Three months into 2017 and European fisheries already look to be facing a tumultuous year, according to Erik Lindebo at EDF, who comments that the ancient Chinese curse of ‘may you live in interesting times’ comes to mind as political shifts take place.
Commenting on the EDF blog, he predicts that the shockwaves of Brexit, regardless of whatever the final outcome may be, will bring about years of uncertainty, as well as some highly complex and undoubtedly emotive negotiations.
‘Brokering a deal around fisheries will certainly be no exception, if past is prologue; only time will tell how access to waters, resources and markets will look in a divorce settlement with the EU. These changing times require new, adaptive ways of thinking about fisheries management,’ he said.
Regardless of this, the CFP remains in place and is moving closer towards the full Landing Obligation coming into force in 2019.
‘Pressure on Member States (and their fishermen) is building – with questions on how to tackle the most challenging issue of choke species at the forefront of many people’s minds. This step-change policy has already thrown up some concerns over the rigidity of founding measures of the CFP; challenging the way quotas are being allocated in the face of changing fish stock distribution and fishing patterns,’ he says. ‘In parallel to this 2019 goal, we have the task of achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) objectives by 2020. The delays in adopting a North Sea mixed fishery plan and a new technical measures framework will only add further complexity to the European picture.’
These political changes are mirrored by changes in marine ecosystems taking place at an unprecedented rate, triggering profound impacts on species distributions, with subsequent shifts in fishing patterns and preferences. He said that recent collaborative research between the Environmental Defense Fund, University of California Santa Barbara and Oregon State University shows that even though total global production of seafood may not be severely affected by climate change, shifts in fish stock distribution at a regional level will be significant. Critically, the research findings underline that with effective management most fisheries could yield more fish and more prosperity, even with the challenging backdrop of a changing climate.
‘In Europe, the effects of climate change on fisheries and marine ecosystems, is something that – like recent political shocks – we are hearing a lot more about,’ Erik Lindebo said.
Citing the example of the friction over herring and mackerel, he commented that recent shifts seen in commercially important pelagic species has resulted in conflict around quota allocation between coastal states responsible for management of these stocks.
‘When unilateral decisions are taken on quota, this does nothing for fish stocks, nor for the collective livelihoods of fishermen, which depend on collaborative governance of an interconnected ecosystem. With climate change expected to exacerbate future fluctuations in fish stock distributions, such governance challenges can only be expected to intensify,’ he said.
‘We therefore urgently need to absorb and harness relevant research and consider its application through a regional European lens. Applying sound analytics through a regional focus will aid in our prediction of future shifts in stocks, as well as help map out smart management responses to these challenging and complex issues.
He is adamant that comprehensive and inclusive discussions on how ecosystems and fisheries will respond to management decisions in the coming years need to start now. Ways to absorb and balance the many systemic ‘shocks’ that fisheries may face in the near and distant future must be found.
‘It is critical that everyone contributes their knowledge to offer the best chance of a successful cooperative outcome. If we don’t get it right, the research points to the possibility that we may see widespread fish wars, a return to overfished and collapsed fish stocks, decimated marine ecosystems, and perhaps a squandering of a critical food and economic resource. Europe can lead the way, and lead by example: with the best available science and research at hand, and collaboration with all stakeholders, we can begin to explore adaptive options for regional fisheries management and develop meaningful solutions that provide a solid future for European fisheries in an ever-changing environment,’ he said.
‘Only by building resilient, adaptable management systems can we secure sustainable, prosperous fisheries and protect the livelihoods that depend on them, both now and well beyond our current interesting times.’
