MACALISTER ELLIOTT AND PARTNERS LTD

SURVEILLANCE VISIT REPORT FOR THE CORNISH SARDINE FISHERY (SARDINA PILCHARDUS)

CERTIFICATE NO.: MEP-F-015 SURVEILLANCE YEAR 2

Undertaken by:

Dr Jo Gascoigne (Team Leader) & Charlotte Tindall

JULY 2012

QA REF: 2438R02A

MacAlister Elliott and Partners Ltd 56 High Street, Lymington Hampshire SO41 9AH

Tel: 01590 679016 Fax: 01590 671573 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.macalister-elliott.com First Surveillance Visit – Report for the Cornish sardine fishery

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Fishery Name sardine

Unit of Certification Fishery for sardine with ring net and drift net in ICES Divisions VIIe and VIIf, within 6 miles of the Cornish coast, operated by members of the Cornish Sardine Management Association (CSMA).

Species Sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

Area ICES Divisions VIIe and VIIf (western Channel), within 6 miles of the coast of Cornwall.

Method of capture Ring nets and drift nets. NB: currently no drift nets operating within the UoC

Client Address Cornish Sardine Management Association 50 The Strand, , , Cornwall, TR18 5HW

Client Contact Name Peter Ghey (Bodriggy Fish)

Client Telephone No.: + 44 (0)1736 754649

Client Email [email protected]

Certificate number MEP-F-014 (Previously MRAG-F-0001)

Certificate Issue Date 18 June 2010

Certificate Expiry Date 17 June 2015

Audit stage Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Audit experts Expert 1 (Team Leader) : Dr Jo Gascoigne, Expert 2: Charlotte Tindall Surveillance Audit Date 8 June 2012

Conclusion The CSMA Action Plan is being implemented as set out in the Certification Report. Delays on generating harvest control rules for the stock are out of the hands of CSMA (part of Action Plan for the South Brittany sardine fishery). MEP conclude that the fishery should remain certified for another year. Once the 2012 audit report for the South Brittany fishery is available, MEP will review and update this report and conclusion if necessary.

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2. INTRODUCTION

This report outlines the process and outcome of the second annual surveillance audit for the MSC certified fishery ‘Cornwall sardine’. The fishery is conducted by members of the Cornish Sardine Management Association (CSMA). This audit is the second annual surveillance audit for this fishery since certification, which was finalised in June 2010. The first annual audit concluded that progress had been made with the Client Action Plan as foreseen in the timetable. It also made a few recommendations, which have been reviewed as part of this audit, although they are non-binding and have no impact on MSC certification status. In preparation for this surveillance audit, stakeholders were contacted by email on the 8th May 2012 and invited to submit comments. The audit was carried out at the offices of SeaFood Cornwall in Newlyn by the surveillance team consisting of Dr. Jo Gascoigne and Charlotte Tindall, on the 8th June 2012.

3. BACKGROUND

Although the certification was originally foreseen to cover both ring-netters and drift-netters, there are no drift-netters who are currently members of CSMA. The main season for the fishery for ring-netters is August to January/February. Fishing takes place during the night, and the ring-net is deployed to encircle schools of sardines which are located by echo-sounder. The skippers of ring-netting vessels are skilled at distinguishing the species by the echo-sounder shape and pattern, and are able to identify dense shoals of sardines. The ring-net is small mesh to avoid, as far as possible, the sardines becoming trapped in the mesh which would reduce quality. The size of the net depends on the size of the vessel, but is approximately 250m long by 30m deep. All vessels are under-16m and normally carry a crew of 3-4 including the skipper. The fishery operates entirely within the six-mile limit, and is therefore subject to management by byelaws made by the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (CIFCA). Under these rules, ring-netters are limited to 18.23m in overall length (Purse Seine and Ring Nets byelaw – enacted 7th April, 1997.)

4. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

4.1. MEMBERSHIP OF CSMA

As of June 2012 there were five fishing vessel members of CSMA, with the remainder of the membership made up of processors and honorary members such as CIFCA (see Table 1).

Table 1. Current members of CSMA, June 2012

Category Vessel/ Organisation Name/Contact Fishers (Ring White Heather Stefan Glinski Netters) Pride of Cornwall Stefan Glinski Galwad-y-Mor Peter Blamey Resolute Ocean Fish/Andrew

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Lakeman Processors Falfish Mark Greet Ocean Fish Andrew Lakeman Trelawney Fish, Newlyn Godfrey Adams Honorary Independent (Statistical Analysis) Peter Ghey Members CIFCA Simon Cadman MMO Justin Williams

This is a significant reduction in membership from the previous CSMA members list (see Annex 1) which originally included 17 fishing members (6 ring-netters and 11 drift-netters). It is estimated that there are an additional 3 other ring-netters operating out of Newlyn or Plymouth that are not CSMA members, and 3 ring-netters in Mevagissey who have converted from drift-nets to ring-nets. One ring-netter that had converted from drift-netting was shipwrecked in December 2011 with the tragic loss of one crew member. There are therefore, overall, around 10 ring-netters targeting sardines which is in an increase from last year and may explain the larger catches (see below), since ring-nets can catch larger quantities than drift nets. There were, in addition, three drift-netters fishing in July/August last year, but as noted above, drift-netters have in the main lost the market to ring-netters (Rob Preston, Chair of Mevagissey Fisheries Association, Pers. Comms, 14th June 2012). The total number of vessels is still within the CSMA limit of 20 vessels, although the association can obviously only control numbers and activities of their members. A letter has been sent out to all past members explaining that only sardines caught by CSMA members are eligible to be considered MSC certified (see Letter dated 8th June 2012 in Annex 2).

4.2. 2011-2012 STATISTICS

A key element of the Client Action Plan was the introduction of new logbooks to record detailed information on catch, retained by-catch and discarded by-catch. As reported in the first annual surveillance audits, these log-books have been introduced and continue to be used, although some reporting issues remain, also noted in the 2011 surveillance report. During the first audit it was noted that not all CSMA members were completing log-books. This has now become a requirement of membership. Around the same vessels are reporting as last year (4 vessels last year, 5 vessels this year), which is useful for continuity of data but does not give an overall picture of the Cornish sardine fleet. Those that were not reporting last year have not renewed their CSMA membership and so are no longer part of the Unit of Certification (UoC) for the MSC-certified fishery. In addition, some of those reporting this year did not report consistently. For instance Little Pearl did not report in September 2011, and Resolute had a break in reporting following a skipper change between 17th August and 9th November 2011.

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4.3. CATCH DATA

This section briefly summarises the data as produced by CSMA for their Annual Audit report (Report and Statistics for June 2011-June 2012 Season). Total sardine catch for CSMA members for the 2011/12 season, and total catches of sardines for Cornwall as recorded by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), are given in Table 2. CSMA suspect that there may have been some misreporting of herring to MMO as sardines (however this does not apply to this fishery). The figures show that overall sardine catches increased during the 2011/12 season compared to 2010/11. Catches increased both within and outside of the association, with CSMA representing a slightly lower proportion of the overall catch compared with last year. It should be noted that sardine catches are likely to be highly variable from year to year.

Table 2. MMO records of total sardine catch in Cornwall and Plymouth (June 2011 to April 2011), tonnes

Cornwall Plymouth Total Cornwall Catch source 2011/12 2011/12 2011/12 2010/11 Total Catch (MMO Data) 3395.7 423.8 3819.5 1942 Total Catch CSMA members 2212.7 - 2212.7 1399 CSMA catch as a proportion of 65% 58% 72% MMO recorded catch

Retained species were analysed by CSMA based on log-book data, and no main retained species1 were found (Figure 1). This compares to last year where anchovies formed 5.46% of the catch, and herring 4.20%. The presence of these species in Cornish waters varies significantly from year to year.

Discards were very low this year. Last year (2010/11), discards were recorded to be 2.92% of total catches (around 46,900 kg of discards in total). Many of these discards were small sardines below the CSMA size limit. This year, the only reported discards were 2,000 kg of sprats, released through slipping the net (less than 0.1% of total catch). According to the CSMA Chairman’s Report (25th May 2012, Annex 3), this season (2011/12) was a particularly good year for sardines, with very large sardines present. Around 95% of the sardines were large fish (7-10 individuals per kilo) and very few were of the smaller sizes (12- 20/kilo) appeared. This, together with the low abundance of sprats and scads, accounted for the low discard rate.

1 Summary of MSC definition of ‘main’ retained species: species of commercial value which either i) make up >5% of the catch; ii) are particularly valuable or iii) are known to be vulnerable to fishing pressure.

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Bass: 0.05%

Mackerel: 0.46% Cod: 0.00%

Herring: 1.75%

Sprats: 0.09% Scad: 0.10%

Anchovy: 2.22%

Sardines: 95.33%

Figure 1. Retained species as a proportion of total catch (June 2011-May 2012)

4.4. CHANGE IN REGULATION ON TONNAGE LIMITS FOR SARDINES

The 500t annual limit on pelagics (for vessels without a pelagic licence) was lifted for sardines through a MMO Variation Order on Tuesday 20th December (Box 1). In effect this means that vessels without a pelagic licence are able to have unlimited catches of sardines. CSMA is concerned that this may lead to a significant increase in effort on sardines in the UK. Peter Ghey has contacted CEFAS and Stefan Glinski (Chair of CSMA) has also written to the EU expressing his concern (see correspondence in Annex 4). The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), in explanation, note that sardines are not considered a ‘pressure stock’ and suggest that effort would be naturally limited by the market. If the stock did come under pressure MMO would be able to limit access to the fishery through restrictive licenses based on track records (Justin Williams, MMO, pers. comm., 8th June 2012).

Box 1 MMO Variation Order: Tuesday 20th December 2011 To amend licence schedule sub-paragraph 16 to read "The combined total landings of all pelagic species (other than pilchard (Sardinia pilchardus)), as defined in the conditions to this licence, may not exceed 500 tonnes live weight in each of the periods 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 and 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 comprising the duration of this licence." This affects only licence schedule type 11.

4.5. STOCK DEFINITION

The Portuguese sardine fishery along the Iberian Coast had its MSC certification suspended in January 2012 following the most recent surveillance audit. This was based on recent ICES advice that landings for 2012 should be reduced to no greater than 36,000t (compared to landings of 89,571t in 2010). The advice was based on a decline in estimated spawning stock biomass (SSB) since 2006, plus low estimated recruitment rates and high estimated fishing mortality. ICES will reportedly undertake a benchmark assessment in 2012 for Atlantic

2438R02A| MacAlister Elliott and Partners Ltd. 6 First Surveillance Visit – Report for the Cornish sardine fishery sardine stocks which will help to address many of the uncertainties in the current approach to stock modelling (ICES 2011a). There is some uncertainty as to whether the sardine stock targeted by this fishery is connected to the Iberian stock. The ICES benchmark assessment (ICES 2012) reviewed the existing data, including genetics, size and age distribution, egg distribution, known spawning locations etc. Their conclusion was that there was no basis for changing the current definition of ‘stocks’ for management purposes (i.e. Bay of Biscay and Iberian). Although they conclude that there is certainly some mixing between these areas, the level of mixing is difficult to quantify and probably variable from year to year. Since no convincing argument could be made for a difficult stock management system, it was decided to retain the status quo. The stock targeted by this fishery in the English Channel is considered to be the same stock as is fished in the rest of Biscay (other than VIIIc and IX), thereby overlapping with the South Brittany MSC certified sardine fishery (for a review of the arguments see the Certification Report). The audit team considered the evidence as to whether it should be considered to overlap with the Iberian stock – i.e. whether the stock status issues in that stock also affect the MSC status of this fishery. The team concluded, however, that given that ICES will continue to operate on the assumption that the stocks are separate, and given that there is no evidence of a stock decline in the Biscay stock (ICES 2011b, see also below), then the stock status in Portugal was not considered relevant to this fishery audit.

4.6. RESULTS OF PELGAS SURVEY – BAY OF BISCAY STOCK

The best information on the stock status of the Bay of Biscay sardine stock comes from the French Ifremer PELGAS survey. The most recent results and long-term trends from the PELGAS survey are given below (Figure 2). In 2011 the Pelagas survey suggested that sardines were still abundant in the Bay of Biscay with an estimated biomass of 338,458t (2011), down from 450,000t in 2010 (Massé et al. 2011). (The 2012 survey has been carried out but the data is not yet publically available.)

Figure 2. Index of abundance of sardines from Ifremer PELGAS survey, Bay of Biscay.

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5. PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING CLIENT ACTION PLAN

The most important role of an annual surveillance audit is to check that the client is progressing with the implementation of the Client Action Plan, such that the conditions will be met in time for re-assessment after five years. This fishery was certified with six conditions, covering i) harvest strategy and control rules; ii) retained species information; iii) by-catch information; iv) fishery-specific objectives; v) decision-making processes and vi) research plan. Below we review each condition in term, considering the progress the fishery has made relative to Year 2 of the Client Action Plan. One of the conditions (3.1 Fishery-specific objectives) was met during Year 1, and therefore does not require further audit. It is include below, however, for completeness.

Condition 1.1 – Harvest strategy and control rules2

PIs PI 1.2.1 Harvest strategy, and PI 1.2.2 Harvest control rules and tools

Issue The harvest strategy and harvest control rules are not fully responsive to the stock status. The main fishery on this stock is the South Brittany sardine fishery (MSC certificate number F-BV-552727-FR). The South Brittany certification was conditional on developing a responsive harvest strategy and control rule. Since the Cornish fishery takes a negligible proportion of the catch, it cannot participate directly in this activity, but the condition was to promote and support the development of the management system for the overall stock.

Requirement By the second annual audit there is documented evidence that options for for Year 2 harvest control rules for the Cornish sardine fishery have been outlined and discussed with stakeholders, and an agreed policy document developed.

Actions  Number of vessels in CSMA fishery limited to 20. CB to be notified if agreed by non-member vessels enter the fishery. CSMA  Overall maximum length of any vessel in the fishery to be not more than 18.23 m (as per IFCA byelaw).

 Pending further research on the status of the target stock, to observe and comply with any local byelaws (IFCA) and national regulations (MMO) that may be introduced.

 When the status of the target stock is known, the CSMA will abide by the outputs of agreed HCRs based on the results of stock assessments and future research.

 Further measures which may be implemented based on stock status

2 In the client action plan, this condition is broken down by PI (condition 1.1 for PI 1.2.1 and condition 1.2 for PI 1.2.2) although the actions agreed are the same in each case, but in the main body of the report they are merged as one condition. Presumably this is just a minor error in compiling the final report. We follow the numbering system in the main body of the report in putting these conditions together as condition 1.

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information (after discussion with stakeholders) include: i) limit on fishing days per week ; ii) limit on annual fishing days (noting that these are already weather-limited); and/or iii) a seasonal closure during the period of low lipid content (usually May-mid June – would be implemented based on information from stakeholders and buyers).

Conclusions The basis of the Client Action Plan was to ensure that existing constraints on of Year 1 the fishery were retained, while standing ready to act based on the outcomes of audit research and the evolution of the fishery. This has been done, and the fishery has also tried within its power to encourage research on stock identity and dynamics in the area. On this basis, Year 1 of the Client Action Plan for this condition has been complied with. There is clearly an issue in terms of reporting of members / non-members of CSMA to the Certification Body. The logic behind this was for the CB to be satisfied that there was no large hidden increase in effort in the fishery. The audit team were satisfied that this is not occurring, and since the team has obtained details of the vessels in the fishery (see above and Annex 1) no further action needs to be taken at present by CSMA. However, for the next audit, the audit team would like to see CSMA reporting on the vessels known to be operating outside of association - for example in the minutes of AGMs or by some other suitable means. It would clearly be ideal if all vessels targeting Cornish sardines were members of CSMA, and the audit team encourages CSMA to approach non-members to encourage them to join. It is also important that CSMA ensure that issues of science and stock status continue to be kept under review; for example by including an agenda item at each AGM (this has been done up till now).

Actions by 1) Fisheries Policy CSMA during Year CSMA has developed a fisheries policy as required within the condition 2 (Annex 5). This provides an overall mission statement but does not include harvest control rules or details on how specific fisheries objectives will be achieved.

2) Harvest Control Rules This fishery is dependent on harvest control rules being developed for the South Brittany sardine fishery, because the two fisheries operate on a shared stock, with the Cornish fishery taking a small proportion of the catch relative to the French fishery (for the full argument, see the Certification Report). The annual surveillance audit for the South Brittany fishery is not yet complete so it is not clear what progress has been made here. As of last year (2011) the fishery was considered to be on track with its Action Plan (Bureau Veritas 2011). No further information could be obtained within the timeframe of this audit. 3) Research One of the limitations of the fishery is that there is a lack on information on the Cornish Sardine stock on which to base harvest control rules. It is assumed that the stock forms part of the South Brittany stock which accounts for a much

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higher catch levels (with around 16,400t caught in 2010; Bureau Veritas 2011) compared with catches in Cornwall of 1-4,500t. Some research has been conducted by CEFAS on sardines within Cornish waters as reported within the first annual audit. However, results were not sufficient to determine if the stock is distinct or to determine stock levels. However evidence of spawning was found. ICES provides assessments and advice for the Iberian stock, with Ifremer’s annual PELGAS survey the main source of information for the Biscay stock. The PELGAS survey provides an index of stock status in the Bay of Biscay (see Massé et al. 2011). The French harvest control rules will presumably be based largely on this survey programme.

4) Reporting CSMA members continue to provide log-sheets, although a number of vessels are now operating outside of CSMA membership. CSMA catch represents 65% of the total sardine catch in Cornwall and 58% of the catch in Cornwall and Plymouth. This compares with CSMA’s representation of 72% of Cornish sardine catches in 2010/11. As requested by the last audit, CSMA provided MMO data which enables the audit team to determine sardine catches outside of the CSMA. Overall catches have increased by 37%, but these trends need to be reviewed over a longer time-frame as sardine catches are likely to vary year on year. The overall number of ring-netters (both CSMA members and non- members) has also increased from 6 to 10, which is within the CSMA self- imposed limit of 20-vessels. 5) Removal of the 500t limit for small pelagics The 500t annual limit on pelagics (for vessels without a pelagic licence) was lifted for sardines through a MMO Variation Order. CSMA is concerned that this may lead to a significant increase in effort within the fishery in the long term. Peter Ghey has contacted CEFAS and Stefan Glinski (Chair of CSMA) has also written to the EU expressing his concern (see correspondence in Annex 4).However MMO do not consider this stock to be under pressure and this limit was not considered within the initial certification assessment. However, in the light of this change, increased effort and catches should be kept under review.

Summary On the positive side:

 CSMA have developed a fisheries policy (Annex 5) which is orientated towards rights-based management. Fisheries objectives are given within the updated Association Rules and Regulations (Annex 5). However, there is limited detail on how the objectives will be achieved, and the audit team encourage CSMA to elaborate these for the next audit.

 The PELGAS survey suggests that in 2011 there were no concerns for estimated sardine biomass, although abundance was down slightly

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compared with 2010 according to PELGAS. PELGAS data for 2012 is not yet available.

 The ICES benchmark review of the Iberian sardine stock provided some more clarity on stock boundaries.

 MMO report no infringements by the Cornish Sardine fleet. On the negative side:

 It is not clear what progress has been made in the South Brittany fishery in developing harvest control rules.

 MMO have lifted the 500t limit on sardines, potentially exposing the stock to over-exploitation in the long term. However, CSMA have been proactive in expressing their opinion. This was not a management measure highlighted within the original assessment report and all other actions agreed by CSMA are still being complied with.

Evidence CSMA Fishery Policy (Annex 5) provided CSMA Rules and Regulations (Annex 5) Correspondence concerning the lifting of the 500t limit on sardines (Annex 4) ICES WGANSA Meeting Reports

Conclusion The actions agreed between CSMA and the assessment team have been of audit implemented, and CSMA has also proved pro-active in attempting to safeguard the sustainability of the stock. The requirement to produce a harvest control rule has not been achieved, but the audit team recognises that this depends on the South Brittany fishery, for which no information is currently available. The audit team considers that this condition is on track and notes that the situation with the South Brittany fishery will be kept under review by MEP once the audit report is available. Recommendations The audit team:

 Continues to encourage CSMA to attract non-members and suggests that processors and buyers should play a stronger role in requiring MSC certified sardines.

 Continues to encourage members to complete log-books consistently.

 Encourages CSMA to elaborate the fisheries policy for the next audit, detailing how objectives will be achieved.

 When the South Brittany fishery produces harvest-control rules, the CSMA Action Plan and association Rules and Regulations should be reviewed and updated to take these rules into account as appropriate.

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Condition 2.1 – Retained species information

PI PI 2.1.3 Retained species information and monitoring

Issue The catch of non-target retained species is considered very likely to be minimal (i.e. less than the 5% threshold to be considered as ‘main’ retained species). However, quantitative information could not be provided to demonstrate this conclusively.

Requirement Continue to collect and collate logbook data as for Year 1. for Year 2

Actions A condition of membership of CSMA is to complete daily logsheets to provide agreed by quantitative information. These should be returned to the Cornwall IFCA CSMA containing the following information: i) weight of target species; and ii) weight of non-target species retained, reported by species.

Conclusions This condition was met in Year 1. The purpose of the audit is to check that the of Year 1 system continues to be implemented. audit

Actions by  CSMA member vessels continue to report their catches and by-catch by CSMA weight of species through log-sheets. Log-sheets are submitted either during Year directly to Peter Ghey for statistical analysis, or via MMO. 2  Similar species were recorded as retained species this year, as for the last audit: Anchovy, Herring, Mackerel, Sprats, Scad, Bass and Cod. Last year, anchovies made up 5.46% of the total catch and could therefore be considered a ‘main’ retained species. However, this year they only made up 2.22% of total catch. No other species made up more than 5% of the total catch, with sardines representing 95.33% of the total catch.

 There is still an issue of non-reporting by non-members, but this is out of CSMA control. However, there is sufficient reporting to provide a representative view of retained and discarded by-catch per unit catch.

Evidence Detailed log-sheets provided Analysis of catches: Cornish Sardine Management Association Report and Statistics for June 2011-June 2012 Season MMO sardine landing data

Conclusion This condition continues to be met in full but the audit team continues to of audit encourage CSMA members to consistently complete log-sheets, and encourages all sardine fishers to join the association.

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Condition 2.2 – bycatch information

PI PI 2.2.3 Bycatch information and monitoring

Issue Discarded bycatch comes mainly via ‘slippage’ of ring net catch. Documentary / quantitative evidence is lacking on frequency of slippage, species involved and discard survival.

Requirement By the second annual audit there is documented evidence to demonstrate for Year 2 thefrequency of slippage occurring within the ring net fishery.

Actions Information to be recorded and made available through vessel daily logsheets agreed by (see above): CSMA  all species captured and discarded;  approximate weight of the above reported by species3;  reasons for discarding (e.g. mixed catch, undersize (give approximate weight), lack of quota for non-target species, unsafe weather conditions).  Any cetacean or bird interaction with approximate numbers by species Conclusion Condition met, subject to ongoing collection / analysis of logbook data. of Year 1 audit For the second annual audit (2012) it would be useful for discards to be analysed per species, as well as the frequency for different reasons for discards (including slippage).

Actions by  CSMA provided detailed data per vessel to indicate the frequency of CSMA slippage and the estimated weight of species slipped (i.e. discarded). during Year 2  Discards were very low this year and only amounted to one occurrence of slippage (2,000kg of sprats, representing 0.1% of total catches).

 The reasons for low slippage rates and low discards were the high quality of fish (large sardines) and the absence of small sardines, scad and sprats (see Annex 3 for the CSMA Chairman’s Report).

Evidence Detailed log-sheets provided Analysis of catches: Cornish Sardine Management Association Report and Statistics for June 2011-June 2012 Season AGM Meeting Minutes and CSMA Chairman’s Report describing quality of fish, and the reasons for fewer discards this year (Annex 3).

Conclusions This condition has been fulfilled. As detailed above the audit team continues to of audit encourage CSMA members to complete log-sheets in full, including reasons for any slippage.

3 In the version of this statement that CSMA understood to be the final version, the phrase ‘reported by species’ is omitted. In fact, however, this is done in the logsheets so the discrepancy does not pose any practical problem.

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Condition 3.1 – Fishery specific objectives

PI PI 3.2.1 Fishery specific objectives

Issue The management system does not include explicit objectives.

Conclusions The audit team considered that the objectives given above and on the website of Year 1 would be sufficient for SG80 to be met, so this condition is met. audit

Year 2 audit No further actions required.

Condition 3.2 – Decision-making process

PI PI 3.2.2 Decision-making processes

Issue The decision-making process needs to be explicitly precautionary, and to incorporate the HCR (once developed under PI 1.2.2 above).

Requirement Provide documented evidence that options for harvest control rules have been for Year 2 outlined and discussed with stakeholders, and an agreed policy document developed including a description of the use of the rule in the decision-making process.

Actions  A policy document to be drawn up and incorporated in the conditions agreed by of membership. To be discussed with stakeholders. CSMA  Harvest control rules to be established and complied with by all members (see above)

 To act on and incorporate any information and recommendations that become apparent from research, monitoring of catch and bycatch data, evaluation and review activity.

Conclusion Will be reviewed next year but depends on progress with research and French of audit harvest strategy. Year 1

Actions by A fisheries policy for CSMA was adopted at the last AGM, dated May 2012 CSMA (see Annex 5). The Rules and Regulations of the Association have also been during Year updated (Annex 5). 2 The policy sets out the mission statement for the association and the association’s aim to move towards rights-based management of the fishery, which they see as the only way to effectively limit effort. The Rules and Regulations include a list of objectives for the fishery, but do not set out how these objectives will be achieved. In summary:

 A policy document has been produced, although there are no explicit

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details about policy implementation.

 For discussion on harvest control rules, see Condition 1.1

 No particular issues or recommendations arose from research and monitoring this year.

Evidence CSMA Fisheries Policy (Annex 5) provided CSMA updated Rules and Regulations (Annex 5)

Conclusions The policy document has been produced, although the audit team would like to of audit see a little more detail on implementation. The harvest control rules are dependent on progress in the South Brittany fishery (to remain under review). The audit team concluded that this condition is on track as far as it is within the power of CSMA.

Condition 3.3 – Research plan PI PI 3.2.4 Research plan

Issue Research on the stock is underway (e.g. surveys were under development by CEFAS during assessment)

Requirement No particular requirements for Year 2. By the first annual audit the written for Year 2 research plan has been prepared and its content agreed by all major stakeholders, to be reviewed annually. By the third annual audit, implementation of the research plan should have started.

Actions Given the limited resources of the CSMA the stakeholders would be unable to agreed by implement their own research project, apart from providing catch related and CSMA other relevant data to interested scientific bodies.

A research plan has therefore been drawn up by CEFAS (‘Surveys of the pelagic fish resources in the Celtic Sea and Western English Channel’) with the following objectives:  To examine the spatial distribution of age/size classes of small pelagics in the above area.  To identify potential nursery grounds for anchovy and sardine.  To collect information on the distribution of sardine and anchovy eggs and larvae. To map their vertical and horizontal distribution.  To gain understanding of the environmental conditions and their potential links with pelagic fish distribution

The CSMA agrees to support the research plan to the extent practicable.

Conclusion As regards the stock as a whole (assuming that this stock is part of the Biscay of audit stock – see Certification Report for review of evidence), Ifremer (the PELGAS Year 1 project) has a clear research strategy. For this area specifically, CEFAS has a

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research plan for the fishery (see FSP Programme 40). The audit team encourages CSMA to offer CEFAS logbook data and in-kind support, but notes that this may well not meet CEFAS requirements.

Actions by Information on the 2012 PELGAS survey is not yet available. The ICES CSMA benchmark assessment (ICES 2012) reviews information on stock structure during Year and on the ecosystem role of sardine as a forage species. 2 CSMA have kept up contact with CEFAS and sent them analysed catch data from 2010/11, as well as entering a dialogue with CEFAS and MMO over the implications of the 500t rule change. It is not clear what research was carried out by CEFAS this year – the staff member at CEFAS (Beatriz Roel) was unavailable during the audit period.

Evidence ICES WGANSA Meeting Reports provided 2011 Ifremer PELGAS report and discussion with Erwan Duhamel, Ifremer ICES 2012

Conclusions Research continues to be underway. Although CEFAS reportedly has funding of audit issues, Ifremer continue their annual PELGAS survey, which provides information on which harvest control rules can be based. ICES concentrate on the Iberian stock but also review information relevant to this stock. Overall, the research situation for the stock appears acceptable.

6. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN YEAR 1 AUDIT

MEP made several recommendations to CSMA after the Year 1 audit, and progress on these recommendations is briefly reviewed here, noting that these have no formal bearing on MSC status. 1. It would be useful for the assessment team to have an annual report by CSMA of vessels that are fishing sardines but are not CSMA members. Comment: MMO data was provided that gives total catches for sardines for CSMA members and non-members. 2. CSMA should encourage these skippers / owners to join. Comment: The issue was discussed at the CSMA AGM but no solutions were found. It was thought that demand from processors/buyers for MSC product and a strict chain of custody could encourage membership. 3. CSMA should continue to keep the science and the stock status under review (e.g. at each AGM – noting that this has so far been done). Comment: As noted above, CSMA has maintained contact with CEFAS and has followed developments in the South Brittany and Portuguese Sardine fisheries.

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4. The audit team encourages all CSMA members to fill out logsheets to the best of their ability; Comment: CSMA members continue to fill out their log-sheets although there were gaps in some member’s logsheets. The main issue is non-members that do not provide log-sheets. 5. Ideally, the analysis of logbook data should include an analysis of discards by species, as well as an analysis of the main reasons for slippage (noting that the analysis of the logbook data provided by CSMA was very professional). Comment: Analysis of discards by species has been done this year, although this only involved one occurrence of slippage this year. Reasons for discards should also be listed. 6. CSMA should maintain communication with CEFAS on their research plans, and offer them practical support where possible (noting that CSMA will probably not be able to meet CEFAS requirements). Comment: As noted above, CSMA has maintained communications with CEFAS.

7. TRACKING AND TRACING OF FISH PRODUCTS

For a general update of the ‘tracking and tracing’ section of the Certification Report, see Year 1 audit report. Additional information was provided this year as follows: A current list of CSMA members is provided in Annex 1. The following processors are reported to sell Cornish sardines with the MSC logo:

 Oceanfish

 Falfish

 Trelawney Fish (formerly Fresh and Freeze)

 Interfish

 Samways, Bridport Some also reportedly sell non-MSC sardines from the area.

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8. CONCLUSION

The conclusions of the audit are as follows: Condition 1.1: CSMA’s action plan has been implemented. Harvest control rules are on hold pending action by the South Brittany fishery (2012 information not yet available). Conclusion: condition is on track; MEP to review S. Brittany fishery 2012 audit report when available, and update this report if necessary. Condition 2.1: Continues to be met. Condition 2.2: Continues to be met. Condition 3.1: Met in full in Year 1. Condition 3.2: A policy document has been produced and agreed by CSMA. For the next audit, MEP would like to see a bit more detail as set out above. This condition has the same issue as condition 1.1 in relation to harvest control rules, as is being met as far as CSMA can manage. Condition 3.3: The research situation in the fishery is good (better than last year); although CEFAS have not apparently been able to undertake much work, Ifremer continue their annual survey, and the ICES benchmark assessment (ICES 2012) has reviewed several key research issues (stock definitions, ecological role).

9. CERTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION

MEP concludes that CSMA is implementing the Action Plan as set out in the Certification Report, and that the fishery should remain certified for another year.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AUDIT TEAM

MEP’s recommendations are the same as last year.

11. SURVEILLANCE SCORE

In accordance with the Certification Requirements v1.2 the frequency of future surveillance visits was calculated for this fishery. The overall surveillance score is calculated by adding the scores from Table 3 and matching those with the Surveillance Level in Table 4. This fishery’s score was calculated at 6 which implies a normal surveillance level with annual on-site surveillance audits.

Table 3. Criteria to determine Surveillance Score (see Certification Requirements v1.2, Section 27.22.1.1)

Criteria Surveillance Score Normandy/Jersey score

1. Default Assessment Tree used? Yes 0 2 No 2 2. Number of conditions Zero conditions 0 2

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Criteria Surveillance Score Normandy/Jersey score

Between 1 – 5 conditions 1 More than 5 2 3. Principle level Scores ≥85 0 2 ≤85 2 4. Conditions on outcome PIs? Yes 2 0 No 0 Total Score 6

Table 4. Surveillance level (see Certification Requirements v1.2, Section 27.22.1.3)

MEP therefore concludes that this fishery is subject to ‘normal surveillance’.

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12. REFERENCES

Bureau Veritas 2011. Annual surveillance audit for South Brittany sardine purse seine fishery. Available on the MSC website. ICES 2011a. Advice 7.4.7. Sardines in Division VIIIc and IXa. Available on the ICES website. ICES 2011b. ICES WGANSA Report, Chapter 5: Sardines outside the Iberian peninsula. Available on the ICES website. Massé J., Duhamel E., Doray M., Haouchine M. and Sanchez F. 2011. Direct assessment of small pelagic fish by the PELGAS II acoustic survey. Working document for WGANSA (Vigo, June 2011). Available from MEP on request.

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ANNEX 1: ORIGINAL CSMA MEMBERS LIST

Name Surname Gear Vessel Organisation Address Postcode Email Telephone Ring Nets Peter Blamey RN Glawad-y-Mor 42 Lavorrick Orchards, PL26 6TL [email protected] 01726 843836 [Tamara FY332] Mevagissey Peter Bullock RN Resolute Partnership with , Newlyn, TR18 5TR [email protected] 07788 907153 Ocean Fish Penzance Alan Furse RN/DN Cornishman 9 The Cliff, Mevagissey PL26 6QT 01726 843187 [Superb #] Stefan Glinski RN Pride of Fresh & Freeze Unit 6A, Guildford Road TR27 4QZ [email protected] 01736 756689 Cornwall Ltd Industrial Estate, 07770 448763 White Heather Sam Lambourn RN Lyonesse Frenchmans Watch, Elms TR18 5AU [email protected] 07968 107167 Close, Newlyn, Cornwall, 01736 363023 David Pascoe RN Little Pearl 11 Chyvellas Close, TR18 5RB [email protected] 01736 361833 Newlyn, Penzance 07870 568520 Drift Nets Rob Greenaway DN Guide Me Sowenna, 14 Summerfield PL26 6QD Rob.greenaway.hotmail.co.uk 01726 843107 Close, Tregoney Hill Jeremy Blackmore DN Lizy 28 Penmeva View, PL26 6RB 01726 844026 (Tow-boat) Mevagissey 07806 629806 Trevor/Mike Brokenshire DN ‘Lauren Kate’ 3 Pondhu Crescent, St PL25 5PT [email protected] 01726 73624 Austell Matthew Cave DN Sovereign FH25 Camarvon, Beach Road, PL26 6TE [email protected] 01726 844877 Mevagissey 07973 957550 Matthew Hunkin DN Leonora Hunkin Lamorran School Hill, PL26 6TG 01726 844024 (Tow-boat) Mevagissey John Hunkin DN/RN Heather Anne Hunkin Lamorran School Hill, PL26 6TG [email protected] 01726 844024

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Mevagissey 07846 426285 Ian Ingram DN Tonka 26 Pentille, Mevagissey PL26 6QX [email protected] 01726 844701 James Prynn DW Little Snowdrop 41 Lavorrick Orchards, PL26 TL [email protected] 01726 842049 Mevagissey Jonathan Collins DN Buccaneer 48 Emlyn Fields, , PL25 3UL [email protected] 01726 65453 Cornwall A.F Trevaton Streren-Mor Trevaton & 1 Lamorack Close, PL26 6RU [email protected] 01726 843631 Blackmore Mevagissey, Nick West Solstice Trevarne, School Hill, [email protected] 01726 842136 Mevagissey 07799 888312 Processors Mark Greet Processor n/a Falfish Cardrew Industrial Estate, TR15 1SS [email protected] 01209314111 Nick Howell Processor n/a British Cured The Pilchard Works, TR18 5QH [email protected] 01736 332112 Pilchards Ltd Tolcarne, Newlyn Andrew Lakeman Processor Oceanfish Unit 2A, Victoria Industrial PL26 8LX [email protected] Estate, Roche Research/Support Simon Cadman n/a n/a Senior Fisheries IFCA, Old Bonded TR18 4BD scadman@[email protected] 01737 369817 Officer Warehouse, Quay St, Penzance Nathan De Rozarieux n/a n/a Seafood 1 The Strand, Newlyn TR18 5HJ [email protected] Cornwall Peter Ghey n/a Sally Rose 47 Bodriggy St, TR27 4ND [email protected] 01736 754649 Copperhouse, Hayle David Muihead ? Triss Rose Cottage, The TR12 7NL [email protected] 01326 290474 Lizard, Justin Williams n/a MMO 46 Fore Street, Newlyn TR18 5JR [email protected] 01736 360805 Key RN – Ring Nets; DN – Drift Nets.

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ANNEX 2: CSMA MEMBER LETTER, 8TH JUNE 2012

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ANNEX 3: CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FROM 2012 AGM

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ANNEX 4: CORRESPONDENCE WITH CEFAS AND EU

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ANNEX 5: FISHERIES POLICY AND UPDATED RULES AND REGULATIONS

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