The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority through its sustainable Marine Environment Division is currently conducting a 1- week Market survey, EAFM training and awareness program on Daru Island with provincial fisheries officers and representatives from the treaty villages in South Fly including Bula, Jarai, Mari, Tais, Buzi-Ber-Sigabaduru, Mabadauan-Mawatta-Tureture, Katatai-Kadawa, and Parama.
This Creel and Market Survey is to collect data to assess the status of the marine resource being fished in the South Fly and estimate fishers´ catch and effort.
It is also aimed to find out if endangered species are being traded and sold, and to inform management options for a South Fly Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan.
The South Fly fishers will also be trained in applying the principles of EAFM (Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management), which are to find a balance between environmental conservation for fisheries, and fisheries management that focuses on providing income for people’s livelihoods by managing their fishing activity.
The fishers in this area are from villages recognised as PNG Treaty Villages under the Torres Strait Treaty (1984). This area is rich in marine resources such as Barramundi, Mudcrab, Jewfish, Lobsters, Prawn, turtles and dugongs.
The team will also be conducting awareness on threatened species to Daru High School Students later on during the week.
This training and awareness is made possible under the Arafura Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase 2 Program (ATSEA-2) under the National Fisheries Authority and the local NGO Eco-Custodian Advocates.
Photo credit: CEPA Marine Division