Suriname corvina and acoupa weakfish – driftnet and trawl

Last update: November 2024

Species:  Corvina (Cynoscion virescens), acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa)

FIP Profile at FisheryProgress.org: Suriname corvina and acoupa weakfish – driftnet and trawl (Nov 2024)

Fishery Location: Surinamese waters (EEZ). FAO zone: 31

FIP Coordination: CeDePesca. If you would like more information about the FIP or if you wish to support it, please contact Tomas Willems

FIP Participants:

• Caribbean Sea Foods NV
• Deep Sea Atlantic NV
• Marisa Fisheries
• Omicron Seafood
• Sea Delight
• CeDePesca (technical support)

Supporting Documents:

• Memorandum of Understanding

FIP Launch / Announced Date: October 2020

Categories:	Whitefish
Last Update:	November 2024
Species:	Corvina (Cynoscion virescens), acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa))
Fishery Location:	Surinamese waters (EEZ). FAO zone: 31

FIP partners Sea Delight, Deep Sea Atlantic, Caribbean Sea Foods, Marisa Fisheries, Omicron Seafood, and CeDePesca have committed to the sustainability of the Suriname corvina and acoupa weakfish driftnet and trawling fisheries and look forward to bringing about the necessary improvements in collaboration with other fishery stakeholders. 

Corvina (Kandra tiki, Cynoscion virescens) and acoupa weakfish (bang bang, Cynoscion acoupa) are between the most important commercial species of fish in Suriname and are fished by different fleets, including the artisanal driftnet fleet and the industrial trawling fleet.

 In Suriname, the corvina and acoupa weakfish driftnet and trawling fisheries occur entirely within the waters of Suriname’s Exclusive Economic Zone.  The driftnet fishery is conducted by open and closed Guyana boats using gillnets that are not anchored to the bottom but float with the tide.  On the other hand, the trawling fishery is conducted by Florida type trawling boats using otter trawl nets.

There has been no formal identification of stocks for Cynoscion virescens and Cynoscion acoupa along their geographical distribution; however, it is expected that the stock’s biomass moves across fishing grounds in the Brazil-Guianas shelf.  This would mean that the stocks are most probably shared between Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela (most probably along the Venezuelan Guyana region) and Brazil (most probably along the Brazilian Guianas region).  In 2019, a stock assessment (Willems, 2023) was conducted for these species using data collected in Guyana and Suriname and a method appropriate for data-deficient situations.  

The results indicate that both species are overexploited.  However, by improving management measures and fishery practices to keep fishing effort at appropriate levels in Suriname and by strengthening collaboration between countries in the region, the stocks could be rebuilt to their optimal level.

 This FIP aims to solve those sustainability obstacles that were identified through an MSC Pre-Assessment conducted in July 2020, and FIP partners are keen to join efforts with other stakeholders in the supply chain to attain a certifiable status for these fisheries.

FIP Objective(s) :

The main objective of the Suriname corvina and acoupa weakfish driftnet and trawling FIP is to achieve the fishery’s certifiable status against the Marine Stewardship Council standard in a timeframe of five years. 

The specific objectives of this FIP are:

• Ensure that data is collected in quantity and quality sufficient to perform LB-SPR stock assessments as of July 2022; and that it is sufficient to feed more sophisticated stock assessments as envisioned by WECAFC as of October 2023.
• Ensure that LB-SPR stock assessments are conducted in an annual basis as of October 2023.
• Achieve the adoption of Management Plans for each fishery by October 2024.  The management plans shall set up a harvest strategy that includes explicit short and long-term objectives, harvest control rules, monitoring mechanisms, management strategy evaluation mechanisms and robust consultation processes.
• Ensure that data is collected in quantity and quality sufficient to conduct regular risk analyses for both fisheries by January 2024.  The analyses shall be conducted every two years and will estimate the risk that the fisheries pose to other components of the ecosystem (primary species, secondary species, ETP species and habitats).
• Promote bottom-up processes to issue ecosystem-related management recommendations by October 2024, and adopt voluntary measures by October 2025, if deemed necessary.
• Comply with the requirements of the FisheryProgress’ Human Rights and Social Responsibility policy throughout the duration of the FIP.

2021

June – November

In December 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Ministry of LVV) completed a fishery landing site survey as part of a process to implement a new software for fishery data and statistics management.  Fifty-five artisanal and industrial fishery landing sites along the coast were registered, mapped and described.   In addition, the fishery sampling methodology for the artisanal fleet is being reviewed by FAO.  Also, with support from FAO consultants, a new fisheries information system has been installed on government servers.  CeDePesca is participating from this process through its focal point in Suriname.  

Two new onboard observers have been hired by the Department of Fisheries and are being trained.  CeDePesca’s focal point is participating from this process as well.  The intention is to send both observers out on vessels on a regular basis, as soon as the COVID-19 situation in the country permits.

 Throughout the last quarter of 2020 and until 15 February 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Ministry of LVV) continued holding meetings with the artisanal and industrial fishing sectors to discuss the draft of the new Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for the period 2021-2025.  FIP partners participated from the consultation process through their sector representatives. In March 2021, the process was completed with a two-day validation meeting with stakeholders.  It should be noted that feedback from regional experts was received by Suriname in the context of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ project to ensure that the FMP is aligned with the Subregional Fisheries Management Strategy being designed by WECAFC/CRFM/IFREMER.  The WECAFC/CRFM/IFREMER Working Group held its fourth meeting on 18-19 November 2020 to discuss and present the final draft of the sub-regional strategy and management plan, among other topics of interest to the Member States.  

The FMP lists specific management objectives for each fishery sub-sector, including the coastal driftnet fishery and the demersal fish trawling fishery.  A timeline and relevant stakeholders are included in the operational section of the plan.  In regard to stock management, the FMP states that fishing effort should be in line with the status of the stocks.  It also states that in absence of stock assessments and scientific advice, fishing effort should be kept at or below 2020 levels.  This is an important step forward regarding fishery objectives, but the FIP will be encouraging further fishery-specific improvements in line with the MSC requirements.  

In December 2021, the LB-SPR stock assessment report that was led by Dr. Willems was re-written into a journal article format and submitted for publication in Gulf and Caribbean Research, a peer-reviewed, scientific journal published online by The University of Southern Mississippi. The paper is currently under review. Comments and inputs from reviewers are expected to provide valuable insights into how the assessments can be improved, which will benefit future stock assessments executed under this FIP.

On the other hand, Suriname’s Fisheries Department has formed a technical working group to liaison with external consultants that have been tasked with supporting the Fisheries Department in the finalization of a draft Fisheries Act.   The national and international legal consultants have been hired with the assistance of FAO’s Sustainable Management of Bycatch in Latin American and Caribbean Trawl Fisheries (REBYC-II LAC).  The reviewing process started in March, and the consultation process with fishery stakeholders is expected to start during the second semester of 2021. 

Also, with support from FAO consultants, a new fisheries information system has been installed on government servers.  By the end of January 2021, all information on license holders (companies and individuals), vessels (artisanal and industrial), license types, gear types, species, landing sites, etc., was entered into the system.  CeDePesca’s focal point in Suriname is participating from this process that is a preliminary step towards strengthening the existing monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms (including the sanctions system).  

On the other hand, a national working group for shrimp and groundfish fisheries has been installed by the Ministry of LVV, as a parallel to the WECAFC/CRFM/IFREMER Working Group on the Shrimp and Groundfish of the Northern Brazil-Guianas Shelf.  The national working group includes representatives from the fisheries department, the fishing sector (artisanal and industrial, including driftnet and demersal fish trawl) and NGOs.  During the last quarter of 2020, the national working group discussed changes to the fishing license conditions for 2021.  The 2021 license conditions were published in January 2021, and include some changes compared to 2020 in relation to the allowable gear, mesh sizes and fishing zones. The national working group had its first meeting of 2021 in February and discussed the implementation of logbooks on both industrial and artisanal vessels.  

Regarding stakeholder engagement, the FIP held a virtual meeting on March 30th to present the results of the MSC Pre-Assessment and to inform stakeholders on the FIP Action Plan.  Several fishing sector representatives, including representatives from fishing companies, NGO’s and staff from the Fisheries Department participated in the event.  As a result, several inquiries have been received from private sector and non-governmental stakeholders interested in participating from and supporting FIP.

December 2021 – May 2022

CeDePesca is currently contrasting the specifics of the recently adopted Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for the period 2021-2025 against the MSC requirements to determine opportunities for improvement.  The results from this analysis will be first presented to FIP partners, and then to other fishery stakeholders.  The goal is to find the most practical and effective way of complementing the FMP in such a way that the requirements of the MSC are complied with.  

On the other hand, by August 2021, a new draft Fisheries Act was prepared by the FAO experts tasked with supporting the Department of Fisheries in this endeavor.  The FAO experts have ensured that the draft Act is up to standards when it comes to the inclusion of provisions related to international legal instruments, including the Port State Measure Agreement (PSMA), the Cape Town Agreement, and the ILO C188 Work in Fishing Convention, among others.  The draft Act is currently under review by the Ministry of LVV.  After that, the draft Act will be presented to national fisheries stakeholders for consultation.  Once the consultation period starts, FIP partners will be engaging in the process.  

Regarding the new fisheries management and information system, the Fisheries Department has been testing the Calipseo platform and providing feedback to further streamline it to its specific needs.  The Calipseo platform is expected to be officially used by the Fisheries Department to register all fishing vessels, vessel owners, companies and fishing licenses as of early 2022.  The system will allow for easy information exchange with other authorities involved in fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), such as the Coast Guard and Maritime Police.  This is a necessary step towards strengthening the existing MCS mechanisms (including the sanctions system). During the next few months, CeDePesca’s focal point in Suriname will continue to monitor the implementation of the new fisheries information system to identify any improvement opportunities.  

Regarding stakeholder engagement, on 29 June 2021, the FIP held a second virtual meeting to inform fishery stakeholders on the progress of the FIP.  The FIP has continued to receive inquiries regarding participation in the project and is expected to welcome new partners during the first quarter of 2022.

Suriname’s field data collection methodology for fisheries, as implemented by the Ministry of LVV through its Department of Fisheries, has been reviewed and updated with the support of experts from FAO and the CeDePesca national focal point.  A new sample-based methodology was developed, tailored to Suriname’s artisanal (driftnet) fisheries, and a census-based approach was recommended for the industrial (trawl) fleet.  The new data collection methodologies are fully compatible with the Calipseo data management platform.  During the next few months, CeDePesca will assist in further fine-tuning of the data collection methodologies and also help ensure that, in addition to weight data, length data collection is included in the program.  

The FIP has duly noted that the Ministry of LVV has never had an onboard observer program for the driftnet fishery, only for trawlers.  After a delay produced by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects in Suriname, the Fisheries Department deployed the observers onboard commercial vessels in August 2021.  The observers have been collecting data on a regular basis, monitoring one trip per month.  CeDePesca will continue to closely monitor this program, to make sure it meets the objectives.  

In regarding to support existing efforts by local researchers and/or WECAFC researchers related to the assessment of the impact of fisheries on other ecosystem components, aims at support existing efforts by local researchers and/or WECAFC researchers related to the assessment of the impact of fisheries on other ecosystem components.  On 28 and 29 April 2022, CeDePesca, Sea Delight and Marisa Fisheries participated in inception workshops organized by FAO as part of the project preparation phase of two captioned FAO GEF-funded sub-regional projects.  These projects are aimed at improving strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries in Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (REBYC-III CLME+); and to enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of the ecosystem approach for fisheries in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries of Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago in the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (EAF4SG).  During these meetings, the FIP achieved the prioritization of the demersal fish trawling and driftnet fisheries as project target fisheries.  At the same time, FIP partners pledged to provide co-financing to achieve the projects’ outcomes in Suriname that are fully aligned with the objectives of this FIP in relation to the monitoring and management of impacts on the ecosystem.  Stakeholder validation workshops for  both projects are expected to occur in early September and early October 2022, and final project drafts are expected to be submitted to GEF by late October and late November 2022.  Once approved by GEF, the implementation phase is expected to start in 2023.  

June – December 2022

The new Fisheries Management and Information System developed by FAO (Calipseo platform) is currently being implemented at the Fisheries Department in Suriname.  With support of the CeDePesca national focal point, and experts from FAO, the platform is being fully customized to Suriname’s needs.  An awareness session was held on 16 December 2021 with the participation of all industrial fishing companies, including the four local FIP partners.  At this meeting, the Fisheries Department presented a new format for submission of industrial data (i.e. a new landing declarations form), and made clear arrangements as to how, when, and to whom they need to be submitted.  All information on license holders (companies and individuals), vessels (artisanal and industrial), license types, gear types, species, landing sites, etc., was entered into the system in the course of 2021.  All fishing licenses that have been issued as of January 2022, are currently being entered into the platform, and the information that was uploaded previously is being doublechecked.  In March 2022, the Fisheries Department secured a grant from WWF Guianas’ IUU Project to further strengthen the vessel registry in the platform. The funds will be used to collect and upload pictures from as many vessels as possible, as well as adding engine serial numbers to the database. This will help in identifying vessels, especially in the artisanal fleet where so called ‘ghost vessels’ are common: unlicensed duplicate vessels of existing, legally operating vessels.  Once fully operational, the system will provide a very clear overview of which boats are licensed for a specific fishery. The platform also allows for easy information exchange with other authorities involved in fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), such as the Coast Guard and Maritime Police. This is a major step towards strengthening the existing MCS mechanisms (including the sanctions system).  

Regarding stakeholder engagement, the FIP welcomed Caribbean Sea Foods, Marisa Fisheries, and Omicron Seafood as new FIP partners in March 2022 (see Documents section in the Details tab of this profile).  Through the addition of these companies, the FIP now includes most major private sector stakeholders, which will greatly benefit implementation of FIP activities.  On the other hand, the FIP has continued to communicate with fellow NGOs, WWF-Guianas and CI-Suriname to discuss collaboration with the fisheries programs of both organizations.  Furthermore, in late April 2022, CeDePesca, Sea Delight and Marisa Fisheries participated in inception workshops organized by FAO as part of the project preparation phase of two captioned FAO GEF-funded sub-regional projects.

Field implementation of the at-port data collection program for the driftnet and trawl fishery is expected to start in July 2022. In addition, thanks to the addition of three new local partners, the FIP has secured the funds necessary to design and implement a private onboard observers program to complement the existing governmental program in FIP Year 2. As of May 2022, a new team member has been contracted by the FIP to support CeDePesca’s focal point in Suriname in the design of the data collection program (including the selection and training of data collectors, the design of data protocols, and preparing the materials and equipment needed to implement the program).  

CeDePesca has continued to be in touch with relevant (sub)regional organizations such as FAO/WECAFC, CRFM and others, to raise awareness on the FIP and seek additional (financial) support. The advances that were made in fisheries data collection as part of the FIP were presented at a FAO Regional Workshop on Fisheries Data Collection and Statistics on 12th-13th  July 2022.  In addition, on October 6th 2022, CeDePesca and its FIP partners participated from the virtual Project Preparation Grant Validation Workshop for the EAF4SG project (Enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of the ecosystem approach for fisheries in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries of the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem).  A similar validation workshop is expected to occur early in January for the REBYC-III CLME+ project.

2023

January – May 2023

During this reporting period, the first team of length data collectors continued to measure fish at FIP partner Marisa Fisheries’ facilities.  Arrangements were made with FIP partner Deep Sea Atlantic and with non-FIP partner HolSu N.V. to expand the data collection activities of the first team.  Visits to these two new landing sites started in mid-April 2023, and the data collectors are now measuring more frequently: maximum of 6 days per week instead of maximum of 3 days per week.  On the other hand, as expected, a pilot for the collection of catch-and-effort data from artisanal fisheries took place in January and February 2023.  Data collectors of the Fisheries Department received a packet with the new data collection forms, info sheets and equipment for writing.  They were instructed to practice using the new forms alongside the existing protocol (1 vessel per day with the new forms).  In March 2023, the CeDePesca team checked in with the team of data collectors to learn if the new paper forms were being filled in correctly and to guide them in digitizing the recorded data via the digital forms.  The digital form for the artisanal fisheries was modified based on the feedback received by the data collectors.  Also in March, a second team of government data collectors was set up to start fish length measurements on fish landed at the artisanal landing sites.  The second team was trained in April, and is measuring fish bought by FIP partner Omicron Seafoods at artisanal landing points since May.  The second team is also taking measurements with a frequency of maximum 6 days per week, and they are focusing on species not regularly landed by the trawl sub-fishery, such as acoupa weakfish.  The systematic collection of length data in the artisanal driftnet fishery constitutes a change in practice for this fishery.  

The team of three observers will rotate so two observers will go on each trip, which is necessary for efficient data collection (especially length data collection).  During this reporting period, arrangements were made with FIP partner Marisa Fisheries to have the government observers onboard for at least one fishing trip per month.  The first monitored trip took place in May 2023.  

A report documenting the data-collection methodology and the results of the first six months of the length-data collection program has been drafted.  In April 2023, the report was finalized and shared with a stock assessment expert at the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) (see Supporting Documents).  The expert reviewed the methodology and expressed it would be useful for future stock assessments as envisioned by CRFM.  Please note that the CRFM had reached out to Suriname to offer its support in stock assessments.  

As previously reported, in December 2021, the LB-SPR stock assessment report that was led by Dr. Willems was re-written into a journal article format and submitted for publication in Gulf and Caribbean Research, a peer-reviewed, scientific journal published online by The University of Southern Mississippi. The paper received substantial, but valid and constructive feedback from reviewers.  A major revision of the paper was completed by Dr. Willems in February 2023, the revised manuscript was submitted for a second round of peer-review, and it was published in May 2023 in Gulf and Caribbean Research, Volume 34, Issue 1 (2023).  

As previously reported, a graduate student will be aiming to determine the size-of-maturity and the conversion factor needed to calculate the Live Weight Equivalent of different species in the fishery, including Kandratiki (Cynoscion virescens).  During this reporting period, the CeDePesca team supported the student in gaining experience with the collection of biological data and the student has started with the collection of size-of-maturity data for Lane snapper at Ocean Delight (processing plant linked to FIP partner Marisa Fisheries).  The student will continue to collect data for the next few months.  Please note that although Lane snapper is not a direct target species of the FIP, the idea is that in addition to establishing the size-of-maturity for this species, the protocol will be fine-tuned and tested, so that the other species can be assessed in the near future.  In addition, the FIP now collects length-data on a monthly basis for different species. While the data is primarily aimed to support data-limited assessment methods (especially LB SPR), when sustained for a sufficient period (minimum 2 years), the data will also allow for length-based estimation of relevant life-history parameters that can be used in more advanced stock assessment models.  

The CeDePesca team has provided support to the Fisheries Department to update the industrial landing forms developed.  The updates are based on user feedback and aim to ensure that the forms are filled in correctly by representatives of the industrial fishing companies. The companies have been asked to enter their data using the new forms as of 1 May 2023.  The new version of the forms restrict input to valid data types and/or values or formats to reduce the effort and time required to process the data after submission.  In a similar way, the webforms for the collection of artisanal fisheries data have been updated based on the feedback received during the training workshop held in October 2022.  In addition, quality control checklists have been improved and expanded based on the experience of the past months.  On a related matter, a 2-day virtual workshop was held by FAO to follow up on a request by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) regarding technical assistance to conduct a fisheries-independent survey in CARICOM countries. The meeting was held on 12-14 December 2022, and it gathered input from the various member states.  This Task has been extended until December 2024 to allow for the maturation of the FIP data collection program and for the start of the FAO projects which would see an increased effort towards regional data collection.

After the development of new data collection methodologies and protocols, field data collection has now commenced.  Collection of catch-and-effort data from industrial fisheries (trawl fishery) started in January 2022, while data collection for the artisanal fisheries (driftnet fishery) will start in January 2023.  It should be noted that in late June 2022, FIP partner Marisa Fisheries agreed to setting up a measuring station in the sorting hall at Ocean Delight for the collection of biological data.  The 3-man team from the Fisheries Department coordinates with a representative of Ocean Delight/Marisa Fisheries when a vessel is expected to land.  Marisa Fisheries has provided the Fisheries Department team with a scale, personal protection equipment, and copies of the captains- inventory lists.  The team is conducting measuring tasks 3 days a week for 3 hours a day.  Length-data collection commenced in July 2022 and includes a total of 14 species – including the two FIP target species.  Up to the end of October 2022, 45 length samples were taken, accounting for over 37,000 measured fish.  Currently, length data collection is currently done at this single location, but more locations will be included in 2023.  

CeDePesca has started contrasting the Fisheries Management Plan 2021-2025 (FMP) against the MSC requirements to determine opportunities of improvements.  The results from the analysis will be first presented to FIP partners, and then to other fishery stakeholders, including the Department of Fisheries.  The goal is to find the most practical and effective way of complementing the FMP in such a way that the requirements of the standard are complied with.  

The draft national Fisheries Act that was reviewed by FAO consultants and presented to the Fisheries Department continues to be under review by a working group that has been installed by the department.  Once the draft act is released for public comment, the FIP partners will engage in the process and present a united front to ensure the inclusion of long-term objectives consistent with the overall sustainability of fisheries and the use of the precautionary approach.  

CeDePesca hired a second consultant in Suriname to support the Fisheries Department with the tailoring of its new Fisheries Management and Information System (FISMIS), the Calipseo platform, developed by FAO.  Significant progress has been made in enriching the Calipseo vessel registry, with the support of a grant from WWF-Guiana’s IUU project.  The funds have been used to collect and upload pictures from as many vessels as possible, as well as adding engine serial numbers to the database. In addition, with support of a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), experts from the FAO delivered a port inspection training in May 2022 for all national authorities involved in fisheries MCS.  CeDePesca’s consultants in Suriname attended the workshop.  The aim of the training was to strengthen existing MCS mechanisms by ensuring that participants are familiar with the national legal framework as well as the Port State Measures Agreement and complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, and by enabling inspectors to plan and prepare for inspection activities –including verification and cross checking of information, risk assessment and pre-inspection procedures.  The training also included the review of inspection activities, including protocols, information gathering and the development of standard operating procedures, as well as post-inspection activities, including reporting, case building and information sharing.  

The set up of a fishery follow-up committee for the driftnet and trawling fisheries has been rescheduled to start in March 2023, to allow the FIP to assess whether the Terms of Reference of the existing national working group for shrimp and groundfish fisheries installed by the Ministry of LVV can be broadened to include work related to the establishment of needed measures such as a harvest control rule.  

Regarding stakeholder engagement, CeDePesca has continued to communicate with other NGOs doing fisheries-related work in Suriname, including WWF-Guianas, Conservation International-Suriname, and the Green Heritage Fund-Suriname.  Currently, an agreement with CI-Suriname is being discussed in relation to social aspects in the fisheries.

To ensure coverage of vessels in the FIP, arrangements were made with FIP partner Marisa Fisheries to have the government observers onboard for at least one fishing trip per month.  The first trip took place in May 2023.  

Regarding the design of a fishers-as-observers program for the driftnet fishery, the CeDePesca team is exploring the possibility of using Kobo Collect for self-reporting on catch and bycatch.  A prototype form was developed by December 2022, and by February 2023, a draft Kobo toolbox form had been completed.  Currently, the team is working on a version that will include high-quality drawings of protected species to be provided free of charge by WWF-Guianas.  The outreach process to engage fishers in the program is yet to begin, however.

A validation meeting with the FAO development team of the REBYC-III CLME+ took place on 18 January 2023.  Both the REBYC-III CLME+ project and the EAF4SG project were endorsed by GEF in April 2023, and the implementation phase is expected to start in the second semester of 2023.  As previously noted, the FAO/GEF projects’ timeline is expected to align with the timeline of FIP Actions 4 and 5.

June – November 2023

CeDePesca held a meeting with WWF-Guianas to talk about the level of implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP).  WWF has conducted a rapid monitoring and evaluation of the status of implementation of the FMP, and a meeting of the National Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group has been requested to discuss the results in more detail.  Once the results are discussed in the context of the Working Group, a summary will be made available in the Supporting Documents section.  CeDePesca will continue to participate in the discussions aiming to find the most practical and effective way of ensuring the FMP is aligned with the requirements of the MSC standard. In addition, the FIP will continue to assist in the implementation of the FMP, in agreement and collaboration with the Fisheries Department.  Consequently, this task has been extended until October 2025.  

The draft national Fisheries Act that was presented to the Fisheries Department in late 2021 continues to be under review by the Fisheries Department.  Once the consultation period starts, FIP partners are expected to engage in the process to achieve the inclusion of long-term objectives consistent with fisheries sustainability and the use of the precautionary approach.  Once the draft act is released by the Fisheries Department for public consultation, it will be made available in the Supporting Documents section.  

Regarding Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), feedback from the Licensing Division within the Fisheries Department regarding the fishing licenses produced by Calipseo was compiled and relayed to the Calipseo development team in FAO.  The goal is that eventually the entire vessel and individual registration and issuing of fishing licenses can be done using the new platform.  Once fully operational, the system will allow for easy information exchange with other authorities involved in fisheries MCS, such as the Coast Guard and Maritime Police.  In addition, the draft Fisheries License Conditions Decree of 2023 was reviewed in November 2022, and changes were proposed by the CeDePesca FIP lead to ensure incorporations of new provisions related to the updated port data collection methodology for both the industrial and artisanal fisheries.  The National Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group agreed to the proposed changes during its meeting on 1 December 2022.  This achievement constitutes a change in fishing policy for this fishery.  Furthermore, in January 2023, CeDePesca organized a meeting with a team from Global Fishing Watch (GFW) to discuss how GFW might support the Suriname government in fighting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and in making better use of the existing VMS data.  A follow-up discussion was held with the Director of Fisheries and they seemed interested in working with GFW.  A meeting between GFW and the Fisheries Department took place on 24 February 2023.  At the meeting, GFW presented its work to the government officials and offered its support.  Following the meeting, a draft MoU was shared by GFW which lays out the terms and conditions of the cooperation.  The draft MoU is under consideration by the Fisheries Department, and follow-up discussions continue to take place.  CeDePesca will continue to report on this activity during the next reporting period.  If the MoU is signed by then, and the Fisheries Department allows it, the MoU will be shared in the Supporting Documents section.  CeDePesca also facilitated a meeting between the Fisheries Department and a delegation from French Guiana, including representatives from WWF French Guiana and the French Guiana Fisheries Committee (CRPMEM). Both organizations are interested and willing to support MCS activities by Surinamese authorities in the border-area between both countries to combat IUU fishing. Following this introductory meeting, the Fisheries Department has been in touch with CRPMEM and the Maritime Police to plan at-sea patrols.  

The main goals of setting up a follow-up committee are to monitor the implementation of the FMP 2021-2025 in relation to the driftnet and trawling fisheries, and to encourage the adoption of improvements to the fishery-specific management system (e.g., the establishment of short and long-term fishery objectives in line with MSC Principles 1 and 2, the adoption of a harvest control rule).  CeDePesca considers that it would be efficient if the National Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group could include follow-up tasks for the finfish trawling and driftnet fisheries as envisioned by the FIP.  For the next national working group meeting, CeDePesca will suggest the inclusion of this topic on the agenda.  

Regarding the construction of alliances, CeDePesca has organized and facilitated meetings with representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on a potential fisheries technical cooperation project in Suriname, and with Global Fishing Watch (GFW) to explore collaborations towards improving monitoring, control and surveillance within the Surinamese fisheries.

The methodology for at-port data collection has been developed by the Fisheries Department with the support from FAO and CeDePesca’s consultants.  Separate methodologies have been developed for the collection of catch-and-effort data from industrial fisheries (trawl fishery), for the collection of catch-and-effort data from artisanal fisheries (driftnet fisheries), and for length-data collection for selected species in both fisheries.  For each of these data collection schemes, protocols and forms have been developed, training has been delivered as necessary for government data collectors in October 2022, and equipment has been made available.  Therefore, this task can be considered completed.  

Regarding life-history studies for the FIP target species, talks were held with a graduate student in September regarding their research project.  The graduate student has finished their research proposal and is expected to start the data collection in January 2023 with the goal of determining the size of maturity and the conversion factor to calculate the Live Weight Equivalent of several species in the fishery, including Suriname corvina (Kandratiki, Cynoscion virescens).

The onboard data collection protocol was successfully implemented on five fishing trips. The observers are documenting interactions with vulnerable species in the fishery (turtles, rays, sharks) or habitats.  

The data gathered during the five trips completed in this reporting period is still being digitalized and processed.  The first technical report of the observer program will become available during the next reporting period.  

Regarding the design of a fishers-as-observers program for the driftnet fishery, the digital (Kobo Toolbox) form for onboard catch monitoring by fishers was updated and now contains detailed illustrations of relevant ETP species gently provided by WWF-Guianas.

During this reporting period, FAO informed that it is still working to set up a Project Management Unit together with the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, which will be the project implementing partner.  Therefore, FAO has changed its project’s kick-off dates to January 2024.   The FAO/GEF projects’ timeline is still expected to align with the timeline of FIP Actions 4 and 5, and the data collected in FIP Action 3 will be shared with FAO as the projects become operative.

2024

December 2023 – June 2024

CeDePesca engaged in the review of the draft annual Fisheries License Conditions Decree for 2024, to ensure allowable fishing effort and the number of licenses to be issued remain at or below the 2020 level.  In addition, some changes were proposed in relation to gear to be allowed in the driftnet fishery.  The decree will now clearly state that multifilament polyethylene nets are the only ones allowed.  This clarification addresses an apparent increase in the use of multifilament and monofilament nylon nets.  The decree will be published by the Fisheries Department in early 2024.  

The draft act that was reviewed by FAO and presented to the Fisheries Department in late 2021 continues to be under review by the department, and no new developments have arisen in this regard since the last reporting period.  

CeDePesca continued to facilitate the interaction between the Fisheries Department and representatives from WWF French Guiana and the French Guiana Fisheries Committee regarding their interest in supporting monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) activities by Surinamese authorities in the border-area between both countries to combat IUU fishing.  The discussions led to a grant agreement between the Fisheries Department and WWF to strengthen fisheries MCS. The main activities in the agreement are the execution of at-sea fisheries patrols in collaboration with the Maritime Police and the development of a National Plan of Action against IUU fishing.  On the other hand, a draft MoU between the Suriname government and Global Fishing Watch (GFW) remains under review by the Fisheries Department.  CeDePesca is following the negotiation process since GFW could support the Suriname government in fighting IUU fishing and making better use of the existing VMS data.  

This task is currently behind schedule, as no meetings of the National Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group have been convened so far by the Fisheries Department in 2023.  CeDePesca still considers that it would be efficient if this Working Group could include follow-up tasks for the finfish trawling and driftnet fisheries as envisioned by the FIP, instead of setting up a separate follow-up committee.  Therefore, CeDePesca has encouraged the Fisheries Department to summon the Working Group before the year ends and will aim to include in the agenda management topics of relevance to this FIP.  

Regarding the construction of alliances, the Shell Corporation grant to the Fisheries Department has come into its final phase of approval.  The grant will allow for the purchase of additional equipment for the Fisheries Department’s data collectors and data processing staff, including clothing, shoes and tablets for field workers, and personal computers and an office data server for office staff.  On the other hand, the WWF-Guianas grant to the Fisheries Department mentioned above also includes the monitoring of bycatch and the interaction with sea turtles in the driftnet fisheries, and it will ultimately complement the FIP funds available for the fishers-as-observers program.  On the other hand, CeDePesca participated from a stakeholder meeting on the adoption and implementation of the Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the Leatherback Turtle on May 25th, and relevant synergies with the FIP Action Plan were highlighted and discussed. The leatherback RAP is an initiative led by WWF-Guianas and it will be implemented by national stakeholders in Suriname, French Guiana, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago.

Two teams of length data collectors continued to measure fish.  The first team is conducting its duties at FIP partners Marisa Fisheries’ and Deep-Sea Atlantic’s facilities, and at non-FIP partner HolSu N.V. facilities.  The second team is measuring fish bought by FIP partner Omicron Seafoods at artisanal landing points since May 2023, focusing on species not regularly landed by the trawl sub-fishery, such as acoupa weakfish.  The two teams of data collectors are measuring for a maximum of 6 days per week.  The government continues to provide vehicles for both data collector teams, while the FIP continues to cover fuel expenses and provide a stipend for each day of actual data collection.  In addition, the Fisheries Department is also conducting sample-based surveys to estimate total landings of the artisanal fleets. These data are used to calculate catch statistics and will help in validating the outcomes of the LB-SPR stock assessments to be conducted using the length-frequency data. In the current reporting period, the eighteen data enumerators of the Fisheries Department were given refresher training in small groups on the new at-port data collection protocol.  All enumerators stationed in and near Paramaribo (four teams) were trained in July, while the enumerators stationed at other districts (three teams) were trained in August.  The new methodology started to be implemented on 1 August 2023.  Furthermore, a protocol was developed for the quality control of the artisanal landing data, and the relevant staff of the Fisheries Department was trained in using this protocol.  Furthermore, an additional form was designed to determine the number of active artisanal vessels per sampling stratum, per month, per landing site.  Having data on the number of active vessels will result in a more accurate estimate of the effort, which in turn will lead to a more accurate estimate of the total landings of the artisanal fleet.  

As previously reported, the onboard observers program conducted its first trip in May 2023.  Up to 30 September 2023, five fishing trips have been monitored (one trip each month).  The onboard observers are taking length measurements from commercial species and quantifying the discarded bycatch in the fishery. The collected data is currently being processed and will be presented in a report in the next reporting period.  

During this reporting period, contact has been maintained with the stock assessment expert of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) to ensure that the length-frequency data collection program is sound and meets its intended purpose. The FIP lead participated in an in-person data analysis and stock assessment training in June 2023, funded by the CRFM, where some additional data sharing and exploration took place. The CRFM is committed to continue supporting Suriname in stock assessments.  

Once an update to the LB-SPR stock assessment is conducted using data collected by the data collection programs supported by the FIP is conducted in Year 4 a peer-review of the assessment will be sought in FIP Year 5.  

As previously reported, a graduate student is aiming to determine the size-of-maturity and the conversion factor needed to calculate the Live Weight Equivalent of different species in the fishery, including Kandratiki (Cynoscion virescens).  During this reporting period, the student completed the data collection phase, and CeDePesca team conducted follow-up meetings with the student to look at the data.  Preliminary analyses to model the maturity ogive for Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) were run.  Please note that although Lane snapper is not a direct target species of the FIP, the size-of-maturity protocol has been fine-tuned and tested using this species. As of year 4, the method will be used to start studying the life history of other species in the fishery.  

While the FIP primarily aims to conduct length-based stock assessments using the LB-SPR method, the FIP has improved data collection practices by the Fisheries Department to get more and better data in support of fisheries statistics and stock assessments.  During this reporting period, the scripts used for processing the industrial landing data in Calipseo were modified by the CeDePesca team to reduce the dependency on the workflow of the Licensing Division which updates the vessel registry.  Scripts were also modified to automate two more aspects of the quality control that were previously being done semi-automatically. CeDePesca continues to work in close collaboration with the Fisheries Department staff to improve and trouble-shoot the data collection and processing workflow for both artisanal and industrial fisheries.  A paper describing the improvements made to the fisheries data and statistics supply chain in Suriname, largely made possible through the FIP, was prepared and submitted for publication in a special scientific publication by the CRFM (to be published in relation to CRFM’s 20th anniversary).  Once the paper becomes available, it will be shared in the Supporting Documents section.  In the context of the CRFM’s 20th anniversary, a presentation related to the topic was carried out by CeDePesca, the Fisheries Department and FAO.

June  – December 2024

In March 2024, the Fisheries Department took the first steps in a comprehensive review and evaluation of the implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). This review should serve as a basis to update the FMP by early 2025.  

The Fisheries Department has expressed its intention to finalize the draft Fisheries Act within one year with the support of the regional REBYC-III CLME+ project that kicked off in January 2024.   Once the consultation period starts, FIP partners are expected to engage in the process to achieve the inclusion of long-term objectives consistent with fisheries sustainability and the use of the precautionary approach.  

As previously reported, a National Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group had been installed by the Ministry of LVV, in analogy to the WECAFC/CRFM/IFREMER’s Working Group on the Shrimp and Groundfish of the Northern Brazil-Guianas Shelf.  The working group includes representatives from the Fisheries Department, the fishing sector (artisanal and industrial, including driftnet and demersal fish trawl) and NGOs, and it had been active since October 2020, with meetings on a bi-monthly basis or more.  CeDePesca’s FIP lead is part of this national working group.  As previously reported, since no meetings of the Working Group had been convened up to November 2023, CeDePesca sent a formal letter on 30 November 2023 encouraging the Fisheries Department to summon the Working Group before the year ended.   While a meeting was not achieved in 2023, in April 2024, the Fisheries Department sent out letters to all stakeholder groups asking them to nominate representatives to the Working Group. 

Regarding the improvement of the monitoring, control and surveillance system (MCS), the development and customization of the Calipseo database is expected to continue under the regional FAO/GEF EAF4SG project to make it fully operational. Once fully operational, the system will allow for easy information exchange within the different units of the Fisheries Department, as well as with other authorities involved in fisheries MCS, such as the Coast Guard and Maritime Police.  On the other hand, In the context of the project “Enhancing MCS for the deterrence of IUU Fishing and assessment on turtle bycatch in the coastal driftnet fleet“, the FIP lead participated in meetings with Fisheries Department staff to form a working group for the drafting of a National Plan of Action for IUU fisheries (NPOA-IUU).  A first draft NPOA-IUU has been produced, and the first round of consultation with stakeholders took place in February 2024 to hear their feedback and input.  Furthermore, the FIP lead participated in meetings with WWF French Guiana, who has secured funding for projects related to the fight against IUU fishing in the Guianas.  The regional project proposal, that aims to assist Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana in the fight against IUU fishing is named “Guianas acting to limit IUU fishing and boost blue initiatives”.  If funded, the project is expected to become operational in early 2025.  The project has a strong focus on IUU in the coastal driftnet fisheries, one of the FIP sub-fisheries. Its implementation will help to ensure that this fishery will keep fishing mortality within target levels. The FIP lead will remain involved in the development of these projects, to ensure they match the priorities of the Suriname government and align with the FIP action plan.  In the context of the initiative by WWF Guianas, a regional IUU meeting was held in Paramaribo on June 12th-13th 2024 with the participation of authorities responsible for the fight against IUU from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The meeting was a successful exchange of information and experiences and concluded in the formulation of a draft MoU between the three Guianas to intensify cooperation and information exchange in the fight against IUU.  

Although a harvest control rule has yet to  be set up for the fisheries, the FIP has implemented and helped strengthen a wide range of monitoring devices in Surinam during its first three years of implementation (e.g. the Calipseo platform for fishery statistics, the onboard observers program, the at-port data collection program, the fishers-as-observers program) in preparation for the adoption of a harvest control rule.  Once the work to design a harvest control rule is started in the context of the follow-up committee, CeDePesca will suggest a design that builds upon the information that is being effectively and systematically collected, in such a way that the monitoring processes are enough to support the execution of the harvest control rule.  

As mentioned in the tasks above, alliances have been formed with WWF French Guiana to work on the strengthening of the monitoring, control and surveillance system in Suriname and to develop a National Plan of Action for IUU.  In the same way, CeDePesca has been strengthening its work with other stakeholders in the context of the implementation of the FAO projects.  On the other hand, on April 17th 2024, an official  event was held between the Fisheries Department and Shell Corporation for the hand-over of equipment to support fisheries data collectors, including tablets for at-port and at-sea data collection, PC’s, laptops, a data server and field clothing and shoes for data collectors.  Shell Corporation has indicated they want to continue supporting the building up of the capacity of the Fisheries Department to monitor the fishing sector. In May 2024, in the context of this agreement, a second proposal was prepared by the Fisheries Department and submitted with the request for funding of additional equipment for fisheries data collection and monitoring.  Furthermore, the FIP lead has continued to liaise with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to prepare a potential project to support fish stock assessments. The project is likely to get funding starting early 2025.

The FIP has continued to support at-port data collection in both the driftnet and trawl sub-fishery, including the collection of biological (length-frequency) data, catch/effort data and socio-economic data.   In April 2024, all data collection programs were switched from paper to digital data collection with the use of the tablets that were donated to the Fisheries Department through the Shell Corporation grant.  In addition, all data collectors received a 1-day training including a refresher training on data collection principles and methodology, and training on digital data collection with the use of a tablet. Trainings were held in Paramaribo on April 16th, in Coronie on May 15th , and in Nickerie on May 16th.  After the FIP data collection support person announced that they were leaving CeDePesca to move on to another career challenge, a vacancy announcement was published and selected candidates were interviewed on May 30th.  A candidate was selected who will start work on July 1st. The first task will be to undertake quality control on the data coming in from various data collection programs, including the at-port data collection program.  

The FIP continued to support the Fisheries Department’s onboard observer program. Trips in the trawl sub-fishery have been monitored in October and November 2023, and in January, February, April, May and June 2024.  In addition, in April, the onboard observer program switched to fully digital onboard data collection with the use of the tablets donated to the Fisheries Department by Shell Corporation.  

The FIP lead participated in a CRFM meeting of the Continental Shelf Fisheries Working Group held in Georgetown, Guyana, in March 2024. While the meetings primary focus was assessment of the sea bob shrimp stocks, groundfish stock assessment using data-limited methods (including LB-SPR) was discussed as well, as this will probably be the focus of the next meeting of this CRFM Working Group.  

A peer-review of the assessment methodology will be sought in FIP Year 5, once an update to the LB-SPR stock assessment is conducted using data collected by the data collection programs supported by the FIP later in FIP Year 4.  During this reporting period, the FIP lead has explored alternative stock assessment models than the main model envisaged for the FIP (LB-SPR). Discussions on this topic were held during a regional CRFM CSWG meeting.  Potential alternative methods include production models such as CMSY++ and JABBA (although they require catch/effort time series of at least 10 years, that might not be available for the FIP fisheries) and fishblicc (developed by Dr. Paul Medley, who also participated in the CRFM meeting).   

As previously reported, a graduate student was aiming to determine the size-of-maturity and the conversion factor needed to calculate the Live Weight Equivalent of different species in the fishery, including Kandratiki (Cynoscion virescens).  Unfortunately, the student working on this topic has halted activities because he started working a job.  The protocol for size-of-maturity data collection was developed and fine-tuned. However, no further data collection was conducted. The FIP lead will continue to explore possibilities to do so and look at data being collected in neighboring countries in order to borrow information to use as input parameters in the LB SPR models.  On the other hand, an agreement was made with the Free University of Brussels, to submit a thesis topic in the master program ‘Oceans and Lakes’, on digital data collection in fisheries. A student showed interest. To support his travel to Suriname, a Student Research Grant proposal was submitted to the MSC’s Ocean Fund. If granted, this will allow the student to spend time in Suriname and support the FIP in further data collection efforts (digital logbooks in the trawl fishery).  

The LB-SPR stock assessment report drafted by Dr. Tomas Willems was published in the Gulf and Caribbean Research, Volume 34, Issue 1 (2023).  Once an update to the LB-SPR stock assessment is conducted using data collected by the data collection programs supported by the FIP later in FIP Year 4, it will be disseminated among fishery stakeholders through the execution of small workshops.

As reported earlier, the goal of to ensure that the onboard observers program for the trawling fishery includes a protocol to collect data on the interaction of the fishery with other ecosystem components was modified to ensuring that the government observer program complied with the requirements of the MSC standard in regard to monitoring of the interaction of the fishery with other ecosystem components.  This Task entailed providing additional training to government onboard observers, the design of data collection protocols related to monitoring of other ecosystem components, and preparing the materials and equipment needed to support the government in its implementation of the program.  During this reporting period, the FIP lead conducted several training activities, and materials and equipment have been secured through the Shell Corporation grant.  In addition, the onboard data collection protocol has proved to be useful, and no modifications have been needed during its trial period.  

Trips in the trawl sub-fishery have been observed in January, February, April, May and June 2024.  The first technical report of the observer program is being drafted and should become available soon.  

Regarding the design of a fishers-as-observers program for the driftnet fishery, various meetings were held with captains in the driftnet fishery in December 2023 to discuss the implementation of the program.  In January 2024, the fishers-as-observers program started, and five captains of driftnet fishing vessels were trained on how to record data in the digital forms using a tablet. The captains (and their crew) will record the total catch and effort (along with the location) after every drag of their trip.  In February 2024, captains participating in the fishers-as-observers program received additional instructions and support to fill in the digital forms correctly.  This pilot project is receiving funds through a WWF grant. A protocol for the fishers-as-observers program should become available soon to complete 

In addition, the FIP lead has been in contact with the Free University of Brussels (Belgium) for the preparation of an MSc. thesis topic focusing on captain self-sampling using e-logbooks in the trawl sub-fishery. A student has selected the topic and successfully applied for a student research grant at MSC. She will travel to Suriname in September 2024 to set up a data collection program with captains in the trawl sub-fishery.  

Up to June 29th 2024, 400 hauls (net deployments) have been monitored in the driftnet fishery, from 22 different fishing trips.  All captains are landing their catch at Nene landing site’ in the north of Paramaribo.  The FIP will seek to expand the program to other landing sites in FIP Year 5 as much as possible.  The first technical report for the fishers-as-observers program will be drafted in early 2025.  

Once the first technical reports for the at-port data collection program and the onboard observers program become available, small workshops will be conducted with fishers and government officials to disseminate and explain the results. 

The first step to conduct a PSA is to identify the bycatch species in any given fishery.  Once the first technical report for the onboard observers program in the trawl fishery is available, the PSA of ETP species and non-target species will be conducted.  On the other hand, a separate PSA will be conducted for the driftnet fishery after a year of data has been collected by the fishers-as-observers program.  Consequently, PSA which was originally expected to start in January 2024 and end in July 2024, has been postponed starting in November 2024.  

The REBYC-III CLME+ project started in January 2024 and will focus on the assessment of fisheries ecosystem impacts (notably bycatch, discards and ALDFG (Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear). The FIP will work very closely with this project, which is focusing on both FIP sub-fisheries (driftnet and trawl).  In February 2024, the FIP lead engaged in discussions with the regional coordinator of the two FAO/GEF regional fisheries projects and assisted in the drafting of the national workplans for Suriname under both projects, ensuring alignment with the FIP Action Plan.

In November 2023, CeDePesca had engaged in the review of the draft annual Fisheries License Conditions Decree for 2024 (see November 2023 update), to ensure allowable fishing effort and the number of licenses to be issued remain at or below the 2020 level.  In addition, some changes were proposed in relation to gear to be allowed in the driftnet fishery.  The decree now clearly states that multifilament polyethylene nets are the only ones allowed.  This clarification addresses an apparent increase in the use of multifilament and monofilament nylon nets.  The decree was published by the Fisheries Department in early 2024 and is made available here now.

Together with staff from the Fisheries Department, the FIP lead took part in the finalization of the draft National Action Plan to deter IUU fishing in Suriname (NPOA-IUU). The final draft was circulated among stakeholders for feedback, and it was endorsed during a validation meeting on August 20th 2024.  The development of the NPOA-IUU is funded through a grant agreement between the Fisheries Department and WWF Guianas. 

The FIP continues to promote involvement of other stakeholders in the FIP.  During this reporting period, Shell Corporation was provided with quotes for equipment to support the Fisheries Department in the execution of data collection activities.  Furthermore, the FIP lead has continued to liaise with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to prepare a project to support fish stock assessments.  During this reporting period, the project funding was approved and preparations for implementation have now started.

Quality control on the industrial landing data coming for 2023 was performed, and the very first quarterly statistical reports are under way.   Landing data for the first quarter of 2024 was also controlled for quality.  Furthermore, the FIP is preparing to transfer the data collection Python scripts into R-language.  Driftnet fishery catches are being monitored at around 25 landing sites intensively used by the driftnet vessels along the coast.  

The FIP lead participated in a meeting with the CRFM and the EAF4SG project  to plan a regional stock assessment workshop that is expected to take place in March 2025.  The plan is to conduct LB-SPR assessments for Suriname based on the data collected so far through the FIP.  In preparation, the FIP staff participated in a data and statistics training held in Guyana on 10-21 November 2024.  The stock assessment workshop will take place in Suriname and will be supported by international stock assessment experts.  

The FIP continued to support the Fisheries Department’s onboard observer program and at-port data collection program. Up to November 30th 2024, 170 hauls have been monitored in eight fishing trips on board five different fishing vessels.  Technical reports are being drafted and will be made available soon.  

The FIP lead participated in a two-day meeting of WECAFC to develop a registry of regional fishery experts.  During the meeting, the organization of the next WECAFC Working Group meeting on Shrimp and Groundfish was discussed.  It is expected that the stock assessment work being conducted by the FIP will be shared with and reviewed by the Working Group.

Different situations impeded the continuous deployment of the onboard observers program (i.e. observer ailments, bad weather); however, up to November 30 2024, 170 hauls have been monitored in eight fishing trips on board five different fishing vessels.  The first technical report of the observer program is being drafted and should become available soon.  In addition, the Msc. Research student focusing its thesis on captain self-sampling using e-logbooks in the trawl sub-fishery with support from an MSC grant travelled to Suriname in September 2024.  The FIP data analyst conducted onboard monitoring of a fishing trip in September to confirm the observers’ protocol is being properly followed.  Improvement needs were identified and will be worked upon for the 2025 fishing season.  

Regarding the design of a fishers-as-observers program for the driftnet fishery, the protocol for the fishers-as-observers program is now available, for successful completion of this task.  Please note that fishers are collecting the data using digital forms (with KoboToolbox app on a tablet), and a separate written protocol for the completion of these forms will be issued later.  

Up to November 30th 2024, 936 hauls (net deployments) have been monitored in the driftnet fishery, from 42 different fishing trips on board four different fishing vessels.  Fishers are landing their catch at the Nene landing site and the JICA landing site.  The FIP will seek to continue expanding the program to other landing sites in FIP Year 5 as possible.  The first technical report for the fishers-as-observers program will be drafted in early 2025.  

Once the first technical reports for the at-port data collection program and the onboard observers program become available, small workshops will be conducted with fishers and government officials to disseminate and explain the results. 

Once the first technical report for the onboard observers program in the trawl fishery is available, the PSA of ETP species and non-target species will be conducted.  On the other hand, a separate PSA will be conducted for the driftnet fishery after a year of data has been collected by the fishers-as-observers program.  

During this reporting period, the FIP lead has been supporting the preparation and implementation of various activities under the EAF4SG and REBYC-III projects. The national workplan up till end of 2025 has been finalized and is now being implemented.

The FIP has continued to collect data via the onboard observers program and the fishers-as-observers program to understand the impacts of the fishery on different ecosystem components.  Technical reports complete with recommendations are being drafted, and once they become available, they will be disseminated among fishers and other fishery stakeholders.  In addition, the FIP lead has been supporting the preparation and implementation of various activities under the EAF4SG and REBYC-III projects, that are related to gaining knowledge on the impact of the driftnet and trawl fisheries on the ecosystem.  These two projects include activities to engage stakeholders and raise their awareness on the need to identify impacts and adopt mitigation measures, if needed.