Pre Assessment Report Kien Giang tangle net blue swimming crab FINAL

MOODY MARINE LTD

September 2009

Ref: 82115

Assessors: Richard Banks and Terry Holt

Pre Assessment Report for

Vietnamese:

Blue swimming crab tangle net fishery (Portunus pelagicus),

Kien Giang province.

Pre-Assessment Report for:

Carried out by:

Moody Marine Limited

Merlin House, Stanier Way

13 Ribbon Avenue

Wyvern Business Park

Port Douglas

DerbyDE21 6BF

QLD 4877

UK

Australia

Team Leader:

Richard Banks

Team Members:

Richard Banks and Terry Holt

Client:

World Wildlife Fund

Contact for pre-assessment:

Alison Cross

Nguyen ThiDieuThuy (Ms.)

_{Lawnin Crawford}

alison.cross@wwfus.org

Thuy.Nguyendieu@wwfgreatermekong.org

lawnin@ycc.com.vn

Program Officer -

Fisheries

World Wildlife Fund

California Marine Office

171 Forest Avenue

Palo Alto, CA 94301

Senior Fisheries Officer WWF Vietnam

39 XuanDieu Str., Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi City

YuehChyang Canned Food Co. Ltd

1 NhutChanh Ward Ben Luc, Long An Vietnam

650.323.3504

Tel. +84 4 37193049 ext 142 or +84 915 330 320

Fax (+84) 4 37193048

Tel +84 (0) 72 3872 377 Louis Lawnin Crawford+ 84 918 260 256

ApitornThurdsuwan + 84 913 958 005

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ... 6

1.1 SCOPE OF PRE-ASSESSMENT ... 6

1.2 PRE-ASSESSMENT AIMS ... 6

2 INFORMATION SOURCES USED ... 7

2.1 MEETINGS AS FOLLOWS: ... 7

2.2 OTHER INFORMATION ... 8

3 BACKGROUND TO THE FISHERY ... 9

3.1 HISTORY, LOCATION AND SCALE OF THE FISHERY ... 9

4 BIOLOGY ... 11

4.1 LIFE CYCLE ... 11

4.2 GROWTH AND MATURITY ... 14

4.3 FECUNDITY ... 15

4.4 DISTRIBUTION OF LARVAE AND RECRUITMENT ... 15

4.5 HABITATS ... 16

5 STOCK ASSESSMENT ... 17

6 ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS ... 17

5.1 OTHER TARGET SPECIES ... 17

5.2 NON TARGET SPECIES ... 17

5.3 BENTHOS IMPACT ... 17

5.3 TROPHIC EFFECTS ... 17

5.5 ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND PROTECTED ... 18

7 FISHERY MANAGEMENT ... 20

7.1 MANAGEMENT BODIES ... 20

7.2 FISHERIES MANAGEMENT POLICY ... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 7.2.1 Overall strategies ... 21

7.2.2 Specific objectives ... 21

7.3 MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN USE ... 22

7.4 FISHERIES REGULATIONS ... 23

7.5 ENFORCEMENT AND SURVEILLANCE ... 23

8 OTHER FISHERIES AFFECTING THE TARGET STOCK ... 23

9 KEY MSC STAKEHOLDERS ... 24

10 LIMIT OF IDENTIFICATION OF LANDINGS FROM THE FISHERY ... 25

11 PRELIMINARY EVALUATION AGAINST MSC PRINCIPLES & CRITERIA ... 26

12 PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES TO MSC CERTIFICATION ... 40

LIST OF MAPS

Map 1: Blue swimming crab Fishing area, Kien Giang province ... 9

Map 2: Sea turtle hot spots in Vietnam ... 20

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.Life cycle of Portunuspelagicus (from: N. 2006). ... 13

Figure 2.Left: CW50 determination in male P. pelagicus. Right: cumulative frequency of mature females (in %) per size classes. Lm represents CW50 (from Ingles &Braum 1989). ... 14

Figure 3.Pubertal molt at first maturity ... 15

Figure 4: Chain of custody for Kien Giang blue swimming crab ... 25

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: List of persons met ... 7

Table 2: Number and characteristics of boats in Kien Giang province ... 10

Table 3: Fleet composition by hp size band. ... 10

Table 4: Gear configurations by boat horse power group ... 10

Table 6: Catch by crab tangle net boats (2008) ... 11

Table 8: Length-weight growth parameters for P. pelagicus in southern India (Abdurahiman et al. 2004). ... 14

Table 9.Carapace width at 50% maturity (CW50) for P. pelagicus. ... 14

Table 10: Key stakeholders ... 24

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: SICA table. P1 worst case is the direct capture impacting on population size. ... 44

Appendix 2: PSA scores ... 45

Appendix 3: Scale Intensity Consequence Analysis (SICA) and Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) ... 47

ACRONYMS

CB Certification Body

CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort

DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone

ESD Ecologically Sustainable Development FSPS Fisheries Sector Programme Support (Danida) FPV Fishery patrol vessel

HS Harvest Strategy

MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MCS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

MPA Marine Protected Area MSC Marine Stewardship Council

MEY Maximum Economic Yield

MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield

PI Performance Indicator

PSA Productivity Susceptibility Analysis

RBF Risk Based Framework

SICA Scale Intensity Consequence Analysis TAC Total Allowable Catch

TEP Threatened, Endangered or Protected UoC Unit of Certification

1. INTRODUCTION

This report sets out the results of a pre-assessment of the Vietnamese Blue Swimming crab trap tangle net fishery (Portunus pelagicus), in Kien Giang province, South West Vietnam in relation to the Marine Stewardship Councils (MSC) Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing (the ‘MSC standard’).

It must be stressed that this report can provide guidance only, and the outcome of a main assessment will be the subject of deliberation by an assessment team and may not be influenced by this pre-assessment.

1.1 Scope of pre-assessment

The MSC Guidelines to Certifiers specifies that the unit of certification is "The fishery or fish stock (=biologically distinct unit) combined with the fishing method/gear and practice (=vessel(s) pursuing the fish of that stock)."

The definition of the fishery under pre-assessment is therefore as follows: Species: Blue swimming crab (Portunuspelagicus) Geographical Area: Kien Giang province/Gulf of Thailand Method of Capture: Tangle net

Management System: Open access and minimum mesh size Management

Authority

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Client Group: World Wildlife Fund

1.2 Pre-assessment aims

The principal aims of the pre-assessment are to determine, on the basis of information made available by the client, the position of the fishery principally in relation to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Principles and Criteria. In particular, the pre-assessment will:

• Outline the key components of the fishery and determine the scope of the main certification • Identify possible obstacles or problems for certification

The assessors have undertaken as comprehensive verification of information, or contacting of stakeholders within the time scale involved (Table 1), This involved a co-ordinated meeting with DARD and local stakeholders, together with a tour of crab landing sites and interviews with fishermen, collectors and middlemen. The full assessment will undertake more extensive consultation and verification of documentation. The full assessment will be open to public scrutiny and comment, as part of the MSC standing consultative procedures.

This report sets out:

• The information on which the pre-assessment report is based • The background of the fishery

• The location and scale of the fishery • Fishery management arrangements • Other relevant fisheries

• Preliminary evaluation of the fishery against the MSC Principles and Criteria • Limit of identification of landings from the fishery

• Obstacles or problems for certification

• A recommendation as to whether or not (and in what form) the fishery should move to main assessment

2

INFORMATION SOURCES USED

The pre-assessment is based upon the following information sources: 2.1 Meetings as follows:

Table 1: List of persons met

Meeting with the client, Ho Chi Minh City

Date Name Organisation e-mail

13/09/09 Nguyen ThiDieuThuy (Ms.)

World Wildlife Fund Thuy.Nguyendieu@wwfgreaterm ekong.org

13/09/09 Lawnin Crawford Yueh Chyang Canned lawnin@ycc.com.vn ApitornThurdsuwan Yueh Chyang Canned

DARD workshop, Rach Gia

Date Name Organisation e-mail

17/09/07 Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Vice director DARD

17/09/07 Le Van Tinh Vice head of Agriculture divison, in charge for fisheries, DARD

levantinh.mpa@gmail.com

17/09/07 Pham Thong Nhat Staff of DARD

17/09/07 Nguyen Van Them Agriculture division of An Bien district

17/09/07 Vo QuocTrung Head of Inspection division, DARD

17/09/07 Phan Ngoc Vu Vice director, Directorate of fisheries resource protection, DARD

17/09/07 Tran Chi Vien Vice chairman, Ha Tien district 17/09/07 LuuQuang Diem Director, Directorate of quality

assurance

17/09/07 Lam Huynh Nhan Department of Industry and Trade

17/09/07 Duong Mong Thu Department of Science and Technology

17/09/07 Tran Van Lap Vice head of Economic unit, Ha Tien district

17/09/07 Ngo Van Rap Vice head of Economic unit, RachGia district

17/09/07 Huynh Chau Sang Director of Ngo Quyen seafood company

17/09/07 Nguyen Lam Son Center of Investment-tourism-trade promotion

17/09/07 Nguyen Van Sam Department of Natural resource and environment

17/09/07 DinhThi Phuong Alliance of Cooperatives

17/09/07 Tran Dam Minh Tam Staff of Ngo Quyen seafood company

17/09/07 Tran Van Linh Department of Culture-communication-tourism

Site visit, Ha Tien and small fishing villages in Kien Giang

Date Name Location

17/09/07 Small boat trap fisherman

Tam Ban Village, Duong Hoa commune, Kien Luong district?

17/09/07 Mr. Sinh Middleman, Ha Tien

17/09/07 Large boat fisherman Ha Tien 17/09/07 Small boat fisherman Ha Tien 18/09/07 Large boat Fishermen’s

group

Binh Son commune, Hon Dat district

18/09/07 Small scale fisherman Quang village, Tho Son commune, Hon Dat district

2.2 Other Information

Abdurahiman K.P., T.Harishnayak, P.U. Zacharia& K.S. Mohamed (2004). Length-weight relationship of commercially important marine fishes and shellfishes of the southern coast of Karnataka, India. NAGA 27(1-2): 9-14, WorldFishCenter.

Australian Government, Department of Environment, Heritage and Water (2006), Assessment of the Northern Development Blue swimmer crab fisher.

DARD, Description and analysis of the Blur crab fishery in KienGiang Province, September 2009 deLestang, S. (2001). The reproductive biology of the blue swimmer crab, Portunuspelagicus in Western Australia.Proceedings of the Conference on Life History Assessment and Management of

Crustaceans, La Coruna, Galicia, Spain, 8–11 October 2001.

http://www.udc.es/dep/bave/edfam/book_abstracts.pdf

Dung, P.H, Thuy, N.T.D, Symington, K., Improving the knowledge base and identifying management options for the reduction of sea turtle interactions in Vietnamese fisheries, WWF April 2007

Edgar, G.J. (1990). Predator-prey interactions in seagrass beds. II. Distribution and diet of the blue manna crab PortunusPelagicuslinnaeus (sic) at Cliff Head, Western Australia. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 139(1-2): 23-32.

Eshky, A.A, (2003) Reproductive Biology of the Commercial Blue Crab Portunus pelagicus (L.) from the East Coast of the Red Sea JKAU: Met., Env. & Arid Land Agric. Sci., vol. 14, pp. 147-157 (1423 A.H. / 2003 A.D.)

Fisheries Sector Programme Support, phase II, Briefing document on the current status of Vietnam’s fisheries sector, June 2009

Hamasaki, K., K. Fukunaga& S. Kitada (2006). Batch fecundity of the swimming crab Portunustrituberculatus (Brachyura: Portunidae). Aquaculture 253: 359-365.

Haywooda, M.D.E., F.J. Mansona, N.R. Loneragana & P.J. Toscas (2003). Investigation of artifacts from chronographic tethering experiments - interactions between tethers and predators. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 290: 271– 292.

Ingles, J.A & E. Braum (1989). Reproduction and larval ecology of the blue swimming crab Portunuspelagicus in Ragay Gulf, Philippines. Int. Revue ges.Hydrobiol. 74(5): 471-490.

Grouper and Snapper Fisheries in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, MRAG/WWF (2007)

MARD, Fisheries law, Circular no. 02/2006/TT-BTS

Pillay, K.K. & N.B. Nair (1971). The annual reproductive cycles of Ucaannulipes, Portunuspelagicus and Metapenaeusaffinis (Decapoda: Crustacea) from the South-west coast of India. Marine Biology 11(2): 152-166.

Potter, I.C. & S. de Lestang (2000). Biology of the blue swimmer crab Portunuspelagicus in Leschenault Estuary and Koombana Bay, south-western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 83: 443-458.

Williams, M.J. (1982). Natural food and feeding in the commercial sand crab Portunuspelagicus Linnaeus, 1766 (Crustacea :Decapoda : Portunidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 59(2-3): 165-176.

3 BACKGROUND TO THE FISHERY 3.1 History, location and scale of the fishery

The fishery is based in province of Kien Giang, south of the Mekong Delta, close to the boarder with Cambodia between latitude 8-10º and longitute 103’8-104’4. There are two towns with large fleets. These are Ha Tien, and Phu Quoc. Other districts with smaller numbers of swimming crab vessels are Kien Luong, Hon Dat districts. The island of Phu Quoc is also used as a landing site. However, there are also a large number of smaller craft based from the small villages along the coast. The fishery is also demarcated into four areas areas1:

• No fishing within 2 nautical miles

• vessels < 15 hp, fishing from 2 nm or 4 metres to the 8 metre isobath; • vessels >15hp-33 hp, fishing from the 8 metres isobath to around 18 metres.

• Vessels, >33 hp, fishing from 24 nautical miles or approximately at the 18 m isobath Map 1: Blue swimming crab Fishing area, Kien Giang province

Source: DARD

The larger vessels fish the offshore areas (> 24 nm) off Phu Quoc, Tho Chu and Chuoi islands

The fishery is reported to have grown. However, the rate of fleet growth is unclear. The jump in boat numbers (

Table 2), between 2007 and 2008, is more a reflection of the announcement of a fuel subsidy in this period, with more existing smaller craft registering. The fleet composition by size group is shown in Table 3.

1 _{This is different than national operational demarcation zones which are set at different horse power} limits (See section 7.3)

Table 2: Number and characteristics of boats in Kien Giang province

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

No’ vessels 1,117 1,118 1,039 3,234 3,823

Total hp 28,137 28,870 28.145 86,760 97,324

Average hp 25.19 25.82 27.09 26.10 25.46

Table 3: Fleet composition by hp size band. 

HP group <21 HP 21 - <45 45 - <90 90 - <150 150- <250 250 - <400 Total

No. of

vessels

2.861 446 422 31 61 2 3.823

Source: DARD; Note: the demarcation groups are consistent with national boundary laws. It appears that the crab fishery zones differ from these, but fleet data is only available following the national demarcation standards.

There are now an estimated 20,000 crab fishers involved. It is not known how many of these are fully active. The first sale market value of $ US 75 million.

Fishing nets are recorded from 4-12 nautical miles long for the smallest boats, to around 12 or more nautical miles for the larger vessels. Nets are made of monofilament and usually comprise individual sheets of 100-150 metres. The height of the net is around 1 m, but may reduce in the water to half this depth. The mesh size used is between 70-100 mm (Table 4). The nets are set in triangular patterns, at 30º angles, over the length of ground covered.

Table 4: Gear configurations by boat horse power group

Horse power group Net length (km) Net height (m) Mesh size (mm)

< 15 4-8 0.7-0.8 70-80

15-33 8-20 0.8-0.9 80-90

>33 20+ 0.9-1.1 90-100

Source: DARD

The high season is from May to September, but fishing periods are different for the larger and smaller boats. The smaller craft fish between October to March as the crab move closer to shore to spawn. Fishing inside 2 nautical miles is banned. All fishing takes place over mud. Fishing in and around mangroves and in estuaries is not permitted. There is a closed season for the near-shore from 1st April to 30th June annual.

The smaller boats (those less than 33hp) will fish day trips commencing at 05.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs, and fishing tends to take place in periods of stronger tidal drift. The net soak times are between 2 to 3 hours.

The larger boats (>33hp) fish from 05.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs, but seldom at night because of conflict with trawlers on the same ground. The boats fish 9-10 trips per annum, each trip lasting up to 30 days. However, this may fall in the low season from 10-20 day trips, depending on the catching opportunities. Crabs are collected from these boats by collector boats.

All crabs are landed whole. There are no other target species. The total blue swimming crab catch from the boats is 11,399 tonnes (Table 5). The by-catch accounts for 10% of the total (DARD). The combined levels of other species (Shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) and others2), Ray (species not identified) and sole (species not identified), account for 5.2%, and slipper lobster (species not identified)/gastropod (species not identified), 4.8%. The bycatch is either consumed by the crew or

2

Other shark species were not identified during the assessment, but is known to comprise one other than Nebrius ferrugineus.

sold to the local villages.

Table 5: Catch by crab tangle net boats (2008)

Species Tonnes %

Crab 11,399 90%

Shark 169 1.5%

Rays 253 2.2%

Sole 169 1.5%

Gastropodes/slipper lobster 547 4.8%

Total 12,538 100.0%

Source: By-catch data extracted from fisher interviews.

The fishery is an open access fishery. Fishing effort has increased in two ways. The nets used have more than doubled in size in the last 20 years; and the inshore fleet has increased markedly3, stimulated by both economic opportunity, but also by a Government ban on the use of push net and trawl in inshore waters with the incentive to transfer fishing method to tangle netting. DARD state that there is a decline in CPUE. Fishers interviewed stated that trip catches had remained constant but they had doubled the length of gear deployed. The average size of crab is reported as constant at around 110 mm (YCC purchase records), with the balance in male / female crabs being 40%:60% for small boats and 70%:30% for large boats4.

Catch rates are recorded at 15-30kg/day for small boats, and 70-80kg for larger boats. Average sizes for smaller boats are recorded at 10-15 individuals/kg, and for larger boats, 4-6 individuals/kg. Spawning females averaged 150 g/individual, but between 100g to 400 g.

Berried females are landed regularly.

4 BIOLOGY

4.1 Life cycle

The taxonomic status of Portunus pelagicus was clarified by Holthuis in 2005. The species is widespread indo pacific species, with fisheries from the Red Sea in the west, India and many Australasian countries. The spawning cycle of Portunus pelagicus is known to be highly variable in many of the countries where it has been studied (Eshky 2003). It is common for it to be reported that it can spawn all year round but with one or two seasonal peaks. According to Kangas (2000) A few females with eggs can be found throughout the year if temperatures are in the range 15-25C.

Blue swimming crab is a coastal marine species occurring to depths at least 50 m. It is also found in estuaries, lagoons and brackish water. The blue swimming crab is usually found on sandy or sandy-mud bottoms. Mainly pelagic, it swims close to the bottom hiding in the sand. The largest specimens can reach carapace widths of almost 20 cm and are usually in deeper waters. Males grow to a larger size than females. There is a clear sexual dimorphism: the males have much longer chelipeds and first pair of walking legs, and their carapace and legs are bright blue while the females are less conspicuously coloured.

Most of the recent research that has been published on the biology of P. pelagicus has been carried out in Australia, and much of it involves populations of subtropical or temperate regions. The body of

3

The statistics show significant increases in vessel numbers. The jump between 7,268 (in 2007) and 11,142 (in 2008) is said to have been in response to the announcement of a fuel subsidy, with more vessels added to the DARD registry in order to claim the subsidy.

4

The distribution of male female is likely to show higher female:male ratios as females migrate inshore to spawn.

literature on P. pelagicus from the tropical regions is rather small in comparison. Wherever available, the information presented here relates to P. pelagicus populations in tropical waters, and when such information is not available the situation in Australia has been used, each time with a clear reference to its limitations.

The males are bright blue in colour with white spots and with characteristically long chelipeds, while the females have a duller green/brown, with a more rounded carapace. The carapace can be up to 20 cm in width.

The crabs stay buried under sand or mud most of the time, particularly during the daytime and winter, which may explain their high tolerance to NH4+ and NH3[1]. They come out to feed during high tide on various organsims such as bivalves, fish and, to a lesser extent, macroalgae and seagrass. They are excellent swimmers, largely due to a pair of flattened legs that resemble paddles. However, in contrast to another portunid crab (Scylla serrata), they cannot survive for long periods out of the water.

The species exhibits the following characteristics: fast growth, ease of larviculture, high fecundity and relatively high tolerance to both nitrate [2] [3] and ammonia [1], (particularly NH3-N, which is typically more toxic than NH4+, as it can more easily diffuse across the gill membranes)

P. pelagicus is not strictly marine as it commonly enters estuaries for food and shelter. Furthermore, its life cycle is dependent on estuaries as the larvae and early juveniles use these habitats for growth and development. Prior to hatching, the female moves into shallow marine habitats, releases her eggs and the newly hatched Zoea I larvae move into estuaries. During this time they feed on microscopic plankton and progress from the Zoea I stage to the Zoea IV stage (approximately 8 days) and then to the final larval stage of megalopa (duration of 4-6 days). This larval stage is characterised by having large chelipeds used to catch prey. Once the megalopa metamorphoses to the crab stage they continue to spend time in estuaries which provides a suitable habitat for shelter and food. However, evidence has shown that early juveniles cannot tolerate low salinities for extended periods, which is likely due to its weak hyper-osmoregulatory abilities [4]. This may explain their mass emigration from estuaries to seawater during the rainy season.

The life cycle of P. pelagicus is presented in Figure 1. Being exoskeletal invertebrates, its development involves metamorphosis and growth necessarily requires moulting, i.e. the process of shedding the (hard) outer shell and developing a new, larger one to accommodate the increase in body size.

Figure 1.Life cycle of Portunuspelagicus (from: N. 2006).

Females spawn 13 days after copulation. Incubation from spawning is 5-6 days at 29.5˚C, at 18.5˚C it is about 20 days (Japan) (Yatsuzuka 1962), in tropical waters 5-7 days incubation is the rule (Ingles &Braum 1989). All the eggs from a batch hatch simultaneously. The initial life forms of crabs after hatching from the egg are called zoeae. Most crabs go through four or five larval zoeal stages. The number of zoeal stages of P. pelagicus varies between 3 and 5 according to Ingles &Braum (1989). At the end of their zoeal stage, larval crabs metamorphose into megalopae, the final larval stage at which they develop functional claws and become highly cannibalistic. (Zmora et al. 2005, Josileen&Menon 2004). Larval development of newly hatched zoea I to megalopatakes 12 days at 28-29.5 ˚C and a salinity of 34 ppt (Ingles &Braum 1989).

The megalopa then moults into the early crab instar (C1 stage), which is the first postlarval stage having the body organization of the adult crab. The zoeae and megalopa are very similar to those of other portunids. The duration of each of the first two zoeal stages is 3-4 days, the following two stages 2-3 days, and the megalopa 3-5 days, reaching the first crab stage in 15-17 days after hatching of the eggs. Mortality during larval development is 98-99% (Ingles &Braum 1989).

Pillay& Nair (1971) studied the annual reproductive cycle of P. pelagicus from the South-west coast of India. Employing the gonad index method, they established that breeding is not continuous all the year round, but extends over several months of the year with distinct peak periods of gonadal activity. The male and female reproductive cycles are not concurrent: the peak of the reproductive cycle of males occurs slightly earlier in the breeding season than that of females. This indicates the possibility of production of successive broods of eggs during the same breeding season. The low saline conditions of the monsoon period are unfavourable for P. pelagicus breeding. The medium and high saline conditions during the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon months, respectively, with plenty of planktonic food for the larvae, seem to be the favourable periods for breeding activity.

The Southwest Monsoon months in South Vietnam are from June to October. The high season for berried females in KienGiang province is between November and February. However, lower numbers of berried females are also found in the other months of the year.

4.2 Growth and maturity

P. pelagicus reaches a carapace width (CW) of 18 cm within 2.5 years in tropical waters. In national fisheries, most crab caught are smaller (9-13 cm)(Ingles &Braum 1989). Edgar (1990) describes the growth of P. pelagicus as extremely rapidly. Crabs sizes increase from approx. 60 mm carapace width after recruitment to approx. 116 mm carapace width within one year.

Table 6: Length-weight growth parameters for P. pelagicus in southern India (Abdurahiman et al. 2004). Length measure Growth parameter

A b

Males Carapace width 3.2-6E 3.616

Carapace length 3.52-4E 3.178

Females Carapace width 1.63-5E 3.253

Carapace length 8.874-4E 2.930

W=aLb, with W = weight (g), a = scaling parameter, L = length (cm) and b = growth exponent

P. pelagicus attains maturity at a significantly larger size in tropical waters compared to temperate regions where growth is slow or absent altogether during winter.

Table 7.Carapace width at 50% maturity (CW50) for P. pelagicus.

Source CW50

males

CW50 females Comments Xiao, Y. & M. Kumar (2004) - 58.5 (±1.0)

mm

CW95 females = 66.3 (±1.9) mm Australian temperate waters Shields, J.D. & F.E.I. Wood

(1993)

79 - 90 mm 79 - 90 mm Subtropical water of Moreton Bay, Australia

Potter, I.C. & S. de Lestang (2000)

84 mm 97 mm Australian temperate waters Ingles, J.A & E. Braum (1989) 96.4 mm 106.0 mm Philippines

deLestang (2001) 96.5 mm 92.4 mm Shark Bay, Australia

deLestang (2001) 88.8 mm 87.3 mm Koombana Bay, Australia

deLestang (2001) 89.7 mm 86.2 mm Cockburn Sound, Australia

Figure 2.Left: CW50 determination in male P. pelagicus. Right: cumulative frequency of mature females (in %) per size classes. Lm represents CW50 (from Ingles &Braum 1989).

Figure 3.Pubertal molt at first maturity

Left: Percentage of those females in each sequential 5 mm carapace width interval which had not undergone a pubertal moult and would thus not have mated and for those which had undergone a pubertal moult and were therefore of mature size. The logistic curve was fitted to the percentage of crabs that had undergone a pubertal moult in order to determine the CW50 at first maturity. Right:

For males, the logistic curve was fitted to the carapace widths of those crabs which, from the relationships between the lengths of the propodus of the largest chela and the carapace widths, were capable of mating and were thus adults of mature size. Arrows denote CW50 for size at maturity of

female and male crabs (from Potter & de Lestang 2000). 4.3 Fecundity

Ingles &Braum (1989) measured fecundity of P. pelagicus as F = 972.75 W1.23

with F = fecundity (number of eggs per female) and W = body weight (g). They found for the Philippines a fecundity of between 142,572 and 1,131,900 eggs per female. Fecundity increases exponentially with body size of the female.

Estimates of the number of egg batches produced in a spawning season ranged from one in small crabs to three in large crabs (de Lestang et al. 2003b). These data, together with the batch fecundities of different size crabs, indicate that the estimated number of eggs produced by P. pelagicusduring the spawning season ranges from about 78,000 in small crabs (CW = 80 mm) to about 1,000,000 in large crabs (CW = 180 mm). Exact number of ovipositions, however, is not known (Hamasaki et al. 2006). Campbell & Fielder (1988) demonstrated that P. pelagicus moult 2–3 times after the puberty moult and can produce 3–5 batches of eggs during each intermoult period. It is reported that the number of batches estimated in the field during the breeding season correlated with female body size in P. pelagicus (de Lestang et al. 2003b).

4.4 Distribution of larvae and recruitment

Ingles &Braum (1989) describe the larval ecology of P. pelagicus populations in the tropical waters of the central Philippines. Their main findings relevant here include:

• Zoeae are mostly found in the surface layers. They are rarely found near seagrass but abundant in places near coral reefs.

• P. pelagicusmegalopae usually are found in settling areas not far from the coastline and do not need a mechanism for long-distance transportation such as attachment to jellyfish as is the case in Cancer magister.

• Fast larval development of P. pelagicus means that there is no need for long distance transport. • P. pelagicuszoeae larvae are positive phototactic and negative geotactic, older megalopae are

positive geotactic

• Spatial distribution of P. pelagicus larvae is determined by 3 main factors: (i) small-scale patchiness as a result of schooling behaviour, (ii) local currents systems and (iii) behaviour, particularly attaching behaviour, in older megalopae, explaining their relative abundance in seagrass beds and coral reefs.

• Megalopae swim to maintain themselves in the water column, not to purposely move actively in a horizontal manner

• Local currents (including wind induced surface currents) can have an important impact on the recruitment of P. pelagicus populations, e.g. by transporting larvae to deep areas where settling is not possible, contributing the very high mortality during larval stages. Larvae can be transported by wind-induced currents for over two weeks at 6-7 km per day.

• Salinity tolerance of zoea of P. pelagicus ranges from 16.2-35 ppt. Diurnal tidal pattern salinity fluctuations in river mouths and irregular amounts of rainfall can cause very strong salinity fluctuations within a very short time, which may render certain areas inhospitable for zoeae even when average salinity levels are within their tolerance range.

• Megalopae are believed to be more tolerant to low salinity levels.

• Temperature range for normal development of P. pelagicus lies between 18 and 35 ˚C.

Megalopae of P. pelagicus, another Indo-Pacific portunid, have also been observed to be photopositive and more active when illuminated in offshore water (Webley& Connolly 2007)

Juvenile recruitment success is dependent on factors such as i) favourable ocean currents that transport eggs and larvae, and ii) the availability of food and nursery habitats (i.e. seagrass or other suitable marine vegetation) for juveniles (N. 2006).

The settling postlarvae of P. pelagicus, as distinct from benthic juveniles, were defined as those with a carapace width (CW) of 20 mm or less. This definition was based on Potter et al. (1983) finding that 25 mm CW was the modal width for new recruits of P. pelagicus caught in the entrance channel of the Peel-Harvey inlet in Western Australia. They found few individuals less than 30 mm CW in the estuary itself.

Settlement of the postlarvae of P. pelagicus on seagrass habitat ensures that they select a habitat with shelter and food. They have a preference for structured nursery habitats and recruit to suitable habitats adjacent to established nursery habitat, a pattern similar to that of some other crustaceans.

Crabs mate in coastal and estuarine waters. Estuary-based females then migrate to sea to spawn. Blue Swimmer Crabs are short-lived, with a maximum age of about three years and maximum carapace width of 200 mm. Maturity is reached at about one year, and recruitment to lower fisheries occurs at an age of about 18 months. Due to this life cycle, crab stocks have relatively fast rates of replacement and can recover quickly from depletion.

Despite the drift and movement of eggs and larvae of P. pelagicus, there is no general pattern of source-sink relations. Local current patterns and overall conditions determine the distribution and settlement of the young crabs and their chances of survival. This is not to say that larval drift cannot be an issue as part of management of a crab fishery (Ingles &Braum (1989)).

4.5 Habitats

(Ingles &Braum 1989), it also often enters estuaries early in life and remains there for many months, during which period it increases markedly in size (Smith 1982. Potter & de Lestang 2000).Salinity, and in temperate regions water temperature, determine the distribution of P. pelagicus. They live in a wide range of inshore and continental shelf areas, including sandy, muddy or algal and seagrass habitats from the intertidal zone to at least 50 metres in depth. They move to deeper water as they age and in response to changes in water temperature and inshore salinity.

5 STOCK ASSESSMENT

There is no fisheries research programme covering P. pelagicus in Vietnam. The work has been extracted from other work activities. The most specific to the location (Philippines) is from Ingles &Braum (1989).

6 ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS

5.1 Other target species

Blue swimming crabs are the only target species. 5.2 Non target species

Other species caught comprise slipper lobster, gastropods, shark (Nebrius ferrugineus and other shark species), rays `and soles. None of the by-catch species is individually more than 5% of the total. Little is known about predation on this species, but marine turtles, sharks, rays and large fish are likely predators on blue swimming crab, with crabs being most vulnerable to predation immediately after moulting (Kailolaet _{al., 1993). One of the shark species identified was a Tawny shark (Nebrius} ferrugineus). These are nocturnal animals. Tawny nurse sharks tend to spend the day resting in piles of two dozen or more individuals inside caves or under ledges. They are active-swimming predators at night. They are not listed as vulnerable species in the Vietnamese “Red Book’5. However, because of their low fecundity, the quantities caught are sufficiently worrying to suggest a problem.

5.3 Benthos impact

The benthic impact is likely to be low. The nets are light and are set onto a muddy bottom. There are some minor entanglements with coral, but this is generally unlikely as the fishermen fear loss of gear, if fishing near reefs. There is a strong likelihood of damage to seagrass beds where the species overlaps with seagrass. Even relatively light gear might have effects with repeated use. It is also not evident if there might be anchoring of boats is required to set or retrieve nets. It is thought that the fishers work as the boat is moving, but snagging and other problems might cause the boat anchor to have some interactions with the seabed. Lack of damage would have to be demonstrated rather than assumed. Nevertheless, the geographic overlap is likely to be very low.

5.3 Trophic effects

P. pelagicus is a bottom-feeding carnivore, eating a wide variety of sessile and slow moving invertebrates (Williams 1982). Diet is largely dependent upon local availability of prey species: the main foods for intertidal P. pelagicus are small hermit crabs and gastropods and for subtidalP. pelagicus are bivalves and ophiuroids. Diet composition changes little with size of crab although within broad taxonomic groups e.g. the Gastropoda, prey species change with size of crab.

Edgar (1990) reports the major items in the diet of P. pelagicus in seagrass beds comprises slow-moving invertebrates, in particular molluscs (31.6% of the volume of foregut contents) and

5 _{Vulnerable species are quoted as found in North and mod Vietnam. They are Alopiidae pelagicus,} Stegostoma fasciatum, Rhincodon typus, Caphaloscyllium umbratile, Etmopterus Lucifer, Narcine tonkinensis

polychaetes (16.1% of volume). However, the crabs also consumed lesser quantities of seagrass (10.2% of volume). Small (<50 mm carapace length) crabs predominantly forage on shallow sand flats, whereas larger individuals occur most abundantly amongst seagrass and unvegetated habitats further offshore. Although P. pelagicus generally forages in the habitat in which they rest during the day, they readily move to other habitats where larger prey is abundant.

Crabs cease feeding prior to and during moulting. Immediately after moulting, the gastric mill is filled with calcareous fragments. As the crab shell hardens, feeding on organic material commences, being greatest during the early intermoult period and reduced in later intermoult..During the breeding season, females feed very little and do not moult, while males stop feeding only at premoult and postmoult periods of l-2 days and feed actively during an intermoult period of several months (Archdale, 1992).

P. pelagicus rely on chemical and/or tactile cues rather than sight to locate their prey and food, and so the crabs’ efficiency at locating prey is not affected by the structure that e.g. seagrass provides (Haywooda et al. 2003).

5.5 Endangered, threatened and protected

Kien Giang is considered to have a high density of turtles in Vietnam.There are two species of sea turtle identified as existing in Kien Giang province waters. These are Green turtle and Hawksbill (

Map 2). Vietnam’s main Green turtle nesting sites are in close proximity to the fishery at Phu Quoc and Con Son. Sea grass and coral reefs exist around Phu Quoc island, which are habitat for sea turtles.

Map 2: Sea turtle hot spots in Vietnam

Source: WWF, 2007

The information about sea turtle entanglement for Kien Giang is unclear. Fishers said that entanglement with turtles is extremely rare. One fisher reported 1 encountered in 2-3 years. However, it is likely that there have been interactions. Dung et al_{, reports sea turtle entanglement in nets, but}

with survival rates of up to 85%. However, it also reports that fishermen tend to keep the turtles.

Phu Quoc and Con Son are identified as the only two areas in Vietnam still with dugong populations.

Known dugong sites are located around PhuQuoc island. Dugongs have rarely been seen in the last 20 years. Sea grass is the main habitat for dugongs, and these areas tend to be in the coastal belt where fishing is banned.

7

FISHERY MANAGEMENT

7.1 Management Bodies

The institutional structure of fisheries management in Vietnam is centred on the Ministry of Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) and the provincial fisheries departments, under the Department of Agriculture and Resource Development (DARD). The provincial department has responsibility for fishery management out to 24 nautical miles.

The Capture Fisheries and Fisheries Resource Protection Department (DECAFIREP) of the Ministry of Fisheries and its branches in the provinces are charged with controlling all fishing activities. Every provincial DECAFIREP has patrol boats and staff to control fishing activities within the provincial coastal waters. Responsibility for compliance is shared with the Border army force.

7.2 Fisheries management policy6

The Government of Vietnam, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), has set as a cornerstone of its policy, that scientific management and decision making will be precondition for sustainable management practices and the strengthening of the development process. The Government of Vietnam signed anMoU with the Marine Stewardship Council in 2005, renewed in 2008, proposing to make its fisheries sustainable.

7.2.1 Overall strategies

The overall development objectives of the Government for the fisheries sector are:

• To increase employment opportunities, income and living standard of fishing and aquaculture communities (social objectives, cohesion).

• To increase the contribution of fisheries to national economic and social development, including social stability and national security (growth, stability and security).

• To improve nutritional standards of the people by increasing the supply of fish and aquatic products for domestic consumption (health).

• To increase exports and foreign exchange earnings by increasing supplies to export and by improving the value added and the processing of fishery products (balance of payment, growth, international competition).

• To strengthen the sustainable development of fisheries through improved management of fishery resources and habitats (protection of resource base, monitoring and control).

It is noteworthy from discussions held with DARD, the focus was on the first bullet point, and the sustainability of resources was rather secondary.

7.2.2 Specific objectives

The specific objectives for capture fisheries are:

• To increase fish production from offshore sources.

• To maintain the current levels of fish production from coastal sources while seeking to increase quality and value.

• To increase or sustain production from brackish water capture fisheries.

Some relevant comments as to the effectiveness of governance have been extracted from the FSPS report (2009).

 Government agencies have insufficient human and financial resources to provide the required data collection, management, monitoring, surveillance or enforcement of Vietnam’s inshore (or offshore) waters.

 The investigation and assessment of aquatic resources is done annually, but with low efficiency due to improper methods and limited budgets. At present, the surveyed data and statistics are not reliable enough to provide a theoretical foundation for the government to manage and protect the aquatic resources.

 Despite the enactment of the 2003 Fisheries Law, effective management and control over the sector remains difficult.

6

 Overcapitalization (increased fishing effort/number of vessels and fleet horsepower combined with decreased catch per unit effort) is a common feature for coastal, inshore and shallow water fisheries. This is aggravated by the fact that there are no regulations and insufficient enforcement to exclude bigger vessels from shallow-water fishing grounds devastating the marine environment with their large trawl nets.

 The inshore fisheries are considered by fishers and the government to be over-exploited, causing hardship for many coastal communities. Intervention is required to improve management and performance with regard to productivity and biodiversity conservation, and to find alternative livelihoods for those unable to make a living from fishing.

 Vietnam suffers from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In addition to the largely unreported and unregulated activities of its own vessels, large foreign vessels (<25 m in length and >200 hp engine) are known to fish illegally in Vietnamese waters, active offshore at day time and near shore at night time. Estimated catch of these foreign illegal vessels is thought to be at least 100,000 tonnes/year.

 Increasing population pressure and the development of more effective (and/or destructive) fishing gears has resulted in inshore resources becoming over-exploited or destroyed. In this situation, almost the only option for improved resource management is co-management, the sharing of responsibility for resources management between local communities and government agencies.

 The 2003 fisheries law provides the potential for this under Clause 9, providing the basis for provinces to develop co-management systems with local communities. Some provinces have already started on such developments, e.g. island Marine Protected Areas involving co-management at Cu Lao Cham, Hon Mun and Con Dao and mainland inshore waters (e.g. Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan and Yen Bai provinces).

7.3 Management measures in use

The legal and institutional framework is in place for implementing a fisheries management system. DARD has administrative responsibility for fisheries from the shoreline to 24 nautical miles. The institutional components within DARD include licensing, enforcement and research. DARD reports at Provincial level to the Provincial Peoples Committee, but also has direct links to the parallel District People’s Committee.

Protection of the fisheries resource base through physical regulations, fisheries demarcation zones and MPA are the available for fisheries management, but there is no restrictive entry licensing.

The core regulation for blue swimming crab is a national regulation on the minimum landing size of 100 mm. A 15% margin of tolerance is permitted.

Fisheries demarcation zones are: • No fishing inside 2 miles

• 2-6 n.miles: boats no greater than 20 hp • 6-24 n.miles boats of 20-90 hp

• 24 nm: boats > 90 hp

Trawling is allowed within the constraints of the above., but is forbidden within the 6n.miles.

There are two Protected Areas as swimming crab spawning grounds within the Phu Quoc MPA. These are at (104o05’E, 10o15’N) and (104o03’E, 10o10’N).

Penalty systems are in place with fines (US$5-US$ 1,000) commensurate with the economic gain from committing the offence. A facility is in place to revoke licences after three offences but seldom applied.

Management decisions are made on the advice of DARD to the Provincial Peoples Committee. The Committee consults through its District structure to commune level. DARD advice is usually upheld. The taxation includes: turnover tax, where fisheries are charged a rate of 2% on the value of the annual landing; and profit tax applicable to all corporations. Registration Transfer Tax is applicable to all new fishing boats at the time of registration, followed by an annual licensing tax. In addition to these tax schemes a series of fees is in place. Each participating boat is required to hold a fishing boat licence, with a small fee (US$ 2.5) payable to cover administration costs.

7.4 Fisheries Regulations

Fisheries management in Vietnam may be viewed as a two-tier system, where part of the

responsibility lies with the provincial authorities and part with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The latter has taken increasing responsibility for overall protection and enforcement during the 1990s.

The fisheries law system has been built up during the past 35 years. Important developments in protection of fisheries resources and their living environment include:

• Registration and issuance of documents related to fisheries: licensing (over 80% of the boats in marine fisheries), export-import of fish seed, fish feed, veterinary drugs, etc.

• Fisheries law, Circular no. 02/2006/TT-BTS and later be updated by Circular no. 62/2008/TT-BNN, (which are the detail guidance for the Government Degree no. 59/2005/NĐ – CP dated May 4th 2005) regulated on the close fishing time, close fishing grounds, protected species (forbidden to be caught all around the year or part of the year), minimum landing sizes. • Establishment of fisheries protection and inspection (Decision No. 130-CT, 20 April 1991;

Decision No. 187-TS/QD; Decision No 415-TTg 19 August 1994). The fishery resource protection and inspection organisation with fisheries inspection boats is in force. Hazardous practices (explosives, electricity and chemicals for catching fish) have reportedly decreased. • Management of aquaculture has led to regulations of seed resources, drugs and feed, general

management of aquaculture to increase efficiency and safeguard the environment, and epidemiological inspection of aquatic animals and animal products.

• Management of quality and quality assurance has been established through Decision No. 648-TS/QD 26 August 1994 and Decision No 569-QD-TC 5 July 1995.

• The administrative outline for foreign nationals fishing in Vietnamese waters is managed through Decree No 49/1998/ND-CP of 13 July 1998.

7.5 Enforcement and Surveillance

Boats are licensed and fishers pay a nominal administration fee for annual licensing. The number of licensed boats is felt to be accurate, largely in response to the fuel subsidies.

The controlling activities are focussed on checking boat safety. There are no at sea inspections of catch. Fishermen appear to comply with the MPA restrictions. The boat operational demarcations are broadly respected, but trawlers abuse these regulations causing conflicts with crab fishers and some gear losses.

8

OTHER FISHERIES AFFECTING THE TARGET STOCK

There are three fisheries of relevance.

Trawling takes place inside the fishery areas. These boats catch blue crab as a by-catch but the quantities are reported as small. The main issue between the trawlers and netters is the loss of gear. Fishers estimate up to 1,000 metres can be lost in a trip. However, the gear is caught in the trawl net,

and trawlers are reported as landing land the net on shore to sell the lead weights.

Boats from outside the province are reported as also fishing in the offshore areas. The level of interaction is unknown, but a parallel study7 suggests that boats from other regions focus primarily on other grounds.

There are 20 small-scale trap boats, which use small traps between October to February. The catch from these boats is very small.

9

KEY MSC STAKEHOLDERS

The following is not an exhaustive list but indicates the breadth of consultation that would be carried out. This list would be completed in consultation with the stakeholders identified below and additional stakeholders may be identified during the assessment. However, ‘stakeholders’ for consultation must have a valid and established interest in the fisheries under assessment.

Table 8: Key stakeholders

Persons name Position Organisation Telephone number

Email Fishery/Environmental Management Bodies

Nguyen Ngoc Phuong

Vice director DARD Le Van Tinh Vice head of

Agriculture divison, in charge for fisheries,

DARD +84

988875859

levantinh.mpa@gmail.com

Vo Quoc

Trung

Head of

Inspection division,

DARD

Phan Ngoc Vu Vice director, Directorate of fisheries resource protection,

DARD

Fishing Industry Bodies Lawnin

Crawford

MD Yueh Chyang

Canned Foods

lawnin@ycc.com.vn

Apitorn Thurdsuwan Technicl Advisor

Yueh Chyang Canned

Mr. Ngũ Thế Hoàng

Mai Linh, Vung Tau

+84 64 362 1775

Mr.

Thawatchai or Ms. Tran

Phillips Seafood (Vietnam) Co. Ltd

+84 58 374 3415

Mr. Lê Hữu Thọ

SEASPIMEX-Vietnam

+84 8860 6085

Ms. Nguyen Viet Nhat +84 8765

7

Moody Marine (September 2009), Pre Assessment Report for Vietnamese Crab trap and gill net fishery (Portunus gladiator, Portunus pelagicus, Portunus sanguinolentus), Phuoc Hai, Dat Do district, Ba Ria–Vung Tau province

Thi Thanh Thuy

/JAVICO 2466

Huynh Chau Sang

Director of Ngo Quyen seafood company

Non-Governmental Organisations Nguyen Thi

Dieu Thuy (Ms.)

Senior Fisheries Officer

World Wildlife Fund

Tel. +84 4 37193049 ext 142 or +84 915 330 320

Fax (+84) 4 37193048

Thuy.Nguyendieu@wwfgreate rmekong.org

10

LIMIT OF IDENTIFICATION OF LANDINGS FROM THE

FISHERY

There are two towns with large fleets. These are Ha Tien, and Rach Gia. The island of Phu Quoc is also used as a landing site. There are a large number of smaller craft based from the small villages along the coast. Figure 4 provides details of the chain of custody. All crab are sold through middlemen. The larger crabs (100 mm or more) are dispatched to picking stations. All the major packers have picking stations in Ha Tien, Kien Giang and Phu Quoc Island. Small and soft shelled crab is sold on the local market.

Ninety percent of Vietnams blue swimming crab comes from Kien Giang province. However, limited landings are also made in Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Khanh Hoa.

Figure 4: Chain of custody for Kien Giang blue swimming crab

Domestic markets

Foreign markets

Fishers

Middlemen and crab picking

stations

Processing companies

11

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION AGAINST MSC PRINCIPLES &

CRITERIA

The certification of a fishery depends upon its compliance with the MSC Principles and Criteria. A series of questions have therefore been developed to determine:

• the availability of sufficient information to measure the fishery against the requirements of the Principles and Criteria

• the implementation of management measures to ensure that the fishery is both well managed and sustainably managed

During the certification assessment, compliance with the Principles and Criteria will be determined by applying a scoring system to these questions (or ‘performance indicators’).

For this pre-assessment, the information available has been used to determine the general position of the fishery in relation to a series of generic performance indicators. This will also aid the evaluation team in modifying the performance indicators to best suit the fishery in question during the assessment.

The position of the fishery in relation to the generic performance indictors is presented in the following table, and provides an indication of the availability of information in relation to the various requirements of the MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing. It also indicates, on the basis of available evidence, the extent to which the fishery meets these requirements. Where potential issues are identified, these are highlighted in bold italics.

Principle 1 A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited populations and, for those populations that are depleted, the fishery must be conducted in a manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery.

Criterion 1.1.1:

It is highly likely that the stock is above the point where recruitment would be impaired.

The stock (or fishing mortality) is at or fluctuating around its target reference point.

There are positive indications from this fishery in that there does not appear to be a decline in average catch size, nor is there an significant imbalance between male and female crabs. Crabs are fast growing and can recover well. However, the increase in the number of small boats operating between 2 and 6 nautical miles, allied to the migration of females from and to inshore waters is a worrying sign

Management policy focuses on fishery development. There is a strong focus on poverty alleviation and protection of coastal communities. Economic pressures on coastal fishers will prompt them to land undersized crabs. Nevertheless, a seasonal prohibition has been established in the near shore fisheries in order to protect the pawning stock.

No specific CPUE reference points have been set. CPUE appears to be decreasing in response to deployment of longer nets. There has also been a transfer of effort into this fishery from other small-scale coastal boats. The fishery performance shows great variability over the last 10 years The fishery is believed to be fully exploited. Reported catch rates from fishers suggest some decline in CPUE (around 40%).

There is no information available on stock biomass. This means that by default the fishery is assessed according to the RBF.

A preliminary SICA analysis (Appendix 1)8 finds an average score of 4 i.e. less than 60. A temporal score of 4 is given assuming that fishermen fish between 50-75% of the period with the open season, fishing 6 days/week or 120 days. A spatial score of 4 is given because this is a species caught within a restricted area, with known defined boundaries, but also without closed areas. However, no fishing takes place within 2 nautical miles or inside estuaries. An intensity score of 4 is given because the fishermen state that they consistently return to the same sites within a given year. A consequence score of 5 is give because there are full exploitation rates but unclear signs of stock health.

The PSA scores the fishery as medium risk (Appendix 2).

Criterion 1.1.2: Reference Points Reference points are appropriate for the stock and can be estimated. The limit reference point is set above the level at which there is an appreciable risk of impairing reproductive capacity

The target reference point is such that the stock is maintained at a level consistent with

BMSY (or some

measure or surrogate with similar intent or outcome)

There are no harvest strategies linked to MSY. There is therefore a need to set target reference points against appropriate stock assessment variables. Specific additional safeguards might have to take account of seasonal variations and the impacts of large-scale changes in salinity. Stock assessment needs to take place to establish Harvest control rules. This includes the need to record CPUE, but also to undertake a assessment on the SSB. It is recognised that this is somewhat idealistic, and that data deficiency will be a problem in this fishery, but if this is the case, precautionary management systems are not in place to prevent over-exploitation.

The analysis uses SICA/PSA

Criterion 1.1.3: Stock Rebuilding Where stocks are depleted rebuilding strategies are in place. There is evidence that they are rebuilding stocks, or there is high confidence based on simulation modelling or

Management measures are in place, but it is not certain how effective the limited near shore closed season is. The minimum landing size

restriction is not applied. The main concern is the expansion of effort in small boat fishery along with the increasing length in nets.

There are no harvest strategies linked to MSY. There is therefore a need to set target reference points against appropriate stock assessment variables. Specific additional safeguards might have to take account of seasonal variations and the impacts of large-scale changes in salinity. Stock assessment needs to take place to establish Harvest control rules. This includes the need to record CPUE, but also to undertake an

previous performance that they will be able to rebuild the stock within a specified timeframe.

assessment on the SSB.

Criterion 1.2.1: Harvest Strategy The harvest strategy is responsive to the state of the stock and the elements of the harvest strategy work together towards achieving management objectives reflected in the target and limit reference points.

The harvest strategy may not have been fully tested but monitoring is in place and evidence exists that it is achieving its objectives.

There is no harvest control strategy, nor harvest control rules. Minimum landing sizes are not respected, and the regulation is undermined by the 15% margin of tolerance. Local demand exists for small and soft shelled crab. Fishers also regularly land berried hens.

It is questionable as to whether the existing management system is precautionary, because of the above plus open access system.

Criterion 1.2.2:

Harvest Control -Rules and Tools

Well defined harvest control rules are in place that are consistent with the harvest strategy and at a minimum ensure that the exploitation rate is reduced as limit reference points are approached.

The selection of the harvest control rules take into account a limited range of uncertainties. Available evidence indicates that the tools in use are appropriate and effective in achieving the exploitation levels required under the harvest control rules.

The minimum landing size and application of the control system is not consistent with precautionary management. There is a need to protect females to allow greater numbers to mature and release larger volumes of eggs into the fishery, Limited entry licensing and seasonal

prohibitions need to be established if there is to be a clear link between harvest control (input/output controls) and independent management advice

Criterion 1.2.3:

Information /

Monitoring

Sufficient relevant information related to stock structure, stock productivity, fleet composition and other data is available to support the harvest strategy.

Stock abundance and fishery removals are regularly monitored at a level of accuracy and coverage consistent with the harvest control rule, and one or more indicators are available and monitored with sufficient frequency to support the harvest control rule.

There is no reporting of CPUE, nor regular monitoring of effort. The number of boats operating is known to have increased, but gear used has more than doubled.

Clear attention needs to be paid to monitoring fishing effort and evaluating stock densities. Relevant information should be collected on effort in the zones taking account of size of nets, catch volume, sex and crab size.

Criterion 1.2.4:

Assessment of Stock Status

The assessment is appropriate for the stock and for the harvest control rule, and is evaluating stock status relative to reference points.

The stock assessment is subject to peer review.

RBF is applied

Principle 2 Fishing operations should allow for the maintenance of the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem (including habitat and associated dependent and ecologically related species) on which the fishery depends

2.1 Retained Species – i.e. commercial by-catch / by-product

a) Main retained species are highly likely to be within biologically based limits,or if outside the limits there is a partial strategy of demonstrably effective management measures in place such that the fishery does not hinder recovery and rebuilding.

for individual species are all below 5%. However, shark species are caught (170 tonnes / annum (Table 6)) and landed. These are not on the Red List. However, sharks have a low fecundity, and whilst below the 5% threshold, there may be some concerns over the vulnerability of these stocks. In saying this, these sharks are more active at night when most nets are not deployed. Nevertheless, because of the large amounts, it would have to be demonstrated that they are not a threat to the local populations. Similar arguments should apply to rays of which around 250 tonnes / annum is reported to be landed.

2.1.2 Management Strategy

a) There is a partial strategy in place that is expected to achieve the outcome 80 level of performance or above for the main retained species.

b) There is some objective basis for confidence that the partial strategy will work, based on some information directly about the fishery and/or species involved. c) There is some evidence that the partial strategy is being implemented successfully.

There are no by-catch mitigation strategies applied. All by-catch is landed and sold locally.

2.1.3 Information/ monitoring a) Information is

sufficient to qualitatively (if risk is shown to be low as defined in the SG80 outcome indicator) or quantitatively

estimate outcome status with respect to

biologically based limits. b) Information is

adequate to support a

partial strategy to manage main retained species.

c) Sufficient data continue to be collected to detect any increase in risk level (e.g. due to changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the strategy).

2.2 By-catch Species – i.e. non-commercial species/discards a) Main by-catch species

are highly likely to be within biologically based limits or if outside such limits there is a partial strategy of demonstrably effective mitigation measures in place such that the fishery does not hinder recovery and rebuilding.

Because of the selectivity of gear there are no non commercial by-catches. Fishing takes place over sandy bottoms. However, because seagrass beds are known crab feeding grounds, there may some habitat interactions over seagrass beds. There is no fishery independent data to illustrate whether this is or is not the case.

a) There is a partial strategy in place for managing by-catch that is expected to achieve the by-catch outcome 80 level of performance or above.

b) There is some objective basis for confidence that the partial strategy will work, based on some information directly about the fishery and/or the species involved. c) There is some evidence that the partial strategy is being implemented successfully.

Not relevant

sufficient to qualitatively (if risk is shown to be medium as defined in the SG80 outcome indicator) or quantitatively

estimate outcome status with respect to

biologically based limits. b) Information is

adequate to support a partial strategy to manage main affected species.

c) Sufficient data continue to be collected to detect any increase in risk level (e.g. due to changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the strategy).

2.3 Endangered, Threatened and Protected Species a) The effects of the

fishery are known and are highly likely to be within limits of national and international requirements for protection of ETP species.

b) Direct effects are highly unlikely to create unacceptable impacts to ETP species.

c) Indirect effects have been considered and are thought to be unlikely to create unacceptable impacts.

The indications are unclear as to whether there is interaction with turtles or dugongs and there is no fishery independent information to gauge the levels of interaction. It is also possible that historic interactions may have been higher than they are now. The fishery takes place close to Green and hawksbill turtle nesting sites. The increased displacement of gear, allied to the fact that hawksbill turtles are known to feed on crab, especially immediately after moulting (Kailola et al_{., 1993), suggests} that there are some risks of entanglement. This will need to be independently investigated before any full assessment.

Dugongs, though highly vulnerable within Vietnam, remain within the inshore zones and the MPA is believed to be respected by fishers.

a) There is a strategy in place for managing the fishery’s impact on ETP species, including measures to minimise mortality and injury that

Two MPAs represent a partial strategy. It is unclear if this is sufficient for the protection of turtle nesting sites.

is designed to achieve the ETP outcome 80 level of performance or above.

b) There is an objective basis for confidence that the strategy will work, based on some

information directly about the fishery and/or the species involved. c) There is evidence that the strategy is being implemented successfully.

a) Information is sufficient to determine whether the fishery may be a threat to recovery of the ETP species, and if so, to measure trends and support a full strategy to manage impacts. b) Sufficient data are available to allow mortality and the impact of fishing to be

quantitatively estimated for ETP species.

There is limited knowledge on the levels of interactions. Indications are that the encounters are infrequent, but there is no great certainly in the quality of the information received. This will require more information prior to full assessment.

2.4 Habitat

a) The fishery is highly unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function to a point where there would be serious or irreversible harm.

There is no evidence of habitat degradation. Fishermen frequently return to the same grounds, and benthic assemblages are unlikely to be disrupted, nor would there appear to be significant turbidity resulting from the fishing activity. However, there is no fishery independent evidence to suggest that interactions do not take place, for example through continued anchoring. It is accepted however, that these interactions may also be small due to the wide geographic dispersion of fishing activity. A strategy will need to be devised which mitigates against benthic damage.

a) There is a partial strategy in place that is expected to achieve the habitat outcome 80 level of performance or above.

b) There is some objective basis for confidence that the partial strategy will work, based on some information directly about the fishery and/or habitats involved. c) There is some evidence that the partial strategy is being implemented successfully.

a) The nature, distribution and

vulnerability of all main habitat types in the fishery area are known at a level of detail relevant to the scale and intensity of the fishery.

b) Sufficient data are available to allow the nature of the impacts of the fishery on habitat types to be identified and there is reliable

information on the spatial extent, timing and location of use of the fishing gear.

c) Sufficient data continue to be collected to detect any increase in risk level (e.g. due to changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the measures).

Not relevant

2.5 Ecosystem (Communities, trophic impacts etc) a) The fishery is highly

unlikely to disrupt the key elements underlying ecosystem structure and function to a point where

P. pelagicus is a bottom-feeding carnivore, eating a wide variety of sessile and slow moving invertebrates (Williams 1982). Diet is largely dependent upon local availability of prey species: the main foods for intertidal P. pelagicus are small hermit crabs and gastropods and for subtidal P. pelagicus are bivalves and ophiuroids. There is no

there would be a serious or irreversible harm.

information available on the ecosystem structure and how this may be altered as a result of fishing or latitudinal effects (rainfall, salinity change etc)

a) There is a partial strategy in place that takes into account available information and is expected to restrain impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem so as to achieve the outcome 80 level of performance.

b) The partial strategy is considered likely to work, based on plausible argument (e.g. general experience, theory or comparison with similar fisheries/ecosystems). c) There is some evidence that the

measures comprising the partial strategy are being implemented

successfully.

There is no strategy in place to record changes to benthic assemblages.

a) Information is adequate to broadly understand the functions of the key elements of the ecosystem.

b) Main impacts of the fishery on these key ecosystem elements can be inferred from existing information, but may not have been investigated in detail.

c) The main functions of the components (i.e. target, bycatch, retained and ETP species and habitats) in the

ecosystem are known. d) Sufficient information is available on the

It is unclear what level of information exists in respect of these criteria but it is likely that there may be reasonable levels of understanding in respect of a, b and c but less clear whether there is sufficient information in respect of d and e.

system provides for incentives that are consistent with

achieving the outcomes expressed by MSC Principles 1 and 2.

spawning migrating females. There are no by-catch mitigation measures in place such as the release of sharks (if deemed to be appropriate).

3.2 Fishery- specific management system 3.2.1 Fishery- specific

objectives

a) Objectives, which are broadly consistent with achieving the outcomes expressed by MSC’s Principles 1 and 2, are explicit within the fishery’s management system.

The objective of sustainability is in place but DARD policies do not reflect these objectives being followed.

3.2.2 Decision-making processes

a) There are informal decision-making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives. b) Decision-making processes respond to serious issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a transparent, timely and adaptive manner and take some account of the wider implications of decisions.

c) Decision-making processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information. d) Explanations are provided for any actions or lack of action

associated with findings and relevant

recommendations

emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity

3.2.3 Compliance & enforcement

a) Monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms exist and are implemented in the fishery under

assessment.

b) Sanctions to deal with non-compliance exist and there is some evidence that they are applied.

c) Fishers are generally thought to comply with the management system for the fishery under assessment, including, when required, providing information of

importance to the effective management of the fishery.

Compliance systems exist, but are not appropriately directed towards compliance with the management regulations.

The existence of the margin of tolerance, undermines the management system.

3.2.4 Research plan a) Research is

undertaken, as required, to achieve the objectives consistent with MSC’s Principles 1 and 2. b) Research results are available to interested parties.

No research has taken place.

3.2.5 Management performance evaluation

a) The fishery has in place mechanisms to evaluate some components of the management system and is subject to occasional internal review.

12

PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES TO MSC CERTIFICATION

The MSC standard is based upon three principles, Principle 1 relating to the status of the target stock, Principle 2 relating to the condition of the ecosystem upon which that stock depends, and Principle 3 relating to the management system. To be certified, a fishery must ‘pass’ each Principle. Also, a fishery must not fall below the minimum required standard for any of the questions (Performance Indicators) posed.

Based on the information discussed above, there are a number of areas where performance may fall below that required by the MSC standard. It is likely that this will form conditions of certification, and so be subject to ongoing monitoring during surveillance audits.

Principle 1: A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited populations and, for those populations that are depleted, the fishery must be conducted in a manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery. The following observations are made:

• P1 1.1.1: Anecdotal evidence, based fisher reporting and annual catch variations, suggests that the fishery is at a medium risk (PSA). It could also be, in response to the increasing levels of fishing effort (more gear displacement), that the fishery could be high risk, especially in inshore waters where small craft effort is high, but also, because of the reliance on inshore spawning, there may also be a risk to offshore areas.

• P 1.1.2 There is no harvest strategy linked to MSY. There is therefore a need to set target reference points against appropriate stock assessment variables. Specific additional safeguards might have to take account of seasonal variations and the impacts of large-scale changes in salinity. Stock assessment needs to take place to establish Harvest control rules. This includes the need to record CPUE, but also to undertake a assessment on the SSB. • P1 1.1.3/1.2.1: There is no certainty of depletion and crab stocks are known to recover

quickly. Data deficiency will be a problem in this fishery, but if this is the case, precautionary management systems are not in place to prevent over-exploitation.

• P1 1.2.2 The minimum landing size and application of the control system is not consistent with precautionary management. There is a need to protect females to allow greater numbers to mature and release larger volumes of eggs into the fishery, Limited entry licensing and seasonal prohibitions need to established if there is to be a clear link between harvest control (input/output controls) and independent management advice and some index of stock status, presumably?;

• P1 1.2.3: Clear attention needs to be paid to monitoring fishing effort, CPUE and evaluating stock densities. Relevant information should be collected on effort in the zones taking account of size of nets, catch volume, sex and crab size.

• P 1 1.2.4: Stock assessment processes need to be introduced in time. This could form the basis of a full assessment recommendation. Formal stock assessment will require strengthening of data collection and analysis within DARD, or possibly in partnership with the processing sector, improving data recording and analysis. There is no peer review process. This may require a stronger custodial link with MARD to ensure that DARD provinces are following sustainability principles.

Principle 2: Fishing operations should allow for the maintenance of the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem (including habitat and associated dependent and ecologically related species) on which the fishery depends.

• P2 2.1.1: The fishing method is selective and by-catches of non targeted numbers, relative to the target species are small. However, the catching of sharks and rays is quite significant given their low fecundity, especially in the context of the displacement of extensive lengths of net. This may represent a threat to these species. By-catch mitigation i.e. post release, could be considered as a possible strategy, if there is believed to be a threat to the species. Nevertheless, the levels are considered to be within the bounds of the MSC PI definitions. Knowledge of fish species interactions are critical to the assessment, and as such, fishery independent data, and identification of species interactions should be recorded.

• P2 2.3.1: Hawksbill turtles one of the two species prevalent Turtles are known to prey on crabs during the crab moulting season. This may leave them vulnerable to capture. However, there are no reports of turtle interactions with gill nets. Knowledge of turtle interactions is critical to the assessment, and as such, fishery independent turtle, and other species interactions should be recorded.

• P2 2.4.1: Given the nature of the gears it is highly unlikely that they will reduce habitat structure and function to a point where here would be serious or irreversible harm. Knowledge of gear / seabed interactions should be identified, however, to assist the assessment.

Principle 3: The fishery is subject to an effective management system that respects local, national and international laws and standards and incorporates institutional and operational frameworks that require use of the resource to be responsible and sustainable.

• P3 3.1.1: Strategies and some technical measures are in place to promote sustainability. However, these are not applied, nor are deemed to be sufficiently precautionary. There needs to be greater attention paid to effort control, and protection of the spawning stock (closed seasons) as components to the HCR. Management systems applied in Australian blue crab fisheries include: compulsory logbook reporting, limited entry, species restriction, gear restrictions (design/length of net), spatial closures, protection of berried females and minimum size limit linked to sufficient number of crabs reaching maturity and restrictions on species retained; •

P3 3.1.2: T

he linkages between DARD and the provincial fisheries committee would appear to

be adequate and there is a legal to have Provincial decisions implemented. The problem lies more in the need to elevate sustainability in terms of the objectives and links this to long-term sustainability of employment. This needs to be applied at all levels of Governance.

• P3 3.2.2: Defined management decision-making processes are required which integrate the views of the stakeholders. Decisions made in isolation will not be effective, and there needs to be considerable thought given to support form NGOs in establishing co-management systems; • P 3 3.2.4: A clear research plan, harvest control rules and a management structure needs to be

developed to allow for monitoring of SSB, age structures, sex ratios, CPUE and habitat interactions. To allow flexibility in the application of management measures, and to ensure compliance with objectives.

• P3. 3.2.5 MARD should become more involved in evaluating management practices and systems applied at Provincial level, especially in view of its reported commitment to MSC principles.

13

RECOMMENDATIONS AND UNIT(S) OF CERTIFICATION

Presumably the above means a significant likelihood of failing a main assessment on P3 and possibly also P1.

It is therefore recommended that the Blue swimming crab tangle net fishery (Portunus pelagicus), Kien Giang province (as defined in this report) should not proceed to Main Assessment against the MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing. This is because in relation to P1, there are definite signs of over-exploitation in some parts of the fishery (inshore) and a lack of precautionary

information available to allow for an assessment of impacts on other retained species, bycatch species, habitats and ecosystems (P2), and that the management system does not implement any mechanism to restrict an expansion in fishing effort, the restrictions in place would require strengthening and there would have to be a evidence of compliance (P3).

If the client chose to proceed with a main assessment the unit of certification should be: Species Blue swimming crab tangle net fishery (Portunus

pelagicus),

Geographical Area Kien Giang Province, South West Vietnam

Stock Gulf of Thailand

Gear Tangle net

Management System Client Group

Minimum landing size/Open access WWF/DARD