FIRST MEETING OF THE REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE (RSC)
FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS OCEANIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PROJECT
FFA Conference Centre, Honiara, Solomon Islands
14 October 2005
SUMMARY RECORD OF DISCUSSION1
1.
The first meeting of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) for the Pacific Islands Oceanic
Fisheries Management project was held at the FFA Conference Centre, Honiara, Solomon Islands on 14
October 2005. Representatives from the following country Governments and organisations were
present: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru,
Niue, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency
(FFA), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). A list of participants is appended at Attachment A.
Opening of Meeting
2.
The Secretariat briefly welcomed the delegates and acknowledged the presence of UNDP and
other organisations at the meeting. Mr. Theo Isamu of Palau was then invited to open the meeting with
a prayer.
Introductory Remarks
3.
Mr Ismael Toorawa, Programme/Operations Manager, UNDP Honiara, made introductory
remarks that explained the background and process taken in the preparation for the meeting, as well as
the importance of the project. A copy of his introductory remarks is appended at Attachment B.
Opening Remarks
4.
The Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Mr Tione Bugotu, made an opening
address. He apologised for the unavailability of the Solomon Islands Minister for Fisheries to open the
meeting. A copy of his opening remark is appended at Attachment C.
Procedural Issues
6.
The FFA Secretariat explained procedural issues, including the agreed requirement for the
appointment of co-chairs, that being UNDP and a national representative on a rotational basis. Mr.
Tione Bugotu for the Solomon Islands and Mr. Randall Purcell, Regional Technical Advisor for
UNDP/GEF agreed to co-chair the meeting on this occasion.
Apologies
7.
The Chair conveyed the apologies of Fiji and SPREP.
Adoption of Agenda
8.
A copy of the adopted agenda is appended at Attachment D.
Agenda Item 1: Overview of the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project
9.
Mr. Randall Purcell made a presentation on the background and purpose of the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) by highlighting its current engagement in similar projects globally. It is an
independent financial facility funded from grants by donor countries. Since its establishment in 1991,
US$5 billion worth of about 1,300 projects has been expended in its identified focal areas in various
countries and implemented by different agencies. The GEF's priority covers a range of areas, including
1 Endorsed 31 October 2006
overfishing, pollution and biodiversity, among others. It focuses on incremental costs which involve
the establishment of institutional arrangements for countries to collaborate and cooperate in efforts to
address improved management and sustainability of resources, as well as in facilitating learning and
information sharing among its stakeholders.
10.
Mr. Les Clark introduced working paper RSC1/WP.1 which provided an overview of the OFM
project. His presentation highlighted the project's goal of `integrated sustainable development and
management of internal waters' that focused on `unsustainable use of resources' resulting from
unsustainable exploitation of resources due to a lack of understanding of resource management issues.
The project was initially funded as a 3 year, US$3.5 million pilot programme, involving fisheries
management activities implemented by FFA and scientific assessment and monitoring activities
implemented by SPC. The project was approved by the GEF Governing Council in May 2005, with a
GEF grant of US$10,946,220 over five years. It will be implemented by UNDP and executed by FFA in
collaboration with SPC and IUCN.
11.
The meeting discussed funding aspects of the project and raised questions about activities the
project's would not fund which the SIDS might find useful, such as maritime delimitation, office
hardware equipments and need for participation of SIDS at major fisheries meetings. It was pointed out
that an existing Maritime Boundary's programme to assist SIDS is delivery by SOPAC and that GEF
funding focussed on assisting countries to meet their global responsibility under the WCPF Convention.
Therefore, SIDS were expected to meet the costs of activities that were of direct benefit to them
nationally from their own resources, or other donors. It was suggested that some funding of equipment
could be designed as part of other activities where the focus is not on hardware but on the collection
and storage of data which the Convention requires and for which SIDS, particularly smaller countries,
do not have such hardware.
12.
The meeting noted the paper.
Agenda Item 2: Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Steering Committee (RSC)
13.
The Interim Secretariat for the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) presented a set of draft Terms of
Reference (TOR) for the Regional Steering Committee (RSC1/WP.2), noting that it is a requirement
under the GEF project that the RSC endorses its own terms of reference. These TOR have been drafted
using TOR from the Strategic Action Program (SAP) as a guide. Upon endorsement, these TOR will
serve for the entire duration of the project (i.e. 5 years).
14.
The meeting raised issues regarding the chairing arrangement, length of review period for the
TOR and clarification of the purpose of the PCU.
15.
It was recommended that a new chair be appointed annually, through negotiations with the PCU,
on an ad-hoc basis.
16.
A 10-day period was recommended for the review of the draft TOR.
17.
The meeting agreed to endorse the draft TOR, subject to further comments from the participants
to be made within 10 days following the end of the meeting. If participants do not make further
comments at the close of the 10 day period, the TOR are to be considered adopted, noting that Tokelau,
Nauru and Samoa have endorsed the draft TOR.
Agenda Item 3: Inception Report
18.
The Interim Secretariat presented working paper RSC1/WP.3 on the Inception Report. It was
noted that the Report was prepared in accordance with the monitoring and evaluation work plan of the
project document and served as a guiding document for the early phases of project implementation. It
was also noted that the report provides an overview of the project, setting out its objectives, resources
available, the expected outcomes, identified risks and indicators, and status of project implementation
by FFA and SPC.
19.
As part of the presentation on the Inception Report, representatives from FFA, SPC and IUCN
made brief presentations on the information provided in the report concerning projected project
activities for 2005.
2
20.
As part of his presentation Mr. David Hinchley of IUCN provided information concerning
IUCN's functions and purpose both for the project and for the new IUCN Oceania programme being
establishing in the region. The presentation focussed on areas in which IUCN can assist SIDS meet
established duties and obligations under agreed regional and international instruments. The IUCN
project activities focus on ecosystem analysis and policy reforms relating to research on seamounts and
also include funding for SIDS participation on planned research voyages. IUCN advised that they are
to establish an initial coordination office in Fiji. The Committee noted that Palau has proposed a
moratorium of fishing on seamounts in region and this is to be considered by the Forum in the next few
weeks.
21.
In relation to project activities, FFA and SPC highlighted issues relating to stock status and
allocation work to be undertaken over the course of the project life and the need prioritise a programme
of activities at two levels, national and regional. Project implementation of regional activities to date
include the recent Technical and Compliance Committee Workshop and Management Options
Workshop to assist SIDs prepare for the implementation of WCPFC. SPC pointed out that funding was
available for national activities such as support for the appointment of data coordinators in some
countries but that funds would not support a coordinator in every country.
22.
The Interim Secretariat requested that the Committee consider if further information should be
included in the Inception Report or whether any changes were required.
23.
The Chair recommended that the review period for the Inception Report (along with the draft
TOR for the Regional Steering Committee) be extended from 10-days to the 31 October, 2005 to
coincide with the date for nominations of National Focal Points.
Agenda Item 4: Budget and Annual Work Plans
24.
The Interim Secretariat presented a proposed detailed budget and annual work plans for 2005 and
2006 (RSC1/WP.4) for approval by RSC, noting that the core responsibility of RSC is to oversee the
budget and work plans.
25.
A revised detailed budget (which allocates the total project budget of US$10,946,220) has been
prepared to take into account changes made since the endorsement of the project document. These
changes include a change in project time frame (now six calendar years to take into account spending in
the fourth quarter of 2005) and corrections of allocations of items to UNDP cost categories. In addition,
the Committee was advised that it was proposed to amend the budget figures set out in draft Inception
report for two reasons:
1. to take into account audit requirements for IUCN and SPC not previously included; and
2. to bring forward the budget for tagging activities under sub-Component 1.3 by 6 months, so
that the tagging activities would now be budgeted for fully in years 2006 and 2007, rather
than being spread over 3 years, 2006-2008.
26.
The Annual Work Plans, derived from the budget for 2005 and 2006 were reviewed.
27.
The meeting agreed to endorse the proposed Budget and Annual Work Plans including revisions
for SPC and IUCN costs and brining forward the SPC tagging activities and subject to further
comments from the participants to be received by 31 October, 2005. If participants do not make further
comments by this date, Budget and Annual Work Plans are to be considered adopted.
Agenda Item 5: National Level Project Management and Coordination
28.
The Interim Secretariat presented working paper RSC1/WP.5 on national level project
management and coordination. It was pointed out that the formation of National Consultative
Committees (NCC) needed to be established in countries and where there is already an appropriate
national body that functions at the intersectoral level, this could be mandated to take on the role of the
NCC (in order to avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy). Broad stakeholder participation at the NCC,
including the country GEF Focal Points, non-governmental organisations and industry is encouraged.
3
29.
National Consultative Committees are represented at the regional level on the RSC by a
nominated National Focal Point. The Committee was asked to appoint National Focal Points no later
than 31 October 2005. It was suggested that consideration be given to continuity of representation.
30.
The meeting agreed to nominate their National Focal Points to the Secretariat not later than 31
October 2005.
Agenda Item 6: Other Matters
31.
The Chair summarised the issues and the outcomes of the Committee's discussions. He noted that
there are a number of matters that require further comments from the Committee and that members had
until the 31 October to respond. He also conveyed his appreciation and thanks to the FFA and others
who were involved in the preparation for the meeting.
Next Meeting
32.
The meeting agreed to have its next meeting held in the margins of the next FFA Management
Options Workshop in 2006, for which date will be advised in due course.
Adoption of the Summary Record of Discussion
33.
The meeting agreed to adopt the record after comments from the participants have been received.
Close of the Meeting
34.
The Chair declared the meeting after thanking the delegates for their time.
4
ATTACHMENT A
First Meeting of the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Project Regional Steering
Committee
14 October 2005
FFA Headquarters,
Honiara, Solomon Islands
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Cook Islands
Kiribati
Ian Bertram
Maruia Kamatie
Secretary
Director of Fisheries
Ministry of Marine Resources
Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources
Tel: (682) 28730/Fax: (682) 29721
Development
Email: I.Bertram@mmr.gov.ck
Tel: (686) 21099/Fax: (686) 21120
Email: maruiak@mfmrd.gov.ki
Peter W Graham
Legal Adviser
Marshall Islands
Ministry of Marine Resources
Tel: 28721/Fax: 29721
Emrina B. Langidrik
Email: p.w.graham@mmr.gov.ck
Fisheries Officer
Marshall Islands Marine Resources
Federated States of Micronesia
Authority
Tel: (692) 625 8262/5632/Fax: (692) 625
Bernard Thoulag
5447
Executive Director
Email: emrina@mimra.com
NORMA
PO Box PS122
Nauru
Palikir, Pohnpei FM96941
Tel: (691) 320 2700/Fax: (691) 320 2383
Peter Jacob
Email: bthoulag@hotmail.com
CEO Acting
Email: mmafish@mail.fm
Nauru Fisheries & Marine Resources
Authority
Patricia Jack
Tel: (674) 444 3733/Fax: (674) 3812
Fisheries Economist/ Student
Email: ceo@naurufisheries.com
NORMA/ University of Queensland
Tel: (691) 320 2700 /Fax (61) 7 3870
Terry Amram
0840
Administration Manager
Email: keeshacj@yahoo.com
Authority
Email: s4090233@student.uq.edu.au
Tel: (674) 444 3733/Fax: (674) 3812
Email: terrya@naurufisheries.com
Niue
Solomon Islands
Alana Fiafia Richmond-Rex
Tione Bugotu
Fisheries Officer
Permanent Secretary
Department of Agriculture, Forestry &
Department of Fisheries
Fisheries
Tel: 39143 Fax: 38106 / 38730
Tel: (683) 4302/Fax: (683) 4079
E-mail: tbugotu@yahoo.com.au
Email: fisheries3@mail.gov.nu
Sylvester Diake
Palau
Under Secretary - Fisheries
Department of Fisheries and Marine
Theo Isamu
Resources
Director
Tel: 38674/95911/Fax: 38106 / 38730
Bureau of Marine Resources
E-mail: sylvester_diake@yahoo.com.au
PO Box 35, Koror
Tel: (680) 488 3125/Fax: (680) 488 3555
Tokelau
Email: BMR@palaunet.com
Email: TheoIsamu@yahoo.com
Foua Toloa
Papua New Guinea
Director
Department of Economic Development,
Ludwig Kumoru
Natural Resources & Environment
Manager Tuna Fishery
PO Box 843
National Fisheries Authority
Apia
Tel: (675) 3090442
Tel: (685) 21161/32325/Fax: (685) 32328
Fax: (675) 3202061
Email: foua.toloa@lesamoa.net
Email: lkumoru@fisheries.gov.pg
Tonga
Paul Martin
Industrial Liaison Coordinator
Dr Sione Vailala Matoto
National Fisheries Authority
Secretary
PO Box 2016
Ministry of Fisheries
Port Moresby
PO Box 871
Tel: (675) 3090437/Fax: (675) 3202061
Nuku'alofa
Email: pmartin@fisheries.gov.pg
Tel: (676) 21399/ 23730/Fax: 23891
Email: vailala@kalianet.to
Samoa
Email: vailalam@yahoo.com
Roseti Imo
Tuvalu
Senior Fisheries Officer
Samoa Fisheries
Nikolasi Apinelu
PO Box 1784
Director of Fisheries (Ag)
Apia
Fisheries Department
Tel: (685) 20005/Fax: (685) 24292
Private Mail Bag
Email: roseti.imo@gmail.com
Funafuti
Tel: (688) 20836/Fax: (688) 20151
Email: apinelu@yahoo.com
Vanuatu
Moses Amos
Director
Department of Fisheries
Tel: (678) 23119
Fax: (678) 23641
Email: mosesamos@vanuatu.com.vu
6
FFA Secretariat
UNDP
Feleti. P. Teo
Randall Purcell
Director General
Regional Technical Advisor
Tel: 21124 xtn 201
UNDP Bankok
Fax: 23995
UN Building
Email: Feleti.teo@ffa.int
Rajadamnern Nok
Bankok
Steve Dunn
Thailand
Deputy Director General
Tel: (66) 2 288 3281
Tel: 21124 xtn 204
Email: randall-purcell@UNDP.ORG
Email: steve.dunn@ffa.int
Dr. Jan McDonald
N. Barbara Hanchard
Environment Programme Manager
Executive Officer
UNDP Honiara Sub-Office
Tel: 21124 xtn 216
1st Floor City Centre Building
Email: barbara.hanchard@ffa.int
Mendana Avenue
Honiara
Len Rodwell
P.O Box 1954
Manager Economics and Marketing
Solomon Islands
Tel: 21124 xtn 227
Tel: (677) 27446
Email: len.rodwell@ffa.int
Fax; (677) 27815
Email: jan.mcdonald@undp.org.sb
Kaburoro Ruaia
Multlateral Treaty Manager
Ismael Toorawa
Tel: 21124 xtn 205
Programme/Operations Manager
Email: kaburoro.ruaia@ffa.int
UNDP Honiara Sub-Office
1st Floor City Centre Building
Amanda Hamilton
Mendana Avenue
Project Economist
Honiara
Tel: 21124 xtn 228
P.O Box 1954
Email: amanda.hamilton@ffa.int
Solomon Islands
Tel: (677) 27446
OBSERVERS
Fax; (677) 27815
Email: ismael.toorawa@undp.org.sb
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
International Union for the
Deirdre Brogan
Conservation of Nature and Natural
Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor
Resources
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
B.P. 05
David Hinchley
Noumea
New Caledonea
Tel: (687) 262 000/Fax: (687) 263818
Email: deirdreb@spc.int
Adam Langly
Principal Scientist
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
B.P. 05
Noumea
New Caledonea
Tel: (687) 262 000/Fax: (687) 263818
Email: adaml@spc.int
7
ATTACHMENT B
Opening Address at the First Meeting of the Oceanic Fisheries Management Project
Regional Steering Committee by Mr. Ismael Toorawa, Programme/Operations Manager,
UNDP Honiara
14 October 2005
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Ladies & Gentlemen. Good Morning
It is both a pleasure & privilege to welcome you to this inaugural Regional Steering
Committee meeting on behalf of the Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Richard Dictus.
As Head of UNDP Honiara Sub-Office, I am delighted to have the opportunity to give these
brief remarks at the opening
As you would know, UNDP has had a long involvement with International Waters projects in
the Pacific Region, having worked with SPREP to implement both the coastal waters and
SAP 1 oceanic fisheries components of the first international waters project.
The long-term sustainability of regional fish stock is a major priority of UNDP's poverty
reduction mandate for the Pacific as well as a key part of MDG number 7 reversing the
decline in biological resources.
The immense success of the first phase is what has brought you all here this week, and what
has enabled us to embark upon this new project that will help with the roll-out of the new
commission and convention obligations in each participating state.
UNDP is also the implementing agency for this new oceanic fisheries project, but this time
the Fiji-Multi Country Office and in particular the Honiara sub-office- is taking the lead
from Samoa.
With FFA as the executing agency here in Honiara, it made sense to base UNDP's support
services close by.
The project is without a doubt the largest one environment or otherwise ever undertaken
by the Honiara sub-office. And with support of key technical specialists from UNDP/GEF
regional centre in Bangkok and UNDP/GEF Head Office in New York, we are strongly
committed to making it a success.
We are lucky to have CROP agency project partners like FFA and SPC with their high level
expertise and experience in earlier projects, as well as new partners in the Pacific like I U C
N , with their international track record in conservation science.
Above all, what will determine the success of this project is the continued commitment and
coordination from all of you the participating countries.
There is no doubt that the progress and achievements of SAP 1 could not have been made
possible without that coordination and shared vision.
Today's inaugural Regional Steering Committee meeting is the start of that critical process
for the next SAP 2 phase.
So, on behalf of the Resident Representative of UNDP, I wish you all a good meeting and the
start of a great project.
Thank you.
9
ATTACHMENT C
OPENING ADDRESS BY MR TIONE BUGOTU, PERMANENT SECRETARY
FOR SOLOMON ISLANDS FISHERIES ON BEHALF OF THE SOLOMON
ISLANDS MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, HON MATHIAS TARO ON THE
OCCASION OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE REGIONAL STEERING
COMMITTEE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS OCEANIC FISHERIES
MANAGEMENT PROJECT
Mr. Feleti Teo, Director General of Forum Fisheries Agency,
Representatives from participating Pacific Islands countries,
FFA members and experts from regional and international organisations
involved in today's Committee meeting and the implementation of Pacific
Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project.
May I welcome all of you participants who have traveled to the Solomon
Islands for this meeting and other important fisheries meetings that have
preceded this one, I would like to take this opportunity to bid you a warm
welcome to Honiara.
I would like to make my brief opening address this morning on behalf of the
Solomon Islands Minister for Fisheries who has only recently been appointed
to office and therefore is not able to be with us this morning.
It is only appropriate that I begin this address by reaffirming the gratitude of
the Pacific region and more specifically that of the small island developing
States, for the commitment shown by the Global Environment Facility, GEF,
under their International Waters Programme in endorsing and approving
funds for the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project. The
Project, as you are aware, provides close to USD11 million to the Pacific
States over a period of 5 years in support of the efforts to fulfill their
obligations to the new and binding fisheries management Commission, the
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, commonly referred to as
WCPFC. This project is a continuum of an initial phase of the successful
oceanic fisheries management work completed under the Pacific
International Waters Strategic Action Programme which was instrumental in
providing assistance to Pacific SIDS during the negotiations of the
Convention that establishes the WCPFC. The support given by GEF
continued with bridging funds in a PDF B phase to develop the full Oceanic
Fisheries Management Project, the reason for which we are all present here
today. Again, let me once again acknowledge the immeasurable contribution
of GEF to efforts by Pacific islanders to be responsible fisheries custodians.
I acknowledge with thanks the role and contribution of the United Nations
Development Programme in both the development of this Project and their
commitment to ensuring that this project will achieve its outcomes and
objectives. The (Forum Fisheries Agency), as the project's Executing Agency
and host to the Project Coordinating Unit will work closely with UNDP and
UNDP-GEF and its co-executing agencies, the Pacific Community, SPC and
the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources, IUCN, to ensure that the work under this significant project will
result in the realignment and improvement of national fisheries laws,
policies, institution and programmes to implement the WCPF Convention. In
other words, the development of the capacity of Pacific SIDS to participate
effectively in the work of the WCPFC along side other larger powerful
countries that also have an economic interest at stake in the outcomes of the
Commission and its operations.
At this point, I would like to warmly welcome you all to this the first meeting
of the Regional Steering Committee. This body will have responsibility for
providing strategic and policy oversight for the Oceanic Fisheries
Management project and the jobs of monitoring and coordinating progress of
all the project activities. I would like to encourage your full and committed
participation in this Committee and its ongoing work, and this commitment
with the assistance of the Project Coordinating Unit, will undoubtedly ensure
that all the objectives of the project are achieved. The monitoring and
evaluation mechanisms build into this project will enable us to make
judgments about the success or failure of this project. I am without doubt
that with the commitment shown towards the development of this project to
date by participating countries and regional organisations, failure is not a
consideration and any outcomes will clearly be examples that we as a region
will display proudly in the international arena and to the global fisheries
management community.
Let me not delay further the commencement of the work in front of this
Committee which needs to be covered over the course of today. Let me
simply wish you well in your deliberations, and say that it gives me great
pleasure to declare this inaugural meeting of the Pacific Islands Oceanic
Fisheries Management Project, Regional Steering Committee open.
END
11
ATTACHMENT D
First Meeting of the
for the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (UNDP/GEF PIMS No. 2992)
FFA Conference Centre
FFA Headquarters, Honiara
14 October 2005
ADOPTED AGENDA
a.
Opening of Meeting
b.
Introductory Remarks
c.
Opening Remarks
d.
Procedural Issues
e.
Apologies
f.
Adoption of Agenda
1. Overview of the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries
Management Project
2. Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Steering Committee
3. Inception Report
4. Budget and Annual Work Plans
5. National Level Project Management and Coordination
6. Other Matters
d.
Next Meeting
e.
Adoption of the Summary Records of Discussions
f.
Close of the Meeting