South China Sea
Fisheries Science Working Group
渔业科å¦å·¥ä½œç»„ | Nhóm Ä‘ánh giá nguồn lợi thuá»· sản | Kelompok Kerja Perikanan |
Kumpulan Kerja Sains Perikanan | Samahan sa Siyensya ng Pangisdaan
Regional cooperation is required to ensure sustainable management of the South China Sea's shared fish stocks. But that cooperation will only be effective if is based on sound scientific evidence.
By combining expertise and evidence from across the region, the FSWG provides the scientific foundation so the region can ensure future generations can benefit the South China Sea's fisheries resources.
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1st Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
(1st CFRA)
The CFRA is a joint analysis undertaken by scientists from China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, convening multiple times between 2018 and 2022. While scientists led the discussions on technical analysis, navigating the political complexities of the South China Sea required a multi-disciplinary approach. Particularly during the early stages of the dialogue, fisheries managers, diplomats, and national security officials helped craft the shared strategy.
The CFRA process was facilitated by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), which assisted with secretariat support, sourced independent technical expertise, and provided modest resources when new data needed to be collected. The 1st CFRA aims to build a scientifically sound consensus on which to base cooperative regional action to sustainably manage shared fisheries resources.
The 1st CFRA assessed the status of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) stocks in the South China Sea. We selected Skipjack Tuna because of its economically important, highly migratory, and transboundary nature. Skipjack Tuna is eaten throughout the region, and all the five participating countries had data that they could contribute.
The 1st CFRA process demonstrates that despite the political sensitivities, countries around the region have been able to conduct practical scientific cooperation that supports the sustainable management of shared fish stocks. This study documents a novel approach to conducting basic fisheries studies with the explicit aim of reducing international tensions in a contested region by facilitating and informing international dialogue about resource management.
The findings of the 1st CFRA were publicly launched in 2022 in Manila and Beijing. The Philippine National Security Advisor (NSA) delivered the keynote address to scientists, researchers, diplomats and national security officials from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, along with members of the diplomatic and press corps.
Policy Paper
1st Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
Scientific Paper
1st Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
Infographic
1st Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
2nd CFRA
The 2nd Common Fisheries Resource Analysis (CFRA 2) evaluates the status of Little Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) in the South China Sea. Little tuna is an economically important species that the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea classifies as a "Highly Migratory Species" that requires cooperative management. Results reveal a north-south divide.
In the south, adults still appear in catches under moderate to heavy pressure, and lowering juvenile catch is key to sustainability. In the north, adults and sub-adults are rare or absent, and later declines in juveniles indicate a local collapse. Because larvae and juveniles drift across jurisdictions, rebuilding stocks in the northern areas is possible if the region reduces the number of juvenile fish caught.
Policy Paper
2nd Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
Scientific Paper
2nd Common Fisheries Resource Analysis
3rd CFRA
The 3rd CFRA will analyse the status of Mitre Squid (Uroteuthis chinensis) and Indian Ocean Squid (Uroteuthis duvaucelii). These species' stocks are frequently spread across international boundaries and, therefore, require cooperative management.
Moreover, squid species are considered to be particularly impacted by changing water temperatures. The FSWG's analysis will provide insight into how climate change affects the South China Sea's fisheries.