; • R es ol ve a ny in fri ng em en t b y Va nu at u fla g ve ss el s sw ift ly b e fo re W C PF C m ee ts ; • F ul ly e nf or ce p en al ty n ot ic e on v es se l op er at or s/ ow ne rs fo r b re ac he s. • I nc re as in g nu m be r o f s uc ce ss fu l in ve st ig at io ns o n IU U c as es ; • A w ar ds o n fig ht a ga in st IU U ; • I U U re po rt s; • S uc ce ss fu lly w ith dr aw n fro m IC C AT ; • A ll in fri ng em en ts a dd re ss ed . VF D , M A LF FB , F or ei g n A ffa irs , o th er g ov er n m en t l in e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , SP C , F FA , t un a RF M O s, fis h in g in d us tr y 31 : L im it R FM O m em b er sh ip b y th e R ep u b lic o f V an u at u t o w it h in t h e g re at er P ac if ic O ce an re g io n • W ith d ra w al fr om IC C AT b y en d o f 2 01 6; • C h ar te r p ol ic y an d re g ul at io n e n ac te d ; • R es tr ic t c h ar te rin g o f f la g v es se ls to RF M O m em b er s fo r w h ic h V an ua tu is a m em b er ; • A tt en d 5 0% o f R FM O m ee tin g s b y 20 18 an d fu rt h er im p ro ve s th er ea ft er . • W ith dr aw m em be rs hi p to IC C AT a nd IO TC ; • E na ct p ol ic y an d re gu la tio n on c ha rt er in g of fl ag v es se ls ; • P re ve nt c ha rt er in g of v es se ls b y RF M O m em be rs fo r w hi ch Va nu at u is a n on m em be r; • M em be rs hi p co nt rib ut io n is c os t r ec ov er ed fr om th e fis hi ng in du st ry ; • E ns ur in g in du st ry o pe ra to rs c om pl y to p ay th ei r R FM O fe es ; • M ai nt ai n m an ag em en t o f t ru st a cc ou nt s fo r e as e of p ay m en t of R FM O fe es . • T ot al w ith dr aw al fr om IC C AT ; • B ec om in g fu ll m em be r o f N PF C b y 20 17 ; • M ai nt ai n go od s er vi ce to R FM O s. VF D , M A LF FB , F or ei g n A ffa irs , o th er g ov er n m en t l in e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , S PC , F FA , tu n a RF M O s, fi sh in g in d us tr y 32 : R ed u ce a n d e lim i n at e IU U fi sh in g in co as ta l f is h er ie s • A ll re g is te re d li ce n se d b y 20 18 ; • C om p lia n ce o f s m al l f is h in g b oa ts im p ro ve d 5 0% b y 20 18 ; • R ev is ed re g ul at io n im p le m en te d ; • C oa st al c om p lia n ce o ffi ce rs tr ai n ed ; • I m p or ta tio n a n d s al e of d es tr uc tiv e g ea r c ea se d ; • D es tr uc tiv e g ea r c on fis ca te d . • L ic en si ng o f a ll do m es tic fi sh in g ve ss el s; • E nf or ce li ce ns e co nd iti on to e ns ur e co m pl ia nc e; • E st ab lis h ap pl ic ab le c at ch d at a re co rd in g sy st em o n ta bl et ; • E nf or ce li ce ns e co nd iti on o n pr oc es si ng li ce ns e ho ld er s; • S tr en gt he n co m pl ia nc e at p or ts a nd a irp or t c he ck p oi nt s; • W or k w ith p ar tn er s to im pr ov e co m m un ity c om pl ia nc e; • A ss is t f is he rie s au th or is ed o ffi ce rs to c ol le ct a cc ur at e in fo rm a tio n; • B an im po rt a nd s al e of d es tr uc tiv e fis hi ng g ea r; • C on fis ca te il le ga l f is hi ng g ea r. • L oc al v es se ls o pe ra tin g vi ab ly ; • N o m or e im po rt at io n an d ill eg al s al e of d es tr uc tiv e fis hi ng g ea r; • N o m or e de st ru ct iv e fis hi ng g ea r i n th e co un tr y. VF D , p ro vi n ce s, fi sh er s as so ci at io n s, c om m un i tie s, P ol ic e 33 : S tr en g th en m an ag em en t o f V an u at u fl ag fi sh in g fl ee t • C es sa tio n o f t h e ve ss el m on ito rin g sy st em s er vi ce s co n tr ac t b y 20 18 ; • F is h er ie s D ep ar tm en t a ss um es fu ll re sp on si b ili ty o f f le et m an ag er b y 20 18 ; • G oo d re la tio n sh ip is m ai n ta in ed w ith in d us tr y op er at or s. • R em ov e fle et m an ag em en t c on tr ac t w ith th e pr iv at e en tit y an d di sc ou ra ge s uc h co nt ra ct s in fu tu re ; • F ul ly a ss um e ro le o f f le et m an ag em en t; • S tr en gt he n fle et m an ag em en t d ut y of th e Fi sh er ie s D ep ar tm en t; • B ui ld c lo se c oo pe ra tio n w ith th e fis hi ng in du st ry o pe ra to rs ; • P ro vi de e ffi ci en t a nd re lia bl e se rv ic e to v es se l o pe ra to rs . • V es se l M on ito rin g Sy st em S er vi ce s co nt ra ct c ea se d; • V FD a ss um e fu ll re sp on si bi lit y fo r f le et m an ag em en t. VF D ; M A LF FB , S LO , Tu n a Fi sh in g V an ua tu Lt d, tu n a RF M O s 35 34 : I m p le m en t ca tc h d o cu m en ta ti o n s ch em e in a ll fl ag v es se ls • C er tif ic at io n st an da rd s in st itu te d; • S ea fo od V er ifi ca tio n A ge nc y ce rt ifi ca tio n pr oc es s co m pl et ed b y FF A ; • E U c er tif ic at io n co m pl et ed ; • C at ch c er tif ic at io n ap pl ie d to a ll Va nu at u fla g ve ss el s fo r f is h ex po rt s an nu al ly . • F in al is e na tio na l c on tr ol p la n w ith F FA ; • I m pl em en t n at io na l c on tr ol p la n; • C on du ct fo od s af et y an d C D S in sp ec tio n on v es se ls ; • I nd ep en de nt m on ito rin g an d ap pr ov al b y FF A ; • C om pl et e EU c er tif ic at io n of th e Se af oo d Ve rif ic at io n A ut ho rit y; • I ss ue c at ch c er tif ic at io n to fl ag v es se l t o ac ce ss E U a nd o th er m ar ke ts ; • P ar tic ip at e in n eg ot ia tio ns o n fis he rie s tr ad e. • S ea fo od s ta nd ar ds g az et te d; • S ea fo od re gu la tio n ga ze tt ed ; • F FA tr ai ni ng p ro ce ss c om pl et ed ; • S FV A c er tif ie d by E U ; • F is h en tr y to E U a ut ho ris ed b y Va nu at u. VF D ; M A LF FB , S LO , t un a RF M O s 35 : S tr en g th en fi sh er ie s la w e n fo rc em en t an d p ro se cu ti o n • C om pl et e at ta ch m en t w ith P ro se cu tio n O ffi ce ; • D ev el op a nd s ig n M O U w ith P ro se cu tio n O ffi ce ; • C om m en ce p ro se cu tio n of fi sh er ie s ca se s; • R ec ru it m or e co m m un ity fi sh er ie s au th or is ed o ffi ce rs . • S tr en gt he n en fo rc em en t o f f is he rie s re gu la tio ns ; • C oo pe ra te w ith P ub lic P ro se cu tio n O ffi ce o n ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g; • I m pr ov e ad m in is tr at iv e pe na lty re gu la tio ns a nd e nf or ce m en t; • S tr en gt he n in sp ec tio n at m ar ke t o ut le ts , r es ta ur an ts a nd sh op s; • U nd er ta ke in ve st ig at io n an d pr os ec ut io n tr ai ni ng o f f is he rie s au th or is ed o ffi ce rs ; • S tr en gt he n en fo rc em en t o n im po rt at io n, s al e an d us e of de st ru ct iv e fis hi ng g ea r. • F is he rie s pr os ec ut or a dm itt ed ; • M O U s ig ne d; • 5 c as es s uc ce ss fu lly p ro se cu te d . VF D ; M A LF FB , S LO , Ju st ic e M in is tr y, P ub lic Pr os ec ut io n s O ffi ce , tu n a RF M O s 36 : P ro g re ss fi sh er ie s o b se rv er a n d p o rt s am p lin g to fu ll co st r ec o ve ry • O bs er ve r P ro gr am m e ac hi ev es h al f c os t r ec ov er y by 2 02 3; • P or t s am pl in g to b e fu lly c os t r ec ov er ed b y 20 23 ; • O bs er ve rs fu lly c ov er ed o n tr ip s; • C om pl et e tr ai ni ng o f m or e ob se rv er s. • D ev el op n at io na l f is he rie s ob se rv er a nd p or t s am pl in g to be co m e a fu ll co st re co ve ry p ro gr am m e; • E qu ip a ll ob se rv er s w ith s af et y ge ar , i nc lu di ng u ni fo rm a nd pr ot ec tiv e ge ar ; • F ul ly in su re o bs er ve rs w hi le a t s ea ; • S up po rt tw o de b rie fe rs to c om pl et e th ei r t ra in in g to a ss is t qu al ity c on tr ol o f n at io na l o bs er ve rs ; • P ro gr es s in to e le ct ro ni c m on ito rin g sy st em ; • E xt en d ro le o f o bs er ve rs to c ov er c oa st al fi sh er ie s an d aq ua cu ltu re . • O bs er ve r p ro gr am m e fu ll co st re co ve re d by 2 03 1; • P or t S am pl in g ac hi ev es fu ll co st re co ve re d by 2 03 1; • O bs er ve r n um be rs re ac h 50 b y 20 31 . VF D ; M A LF FB , F FA , S LO , Ju st ic e M in is tr y, P ub lic Pr os ec ut io n s O ffi ce , tu n a RF M O s 37 : R ev ie w v es se l l ic en s in g p ro ce ss a n d r ec o rd in g s ys te m • E ffi ci en t l ic en si n g s ys te m fo r f or ei g n v es se ls an d IA TF ; • M ai nt ai n up to d at e re co rd o f l ic en se s an d IA TF ; • P ro vi de re gu la r u pd at e of li ce ns es a nd fe e co lle ct io n. • M ai nt ai n ef fic ie nt p ro ce ss in g of li ce ns es ; • L ia is e w ith o pe ra to rs w he n pr oc es si ng li ce ns es ; • I nt ro du ce o nl in e ap pl ic at io n an d pr oc es si ng o f l ic en se s. • E ffi ci en t i ss ua nc e pr oc es s; • G oo d ap pr ec ia tio n by c lie nt s; • C om pl et ed o nl in e lic en se • A pp lic at io n pr oc es s; VF D ; M A LF FB , F FA , S LO , tu n a RF M O s 38 : I n tr o d u ce lo n g lin e ve ss el d ay s ch em e (V D S) o r q u o ta m an ag em en t sy st em (Q M S) • R ev ie w le gi sl at io n to a cc om m od at e VD S or Q M S fo r im pl em en ta tio n by 2 01 9; • S ee k as si st an ce fr om F FA . • W or k w ith F FA to d es ig n VM S im pl em en ta tio n po lic y; • W or k w ith N ew Z ea la nd M in is tr y of P rim ar y In du st rie s on ad vi ce o n Q M S sy st em fo r d ec is io n m ak in g; • A do pt e ith er o f t he tw o. • V D S or Q M S ad op te d. VF D , M A LF FB , F FA , S PC , S LO , tu n a RF M O s Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-203136 S t r a t e g y o b j e c t i v e 8 : B u i l d i n g p a r t n e r s h i p a n d n e t w o r k i n g St re ng th en p ar tn er sh ip , c ol la bo ra tio n an d ne tw or ki ng w ith li ne D ep ar tm en ts , i nd us tr y, a nd a ls o en co ur ag e es ta bl is hi ng ne w o ne s fo r vi si bi lit y, tr an sp ar en cy , p ar tic ip at or y an d in cl us iv ity St ra te gi c ac ti on s Ta rg et Pr op os e ac ti vi ti es In di ca to rs Pa rt ne rs 39 : F o rm al is e co lla b o ra ti o n w it h li n e d ep ar t m en ts a n d s ta ke h o ld er s th ro u g h M O U s an d M O A s • F is h er ie s D ep ar tm en t t o st re n g th en n et w or ki n g an d p ar tn er sh ip w ith re le va n t s ta ke h ol d er s su ch as li n e or re le va n t g ov er n m en t d ep ar tm en ts , t h e p ro vi n ce , c om m un iti es a n d p ub lic in u rb an /r ur al co m m un iti es , F FA , S PC , t un a RF M O s, d on or p ar tn er s, N G O s an d o th er s. • F or m al is e co lla bo ra tio ns w ith s ta ke ho ld er s th ro ug h an M O U an d or M O A s; • F or m al is e M O U s w ith li ne a nd g ov er nm en t D ep ar tm en ts a nd go ve rn m en t e nt iti es , c o m m un iti es a n d c iv il so ci et y g ro up s; • T h es e ar ra n g em en ts w ou ld fo rm th e b as is fo r c ol la b or at io n ; • E n co ur ag e jo in t i m p le m en ta tio n u n d er M O U ; • M O U s an d M O A s ar e to b e a s se ss ed b y St at e La w O ffi ce w he re n ec es sa ry fo r c on si st en cy a nd le ga lit y is su es . • C oo rd in at io n an d w el l-r es ou rc ed w or ks o n fis he rie s an d aq ua cu ltu re ; • M O U w ith P ol ic e M ar iti m e W in g C om pl et ed ; • M O U w ith A ir Va nu at u co m pl et ed ; • M O U w ith C hu rc he s co m pl et ed : VF D , C oo p er at iv e an d In d us tr y D ep t, p ro vi n ci al g ov er n m en t c ou n ci ls , N G O s, c om m un iti es a n d ci vi l s oc ie ty 40 : F o rm al is e co lla b o ra ti o n w it h r eg io n al in te r g o ve rn m en ta l p ar tn er s th ro u g h M O U s an d M O A s an d S LA s • R ev ie w F FA S er vi ce L ev el A g re em en t ( SL A ) f or 20 19 o nw ar d s; • R ev ie w S PC J C S an d e n su re is s im ila r w ith F FA ; • D ev el op S LA t yp e ar ra n g em en t w ith S PR EP a n d ot h er re g io n al p ar tn er s. • E st ab lis h fo rm al a rr an ge m en ts th ro ug h an M O U , M O A o f S LA w ith re gi on al in te rg ov er nm en ta l o rg an is at io ns ; • T ec hn ic al a ss is ta nc e ta rg et a ct iv iti es id en tif ie d in th e M O A s or S LA s; • F is he rie s D ep ar tm en t i s re sp on si b le in th e im p le m en ta tio n of M O A s; • P rio rit y ac tiv iti es in th es e ag re em en ts re fle ct n at io n al p rio ri tie s; • R eq ue st fo r t ec h n ic al a ss is ta n ce to b e ch an ne lle d th ro ug h th e of fic ia l p ro to co l. • F FA S LA s uc ce ss fu lly im pl em en te d; • S PC J oi nt C ou nt ry S tr at eg y su cc es sf ul ly im pl em en te d; • I m pl em en t a t l ea st a no th er 1 S LA w ith a no th er in te rg ov er nm en ta l p ar tn er b y 20 23 . FF A , S PC , U SP , SP RE P, IR D , o th er s 41 : P ar tn er sh ip w it h o th er e xt er n al p ar tn er s • B y 20 20 V FD w ill h av e M O U s w ith a ll re le va n t st ak eh ol d er s an d li n e M in is tr ie s as w el l a s in te rn a tio n al N G O s, d om es tic N G O s an d c om m un iti es . • E n co ur ag e ot h er e xt er n al p ar tn er s to e n te r i n to M O A fo r th e se rv ic es th ey in te n d to p ro vi d e; • E n g ag em en t w ith e xt er n al p ar tn er s on p rio rit y ar ea s of n at io n al in te re st ; • E n co ur ag e p ar tn er sh ip a n d c oo p er at io n th at e n h an ce a n d ad va n ci n g p rio rit y w or ks o n fi sh er ie s; • I n cl ud e in th e ag re em en t d el iv er y of re se ar ch in fo rm at io n on c om p le tio n o f p ro je ct ; • P ro je ct s to fu n d n ew p os iti on s to th e ex is tin g s tr uc tu re . • M or e pa rt ne rs s ec ur ed a nd a ct iv el y se rv ed p ur po se s of ad va nc in g do m es tic fi sh er ie s an d aq ua cu ltu re s us ta in ab le m an ag em en t a nd d ev el op m en t. VF D , o th er g ov er n m en t lin e m in is tr ie s an d d ep ar tm en ts , SP C , F FA , F A O , S PR EP , ot h er p ar tn er s