Assessment of the Sustainability of Industrial Fisheries Producing Fish
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Assessment of the sustainability of industrial fisheries producing fish meal and fish oil Final report to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds by Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd and The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES PRODUCING FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL FINAL REPORT TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS BY POSEIDON AQUATIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LTD AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE JUNE 2004 MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE: 01590 610168 2 FOX POND LANE [email protected] LYMINGTON http://www.consult- HAMPSHIRE SO41 8FW poseidon.com 159-UK/R-01/C FOREWORD BY THE RSPB The global production of marine capture fisheries has been increasing over the past 50 years in the face of rapid technological advances and an expanding human population. However, there is now growing evidence that world marine fisheries are failing, with many stocks over-exploited and at risk of collapse. As a result of this decline and consequent gap between demand and supply of fish for human consumption derived from wild capture fisheries, aquaculture has become the fastest growing sector in the world food economy. As stocks of wild-caught fish dwindle further, aquaculture and mariculture are projected by the FAO to increase dramatically in the next few decades. This anticipated expansion will result in an increased demand for fish meal and oil for feed. Fish meal/oil are derived predominantly from wild stocks of pelagic fish harvested by ‘industrial’ fisheries. Indeed, three of the world’s five largest fisheries are for industrial species. However, despite the size and importance of these fisheries, there is still uncertainty about their sustainability. It has been argued that many industrial stocks are susceptible to large fluctuations in biomass and could be prone to collapse under intensive harvesting regimes. There are also concerns about the wider ecosystem effect of these fisheries and the impacts on commercial fish and wildlife dependent on them. For example, many species of seabird are dependent on small shoaling fish such as sandeels and anchovies that are caught in industrial fisheries for fish feed in, respectively, EU waters and off South America. Conversely, many of those involved in these fisheries argue that they are a sustainable and efficient use of marine resources. In light of this uncertainty, concern and conflicting views, in autumn 2003 the RSPB commissioned Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd to evaluate the sustainability of industrial fisheries used in fish meal and oil production. Their research is presented in this report. We believe that this objective and scientific assessment is a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about the future management of the fisheries themselves and, more widely, the use of fish meal/oil in aquaculture and livestock feeds. Finally, we would like to note that the contractors undertook this study as independent research. The report has, therefore, been published as received. Hence, its content and conclusions do not necessarily reflect the policy of the RSPB. Euan Dunn Senior Marine Policy Officer, RSPB 159-UK/R-01/C TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 STUDY OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITIONS..........................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Objectives and Approach of the Study.................................................................1 1.1.2 Scope.......................................................................................................................1 1.1.3 Structure of the Report..........................................................................................2 1.2 CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES........................................3 1.2.1 Overview of Natural Resource Sustainability.....................................................3 1.2.2 Fisheries and Sustainability..................................................................................3 2 STATUS OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL FEED FISHERIES ..................................5 2.1 IDENTIFICATION AND REVIEW OF KEY GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL FEED FISHERIES.........5 2.2 REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IN FEED FISHERIES............................................10 2.2.1 Biological and Ecological Sustainability............................................................10 2.2.2 Management and Control Issues Associated with Industrial Fishing.............21 2.2.3 Economic and Societal Considerations...............................................................26 3 IDENTIFICATION AND APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA FOR FEED FISHERIES .........................................................................29 3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF MAIN CRITERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHING...........................29 3.1.1 Principle 1: Fishing Pressure and Stock Sustainability....................................29 3.1.2 Principle 2: Structure, Productivity, Function and Diversity of the Dependant Ecosystem..........................................................................................................30 3.1.3 Principle 3: Information, Organisational and Legislative Capacity for Sustainable Management ....................................................................................................30 3.1.4 Principle 4: Economic and Societal Considerations..........................................32 3.2 INDICATORS..................................................................................................................33 3.3 APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA.............................................................35 3.3.1 Introduction to the Fisheries ......................................................................................35 3.3.2 Application of the Criteria..........................................................................................39 3.4 SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................55 4 TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL SUPPLIES ........56 4.1 CURRENT AND PREDICTED DEMAND FOR FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL ....................56 4.1.1 Production............................................................................................................56 4.1.2 Consumption........................................................................................................58 4.1.3 Assessment of Alternate Protein and Oils Sources...........................................64 4.2 ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES............69 4.2.1 Overview ..............................................................................................................69 4.2.2 Factors Contributing to Sustainable Fishing ....................................................71 4.2.3 Factors Constraining Sustainable Fishing ........................................................72 4.2.4 Synthesis ..............................................................................................................74 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FEED FISHERIES.........................................................................................................75 5.1 INCREASING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS..........................................75 5.1.1 Increased Use of Fish Waste and Discards ........................................................75 5.1.2 Development of Alternative Protein Sources ....................................................75 5.1.3 Recommendations................................................................................................75 5.2 IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FEED FISHERIES..............................................76 July 04 Sustainability of Industrial Fisheries Producing Fish Meal and Fish Oil Page iii 5.2.1 Industrial Fisheries Policy ..................................................................................76 5.2.2 Improved Information Basis for Industrial Fisheries Management.................76 Appendices APPENDIX A: TERMS OF REFERENCE ......................................................................................................................... 78 APPENDIX B: LITERATURE CITED AND BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................ 81 APPENDIX C: THE MSC STANDARD FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES........................................................................ 91 APPENDIX D: SEAFEEDS - INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR THE EFFECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FEED GRADE FISHERIES ................................................................................................... 94 APPENDIX E: GLOBAL CONSUMPTION OF FISH MEAL AND FISH OILS (1997 – 2001)........................................... 95 APPENDIX F: FACTORS OF UNSUSTAINABILITY ........................................................................................................ 97 List of Tables, Figures and Boxes Tables TABLE 1: AVERAGE LANDINGS (‘000 TONNES) BY COUNTRY OF FISH DESTINED FOR FISH MEAL ........................... 5 TABLE 2: AVERAGE LANDINGS (1997-2001) OF SPECIES DESTINED FOR FISH MEAL................................................. 6 TABLE 3: DISCARD MORTALITY RATES OF COASTAL AND OFFSHORE BEAM TRAWLS ......................................... 12 TABLE 4: LANDINGS AND BY-CATCH FROM FOUR DANISH NORTH SEA INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES.......................