Challenges in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

By Loretta B Manele

A number of challenges in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) in Solomon Islands have been highlighted at the Honiara Summit on Sustainable Development Goal SDG 14.4 which focuses on managing sustainable fisheries.

Edward Honiwala, Director of Fisheries from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) spoke about these challenges at the summit yesterday.

He expressed that MCS is the backbone of fisheries management as it ensures compliance with fisheries management frameworks, resulting in the sustainability of our fisheries resources.

Honiwala however pointed out that MCS work in the region has also gone through a lot of challenges.

In Solomon Islands, he said major challenges include; geographical spread of islands, difficulty in ensuring effective monitoring, challenging enforcement and costly patrols.

Honiwala also outlined a number of initiatives that can be carried out to address these challenges.

These initiatives are as follows; allocating more resources to ensure all fishers comply with fisheries regulations and management measures, that all fleets and fishing gears reach a 100 percent human observer coverage, e-monitoring and capacity building in all aspects and areas of MCS.

“Capacity building in all aspects and areas of MCS is essential. Well trained and experience officers, in all MCS areas, from data collection and analyst to the enforcement and prosecutions.

These officers must be well resourced and well equipped to execute their work effectively.

Effective MCS requires significant investment, in assets like patrol boats, aircrafts, satellite monitoring equipment and well-trained personnel.”

Honiwala emphasized that effective MCS will always be a financial burden for countries and just like any other Pacific Island country, Solomon Islands lacks the financial resources to adequately fund all these assets and equipment to support MCS work in our EEZs.

In this regard, he said Pacific Island countries are fortunate have good partners like Australia, France, New Zealand and others to support regional surveillance through FFA.

While there are challenges present in MCS operation, there is also innovation and technology in MCS.

Honiwala said with the innovations and technology, some of the MSC challenges can be minimised.

“Fishing vessels fishing within our EEZ can be monitored from our fisheries headquarters. This is through the vessel monitoring systems (VMS) or other electronic means.

For the PNA Countries, the vessel days scheme (VDS) is monitored through FIMs, (Fisheries Information Management Systems) which member countries now use as a tool to calculate fishing days within their EEZs.

Other MCS monitoring tools, includes Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), and E-reporting and monitoring tools. These tools now used by MCS Officers and part of their daily routine work.”

Honiwala said for Solomon Islands, the development of an electronic port system for our ports, is a success story and can be replicated across the region.

He explained that supply system supports catch verification and traceability and ensures IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) caught fish do not enter the chain.

“This is our digital fish accountancy system.”

He said this development is home grown led by the fisheries ministry with support from FFA.

“It is an achievement to see our e-port system can work hand-in-hand with FFA’s electronic ports state measures (e-PSM) system. This has effectively enhanced our ports entry and exist operations.”

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

DR. Patricia Rodie, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), has praised the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for developing a policy to allow the use of local vernacular languages in schools.

Speaking at the closing of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Day last Friday (Feb 14^th), Dr. Rodie commended MEHRD’s efforts, noting,

“..I think we are happy that the Minister for Education has assured us that they are current reforms within the Education Act to cater for that,” she said.

The dean emphasized that such efforts must be guided by the “cultural value of boldness”, recalling the courage of Pacific ancestors who navigated the vast ocean and diverse terrains for thousands of years.

“Today, we must embody that same boldness as we navigate a rapidly changing world, ensuring that our indigenous languages remain strong, relevant, and varied, “she said.

Highlighting the crucial role of education, Dr. Rodie stressed that a firm foundation in local languages will empower children, communities, and the nation, “and we are pleased to note that in the Education Act, this has been catered for.”

Education Minister, Tozen Leokana said the Vernacular Education Policy along with the Inclusion Education Policy will ensure students can comfortably learn and understand fundamental concepts in their spoken language/s before transitioning into English and other subjects.

He reiterated the ministry’s belief that language is key to learning, stating, “we, in the ministry, regard language as the vessel through which knowledge is transmitted, culture is preserved and identities are strengthened.”

“The decision to integrate our rich linguistic heritage into the education system is not only a strategic mover for academic success but also a profound affirmation of who we are as a people,” Minister Leokana added.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Minister for Culture and Tourism, Choylin Yim Douglas proposes a partnership platform between Tuvaluan descents living in Solomon Islands and Tuvaluan citizens back home.

Ms Douglas, who is a Tuvaluan descent called for this during a visit made by Prime Minister of Tuvalu,Feleti Penitala Teo and his delegation to Solovalu community, a community owned by Tuvaluan descents near Honiara International Airport on Tuesday.

“We would like to proposed a partnership between Solovalu community and Tuvalu citizens.

“A cultural alliance dedicated to the preservation and promotion of our shared heritage.

“This collaboration could include cultural exchange programs facilitating exchanges that allow our artist, story tellers and cultural practitioners to share the knowledge and skills.

“This would encourage both our communities to work together to document our languages, traditional practices and stories to ensure they are preserving for future generation,” she emphasized.

Ms Douglas added that the partnership platform would encourage developing education programs that emphasize the connection between our cultural practise and environmental stewardship.

“Fostering a sense of responsibility toward our land and sea. I urge each of you, to embrace this opportunity.

“Let us not wait until our culture further threaten. Let us take proactive steps to celebrate, protect and pass down the tradition.

“Together we can create a legacy of resilient ensuring that our children and grand children inherit not just our land, but also our rich culture,” she said.

Ms Douglas, on that note, acknowledged Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo and his delegation for opportunity to visit and strengthen their connection with the Tuvaluan living in Solomon Islands.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Regional solidarity is fundamental to achieving sustainable fisheries, says Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Nestor Giro.

Speaking yesterday during a session focused on how the Pacific Islands region has responded to SDG 14.4 through the establishment of key fisheries institutions, Giro emphasized the region’s commitment to sustainable fisheries.

He highlighted that regional unity has always been central to addressing the importance of sustainable fisheries.

“The establishment of the regional institutional framework through the Pacific Leaders Forum in the 1970s recognized the sustainable utilisation of marine resources as a matter of common interest among member states,” Giro stated.

He further noted that Pacific leaders were keenly aware of the region’s unique dependence on marine resources and the need to ensure their sustainability.

“The first policy agreement was reached at the Eighth Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby in August 1977. During this meeting, leaders adopted the Declaration on the Law of the Sea and established a regional fisheries agency.

Over the years, leaders have adopted several key policies, including the Declaration on Pacific Fisheries (2007), the Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries (2015), and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”

Giro emphasised that there is an overarching political framework under the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, such as the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), established in 1979, which supports member states in the sustainable management of highly migratory fish stocks.

“In 2004, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was established. This commission is responsible for developing rules and regulations for fishing activities in the high seas areas of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean,” Giro explained.

He acknowledged the significance of the Honiara Summit, as it marked the first occasion where the heads of these regional institutions gathered to discuss their responses to SDG 14.4.

“Comprehensive regional fisheries management arrangements have been in place for over 40 years, and they continue to play a vital role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries in our region,” he said.

Giro stressed that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region must uphold their sovereignty over national waters and protect their sovereign rights over fishing activities within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).

“With the support of regional institutions, the region continues to emphasise the importance of zone-based fisheries management. Coastal state rights and responsibilities for fishing activities within national jurisdictions must be respected.

Regional approaches include, but are not limited to, the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, the Precautionary Approach, Biodiversity Protection, and reducing waste in fisheries, he outlined.

Giro underscored that healthy tuna stocks and sustainable fisheries can only be ensured through regional cooperation.

“Without regional unity, we cannot achieve the SDG 14.4 target.

Without the establishment of key institutions by our leaders, we cannot achieve the SDG 14.4 target.

Without leaders endorsing regional policies, treaties, and management tools, we cannot achieve the SDG 14.4 target.

The theme of this Summit, ‘Iumi Tugeda’, is fitting—only by working together can we achieve SDG 14.4 and ensure sustainable fisheries for future generations,” Giro concluded.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, should be seen as a turning point for ocean conservation and sustainability.

These were the words of Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Union (EU), when she delivered her remarks at the Honiara Summit on Tuesday this week.

Vitcheva emphasized that the Honiara Summit aims to design a European Ocean Pact, which will be presented at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice this June.

She explained that the European Ocean Pact will serve to align all EU ocean-related policies under a comprehensive and coherent framework.

“We all know the state of our ocean. It is time to confirm our political ambition, accelerate action, and deliver real results. We need decisive action, and for that, we need a single reference for the ocean in all our ocean-related policies,” Vitcheva stated.

She added that within this European Ocean Pact, there will be a global agenda and a strong international dimension to support leadership and action for a healthy and productive ocean.

“This must be reflected in the outcome declaration currently being negotiated. I now turn to political leaders, prime ministers, and ministers—please give a bold mandate to your negotiators for this declaration.

This declaration must embody ambition for ocean and climate action, conservation, and the sustainable use of marine resources. It must support the swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, the protection of marine biodiversity, and the establishment of a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution—everything that concerns the ocean,”* she urged.

Vitcheva reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to the Pacific, stating that the EU remains a reliable partner with no hidden agenda, dedicated to addressing shared challenges faced by Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

“Our ability to make the UN Ocean Conference in Nice a success depends on us. Partnership is key in this critical time. What we discussed here today is about our lives, well-being, prosperity, and economy. Our security cannot be ensured without a healthy ocean,” she stressed.

She highlighted the Pacific’s vulnerability to climate change, noting that partnerships are at the core of the EU’s action plan.

“We must work together. Strong partnerships will be the key to making SDG 14 a success. And we are walking the talk,” she said.

The Samoa Agreement and Ocean Cooperation

Vitcheva pointed to the Samoa Agreement framework as a clear demonstration of the EU’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We represent 1.5 billion people. If we stand united, we will be hard to ignore in multilateral forums. This also applies to ocean protection,” she said.

She further noted that the EU and Pacific states have agreed to join forces on key issues such as ensuring sustainable fisheries, protecting marine biodiversity, and fighting climate change.

“The EU is not just adhering to the Paris Agreement—we have the Green Deal, which ensures that our continent will be carbon neutral by 2050.

Because there was a pledge here to assist you, we remain reliable and committed. In line with this, we are now preparing the second Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership, valued at €20 million, to support the Pacific in achieving its goals under the Pacific Blue Strategy,” she concluded.

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