International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission | |||||||||||||||||
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IBSFC Action Program for Sustainable Development of the Fishery
The Fisheries sector experiences the negative impact of environmental disturbances from other sectors of the economy. Nutrients and eutrophication, hazardous substances, oil and litter affect the quality of spawning and nursery grounds and have an impact on seafood quality, as well as on the biodiversity. Bottom substrate (sand, gravel) extraction, dumping and coastal constructions might have a negative impact on fish habitats. The construction of hydro-electric powerplants has reduced the habitat of wild Salmon to one third and no further developments should take place without an Environment Impact Assessment. On the other hand, fishing activity also has an impact on the environment. The fishing pressure on some Baltic Sea fish stocks, discards, and by-catch mortality of seabirds and marine mammals have an impact on species, habitats and ecosystems which should not exceed sustainable levels. In order to minimize the negative impact of other sectors on fisheries and of fisheries on the environment, the following appropriate measures must be taken: 1/ reduce pollution from industry, transport, agriculture, forestry and minimise the risk of introduction of alien species in ballast water 2/ reduce the impact of fishing activity on biodiversity and the environment. In order to achieve further progress within its area of competence, the IBSFC proposes the following overall Goal as a basis for further actions: "Development of economically and socially sustainable, environmentally safe and responsible fisheries by
1/ The Baltic Sea resources Priority Action 1: to develop long term strategies for major fish stocks: Cod, Salmon, Herring and Sprat IBSFC will apply a precautionary approach. To this end, ICES has been requested to indicate appropriate biological reference points to allow harvesting within safe biological limits. A Mortality Harvest Strategy seems to offer a good prospect for more stable catch levels. The need to gradually achieve a balance between the harvesting capacity of fleets and the target reference points for stocks is recognised. The need for introducing additional measures (including technical measures) is recognised. Further scientific research is necessary to improve the selectivity of fishing gear and to reduce the impact of such gear on species and habitats. However, due consideration should be given to the need to avoid frequent changes and corresponding costs for the fishing industry. This should be achieved by long term strategies for all relevant fish stocks. The long term strategies for all the fish stocks regulated by IBSFC are listed below in order of importance. a. "Baltic Cod Strategy Plan" Since the spawning success of the Baltic cod stocks is highly influenced by the hydrographic conditions in the Baltic Sea, particular attention shall be given to maintaining these stocks in good condition. The IBSFC is currently preparing a detailed long term management strategy for cod fisheries, based on the latest information available from ICES. Pending the reception of this contribution from ICES, the "Baltic Cod Strategy Plan" is expected to be adopted in 1998 and implemented immediately. The outline is described below:
Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States Timeframe: concept in 1998, pending input from ICES; implementation from 1999 onwards. Possible sources of financing: to be evaluated. b. "IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997 - 2010" The "IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997-2010", adopted and published as "Resolution IV" is entirely devoted to improving the status of wild salmon stocks. The objective is that the production of wild salmon should gradually increase to reach by the year 2010 a natural production of at least 50% of the best estimates of the potential capacity of wild salmon rivers; and that salmon should be re-established in potential salmon rivers. The main elements of the IBSFC Salmon Action Plan are listed below (the full text is available in "Documentation / Resolutions":
Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States Timeframe: 1997-2010: the wild salmon stocks are expected to be "sustainable" well before the reference period of Baltic 21. Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Electricity Producers exploiting hydro-electric power plants. c. "Long term strategy for Pelagic Species" Although the herring and sprat stocks are considered to be within safe biological limits (SBL), ICES has been requested to give advice on biological reference points relevant for a long term management strategy for the exploitation of these stocks. The outline of the Action Plan is described below:
Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States Timeframe: concept in 1999, pending input from ICES; implementation from 2000 onwards. Possible sources of financing: to be evaluated. Action 2: to improve the management of resources in Coastal Areas The importance of certain fish stocks in coastal areas for coastal communities is recognised. The knowledge on the biological status of the flatfish stocks is insufficient. The fishing pressure on certain flatfish stocks, in particular plaice, turbot and flounder, is increasing. Particular attention should be given to the eel stock. The outline of an action programme is described below:
Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States Timeframe: start in 1999 and onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, the Nordic Council, EC funds as appropriate Action 3: to increase co-operation in the field of Control and Enforcement The Contracting Parties consider it important to improve and enhance co-operation in control and enforcement within the framework of IBSFC and bilaterally. It is in particular believed that the following initiatives should be strengthened:
Actors: IBSFC, EC, Coastal States Timeframe: 1999 onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, EC funds as appropriate Action 4: to improve the quality of stock- and fisheries assessment The management of the Baltic fishery resources is based on the best available scientific information. It is recognised that for many stocks there is insufficient knowledge to allow proper assessment. For the major stocks, it is particularly important to improve the quality and availability of data. Further research on interaction between fisheries and other components of the ecosystem is also necessary. The following is proposed:
- increased co-operation and co-ordination of research surveys (trawl and hydro-acoustic surveys), - intensified biological sampling of commercial catches (age structure, by-catch, discards), - standardization of sampling and material processing methods (age determination ) - setting up of co-ordinated biological data bases;
Actors: Coastal States, ICES, IBSFC Timeframe: 1999 and onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Nordic Council, EC funds as appropriate 2/ Inland waters and Aquaculture: Inland waters The Baltic Sea offers a unique environment for both marine and freshwater species with freshwater dominating in the North and marine species in the South. In most coastal zones the distribution of the stocks depends on the availability of good spawning and feeding grounds. Therefore, fish production can be dependent on environmental deterioration on small but critical areas. Fish habitats in coastal areas and inland waters have been seriously degraded during a long period due to factors like electric water power constructions, industrial pollution and acidification as well as eutrophication and humification mainly caused by agricultural and forestry activities. Stockings of eel should be increased. When stocking fish and other aquatic organisms genetic and veterinary aspects must be taken into consideration. To facilitate this, the following management activities should be launched. Action 5: for sustainable use and preservation of freshwater fish stocks and species. As with the marine species, there is an urgent need to improve the knowledge and understanding of how best to achieve a sustainable use of freshwater stocks. To this end the following action should be initiated:
Actors: Coastal States, ICES, EIFAC, HELCOM Timeframe: First phase 1999 and onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Phare , Tacis, EC funds as appropriate, Nordic Council. Action 6: For restoration of habitats important to fish and fisheries in inland waters. Measures taken should prevent further degradation of inland water fisheries and should be performed on the basis of a catchment area strategy aiming at:
Actors: Coastal States, EIFAC, HELCOM Time: 1999 and onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Nordic Council, electricity producers, EC funds as appropriate Aquaculture Action 7: to achieve sustainable aquaculture: Aquaculture production in the Baltic area is rather low because of unfavourable natural conditions. The fish produced is used for human consumption or for releases. The releases can be for enhancement, for sea ranching or for put-and-take fisheries in pounds and lakes. Aquaculture plays a particular role for stocking of salmon and trout. To further develop aquaculture the following management activities should be launched:
Actors: Coastal States Timeframe: 1999 and onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States 3: Economic and Social aspects of the Fisheries Sector Action 8: to improve economic and social stability of the fisheries sector: A number of concerted actions could improve the output quality and economic returns of fisheries:
Actors: Coastal States Timeframe: from 1999 onwards Possible sources of financing: Coastal States and EC funds as appropriate. |
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