REGIONAL MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES FOR GIANT CLAMS (TRIDACNIDAE) AND CITES CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP 04 th 07 th August 2009.

Transcription

1 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES FOR GIANT CLAMS (TRIDACNIDAE) AND CITES CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP 04 th 07 th August 2009 Fiji Islands Anare Luvunakoro: Fisheries Research Officer- Giant Clam Meli Raicebe: Fisheries Compliance Officer- CITES

2 Presentation overview National Legislation Policies and Authorities Government Resources, Facilities: Funding and Personnel Research and Programs National Status of Giant Clams Production, Volume and Value of Trade Current Constraints and Advantages for Trade Future Aspirations Conclude- Questions

3 National Legislation Policies and Authorities Since Giant Clams are listed under Appendix II of CITES, export of clam meat of all species; Tridacna derasa, Tridacna squamosa, Tridacna maxima are prohibited under section 25. B of the Fisheries Regulation. Export per person of 3 giant clam shells [or 6 matching halves] weighing 3kg are exempted from our CITES permit requirements. However anyone exporting any specie of giant clam [live, dead, derivative] needs; A] Fisheries Export Permit B] CITES Export permit Implementation of CITES for clams can be said as well covered; however more awareness needs to be made on local grass root levels. Additionally, the government sector still needs to understand more about the convention to better implement it.

4 Government Resources, Facilities, Funding and Personnel Annual allocation sums up to 150,000 [fj$], this is used to upgrade the Makogai Facility, help to fund reseeding that is currently done in six sites annually. 7 officers are assigned to the facility to help culture and reseed clams. Community based training: Customary owners are educated about endangered species and the reason to why commercial trade may result to specie extinction if not regulated

5 Research and Programs HISTORY: Began in the early eighties: Program to evaluate existing clam stocks at that time in the region and to carry out a feasibility study of culturing clams. Hatchery was established in Makogai. The research was to start with the Tridacna gigas (extinct from Fiji till then). In 1988: T. derasa and T. squamosa were already being successfully spawned for the first time under human supervision in Fiji. Extensive resource surveys showed that Tridacna derasa (vasua dina) was over fished and that action must be taken soon if natural stocks are to stand any chance of recovery. It was in this same year when the commercial exportation of clams were banned until the resource was felt to have recovered.

6 Continue; A number of steps were carried out to help boost giant clam development and make restocking a success. Steps that were a] raising juveniles at different temperatures b] salinity Reluctance C] reluctance to grow with different feeds was also taken into consideration. After years of research, the Department now cultures giant clams with the following; a] temperature: Surface: degrees Celsius- Bottom: degrees Celsius b] Salinity: 34 ppt c] Feed: Common Household Yeast mixed with warm water d] Average growth rate before restocking: Young Juveniles 5-12cm from 8 to 12 months.

7 National Status of Giant Clams Status of wild population, main threats and trends Since the project on restocking began, the status of the wild have been improving, Currently areas that area reseeded are mostly Marine Protected Areas [MPA] therefore reseeded clams have more chances of surviving. [avg 200 sites which are reseeded annually] However, we need to carry out stock assessment to identify if the clams are actually recovering

8 Stats; Value and clams resseded Value (FJ:$) ,200 Reseeding 1,000 Stock: Trend, 800 Value 600 Value [FJ$] Number of Clams Year Production, Volume and Value ,125 clams reseeded [value: $9,400] clams reseeded [value: $2,750] clams reseeded [value: $2,700] *With figures gathered, it has been seen that outputs has been declining due to technical and financial problems.

9 Key commodities traded Key commodities traded overseas are Tridacna derasa and Tridacna maxima mostly for aquariums. This species were culture by the Fisheries Department, bought by Walt Smith International and then exported. The last overseas trade of this sort happened back in Moreover over this period Aquarium Company s imported clam from Tonga which then was re-exported for aquariums. Locally, Tridacna derasa, Tridacna squamosa & maxima. Clam meat for decades has become a traditional Fijian delicacy. Additionally, the shells are mostly sold in souvenir shops. [Fisheries permits are required before export].

10 Current Constraints and Advantages for Trade CONSTRAINTS: Reseeding: Reseeded areas [MPA] still face rising threats from poaches that collect during the night. Hurricane associated with floods increase mortality rate to young juveniles Clam Population: Increase in demand from domestic markets pose threats that are likely to deplete clam stocks. Culturing of Clams: threats are encountered in forms of diseases, changes in salinity and temperature due to heavy rainfall during wet seasons. Since most international trade of clams deals with aquarium, some constraints faced during trade are the achievement of the right color. This all points to the ability to have the right technical staff, with more advanced research to carry out culturing of clams.

11 Continue; Other constraints faced by companies is the unavailability of facilities to better culture clams therefore government & industry support needs to be strengthened to help identify areas that needs to be improved to help industries. In terms of marketing issues, the department still needs to look into overseas markets to help boost production and export. Research constraint: need advanced research to better understand wild clam stock. [funding]

12 Continue; constraints CITES: better understand roles work to regulate instead of being barriers towards trade. : Review Fisheries Legislation, Regulations Funding to conduct NDF: and to be able to compile a conclusive report recognized by the CITES secretariat

13 Future Aspirations short term goal; 1. increase funding to improve clam facilities in order to increase outputs. [National/ Regional Levels] 2. technical training needs to be carried out to help culture and reseed stock on MPA s and probably open overseas market. 3. strengthening bilateral and regional collaboration to help boost development on both giant clams and research technical staff. Main Aim enhance technical ability to widen its scope, and activities; to develop species suitable for the aquarium industry. Hatchery renovations have been in place but more work is needed to further increase the scope of the research station. National CITES Legislation- Giant CLAM Projects Move forward to link them together to boost exports. Hope to use resources available: NGO s, Regional Organizations & institutions / use them to facilitate and carry research such as NDF.

14 CONCLUSION Research began back in the 1800 s Due to increase in harvest, clams stocks were being exhausted trade band was imposed After years of research and clam reseeding, stocks have improved and Fiji currently seeks to export clams given we adhere to CITES requirements.

15 Questions for FIJI VINAKA!!! DHANEABHAT!!!! THANK YOU!!!

16 F I J I I S L A N D S