MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES CERTIFICATION
Off-Site Surveillance Visit - Report for DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
1st Surveillance Audit
September 2018
Certificate Code F-ACO-0066 Prepared For: Danmarks Fiskeriforening Producent Organisation (DFPO) Prepared By: Acoura Marine Authors: Jim Andrews & Marie Maar
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Assessment Data Sheet
Certified Fishery DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Management Agency MFAF, NaturErhvervstyrelsen Species European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) Fishing Method Oyster dredge Certificate Code F-ACO-0066 Certification Date 3rd May 2017 Certification Expiration Date 2nd May 2022 Certification Body Acoura Marine Ltd 6 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9DQ, Scotland, UK Tel: +44(0)131 335 6601 MSC Fisheries Department Email: [email protected] Web: www.Acoura.com
Surveillance Stage: 1st Surveillance Audit Surveillance Date: 27th June 2018
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 2 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Contents
1 Introduction ...... 5 2 General Information ...... 6 2.1 Certificate Holder details ...... 6 3 Background ...... 7 3.1 Description of the fishery ...... 7 3.2 Changes in the management system ...... 9 3.2.1 Compliance ...... 9 3.3 Changes in relevant regulations...... 9 3.4 Changes to personnel involved in science, management or industry...... 9 3.5 Changes to scientific base of information including stock assessments ...... 9 3.5.1 Nissum Bredning oyster stock ...... 9 3.5.2 Oyster stock outside Nissum Bredning ...... 11 3.6 Updates on enhanced fishery’s position in relation to scope criteria ...... 13 3.7 Any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability or the ability to segregate between fish from the Unit of Certification (UoC) and fish from outside the UoC (non- certified fish) ...... 13 3.8 TAC and catch data ...... 14 3.9 Summary of Assessment Conditions and Recommendations ...... 15 3.9.1 Conditions of certification ...... 15 3.9.2 Recommendations ...... 15 4 Assessment Process ...... 16 4.1 Details of 1st Surveillance Audit Process ...... 16 4.2 Scope & History of the Assessment ...... 16 4.2.1 Surveillance team details ...... 16 4.2.2 Date & Location of surveillance audit ...... 16 4.2.3 Stakeholder consultation & meetings ...... 16 4.2.4 What was inspected ...... 17 4.3 Surveillance Standards ...... 17 4.3.1 MSC Standards, Requirements and Guidance used ...... 17 4.3.2 Destructive fishing practices ...... 17 4.3.3 Controversial unilateral exemptions ...... 17 4.3.4 Harmonisation ...... 17 4.3.5 Forced labour ...... 17 5 Results ...... 18 5.1 Conditions of Certification ...... 18 5.2 Recommendations ...... 18 5.2.1 Recommendation 1: Bycatch (discard) information (PI2.2.3) ...... 18 5.2.2 Recommendation 2: Management Performance (PI3.2.5) ...... 18 6 Conclusion ...... 20
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 3 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 6.1 Summary of findings ...... 20 References ...... 21 Appendix 1 – Re-scoring evaluation tables (if necessary) ...... 22 Appendix 2 - Stakeholder submissions (if any) ...... 23 Appendix 3 - Surveillance audit information (if necessary) ...... 24 Variation from surveillance audit deadlines ...... 24 Variation request from Acoura Marine to the MSC ...... 24 Response from the MSC ...... 25 Appendix 4 - Additional detail on conditions/ actions/ results (if necessary) ...... 27 Appendix 5 - Revised Surveillance Program...... 28
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 4 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 1 Introduction The purpose of the annual Surveillance Report is fourfold: 1. to establish and report on whether or not there have been any material changes to the circumstances and practices affecting the original complying assessment of the fishery; 2. to monitor the progress made to improve those practices that have been scored as below “good practice” (a score of 80 or above) but above “minimum acceptable practice” (a score of 60 or above) – as captured in any “conditions” raised and described in the Public Report and in the corresponding Action Plan drawn up by the client; 3. to monitor any actions taken in response to any (non-binding) “recommendations” made in the Public Report; 4. to re-score any Performance Indicators (PIs) where practice or circumstances have materially changed during the intervening year, focusing on those PIs that form the basis of any “conditions” raised. Please note: The primary focus of this surveillance audit is to assess changes made in the previous year. For a complete picture, this report should be read in conjunction with the Public Certification Report for this fishery assessment.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 5 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 2 General Information
2.1 Certificate Holder details
Fishery name DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge
Unit(s) of assessment Limfjord Oysters
Date certified 3rd May 2017 Date of expiry 2nd May 2022
Surveillance level and type Surveillance level 6, Onsite audit.
Date of surveillance audit 27th June 20181
Surveillance stage (tick one) 1st Surveillance ✓
2nd Surveillance
3rd Surveillance
4th Surveillance
Other (expedited etc.)
Surveillance team Lead assessor: Jim Andrews Assessor(s): Marie Maar
CAB name Acoura Marine
CAB contact details Address 6 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9DQ
Phone/Fax 0131 335 6662
Email [email protected]
Contact name(s) Polly Burns
Client contact details Address Nordensvej 3 Taulov 7000 Fredericia Denmark
Phone/Fax 0045 761 096 53
Email [email protected]
Contact name(s) Sofie Smedegaard Mathiesen
1 Note that Acoura Marine obtained a variation from the normal 60-day deadline for completion of a surveillance audit from the Marine Stewardship Council (see Appendix 3).
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 6 of 29 Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 3 Background
3.1 Description of the fishery Historical records show that the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, has been exploited in the Limfjord for centuries, but the history is marked by enormous fluctuations in the stocks and the success of the fishery, including periods, often of a decade or more, when the fishery has been closed due to the lack of oysters. In recent times the fishery closed in the late 1970s and only resumed again in the 1990s. Cold winter temperatures, damage caused to the seabed and to young oysters by dredging, and overexploitation, have all been considered to be contributing factors but the major factor affecting population fluctuations is the large variation in annual recruitment. In some cases no spat settlement has occurred for periods of up to 20 years. Limfjord is near to the temperature limit for spawning of Ostrea edulis and good recruitment is confined to warm summers. Restrictions on the introduction of shellfish into the Limfjord mean that the relaying of spat or young oysters brought in from elsewhere is not a management option for this fishery, although this was done on a large scale in the mid-1900s. The future of this fishery therefore seems likely to be based upon occasional strong recruitments of wild stock, which will result in a cyclical fluctuation of fishing activity in line with stock status. From the beginning of the commercial fishery in Limfjord, management has been under government control. Since 1919 this has been a dredge fishery. There are presently 103 licences issued for oyster fishing in the Limfjord, but only 37 of the licensed operators are presently fishing for oysters (see Table 1). The oyster fishery in the Limfjord in recent years has been limited to the western end of the fjord, in shellfish production areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9. After a long period of very low abundance, oyster stocks and catches increased from 2001 to a maximum catch of 1,489t in 2008, but have since declined rapidly as the stock has dwindled, following the historical patterns of cyclical fluctuation of both stock and fishery. In the past two years the TAC has been limited to 150t of oysters. Most of the oysters landed from the Limfjord are exported, with the main market in Spain. There is a minimum landing size of 80g for oysters taken within the Nissum Bredning Natura 2000 site (production areas 1-4), and 60g elsewhere. The DFPO Limfjord oyster dredge fishery was first certified against the MSC Standard in May 2012 and was re-assessed in 2017.
Figure 1: Map of the unit of certification area showing designated mussel production areas, in the Limfjord and inset showing the location of the Limfjord in Denmark.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 7 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
Table 1: List of vessels in the DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge fishery Unit of Certification2.
Vessel Licence Number Number Vessel Name Contact A489 3727 HJORTHOLM Jens Kamp A60 3710 HJORTHOLM Jens Kamp AS56 1997 BJARKE Morten Hansen E63 3588 SINE Partsrederiet E61 DI-JE HM30 Westpoint/HM224 HM324 4064 WEST POINT Miniwest HM88 886 Christina Paulsen Brdr. Paulsen ApS HM911 4334 Elias Vendelbo Kt. Elias HM911 L154 4168 INGER KATHRINE Leon Buhl Nielsen L158 4166 KIELGASTEN Brian Andersen L253 430 INGER KATHRINE Leon Buhl Nielsen L34 4170 Anne-Bente Preben Madsen L381 4393 FUTTE Allan Leslie Bach L491 4262 BERIT Bo Husted Kjeldgård L500 1760 JENS SUND Jens Sund L511 4388 Lasse St. Anthony L510 L54 1942 LONNY HEDVIG P/R Lonny Hedvig L526 L900 944 LENETTE Jan Torp Nielsen L933 4138 BLACKIE Kjeld Strøm Christensen SANDRA L935 2092 Kjeld Møller Pedersen PEDERSEN SK100 4227 MORTEN THOMAS Jan Møller SK17 4426 Mi Broberg Herluf Bonde Broberg SK18 4206 Broberg Herluf Bonde Broberg SK20 4348 TORBEN-ULRIK SK 20 Torben-Ulrik/Leo Andersen SK21 4383 Ida Maria Herluf Bonde Broberg SK49 4327 Emma Johannes Christensen SK919 4137 MARGRETHE P SK 919 Magrethe P ApS SK920 4136 NITSEN SK920 Nitsen ApS SK924 4223 Hanne Jette Poul Erik Norup Havbo SK925 2718 JOAN KISS Partrederiet Joan Kiss T121 4035 PAULET Jens Granlund T132 4158 PAULET Jens Granlund T194 4154 PAULET Jens Granlund T229 4161 Mille Ulrik Munk Thomsen T300 4178 Mille Ulrik Munk Thomsen T301 4179 EDITH KÆRGAARD Poul Kærgård T310 495 VENUS Flemming Johannesen T72 776 VENUS Flemming Johannesen
2 Source: DFPO website: http://mscfiskere.fiskeriforening.dk/opkoeber-forhandler/danske-msc- fartoejer/
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 8 of 29 Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 3.2 Changes in the management system In 2017 there were two changes to the Agency responsible for fisheries in Denmark. The first was the change of the name of the agency responsible for fisheries management in Denmark from “NaturErhvervstyrelsen” to “Landbrugs- og Fiskeristyrelsen” (the English name remains “The Danish Agri-Fish Agency”). The second change came doing the late summer/autumn of 2017 when the Ministerial responsibility for fisheries was moved from the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark over to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Following this transition the fishery control agency was renamed “Fiskeristyrelsen” (“Danish Fisheries Agency”). Both of these changes are considered to be administrative and institutional. They have not materially affected the management of the DFPO Limfjord oyster dredge fishery.
3.2.1 Compliance The assessment team noted that the annual report of fishery control in Denmark (Fiskeristyrelsen 2018) reported a number of violations of controls relating to Danish mussel and oyster fisheries. Enquiries were made to Fiskeristyrelsen inspectors by the assessment team during this surveillance audit. Fiskeristyrelsen staff indicated that none of the transgressions concerned vessels operating in the DFPO Limfjord oyster dredge fishery. The information presented in the annual report and by Fiskeristyrelsen provides confidence that the monitoring, control and surveillance system in place is capable of detecting issues of non-compliance, and that the UoC fleet of vessels are compliant with relevant regulations.
3.3 Changes in relevant regulations There have been no significant changes to the regulations applying to the fishery. The most recent revision to the Executive Order on the regulation of fishing for mussels and oysters implemented some changes that were necessary following the changes to management arrangements detailed above (Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2017). In addition to this, the new Executive Order allowed the owners of less active oyster vessels (i.e. those outside the UoA) to fish for oysters using handheld gear (“brejling”). The Order also sets out the closed seasons for the mussel and oyster fisheries in the Limfjord for 2018 (from 15th May to 31st August 2018).
3.4 Changes to personnel involved in science, management or industry The client representative for this fishery has changed, and is now Sofie Smedegaard Mathiesen.
3.5 Changes to scientific base of information including stock assessments The overall oyster stock in the Limfjord is surveyed annually, and more detailed investigations of stock status are carried out within the Natura 2000 sites in the Limfjord to ensure that the oyster fishery doesn’t harm the wildlife features of these sites. A brief summary of the most recent findings is presented below as an update to the information set out in the assessment report.
3.5.1 Nissum Bredning oyster stock The Nissum Bredning area is at the western end of the Limfjord, and is covered by production areas 1- 4. It has traditionally been the main oyster harvesting area in the Limfjord. Nissum Bredning has been designated as a Natura 2000 site, and fishing activities therefore require an assessment that meets the requirements of Article 6 of the EU “Habitats Directive” (EC 1992). The oyster stock in the Nissum Bredning Natura 2000 site was surveyed in the spring of 2018. The survey results and assessment of potential impacts of an oyster fishery on this area has been published by DTU-Aqua (Nielsen et al. 2018). This report also referred to the status of the stock outside Nissum Bredning (considered further in section 3.5.2 below) The stock distribution is shown in Figure 2. The stock biomass was estimated at around 1,520t in waters deeper than 3m. This was a fall from the stock biomass estimated in 2017 of 1,870t. DTU-Aqua considered that the level of fishing activity proposed by operators (a total catch of 50t for 2018-19) would not adversely affect the oyster stock or the nature conservation features of the Natura 2000 site.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 9 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
Figure 2: Distribution and abundance of oysters in the Nissum Bredning Natura 2000 site, from Spring 2018 survey data (Nielsen et al. 2018)
In addition to the stock survey data, the latest stock assessment also included “black box” data from fishing vessels that shows the exact locations of all fishing activity in this are between 2017-18. These data are shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Distribution of fishing activity in the Nissum Bredning Natura 2000 site between September 2017 and June 2018. Left panel shows fishing for oysters, right panel shows fishing activity targeting starfish (Nielsen et al. 2018).
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 10 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
The distribution of fishing activity relative to marine habitats, and cumulative impacts on these habitats were assessed for the proposed 2017-18 fishery in the Nissum Bredning Natura 2000 site. No dredging is permitted in areas where eelgrass occurs, and impacts on this habitat are considered to be negligible. There has been little impact on other marine habitats in recent years. It was estimated that the 2017- 18 fishery could impact up to 3% of the total distribution of macroalgae in Nissum Bredning, and cumulative impacts were estimated at 11.2% of the macroalgal distribution (Nielsen et al. 2018).
3.5.2 Oyster stock outside Nissum Bredning In spring 2018 DTU-Aqua surveyed the distribution and abundance of oysters throughout the Limfjord (see Figure 4). This survey identified the presence of oysters in areas in the western Limfjord, and also a large oyster bed in the area known as Løgstør Bredning, to the north-east of Mors island. Oysters have routinely been found and fished commercially in the western Limfjord, but have not previously been recorded in significant quantities at Løgstør Bredning.
Figure 4: Distribution and abundance of oysters in the Limfjord, from spring 2018 survey data (Nielsen and Geitner 2018)
The biomass of oysters in waters deeper than 3m in production areas 5-13 (illustrated in Figure 5) was estimated at around 2,400t in 2018 (a slight fall from the estimate of 2,385t in 2017).
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 11 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
Figure 5: Distribution and abundance of oysters in the west of the Limfjord, from spring 2018 survey data (Nielsen and Geitner 2018)
The biomass of the Løgstør Bredning oyster bed is estimated at around 3,000t, and is larger than the stock currently found in Nissum Bredning. The extent of this oyster bed is shown in more detail in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Distribution and abundance of oysters in the Løgstør Bredning are of the Limfjord, from spring 2018 survey data (Nielsen and Geitner 2018)
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 12 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
The overall stock biomass of oysters in the Limfjord is presently estimated at 6,015t (see Figure 7). This is significantly higher than the 2017 biomass. The increase is a consequence of the inclusion of the Løgstør Bredning oyster bed in the biomass figure. If this area is excluded, the biomass of oysters in 2018 was similar to that see in 2017.
Figure 7: Standing stock (Bestand) and landings (Landinger) in tonnes from the DFPO Limfjord oyster fishery, 2004-2018. * Indicates that the 2018 biomass estimate includes a wider geographic area than previous years, notably the large resource at Løgstør Bredning. (Nielsen et al. 2018).
The DFPO has submitted a fishing plan (“Fiskeplan”) for 2018-19 to Landbrugs- og Fiskeristyrelsen proposing a fishery of 50t of oysters from production areas 5-13; and for 400t of oysters from the Løgstør Bredning area, which is a Natura 2000 site. The proposal for an oyster fishery in Løgstør Bredning requires an “appropriate assessment” that meets the requirements of Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive. At the time of this surveillance audit, DTU- Aqua had not yet completed this assessment, so the scale and extent of any fishery is not yet known.
3.6 Updates on enhanced fishery’s position in relation to scope criteria This fishery is not enhanced. However DTU-Aqua staff at the Danish Shellfish Centre in Nykøbing Mors have been working for several years on a project to produce hatchery-reared flat oysters. During 2015 some hatchery-reared oysters were introduced into some small experimental areas in Nissum Bredning. The growth of these oysters is being monitored. Depending on the success of these trials, hatchery reared oysters might be used to assist with the management of this fishery in the future. For the time being, the stock is wild, and the fishery is not enhanced. This situation will be kept under review.
3.7 Any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability or the ability to segregate between fish from the Unit of Certification (UoC) and fish from outside the UoC (non-certified fish) There have been no changes within the fishery that could impact traceability.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 13 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 3.8 TAC and catch data The most recent TAC and greenweight catch data for the oyster fishery in recent years are set out in the table below. Table 2: TAC and catch data for the DFPO Limfjord oyster fishery [Source: DFPO].
TAC Year 2017-18 Amount 170t UoA share of TAC Year 2017-18 Amount 100% UoC share of TAC Year 2015-16 Amount 100% Total green weight catch by Year (most 2017-18 Amount 164t UoC recent) Year (second 2016-17 Amount 129t most recent) (TAC 130t)
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 14 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 3.9 Summary of Assessment Conditions and Recommendations
3.9.1 Conditions of certification No conditions of certification were raised at the re-assessment of the fishery.
3.9.2 Recommendations There were two certification recommendations, summarised below. Progress with these conditions is not mandatory, and is reported in section 5.2 of this report. Table 3: Summary of recommendations
Recommendation Performance Recommendation number indicator (PI) 1 2.2.3 It is recommended that a programme of ongoing monitoring of bycatch (discards) from the fishery is established to gather information in sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortality of the species concerned. 2 3.2.5 It is recommended that an independent review of the management system is carried out to verify that the existing arrangements are appropriate.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 15 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 4 Assessment Process
4.1 Details of 1st Surveillance Audit Process At the re-assessment of the fishery, all Performance Indicators scored more than 80, so there are no mandatory conditions of certification. Two recommendations were made by the assessment team which, whilst not obligatory, the client is encouraged to act upon within the spirit of the certification.
4.2 Scope & History of the Assessment
4.2.1 Surveillance team details The MSC require that surveillance audits shall be carried out by a team of two or more individuals with expertise comparable to the members of the original team (that conducted the assessment of the fishery). If different from the original assessment team, the MSC also require that the selection of individuals to conduct audits shall be justified in writing and their relevant skills and/or expertise documented. This information is provided below. The original assessment team for the fishery comprised Jim Andrews (Team Leader, Principle 3), Andy Brand (Principle 1) and Marie Maar (Principle 2). This surveillance audit was carried out by Jim Andrews and Marie Maar. Brief resumes of the team’s experience are set out below. Jim Andrews Jim is a marine biologist with over 20 years’ experience working in marine fisheries and environmental management. He currently works as an independent fisheries and marine environmental consultant. His previous experience includes running the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee as its Chief Executive from 2001 to 2005, and previously working as the SFC's Marine Environment Liaison Officer. During this time he was responsible for the regulation, management and assessment of inshore finfish and shellfish stocks along a 1,500km coastline. He has an extensive practical knowledge of both fisheries and environmental management and enforcement under UK and EC legislation. Jim has formal legal training & qualifications, with a special interest in the policy, governance and management of fisheries impacts on marine ecosystems. He has worked as an assessor and lead assessor on more than 20 MSC certifications within the UK, in Europe and in India since 2007. In 2008 he worked with the MSC and WWF on one of the pilot assessments using the new MSC Risk Based Assessment Framework. Jim has carried out numerous MSC Chain of Custody assessments within the UK. Dr Marie Maar Marie Maar is a senior researcher at the Aarhus University (AU), Denmark. She has participated in several large EU- and national funded research projects on the ecology of bivalves, ecosystem dynamics and environmental effects of aquacultures and offshore platforms with special emphasis on blue mussels. In addition, she has conducted environmental assessment consultancy for government departments. Marie has 15 years of experience within marine ecology and has published >40 peer- reviewed papers.
4.2.2 Date & Location of surveillance audit Notice of the surveillance audit was placed on the MSC website on 24th May 2018. The surveillance audit took place on the 27th June 2018.
4.2.3 Stakeholder consultation & meetings A total of 32 stakeholder organisations and individuals having relevant interest in the assessment were identified and notified, via e-mail, of surveillance process. This highlighted the potential process for engagement in the surveillance, if desired. In addition, the interest of others not appearing on this list was solicited through the postings on the MSC website. No stakeholders came forward requesting a meeting with members of the assessment team and no written submissions were received. Meetings were conducted with the following individuals & organisations:-
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 16 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
1) Sofie Smedegaard Mathiesen, Danish Fishermen’s Producer Organisation, Skype Call, 27th June 2018.
4.2.4 What was inspected This audit reviewed the operational and management changes in the past year since the fishery was re-certified, and considered whether any progress had been made with the two recommendations raised by the audit team during the re-assessment. This was done by review of information provided by the client (see appendix 6 for references used), interviews and e-mail exchanges, as required.
4.3 Surveillance Standards
4.3.1 MSC Standards, Requirements and Guidance used This surveillance audit was carried out according to the procedures set out in the MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements v2.0, and using the CRv1.3 Standard.
4.3.2 Destructive fishing practices The client confirmed that no destructive fishing practices (explosives or poisons) are used in this fishery.
4.3.3 Controversial unilateral exemptions The fishery is not subject to any controversial unilateral exemptions.
4.3.4 Harmonisation There are no other MSC-certified oyster fisheries in the Limfjord. There are two other MSC-certified fisheries in the Limfjord:- • DFPO Limfjord mussel and cockle fishery: this is a dredge fishery for mussels and oysters in the Limfjord. • Limfjord blue shell mussel (rope grown): this is an enhanced fishery for mussels in the Limfjord. The assessment team has reviewed the most recent assessment and surveillance reports for both of these fisheries. The only condition of certification associated with either fishery is the requirement for a research plan for the Limfjord cockle fishery. The assessment team has concluded that there is no need to harmonise any of the scoring outcomes of this fishery with either of the other MSC-certified fisheries in the Limfjord at this audit.
4.3.5 Forced labour During this surveillance the client confirmed that no fishery operators have been prosecuted for any violations against forced labour laws.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 17 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 5 Results
5.1 Conditions of Certification When it was re-assessed in 2017 the fishery scored more than 80 for all Performance Indicators. No conditions of certification were generated. The assessment team did not identify any need to re-score any Performance Indicators at this surveillance audit.
5.2 Recommendations The assessment team made two recommendations that would improve the performance of the fishery against the MSC Principles and Criteria. Recommendations do not have to be implemented to maintain certification, and accordingly the action taken and timescales are at the discretion of the client.
Progress with recommendations is reviewed below.
5.2.1 Recommendation 1: Bycatch (discard) information (PI2.2.3)
Performance Insert relevant PI Insert relevant scoring issue/ scoring Score Indicator(s) & number(s) guidepost text Score(s) 2.2.3 (d) Monitoring of bycatch data is conducted in 80 sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortalities to all bycatch species.
Recommendation It is recommended that a programme of ongoing monitoring of bycatch (discards) from the fishery is established to gather information in sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortality of the species concerned.
Observations: The DFPO has implemented a programme to allow vessel skippers to provide Year 1 information on any catches of ETP species by oyster dredging vessels. Over the course of the past year the DFPO report that there have been no reports of any catches of ETP species by these vessels.
Conclusion: The information provided indicates that a system has been implemented to record interactions with some non-target species. If this system is broadened to cover a wider range of species it would server to improve scoring against this PI.
5.2.2 Recommendation 2: Management Performance (PI3.2.5)
Performance Insert relevant PI Insert relevant scoring issue/ scoring Score Indicator(s) & number(s) guidepost text Score(s) 3.2.5 (a) The fishery has in place mechanisms to evaluate 100 all parts of the management system.
Recommendation It is recommended that an independent review of the management system is carried out to verify that the existing arrangements are appropriate.
Observations: The Annual Inspection Reports issued by the fishery control agency Year 1 (Fiskeristyrelsen) report that the agency carries out internal audits of the activities of fishery inspectors. In 2016, 12 audits were carried out (9 of landing inspections and 3 at sea) (Landbrugs- og Fiskeristyrelsen 2016); in 2017 14 audits were carried out (11 of landings inspections and 3 at sea) (Fiskeristyrelsen 2018). As noted in section 3.2 of this report there has been a review of the institutional arrangements for the management of sea fisheries in Denmark which has resulted in the Ministerial responsibility for fisheries management being
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 18 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
transferred to the Danish Foreign Ministry (Udenrigsministeriet). This change was made to ensure that fishery management in Denmark remains impartial.
Conclusion: The evidence presented at this surveillance audit shows that the fishery control agency continue to keep their own activities under review; and the change in Ministerial responsibility for fisheries management in Denmark shows that an independent view of the management system has resulted in changes to ensure that it functions effectively.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 19 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery 6 Conclusion
6.1 Summary of findings 1) The client and other stakeholders have presented evidence of ongoing stock assessment and active management of the fishery at this audit. 2) There is evidence from stock surveys that the oyster stock in the western Limfjord is presently stable. The overall perception of stock status has improved significantly following the spring 2018 stock survey which identified a large oyster bed at Løgstør Bredning of around 3,000t. 3) The DFPO has proposed a fishery for 2017-18 in response to the stock survey results. DTU- Aqua has made a favourable assessment of the proposal for a harvest of 50t of oysters from Nissum Bredning. The proposed harvest of 400t of oysters from Løgstør Bredning is presently being assessed. 4) Landbrugs- og Fiskeristyrelsen have confirmed that the certified fishery is compliant with all regulations in place, and that there have been no issues of non-compliance. 5) Having reviewed all of the evidence presented at this audit, the surveillance team found no changes in the status or management of this fishery that would require re-scoring of any Performance Indicators. 6) We conclude that the fishery continues to meet the MSC Certification Requirements, and that MSC Certification should continue with annual surveillance audits.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 20 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery References EC. 1992. Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Pages 7–50. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31992L0043&from=EN.
Fiskeristyrelsen. 2018. Fiskerikontrol 2017: Erhverv og rekreativ Kontrol og resultater. Pages 1–24. Udenrigsministeriet, Copenhagen. https://fiskeristyrelsen.dk/media/10166/aarsrapport- fiskerikontrol-2017.pdf.
Landbrugs- og Fiskeristyrelsen. 2016. Fiskerikontrol 2016: Erhverv og rekreativ Kontrol og resultater. Pages 1–23. Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, Copenhagen. http://lbst.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/NaturErhverv/Filer/Tvaergaaende/Kontrol/Kontrol- fiskeri/2017-03-29-Fiskerikontrol2016.pdf.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2017. Executive Order on the regulation of fishing for mussels and oysters. https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=195197.
Nielsen, A. P., K. Geitner, J. Olsen, and M. M. Nielsen. 2018. Konsekvensvurdering af fiskeri af flad østers, stillehavsøsters og søstjerner i Nissum Bredning 2018/2019. DTU Aqua Institut for Akvatisk Ressourcer. http://orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/153085459/Publishers_version.pdf.
Nielsen, P., and K. Geitner. 2018. Bestandsestimater: Flad østers, stillehavsøsters & søstjerner, Limfjorden 2018. Pages 1–11. DTU Aqua Institut for Akvatisk Ressourcer.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 21 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Appendix 1 – Re-scoring evaluation tables (if necessary) Not necessary at this audit.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 22 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Appendix 2 - Stakeholder submissions (if any) No stakeholder submissions were received.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 23 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Appendix 3 - Surveillance audit information (if necessary)
Variation from surveillance audit deadlines
Variation request from Acoura Marine to the MSC
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 24 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Response from the MSC
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 25 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 26 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Appendix 4 - Additional detail on conditions/ actions/ results (if necessary) Not applicable.
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 27 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery Appendix 5 - Revised Surveillance Program The MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements v2.0 specify that after each certification, surveillance and re-certification the Certified Accreditation Body (CAB) shall determine the level at which subsequent surveillance of the fishery shall be undertaken. The surveillance levels available under the MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements are reproduced below in Table 4 of this report. The MSC require that surveillance audits should be conducted at the default level, unless the team decides on a reduced programme (for instance because there has been good progress towards meeting the conditions; there is confidence that the CAB can verify information remotely; and/or that there are few (or no) conditions). This fishery presently has no conditions of certification, has returned a high score against all 3 MSC Principles, and has demonstrated an excellent track record of compliance with the MSC Scheme requirements as well as conditions of certification generated during the previous period of certification. The assessment team has concluded that Surveillance level 4 is appropriate for this fishery. The annual surveillance activity, and proposed number of auditors is set out in the surveillance level rationale (Table 5); the timing of annual audits is set out in Table 6; and the fishery surveillance programme in Table 7. Table 4: Surveillance levels (table reproduced from MSC FCR, Table 5). The surveillance level appropriate for this fishery is highlighted.
Surveillance level Surveillance requirements
Level 6 4 on-site surveillance audits Default Surveillance
Level 5 3 on-site surveillance audits 1 off-site surveillance audit
Level 4 2 on-site surveillance audits 2 off-site surveillance audits
Level 3 1 on-site surveillance audits 3 off-site surveillance audits
Level 2 1 on-site surveillance audits 2 off-site surveillance audits 1 review of information
Level 1 1 on-site surveillance audit Minimum Surveillance 1 off-site surveillance audit 2 review of information
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 28 of 29
Acoura Marine 1st Surveillance Report DFPO Limfjord Oyster Dredge Fishery
Table 5: Surveillance level rationale
Year Surveillance Number of Rationale activity auditors
1 Off-site 2 auditors off-site There are no conditions of certification, and no need for an on-site audit. A team of 2 auditors is appropriate to ensure that adequate expertise is available to audit any changes in stock status, environmental impacts, or fishery governance.
2 On-site 2 auditors An on-site audit is appropriate to ensure that any changes in stock status, environmental impacts or management of the fishery can be determined. A team of 2 auditors is appropriate to ensure that adequate expertise is available to audit any changes in stock status, environmental impacts, or fishery governance.
3 Off-site 2 auditors off-site Providing that there are still no conditions of certification, and no need for an on-site audit. A team of 2 auditors is appropriate to ensure that adequate expertise is available to audit any changes in stock status, environmental impacts, or fishery governance.
4 On-site 3 auditors on-site An on-site audit by 3 auditors is appropriate this year, to combine annual surveillance with re-
assessment of the fishery.
Table 6: Timing of surveillance audit
Year Anniversary date Proposed date of Rationale of certificate surveillance audit All 3rd May 2019 June 2019 To coincide with the availability of spring stock survey results.
Table 7: Fishery Surveillance Program
Surveillance Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Level 4 Off-site On-site Off-site On-site surveillance audit. surveillance audit.\ surveillance audit. surveillance audit & recertification site visit
SAQP5 MSC SA Report Template 2.0 20180521 Page 29 of 29