This Vanuatu National Coconut Cab Fishery Management Plan is made in accordance with Section 3 of the Fisheries Act of 2005 and approved by the Minister for Fisheries, conforms the Act which states in section 3 of Part 2 that each Plan shall (a) identify the fishery and assess the present state of its exploitation; (b) specify objectives to be achieved in the management of the fishery; (c) specify the management and development strategies to be adopted for the fishery to which it relates; (d) provide for a scheme of licensing, if necessary, or other appropriate management measure; (e) specify, if applicable, the licensing regime to be applied, including the limitations, if any, to be applied to local fishing operations and the amount of fishing, if any, to be allocated to foreign fishing vessels; (f) specify the information and other data required to be provided by persons licensed to fish for that fishery; and (g) take into account any relevant traditional fishing methods and practices. This plan is largely focused on the commercial fishery that captures coconut crabs for sale at markets or to restaurants and hotels. Nonetheless, many aspects of this plan also affect the capture of crabs for local/home consumption.
The Plan sets out socio-economic objectives and biological objectives and a management strategy for the fishery. Various management and conservation matters are addressed in this Plan or shall be addressed within a given time frame, such as Total Allowable Catch, establishment a data gathering and monitoring system, annual catch quotas, size limits, establishment of a clear outlined set of procedures for the implementation of the Plan and drafting of all new or amending Regulations required for the implementation of the Plan.