The Coral Triangle Fishers Forum: Market-based Partnerships for

Managing Bycatch

Keith Symington and Dr. Lida Pet-SoedeWWF Coral Triangle Program

WWF Coral Triangle Network Initiative

Sta

keh

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er

s in

volv

ed Understanding and build the trust

Fisher Outreach

Create win-win solutions

Bycatch- reducing

gear

Onboard Observers

Onboard observer

Fishing method

adjustment

Best Practices; political commitments and mainstreaming

Create demand on sustainable fisheries

products

Consumers

SustainableFisheries Trade

Fishing method

Support from Stakeholders

Markets

Market Incentives: Certified Fisheries; Sourcing

Arrangements

Work

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testi

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Imp

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Some Industry Partnerships• Anova Group• Luen Thai Fishing Ventures• Culimer BV• North Atlantic Seafood• Nissui• Edeka Group• ISSF

CTFF Rationale• Need for regional-level dialogue • Gather regional fishers and industry to: – learn more about the issues that affect them – gain common ground in achieving sustainable and

equitable fisheries

• Theme of first CTFF meeting: Market-based Partnerships for Responsible Fishing Practices

• Peer-to-peer dialogue

Stakeholder Participation and Representation

• Approx. 120 participants• Over 20 fishing associations and companies– Offshore and artisanal tuna longline, hand line,

purse seine, set nets, bottom trawl, shrimp and mixed-species trawl

• 10 International and regional bodies• 15 countries

Results• New partnerships and collaborations e.g.– Luen Thai Fishing Ventures: data sharing, Circle Hook

adoption, supply chain linkages (sourcing)– IKHLAS: knowledge and information sharing with local

fishers– Several fishing companies join WWF Seafood Savers

program• Various commitments to explore MSC certification and

to address specific bycatch issues with government authorities

• Technical solutions widely discussed and advanced

CTFF CommuniquéList of 18 recommendations including:• Establishing more vertical integration along

supply chain on bycatch issues• Mainstreaming use of circle hooks and linking

them (and other gear alternatives) to seafood consumer campaigns

• Seafood Savers program• Spatial-temporal measures

Next Steps• CTFF as a formal network and communication

channel • Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiative to

present recommendations to its members• Briefing notes to national and CT6 government

and other regional bodies• Further develop and refine specific supply chain

partnerships on bycatch • Seafood Savers program

Acknowledgements

Thank You!

Keith.symington@wwfgreatermekong.org

www.panda.org/coraltriangle/fishersforum