NSAC has issued its advice regarding amending fisheries conservation measures in several marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea area
The North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) has recently issued its advice regarding a draft Joint Recommendation (JR) from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) on amending fisheries conservation measures in several marine protected areas.
This recommendation aims to address the bycatch of harbour porpoises and enhance the protection of sensitive species and habitats in Stora Middelgrund och Röde bank, Fladen, Lilla Middelgrund, and Morups bank.
The proposed measures from Swedish Agency for Marine
and Water Management (SwAM) were discussed via a fast-track procedure by the NSAC Executive Committee on June 7, 2024. This includead prohibition on fishing with gillnets and trammel nets (GTN) in the designated areas. This move aligns with efforts to reduce the accidental bycatch of harbour porpoises, a significant concern in these regions.
Background
The initiative traces back to a joint recommendation submitted by Sweden, Denmark, and Germany to the European Commission in 2021. This recommendation led to the adoption of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/952, amending previous regulations to establish fisheries conservation measures in the North Sea. The new draft Joint Recommendation from SwAM, dated April 30, 2024, seeks to further refine these measures by specifically targeting the use of GTNs in the concerned areas.
Industry and Environmental Perspectives
The NSAC advice document highlights divergent views between the fishing industry and environmental interest groups, reflecting a lack of consensus on the proposed measures.
Industry Position
The fishing industry acknowledges the threat of bycatch to harbour porpoises but argues that it is not the primary threat to the population. According to industry representatives, other factors such as marine environment degradation, inadequate seal management, and the impacts of shipping and offshore wind farms are more significant threats. They also question the reliability of recent population assessments, citing discrepancies in harbour porpoise numbers over recent years.
The industry considers the ban on GTNs to be disproportionate and proposes the compulsory use of acoustic deterrent devices as an alternative measure. They emphasise the importance of commercial fishing to seafood production and express frustration over the lack of impact from their input in national and NSAC hearings. Additionally, Danish fishermen highlight difficulties in the access application procedure, leading to no applications from Danish fishers and opposing further restrictions in the southern Kattegat.
Environmental Interest Groups
Environmental groups, represented by the North Sea Foundation and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, support the proposal to prohibit static net fisheries in the specified areas. They believe that such measures are essential to minimize harbour porpoise bycatch and are in line with conservation needs.
Conclusion
The NSAC expresses its gratitude to SwAM for the opportunity to provide input on the draft Joint Recommendation and remains open for further discussions on the matter. The council’s advice underscores the need for balancing fisheries conservation with sustainable fishing practices, taking into account the perspectives of both the industry and environmental groups.