Fishing on a Postage Stamp

From ticklerchain to pulseWhy How by Whom When

North Sea RAC Demeral Working Group

21 February 2013Pim Visser, VisNed

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Traditional beamtrawl with tickler chains

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Less impact beam trawl with pulse gear

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Small scale brown shrimp fisheries

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Demonstration set up

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Overview

• Over 10 years of development, trialphase until 2006, – Long troublesome process until away from subsidies– HFK development as catalyst– Derogations needed from EU

• first 22 vessels 2008-2010, • 20 additionals in 2011-2012 for extra research

– 38 Beamtrawl, 4 Brown Shrimp• 3 Marelec, 10 Delmeco, 29 HFK

• Main Driver Fuel Costs– Traditional beam trawl can not survive at € 0,45++– Better quality catch Now E+

• Additional driver Ecology– Less drag, less benthos

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Steering Group

• Public Private Co-operation• Participants: Policymakers; Scientist; Industry; NGO’s• Objective: working together to a permanent or more extended

authorisation of pulse trawling

• Three working parties (Industry €)– Further development and monitoring – Communication – Control & enforcement

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Scientific Assesment

• Research results to EU-CIE and reviewed by ICES• Positive respons from ICES but with recommandations for extended

research (2006 en 2009) • Newest research (November 2011) handed to EU-CIE • Research on cod (spinal damage) carried out in Norway with farmed

cod• Comparative studies:

– Differences between traditional beam trawl and pulse trawl – Characteristics electric field in lab-setup and at sea

• DG Mare asked for assesment by STECF regarding all studies• Availability of studies:• http://www.groenkennisnet.nl/dossiers/pages/pulskor.aspx

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

STECF conclusions

• Plenary meeting 16-20 April 2012 Brussels• Report at: http://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reports/plenary • Conclusions• Ecological concerns raised by ICES, have been addressed.

– One issue remains (avoidance mortality of cod).• If more beam trawlers use pulse gear it will reduce catches and

fishing mortality for (non)target species and benthic organisms.• Critical for lifting the derogation is control and enforcement • Current characteristics for pulse trawling are not appropriate to

prevent unregulated/harmful practices/technologies.• To tackle the problem of control and enforcement:

– the Dutch certification system can be a basis for an appropriate regulatory framework

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

STECF recommendations

• Control & enforcement should be resolved before increasing the number of beam trawlers using pulse trawls

• Extension of the area not before an impact assessment on the effects of the pulse trawl

In particular when species not subject to a prior study, such as Nephrops, could be catched.

• Application of pulse technology in other gear types only after an assessment on the effects of the new pulse gear on the ecosystem.

In particular when species not subject to a prior study are involved.

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Control & enforcement

• Fisheries Department asked Imares to make proposals for management, control and enforcement regarding puls trawling

• Objectives: safe for users, controllers and environment• Co-operation between scientist (Imares, ILVO), fishery inspectors

(NVWA), Shipping Inspection and suppliers/designers• Proposals for:

– Legislation – Certification– Control and inspection– Enforcement

• Carry out a pilot about Control & inspection in JDP• Final report July 2012• Certification by RINA

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Control & enforcement

• Legislation, General measures:• Goes much further than the current derogation • For the use of pulse gear, electricity, etc.• Presence of certificate / technical description• Logging of important electronical information>on line• Avoiding unwanted experiments and developments

• Certification• Complete description of all parts of the pulse trawl gear• Manual for users and inspectors, including safety rules• Safety check and inspection logbook• Maintenance esp insulation

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Agenda 2012 and beyond

• Research– Monitoring programme for 2 year, 20 vessels (Dutch industry)– Special attention for questions about cod– Exclude / reduce negative effects such as spinal damage (cod)

• Organising controle & enforcement

• Continuous development – Pulse fishing is new, improving the gear by experience– If possible: also assesments for using pulse in other fishing

gears and in other fishing areas.

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NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Negatives

• Arguments– Damaged fish (horrible pictures)– Catch efficiency– Now fishing in previous non accessible areas

• Who are against– Fishers in NL, UK, F– Same member states are reluctant or against

• What is our answer– Historical evidence on damaged fish (baseline)– Preventive measurees cod by catch– Open approach, come aboard!

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NSRAC involvement

• Establish NSRAC wide focus group to form an opinion• Participate in a study event facilitated by Dutch Authorities and

Industry

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Mare Liberum and/or Multiple use of North Sea?

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