DRAFT
OUTLINE SAP II PROJECT:
NATIONAL PROJECT PREPARATION REPORTS

Solomon Islands
Foreword
This brief report was prepared by Ian Cartwright and Seremaia Tuqiri during a visit to
Solomon Islands from 12 to 16th July 2004. It aims to assemble information relating
to Solomon Islands necessary for the preparation of the GEF SAP II Project.
The main aims of the report are to:
· make an assessment of the implications of the WCPF Convention for Solomon
Islands;
· identify possible activities to support implementation by Solomon Islands of
the WCPF Convention;
· make an analysis of the incremental costs to Solomon Islands of activities
related to the Convention;
· undertake an analysis of stakeholders in Solomon Islands with interests in the
regional oceanic fisheries resources;
· identify relevant consultative mechanisms in Solomon Islands for the GEF
SAP II Project; and
· collect information relating to available indicators of performance in areas
related to the WCPF Convention and to the financial sustainability of
Solomon Island's participation in the Commission and implementation of the
WCPF Convention.
The report is based on available published information and information provided to
the mission by the stakeholders listed in Annex 3.
1.
Background
1.1
Status of Oceanic Fisheries
Solomon Islands is an archipelagic state with an EEZ of 1.34 million km2. Beginning
in the 1970s, Solomon Islands has one of the longest histories of domestic fishing, and
management polices (closed and reserved areas/vessel limits) have encouraged this
activity. The 1999 political unrest had a substantial impact on domestic fisheries. The
domestic tuna fishing company National Fisheries Development (NFD) shifted their
operations from to Noro, Western Province. NFD continues to operate three purse
seiners from Noro, fishing in Solomon Islands waters and transhipping their catch to
various canning markets. The Soltai tuna longline fleet has seen catches fall
substantially due to the unrest and the condition of its aging fleet. In 2003 11,000
tonnes (50% of the former peak catch) were landed to the Noro processing plant for
processing into smoked products (arabushi), canning, and loins for export to Italy
under an arrangement with Tri-Union. A longline company, Solco Ltd (formerly
Solgreen) has reduced its domestic fleet from a maximum of 22 vessels in 1999 to 11
vessels in 2003. In 2003 these vessels landed a total of 1,000 tonnes, of which 830
tonnes was exported to Japan as fresh sashimi tuna.

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Solomon Islands license a number of vessels from DWFN fleets. There are current
bilateral agreements in force with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan fishing associations, and
an agreement with the EU has been initialled and is due to enter into force in January
2005. Regional access to SI waters is permitted for US and FSM Agreement purse
seine vessels. US vessel activity in SI waters has increased following an amendment
to the US multilateral treaty to permit fishing east of 163°E.
Honiara is a seasonal transhipment port. Since 2000 virtually no transhipment
occurred due to the unrest until the 2003/4 season. Between November 2003 and May
2004, 166 shipments totalling 78,854 tonnes were recorded. Most vessels transhipping
are Korean or Taiwanese purse seine vessels.
The value of the 2003 domestic Solomon Islands tuna catch was estimated at
SI$177million1, with exports worth approximately SI$117 million. In 2002 the
domestic tuna industry accounted for some 900 jobs, approximately equally split
between shore based facilities and on fishing vessels. The value of the tuna catch is
estimated at SI$177(2003) with exports worth approximately SI$117million. Fisheries
as is currently Solomon Islands' second most significant industry, behind Forestry.
1.2
Oceanic Fisheries Management
The objectives of the Solomon Islands Tuna Development and Management Plan
(1999) remain current and are:
· to ensure that the tuna resources of the Solomon Islands are not exploited
beyond their optimal sustainable yields; and
· within the limit set by this conservation objective, to harvest the resource in
such a way that maximises the economic and social benefits received by the
people of the Solomon Islands

There is extensive commercial tuna fishing in Solomon Islands using purse seine, pole
and line and longline operations. Of these vessels, three purse seiners carry Solomon
Islands flags. Key fishing agreements exist with Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the US.
New Zealand and the EU are currently negotiating bilateral tuna fishing agreements,
with the latter having initialled (provisionally agreed) a Fisheries Partnership
Agreement.
The 1999 Tuna Development and Management Plan lays down detailed oceanic
fisheries conservation management strategies based on licence limitations and area
restrictions. Due to political unrest, the plan has not been implemented, although there
is growing reference to its provisions as stability is restored to Solomon Islands.
Notwithstanding the Management Plan, there are no restrictions on catch currently
applied. Before licensing purse seine vessels, reference is made by the Department of
Fisheries and Marine Resources (DFMR) to the PNA vessel limits to ensure these are
not exceeded, thereby applying a limit to capacity, at least in a regional sense. There
are currently no restrictions on the number of long-liners licensed in SI waters. Other
management measures applied are spatial limits on US Treaty vessels and a reserved
area of waters for pole and line vessels, the inner Main Group Archipelagic (MGA)
waters, shoreward from 30 miles outside archipelagic baselines).

1 As at 5 August 2004, US$1.00 = SI$7.33

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DRAFT
There is an intention to review the Management Plan and establish a management
framework for the offshore fishery as priority activities.

1.3
Oceanic Fisheries Institutional Arrangements
Oceanic fisheries management in Solomon Islands is a national government
responsibility, undertaken by the DFMR, within the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Department has a total establishment of 41 staff positions, of which only 24 are
currently occupied. There is no one section of DFMR devoted to oceanic fisheries
management, with the research and resource management, licensing, surveillance and
enforcement, and statistics and information sections all undertaking activities related
to oceanic fisheries. DFMR has an annual operating budget of SI$1.7 million and
receives these funds from consolidated government revenue. A provision in the 1998
Fisheries Act to establish a Fisheries Management and Development Fund, which is
to receive 50% of the revenue from access fees and other charges, has not been
enacted. In the past, DFMR has had difficulty in accessing observer levies from
DWFN and domestic vessels that have been paid to Government, to the point that
observer services have had to be suspended. Despite financial constraints which are
limiting actvities, oceanic fisheries are a high priority within the Fisheries
Department.
The main government agencies involved in oceanic fisheries management in Solomon
Islands are the:
· Attorney-General's Chamber which provides legal advice, drafts legislation and
attends meetings as legal advisors;
· Maritime Division of the Solomon Islands Police, which usually undertakes
surveillance and enforcement duties using two ocean-going patrol boats; and
· Department of Foreign Affairs which is active in the international aspects of
fisheries policy, including work related to the WCPF Convention and other
regional and international aspects of fisheries affairs.
Fisheries policy is almost exclusively driven by Fisheries Department. Consultation
with government departments and other stakeholders is very ad hoc, and there are
currently no consultative committees operating. A Fisheries Advisory Council (FAC)
was established under the Fisheries Act of 1998 but met only once, in 1999.
Similarly, the Tuna Management Committee established under the Tuna Management
Plan has not been active in recent years. The Ministry has stated an intention to
activate the consultative process outlined in the Management Plan and invitations to
sit on the FAC have been issued to prospective members. Similarly, there are plans to
re-establish the Tuna Management Committee.
There is no association currently representing the Solomon Islands tuna industry.
Soltai and NFD are active members of the Chamber of Commerce and have used that
forum to lobby government on numerous issues, especially the goods tax.
The Department of Environment and Conservation, Ministry of Forests, Environment
and Conservation is responsible for broader aspects of environmental management.
1.4
Donor involvement
The major ongoing donor involvement is the provision of two Pacific Patrol Craft and
associated training and logistical support by the Australian Defence Force. A range of

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donors contribute to the regional programmes of oceanic fisheries assistance provided
by FFA and SPC.
1.5
Other Oceanic Fisheries Management Issues
Solomon Islands experienced severe economic, social and other pressures as a result
of the social unrest in 2000. These events severely impacted on the delivery of
fisheries management outcomes and while peace has been restored, the state of the
economy continues to restrict the efforts of DFMR to sustainably manage oceanic
fisheries resources. Other significant issues that arose in the mission to Solomon
Islands, most of which are related to the effects of the year 2000 events, include:
· urgent need for an effective overall management framework for oceanic
fisheries;
· limited appreciation of implications of WCPF Convention and a desire to
develop a comprehensive national strategy to address these implications;
· lack of consultative processes to engage all relevant government agencies,
industry and environmental NGOs and the wider public;
· the tuna development management plan, which includes a wide range of
conservation and management measures agreed by all stakeholders,
requires updating and implementation;
· severe reduction in surveillance capability due to funding constraints on
the patrol boat programme and alternative police/security priorities; and
· constraints on the oceanic fisheries management output of DFMR with
respect to capacity, personnel and funding.
2.
Solomon Islands and the WCPF Convention
2.1
Overview
Solomon Island's primary aims in the MHLC and PrepCon process have been:
· to achieve effective management for oceanic fisheries resources in the high seas;
· to cooperate with and learn from other participants, thereby improving fisheries
management in Solomon Islands;
· limit catch and effort to strengthen property rights and thereby the degree to
which domestic industry development can be leveraged; and
· limit the size and scale of Commission and make full use of existing regional
organisations (FFA and SPC) and systems (VMS, regional register etc) to
minimise duplication and costs to member countries.
As a Member of the Commission and a Party to the WCPF Convention, the early
establishment of an effective oceanic fisheries management framework in Solomon
Islands to meet national and Convention requirements is a priority. Specific short
term issues that have major implications for Solomon Islands are seen as follows:
· need to update the 1998 Fisheries Act to comply with the requirements of the
WCPF Convention;
· need to update and implement the national Tuna Fisheries Development and
Management Plan, including the introduction and enforcement of effective catch
and effort limits and other management measures;

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· better control of IUU by reactivation of surveillance capability, including
increased oceanic fisheries-related patrol boat activity;
· improvement of port sampling procedures; and
· establishment of flag state control procedures, including a process to authorise
Solomon Island flagged vessels fishing on the high seas.
2.2
Implications of the Convention
2.2.1 Legal
The Fisheries Act 1998 has not been revised to reflect and implement the
requirements of the WCPF Convention. The need to address this has been accepted by
DFMR and the AG's office as a priority, and means to fund a review are under
consideration. FFA has been requested to review the Tuna Development and
Management plan, and it would be prudent to ensure harmonisation between these
two activities.
There remains limited appreciation of the rights and obligations under the WCPF
Convention both in the legal sense, and in how legislation can be related to
management measures. This situation will be helped by improving communication
between departments having some responsibility for oceanic fisheries management.
The 1998 Environment Act makes specific reference of fisheries (including oceanic
fisheries) as a `prescribed activity' requiring some level of assessment of
environmental impact. Regulations for this act are yet to be drafted, and some
guidance from/liaison with DFMR would be useful.
The table below summarises the status of Solomon Island's adoption of relevant
international legal instruments and declarations.

Instrument
Status
WCPF Convention
Ratified
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Ratified
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
Ratified
Convention on Biological Diversity
Ratified
Driftnet Convention
Ratified
FAO Code of Conduct
Accepted
FAO Compliance Agreement
Status uncertain, not accepted as at
31/01/01
FAO International Plans of Action
Adopted, not implemented
WSSD Fisheries Targets
Not formally adopted
FFA Minimum Terms and Conditions
Implemented

The AG's Chambers have 11 lawyers, one of which has some fisheries experience,
and a severely restricted budget. The lack of resources has constrained the AG's
ability to service the needs of DFMR. The Office of the AG agrees that there is a

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need to have specific legal advice available within the DFMR to deal with drafting
regulations, fishing agreements and updating the Fisheries Act and Tuna
Development and Management Plan. While DFMR has a vacant legal adviser position
within their organisation chart there is some controversy about the post.
There is a need to improve communication between DFMR and the AG's Chambers
and both would benefit from capacity building to increase knowledge of SI's
responsibilities under current international agreements, including the WCPF
Convention.
2.2.2 Policy/Institutional
The oceanic fisheries management framework in Solomon Islands is in limbo,
awaiting reviews of the Fisheries Act and Management Plan and the financial
resources and staff to give effect to them.
Solomon Islands participation in the WCPF Commission will continue to be led by
Foreign Affairs and DFMR. While it is intended to re-open lines of communication
with stakeholders, consultation will be undertaken on an ad-hoc basis until the Tuna
Management Committee is re-established.
The cost of financial contributions for Solomon Islands to the WCPF Commission is
expected to be in the range of US$10-14,000 per year once the Commission is fully
established, although it may be more in the first year or two if major fishing states
delay becoming members of the Commission. The establishment and operation of the
Fisheries Management and Development Fund would bring much needed financial
resources to the Department. This additional commitment by Government to recurrent
funding, reinforced with donor assistance will be necessary to enable Solomon Islands
to meet its obligations under the WCPF Convention.

2.2.3 Compliance
Compliance activities are carried out by the Solomon Islands Police (Maritime
Division) that operates two Australian funded patrol vessels in collaboration with its
land-based police counterpart, and the DFMR. The Maritime Division falls under the
Department of Police and National Security. DFMR observers carry out compliance
and monitoring activities however no enforcement activities are currently being
undertaken due to lack of capacity2 and other priorities related to land-based police
activities. The role of the Maritime Division at the present time is largely reactive and
there is considered to be a need for regular communication between DFMR and the
Division.
While there is no collaborative compliance arrangement in place, there is clearly an
intention to explore this, probably under Niue Treaty arrangements. There have been
initial talks with PNG on compliance collaboration.
The licensing framework currently deals with three forms of access agreements:
bilateral access agreements; development agreements; and agency agreements. There
is a need to revise and apply transparent licensing procedures outlined in the Tuna
Management Plan.
The FFA VMS facility is managed and operated by the DFMR. The Fisheries Act
recognises the compulsory use of the FFA VMS as a prerequisite for a foreign fishing

2 At the time of this meeting, one of the two patrol boats was undergoing a refit and maintenance check at Fiji's
naval base while the second was alongside in Honiara.

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vessel in obtaining a license, however there is some doubt as to whether this occurs in
all instances. There is strong support for the MCS programmes of the new Tuna
Commission to be compatible with current regional and national programmes
including the FFA VMS.
The Solomon Islands has flag state responsibilities for the three purse seiners
presently flying its flag if and when they fish outside Solomon Island waters. There is
currently no authorization process in place to deal with high seas fishing.
Overall there are substantial challenges facing Solomon Islands in meeting the
compliance responsibilities under the Convention. Capacity building, knowledge of
the Convention requirements, and funding are three of the key areas that need to be
addressed.
2.2.4 Monitoring
Levels of logsheet coverage of the domestic longline, purse seine and pole-and-line
fleets, and foreign purse seine fishing are high, although there are significant data
gaps in the coverage of all components of the foreign longline fleet. Landings data
from domestic vessels is readily available (although data gaps exist) and some data
from recently re-commenced transhipments are now being collected. DFMR
maintains a licensing database with vessel details, although information is incomplete,
particularly for a number of vessels that fish in the EEZ and do not call into Honiara.
The Solomon Islands observer programme ceased during the disruption to domestic
fishing operations that occurred in 2000, restarted in 2001 and ceased in April 2004
due to funding and administrative difficulties These difficulties were resolved and
observer activities resumed from 19th July 2004.
20% coverage for domestic vessels has been reached and exceeded, and while the
coverage of foreign vessels is uncertain, DFMR estimate that it is of the order of 5-
10%. It has been proposed to increase coverage to 30% for longline, 40% for pole-
and-line, and 100% for purse seine.
Prior to 2000, port sampling occurred in Noro and Honiara. Since then there has only
been limited port sampling in Honiara during the 2003/4 transhipment season.
Scientific Analysis
Solomon Islands has very little capacity to undertake scientific analysis, both in terms
of staffing numbers and the background of those staff. Following the unrest in 2000, it
has been difficult to build on the software and training assistance provided by SPC
prior to this time. Two staff members have received some preliminary training in data
analysis last year (2003). Other than data entry and transmittal to SPC, there is no
analysis of oceanic fisheries data.
The data provided by SPC is considered adequate to meet management needs and
support decision making, although a new national tuna assessment is seen as a priority
requirement. DFMR wishes to expand their capability in data analysis and to make
more use of regional stock assessments then is currently the case. The Department
would also like to rely less on waiting for SPC to provide data analysis.
There is support for a tuna tagging project given that the previous tagging data is now
relatively dated. It was however realised that implementing basic fisheries
management frameworks and capacity building were of greater priority at this time.


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Ecosystem analysis
Understanding and dealing with the oceanic fisheries ecosystem and related effects of
fishing is not a priority for DFMR. Some limited data has been collected, and there is
recognition from comparison of observer/non observer trips that gross under-reporting
of by-catch, including sharks, is occurring.
While there is some appreciation of ENSO effects, DFMR are keen to expand their
capability to make use of regional models that could be used to predict catch levels
and thereby income from access and other sources of fisheries-based revenue.
3.
Potential Contribution of SAP II Project
Potential areas in which the SAP II Project could contribute to assisting Solomon
Islands in the implementation of national activities related to the WCPF Convention
are summarised in the table below.
Activity
Incremental Actions
Possible Interventions
Legal


Revise Legal framework
Provide legal advice in support of
Legal review, harmonising the Act
review of 1998 Fisheries Act
and (soon to be revised) Man. Plan
Support Commission
Provide legal input into national
Training for dedicated fisheries legal
participation
positions
officer
Implement Commission
Understand legal implications
Regional Legal Workshops on rights
decisions
responsibilities under the
Convention
Policy


Participate in the
Meet commission financial
Institutional Strengthening
Commission and new
contributions
Regional Fisheries Management
regional management
Additional Commission and FFA
Training/Consultations
arrangements
meeting participation

Develop regional and national
Workshops on alternative fisheries
vision for future management
management strategies, including
arrangements
new rights-based approaches
Strengthen In-Zone
Review and implement a
Review management plan, with an
Management/ Provide
sustainable oceanic fisheries
emphasis on establishing binding
data to the Commission
management framework, including
and transparent management
licensing procedures
measures and processes
Compliance


Increase IUU deterrence
Increase understanding and
Technical assistance and training on
in-zone
implementation of legal
meeting the compliance
instruments
requirements of the Convention
Support for collaborative
MCS working groups at regional and
surveillance operations.
sub-regional levels, with technical
support.

Development of risk assessment and
Re-start surveillance operations
compliance strategies to maximise
use of scarce resources

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Activity
Incremental Actions
Possible Interventions
Monitoring


Improve at-sea data
Re establish a sustainable observer
Possibly through SPC, develop a
programme and increase coverage
new, sustainable observer scheme
that accesses observer levies
Ongoing assistance from SPC with
training and overall monitoring
strategy
Improve catch
Expand Port Sampling Programme
Capacity building focussing on
composition data
training programmers and data
analysts
Science


Improve understanding
Strengthen national capacity to
Training on interpreting the national
of oceanic resources and
analyse national data
impacts of large scale oceanographic
ecosystem
changes on fisheries and related
Strengthen national capacity to
ecosystems
interpret and apply regional
analyses
Maintain
and
expand
national
fisheries assessments, incorporating

capacity building

ANNEXES

Annex 1
Incremental Cost/Co-financing Analysis
Annex 2
Stakeholder Inventory and Analysis (including consultative mechanism
inventory)
Annex 3
Record of Stakeholder Consultation
Annex 4
Indicator Availability
Annex 5
Sustainability Analysis

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Annex 1
Incremental Cost/Co-financing Analysis
Summary
National Funding
Total 2005-2009
Total 2005-2009
Theme
Baseline
Incremental

(SI$ 000)
1 Law
141
435
2 Policy/Management
716
3025
3 Compliance
2790
875
4 Monitoring
1900
925
5 Science
560
365
Total
6107
5625



Base Data

2004
2004
Institution
Programme
Theme
%OFM
OFM
Budget
Budget
DFMR
ExecutiveMgmt Policy/Mgmt
250
80%
200
Offshore
Monitoring
500
95%
475
DFMR
Fisheries
DFMR
Data Anal.
Science
200
70%
140
DFMR
Reg&Enforce
Compliance
480
85%
408
Police
P. Boat Ops
Compliance
1800
10%
180
Maritime
For Aff

Policy/Mgmt
8480
4%
339
A/G
Legal Services
Law
805
5%
40
Chambers






Total




1782

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Incremental cost analysis
2004
2004
2004
2005-
Non-
Total
Theme
Institution
Programme
OFM
WCPF
2009
New WCPF Increment
WCPF
Incr
budget
Increment
Baseline
Baseline








2005 2006 2007
2008
2009
Total

1 Law
A.G.
Law
40
12
28
141
75
75
75
75
75
375
435
2 Policy/Mgmt Fisheries D ExecutiveMgmt
200
100
100
500
158
158
158
158
158
158
658

For Aff
Pacific
339
240
99
496
60
60
60
60
60
300
1500
3 Compliance
DFMR
Compliance
408
30
378
1890
25
25
25
25
25
125
275
Patrol Boat

Police Mar.
180
0
180
900
120
120
120
120
120
600
600
Ops
Offshore
4 Monitoring
DFMR
475
95
380
1900
90
90
90
90
90
450
925
Fisheries
Offshore
5 Science
DFMR
140
28
112
560
45
45
45
45
45
225
365
Fisheries



1782
505
1277
6387





2233
4758
Oceanic fisheries and their management in Solomon Islands have been severely affected by the 1999 political unrest. The situation has now
stabilised and rebuilding, including of public sector administration such as Fisheries (DFMA), is underway. The domestic fleet has continued
operating and will hopefully consolidate and expand on the back of increasing political and economic stability. Access fee fishing remains
significant and interest in fishing in the SI zone is high. Budgetary constraints are an issue, although the planned activation of the Fisheries
Management and Development Fund established under the Fisheries Act, combined with observer levies and use of `targeted activity' funds
from the recently signed EU bilateral access agreement will assist with meeting Commission obligations.
Co-financing cost estimates are based on:
Law: Appointment of Fisheries Legal Adviser
Policy/Management: Commission participation and related activities: Commission financial contribution; management plan revision
Compliance: increased patrol boat operations
Monitoring: Additional observers
Science: New data analyst post

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Annex 2 Stakeholder Inventory and Analysis (including consultative mechanism inventory)

Stakeholder inventory data sheet

Country:
Solomon Islands
Date:

14 July 2004
Data Recorder:
Seremaia Tuqiri E-mail: stuqiri@wwfpacific.org.fj





Stakeholder analysis and preliminary participation plan
Stakeholder
Representative / Post
Contact details
Description of
1st stakeholder
2nd stakeholder


interests
(role in decision
(2-way flow of
Country Code (677)
(factors that
making)
information)
may influence
participation)
Department of Fisheries
Edwin Oreihaka
P.O. Box G13
Fisheries
X


& Marine Resources
Director General (Act)
Honiara
Adminstration.

Tel: +677 38694
Fax: +677 38730
Solomon Islands Police
Edward Tokuru
Department of Police
Fisheries
X


(Maritime Division)
Maritime Commander
& National Security
Surveillance and
P.O. Box G30
Enforcement.
Tel: 22563 / 22564
Department of Foreign
Peter Forau
P.O. Box G10
Foreign policy
X


Affairs
Permanent Secretary
Honiara
and treaty
Tel: 28612
administration
Fax: 20351
and negotiation
Department of Police &
Sam K. Tagana
P.O. Box 404
Prosecution and

X

National Security
Under-Secretary
Tel:+677 22208
other aspects of
Fax: +677 24823
enforcement
Attorney General's
Jean Gordon
P.O. Box 111
Drafting of

X

Chambers
Senior Crown Counsel
Honiara
legislation and
Tel: 28395
provision of
Fax: 25498
legal advice

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Soltai Fishing and
Milton Sibisopere
PO Box 965
Private sector
X


Processing Ltd
General Manager
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: +677 61012
Fax: +677 61029
National Fisheries
Adrian Wickham
PO Box 717
Private sector
X


Development
Director
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: +677 61131
Fax: +677 61109
Solco Ltd
Mr Kazuo Nagasawa
Advance Nishikasai
Private sector
X


General Manager
R/NO,401
6-20-13, Nishikasai
Edogawa-ku
Tokyo, Japan
The Nature Conservancy
Mr William T. Atu
PO Box 759
General

X

Honiara
Conservation
Solomon Islands
interests
Phone: +677 20940
Fax: +677 26814


Note: NGOs in Solomon Islands with an interest in fisheries concentrate on inshore fisheries. At the present time two international
environmental NGOs namely Greenpeace and WWF South Pacific Programme have oceanic fisheries components. Both are based in Suva, Fiji
but their focus is regional. Neither have offices in Honiara at the present time


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Inventory of Project-related national consultative mechanisms3

Consultative body
Parent/host body
Representative
Area(s) of interest
Frequency
Members and affiliations
/contact details
of
meetings
1. Fisheries Advisory
Ministry for Natural Resources,
NA
Provides advice to the minister on matters
Ad hoc
To consist of 5-7 persons.
Council (FAC)
Department of Fisheries and
relation to the conservational, protection
Planned membership as at July
Designated by the
Marine Resources
and development of fisheries in Solomon
2004 is: Permanent Secretary,
1998 Fisheries Act
Islands.
DFMR
(Chair)
and
one


representative each from: from

Administers Fisheries Management and
the following sectors: Industry,

Development Fund
NGOs, Fisheries (DFME), Dept

of Trade and Industry, and Civil

Society (with fisheries specialty)


2. Tuna Management
Ministry of Natural Resources,
NA
Originally
envisaged
under
the Ad hoc
FAC to appoint a Chairperson to.
Committee.
Department of Fisheries and
Management Plan as a sub-committee of
The Director (Secretary) of
(Designated under
Marine Resources
the FAC. Provides the operational
Fisheries shall be an ex officio
Section 8 of the
Authority
for
implementing
the
observer. The other members of
Schedule to the
Management Plan..
the Committee to be selected by
1998 Fisheries Act)

the Council but will normally
Charged with advising the Director the
comprise a balance of public
strategic direction of the tuna fisheries
officials from agencies involved
under the Management Plan. Also has the
in the management of the tuna
function of coordinating the activities of
fisheries, representatives of the
key divisions of the Government of
tuna
fishing
industry
and
Solomon
Islands
related
to
the
representatives of NGOs with
management of tuna.
interests related to the tuna
fisheries.





3 Note: the above consultative mechanisms are indicative and are allowed for under the 1998 Fisheries Act and the National Tuna Development and Management Plan, 1999,
but are yet to be implemented. The mechanisms are still considered relevant, and are currently being reactivated

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Annex 3 ­ Record of Stakeholder Consultation
GEF SAP II Country Mission ­ SOLOMON ISLANDS
PRIMARY STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Wednesday, 14th July 2004
Commonwealth Youth Programme
Honiara
Participant List
Edwin Oreihaka, Department of Fisheries & Marine Resources (DFMR); George Boape, (CHAIR),
DFMR; John Leqata, (TECHNICAL ASSISTANT) DFMR; Jean Gordon, Attorney General's
Office; Moses Biliki, Department of Environment; Kenneth Bulehite, IWP-Solomon Islands;
Kitchener Collenson, SI Tuna Fishing Agency; Kristina Fidali, ECANSI (local NGO); Barbara
Hanchard, (Forum Fisheries Agency).
The mission to the Solomon Islands held a primary stakeholder consultation after the public
forum. Nine participants representing government, non-governmental, tertiary, and regional
agencies attended the Stakeholder Consultation. An obvious absence was representation from
the fishing industry. Mr Ian Cartwright gave a presentation on GEF SAP II Project:
Strengthening National Fisheries Management in relation to the implementation of the new
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention.
Mr George Boape as Chair noted that the GEF mission was important in raising the
understanding of tuna fisheries management particularly as it affected (the economic well
being) of the country. He also noted that development opportunities for the Solomon Islands
would largely depend on how it reacted to the Convention and the management framework
that it will put in place. Issues raised in the discussion were as follows:
Issues raised during the consultation were as follows:
· The importance of understanding the relationships between, climate, oceanography and
ecosystems and target species in order to fully appreciate the dynamics of the tuna
fisheries.
· The need to implement effective in-zone fisheries management and exercise flag control
in order to meet the obligations of the Convention.
· Engagement of all stakeholders in oceanic fisheries management, and the need for
effective communications between government departments, the private sector and the
broader community.
· The differing roles of the Commission and the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) noting
that there was a place for FFA under the new Convention regime
· The process of resource allocation needs to be fully understood, both under the
Commission process, and at a national level in the context of using the process to
encourage domestic industry development.
· With respect to budgetary allocation, the SI Government does not seem to be devoting
sufficient resources to fisheries management, as required under the Fisheries Act. Staff
are poorly resourced, require additional capacity building and are well below strength if
Convention obligations are to be met.


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Other consultations were held prior to and after the two one-day meetings. These were with:
Government
-
Mr Fred Ganate, Permanent Secretary, Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources
(DFMR)
-
Mr Edwin Oreihaka, Acting Director General, DFMR
-
Mr George Boape, Deputy Director (Licensing), DFMR
-
Mr Robert Maneiria, Principle Fisheries Officer (Statistics & Information), DFMR
-
Mr John Leqata, Senior Fisheries Officer (Research), DFMR
-
Mr Edward Tokuru, Chief Superintendant & Commander, Solomon Islands Police
(Maritime Division)
-
Mr Sam K. Tagana, Under Secretary, Department of Police and National Security
-
Mr Moses Biliki, Director of Environment4 and GEF Focal Point
-
Peter Forau, Permanent Secretary, Dept. of Foreign Affairs
-
Mr. Francis Waleanisia, Chief Crown Counsel, Attorney General's Chamber

4 The Team had been earlier advised that the Solomon Islands GEF Focal Point was the Director of Environment who
presented himself as such. Mr Tom Twining-Ward (UNDP Samoa) during a chance meeting in Honiara advised that the
GEF Focal Point had been moved to the Office of the Permanent Secretary. The Team was not able to meet with the
Permanent Secretary.

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GEF SAP II Country Mission ­ SOLOMON ISLANDS
PUBLIC FORUM
Wednesday, 14th July 2004
Commonwealth Youth Programme
Honiara
Participant List
Edwin Oreihaka, Department of Fisheries & Marine Resources (DFMR); George Boape, (CHAIR),
Deputy Director, Licensing, Surveillance and Enforcement, DFMR; Gideon Tiroba, DFMR; John
Leqata, (TECHNICAL ASSISTANT) DFMR; Sam K. Tagana, Department of Police & National
Security; Philip Fafe, Department of Foreign Affairs; Jean Gordon, Attorney General's Office; Moses
Biliki, Department of Environment; Kenneth Bulehite, IWP-Solomon Islands; Albert Wata, Parauru
Agency; Kitchener Collenson, SI Tuna Fishing Agency; Starling Daefa, Solomon Island College of
Higher Education (SICHE); Alex Makini, SICHE; Lucian Kii, SICHE; William Atu, The Nature
Conservancy (TNC); Kristina Fidali, ECANSI; David Lidimani, Student; N. Barbara Hanchard, FFA.
The Mission to Solomon Islands held a public forum prior to the stakeholder consultation, to
create awareness of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention and the tuna
industry in the Pacific Islands. The forum was chaired by the Deputy Director (Licensing) of
the Department of Fisheries & Marine Resources.
Mr Ian Cartwright gave a presentation on the WCPF Convention and the Management of
Oceanic Fisheries in the WCPO.
Issues raised in the public forum were as follows:
· Need for involvement of all relevant stakeholders in SI in the oceanic fisheries
management process so as to keep abreast of regional developments, especially those
at the Commission. This was also important if ownership of the process is to be
achieved.
· Good communication and effective working relationships between government
departments will be essential to the development of a oceanic fisheries management
framework. Information dissemination from DFMR will be pivotal in this regard.
· Tendency for AGs to become involved from discussions on fisheries issues and
developments in fisheries policy, and yet are expected to draft relevant legislation,
e.g. for the Act to be in compliance with the WCPF Convention.
· Regional fisheries data collection programmes did not always seem to result in direct
benefits/relevance for Solomon Islands. There is a need to ensure that if data is
collected, then it is analyzed and presented in a form that is useful for management
and development purposes, as well as to provide key information on sustainability
issues.





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Annex 4 ­ Availability of National Indicators

Current Value, if easily
Indicator
Availability
available
1. Coverage of:


a) catch and effort log-sheets: domestic fleet


b) catch and effort log-sheets: foreign fleet


c) port sampling


d) observers: domestic fleet


2. Levels of budgets and staffing for these


programmes
3. Levels of fleet capacity and fishing effort


4. Catch of target species,


5. Levels of mortality of related species,

Not easily available
including by-catch and seabirds

Note: this analysis does not include a range of national indicators which are known to be
available for all countries such as status of legislation, undertaking of national reforms etc.

Annex 5 - Sustainability Analysis

Annual Government Revenue from Licensing:
SI$9.4m



Annual In-Zone Catch Value:
Annual Domestic Catch Value:

(Data above to be estimated by FFA)








Annual Production Value (including value of processing): =SI$8.0 million
Expected Annual Commission Contributions: US$8,000 -12,000
Estimated Annual Government Incremental Costs: SI$1.08m


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