A newly published report delves into the advancements on best practices in increasing selectivity in EU fisheries
Report Highlights Progress and Best Practices in Increasing Selectivity in EU Fisheries
A newly published report by Laurence FAUCONNET from the Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOS, University of the Azores; Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso delves into the advancements in increasing selectivity in EU fisheries.
Selectivity in fishing methods is crucial as it determines the ability to catch specific species and sizes while minimising the impact on non-target species.
The report emphasises that fishing selectivity is influenced by both gear properties and operational techniques. To enhance selectivity, modifications to gear configuration and operation methods can be applied. The implementation of the EU Landing Obligation (LO) has been a key driver to boost selectivity in EU fisheries.
The study provides an overview of current selectivity developments post the EU LO, focusing on the use of more selective fishing gears and tactical measures like temporal and spatial closures to mitigate unwanted catches.
Different types of selectivity measures are explored, encompassing both active gears (trawls, dredges, purse seines) and passive gears (entangling nets, hooks and lines, pots). The report reviews recent developments in these measures, detailing modifications made and their effectiveness in reducing both bycatch and target species.
The review highlights substantial efforts in research and testing to enhance selectivity in EU fisheries. A variety of measures have been explored, with a particular emphasis on trawl fisheries. The report discusses the diversity in selectivity measures, ranging from cost-effective to high-tech solutions.
Identifying best practices, the report underscores the importance of collaboration with fishers, transparent relationships, bottom-up initiatives, and providing incentives. Customising solutions based on local specificities, ensuring simplicity in developed measures, and optimising testing are crucial considerations.
To evaluate the utilisation of EU funding in promoting selectivity, the study analysed the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) dedicated to gear selectivity. The analysis revealed variations in funding amounts, the number of vessels, and distribution among gear types across Member States.
Based on the findings, the report recommends policy actions for EU policymakers. Clear definition of management objectives, collaboration promotion, incentivising bottom-up approaches, regionalisation reinforcement, and a results-based approach are key recommendations. The integration of bycatch management into broader management objectives and monitoring for ecosystem impacts are emphasised. The report suggests leveraging the LO as a tool to incentivise selective measures by providing exemptions to fishers using such measures under catch documentation.