The Marshall Islands Marine Resource Authority is receiving training on inspecting tuna vessels, having entered into a formal contract with fisheries consultant Francisco Blaha.
Blaha is in the midst of a two-year training program with MIMRA, helping to strengthen inspection capacities, with the specific goal of increasing the skill base of MIMRA boarding officers. The program is being funded in part from assistance provided by the government of New Zealand, according to the Parties to the Nauru Agreement’s Tuna Market Intelligence report.
Blaha, a former commercial tuna fisherman, has been training inspectors how to analyze Vessel Monitory System (VMS) movement, licensing arrangements, and catch data, he confirmed to SeafoodSource. His vessel inspection training includes permit and log book review and in-person interviews of captain, crew and on-board observers.
Blaha said he is seeing positive changes as a result of the training, with boarding officers more confident and observant, according to the PNA report.
“To prove due diligence and compliance is the goal of our work,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Francisco Blaha
