“Economic Advice in Fisheries Management: a trilogue between Science, Administration and Stakeholders”, was the title of a conference organised recently by DG MARE of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Association of Fisheries Economists (EAFE) and the University of Malta. FARNET was there also to highlight how CLLD is enabling fishing communities to develop new and innovative fisheries management initiatives.

The event gathered over 220 participants, including policy makers, fisheries scientists, NGOs, trade and seafood processing organisations, and small and large scale fisheries associations, from inside and outside the EU, for 1.5 days of lively and rich discussions (see outputs here). Quoting Commissioner Karmenu Vella in his opening speech, “we need accurate and relevant economic advice to back up our policy proposals… and we need to find ways to take into account that seafood markets are becoming ever more integrated and globalised…  so that the force stays with us.”

With CLLD and FARNET present at this event, the point was made that a cooperative approach, bringing together local knowledge, smart science-fisheries partnerships and appropriately designed data collection tools, can support the design of more efficient fisheries management policies for local communities. Illustrated during the event with examples such as Telecapêche, a French Axis 4 supported catch data reporting system in Brittany, and the “relational capital in fishing communities” study by the Stretto FLAG in Calabria, Italy, there is clear evidence that FLAGs & blueCLLD can help to bring balance to the force in fisheries management.

For more information on the event and all presentations, click here.

Cartagena, Colombia, 27 January 2016
Three Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs): the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM); the Organization of the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA); and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations - Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (FAO-WECAFC) on Wednesday 27 January signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate, support and strengthen the coordination of actions among the three RFBs to increase the sustainability of fisheries.

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The article "Catch reconstructions reveal that global marine fisheries catches are higher than reported and declining" by Pauly and Zeller published in Nature Communications argues that catch reconstructions, compiled from a number of separate studies, support a different conclusion about the magnitude and recent trend of marine catches than what is shown by FAO capture production database compiled since 1950.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) is one of the biggest threats to marine biodiversity and sustainable fishing. Every year between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish is caught through IUU fishing. This costs the industry between $10 and $23 billion annually and threatens food security in many parts of the world. Estimates indicate that IUU fishing accounts for up to 30% of the total global catch. IUU fishing is also considered a major threat to fisheries resources in the Caribbean region, undermining regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks. IUU fishing also prevents governments of the CARICOM countries from achieving their nationally and regionally agreed-upon fisheries management goals and objectives.

IUU fishing leads to the loss of both short and long-term social and economic opportunities and to negative effects on food security and environmental protection. If IUU fishing is not dealt with, it can lead to the collapse of a fishery or seriously impair efforts to rebuild stocks that have already been depleted. The fight against IUU fishing must be prioritized in order to ensure food security, guarantee income and livelihoods for legitimate fishers, as well as continued export earnings from fisheries.

The issue brief (available here) provides an overview of international and regional policies and agreements that are essential in the fight against IUU fishing in the Caribbean region.

Common Oceans/ABNJ Tuna Project started two pilot activities to test the insertion of EMS data in the national processes to verify and enhance compliance with current regulations. The systems are deployed on board longline vessels in Fiji and purse seine vessels in Ghana.

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