Phase I – Determination of the Distribution and Characteristics of Fish Spawning Aggregation Sites (FSAS) and their Importance to the Artisanal Fisheries Resources of Seychelles

Many reef fishes aggregate at specific times and locations for the purpose of spawning. Spawning aggregations are vulnerable to overfishing, notably transient-type aggregations typically of many groupers (Serranidae) and rabbitfishes (Siganidae). The overall aim of the programme was to determine the importance of Fish Spawning Aggregation (FSAs) for the management of artisanal reef fisheries. Specifically the project aimed at assimilating local knowledge (LK) on FSA, and verifying the LK information of location and timing of FSA and their dynamics using in-situ studies. The project also aimed at studying the reproductive biology of some key species, assess the socio-economic impacts of a range of regulatory management tools designed to conserve FSAs, including closed areas/seasons; develop a GIS-based management tool to examine management strategies for the conservation of FSAs and to make management recommendations based on consultations with stakeholders; provide training in the practical skills necessary to implement FSA and reproductive biology research; and raise awareness of the importance of FSAs and reproductive biology through community outreach and media programmes. The targeted beneficiaries of the project included the local fishing community, the scientific community, policy and decision-makers.

Several activities were conducted during the study in order to answer the set objectives. (i) Investigation of fishers’ local knowledge (LK) on FSA in order to identify key sites and vulnerable species for verification and further studies, (ii) Locating and verifying fisher reports of transient FSAs and defining periodicity and other FSA dynamics considered important for monitoring and management, (iii) Provision of accurate information on spawning periodicity and patterns of E. multinotatus and S. sutor, (iv) Socio-economic surveys of the small boat trap and schooner handline fisheries and (v) training, and awareness raising and education programmes on the importance of FSAs were conducted. The project was implemented in Seychelles specifically in the granitic islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

Main outcomes of the study may be summerised as below. (i) it was verified that artisanal fishers are aware of fish spawning aggregations and common aggregating species include some commercially exploited species such as included Epinephelus polyphekadion, E. fuscoguttatus, Plectropomus punctatus and Siganus sutor as well as individuals belonging to lethrinids and lutjanids, (ii) Siganids were the most important family to the trap fishery, comprising around 50 % of annual catches

Through this project, the MASMA programme has contributed to provisioning of knowledge necessary for management and decision-making. Generally the project enhanced awareness of FSAs, supported the training necessary to undertake research and monitoring, generated baseline information on their location, fisheries and socio-economic importance, and has highlighted the importance of their conservation and management needs. Increased awareness of the issues surrounding FSAs was an outcome of the project, as evidenced by their consideration on government agenda. The Seychelles government position regarding the management and conservation of FSAs, both locally and internationally, was affirmed in November 2004 when, at the 3^rd World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, the Seychelles Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources was the lead sponsor of a recommendation (subsequently adopted) calling on governments, regional and international NGOs, and fisheries management organizations to take steps to conserve and manage FSAs.

Several projects spinned off from this study. (i) The importance of identifying FSAs formed the basis for interview-based studies of local ecological knowledge in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania during 2004, implemented by IUCN’s Eastern Africa Regional Programme under the NORAD funded Jakarta Mandate programme.(ii) Pathed way for continuing research in locating and defining further FSAs through funding by the Seychelles-EU Fishing Agreement. (iii) Social studies pertaining to the potential for co-management of trap fishery are ongoing, in collaboration with a local environmental NGO (Nature Seychelles). (iv) The findings of this project provided the rationale for inclusion of demonstration sites for trap fishery co-management in a large, local UNDP-GEF programme (Mainstreaming Biodiversity) in April 2007. (v) In the WIO, efforts were ongoing to develop a regional level programme in support of FSA research and management, focusing on the requirement for protected areas and networks building on the concepts of resilience.

The project identified future potential studies in areas of FSA dynamics and reproductive biology, information that is vital for effective FSA management.