2
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 PASS with conditions
2.5.2 Management Strategy
SG 60 FAIL
2.5.3 Information Monitoring
SG 60 PASS with conditions
Principle 3Management of Fishery 3.1 Governance Policy
3.1.1 Legal Customary Framework
SG 70 PASS with conditions
3.1.2 Consultation, Roles Responsibilities
SG 60 PASS with conditions
3.1.3 Long Term Objectives
SG 60 PASS with conditions
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 PASS with conditions
3.3.3 Compliance Enforcement
SG 70 PASS with conditions
3.3.4 Research Plans
SG 60 FAIL
3.3.5 Management Performance Evaluation
SG 60 FAIL
Recommendations to improve the biological status of the fishery
I. Regular monthly monitoring of CW and W should commence from two or more locations by a
recognised government agency institution. Field data should be analysed together with p odu tio data gathe ed seafood e po te s pu hasi g p o essi g “LB“C.
II. Discussions should be held with the Department of Customs to explore the possibility of
disaggregating crab export data for SLBSC. III.
A research project should be commissioned to investigate the population biology of the SLBSC IV.
A study should be commissioned to investigate the effectiveness of measures promoted to mitigate the impact of harvesting ovigerous females
3 V.
A study should be commissioned to investigate the selectivity of bottom-set gill nylon gill nets, with a view to establishing a minimum mesh size for the SLBSC fishery
VI. The GOSL should be lobbied and there should be advocacy among fishing communities, against
the use of illegal monofilament nets. VII.
There should be continued support for and promotion of measures to mitigation or reduce the harvesting of ovigerous females
VIII. A regulation should be introduced for the SLBSC fishery
IX. The GOSL should continue to be lobbied and there should be continued advocacy with SLBSC
fishermen to stop illegal trawling by IND and SRL trawlers X.
Technical and financial assistance should be provided to DFAR MFAR to improve the collection and analysis of field data and information to monitor the exploitation of Sri Lankan marine
resources. XI.
The assessment report and recommendations should be validated by an MSC approved independent conformity assessment body CAB
XII. Preparations should be made to undertake or commission an assessment of the status of the
SLBSC stock after the improvements to the SLBSC fishery outlined in the assessment report have been satisfactorily achieved
Recommendations to improve reduce the ecological impacts of the fishery
XIII. A study should be commissioned to further investigate the nature and quantity of the bycatch
retained, discarded and ETP species from the SLBSC fishery, with emphasis on the role of mesh size on bycatch composition
XIV. A study should be commissioned to further investigate the interaction between the SLBSC fishery
and key marine habitats in the vicinity of the fishery.
Recommendations to improve management of fishery
XV. A Steering Committee SC for the SLBSC FIP see Annex G should be established comprising
representatives of the fishing communities, seafood companies and government authorities, to facilitate dialogue and decision making between participants in the SLBSC fishery. The roles and
responsibilities of participants should be clearly defined.
XVI. Long term objectives - resource, ecological, social and economic and management - for the SLBSC
fishery should be reviewed, discussed and agreed. XVII.
Key incentives for sustainable exploitation of the SLBSC resource should be formulated, discussed, agreed and promoted
XVIII. Specific policy objectives for the SLBSC fishery Committee should be formulated, discussed,
agreed and promoted XIX.
The GOSL should continue to be lobbied and there should be further advocacy to ensure better compliance with the regulations that that govern the exploitation and management of the SLBSC
fishery, including stronger enforcement of regulations pertaining to the use of illegal monofilament nets and trawling by Indian and Sri Lankan trawlers
XX. Financial support should be provided through local universities and to the NARA to conduct
research into key aspects of the SLBSC fishery XXI.
A mechanism to monitor and evaluate the performance of the SLBSC fishery management system should be developed
XXII. A stud should e u de take to assess the e te t of seafood o pa ies o plia e ith
internationally recognised Decent Work Standards. XXIII.
A study should be undertaken to assess the feasibility and constraints pertaining to promoting producer organisation engagement in marketing processing of SLBSC.
XXIV. A study should be undertaken to assess the equity of trading relations between producers,
traders and seafood companies purchasing and exporting SLBSC
4
I. Introduction
The Sri Lanka Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka
9 The “eafood E po te s Asso iatio of “ i La ka “EA“L as esta lished to ep ese t a d promote the
interests of Sri Lankan companies engaged in the export of seafood products from Sri Lanka. The SEASL provides a common platform for Sri Lankan seafood companies to discuss challenges and concerns
affecting seafood exports, as well as issues affecting the fisheries industry as a whole in Sri Lanka.
10 The SEASL acts as an important focal point for engagement between seafood companies and the
Government of Sri Lanka GOSL. The SEASL lobbies and advises the government on policy and practices related to seafood exports, including inspection, licensing and certification of seafood products. The
SEASL is also a forum for dialogue within the seafood community in Sri Lankan and between the Sri Lankan seafood sector and the international seafood community.
11 The “EA“L s goal is to ensure the long term economic, social and environmental sustainability of the
seafood sector in Sri Lanka. To achieve this goal, the SEASL and its member organisations work in close collaboration with producers and suppliers, as well as with the agencies and authorities of the GOSL.
The “EA“L p o otes a d seeks to i p o e the sustai a le e ploitatio a d a age e t of “ i La ka s marine resources.
Fishery Improvement Projects
12 The aim of a fishery improvement project FIP is to bring together all those associated to a particular
fishery i.e., fishing communities, traders, seafood companies, regulators, scientists, civil society organisations CSO and foreign importers and distributors, to create and implement a local plan that
will improve the economic, social and ecological sustainability of a fishery.
13 The driving force behind the desire to improve local, national and international fisheries is the
increasing glo al o e a out the lo g te futu e of fish sto ks. O e of the o ld s fish stock
are either fully or over exploited. When fish stock crash, everyone associated with the fishery is affected. The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership SFP
1
, a seafood business orientated non government organisation based in the United States of America, is at the forefront of encouraging FIPs.
14 The SFP brings together representatives of fishing communities, national and international seafood
companies, government authorities and researchers to generate and share information that can be used to improve local, national and international fisheries.
15 There are now more than 40 FIPs in operation around the world, four of which, in Russia, Mexico,
Philippines and Indonesia, are for swimming crab fisheries. A comparative analysis of these four swimming crab FIPs, is presented in Annex A.
16 A single FIP is under implementation in Sri Lanka, for Sri Lankan yellowfin Thunus albacare and bigeye
T. obesus tuna see http:www.seasl.lkindex.phpsustainablefisheriessltfip
, which is managed by the SEASL.
1
www.sustainablefish.org
5
A FIP for the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab
17 The decision to initiate a FIP for the Sri Lankan blue swimming crab SLBSC was made by the SEASL after
receiving requests from representatives of Sri Lankan seafood companies, government authorities, researchers and civil society organisations associated with the SLBSC fishery in the north of Sri Lanka. A
meeting of seafood companies, agencies and individuals associated with the SLBSC fishery was convened by the SEASL in Negombo, in May 2013, with the support of the National Fisheries Institute
Crab Council NFI CC.
18 The NFI CC is an American CSO that comprises representatives from the leading importers and
distributors of blue swimming crab in the USA. The NFI CC is dedicated to improving standards and p a ti es that ill e ha e the seafood i dust s a age e t of lue s i
i g a fishe ies a ou d the world: based on sound ecological and economic principles.
About Blue Swimming Crabs
19 The blue swimming crab BSC Portunus pelagicus see image below is a tropical marine crustacean
that occurs in large shoals in shallow coastal water overlying sandy or muddy substrates. It is common throughout the Indo-pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa, throughout South Asia, Southeast
Asia and Australia, to the western coast of North and South America. Populations of BSC are also found in the Mediterranean Sea.
20 The lifecycle of the BSC is short: crabs typically live for
only three to four years Dineshababu et al., 2008. Adults reach a maximum size of around 190mm
carapace width and a maximum weight of around 550g Sukumaran Neelakantan 1996. Female crabs
become sexually mature towards the end of their first year, at sizes ranging from 33mm to 177mm body
weight
≈ g to 150g Kamrani et al., 2010. Female crabs produce between 0.10 million to 1.1 million eggs
at a single spawning, depending on their size REF. Larger female crabs produce proportionally more eggs
than smaller female crabs Kumar et al., 1999. Females spawn once a year. Female crabs brood their
eggs, incubating the eggs for five to seven days before the larvae hatch.
21 BSC populations typically have a distinct, peak spawning season. In warmer climates a small number of
individual spawn throughout the year. After hatching and joining the plankton, BSC larvae drift with the wind and tides. BSC larvae undergo a series of morphological changes over a period of 21 to 25 days
before they become juvenile crabs, measuring 15 mm – 35 mm Anand Soundarapandian, 2011.
SLBSC are voracious hunters and scavengers. BSC eat small shrimps and other crabs including other BSC, finfish, cuttlefish, shellfish, squid and worms, as well as seaweed and dead and decaying matter
Menon, 1952.
22 The growth of BSC is closely determined by water temperature. In warmer climates BSC grow quickly
reaching close to their maximum size and weight by the end of their second year. A variety of pelagic and benthic fish species including jacks and bream are known to prey on BSC populations.
A male Blue Swimming Crab Portunus pelagicus
6
II. Scope of Work
23 The Scope of Work for the assessment of the SLBSC fishery off the northwest and northern coast of Sri
Lanka, was set out in a contractual agreement signed between the between the Consultant and the SEASL on 1
st
August 2013 see Annex B. The sub activities proposed in respect of the assessment included, but were not restricted to;
a A review of other comparable FIPs worldwide b A review of secondary data pertaining the BSC fishery in Sri Lanka
c The identification and collection of primary data from relevant stakeholders d Drafting and finalising the fishery assessment report
24 The Scope of Work for the assessment was informed by the procedures and methods promoted by the
SFP for the formulation of FIP
2
and guided by the criteria endorsed by the Marine Stewardship Council MSC vis-a-vis the certification of sustainable fisheries
3
. The conclusions and recommendation set out in the first draft of the final report were therefore presented
i a o da e ith the “FP s t o p i ipal components for fishery improvement i.e., FIP 4: measurable and positive social and economic changes
and FIP 5: measurable and positive biological and ecological change. The sub activities identified by SFP under FIP 3.0 were assigned to the relevant FIP principal component.
25 Following a review of the first draft of the final fishery assessment report
a d ha ges i the NFI CC s perspective on fishery assessment reporting, the NFI CC requested the SEASL and the Consultant to
submit the final report in accordance with the M“C s Fishe “ta da d: P i iples a d C ite ia fo
Sustainable Fishing. The conclusions and recommendations presented below are thus made in a o da e ith M“C s th ee o e p i iples i.e., biological status of the fishery; ecological impact of
the fishery and management of the fishery, rather than in accordance with the “FP s t o p i ipal
components for fishery improvement impact on the environment and fishery as originally agreed. 26
This report represents the first of a series of deliverables agreed in the aforementioned contract. Other deliverables that have been achieved during the course of the fishery assessment include:
a A web page for the SLBSC FIP http:www.seasl.lkindex.phpsustainablefisheriesslbscfip b A Scoping Document for the SLBSC FIP
c A FIP Development Plan 2013 – 2014
d A FIP Implementation Plan and budget for the SLBSC FIP 2013 – 2016
e A Logic Model for the SLBSC FIP, based on the Development Plan and Implementation Plan
2
www.sustainablefish.org
3
www.msc.org
7
III. Fishery Assessment Methodology Criteria
27 The methodology adopted for the assessment of the SLBSC fishery was based on the collection and
analysis of both quantitative data and qualitative information. The methodology sought to gather quantitative data from secondary sources i.e., published and unpublished reports and studies, while
the sources of qualitative information were gathered from participants in the SLBSC fishery. Qualitative information was collected by means of semi structured interviews see images below, the duration of
which was designed not to last more than 45 minutes.
28 Four main groups of participants were
identified as forming the basis for the assessment, as follows:
a. producers i.e., fishermen and women b.
traders and seafood companies i.e.,
local buyers and processors exporters
c. regulators i.e., government ministries,
departments, agencies and authorities
d. civil society both national and
international organisations 29
Four main criteria – biological, socio-
economic, ecological and management - were delineated by the Consultant, following the
guideli es set out the “FP s FIP p o ess and the MSC
s Fishe “ta da d. These criteria were used as the basis for the assessment of
the SLBSC fishery. Each criterion describes an aspect of the SLBSC fishery.
30 The biological aspects of the fishery evaluated included data and information pertaining to geographic
range, population biology and reproductive biology. Socio-economic aspects of the fishery included location and seasonality of the fishery and landing centres; types of boats and gear; productivity;
history, culture and social organisation, supply and value chain economic and the relative social and economic importance of the fishery. The assessment of ecological aspects of the fishery focused on the
bycatch from the fishery i.e., commercial non commercial; retained discarded and endangered, threatened and protected ETP species, as well as the habitat and ecosystem impacts of the fishery.
31 The last of the four evaluation criteria - fishery management - was designed to assess the nature, level
and effectiveness of the management of the SLBSC fishery. The management of the fishery was assessed based on formal and informal data collection procedures; estimates of abundance; formal and
informal traditional fishery management legislation, regulations and conventions; stock enhancement programmes; local compliance and effective of any such controls and the prevalence if any of illegal,
unreported or unregulated IUU catch. A detailed description of sub questions explored during the course of the evaluation, for each of the four main assessment criteria, is presented in Annex C.
32 An evaluation matrix was developed by the Consultant to minimise the duplication of data collection
and information gathered from secondary and primary sources. Table 1 provides a summary of the evaluation matrix developed for the assessment of the SLBSC fishery.
8
Table 1 Evaluation matrix for the assessment of the SLBSC fishery
Assessment Criteria Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Fishery
I. Biological II. Socio-economic
III. Ecological IV. Management
Assessment Tools 2° Data Sources
XXX XXX
XXX XXX
1° Data Sources a. Producers
XXX XXX
XXX XXX
Kalpitiya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Jaffna
b. TradeProcessorsExport XXX
XXX
SEASL, TSF, Phillipsfoods, Alpex Marine, Western Lanka, PN Fernando, Ceylon
Foods, Prawn Ceylon
c. Regulators XXX
XXX XXX
XXX
MFAR, DFAR, NAQDA, NARA
d. Researchers XXX
XXX
Universities Wyamba, Jaffna, others
e. Civil Society XXX
XXX
CEPA, FAO UN, NAFSO, ILO UN, IOM, UNDP
IV. Implementation Data Analysis
33 A number of scientific papers, technical reports and studies and guidelines pertaining to either BSC or
FIPs and fishery management reviewed during the course of the assessment see Annex D. 34
The field survey assessment of the SLBSC fishery off the north western and northern coast of Sri Lanka was completed by the Consultant over a period of six 6 weeks beginning on the 1
st
August 2013. The last interviews were conducted with CSO in Colombo on 16
th
September. The completed schedule of interviews in five districts and in Colombo with producers, processors, regulators and CSO is set out in
Annex E. A list of the agencies, organisations, and individuals met by the Consultant during the course of the assessment is provided in Annex F.
35 A total of 36 interviews were conducted with 112 individuals associated with the SLBSC fishery during
the course of the assessment see Table 2. Twelve of the participants in the field survey were women 11. Participants in the SLBSC fishery shared their experiences and knowledge of the fishery with the
Consultant during the course of the field survey. Their opinions on the key initiatives necessary to improve the SLBSC fishery were also sought during the assessment.
36 Qualitative data collected during the course of the field survey was analysed by coding each observation
and opinion. 47 sub codes were used by the Consultant to disaggregate the qualitative data, under each of the four principal assessment criteria. In addition to the four main assessment criteria, qualitative
data des i i g espo de ts suggestio s to i p o e the “LB“C fishe as also a al sed odi g the suggestions. A summary of the sub codes used by the Consultant to analyse and interpret the
qualitative data collected during the course of the field assessment is present in Table 3.
37 Once all the information collected had been coded, the information was sorted by sub code. The key
fi di gs p ese ted i the follo i g se tio , a e ased o the Co sulta t s a al sis of the oded a d sorted data.
38 A copy of the first draft of the SLBSC fishery assessment report was submitted to the SEASL for
comments on 10
th
October 2013. As noted above, the NFI CC requested structural changes to the presentation of the conclusions and recommendations in the first draft of the SLBSC fishery assessment
9 report. The final assessment report on the SLBSC fishery off the north western and northern coast of Sri
Lanka was submitted to and approved by the SEASL on 23
rd
November 2013
4
. Table 2
Summary of interviews conducted with participants during the assessment Interviews
Target Achieved
Fishing Communities in 4 districts 7
8 Crab traders in 4 districts
4 3
Seafood Companies 3
7 DoFAR in 4 districts
4 4
NARA Colombo Kalpitiya 1
1 Civil Society Organisations CS
2 3
Universities 2
1 Fishe e s Coope ati e “o iet U io s
4 District Fisheries Federations
4 Other
1
Totals 23
36 Table 3
Codes used to disaggregate qualitative data collected from producers, processors, regulators and CSO with regard to each of the four main assessment criteria
Principal Fishery Assessment Criteria Biology
Ecology The Fishery
Management Regulation
C o
d e
s u
se d
to d
isag g
re g
ate q
u al
itati v
e d
ata
A lp
h a
b et
ica l
Life Cycle Bycatch
Physical Profile Fishery: DFARD
Spawning Environment
Fishery Area Fishery: Regulation
No. Eggs Fishing Season
Fishery: Data Fishing Craft
Fishery Management Fishing Gear
Management Concerns
Fishing Gear: Mesh Size Small Crabs
Fishing Gear: Monofilament
Females with Eggs History of the Fishery
Fishing Pressure External Issues
Political Pressure
Social Profile
Fishing Community Women in the Fishery
PH Processing Social Issues
Fishing Community Women in the Fishery
PH Processing Social Issues
Economic Profile
SLBSC Catch Fishing Expenditure
Supply Chain Supply Chain: Traders
Supply Chain: Exporters Supply Chain: FCS
Supply Chain: Demand Grading
PH Processing
4
The Final Report was revised and updated in May 2014
10
V. Key Findings
a. Biology of the Fishery
39 Chit a adi elu s pape des i i g aspe ts of the
fishery and species composition of edible crabs in Jaffna Lagoon 1993 is the only published
record of the BSC in Sri Lanka. Two others Sri Lankan research papers Sivanathnan, S., de
Croos M. D. S. T.; Nadaraja, T. were in preparation at the time of the assessment.
Neither paper was in available in draft form. None of these papers deal with aspects of the
biology of the SLBSC. As noted by Jayamana very little scientific research has been undertaken on
this species Portunus Pelagicus
– see right in Sri Lanka 2011.
40 In contrast a number of papers have been
published describing the biology of the BSC in South India. These include Prasad, R. R.
Tampi, P R S 1952 in the Palk Bay; P. T. Sarda off the coast of Calicut 1998; Dineshababu, A.
P., et al 2008 off the southern Karnataka coast and Anand, T. Soundarapandian, P. 2011 in
the Palk Bay.
41 Aspects of the biology of the BSC off the south coast of India reported in these papers are consistent
with the global research on the BSC described in the Introduction above. Accordingly, the lifecycle of the BSC in India is short: crabs typically live for three years. Adults reach a maximum size of around 170 mm
for female carapace width Dineshababu et al., 2008. Female crabs become sexually mature towards the end of their first year. Size at 50 maturity is 96 mm - carapace width CW - according to
Dineshababu et al., 2008, while the majority of ovigerous females caught are between CW 115 mm and CW 159 mm Prasad Tampi 1952. Female crabs produce between 0.10 million to 0.90 million
eggs at a single spawning Anand Soundarapandian 2011, depending on their size. Larger female crabs produce proportionally more eggs than smaller female crabs. Females spawn once a year. Larval
duration is around 25 days Anand Soundarapandian 2011.
42 In Kalpitiya Puttalam District, field evidence was advanced by fishing communities to suggest that two
populations of SLBSC may be present, one located in the main body of Puttalam Lagoon and Dutch Bay and the other in the adjacent open sea see map below. It was suggested that the two populations
were separated due to environmental conditions including high salinities and temperatures experienced by SLBSC caught from Puttalam Lagoon and Dutch Bay. This argument was advanced to explain the
relatively smaller size of SLBSC caught from the southern end of the lagoon, compared to the open sea.
43 No indications were observed or suggestions made to suggest the existence of more than a single
population of BSC on the Sri Lanka side of the Palk Bay, through to the Gulf of Mannar see map below. The peak spawning season for SLBSC caught in Puttalam, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts was
similar. Peak spawning takes place in April and May and continues through to June. Females with eggs becoming more common in the fishery from February onwards each year in all four locations. At the
same time, all four locations reported the presence of females with eggs throughout the year. A small sample N = 33 of CW width versus total weight measurements of SLBSC collected from Palakuda
Kalpitiya Puttalam District and Mandaitivu Jaffna District indicated a similar width weight relationship for the crab populations in the two locations see Figure 1.
11
Figure 1: Size and weight relationship for SLBSC in Pallikuda Kalpitiya and Mandaitivu Jaffna
44
SLBSC mature and begin to reproduce during their first year, commencing at around six
months of age. Females as small as 68g were observed
with eggs
see image
right. Preliminary field observations indicated that the
majority of females BSC commence spawning at slightl la ge size ≈ 120g – 150g.
45 Field observations indicated that the weight of
eggs carried by a female crab
5
is highly dependent on the weight of the female crab.
Very large SLBSC i.e., 250 g see image below right of a 460 g male crab on the same scale
right were noted to bear as much as 50 g of eggs. Females weighing 200 g to 250 g were
considered to be normal sized
adults local fishermen.
46 A note was made of an observation by one
participant, who alleged that the SLBSC fishery off the eastern coast of Trincomalee District
comprises mainly male SLBSC. No field evidence was gathered to corroborate this claim.
47 No evidence of specific nursery grounds for SLBSC was observed during the field survey. Jayamana
notes that juvenile crabs are commonly associated with mangrove roots and sea grass beds 2011, which are found extensive in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay.
48 Considerable stands of fringing mangrove are found in Dutch Bay 250 ha and Puttalam Lagoon 750
ha, together with extensive sea grass beds. Fringing mangroves and sea grass beds are also present throughout the Sri Lanka side of the Palk Bay and in Jaffna Lagoon.
5
Also referred to as ovigerous crabs
12
b. Physical Profile
