FishSource

Panama small pelagics (FIP)

Status: Completed

FIP Lead: Centro Desarrollo y Pesca Sustentable (CeDePesca)

Comments:

The FIP has completed its final assessment of the fishery and its two production sites have been certified:

Procesadora Bayano

1. FIP Development	Jul 13	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 July 2013 — Gap analysis was delivered to Promarina: Small pelagics fishery conducted with purse seine nets in the Gulf of Panama 1 October 2010 — Technical report on CeDePesca website
2. FIP Launch	Aug 18	Confirmation of project participants 14 August 2018 — A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ARAP, Promarina, Probasa, Taboguilla, AnimalFeed and CeDePesca. 1 April 2017 — Promarina and CeDePesca have welcomed Procesadora Bayano to the FIP. 1 February 2012 — A MoU has been signed between CeDePesca and Promarina S.A.
2. FIP Launch	Feb 19	Workplan made public 1 February 2019 — 2018/2019 workplan 1 April 2017 — Workplan 2017-2018 (in Spanish) 1 January 2016 — Workplan 2016 1 March 2013 — Detailed workplan 2012-2013
3. FIP Implementation	Dec 21	FIP activities undertaken 1 December 2021 — FIP is currently in the process of obtaining IFFO RS certification. 16 July 2021 — The onboard observer program and hydroacoustic surveys have been reinstated after being stalled last year due to covid 1 May 2021 — Peer review of a stock assessment conducted in January 2020 has been completed and delivered to authorities 7 April 2021 — Resolution N035-2021; In April 2021, the fishing season was reopened 16 March 2021 — A management committee was created out of the management plan with the participation of stakeholders 1 June 2020 — CeDePesca fortified relations with Panama’s National University to beef up the on-board observers capacities 1 May 2020 — The anchovy and herting stock report was delivered to ARAP 1 December 2019 — Monthly monitoring of bycatch, the percentage per area by species of unwanted species catch continues to be estimated through 2019. 1 November 2019 — Estimation of bycatch per month, per species, per area was continued through 2019. 1 November 2019 — Catch and effort database, the size structure database and the database on bycatch of sharks and turtles were updated. 24 September 2019 — The 2019 anchovy fishing season is officially closed through Resolution No. DGOMI-189 of Tuesday, September 24, 2019. Published in Official Gazette No. 28870 of Friday, September 27, 2019 1 June 2019 — CeDePesca moderated the second workshop on the calculation of the CMA to the ARAP researchers and collaborators of the FIP partners. 1 April 2019 — CeDePesca coordinated a workshop on the estimation and recommendation of the Maximum Allowable Capture for techinicians of the Water Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and collaborators of the FIP partners Promarina and Probasa. 1 February 2019 — A hydroacoustic prospection of small pelagic species was carried out in the Gulf of Panama 1 January 2019 — Workshop with the fishing captains of Promarina and Probasa on the measures of the management plan of the fishery and on measures to reduce the mortality of turtles, sharks and rays. 15 November 2018 — On November 15th, the Fishing Season 2018 closes, according to Resolution DGOMI No. 048 of November 8, 2018, Official Gazette No. 28653. 31 March 2018 — In March a hydroacoustic prospecting of small pelagic species was carried out in the Gulf of Panama conducted by FIP partners. 31 January 2018 — The catch and effort database, the size structure database and the database on bycatch of sharks and turtles were updated. 1 August 2017 — Changes to the management plan proposal were discussed with authorities 1 June 2017 — ARAP provided comments to the FIP’s proposal for a management plan 1 May 2017 — Additional observers trained. 1 February 2017 — Hydroacustic survey conducted and report written. 31 July 2016 — Updated draft of the proposed Management Plan for the Panamanian Small Pelagics Fishery was delivered formally to ARAP. 1 September 2015 — Draft management plan presented to ARAP 1 April 2015 — Draft decree to regulate fishery discussed with the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) 1 March 2015 — The first formal stock assessment conducted by CeDePesca and recommendations for a management plan were delivered to ARAP and Promarina 1 February 2014 — Ecological Risk Assessment on the Effects of Fishing (ERAEF) Workshop at the University of Panama 1 April 2013 — A draft stock assessment was presented to PROMARINA 1 April 2013 — First national workshop on fisheries research identified key research needs. This is a first step in the eventual development of a research plan for this fishery. 1 November 2012 — A catch and effort database for the period 1996/2012 is publicly available 1 February 2012 — Discussions are being held between Promarina and ARAP and between CeDePesca and University of Panama in order to reinforce the FIP through MoUs
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Mar 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 18 March 2021 — New fisheries and aquaculture law was approved; law included principles related to sustainability as a goal, the ecosystem approach, precautionary criteria, science based management decisions and co-management. 28 August 2018 — RESOLUTION ADM / ARAP No. 027 of August 28, 2018, was signed and published in the Official Gazette No. 28605-B of September 5, 2018. By means of which the Management Plan of the fishery of small pelagic in Pacific Panama was adopted 1 June 2017 — Catch and effort database, biological database and bycatch database updated and availalbe upon request 1 January 2017 — Bycatch report from observer program prepared and presented to Promarina. 31 July 2016 — Second stock assessment made public. 30 June 2016 — Catch and effort database updated. 30 April 2016 — Observers continued work aboard vessels. 1 March 2016 — The Government of Panama issues Decree N° 107 on March 29th, effectively updating measures that were first set in 1977. This is a huge step forward for the fishery’s sustainability and is considered an important milestone for the FIP. 29 February 2016 — Framework Collaboration AGreement signed between ARAP and CeDePesca 1 December 2015 — Biological and bycatch databases are updated 1 June 2014 — Updating the database of the observers 1 April 2014 — CeDePesca trained a new observer to collect information on 2014 fishing activities for the Onboard Observer Program. Meetings pre cruise between observers, fishing captains and CeDePesca 1 December 2013 — Onboard Observer Program is successfully collecting data. Data has been completed and reviewed. 1 May 2013 — Onboard observers program up and running 1 April 2013 — ARAP has agreed to restart monitoring activities when 2013 season opens
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	Oct 22	MSC certificate made public 1 October 2022 — The FIP has completed its final assessment of the fishery and its two production sites have been certified: -Promarina -Procesadora Bayano