A new approach to shellfish management
BIM’s inshore fisheries coordinator, Oliver Tully, explains
A large proportion of Ireland’s inshore fishing fleet and segments of the offshore fleet fish for crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimps) and molluscs (scallop, whelk, clams, cockles). These vessels account for over 80 per cent of the national fleet, provide 70 per cent employment in the catching sector and prosecute fisheries valued at approximately €50m per annum at first sale.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has largely ignored management of these fisheries, and national governments have also been slow to react to the vacuum in policy. In Ireland, however, the industry has taken the initiative in many instances by providing, for example, local co-operative management plans for lobsters.
In 2001, the Irish Lobster Association submitted an application to the marine minister for limited entry to lobster fisheries. The support for management remains strong in the industry despite an increasing level of frustration at the lack of progress. The State has been slow to follow industry initiatives, but for a valid reason.
Outside the loop
Until the 2003 ‘Limited Scheme for Traditional Inshore Vessels’, many operators did not have a licence to fish and could not therefore be integrated into any management system. This situation is now being resolved through letters of offer of pot licences to over 700 applicants.
The intention to provide management and a broad outline of a framework plan was announced by the marine minister last July. BIM then prepared a detailed proposal, which was subsequently agreed to by the department (DCMNR) and the relevant State agencies. During November last, BIM outlined the framework to almost 900 licence holders or prospective licence holders at 21 meetings around the coast. A report was subsequently produced on the reaction of industry to the initiative.
The framework identifies the committee structures under which issues relevant to the management of shell fisheries will be discussed. It is a co-operative partnership approach between the State and industry.
Stakeholder involvement
The plan concentrates on 12 species and over 20 stocks. It allows for local input to national policy and forward planning, and provides both industry and the State with a co-operative structure within which fisheries regulations can be designed and developed.
Its aim is simple and consistent, with best practice in fisheries management. It will plan for the sustainable exploitation of stocks, and in parallel provide a more secure investment and planning environment for fishermen, thus ensuring a more viable industry.
| The framework plan at a glance The framework comprises three main components, as outlined in the diagram. Four National Species Advisory Groups (SAGs) will develop management plans for crab (3 species), lobster (2 species), shrimp (1 species) and molluscs (minimum 6 species). Approximately six State and six industry representatives will sit on each SAG, and each SAG will appoint working groups to advise on stock assessment, plan for enforcement, and develop licencing policy and draft legislation. In other words, the SAGs will be the nucleus around which all the work relevant to the national management of the fishery for a given species will be undertaken. The SAGs will also be a contact point for fishermen who wish to have issues addressed, and likewise be a contact point for the DCMNR in national fisheries fora. For the first time, the SAGs provide a voice in support of the sustainable development of shell fisheries specifically. They will act as an advocate for and speak in support of these fisheries at national fora, in coastal zone management, or in instances where there is conflict between the fishery and other marine fisheries or industries. Objective Management plans produced by SAGs will then be publicised to all licence holders before they are presented to a National Inshore Fisheries Review Group (IFRG) for recommendation and signing into legislation. The DCMNR, State agencies and SAGs will all be represented on the IFRG. The IFRG will be a clearing house for proposals produced by SAGs. Connecting local fishermen and the co-ops to the framework is a key priority and will be achieved by a number of mechanisms. Firstly, Local Advisory Committees (LACs) comprising groups of local fishermen will be encouraged to produce local plans and to present them to the relevant SAG. Secondly, fishermen will be able to communicate directly with the SAG secretary if they have issues to discuss. What is meant by ‘local’ will vary and will cover smaller or larger geographic areas, depending on the stock. Under the Framework, existing lobster co-ops should continue and expand their role in developing local management initiatives. Local plans will then be integrated into the national management plan for that species but where necessary and appropriate, local or regionally specific regulations outlined in local plans will be retained. Where invited to do so, BIM will assist and facilitate the LACs or Co-ops to develop management plans. Ultimately, the framework will provide integrated management by ‘joining up’ the relevant functions of the DCMNR, the State agencies, and the industry under one umbrella in order to agree on and to produce management plans. The groups thus established will provide a clear focal point for discussion and resolution of all issues that are important for the sustainable development of the industry. Further details of the Framework may be obtained from your local BIM office, or the BIM Regional Office in Galway (091 564318). |