In response to the EU DG-MARE request for ICES advice on the progress and impact that has been made in innovative gear use within EU waters, I would like to inform you that the Workshop 2 on innovative fishing gear (WKING2) will be chaired by Antonello Sala (Italy) and Julia Calderwood (Ireland) and meet online 23-25 August 2023 to:
a) Evaluate/endorse the catalogue of gears considered ‘innovative’, including their objectives, technical specificities, and known impacts/benefits (in terms of selectivity and catch efficiency on target and non-target species and environmental impact in terms of benefits for, or negative effects on, marine ecosystems and sensitive habitats);
b) For innovations ready for deployment, assess the level of uptake of innovative gears by the EU industry (per sea basin and fishery). Investigate what aspects impact the uptake of innovative gears. Depending on data and knowledge availability, assess the impact of finance, user-friendliness, health, and safety. For those innovations which are already taken up, present the results for the fleets;
c) For those innovations not implemented, discuss the main drivers that prevented their use if known. Where possible, include analysis of the socio-economic trade-offs and propose ways to facilitate their implementation;
d) Produce a report detailing the process taken and presenting the results;
e) Draft a summary advice based on the report produced.
New Zealand is pioneering novel codend technology, called the Modular Harvesting System (MHS), aiming to improve catch quality, selectivity, and survivability (discard & cryptic).
The MHS is approved for commercial use in New Zealand.
The approval process required the team to show that the novel codend technology performs “no worse than” traditional codends across a number of metrics (species composition, size composition, protected species impact, and benthic impact). This was achieved by designing a modular harvesting system (MHS) codend that basically mimicked the performance of traditional mesh codends. More information on the MHS and the approval process in New Zealand is provided below:
In addition to maximizing both catch quality and survival rates, the novel codend technology represents a unique opportunity to design species-selective fishing gear by exploring the natural escape behaviour in the reduced water flow environment within the MHS codend.
This blog post was started with the intention to:
Share information & trial experiences.
Provide a forum for discussions (comments, questions, feedback).
Identify potential use cases outside of New Zealand.
Identify & connect with potential partners for international trials.
We are inviting you to share your thoughts and ideas.
The dynamic and international section of Fishery Technologies in DTU Aqua has an opening for a 3-years, fully funded PhD scholarship. The associated project aims at exploiting hydrodynamics to reduce the impact of demersal trawls on the seabed without losing catch efficiency. The study involves both gear trials and laboratory studies of animal behavior in response to the flow.
Technical University of Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources
Niels Juels Vej 30, 9850 Hirtshals (DK)
https://wgftfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hydrodynamic-beam-trawl.png10421856Antonello Salahttp://wgftfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/top1.jpgAntonello Sala2023-07-05 12:24:592023-07-05 12:36:42PhD scholarship at DTU Aqua
One of the objectives of our ICES/FAO working group is to provide ICES with expertise on fishing gear. Therefore, ICES contacts our working group on a regular basis to contribute this expertise for specific technical input that ACOM requires to draft advice upon request from various management organizations. This time, ICES is searching YOUR/our technical input on the following topic related to a review on the current and potential commercial deep sea (>1000m) fishing practices worldwide:
Terms of reference for WGFTFB (and WGSFD)
Working with WGFTFB/WGSFD, provide a commentary based on expert judgement as well as NEAFC VMS and catch report data analysis on maximum depth on the use of mobile bottom contacting gear (trawls) and bottom contacting static gear in the NEAFC regulatory area.
Scientific justifications
In the context of setting up OECMs, NEAFC will require information on areas that may be fished in the future. As such, an analysis of current NEAFC fishing practices in terms of maximum depth and in terms of general bathymetric features is required to inform the likely future extent by the depth of fishing. This commentary by WGFTFB/WGSFD will serve as input to an ICES workshop on 7-11 August that will also look at the long-term biodiversity/ ecosystem benefits of 1) areas restricted to bottom fishing, and 2) closed areas according to the VME Recommendation (19:2014).
Note: WGSFD are analysing NEAFC VMS and catch report data and will also input towards the general commentary.
Background/deliverable
NEAFC (Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission) will require information on areas that are at suitable depths for fishing and on areas that could in the future also be suitable. This information is required by NEAFC in the process of designating areas as OECMs (“Other effective area-based conservation measures”) that have strict criteria. The criteria state that the management measures (i.e. restrict bottom fishing activity) are realistic and that by putting this in place it will have a long-term to biodiversity.
As such, an analysis of current NEAFC fishing practices in terms of maximum depth and in terms of general bathymetric features is required to inform the likely future extent by depth of fishing. This commentary by WGFTFB/WGSFD will serve as input to an ICES workshop, 7-11 August 2023, that will also look at the long-term biodiversity/ ecosystem benefits of 1) areas restricted to bottom fishing, and 2) closed areas according to the VME Recommendation (19:2014). The workshop will 1) evaluation of the biodiversity attributes of the areas concerned, 2) list potential threats resulting from pressures, and specifically evaluate the pressures and likely threats from fishing activities affecting or expected to affect the areas and the biodiversity attributes, and 3) evaluation of the NEAFC management measures as to whether they achieve, or are expected to achieve, positive and sustained outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity. This should also include the likely or potential effectiveness in mitigating the threats to the biodiversity attributes.
Additional ToR for WGFTFB/ WGSFD
Working with WGFTFB/WGSFD, provide a commentary based on expert judgement (WGFTFB) as well as NEAFC VMS and catch report data analysis (WGSFD) on current and potential maximum depth on the use of mobile bottom contacting gear (trawls) and bottom contacting static gear (e.g. longlines) in the NEAFC regulatory area.
=====
Task of WGFTFB
As the focus of this advice is “what might be future depth limits of deep sea fishing” in the North East Atlantic region (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_East_Atlantic_Fisheries_Commission ), the question is directed to all WGFTFB members to provide expertise / knowledge on deep sea fishing (>1000m) worldwide to include expertise and current and past practise from around the globe.
Please provide your technical input (in a review type of format) on the below questions:
Current and past deep-sea fishing: Do you have any knowledge about deep sea fishing (>1000) in any area of the world. Please, provide details if possible (areas, depth range, type of fishery, target species, countries involved, when this fishery was conducted).
Future deep-sea fishing: Do you see a further expansion of deep-sea fishing in the future (e.g. do you see any technical reason not to fish there)? What is your expectation?
Do you know/have literature about deep sea fishing (>1000m)?
We require your input no later than by Friday the 21 July, so that it can be compiled into a coherent commentary.
A critical element in the ICES advisory service quality programme is the review of analysis provided by the expert groups. The review is required to assure a sound scientific basis for the advice. ICES depends on the willingness of experts that have not been involved with the work in the expert groups to provide such reviews. The task is absolute vital to assure that ICES advice remains based on best science.
Look forward to hearing back from you.
Best regards
The ICES/FAO WGFTFB chairs
https://wgftfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/deep-sea.jpg12241632Antonello Salahttp://wgftfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/top1.jpgAntonello Sala2023-07-03 16:48:482023-07-03 16:49:07Maximum likely fishing depth in the NEAFC area
Workshop 2 on innovative fishing gear
/in blog, News/by Antonello SalaIn response to the EU DG-MARE request for ICES advice on the progress and impact that has been made in innovative gear use within EU waters, I would like to inform you that the Workshop 2 on innovative fishing gear (WKING2) will be chaired by Antonello Sala (Italy) and Julia Calderwood (Ireland) and meet online 23-25 August 2023 to:
a) Evaluate/endorse the catalogue of gears considered ‘innovative’, including their objectives, technical specificities, and known impacts/benefits (in terms of selectivity and catch efficiency on target and non-target species and environmental impact in terms of benefits for, or negative effects on, marine ecosystems and sensitive habitats);
b) For innovations ready for deployment, assess the level of uptake of innovative gears by the EU industry (per sea basin and fishery). Investigate what aspects impact the uptake of innovative gears. Depending on data and knowledge availability, assess the impact of finance, user-friendliness, health, and safety. For those innovations which are already taken up, present the results for the fleets;
c) For those innovations not implemented, discuss the main drivers that prevented their use if known. Where possible, include analysis of the socio-economic trade-offs and propose ways to facilitate their implementation;
d) Produce a report detailing the process taken and presenting the results;
e) Draft a summary advice based on the report produced.
Draft agenda
The public page is here: https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WKING2.aspx
Please Register at https://forms.gle/8yP9XSEdYavnxJnM6 to get the link for participation.
I look forward to your response.
Best,
Anto (on behalf of the Core Group Steve, Katell, Nathalie, and the co-chair Julia)
International Fishing Industry Safety & Health Conference (IFISH)
/in blog, News/by Antonello SalaNovel codend technology promises improved quality, selectivity, and survivability
/in blog, News/by Antonello SalaBackground
New Zealand is pioneering novel codend technology, called the Modular Harvesting System (MHS), aiming to improve catch quality, selectivity, and survivability (discard & cryptic).
See here for a 3 min video overview: Introduction to Precision Seafood Harvesting
The MHS is approved for commercial use in New Zealand.
The approval process required the team to show that the novel codend technology performs “no worse than” traditional codends across a number of metrics (species composition, size composition, protected species impact, and benthic impact). This was achieved by designing a modular harvesting system (MHS) codend that basically mimicked the performance of traditional mesh codends. More information on the MHS and the approval process in New Zealand is provided below:
The first overseas trials of the MHS have been conducted successfully in the Netherlands flatfish beam trawl fishery
Opportunity
In addition to maximizing both catch quality and survival rates, the novel codend technology represents a unique opportunity to design species-selective fishing gear by exploring the natural escape behaviour in the reduced water flow environment within the MHS codend.
This blog post was started with the intention to:
We are inviting you to share your thoughts and ideas.
The Precision Seafood Harvesting Team
PhD scholarship at DTU Aqua
/in Job board/by Antonello SalaThe dynamic and international section of Fishery Technologies in DTU Aqua has an opening for a 3-years, fully funded PhD scholarship. The associated project aims at exploiting hydrodynamics to reduce the impact of demersal trawls on the seabed without losing catch efficiency. The study involves both gear trials and laboratory studies of animal behavior in response to the flow.
More details can be found at the link: https://efzu.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/da/sites/CX_1/job/2010/?utm_medium=jobshare
Deadline for application: 15 August 2023
Location: Hirtshals, Denmark
Prof. Barry O’Neill
Dr. Valentina Melli
Technical University of Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources
Niels Juels Vej 30, 9850 Hirtshals (DK)
Maximum likely fishing depth in the NEAFC area
/in blog, News/by Antonello SalaDear ICES/FAO WGFTFB members
One of the objectives of our ICES/FAO working group is to provide ICES with expertise on fishing gear. Therefore, ICES contacts our working group on a regular basis to contribute this expertise for specific technical input that ACOM requires to draft advice upon request from various management organizations. This time, ICES is searching YOUR/our technical input on the following topic related to a review on the current and potential commercial deep sea (>1000m) fishing practices worldwide:
Terms of reference for WGFTFB (and WGSFD)
Working with WGFTFB/WGSFD, provide a commentary based on expert judgement as well as NEAFC VMS and catch report data analysis on maximum depth on the use of mobile bottom contacting gear (trawls) and bottom contacting static gear in the NEAFC regulatory area.
Scientific justifications
In the context of setting up OECMs, NEAFC will require information on areas that may be fished in the future. As such, an analysis of current NEAFC fishing practices in terms of maximum depth and in terms of general bathymetric features is required to inform the likely future extent by the depth of fishing. This commentary by WGFTFB/WGSFD will serve as input to an ICES workshop on 7-11 August that will also look at the long-term biodiversity/ ecosystem benefits of 1) areas restricted to bottom fishing, and 2) closed areas according to the VME Recommendation (19:2014).
Note: WGSFD are analysing NEAFC VMS and catch report data and will also input towards the general commentary.
Background/deliverable
NEAFC (Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission) will require information on areas that are at suitable depths for fishing and on areas that could in the future also be suitable. This information is required by NEAFC in the process of designating areas as OECMs (“Other effective area-based conservation measures”) that have strict criteria. The criteria state that the management measures (i.e. restrict bottom fishing activity) are realistic and that by putting this in place it will have a long-term to biodiversity.
As such, an analysis of current NEAFC fishing practices in terms of maximum depth and in terms of general bathymetric features is required to inform the likely future extent by depth of fishing. This commentary by WGFTFB/WGSFD will serve as input to an ICES workshop, 7-11 August 2023, that will also look at the long-term biodiversity/ ecosystem benefits of 1) areas restricted to bottom fishing, and 2) closed areas according to the VME Recommendation (19:2014). The workshop will 1) evaluation of the biodiversity attributes of the areas concerned, 2) list potential threats resulting from pressures, and specifically evaluate the pressures and likely threats from fishing activities affecting or expected to affect the areas and the biodiversity attributes, and 3) evaluation of the NEAFC management measures as to whether they achieve, or are expected to achieve, positive and sustained outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity. This should also include the likely or potential effectiveness in mitigating the threats to the biodiversity attributes.
Additional ToR for WGFTFB/ WGSFD
Working with WGFTFB/WGSFD, provide a commentary based on expert judgement (WGFTFB) as well as NEAFC VMS and catch report data analysis (WGSFD) on current and potential maximum depth on the use of mobile bottom contacting gear (trawls) and bottom contacting static gear (e.g. longlines) in the NEAFC regulatory area.
=====
Task of WGFTFB
As the focus of this advice is “what might be future depth limits of deep sea fishing” in the North East Atlantic region (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_East_Atlantic_Fisheries_Commission ), the question is directed to all WGFTFB members to provide expertise / knowledge on deep sea fishing (>1000m) worldwide to include expertise and current and past practise from around the globe.
Please provide your technical input (in a review type of format) on the below questions:
We require your input no later than by Friday the 21 July, so that it can be compiled into a coherent commentary.
A critical element in the ICES advisory service quality programme is the review of analysis provided by the expert groups. The review is required to assure a sound scientific basis for the advice. ICES depends on the willingness of experts that have not been involved with the work in the expert groups to provide such reviews. The task is absolute vital to assure that ICES advice remains based on best science.
Look forward to hearing back from you.
Best regards
The ICES/FAO WGFTFB chairs
Research Associate in Fisheries Sustainability
/in Job board/by Antonello SalaEdinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Details for job position:
https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/3029/?utm_medium=jobshare
Deadline for application: 22 June 2023
Start of post: Start of July or soon thereafter (flexibility on this start date considered).
Location: Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, UK
Dr Marija Sciberras
Assistant Professor of Fisheries Conservation
Marine Sustainability, Policy & Conservation Evidence
The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP