MRAG’s experience of the planning and review of monitoring, control and surveillance activities covers the gamut of all possible activities from the direct planning of patrol strategies or port inspections on a day to day basis through developing coordination and implementation strategies involving a number of different MCS means and measures through to the review of new regulations and the impact of regulations that have been put in place.

MRAG have been involved in the implementation and planning of fisheries patrols in various UK Overseas Territories for twenty years.  The creation of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2010 resulted in a major shift in MCS activities from managing a series of active fisheries to predominantly a deterrent and detection role for IUU vessels.  Patrol planning is coordinated with other required activities and personnel on a risk assessment basis and specific areas and seasons are targeted based on the results of the risk assessment.  This active patrolling has resulted in a number of arrests of IUU vessels.

Considerable practical experience is available for the development and review of regional and national capacities and plans for MCS and implementation strategies.  These include high level risk assessment, capacity and needs assessment, training, implementation and patrol planning for coordinated responses, i.e. between air, sea and land based units with other means such as VMS and radar.  MRAG were also part of the consortium requested to investigate the feasibility of setting up Community Fisheries Control Agency (now European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) http://cfca.europa.eu/) to ensure a more effective use of European Union and national means of fisheries inspection and surveillance within a joint inspection structure and later in providing a review of the control capacity of each EU MS for the Agency.

 

MRAG have reviewed a number of IUU related regulations to determine their impacts.  For example we hosted a workshop to assess the real world impact of the introduction of the Port State Measures Agreement to address the challenges posed by IUU fishing.  This looked in particular at the requirements from port, coastal and fishing States with regards to practical implementation needs and the clarity and effectiveness of its provisions. 

Projects

Title Region End Date
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for British Indian Ocean Territories (BIOT)

On behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) MRAG has aided in the…

Indian Ocean
US and EU Rules on Seafood Traceability and Anti-IUU Market Measures

The goal of this study was to evaluate, compare and analyze the structures and…

Global
Market - Dar es Salaam Tuna Fisheries Management Plan

The development of this 10-year Tuna Fisheries Management Plan (TFMP), follows the FAO…

Africa
Supporting Liberia and Sierra Leone’s Fishery Management Improvement

The objective of this project was to provide technical assistance for the World Bank…

Africa
SPRFMO Observer Programme Accreditation Evaluator

The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation is an inter-governmental…

Pacific
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fisheries Management.

The work undertaken by MRAG for Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich…

Atlantic Ocean
Scientific and technical advice for the management of maritime waters in British Indian Overseas Territory (BIOT)

A 200 nautical mile Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ) was declared…

Indian Ocean
Provision of a study on information systems supporting fisheries controls in the European Union (CFCA/2010/B/02)

This project contributes to the formulation of recommendations on best practices and…

Europe
Practical implementation of the Chairperson’s Draft Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

During the development of the FAO Port State Meaures Agreement (PSMA) MRAG were…

Global
MRAG Project Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of large pelagics in the Indian Ocean

This was a large scale pilot-project aimed at testing the conditions for regional…

Indian Ocean
MRAG Project IUU Fishing Risk Management in the Central and Western Pacific

The objective of the Consultancy project was to brief participants at the FFA's IUU…

Pacific
Map UK NEAFC Registerd Ports IUU Documentation and Controls

This project was completed by MRAG Ltd and RPA Ltd under Lot 6: Marine and Fisheries R…

Europe
Establishment of a Programme for Transhipment by Large-Scale Vessels in the Convention Area of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

The long-term objective of the Programme for Transhipment by Large-Scale Fishing…

Indian Ocean
EU fisheries management data flows Dockside Monitoring and Seafood Traceability in the EU

This project reviewed the processes of dockside monitoring of seafood landings in EU…

Asia
Development of St Helena Futures Assessment

The aim of this project was to undertake research into the emerging activities that…

Atlantic Ocean
Bahamas IUU Risk Assessment

WWF is working with fishery stakeholders on a fishery improvement project (FIP) for…

Atlantic Ocean
MRAG Project Assessment of the Effectiveness of Joint Deployment Plans (JDP)

The Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) is obliged under article 14 of COUNCIL…

Europe
Analysis, pilot and management options for the implementation of Pelagic Landing Obligations

Compliance with the Landing Obligation will require significant changes to existing…

Europe
African Capacity Building Training Event - South Africa

On behalf of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), and in accordance with the…

Africa
ACP2 Workshop to Train MCS Officer in Designing National MCS Strategies and Implementation Plans

This ACP FISH II project facilitated the preparation of guidelines for the devising of…

Pacific