Policy Issue/Question

Answer

Supporting Reference

Section A: Policy Targets/Indicators

1b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for capture fisheries?
If so, pls elaborate.

2b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for capture fisheries? e.g. area under MPAs, etc.
If so, pls elaborate.

• Number of species under TACs. 9 by 2004

• Buy-back and reduction in vessels numbers and tonnage.

3b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

4b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes. About 10 percent of aquaculture facilities will be reduced over the next five years, and new licenses will not be issued for such products as laver, sea-mustard and excessively-produced fishes. By contrast, technologies for harvesting tuna, mackerel and other high value-added species will be newly developed.

5b.

Does policy contain any other specific targets or indicators e.g. value of exports?
If so, what are they. (List all)

• MOMAF is planning to increase its investment in research and development in the marine and fisheries sectors to 10 percent of its total R&D budgets by 2010.
• Recognizing that the Republic of Korea is facing the depletion of fish stocks, MOMAF has established targets and strategies for expanding the range of fishermen-oriented co-management fisheries nationwide as well as encouraging active participations of fishermen.
• Artifical reefs.
• Quality seedling/releasing project.

Is there a sense in development targets that aquaculture is more, less, or as important as capture fisheries production?

Strong emphasis on aquaculture.

Section B: Natural Resource Management

Does policy include the use of fishery co-management and/or community management?

Yes. The Korean Government has started a fishermen-oriented co-management system for more effective implementation of responsible fisheries. Under this system, an organization of fishermen such as a fishery corporation or a group of fishermen in fishing villages set up self-regulation according to the fishery-related laws and regulations with endorsement of local government; thereby fishery is controlled. The fishermen-oriented co-management system is designed to enhance the sense of responsibility of the fishermen and to prevent illegal fishing.

The MOMAF Website states that “Korea keenly recognizes that the government’s top-down, command and control approach to fisheries management does not work well. Therefore, the concept of co-management has brought attention to management practices that would perhaps otherwise have been neglected. A new framework for “fishermen-oriented co-management fisheries” was launched in 2001 in order to encourage active participations of Korean fishermen”.

MOMAF Website

Does fisheries policy (as opposed to national non-sectoral policy) specifically provide for decentralization/devolution of management powers and responsibilities?

Yes. Korean fisheries management is based on the Fishery Act together with many related acts and regulations. According to the Act, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) is largely responsible for fishing vessels in offshore and distant waters and foreign-flagged vessels fishing within the Korean EEZ, while local governments at province, city and district levels are mainly responsible for fishing licenses of vessels in the coastal area.

3b.

Does policy include attempts to expand national offshore fisheries e.g. through the use of larger vessels?
If so, is such expansion at the expense of any foreign fishing interests currently operating in the country.

Scheduled to be completed by 2005, a research project led by the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) is currently underway to develop the deep-sea waters for use as food, aquaculture, natural materials, and other uses.

Does policy encourage the movement of small-scale fisheries into offshore areas, due to resource constraints and technical improvements/efficiencies?

5b.

Does policy specifically recognize and address any issues of over capacity?
If so, what and how.

Yes, management policy includes restricting both the number and tonnage of fishing vessels.

To address chronic overexploitation of marine fishery resources by over-capacity in coastal and offshore waters, the fleet reduction programme known as the “General Buy-back Programme” has been strengthened since 1994. In 2001, 113 fishing vessels were scrapped under the programme. Moreover, “Buy-back Programme by the International Agreements,” another buy-back scheme, has been ongoing since the “Special Act for Supporting Fishermen Affected by the International Fishery Agreements” entered into force on 7 December 1999 which aimed at compensating fishermen for losses resulting from the international fishery agreements, including agreements with Japan and China. In accordance with this Act, the Korean Government scrapped 551 vessels in 2001. Government financial transfers totaled KRW 550 billion in 2001, an increase of KRW 192.7 billion (54 percent) from KRW 367.3 billion in 2000, mainly due to the buy-back programmes.

OECD, 2001

OECD, 2002

6b.

Does policy refer to and/or deal with IUU fishing?
If so, in what way.

Yes. Korea is reported to be strengthening law enforcement activities to eliminate illegal fishing activities.

The Korean Government now has a published a National Plan of Action on IUU fishing.

OECD, 2002

NPOA

7b.

Is policy attempting to introduce user rights to fishers?
If so, how and in what way.

Marine fisheries management policy of Korea is considered as a permit system rather than quota system in regulating fisheries activities, and a limited access system rather than an open access system in regulating an access to the fishing area. But Korea is gradually introducing TACs and the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system, an alternative to the current fishing license system, has been implemented for seven species in 2001 after the experimental period of 1999-2000. New Ocean policy supports sustainable fisheries “through the early establishment of a TAC system in Phase 1 and an individual transferable quota (ITQ) system in Phase 2”.

OECD, 2001 and OECD, 2002

Does policy refer to need for integration/ coordination with other sectoral policies?

Two committees have been established to facilitate coordination among all responsible organizations. These are the Commission on Protection of the Quality and Supply of Fresh Water Resources, which sits under the office of the Prime Minister, and the Committee of Maritime Pollution Response of MOMAF (MOMAF, 2003).

FAO Country Review

9b.

Does policy mention ecosystems manage­ment?
If so, what measures are suggested.

Yes. Ocean Korea 21 states that “We will also work to conserve coastal ecosystems by mapping estuaries and passing laws to create wetland conservation areas. And we will continue to develop technology to prevent or mitigate the effects of red tides”.

Korean Government has endeavored to conserve living species and biodiversity by conducting a survey extending from its coasts to the Exclusive Economic Zone of its marine ecosystem and by designating the places with high natural and ecological value as Marine Ecosystem Preservation Areas based on the outcome. Worked out in August 2000, the Integrated Coastal Management Plan reflected 29 sites including Dudo of Busan and Moonsum Island of Jeju Province as candidates for marine ecosystem preservation areas, which will be designated as such year by year beginning 2002.

MOMAF Website

Does policy include the use of MPAs?

Yes, there are prohibitions on fishing in certain areas. The Korean Government has been operating Fishery Resources Protected Areas (FRPA) to protect fish habitats and spawning grounds. In 2002, 10 FRPAs were designated across the coastal areas. In those areas and neighbouring areas, any reclamation of coastal wasters is restricted, the purifying facilities to mitigate marine pollution are expanded, and any discard of pollutants is prohibited. Also, the Wetland Conservation Act enforced as of 9 August 1999 makes it possible for the Government to designate a wetland sanctuary which restricts human activities such as fishing, building, dredging, etc.

11b.

Does policy include specific measures related to conflict management?
If so, what are they.

Section C: Financial/economic and marketing issues

1b.

1c.

Does policy provide for the provision of subsidies?
What are the main form of “good” subsidies provided?
If so, what are the main forms of “bad” subsidy provided and what is their time frame.
(pls use your own judgment to decide whether subsidies (e.g. training, social support, boat building, fuel, etc.) are good or bad)

Yes. In order to achieve balanced development between rural and urban communities, the government divided fishing communities into 160 areas and gave supports to their production facilities, income-building facilities and welfare facilities.

In addition, to facilitate a fishermen-oriented co-management fishery, a government-based support system will be established with the participation of civil experts to aid fishermen-oriented co-management communities with relative weaknesses. At the same time, rewards such as financial assistance will be provided to the communities with the best results. A total of US$17 million was spent in assisting 106 fishermen-oriented co-management communities during 2002-2003, with a focus on releasing of fry, upgrading freezing and refrigerating facilities and warehouses, improving fishing grounds.

FAO Country Review

MOMAF Website

Is there an overall thrust/trend towards reducing or increasing the level of subsidy provided?

Does policy include increasing attempts to introduce user payments e.g. charges imposed on the fishing industry?

Does fisheries policy include mention of the need to support the traceability and/or certification of products?

Yes through HACCP. To secure food safety and harmonize with international standards of food quality, Fishery Products Quality Control Act, which integrated the acts on control of fishery products quality, was newly enacted as of 29 January 2001 and effectuated as of 1 September 2001. The act introduced HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system. According to this act, as of 14 March 2002, the Korean Government established a Ministerial decree which set the HACCPs for fishery products and commodities intended for export and will expand the coverage of this system to other producing and processing facilities.

Does policy refer to increasing value-added?
If so, how is this to be achieved.

Yes, especially in aquaculture. Technologies for harvesting tuna, mackerel and other high value-added species will be newly developed. By turning to more advanced aquaculture fisheries within the next five years, the Ministry plans to encourage the industry to reduce production costs so it can be more competitive with imported products.

Does policy refer to tariff barriers and/or free trade areas in the region?

Does policy seek to increase exports?

Yes, see 4 above. But also strong domestic demand which must be satisfied. In 2001, Korea recorded a trade deficit of USD374 million in fishery products for the first time due to declining exports to Japan following economic depression and increasing imports from China.

8b.

Are there any specific policy initiatives to improve the efficiency of fisheries adminis­trations? e.g. public/private partnerships
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes. Policy states that MOMAF “will help develop 20 to 30 promising venture capital firms every year”.

Section D: Socio-economic and poverty issues

Does policy refer to issues of poverty?
If so, in what capacity e.g. references to PRSPs, non-fisheries sector poverty reduction strategies, etc.

Not specifically but the main objective of ROK marine capture fishery management policies is to improve the both the fishermen’s and consumers’ welfare through restructuring the management of the fishery resources in the coastal and offshore waters (OECD, 2003c).

FAO Country Review, OECD, 2002

Does policy include mention of, or provide for, micro-finance?

Does policy include reducing the number of those engaged in fishing maintaining current numbers, or increasing/maximizing employment?

Reducing in capture and increasing in aquaculture. The population in fisheries has continuously dropped since 1982. The number of fisheries households also dropped 4.7 percent from 81751 in 2000 to 77717 in 2001. The number of fisheries households in 2001 can be broken down to 42.9 percent with fishing vessels, 23.6 percent without fishing vessels, and 32.6 percent in aquaculture. The number of households in 2001 in capture fisheries was reduced by 7.7 percent (534 households) than that in 2000, but that of aquaculture increased by 2 percent (10 534 households) due to the government policy to enhance aquaculture.

OECD, 2002

Does policy include assistance to fishers to leave the fisheries sector or to supplement livelihoods from non-fishing activities?

Yes under the “Fishery Structural Adjustment Program”: Under this program the displaced fishers are entitled to compensation from the Government for the closure of fishing grounds, and the withdrawal of their fishing vessels; so far, the fishery structural adjustment policy has given priority to the management of small-scale coastal fisheries mainly because of the negative impacts of these fisheries on the breeding of juvenile and young fish in coastal waters (Lee, 2000).

FAO Country Review

Does policy refer to food security?
If so, to what extent (if at all) is policy specific about whether fisheries should provide direct food security (i.e. fish being consumed domestically) or indirect food security (fish exported with money then available for food imports).

Not directly, but to secure food safety and harmonize with international standards of food quality, the Korean Government has enacted the “Fishery Products Quality Control Act”, which integrated the acts on control of fishery products quality, on 29 January 2001 and effectuated on 1 September 2001.

Section E: Overall impression of policy trends

In summary, what are the main trends and changes in fisheries policy over the past 10 years. Please also consider in the response to this question that the seriousness with which a certain policy is pursued can often be measured by the share of the budget allocated to it, or by whether it finds expression in specific legislation or regulations.

Major policy trends include (OECD 2002 and FAO Country Review):

• buy-back scheme
• introduction of TACs
• continuing use of foreign bilateral access agreements for Korean vessels to fish in other countries’ waters.
• As of 29 January 2000, the Farming Ground Management Act was enacted to build a sustainable fishery and to improve the productivity of farming grounds. The Act introduces a system of sabbatical years for mariculture grounds for efficiency, inspection and standardization of environment of fishing grounds, etc.
• the Culture-based Fishery Promotion Act was enacted as of 14 January 2002. According to this act, the government shall establish a framework to promote culture-based fisheries every 5 years.

Policy Issue/Question

Answer

Supporting Reference

Section A: Policy Targets/Indicators

1b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for capture fisheries?
If so, pls elaborate.

Not at national level in main policy document.

NAQDA policy within context of national policy is to increase the annual production from inland capture fisheries and aquaculture sector (freshwater fish and freshwater/brackish water prawns) to 55000 mt in 2007 from the present level of 25000-30000 mt per annum.

2002 Policy http://www. naqda.gov.lk/ pages/goals.asp

2b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for capture fisheries? e.g. area under MPAs, etc.
If so, pls elaborate.

No. But the Fisheries Minister has made the vision statement that Sri Lanka is to emerge as the leading nation in the Indian Ocean by the year 2008 with respect to the sustainable use of fisheries and ocean resources.

FAO Country Review

3b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

Not at national level in main policy document.

NAQDA policy within context of national policy is to increase the annual production from inland capture fisheries and aquaculture sector (freshwater fish and freshwater/brackish water prawns) to 55000 mt in 2007 from the present level of 25000-30000 mt per annum.

http://www. naqda.gov.lk/ pages/goals.asp 2002 Policy

4b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

5b.

Does policy contain any other specific targets or indicators e.g. value of exports?
If so, what are they. (List all)

Yes. Development goals of the national policy are:

• To increase the contribution of the fisheries sector to the Gross Domestic Product from the present level of 2.7 to 4 percent during the next 10 years.
• To ensure an increased national per capita availability of fish from the present 17 kg to at least 30 kg and an increased protein intake among the population in 10 years.
• To broaden the distribution of benefits from the fisheries sector by increasing the economic livelihoods of the fisher community from the present level of 250000 to 500000 persons and contribute to alleviation of poverty.
• To strengthen, services to the fishing commu­ nities and regulatory activities while providing employment in the institutional sector by increasing the present manpower under MOFAR from the present 4000 to 15000 in 5 years.
• To mobilize at least 10 000 fishermen as a resource protection force by training, motivating and equipping them to protect fisheries and ocean resources in the EEZ.

Also, NAQDA policy goals within overal policy context include:

• Increase the consumption of freshwater fish and fish products by at least 2 kg in terms of per capita in 2007 and promote the consumption of processed freshwater fish products.
• Elevate the income level of around 100000 rural households above the poverty line by promoting rural aquaculture enterprises through increasing the availability of credit, training and transfer of aquaculture technology.
• Generate around 10000 employment opportu­ nities by encouraging large and medium scale private sector investments, in various subsectors of aquaculture. Out of this, it is expected to generate around 500 direct job opportunities through the proposed co-management programmes as envisaged by the New Fisheries Policy of the Government.
• Strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Aquaculture Development Authority in order to achieve the above mentioned goals in an efficient, professional and cost effective manner.

Fisheries and Ocean

Resources Sector Policy and Development Plan (2002)

http://www.
naqda.gov.lk/
pages/goals.asp

Is there a sense in development targets that aquaculture is more, less, or as important as capture fisheries production?

More given that no targets in national policy, but NAQDA has targets that are policy.

Section B: Natural Resource Management

Does policy include the use of fishery co-management and/or community management?

Yes. Policy mission statement is “To direct all resources, including the community and institutions, through community-based management and the use of appropriate technology, aiming at satisfying the needs of the present and future generations, while ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries and aquatic resources” and policy requires that “community-based management structures called “Fisher Peoples Councils” (FPC) shall be established at the landing site level (or in reservoirs, perennial and seasonal tanks, lakes, lagoons), entrusted with the major task of managing fisheries resources.”

One of the overarching policies of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is the requirement for transparency, consultation and involvement of stakeholders in management planning and implementation. And the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act (Act No. 2 of 1996) provides for the designation by the Minister responsible for fisheries of “prescribed areas of Sri Lanka Waters or land adjacent thereto or both such waters and land as fisheries management areas for the purposes of this Act” (Section 31 (1) (a)). Registered fishermen residing or engaged in fishing in a fisheries management area or part thereof, or migrant fishermen, may form themselves into a fisheries committee (Section 32 (1) of Act No. 2 of 1996).” Legislation is used to demarcate areas for different users/gears or fisheries committees. And under the 1996 Act, by 2004, seven management areas had been declared under the Act for the management of fisheries resources through community participation.

In addition, an advisory body, known as the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Advisory Council and headed by the Secretary to the Ministry responsible for fisheries, is established at the central level to advise the Minister responsible for fisheries on all matters relating to the management, regulation, conservation and development of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka waters. Representatives of the fishermen are among the membership (Section 3 and 4 of Act No. 2 of 1996).

The Coast Conservation Act, 1981 is also relevant and makes provision for the identification of special coastal areas needing management and the establishment of management committees with the participation of all stakeholders, including fishers. The SAM process deals with planning and conflict both within the fisheries sector, and between fisheries and other sectors. Areas are identified as areas needing Special Management Measures in the legislation.

Macfadyen et al., 2005

FAO Country Review 2006

Does fisheries policy (as opposed to national non-sectoral policy) specifically provide for decentralization/devolution of management powers and responsibilities?

Local Fisheries Management Authorities under the new Act have the power to make recommendations to the Minister on: the conduct of fishing operations and the use of different types of fishing gear in a particular local fishing management; closed seasons for fishing or closed seasons for catching of specified species of fish in the area; the times during which fish may be taken.

Macfadyen et al., 2005

3b.

Does policy include attempts to expand national offshore fisheries e.g. through the use of larger vessels?
If so, is such expansion at the expense of any foreign fishing interests currently operating in the country.

Yes. “Although proper assessment of resources has not been done, it is assumed that these resources still remain under-utilised”.

Does policy encourage the movement of small-scale fisheries into offshore areas, due to resource constraints and technical improvements/efficiencies?

Yes. “Subsidies and subsidized credit granted to facilitate movement of coastal fishermen into less -exploited offshore and deep-sea resources could facilitate this transfer”.

5b.

Does policy specifically recognize and address any issues of over capacity?
If so, what and how.

Capacity reduction measures appear to have utilized licensing as a reduction measure as well as the introduction of soft loans and credit to encourage alternative livelihoods.

Registration of fishing craft in operation. Introduction of operation licensing system. Modernizing the data collection system.

Policy requires “Research to arrive at maximum fleet sizes for different categories of fishing vessels and/or type and number of gear, based on Total Allowable Catch (which shall be set below the Maximum Sustainable Yield) shall be undertaken aiming at limiting effort”.

FAO Country Review

6b.

Does policy refer to and/or deal with IUU fishing?
If so, in what way.

Established fish landing regulations for re-flagged fishing vessels.

FAO Country Review

7b.

Is policy attempting to introduce user rights to fishers?
If so, how and in what way.

No. In Sri Lanka, output control tools such as Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits, individual transferable quotas (ITQs) or non-transferable quotas have not yet been introduced. In fact policy objectives include “to ensure the rights of the Sri Lankan citizens to use and enjoy the common fisheries and aquatic resources of Sri Lanka”, and “to grant the privilege to utilize fisheries and aquatic resources to any citizen under the guidance of the State, in the development, management, and conservation of the resources” effectively enshrining open access.

FAO Country Review 2006

Does policy refer to need for integration/ coordination with other sectoral policies?

Yes. Sri Lanka is unique in that it utilizes an integrated management approach for coastal areas, especially for designated areas under management. These are called Special Area Management (SAMs) areas. The process is lead by the Coastal Conservation Department (CCD) however, it includes the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) and all stakeholders in the extensive consultation, planning and implemen­tation processes for all matters including fisheries, road transport, zonation of lagoons and selected coastal areas for conservation, tourism, industry, and fisheries exploitation. Regional Directors are actively involved in local fisheries management committees for fisheries management and development.

Policy also requires a “A Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordinating Committee (MCSCC)” with cross-ministerial representation”.

FAO Country Review

Does policy mention ecosystems manage­ment?
If so, what measures are suggested.

Yes. “The state shall take steps to establish a process of ecosystem-based fisheries manage­ment by collecting scientific information, greater coordination of existing research and information between fisheries and environmental disciplines and launching new research programmes”, and “The State shall ensure that levels and patterns of exploitation, do not imperil the soundness of the resource, its environment or the ecosystem on which biodiversity and long-term sustainable yields depend”.

Does policy include the use of MPAs?

Yes, Declaration of fishing reserves is included in Sections 36-37 of the Act.

Policy states that “The state shall take steps to identify environmentally more sensitive areas, which have been heavily exploited and need to be protected from such exploitation and, declare them as Marine Protected Areas (MPA ) when and when necessary”.

FAO Country Review

11b.

Does policy include specific measures related to conflict management?
If so, what are they.

Special Area Management (SAM) process deals with conflict both within the fisheries sector, and between fisheries and other sectors. When conflicts among stakeholders are likely to lead to resource depletion/degradation in environmentally sensitive areas, these areas are identified first as areas needing Special Management Measures in the legislation. Management of such resources is then carried out by a SAM Committee consisting of representatives of all stakeholders. This has worked quite well in Sri Lanka. Two such management sites are the Hikkaduwa and the Rekawa coastal areas.

Disputes between user groups have been settled by government over a number of decades using a dispute resolution mechanism that has resulted in specific local regulations being made, and which can be thought of as a form of co-management. Fisheries Ordinance 1940 contains detailed provisions to deal with disputes. Sections 20 and 20A, provide regulations to appoint a Committee of Inquiry or a Commissioner to deal with fishing disputes. Many area-specific regulations have resulted from this process.

2002 policy document has a section on access which includes issues which will reduce conflict e.g. zoning, access to beaches and landing sites, etc. And states that “The state shall provide all facilitative functions to ensure that conflicts among resources users, especially between those using inland water bodies for agricultural and fisheries purposes are resolved through proper coordination of the activities of multiple stakeholders, with the support of the relevant authorities”.

Macfadyen et al., 2005

FAO Country Review

Section C: Financial/economic and marketing issues

1b.

1c.

Does policy provide for the provision of subsidies?
What are the main form of “good” subsidies provided?
If so, what are the main forms of “bad” subsidy provided and what is their time frame.
(pls use your own judgment to decide whether subsidies (e.g. training, social support, boat building, fuel, etc.) are good or bad)

Strong history of social support/subsidies e.g.: repatriation, support for families losing fishermen at sea, training courses, cooperatives (many of which were established with State support and subsidized boats, engines, etc.) fleet development in the 1950s, provision of first aid boxes recently.

The Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act, No. 23 of 1990, provides periodic pensions to fishers in old age, provides insurance against physical disability, or a gratuity in the event of the death of a fisher.

Capacity reduction measures appear to have utilized licensing as a reduction measure as well as the introduction of soft loans and credit to encourage alternative livelihoods.

Policy document states that “State subsidies, if available, be granted to fishermen through community organizations, to adopt eco-friendly, selective type of gear and techniques”. Policy document also provides for price support.

FAO Country Review 2006

Is there an overall thrust/trend towards reducing or increasing the level of subsidy provided?

More targeted. Policy states that

• “Trade distorting subsidies to fisheries shall be gradually removed.
• Subsidies to help asset-poor fishermen to adopt new technology, those that lead to a shift of focus from heavily exploited to under-exploited or unexploited areas, and those granted to help certain target groups or individuals to engage in economically important and sustainable fisheries activities, shall be maintained.
• Subsidies granted to all non-sustainable activities shall be terminated.

Does policy include increasing attempts to introduce user payments e.g. charges imposed on the fishing industry?

Small licence fees, and little progress towards user fees commensurate with management costs.

FAO Country Review

Does fisheries policy include mention of the need to support the traceability and/or certification of products?

Does policy refer to increasing value-added? If so, how is this to be achieved.

One policy objective in national policy and development plan is “to enhance the contribution of the fisheries and aquatic resources sector to employment generation, living opportunities and, to make it one of the major contributing sectors to the national economy through marked orientation and increased value addition”.

Does policy refer to tariff barriers and/or free trade areas in the region?

Does policy seek to increase exports?

Yes, policy document section on marketing and trade.

FAO Country Review 2002 Policy

8b.

Are there any specific policy initiatives to improve the efficiency of fisheries adminis­trations? e.g. public/private partnerships
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes. In the context of the Fisheries and Ocean Resources Sector Policy and Development Plan (2002), the NAQDA Website states that “The private sector is expected to play a major role in this development and the role of State will primarily be that of a facilitator as well as the trustee and the guardian of resources. In this development process the private sector, both local and foreign, is encouraged to enter into partnerships with the state agencies”.

Also, NAQDA policy goals within overal policy

context include:

• Strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Aquaculture Development Authority in order to achieve the above mentioned goals in an efficient, professional and cost effective manner.

Main policy document has sections on both institutional strengthening and human resources development training.

http://www.
naqda.gov.lk/
pages/goals.asp

Section D: Socio-economic and poverty issues

Does policy refer to issues of poverty?
If so, in what capacity e.g. references to PRSPs, non-fisheries sector poverty reduction strategies, etc.

Yes. One of the goals is:

• To broaden the distribution of benefits from the fisheries sector by increasing the economic livelihoods of the fisher community from the present level of 250000 to 500000 persons and contribute to alleviation of poverty.

Also, NAQDA policy goals within overal policy context include:

• Elevate the income level of around 100000 rural households above the poverty line by promoting rural aquaculture enterprises through increasing the availability of credit, training and transfer of aquaculture technology.

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Sector Policy and Development Plan (2002)

Does policy include mention of, or provide for, micro-finance?

Not specifically, but the objective of government policy is to provide support to the fishing industry through incentive and credit schemes to develop ancillary industries.

FAO Country Review

Does policy include reducing the number of those engaged in fishing maintaining current numbers, or increasing/maximizing employment?

One policy objective in national policy and development plan is to create employment opportunities (“to enhance the contribution of the fisheries and aquatic resources sector to employment generation, living opportunities and, to make it one of the major contributing sectors to the national economy through marked orientation and increased value addition”).

Also, NAQDA policy goals within overal policy context include:

• Generate around 10000 employment opportu­nities by encouraging large- and medium-scale private sector investments, in various sub-sectors of aquaculture. Out of this, it is expected to generate around 500 direct job opportunities through the proposed co-management programmes as envisaged by the New Fisheries Policy of the Government.

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Sector Policy and

Development Plan (2002)

Sydnes, 2003

Does policy include assistance to fishers to leave the fisheries sector or to supplement livelihoods from non-fishing activities?

Yes. Capacity reduction measures appear to have utilized licensing as a reduction measure as well as the introduction of soft loans and credit to encourage alternative livelihoods.

And policy states that “Steps shall be taken to provide the fishermen engaged in harvesting over-exploited resources with appropriate technology and support, to promote shifting to other diverse fisheries related activities”.

FAO Country Review

2002 policy

Does policy refer to food security?
If so, to what extent (if at all) is policy specific about whether fisheries should provide direct food security (i.e. fish being consumed domestically) or indirect food security (fish exported with money then available for food imports).

Yes. One of the policy goals is:

• To ensure an increased national per capita availability of fish from the present 17 kg to at least 30 kg and an increased protein intake among the population in 10 years.

First main policy objective is “to increase domestic production of fish, while promoting the consumption of fish among the people as a food of high nutritional importance, in order to improve the nutritional status and food security of the population and to optimize the socio-economic objectives of the fisher communities with respect to total net gains for them”.

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Sector Policy and Development Plan (2002)

In summary, what are the main trends and changes in fisheries policy over the past 10 years. Please also consider in the response to this question that the seriousness with which a certain policy is pursued can often be measured by the share of the budget allocated to it, or by whether it finds expression in specific legislation or regulations.

Communities have been main drivers of community management, while all parties are generally supportive of the Special Area Management process. The main motivations for co-management have been conflicts and resource depletion. But it should be noted that the devolution of power (and the establishment of Provincial Councils) in Sri Lanka was politically driven, largely as an alternative to the demand for a separate state by Tamil political parties, the militant separatist groups, rather than with resource management objectives in mind.

Policy Issue/Question

Answer

Supporting Reference

Section A: Policy Targets/Indicators

1b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for capture fisheries?
If so, pls elaborate.

In Thai waters: Attain fisheries production of at least 1.58 million mt/yr from marine capture fisheries. To maintain the level of fishery production not less than 1.7 million tonnes per year.

In other waters: To produce fish through fisheries cooperation with foreign countries of at least 1.8 million tonnes per year by employing 3500 Thai fishing vessels larger than 18 metres in length.

2b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for capture fisheries? e.g. area under MPAs, etc.?
If so, pls elaborate.

Rehabilitation of the fisheries resources and environment (some 8.8 million rai of water bodies rehabilitated; 1950 million seedlings restocked); and reduction of bycatch and low value catch by 100000 mt per year to maintain food security and employment for fishers (seasonal closures also in place, but not thought that there are specific targets related to this issue).

FAO TP 488 DoF Policy for 2005

3b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

Increase production by about five percent per year from the current 550000 mt/yr .

4b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes, see question C4.

DoF Policy for 2005

5b.

Does policy contain any other specific targets or indicators e.g. value of exports?
If so, what are they. (List all)

Yes. Improve quality assurance and produce for export of at least one million mt per year with an annual growth rate of ten percent (carried over from earlier Plan).

Promotion for and services to at least 30000 fish farmers delivered.

In 2006, Thailand has targeted raising its shrimp exports to 450000 tonnes, potentially worth USD2.4 billion. The country’s shrimp exports last year are expected to have reached 418000 tonnes, worth a total of USD2 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 7.7 percent in volume and 20 percent in value.

DoF Policy for 2005

Is there a sense in development targets that aquaculture is more, less, or as important as capture fisheries production?

Above references

Section B: Natural Resource Management

Does policy include the use of fishery co-management and/or community management?

Yes. Guidelines at the national policy level include:

• Providing opportunities of people and communities to participate in decision-making, and monitoring and evaluation of public development projects likely to have an impact on natural resources and the environment; and
• Providing legal rights of local communities and small-scale fishermen to participate in coastal resource management, as well as the conservation, rehabilitation and maintenance of mangrove forests, sea grass and coral reefs.

Within the fisheries sector specifically, the DoF Fishery Policy for 2005 has as one of its mission statements “Rehabilitate fishery resources to retain their productivity through acquiring people’s participation by imbuing conscience”.

And a recent action plan to deal with tsunami rehabilitation also involves co-management, community involvement and enhanced government capacity to respond to needs. Also of note is the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), established within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment in late 2002. The DMCR published a national coastal management policy in 2004, and this formally makes provision for community and co-management.

And the draft New Fisheries Law B.E. 2545 provides for the involvement of stakeholders in decision-making.

Macfadyen et al., 2005

Does fisheries policy (as opposed to national non-sectoral policy) specifically provide for decentralization/devolution of management powers and responsibilities?

Yes. Annual plans developed each year following consultation at local, tambon, district and provincial level. Strong process of decentralization under the Thai constitution.

Policy questionnaire

3b.

Does policy include attempts to expand national offshore fisheries e.g. through the use of larger vessels?
If so, is such expansion at the expense of any foreign fishing interests currently operating in the country.

Yes, both in Thai waters and outside…see Section A.

Does policy encourage the movement of small-scale fisheries into offshore areas, due to resource constraints and technical improvements/efficiencies?

5b.

Does policy specifically recognize and address any issues of over capacity?
If so, what and how.

Yes. DoF is “reducing excess fishing vessels (for trawl gear and push nets). Policy includes a boat-tenure system (freezing the trawler number), no transferring license except for the son, license have to continue every year otherwise the license will be cancelled.

FAO TP 488 Fisheries Policy Direction

6b.

Does policy refer to and/or deal with IUU fishing?
If so, in what way.

For the IPOA for IUU fishing, the new Fisheries Act improves vessel licensing and registration controls, and places an obligation and respon­sibility on the fishing vessel owner to comply with third party legislation when fishing in their waters.

7b.

Is policy attempting to introduce user rights to fishers?
If so, how and in what way.

Yes. Under the Thai Fisheries Act 1947, rights can be granted to individuals through licences to fish in a “reserved” area, or to individual leaseholders bidding for rights to a “leasable” area who then have total rights to that area for the assigned period.

The draft New Fisheries Law B.E. 2545 provides for “designated communities” to have rights to harvest aquatic resources within a designated community fishery area, or to be given the authority to manage and implement measures related to aquatic resources within a designated community fishery area.

This is now being done on a pilot basis.

Also 2006 document states using rights-based management instead of open access.

Thai Fisheries Act 1947 New Fisheries Law B.E. 2545

FAO TP 488 Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006

Does policy refer to need for integration/ coordination with other sectoral policies?

Policy documents not thought to, but DoF has decentralized some authorities to other sectoral authorities, and to local authorities.

Supongpa, Pers. Comm., 2006

9b.

Does policy mention ecosystems manage­ment?
If so, what measures are suggested.

Policy not thought to, although efforts are ongoing in terms of habitat and fishing ground rehabilitation, and installation of artificial reefs.

Supongpa, Pers. Comm., 2006

Does policy include the use of MPAs?

Yes. Spatial restrictions include MPAs, nursery area closures, no-take zones, marine reserves and other temporary closures of areas.

11b.

Does policy include specific measures related to conflict management?
If so, what are they.

Yes. Zoning. Three major areas have been identified:

• Fishing grounds from 0 to 3 nautical miles (5556 metres) from shore to be managed by Tambon Administrative Office;
• Fishing grounds from 3 to 6 nautical miles (111 12 metres) from shore to be managed by the Provincial Administrative Office;
• Fishing grounds 6 nautical miles or more from shore to be managed by Fisheries Department.

Owing to the different continental shelf ’s characteristics, the above zoning criterion may be applicable only to shallow seas. Where the continental shelf is steep, smaller distance from shore will be determined.

Anchovy fishery in Songhkla….small-scale fishery protests led to increase in mesh size in light purse seine fishery and also to zoning.

Thailand’s Ocean Policy focuses on the need to address multiple use conflicts.

Policy Questionnaire

Section C: Financial/economic and marketing issues

1b.

1c.

Does policy provide for the provision of subsidies?
What are the main form of “good” subsidies provided?
If so, what are the main forms of “bad” subsidy provided and what is their time frame.
(pls use your own judgment to decide whether subsidies (e.g. training, social support, boat building, fuel, etc.) are good or bad)

The Board of Investment (BOI) has a long list of priority activities and fish products for investment promotion. There is a subsidy scheme to assist small-scale fishers who operate with smaller vessels. The government also provides subsidized credit and price support for the tuna fishers. There is a special interest credit scheme for target fishers to buy and renovate boats, fishing gear, cages and ponds at a lower than market rate of interest (9 percent).

Also fuel subsidy.

ADB-RETA 5945 Project Website, WorldFish Center

Is there an overall thrust/trend towards reducing or increasing the level of subsidy provided?

Policy document itself not specific on the issue.

Does policy include increasing attempts to introduce user payments e.g. charges imposed on the fishing industry?

Basically no. Although revision of licence fees could be considered as doing so.

Does fisheries policy include mention of the need to support the traceability and/or certification of products?

• Inspection of 100000 product samples performed.
• 30000 farms certified.
• 266 factories certified.
• 10 m rai of farmland certified.

Also a hatchery certification scheme.

Through the food-traceability project set up with collaboration of government ministries, two major shrimp manufacturers have been working on a pilot project to make it possible for consumers to check the origin of shrimp products using traceability software together with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. The two pioneers are Chanthaburi Frozen Food Co., Ltd. and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, agro-industrial and food conglomerates in Thailand. The traceability project has been formed by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Science and Technology Ministry with support from related organizations such as the Fishery Department and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC).

Since 2000, DoF has put much more emphasis on quality-production of aquaculture rather than on quantity production concerns. DoF together with Thai aquaculture industry has developed and implemented two kinds of standard as Code of Conduct (CoC) and Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP).

Traceability has been promoted to use since the past 5 years starting with manual traceability mainly for shrimp production using “movement document or MD”. It has been required for the production chain from hatchery to farm and farm to processing plant (via shrimp distributor, if necessary). And now DoF has initiated com­puterized traceability system called TraceShrimp to be used in the whole supply chain for shrimp industry including feed manufacturer, hatchery, farm, shrimp distributor, processor, trader-exporter and importer.

DoF Policy for 2005

www. shrimpnews.com

Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006

5b.

Does policy refer to increasing value-added?
If so, how is this to be achieved.

Yes. Promote small business for local fishery products, ready to eat product and promote One Tambon One Product (OTOP).

Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006

Does policy refer to tariff barriers and/or free trade areas in the region?

Not specifically. National government policy on FTA.

Does policy seek to increase exports?

Yes. Overall fisheries management objectives, as presented by the Minister when detailing the restructuring of the Department in late 2002 included:

• earning of foreign exchange through the use of responsible fisheries practices.

And see targets on exports in Section A.

Creation of the National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) under the Ministry of Trade, Joint action with private sector against US anti-dumping case, and filing of complaint with WTO, lobbying EU on GSP tariff rate post tsunami.

8b.

Are there any specific policy initiatives to improve the efficiency of fisheries adminis­trations? e.g. public/private partnerships
If so, pls elaborate.

Not specifically mentioned in policy, but activities ongoing to do so.

Supongpa, Pers. Comm., 2006

Section D: Socio-economic and poverty issues

Does policy refer to issues of poverty?
If so, in what capacity e.g. references to PRSPs, non-fisheries sector poverty reduction strategies, etc.

Yes, section in 2006 documents on social issues, and ongoing activities targeting poverty reduction. Activities include: Promote small business for local fishery products, ready to eat product and promote One Tambon One Product (OTOP); Program for alternative job training in practice and on the success site visit; Promote fisher group revolving fund to phase out loan and secure for their livelihoods; Promote fisher group co-op shop for cheaper essential daily needs; Promote fisher wives as housewife groups to do small business on fishery or agriculture products.

Supongpa, Pers. Comm., 2006 and Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006

Does policy include mention of, or provide for, micro-finance?

Not specifically. But DoF has provided seed funding in the past for fisher groups as revolving fund.

Does policy include reducing the number of those engaged in fishing maintaining current numbers, or increasing/maximizing employment?

Increasing. Overall fisheries management objectives, as presented by the Minister when detailing the restructuring of the Department in late 2002 included:

• improved livelihood to increase employment

Does policy include assistance to fishers to leave the fisheries sector or to supplement livelihoods from non-fishing activities?

Yes. See Section D1 above.

Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006

Does policy refer to food security?
If so, to what extent (if at all) is policy specific about whether fisheries should provide direct food security (i.e. fish being consumed domestically) or indirect food security (fish exported with money then available for food imports).

Yes. Overall fisheries management objectives, as presented by the Minister when detailing the restructuring of the Department in late 2002 included:

• sustained fisheries for food security;
• improved livelihood to increase employment; and
• earning of foreign exchange through the use of responsible fisheries practices.

Section E: Overall impression of policy trends

In summary, what are the main trends and changes in fisheries policy over the past 10 years. Please also consider in the response to this question that the seriousness with which a certain policy is pursued can often be measured by the share of the budget allocated to it, or by whether it finds expression in specific legislation or regulations.

Recent policy changes have focused around (Fisheries Policy Directions, 2006):

• Quality and safety aquaculture production;
• Environmental-friendly aquaculture operation;
• The right-base fisheries management for coastal and marine fisheries is also promoted to replace open access will be gradually implemented;
• The fishing capacity reduction programme for the Gulf of Thailand that harmonized with the global initiative is now under development and hoped to be implemented in the next few years;
• Food safety;
• Information and labeling of products;
• Emphasis on trade promotion;
• A variety of sustainable development initiatives; and
• Greater emphasis on social issues and socio-economics.

Policy Issue/Question

Answer

Supporting Reference

Section A: Policy Targets/Indicators

1b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for capture fisheries?
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes. By 2010, total marine fisheries catch target is 1500000-1800000 tonnes (T onkin Gulf: 270000 tonnes; Central Region: 370000 tonnes; South Eastern: 710000 tonnes; South Western: 200000 tonnes, and International water: 250000 tonnes). There is a sense to reduce coastal fishing catch and increase offshore fishing catch.

Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

2b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for capture fisheries? e.g. area under MPAs, etc.
If so, pls elaborate.

Yes. By 2010, complete the development of a comprehensive coastal fisheries management. By 2015, to have a Network of 15 Marine Protected Areas in Viet Nam. By now, some of them have been constructed at Hon Mun, Cua Lo Cham…

3b.

Does policy contain specific development targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

The country aimed to increase its aquaculture output to 1.5 m tonnes and its aquaculture acreage to 980000 hectares (ha) in 2006. Meanwhile, in 2010, Viet Nam is looking at an increase for both the figures to 2.1 m tonnes and to 1.1 m ha respectively.

Yes. The country has aimed to increase its aquaculture output to 1448000 tonnes and its aquaculture acreage to 980000 hectares (ha) in 2006.

Meanwhile, in 2010, Viet Nam is looking at an increase for both the figures to 2000000 tonnes (fresh water: 980000 tonnes; marine and brackish water: 1020000 tonnes) and to 1.1-1.4 m ha respectively.

Thanh Nien Daily, 3 July 2006

MOFI Annual Report 2006 Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

4b.

Does policy contain specific management targets for aquaculture?
If so, pls elaborate.

Increasing amounts of ha under organic farming

5b.

Does policy contain any other specific targets or indicators e.g. value of exports?
If so, what are they. (List all)

Yes. In 2006, the nation is planning to achieve US$ 2.8 billion of seafood export turnovers compared with US$ 2.7 billion in 2005.

By 2010: 4 billion USD/891000 tonnes processed products.

By 2010: Processing capacity of fisheries industry 3500-4000 tonnes/day .

By 2010 the number of labourers in fisheries: 4.7 million.

MOFI Annual Report 2006 Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

Is there a sense in development targets that aquaculture is more, less, or as important as capture fisheries production?

Yes. There is a sense in development targets that aquaculture is more important than capture fisheries.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Section B: Natural Resource Management

Does policy include the use of fishery co-management and/or community management?

Yes. The Fisheries Law of 2003 provides for co-management. Regarding the management of fishing grounds, the law provides that “The provincial People’s Committees (…) shall organize and promote the local residents to take part in monitoring, detection and prosecution of any violations committed to fisheries activities in fishing grounds”.

Fisheries Law of 2003, Article 15.3

Does fisheries policy (as opposed to national non-sectoral policy) specifically provide for decentralization/devolution of management powers and responsibilities?

Yes. The Fisheries Law of 2003 also deals with decentralization, and provides that “The Government shall identify the border of coastal areas in order to decentralize management to local coastal authorities for integrated coastal areas management” (Article 5.4). With regard to inland areas, it stipulates that “The Government shall plan, establish, manage and decentralize the inland protected areas” (Article 9.2). It further specifies that “Provincial People’s Committee shall issue the management rule of protected areas to be decentralized to the local authorities for manage­ment in accordance with guidance provided by the Ministry of Fisheries”.

Fisheries Law of 2003, Article 5.4 & 9.2

3b.

Does policy include attempts to expand national offshore fisheries e.g. through the use of larger vessels?
If so, is such expansion at the expense of any foreign fishing interests currently operating in the country.

Yes, First, to further expand marine fish production for domestic consumption and for export; and secondly to reduce the pressure on coastal fisheries resources which have shown signs of full exploitation and even severe over fishing in some areas.

Offshore fisheries have been strongly promoted by the Government since 1997. While the north (Tonkin Gulf) and west (Gulf of Thailand) fisheries appear to be overexploited, the grounds in the east and south are becoming increasingly exploited and could have some scope to support additional fishing effort. However, few data are available on the resource or optimal sustainable yield.

Decision 393/ TTg of 1997

WB Report on VN Fisheries

Does policy encourage the movement of small-scale fisheries into offshore areas, due to resource constraints and technical improvements/efficiencies?

Yes, more than 5000 fishing boats with capacity of more than 90 HP built by fishermen while only about 1200 ones were built from Government Programme since 1997 up to now.

5b.

Does policy specifically recognize and address any issues of over capacity?
If so, what and how.

Yes. The Ministry of Fisheries is planning to protect the coastal marine resources from depleting the number of small fishing boats and vessels by 2010 to 50000 tonnes. (capacity of more than 70 HP: 6000 vessels; 46-75 HP: 14000 vessels; 21-45 HP: 20000 boats; less than 20 HP: 10000 boats).

Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

6b.

Does policy refer to and/or deal with IUU fishing?
If so, in what way.

Yes. More propaganda, more control and create new livelihood for fishermen.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

7b.

Is policy attempting to introduce user rights to fishers?
If so, how and in what way.

No information available at the moment.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy refer to need for integration/ coordination with other sectoral policies?

Yes. Ex: There is close co-coordination with MARD and MONRO to protect water resources and mangrove forest for development aquaculture.

Coordination with Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Public Health for ensuring safety of seafood products.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

9b.

Does policy mention ecosystems manage­ment?
If so, what measures are suggested.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy include the use of MPAs?

11b.

Does policy include specific measures related to conflict management?
If so, what are they.

No information available officially at the moment. But the Ministry of Fisheries is reported to be drafting a decree (regulation) that includes provisions regarding the demarcation of marine areas and coastal, inshore and offshore fishing routes, as well as a provision regarding size, type and marking of fishing vessels operating in fishing routes.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen 2005 Strategy

Section C: Financial/economic and marketing issues

1b.

1c.

Does policy provide for the provision of subsidies?
What are the main form of “good” subsidies provided?
If so, what are the main forms of “bad” subsidy provided and what is their time frame.
(pls use your own judgment to decide whether subsidies (e.g. training, social support, boat building, fuel, etc.) are good or bad)

Yes. The number of vessels over 90 HP has increased, as regulated in the decision 393/TTg of 1997 which supported the construction of vessels and their sale to fishers at subsidized interest rates. This programme has had some positive impacts, e.g., through pioneering the offshore fishery in some ports such as Phan Thiet. However, the subsidized vessels have experienced a high failure rate, and only about 10 percent of the 1300 vessels funded under the programme are meeting their scheduled repayment despite a reduction of the interest rate from 7 to 5.4 percent in 2003.

Decision 358 TTg of May 1997 defined the priority to be given to offshore fishing and established a five-year tax holiday for all offshore vessels (e.g., the 3 percent natural resources tax).

Decision 178 of September 1998 supported the provision of export credits to processors.

R. Zweig et al., World Bank Report

Decision 393/ TTg of 1997 Decision 358 TTg of May 1997 Decision 178 of September 1998

Is there an overall thrust/trend towards reducing or increasing the level of subsidy provided?

There is a sense of trend towards reducing the level of subsidy provided. Fishermen now suffer from increasing oil price but no subsidy.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy include increasing attempts to introduce user payments e.g. charges imposed on the fishing industry?

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does fisheries policy include mention of the need to support the traceability and/or certification of products?

Yes. Farms must ensure all necessary data are recorded for identification and traceability of the fish stock and feed supply from the hatchery to the factory. Processing factories must ensure all necessary data recorded for identification and traceability of the fish batch. Documentation of ingredients used for every lot of feed supplied must to be maintained by producer. All along the cycle, fish must be identifiable to a batch with treatments records and other attached. Traceability of harvest must be maintained up to processing factory. It is expected to control the quality and safety of food for the whole production chain “from pond to table”.

Also, growth in organic farming.

Does policy refer to increasing value-added?
If so, how is this to be achieved.

Yes by highlighting lack of value-added, and by including specific projects to increase post-harvest quality and diversifying products exported.

Programme development of seafood export. (Decision 251/ 1998/QD-TTg of December 1998)

Does policy refer to tariff barriers and/or free trade areas in the region?

No information available officially at the moment.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy seek to increase exports?

Yes. Target for 2010: 4 billion USD.

Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

8b.

Are there any specific policy initiatives to improve the efficiency of fisheries adminis­trations? e.g. public/private partnerships
If so, pls elaborate.

Since 1986, the Government has emphasized development of the market economy under the Doi Moi (renovation) policy. The equitization of state-own enterprises in fisheries is successful and would be ended in 1-2 years.

World Bank Report

Section D: Socio-economic and poverty issues

Does policy refer to issues of poverty?
If so, in what capacity e.g. references to PRSPs, non-fisheries sector poverty reduction strategies, etc.

Yes. Two major policy goals are:

To enhance the living standards of fishing communities that depend on coastal fisheries resources, to contribute to poverty alleviation within those communities and to assure food security, and

To enhance income, create new occupations and improve the living standards of fishing communities.

Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

Does policy include mention of, or provide for, micro-finance?

Not information available officially at the moment.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy include reducing the number of those engaged in fishing maintaining current numbers, or increasing/maximizing employment?

Yes. There is a sense of reducing the number of coastal fishing vessels and total horsepower to that needed to take the corresponding total allowable catch of the coastal resources and to adjust the occupation structure of fishing communities accordingly.

To maintain employment of 500000 in fisheries catching by 2010.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Decision 10/ 2006/QD-TTg

Does policy include assistance to fishers to leave the fisheries sector or to supplement livelihoods from non-fishing activities?

Yes. There is a trend of transferring the appropriate number of coastal fishing participants (in accordance with achieving sustainable exploitation of coastal fisheries resources) to other occupations, including implementing supporting programmes of technical re-training, occupational counseling.

Pers. Comm. Pham Trong Yen

Does policy refer to food security?
If so, to what extent (if at all) is policy specific about whether fisheries should provide direct food security (i.e. fish being consumed domestically) or indirect food security (fish exported with money then available for food imports).

Food security is specifically included in policy as a development goal.

Not specific to direct or indirect.

In summary, what are the main trends and changes in fisheries policy over the past 10 years. Please also consider in the response to this question that the seriousness with which a certain policy is pursued can often be measured by the share of the budget allocated to it, or by whether it finds expression in specific legislation or regulations.

The law of fisheries (2003): highest legislation regulating activities of Viet Nam fisheries. Decision 10/2006/QD-TTg (January 2006) shows main targets of fisheries sector to 2010.

Fisheries sector has developed fast. Protection coastal resources have been paid attention: Government was promoting Programme of building high-capacity boats for offshore catching and developing aquaculture in coastal areas to create livelihood for fishermen. There was a sense of that aquaculture was developing faster than catching. Freshwater aquaculture took a leading role with the growth of catfish production (almost 400000 tonnes in 2005). Investment in fisheries increasing during 5 years and in the coming period. Decision 131/2004/QD-TTg (July 2004) on approval of Programme of Protection and Development of fisheries resources to 2010.

Also note recent emphasis on safety. Decree 66/2005/ND-CP (April 2005) on safety for fishermen and fishing boats at sea; Directive 22/2006/CT-TTg (June 2006), states that municipal and provincial people’s committees, ministries and agencies are responsible for the good governance and inspection of fishing vessels and crew to ensure the use of all safety and communications equipment. Local agencies are required to organize their fishing fleets in teams and groups and to monitor offshore fishing and develop disaster preparedness schemes in the event of an emergency. The PM asked the Ministry of Fisheries to lead localities to further control the registration of fishing vessels to ensure offshore fishing boats are equipped with at least a 90 HP engine.

(Some policies have been now suggested (as some issue in “Draft 2005 Strategy”) but they have been not approved officially by Viet Nam Government and other Governmental bodies. They should not be considered as policies of fisheries sector until approved).

Country/Issue included in Policy

Bangladesh

Cambodia

China

India

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Myanmar

Pakistan

Philippines

Rep. of Korea

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Viet Nam

Total

Total Responses

%
of Total Responses

A. Targets

Aquaculture development targets

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

11

13

85%

Capture development targets

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

11

14

79%

Other targets

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

11

14

79%

Capture management targets

0

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

1

7

12

58%

Aquaculture growth greater than capture

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

8

14

57%

Aquaculture management targets

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

6

13

46%

B. Natural Resource Management

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

14

14

100%

MPAs, fish santuaries, fish refuges

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

14

14

100%

Community/co-mgt

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

12

13

92%

Fleet capacity reduction

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

12

14

86%

Decentralization

0

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

11

13

85%

Offshore expansion

1

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

11

14

79%

Conflict management

0

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

0

1

1

0

10

13

77%

Cross-sectoral coordination

1

1

1

1

0

1

0

1

0

1

9

12

75%

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

9

13

69%

Increasing user rights

1

1

0

1

0

1

0

1

0

7

11

64%

Offshore at expense of foreign

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

4

8

50%

Small-scale moving offshore

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

1

6

12

50%

C. Financial/economic and marketing

Export increases

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

13

13

100%

Administational improvements

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

11

12

92%

Subsidies to be provided

1

0

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

12

14

86%

Traceability /certification

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

0

1

10

12

83%

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

10

12

83%

Subsidies to be reduced or rationalized

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

6

12

50%

User charges increased

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

4

14

29%

Tariff barriers

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

9

11%

D. Socio-economic and poverty

Food security

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

13

14

93%

Alternative livelihoods

1

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

11

13

85%

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

10

13

77%

Employment increases

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

0

8

12

67%

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

4

12

33%