Sustainable Fisheries Management in Malaysia: A need for an ecosystem approach?

Kevin Hiew, KennethKassem, Chitra Devi, Chris Grieve, Katherine Short

Fisheries Importance in Malaysia

• 99% of Malaysians within 100km of sea

• 15% of agriculture contribution to GDP

• RM6,326,000,000 in 2006

Fisheries Importance in Malaysia

Fish protein consumption (% of total)

5

10

15

20

25

30

20021992198219721962

Year

Perc

ent

Malays iaIndones iaPhilippinesThailandViet Nam

Source: World Resources Institute and FAO

Fisheries Status in Malaysia

Department of Fisheries Malaysia. 2003. Conference Report: National Conference on Management of Coastal Fisheries in Malaysia. 11-12 March 2003. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Department of Fisheries Malaysia and WorldFish Center.

Abu Talib, A. and M. Alias. 1997. Status of fisheries in Malayisa – an overview. P 47-61. In G. Silvestre and D. Pauly (eds.) Status and management of tropical coastal fisheries in Asia. ICLARM Conf. Proc. 53, 208 p.

Abu Talib A. 2002. Demersal Fisheries: Have we surpassed the Straits’ sustainable capacity? in Tropical Marine Environment: Charting Strategies for the Millennium. F.M. Yusoff, M. Shariff, H.M. Ibrahim, S.G. Tan, S.Y. Tai (eds). Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre. UPM. Sergand, Malaysia.

Abu Talib, A., M Mohd Isa, I Mohd Saupi, and Y Sharum. 2003. Status of demersal fishery resources of Malaysia. P 83-136. In G. Silvestre, L. Garces, I. Stobutzki, M. Ahmed, R.A. Valmonte-Sentos, C. Luna, L. Lachica-Alino, P. Munro, V. Christensen, and D. Pauly (eds.) Assessment, Management and Future Directions for Coastal Fisheries in Asian Countries. WorldFish Centre Conference Proceedings. 67. 1120p.

Stobutzki, I.C., G.T. Silvestre, A. Abu Talib, A. Krongprom, M. Supongpan, P. Khemakorn, N. Armada, L.R. Garces. 2006. Decline of demersal coastal fisheries resources in three developing Asian countries. Fisheries Research. 78. 130-142.

Taupek, M. and M. Nasir. 2003. Monitoring, measurement and assessment of fishing capacity – the Malaysian experience. P 127 – 142. In S Pascoe and D Greboval (eds.) Measuring capacity in fisheries. FAO Technical Paper 445. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Rome.

Biomass: Peninsular Malaysia West Coast

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

1971-1972 1981 1987 1991 1997

Year

Tonn

es

Subarea ISubarea II

Biomass: Peninsular Malaysia East Coast

0k

20k

40k

60k

80k

100k

120k

1967 1972 1981 1991 1998

Year

Tonn

es

Subarea ISubarea IISubarea IIISubarea IV

2003 Fisheries Conference Conclusions

1. There are too many boats and fishers (excess capacity) exploiting the fisheries resources in coastal waters of Malaysia

2. There is an urgent need for the responsible authorities to implement comprehensive action programs to reduce fishing capacity and rehabilitate resources in coastal areas.

3. Given the lack of effectiveness of past approaches, innovative strategies are required involving effective partnership among government agencies, fishers, and other stakeholders (in a co-management mode)

4. Failure to act urgently in a resolute and effective manner will lead to irreversible damage to the fisheries resources, the incomes of fishers, and the socioeconomic well being of coastal communities.

National Conference on Management of Coastal Fisheries,Department of Fisheries Malaysia and WorldFish Center

Ecosystem Based Management of Fisheries

• “Management of the uses and values of ecosystems in conjunction with stakeholders to ensure ecological integrity is maintained, and recognizing that ecosystems are dynamic and inherently uncertain.” (WWF Definition)

• No consensus definition but concept applied in:– UN Convention on Biological Diversity– FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries– SEAFDEC Regional Guidelines for Responsible

Fisheries in Southeast Asia– UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Strategies: Ecosystem Based Management of Fisheries

Ecosystem Based Management of Fisheries: 5 principles

1. Focus on maintaining the natural structure and function of ecosystems and their productivity

2. Incorporate human use and values of ecosystems in managing the resource

3. Recognise that ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing

4. Are based on a shared vision of all stakeholders

5. Are based on scientific knowledge, adapted by continual learning and monitoring

WWF’s EBM Guidance

• Two books with step by step guidance on implementation and policy guidelines

• Ecoregion approach – Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion

12 Steps for Implementation

Implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management in MarineCapture Fisheries

Grieve and Short 2007

Steps 1-6: Setting the Stage

1. Identify the stakeholders2. Prepare a map of the eco-

regions or seascapes and habitat features

3. Identify the partners and their interests

4. Establish the ecosystem values and features

5. Determine the main potential hazards of the fishery to the ecosystem values

6. Conduct an ecological risk assessment: determine the actual risks of the resources

Steps 7 -8: Goals and Strategies

1. Establish the objectives and targets: agreed goals for the ecosystem and the fish stock

2. Establish strategies for achieving targets

Step 8: Establishing Strategies

Establish strategies for achieving targets• Marine protected areas

– No take reserves• Precautionary principle• Recovery plans for depleted fisheries• Academic fisheries programmes to

advance research

Steps 9-12: Monitoring and Adaptive Management

1. Design the information system: includes monitoring of stock and ecological indicators

2. Establish information needs and research priorities

3. Design performance assessment and review process

4. Design and implement an EBMF training and education package for fishers and managers

Conclusion

• Include specific EBMF language in 4th National Agricultural Policy to set appropriate policy framework

• Department of Fisheries should start to work towards the 12 steps of EBMF

• Set objectives and targets for fisheries management and recovery

• Establish strategies to reach targets.

Conclusion

Fisheries management needs URGENT paradigm shift

Time for action is now

EBMF is a good solution. Requires commitment

Thank you!

Photo credits: WWF-Malaysia\Eric MadejaWWF Canon\J. FreundScubazooToppX2