tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213995670144893552026-10-15T14:53:47.371+05:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-83332075911736704612013-01-12T15:39:00.000+06:002013-01-12T17:43:14.765+06:00 <P><STRONG>Litter is still one of the main environmental problems that effects marine environments today. Fishing for Litter (FFL) is a project that started in 2005 in Scotland that aims to directly remove garbage from the sea but at the same time raising awareness to stakeholders, the public and the packing industry. </STRONG></P><P>The project has grown since 2005 and has expanded to South West England, the Netherlands and the Baltic Sea. <A href="http://www.kimointernational.org/FishingforLitter.aspx">Fishing For Litter</A> is creative in that it directly involves the fishing industry. Fishing boats are provided with bags, which they then fill with garbage that ends up in their fishing gear. When they are full, these bags are deposited on land. The garbage is then sorted, weighed and collected for disposal.</P><P>Fishing for Litter launched in three Swedish ports in autumn 2011 in cooperation with the <A href="http://www.keepswedentidy.org/sa/node.asp?node=2727">Foundation Keep Sweden Tidy</A>, and as of April 2012 FFL goal was to cover the entire Swedish Coastline. Presently, 13 harbors and 46 boats are involved. So far over 7 tonnes of garbage have been landed and about 56% of it is plastic. FFL in Sweden also arranges conferences, seminars and different exhibitions to constantly inform stakeholders and the public about the ongoing issue of marine litter.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2013/01/08/fishing-for-litter-to-cover-entire-swedish-coastline/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-86594603515231101352012-12-26T10:24:00.000+06:002012-12-26T12:28:27.770+06:00 <P>Last night Fisheries Ministers finally reached an agreement on TACs for 2013. Although a compromise agreement was reached which aims at putting the majority of fish stocks at an exploitation rate in line with Maximum Sustainable yield by 2015, TACs for many fish stocks were still set higher than proposed by the Commission, which largely followed scientific advice.</P><P>For many stocks the agreed reductions in TACs are not sufficient to ensure recovery or sustainable exploitation rates as recommended by scientific advice, particularly for North Sea cod stocks, haddock in Faroese waters and West of Scotland, southern hake in Iberian waters, sole in the Irish Sea and Bay of Biscay, and Norway lobster in Bay of Biscay and Western Iberian Seas.</P><P>For stocks which have a lack of scientific advice but show decreasing trends, the Council decided on a 5% reduction, a much smaller reduction for many stocks than proposed by the Commission or advised by scientists for precautionary purposes.</P><P>It is positive to see that the Council seems to take the international obligations to reach MSY by 2015 seriously. However, for far too many stocks TACs continue to be set at much higher levels than what is recommended by scientists.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/12/20/eu-fisheries-ministers-decide-on-tacs-for-2013/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-10709703846595050252012-12-20T21:57:00.000+06:002012-12-20T22:24:37.950+06:00 <P><STRONG>The Fisheries Secretariat (FISH) will be moving to a new office later this week.</STRONG></P><P>From 20 December, FISH staff can be found in a new office on Prastgatan 9 in Gamla Stan in Stockholm. This may limit our availability over the next few days, but by the beginning of the new year we should be up and running as normal again!</P><P>Please amend your contact details for us.</P><P>Our new address is:</P><P><STRONG>Prastgatan 9</STRONG><BR><STRONG>SE-111 29 Stockholm</STRONG><BR><STRONG>Sweden</STRONG></P><P>Phone: +46 8 250790</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/12/19/fish-moves-to-new-premises/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-29235250392741290822012-12-20T21:25:00.000+06:002012-12-20T22:24:34.406+06:00 <P><STRONG>Ministers agreed a roll-over of Black Sea catch limits today, despite continued problems with illegal fishing of turbot. They also came to an agreement that essentially scraps the 2008 cod recovery plan which is widely judged to be ineffective.</STRONG></P><P>The Fisheries Council meeting that began today will discuss the 2013 fishing opportunities for the majority of stocks in EU waters. An agreement was reached on quotas for some Black Sea stocks and on the future management of cod stocks in the North Sea.</P><P>In the Black Sea, only sprat and turbot are regulated through EU annual fishing opportunities and the quotas are shared between Romania and Bulgaria. The Council agreed on a roll-over of the 2012 quotas for both stocks, going against the Commission’s proposed reduction for turbot (COM 74 tonnes; Council 86,4 tonnes). There are problems with illegal and unreported landings in the Black Sea turbot fishery, and the Council has earlier agreed on measures to reinforce control and monitoring in the region.</P><P>The Council also came to an agreement on the future management of North Sea cod stocks, discussing proposed amendments to the long-term management plan that has been in place since 2008. The objectives set out in the plan have not been reached and recent evaluation by STECF (2011) has shown that it is flawed and ineffective, unlikely to deliver even by 2015. The fishery is also still riddled by high levels of bycatch and discarding.</P><P>The Council’s discussions were focused on the two main measures to limit fishing: effort and total allowable catches. The automatic reductions of both as long as stocks fail to recover were rejected today, essentially scrapping the recovery plan. This was seen as a great success by the UK government, as well as the Scottish industry.</P><P>The discussions will continue over the coming days. Ministers still have to agree on fishing limits for the majority of EU stocks for 2013, including cod, haddock, hake, sole and Norway lobster.</P><P>For further information:</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/12/18/north-sea-cod-recovery-plan-shelved/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-51632715809516429502012-12-20T20:52:00.000+06:002012-12-20T22:24:25.236+06:00 <P><STRONG>When the report on the Skagerrak discard ban was discussed for the first time in the Parliament Fisheries Committee on 17 December, MEPs raised issues in both the report and the Commission’s proposal on possible increases in TACs, control systems and minimum conservation reference sizes.</STRONG></P><P>On Monday the 17 December, the report on the Discard ban in theSkagerrakwas presented in the PECH Committee in the European Parliament. The German MEP Kuhn presented his report and the Committee members gave comments and raised questions to the Commission about the proposal. The discussion mainly focused on the issues of raised quotas under a discard ban, control via CCTV systems to be mandatory or not, and harmonisation of minimum conservation reference sizes.</P><P>It became clear that there are concerns in the Committee about the report from Kuhn, as well as the principal proposal from the Commission.  Commission also said that they themselves had questions on unclarities in the Kuhn report and amendments and that this needed to be sorted out in bilateral discussions with the rapporteur.</P><P>Upon questions raised, the Commission answered and admitted that some parts of the text is unclear and needs to be changed. For example, regarding article 3 on exemptions from discards and whether this is up the fishermen to decide depending on chances of survival. Such species should be evaluated and via delegated acts be exempt from the discard ban and not be up to the fishermen.</P><P>The current timeline for this legislation:</P><P>1. Date for amendments: January 9 (to be confirmed)<BR>2. Vote in PECH committee:  18/02/2013<BR>3. Indicative plenary date, 1st reading:  12/03/2013<BR>4. Implemented by January 2014 at the earliest</P><P>For further information:</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/12/19/skagerrak-discard-ban-report-presented-in-pech/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-84396036632663956082012-12-20T20:18:00.000+06:002012-12-20T22:22:33.001+06:00 <P><STRONG>The European Parliament Fisheries Committee (PECH) has adopted the Rodust (S&D, DE) report on the CFP reform basic regulation, along with a number of amendments which will improve the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.</STRONG></P><P>Votes on restoring fish stocks above MSY levels went through (amendment 2), with fourteen MEPs in favour and nine against. If this is supported at plenary and by the Council, all European fish stocks will be managed so that by 2015 “fishing mortality rates are set at levels that should allow fish stocks to recover, by 2020 at the latest, above levels that are capable of producing the maximum sustainable yield”. All recovered stocks should then continue to be managed within this framework.</P><P>Moreover, policies were adopted which aim to assess and eliminate fishing overcapacity (amendment 55). These will require Member States to provide annual capacity assessments which demonstrate that their fleet is in line with the available fishing opportunities. A mismatch would force Member States to submit plans to the European institutions on how to overcome this, and non-compliance could lead to subsidy funds being withheld.</P><P>A discard ban for all harvested species (amendment 32) was also supported by the committee. This will be implemented in three phases, beginning in 2014 and concluding three years later.</P><P>There was also good news for small-scale fishermen, with the amendment calling for them to be given preferential access to fish resources being voted through (amendment 20). Transferable fishing concessions (TFCs) were also limited to a maximum of 12 years, makes them voluntary, and limits their application to EU waters (amendment 48).</P><P>PECH has not always seen as a sustainable committee, with some MEPs criticised for being beholden to specific vested interest groups. However, a sea-change has taken place during recent years, with science and sustainability now being used as a cornerstone for decision-making by a majority of committee members. Chris Davies (ALDE, UK) was delighted with the committee, stating that “(I) can hardly believe how well the votes are going on fisheries reform. Clear majorities for sustainable policies.”</P><P>Ulrike Rodust was in celebratory mood after the vote and declared that “in plenary, I expect a large majority, the negotiations with the Council! I’m excited!” While Isabella Lovin (Greens/EFA, SE) thought it was a “fantastic outcome in PECH committee! We won ending to overfishing, discard ban for all harvested species and protected areas!!”</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/12/18/fisheries-committee-shows-leadership-on-common-fisheries-policy/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-61710021761928235792012-12-09T14:40:00.000+06:002012-12-09T14:40:00.911+06:00 <P><STRONG>The Fisheries Committee (PECH) has moved a step closer to finalising its position on the CFP reform basic regulation. 104 compromise amendments have been agreed by the political groups on the Rodust (S&D, DE). The vote will take place on 18 December.</STRONG></P><P>Initially, over 2500 amendments had been proposed by members of the committee. The political groups have since been negotiating amongst themselves compromises, for when different MEPs have suggested amendments to similar areas of the Commission proposals.</P><P>How the Fisheries Committee votes often acts as a weathervane for the entire Parliament, as they are the MEPs in their party group who specialise on fisheries issues and thus influence their colleagues. Therefore their position will likely provide an indication as to how the plenary will vote in February or March next year.</P><P>Key issues will be what date is set for MSY in terms of reducing fishing mortality (F) and reaching a target population size (B), priority access to low impact fishing vessels, the discard ban and capacity measures.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/29/basic-regulation-compromise-amendments-agreed/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-22181575481157603022012-12-09T14:10:00.000+06:002012-12-09T14:10:00.551+06:00 <P><STRONG>In what used to be the world’s largest fishery, Peru has cut its anchovy quota by 68 %, to 810,000 tonnes, due to warmer water temperatures and high levels of discarding. This is the smallest allowable catch for 25 years and a fraction of 12 million tonnes caught in the early 1970s.</STRONG></P><P>It is hoped that the lower quota will be just enough to allow the stock to remain somewhat stable. According to the government marine institute, IMPARPE, the stock has decreased 41% since last summer and is 28% smaller when compared to averages from the last 12 years.</P><P>Alluding to how depleted the stock has become, Production Minister Gladys Trevino stated “technically we would have said the quota is zero. That’s how bleak the panorama is”.</P><P>Fluctuations in the Peruvian anchovy stock have long been associated with the effects of “El Nino”. Anchovy thrive in nutrient rich colder waters, such as those provided by the Humboldt Current that flows north up the coast from Chile. Peru is currently experiencing mild “El Nino” effects, which lead to increased water temperatures. Therefore, if the temperatures continue to rise the government may enforce more restrictions and cut fishing quotas further.</P><P>In addition, discarding in the fishery has risen according to IMPARPE as industrial fishermen throw back juveniles which have been unintentionally caught in order to avoid fines. In order to avoid this wasteful practice, large vessels now have to operate further from the shore with coastal waters now being reserved from smaller boats.</P><P>Peru is the world’s top fishmeal exporter, producing about a third of worldwide supply. Last year it shipped abroad more than $2 billion in fishmeal and fish oil. Anchovy is usually dried and used as feed for livestock and farmed fish. However, with the anchovy quota being cut, the price of fishmeal, which has already doubled over the past decade and has increased by 20% just this past year alone, will likely continue to rise.</P><P>In the European Union, plans are in place for a significant increase in the aquaculture industry. Large subsidies are proposed in the subsidy package, known as the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The current fund is being negotiated and will be in place from 2014 to 2020.</P><P>Pushed by Commissioner Damanaki and supported by all Baltic Member States, fish farming will likely be subsidised heavily in the coming years, partly in order to reduce the reduce the quantity of imported fish to the EU, which currently accounts for 60% of consumption.</P><P>However, the Baltic Sea already has an overload of nutrients which have led to continuous algal blooms and a “fertilised sea”. Importing fish fodder from outside the Baltic to use on farms will also cause further problems for the local nutrient balance and exacerbate the eutrophication problem.</P><P>Plans to increase the aquaculture industry through subsidies, given the negative link to overfishing will harm the prospects of wild fish stock recovery and will in all likelihood create overcapacity in the farming business. The rapidly increasing price of fishmeal and the lack of a clear economic argument demonstrating that a market exists in the EU for such an expansion in farmed fish consumption, should be cause enough for scepticism that this is the right direction for the EU to move in.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/07/peru-slashes-anchovy-quota/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-55677363466796404942012-12-09T13:39:00.000+06:002012-12-09T13:39:00.032+06:00 <P><STRONG>The European Parliament has voted yes to new Baltic salmon management plan, to ban shark finning and gave overwhelming support to the report from Isabella Lovin (Greens/EFA, Sweden) on the external dimension of the CFP.</STRONG></P><P>An EP session in Strasbourg with important votes and debates related to fisheries was concluded on Wednesday 22nd. The Parliament supported, by a vast majority, to stop shark finning by closing loopholes in the current regulations. This decision marks an end to a long NGO campaign to stop this practice.</P><P>An important part of the CFP reform was also finalised in Parliament. The report from Isabella Lovin on the external dimension of the CFP was supported, by 450 votes to 11, giving a large body of support for strong measures for EU fishing operations acting outside EU waters to act more responsibly. The report specifically targets issues to prevent illegal fishing, reflagging and to include a human rights clause in fisheries partnership agreements. Even though this report is non- legislative, it is an important signal of the Parliament’s position on international elements of the CFP Basic Regulation, scheduled to be voted on in March 2013.</P><P>The Parliament also supported the PECH Committee report and final position on the new long term management plan for the Baltic salmon stocks.  This means that a series of amendments to the Commissions original text were supported. For example, strengthening conservation targets, increasing control and improved management of recreational fisheries, setting up a number of clear guidelines for rearing and releasing reared salmon to the wild, adding wording about the need to phase out the open sea fishery and underlining the Polluter Pays Principle regarding the responsibility of power companies to restore and alleviate the problems caused by hydropower.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/23/ep-charts-a-sustainable-course/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-45951101577436519102012-12-09T13:04:00.000+06:002012-12-09T13:04:00.190+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-75991298443821840862012-12-09T12:32:00.000+06:002012-12-09T12:32:00.213+06:00 <P><STRONG><IMG class=aligncenter title="Ulrike Rodust receives WWF petition" alt="" src="/wwfrobertoferrignoulrikerodustmep6.jpg" width=413 height=328></STRONG></P><P><STRONG>At the European Parliament on 6-8 November, WWF handed over their peition to Ulrike Rodust (S&D, DE), rapporteur for the European Parliament on the basic regulation of the CFP reform.</STRONG></P><P>The campaign attracted 150,000 signatures, calling for “political leadership from MEPs to build a healthy and prosperous future for our oceans and steer Europe’s fishing industry away from the path to bankruptcy.”</P><P>The “More Fish” petition was in the form of a cheque to highlight the economic benefits that would arise from sustainable management.</P><P>Commissioner Maria Damanaki has been vocal in her support for the campaign, stating that “it is important that citizens are aware of what is at stake…my hope is that the European Parliament will lead the delivery of a reform that meets the expectations of our citizens”.</EM></P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/15/stop-bankrupting-our-oceans-150000-people-demand-sustainable-cfp/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-78004272641011230212012-12-09T11:57:00.001+06:002012-12-09T11:57:27.786+06:00 <P><STRONG>The flagship investigative journalism series “uppdrag granskning” from Swedish public broadcaster SVT1 will show a film on the collapse of the Baltic wild salmon population and the management failures that have caused the situation ahead of Thursday’s European Parliament plenary on the salmon management plan.</STRONG></P><P>The once thriving Baltic salmon, which flowed through eighty rivers in Sweden, is now threatened due to a combination of damming and poor planning of building projects, overfishing and lax management. The fishing industry is in continual decline and the anglers’ paradise has long since disappeared.</P><P>Sweden is often seen as “best in class” on fisheries issues within the EU. They are supportive of Commission proposals to rebuild fish stocks and strive to end subsidy dependence and overcapacity in the industry. However, according to the programme makers the “whole salmon policy is described as a failure”.</P><P>Instead they analyse how thousands of jobs in rural areas could be generated along with tens of millions of euros in revenue were the salmon stocks viable once again.</P><P>The salmon quota for next year in the Baltic main basin is 108,672 individuals, shared between the eight EU Member States. This is double what scientists from ICES recommended. Russia has a separate quota of less than 1,000 salmon.</P><P>Just last year though, the quota was over 300,000 individuals. Legal landings were significantly lower than this, although these figures masked the rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which has blighted the Baltic salmon.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/20/swedish-television-examines-the-baltic-salmon-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-13377745559068324832012-12-09T11:22:00.000+06:002012-12-09T11:56:39.916+06:00 <P><STRONG>As of today, Thursday, November 29, 2012 over 838,120 people have signed a petition to stop wasteful discards.</STRONG></P><P><A href="http://www.fishfight.net/">Hugh’s Fish Fight</A> which started in 2011 by Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall, has caught the attention of thousands of people all over the world, with over 700,000 signatories within the EU and the remaining sign-ups spread throughout the world. The campaign is aimed towards changing key aspects in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) that would ban discards. Discards refer to the fish that are retained by fishing gear and are then thrown back into the sea. They are often juvenile fish which are too small to be legally landed or can be thrown back so that fishermen can land higher value fish instead. These discards are usually dead or have little to no chance of survival. It is estimated that one in four fish caught in the EU are discarded back into the sea.</P><P>All the names that endorse the campaign will be included in a letter to Commissioner Maria Damanki, and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Commissioner Damanki has also pledged her support and wants to end “the nightmare of discards”. The discard ban which is part of the larger CFP reform will be voted on in early 2013.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/29/over-800000-people-campaign-to-save-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-81562616142430006472012-12-09T10:50:00.000+06:002012-12-09T11:55:28.063+06:00 <P><STRONG>The Council on 28-29 November will fix fishing opportunities for certain deep sea stocks for 2013 and 2014 (COM(2012)579). Discussions on the annual consultation between EU and Norway will also take place and the Danish delegation will brief the Council on the Norway pout stock.<BR></STRONG></P><P>Deep sea species tend to be slow growing, late maturing and have low reproductive capacity. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to overfishing, which makes the serious lack of scientific information on the deep sea stocks in the North-east Atlantic all the more problematic. Thus it is crucial that EU lives up to its international commitments and applies the precautionary approach when setting TACs for deep sea species, taking into account that the scientific advice is based on limited data and a single stock approach, while bycatch levels are high and catches contain a wide range of deep sea species, particularly in the bottom trawl fisheries.</P><P>FISH and Seas at Risk’s detailed recommendations on the proposals can be <A href="http://www.fishsec.org/council-briefings/november-2012/">read here</A>. A short summary is presented below:<STRONG></STRONG></P><P><STRONG>Bycatch quotas</STRONG><BR>It is imperative to use the opportunity of the review of the access regime for deep sea fisheries for the adoption of measures that will minimise future levels of bycatch in deep sea fisheries.</EM></P><P></EM><STRONG>Comments on specific species</STRONG><BR>In general, we support the Commission proposal where it follows scientific advice, but want to highlight our concerns for several stocks:</EM></EM></P></EM><STRONG>Roundnose grenadier: </STRONG>We strongly recommend a zero TAC for roundnose grenadier in area III, and a roll-over of the 2012 TAC – or at least a much more moderate increase in TACs – in areas V, VI and VII. The proposed 77 % increase in TAC to 4 500 tonnes is too large, considering the limited data on which the advice is based and the high levels of bycatch in the fishery.</EM><STRONG>Deep sea sharks</STRONG>: We recommend that a zero TAC for both targeted fisheries and bycatch of deep sea shark species is maintained.</EM><STRONG>Red (blackspot) seabream</STRONG>: In line with ICES advice, we urge you to stop all directed fisheries of red seabream in area VI, VII and VIII, and to urgently adopt measures to minimise bycatch.</EM><STRONG>Alfonsinos</STRONG>: We recommend an immediate reduction of the TAC for alfonsinos to the level proposed by ICES of 280 tonnes and a prohibition of any exploitation of new aggregations.</EM><STRONG>Blue Ling</STRONG>: We recommend that the targeted fishery for blue ling in areas II</EM>–IV is closed, and that closed areas to protect spawning aggregations are maintained and expanded</EM>.<br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/27/7418/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-63163583002704058052012-12-09T10:19:00.000+06:002012-12-09T11:54:10.480+06:00 <P><STRONG>The Council has agreed TACs for deep sea stocks for the coming two years. While most quotas will be reduced next year, a lack of caution has been exercised for these vulnerable species. There was more good news for sharks though, for which no quotas were assigned.</STRONG></P><P>Swedish minister Eskil Erlandsson criticised the agreement, stating “I am very disappointed the Fisheries Council didn’t show responsibility for management of the vulnerable deep sea stocks”.</P><P>Deep sea species tend to be slow growing, late maturing and have low reproductive capacity, which makes them particularly vulnerable to overfishing. This makes the serious lack of scientific information on the deep sea stocks in the Northeast Atlantic all the more problematic.</P><P>For stocks which are data poor, the guiding principle for EU fisheries management is the precautionary principle. However, for several stocks this was ignored by the Council. Over half of the agreed quotas were either in excess of the scientific recommendation or Commission proposal, and three stocks will have TACs more than 200% higher than that suggested by ICES.</P><P>Species for which the Commission proposed no fishing opportunities, orange roughy and seventeen shark species, the Council agreed to a zero TAC.</P><P>One of the central problems that the agreed quotas for the coming two years will cause is that many of the (bycatch) species that are caught in large quantities in mixed deep sea fisheries have no TAC. This leaves them unmanaged and unregulated. Unfortunately, the limited number of species managed by TACs has also led to misreporting of the species in the catches to avoid counting them against the quotas. An example of this is the roundnose grenadier TAC off the west coast of the UK, where the agreed 69% quota increase will cause problems due to high levels of bycatch.</P><P>After 2014, it is supposed that new legislation will be in place regarding deep sea fisheries. There is a Commission proposal for a revised access regime on the table, and if this becomes EU legislation 54 species will be covered by TACs rather than the present 24. Moreover, the proposed new legislation will seek to regulate deep-sea fisheries; including measures to phase out bottom trawling and bottom gillnet fishing for deep-sea species. The European Council and Parliament will be debating the Commission beginning in early next year.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/30/deep-sea-quotas-set-business-as-usual-at-the-council/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-73061381926649664922012-12-09T09:49:00.000+06:002012-12-09T11:52:40.262+06:00 <P><STRONG>At a workshop in the European Parliament organised by Struan Stevenson (ECR, UK), the theory of balanced harvesting was discussed. Its proponents argue that fishing across a range of species, stocks and sizes could increase yields, address food security better than selectively avoiding juvenile fish and bycatch. However, they warn that the state of fish stocks and scientific research would need to be greatly improved before such a management system could be implemented.</STRONG></P><P>In the articles “<A href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/335/6072/1045.summary">reconsidering the consequences of selective fishing</A>” and “<A href="http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/03/01/icesjms.fss031.short">on balanced exploitation of marine ecosystems: results from dynamic size spectra</A>”, published earlier this year, academics suggests that fisheries management should focus more on the productivity of stocks.</P><P>They argue that as less energy is required to produce smaller fish, avoiding these through selectivity is wasteful and reduces yields. Instead the old, large, and fecund fish should be selectively left in the ecosystem as breeders, and all bycatch be caught and utilised.</P><P>The authors of the studies note there are several factors that need to be in place before it could be implemented. Most importantly, to negate the risk of fishery collapse, no stocks can be overexploited and improved scientific data would be required for potential catches.</P><P>Given that of assessed EU stocks, 63% in the Atlantic are overfished, 82% in the Mediterranean and 4 out of the 6 stocks for which scientific advice is available in the Baltic, considerable work is required to meet this criterion. In addition, Commission figures show that “scientific advice about overfishing is missing for about two-thirds of the total allowable catches” and this figure excludes data for bycatch of non-commercial species. Thus, the EU is a long way from managing stocks at the Bmsy (biomass that enables a fish stock to deliver the maximum sustainable yield).</P><P>As we have seen with the North Sea cod stock, where during the 1990s 93% of fish were caught before they had the opportunity to spawn, a combination of too high fishing pressure and poor selectivity causes stock collapse. This underlines the importance of achieving the MSY target as a prerequisite to increasing yields.</P><P>Stevenson argues that balanced harvesting “may be the answer to achieving the ‘Holy Grail’ of fishing above Maximum Sustainable Yield, so that fish stocks are able readily to replenish themselves and catches and profits rise accordingly”. However, producer organisation representatives have dismissed the concept because “targeting more small fish will reduce their revenues and promote a market for small fish”. They argue that minimum landing sizes allow fish to spawn at least once before they are caught, acting as an insurance against stock collapse.</P><P>Consumer demands for larger, high quality fish also encourage selectivity measures to protect juveniles. Although yields could increase under balanced harvesting, fishermen and consumers would be short-changed unless market demand for younger fish increased and prices rose accordingly.</P><P>The balanced harvesting theory may be counterintuitive and goes against much of current EU policy, which seeks to encourage selectivity and protect juveniles; however, it is correct that measures to protect the largest, most fecund females would be beneficial for the resilience of stocks.</P><P>There is also logic to the theory of increasing yields by focusing efforts on juveniles. In much the same way, farming could increase yields by producing more veal from calves rather than beef from cows. Yet, if these increased juvenile landings were used as fodder for the aquaculture industry it would be an even more inefficient use of resources than allowing fish to mature before being caught.</P><P>In the future there may be potential for balanced harvesting to be used in EU fisheries, although as the theory encourages landing a wider range of species, further research is necessary.  We would need to know the Fmsy for all stocks as well as their current biomass, while fishing would need to be highly selective so as to fish each stock, and each age class within each stock, at the correct rate. This would in theory lead to a more balanced age distribution within fish stocks, a commitment for the EU to follow under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.</P><P>For now though, the EU needs to continue to focus on rebuilding stocks under the MSY principle.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/11/19/balanced-harvesting-an-alternative-interpretation-of-selectivity/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-18815916558640903162012-10-12T22:41:00.000+06:002012-10-13T00:44:39.638+06:00 <P><STRONG>On 26-27 September, The Fisheries Secretariat (FISH) held a conference in Gdynia, Poland, looking at what further actions are needed in order to minimise the environmental impacts caused by fishing in the Baltic Sea. Solutions were discussed between stakeholders to facilitate the transition to low impact fishing, to pave the way for the Baltic to become a model region for low impact fishing practices. </STRONG></P><P>Adapting fishing techniques has been given momentum by the CFP reform, with its focus on regionalisation (co-management), obtaining the maximum sustainable yield from fishing, the discard ban and efforts to improve selectivity, along with subsidy funding being made available for gear changes. These factors provide a clear context for the EU to shift toward low impact fishing, and it is hoped that the Baltic, with its clean fisheries and recovering stocks, can lead the way forward.</P><P>At the conference, the main conclusions on how to shift towards low impact fisheries were: more focus on regionalisation and co-management of fish stocks, information and knowledge sharing on best practices, incentives for fishermen to use best practices and techniques, better balance between different fleet segments within the industry and the flexibility to develop new gears. For this to take place there is a need for a clear political framework to be in place guiding the process.</P><P>The conference, held in partnership with WWF Sweden, was well attended with over 90 participants from a wide range of sectors; Fishermen, gear developers, scientists, NGO representatives, politicians and fishery managers. The first day included presentations of fishing gears and techniques that are currently used and possible shifts and modifications among these by Gustaf Almqvist (FISH</EM>). Gustaf gave an appraisal of currently used gears and their impacts upon the marine environment. He emphasised the need for more diverse fishing gears, a less rigid and more flexible approach to gear tests and development efforts and finally further studies on the ecological effects of different gears conducted in the Baltic Sea (e.g. bottom trawling habitat effects on the Baltic Sea floor).</P><P>Mike Park (White Fish Producers Association Limited</EM>) presented how Scottish fishermen, scientists and decision makers have cooperated to improve white fish stocks within the Scottish Conservation Credit Scheme. He highlighted the importance of fully documented catches, improved control systems (CCTV) and a aeward system with fishing opportunities (effort), that is related to the degree of compliance of fishermen to a set of measures aiming to mitigate the negative effects of fishing. Reine Johansson (Chairman of the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council</EM>) presented his personal views on how to achieve a discard ban in the Baltic Sea and stressed that the same regulations had to be valid for all countries involved in Baltic fisheries, including Russia. He also stressed that there is a future need to improve the selectivity in the trawl sector and to increase the value of cod at the market, possibly by increasing the minimum size to 40 cm.</P><P>The coordinator of the LOT 1 project, an EU project on cod trawl selectivity, Hans Nilsson (Swedish University of Agricultural Science</EM>) gave an update on the latest developments within the project. The final presentations during the first day were given by Staffan Larsson (STPO</EM>) and Lars-Gunnar Lunneryd (Institute of Costal Research, SLU</EM>) who gave examples of low impact fisheries in action in the Baltic Sea. Staffan highlighted that by increasing the net mesh size to 128 mm, STPO fisherman catch larger sized fish of better quality (larger fish are more valuable and can be better utilised by the filleting industry), generating more money, their goal is to provide a stable supply of cod daily for the market. Lars-Gunnar presented his work on cod pots and seal safe pontoon traps illustrated by videos, emphasising their potential as a good complement to the current predominate fishing techniques. These fishing gears would likely improve selectivity within the target catch and also reduce bycatch. Cod pots may come to replace other gears, but they are most successful when the population is larger and found closer to coastal waters.</P><P>During the panel discussion, the panellists were asked, among others to explain what LIF means to them. For Eskild Kierkegaard (DTU Aqua</EM>) LIF is efficient fishing, where a better balance between different fishing techniques and less fishing pressure would lead to improved fish stocks, although this does not necessarily include improved selectivity (fishing on the whole size and age spectrum of fish). Christian Pusch (EMPAS</EM>) stressed that for him LIF needs to be in line with agreed marine directives, and not least the Habitat and Bird directives. For Jochen Bellebaum, expert on bird bycatch, LIF is to reduce the amount of gillnets in shallow waters during winter, and stressed the need to find bird safe gears that are efficient enough to be economical also in these areas. Sara Hornborg (The Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, SIK</EM>) working with life cycle analysis and fuel consumption, for her LIF means that all effects of fishing activities are considered. She stressed that fuel efficiency and habitat effects of bottom trawling often go hand in hand and that, already today, several measures could be taken into consideration such as pelagic otter doors (reduced bottom contact) and electric pulse beam trawls. Vessels could further be improved by becoming more energy efficient (e.g. new engines), similarly much of the fuel consumption is dependent on the behaviour of the fishermen (e.g. speed of the boat)</P><P>On a direct question from the moderator on how much of the fuel consumptions can be reduced in future trawls and in what time frame, Eskild Kirkegaard replied that with gear modifications such as new netting, lighter materials, and flying otter doors a 50% fuel reduction could be achieved within 10 years. Jochen Bellebaum was asked to give his view on possibilities to seasonally close areas; he explained that it is not a valid alternative to close the whole area in the Southern Baltic Sea (needed from a LIF bird bycatch perspective) due to the sheer size of the area combined with that the closure would need to last for close to half the year (which would coincide with the period of the year that is most important for coastal fisheries), closed areas should instead be limited to areas where the problem is most serious. Krzysztof Skora (Hel Marine Station, University of Gdansk</EM>) was asked about the most important measures to be taken to reduce bycatch of harbour porpoises. He replied that controls need to be improved and that the usage of so called pingers (scaring devices) should be mandatory for all gill net fishers in areas where harbour porpoises are likely to be found. Besides fishing, factors as harsh winters, pollution and noise pollution also threaten the survival of the species in the sensitive Baltic Sea ecosystem.</P><P>Presentations and the panel discussion of invited experts during the first day formed the basis for the World Cafe during the second day, where participants interactively discussed and sought agreement on actions for how to move towards low impact fisheries in the Baltic Sea. The wide range of participants (fishermen, gear developers, scientists, NGO representatives, politicians and fishery managers) allowed for broad and fruitful discussions leading to a set of concrete actions.</P><P>Besides focus on gears and selectivity, which made up large parts of the discussion during the first day, the second day was all about ways forward. Next steps on how to move towards low impact fisheries in the Baltic Sea were identified, with the top five actions forward being; to educate and exchange knowledge (among the scientific community and fishermen but also among fishermen from different countries and regions); to create and/or improve structures for management and dialogue among stakeholders; to explore local seal regulation; to set overarching targets for both conservation and fisheries to operationalise at a regional/local management along with the need for more research. Regionalisation moving towards local responsibility and local management and responsibilities of the fishermen were buzz words during the conversations.</P><P>Our aim if for the conference to be a starting point for closer collaboration between regional stakeholders, which we hope will forge links to ongoing work in the Baltic Sea region. The outcomes of the seminar will further be described and included in a report on Low Impact Fisheries in the Baltic Sea that currently is being produced by FISH.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/10/08/the-baltic-sea-a-model-for-low-impact-fisheries/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-10961535938154290042012-10-07T08:23:00.000+06:002012-10-07T09:54:35.001+06:00 <P><STRONG>The Baltic Sea provides a number of ecosystem services to the inhabitants of the region. Hitherto, economic models have tended not to place economic values on them though. BalticSTERN work to integrate these values as well as public opinion into their analyses. With regard to fisheries, their research indicates that low fishing mortalities will generate the highest long-term profitability as well as being best for the long-term resilience of the ecosystem.</STRONG></P><P>Yesterday, the Stockholm Resilience Centre hosted a stakeholder seminar to discuss BalticSTERN’s research with scientists, business sectors, NGOs, ministries. The aim of the workshop was to give an overview of the research carried out by BalticSTERN between 2009-2012 and to present unpublished published results so as to get feedback for a report due in December.</P><P>BalticSTERN, is an international research network that combines ecological and economic models to make cost-benefit analyses and identify cost-effective combinations of measures for reaching environmental targets for the Baltic Sea, stemming from the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP).</P><P>Johan Rockstrom of the Stockholm Resilience Centre opened the meeting by stating that one of the main pillars of BalticSTERN’s research is to try to illustrate the public value of the Baltic Sea and to stress the importance of achieving an improved environmental state of the Baltic Sea. BalticSTERN wants to deliver the message to decision makers that the Nordic countries are among the richest countries in the world and it would be a shame if they cannot their neighbouring Sea. Rockstrom also stated that one of the main ideas of the project is to bridge the gap between science and policy.</P><P>The seminar mainly revolved around cost-benefit scenarios of carrying out mitigation measures on eutrophication and overfishing, other environmental pressures such as oil spills were also discussed. Some very interesting results of the research conducted so far was presented, inter alia</EM> concluding that citizens around the Baltic Sea show a high willingness to pay for an improved environmental state of the Baltic Sea. Over 50% of the asked population would be willing to pay 50 euros annually as a specific Baltic Sea tax aiming to achieve the goals in the BSAP.</P><P>Concerning fisheries, some interesting results on multi species modelling were presented, concluding that a low fishing pressure on the main commercial species in the central Baltic Sea would generate the highest economic long term profitability. The ultimate fishing mortalities proposed was 0.2 for eastern Baltic cod and around 0.1 for sprat and herring. The modelling results provide valuable information in light of the current development on a multi species management plan for the Baltic Sea.</P><P>It was stressed that improved EU policy coherence and the need to develop targets within the different policy areas fulfilling the descriptors of Good Ecological Status in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive. BALTFISH, one of the flagship projects in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, was mentioned as a positive example of a regional governance initiative, and it was discussed whether it would be possible to develop a similar institution with a wider scope beyond fisheries, embracing all issues that have an influence on the Baltic Sea environment.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/10/05/balticstern-seminar-public-is-willing-to-pay-for-a-healthier-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-56874573396878237042012-10-07T07:51:00.000+06:002012-10-07T09:54:18.731+06:00 <A href="http://www.fishsec.org/">Home</A> » <A title="View all posts in Article" href="http://www.fishsec.org/category/article/">Article</A> » European deep sea fisheries catching up to 3.5 times their allocated quotas – study says<P><STRONG>A recent study published in Ocean and Coastal management reveals that on average the European fishing fleet catches up to 3.5 times more deep sea fish than the allocated quotas. In some between ten and twenty-eight times more fish is caught than what is allocated by the quotas. Deep Sea species, such as orange roughy, are often slow growing and long lived and are therefore very sensitive to overfishing.</STRONG></P><P>The researchers behind the study conclude that the results illustrate the ineffectiveness in EU fisheries management and the lack of control ensuring compliance with the rules. Not only have scientifically proposed TAC levels been exceeded during Council negotations, but the agreed quotas have also not been complied with. They argue that this mismanagement has undermined the long-term sustainability of several stocks, with urgent management measures required to ensure the sustainability of these fisheries.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/10/05/european-deep-sea-fisheries-catching-up-to-3-5-times-their-allocated-quotas-study-says/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-74590525949152796422012-10-05T16:17:00.000+06:002012-10-05T17:12:38.788+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-80861887462849643332012-10-05T15:43:00.000+06:002012-10-05T17:11:29.562+06:00 <P><STRONG>A recent study, led by Christopher Costello, has attempted to provide insight into the status of “unassessed” fisheries from across the globe. By compiling the available data for such stocks, which comprise 80% of the world’s fisheries, the paper underlines the precarious state of the world’s fisheries and the benefits of rebuilding fish populations.</STRONG></P><P>Costello argues that managing fish stocks so that they achieve Bmsy levels would have significant benefits, given that 64% of unassessed stocks could provide increased sustainable harvest if rebuilt. Their results suggest that global fishery recovery would simultaneously create an increase in both abundance (56%) and fishery yields (8%-40%), with these benefits primarily benefiting regions of the world facing food security challenges. This need is describe as pressing given the projected “increase….in human populations and wealth in the coming decades.”</P><P>According to the paper, with both small and large stocks continuing to decline in unassessed fisheries, the need to manage stocks in a sustainable manner would have both socio-economic and environmental benefits.</P><P>They pinpoint small unassessed fisheries as those being in the worst condition. However, they emphasise that recent advances in data poor assessment could be coupled with management instruments such as territorial user right fisheries (TURFs), no-take reserves and co-management approaches to achieve improvements in the status of fish stocks.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.fishsec.org/2012/10/04/study-produced-analysing-global-unassessed-fisheries/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-6705697953483251432012-10-05T15:07:00.000+06:002012-10-05T17:10:33.224+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-51036018266869936172012-09-29T20:40:00.000+06:002012-09-29T22:12:55.003+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-13079008691673885322012-09-29T20:09:00.000+06:002012-09-29T22:12:44.109+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021399567014489355.post-47138428059181990132012-09-28T22:59:00.000+06:002012-09-29T00:29:46.487+06:00Alexandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368728742677285630noreply@blogger.com0