Lobster in Northern Ireland waters (ICES areas 6a and 7a), pots and traps

Transcription

1 Lobster in Northern Ireland waters (ICES areas 6a and 7a), pots and traps Lobster in Northern Ireland waters (ICES areas 6a and 7a), pots and traps Content last updated 2nd Oct 2017 Stock: Irish Sea lobster Management: Northern Ireland fisheries management Overview The European lobster is found in most areas of the British Isles, particularly off rocky coastlines. The diet of the adults consists mainly of benthic invertebrates such as crabs, molluscs, sea urchins, polychaete worms and starfish, but may also include fish and plants. The majority of lobsters are caught in waters shallower than 30 m but they may be found as deep as 150 m. The growth rate of lobsters is highly variable. Individuals recruiting into the fishery at the minimum landing size of 87 mm carapace length can be between 4 and 12 years old. The size at 50% maturity for female lobsters is estimated to range from 77mm carapace length (CL) to over 103mm (Free et al, 1992; Tully et al., 2001; Lizárrago-Cubedo et al., 2003; Cefas, unpublished, 2004; Laurans et al., 2009). Fecundity of lobsters is moderate; ranging from around 5000 eggs at first maturation to to for lobsters of around 120mm CL (Hepper & Gough, 1978; Latrouite et al., 1984; Bennett & Howard, 1987; Free et al.,1992; Roberts, 1992; Free, 1994; Tully et al., 2001; Lizárrago-Cubedo et al., 2003; Agnalt, 2007). The potential reproductive life span of a female lobster is in excess of 40 years, although individual females are not thought to spawn every year. Amongst the largest reported lobsters in the UK are a female of 157 mm (carapace length), thought to be about 72 years old, and an 11 lb (5 kg) lobster from the Hebrides estimated as 190 mm carapace length (MSC, 2007; Marine Scotland Science 2015). This profile is for lobsters from the inshore waters around Northern Ireland. It is comprised of ICES statistical rectangles surrounding Northern Ireland (6a and 7a) and inshore areas within Northern Ireland waters. Stock Status less risk more risk European lobster in the Irish Sea has been scored a high risk. There is no stock information, and lobster s life history traits mean it has a moderate to high vulnerability to exploitation. Management less risk more risk Stock management of lobsters in Northern Ireland waters has been scored as low risk. Management measures are in place and MLS is enforced at sea and dockside, all vessels submitting logbooks and larger vessels subject to VMS. In addition, Northern Ireland have been v- notching lobsters for more than twelve years. Genetic analysis has proven v-notching to be an effective stock enhancement tool, with conservative estimates of between 4-15 tonnes of landings in to County Down between 2007 and 2013 being attributed directly to the v- notching scheme. Bycatch less risk more risk The bycatch risk of this fishery has been scored as Low risk. This is because significant capture of undersized and unwanted crabs and lobster occurs, but these are released alive through escape gaps or discarded on hauling and survival rates are believed to be high. Catch of protected, endangered and threatened species is minimal. Ghost fishing by lost pots is not considered to be a problem. Habitat less risk more risk

2 The habitat risk of this fishery has been scored as low risk. This is because evidence suggests fishery impacts on the sea bed are restricted to some abrasion caused by dragging pots and anchors during hauling and tide and wave action (Grieve et al., 2015). The static gear used to prosecute the fishery is in contact with the bottom, but unlikely to have significant interaction with vulnerable habitats. Vulnerable marine habitats are protected within Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR, 2013) and any kind of fishery there might be controlled if deemed necessary. Outlook Type Current Risk Status Outlook Reason Stock High Stable Stock assumed to be stable. Management Low Stable Management regime appears stable. Bycatch Low Stable Pots and traps have very little bycatch impact. Habitat Low Stable Pots and traps have minimal impacts on seafloor habitats.

3 Stock Status Details less risk more risk No information

4 Management Details less risk more risk In 2006 the Registration of Fish Buyers and Sellers and Designation of fish auction sites regulations (Northern Ireland) was created. Under these regulations sales notes must be submitted within 48 hours of sale by the registered seller (if fish sold at auction) or the buyer. The sales notes must include the name of the species, its geographical area of origin, price and quality of each species, the vessel landing the species and the port and date landed. Sales notes are not required if the quantity landed is less than 25kg per day and is being sold direct to the public. This has significantly increased the data available to monitor the effort and landings into Northern Ireland. Management controls are rational in terms of life history, with MLS broadly reflecting size at maturity, ensuring that most lobsters have the opportunity to spawn at least once before entering the fishery. EC legislation sets a minimum landing size (MLS) of 87mm carapace length for lobsters in the UK. The Unlicensed Fishing for Crabs and Lobster Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 was introduced by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to improve the management and conservation of crab and lobster and to prevent the increase in fishing by hobby fishermen who did not hold a license. Under the regulations it prevents anyone without a license from: Landing more than five crab and one lobster per day using more than 5 pots using a stock cage V-notching has been used as a tool in the management of lobster stocks in Northern Ireland for over 10 years. V-notching involves the notching of the tail (Figure 5) of any berried female before returning it the sea. Any female which has been v-notched should not be landed. This reduces the harvest rate on reproductive females, and, as the v-notch can last several moults, it means the female is protected for a number of years. The North East Lobster Cooperative have v-notched almost 27,000 berried lobsters along the County Down coast between 2003 and 2014 (a separate v-notching scheme is run on the East Antrim and North Coast by the North Coast Lobster Fishermen s Association). Genetic analysis has proven v-notching to be an effective stock enhancement tool. Conservative estimates show that between 9-33% of all lobsters landed from County Down between 2007 and 2013 could be attributed directly to the v-notching scheme. This equates to between 4-15 tonnes of County Down landings. Between 2013 and 2015 the average LPUE of lobsters along the North and East Antrim Coasts was 10.6kg per 100 pots. This is comparable to LPUE in the same area during the 1970 s. However, the total landings has increased massively from mean landings between 1954 and 1973 of 17 tonnes, to over 100 tonnes in As the LPUE is similar, with an increase in landings and effort, the lobster fishery today can be viewed as being in a better condition. The Northern Ireland lobster fishery is regulated and enforced by DAERA. The requirements for surveillance and sanctions for infringements are laid down in the EU Control Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, which amended previous similar regulations. The use of VMS system is a legal requirement for all vessels with overall length above 12m for EU vessels. Council Regulation 1966/2006 requires fishing vessels to record and report catch data electronically. This began in January 2010 for vessels of 24 metres and greater overall length and the rest of the fleet followed, according to the timetable below (as set out in 1224/2009): As of 01 January 2010 vessels of 24 metres overall. As of 01 January 2011 vessels over 15 metres overall to 24 metres overall operating in Third Country Waters As of 01 July 2011 vessels of 15 metres overall to 24 metres overall As of 01 January 2012 vessels of 12 metres to 15 metres Northern Ireland landings data comes from the MSR1 form (Monthly Shellfish Returns) which are submitted by the fishermen to DAERA. Fishing effort is derived from Monthly Shellfish Activity Returns for <=12m vessels or EU logbooks for >12m vessels. Reporting systems have changed over time resulting in changes in data quality (predominantly improvements). References ABPmer, Summary of Evidence Sources on Impacts of Potting on Designated Features. Workshop 25th February ABPmer. P1-9. AFBI (2013) Pot fishing in Northern Ireland. Prepared by AFBI Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch for DARD Fisheries and Environment Division. Agnalt, A. L., Fecundity of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) off southwestern Norway after stock enhancement: do cultured females produce as many eggs as wild females? ICES J. Mar. Sci., 65: Bennett D. B. & Howard A. E. Estimates of lobster (Homarus gammarus) fecundity from east and west Britain ICES Document CM 1987/K: 47. Eno, N. C., MacDonald, D. S., Kinnear, J. A. M., Amos, C. S., Chapman, C. J., Clark, R. A., Bunker, F. St P. D., and Munro, C Effects of crustacean traps on benthic fauna ICES Journal of Marine Science, 58:

5 Free, E.K., Tyler, P.A.V. & Addison, J.T., Lobster (Homarus gammarus) fecundity and maturity in England and Wales. ICES CM 1992/K:43, 13pp. Free, E.K., Reproductive processes in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. PhD thesis, Univ. Southampton. 447pp. Grieve C, Brady D.C. and Polet H. (2014) Best practices for managing, measuring and mitigating the benthic impacts of fishing Part 1. Marine Stewardship Council Science Series 2: Grieve C, Brady D.C. and Polet H. (2015) Best practices for managing, measuring and mitigating the benthic impacts of fishing Part 1. Marine Stewardship Council Science Series 2: Hepper, B.T. & Gough, C.J., Fecundity and rate of embryonic development of the lobster, Homarus gammarus (L), off the coast of North Wales. J. du Conseil ICES, 38: Lizárrago -Cubedo, H.A., Tuck, I., Bailey, N. Pierce, G.J. & Kinnear J.A.M., Comparisons of size at maturity and fecundity of two Scottish populations of the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Fish. Res. 65: Latrouite, D., Morizur, Y. & Raguenes, G., Fécondités individuelle et par recrue du homard Européen, Homarus gammarus (L.) des côtes Françaises. ICES CM1984/K:38, 18pp. Laurans, M., Fifas, S., Demaneche, S., Brérette, S. & Debec, O., O Modelling seasonal and annual variation in size at functional maturity in the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) from self-sampling data. ICES Journal of Marine Science : MSC (2012) MSC sustainable fisheries certification. The SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab, lobster and scallop fishery.public Certification Report. January pp. MARLIN, 2014; Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland MarLIN. Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, England. MSC, Certification report for NESFC lobster fishery. Client: North East Sea Fisheries Committee. Ref: v5. 89 pp. MSC, MSC sustainable fisheries certification. The SSMO Shetland inshore brown & velvet crab, lobster and scallop fishery.public Certification Report. January pp. Marine Science Scotland (2015). Fish and Shellfish Stocks: 2015 Edition. 54 pp. OSPAR, Status Report on the OSPAR Network of Marine Protected Areas. 65 pp. [ [Date Accessed: 17-Dec-15] Pierpoint, C Bycatch of marine turtles in UK and Irish waters. JNCC Report No pp Roberts E. A Fecundity of the European lobster Homarus gammarus (L.) from the central south coast of England; p. 53. MSc thesis. University of Southampton. Swarbrick, J. and Arkley, K The evaluation of ghost fishing preventers for shellfish traps, Defra Commission MF 0724 under the programme Impact of fishing. Seafish report No SR549. Seafish Industry Authority, Hull. 42 pp. Tully, O., Roantree, V. & Robinson, M., Maturity, fecundity and reproductive potential of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Ireland. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 81:61-68.

6 Bycatch Details less risk more risk Targeting and behaviour European lobster and edible crab are caught in the U.K. using fleets of baited static gear pots, traps or creels. Different configurations and styles of pot gear can be used depending on the targeted crustacean and the fishery location i.e. inshore or offshore. Pots styles include two chambered (parlour), top opening (inkwell pot) or side-opening (creel). Parlour pots are typically around 92 cm (36 ) long by 56 cm (22 ) wide, usually double soft-eyed and can incorporate an internal parlour (chamber designed to retain the catch). Inkwell pots typically range between 60 cm (24 ) to 76 cm (30 ) diameter. Traditionally pot frames were wood, but in recent years pots are steel-framed, or sometimes plastic, and covered with netting (MSC 2007). The bottom bars are usually spaced cm, but can be narrower if other species are also targeted (e.g. velvet crabs). On average pots last between 3-7 years whilst twine may last 2-5 years with maintenance. In European waters, pots are fished individually or in strings (fleets) that can be up to 100 pots, at each end of which is an anchor and buoy. The total number of pots and size of strings used is determined by boat size, the number of crew and the fishing ground. Fishers have typically hauled pots every 24hrs (weather permitting) to harvest any catch and replace bait, but as the retention properties of pots have improved (due to soft-eyes and double chambered parlour pots) longer soak times have become prevalent. Gear can often be re-set in the same place for several days although there is typically sufficient deck space to allow one or two fleets to be moved to new locations. The target crustaceans crawl into the pots voluntarily, but the pot is designed in such manner that the entrance serves as a non-return device. Ghost fishing occurs very rarely and then only for limited duration. Inkwell pots and creels allow trapped prey to escape after about 3 days. Escapes will eventually occur from parlour traps and soft-eyed traps by crabs gradually cutting their way through although this might not occur until after about 3 months (Swarbrick and Arkley, 2002). Evidence of bycatch risk Mesh size and bar spacing allow juveniles to escape and undersized species can typically be released alive when the catch is sorted together with non-commercial crustaceans like hermit crabs or shore crabs. There might be occasionally an unquantified but likely small by-catch of finfish (MSC, 2007). The bycatch level in pot fisheries everywhere around U.K. is very low, and was estimated at 1% of total catch around Shetland Islands (not including discards of undersize or berried retained/ target species). The use of escape gaps/panels in pots is becoming more common around the UK. Escape gaps/panels allow all velvet swimming crab and undersized edible crab to escape the creels (Marine Science Scotland 2015). Fishers have reported that escape panels mean fewer undersized animals are caught leaving more room for target catch (AFBI, 2013). However, where there is a targeted velvet crab fishery, escape panels can cause significant losses to the target species (Cappell et al., 2011). In Northern Ireland escape panels are becoming more popular for fishermen who are not actively targeting velvet crab. Catch in pots include crab species (edible, velvet, green, hermit, etc.), whelks, octopus and some fish species, mainly Ballan wrasse, rockling, dogfish and conger eel and occasionally others. Discard survival is high. Protected, Endangered and Threatened (PET) are rarely caught in the pot fishery though leatherback turtles have very occasionally become entangled in pot ropes (Pierpoint, 2000). Bycatch are usually alive and undamaged and can be returned to the sea (Swarbrick and Arkley, 2002; MSC, 2007). Mitigation measures Bycatch of undersized lobster and crab is regulated by a minimum landing size (MLS). Landing of other stages (soft, crippled, or berried) is prohibited in some fisheries across the UK but not in Northern Ireland. Minimum landing sizes also apply to other commercial species taken with lobsters (e.g. crabs and velvet crab) (MSC, 2012).

7 Habitat Details less risk more risk Gear effect, targeting and behaviour The pots are laid in fleets or strings upon the benthic substrate, which tends to be harder ground such as gravel or gravely mud, in depths of around m. The seafloor tends to be a substrate suited to the particular target species. Usual potting areas do not have strong tidal flows and currents rarely exceed 3 knots. A survey by Seafish in Norfolk, Southwest England and Scotland showed that most of interviewed fishers had recovered traps lost for varying periods of time and they seldom contained any catch. In most cases they were damaged and had no residual fishing capability, so the problem of ghost fishing appears negligible (Swarbrick, J., Arkley, K. 2002). Risk of habitat impacts Habitat preferences of lobsters are for rocky areas, and also their need for nearby sedimentary habitats, with generally around 50% of lobsters being caught on bedrock or boulder habitats, with the next largest proportion found on mixed substratum with cobbles, and then sands. There have been several studies looking into habitat impacts of pot fishing with evidence suggesting that these range from insignificant to substantial cumulative damage from mechanical abrasion on deployment and retrieval of pots especially to sessile, slow-growing or delicate flora and fauna such as Ross coral or Sabellaria (Grieve et al., 2015, ABPmer, 2015). Pot fisheries exert minimal impact upon ecological system structure and functioning (Eno, 2001, MSC, 2007). Mitigation measures Fishing which has occurred in specific locations over many years is likely to result in the seabed ecosystem adapting to fishing activity. However, there are sensitive areas, mostly outside the core areas of the fishery which may be vulnerable and there has been substantial work over recent years to map and protect these areas. These initiatives have resulted in improvements in habitat mapping and risk assessment of the effects of deploying and retrieving gear on the seabed. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) from the European Union (Council Directive 56/2008), Member States have committed to aim towards good environmental status (GES) for the seabed habitats by The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention ), which was signed up to by 15 nations plus the European Union, is developing a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas to protect vulnerable marine habitats in the North-East Atlantic. The development of offshore Special Areas of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 43/1992) contributes to this process as does the UK Marine Act designating Marine Protected Areas in UK waters. Marine Protected Areas will cover almost 10% of the North Sea (OSPAR, 2013). The UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is engaging in a programme designed to assess the effects of fisheries and implement management measures where sites are considered at risk. Similar initiatives are taking place in other European countries. In Northern Ireland a non-disturbance zone has been implemented in Strangford Lough prohibiting all fishing activities, including potting from the area, in order to protect the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus. All content 2017 Seafish. Origin Way, Europarc, Grimsby, DN37 9TZ. This page created on 2nd December 2017 at 07:34pm.