A powerpoint presentation on "Monitoring Control and Surveillance" under the Subject "Fisheries Governance" at ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai

1. Monitoring Control and Surveillance
Prsented by
Sharavan K Sharma
FRM-PA 9-12

2. Definition:
• Monitoring: Continuous measurement of fishing effort
characteristics and resource yield.
• Control: regulatory conditions under which exploitation of
resources may be conducted.
• Surveillance: Types of observations required to maintain
compliance with the regulatory controls imposed on fishing
activities
Tools in MCS
• Key part of MCS programme at the national and international
level.
• Relative and direct means of communications between
vessel and monitoring agency.

3. Applications
• Fisheries management
• Catch reporting
• Fisheries research & analysis - planning
• Safety
• Enforcement
Application in fisheries management
• Area which is closed for either fishing, navigation/
transhipment.
• Area which is closed at particular times.
• Restricted for fishing to certain vessels based on type, size,
licenses, states etc.
• Area which is subject to catch quotas restrictions.

4. MCS operational procedures
• Some actual processes and core points fore coverage in
MCS operation -
- Data collection
- Fisheries patrols
- Boardings
- Inspection procedures
- Verification of catches
√ Verifiation of position
√ Transhipmemt
√ Port state control and FAO "flagging agreement"
√ Fisheries prosecutions

5. Verification of position
• Key requirement for any fisheries sighting, inspection or
prosecution
• Surveillance aircraft - equipped with highly accurate
positioning system, automatic photographic equipment-
shows position of aircraft or target at the time of picture.
• Accepted in courts in many countries as evidence of the
position and activities of the vessel.
• In case of at sea inspections, it is common procedure to take
position on the boarding vessel just before conducting the
boarding.
• Fisheries officer - ask about the position of the vessel upon
boarding- variance- vessel master.

6. • If the officer is not satisfied or does not hold appropriate
navigation paper - certified deck officer from the patrol
vessel take a fix on the boarded vessel.
• Trained navigation officer-can determine -possible illegal
activities.
• Re-calibration of the equipment - if false reading.
• For this reason - certified patrol vessel deck officer take the
fix on the boarded vessel if their is any discrepancy in
readings.
• Both the patrol vessel and boarded vessel - GPS which can
be cross checked.

7. The FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) - link through
satellite navigation & provide -
• Regular position information
• Also enable to shore stations to interrogate the systems on
the vessel at anytime for periodic, unexpected checks.
• Reduce need of air surveillance - reduce cost.
• Assist determining the positions of the vessel for boardings.
• Fisheries officer - have knowledge on common navigational
system and techniques for fixing the position.
• Also able to detail the procedures used in gaining the
positions andverification of the position and accurate
dermination of timeof the fix.

8. • Larger vessels - variety of compasses, magneticand groys,
radars satellite navigation machines, omega positioning
electronic equipment, sextant,direction and finding
equipment, echo sounders, fish finders and sonars as well.
• Navigation equipment and the observations of their use and
status on the boarding vessel can be very useful in court
proceedings.
• The observations can all assist in building and supporting a
prosecution if an alleged violation has occured.

9. Transhipment
• One of the most dangerous and difficult fisheries activities to
monitor.
• Cann't be done effectively without a min. of two persons.
• Activity of two ships heaving in the sea side by side - dangerous
and carry out the operation as quickly as possible.
• Fisheries officer - accurate recording of the fish transferred.
• inspection is necessary before commencement of the operation -
very accurate monitoring of fish transhipped
• Requiring time of the vessel masters.
• Important - verifying the species and weight (difficult) - need
officers presence in the hold of the vessel.

10. • If a country refuses to permit the transhipment in its fisheries
waters - tranship the cargo outside the zone and apply to
reenter to continue to fishing.
• This will result in loss of continuity of data.
• Fisheries administrators in designing their MCS strategy, use
negotiations to encourage the vessels to tranship their fish in
ports.
• Both the vessels in a stable, controlled environment where
the accuracy of the transfer can be monitored closely.
• Another international concern is that the issue of obtaining
information on fisheries support vessels in the transhipment.

11. • The tool of the fisheries license, supported by appropriate
legislation including support vessels could be a step to
implementing international std. and controls for these vessels.
• Requirement to liscense, or at least register the vessels - as a
part of international fishing fleets.
• Coastal states - considered similar licensing requirements.
• This thereby becomes a potential component of port state
control for fishing vessels.

12. Port state Control and FAO "flagging agreement"
• The concept of port State control agreements - coastal
zone mgt., environmental protection and fisheries
• Earlier all arrangements for post state control exclude fishing
vessels.
• After Protocol to the Torremolinos comes in to force - fishing
vessels required to comply with the port state safety
certifications
• This tools potentially very attractive - subregions, regions
also bilateral situations

13. The Torremolinos International Convention forthe safety of
fishing vessels
• Adoption: 2nd April, 1977; Superseded by the 1993 Torremolinos
protocol.
• Cape Town Agreement 2012 - implementation of 1protocol 1993
• Conference - 1977- Torremolinos, Spain -safety of fishing vessel
• Safety requirements - 24 m in length and over
• In 1993: 15 states with 14000 vessels (24 m length)
• Cape town agreement, South Africa - 2012 (9-10 Oct)

14. Application:
• Radiocommunication not more than 10 yrs.
• Live saving appliances and arrangements
• Navigational equipmentsand arrangements - not more than 10 yrs
Certificate:
• International fishing vessel safety certificate is amended to state it
is issued under the provisions of the Cape town Agreement 2012.
MARPOL
• Marine Pollution: Prevention of pollution from ships (1973) -
modified the protocol 1978.
• Designed- minimized pollution of the seas
• entered in to force 1983.

15. SOLAS
• International safety of life at sea (SOLAS)
• Treaty passed 1914.
• Cmplete new convention - adopted in 1974
• Most recent - May 2011.
FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency)
• FFA Vessel monitoring system: allows FFA members to
track and monitor fishing activities
• FFA members: satelite based system
• Vessel Registraion period: June -July
• Registered for 1 year.

16. • At present IMO and FAO - both working on several
initiatives
- enhance the role and potential benefits to coastal states
- In essence, the flag state has the responsibility to
implementing the International maritime agreements
- to promote safety and envt. protecction at sea through port
state control
• At present there is a considerable network of port state control
system in Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.
• Initiatives are commencing - Caribbean, Southern and Eastern
Mediterranean, Middle East, West and Central Africa, Eastern
Africa and indian Ocean.

17. • Currently focused - regionally to maximize the benefits and
cost effectiveness of the initiatives.
• Activities mainly - ship safety and marine pollution control
with respect to ILO convention, SOLAS agreement and
MARPOL agreement.
• There has been a need identified for standardization of
training and application of the controls and a code of
conduct for control officers.

18. The potential of port State control mechanism includes:
• Fisheries interest with respect to the port inspections
• Safety certifications
• Information exchange and regional standards and
cooperation for fisheries controls exists.

19. • FAO - establishing standards for fisheries throughout the
world.
- vessel markings,
- gear identification and marking
- more recently flagging of vessels fishing on the high
seas and the responsibilty for flag state enforcement.
(Regional fisheries initiatives to promote higher levels of
compliances for all vessels in the region)

20. The FAO flagging agreement to promote compliance with
international conservation and management measures by
fishing vessels on the high seas -
• assist in the promotion of conservation practices on the seas.
• Flag states required to registrar all vessels authorized to
carry their flags and forward this information to FAO
• be responsible for the control of said vessel
• their national onboard to ensure they fish in responsible
manner
• share information - with the international community

21. • Act on information regarding activities of its flag vessels
which undermine the effectiveness of international
conservation practices.
• Countries party to this agreement - commitment to
international conservation of the fishers onhigh sea.
• FAO - have information database on all fishing vessels
authorized by member states to fish on the high seas
throughout the world.
• This information will be considerable use to developing
countries in deciding license vessels to operate in their own
waters.

22. • Further, regional and inter-regional cooperation - enhance
thedetection andaction in the case of fishing practices which
undermine international conservation principles.
• FAO - step in a right direction for international co-operation
and the establishment of international standard for co-
operation, conservation and code of conduct for
Responsible Fishing.

23. Fisheries Prosecutions
• Most onerous and important tasks for administrators/officers.
• Many fisheries officers have resulted in acquittal in the courts
due to lack of proper preparation and training.
• Inability to successfully prosecute a case in court makes the
expense and effort on fisheries MCS activities ineffective.
• South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency and the ASEAN
counntries compiled standard manual on prosecution
procedures for their regions
• FFA Fisheries Prosecution Manual - guide to fisheries officers

24. • The success of fisheries prosecution - training and
prepration of all individuals involved in the case.
• Commences with the knowledge of the prosecutor and the
judiciary of fishing
- fishing environment
- the management scheme and its importance to the
economy
- MCS acitivity required for the conservation of resources
• Education and training of personnel has been found to be
best - realistic fisheries experience, workshops and mock
trails.

25. • Fisheries Administrators should ensure that their field patrol
staff are all trained, very observant.
• Observations with respect to the activity of the deck of the
vessel when patrol vessel comes intoview are imporatnt.
• Photography: can used for training
• The Fishery officer should alaways ready to explain in the
court in front of Judge with continuity.
• Proper planning and execution is utmost important.

26. During operation:
• The minimum boarding team should be comprised of four,
preferably six, persons including Fisheries Officer, a member
from engineering deptt. and a ship's officer.
• The team will observe the activity and note the presence of
increased activity, fresh fish, blood or offal, gear in a position
for fishing, diving gear or small boats on deck etc.
• On boarding, the crew still observing the deck and activities
of the crew.

27. • Request should be madefor fishing license, ship's log, all
fishing, processing and freezer logs,if this possible.
• The inspection should be carried out in accordance with the
standard procedures identified during the briefing, observing
the status of fishing gear, hot from recent use, fishing gear
wet, blood in the production areas.
• Photography alsothe rapid method of indicating the state of
the vessel.
• Lastly, master is asked to indicate the position of the vessel
and to responds the questions regarding the activities.

28. • If the inspection of the vessel and documents indicates -
fishing in a closed area without authorization, the master is
then ordered to take the vessel to port for further
investigation.
• At the point of time, the reaction of masters and the fishing
crew is very important to safety the boarding party.
• The co-operation of the masters should be noted as well as
performance of the vessel.
• The MCS Central Operations Centre - port authorities
should be notified of the vessel's passage and ETA.

29. • Preliminary documentation for court appearances can be
drawn up on land and officials representing the vessel
informed of the vessel's port visit.
• An appearance date should be set withthe courtas early as
possible - vessel, gear shold be secured in a manner also
not to spoilage of the catch.
• The court then hears a summery- may be penalty or non
guilty on evidence.

30. • Knowledge of international and national laws, observing,
good notes and preparation will bring success to fisheries
administrators in the prosecution of cases for serious
violation of fisheries law.
• The success comes from practice, experience, good
fisheries law and appropriate professional MCS strategy
and team officers.

31. THANK YOU