The NSAC has issued advice regarding the suspension of the sprat box, responding to a request from the Scheveningen Group
In a recent development, the North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) has issued advice regarding the suspension of the sprat box, responding to a request from the Scheveningen Group of the North Sea Member States.
The NSAC Executive Committee approved the paper with consensus on 18 March 2024 via a fast-track written procedure. The request from the Scheveningen Group, received on 22 February 2024, sought comments on the Joint Recommendation concerning the current suspension of the sprat box.
Despite a narrow deadline for providing comments by 13:00 CET on 26 February 2024, which did not align with NSAC internal procedures, the council reiterated its previous advice supporting the suspension of the sprat box. This position was based on findings that the sprat box had no effect on fish stocks and should have been cancelled with the recent revision of the Technical Measures Regulation.
However, the NSAC highlighted the ecosystem role of sprat as a forage fish, emphasizing its importance in the North Sea ecosystem. Citing the ICES Ecosystem Overview on Greater North Sea ecoregion, the council noted the interconnectedness of commercial fish species through predator-prey relationships, with sprat being a vital food source in the North Sea food web. Additionally, documented evidence of dependencies of North Sea top predators on forage fish, including sprat, was acknowledged.
While scientific evidence confirms that the suspension of the sprat box has no harmful impact on the herring stock, the NSAC emphasized the need for continued focus on the ecological role of sprat in maintaining ecosystem health and food webs in the North Sea. The council expressed awareness of the advice from ICES supporting this perspective and urged cautious, responsible, and ecosystem-based fisheries management of sprat and similar species.
The NSAC extended gratitude to the Scheveningen Group for the opportunity to provide input on the proposed draft Joint Recommendation and invited further clarifications if necessary, emphasizing collaboration in addressing fisheries management challenges in the North Sea.
For any inquiries or clarifications, the NSAC invited the Presidency to reach out, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation in fisheries management.
This advice from the NSAC adds to the ongoing discussions surrounding the suspension of the sprat box, highlighting the importance of considering ecosystem dynamics and interdependencies in fisheries management decisions in the North Sea.