Advice and Recommendations

The issue of bycatch of sensitive species in pelagic gears was recently selected as a core theme to work on within the PelAC Ecosystem Focus Group (EFG). It is recognized within the EFG that further development of a sound knowledge base as regards bycatch data, impacts on sensitive species and effective measures, would progress the work of the EFG in a meaningful way. The CIBBRiNA project is therefore considered timely and relevant. The Pelagic AC therefore submitted a letter of support to the CIBBRiNA project as added weight for the funding application process at LIFE, and accepted to become part of the project’s stakeholder advisory board if the funds are honored.

In May 2022, the LIFE office informed the project coordinator that unfortunately – although the project has in principle received a favourable evaluation — it is currently not high enough in the ranking to be funded (given the budget limit of the call). The CIBBRiNA project then decided to incorporate the EC evaluation points in a revised proposal of CIBBRiNA and resubmit this for the next LIFE round on 4 October 2022.

The joint letter issued by LDAC, Europêche, and ETF on the social dimension to fisheries management and policy, highlights a number of important legal instruments for maritime safety and labour in EU fisheries and underscores the pressing need to ensure all necessary elements are appropriately and rapidly transposed into relevant community and national law, for the benefit of seafarers and their communities. Due to the importance of progress against these objectives, the Pelagic AC felt compelled to voice its support for the LDAC, Europêche and ETF’s communication on the subject.

The PelAC has sent a letter to the NSAC requesting to deal with pelagic stocks in several areas currently sitting under the NSAC remit: ICES sub areas IV and IIIa (Sprat, Norway pout, Greater silver smelt), ICES divisions IVa–c, 6a and Subdivisions 20-22 (Sandeel). The NSAC is currently not issuing advice for these stocks. The PelAC therefore asked if the Pelagic AC could cover the advice for these stocks informally while awaiting the next reform of the CFP, where Annex III can be amended formally to reflect this change.

The NSAC replied that it would welcome the discussion for the creating of a joint-Focus Group on these stocks, that will remain under the competency of the NSAC.

The PelAC has sent a letter to the NWWAC requesting to deal with pelagic stocks in several areas currently sitting under the NWWAC remit: ICES subarea VI and areas VIIa-k (sprat), Union waters of ICES areas VI and VII (Greater silver smelt). The NWWAC is currently not issuing advice for these stocks. The PelAC therefore asked if the Pelagic AC could cover the advice for these stocks informally while awaiting the next reform of the CFP, where Annex III can be amended formally to reflect this change.

In its reply, the NWWAC proposed a virtual meeting between the Chairs and Secretariats of both ACs to discuss the development of a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ for creating joint-advice, while still respecting each others’ competencies.

The Pelagic AC provides recommendations on TACs in 2022 for stocks under its remit.

For two years running, ICES has advised a zero TAC for the western Baltic herring stock in sub-divisions 20-24. It has been the subject of discussion in our Advisory Councils, both of which advise on this stock.  ICES recently held a Working Group on rebuilding plans (WKREBUILD) from 24th – 28th February 2020. Representatives from both of the Advisory Councils took part. However, the workshop was inconclusive on what kind of approach to take towards rebuilding plans, and it is too early to conclude what the outcome of the work will be. One particular issue highlighted was the need to clarify whether the purpose of rebuilding plans is to focus on the conservation of stocks or on the continuation of a particular fishery.

Both ACs consider oil/gas exploration an important sector in European offshore areas contributing to underwater noise. However, the impacts of these activities on fish, shellfish, spawning grounds and larval development, both on the long and short term, remain poorly understood by the scientific community. Both ACs are of firm belief that independent scientific research on seismic impacts is necessary and urgent. We would therefore highly encourage the development of scientific expertise by ICES in this research field, in the form of a non-recurrent request.

The Pelagic AC agrees with the provisions of the resolution on international ocean governance adopted by the European Parliament in January 2018 regarding deep-seabed mining. In addition to scientific concerns, the Pelagic AC supports the European Parliament’s concerns in this respect on its resolution. PELAC has 4 recommendations about this matter.

Two issues relating to the implementation and sustainable use of banking and borrowing provisions provided in the CFP and the way these provisions are integrated in the design of long term management plans and underlying scientific analysis.

The purpose of the Western horse mackerel rebuilding plan is to ensure stock recovery to safe biomass levels and a long-term stock exploitation that is consistent with the precautionary approach and with achieving the objective of maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

In response to EFCA’s request to the ACs to contribute with ideas on how to strengthen cooperation and on the development of TOR for the Advisory Board meetings, the Baltic AC and the Pelagic AC have made some comments.