The NSAC has offered advice to the Danish Administration and the Scheveningen Group’s Presidency on management measures in Natura 2000 sites
The North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) has provided advice regarding fisheries management measures proposed for five Danish Natura 2000 sites in the North Sea and the Skagerrak.
Approved by the NSAC Executive Committee on April 15, 2024, the advice reflects extensive consultations and collaboration among involved stakeholders.
The Danish Administration’s request for comments, in accordance with Article 18 of the Framework Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, prompted the NSAC’s involvement. The draft proposal aimed at regulating fishing activities to protect reef structures within designated Natura 2000 sites under the Habitats Directive 92/43 EEG. Denmark proposed measures for four sites within its Exclusive Economic Zone and one site in the Danish part of the Skagerrak.
The present proposal entails fisheries management measures in the following four Natura 2000 sites located in the Danish Exclusive Economic zone in the North Sea and Skagerrak, outside 12 nautical miles:
– Thyborøn Stenvolde (EU site code: DK00VA348) – Jyske Rev, Lillefiskerbanke (EU site code: DK00VA257)
– Store Rev (EU site code: DK00VA258)
– Gule Rev (EU site code: DK00VA259)
In addition, one Natura 2000 site is located in the Danish part of the Skagerrak between the baseline and 12 nautical miles:
– Lønstrup Rødgrund (EU site code: DK00VA301)
NSAC’s advice builds upon previous recommendations, acknowledging the revisions made to the draft proposal since its initial submission in 2022. The NSAC emphasises the importance of comprehensive monitoring, baseline studies, and effective control measures to assess the ecological benefits and socio-economic impacts of the proposed fisheries regulations.
The NSAC expresses overall positivity towards Denmark’s efforts to protect vulnerable reefs in the designated marine protected areas (MPAs) and endorses the new draft joint recommendation for the Danish Natura 2000 sites. However, the council stresses the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to ensure the effectiveness of proposed measures.
NSAC Advice
On 23 September 2022, the NSAC adopted Advice Ref. 16-2122 on the earlier draft joint recommendation (JR) for a fisheries regulation for the five Danish Natura 2000 sites in the North Sea and the Skagerrak. That advice contained different positions within the NSAC, to some degree reflecting that more work was needed in terms of the preparation of management measures on the sites.
Since then, extensive work and consultations have been carried out by the involved Member States to improve the draft JR, taking into account input from different stakeholders, including the previous NSAC advice and individual positions of its members.
Generally, the NSAC finds it positive that Denmark is moving toward protecting the vulnerable reefs and bubbling reefs in the Danish MPAs in the Skagerrak and the North Sea, and the NSAC can endorse the new draft joint recommendation on Danish Natura2000 sites with consensus.
In addition to designating MPAs with a whole-site approach, comprehensive monitoring and baseline studies are needed to assess closure’s ecological benefits and socio-economic impacts on fisheries. These should be coupled with effective control and enforcement measures.
In conclusion, the NSAC extends gratitude to the Danish Administration and the Scheveningen Group’s Presidency for the opportunity to provide input. The council reaffirms its commitment to further discussions and collaboration on fisheries management measures in Danish Natura 2000 sites, underscoring the importance of balancing conservation objectives with socio-economic considerations.