Peter Green’s Post

Scotland Launches Consultation on Offshore Marine Conservation Measures The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for 20 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scotland’s offshore waters. These measures are part of a broader effort to protect and restore marine ecosystems, addressing longstanding commitments to safeguard these critical areas. The consultation outlines potential restrictions on the use of specific fishing equipment, including demersal mobile and static gear, across 15 of the designated sites. In some cases, zoned restrictions are suggested, while full site-wide exclusions are proposed for five other sites where such measures are deemed necessary to meet conservation goals. The Scottish MPA network now encompasses more than 230 sites, covering 37% of Scotland’s seas. Each MPA is designated to protect specific features, from deep-sea sponge aggregations to cold-water coral reefs and ocean quahog, a clam species that can live for over 400 years. The consultation will be open until 14 October 2024, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute their views. A subsequent consultation will address fisheries management measures for MPAs in inshore waters. https://lnkd.in/dU3-9A2C #socsea24 #conservation #marine #seas #maritime

Eight years after the first draft fisheries management measures for Scotland's vast offshore MPAs were submitted to the EU, revised measures, including whole-site protection options, have been out for consultation. The consultation closes tomorrow. As part of the Scottish Environment LINK Save Scottish Seas coalition, at Marine Conservation Society we are supporting Option 2, where fisheries protection measures for mobile bottom-contact gear apply across the site in most instances. In the context of the many concerns highlighted in Scotland's Marine Assessment 2020 about the health of the seabed, we think this is proportionate. In the wider context, all industries need a planned, just transition to a climate and nature friendly future, to help secure livelihoods and sustainable coastal communities, businesses and supply chains long into the future. If you want to show your support for ensuring Scotland's offshore MPAs (those beyond 12 nautical miles) have the best possible chance of protecting the species and habitats for which they were designated, of achieving their conservation objectives and of helping those sites contribute to wider marine ecosystem recovery, please show your support here: https://lnkd.in/eTEJpZdJ Only one day to go!

The European Commission has published a report reviewing the implementation of its “Technical Measures Regulation” in protecting #fisheries resources and #marine #ecosystems. Key to sustainable management of fisheries in the waters of #EU states, the regulation sets out #conservation measures which govern how, where, and when #fishing may take place. These measures are important in helping to minimise the impact of fishing activities on marine #biodiversity and #ecosystems. The report also highlights CIBBRiNA as an example of how technical measures are being implemented regionally, involving multiple Member States — such as those in the North Sea region and Western Waters. The report highlighted the adoption of 14 new rules for conservation and management, including: 🐬 Protection of the harbour #porpoise in the #Baltic Sea 🌊 Seasonal fishing closures to protect #Atlantic #halibut spawning areas Areas for future improvement: 🎣 Accelerate the uptake of measures to mitigate the impact of fishing on ETP species 🎯 More concrete and measurable targets on preventing the bycatch of ETP species 🤝 Continuing cooperation with and involvement of stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of measures Read the report here: https://loom.ly/14efRQM

After 2 years of rumination and thinking, we've finally produced our paper on how IFCAs work on Marine Protected Areas in order to facilitate better coastal management. We highlight 1. The evolution of IFCAs from old 'Sea Fisheries Committees', 2. How they are constituted, staffed and run, 3. How they apply fisheries management measures to MPAs, including collation of evidence, 4. How they differ from other devolved UK nearshore fisheries management bodies, and 5. Provide case studies of where they've collaborated at increasing knowledge, awareness and reasonable application of conservation to MPAs in coastal waters. A lesson to governments throughout Europe. Thanks to my co-authors, Rob Clarke and Sarah Coulthard, currently hard at work in Whitby, trying to find a path forwards for the inshore fleet with my colleagues Blue Marine Foundation. https://lnkd.in/dMbxeV3d

World Ocean Day is a day to celebrate the resources and beauty of our oceans 🌊 it is also an important reminder of the impact of our actions on oceans 🐟🎣 The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is committed to understanding the influence of climate change on Commonwealth fisheries and integrate current information into the management of our fisheries. Understanding what climate change means for fisheries production and management in Australia is crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries into the future. We use the following methods to protect Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries. 🐟 Research and science. Using evidence-based information to manage our fisheries. 🐟 Management and regulation. Developing, testing, and adjusting methods to ensure responsible and efficient fisheries management. 🐟 Monitoring and enforcement. Working with other Australian Government agencies and our international partners to deter illegal fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone. These practices aim to keep fish species, and the marine ecosystem, in good health to ensure healthy and fresh local seafood is available and affordable to all Australians for current and future generations. For more information visit our website www.afma.gov.au #worldoceanday #responsiblefisheriesmanagement #sustainablefisheries

Urgent reform of harmful fisheries subsidies is crucial. The report “Rethinking Fisheries Subsidies” highlights that from 2014-2020, only 3% of public funds in Mediterranean countries went to small-scale fishers, while over 47% supported overfishing. We must redirect funds to protect biodiversity and support sustainable fishing. #stopfundingoverfishing

#MC13 #WTO #WTOMC13AbuDhabi The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, aimed at curbing harmful subsidies contributing to overfishing, has inadvertently posed significant challenges for small-scale fisheries. The agreement, while well-intentioned in addressing global marine resource depletion, lacks nuance in its application to diverse fishing practices. Small fisheries, often operating in resource-constrained environments, heavily rely on subsidies for survival and competitiveness. The stringent subsidy reduction requirements disproportionately affect these communities, hindering their ability to invest in sustainable practices and adapt to changing environmental conditions. The one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize the unique socio-economic contexts of small fisheries, exacerbating inequalities and threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Striking a balance between conservation goals and the socio-economic needs of small-scale fishers is essential to ensure the effectiveness and fairness of global fisheries management initiatives. #Badir_Almusharrekh

🐟 Today, I had the pleasure of representing the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) at the side event on Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) on the sidelines of the 47th Session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), FAO HQ in Rome 🐟 Alongside colleagues from the Med Sea Alliance, The Nature Conservancy and Global Fishing Watch as well as representatives from the Cypriot government, we discussed the transformative potential of REM technologies to enhance transparency and improve fisheries management across the Mediterranean. REM brings valuable independent data to help tackle challenges like overfishing and IUU fishing. By drawing on real-world experiences, including pilot projects in Cyprus, we’re diving into practical applications tailored for the unique Mediterranean context, where small-scale fisheries play a pivotal role. Looking forward to continuing working with other fisheries experts to strengthen sustainable practices in our seas. Robust fisheries management are key to protect the health of our oceans, its biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of fisheries and the coastal communities that depend on them #EJF #REM #FisheriesManagement #MediterraneanSea #Transparency #SustainableFisheries #OceanConservation #IUUFishing

One more priority for the new UK Government: improving fisheries #transparency. Enshrining the principles of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency into UK legislation would be a transformative step. The Charter is backed by over 50 global civil society organisations. It offers practical and immediate steps to improve fisheries governance, bringing illegal fishing and human rights abuses out of the shadows. These steps come at little or no cost and can be as simple as giving each vessel a unique identifying number, similar to a car license plate. They would have a profound effect for human rights and our planet. We urge the 🇬🇧 government to support them. #KingsSpeech Read them here: https://lnkd.in/eJhUUb4S https://lnkd.in/e2WXQfSY

🌊 Urgent Call to Transform Fisheries Management: 11 Golden Rules for Ocean Conservation 🪸 🐟 Did you know that global fish populations have declined by a staggering one-third for past 5 decades? Fishing has become the leading cause of ocean degradation, and outdated 'sustainable' practices are no longer protecting our oceans as they should. A team of scientists have developed 11 "Golden Rules" aimed at reforming fisheries management worldwide. This initiative calls on policymakers, retailers, fishers, and industry leaders to adopt these critical rules to safeguard the health of our oceans and rebuild fish populations. It's time to rethink 'sustainable fishing'—making sure that practices support marine ecosystems and vulnerable communities, not just profits. Learn more about these game-changing rules that could end the ongoing destruction of the planet’s largest shared resource, visit https://lnkd.in/gWXne5Qu. 🌎 #MarineConservation #SustainableFishing #OceanConservation #ClimateAction #FisheriesManagement