Risk Maps for fisheries management approved for 2011 by the EU for the main stocks managed in the North East Atlantic

Transcription

1 Risk Maps for fisheries management approved for 2011 by the EU for the main stocks managed in the North East Atlantic Introduction Fisheries resources management in the European Union is controlled by a set of regulations aimed at ensuring the sustainable exploitation of community resources and defining as much the authorised catches per species as the technical measures or mechanisms for control, among other things. In reality though, a large number of the Atlantic stocks managed in Europe are overexploited (63%) and only a minority (13%) present biomass levels that guarantee their Maximum Sustainable Yield, or use friendly fishing methods. In view of this reality, Oceana has repeatedly denounced the deficiencies of the management measures approved and implemented in the EU by Member States. These deficiencies include not complying with scientific recommendations when establishing fishing possibilities, and the use of non-selective fishing gear which generates high levels of bycatch and discards, and destructive gear that damages the habitats on which the stocks depend. This aim of this document is to summarise and graphically demonstrate the main threats posed by the current management measures approved by the EU for a representative sample of pelagic, demersal and deep-sea species. In many cases, the measures adopted compromise the sustainable exploitation of these species and endanger the activity s long-term economic and social viability. The species included in the analysis are: anchovy, anglerfish, black scabbardfish, blue whiting, cod, haddock, hake, herring, horse mackerel, ling, megrim, plaice, red seabream, saithe, sole, and sprat. Methodology used to draft the risk maps In order to draft the risk maps, for each species and area, a comparison was made between the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) approved by the main European regulations in the North East Atlantic scope 1,2 and the recommendations made by the Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) 3 concerning maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and the precautionary approach (PA). 1 Council Regulation (EU) No 57/2011 of 18 January 2011 fixing for 2011 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in EU waters and, for EU vessels, in certain non- EU waters. 2 Council Regulation (EU) No 1225/2010 of 13 December 2010 fixing for 2011 and 2012 the fishing opportunities for EU vessels for fish stocks of certain deep-sea fish species

2 To facilitate the interpretation of compliance with scientific advice, the results have been divided into the following 5 categories: The approved TAC complies with scientific recommendations. The approved TAC does not include sufficient scientific data on which to base management. The approved TAC does not comply with one or more scientific recommendations, the precautionary approach (PA) and/or maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The approved TAC does not comply with one or more scientific recommendations and the stock level is under safe biological limits. The stock is not exploited in the area or it was not possible to compare approved management with scientific recommendations. 2

3 Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) The anchovy is found on the coasts of the East Atlantic, from Norway down to South Africa. This coastal species forms large schools, moving north in summer and south in winter. Its diet consists of planktonic invertebrates. This species is exploited in a localised manner in the southern region of the North East Atlantic, by purse seiners and pelagic trawlers. For 2011, we can affirm that its management will run without any knowledge of the state of stocks, in subarea X and division IXb, or without following scientific recommendations, in subarea VIII and division IXa. In the regions where scientific recommendations have been made, we can differentiate between two stocks. The Northern stock, in the Bay of Biscay (subarea VIII), where the fishery was closed for 5 years due to stock collapse and where it has now been reopened. Contrary to all logic, the new approved TAC for the July-June campaign is more than double the catch recommended by ICES. According to this organisation, the approved TAC could once again place biomass levels below precautionary limits. Concerning the southern stock, west of the Iberian Peninsula (IXa), scientific recommendations to significantly reduce catches have once again been ignored. Thus, each year, the approved TACs are significantly higher than the recommended levels and place no restrictions on the fishery. Consequently, the latest biomass analyses show almost no presence of age class 0, indicating the overexploitation of the stock and an alarming decline in recruitment. Both stocks are far from MSY objectives. 3

4 Anglerfish (Lophius spp.) Anglerfish are found in the majority of the world's oceans. The two species found in the North Atlantic are the angler (Lophius piscatorius) and black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa). Anglerfish are distributed from the south-west of the Barents Sea to the Straits of Gibraltar and the African coasts, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The black-bellied angler is distributed more towards the south. Anglerfish live on soft or muddy ocean floors where they bury themselves waiting for prey, mainly fish. Anglerfish is targeted by deep sea trawl fleets and gill-netters, to a lesser degree, in direct or mixed fisheries along with hake, haddock, Norway lobster and megrim. This has a direct impact on the benthic ecosystems on which many of these species depend. For the stocks in the west of Scotland and Rockall, the approved 2% catch reduction is not enough to align with the scientific recommendations to reduce catches and efforts in these areas, particularly when these stocks have been in decline since On the other hand, management in line with scientific criteria in the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea, VIIb-k and VIIIabd will allow these stocks to continue to recover and stabilise. The case of the North Sea stock is of particular interest because its abundance has been on a downward trend since 2007, and in divisions VIIb-k where nearly 50% of the total catch is taken. In the Iberian Peninsula, the approved TACs for anglerfish are also in line with scientific recommendations. Such management fosters the recovery of these overexploited stocks now presenting very low biomass levels because scientific advice, including the closure of the fishery, has been ignored year after year, until now. 4

5 Black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) The black scabbardfish has been documented in the North East Atlantic with a distribution varying between 200m from the continental shelf west of the British Isles and around Iceland, between 1800m and 2300m from Madeira and the Canary Islands. There are few studies available on the life cycle of this species and there are only two known spawning areas in the entire Atlantic, in Madeira and the Canary Islands. Its initial stages of life have not been studied and juveniles are rarely caught. The species reaches maturity when it is roughly cm long. The few studies that are available on this species feeding habits indicate its diet is comprised primarily of fish, squid and crustaceans. The black scabbardfish is caught mainly by trawl and longline fleets in mixed fisheries along with grenadier and sharks. Although there is no information available on discards, these are considered insignificant. The management approved for the black scabbardfish almost entirely ignores scientific recommendations. A large part of the European fleet s catch is taken in the COPACE zone corresponding to waters of the Canary Islands and Madeira, not shown on the map, where the species is exploited with no knowledge on the state of the stock. For the other areas where the species is exploited, the scientific recommendations to fish under the established TAC, in subareas VIII, IX, VI, VII and divisions Vb XIIb, and to reduce catch volumes, in subareas I, II, IV, X and divisions IIIa, Va, have all been ignored. This management pattern compromises the recovery and sustainable exploitation of this deep-sea species characterised by its low productivity rate. It should be noted that the management of deep-sea species is planned for a two-year period. If the scientific recommendations for management do not vary for stocks V, VI, VII and XII, they would be complied with in

6 Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) Blue whiting is found on the coasts of the North-East and North-West Atlantic. In the North-East Atlantic, this species is found from the Barents Sea and south along the African coast to Cape Bojador. It is found on the continental shelf and slope down to 1000 meters where it feeds mainly on small crustaceans. Blue whiting is targeted mainly by pelagic trawlers. This method is relatively selective and bycatch and discards are not considered significant. Currently, stocks of this species in the North East Atlantic are in a clear state of overexploitation and collapse, being under precautionary and safe biological limits. This situation is due to an absence of management measures that meet with scientific recommendations, as fishing mortality rates have been consistently maintained above the recommended levels for years, including Although the proposed reductions are significant, again they do not meet the scientific recommendations to close the fishery as per the precautionary approach. Although the approved management measures will allow the stock to recover, the situation is so critical that scientists affirm the implemented management measures will not allow the fishery's biomass to reach safe precautionary levels in It should be noted that the current stock is comprised mainly of specimens of an advanced age classes, so that even the significant reductions approved for fishing mortality will not allow the stock to recover in the short term and its low recruitment levels are expected to continue. 6

7 Cod (Gadus morhua) This epibenthic, pelagic species can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from the coast to the boundaries of the continental shelf. It forms aggregations during the day. Cod is an omnivorous species and its diet consists of invertebrates and fish, including juvenile cod. The largest stocks are found in the Norwegian Arctic, the Barents Sea and Iceland. It is also found in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and west of Scotland. Cod is targeted mainly by bottom trawlers and constitutes the bycatch of other demersal fisheries, including haddock, Norway lobster, plaice and sole. This type of fishing gear generates high levels of cod discards of 30-60%, as well as discards of other species, compromises sustainable exploitation and damages ecosystems. The management measures approved for the species will not allow the stocks to recover from the current level of overexploitation. Moreover, some stocks will continue to decline despite being regulated with long-term management plans 4. The cases of west of Scotland, the Irish Sea, North Sea, the eastern English Channel, Skagerrak and Kattegat stocks are especially alarming. In these areas, the approved TACs, not based on scientific recommendations, along with the already deficient state of conservation with biomass levels under safe biological limits, will drive the collapse of these stocks. Scientists have been unsuccessfully recommending the closure of most of these fisheries for years. Furthermore, approved fishing mortality rates are higher than recommendations allow for in the Faroe Islands, east of Greenland, VIIe-k, Sound and Belt Sea. Only the stocks in the Norwegian, Barents and Baltic Seas comply with scientific management recommendations. However, a large exploited area is managed without any scientific information on the state of stocks. 4 Two management plans has been adopted by the EU, one for North Sea, Kattegat, Skagerrak, Eastern Channel, Irish Sea, and West Scotland in 2004, and other for Baltic Sea in ICES has evaluated the plans for Kattegat, Irish Sea, and concludes they are not in accordance with the precautionary approach. 7

8 Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Haddock is found in the North-East Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to the Barents Sea. It is also found in the North-West Atlantic. Adults are found between 80 and 200 meters depth, on rocky, sandy or gravel bottoms. The species feeds on benthic organisms including crustaceans, molluscs, equinoderms and fish. Haddock is targeted by trawl and longline fleets in mixed demersal fisheries and is part of the bycatch of Norway lobster, cod, whiting and saithe fisheries. These fishing methods generate high levels of discards that exceed 50% in some stocks, compromising the sustainable exploitation of the species. The management approved for the North Sea, Skagerrak-Kattegat and Rockall stocks, in line with scientific recommendations, will allow fishing mortality rates to remain within precautionary limits, with acceptable biomass levels. For the Irish Sea stock, although its biomass has suffered a serious decline in recent years compromising exploitation of the species, it is believed that the approved management measures will stop this trend. However, approved management in divisions VIIb-k, west of Scotland and the Faroe Islands, are not in line with scientific recommendations, and along with the overexploitation of this species in these areas, will make the short-term recovery of these stocks unlikely. The cases of the west of Scotland and Faroe Islands are especially alarming, where biomass levels are below safe biological limits. Lastly, there is insufficient information on the state of stocks in the entire western region, especially in divisions VIII and IX, where catch figures are significant. 8

9 Hake (Merluccius merluccius) European hake (Merluccius merluccius) is widely distributed throughout the North-East Atlantic, from Norway and Iceland down to southern Mauritania. This demersal species is found on ocean floors of between 70 and 370 meters in depth where it feeds on fish during its adult stages and crustaceans when juveniles. Hake is caught mainly by mixed fisheries with trawl, gill-nets and longlines along with anglerfish, megrim, Norway lobster, horse mackerel and Atlantic mackerel. The juvenile hake discards, generated mainly by the trawling fleet, can be significant in some areas and for some fleets, while the impacts on the ecosystem can also be serious. Hake management for 2011 differentiates between three large stocks 5, one in the North (IIIa, IV, VI, VII y VIIIa,b,d) that complies with scientific recommendations; one in the South (VIIIc y IXa) which ignores them, and another covering an extensive area in the North East Atlantic where the species is exploited without knowledge of the state of the stocks. The scientific recommendations for the southern stock to maintain the 2010 TAC have been ignored, and an increase in fishing mortality has been approved. This style of management compromises the recent recovery trend and encourages the continuation of overexploitation. In the past, scientific recommendations, and even advice to close the fishery, have also been ignored. In the northern stocks, where scientific recommendations have been complied with in recent years, along with a trend to decrease fishing mortality, reproductive biomass has recovered and now exceeds the precautionary limits. We trust that the management levels approved for 2011 will consolidate this recovery. 5 A recovery plans have been agreed by EU for the north stock in 2004 and for the south stock in ICES did not evaluate the plans. 9

10 Herring (Clupea harengus) Herring is found throughout the North Atlantic. In the North-East Atlantic, it is distributed from the Bay of Biscay up to Iceland and southern Greenland, including the Baltic Sea. The species forms schools in coastal waters and feeds on small pelagic copepods. Herring is targeted mainly by pelagic trawlers and purse seiners. These types of fishing gear are relatively selective and have low levels of bycatch and discards with a minimum impact on the sea bed. Most catches are taken in the Norwegian Sea and North Sea waters. The approved management measures for the Celtic Sea, southern Ireland, west of Scotland (VIa north) 6, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, east of the English Channel and the Norwegian Sea will allow the stocks to recover in some cases fishing mortality is at a historic low. Currently, population sizes are in healthy conditions, above precautionary limits and transitioning towards MSY values. However, the TACs approved for west of Scotland (VIa south), some divisions in the Baltic Sea, Irish Sea, and VIIbc stocks do not comply with scientific recommendations. These last three divisions are of particular concern because, due to stock overexploitation and collapse, scientists recommend closing the fisheries. In some cases, biomass and recruitment are at their lowest levels in 30 years. In addition, the catches approved for the Irish Sea could halt the recovery trend shown by this stock in recent years. 6 A management plan for the west of Scotland stock has been adopted by the EU in ICES has evaluated the plan as in accordance with the precautionary approach. 10

11 Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) Horse mackerel occurs in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic, from Norway to South Africa. It lives in coastal areas on sandy bottoms and forms large schools. Its diet consists mainly of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. Horse mackerel is targeted by mixed fisheries with pelagic trawlers and purse seines. Bycatch and discards generated by these methods are not considered significant. The western stock, divisions IIa, IVa, Vb, VIa, VIIa-c, VIIe-k, VIIIa-e, is in a healthy state, exceeding precautionary limits, because fishing mortality rates are low and consistent with MSY objectives. The approved management measures in line with scientific recommendations will help stabilise this situation. The state of the horse mackerel stock in the North Sea, divisions IIIa, IVb-c and VIId, is unknown. Since 1998 catches have tripled, a significant increase. Although the sustainability of this increase has not been evaluated and changes in the age structure have yet to be detected, the latest recruitment levels obtained in are weak and point to a difficult situation for stocks. The management approved for division IXa, contrary to scientific recommendations, may once again compromise this stock s state of conservation, which seemed to have stabilised after years of minimum biomass levels. 11

12 Ling (Molva molva) Ling occurs in North Atlantic waters. In the North-East Atlantic, it is found from the Barents Sea and Iceland down to Morocco. It lives on rocky bottoms in waters of between 100 and 400 meter depths. The ling s diet consists mainly of other fish, lobster and cephalopods. Ling is targeted by longliners in mixed fisheries and constitutes the bycatch of other demersal fisheries including cod, haddock and plaice. We can affirm that the management measures approved for ling practically ignore scientific recommendations. Only in the case of subarea V, where European fleet catches will be reduced by 6%, can we affirm with some reservations that management is in line with recommendations to reduce catches and not increase fishing effort. Although there is no reliable information available to evaluate the state of ling stocks, interpretations based on catch per unit effort (CPUE) seem to indicate that stocks are stable. This fact does not justify not reducing catches, as ICES advises. In fact, this organisation recently highlighted that there is no evidence to prove the fishery is sustainable. 12

13 Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.) The two species of megrim found in the North-East Atlantic are Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and Lepidorhombus boscii. Widely distributed, these species are found from Icelandic waters to the African coasts of the Western Sahara on soft bottoms and at depths ranging between 288 and 700 meters where they feed on small demersal fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. Megrim is targeted almost exclusively by deep-sea trawl fleets in mixed fisheries along with demersal species including hake, anglerfish and Norway lobster. The discards generated by these fishing techniques are considered substantial, reaching 60% of the catch, and damage to the benthic environment is significant. In the waters of the Iberian Peninsula, IXa and VIIIc, approved TACs are not in line with scientific recommendations despite the fact that stocks in both divisions have been declining since the 80s and continue suffering from overexploitation, showing alarmingly low biomass levels due to excessive fishing pressure. Although there are no analytical data available for the stocks in the Bay of Biscay (VIIIabd), west of Scotland, Rockall and the North Sea, the recommendation to maintain catch levels has also been ignored, despite the fact that some stocks, such as the North Sea stock, have shown an alarming decline in CPUE figures. In divisions VIIb-k, although the state of the stocks has not been evaluated, the management measures approved are in line with scientific criteria, favouring stable levels. Lastly, a large area in the North East Atlantic is exploited without any knowledge of the state of the stocks and without any assurance of sustainability. 13

14 Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) European plaice is distributed throughout the North-East Atlantic, from Greenland and Norway to Morocco. The distribution of the species in the water column depends on its age, where older specimens tend to migrate to greater depths. The species feeds on molluscs and polychaete worms. Plaice is targeted by bottom trawling fleets and in mixed fisheries along with other demersal species such as cod, sole and Norway lobster. These fishing techniques generate high rates of discards, sometimes exceeding 50% of the catch, and inflict direct damage on ecosystems. The TAC increase approved for the North Sea 7, where most European plaice is caught, exceeds the transition values recommended by scientists needed to reach MSY. Although it is true that the stock is in a good state, with biomass levels that exceed the precautionary limits, meaning it could sustain an increase in catch volumes, the proposed increase is too drastic and not in line with scientific criteria. In Skagerrak-Kattegat and divisions VIIf,g the TAC reductions approved for 2011 are not enough to comply with scientific recommendations for MSY in the first case, and PA and MSY in the second case. Non-compliance in division VIIf is particularly alarming because, until recently, this stock s biomass was under safe biological limits. For the remaining plaice stocks for which scientific information is available, divisions VIIa,d,e,hk, the recommendations have been followed and this will help to improve the state of conservation in many cases, because most of these, except for the Irish Sea stock (VIIa), are overexploited and present low biomass levels and high fishing mortality rates. 7 North Sea plaice is manage through a management plan implemented in An initial evaluation of the plan by ICES could not reach a conclusion about whether the plan was precautionary. 14

15 Red seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) Red seabream is generally distributed in the north-eastern Atlantic, from Norway to Mauritania. It lives atop rocky sea beds or sandy or muddy bottoms at depths reaching 700 meters. Younger specimens form shoals along the coast, in shallower areas, while the adults are usually distributed along the shelf. This species is omnivorous, although its diet usually consists of crustaceans, molluscs, annelids and small fish. Red seabream is mainly targeted by longliners and handlines, although it also constitutes the bycatch of other deep-sea fisheries. Approved management for red seabream goes against scientific recommendations in its entire scope of exploitation.the recommendations to reduce catches in subareas VI, VII and VIII (where it is part of the bycatch), and reduce total allowable catches in subareas IX and X have been completely ignored, even though ICES expressly called attention to signs of depletion in subareas VI, VII and VIII. Due to the low productivity rate of this species and its weak capacity to recover, scientific recommendations must be followed in order to ensure its recovery and sustainable exploitation. 15

16 Saithe (Pollachius virens) Saithe is distributed throughout the North-West and North-East Atlantic. In the case of the North-East Atlantic, the species occurs from the Barents Sea to the Bay of Biscay and around Iceland. A gregarious fish, the saithe migrates to and from the North and South, feeding predominantly on other fish. Saithe is targeted mainly by trawlers, as well as purse seiners and gill-netters to a lesser degree. Although saithe discards are considered insignificant, these fisheries usually generate discards of other commercial and non-commercial species. In the North Sea, Skagerrak, west of Scotland and Rockall, scientists have not been able to evaluate the state of the stocks, although biomass levels seem to be above the precautionary limits. In subareas I and II, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea, although biomass has declined over the last 3 years, it is still above the precautionary limits because fishing mortality has been below the PA since In these areas, it seems that approved management will not harm the state of the stocks. However, the excessive fishing mortality approved for the Faroe Islands stock, Vb, which directly opposes scientific recommendations and exceeds safe biological limits, is going to consolidate the decline in biomass observed in recent years. Although this stock currently exceeds precautionary limits, this type of management, along with the lowest levels of recruitment since 1998, is expected to generate a state of overexploitation within a few years. Lastly, it should be noted that most of the exploited area is managed with no scientific information on the stocks. There is thereforeno assurance of sustainability. 16

17 Sole (Solea solea) Sole is distributed throughout the East Atlantic, from the Norwegian Sea including the Baltic Sea and the North Sea -- down to Senegal. The species is non-gregarious, lives buried in sandy or muddy bottoms and its diet consists of molluscs, annelids and small crustaceans. Sole is targeted by deep-sea trawl fleets in demersal fisheries that directly damage benthic ecosystems, with bycatch of species including plaice, cod, Norway lobster or anglerfish. Although discards of sole are not significant, these fisheries can generate considerable discards of other species. Some of the stocks are managed through long-term management plans 8. The only stocks in 2011 that have been assigned catch levels in line with scientific recommendations are those in divisions VIIf-k, where adequate management measures implemented during recent years have allowed biomass levels to increase over MSY, and in the case of divisions VIIfg, catches have increased by 25% as compared with last year. However, the approved increases, between 15 and 20%, for stocks in Skagerrak-Kattegat, the Baltic Sea and the English Channel exceed the TACs recommended by scientists and are therefore unjustified, despite the fact that some stocks, like the Skagerrak-Kattegat and Baltic Sea stocks, are in an acceptable state of conservation. In addition, scientific recommendations have not been followed in the Irish Sea, North Sea and English Channel and VIIIab, where most catches are taken. The stock in the Irish Sea is of particular concern, with biomass levels below safe biological limits and at risk of collapse, where fishing mortality is almost double the target MSY. The stocks in the North Sea and eastern and western English Channel are similarly overexploited. In the rest of the North East Atlantic, the species is exploited without knowledge of the state of the stocks and without guaranteeing sustainability. 8 A multiannual plans for the sustainable exploitation of Bay of Biscay (2006), Western channel (2007) and North Sea (2007) sole has been agreed by EU. ICES has not evaluated the two first plans and for the third concluded that it can be provisionally accepted as precautionary. 17

18 Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) Sprat is distributed throughout the North-East Atlantic, from the North Sea down to Morocco. It also occurs in waters of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The species forms schools that migrate between the feeding grounds in winter and the spawning grounds in summer. Sprat is targeted by purse seiners and pelagic trawlers along with juvenile herring. The bycatch and discards generated by this activity are considered to be low. The TAC reduction for 2011 in the Baltic Sea, which exceeds 20%, is not in line with scientific recommendations. In this area, where over 50% of the sprat in European waters is taken, biomass has declined to the historic lows of the end of the 1990s due to increased fishing mortality, which reached its second highest level in There is a general lack of knowledge concerning the state of the stocks in the other divisions where the species is exploited including the Norwegian Sea, North Sea, Kattegat-Skagerrak and the English Channel. Due to these circumstances in these areas, the assigned TACs are similar to previous years although, as shown and based on landing data, these are not restrictive enough (in the case of the North Sea and the English Channel), and are even causing a drastic decline in volumes landed (Kattegak and Skagerrak). 18

19 Conclusions and recommendations European regulations on fishing opportunities are not in line with scientific recommendations and establish catch levels that exceed sustainable and recovery levels of exploitation. Decisions on fishing opportunities and other management measures must be based on the best available scientific advice. Independent management of scientific advice compromises the state of conservation of the stocks, reduces their potential productivity and threatens the activity s long-term social and economic viability. There is a significant lack of scientific recommendations on many stocks and areas. As such, management measures implemented on them are uncertain and cannot guarantee sustainability. A considerable effort should be made to increase the number of stocks assessed scientifically. Some long-term management plans implemented by the EU go against the precautionary approach, making modification essential, and some have not been evaluated by ICES, or are inadequately implemented. Before puting in force a long-term management plan, it must be evaluated by ICES to confirm its viability. Most demersal and benthic species are exploited with non-selective and destructive gear (e.g. bottom trawling), which generates high rates of bycatch and discards, and directly damages the ecosystem on which these species depend. Highly damaging fishing practices must be eliminated and a package of technical measures, including Best Available Technologies (BATs), must be implemented to reduce the impact of fisheries. Current fishing resources management does not include ecosystem-based criteria to guarantee that catch levels will allow for the conservation of the ecosystem s composition, structure and functionality. The management measures implemented by the EU for many stocks systematically contradicts European and international commitments on the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources and reaching maximum sustainable yield. 19

20 20

21 Annex Description of ICES areas Subarea Division Subdivision Descriptión Subarea I Barents Sea Subarea II Norwegian Sea, Spitzbergen, and Bear Island Division IIa Norwegian Sea Division IIb Spitzbergen and Bear Island Subarea III Skagerrak, Kattegat, Sound, Belt Sea, and Baltic Sea, the Sound and Belt together known also as the Transition Area Division IIIa Skagerrak and Kattegat Division IIIb Sound and Belt Sea or the Transition Area Subdivision 22 Belt Sea Subdivision 23 Sound Division IIId Baltic Sea Subdivision 24 Baltic West of Bornholm Subdivision 25 Southern Central Baltic West Subdivision 26 Southern Central Baltic - East Subdivision 27 West of Gotland Subdivision 28 East of Gotland or Gulf of Riga Subdivision 29 Archipelago Sea Subdivision 30 Bothnian Sea Subdivision 31 Bothnian Bay Subdivision 32 Gulf of Finland Subarea IV North Sea Division IVa Northern North Sea Division IVb Central North Sea Division IVc Southern North Sea Subarea V Iceland and Faeroes Grounds Division Va Iceland Grounds Division Vb Faeroes Grounds Subdivision Vb1 Faeroe Plateau Subdivision Vb2 Faeroe Bank Subarea VI Rockall, Northwest Coast of Scotland and North Ireland, (the Northwest Coast of Scotland and North Ireland also known as the West of Scotland) Division VIa Northwest Coast of Scotland and North Ireland or as the West of Scotland Division VIb Rockall Subarea VII Irish Sea, West of Ireland, Porcupine Bank, Eastern and Western English Channel, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea North and South, and Southwest of Ireland - East and West Division VIIa Irish Sea Division VIIb West of Ireland Division VIIc Porcupine Bank Division VIId Eastern English Channel Division VIIe Western English Channel Division VIIf Bristol Channel Division VIIg Celtic Sea North Division VIIh Celtic Sea South Division VIIj Southwest of Ireland / East Division VIIk Southwest of Ireland - West Subarea VIII Bay of Biscay Division VIIIa Bay of Biscay / North Division VIIIb Bay of Biscay / Central Division VIIIc Bay of Biscay / South Division VIIId Bay of Biscay / Offshore Division VIIIe West of Bay of Biscay Subarea IX Portuguese Waters Division IXa Portuguese Waters / East Division IXb Portuguese Waters / West Subarea X Azores Grounds Division Xa Azores Grounds Division Xb Northeast Atlantic South Subarea XI Subarea XII North of Azores Division XIIa Southern mid-atlantic Ridge (Southern Reykjanes Ridge south to Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone) Division XIIb Western Hatton Bank Division XIIc Central Northeast Atlantic - South Subarea XIII Subarea XIV East Greenland Division XIVa Northeast Greenland Division XIVb Southeast Greenland Division XIVb1 Southeast Greenland - Parts of NEAFC Regulatory Area Division XIVb1 Southeast Greenland - Non-NEAFC Regulatory Area 21

22 22

23 Plaza España-Leganitos 47 Rue Montoyer 39 Nyhavn 16, 4 sal Madrid, Spain Brussels, Belgium 1051 Copenhagen, Denmark Ph.: Ph.:+32 (0) Ph.: Fax: Fax: +32 (0) europe@oceana.org Web: Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world s oceans. Our team of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and other collaborators are achieving specific changes in the legislation to reduce pollution and prevent the irreversible collapse of fish stocks, protect marine mammals and other forms of marine life. With a global perspective and devoted to conservation, Oceana has offices in Europe, North America, South America and Central America. Over 300,000 collaborators and cyber activists in 150 countries have already joined Oceana. For more information, visit 23