Stakeholder involvem ent in fishing gear selectivity developm ent - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Stakeholder involvem ent in fishing gear selectivity developm ent Can it increase the success of the Landing Obligation? Jordan Feekings Research Scientist DTU Aqua HELCOM FISH 5-2016

New EU Com m on Fisheries Policy • Discards/ unwanted catch now 4 0 m m / ~ 1 3 cm MLS has a value 16 Discards • Counts towards quotas 14 Landings 12 • Fishermen now have an 10 economic incentive to improve Num ber their selectivity 8 6 • Objectives of the management 4 system and those of the 2 fishermen are aligned 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 Carapace length ( m m )

New CFP and gear selectivity What we expect • Fishermen will need to modify their gears more actively throughout the year • Gear modifications on a vessel not fleet level • Gears will need to match quotas

W hat are the traditional w ays gears have been im plem ented in Denm ark/ EU? • Often prescribed in a top-down manner where minimum requirements are described in legislations – Minimum mesh sizes – Mesh shapes – Mandatory use of grids or panels – Size and placement of panels – Bar spacing in grids – Twine thickness • Becom es m icro m anagem ent

W hat are the pitfalls of a top-dow n approach? • Slow and inflexible system • Gears often very sensitive to small changes – Reason to why technical regulations get longer and longer • Selectivity improvements negated – Simple changes can have a large effect on selectivity Fishery Gear trial Krag et al. 2016

W hat are the pitfalls of a top-dow n approach? • Reduces sense of ownership the fishermen have over their fishery • The inflexibility of most regulatory systems provides fishermen with little possibility to develop and test more selective fishing practices. • One system is expected to fit all in an area. I T’S A RENTAL DON’T BE GENTLE

An alternative to a top-dow n approach • A bottom-up approach – Utilises industries unique practical knowledge – Gives industry a chance to take an active role – Creates ownership

Fast-Track Idea system Evaluation Industry testing Evaluation Scientific testing

Fast-Track w w w .fast-track.dk • Close collaboration with the commission regarding the Fast-Track approach to the development of gears • And regarding the reform of the new technical measures • Has the possibility to influence legislation/ the implementation of the LO system

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