We're proud to share the successful completion of the Kiribati Dockside Boarding Inspection Training on Christmas Island, a joint initiative by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI), Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), and Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources Development (MFMRD). This intensive week-long program empowered 25 Kiribati Fisheries Officials and representatives from various ministries that work in the border, including Customs, Immigration, Police, Environment, and Health. They learned crucial vessel inspection procedures to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhancing maritime security. The curriculum covered best practices for safe and effective inspections at sea and in port, employing intelligence and risk assessment for targeted inspections. Practical exercises provided hands-on experience. This training contributes to stronger national and regional fisheries management, better IUU detection, and enforcement actions.  Mr. Yohni Fepuleai, a FFA Surveillance Officer, emphasised the significance of enhancing Kiribati's MCS officials' capability and competency, which is a top priority for FFA. This initiative is a part of regional efforts to detect illegal and unreported risks in Pacific fisheries. We extend our thanks to the students, the Kiribati Government, and our partners for their collaborative efforts. The course was generously funded by the FFA PEUMP program.

#FisheriesManagement #MaritimeSecurity #Kiribati #IUUFishing

Source: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

The Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji would like to thank the general public for their adherence to the seasonal ban on Grouper and Coral Trout commonly known as Kawakawa and Donu which ended on September 30^th. The ban which runs from June 1^st to September 30^th was imposed for a purpose, and that is to protect them during their breeding season.

Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Hon Kalaveti Ravu thanks everyone for their support during the seasonal ban and hopes that everyone will work together to protect vulnerable species in the ocean. “Let us continue to work together to sustain, manage and protect our fisheries. Now that the seasonal ban has been lifted, let us continue to harvest resources sustainably and also provide an enabling environment for them to grow and repopulate our waters,” said Mr Ravu.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji.

THAILAND: A Training Course on Risk Analysis in the Aquaculture Value Chain was held at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada, Thailand from the 3-5 September 2023. The 3 days training course was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO), the ASEAN Network of Aquatic Animal Health Centres (ANAAHC) and the Department of Fisheries Thailand. The training was supported by INFOFISH and NACA. The financial support was provided by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

INFOFISH was among the 79 participants from various countries who participated in this training course.

The training course introduced the Progressive Management Pathway for Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) and used a risk-based approach to improve the overall sustainability of the aquaculture sector. Risk analysis is an essential component of a national aquatic organism health strategy. Now widely applied in many fields, risk analysis provides a science-based framework for evaluating hazards, determining the likelihood and extent of potential harms, mitigating risks and guiding policy decisions. 

The training course targets those directly and indirectly involved in the aquaculture sector. It outlines the concepts and steps needed to apply a risk analysis in the context of aquaculture with the goal of improving aquaculture biosecurity.

• The Progressive Management Pathway for Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB). 
• Risk analysis approach as it applies to aquaculture biosecurity.
• How import risk analysis (IRA) can be used to manage disease risks associated with the importation of live aquatic organisms.
• The application of risk analysis along the aquaculture value chain. 

Combining risk and value chain analysis provides a risk-based and people-centred approach for managing disease risks and planning control measures in the aquaculture systems. 

Source: FAO