Tonga Marine Aquarium Fishery Management and Development Plan 2020 - 2021.

The Tonga Marine Aquarium Fishery Management and Development Plan is a national policy, covering the period between 2020 and 2021. The goal of this Plan is to ensure ecological sustainability through effective management and sustainable utilisation of marine aquarium fishery, in order to create social and economic benefits that contribute to improving the livelihoods of Tongan people. The Plan shall apply to any wild-caught fish, invertebrates, live corals and marine aquarium fish that are collected within Tonga’s fisheries waters, and sold and/or exported live for the marine aquarium trade; and to all forms of collecting (as well as farming and farm facilities) for holding live marine aquarium fish, and includes handling, packing, transporting and shipping marine aquarium fish.
This plan sets out six objectives supported by eight strategies and 24 actions. The level of compliance on the management measures for harvesting, packing and exporting marine aquarium fish will be improved. The utilization of the marine aquarium fish will be restricted by controlling the number of harvesting and exporting licences. The export of wild live rock and wild giant clam will be banned, and the exportation of only cultured specimen will be restricted. The aquarium trade fishery will be monitored. A resource assessment, including non-detrimental findings for corals, will be conducted to use the best available scientific data. The process for registration and licensing of vessels operating in the marine aquarium fishery will be developed. Vessel monitoring system will be implemented for all aquarium fishery vessels, including small boats. Regular economic assessment and analysis on the status of the resource will be conducted to ensure that the marine aquarium fishery is economically viable. Ongoing support will be provided to aquarium operators on the facility for holding and packing of marine aquarium fish. Tongan coastal communities’ will be enabled to benefit from the marine aquarium fishery by creating employment opportunities, and conducting training of the marine aquarium operators and Tongan coastal communities on farming of marine aquarium products or on fish and invertebrate’s collection methods. Public awareness will be raised to understand the benefits and contribution of the marine aquarium fishery to Tonga’s development. The communication, collaboration, partnership and networking with stakeholders will be promoted to ensure an effective participatory approach to fisheries management of the fishery. Training on the social, ecological and economic aspects of the marine aquarium fishery will be conducted to strengthen capacity in the management and development of the fishery. The partnership and networking with all stakeholders which consists of operators, national, sub-national, regional and sub-regional levels, will be strengthened. Good governance, best practice and accountability will be promoted in the management and sustainable development of the aquarium fisheries. Community-based management, co-management and capacity building as well as the motivation and empowerment of the communities will be supported.