ElEUROPEAN NEWSLETTERAnzuelo ON FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT VOL 9 • 2002 • ISSN 1464-6749 GREENING ‘BLUE EUROPE’ INSIDE knowledge of the structure and the functioning Franz Fischler 2-3 of the marine environment. We also need to Member of the Update on 2002 Commission responsible collect data on the interactions between for fisheries fisheries and aquaculture activities and the environment. Public aid should no longer be used to help finance the building of new fishing vessels to add to a fleet that is already far too large. 4-6 Instead, aid must be used to encourage the decommissioning of vessels and to help the Focus on the fishermen who will have to leave the fishing Mediterranean sector to retire or to retrain to other activities. n some Member States, the Common There is no doubt that the fleet will need to be Fisheries Policy (CFP) is known as Blue smaller in the future, but it will be able to fish IEurope, the colour of the sea. But now it is in a sustainable manner in biological, time to green our fisheries policy. The current economic and social terms. CFP reform will allow us to better integrate the We need to strengthen the enforcement of environmental dimension into the CFP. measures. This can be done by encouraging 7-12 Attention is generally focused on the parlous greater compliance with rules and by European Scene state of an increasing number of fish stocks in improving coordination among Member EU waters. Fish stocks are part of the marine States. We must move towards harmonised ecosystems whose balance is also affected by standards of inspection, detection of fishing activities. If one is damaged, the other infringements and sanctions and the creation also suffers. This is why it is time to integrate of a single inspection structure at the EU level. fully the concept of ecosystems into the CFP. We also want to improve compliance by Technological progress has substantially involving stakeholders more in the decision increased the fishing capabilities of the fishing making process through the creation of fleets. As in many other sectors, regulatory Regional Advisory Councils. Participation measures have not followed the pace of brings responsibility and fishermen will be technological change. We must move away more inclined to comply with measures if they from a number of ideas: that fishing is have had a say in their framing. Edited by Niki Sporrong of IEEP London. fishermen’s and no one else’s business, for We will give priority to measures aimed at Production Manager: Claire Monkhouse. Translated into French by Ilona Bossanyi. example. Or that being concerned about the reducing fishing pressure and incidental This Newsletter is financially supported by environmental impact of fishing activities is catches of certain endangered marine mammals. the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Joint being anti-fishermen. Far from it. What I want Also high on the agenda, is the implementation Nature Conservation Committee, UK is sustainable fisheries and they depend of the Biodiversity Action Plan adopted at the Contributions from Commissioner Franz essentially on healthy ecosystems. beginning of the year. Cooperation with Fischler (DG Fisheries); Thomas Borchers Today, several stocks are on the verge of Member States will be strengthened with a (Federal Ministry for the Environment, collapse from overfishing, principally because view to improving the implementation of the Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany), Natalia Martini (Oxford the EU fleet is much too large for the available ‘Habitats’ and ‘Birds’ directives. University), Peter Funegård (National Board fish. Moreover, some populations of non- The success of aquaculture depends on the of Fisheries, Sweden), Antonio di Natale commercial fish species are also endangered, quality of the marine environment where it (Aquastudio Research Institute, Italy) Clare important habitats seriously damaged and food takes place. Therefore, a strategy for sustainable Coffey (IEEP), and Bengt Frizell (Västra webs disrupted. aquaculture will be launched shortly. Götaland County Administration, Sweden). We must urgently reduce fishing pressure Cooperation among all interested parties is and improve our fishing techniques. With this crucial to the success of all these measures. I in mind we have proposed a framework have already mentioned closer cooperation regulation providing the legal basis and the with Member States. The two Commission’s main regulatory instruments to achieve both Directorates-General for fisheries and and an Action Plan to guide the various steps environment are working more closely towards environmental protection. together. We also need the support of the One aspect that will be beneficial to the stakeholders who, in the future, will be able to marine environment is the move from short- be more involved in the CFP. I would like to term decision-making to long-term planning thank El Anzuelo for its work in highlighting IEEP London through the application of a multi-annual, the problems associated with fisheries but also multi-species and ecosystem-based approach. for its constructive suggestions and ideas. Let’s Views expressed within this Newsletter do In this respect, we need to acquire better green blue Europe together. not necessarily reflect those of the editor, supporting organisations or the publisher.

Issue 10 of this Newsletter will be produced in Autumn 2002. If you have material to send or comments please contact the editor: Niki Sporrong, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AG, The paper for this document has UK. Tel +44 (0)20 7799 2244; Fax +44 (0)20 7799 2600; email: [email protected] been made from wood fibre from a sustainable forest UPDATE ON 2002 CFP: on the road to refor Novel measures to reduce capacity Overall, the expected provisions concerning the conservation of commercial stocks, fleet capacity reduction, aid to the sector and control and enforcement appear to be constructive and should lead to substantial improvements to the current fisheries policy. The emphasis on multi- annual management plans is a major step forward. However, there may be a danger that other measures (eg fleet restructuring) depend Will the Commission succeed in its ambitions to balance fishing capacity with too heavily on the available resources? Chris Grieve existence of such plans. The Commission has flagged up the importance of substantial fleet capacity reductions several times over the last year and this ambition should be followed through in the proposals. Niki Sporrong But will the proposals be effective enough? The IEEP London responsibility for reduction of fleet capacity will, if the proposals are adopted, rest with the Member States. The role of the Community fleet policy will instead be number of proposals and other documents for to create an environment which encourages capacity the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy reduction. To this end, the Commission is likely to A(CFP) were due at the beginning of April, but suggest that the possibility to grant public aid for the have now been delayed until the end of May. The introduction of new capacity, modernisation measures European Commission has announced that this is to that increase capacity and export of excess capacity be be the first of three packages that can be expected removed. Instead, special measures for vessels during the year. Among the documents is a ‘Roadmap’ affected by the multi-annual management plans will outlining the reform process, Commission ambitions be suggested, including a new emergency facility for and the timeline for different proposals. The package is also thought to include proposals for a new CFP Framework Regulation (replacing 3760/92), an ‘It is clear that the amendment to the current structural measures Commission’s reform (Regulation 2792/99) and a Regulation establishing a new fund for scrapping vessels. priorities are the conservation Together, the documents will contain important new commitments on fisheries management, in of commercial fish stocks and many respects reflecting the broad approach of the fleet reduction’ Green Paper. It is clear that the Commission’s reform priorities are the conservation of commercial fish stocks and fleet reduction, notably in EU waters. scrapping. Whenever capacity is withdrawn with Improved control, enforcement and governance also public aid it will not be allowed to be replaced, and appear to be important issues. Progress in these areas new capacity can only be introduced when at least an should make a major contribution to securing the equivalent amount is withdrawn without public aid. A environmentally sustainable development of the review process will be set up to control the sector by reducing pressure on commercial fish stocks effectiveness of the measures and the performance of and, at the same time, the wider environment. different Member States.

2 El Anzuelo WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION STRATEGY? orm? Last year, the Fisheries work on the strategy by Council finally started to proposing more concrete Good suggestions but some gaps prepare its contribution to actions and timetables. the so-called Cardiff process. Several welcome and less controversial changes are The process started in At the Göteborg Summit it likely to appear in the proposal for the new Cardiff in June 1998, when was decided that the work of Framework Regulation. There is more emphasis on European Heads of State the Council should be the protection of non-target species and the wider required different Councils completed and presented to marine environment than before. Restricted access to of Ministers to begin the task the Barcelona Summit in the 12 nautical mile zone is proposed to be made of integrating environment March 2002. Unlike other permanent and Member States could be given the and sustainable development outstanding strategies, the possibility of adopting stricter management measures into their sectors or spheres Fisheries Council again failed applying to all vessels fishing there. To improve of interest. Originally obliged to deliver. A Communication governance and stakeholder participation, Regional to produce a comprehensive from the Commission Advisory Councils will be established. At the same strategy on how to integrate setting out a Community time, the proposals on other important issues, such as environmental concerns into Action Plan to integrate aquaculture, the management of fisheries in the fisheries policy for the environmental protection Mediterranean and the monitoring and evaluation of Göteborg Summit in June requirements into the the effectiveness of the reformed CFP are likely to be 2001, the Fisheries Council Common Fisheries Policy is less comprehensive. produced a set of due to be published as part The situation in the Mediterranean is of particular conclusions on integration, of the first CFP reform concern (see pages 4-6,9). Currently, the region is creating a starting point for package. The Council is suffering from a lack of data, not only on stocks but a future comprehensive expected to use this as a also on catches. There is insufficient implementation strategy. While setting the basis for its integration of Community fisheries legislation and inappropriate objectives for integration, strategy, potentially to be use of financial and market-based incentives. There the Council requested the presented in Seville. are also particular problems related to the absence of Commission to support their EEZs and the combination of a predominantly small- scale fleet targeting multi-species fisheries and an economically important fleet targeting pelagic fisheries on migratory stocks. The existing EXPECTED CFP TIMETABLE: 2002 management body, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), has May Roadmap been unable to secure proper management of Proposal for a Framework Regulation Proposal for a Regulation on scrapping of vessels fisheries in the region. A coherent vision for the Proposal for an amended FIFG Regulation Mediterranean fisheries sector would be desirable and Action Plan on environmental integration CFP proposals need to ensure that the EU takes a Action Plan on illegal, unreported and unregulated leading role in addressing these weaknesses, securing fishing sustainable, ecosystem-based management. June 11 Fisheries Council, Luxembourg

Proposals need support in Council July Action Plan on scientific advice The question remains whether these first measures Action Plan for management in the Mediterranean together with other proposals to come will provide the Action Plan on discards much-needed reform that will turn the situation Integrated Framework for fisheries partnerships around and create a more sustainable fishing sector. Action Plan for cooperation in enforcement Strategy for the development of European aquaculture But more importantly, will the Commission receive Communication on transparency, performance and the support that it needs in the Fisheries Council? compliance Prospects are not looking entirely good, with the ‘Friends of fishing’, a coalition of the five September Proposal of a Joint Inspection Structure Mediterranean Member States and Ireland, resisting Communication on the social, economic and regional increased regulation, particularly of fleets and aid. consequences of restructuring When the proposals are finally released, only a seven Development of a Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries in Europe month period will remain for Member States to settle their differences if they want to meet the initial October 14 Fisheries Council, Luxembourg December deadline. Hopefully, the growing public awareness of the severity of the situation will November 18 Fisheries Council, Brussels strengthen the political process. December 16 Fisheries Council, Brussels For a more detailed analysis of the proposals as they emerge, see the IEEP website: www.ieep.org.uk

El Anzuelo 3 FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN Mediterranean Fisheries: a different world

Fisherman at work in the Mediterranean Michael Gunther/Still Pictures

Antonio Di Natale Director, Aquastudio Research Institute, Messina, Italy ‘Catches are even more difficult to long time ago, well before elves and fairy tales, a Greek poet, Oppianus, wrote the first work estimate than vessels’ Aon Mediterranean fisheries and fishermen – ‘De Aliueutica’. It was 177 BC and this is the first known document on the issue in the world. After many centuries, it was ‘printed’ in Italy in 1462 and a The first industrial fishery few copies still remain. An industrial fishery was developed in the Tycoon of civilisation and temple of Neptune, the Mediterranean several centuries before anywhere else Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed environment, in the world: the tuna trap fishery. Hundreds of plants including some deep areas. It also contains a great were distributed around the coasts, along the marine biodiversity, with more than 1,500 species in migration route of the bluefin tuna. Thousands of the area. Fishing is an important part of the people were directly employed in the fishery. Only a Mediterranean culture and the diversity of species is few traps in Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, targeted with any possible gear type a man can Libya and Croatia are still in use today and the imagine: harpoons, gillnets, lines, hooks, pots and production is a marginal part of the total tuna catches. traps. Most of the gears still in use today were In the 1960s, the declining use of tuna traps saw invented in historical times. Nowadays, 300 million another industrial fishing activity develop: the tuna people live on the Mediterranean coasts in summer, purse-seine fishery. Now, purse-seine fleets from all asking for marine produce and having an Spain, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, Croatia and enormous impact on the environment. Turkey provide the majority of the tuna catches.

4 El Anzuelo Large artisanal fishing sector the northern Mediterranean countries, fishermen are reluctant to reduce fishing capacity or to strictly follow There are still a lot of fishermen in the regulations. The only species under a quota regime is Mediterranean, most of them artisanal using small the bluefin tuna. It was regulated in 1998 due to the vessels of different shapes, often wooden boats made dramatic results of the stock assessment, but control by capable master-carpenters. The official statistics of and enforcement is almost non-existent and the system artisanal fishing fleets in the Mediterranean are clearly does not work. Luckily, the bluefin tuna stock unreliable for several reasons, above all because every seems to be healthier than the model predicted, even if owner of even a small wooden or plastic boat has the stock is clearly overfished and a large quantity of various types of fishing gear onboard. There are many juveniles is caught every year. Temporary closures, thousands of boats everywhere along the coast and in usually for trawl fisheries, are applied in some areas in the small isles. A reasonable estimation is more than the EU waters, and during the closures fishermen 200,000 professional fishing vessels in the 21 receive economic support. The effects of the closures Mediterranean countries. on the demersal stocks are negligible.

Eating it all Smaller and smaller fish Catches are even more difficult to estimate than The lack of big individuals is evident for several vessels, because much of the catch data is not species, but this is a controversial issue among collected and even the official statistics are partial or scientists. The Mediterranean cod is a species under incomplete. Most species in the Mediterranean are high fishing pressure, and the big specimens caught in the fisheries, either as target species or as recorded until 20 years ago are now very rare. In bycatch. The Mediterranean people use most of the addition, nursery areas are affected by the trawl edible species and there is a strong tradition to fishery. Millions of juveniles and sub-adult cod are prepare fish, with many good recipes. As a result, a sold at cheap prices on the market from flat wooden Mediterranean fish market is quite different from fish boxes. Red mullet and striped red mullet are markets in the North Sea region; there is a wider commonly caught by gillnets and trammel nets, but variety and much more colour. large individuals are very rare and a significant Since the demand for seafood is high, particularly in number of juveniles are caught by trawlers. A multitude of fishing methods In the Mediterranean, many different fishing methods are targets many different species and the high fishing pressure in used. The trawl fishery provides most of the commercial some coastal areas is beginning to have major effects. For catches and affects more than 500 species. In some cases, for example, the deep trammels used in the last 15 years have example the rose shrimp fishery, discards are a serious seriously affected lobsters and Mediterranean cod. problem, both in terms of number of species and percentage All Mediterranean countries also have a purse seine fishery in weight. In the long-line fishery, several types of gear are targeting shoaling pelagic species, mainly anchovies and used. The surface long-line fishery is one of the most sardines. important, targeting large pelagic species such as bluefin tuna, In several fisheries for shrimps, lobsters and fish, pots are swordfish and albacore. Foreign fleets are also fishing in the also used. They are considered to be more selective. Clay pots basin, particularly for bluefin tuna, and some of them act are still used to fish for octopus along the North African coast. under a flag of convenience to avoid controls and quota Beach seines are widely used in the region, and are restrictions. Besides the target species, the long-line fishery considered to be a social event in small villages, but they are has a significant bycatch of sharks and turtles, but effects on banned in EC countries. Small pelagic species are sometimes marine birds are negligible. The bottom long-line fishery caught with boat seines, and a fishery on amberjack using this targets a variety of commercial species (cod, sea bass, method has recently developed. scabbard fish) and is fairly selective. Fish aggregating devices have been used since ancient Different types of gillnet fisheries are very common in the times and are often made by palm fronds; dolphin fish, pilot Mediterranean. The use of driftnets for large and medium size fish, small amberjack and tuna-like species are the major pelagic species was banned in EC countries from 1 January targets, but a bycatch of juvenile wreckfish is often reported. 2002, but several other fleets from Morocco, Turkey, Algeria, Hand lines and pole & lines are used by an incredible Albania and possibly Tunisia are still active. They are filling number of people, professionals as well as recreational the niche left by the EC fleets, exporting swordfish to Italy fishermen, everywhere around the Mediterranean. The and Spain. European fishermen, and particularly the Italians, impact of these activities has not been assessed, but there is a are not very happy about that. It was a great sacrifice for strong suspicion that several coastal species or juveniles of them to stop this ancient fishery reported by Oppianus and it other larger species could be significantly affected. has strongly affected the economy of several coastal villages. The harpoon fishery is almost a historical relic, but it is still Even the small-size driftnets are now banned in EC countries, practised in the Strait of Messina (Sicily) and in Turkey to but few people understand what this decision was based on. catch swordfish, bluefin tuna, Mediterranean spearfish and A variety of gears is used in the gillnet fishery: bottom set, moonfish. In several coastal areas, hand spears are used for mid-water set or encircling nets of different mesh types. It octopus, squids, flying fish and Atlantic saury.

El Anzuelo 5 FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

Brown meagre, Shi drum and Dusky grouper, several years signs of stress have been quite evident. quite common along the shallow rocky bottoms until 50 years ago, are now difficult to find in most of the Fisheries management coastal areas, due to spear fishing and, maybe, other Most fisheries are ‘managed’ by the General Fishery environmental changes. Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), without Continuous fishing pressure and pollution in some any real power to impose regulations, while tuna and coastal areas were expected to result in a serious tuna-like species are under the control of the ICCAT depletion of several fish stocks over the past three (but only some Mediterranean countries are members decades, but even if the situation is serious the and resolutions are mandatory only for members). changes have not been dramatic. The GFCM has a difficult role: it must not only The great Mediterranean biodiversity appears to convince fishermen from all the countries to adopt the same rules, but also all the coastal governments, for management efforts to be effective. Shared stocks ‘Sometimes Neptune in the Mediterranean are often managed in different ways in different countries, and sometimes national comes out of the regulations are conflicting. In addition, control and enforcement is minimal. seawater, nervously For the future of the Mediterranean biodiversity and the fisheries, it is important to find a way to shaking his hair and better enforce the existing regulatory measures and, at the same time, to develop new rules. This has to be the trident, trying to done with a true Mediterranean perspective. Practices and regulations from the North Sea or the Atlantic indicate the best way can not simply be moved to the Mediterranean, because the marine environment is different, the for fishermen and biology of species is different and even the mentality of the people is different. decision-makers’ Sometimes Neptune comes out of the seawater, nervously shaking his hair and the trident, trying to indicate the best way for fishermen and decision- make the entire ecosystem more flexible and able to makers. Then he waits for the results for a while and, respond better to the huge pressure of the numerous disappointed, dives again to reach his temple on the fleets in the area. But this capacity is limited and for Mediterranean sea-bottom. Tuna penning threatens already overfished tuna stocks

tuna is the new ‘foie gras’ of the Mediterranean, ‘Gold rush’ for tuna resulting in a real ‘gold rush’ in the region. If nothing is to supply high value done, wild blue-fin tuna will completely disappear from Japanese sushi the Mediterranean Sea within the next few years, market perhaps with no possibility of rebuilding stocks”. Many of the 12 tuna farms operating in Spain, Italy, Malta and Croatia are subsidised. Other countries are involved in the practice too, including fleets from France, Tunisia, Turkey and Algeria. WWF estimates that together they produced 11,000 tonnes of tuna last year – more than half of the world’s total. So far, this type of farming has been able to avoid controls under existing Mediterranean management bodies, such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), despite widespread recognition of the need Roland Seitre/Still Pictures to conserve blue-fin tuna. This is because it is currently seen as a ‘post harvesting’ operation, rather than one WWF has urged Mediterranean States and the EU to based on direct capture, and so falls outside of regional decrease fishing effort on the bluefin tuna stock and to and international controls. WWF is calling for regulate the rapidly expanding practice of tuna governments to close this legislative loophole and to penning. The already overfished stock of bluefin tuna increase controls on tuna farming “while there is still in the Mediterranean is now further threatened by time”. Until this happens, WWF wants a moratorium increasing catches of tuna that is later fattened in on the establishment of new farms in the region. pens. This relatively new practice is mainly targeting the Japanese sushi market. For further information contact: Dr Sergi Tudela, Fisheries According to Sergi Tudela, Fisheries Officer at the Coordinator, WWF Mediterranean Programme Office. Tel +34 93 WWF Mediterranean Programme Office, “Blue-fin 3056252; email: [email protected]

6 El Anzuelo EUROPEAN SCENE

Stakeholders managing Natura 2000 area Bengt Frizell that lives in the deeper parts Västra Götaland County of the fjord. Local fishermen Administration, Sweden have been trawling for shrimp for almost 100 years and Rune Nilsen and Jan-Olof around 50 fishermen are still Hellberg are the recipients of active in the area today. Most this year’s Environmental of their 30 boats are under 12 Award in Strömstad’s metres in length. The yearly municipality. The men are catch of around 200 tonnes is In this modified shrimp fishers in the Koster- divided between the fishermen trawl 85% of the Värderö area on the Swedish based on an informal bycatch of fish west coast. Their award agreement. Special rules and other reflects their work in regarding the size of the organisms developing a sustainable fishing gear, the weight of the escape through shrimp fishery in the Natura trawl and mesh sizes have the opening above the grid.

2000 area Koster-Väderö been applied for many years. Ulla Backman Fjord. The fishery is also indirectly The species diversity in the important for other sectors in area is unique in Swedish the area, including the address the issue. Fishermen to reduce impacts on sessile waters. The fjord is connected extensive tourism industry. and their organisations were bottom organisms such as L. with deeper waters in the The protection of the sceptical at first, fearing pertusa. These measures have Atlantic, and supports unique biodiversity in the substantial closures in their since been incorporated into vulnerable hard bottom fauna. Koster-Väderö Fjord has been fishing area. Even the Swedish fisheries legislation Reefs of the cold water coral a subject of discussion for collection of data about the and came into force in 2001. Lophelia pertusa and rich fauna some time. The shrimp fishery natural values in the area was The work to protect the are found here. In 2001, the was identified as the main initially seen as a threat. Koster-Väderö Fjord has Swedish government proposed threat to local biodiversity and However, significant progress shown the importance of solid the area as an EU Natura 2000 a working group with has since been made to reduce knowledge and an open 2 site, based on the 31 km reefs representatives from the the impacts of the fishery. dialogue between authorities, 2 and 11 km sublittoral County Administration, the Apart from mapping researcher and users together sandbanks found there. municipalities of Strömstad sensitive biotopes in detail, with the will to try novel Economically, the most and Tanum, the National fishermen’s knowledge of the solutions. The measures that important activity in the area Board of Fisheries and the behaviour of the gear, have been applied could is the trawl fishery for North fishermen’s organisations was positions of the trawl hauls, greatly benefit biodiversity, Sea shrimp (Pandalus borealis) formed in December 1999 to etc was used to avoid damage while having only limited to the most sensitive areas. effects on the profits of the Some very valuable areas were shrimp fishery. Experiences entirely or partly closed to from this work are now being trawling, while protection applied to other coastal zones were established for fisheries along the Swedish others. It was also decided west coast. that the depth limit for trawling should be moved For more information contact: Dr from 50 to 60 metres to Mattias Sköld, Department of Coastal and Freshwater Resources, National protect the many valuable soft Board of Fisheries, Sweden. bottoms in the area. Selection Tel +46 31 7430367; email: panels, so-called ‘grids’, which mattias.skold@fiskeriverket.se reduce the bycatch by up to Bengt Frizell, Senior Environmental 85% were introduced in the Officer, Department of Nature Conservation and Fisheries, Västra shrimp trawls. In addition, Götaland County Administration, Hauling the shrimp trawl. adjustments were made to the Sweden. Tel +46 31 605235;

Mattias Sköld size and weight of fishing gear email: [email protected]

Dolphin bycatch in washed up more than 100 grid system, specifically designed higher than in the bass fishery. cetaceans on the south coast of for addressing problems in the Despite these results, the pair pair trawls England and over 300 on the bass trawl fishery, that will guide trawl fishery is being promoted As many as 53 dolphins were coast of France. common dolphins out of the as an alternative to the now caught in 116 hauls over 71 days The study of UK pair trawls trawl before they become caught banned drift net albacore fishery. at sea, according to a study of was undertaken by the Sea in the nets. Some 50 Irish pelagic trawl boats UK pair trawls targeting bass in Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Pelagic pair trawls are also are expected to take part in the the Channel. Four UK vessels in Scotland. A £33,000 (j54,000) increasingly being used in the fishery already in the summer of operate in the winter bass grant has now been given to albacore tuna fisheries in the 2002. fishery, now using new nets to SMRU to work with the Scottish waters to the south west of the reduce bycatch. More than 50 Pelagic Fishermen’s Association British Isles. A report of the Irish For further information contact: Andrea Mulholland, English Nature, UK. French vessels also operate in (SPFA), the UK’s Sea Fishing trial pair trawl fishery for Tel +44 1733 455232; the fishery. The bycatch issue Industry Authority (SFIA) and albacore tuna recorded a email: andrea.mulholland@english- has been a recurring problem in the Norwegian Institute of bycatch rate of 145 cetaceans in nature.org.uk this fishery, but has recently Marine Research (IMR) to 313 hauls caught by just four Claire Grainger, Press Officer, SMRU, University of St Andrews, UK. been brought to public attention reduce the bycatch. The aim is pairs of trawlers in the 1999 Tel +44 1334 462530; due to winter storms which to design and implement a new season – a bycatch rate even email: [email protected]

El Anzuelo 7 EUROPEAN SCENE

Regional Commissions in the Baltic Sea discuss fisheries and marine protection Peter Funegård, in the main commercial fish species. Senior Fisheries Officer, National Board of Fisheries, Sweden The major result of the meeting was a list of proposals for joint action, such as the reduction of bycatches and discards, The two regional Commissions in the Baltic Sea area, the development of selective fishing gears and more ecologically Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) and the International Baltic sustainable fishing practices. The need to implement Europe- Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC) met on 20–21 February in wide measures to restore eel stocks and to continue the Gdynia, Poland, to discuss issues related to nature protection, restoration of wild salmon populations and other salmonids the development of sustainable fisheries and the possibility of were also identified as prioritised actions. moving towards ecosystem-based management in the Baltic Further cooperation between the two organisations will Sea. The meeting was the first effort by an international include research projects on bycatch of birds, harbour fisheries management organisation and an environmental porpoise and other non-target species. The seminar also organisation to discuss problems related to sustainable recognised the need for studies on environmental impacts of development in the marine environment. offshore wind farms, primarily regarding possible effects on The seminar confirmed that the current intensity of fish populations, spawning grounds and important bird areas. commercial fisheries has significantly influenced the Baltic Sea The need to continue the development of suitable ecosystem ecosystem, species composition and size distribution of the status indicators was also expressed by the seminar. main target species (cod, salmon, herring and sprat). In The meeting ended on a positive note. Cooperation between addition, non-commercial fish stocks have changed and HELCOM and IBSFC on issues of common interest will bycatches have had negative effects on non-target species increase and will in part be carried out through future seminars such as marine mammals and birds. On the other hand, and workshops with participation of all relevant stakeholders. deterioration of the marine environment has resulted in a loss of spawning areas, a decrease in fish stocks, contamination of For further information contact: Juha-Markku Leppänen, Professional Secretary, fish by hazardous substances and an increase in fish diseases. Helsinki Commission, Tel +358 9 6220 220; Some of the most discussed issues were the increasing conflict email: juha-markku.leppanen@helcom.fi between the salmon fishery and the protection of seals and Walter Ranke, IBSFC Secretariat, Warsaw, Poland, Tel +48 22 628 86 47; the crucial need for information regarding the levels of dioxins email: [email protected]

Black Sea needs decline of fish stocks and (COM(2001)615) is available at: and/or capacity are being consequently fishing. Although http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/ proposed by the Commission for pdf/2001/com2001_0615en01.pdf international catches are beginning to increase cod and hake recovery remediation again, only six of the 26 species Cod and hake programmes. Additional measures The Black Sea is under extreme that were exploited in the 1960s for debate include target levels pressure from overfishing, high are present in commercial recovery plans for spawning stock biomass, levels of pollution and the effects quantities today. The European Commission’s multi-annual total allowable of alien species, according to a EU Ministers met with three-stage process to implement catches, rules relating to catch report produced by international Environment Ministers of the recovery measures for the handling to prevent discards, scientists of the UNEP initiative region in November last year to severely depleted cod stocks of extra compensation from the ‘Global International Waters push forward protection of the the North Sea and west of Financial Instrument for Fisheries Assessment’ (GIWA). GIWA, Black Sea and the Danube – a Scotland moved into its second Guidance for “tie-ups” and a which is assessing the major tributary and the main phase on 19 October 2001. A premium rate for environmental state of over sixty source of pollution. A declaration new Commission Regulation (No decommissioning cod or hake water systems worldwide, has was adopted on water protection 2056/2001) sets out additional vessels. called for international in the region, and commitments technical measures designed to Furthermore, special measures remediation efforts as a matter of were made to restore the reduce the capture of small, for hake, which were due to urgency. ecosystems and water quality. young cod and allows the expire at the end of March 2002, The report estimates that over Ministers are expected to implementation of measures have been extended. Regulation 600,000 tonnes of harmful endorse a Commission agreed between Norway and the 494/2002 was adopted on 19 nutrients are released into the Communication on cooperation EU in June 2001. As from 1 March, establishing additional Black Sea, mainly from household in the Black Sea and Danube January 2002, mesh sizes for nets technical measures for the waste waters, industry and region later this year, which seeks are to be increased and the use recovery of the hake stocks in the agricultural discharges. It also to establish an informal task force of large mesh or square mesh North Sea, waters to the west of highlights the threat to the sea on water related issues. The panels is required. Catch Scotland, Skagerrak and the Bay from raw sewage, coastal erosion Commission communication also compositions are also regulated of Biscay. The Regulation places and dumped deposits from calls for increased involvement by to ensure that the correct fishing restrictions on net mesh sizes and dredged ports. The Black Sea the EU and Member States in the gear is used, e.g. it is now immersion of nets and will be borders Russia, the Ukraine, region, including coordinated prohibited to keep cod on board effective until the end of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and technical and financial assistance. if more than 30% of the total September 2002. Georgia, and the already high catch consists of cod, unless the levels of pollution, particularly For further information: GIWA Black correct gear is fitted and in use For further information contact: Chiara Sea Programme Coordinator: Prof. Felix on the vessel. Gariazzo, Communication and from industry, are likely to Stolberg, Head of Environmental Information Unit, DG Fisheries, increase further as the region Engineering and Management The third phase of the cod European Commission, Brussels, continues to develop Department, Kharkov State Academy of recovery measures will be to Belgium. Tel +32 2 2999255; email: economically. Municipal Economy, Ukraine. agree longer-term, multi-annual [email protected] Tel/Fax +380 (572) 379055; strategies. Early indications Malcolm MacGarvin, Modus Vivendi, The negative environmental email: [email protected] Ballan Truan, Glen Livet, Scotland AB37 impacts on the sea have, among Environmental cooperation in the suggest that up to 50% of 9AQ. Enquiries preferably via email: other problems, resulted in the Danube – Black Sea Region permanent cuts in fishing effort [email protected]

8 El Anzuelo Boost for Spanish distribution infrastructure, while North Atlantic study collapses in fish stocks have been j4.3 million will be spent on observed. However, the new An international team of fisheries boosting the agro-food industry. pan-Atlantic study reveals that scientists has revealed startling The autonomous regions of Spain Over j3 million will be directed the whole Atlantic Ocean is at have received j25.8 million for to the development of results from the first ever ocean- risk. In an interview with Seaweb, fisheries and aquaculture related aquaculture, with an additional wide study of fisheries in the Pauly commented that “..we are developments from EU structural j1 million for establishing a North Atlantic. Daniel Pauly and unequivocally losing the battle to funds, predominantly FIGF. The marine cultivation plan. colleagues at the University of manage fisheries in the North largest part of the funding will be The funding comes in advance British Columbia Fisheries Atlantic”, and put forward the spent on the fishery sector, of CFP reforms likely to focus Centre estimate that the catch of view that “the necessary next including j6.75 million on heavily on reducing fishing preferred food species, such as steps are substantial reduction in renovation and fleet capacity and effort, and to stop cod, hake, tuna, haddock and fishing fleets, reduction and modernisation, j1.8 million funding of most modernisation flounder, has declined by over eventual abolition of subsidies to towards adjusting fishing effort, measures. 50% in the last 50 years. Fishing industrial fisheries, and the and j2 million to fisheries effort has increased substantially establishment of networks of improvements as part of the For further information contact: to maintain yields of these Christoph Nordmann, Head of Unit, or ‘no-take’ marine reserves”. national plan for 2000-2006. A Antonio Gutierrez, Desk Officer, FIFG species, but this has had adverse further j6.5 million is to be in Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, effects on productivity. For further information contact: Dr invested in a development Germany, UK, Luxembourg, Previously this problem was Daniel Pauly, University of British programme for the regions, Netherlands and Sweden; DG Fisheries, thought to be localised, such as Columbia Fisheries Centre, Vancouver, Brussels. Tel +32 2 299 52103; email: Canada. Tel +1 604 822 1201; email: which will develop and [email protected] / in Newfoundland and in New d.pauly@fisheries.ubc.ca; website: modernise the production and [email protected] England where devastating www.fisheries.ubc.ca/projects/saup

Key species in the Mediterranean Sea under threat Dr Natalia Martini twenty years. Intensive Oxford University, UK trawling can convert P. oceanica meadows into regions Posidonia oceanica is a marine of mud, thereby reducing seagrass species endemic to potential habitats for many the Mediterranean Sea whose fish species, several of them conservation is essential to commercial. maintain the integrity of In Italy, studies of coastal coastal ecosystems in the face Posidonia beds began in the of natural and anthropogenic early eighties. In the Central disturbance. It currently Tyrrhenian Sea (Western occupies an area of 20,000 Mediterranean), seabeds square miles, from the between Capo Circeo and shoreline down to depths of Terracina (Lazio, Italy) have 40m. Due to its structural been sampled during the last complexity, P. oceanica 15 years to monitor the effect provides nursery areas for of fishing gears. These studies many fish species and creates were partly funded by local a barrier to coastal erosion. authorities because artisanal P. oceanica is protected fisheries were suffering from under several international this unsustainable exploitation conventions and European of marine resources. Scientists Posidonia — under threat from fishing practices in the laws, such as the 1979 Bern suggested the introduction of Mediterranean. Convention on wildlife and underwater structures, in Natalia Martini natural habitats in Europe and particular artificial reefs, the 1986 Protocol to the within seagrass beds, hoping to their potential use in the species is likely to continue. A Barcelona Convention reduce trawling impact by general management of key factor is the resistance by concerning Specially Protected preventing the practice marine coastal resources. the fishing industry, which Areas and Biological Diversity altogether. These artificial Within the framework of appears unconvinced of the in the Mediterranean. The physical barriers would destroy the EU ‘LIFE’ programme, the needs or benefits of Habitats Directive 92/43 and any trawling nets that are Italian Ministry for the conservation and the Regulation 1626/94 on fisheries swept through the area. Based Environment has now started particular advantages of technical measures in the on Italian legislation adopted a research project called artificial reef structures. Mediterranean Sea also in 1982, artificial reefs have ‘BioItaly’ to map and establish Securing more effective provide protection. been employed in the Central sites of interest according to conservation is therefore likely Despite this, P. oceanica is Tyrrhenian Sea and in the the Habitats Directive. To to depend upon establishing under threat. Along the Italian Ligurian Sea, and have proven date, 3,000 sites have been good relationships with the coasts there are two main an effective conservation recognised, among them local fishing industries, causes for its continued measure for P. oceanica. several P. oceanica areas. persuading them to join the regression: changes in Today, artificial reefs are Further actions towards an conservation effort. sediment composition and internationally recognised as enhanced monitoring scheme structure and physical impact important instruments to for seagrasses and the of fishing gears. Illegal trawling preserve and enhance marine mapping of their distribution is For further information contact: Dr within the three-mile limit or biodiversity, and the European also expected. Natalia Martini, Department of Zoology, in waters less than 50m deep Artificial Reef Network has Yet despite these important Oxford University, UK. Tel +44 1865 has taken place over the last been created to investigate efforts, the decline in this 271218; email: [email protected]

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Deep-water fish stocks under threat UK nature conservation agency stressed that deep-sea fishing advisors are warning that unless grounds are related both to action is taken immediately, Community waters and to fishing in deep-sea waters will international waters managed lead to irreversible damage to by the North-East Atlantic target fish stocks and the Fisheries Commission, therefore seabed. As Mark Tasker, Head of recognising the importance of Marine Advice at the Joint applying conservation measures Nature Conservation unilaterally. Committee, explains Subsequently, in March the “Fishermen must understand Commission released another that they cannot apply the same Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) is one of the deep sea proposal regarding fishing effort principle to deep-water fishing as species threatened by overfishing. management for deep-sea stocks those used on the continental Jon Baldur, Hlidberg (COM(2002)108). This proposal shelf. Reproductive cycles of been untouched by fishing gear. board, the Commission has aims to bring in additional deep-water fish take much Fishing of deep-sea stocks has released a proposal measures to control exploitation longer than for species in increased, in part due to the (COM(2001)764) to fix fishing of deep-water species, to collect shallower waters and thus stocks decline of traditional stocks, opportunities for deep-sea fish scientific data and to establish take much longer to recover such as cod. Since the 1970s, stocks. This is the first time that enforcement rules. The Council from any fishing. Habitats and ICES estimate that the catch per the Commission has sought to is still to make a decision about wildlife of the deep sea evolved unit effort for ling and tusk alone introduce conservation the proposals. over many centuries and have has fallen by 70% in ICES areas measures for deep-water fish, been virtually undisturbed since north and west of the British prompted by scientific advice For further information contact: Mark the last ice age”. Three Isles, a trend which is replicated indicating that such stocks are Tasker, Head of Marine Advice, JNCC, documents have recently been elsewhere and for other deep- being heavily over-exploited. Aberdeen, Scotland. Tel +44 1224 launched which highlight not sea species. Consequently, they The proposal sets out total 655701; email: [email protected] only the need to reduce fishing called last year for immediate allowable catches for a number JNCC documents available from: Barry effort on deep-sea stocks, but reductions in fishing pressure on of deep-sea species, including Haynes, JNCC, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY, UK. Tel also raise serious concerns about fully or over-exploited deep-sea deep sea sharks, blue ling, +44 1733 562626; fax +44 1733 555948; the effects on deep-water fish stock. orange roughy and red seabream. email: [email protected] or at the habitats, which have previously Taking these concerns on In its proposal, the Commission JNCC website: www.jncc.gov.uk

UNEP/WTO grapple catches. It is vital that the are said to be responsible for the Online conference unsustainable fishing of the past year-on-year catch increases, on fishery exclusion with fishing subsidies and the present is not exported which in 2001 approached a Off the west coast of Africa to the developing world’. staggering 1.8 million tonnes. A zones catches of some key fish stocks The workshop came at the technical meeting involving all the An internet conference entitled have been falling sharply and the start of a new round of talks relevant states (the EU, the ‘Fishery Exclusion Zones in decline has been linked to over- under the World Trade Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland Europe: assessing their value’ was fishing by foreign fleets, including Organisation (WTO). Following and Norway), held in Reykjavik held from 21 January until 11 EU vessels. A study of Mauritania the 2001 Doha Agreement, the on 11-12 February, failed to February this year as part of an shows that catches of octopus Round will include negotiations agree on catch reductions for EU funded project, VALFEZ have halved in the past four on fisheries subsidies. 2002. It was decided, however, (Value of Exclusion Zones as a years, while species such as that a recovery plan should be Fishery Management Tool in sawfish have completely For further details contact: Hussein put in place, and that the Europe). The aims of the on-line Abaza, Chief, Economics and Trade disappeared. The number of Branch, United Nations Environment International Council for the conference were to disseminate people employed in the Programme, Switzerland. Tel +41 22 Exploration of the Sea (ICES) results from research and traditional octopus fishery in 917 8298; fax +41 22 917 8076; email: should be asked to provide facilitate an exchange of Mauritania has also fallen: from a [email protected] scientific advice to inform its information and expertise in peak of nearly 5,000 in 1996 to development. Since the meeting relation to the use of fishery around 1,800 today. both Iceland and the Faroe exclusion zones. Although this The Mauritanian study, as well No agreement on Islands have set unilateral quotas forum has now closed, the as studies on Bangladesh, Senegal blue whiting for this year, but according to discussions can still be viewed at and Argentina, were released at Commissioner Franz Fischler has the European Commission the conference site, together with a UNEP fisheries workshop in announced that the EU will reductions are far from sufficient. a number of invited discussion Geneva in March. At the reduce its catches of blue whiting Discussions on future regulatory papers and electronic posters. meeting, links between in the North-East Atlantic by measures will resume at the Conference website: international trade and subsidies 35%, and has urged other North-East Atlantic Fisheries http://www.valfez.org/internet_conf/ were discussed, as were their relevant coastal states to take Commission (NEAFC) meeting social and environmental impacts. similar actions. The stocks are on 9-12 April 2002. UN Fish Stocks According to Klaus Töpfer, said to be in ‘serious danger’ due For further information contact: Maja Agreement in force Executive Director of UNEP, to increasing demands, which Kirchner, Member of Cabinet The 1995 UN Fish Stocks ‘fish stocks in many developed saw catches triple between 1998- Commissioner Fischler, European Commission, Brussels. Tel +32 2 Agreement entered into force on country waters have been 2001 despite recurring warnings 2980508; Fax +32 2 2959233; email: 11 December 2001. This first severely depleted as too many, from scientists. According to the [email protected] global fish stocks agreement is often heavily subsidised, fleets Commission, the EU has kept Maren Aschehoug Esmark, Marine one of the main instruments to chase too few fish. As a result catches under its responsibility at issues, WWF Norway. Tel +47 22 036515; email: [email protected] follow the 1992 Rio Summit. It they are looking elsewhere for a stable level, and other parties NEAFC; website: http://www.neafc.org sets out principles for the

10 El Anzuelo conservation and management of UN until all 15 Member States fish stocks that straddle have done the same. At present, international boundaries or are Greece, France and Ireland have ADVANCE NOTICE highly migratory. This is to be still to complete their ratification The Institute for European Environmental Policy based on the precautionary processes – something that is invites you to a public High Level Seminar approach, while ensuring that now unlikely to happen before management in national waters the August/September 2002 A Sustainable Common Fisheries Policy: expectations on reform and adjacent high seas is World Summit on Sustainable the event is being held in Brussels on 21 May 2002 compatible and coherent, and Development. that effective mechanisms for Keynote speakers include: compliance and enforcement on For further details contact: Serge Margot Wallström, Environment Commissioner the high seas are in place. The Beslier, Head of Unit, Directorate B, Dr Caroline Jackson MEP, Chair of European Parliament Agreement also recognises the Fisheries DG, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium. Tel +32 2 2991111; Environment Committee special needs of developing email: [email protected] States in relation to the Mr André Tahindro, Sr Ocean Affairs/ To register your interest in attending, management of stocks. Law of the Sea Officer, Division for please contact: Ruth Rutstein, IEEP, The EC has adopted a Decision Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations, tel. +44 20 7799 2244; to conclude the Agreement, but New York, USA. Tel +1 212 963 3946; email: [email protected] this will not be deposited with the email: [email protected] Sustainable fisheries top priority at the North Sea Conference Thomas Borchers that integration of environmental protection requirements into Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear the principles, objectives and operational procedures of Safety, Germany fisheries management, as part of this year’s review of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, is a priority. Environment Ministers urged their fisheries colleagues to make progress to this end The Fifth International Conference on the Protection of the and offered their full support in the implementation process. North Sea took place in Bergen, Norway, on 20-21 March. Some of the more specific requests were: Among the participants were Ministers responsible for to further reduce, without delay, the capacity of the fishing environmental issues from the North Sea states and the fleet and the deployed fishing effort; European Commission. Observers from other countries, to establish catch quotas consistent with scientific catch intergovernmental organisations and a multitude of recommendations based on the precautionary principle; international environmental protection and industry to continue the assessment of the effects of all fishing associations were also present. activities, inter alia industrial fisheries, and to promote fishing The goals of the conference were to assess achievements of activities with less impact on the ecosystem; former North Sea Conferences and provide a new and future- to identify additional areas to be closed permanently or oriented impetus for marine protection through increasing temporarily to fishing activities for the protection of juvenile international cooperation. The basis for discussions was the fish; “Progress Report” - a comprehensive survey of achievements to reduce to the extent possible unwanted bycatch and and deficits since the last North Sea Conference. introduce further measures to prevent high-grading; In the light of severely threatened fish stocks, the to improve fisheries practices with the interim objective to considerable damage to habitats and the upcoming reform of reduce bycatch of harbour porpoises to less than 1.7% of the the EU Common Fisheries Policy, the conference focussed on best population estimate and a precautionary objective to the demand for more sustainable fisheries and the reduce bycatches of marine mammals to less than 1% of the establishment of an ecosystem approach to the management of best available population estimates; and human activities affecting the North Sea. to develop and adopt, as soon as possible, a recovery plan for In addition, the following issues played a major role: test of harbour porpoises in the North Sea. “ecological quality objectives” to develop operational objectives as part of an ecosystem approach to management; designation Environment Ministers originally intended to commit their of marine protected areas to form a network of well-managed fisheries colleagues to develop a recovery plan for harbour sites by 2010; a clear vote against the release of genetically porpoise, but after various interventions from the fisheries side modified marine organisms (such as fish) through restricting they will now draw up the plan themselves in cooperation with cultivation to secure, self-contained, land-based facilities; and a Fishery Ministers. This offers an opportunity finally to bring strong statement in favour of development of renewable energy together environment and fisheries representatives to jointly technology, inter alia, offshore wind energy, taking support the protection of species and habitats affected by environmental and nature conservation issues into account. fisheries. Issues such as shipping, hazardous substances, eutrophication, The Bergen Declaration should be considered an opportunity offshore installations, radioactive substances, marine litter and for environmental representatives to actively shape and waste management, spatial planning and future cooperation influence the CFP reform process, but in too many cases were also on the agenda. In fact, the Conference was surrounded decision-making was left to fisheries experts when aspects by a Norwegian campaign against radioactive emissions from relevant to fisheries were discussed. Sellafield that is supported by the fishermen. At a conference on the Lofoten islands on 15 January, fishermen from all over Norway hoisted a black flag as a symbol of mourning for the For further details contact: Thomas Borchers, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany. local marine environment to highlight the threat that the Tel +49 228 305 3432; email: [email protected] emissions pose to Norwegian fishing communities. Complete text of the Progress Report and the Bergen Declaration are available at: The participants of the 5th North Sea Conference clearly http://www.dep.no/md/nsc/ wanted to send a strong signal to European Fisheries Ministers For further information on the Lofoten conference: http://www.lofoten-online.com

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Drift net ban from (farmed or wild) and the area price that caviar brings on local quota. The decision is based on where the fish was harvested. By and foreign markets, together research carried out at the 1 January 2002 providing more transparent with the wider effects of request of CITES, which for the From 1 January 2002, it is illegal information to the public about environmental degradation, has first time involved all of the for EU vessels or vessels active where and how fish have been put the sturgeon in danger. As a Caspian States. Iran is joining the in EU waters to catch listed produced, the Commission is result, catch levels in the 1990s other four Caspian States in species of tuna, swordfish and hoping that the requirements were a mere tenth of the catch their obligation to establish a sharks, as well as cephalopods, will boost consumer choice and levels in the 1970s, and long-term survey programme using drift nets. Drift netting for strengthen the traceability of populations of all the and to make concerted efforts salmon and cod is not covered fisheries products from ‘ship to commercially exploited sturgeon to tackle illegal harvesting and by the ban. shop’. With regard to wild species are thought to have trade, including domestic trade The new drift net provisions caught fish, however, decreased by at least 90% over and the implementation of a were introduced as a result of information that would allow this time period. caviar labelling system, by June international concern over the greater consumer choice in According to the CITES 2002. bycatch of non-target species, terms of environmental impact Secretariat the plan marks the including dolphins and turtles. will not be included on the way forward for integrated For further information contact: Caroline Raymakers, TRAFFIC Europe, Brussels, Earlier EU rules prohibiting the labels. While the labels will management of the resource, Belgium. Tel + 32 2 3438258; email: use of nets longer than 2.5 signify the general area fish were but the crisis is far from over. craymakers@traffic-europe.com kilometres were considered to taken, consumers will not be Export quotas for caviar for Mr Juan Carlos Vasquez, CITES Press be ineffective and the EU has advised of the specific area, 2002 have been set at 142 Officer, International Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland. Tel +41 22 provided money to help convert method of capture, nor whether tonnes across the Caspian 917 8156; email: [email protected]; vessels out of these fisheries for the species is taken from a States, 9.6% below the 2001 website: http://www.cites.org/ several years. However, there is sustainable source. Future evidence that EU drift nets have debate about eco-labelling of been sold to third countries and fisheries products has been are still in use. In other cases, it proposed in the Commission’s PUBLICATIONS seems that drift netters are Green Paper on the Future of being replaced by pair trawlers the Common Fisheries Policy. which are now also causing Facts and Figures on the CFP: Fisheries Policy by Member States, Basic data on the Common European Commission For further information: Chiara Gariazzo, concern due to significant Fisheries Policy, European COM(2001)526, available at: dolphin bycatch levels (see Communication and Information Unit, DG Fisheries, European Commission, Commission, available at: http://europa.eu.int/eur- separate article). Brussels. Tel +32 2 2999255; http://www.europa.eu.int/com lex/en/com/rpt/2001/com2001_ email: [email protected] m/fisheries/doc_et_publ/liste_p 0526en01.pdf For further details contact: Matthew The Regulation can be found at: ubli/facts/pcp_en.pdf Gianni, Oceans Campaign Coordinator, http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/ Trawling in the Mist: Industrial Greenpeace International, Amsterdam, 2001/l_278/l_27820011023en00060008.pdf Annual Report from the Fisheries in the Russian Part of the Netherlands. Tel +31 20 523 6222; Commission to the Council and Barent Sea, a TRAFFIC species email: [email protected] the European Parliament on the in danger report by Alexey results of the multi-annual Vaisman, TRAFFIC Europe. Coordinated guidance programmes for the For further information contact: Fisheries product management of fishing fleets at the end of 2000, Caroline Raymakers, TRAFFIC COM(2001)541, available at: Europe; Bd Emile Jacqmain 90; labelling rules Caspian Sea http://www.europa.eu.int/comm 1000 Brussels; Belgium; Tel +32 adopted sturgeon under way /fisheries/doc_et_publ/factsheet 2 343 8258; fax +32 2 343 2565; s/legal_texts/docscom/en/com_ A new Regulation (No The five Caspian Sea States have email: craymakers@traffic- 01_541_en.pdf europe.com 2065/2001) on labelling rules for launched a coordinated fishery products entered into programme for surveying and Synopsis of selected R&D projects World Fisheries and Aquaculture in the field of fisheries and force on 1 January 2002. The managing sturgeon stocks in the Atlas CD-ROM. Produced by the aquaculture, European Regulation is designed to provide Caspian Sea. The plan is a FAO. This CD-ROM presents a Commission, available at: comprehensive and global view more information to consumers response to the CITES ban on http://www.europa.eu.int/comm about fisheries and aquaculture caviar traded by Azerbaijan, of both capture and /fisheries/doc_et_publ/liste_publ aquaculture fisheries. For products, and requires all Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and i/studies/synopsis/index.htm further information contact: fisheries products retailed in the Russia in June last year, triggered Report on the Monitoring of the Food and Agriculture EU to be labelled with by rising concern about over- Implementation of the Common Organisation of the United information on the commercial exploitation of the stocks. Fisheries Policy - Synthesis of the Nations, Viale delle Terme di name of the species, the High catches and illegal Implementation of the Control Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy, production methods used poaching, encouraged by the high System Applicable to the Common www.fao.org

IEEP London is an independent body for the analysis and advancement of environmental policies in Europe. While a major focus of work is on the development, implementation and evaluation of the EU’s environmental policy, IEEP London has also been at the forefront of research and policy development in relation to the integration of environmental considerations into other policy sectors. This Newsletter is part of IEEP’s work programme on Policy Measures for the Sustainable Management of Fisheries which aims to identify, develop and build a consensus around alternative approaches, with a view to influencing the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002. It is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. It is sent free of charge to key practitioners in the Member States of the EU and in accession countries. If you would like to subscribe to El Anzuelo please send your details by mail, fax or email to: Claire Monkhouse, IEEP, Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Rd, London SW1P 2AG; Fax: +44 (0)207 799 2600. Email: [email protected] El Anzuelo is also available online at www.ieep.org.uk

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