Integrating FADs monitoring with co-management structures A pilot study. Kennedy Osuka, Michael Murunga, Melita Samoilys and Clay Obota

Transcription

1 Integrating FADs monitoring with co-management structures A pilot study Kennedy Osuka, Michael Murunga, Melita Samoilys and Clay Obota July 216

2 Acknowledgement CORDIO East Africa would like to thank Yann Yvergniaux, Dominique Greboval and Patrick Kimani of the Indian Ocean Commission- SmartFish for their support in implementing Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) catch monitoring component. Sincere thanks to the EU who are funding the IOC- SmartFish Programme for funding this component in advancing FADs fishing in Kenya. Many thanks to our data collectors Sadiki Hassan Tondwe, Shida Hamadi Mwajambia, Tashrifa Hassan Said, Bibi Bakari Nyuni, Majaliwa Salim Mwarora, Bakari Mohamed Mchinga, Fatuma Hamisis Mshenga, Hatibu Ali Omar and Mwanahawa Bakari Chirumu for their tireless effort to consistently collect data over the eight months of FADs catch monitoring. Our special thanks to fishermen from Gazi, Mwandamo, Mkunguni, Mwaembe and Munje Beach Management Units (BMUs) where the FADs catch monitoring program was done for taking part in catch monitoring and honestly answering the questions from our data collectors. We are indebted to all the FADs development steering group members composed of Patrick Kimani (SmartFish); Elizabeth Mueni and Wanyoike Karungo (State Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy - SDF & BE); Nina Wambiji, Fatuma Mzingirwa and Pascal Thoya (Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute - KMFRI): Nyaga Kanyange and Saidi Majani (Coastal and Marine Resources Development - COMRED); Isiaka Mwinyi (Mwandamo BMU); Hasani Saidi (Munje BMU); Bakari Ndaro (Mkunguni BMU); Ali Mwabori (Mwaembe BMU) and Mohammed Massod (Gazi BMU) for their support and critique of this document during the steering group meetings. We also thank James Mbugua for providing assistance in processing the products of participatory mapping. i

3 Table of contents Acknowledgement... i Table of contents... ii List of Acronyms... iii Executive summary... iv Introduction... 1 Materials and methods... 3 Study sites... 3 FAD deployment... 3 Selection of data collectors... 4 Training of data collectors... 5 Sampling strategy... 6 Prioritized FADs associated species... 6 Participatory mapping... 7 Data analysis... 7 Results... 8 Summary of sampling effort... 8 Fishing duration... 9 Catch per unit effort (CPUE)... 1 Income Fork length, weights and relative abundance pelagic associated species Frequency of visits to FADs Fishing zones around the FADs Discussion Conclusion and lessons learnt References ii

4 List of Acronyms BMU Beach Management Unit CORDIO Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean COMRED ` Coastal and Marine Resources Development CPUE Catch per Unit Effort FAD Fish Aggregating Devices IOC Indian Ocean Commission KCDP Kenya Coastal Development Project SDF- BE State Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy MCS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance NGO Non- Governmental Organization KMFRI Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute iii

5 Executive summary Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are free floating or anchored structures fabricated and setup to attract fish. FADs promote and encourage offshore fishing or fishing just outside the reef area particularly among local communities to capture larger and less fished pelagic species. In an effort to evaluate the importance of FADs in improving the food security and reducing pressure on fragile overfished coral reef ecosystems, CORDIO conducted catch monitoring of the technology with an aim to understand the benefits of FADs in increasing access to offshore pelagic fish. The monitoring had three components which include: conducting FAD catch data collection training for selected BMU members, initiating FADs monitoring and data collection, and analysing FADs catch monitoring data and reporting results. This was done at five landing sites in Gazi, Mkunguni, Munje, Mwaembe, and Mwandamu during three deployment phases from October 215 to May 216 notably Pre- deployment (October November), Colonization (December January) and Post deployment (February May). The impacts of FADs were assessed by analyzing catch, effort and biological variables to derive information on frequency of visits to FADs, changes in fishing duration, CPUE and income over the three deployment phases. Catch records on hand lines were more relevant in assessing the catch trends since the gear was continuously monitored throughout the three deployment phases. Results showed that fishing duration of fishers using hand line decreased in all landing sites over the monitoring period. Estimates on CPUE and income, which are a reflection of the fishery contribution towards the livelihood of the fishing communities, indicated an increase after deployment of FADs. There was also an increase in the frequency of visits to fishing grounds near FADs, which indicated that fishermen were keen to fish around FADs. The utilization of FADs suggests that awareness on FADs fishery was effective in increasing the visitation rates to FADs fishing grounds. The intensity of fishing decreased during the Post- FAD suggesting access to FADs was limited by the seasonal changes, access to fishing vessels and type of fishing gear. While the FADs project in Kenya aimed to optimize benefits flowing from offshore fishing through increased catches, caution should be taken in promoting fishing of already overexploited and vulnerable pelagic species such as sharks, Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), which is 94% iv

6 overexploited, Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), which 6% overexploited, and Narrow- barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). Measures such as species restrictions are therefore recommended. v

7 Introduction Kenya s coastal fishery is predominantly artisanal (Mclanahan and Mangi 24; Samoilys et al., 211a, b), supporting an estimated 13, fishers, increasing at 15% annually along the 64 km coastline (SDF, 212). The fishery is characterized as being multi- species and multi- gear making its management difficult. The use of destructive fishing gears such as beach seines in the near shore coral reef areas, coupled by the increase in the number of fishers joining artisanal fishery, are some of the main causes of declining catches, which threatens the sustainability of the fishery (Obura 21; Fondo, 24; Samoilys et al. 211a). Moreover traditional gears have dominated Kenya s artisanal fisheries since the 196s due to factors such as traditional believes of inheritance and maintenance costs (Samoilys et al., 211b; Mbaru, 212). Development of the fishery is impeded by the long- standing use of traditional fishing gears, exacerbated by high poverty levels, inadequate capacity and few resources within the government and fishing communities. Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are free floating or anchored structures fabricated and setup by fishers to attract fish. FADs have been widely used in the Pacific and in certain island countries in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) such as Comoros (Désurmont and Chapman, 2; Bell et al., 215). These devices promote and encourage offshore fishing or fishing just outside the reef area particularly among local communities to capture larger and less fished pelagic species. Since Kenya s fishery is largely small- scale and artisanal, use of low- cost and low- tech artisanal FADs is expected to improve the socioeconomic conditions of small- scale fishing communities by improving their catch rates as well as alleviating pressure on overexploited near shore resources. The use of FADs therefore presents a practical tool for increasing access to offshore pelagic fish (Bell et al., 215), to help feed the ever- increasing population along the Kenyan coast. Considerable planning and piloting including monitoring of the technology, catch and research is therefore needed to understand the benefits of anchored FADs in Kenya. This would enable evaluation of the importance of FADs as an initiative in improving the food security and reducing pressure on fragile overfished coral reef ecosystems. 1

8 FADs fishery was first developed in Kenya in 212 under South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP) initiative (Mbaru, 215). Four FADs including 2 shallow (>5m) and 2 deep (>25m) were constructed and deployed between Mtwapa and Watamu areas. Between 214 and 215 KMFRI deployed other FADs in Msambweni area with funding from National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). The two deployment efforts did not show success due to vandalism and inadequate community sensitization and awareness. Vandalism occurred especially in Kilifi owing to misunderstanding by the fishers about the project (Mbaru, 215). There exist opportunities to subvert the failures of these attempts including the use of co- management structures to conduct sensitization and awareness and collaboration in FADs development and deployment activities in Kenya. Kenya s State Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy (SDF- BE) has promoted community- based management of fisheries resources through a co- management structure called the Beach Management Unit (BMU), which is enshrined in the BMU Regulations of 27 under the Fisheries Act. The BMU structures have significantly enhanced the ability of fishers and coastal communities to engage in fisheries co- management. They offer an ideal platform for conducting trainings to impart knowledge on fisheries related issues as well as sensitization and awareness. For instance the BMUs members in Msambweni received training on data collection and fisheries management during a 5- day in residence training course funded through SmartFish initiative (Samoilys, 212). The full realization of BMU functions has however been halted by the reluctance of fishers to join the BMUs. Despite this, BMUs are still a viable platform to engage the fishing community in adopting a new technology and to participate in monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of their fisheries particularly catch monitoring (Obura, 21). Fish catch monitoring is critical as it provides the baseline information for measuring the impact of an intervention. In this FADs catch monitoring project, BMU members were involved in catch monitoring before and after deployment of FADs. The overall goal of FADs project was to 2

9 optimize benefits flowing from offshore fishing in Msambweni area through increased catches generated by appropriate co- management of four FADs in four selected sites. The specific objectives of catch monitoring component were to: a) Conduct FAD catch data training for selected BMU members. b) Initiate FAD monitoring and data collection. c) Analyse FAD catch monitoring data and report the results. Materials and methods Study sites Msambweni is a sub- county located in Kwale County, south coast of Kenya. Fishing is the main source of livelihood among the coastal communities in the area and accounts for >75% of livelihood activities (Maina et al., 213). Catch monitoring was carried out at five landing sites in Msambweni spanning 13 km with northern- most landing site being located in Kinondo Ward and the other four in Ramisi Ward. The landing sites included Gazi (lat , long ); Mwandamo (lat , long ); Mkunguni (lat , long ); Mwaembe (lat , long ) and Munje (lat , long ) (Figure 1). These landing sites have a total of 858 registered fishers with Gazi and Mkunguni having the largest proportion at 29.14% and 21.33% respectively. Mwaembe, Mwandamo and Munje have the least number of fishers at 18.64%, 16.32% and 14.47% correspondingly. A variety of gears are deployed in the fishing grounds overlooking the landing sites and range from traditional gears e.g. basket traps and handlines; modified traditional e.g. speargun and gillnets; and introduced e.g. monofilament, gillnets, long lines and ring nets. FAD deployment FAD deployment in Msambweni was conducted in December 215. Prior to FADs deployment, meetings were held at the four landing sites where BMU members were sensitized on factors to consider in site selection and given an opportunity to propose locations for FADs deployment in consultation with FADs experts from Mauritius (Atmanun Venkatasami and Neermal Dussooa). 3

10 The factors included accessibility of the FADs by the artisanal fishermen, occurrence of tuna and associated species, activities of ringnet boats and the probability of vandalism. BMU members, FADs experts and staff from KMFRI and SDF&BE thus deployed four FADs at four locations in Msambweni (Table 1). Figure 1: Map of the study area. Selection of data collectors Participatory approaches involving consultations with FADs development steering group committee (SGC) and BMUs were adopted in the selection of data collectors. SGC was a body mandated to review the progress of the FADs project as well as provide advice and technical oversight. It encompassed government institutions and programmes (SDF&BE, KMFRI and 4

11 KCDP) non- governmental organizations (CORDIO, COMRED and SmartFish) and community representatives drawn from five landing sites. The requirements for selecting data collectors were developed by SGC and included (1) have attained basic education (O- level education); (2) ability to read and write; (3) familiar with local fishery; (4) basic knowledge of English and Swahili language and (5) where possible inclusion of women. Meetings were held at each landing site under the framework of BMU and catch monitoring activities explained first to the BMU executive (BMU leaders) and later to BMU assembly (all BMU members encompassing fishers, boat owners and traders). The requirements were presented to the BMU assembly and two data collectors were selected from each landing site. A total ten data collectors (4 females and 6 males) from the five BMUs were thus selected to participate in the FAD catch monitoring. Table 1: Site information of four FADs deployed in Msambweni area (After Venkatasami and Dussooa, 215) Landing sites (BMUs) Location Distance from Depth Latitude Longitude nearest shore (nm) (m) Gazi S ' E ' Mwaembe S ' E ' Munje S ' E ' Mkunguni/Mwandamo S ' E ' Training of data collectors The data collectors were trained on Fisheries information for improved artisanal fisheries co- management module exploring the basics of fisheries monitoring, species identification and an introductory course on data analysis notably catch per unit effort (CPUE) per gear, species composition by gear and frequency of visits to particular fishing grounds. This was followed up with a catch monitoring practical exercise, where the data collection forms were tried, amended and adopted. 5

12 Sampling strategy Catches from the artisanal gears were sampled at five landing sites during three FADs deployment phases: Pre- deployment (October November), Colonisation (December January) and Post deployment (February May) hereafter referred as Pre- FAD, Colonisation and Post- FAD respectively. Electronic weighing balance, tape measure, data collection forms, note book, pen, pencil, laminated sheets with colored images of prioritized pelagic species and a fishing gear book (Samoilys et al., 215) were distributed to each data collector to aid in catch monitoring. Catch monitoring was done for three consecutive days under each lunar phase (New moon, First quarter, Full moon and Last quarter) from November 215 May 216. No monitoring took place on days falling on Fridays due to religious and cultural consideration. A CORDIO staff would take part in catch monitoring during every lunar phase. Landed catch was weighed, individual fish identified, counted and their fork length measured using a tape measure. In cases of large catch and where the fisherman or traders were in a hurry, a randomly collected sub- sample would be measured. Data was collected through a semi- structured questionnaire having two main components: [1] effort and catch data that comprised of fisher s name, crew size, vessel type, propulsion mode, area fished, fishing depth, gear type, distance from FADs, nature of fishing, start and finish time of fishing, total weight of catch, and total price; [2] biological data, which comprised of species name, fork length and weight. Prioritized FADs associated species Prioritizing the species to be monitored in the study was informed by a study by Moreno et al. (27) that lists the main pelagic fish attracted to FADs. They included skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), rough triggerfish (Canthidermis maculatus), striped marlin 6

13 (Tetrapturus audax), black marlin (Makaira indica), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and oceanic sharks, mainly silky sharks (Carcharinus falciformis). Other FADs related species were selected based on known species taken in pelagic coastal waters in Kenya. They included eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis), king mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), queen mackerel (Scomberomorus plurilineatus), giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis), black shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), swordfish (Xiphias gladius), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus). Species list and Identification sheet were developed and used as reference material to data collectors. Participatory mapping Using the names of fishing grounds derived from catch monitoring, participatory mapping was conducted using experienced local fishermen. The fishing grounds were mapped on flip charts at four landing sites (Mwandamo, Mkunguni, Mwaembe and Munje). The boundaries of the fishing grounds were later mapped by KMFRI using a handheld global positioning system in form of geo- referenced points. Data analysis The impacts of FADs were assessed by analysing catch, effort and biological variables to derive information on frequency of visits to FADs, changes in fishing duration, CPUE and income over three FAD deployment phases of pre- FAD (October- November), Colonisation (December- January) and Post- FAD (February- May). Frequency of visits to FADs was derived from the information supplied by fishers with reference to the distance to FADs. These distance were grouped into ascending classes from 25m, their frequencies determined and graphed using bar graphs. Fishing duration was calculated as the differences in stop and start time of fishing. Catch per unit effort was calculated using the formula:! Ci!!! CPUE = Ei n where Ci is the observed catch as number or mass (in kg) of fish caught by the ith group of fishers interviewed, Ei is the observed fishing effort for the ith group of fishers interviewed, and n is the number of fisher trips recorded throughout the survey period. Thus the unit for CPUE 7

14 was kg/fisher/trip. Income of the fishers was calculated similar to CPUE only that the weight was replaced by the total price of fish. A detrended correspondence analysis was used to show the differences in abundance of pelagic species of all the landing sites over the three FADs deployment phases. A One- way ANOVA was used to test differences in CPUE, fishing duration and condition factor of prioritized pelagic species across the FADs deployment phases. Length- weight relationship (LWRs) of the prioritized species during the FAD deployment phases was also determined. The information on participatory mapping was processed using GIS software (Arcmap 1.3) to create spatial maps inform of polygons that matched the fishing grounds. The attribute table of fishing grounds was populated with the number of visits and CPUE of hand line fishers to the fishing grounds. Using Arcmap s symbology tools, the frequencies of visits to fishing grounds and CPUE at fishing grounds were displayed using graduated colors. The locations of FADs were later overlaid on final map. Results Summary of sampling effort Fishers operating at the landing sites in Msambweni use a variety of gears. Hand lines and basket traps were the most sampled gears in all the landing sites (Table 2a). Of the gears sampled, handlines, long lines, drift gillnets, set gillnets and ring nets were reported to operate in fishing grounds around FADs. All these gears were drawn from all landing sites except ring nets, which were only sampled at Gazi. The most popular fishing gears used by fishers at Mwaembe were basket trap and spearguns. A total of 855 fishers were sampled during the Post- FAD deployment phase as compared to 477 and 548 during Colonisation and Post- FAD deployment phases (Table 2b). 8

15 Table 2: Number of fishers sampled at the five landing sites in Msambweni grouped by fishing gears and deployment periods. Landing sites Gazi Mkunguni Munje Mwaembe Mwandamu All sites (a) Hand line Drift gillnets Set gillnets Ring net Basket traps Long line Spear gun Monofilament Purse seine Cast net 3 3 Beach seine 1 1 (b) Deployment phases Pre FAD Colonisation Post FAD Fishing duration One- way ANOVA on pooled data of all landing sites showed significant difference in fishing duration across the three FADs deployment phases (p<.5). Fishing duration of hand line fishers decreased in all the landing sites over the three deployment phases (Figure 2). The overall reduction of fishing duration of hand line fishers in all the landing sites was 12% between Pre- FAD and Colonization and 27% between Pre- FAD and Post- FAD. Other gears notably ring nets, gill nets (drifting and set) and long lines showed marginal decrease between Pre- FAD and colonization phases. 9

16 Gazi Mwandamo Fishing duration (hours) Fishing duration (hours) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Mkunguni Mwaembe Fishing duration (hours) Fishing duration (hours) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Munje All landing sites Fishing duration (hours) Fishing duration (hours) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net Long line Figure 2: Trends in fishing duration of different fishing gears used in Msambweni over three FADs deployment phases. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) Catch records on handlines were more relevant in showing the catch trends since the gear was continuously monitored throughout the deployment phases. CPUE (kg/fisher/trip) of hand line fishers showed an increase of >1% from the Pre- FAD to Colonisation in all landing sites except Munje where there was a 3% decrease (Figure 3). There was a drop in CPUE from Colonisation to Post- FAD in all landing sites, which was attributable to reduced fishing activities due to rough sea. In general, CPUE trends of hand line and drift gillnet in Msambweni increased from the Pre- 1

17 FAD to Colonisation phase but later dropped during the Post- FAD phase. Gill nets (set and drift), ring nets and long lines showed fluctuations in CPUE. One- way ANOVA showed significant difference in CPUE between the FADs deployment phases (p<.5). CPUE (Kg/ Fisher/Trip) Gazi Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net CPUE (Kg/fisher/Trip) Mwandamo Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Mwaembe Mkunguni CPUE (Kg/Fisher/Trip) CPUE (Kg/fisher/Trip) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Munje All landing sites CPUE (Kg/fisher/trip) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net CPUE (Kg/fisher/Trip) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net Long line Figure 3: Trends in catch rates (kg/fisher/trip) of different fishing gears used in Msambweni during the three FADs deployment phases. Income An increase of 2% in the average income of hand line fishers of all the landing sites was found between Pre- FADs and Colonization (Figure 4). The income decreased by 29% between the Pre- FAD and Post- FADs. The decrease in income can be attributed to seasonal variation that 11

18 reduced frequency of fishing activities during SEM period. There was a general decrease in average income at Munje landing site throughout the three FAD deployment phases. Gazi Mwandamo Income (Kshs/ Fisher/day) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net Income (Ksh/fisher/day) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Income (Ksh/fisher/day) Mkunguni Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Long line Income (Ksh/fisher/day) Mwaembe Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Munje All landing sites Income (Ksh/fisher/day) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Income (Ksh/fisher/ day) Hand line Drift Gill net Set Gill net Ring net Long line Figure 4: Trends in income (Kshs/fisher/trip) of different fishing gears used in Msambweni during the three FADs deployment phases. Fork length, weights and relative abundance pelagic associated species Prioritized pelagic species were caught by hand lines, gillnets, long lines and ring nets. A DCA on their abundance showed differences in abundance over the three phases. Tetrapturus audax, Carcharhinus melanopterus and Galeocerdo cuvier were captured more during Pre- FAD phases as compared to Istiophorus platypterus, Caesio caerulaurea and Euthynnus affinis captured during Colonisation (Figure 5). The Post- FADs phase was associated with Scomberoides tol, 12

19 Istiophorus spp. and Sphyraena obtusata. Fine scale parameters including mean fork lengths and mean weight of all prioritized species and other related pelagic species are provided in Table 3. Pre$FAD( Post$FAD( Figure 5: Detrended Component Analysis of prioritized pelagic species caught by hand line fishers operating at 5 landing sites of Msambweni during three FAD deployment phases. Table 3: Mean fork lengths and weights of pelagic species caught over three FAD deployment phases Phases Pre FADs Colonization Post- FADs Fish species Weight FL (cm) Weight FL (cm) Weight FL (cm) (kg) (kg) (kg) Acanthocybium solandri Arius africanus Caesio caerulaurea

20 Phases Pre FADs Colonization Post- FADs Fish species Weight FL (cm) Weight FL (cm) Weight FL (cm) (kg) (kg) (kg) Caesio spp Caesio xanthonota Carangoides ferdau Carangoides fuscoguttatus C. orthogrammus Caranx ignobilis Carcharhinus falciformis C. melanopterus 92.8 Coryphaena equiselis Coryphaena hippurus Elagatis bipinnulata Euthynnus affinis Galeocerdo cuvier Gnathanodon speciosus Hemiramphus affinis Hemiramphus far Hyporhamphus affinis Istiophorus platypterus Istiophorus spp Katsumonus pelamis Makaira indica Rachycentron canadum Rastrelliger kanagurta Rhynchobatus djiddensis Scomberoides tol Scomberomorus cavalla S. commerson S. plurilineatus Sphyraena barracuda Sphyraena lewini Sphyraena obtusata Thunnus albacares Thunnus obesus Tylosurus crocodilus Xiphias gladius The estimated parameters of the length- weight relationship (LWRs) of five prioritized species consistently abundant during the FAD deployment phases having both length and weight data 14

21 are given in Table 4. All LWRs were significant (p <.1), with r 2 values greater than.8. ANOVA indicated condition for the prioritized species did not significantly vary between the different FAD deployment phases (p=.1934). Table 4: Length weight relationship parameters showing the b- value, which is the measure of isometry and r 2 showing the level of association between length and weight, of consistently abundant pelagic species sampled Species b r 2 Sample size (n) Katsumonus pelamis Thunnus albacares Thunnus obesus Elagatis bipinnulatus Acanthocibium solandri Frequency of visits to FADs During Colonisation phase fishing near FADs (<25 m) was found to be more frequent than Post- FAD deployment phase (Figure 6). The visits near FADs (<25m) were few in Munje and Mwaembe. Fishers from Munje did not report fishing near FADs during both Pre- FAD and Post- FAD phases. This can be partly attributed to the relatively low proportions of hand line fishers and high proportion of non- motorized vessels (canoes) that made it difficult to venture into the FADs fishing grounds. Increase in the frequency of visits to FAD was consistent with ease of access to fishing grounds around FADs especially during Post- FAD phase, which was coherent with rough sea experienced during southeast monsoon. The trend was different in Mwandamo, as the number of visits to FADs reduced from colonisation phase to Post- FADs phase. This is likely to be due to their accessibility to two FADs in Gazi and Mkunguni. 15

22 Frequency of visits Gazi Colonisation Post FAD Frequency of visits Mwandamo Colonisation Post FAD Distance from FADs (m) Distance fro FADs (m) Mkunguni Mwaembe Frequency of visits Colonisation Post FAD Distance fro FADs (m) Frequency of visits Colonisation Post FAD Distance from FADs (m) Frequency of visits Munje Colonisation Post FAD Distance from FADs (m) Frequency of visits All landing sites Colonisation Post FAD Distance from FADs (m) Figure 6: Changes in the frequency of visits around FADs by landing sites over three deployment phases. Fishing zones around the FADs Participatory mapping established the fishing grounds around FADs were: Madzivikwe, Singani, Kwale, Mwakikuye, Mboe and Ushini. The four FADs were deployed in shared fishing grounds especially because they are located offshore. The number of visits by hand line fishers was more at fishing grounds near Mwaembe FAD. However the CPUE was higher at fishing grounds near the Mkunguni/Mwandamo FAD (Figure 7). 16

23 a) Number of visits b) CPUE Gazi% Mkunguni% Gazi% Mkunguni% Mwaembe% Mwaembe% Munje% Munje% Figure 7: Number of visits and catch rates of hand line gears at fishing ground in relation to FADs location in Msambweni. Discussion Fishing duration is a function of fishing effort. Most of the fishing time is spent moving from one fishing ground to another in search for fish. Since FADs aggregate fish in one area it is expected that the fishing duration should reduce significantly after FADs are deployed and colonized. FADs have a potential of reducing effort and in turn minimizes the cost of fishing operation. It is therefore noteworthy that the fishing duration for fisher operating hand lines decreased in all the landing sites over time during the 8 months of catch monitoring. There are other confounding factors such as rough sea, which can significantly reduce fishing activities and concentrate fishermen to the nearshore fishing grounds thereby reducing their fishing duration. However these actions could be debated but were fairly justified by many fishermen during the feedback meetings held in all the five landing sites where the monitoring was done. 17

24 Accessibility to the fishing grounds around FADs was a factor that contributed to variation in catches across the deployment phases. Low CPUE was recorded during the Post- FADs that coincided with the southeast monsoon season. Most fishers in Msambweni area are artisanal fishers and therefore use vessels such as canoe that cannot venture far from the shore especially when the sea is rough. Therefore catches are bound to decline as a result of reduced fishing activities due to rough sea resulting from a seasonal changeover from northeast monsoon to southeast monsoon. Fishing around FADs was dependent on seasons as opposed to reasons such as fish behaviour (e.g. Hallier and Gaertner, 28) and probably many fishers could have fished around FADs had the sea been calm and/or owned vessels that could venture into the deep sea. Validation meetings affirmed that rough conditions and lack of vessels were an impediment to fishing offshore. However as the demand at local hotels and restaurants for pelagic species continue to increase; the number of commercial fishers venturing out to target pelagic fish is bound to increase. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has set an exploitation tonnage per species, which if exceeded in long- term would put the fisheries stocks at risks of decline (ISSF, 213). Caution should be taken to prevent fishing of already overexploited pelagic species such as Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), which is 94% overexploited, Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), which 6% overexploited, and Narrow- barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) (IOTC, 215). Estimates on Income derived from the fishery are a reflection of the fishery contribution towards the livelihood of the fishing communities (Allison and Ellis, 21). The change in income during the FADs monitoring period may be attributed largely to seasonal variation in catch rates as opposed to aggregation of fishes around FADs. A cost- benefit analysis is needed to ascertain the net return from the FAD fishery since part of gross income is used to pay for the cost of fishing operation including vessel maintenance and repair. 18

25 The condition factor of six prioritized species did not significantly vary possible because of inadequate information on the size structure. The parameters of the length weight relationship can vary significantly according to sex and season or due to other factors such as feeding rate, growth phase, habitat and health (Bagenal and Tesch, 1978; Hossain et al., 26), all of which were not accounted for in the present study. However, the results can serve as baseline data for species without previous information on length weight relationships and for comparison with future studies. Conclusion and lessons learnt There is an indication of increased CPUE and income of hand line fishers after deployment of FADs. However reduced fishing activities during Post- FAD deployment phase, limits our conclusion of fully assessing the impacts of FADs on catches. Fishing duration of hand line fishers has also decreased since FAD deployment. However it is still difficult to ascertain whether FADs contributed to these changes. Most of the monitoring was done during NEM (November April) as opposed to SEM (May) and therefore catch monitoring in both NEM and SEM is still needed. The influence of seasons on fishing activities limit further deductions on observed CPUE, income and visits to FADs fishing grounds. Fishermen are keen to venture into the FAD fishery following an increase in the frequency of visits to fishing grounds around FAD (<25m). The utilization of FADs indicates that awareness of the FADs fishery was well received across the fishing fraternity resulting in fishers frequently making fishing trips to FADs. The type of artisanal vessels and gears may be limiting access to FAD fishing grounds particularly at Munje and Mwandamo landing sites. The intensity of fishing around FADs decreased during the Post- FAD suggesting access to FADs is limited by the seasonal changes, fishing vessels and gear type. All the five BMUs were receptive to catch monitoring and future projects should build on this. Catch monitoring to measure the impact of FAD fishery is still required. Fishermen are keen to venture into the FAD fishery but there is need for constant awareness across the fishing 19

26 fraternity. More importantly is personalised or on- site training on species identification and piloting of open data kit using smartphones to help reduce the time spent in processing the data is essential. Training on offshore fishing vessels for fishermen would still be required through training of trainers. While the FADs project in Kenya seeks to optimize benefits flowing from offshore fishing through increased catches, Caution should be taken in promoting fishing of already overexploited pelagic species such as Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), which is 94% overexploited, Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), which 6% overexploited, and Narrow- barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). This could include measures such as species restrictions. 2

27 References Allison, E. H., and Ellis, F. (21). The livelihoods approach and management of small- scale fisheries. Marine policy, 25(5), Bagenal, T. B. and Tesch, F. W. (1978). Age and growth. In: Methods for assessment of fish production in fresh waters, 3rd edn. T. Bagenal (Ed.). IBP Handbook No. 3. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, pp Bell, J. D., Albert, J., Andréfouët, S., Andrew, N. L., Blanc, M., Bright, P.... & Hanich, Q. (215). Optimising the use of nearshore fish aggregating devices for food security in the Pacific Islands. Marine Policy, 56, Désurmont, A., and Chapman, L. (2). The use of anchored FADs in the area served by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC): regional synthesis. In Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean- Martinique, Oct octobre Fondo EN. (24). Assessment of the Kenyan Marine Fisheries from Selected Fishing Areas. Fisheries Training Program, Iceland. Hallier, J. P., and Gaertner, D. (28). Drifting fish aggregation devices could act as an ecological trap for tropical tuna species. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES, 353, Hossain, M. Y.; Ahmed, Z. F.; Leunda, P. M.; Jasmine, S.; Oscoz, J.; Miranda, R.; and Ohtomi, J. (26). Condition, length- weight and length- length relationships of the Asian striped catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) (Siluriformes: Bagridae) in the Mathabhanga River, Southwestern Bangladesh. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 22, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) (215) Summary status Report summary- species- tuna- and- tuna- species- under- iotc- mandate- well- other- species- impacted- iotc International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), Tuna Stock Status.,213. Status of the world fisheries for tuna. Technical Report 213-4B. Washington, D.C., USA. Maina, G.W.; Samoilys, M.; Alidina, H. and Osuka, K. (213). Targeted fishing of the shoemaker spinefoot rabbitfish, Siganus sutor, on potential spawning aggregation in southern Kenya. In 21

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