The oceanic component of the PROCFish project is being implemented by SPC Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP). The projects involves gathering, assessing and analysing information relating to the region's oceanic fishery resources (including tuna and associated species), which can be used to inform sustainable management of these resources.

Monitoring of the region's oceanic fisheries

Monitoring through fishery observers (stationed on fishing boats) and port samplers (who monitor fish landed in port), and integration of information into regional databases maintained by OFP.

Activities include the collection of:  Information on fish landed at Pacific Island ports   Data on size and species composition of the catch, and fishing gear/technology used      Samples for biological analysis

The project also provides support for national and regional observer programs.

Biological research

Biological research examines both tuna and associated species. Field and laboratory studies are being conducted to provide information on fish age and growth, reproduction, recruitment, diet, stock structure and behaviour (as it relates to environmental factors). Fish are being tagged with conventional and archival tags, and their habitats and movements then studied.

The results of this research will help improve environmental and stock assessment models.

Assessment and modelling of tuna stocks

Models provide analyses of stock condition, impacts of fishing on stocks, and fishery interaction.

PROCFish is validating models of the western and central Pacific tropical tuna fisheries ecosystem. This work will enable predictions regarding the state of future tuna populations (and broader predictions regarding tuna fisheries prospects) to be more rigorous than they are at present.

 

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