The introduction of the Ikasavea app in 2023 marked a significant turning point for fisheries officers within the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in Papua New Guinea. With funding from the European Union and the Government of Sweden-funded Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) programme, these fisheries officers received extensive training in late 2022 from the coastal fisheries team at the Pacific Community (SPC) on data collection, management, and reporting using the Ikasavea and coastal fisheries web applications.
This training has enabled fisheries officers to gain a theoretical understanding of how to carry out optimised landing (creel) surveys using the new Ikasavea and web-based landing survey applications. NFA fisheries officers were also trained by the oceanic fisheries team at SPC on the OLLO, OnBoard and OnShore fisheries monitoring applications developed by SPC.
After two years of training, implementation, and surveys using this application, officers have given overwhelmingly positive feedback. This follows the recent Monitoring, Evaluation, and Communications workshops led by PEUMP Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Tupeope Samani and Communications Officer Josaia Nanuqa in Port Moresby, Alotau, and Kavieng.
NFA’s Mr Chris Molai, who looks after the Creel and Market Programme, said that prior to the roll-out of the ikasavea app, the process of data collection was cumbersome and prone to errors.
“We lacked a proper database system for coastal fisheries information,” said Mr Molai.
“When Ikasavea came in 2023, after the training by the SPC Coastal Fisheries team in 2022, we noticed a lot of changes in our data system. Previously, data was collected manually using interview forms, which required spending a lot of time with fishermen. With the new system, information is received timelier, capturing data from many fishermen in one day. The Ikasavea system has greatly improved data quality, reducing errors and misinformation and ensuring real-time data monitoring,” he added.
NFA’s Team Leader, Fisheries Data Collection in New Ireland Province, Ms Naomi Lagaia, stressed that the training in 2022 provided the officers with enough knowledge to use the Ikasavea app and relevant software effectively.
“Through trial and error, we managed to run the survey. We familiarised ourselves with the app and learnt to collect data even if the app was not working, by using our phones and uploading the data later. This adaptability and the efficiency of the app have saved the officers significant time, allowing them to gather more data and interview more vendors quickly,” shared Ms Lagaia.
As officers went through the survey process, they taught themselves how to collect data in alternative ways, especially using their mobile phones.
"We realised most information is now received on a timely basis, and the system was very effective, allowing us to capture data from many fishermen in one day. To be honest, the app has really saved us time. Usually, when we used forms to capture data, it took more time. With the app, it’s very fast; we gather more data, interview more vendors, upload it to the server, and then we can go back to extract that data to assist with our reporting,” said the NFA Provincial Fisheries Officer New Ireland Province, Mr Gerald Logai.
The officers found that the app not only streamlined their workflow but also significantly enhanced the quality of their data, making it more accurate and reliable.
NFA Data Collector in Alotau, Mr Tobbo Sepa, highlighted the skills gained during the training went beyond just using the app.
“We learnt other things like biological sampling, dissecting fish, and conducting other research. It also improved our public speaking and communication skills, which helped them better engage with market vendors and the fishing community. The app itself has been a major improvement, providing efficient and accurate data collection, which was not possible with the manual methods previously used,” said Mr Sepa.
He added that this newfound confidence and capability have led to better collaboration with fishermen and market vendors, who now understand and support the data collection process using the app.
The EUR 45 million PEUMP programme promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth while addressing climate change resilience and the conservation of marine biodiversity. It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action.
