February 2016, Phu Yen, Vietnam

As part of the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for the Vietnam handline and longline tuna fishery, Fishing & Living conducted a fishermen logbook training. The event was carried out in partnership the Vietnam Tuna Association and Nha Trang University, in the fishing town of Tuy Hoa, in central Vietnam.

The workshop addressed the important issue of logbooks. With the introduction of a new logbook format, compliant with the regional management (WCPFC) requirements, fishermen need to receive training on how to fill in and complete the logbooks correctly so that the data collected can be used by fisheries managers to develop and implement good fisheries management. Data collected includes catch quantities, fishing locations, fuel use, by catch species information and trip dates: information that is critical to properly assess where a fisheries stands in terms of sustainability.

At the end of the training, fishermen were tested for their ability to fill in the logbook: 89% of the fishermen scored A or B with only 11% still having difficulties.

Fishermen provided their feedback about the training, and expressed the need for more training workshops like this one, showing their strong willingness and motivation to learn and support the improvement of tuna fisheries management in Vietnam.