pre-assessment of the east coast brown and pink shrimp fisheries

Pre-Assessment of the East Coast Brown and Pink

Shrimp Fisheries

Marine Ecological Surveys Limited

3 Palace Yard MewsBath, BA1 2NH

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211Email: [email protected]

www.seasurvey.co.uk

Matt Green, Jackie Hill, Bryony Pearce, Tania Woodcock, Sheryl Earnshaw & Kirsty Ball. 2011.

mailto:[email protected]

Contents




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• Purpose of a pre-assessment

• Brief recap of MSC principles

• Brown shrimp fishery– Scores– Key recommendations

• Stock• Non-target species• Habitats and Ecosystems• Management

• Pink shrimp fishery– Scores– Key recommendations


Purpose of a Pre-assessment




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• A provisional assessment prior to full MSC sustainability assessment and ecolabelling

• Based on client and background information

• To provide GUIDANCE to improved sustainability to meet MSC criteria

• To inform the management plan


Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard




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The MSC scoring system (Clark, 2008)

Aiming for GOOD

PRACTICE

A score of 80

Principle Criteria Number of PIs

P.1. Health of Fish Stock Outcome (stock status)Harvest Strategy (Management)

34

P.2. Impact on Ecosystem Retained SpeciesBy-catch SpeciesETP SpeciesHabitatsEcosystem

33333

P.3. Management System Governance & PolicyFishery Specific Management System

45


Brown shrimp pre-assessment scores




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Principle One – The StockOutcome Harvest Strategy 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 60-80 <60 N/A <60 <60 <60 <60

Principle Two – Impact on the EnvironmentRetained Species By-catch Species ETP Species Habitats Ecosystem 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 60-80 ≥80 ≥80 60-80 60-80 60-80 <60 <60 60-80

Principle Three – Fishery ManagementGovernance and Policy Fishery Specific Management System 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 60-80 ≥80 <60 <60 <60 ≥80 ≥80 <60 ≥80

≥80 Pass

60-80 Conditional pass<60 Fail

• Standards for MSC certification not met in 17 criteria

• Improvements required in 7 criteria


Brown shrimp pre-assessment scores




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Principle One – The StockOutcome Harvest Strategy 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 60-80 <60 N/A <60 <60 <60 <60

Principle Two – Impact on the EnvironmentRetained Species By-catch Species ETP Species Habitats Ecosystem 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 60-80 ≥80 ≥80 60-80 60-80 60-80 <60 <60 60-80

Principle Three – Fishery ManagementGovernance and Policy Fishery Specific Management System 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 60-80 ≥80 <60 <60 <60 ≥80 ≥80 <60 ≥80

≥80 Pass


• It’s not all bad!• Some measures already in place –

formalise them• Improvements to data capture• Documentation – management plan


Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery




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1. Stock 2. Non-target species

Undertake stock assessment and harvest strategy

Improve fishing selectivity

Develop a harvest strategy Monitor ICES status of by-catch species

Establish a Fishery Management Group Collect biomass data for by-catch

Seek expert advice Reduce juvenile fish by-catch

Improve LPUE data Improve survivability of by-catch

Minimise undersized shrimp mortality Monitor and record ETP species

Implement a management plan Implement a management plan

1. Habitat and Ecosystem 4. Management

Identify and map habitats in fishing area Develop and document management plan

Improve fishing effort data collection Establish Fishery Management Group

Implement management measures






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Undertake stock assessment and set a harvest strategy













R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock

1.1 Undertake stock assessmentAssessing stock status in shrimp is known to be problematic for several reasons:

– shrimp abundance in one year does not give information about stock in the following year

– probably because >1 generation per year– Short life-span– high variability in local catches

The ICES WG have discussed 3 other potential approaches to stock assessment

– Surveys using standardised catches from commercial vessels– Ad hoc regulation - set reference points based on LPUE data and

implement a ‘traffic light’ system of management measures (currently employed in the Dutch North Sea shrimp fishery)

– Use indicators of stock status such as a combination of size distribution, maximum length, number of berried females




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Ad hoc shrimp fishery regulation

– Based on already established EU reporting system of log-books and landings data

– A sub-set of shrimpers provide catch and effort data– Averages are calculated and distributed within a short time frame– Reference points (minimum monthly LPUE) can be established using

expert judgement (a rule of thumb e.g. 75% of average) and previous LPUE data

– Implement a ‘traffic light’ system of actions e.g.:

LPUE is high => free fishing

LPUE is moderate => fishing on higher effort limited

LPUE is low => danger for stocks => fishing restrictions




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Surveys using standardised catches from commercial vessels

– simultaneous standardised catches on as many commercial vessels as possible

– first survey in May/June to catch recruitment wave (10-20 mm), may need special licence for smaller mesh sizes

– second survey in summer, July/August, this recruitment cohort will now be 30-45 mm in size

– trawl information collected for each haul (duration, location)–employ sieving procedures to identify biomass of different cohorts– sub-sampling by scientists for more detailed investigation of stock structure– also collect information on egg-bearing females– simultaneous recording of by-catch to identify areas with high by-catch– for first year it may be necessary to undertake more regular sampling




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A combination of indicators of stock status– no. of egg bearing females– size composition– maximum length– size distribution of area– predator biomass– environmental conditions

Gives real insight into the drivers of population

but

Must be carried out by scientists and lack of clarity on how to interpret data or base management actions on these parameters

Need to discuss and seek advice on best way forward




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1.2 Develop harvest strategy– set reference points on basis of survey data or other –set reference points based on LPUE data– implement ‘traffic light’ system of management measures as in Dutch

fishery

1.3 Establish fishery management group– the producers– IFCA representatives– Cefas representative (link FMG and WG?)– with advice from ICES Working Group

1.4 Seek expert advice– ICES Shrimp working group– Dutch shrimp fishery experiences (Management plan in information pack)– Cefas has participated in the ICES Crangon working group (Andy Lawler)




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Dutch shrimp fishery management measures Feb 2011– Weekend prohibition and fishing times– The indicator for the stock status is Landings Per Unit Effort (LPUE) in kg/hr – Every 4 weeks the average LPUE is calculated from a selected sample of fishing

vessels– Traffic light system of measures depending on average LPUE. For example if LPUE

falls below X fishing is limited to a maximum number of hours per week– Separate traffic light levels weeks 1-24 and weeks 25-52 to allow for seasonal

differences in catch– Maximum percentage of 15% for shrimp residue for each landing– Minimum net mesh size– Use of sieve nets– Development of alternative fishing methods– Recognised rinsing/sorting equipment and recognised handling methods (all

documented)– By-catch monitoring– Endangered species monitoring– Closed areas for shrimp fishing– Maximum vessel capacity– Use of prescribed fishing gear only




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1.5 Improve landings per unit effort data– hours actually fished not days at sea– North Sea fishery advised by ICES to address LPUE data collection

(different systems, landings only, data collected)

1.7 Minimise undersized shrimp mortality– formalise mesh size of cod end with signed agreements– investigate other methods such as processing and handling in Dutch

fishery

1.8 Implement a management plan– formal document of stock and harvest strategy measures– systems of recording, reporting and feedback– traffic light management measures, seasonal closures etc




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3 . Habitat and Ecosystem 4. Management





R2: Monitoring and Management of Non-Target Species

2.1 Improve Fishing Selectivity– formalise the mandatory use of sieve nets in management plan– obtain signed agreements– monitor developments in other fisheries

Electric beam trawling for Crangon – ILVO– 35% less by-catch– 75% less bottom contact




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2.2 Collect biomass data for by-catch– necessary to determine which by-catch species count as ‘main’ (≥ 5%)– consider seasonal and/or spatial surveys + independent observation

2.3 Monitor ICES status of non-target species– regular checks to determine changes in definitions for vulnerable (‘main’)

species, currently only cod is considered vulnerable but several unknown– formalise process in management plan– responsibility of the fishery management group




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2.4 Reduce juvenile fish by-catch– collect information on where and when juvenile (plaice in particular) catch is

high – There may be funding available, e.g. EFF, to carry out surveys– implement technical measures (seasonal/area closures, gear/handling

procedures)

2.5 Investigate and improve survivability of discards‒ No research carried out as far as we could tell‒ But automated catch handling equipment used in some modern vessels

may improve survivability by reducing catch handling time‒ introduction of agreed a handling methods known to improve the chance of

survivability, as has been used in Holland such as using high levels of running water to return by-catch to the water and releasing fish directly into the water via a chute underneath or at the side of the boat

‒ Research required

2.6 Monitor and record ETP species– formal monitoring and recording required– identification cards for all boats– logbooks




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2.7 Implement a management plan for non-target species– will be determined by outcomes of points 2.1 – 2.6– may require closed areas or seasonal closures– or a ‘traffic light system’ of management– recording, reporting and feedback mechanisms essential




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R3: Monitoring and Management of Habitat and Ecosystem

3.1 Identify and map habitats in fishing area– impacts of Wash shrimp fishery on local seabed not well understood– develop habitat maps of the areas fished to identify areas not considered

highly vulnerable (e.g. sand) and areas that may be– use of VMS to improve data capture– some existing broad scale maps available

3.2 Improve fishing effort data collection– as required for other issues anyway (improved LPUE data)– match up habitat with fishing effort– Dutch fishery using VMS ‘black box’ system for data collection

3.3 Implement management measures– develop specific management measures to protect vulnerable habitats and

ecosystems– consider seasonal and/or spatial closuresMarine Ecological Surveys

Limited3 Palace Yard Mews

Bath, BA1 2NHTel: +44 (0) 1225 442211

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R4: Management

4.1 Develop a management plan for the fishery– sign agreements and set up a Producer’s Organisation– independent inspector monitors compliance and reports to management

group– information management for assessment, monitoring and feedback– documentation

4.2 Establish fishery management group– develop, formalise and monitor implementation of management plan– central point of contact– regular reporting




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Pink shrimp pre-assessment scores




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≥80 Pass


• Standards for MSC certification not met in 22 criteria

• Improvements required in 2 criteria

Principle OneOutcome Harvest Strategy 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 <60 <60 N/A <60 <60 <60 <60

Principle TwoRetained Species By-catch Species ETP Species Habitats Ecosystem 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 60-80 ≥80 ≥80 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60 <60

Principle ThreeGovernance and Policy Fishery Specific Management System 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 60-80 ≥80 <60 <60 <60 ≥80 ≥80 <60 ≥80


Recommendations for Pink Shrimp

All brown shrimp recommendations apply with the additional issues of:

• Almost no data collected for this fishery• Impact on sensitive ‘Annex 1’ habitat, Sabellaria

spinulosa’ reefs to be assessed and management plants put in place

• Lack of expert advice but MSC certified fisheries e.g. Canadian offshore pink shrimp fishery BUT habitat in UK may need extra consideration

• With only ONE vessel ‘ideal’ opportunity to develop best practice at minimum cost




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pre-assessment of the east coast brown and pink shrimp fisheries

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