Analytical Studies to Support a Regional MCS Strategy for the Pacific Islands

Client: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)
Duration: 2008-2009
Map of Pacific Islands region

MRAG Asia Pacific was commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to undertake a group of five analytical projects to support the development of a Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Strategy for Pacific oceanic fisheries (principally tuna and like species). The primary and overriding purpose of the Regional MCS Strategy was to support the sustainable use of oceanic fisheries resources throughout the Pacific Islands region, being the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of FFA members and adjacent waters, including ‘pockets’ of high seas surrounded by the EEZs of FFA members. The projects included (i) an analysis risks to tuna stocks in the FFA region, (ii) a review of existing MCS arrangements in each FFA member, (iii) development of recommendations for IT architecture to support regional information collection, storage and exchange, (iv) an analysis of arrangements for regional cooperation in MCS and (v) an assessment of the adequacy of regional surveillance assets.