Advice and Recommendations

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.

The three ACs are pleased with the establishment of the ICES Working Group on Offshore Wind Development and Fisheries (WGOWDF) in 2020. They firmly believe that independent scientific research on the impacts of marine wind energy developments on commercial fish stocks is necessary and timely, as a basis for defining appropriate measures for the protection of essential fishing grounds. The three ACs therefore ask the European Commission to consider the research questions formulated in the recommendation as a basis for a non-recurrent request to ICES, which will support future work of the ACs Ecosystem work in developing advice for the preservation of essential habitats for relevant fish stocks.

In its response, the Commission has indicated that it would be unable to put forward such request to ICES as it was not deemed appropriate for a non-recurrent request. However, the Commission expressed willingness to engage with the three ACs on this topic through an informal meeting, but was constrained by the Brexit negotiations throughout most of 2021. The Pelagic AC will pursue an opportunity in the next financial year to discuss with the Commission and the co-signatory ACs alternative options for increased scientific input.

The Pelagic AC supports the Social Dialogue in its prioritization of fair and equitable labour conditions for workers onboard fishing vessels, and its call to align capacity rules of the CFP to accommodate the ratification of international labour standards.