4.1 Consultation and Co-management with stakeholders
Step 1: All individuals and organizations with an interest in management process have been identified. Evidence that they have been identified through a stakeholder identification process. Review of the identification process, interviews where relevant and possible. Meeting minutes, summaries, methodologies, etc. Evidence of advertising or announcement of the forums (newspapers, websites, social media, etc.). Translations of announcements for all relevant stakeholders.
Step 2: At a minimum the fisheries management authorities consult with identified stakeholders as part of the process of informing decision-making regarding management. Evidence that fisheries management authorities meets with stakeholders on a regular basis to discuss the state and management of the fishery. No evidence of complaints by stakeholders which include fishing community, fishing industry, Review meeting minutes, summaries, that includes # of participants, agenda’s, etc.
Step 3: Verifiable framework of agreement for cooperation, dealing with disputes, customary rights of stakeholders with strong food security/livelihood connection. Evidence of a legal framework.
Step 4: There is a co-management regime in place that actively facilitates stakeholder participation in decision- making about the management rules governing the fishery. Formalized system to facilitate participation in management planning process is in place.
Step 5: Stakeholders to determine if a move to a rights based management regime is appropriate. Evidence of stakeholder deliberation.
4.2 Effectiveness of Enforcement
Step 1: Needs and gaps in enforcement and/or surveillance have been identified. Report, meeting minutes or GAP analysis. Could also refer to a risk-based assessment of monitoring, control and surveillance.
Step 2: Evidence that some regulations are enforced. Reports from fisheries agencies about number of patrol vessels, operational status, days on the water, number of apprehensions at sea, and that vessels are adequately spread through the fishery area. Sanctions and fines levied against entities are sufficiently high to inhibit non-compliant and are publicly available (or enshrined in legislation). Observers, inspections at sea. Number of illegal fishing boats, captured, detained, blown up.
Step 3: Evidence to demonstrate that regulations are strongly enforced and compliant with relevant legal requirements (state, national and international laws which pertain to the fishery) and know IUU catch <25%. Reports of court cases, public reporting by the fisheries department on the number of fisheries law breaches and the subsequent prosecutions. Evidence of compliance can be demonstrated from:
- number of inspections/patrols,
- number of infringements detected, and
- number of successful prosecutions.
As the level of compliance increases, (ii) and (iii) should reduce over time while (i) should remain stable.
4.3 Management Planning
Step 1: Agreement amongst stakeholders that the fishery requires adequate management for long term sustainable use. A meeting record and evidence of stakeholder agreement.
Step 2: Existence of management arrangements in place to regulate the fishery. Arrangements are clear, easily understandable, and available to fisherman.
Step 3: There is a publicly available management plan that is adequately funded. Management plan is available for review and must have an approved budget.
4.4 Catches actively controlled
Step 1: The numbers of people and vessels operating in the fishery are known. There are official records of participants in the fishery.
Step 2: All boats participating (catches, transporters) in the fishery must be registered/ licensed (domestic and international). Evidence that both the boat and the fishing activity are authorized. The fishers/vessel owners are issued registration number or identification.
Step 3: Fishing gear use is regulated and/or time/area closures (conservation management measures are in place). Evidence that one or more of these measures is being or has been implemented.
Step 4: Controls (input or output (Stock above a Limit Reference Point (LRP)) or combination) are in place that regulate catch. Evidence that these controls regulate captures.
4.5 Fleet capacity management
Step 1: Stakeholders are engaged with the government on capacity management. Process for stakeholder participation in capacity management decision making in place is evident and verified by meeting minutes from consultations that includes the date, location, who attended, what was the goal, and what was the outcome.
Step 2: Agreement on how the fishery should be controlled (determination of how many vessels, net sizes, catch allocation). Evidence of an agreement taken from the minutes of the meetings that include the date, location, who attended, what was the goal, and what was the outcome. Other evidence of engagement, besides minutes of meetings could be considered. Results of scientific, economic, or other relevant studies are used as basis or guidelines in determining levels of fishing capacity
Step 3: Formal agreement on the control of fleet capacity is in place (including capacity reductions if required). Existence and review of the formal agreement and the performance of the agreement is reviewed regularly.