CAMBODIA

Fisheries in Cambodia constitute both an integral part of rural livelihoods and a major contributor to the national economy and food security. Fish provide more than 75 % of the total animal protein intake in people's diets and the fishery includes more than 1.5 million full time jobs and involves at least 6 million people in fishing activities.

The goal of the fisheries sector in Cambodia is to maximize the contribution of fisheries to the achievement of national development objectives. While Cambodia is the fourth nation for the inland fisheries production in the world, coastal fisheries management is a relatively new subject for the Fisheries Administration. The Fisheries Administration (FiA) already took action to promote inland and marine aquaculture in order to reduce the fishing effort, and ensure people’s livelihoods, income and food security.

Cambodia has no adequate statistics system for marine fisheries, and there is also direct trading on the sea with the vessels from neighboring countries. As such the FiA could not assess the quantities of catch by vessel fisheries and small scale fisheries. Fisheries Law Enforcement by the FiA inspector cannot work well due to lack of budget and equipment. The coastline is short, 435km and the EEZ boundary is not yet agreed with neighboring countries. Cambodia doesn’t have resource management system for vessel fisheries. In an effort to meet these challenges Cambodia has launched the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Institute. Cambodia needs to start monitoring systems for objective fisheries resource management. There is no experience to monitor marine species so far. Indian mackerel or short body mackerel can be a candidate species to monitor their resource status as there are some restrictions on Indian Mackerel, which is restricted to catch from March 15th to April 15th. Cambodia needs adequate resources to support the operation of the institute.

In regards to fishing gear for the marine sector a trawler is categorized as large and middle scale to operate the EEZ deeper than 20m with more than 50HP engine. Small scale: includes gillnets, and unlicensed fisheries vessels with less than 33 HP or non- power boat or less than 5 tone operating in shallower than 20m. All marine fishing ports are private, the major fishing ports are Koh Kong, Kampongsom and Kampot. There is no wholesale fish market in Cambodia. The transportation and distribution system relies on private small transporters connecting coastal and inland provinces or with neighboring countries. There are no existing fishery related associations or cooperatives, but traditional fishing groups exist.

Cambodia is not typically associated with Tuna because the marine areas around Cambodia are around 50 to 80 meters, and the higher temperature is not suitable for Tuna. In Cambodia Tuna is not a target species. Tuna landing, processing and trade are not currently reported on. As Cambodia’s sea connects with the Gulf of Thailand, which does have a tuna fishery and Cambodia is member of Asian country so that Cambodia needs to manage and follow up Tuna deal and Tuna processes.

Cambodia has a policy to promote and encourage fishing activities in the EEZ and in the international fishing grounds by strictly implementing the regional code of conduct for responsible fisheries and the laws of kingdom of Cambodia, and looks forward to enhancing marine fisheries management including Tuna Fisheries as part of this process.

INDONESIA

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Indonesian water divided into 11 Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (IFMA) (Ministerial Regulation No. 01/MEN/2009) as shown in Figure. Neritic tuna fisheries in Indonesia already exist since early 1960’s and being recorded in national level since 1974 after having support from FAO. National Statistic marine capture Fisheries of Indonesia showed the catch of neritic tuna and sheerfish reached 588,000 in 2012 and 650.847 (2013). The export value was 19,130 ton in 2012 and the import reached 209 ton.

Figure 1: Eleven Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (IFMA)

Neritic tuna fisheries resources in Indonesia were exploited in different regions. Fishermen catch fish types neritic tuna using a variety of fishing gear. Frigate tuna caught almost in all areas of Indonesian waters. Bullet tuna a lot of caught by fishermen in Indian Ocean waters to the west of Sumatra, South of Java and western of Pacific Ocean. Longtail tuna caught in certain waters and relatively small population. Striped bonito only caught in South Bali and Nusa Tenggara Water as part of Indian Ocean.

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

In general, in Indonesian waters can be found all forms of water seabed, such as shelf; continental shelf; forms a deep basin (basin, abyssal, trench and trough); the elevations forms: rise and ridge, plateau; forms reefs: atolls, shoals and banks.
Indonesian throughflow (ITF) phenomenon became one of the characteristics of the current system in Indonesia. Current system that flows from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean through Indonesian waters impacts oceanographic conditions in Indonesia.

Figure 2: Indonesian throughflow (ITF)

Management Arrangements for Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic tuna resource management in Indonesia generally refers to some of the regulations issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia. The Indonesian government is currently preparing Fishery Management Plan at all Region (IFMA), including for neritic tuna fisheries management.

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic Tunas Species
There are 6 species of neritic tuna and sheerfish in Indonesia waters. A list of these species with their scientific names is given in Table.

1. Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol)
2. Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard)
3. Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
4. Kawakawa (Enthynnus affinis)
5. Narrow-Barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)
6. Indo-Pacific King mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus)

Note: Most of the neritic tunas caught by purse seine.

Types of Fishing Gears
Neritic tuna caught by catch by drift gill net, purse seine, troll line, pole and line and pelagic danish seine.

Stock Status
Neritic tuna fish stock assessment in Indonesia has begun intensively in some waters. Indonesian Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (RIMF) in 2012 study results, in the waters of the Java Sea neritic tuna contribute 10% of the total pelagic fish catch. MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield) neritic tuna in this area reaches 72,822 tons, with optimum effort 24,160 purse seine. MSY Spanish mackerel amounted to 39,401 tons, with optimum effort 24,438 purse seine.

Annual Catches of Neritic Tuna in Indonesia
Annual catch of neritic tuna in Indonesia generally shows an increasing trend starting from 2002 with only 378,944 ton to reach 621,948 ton in 2013 as shown in Figure 1 and 2. Before 2004 neritic tuna recorded only kawakawa, but after that statistical getting better and record all neritic tuna species.

Figure 3: National Statistic of Neritic Tuna in Indonesia 2002-2013

Figure 4: Annual Catches of Neritic Tuna in the Indonesian waters (Source: Marine Capture Fisheries Statistics of Indonesia 2014)

Annual Catches of Neritics Tuna in the South China Sea
Annual catch of neritic tuna in the South China Sea shows fluctuation trend, from 2006 with 73,763 ton to 78,204 ton in 2013 as shown in Figure 3. Neritic tuna in the South China Sea contribute 14 % of national catch neritic tuna.

Figure 5: Annual Catches of Neritic Tuna tuna in the South China Sea

Annual Catches of Neritics Tuna in Pemangkat
The several type of neritic tuna caught in Pemangkat consists of that kawakawa, longtail tuna, and Spanish mackerel. Figure 4 displays the total catch of neritic tuna by species in Pemangkat year 2009-2013. In 2009, the catch kawakawa and longtail tuna still reported as kawakawa. Starting in 2010 catches have started to split. From the graph shows that catches of neritic tuna kawakawa is the largest followed by longtail tuna and the least is the catch Spanish mackerel.

Figure 6: Annual Catches of Neritic Tuna at Pemangkat Fishing Port

Exports and Imports of Neritic Tuna

In the export and import of Indonesian statistics does not specifically mention the neritic tuna fish. In this data neritic tuna fish entered into others tuna group. In 2012 the volume of total exports amounted to 19,130,041 tons consist of 4.36652 million kg (fresh) and 14,763,521 kg (frozen). In 2013 the value of total exports increased to 20,079,297 kg, consisting of 8,277,818 kg (fresh) and 11,801,479 kg (frozen). Others tuna import volume in 2012 amounted to 209 661 kg consisted of 92 750 kg (fresh) and 116 911 kg (frozen).

Figure 7: Export-Import of Neritic Tunas Indonesia in 2012-2013
(Source: Directorate General of Fisheries Product Processing and Marketing Statistic. Ministry Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Republic Indonesia)

National Statistic Framework

The collection and recording of national data statistical had been done by the government in this matter Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia. Statistic data collection conducted at the fish landing sites in all regions of Indonesia. This Statistic data covers capture fisheries with contents capture fisheries establishments, fishing boats, fishing units, volume of production and value of production.

Conclusions

To conduct stock assessment we need data catch and effort. As oceanic tuna, we believe neritic tuna also highly migratory. It need to cooperation in data collection from respective country, with the same format to make fish stock assessment to support the management process in order to achieve the goal having a sustainable utilization of neritic tuna resources.

MALAYSIA

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Marine fish production from Malaysian waters was 1,428,881mt giving a value of RM 6,651.89 million in 2010. While in 2011, production had declines by 3.9% to 1,373,105 mt. Coastal fisheries has contributed more than 78% of the total marine fish landings and the rest is from high seas 30 nautical miles or more. Based on the percentage, catches of marine fishes from high seas still low and therefore the government are aiming to increase the catch from that area. This includes oceanic and neritic tuna fisheries. Neritic tuna fishery began in the 80s as by-catch and with the use of tuna purse seine, neritic tuna industry continued to increase since 1987. Neritic tuna catches by trawlers (trawl net), primarily on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia are also recorded but the total catch were relatively low compared with catches by purse seiners.

The increase in neritic tuna catches in Malaysia has continued in line with the growth of the processing industry (canning fish) locally. Other than for domestic use, there is also an increasing demand from the canning industry in Thailand. Neritic tuna continuous improvement is aided by increased effort and the use of Fish Aggregating Device (FAD), including the use of spotlight.

Fisheries area in Malaysia can be divided into several sub-regions, namely the West Coast and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The Straits of Malacca is located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in the north it overlooks the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean. Perlis State is the main landing spot for neritic tuna followed by Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor. Perlis advantage in neritic tuna fisheries is due to the open seas facing Andaman Sea and Indian Ocean.

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

Malaysia is a maritime nation, surrounded by four seas; namely the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulu and Celebes Sea. Marine fishing areas in Malaysia can be divided into several fishing sub-areas, namely the west (Malacca Straits) and east coast (South China Sea) of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah waters which include Sulu and Celebes Seas in the east coast. The Malacca Straits is a part of the IOTC area of competence, which includes the state of Perlis, Kedah,Penang, Perak and Selangor. The Malaysian EEZ in the Malacca Straits is bordering with the Indonesian toward the west and toward the north it is bordering with the Thailand (Andaman Sea) as shown in Figure 1. With the declaration of the EEZ in 1980 as shown in Figure 2, Malaysian waters have 548,800 km2 with Peninsular Malaysia have 298,800 km2, Sarawak 160 km2 and Sabah including Labuan have 90,000 km2. With this expansion, there is an intense encouragement and promotion by the government to develop deep-sea fishing of which the tuna industry has become one of the primary concerns of the government.

Figure 1: Malaysian fishing areas



Figure 2: Malaysian Fishing Areas (EEZ)

Management Arrangements for Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Malaysia has developed a Strategic Action Plan for Development of Tuna Industry 2012-2020. The plan mostly focuses on development plan for tuna fisheries; neritic and oceanic, within Malaysia waters and high seas. So far, no management plan was ever developed solely for specific marine fish. Neritic tuna fisheries is only a by-catch fish resources and contributed to less than 5% of total marine catches. Moreover, the status of neritic tuna landings catches in Malaysia did not show obvious fluctuation or decreasing trends.

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic Tunas Species
There are four species of neritic or coastal tuna found in the Malaysian waters.

1. Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol)
2. Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard)
3. Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
4. Kawakawa (Enthynnus affinis)

Types of Fishing Gears
Main Species of Neritic Tunas were exploited by main fishing gears e.g. purse seine, trawl, hand line and drift net (gillnet).

Catch variation by tonnages
Kawakawa were found to be abundantly caught by bigger vessels (>70 GRT) in the Malacca Strait and South China Sea (Figure 1 ). Longtail, however, was exceeding the catch in the Malacca Strait by vessels 40 – 70 GRT operating between 13- 30 nm off the shore. Generally, higher landings for all neritic tuna species were from the bigger commercial vessels fishing beyond 30 nm zone.

Figure 3: Catch variation by GRT of purse seine vessels.

Total landings of neritic tuna in Malaysia
Figure 4 shows a total annual landing in metric tons of nertic tunas in which it was ranged from 40,000 mt to 65,000 mt from 1990 to 2014. The highest catch was in 2013 and 2002 ( 68,000 mt and 62,000 mt, respectively). Decreasing trend found in 2002 to 2005 before an increasing trend until 2014. However, in overall picture, landings of neritic tune in Malaysia appear to have stabilized from 2010 to 2014.

Figure 4: Total landings of neritic tuna in Malaysia based on the Annual Fisheries statistic Department of Fisheries, Malaysia.

Imports and Exports of Neritic Tuna

Table below shows quantity and values of imports and exports fish based products which related to tuna species. The records were extracted from Statistical Department where the item of imports and exports were not specify by any specify species. It is hardly the table could describe the status of neritic tuna imports and exports in Malaysia.

Current Fisheries Statistic Framework

The present fisheries statistic is mean for all species from marine and freshwaters fisheries. Neritic tuna under pelagic species in the statistic report are separated into 3 major species, namely aya hitam (longtail), aya kurik (kawakawa) and aya selasih (frigate). The record to species level only is practiced from 2008. The annual statistic records also include the ‘effort’ in term of following units;
No of Trip, No of day at sea, No of fishing days, No of haul, No of hour
There is no common/standard effort units used during the past 20 years. The difference in effort units applied from the past years affect the process of standardization of efforts for use in stock assessment. There is an effort with the assistance from IOTC-OCFC to improve the neritic tuna statistical report. Overall, the information from the annual fisheries statistical, provide a general trend of catches of neritic tuna in Malaysian waters.
DOF also enforce the use of Vessel Operation Report for vessels over 70 GRT. This report is a compulsory under license rule. The information obtained from LOV can also be used to determine the status stock of neritic tuna

Issues and Constraint

• Leaking of catches by bigger commercial vessels to other countries.
• IUU ( double flagging, transshipment at sea, duplicating vessels)
• Encroachment by foreign and local vessels
• Improving Statistical data framework that can provide a standard format of data for fish stock assessment purposes.
• Limit in staffing and fund in data collection program.
• Intergrating import and export recording system with catch data from Fisheries Department.

Conclusion

• The neritic tuna fishery is very much related to the purse seine fishing gears. There is a question of harvesting small pelagic fish including neritic tuna in the South China Sea and Sulu & Celebes Sea, to what level of the fishing efforts that the present neritic tuna can sustain the exploitation rate.
• There should be a level of exploitation rate set the by the fisheries manager as to ensure that the present resources are exploited at a sustainable level and with a responsible manner.
• The shared stock need shared management among the bordering countries. To implement an effective shared stock management, it needs systematic cooperation and coordination between the ASEAN countries. With the ASEAN Member, SEAFDEC can play the role as a platform to coordinate and assist the member countries in research program, managing and streamline data collection format and conducting relevant capacity buildings
• For Malaysia, there is still room to improve the quality of catch and efforts data. With a good data quality, it will provide a good input for scientist to estimate the status of small pelagic fish stocks and at the end it will also assist the fisheries manager in planning and sustainable development of the purse seine fishery.

MYANMAR

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Myanmar shares common maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal with Bangladesh, India and Thailand. The continental shelf covers approximately 230,000 sqkm with a relatively wider portion in the central and southern parts. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is about 486,000 sqkm. From north to south, Rakhine Coast, Ayeyarwady Delta and Tanintharyi Coast are the three coastal zones of Myanmar as shown in Figure. The Rakhine Coast stretches 740 km from the Naff River to Mawdin Point. The upper part is shallow and deltaic while the southern part is rather deep and rocky. Compare to the other areas, its continental shelf is rather narrow. Two rivers flowing into this coastal area are Mayu and Kaladan. From Mawtin Point to the Gulf of Mottama lies the Ayeyawady Delta. This deltaic coastal zone expands about 460 km and is outlets of the three major rivers including Ayeyarwady, Sittaung and Thanlwin. The western part is adjacent to Rakhine Yoma and the remainder is a flat alluvial plain with a network of tributaries of the Ayeyarwady River. The annual sediment discharge of 250 million tons of the Ayeyarwady River results in the enlarged delta seaward at the rate of 5 km every hundred years. The Taninthary Coastal area has the longest coastline stretching over 1,200 km from the Gulf of Mottama to Pakchan River. It is fringed in southern part by the Myeik Archipelago and is also home to more than 1,700 inshore and offshore islands. The coastal plain is narrow and gradually rises towards the east, reaching 2,073 m at Myint Moe Let Khat Taung, the highest peak. Rivers including Ye, Dawai, Tanintharyi and Lenya input large volumes of fresh water and sediment into the system

Fishery resources in Myanmar waters are typical of Southeast Asia with a large quantity of fish and shrimp in the EEZ. With exclusion of the results of recent Nansen surveys in 2013, existing literature suggest there are approximately 470 species of marine fishes including 67 commercially important pelagic species, and 13 crustacean species. Several species remain to be identified.

In Myanmar, Neritic tunas are gaining more important economically species and were exploited by variety of fishing gears. The main fishing gears used for catching neritic tunas was the purse seines and king mackerel drift gill net. In the past, fisher used small purse seines and traditional fishing gears for the small pelagic fish species in coastal areas. At present fishing gears and techniques are developed by using light luring techniques, FADs and advance technology fish finder equipment.

Figure 1: Marine fisheries water of Myanmar

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

The Department of Fisheries of Myanmar has created an appropriate legal framework and has formulated and implemented various strategies for the sustainable development and management of marine fisheries. Myanmar endowed with huge fisheries potential marine waters in which fishing zones are located. The territorial fishing zone is within 12 nautical miles offshore from the baseline and the EEZ covers 200 nautical miles offshore from the baseline. The total marine fisheries area in Myanmar including exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is about 486,000 square kilometres.

The possible fish resources still available in order to increase production are the oceanic fish resources and the EEZ. The EEZ of Myanmar occupies the eastern part of Bay of Bengal and northern part of Andaman Sea with area of about 486,000 square kilometres. The physical features of seabeds vary from the inshore to the deep sea. There are large areas of mangroves and coastal mudflats interphase with sandy beaches substrates in the inshore area. The continental shelf with an area of 230,000 sq-km slopes to 200- meter depth, while continental slope dips from 200 to 800 meters depth. Within the EEZ of Myanmar with its diversity of habitats are rich in multi-species fish resources.

Management Arrangements for Neritic Tuna Fisheries

In Myanmar marine capture fisheries can be categorized into two main types, namely “inshore fisheries” and “offshore fisheries”. Offshore fisheries mean the capture fisheries being operated active fishing gears (e.g. trawl nets, purse seine nets. etc) with fishing vessels more than thirty-feet in overall length and engine power more than 12 H.P. The offshore fishery 6 fishing grounds are from outer area of demarcated in-shore fishery area to end of EEZ. (In-shore fishery areas are the area five nautical miles away from the shore in Rakhine coast and ten nautical miles away from Ayeyarwady and Tanintharyi coast.

Table 1: Number of National off-shore fishing vessels in Myanmar (2013-2014)

Myanmar Government has promulgated “Law Relating to The Fishing Rights of Foreign Fishing Vessels (1989)” and “Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law (1990)”. Under the marine fisheries law, the national fishermen are given priority to fish in all fishing zones. Local offshore fishing vessels are allowed to operate outer area of inshore to the territorial while the operating under fishing rights agreement and foreign joint venture company are allowed to fish from the territorial line to exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Department of Fisheries has established an appropriate legal framework and formulated and implemented various strategies for the sustainable development and management of marine fisheries. Fisheries management is pursued by proper licensing, prescribing exploitable species, designating environmental friendly fishing gears and methods, imposing closed area and seasons, etc. The introduction of a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) programme for fishery management is another measure taken up by DoF. This program should provide effective and efficient scientific data acquisition for resources evaluation and management of fisheries in Myanmar. It also provides the basis for effective monitoring and control of fisheries enforcement activities, to ensure that only authorized or licence-holding fishing vessels operate within the designated area in the national EEZ. Enforcement of fishing activities involves Myanmar Navy; Myanmar Coast Guard; Department of Fisheries; Myanmar Customs Department; and Myanmar Police Force. Overall, the Myanmar Navy coordinates surveillance efforts. Since there are no fishing vessels working in high sea’s areas, Myanmar has nothing to discuss about the management arrangement for our country’s vessels outside EEZ in high sea area.

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

There are four species of neritic tuna i.e., Auxis thazard (Frigate tuna), Auxis rochei (Bullet tuna, Euthynnis affinis (Kawakawa) and Scomberomorus commerson (Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel) are found. The neritic tunas were exploited by variety of fishing gears. The main fishing gears used for catching neritic tunas was the purse seines and king mackerel for drift gill net. As oceanic tuna, Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares), Striped marlin Tetrapturus audax) and Sainfish (Istiophorus platypus) are inhabiting in Myanmar offshore waters. Bigeye Thresher (Alopias pelagicus), Whit-tipped shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), Escolar, Pelagic stingray (Dasyatis sp :), Common dolphin (Coryphaena bipinnulata) and Snake mackerel (Gympylus surpens) were also found in EEZ water (Joint survey by SEAFDEC, 2004 &2007). From these two survey results, Swordfish is the most dominant species in Myanmar Offshore waters and it can be considered as one of the commercial fishes for offshore fisheries in future.

Table 2: Number of Foreign TunaLong-line Fishing Vessel Engage in Myanmar Water and production (2011-2012) (YF: Yellow Fin)

Table 3: Summary statistics for neritic tuna in Myanmar (2012-2013)

Recommendations

• A standardised data collection system for neritic tuna fisheries with appropriate data collection forms, correct and transparent raising and estimation procedures and guidelines for data collections should be developed;
• A pilot project in one or two coastal regions should be set up and implemented, to test and gain experience with the uniform data collection system. After a test phase the system could be rolled out over the all divisions;

Conclusion

Nowadays, the fishery statistics has been widely accepted as a tool in proving so as to know the current and past status of the fisheries and draw up the short term and long term planning for fisheries including for food security and rural development as well as for conservation of fisheries resources.It is clear that reliable, accurate and timely data and information are needed for the effective fishery management and planning to meet the sustainable fisheries.

In Myanmar, small scale fisheries are of outstanding importance for the protein supply of local populations. However, in most cases the catches of the artisanal fishermen are poorly or not registered and do not appear in any official statistics. The biology, ecology and distribution of neritic tuna species that are exploited are poorly studied or unknown, and the study on marine wildlife in their natural habitats in terms of the size of populations, distribution, migratory patterns, threats and conservation status are rather limited. Most of the existing studies are based on reported sightings, reported stranding and reported by-catch. Therefore, we need to be undertaken a wide range of capacity building measures to strengthen the capability of Myanmar to implement a better and sustainable management of neritic tuna resources in Myanmar.

THE PHILIPPINES

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

The country’s marine fisheries are conventionally subdivided into municipal (small-scale) sector and commercial sector depending on the vessel gross tonnage. The municipal sector includes capture operations using fishing boats of less than 3 gross tons and they are allowed to fish within the municipal waters or 15 km from the shoreline. The commercial sector includes capture fishing operation using vessels of 3 gross tons and above and they are required to fish outside the municipal waters that is beyond the 15 km from the shoreline. The licensing of the municipal boats is under the jurisdiction of the Local Government Units (LGUs) while the commercial vessels secure Commercial Fishing Vessel and Gear License (CFVGL) at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and is subjected to renewal every three years.

Tunas and seerfishes belong to the same Family Scombridae. They are not only excellent foodfishes but also considered economically important for they greatly contribute to the Philippine catches, in term of production. Tunas are grouped into oceanic and neritic tunas. The oceanic tunas are composed of yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) while the neritic tunas include the eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis), frigate (Auxis thazard), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol), and striped bonito (Sarda orientalis). The two common seerfishes found in the country are the narrowbarred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) and the Indo-Pacific king mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus).

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

The Philippines is an archipelagic country situated in the western Pacific Ocean, categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions namely, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Figure 1: Location of the Philippines in the Western Pacific Ocean

The Philippines which consist of more than 7000 islands and islets has one of the longest coastlines in the World, estimated at 36,289 kilometers. The coastline extends 2,000 kilometers from north to south.

Figure 2: the Philippines Coastal Data (Source: www.bfar.da.gov.ph)

Data Collection Initiatives for Tunas & Responsible Agencies

There are several data collection initiatives being conducted by the BFAR. One is through the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), which is already a regular activity of the BFAR in the 16 political regions of the country as shown in Figure, where landed catch and effort data are being collected in the different fishing grounds of the country, including tuna data (except in CAR for it has no marine waters). Another is the Philippine Observer Program where trained fisheries observers go on-board the fishing vessels (purse seine and ringnet), especially during the FAD closure period and in all fishing operations in Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea, South China Sea and the Eastern Pacific Seaboard. There is also the West Pacific East Asia Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (WPEA-OFMP) which just increased their port sampling coverage for tunas in 2010.

Aside from the BFAR, there are other government agencies with specific functions and responsibilities in collecting fishery information. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the one mandated to compile and publish the official Philippine fisheries statistics since 1988. The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) supports the fishing industry development by providing fish ports, post-harvest facilities, ice plants, cold storage and other facilities, in support to handling and distribution of fishery products. It also collects data on the volume of catch by species and value in PFDA managed ports. The National Statistics Office (NSO) conducts national census every 10 years. It maintains the official statistics on fishery exports and imports in the Philippines and likewise provides information vital to monitoring product flows and corroborating production figures.

Figure 3: Map of the Philippine showing the locations of the different political regions)

Fisheries Management

The Philippine fisheries sector is defined and managed by three major legal frameworks. The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act 8550) is the governing law in Philippine fisheries. It highlights conservation, protection and sustained management of fishery and aquatic resources. The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160) devolves the management and regulation of the municipal waters (15 km radius from the shoreline) and its fisheries resources to the Local Government Units (LGUs). They will implement the national laws and regulations of their own resources by virtue of ordinances. They were granted the licensing over all fishery privileges within their territorial jurisdiction, i.e. the licensing of municipal fishing boats. The Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA) is geared towards modernization and industrialization of the fisheries sector by transforming it into a technology-based industry.

The management of the Philippine tuna fisheries is primarily governed by the national government through the Department of Agriculture/Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA/BFAR). It is responsible in the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization, and disposal of all fisheries and aquatic resources beyond the municipal waters for the municipal waters is under the jurisdiction of the municipal and city government. Aside from DA/BFAR and the LGUs, there are also other government agencies with fisheries-related functions which are involved in addressing issues related to tuna fisheries management (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Key agencies and their function related to tuna fisheries management



The Philippine Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) system for fisheries has land, sea and air components. Its activities are one of the key pillars of fisheries management and enforcement in the country. It is established by DA/BFAR in coordination with the LGUs, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMCs), the private sectors and other concerned agencies to ensure judicious and wise utilization, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources both in Philippine and high seas waters.

The Philippines has adopted the National Tuna Management Plan covering all forms of municipal and commercial tuna fishing up to the limit of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Included in the management plan is the operation of Philippine-flagged vessels fishing outside the jurisdiction of the Philippines and the trade of tuna products originating from the Philippines, including fish caught elsewhere but transshipped and/or processed in the country. There are also other tuna related management plans i.e., the National Plan of Action to Deter Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUUF), the National Tuna Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Management Policy, and the Strategic Action Program for the Sustainable Fisheries Management of the Sulu-Celebes (Sulawesi) Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (SCS-LME). Aside from the national coverage of the fisheries management plans, there are also localized management plan, like the Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 2, 2014 on the closed season for ringnet and bagnet operation for the conservation and management of the small pelagic fishes in Davao Gulf. The closed season was effective in June to August starting this year 2014 and every year thereafter. All of these management plans already published is now being updated to be consistent with the ecosystem approach to fisheries management framework (EAFM)

Figure 5: presents some existing Fisheries Administrative Orders (FAOs), policies, issued by DA-BFAR that governs the Philippine tuna industry.

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic Tunas Species
There are four species of neritic or coastal tuna found in the Malaysian waters.

1. Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol)
2. Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard)
3. Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
4. Kawakawa (Enthynnus affinis)
5. Narrow-Barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)
6. Indo-Pacific King mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus)

Neritic tunas are distributed throughout the Philippine waters. In terms of relative abundance; Among the neritic tunas and seerfishes, frigate/bullet tunas are the most abundant both in commercial (70%) and municipal (67%) production followed by eastern little tuna, which contributed 26% and 19% and the seerfishes 4% and 14%, respectively (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Relative Abundance of Neritic Tunas and Seerfishes by Sector, 2005-2014 (Source: PSA/ BAS)

In terms of catch by species, bullet tuna was very high and dominated the catch in 2005 and 2006 then it abruptly decreased in 2007 and remained low until 2013. Eastern little tuna increased in 2007 from its very low catch in 2005 but declined in 2008 and remained low until the succeeding years. Frigate tuna was most abundant in 2006 but abruptly declined in 2007 and remained low in the succeeding years while longtail tuna, which is the least abundant, was on its peak only in 2007(Figure 7).


Figure 7: Annual catch (mt) of neritictunasin NSAP-WPEA monitored fishing grounds in the Philippines, 2005-2013

Imports and Exports of Neritic Tunas (quantities and values)

There are no records regarding the imports and exports of neritic tunas in the Philippines. Neritic tuna catch are usually consumed locally. In the municipal catch, they are mostly landed in various landing sites of the country. They are processed by drying, salting, smoking. Unlike the oceanic tunas like the skipjack and yellowfin tuna, they are brought to the large scale commercial processing (canneries) for local and export market (Barut, 2003).

Barut, N., 2003. National Tuna Report (Philippines). SCTB 16 Working Paper. NFR-22.

How Current National Statistics Framework Support Management of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Different government Agencies that collect fisheries data have different functions and mandates. The data collection framework for these agencies is dictated by their functions and mandates thus some of these agencies will not support management of neritic tuna. These are due to non-segregation of catch by species and gear which will only provide the total catch of the tunas of the country. However the total catch is important in the analyses of the data collected by the NSAP. Fisheries management would require catch data by species by gear by type of fishing operations among others.

Issues and Constraints on Management of Neritic Tuna Fisheries and Technical Matters

Frigate and bullet tunas are similar in appearance and difficult to distinguish from external characters when less than 15 cm (Arce, 1987). This is one of the constraints for the data collectors, particularly the statistical data enumerators, in separating these two species.Since the transfer of the collection of fisheries statistics from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), now the Philippine Fisheries Statistics (PSA), the collection of fish statistics is no longer by fishing gear and fishing ground. Some species are already identified by common name or group name i.e. frigate and bullet tunas,for they are not segregated by species but rather combined together and reported as frigate only.

Conclusions

The data collection for tunas (both neritic and oceanic) under the National Stock Assessment Program will be continued annually. Sampling sites will be expanded once financial resources are available and this includes the hiring and training on species identification and data collection for the additional enumerators. The additional budget for 2015 to the NSAP to be provided by the government will realize the expansion sites and human capacity building in 2015. These will also addressed some of the constraints in data collection and processing like hardware and software to be used by the NSAP.

THAILAND

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Marine fisheries play a very important role for the economy of Thailand in terms of the sources of incomes, employment and fishery industry establishment (e.g. fish processing, ship building industry, frozen food factories, fish meal factories). Fish products are not only the important source of protein within country but also the important export products that bring substantial income to country. Fish products of Thailand mainly come from marine capture fisheries. Catch production from Thai waters used to reach 2.83 million tons. It was because not only Thai fishers are efficient in fishing but also the geographic of Thailand supports the abundance of marine resources. Thailand locates on the Southern Indochina Peninsular with two long coasts of 2,615 km in total (i.e. 1,660 km coast along the Gulf of Thailand and 955 km coast along the Andaman Sea). Furthermore, the wide continental shelf of the coast, particularly along the Gulf of Thailand, is suitable for fishing operation. However, due to the rapid development of Thai fisheries resulting in the big increase of the number of fishing vessels, as well as the adoption of high fishing technologies that enhances fishing efficiency resulting in the quick increase of catch production, marine resources in Thai waters have been in overexploited stage. Moreover, owing to a large variety of the type and size of fishing vessels, the multi-species nature of resources, and the complicated structure of fishery industry and socioeconomic status involving with many different beneficiaries, the problems unavoidably occur both due to domestic consumption of the resources and the impact from the rules applied on international trade.

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

Thailand locates on the Southern Indochina Peninsular with two long coasts of 2,615 km in total (i.e. 1,660 km coast along the Gulf of Thailand and 955 km coast along the Andaman Sea). Furthermore, the wide continental shelf of the coast, particularly along the Gulf of Thailand, is suitable for fishing operation.

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic Tunas Species
There are three main species of neritic or coastal tuna found in the Thailand waters. A list of these species with their scientific names is given in Table.

1. Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol)
2. Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard)
3. Kawakawa (Enthynnus affinis)

Types of Fishing Gears
Four main fishing gears:

• Purse seines with fish aggregating devices (FADs)
• Light luring purse seines (LPS)
• Thai purse seines (TPS)
• vessel length 16-25 m (LOA)
• 250-600 hp of power engine
• 500-1,200 m length and 50-150 m depth of the net
• crews 25-40 persons
• Neritic tuna purse seines (TUN)
• vessel length > 24 m (LOA)
• 300-600 hp of power engine
• 1,200-1,600 m length and 110-150 m depth of the net
• crews 35-45 persons

Total catch of Longtail Tuna (2003-2013)
According to fisheries statistics from year 2003 to 2013, the total catch of longtail tuna in Thai waters ranged from 13,251 to 81,484 tons (Figure 1A), catch from the Gulf of Thailand varied from 4,844 to 78,620 tons. The main catch was from purse seine 3,912-7,621 tons, followed by king mackerel gillnet was range from 932-6,006 tons (Figure 1B). In the Andaman Sea, the catch varied from 1,819 to 9,568 tons, which the main catch was from purse seine (1,819 to 9,568 tons), followed by king mackerel gillnet ranged from 0-732 tons (Figure 1C).

Figure 1: Total catch of longtail tuna in Thai waters year 2003-2013
Source: Fishery Statistics Analysis and Research Group, Department of Fisheries.

Total Catch of kawakawa (2003-2013)
Total catch of kawakawa ranges from 21,006-57,620 tons in Thai waters (Figure 2A), the catch in the Gulf of Thailand was ranged from 11,914-46,446 tons (purse seine 11,397 to 44,248 tons and king mackerel gillnet 517-7,249 tons) showed as Figure 2B In the Andaman catch of kawakawa ranging in 5,440-11,630 tons consisting of the catch by purse seine 5,401 to 11,544 tons and king mackerel gillnet 377 to 497 tons (Figure 2C).

Figure 2: Total catch of Kawakawa in Thai waters year 2003-2013
Source: Fishery Statistics Analysis and Research Group, Department of Fisheries.

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

Thailand locates on the Southern Indochina Peninsular with two long coasts of 2,615 km in total (i.e. 1,660 km coast along the Gulf of Thailand and 955 km coast along the Andaman Sea). Furthermore, the wide continental shelf of the coast, particularly along the Gulf of Thailand, is suitable for fishing operation.

Fishing areas and seasons

In the Gulf of Thailand, neritic tunas spread across the coast with the abundance found in the central part of the Gulf. Longtail tuna are abundantly found in deeper water than kawakawa and frigate tunas. According to the fishing grounds relocated by purse seiners, it indicates that the fish harvest is affected by two monsoon seasons (i.e. the Southwest and Northeast monsoons), as well as the availability of target species. Neritic tuna fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand occur throughout the year with the highest season during January to March.

For the Andaman Sea, the fishing grounds for neritic tunas are also widely found along the coast and expanded extensively over the offshore area, where the water depth is more than 40 m. The fishing seasons are all year round with the highest season during November to May while having the Northeast monsoon.

Based on the purpose of recording national statistics of marine fisheries, including neritic tuna fisheries, fishing areas in Thai waters are divided into seven areas, i.e. Area 1-5 within the Gulf of Thailand and Area 6-7 within the Andaman Sea. Adjacent areas of Thai waters are also divided into Area A, B, C, D, and E (Figure). Main landing places for neritic tuna fisheries are concluded in Table 1, as well as located in Figure.

Figure 3:Figure : Locations of fishing grounds and landing places in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand

Fishing Groud (Gulf of Thailand)

• 1-5 Thailand
• A Cambodia
• B Malaysia and Indonesia

Fishing Groud (Andaman Sea)

• 6-7 Thailand
• C Indonesia (Sumatra)
• D India
• E Myammar

Landing places (Gulf of Thailand)

• 1. LaemNgop,Trat
• 2. Thamai,Chanthaburi
• 3. Muang,Rayong
• 4. Sattahip,Chonburi
• 5. Sriracha,Chonburi
• 6. Pak Nam, Samutprakan
• 7. Muang,Samutsakhon
• 8. Cha-Um,Phetchaburi
• 9. Pranburi, PrachuapKhiriKhan
• 10. Muang,Songkhla
• 11. Muang,Pattani

Landing places (Andaman Sea)

• 12. Muang,Ranong
• 13. Kuraburi,Phang-nga
• 14. Takuapa,Phang-nga
• 15. Taimuang, Phang-nga
• 16. Muang,Phuket
• 17. Muang,Krabi
• 18. Kantang,Trang
• 19. Palian,Trang
• 20. La-ngu,Satun
• 21. Muang,Satun

Marine Fisheries Management Plan

1. Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for prohibition of certain kinds of fishing appliances in spawning and breeding seasons.

• In some localities of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces. (15th February - 15th May).
• In some localities of Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang Provinces during 1st April -30th June.
• Prohibition of surrounding nets with meshes smaller than 2.5 cm fishing at night.

2. Thailand has “the Marine Fisheries Management Plan of Thailand (FMP)” in October 2015.

• Required to transform an open-access fishery into a limited-access fishery based on balancing the fishing effort with MSY.
• closely linked to the National Plan of Action to NPOA-IUU
• will be implemented the e-logbook, e- licencing and Port State Measure (PSM) in 2016 and catch quota of longtail tuna in 2018
• Started and implemented the VMS system on all fishing vessels (> 30 gross ton) and observer program in 2015.

3. Technical Study on neritic tuna

• Reproductive Biology of Kawakawa, Frigate Tuna and Longtail Tuna.
• The Status of Neritic Tuna Resources and Fisheries.

VIET NAM

Introduction of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

The fisheries sector plays an important role in the social and economic development of Vietnam. The sector is estimated to contribute 3% to the Vietnam­ese GDP, and fish provides about 40% of the animal protein consumption. Originating from traditional fishing with small artisanal boats operating mainly in near-shore areas, up to now marine capture in Viet Nam has developed rapidly. A number of fishing boats equiped with engine of higher capacity is increasing in offshore areas. Fishing efficiency and the quality of marine catch have improved considerably. The policy on development of offshore fishing and stability of proper marine capture in coastal areas encouraged fishers in investment in building of new boats with high engine to fish in open sea. A number of fishing boats with engine of over 90 hp increased from 1,000 fishing boats in 1997 to over 14,000 fishing boats in 2007, and up to 28,237 fishing boats in 2014 (DECAFIREP, 2014).

Physical Characteristics of Coastal and Offshore Area

Vietnam has a long coastline of 3,260 km and the large Exclusive Economic Zone covers more than one million square kilometers. Based upon the natural characteristics of the sea areas, the Vietnamese sea can be divided into the following regions: Tonkin Gulf, the Central waters, the Southeast waters, the Southwest waters and the Central of Bien Dong.

The Marine Waters of Vietnam are divided into five main areas, based on the management purposes. These five management areas are: i) Tonkin Gulf; ii) Central wtaers; iii) Southeast waters; iv) Southwest waters; and v) Centre of Bien Dong (including Paracel and Spratly islands).

Based on the fisheries management purposes, the EEZ of Vietnam are divided into 3 areas, including: i) coastal area; ii) in-shore area; iii) off-shore area.

Management arrangements for neritic tuna fisheries

General arrangement for Fisheries Management
The government agency that is responsible for the administration, development and management of the fisheries is the Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Under D-Fish, the Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection (DECAFIREP) is responsed for the administration and management of the capture fisheries (see Figure 2). Along with the D-Fish, there are several Research Institutes acting as consultative agencies, such as, Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (RIMF), Viet Nam Institute of Fisheries and Economic Planning (VIFEP).

Status and Trends of Neritic Tuna Fisheries

Neritic Tunas Species
There are five main species of neritic or coastal tuna found in the Vietnam waters. A list of these species with their scientific names is given in Table.

1. Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol)
2. Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard)
3. Kawakawa (Enthynnus affinis)
4. Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
5. Striped bonito (Sarda orientalis)

Type of Fishing Gear

• Trawl (17.3%),
• Gillnet (35.7%),
• Purse seine (4.8%),
• Hooks and Line (17.3%),
• Others (24.9%), small scale, multispecies;

Conclusion

Conclusion (issues/constrains)

• There is lack of legal framework for the neretic tuna fisheries managements;
• Weak MCS system (implementation of current regulations); IUU fishing increased;
• There is lack of information (resources status, landing data, biological information) for stock assessments of the neretic tuna (logbook applied but poor coverage; Port sampling uncontinuous collected; On boat observers not implemented);
• Poor handling practices and high proportion of post harvest lost;
• Overfishing capacity; mostly, fisheries resources are being overfished;

Recommendation

• Developing management mechanism and policy and develop neritic tuna production, enhancing capacity through training course for neritic tuna manager at both central and local level.
• Experience, neritic tuna management methods; transfer scientific technical advances, training, provide exploitation technical guidance; tuna preservation after harvesting.
• Collaboration in resources surveys, forecasting tuna fisheries grounds; data collection and database development for management of neritic tuna fisheries.

Future works

• Strengthening capacity for various stakeholders;
• Collabrative comprehensive study for managements;
• Applicaion of EBFM, AFM, CBM, etc as the tools for managements.