Monitoring | PANORAMA

Monitoring Growth and Success of Planted Mangroves

Planting consultings (© BICA Guanaja)

o Mangroves flourish more in some environments over others. The changing marine environment makes monitoring of red mangroves surviving from past plantings extremely valuable. Monitoring provides insight on the most successful intertidal zones, water depths, soil depths, and planting techniques. Monitoring of surviving mangroves ensures the survival of future planted mangroves.

Founded in 2008, GMR is the only organized effort to restore the mangrove forests destroyed by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Through monitoring, we have learned the best times and sites to plant mangroves that will reduce mortality and enhance biodiversity.

Monitoring

Local

21,000 Reds Planted in Test Plots

Further Testing

Conservation of key flagship species

African Penguin (© DICT)

Great White Shark (© Marine Dynamics)

African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary Opening Day

DICT installs shelters that mimic the natural burrows of the penguin, essentially creating homes for the breeding pairs and improving the chances of fledgling survival success. They have created a fibreglass/mesh resin nest that is lightweight yet durable and is made by the local community. DICT continuously records streams of seabirds, especially penguins that are found injured, oiled or sick on Dyer Island and the adjacent coastline. All vagrant and visiting seabirds are logged and GPS positions supplied for scientific research. DICT has built the first rehabilitation centre in the area: The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary, to assist in the conservation of all seabirds. Together with Marine Dynamics, DICT has funded a custom designed research vessel and developed a project where they acoustically track great white sharks in the area to better understand their behavior in relation to environmental parameters. Also a database of fin ID photographs from 2007 to 2012 taken off Marine Dynamics shark cage diving vessel helped in the first regional population study (showing lower numbers than previously assumed). The ultimate goal is protection of the Great White shark species and a growth in numbers for the African penguin.

o Leadership, vision and determination by the founder and owner of Dyer Island Cruises, Wilfred Chivell, to conserve the local marine biodiversity through tourism o Success of commercial businesses: revenue generated by tourism provide the financial means to reinvest in the protection of the Marine Big 5 – the key asset and natural capital along the Cape Whale Coast o Regular collection and monitoring data by DICT and its partners, without which no measurable conservation efforts could be done

To date over 2000 nests have been placed on Dyer Island and other breeding colonies and due to its success forms part of the Biodiversity management Plan for the African Penguin. DICT has also established itself as a capable institutional setup to successfully help stranded whales/dolphins/seals and assists wherever they can. As a result of adequate tracking data of the Great White Shark over a reasonable time period and better understanding of the sharks’ usage of Gansbaai's shallows as well as a crucial population study, the DICT can more effectively protect the white shark and its key foraging areas whilst informing and protecting beach users. Interactions between other marine life and great white sharks can be determined and communicated to scientists in various fields which present the unique opportunity to network and asses the white sharks role within the entire ecosystem. Knowing how few sharks there are means the DICT can effectively change government conservation policy.

Monitoring

Implementation

Local

Background of the Faces of Need Project

Great White Shark Population Project

IUCN Redlist: African Penguin

IUCN Redlist: Great White Shark

African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary

Thesis / The African Penguin Spheniscus demersus: Conservation and Management I…

Paper / South Africa’s White Shark cage-diving industry - is their cause for co…

Paper / Environmental Influences on the Abundance and Sexual Composition of Whi…

Paper / Gauging the Threat: The First Population Estimate for White Sharks in S…

African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary

Participatory methodologies to collect information

Participatory fisheries monitoring

Devolviendo Resultados

Annisamyd del Cid

Over 25 communities in three countries, involving over 2000 fishers, have participated actively in this monitoring process for over 4 years. Young people were selected and trained in monitoring techniques and data compilation to identify species, measure length and weight and describe the gear used, capture location, and other variables.

It was key to demonstrate the value of the process to fishermen to whom information was being returned and who benefit from this information. Keeping very low operational costs allows the program to run for several years. Simple methods and local people helped in keeping costs low. Having a fisheries expert to interpret and synthesize the data collected allows for better assessment of information.

Engaging young people from fishing communities developed greater public interest in the data collected and in the status of the fishery resources.

Using simple techniques to measure variables such as weight and size proved to be highly efficient.

Simple methods and youth participation reduced costs of the monitoring program, making it more economical than traditional monitoring, which requires technical graduates.

Returning results to the fishing community allows them to understand the value of monitoring and what is happening with the fish resources in their area.

Keeping monitoring for several years generated information critical to delineate areas of artisanal fisheries and protected areas and to support the development of a responsible fishing program.

Monitoring

Local

Subnational

Pescado pa toda la Eternidad

Monitoreo Pesquero, un aporte al ordenamiento de los recursos pesqueros en el n…

Monitoreo Pesquero Participativo

Community management of no-take areas within the MPAs

Chalutier 1 au coeur de la Zone Intégrale du PNAH

To be added

Carte de Zonage de proposition de No Go Zone

Goal

The artisanal fishermen of three cooperatives are trained and involved in the resource management plan in the National Park’s marine area.

Process

Organization of 2 x (3) training sessions on participatory planning as a resource management tool in the National Park’s marine area.

Proposal of no-take zones or Fisheries Reserved Areas (FRAs) within the National Park’s marine area.

A monitoring report for the captures within the National Park’s marine area are being prepared in a collaborative manner by the fishermen who provided the data and the team of AGIR who wrote the report, which served to evaluate the project’s benefits.

The establishment of a climate of trust between communities as well as state and institution partners, prior to the actual project launch
The validation of no-take zones or FRAs by the fishermen and the respective authorities
The monitoring report of fishery product captures in the National Park’s marine area has to be communicated to the AGIR fishermen by the experts in order to evaluate the project’s benefits.

The activities (weekly monitoring field trips and participatory species caretaking) prepared in collaboration with the administration, has allowed an increase in fishing resources of 30 %
The involvement of local and national stakeholders in the restauration of biotopes and species has allowed a restauration ranging from 20 to 30 % according to the species and the ecosystems
The choice of no-take zones has been made by the fishermen to tackle illegal fishing. The no-take zones correspond to the marine areas close to the cliffs affected by poaching and dynamite fishing.
It is necessary that the workshops take the fishermen’s schedule into account (during bad weather periods or breaks)
It is necessary that at least 60 % of the artisanal fishermen support the no-take zones.

Post training monitoring of progress and feedback

The monitoring of the interpretive efforts over time is essential as it provides continued reinforcement that the interpretation is working. Furthermore, it also acts as an opportunity for the operators to come together and discuss openly challenges faced, challenges overcome and success stories they have enjoyed. Learning from each other is the best possible feedback and having a facilitated opportunity to do this makes it realistic and beneficial to the overall effort of protecting the marine resources. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) took on the responsibility of monitoring the interpretive efforts. The KWS was able to oversee a few meetings with various operators to discuss progress but sadly the monitoring momentum slowed down after the initial meetings.

Having regular meetings is essential. Do not assume that since the interpretive efforts are working well 2 weeks after the workshop that they will continue to do so for many more weeks thereafter. Continual reinforcement is a necessity.

In this particular solution the feedback sessions were appointed to a third party. Sadly this third party did not uphold their commitment to host these feedback sessions and as a result the interpretive efforts gradually reduced over time. When the same workshop was conducted in another Kenyan marine park efforts were made to maintain these feedback sessions and as a result interpretive efforts worked better over the long run.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Local

Interpretive tools to influence behavior

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.

Sander den Haring

To facilitate the interpretive efforts reaching the snorkeling clients a set of materials was designed and created to be used by the snorkel operators. This set of materials included: a 20-sided, A3, waterproof flip chart depicting organized information on the reef environment, a double sided water proof marine life identification slate, a salesman folder (used to sell excursions in a more organized and professional manner), flags used to brand the boats that undertook the training and deliver interpretive efforts, a uniform branded with the workshop logo and sign boards placed along the beach explaining what the branded logo stands for (so clients can choose their boats accordingly) and also depicting the newly developed code of conduct all boats will adhere to. This code of conduct was developed during the workshop in one of the group discussions.

Available funding for material production and free distribution of materials.

It is important to create easy to use and clear materials that any of the target audience (in this case coastal snorkel boat operators) can use. Apart from just designing these materials, it is essential that training be included in how to use these materials. This offers the target audience an opportunity to ask questions about the materials or overcome their fears of not understanding what each material is used for. The training session described above was essential in making the target audience more comfortable with the materials. Some of the participants who were too shy during the training to make use of this practice session were not seen using the materials after the workshop. Showing the target audience how easy it is to use these materials is very important.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Subnational

National

Community data collection and participatory analysis

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

Training data recorders in Kukuu, Pemba

Mwambao

Kisiwa Panza Village Fishers Committee participatory analysis workshop

Mwambao

This building block relates to the ownership and in situ analysis of collected monitoring data. At the pilot site, four village school-leavers were recruited and trained to record data on octopus catches at each of two landing sites. Training was given in weighing and measuring the catch of 30 fishers/day over the 16 main fishing days of the lunar month (spring tides). Data books were then submitted monthly to the data logger; a local school teacher who was trained in excel using a laptop computer. Project leaders kept in regular contact with data recorders and the results were checked to identify problems at an early stage. After 8 months of recording, two parameters were chosen by which to examine the results of the exercise with the recording team: total catch per fishing period for both landing sites, and average size of octopus per fishing period. Recorders were shown how to make bar-charts to display the results. A detailed discussion with project leaders explored what the data and trends might suggest. The data recorders then visited the headquarters of the Department for Fisheries Development and presented their results. An ensuing discussion explored the implications for management and any changes suggested.

Members of the community that can read and write in order to be able to make written records of catch data
Buyers who are amenable to their catch being weighed and recorded at the landing site
A community member who can be trained to log data on a laptop
Regular support and interest in the work of the data recorders by project leaders
A supporting partner/project leader who can facilitate simple analysis of data collected in a participatory manner

Data recorders need a thorough understanding of the data to be collected and of the importance of correct recordings. (People’s exact names and ages, as well as the time spent fishing are important so that fishing effort can be calculated for instance).
Regular logging and checking of data is crucial so that mistakes or misunderstandings can be picked up early and corrected accordingly (use of a restricted entry form (macro) helps minimize errors).
Participatory analysis of data needs to be given adequate time and kept at a level that is easily assimilated and presented.
Participatory analysis of data gives the data recorders and the Village Fisheries Committee pride and confidence in their work and raises their standing with Fisheries Department officers. It also gives them evidence/references for discussion of future management options with the community.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Local

Community-based opening of closures

Closure openings can be an exciting and hectic time. All closures in an area need to open the same day (to avoid massive affluence in one site, low individual catch rates and undesirable habitat impacts.) If not well defined and organised, they can cause conflict within and between villages, as well as feelings of being cheated, and discourage the establishment of future closures (e.g. gear specifications). Opening day procedures are established well in advance, with the participation of all concerned villages and coordinated well with buyers. They need to be well communicated, so that everyone understands the rules, and so it is easy to enforce a fine on someone who does not respect them. If possible, simple catch monitoring is be carried out on the opening day, to give the community some simple and rapid feedback on the effectiveness of their closure.

An effective, community-led temporary closure for octopus fishing of around 2.5 to 3 months preceding the opening day.

Rule system agreed upon by all participants.

- All closures in an area should open the same day to avoid massive affluence in one site, consequently low individual catch and bad impact on habitat. - Coordinate the opening with buyers, ensuring all the products can be bought, that the price won’t decrease because of the abundance of product and, ideally, that there will be a price incentive at opening. - It is best to have one starting point, so that everyone is equidistant when it opens. One person should be in charge of announcing when the closure is officially open, and this announcement or signal should be clear. - If a traditional ceremony is to be performed, make sure adequate time has been allotted for this, and that the people performing the ceremony have adequate time to prepare to fish if needed. If catches are to be monitored, make sure that weighing stations are established, monitors prepared, preferably weighing at usual buying points so that fishers don’t have to perform an extra effort to get their catch sampled.

Sub-regional Alert Network of focal points

Sawfish biological sampling

DRDH

On field inquiries and sensitization with Guinea Focal Points : F. Doumbouya and M. Silla, coastal fisherman village in Tristao Islands.

DRDH

Visits to network members by the focal point of the country for data collection and awareness-raising.

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Implementation

Monitoring

Multi-national

Blue Solution Template in French: ‘AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest’

Poster AfricaSaw in French

Poster AfricaSaw in Creole

Technical support and research

The FISH-i Africa Task Force is facilitated and supported by a Technical Team of operational, legal and analytical experts and institutional partners, such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Indian Ocean Commission, that provide the information, skills, networks, experiences and insights required to assist the national enforcement officers of the Task Force. Using advanced satellite technology, vessels are tracked and profiles of the vessels, their fishing activities, their owners and the operation network are analysed. In the case of suspected illegal fishing activities, evidence is gathered and intelligence reports shared with the Task Force. Information is fed into a vessel database that will become a valuable tool for risk assessment, control and enforcement. With limited MCS capacities it is important to focus inspection efforts on vessels identified as high risk. Research on patterns and players of illegal fishing operations, on legal questions, on tools and technology as well as on links to fisheries crime improve the systematic understanding of illegal fishing in the WIO and this information informs future strategies.

An accessible, available and trusted expert Technical Team – that engages through transparent processes and dialogue was essential to provide requested analysis and support. Technical solutions and expertise to build a comprehensive database on vessels operating in the WIO including all relevant information on vessel characteristics, history and ownership and to conduct research on illegal fishing.

The technical expert team provides case-specific direct assistance to Task Force members in the form of legal opinions, investigative support, operational advice, historic analysis of vessels and companies, as well as advice on options for taking action forward. This allows them to do their jobs better and gives them access to support from experts. Challenges: A high level of complexity in cases has been the norm, demanding that integrated intelligence and information, from a range of sources, is gathered and analysed, requiring considerable time and resources. Technical capacity and capability can be an issue, and the integrity of data is reliant on the integrity of the source and reliable inputting of data to systems. The illegal operators have grown wise to e.g. the use of AIS (automatic information system) data and so now turn off their AIS transponders.

Implementation

Monitoring

Multi-national