The Terminal Evaluation for Comparative Studies of The Reproductive Biology and Early Life History of Two Tuna Species (Yellowfin Tuna and Pacific Blue Tuna) For the Sustainable Use of These Resources (November, 2015)

photo1Tuna fishery is an important industry for the Republic of Panama. However, overfishing has been causing a decline of important commercial fish populations, practically Yellowfin tuna (YFT) and Pacific Bluefin tuna (PBT). Given this background, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama requested the JICA for put together a scientific technical cooperation project to ensure sustainable resource use. This JICA-assisted project, a comparative study of the reproductive biology and early life history of two tuna species was carried out between April 2011 and March 2016. IC Net Limited was awarded the terminal evaluation and conducted it in November 2015 to assess the project performance and progress. The objectives of terminal evaluation are:

  1. To confirm the progress and achievements of the Project based on the Project Design Matrix (PDM) version 0.2 and the Plan of Operations (PO), and identify the promoting/ inhibiting factors to them;
  2. To analyze and evaluate the Project using JICA’s five evaluation criteria of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact and Sustainability; and
  3. To make recommendations and to draw lessons that may be applicable to the similar projects in the future.

The results of terminal evaluation were as follows:

Output 1: Spawning characteristics of YFT and PBF are determined.
Almost all the activities have been completed. Monitoring of spawning activities has become routine. Environmental factor is being analyzed and will be completed by the end of the Project.

Output 2: The method to identify maternal line of YFT is established by using mitochondria D-loop for analysis.
Almost all the activities have been completed. Continual analysis of mitochondria D-loop and maternal line was carried out.

Output 3: Critical factors that affect survival of YFT and PBF in their early life history are identified.
Almost all the activities have been completed. Some activities were not completed due to the unavailability of juvenile samples.

Output 4: Fingering production technologies that support early life history study of YFT are developed.
Almost all the activities have been completed.