National Oceanic Resource Management Authority

Contact Information

 

National Oceanic Resource Management Authority
Kaselehlie Building
National Government Complex
Palikir, Pohnpei 96941

 

P.O. BOX PS-122,

PALIKIR POHNPEI 96941

 

Telephone:

+691 320-2700

+691 320-5181

Facsimile:

+691 320-2383

 

E-mail:

General Information: info@norma.fm   

 

This section is responsible for carrying out scientific research and data verification activities of the Authority through an Observer Program and Port Sampling Program. This section coordinates observer placements with distant water fishing nations fishing in the FSM EEZ and also conducts training of fisheries observers. Observers collect information on fishing gear, weather conditions, gonad samples, effort, effort, species caught, length frequencies, and amount of catch be species (target species, bycatch and other information generally not requested in log sheets and other pertinent information regarding the fishing trip.) the Authority maintains pool of 8-12 trained fisheries observers. This section is also responsible for managing the Port Sampling Program in the four FSM States. These port samplers take samples from fish, measure length frequencies to determine changes in population structure and report amount of catch exported and rejected. They submit reports of their activities and data collected monthly to the main office. There are five port samplers in all four States. This section collaborates with the Oceanic Fisheries Program at the SPV on tune resources assessments/studies and analysis of catch reports. This section also collaborates with other regional and internationally recognized research institutes involved in tune research.

This section is also responsible to monitor and report on catch and effort of all foreign and domestic fishing operators and advise the Executive Director on management issues at national regional and international levels.

Fisheries Observer Program

The NORMA fisheries observer program (FOP) has been operating since the initiation of the Authority in 1979. The program was initially small scale with only a few placements per year on Japanese purse seiners and some longliners. The program was expanded in 1992 to cover the rapidly diversifying fleets in the FAM and to make the data more scientifically useful in stock assessment.

In 2001, the Authority adopted a Plan for the Management of the Tuna in the Federated States of Micronesia.  This management plan establishes the principle objective of the plan as “to ensure that the nation’s tuna resources are used ina sustainable way.” Within this framework, a set of specific goals was established in order of priority, its main goal being “to ensure that the tuna catch does not exceed sustainable levels.” The establishment of the management plan has highlighted to importance that the Authority collect accurate data and hence the necessity of the NORMA FOP.

The NORMA FOP main objectives :

· To collect, catch and effort data during fishing operations that can be used to validate information received from vessels, such as logbooks and catch reports;

· To report on fishing operation and activities of foreign vessels and others such as fishing strategies, gear specifications/models, hourly fishing locations, and other fisher information required by the Authority;

· To carry out biological sampling for research purposes as required by the Authority;

· To record the vessel catch compositions of both discards and target species, and other protected species such as marine mammals;

· To collect information on the activity of other fishing vessels encountered at sea for compliance with the current licensing agreements.

In 2005, NORMA FOP made 28 trips of 1,021 sea-days of the three main fishing gear types operating.

Coverage

The trend in coverage for the program has been positive with a general increase in coverage over the past few years. For 2005, the coverage is slightly lower, greatly affected my the 2.4% coverage on the Taiwanese Guam based longline vessels

The observer coverage is restricted each year by observer program logistics such as the budget and by a memorandum of understanding that limits the number of trips made on Japanese vessels to 6 longline, 5 purse seine, and 2 pole and line vessels per agreement year. The larger Japanese and Taiwanese fleets that base in Guam also add difficulties and expense to placements.

 

“Effective Guardian on Living and Non-living Marine Resources in the FSM EEZ”