SLBSC Management Bycatch: Discarded Species Bycatch: ETP Species Marine Habitats Marine Ecosystems Fishery Specific Management System SLBSC Resource

43

VI. Conclusions

190 The conclusions based on the findings of the fishery assessment are presented in accordance with the M“C s Fishe “ta da d: P i iples a d C ite ia fo “ustai a le Fishi g . 191 The conclusions reached in respect of each of M“C s 30 performance indicators are set out below, for the nine MSC criteria under each of the three core principles of the M“C s Fishe “ta da d and Fishery assessment Methodology. Each performance indicator has been assessed according to the M“C s “ o e Guideposts i.e., SG60, SG80 and SG100 see below, based on the findings of the assessment. Scoring Categories Category 192 The findings of the assessment indicate that the SLBSC fishery is likely to fail to meet the requirements necessary to pass 23 out of MSC s 31 performance indicators for sustainable fisheries. The assessment suggests that the fishery may pass seven performance indicators, but would subsequently need to meet conditions applied by the independent MSC assessor. 193 The principal deficiencies in terms of achieving sustainable management of the fishery relate to principles 1 and 2. The fishery is likely to fail all seven performance indicators associated the biological status of the SLBSC resource. The fishery is likely to fail 13 of the 15 performance indicators associated the ecological impacts of the fishery Principle 2. 194 A assess e t of the “LB“C fishe i the o te t of ea h of the M“C s performance indicators, as well the four performance indicators proposed by the Consultant, is presented below. Table 10 Summary of the MSC Guidepost Scores for the SLBSC Fishery MSC Fishery Assessment Principles, Criteria Performance Indicators Fishery Assessment Guidepost Score Result Principle 1 Biological Status of the Fishery 1.1 SLBSC Resource 1.1.1 Stock Status SG 60 FAIL 1.1.2 Reference Points SG 60 FAIL 1.1.3 Stock Rebuilding Plan SG 60 FAIL

1.2 SLBSC Management

1.2.1 Harvest Strategy SG 60 FAIL 1.2.2 Harvest Control Rules Tools SG 60 FAIL 1.2.3 Harvest Strategy: Information Monitoring SG 60 FAIL 1.2.4 Assessment of Stock Status SG 60 FAIL Principle 2 Ecological Impacts of the Fishery 2.1 Bycatch: Retained Species 2.1.1 Status SG 60 FAIL 2.2.2 Management Strategy SG 60 FAIL 2.2.3 Information Monitoring SG 60 FAIL

2.2 Bycatch: Discarded Species

2.2.1 Status SG 60 FAIL 2.2.2 Management Strategy SG 60 FAIL 2.2.3 Information Monitoring SG 60 FAIL

2.3 Bycatch: ETP Species

2.3.1 Status SG 60 FAIL 2.3.2 Management Strategy SG 60 FAIL 2.3.3 Information Monitoring SG 60 FAIL

2.4 Marine Habitats

2.4.1 Status SG 60 FAIL 2.4.2 Management Strategy SG 60 FAIL 2.4.3 Information Monitoring SG 60 FAIL

2.5 Marine Ecosystems

2.5.1 Status SG 60 CONDITIONAL PASS 44 MSC Fishery Assessment Principles, Criteria Performance Indicators Fishery Assessment 2.5.2 Management Strategy SG 60 FAIL 2.5.3 Information Monitoring SG 60 CONDITIONAL PASS Principle 3Management of Fishery 3.1 Governance Policy 3.1.1 Legal Customary Framework SG 70 CONDITIONAL PASS 3.1.2 Consultation, Roles Responsibilities SG 60 CONDITIONAL PASS 3.1.3 Long Term Objectives SG 60 CONDITIONAL PASS 3.1.4 Incentives for Sustainable Fishing SG 60 FAIL

3.2 Fishery Specific Management System

3.2.1 Fishery Specific Objectives SG 60 FAIL 3.2.2 Decision Making Processes SG 60 CONDITIONAL PASS 3.3.3 Compliance Enforcement SG 70 CONDITIONAL PASS 3.3.4 Research Plans SG 60 FAIL 3.3.5 Management Performance Evaluation SG 60 FAIL Principle 1: Biological Status of the Fishery

1.1 SLBSC Resource

195 1.1.1 Stock Status: The catch data available describing the SLBSC fishery is inadequate to enable the status of the SLBSC stock to be independently verified. Insufficient time series data and concerns about the accuracy of this data; incomplete descriptions of the fishery in each location and the aggregated atu e of the o thl e po t data o piled the Depa t e t of Custo s fo a e po ts are the principal barriers that prevent an independently verifiable SLBSC stock assessment at the present time. The data and information that is available suggests that the status of the SLBSC stock is likely to be considerable higher than comparable stocks of BSC in neighbouring India or in the Philippines, Indonesia, China or Vietnam. In these BSC fisheries, small crabs 100g – 149g and very small crabs 80g – 99g dominant the catch 24 . In Sri Lanka, medium and large crabs are still prevalent. Performance Indicators SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 It is likely that the stock is above the point where recruitment would be impaired. There is a high degree of certainty that the stock is above the point where recruitment would be impaired. There is a high degree of certainty that the stock has been fluctuating around its target reference point, or has been above its target reference point, over recent years. The stock is at or fluctuating around its target reference point TRP. SLBSC Fishery Score = SG 60 FAIL Rationale: There are no current or time series data describing the stock status of SLBSC. The status of the stock in relation to recruitment is unknown. No TRP have been proposed agreed implemented for the fishery. Commercial purchasing records are available with the main seafood companies collectors. The data has not been made available to the SEASL. The data has not been analysed. Target  Dependent and independent data describing the stock are available and have been analysed.  DFAR staff and fishing communities can analyse and interpret independent data and draw appropriate conclusions regarding the stock status. Data Sources  Commercial Catch Data Seafood Companies UNI  Population Biology Study NARA  Annual Stock Assessments using SPR DFAR FC 24 The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Report for BSC recommends consumers avoid’ all BSC products originating from Indonesia, Thailand, India, Vietnam and China fisheries, on account of unsustainable fishing practices. 45 196 1.1.2 Reference Points: No reference points have yet been established to enable an independently verifiable assessment of the status of the SLBSC stock to be undertaken. Data is required to ascertain any or all of the following potential reference points: carapace width length relationships for both sexes; size at first maturity and size at 50 maturity; mortality coefficients total instantaneous mortality coefficient Z; instantaneous natural mortality coefficient M and instantaneous fishing mortality F; estimates of the maximum sustainable yield; yield mass curves and the optimum age of exploitation t y ; the spawning potential ratio SPR. 197 Furthermore other key parameters describing the fishery have yet to be established using relevant using appropriate statistical method and models. Data is required to ascertain any or all of the following parameters: total length L ∞ total length, mm; the weight asymptote W ∞ ; K year 1 ; growth performance index; the number and timing of recruitment peaks and the natural mortality, M year 1 ; the monthly sex ratio, gonadalsomal development indices for females including maturity stages and the Gonad Somatic Index GSI; estimates of the spawning season and fecundity; the size at recruitment to the fishery l r ; yield per recruit YR, the annual exploitation ratio; the catchability coefficient q; the annual fishing effort and optimum fishing effort f MSY Performance Indicators SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 Generic limit LRP and target reference points TRP are based on justifiable and reasonable practice appropriate for the species category. 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 following consideration of relevant precautionary issues. 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 B MSY or some measure or surrogate with similar intent or outcome. The Target Reference Point is such that the stock is maintained at a level consistent with B MSY or some measure or surrogate with similar intent or outcome, or a higher level, and takes into account relevant precautionary issues such as the ecological role of the stock with a high degree of certainty. For low trophic level species, the target reference point takes into account the ecological role of the stock. SLBSC Fishery Score = SG 60 FAIL Rationale: No LRP or TRP have been established for the fishery. The DFAR is unlikely to have the resources to regularly collect and analyse data for a formal stock assessment e.g., total catch, fishing effort, CPUE, recruitment, growth and mortality. Appropriate, cost effective measures need to be introduced with the involvement of the DFAR and the fishing community, such as the use of spawning potential ratio SPR. Target  Introduction of generic LRP and TRP based on SPR  Adopting a precautionary approach to setting limits and targets e.g., SPR limit = 30 and TRP target = 50  Revised LRP and TRP based on annual assessments, other data and research. Data Sources  SPR Size calculated based on Mortality M, growth coefficient k, Length of maturity L m and Maximum Length L ∞ and size composition data from population biology assessment NARASEASL  Annual SPR Assessment DFAR FC UNI SEASL 46 198 1.1.3 Stock Rebuilding Plan: The status of the SLBSC crab stock is unknown and thus the need to rebuild the stock cannot be assessed. Many participants in the fishery are however concerned about the potential impact of harvesting ovigerous crabs i.e., females with eggs. Two small crab hatcheries are u e tl i ope atio a d o e a e pla ed. The i stallatio of a ages fo fe ale a s ith eggs has also been proposed. Performance Indicators SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 Where stocks are depleted rebuilding strategies which have a reasonable expectation of success are in place. Where stocks are depleted rebuilding strategies are in place. Where stocks are depleted, strategies are demonstrated to be rebuilding stocks continuously and there is strong evidence that rebuilding will be complete within the shortest practicable timeframe. Monitoring is in place to determine whether they are effective in rebuilding the stock within a specified timeframe. There is evidence that they are rebuilding stocks, or it is highly likely based on simulation modelling or previous performance that they will be able to rebuild the stock within a specified timeframe SLBSC Fishery Score = SG 60 Fail Rationale: The stock status of SLBSC – healthy or depleted - is unknown. No stock assessment has been undertaken. It not possible to assess if this Performance Indicator is relevant or not. Target  Precautionary, generic LRP and TRP based on SPR have been set e.g., SPR limit = 30 and TRP target = 50  Dependent and independent data describing the stock, against LRP and TRP, are available and have been analysed. Data Sources  SPR Size calculated based on Mortality M, growth coefficient k, Length of maturity L m and Maximum Length L ∞ and size composition data from population biology assessment NARASEASL  Annual SPR Assessment DFAR FC UNI SEASL

1.2 SLBSC Management