Industry and research driven development and introduction of selective and low impact fishing gears
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41634
Description
Both the ecological and economical sustainability of a fishery is directly affected by the amount of unwanted catches. One of the main purposes of the new common fishery policy of the European union is to reduce unwanted catches as far as possible. Therefore, an obligation to land all catches of quota species (discard ban) has been introduced. Unwanted catches can be avoided by changing the fishing operation, starting with the choice of when and where to fish and by choosing a more selective gear for the target sizes/species.
A four-year government assignment was adopted between 2014 and 2017 to facilitate the technical development and use of more selective gears in the Swedish fishing industry. A secretariat and a model to facilitate the interactions between the industry and the science were established, to manage ideas from the industry and refine these ideas to industry driven projects. Suggested projects have been selected for funding dependent of how well it fits with the needs implied by the landing obligation. The reason for using this model has been to minimise the economic risks for the participating fishers during both the development phase and scientific evaluation of the project.
Since the start in 2014, over 30 projects have been allocated funds from the secretariat, 19 have been finished, 13 are ongoing and 2 more will start during 2017. The different projects have covered most commercial species caught in Swedish fishery, both with active gears (trawls) and passive gears (trap and pots). Several new selective gears have then been developed and adopted by management and are used by Swedish fishers today.
The aim of the project is to further develop selective and low impact gears and writing a handbook on selectivity in gears, including:
- To summarize current knowledge, both national and international;
- To gather knowledge gaps about fisheries who still needs further development of selective gears;
- To enhance projects with the industry where we find knowledge gaps; and
- To spread the information;
The Secretariat for Selective Fishing, have been extended to at least March, 2023.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
| 14.7 | By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism |
| 14.b | Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets |
Deliverables & Timeline
Phase II (2018-2021): Develop selective and low impact gears with a focus on fisheries with poor selectivity and/or where the needs of new selective gears are the largest
Phase II (2018-2021): Facilitate the spread of knowledge to the industry and international management forums
Phase I: Finish ongoing projects and start the two last projects of 2017
Phase I: Report the outcome from the first four-years both nationally and internationally
Phase III: Annual report of activities
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
| Title | Progress Status | Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Progress 2020-06-10 | On track | |
| Partnership Progress 2018-11-14 | On track |
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Contact Information
Hans Nilsson, Researcher, SLU