TRISTAN DA CUNHA: A VALUABLE FISHERY IN DEVELOPMENT
By J. Brock (SARTMA)
Approximately five days’ sailing from the South Georgia Maritime Zone, MS Endeavour reached the Tristan da Cunha fisheries Zone around Gough Island. South African fishermen were seen setting out lobster pots and the MFV Edinburgh, the Mother ship, was offshore. During a routine dive, David Cothran saw some fish species that he had never seen before. Doing his best, he grouped them into what was the nearest fit: Rock Lobsters (Jasus Tristani), Wreckfish (Polyprion oxygeneios), Tristan Red (Scorpion Fish Sebastes capensis), Tristan Wrasse (Nelabrichthys ornatus correct) and Atlantic Amberjack (Yellow Tail - Cape Mackerel Seriola lalandi). I quickly found out that the local names of these fish were much different than those published in Fish Identification manuals. Some new names could appear in them once the fish David saw are correctly identified.
To answer how these species are managed, SARTMA had a chat with Chief Islander and Fisheries Director on Tristan da Cunha, Mr. James Glass.
Fishery Patrol and Surveillance:
SARTMA: In our brief discussion yesterday about fisheries patrol and surveillance, you mentioned that, unlike the South Georgia fishery, Tristan da Cunha’s does not have satellite surveillance. How does the Government of Tristan da Cunha provide for fisheries protection?
JG: We do have a fishery patrol effort up here. We patrol the Northern Islands of Nightingale, Inaccessible and Tristan but we do have problems with surveillance around Gough. In the future we hope to monitor with VMS (Vessel Monitoring Systems) and there is the possibility of satellite surveillance.
SARTMA: The waters around Gough Island seem to be more vulnerable to poaching. Is there any deterrent in place there?
JG: We keep a vessel there a part of the year as much as possible, and we control the poachers a bit by patrolling each of the four islands (Tristan, Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough). At present, we don’t have much of a problem there (at Gough) because stocks are declining.
Mr. Glass is looking at all options in order to improve the quality of management and scientific assessment of the fish species that are indigenous to both maritime zones around Tristan da Cunha. He explains about the method now used.
Scientific Assessment:
SARTMA: Where are stocks of commercial species scientifically assessed?
JG: At present, we collect 5,000 or more samples from each individual Island (Tristan, Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough). We run a (feeder) programme here with computer models that we put in the mean weight then run the model, we also look at the size and the catch per unit effort (CPUE) fishing efficiency, time of year etc. This gives us a good idea of the replacement range of stocks and then we set the TAC (Total Allowable Catch). Towards the end of the replacement range, just in case there is any miss-reporting or poaching activity around the Islands which exceed the replacement range,
SARTMA: How does that assessment relate to the way the fishery is managed?
JG: Towards the end of the replacement range, just in case there is any miss-reporting or poaching activity around the Islands, which exceed the replacement range, we pinpoint the Captain’s efficiency and use other methods to put into the model. We also try and have an observer on a vessel for a period of time during each voyage, and we make random checks of the size limit and freezer holds of the vessels whilst the Fishery Patrol boat is out on patrol.
Commercial Species and Stock Distribution:
SARTMA: What other species besides Crayfish are taken commercially from Tristan’s two fishery zones?
JG: Besides the species of lobster that we have around the islands, there are stocks particular to each island. We have Bluefish, False Jacopever, Soldier and there has been some long-lining for tuna. Other species are Alfonsino, and other small amounts of deep water species.
Using an ROV (Remote Observation Vehicle) David Cothran was able to put some distant identification to the indigenous fish. Jakapeka could be Yellowtail or South Atlantic Amberjack is (Seriola lalandi). Bluefish would be (Hyperoglyphe antarctica), and Soldier is possibly a Rockfish (Sebastes capensis).
Mr Cothran explained that little, if anything is published about the indigenous species inhabiting the Tristan da Cunha Maritime Zones. However, much has been published about the fish in St. Helena’s waters. He found that looking on the lava shelf around Tristan and the dive he did around Gough was a good learning experience about the species living in the region.
JG. A student who did his thesis in 1989, who is now Dr Tim Andrew of Rhodes University South Africa, carried out a study.
SARTMA: Where in the zones are they distributed?
JG: The Lobster is just around the shelf area at each Island and the other species around the seamounts within Tristans EEZ.
SARTMA: Do they spawn in Tristan waters, or is the life cycle carried out at different depths of the ocean?
JG: Most of the species spawn around the shelf of the islands and around the sea-mounts within the zone. I believe that the Bluenose spawn on the shelf and then recruits in the open ocean once becoming mature (some scientist thinks it works the other way around). I also think that the Lobster uses the current that goes Northeast and then comes back Southwest.
SARTMA: If so, does Tristan have any competitors that would take immature or mature stock once it leaves the zone?
JG: There are none that we know of.
Looking at the distances involved, it is no wonder that Tristan is considering satellite surveillance. Mr. Glass explained that though the Island has many boats, they are traditionally pulled out of the water each night. This leaves no latitude for Tristan vessels doing any kind of patrolling around Gough Island.
JG. The revenue from the fishery is hardly enough to keep the Island running, and for the last few years we have been dipping into our reserve. It’s hard for us to try and develop the Islands infrastructure and increase the Islands revenue when we don’t have the money for it in the first place. Having no airport and visits from ships approximately every two months the harbour for us is the gateway to the outside world, and having a harbour that is only safe to get out a maximum of 80 -100 days a year doesn’t say much. Most Tristanians are happier when they are out of the harbour ha!
The fishery at present is managed as best as possible but with the possible introduction of satellite surveillance, management of commercial species could even be more efficient.
Association with Joint Venture Companies:
SARTMA: With which seafood companies does Tristan have joint venture arrangements?
JG: We have a joint venture arrangement With a British Registered Company (Eurex) that has offices in South Africa (Ovenstone Agencies) and we have a joint venture with a New Zealand company (Cook Straits Seafood’s).
SARTMA: What benefits does the Island receive as a result of the joint ventures.
JG: With Eurex we get quite a lot, really. We pay reduced freight and transport costs on their two vessels. It owns the factory on Tristan and 18 smaller boats. It pays all our wages for the running of the factory. I might add that the joint venture company has made several contributions for the infrastructure of the Island, including the repair of the Community Centre, and satellite TV as well. The New Zealand Company are also very good and gives us free freight and reduces passenger fares to and from Capetown SA.
SARTMA: What are the liabilities?
JG: There are none at the present time.
Developments:
SARTMA: Obviously a new jetty would help considerably in the marketing distribution of not only fish but other goods and services as well. How is work progressing on that jetty?
JG: The project for the jetty is at the moment come to a standstill. Our Administrator is in the UK working on that. Hopefully in the future there will be a team coming out to look at the types of construction that will be needed to do the job. We are also trying to improve our fishery.
SARTMA: I understand that the European Union has contributed funds towards an excavating machine. Will the EU help with other funding for the project?
JG: They offered but it got bogged down in too much bureaucracy and we ended up using our own money for it. The Tristanians are willing but they need outside experience to help run Government. The only expats in Government are the Administrator and Doctor, all other 11 Government Departments are run by Tristanians (some who have not had training, in management skills). While Tristanians are quite capable of running their departments they do from time to time need advice in Construction, Education, Finance, Fisheries etc. Although at the moment the Island Council and the Heads of Departments are finding this very difficult to put across to those responsible for the well being of the Island.
It was obvious by talking to Mr. Glass that a view towards development of Tristan’s infrastructure and the fishery are a priority with the Island’s Government.
Communications, E-mail, fax and phone
JG. This is a major problem, we have two computers on the island that does e-mail, and for the public the cost is £6.50 (the average rate of a daily wage is £9.84) per e-mail regardless of the size. This is particular difficult with families who have relations overseas (like myself who has a son working on contract in Mexico), and with the infrequent visiting of vessels to the Islands doesn’t help. Faxes are only available to the Government and snail mail departs Tristan approximately every two months.
The potential for further development once a new jetty is in place cannot be measured properly at this time. It is evident, however, that tourism, fisheries and re-supply of the Island will benefit greatly once that facility is put into place.
