Fishing as the exploitation of a natural resorceBy

Eskild Kirkegaard, ICES ACOM Chair

ARVI International Conference on the Future of Fisheries Vigo, 27 November 2014

Outline

A few words about ICES and the basis for ICES advice on fisheries

Summarize biological status of main stocks and their exploitation in the NE Atlantic,

Challenges for ICES

International Coiuncil for Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

Marine Science Cooperation since 1902;20 Member Countries; Intergovernmental Organisation

360 Institutes; A network of 4,000 scientists;1,600 scientists participating in activities annually;150 Expert Groups that address the many diverse

issues of marine ecosystems and ocean sustainability.

ICES advice

Based on the best data and science available from member countries, ICES runs Advisory Services:

To advise on the sustainable use of living marine resources and protection of the marine environment

ICES advice

ICES Member States

Until 2009, ICES’ advice was based on the precautionary approach, extended by long-term considerations for maximising yield and considering ecosystem effects of the fishery.

In 2010, ICES started a formal implementation of the maximum sustainable yield-concept in its advice.

MSY – maximum sustainable yield

Stock Categories1 Stocks with an accepted analytical assessment and forecast for

MSYMSY approach

2 Stocks with an analytical assessment and forecast accepted for trends only

Developing MSY approach 2014

3 Stocks with survey-based assessments indicating trends Developing MSY approach 2014 - ?

4 Stocks with reliable time-series of catch data to approximate MSY

Developing MSY approach 2014 - ?

5 Only catch or landings available Risk based approach

6 Only landings available and largely discarded Risk based approach

• Each category has several available methods dependent on stock status.

Stock Categories

ICES provides advice for app. 260 stocks.1/3 of the stocks are in category 1 and 2 2/3 of the stock are in category 3 to 6

ICES harvest control ruleICES bases its MSY approach on attaining a fishing mortality rate at or below FMSY. In this approach, both fishing mortality and biomass reference points are used; these reference points are FMSY and BMSY-trigger. BMSY-trigger is a biomass reference point that triggers a cautious response. ICES approach does not include a MSY biomass target (BMSY).

Stock status

Stock size relative to BMSY-trigger

Fishing mortality relative to FMSY

ECOREGIONS

•Iceland and East Greenland Seas

•Barents Sea

•Faroe Plateau Ecosystem

•Norwegian Sea

• Celtic Sea and West of Scotland

• North Sea

• Bay of Biscay and Iberian Waters

• Baltic Sea

•Oceanic northeast Atlantic

Bay of Biscay & Iberia ecoregion

IBERIA (VIIIc, IXa):• Hake• Anglerfish (pisc.)• Anglerfish (budeg.)• Megrim (whiff.)• Megrim (bosc.)• Sardine• H. mackerel (IXa)

BAY OF BISCAY:• Sole• Anchovy

Nephrops• VIIIc, IXaN• IXaS• VIIIab

“New” stockswhiting

plaice sole pollack grey gurnard

sardine 7+8abd sea bass

Bay of Biscay & Iberia ecoregion

Bay of Biscay & Iberia ecoregion

Celtic Sea & West, Southwest Ireland

• Cod (VIIe-k) • Haddock (VIIb-k)• Whiting (VIIe-k)• Plaice (CS; VIIh-k; VIIbc)• Sole (CS; VIIh-k; VIIbc)• Northern hake• Anglerfish (VIIb-k, VIIIabd)• Megrim (VIIb-k, VIIIabd)• Nephrops (FUs 16-17-20-22)

Western Channel • Plaice (VIIe)• Sole (VIIe)

West of Scotland & Rockall

• Cod (VIa; VIb)• Haddock (VIa; VIb)• Whiting (VIa; VIb)• Anglerfish (IIIa,IV,VI)• Megrim (IVa-VIa; VIb)• Nephrops (FUs11-12-13)

Irish Sea • Cod• Haddock• Whiting• Plaice• Sole• Nephrops (FUs 14-15-19)

Celtic Seas ecoregion

Celtic Seas ecoregion

Cod, Haddock, Whiting, Hake

Celtic Seas ecoregion

Cod, Haddock, Whiting, Hake

Celtic Seas ecoregion

Plaice, sole and megrim

Celtic Seas ecoregion

Plaice, sole and megrim

Development in fishing mortality

General trends in fishing mortalityEU waters(42 stocks)

19471950

19531956

19591962

19651968

19711974

19771980

19831986

19891992

19951998

20012004

20072010

20130

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

PelagicDemersal

Development in average SSB

General trends in SSBEU waters

19911992

19931994

19951996

19971998

19992000

20012002

20032004

20052006

20072008

20092010

20112012

20130

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

500000

Overall conclusions

• Fishing mortalities have declined towards FMSY

• Stocks are increasing slowly

Landing obligation – challenges for ICES

• Data• Target species• By-catch species – choke species

Stock Categories1 Stocks with an accepted analytical assessment and forecast for

MSYMSY approach

2 Stocks with an analytical assessment and forecast accepted for trends only

Developing MSY approach 2014

3 Stocks with survey-based assessments indicating trends Developing MSY approach 2014 - ?

4 Stocks with reliable time-series of catch data to approximate MSY

Developing MSY approach 2014 - ?

5 Only catch or landings available Risk based approach

6 Only landings available and largely discarded Risk based approach

• Each category has several available methods dependent on stock status.

Thank you for your attention