Vanuatu
VANUATU
1.
Background
1.1
Status of Oceanic Fisheries
The Vanuatu Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is approximately 690,000 square kilometers
and includes over 80 islands and an area of archipelagic waters.
Commercial tuna fishing commenced in Vanuatu in 1957 with the establishment of the
Japanese South Pacific Fishing Company Limited (SPFC) longline transhipment base at
Palekula, Espiritu Santo Island. The base, consisting of a wharf and cold storage facilities,
was substantially upgraded in 1974. After handling annual landings of between 4-15,000
tonnes since 1969, SPFC closed its operations in the late 1980s and the facility was turned
over to the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu.
US purse-seiners, licensed under the US Treaty fished on four occasions in Vanuatu waters in
1999, with very small catches.
SPFC signed a bilateral agreement with The Taiwanese Kaohsiung Fishing Association
(KFA) in 1989, and this agreement remains in force today. There are plans to re-negotiate this
agreement to bring it in line with national and international requirements and standards, and
to increase licensing fees. As at August 2004, 85 foreign vessels were licensed, 38 of which
are licenced under the KFA agreement - plus seven locally-based foreign vessels, two of
which are no longer fishing. These locally based vessels tranship in Port Vila. Apart from the
KFA vessels, the majority of the other longliners are Fiji-flagged Chinese longliners,
operating through eight companies based in Fiji. The Korean vessels that were licensed in
2003 (29 vessels) appear not to have returned in 2004. The longline fleet operates from
foreign ports, principally Suva and Pago Pago.
The longline catch is dominated by albacore, while yellowfin and bigeye contribute
significantly to the value of the catch from Vanuatu waters.
Domestic tuna industry development has been slow to occur, despite the establishment of a
FAD programme. High costs of operation and lack of airfreight capacity are among the issues
that have constrained development. A locally-based charter fishing fleet is very active,
fishing for tuna and billfish and making extensive use of FADs.
1.2
Oceanic Fisheries Management
The major objectives of tuna management and development policy set out in the Republic of
Vanuatu Tuna Management Plan are:
1. To ensure that the exploitation of the tuna resources that are found in and pass
through Vanuatu waters is compatible with the sustainability of the stocks throughout
their range.
2. Within the limits of the sustainability objective, to ensure the harvest is taken in a way
that maximizes the long term economic and social benefits received by the peoples of
Vanuatu.
3. To contribute to the food security of ni Vanuatu.
4. To meet regional and international responsibilities for tuna management.
The Tuna Management Plan allows for limits to be set on commercial fishing licenses for
each of four categories of vessel, on the basis of target TACs which are set for each species of
tuna taken in Vanuatu waters. The maximum number of tuna longline licenses has been set at
100.
A schedule of differential area closures covering local, locally based foreign and foreign
vessels is in place. Restrictions include the closure to tuna fishing of inshore waters (6/12/24
miles) and certain areas associated with seamounts. Tuna fishing is prohibited within three
miles of declared marine reserves. Factors taken into account when establishing closed areas

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Vanuatu
include provision of maximum opportunity to local vessels and to protect sea mounts and
other areas determined to be important to marine diversity and productivity.
1.3
Oceanic Fisheries Institutional Arrangements
The Fisheries Department is the primary agency responsible for oceanic fisheries
management. The Department operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Quarantine,
Forestry and Fisheries. Following downsizing under the Comprehensive Reform Programme
(CRP) in 1997, Department staffing was reduced from around 45 to 30 positions, with a
further 50% cut in 1999. Currently there are 21 posts filled (increase due to revenue
performance), with a long term aim (by 2010) of a staff of around 40. The 2004 annual budget
for the Department is VT381 million, with income from oceanic fisheries licensing for the
same year estimated at around VT100 million
The Department comprises five sections, three of which have relevance to oceanic fisheries
management:
· The Compliance and Licensing Section, which licences permits and certifies all
regulated oceanic fisheries activities and ensures that license holders comply with
licence conditions.
· The Development and Capture Section, which is responsible for the FAD
programme aimed at increasing the productivity of the inshore tuna fishery.
· The Management and Policy Section added during 2003. This section develops and
implements OFP fisheries policies on a wide range of issues through the Director who
is empowered under the Fisheries Act. Activities include: management planning; data
collection, management and analysis; investment (local and foreign); proposal
appraisal, development of management plans; and information dissemination.
The Department's annual budget is sourced from funds allocated from central Government
resources, and is considerably less than the annual revenue generated by the Fisheries
Department from licence fees and other sources. Over the last three years, this revenue has
exceeded VT100 million.
The Tuna Management Plan envisages the establishment of a Tuna Management Account
external to general government revenues that will be funded from a portion (45%) of foreign
and local license revenues. The Account will finance inter alia: observers on foreign vessels;
local development activities; better management of the foreign fishery; a permanent Tuna
Management Advisory Committee to coordinate and plan OFP management activities; and a
Tuna Management Coordinator position. The Tuna Management Account may also be used to
support the activities of other government agencies involved in fisheries management
including the Police Maritime Wing and the Vanuatu Maritime Authority.
Currently, consultative mechanisms with government and non-government stakeholders are
ad-hoc. The recently agreed Tuna Management Plan allows for the creation of a Tuna
Management Advisory Committee (TMAC). Preparations for the first meeting of TMAC are
advanced, and letters of invitation to members await the signature by the Minister.
Membership of TMAC, as outlined in the plan, is limited to government stakeholders,
although there is the facility for TMAC to invite members of the industry and the general
public to assist the committee with its deliberations from time to time, as required. There are
plans to formally revise TMAC membership to include wider stakeholder participation.
1.4
Donor Involvement
Under Australian Defence Force funding, Australia provides one Pacific Patrol Craft (RVS
Tukoro) and associated training and logistical support. Vanuatu also receives support in
oceanic fisheries management programmes form a range of donor-supported programmes
provided through FFA and SPC.

1 US1.00 = 110 Vatu as at 25 August 2004.

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Vanuatu
1.5
Other Oceanic Fisheries Management Issues
Other oceanic fisheries management issues that arose in the mission to Vanuatu include:
· oceanic fisheries are gaining a political profile in Vanuatu, with increases in vessels
licensing (currently 91 longliners licensed to fish in the EEZ) and interest being shown in
basing operations locally;
· current levels of IUU are of concern and plans are in hand to increase compliance
cooperation with neighbouring states including Fiji and Solomon Islands;
· deficiencies in reporting, including on catch and effort data from the longline fleet, are
hampering accurate information on which to monitor the fishery and base management
decisions; and
· the uneven application of MTCs by some states, is hampering Vanuatu's stand on the
enforcement of VMS and other bilateral licensing regulations.
2.
Vanuatu and the WCPF Convention
2.1
Overview
With a tuna industry based on longlining, Vanuatu's primary aims in the MHLC and Prep
Con process have been:
· to secure the sustainability of the region's tuna stocks and fisheries;
· to negotiate a convention that is practical and enforceable, given the capacity and
resources of Pacific island states;
· to negotiate an agreement that would secure maximum economic and other benefits to
Vanuatu and ensure Vanuatu's interests are not overlooked; and
· to ensure the long term sustainability of the longline fishery targeting albacore, but
noting the importance of bigeye and yellowfin.
As a Member of the Commission and a Party to the WCPF Convention, the major short term
areas of implications for Vanuatu are seen as follows:
· increasing fisheries management responsibilities against severely constrained human
capacity and funding;
· need for the more timely and comprehensive collection of catch and effort data;
· increasing scrutiny of Vanuatu-flagged vessels operating in the WCPO;
· an increased level of at-sea surveillance; and
· the establishment of an observer and enhanced port sampling programme.
Overall, Vanuatu is in the early stages of developing a sustainable management framework
for oceanic fisheries resources. The revised Fisheries Act, combined with the approved Tuna
Management Plan, will provide a useful basis for the implementation of the WCPF
conventions.
2.2
Implications of the Convention
2.2.1
Legal
The main articles of fisheries legislation in Vanuatu are the 1983 Fisheries Act and the
Maritime Act and the associated subsidiary legislation (Fishery Regulations, Tuna
Management Plan, and Maritime Regulations).
The current Fisheries Act lacks a framework for Vanuatu's participation in the WCPFC or
other RFMOs to which Vanuatu has acceded. The Act also does not make mention of
Vanuatu's substantial flag state responsibilities. However, the Act and associated Regulations
have recently been reviewed and amendments prepared for ratification which deal with these
and other regulations. It is anticipated that Parliament will consider the relevant Bill in late
2004 with the new Act entering into force in 2005.

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Vanuatu
The Tuna Management Plan, approved by the Council of Ministers on June 8th this year, also
does not adequately address Vanuatu's flag state responsibilities in regard to tuna fishing. The
Plan proposes that the Vanuatu Maritime Authority (VMA) take primary responsibility for the
collection of tuna fishing data from Vanuatu-registered fishing vessels. The Plan does
however anticipate what steps Vanuatu will need to take to fully accommodate obligations
under the WCPF Convention, and to effectively participate in the work of the Commission.
Legislation is also pending relating to the operation of vessel monitoring, especially relating
to Vanuatu flag vessels.
The table below summarises the status of Vanuatu's adoption of relevant international legal
instruments and declarations. Due to the full political agenda and the capacity and workload
of the State Legal Office, certain routine activities have been delayed, including the
ratification of the WCPF Convention.
Vanuatu has very limited fisheries legal capacity in its State Law Office, with the recent
departure of two lawyers who possessed some fisheries-related legal training and experience.
With increasing licensing and other responsibilities, the Fisheries Department is seeking to
employ its own legal officer. Even with this proposed appointment, there will be a need to
build capacity at the State Law Office in international fisheries law issues, and especially
those relating to the implementation of the Convention. Similarly, there is a need for
awareness raising in capacity building of other relevant sections of government, including the
Police Maritime Wing and Prosecution Office, to take account at the local level, of the global
significance of moves against IUU fishing.
Instrument
Status
WCPF Convention
Signed, not ratified
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Ratified
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
Signed, not ratified
Driftnet Convention
Ratified
Convention on Biological Diversity
Ratified
FAO Code of Conduct
Adopted
WSSD fisheries targets
Not formally adopted
FAO Compliance Agreement

FAO International Plans of Action
Not implemented
FFA Minimum Terms & Conditions
Implemented
2.2.2
Policy/Institutional
As the Fisheries Department has been successful at increasing revenue, both through licensing
more vessels and increasing the access fee for longline vessels, tuna fisheries are being
afforded an increasing level of priority in Vanuatu. Currently, oceanic fisheries are considered
to be on a par with inshore fisheries in terms of their priority.
As discussed, the Tuna Management Plan has been agreed by Cabinet and is now being
implemented.
The policy/management functions of the Fisheries Department are constrained by the level of
available funding and related staffing levels. These constraints will make it difficult for
Vanuatu to meet obligations associated with their forthcoming obligations under the WCPF
Convention/Commission. In addition, the workload on the fisheries executive has increased
substantially, owing to the need to cover expanding domestic oceanic fisheries, attend
regional fisheries meetings and have input to ensuring adequate flag state control over
Vanuatu flagged fishing vessels in the WCPO and elsewhere.

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Vanuatu
If an application to have a proportion of earned income from licensing returned to Fisheries is
successful, there is an intention to establish a Policy and Management Unit within the
Department.
The cost of financial contributions for Vanuatu to the WCPF Commission is estimated to be
in the range of US$20-25,000 per year, on the basis of estimates by the Prep Con Interim
Secretariat using catch data up to 2002, but would be substantially greater than this, taking
into account the more recent catches of around 20 new Vanuatu-flagged purse seine vessels.
2.2.3
Compliance
Compliance activities in Vanuatu are handled by the Compliance and Licensing Section of
Fisheries, in collaboration with the Police Maritime Wing.
The Police Maritime Wing operates one Australian Pacific Patrol Craft, the RVS Tukoro,
whose primary duty is fisheries surveillance. The operation of Tukoro is severely constrained
by operating funds for fuel and allowances, and the current budget is only sufficient for three
seven-day patrols per year. The Australian Defence Force, via its Maritime Surveillance
Advisor, tops up operating costs by providing A$110,000 per year for fuel. This enables the
patrol boat to complete around 60-80 days at sea per annum. Currently, with only two
surveillance officers, Fisheries are unable to place staff on the Patrol Boat. This surface
activity is supported by aerial surveillance by New Zealand, Australia and France, and surface
patrols by the French Navy.
Despite these efforts, the level of IUU in Vanuatu waters is considered to be unacceptably
high, as evidenced by repeated reports of illegal fishing from inter-island ferries, commercial
flights and the inhabitants of outer islands. There is also concern that DWFN vessels are
receiving intelligence concerning the activities of the patrol craft. There are, currently, efforts
in place to increase the at-sea activity of the patrol boat, which will be assisted by a proposal
to divide any fines or agreed penalties between Fisheries (25%), Police Maritime Wing (25%)
and government general revenue (50%).
A programme of awareness-raising in the outer islands and by craft transiting the EEZ on the
issue of IUU fishing, including the identity of vessels and fishing activities, is considered a
priority.
Application has been made by the Fisheries Department to significantly strengthen its
Compliance and Licensing Division by upgrading existing officers and establishing four
additional posts.
All vessels licensed under bilateral fishing agreements must carry FFA type approved VMS
equipment, and in line with recently-agreed MTCs, these must be turned on and proved
operational before the issue of licences. The hardware for the FFA VMS system is housed at
the Joint Police Operation Centre and is operated by the Police Maritime Wing. Owing to
training and other difficulties, Fisheries intends to appoint and locate a full time officer at the
Joint Police Operation Centre, to coordinate VMS operations and establish closer links with
the Police Maritime Wing.
A Maritime Surveillance Planning Group, whose membership includes Fisheries, the Police
Maritime Wing and the Vanuatu Marine Authority, is scheduled to meet monthly to
coordinate surveillance activities. The Group has not met for six months, but is planning to
recommence meetings in September 2004.
In order to augment its surveillance assets, Vanuatu is seeking to reach agreement on Niue
Treaty arrangements with Fiji and possibly Solomon Islands. A joint surveillance agreement
with New Caledonia is also being considered.
In addition to the regional VMS managed by FFA, Vanuatu also operates a National VMS
system, contracted to Tuna Fishing (Vanuatu) Ltd, to monitor Vanuatu flag vessels operating
throughout the world. Data downloaded are passed to the relevant RFMOs as part of the
reporting and monitoring process.

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Vanuatu

Flag State Responsibilities
Vanuatu operates a vessel registry, the Vanuatu International Ship Registry (VISR). The
VISR recorded over 400 registrations in 2003, of which 86 were fishing vessels. Vanuatu has
been working to exercise improved flag state responsibility over these vessels, through a
vessel data and compliance project since 2002. Fishery Certificates of Origin (CoO), as
authorisations to fish, linked to TFVCL, have been issued to longliners fishing in the Pacific
Ocean. The CoO was recognized by Japan in 2003 as an instrument to permit offloading in
that country, the major market for high value fresh and frozen tuna. One Vanuatu flagged
vessel without a CoO was recently refused permission to land fish in a South African port,
indicating the potential effectiveness of the system. These CoOs are to be replaced by
Authorisations to Fish Certificates at a cost of U$5,000 each for longliners and US$10,000 for
purse seine vessels, in compliance with WCPF Convention requirements.
Vanuatu is now a member of all major tuna RFMOs (IATTC, IOTC, and ICCAT), has ratified
the WCPFC and is intending to join CCALMR in the near future.
To deal more specifically with the range of issues associated with the management of
international operations by Vanuatu flag vessels the establishment of a three-person Fishery
Data and Compliance Unit (FDCU), with an estimated budget of US$ 100,000 p.a., has been
proposed by a consultant, possibly funded by levies on vessels on the VSIR.
2.2.4
Monitoring
All foreign and domestic licensed vessels are required to provide catch and effort information
at the operational level on approved logsheets. However, limited logsheet and landings data
are provided to the Vanuatu Fisheries Department. While vessels are also required to provide
entry and exit reports when operating in the Vanuatu EEZ, the level of reporting is unknown.
Many of the Fiji-based vessels provide logsheets in respect of fishing activity in the Vanuatu
EEZ to the Fiji Department of Fisheries. There is a need to improve the timeliness and
coverage of returns for vessel activity and vessel characteristics for Vanuatu-flag vessels.
There is very limited transhipment of tuna and shark (around 80% of landings) in Vanuatu
from the five locally based foreign fishing vessels. Around 50% of these transhipments are
sampled. A PDF project has been approved, which will train additional port samplers to take
the level of coverage to 100%. Port sampling of fish caught in Vanuatu waters and landed in
Fiji, is covered by the sampling programme implemented by the Fiji Department of Fisheries.
There is currently no observer programme in Vanuatu, other than the occasional provision of
observers under US Treaty arrangements. There is a clear need to implement an observer
programme to provide coverage of the longline fishery and Vanuatu is keen to get training
and other support to make this happen. As an interim step, there is a proposal to accredit Fiji
observers to work on vessels fishing in Vanuatu waters and vice versa.
The Fisheries Department operates a licensing database that contains information on vessel
characteristics.
All logsheet data received by the Fisheries Department are sent to OFP for processing and
incorporation into the regional and Vanuatu national databases. The Fisheries Department are
equipped with the CES software for generating reports of catch and effort data. Summary data
from the longline fishery are provided annually to SCTB. The Department has applied for the
establishment of an additional data entry clerk.
With the increased activity of Fiji-based vessels in Vanuatu waters, improved linkages
between Fiji and Vanuatu fisheries agencies are required. These will improve the collection of
data from the Vanuatu EEZ, including logsheet, unloading, observer, and port sampling data.
Overall, Vanuatu needs considerable assistance to meet expanded monitoring requirements
under the WCPF Convention. The major assistance needed, will be for the establishment of an
observer programme and capacity building of existing and proposed statistical staff to enable

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Vanuatu
them to analyse catch and effort data to support routine monitoring of the fishery. Vanuatu
will require the assistance of regional organisations for this function.
2.2.4
Scientific Analysis
Vanuatu wishes to improve national capacity for scientific analysis on oceanic fisheries, but
as with other activities, is constrained by resources. Vanuatu will continue to rely on SPC for
stock assessment analysis and related advice which is currently considered sufficient to meet
Vanuatu's needs. In the future, Vanuatu wants to develop its own capacity to interpret data
from national monitoring programmes. In addition, it wishes to interpret and apply the results
of regional stock assessments and ecosystem analysis, to better understand and explain
changes in the fishery to stakeholders.
The national catch and effort database is about to become operational with assistance from
SPC. Further assistance from SPC will be needed to produce the verified estimates of annual
catch by species, gear and fleet for Vanuatu waters expected to be required to meet the data
standards established by the Commission.
3.
Potential Contribution of SAP II Project
Potential areas in which the SAP II Project could contribute to assisting Vanuatu in the
implementation of national activities related to the WCPF Convention are summarised in the
table below.
Activity
Incremental Actions
Possible Assistance
Legal


Revise Legal framework
Revise Act and Regs (Largely

completed)
Establish Fisheries Law
Train State Law Office personnel
Attachments, awareness raising and
programme
and Fisheries Department Legal
training courses.
Officer
Support Commission
Provide legal advice
Regional Legal Workshops
participation
Implement Commission
Provide legal advice, change
On-demand legal advice during
decisions
regulations, licences
capacity building phase. In-country
Prosecution Workshops
Policy


Participate in regional
Commission meeting participation
Regional Fisheries Management
policy formulation
Training/Consultations
Attachments

Additional FFA Meeting
Regional Fisheries Management
participation
Training/Attachments/Workshops/
Consultations
Compliance


Increase IUU deterrence
Improve licensing, vessel register
Regional MCS Working Group
in-zone
Improve effectiveness of patrol,
participation.
inspection, investigation,
Support to establish Niue Treaty
prosecution
initiatives with neighbouring states.
In-country and regional Inspection,
VMS staff training

Ensure flag vessel
New authorisation process; inform
Regional Training on flag state
control and compliance
Commission
responsibilities
Monitoring


Improve at-sea data
Establish observer programme
Assistance to establish observer
Improve catch
Expand Port sampling
programme.
composition data
In-country and regional training of
port samplers and observers by
FFA/SPC
Science

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Vanuatu
Improve national
Strengthen statistical capacity
Establish catch and effort database
statistical info.
Statistical support from SPC
Provide catch/effort
estimates to the
Commission
Improve understanding
Strengthen national capacity to
Ongoing support from SPC
of oceanic resources and
analyse national data
Training for national scientific staff
ecosystem
Strengthen national capacity to
to interpret stock assessments and
interpret regional analyses
oceanographic information
Enhanced capacity to interpret
oceanographic information


ANNEXES
Annex 1
Stakeholder Inventory and Analysis (including consultative mechanism
inventory)
Annex 2
Record of Stakeholder Consultation

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Vanuatu

Annex 1
Stakeholder Inventory and Analysis (including consultative mechanism inventory)
Stakeholder inventory data sheet

Country:

Vanuatu
Date:

24th August 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 (679)
(factors that
making)
information)
may influence
participation)
Department of Fisheries
Mr Moses Amos
Ministry of
National



Director
Agriculture &
Fisheries
X
Fisheries
Authority &
Port Vila
Fisheries
Tel: (678) 23119
Compliance
Fax: (678) 23641
Police Maritime Wing
Mr Tari Tamata
Vanuatu Police Force
Fisheries



Commander Maritime
Ministry of Internal
compliance &
X
Affairs
monitoring
Port Vila
Tel: (678) 26570
Fax: (678) 27542
Department of Foreign
Mr Paul A. Sami
Ministry of Foreign
Foreign policy



Affairs
Head Asia/Pacific
Affairs
and Treaty
X
Division
P.M.B. 051
administration
Port Vila
and negotiation
Tel: (678) 22913
22347
Fax: (688) 23142
State Law Office
Ms Jane Jereva
Office of the Prime
Drafting of



Ms Viran Molisa
Minister
legislation and
X
Private Mail Bag
legal advise
Funafuti
(international
Tel: (688) 20823
law)
Fax: (688) 20817

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Vanuatu
Environment Office
Mr Sylvester Bani

GEF Focal Point



Director
X
Department of Economic
Mr Thomas Bangalini
Ministry of Finance
Project financing



& Sector Planning
Natural Resource
Port Vila
& assessment
X
Sector Analyst
Tel: (678) 22605
Fax: (678)
Shefa Fishermens
Mr John Firiam
Shefa Provincial

Association
President
Government
Port Vila
Industry
X

Tel: (678) 22752
Fax: (678) 22785
Sports Fishing


Recreational

X




Inventory of Project-related national consultative mechanisms
Consultative
Parent/host body
Representative/
Area(s) of interest
Frequency of
Members and affiliations
body
contact details
meetings
Tuna
Fisheries Division
Chairman: Director
Responsible for implementing all
Minimum
Fisheries Division, Vanuatu Maritime
Management

of Fisheries
aspects of the Tuna Management
once per year
Authority, Police Maritime Wing, and
Advisory
Tel: (678) 23119
Plan and provision of advice to
State Law Office. The TMAC may
Committee
the Minister and the Council of
invite other members of government,
(TMAC)
Ministers on all aspects of tuna
industry and the general public to assist
conservation and management.
the committee with its deliberations
from time to time as required.
Maritime
Police Maritime
Commander
Coordination of surveillance
Monthly
Fisheries Division, Police Maritime
Surveillance
Wing
Maritime
activities.
Wing, Vanuatu Marine Authority,
Planning Group
Tel: (678) 26570
Customs and Immigration

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Vanuatu
Annex 2 ­ Record of Stakeholder Consultation
VANUATU
PRIMARY STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Dumbea Conference Centre
Port Vila
Monday, 23rd August 2004
Participant List:
Thomas Bangalini, Department of Economic Sector Planning; Jaso Raubani, Department of
Fisheries; Tari Tamata, Police Maritime Wing, Jimmy Rantes, Chamber of Commerce & Industry
of Vanuatu; Wesley Obde, Department of Fisheries; Moses Amos (CHAIR / TECHNICAL
ASSISTANT), Director of Fisheries; Ian Cartwright, Mission Consultant (International);
Seremaia Tuqiri, Mission Consultant (Regional)
The mission to Vanuatu held a primary stakeholder consultation at the Dumbea Conference
Centre to discuss the purpose and development of the GEF SAP II project. Six participants
attended the consultation.
Mr Ian Cartwright provided an overview on the Management of the Oceanic Fisheries of the
Western and Central Pacific Ocean before the presentation on the GEF SAP II Project:
Strengthening National Fisheries Management (on the implementation of the new Western and
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention). It is worth mentioning that parts of Ian's presentation were
translated into Bislama to enable participants to fully understand issues that were being discussed.
Fisheries personnel who translated were subject matter experts given that they were talking within
their areas of expertise (e.g. state responsibility for flag vessels ­ Wesley Obed); PrepCon process
and the main features of the WCPF Convention ­ Moses Amos) and used the Vanuatu experience
as the basis of their discussions.
Issues raised during the discussion were as follows:
· Financial resources to meet the obligations under the new Convention will be a challenge, in
common with a number of other Pacific Island countries.
· The GEF SAP II presentation is timely particularly with respect to the financial
responsibilities that Vanuatu is expected to undertake, as well as financial assistance that it
expects to receive in order to implement its responsibilities under the WCPF Convention.
This information is necessary so that Fisheries can feed the information into the Budget,
while enabling Government to be aware about the expectations and responsibilities of
becoming a party to the new Convention.
· The potential for developing the recreational fishing industry further exists but is yet to be
explored. There is recognition that Government will have to deal with issues of shared
interest between recreational fishing on one hand and the tuna/billfish industry on the other. It
is important to know where the fisheries industry stands, in relation to other related industries.
· Interest was expressed in establishing a new Policy Division within the Department of
Fisheries, as well as scientific, monitoring, and assessment components. Collaborative work
with Fiji's Department of Fisheries in these areas is being planned.
· The capacity to implement fisheries laws, policies, and compliance requirements is low and
needs to be strengthened.

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Vanuatu
VANUATU
PUBLIC FORUM
Dumbea Conference Centre
Port Vila
Tuesday 24th August, 2004

Participant List
Thomas Bangalini, Department of Economic & Sector Planning; Jason Raubani, Department of
Fisheries; Emelee Christophe, Tuna Fishing Vanuatu; Donald Manses, Police Maritime Wing;
Remy Frouin, Ymer Charters (Game Fishing); John Firiam, Shefa Fishermen Association; Moses
Amos, Department of Fisheries (CHAIR/TECHNICAL ASSISTANT); Sompert Rena,
Department of Fisheries; Wesley Obed, Department of Fisheries; Harold Poatick, Ocean Fishing
Ltd.; Michel K. Kalworai, Shefa Provincial Council; Felix Nguyen, Department of Fisheries;
Andrew Firiam, Department of Fisheries; Justin Reo, Kahuna Charters.
The Mission to Vanuatu held a public forum to create awareness of the Western and Central
Pacific Fisheries Convention and the tuna industry in the Pacific Islands. Although attendance
was not as strong as in the other four countries visited, it was nonetheless important in the sense
that representation came from government, industry/private sector, and fishing association. The
forum was chaired by the Director of Fisheries.
1. The FFA has been tasked, on behalf of Pacific Island countries, to assist in negotiations for a
multilateral agreement with Taiwanese longliners. An initial attempt fell through in 1997.
2. Vanuatu is expected to be one of the higher financial contributors to the Commission, among
Pacific Island countries (approximately USD23000.00), largely because of its flag state
involvement. Payments to the Commission will start in 2005 and will have some impact on
the national budget.
3. Under Vanuatu's Tuna Management Plan, a portion of the levies earned from the issuance of
licenses will go to a Trust Account to assist Vanuatu pay for its annual contribution to the
Commission. While this amount is considered high for Vanuatu standards, the opportunities
and benefits that Vanuatu will gain from its membership may be seen as offsetting the cost.
4. Vanuatu has signed but is yet to ratify the WCPF Convention. The Convention came into
force on 19th June 2004.
5. The Tuna Management Plan supports the action that a percentage of fines received due to
illegal fishing activities be directed to strengthening Vanuatu's surveillance capabilities.
6. A proposal from the People's Republic of China for the establishment of a cool storage
facility on Efate has been received specifically to accept frozen fish for export. The VT150
million that it would cost to set up this facility is expected to be drawn from the VT400
million aid money from China to the Government of Vanuatu.
7. The Department of Fisheries must work closely with the private sector to strengthen fisheries
management and compliance capabilities. The fact that Membership of the Management
Advisory Committee (MAC) does not as yet include industry and/or non-governmental
organization(s) has been noted.

Other consultations were held prior to and after the two meetings. These were with:
· Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries
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Mr Moses Amos, Director

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Vanuatu
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Mr Wesley Obed, Licensing and Surveillance Officer
· Department of Economic and Sector Planning, Ministry of Finance
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Mr Thomas Bangalini, Natural Resources Sector Analyst
· Police Maritime Wing, Vanuatu Police Force, Ministry of Internal Affairs
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Mr Tari Tamata, Commander Maritime
· Department of Foreign Affairs
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Mr Paul Sami, Head of Asia/Pacific Division
· State Law Office (equivalent to the Attorney General's Chambers)
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Jane Jereva, State Counsel
-
Viran Molisa, State Counsel
· Department of Environment & Conservation
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GEF focal point was on duty travel

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