A matter of scales. The management of marine recreational fisheries in the EU
Oral presentation at the 8 World Recreational Fishing Conference, Victoria, Canada. There is growing recognition of the importance of inclusion human dimension in models for the assessment of stocks and the development of fisheries management measures. The sustainable management of these complex socio-ecological systems involves integrating different administrative levels or incorporating bottom-up management approaches. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review of the current management of Marine Recreational Fisheries (MRF) in Europe, in the context of increasing demand for marine ecosystem services that is leading to conflicts between groups of stakeholders. In particular, we analyzed how the European regulations on MRF support the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in different geographic areas. The European Union (EU), national, and regional legislation were analyzed for four countries (Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK) chosen to represent the full range of conditions across Europe. An Integrated Policy Legal Index (IPLI) for each of the countries was calculated from 57 criteria including biophysical attributes (geographical, ecological and biological aspects), social drivers across a range of stakeholders, and attributes of the governance systems. The IPLI was used to assess if the different legal frameworks follow the principles considered prerequisites for long-term, sustainable management of community-based common pool resources. Scale and institutional issues impacting on the management of MRF in Europe will be discussed including impacts on targets for ecological and socio-economic sustainability.
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A matter of scales. The management of marine recreational fisheries in the EU
- 1. A matter of scales. The management of marine recreational fisheries (MRF) in the EU 8th WRFC. Victoria, 16-20 July 2017 PABLO PITA, SEBASTIÁN VILLASANTE, PEDRO GOMES, HARRY STREHLOW, PEDRO VEIGA, JOSÉ VINGADA, KIERAN HYDER
- 2. Background • Marine Recreational Fisheries (MRF) management have been traditionally neglected in favor of commercial fisheries. • Complex adaptive socioecological system.
- 3. Objectives • We present a critical review of the current management that affects MRF in Europe. • We analyzed how these regulations on MRF support the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in different geographic areas. • We assume that the EAF is a good approach for the sustainable management of complex socioecological systems.
- 4. Methodology • Selected EU, national, and regional legislation from Spain and the UK (Portugal is ongoing, Germany?). • Westlaw (next), EUR-Lex: e.g., "recreational fishing" or "sport fishing" or "spear fishing" or "spearfishing" or "rod and line fishing“ or "marine recreational fishing" or "sport marine fishing" or "angling". • Policy Component Scores (PCS) by 5 components: social, economic, environmental–ecological and institutional. • Integrated Policy Legal Index (IPLI) by country (and EU) was calculated checking 57 criteria: biophysical attributes, social drivers and attributes of the governance systems (Castillo et al. 2016).
- 5. Results Administration Search 1 2 Used Spain 512 32 231 UK 57 197 41 EU 91 31 27 Up to two different search engines and lists of keywords were used
- 6. What’s in? Subject Administration Spain United Kingdom European Union N % N % N % Coastal activities 5 2.2 1 2.4 3 11.1 Conservation 5 2.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 Disease control 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 3.7 Fish imports 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 7.4 Marine fishing 33 14.3 7 17.1 12 44.4 Minimum sizes 3 1.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 MPA 108 46.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 Navigation 1 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 Ports 2 0.9 1 2.4 0 0.0 Public and animal health 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 3.7 Recreational fishing 40 17.3 4 9.8 0 0.0 Restrictions by species 18 7.8 25 61.0 8 29.6 Sports 1 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 Transfer fishing competences 13 5.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 Turism 1 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 Weapons 1 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 Welfare of animals 0 0.0 3 7.3 0 0.0 Total 231 100.0 41 100.0 27 100.0
- 7. Word diving Spain UK EU
- 11. Word diving UK
- 12. Word diving UK
- 16. Are these legal frameworks suited for sustainable management of common resources in complex adaptive socioecological environments? • Shortcomings – Castillo et al. (2016) approach developed for freshwater. – EAF developed for commercial fisheries. – Adaptive management needs precautionary approach and resilience. • High IPLI in general. • Social sustainability is not a priority. • Spain: higher IPLI, many regulations. • UK: lower IPLI, specially in social component. • EU: good balance, but covering a few species (migratory, endangered).
Editor's Notes
- SEBASTIÁN VILLASANTE, PEDRO GOMES, HARRY STREHLOW , PEDRO VEIGA , JOSÉ VINGADA , KIERAN HYDER
- Lack of socioecological criteria in the management frameworks?
- EAF=Ecosystem approach to fisheries EAF is a good approach to achieve ecological sustainability; therefore to perform adaptive management of complex socioecological systems (there are other: precautionary approach and resilience).
- From North to South, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Policy Component Scores by using a framework of 5 components (social, economic, environmental–ecological and institutional) with 57 criteria. Integrated Policy Legal Index by administrative región (mean of PCS).
- Spain: 80% from the regional governments. UK: 35% from the countries included in the UK.
- Frecuencies Spain = Zone 0.87% UK = Salmon 0.88% (worth pointing out that the UK legislation surround access to fish for salmon & sea trout in estuaries) EU = Vessel 1.53
- Zone is related with MPA and with laws that regulate marine fishing
- Salmon is related with regulations by authorities
- Vessel is linked to member states Regulations on fish species is reltated to different geographical areas
- Spain: higher IPLI, higher scores in Fishing and Environmental-Ecolocial scores, lower score in Economic component. UK: lower IPLI, higher score in Economic component, low score in social component (lower tan 50%). EU: Medium IPLI, balanced PCSs.
- Limitations of the study: The Castillo et al approach was developed for freshwater (we adapted). EAF was developed in a commercial fisheries context and this concept is still undeveloped in MRF. EAF does not embrace all needs to perform adaptive management to promote sustainability of complex SES. It is just one of 3 main legs; the other: precautionary approach and resilience. On the other hand, the questionnaire that we used following Castillo et al, actually goes beyond EAF and is similar to other frameworks derived from Ostrom to deal with holistic management of SES. In general: Yes, IPLIs are not too bad, although social component is not the higher priority (contrast with article 17 of the CFP that specifies that environmental, social and economic criteria should be used to determine access to fishing rights). Spain: overregulated framework? Too difficult for users? 40 regulations in MRF. 108 regulating MRF in MPAs. Lower interest in the promotion of economic development of MRF, and this is related with blue growth innitiatives and development of local, sustainable economies. UK: When Brexit, need to develope social regulations, now partially covered by EU legislation. High regulation on Salmon (not fish and chips!), not other species, which are partially covered by EU (Brexit again). UK care about economic development of MRF. EU: what about the other species? Need for a specific regulation taking care of the different management scales in Europe?
- SEBASTIÁN VILLASANTE, PEDRO GOMES, HARRY STREHLOW , PEDRO VEIGA , JOSÉ VINGADA , KIERAN HYDER