National Shellfish Resource Base: Cost-effective & efficient methodology to map inshore <10 m shellfish fleet

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1 National Shellfish Resource Base: Cost-effective & efficient methodology to map inshore <10 m shellfish fleet Report to Shellfish Industry Development Strategy Dr Andrew Woolmer May 2009

2 Acknowledgements The author would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance and time given by the shellfish fishermen who participated in the trial surveys: Eastbourne Peter Newton-Smith Michael Newton Smith Graham Doswell Ian Holbrooke Brian Westgate Scott Possnicker Philip Parker Paul Humble Cardigan Bay and North Wales Mark Roberts Arthur Parry Jones Wyn Owen Clint Davies Terry Locke Alwyn Hughes Shaun Ryan Glynn Roberts Special thanks go to Rob Clark at Sussex SFC, Graham Dobson of the Eastbourne Fishermen and Boatman s Protection Society, and Mike Parry of the Llyn Fishermen s Association who all facilitated the trial surveys and without whom the study would not have been a success. Thanks also to Tom Pickerell at SAGB, Bill Cook at North Wales and North Western SFC, and Mark Gray at Seafish who provide key comments on an early draft of this report. ii P a g e

3 National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping Executive Summary Recent developments in marine policy and legislation such as the planned Marine and Coastal Access Act, The EU Water Framework Directive & Marine Framework Strategy Directive and a reformed Common Fisheries Policy are resulting in imminent changes to the way in which marine resources are managed which will affect the activities of the shellfish fishing sector. Furthermore, greater development pressures are being placed on shellfish production waters from a range of interests. As a consequence of these changes in approach there is an urgent need for accurate and informative information on the geographic extent and effort levels of shellfish fishing activities to provide an evidence base on which particularly important areas for shellfisheries can be identified and potential conflicts between shellfisheries and other sectors can be addressed. A prerequisite for the development of marine spatial plans is accurate spatial information about resource use and requirements in planning areas. The consideration of socio-economic impacts of MCZ designation is central to the MCZ site selection process outlined in the Marine and Coastal Access Act. In order that the requirements of the shellfish industry are adequately represented, considered and addressed in these processes it is essential that accurate spatial information on their current and planned operations is available. At the present time there is a paucity of detailed fishing activity information at the spatial resolution necessary to inform spatial management and the MCZ site selection process; this is especially true for the inshore <10 m shellfish fleet. This data gap is a consequence of the low spatial resolution, sectoral exclusion and non-compliance issues inherent in the EU and M&FA logbook schemes and exacerbated by coverage and resource constraints affecting at sea and overflight surveillance data. The aim of the current study was to develop a cost-effective, efficient mapping approach that will provide the means to address these information shortfalls. A review of current activity and effort mapping studies highlighted the most relevant approaches for recording spatial shellfishery information and identified the key data requirements need to adequately describe the activities of the shellfish industry. The review evaluated the methodology employed during the FisherMap, the approach that will most likely be adopted by the 4 regional MCZ projects, to assess its capacity to gather relevant fisheries activity data. The FisherMap study was found to have failed to record key fisheries activity information including, Historical information on fishing activities, Fishing effort data, Economic information or value multipliers, Indicators of survey coverage or representativeness. The current study developed a consultative mapping approach that would record key spatial information necessary to describe the spatial activity of the UK shellfish industry. The SIDS mapping approach included the recording historic as well as current spatial activity data, quantitative effort estimate data and seasonal activity information. Effort estimate data enabled further analyses including applying value multipliers to derive the economic values for individual fishing grounds. iii P a g e

4 This approach was trialled in two pilot studies; a static gear fishery at Eastbourne, and; a mobile gear scallop fishery in Cardigan Bay and North Wales. Feedback on the SIDS mapping approach from participating shellfish fishermen was very positive and the results of the survey enabled a series of detailed activity maps to be produced. Further GIS analyses linked fishing activity with seabed habitats and features but highlighted the need for accurate seabed habitat data to enable effective spatial management of sensitive habitats. A validation analysis of spatial data produced during the SIDS trials with independent sightings data established that the datasets were statistically identical. This is the first time that a statistical link between consultative fishing activity data and an independent fishing activity dataset has been established. This provides confirmation that fishermen derived mapping data can be reliable and accurate, and can be used to inform marine planning with a degree of confidence. It is imperative that the remainder of the inshore <10 m shellfish fleet is mapped to ensure this sector can engage in marine spatial planning. The approach identified in this report provides a cost-effective, efficient methodology to ensure this can happen. iv P a g e

5 Contents Acknowledgements... ii Executive Summary... iii 1.0 Introduction Spatial Fishery Information Gathering Methodologies Observational or Surveillance Data Logbook Schemes Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Surveillance Information At Sea Sightings or Overflight Observations Conclusions Consultative and Voluntary Approaches to Spatial Fishery Information Gathering Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative: Fisheries Uses and Values Project Greater Thames Fisheries Survey Case Study FisherMap South Wales Fishing Activity Study Conclusions SIDS Activity Mapping Approach and Methods Scope of Information Recorded Proxy Effort Data Effort Estimates Spatial Resolution Trial Participants Scope of SIDS Fishing Activity Trials Mapping Trial 1. Eastbourne Shellfish Fishery (Static Gear) Background Pre-survey Planning Fishermen Mapping Interviews Results Summary Analysis of Eastbourne Shellfish Fishing Activity Combined Current and Historic Shellfish Fishing Activity Patterns Current and Historic Lobster and Crab Potting Activity Patterns Current and Historic Whelk Potting Activity Patterns Current and Historic Cuttlefish Netting and Potting Activity Patterns Spatial Economic Analysis of Eastbourne Shellfisheries v P a g e

6 5.6 Fishery Sensitive Areas Migration Routes and Nursery Grounds Linking Fishing Activity with Seabed Habitats Validation of Fishing Activity Analyses by Fishermen Validation of Fishermen Derived Data with Independent Observational Data Mapping Trial 2. Cardigan Bay and North Wales Inshore Scallop Fishery (mobile gear) Background Pre-survey Planning Fishermen Mapping Interviews Results Summary and Lessons Analysis of Scalloping Activity in Cardigan Bay and North Wales Combined Current and Historic Scallop Fishing Activity Patterns Fishing Activity in Relation to European Marine Sites Linking Scallop Fishing Activity with Seabed Habitats Validation of Fishing Activity Analyses by Fishermen Validation of Fishermen Derived Data with Independent Observational Data Discussion The SIDS Approach Data Gaps and Alternative Strategies Independent Validation of Mapping Data The Importance of Historic Activity Information The use of Effort Estimates and Value Multipliers Trust Issues and the Importance of Industry Associations Need for Clarification of data Requirements for MCZ Process Recommendations for Future Fisheries Mapping Studies References Appendix I. SIDS Questionnaire and Guidance Appendix II. Letter to Eastbourne Fishermen vi P a g e

7 1.0 Introduction Recent developments in marine policy and legislation such as the planned Marine and Coastal Access Act, The EU Water Framework Directive & Marine Strategy Framework Directive and a reformed Common Fisheries Policy are resulting in imminent changes to the way in which marine resources are managed which will affect the activities of the shellfish fishing sector. As a consequence of these changes in approach there is an urgent need for accurate and informative information on the geographic extent and effort levels of shellfish fishing activities. The Marine and Coastal Access Act addresses a range of legislative areas but of most relevance to this study and the shellfish fishing industry is the creation of a strategic Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) system and the designation and siting of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). Defra s definition of Marine Spatial Planning is; strategic, forward-looking planning for regulating, managing and protecting the marine environment, including through allocation of space, that addresses the multiple, cumulative, and potentially conflicting uses of the sea (Defra, 2004) The Marine Spatial Planning system proposed in the Marine and Coastal Access Act will develop a marine policy statement setting short and long-term objectives for sustainable marine resource use. This policy will be implemented through the creation of a series of area specific marine plans (Defra, 2007a). A prerequisite for the development of these plans is accurate spatial information about resource use and requirements in planning areas. In order that the requirements of the shellfish industry, both cultivation and wild fisheries, are considered and addressed in these spatial plans it is essential that accurate spatial information on their current and planned operations is available. As a signatory to the 1992 OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic Marine Protected Areas the UK has a commitment as part of the OSPAR Biological Diversity and Ecosystems Strategy to an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with is both ecologically coherent and well-managed by Marine Protected Areas are areas of sea or seabed that have some level of restriction to anthropogenic activity implemented to provide protection to biological, geological, archaeological or cultural resources. The UK has further commitments to establish MPAs to the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity by In part, these have been established in the UK to conserve marine biodiversity, threatened species and geological features as Special Areas for Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) and Marine Nature Reserves (MNR) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Following the implementation of the Offshore Marine Conversation Regulations (2007), sites outside of the 12 mile territorial waters limit can be designated as SAC or SPA. In addition to the statutory designations there are a number of voluntary and non-statutory MPAs in the UK such as the Lundy No Take Zone and the Flamborough Head No Take Zone. The Marine and Coastal Access Act outlines a legal framework providing for the designation and protection of further UK specific MPAs known as Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) to meet the 2012 deadline and to address the requirements of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Marine Conservation Zones are intended to provide protection for species and habitats considered of national 1 P a g e

8 value that cannot be protected under European law. The proposals for MCZs describe varying levels of protection for particular sites ranging from the restriction of specific activities to Highly Protected Marine Reserves where it is envisaged that no damaging activities will be allowed. From a shellfish industry perspective MCZs have the potential to protect habitats essential for the different life stages of commercial species from damaging activities. Conversely, there is potential for the siting of MCZs to have a significant impact on the shellfish cultivation and wild harvest sectors should they restrict or prevent their operations. This potential is perhaps increased due to the repealing of the Shellfish Waters Regulations and the introduction of the Water Framework Directive provisions. Central to the site selection process outlined in the Marine and Coastal Access Act is the consideration of socio-economic impacts of site designation. This approach strikes a balance by assessing any relevant socio-economic factors against the ecological importance of a site. Existing site designation mechanisms such as those for European Marine Sites do not give any consideration to the socio-economic implications of site designation. The Marine and Coastal Access Act provides a commitment to stakeholder engagement in the site selection process, it is however of note that Conservation NGOs are seeking amendments to the Marine and Coastal Access Act to remove such duties. The Finding Sanctuary project based in the South West has been trialling this process and its results will inform the regional MCZ projects that are currently beginning. The fishing industry has a number of concerns with the process in particular the lack of adequate information on the spatial extent of fisheries activity and accurate economic data to inform the process. Although the Finding Sanctuary project is undertaking fisheries mapping work under the FisherMap project there are concerns that insufficient information will be produced and that MCZ siting will ultimately be based on erroneous information. The current study aims to develop approaches to address these concerns by collecting key spatial fisheries activities data and corresponding value mulitpliers. It is likely that the site selection process will involve GIS based site selection tools similar to those employed in Australia and states in the US who have undertaken a similar marine MPA programmes. These site selection tools utilize multiple spatial datasets to enable managers to model different scenarios in order to arrive at an optimum MPA design. The most commonly used site selection tool is MARXAN (Ball & Possingham, 2000; Possingham & Andelman, 2000). This tool has been used in the siting of a number of marine reserves and MPA networks (Airamé, 2003; Banks et al, 2005; Geselbracht & Torres, 2005; Sala et al, 2002; Stewart et al, 2003). Klein et al (2008) demonstrated the ability of tools such as MARXAN to support the design and location of a marine reserve network that maximised biodiversity benefits while minimizing negative socioeconomic impacts to fishermen. Richardson et al (2005) highlighted the necessity for high resolution fishing activity data if socioeconomic impacts to the fishing industry were to be minimised. Discussions with Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales have indicated that site selection tools such as MARXAN will play a role in the site selection process in the regional MCZs projects and that accurate fishing activity and effort information will be required. At the present time there is a paucity of detailed fishing activity information at a spatial resolution to inform spatial management especially for the inshore shellfish fleet. European regulations requiring > 15 m vessels to operate Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) has enabled detailed activity data to be produced for larger vessels. These vessels predominately operate beyond the 6 and 12 mile fishery limits 2 P a g e

9 but for those smaller vessels operating close to shore there is a recognised information deficit. Whilst there is a European commitment to extend the use of the VMS scheme to include all vessels greater than 10 m in length this will still leave over 5000 vessels, the majority of the UK fishing fleet, outside of this system. This study aims to develop a cost-effective, efficient mapping approach that will provide the means to address this information gap. In order that the shellfish industry interests, both cultivation and wild fisheries, are best represented in the development of marine spatial plans and MCZ site selection process it is essential that accurate spatial information on current and planned operations is available and accurately interpreted. The aim of the current study is to: Review current activity and effort mapping approaches in order to identify those relevant to recording spatial information on shellfish industry activities. Develop a rapid mapping approach that will record the key spatial information necessary to describe the spatial activity of the UK shellfish industry. These approaches will applied and developed in two pilot studies; a static gear fishery targeting crab, lobsters, whelks and cuttlefish on the south coast, and; a mobile gear scallop dredge fishery in Wales. 3 P a g e

10 2.0 Spatial Fishery Information Gathering Methodologies 2.1 Observational or Surveillance Data Accurate information on current and historic fishing activities and effort is a common requirement for all fisheries management bodies worldwide. Approaches to produce this information are varied but share common concepts. It is common that a range of data are collected by different methods to produce an integrated fisheries monitoring approach. The most common and longest implemented approaches are logbook schemes supported and verified by surveillance information from fishery manager observers or, most recently, remote sensing technology Logbook Schemes Probably the most common method of assessing activity and effort is the fishing vessel logbook. The information recorded on logbooks can vary between countries and administrations but generally a logbook records location information, time/date, gear and method of fishing, and description of the catch. Activity and effort logbooks are distributed to fishers who are required to fill in the logbook as a condition of their licence or permit. The logbooks are usually completed on a daily or haul-by-haul basis. Completed logbooks are returned to the fishery management agency where they are entered into a central logbook database. In the EU, all masters of fishing vessels longer than 10 metres are required to keep a logbook of their operations. This logbook must be completed every 24 hours and if the vessel is boarded by fishery officers. The logbook records data on catch per species, effort in hours fishing, and location. The spatial resolution of this information is relatively low being recorded in ICES divisions and statistical rectangles. Each rectangle is defined by 0.5 o of latitude and 1.0 o of longitude and covers an area of approximately 30 x 60 nautical miles. The regional Sea Fisheries Committees operate a variety of permit return schemes. Fishermen are required to record fishing activity and effort as a stipulation of a permit to prosecute particular fisheries. These schemes often focused on particular shellfisheries and provided a successful medium for data collection and local fishery monitoring. Many of these schemes have been superseded the Marine & Fisheries Agency Monthly Shellfish Activity Return which has to be completed by those vessels (including under 10 m) with a shellfish entitlement. These returns record shellfishing activity, catches and effort (number of pots fished) in sub-rectangles of 10 x 20 nautical miles. Anecdotal information suggests that, despite a legal requirement the do so, the return rate of M&FA shellfish logbooks is as low as 30% and that it is unclear whether the data contained does undergoes any verification. As a result of this a number of SFCs have continued to collect their own shellfish data under permit return schemes. Pros: Potentially comprehensive as every vessel in the fishery has the ability to record fishery information and legislative frameworks place a duty on their completion. Logbooks have the capacity to record detailed spatial data on activity, effort and other information 4 P a g e

11 Cons: Many non-compliance issues including misreporting of information Variable spatial resolution dependant on scheme; o Low in UK waters leading to over aggregation of spatial information; o Very low spatial resolution unsuitable for use in all but broad-scale MSP plans and MPA site selection. High level of post recording processing required by fishery management bodies Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are electronic transceivers installed onboard fishing vessels that automatically send positional and other data to a land based receiving station. These systems can be based around satellite systems, VHF or mobile phone transceivers. Satellite systems are most commonly employed on vessels operating offshore. Although initially conceived as compliance monitoring tool VMS data can provide accurate spatial information on fishing activities and relative effort. In the EU all Community vessels exceeding 15 metres overall length are subject to VMS under legal conditions, this however excludes those vessels which are used exclusively for aquaculture and operating exclusively inside the baselines of Member States. Third country vessels subject to VMS conditions are also obliged to have an operational satellite tracking device installed on board when they are in Community waters. Since 1 January 2006 all Community vessels must transmit not only vessel identification information, geographical position and date and time, but also on course and speed. Data from UK vessels are routinely transmitted every 2 hours, but the frequency of transmission can be increased, and this is done to aid enforcement. At present, VMS data does not indicate whether a vessel is fishing when its position is reported. This has necessitated development of analytical techniques which infer whether fishing activity is taking place from vessel speed and heading. It is now possible to analyse VMS data to determine fishing activity and produce activity maps at a 3 km grid scale (Mills et. al., 2007, Witt & Godley, 2007). This approach was adopted by a recent study to develop spatial data for commercial fishing and shellfishing in the UK to support strategic siting of offshore wind farms (Dunstone, 2008). CEFAS are currently in preparation of a significant report which examins relationships between VMS derived fishing activity, seabed type and other anthropogenic uses of the sea (Vanstaen et al, In.Prep.) The outputs from these recent studies have demonstrated the utility of using VMS data to produce high resolution spatial information on fishing activities. Unfortunately these studies necessarily are focused on larger > 15 m vessels and are unable to provide similar information for the remaining 77% of the UK commercial fleet that measure 10 m and under (from M&FA statistics. With some exceptions, these smaller vessels predominantly work inshore where these studies show significant data gaps. In such studies the inshore zone has become known as the thin white strip, an area where no data exists, potentially misleading a user of such data and masking the importance of this zone. Vessel monitoring systems are now being employed on a local level to provide compliance monitoring and fishery surveillance information. The Solway Shellfish Management Association (SSMA) currently stipulates the fitting of a VMS system as a licence condition for their regulated cockle fishery. This enables the fishery manager to monitor compliance with the spatial management provisions put in place 5 P a g e

12 by the SSMA. This data can also be used to provide detailed information on effort and spatial extent of the fishermen s activities. Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee are currently trialling VHF based VMS to manage vessel fisheries on Regulated 1 shellfish beds and further trials are being carried out by Seafish deploying VMS on under 10 m vessels in the Thames Estuary. These systems have the capacity to provide real-time compliance monitoring information and, over time, to produce comprehensive spatial information on fishing activities. Costs of these systems range from Surveillance Information At Sea Sightings or Overflight Observations. Direct recording of fishing vessels operating in their fisheries is carried out by fisheries management agencies. This is a potentially expensive and time consuming approach necessitating patrol vessels and/or aircraft is therefore carried out as an adjunct to other patrol and enforcement work. At sea sightings data beyond the 6 nm limit (and to a lesser extent within that limit) is produced by the Fisheries Patrol Squadron of the Royal Navy and UK Fisheries Protection vessels. Inside of the 6 nm limit the regional Sea Fisheries Committees have not historically routinely collected sightings information in a consistent manor, however recently some sea fisheries committees have started to publish maps of observed fishing activity (Clark, 2008). Initiatives by Sussex SFC and CEFAS resulted in the development of a standardised approach and a series of training workshops to build capacity within SFCs to undertake this work (Clark, 2004; Eastwood, 2006). Whilst the implementation of SFC activity and effort recording is comprehensive the resultant maps are of observed effort and only with a time-series of information do reliable patterns emerge. As the length of the time series is variable between districts it is estimated that at least 4 years recording data is required before a suitable dataset could be produced for England and Wales (pers. com. Rob Clark, Sussex SFC) Conclusions Information and data produced from any one of the approaches described have the potential of producing accurate maps of fishing activity and effort. In reality, low spatial resolution, exclusion of sectors and non-compliance result in patchy or low resolution data produced by logbooks. Vessel Monitoring Systems have the capacity for accurate data collection but in its current EU implementation falls short of its potential because of its limited coverage of the fleet and the limited information included in each transmission. Constraints in coverage and resources due to the huge sea areas involved result in incomplete observational and overflight data. In the UK it appears that our current knowledge of the spatial distribution of inshore fishing is particularly deficient. The majority of vessels operating inside of 12 nm are <10 metres and are not required to submit EU logbooks or have VMS gear fitted. The data produced by the M&FA shellfish logbook is looked upon with little confidence by managers and scientists. Observational information produced by overflights and sightings are either lacking or patchy; being targeted at larger vessels operating offshore. The SFCs are only beginning to systematically record sightings inside of 6 nm at a national scale, which over time will produce accurate relative effort and activity information but despite notable examples of good practice, this will take at least another 5 years. Even now with a demand for data clearly identified not all SFCs are currently undertaking this work. 1 Under the terms of the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act P a g e

13 Shellfishing and shellfisheries account for a large proportion of the inshore (inside 12 nm) sector and therefore it is crucial that these information gaps are addressed if their interests are to be represented in future marine spatial plans and taken into account when new developments are considered. 2.2 Consultative and Voluntary Approaches to Spatial Fishery Information Gathering The recent drivers promoting the concept of marine spatial management and the designation of Marine Protected Areas have highlighted the need for accurate and comprehensive fisheries activity data both in the UK and overseas. For inshore fisheries this data is often absent or patchy at best which results in the spatial extent of fishing activities being poorly understood. There has been a general realisation that proxy information is required for surveillance and monitoring data in the absence of a fully compliant and functioning fishery monitoring system. A number of recent approaches have been developed in parallel which draw upon fishermen s own local fisheries and ecological knowledge. There has been an increasing acceptance and respect for fishermen s knowledge of their fishing grounds, the species and of the wider environment. This knowledge has been variously described as Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Fishers Ecological Knowledge (FEK) (St Martin et al., 2007). This knowledge has begun to be utilized in a number of initiatives including mapping of fishing activities and habitats important to fishing which have influenced current approaches being seriously considered by the regional MCZ projects (e.g. Scholz et al., 2004; Scholz et al., 2007) Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative: Fisheries Uses and Values Project The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is a California state law directing the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to design and manage an improved network of marine protected areas off California's coast. The MLPA Initiative is a public-private partnership between the California Resources Agency, the CDFG and the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. The aim of the Fisheries Uses and Values Project was to compile accurate and comprehensive spatial dataset of the commercial and recreational fishing use patterns along California's south coast, using the expert knowledge of the fishing industry. The Fisheries Uses and Values Project used a comprehensive series of face-to-face interviews with individual fishermen where they were asked a series of questions about the fishery, and the personal experience of each fisherman. The interview focused on characterizing the fishing grounds and their relative importance to each respondent As the MARXAN site selection tool was used to inform the eventual siting of the marine reserve network it was important that the mapping process produced suitable data products. In addition to the spatial data on extent of the fishing industry s activities and operations Ecostrust developed a system of relative importance indicators (RICs) to provide an assessment of socioeconomic costs or importance of areas. This is done using an imaginary bag of 100 pennies, which are allocated to areas of higher use and greater economic significance. Interviews followed a standard protocol for each fishery that the interviewee participated in: Using electronic nautical charts of the area, fishermen are asked to identify all areas that are of critical economic importance over their cumulative fishing experience, and to rank these using a 7 P a g e

14 weighted percentage an imaginary "bag of 100 pennies" that they distribute over the fishing grounds. All spatial information was collected on a spatial scale corresponding to maps and charts used by fishermen; Non-spatial information relating to the individual fishermen, vessels and basic operations was also be collected. Additional indicators were collected designed to further define how the participants interpret the question of ranking areas that are of economic importance to them: o How far they travel to an area to fish. o The type of vessel and gear used. o Percentage of household income derived from fishing. The methodology employed in the MLPA Fisheries Uses and Values Project has undergone peer review and assessment which has highlighted some key points to be considered in future mapping initiatives (see Wilen & Abbott, 2006; McCay et al, 2006). Key comments from reviewers: Face-to-face interviews produced higher quality data than would have resulted from group or phone/mail surveys. Preservation of confidentiality of personal fishing grounds through careful aggregation of the data most likely improved the likelihood of fishermen speaking candidly. The non-random sample of fishers; o Focusing on the most productive fishermen with high incomes was supported as this group may be more likely to care about policy changes and therefore be more motivated survey participants. They are also likely to have much better spatial knowledge of the fishery than less successful or more intermittent participants in the fishery. It was highlighted that the deliberate over-sampling of the successful fishermen may lead to biased inferences about whole-fleet impacts and that the smaller and part-time operators should be included in future sampling. There were concerns how truthful fishermen are likely to be in terms of revealing the scale and location of their grounds and their relative values. This results from fishermen being unwilling to reveal their favourite hotspots. The relative importance indicators (RICs), while acknowledged as a unique and ingenious approach to quantifying important fishing grounds, was criticized for being unclear in its definition (Wilen & Abott, 2006). As it neither explicitly represented effort or a monetary value it was thought that this may have resulted in confusion. o It was suggested that if an economic impact of the siting of a MPA was to be assessed then a metric of the fishing area s profitability could be employed alongside one for effort. 8 P a g e

15 2.2.2 Greater Thames Fisheries Survey In the UK a similar approach was employed in a study of Thames Estuary fishing industry and communities (Des Clers, 2001, 2004). This study used questionnaires and structured interviews to record detailed information on many aspects of the Thames Estuary s fisheries. The questionnaire comprised 60 questions on 7 main topics: Vessel and gear characteristics; Grounds fished; Species targeted; Changes in catch composition and possible explanations for these changes; Environmental changes having an impact on fisheries resources and activities; Fishermen s knowledge and opinion of current fisheries legislation and management; and Personal details such as age and family involvement in fishing In order to record the spatial aspects of the fishermen s activities the fishermen were presented with copies of Admiralty charts and a British Geological Survey seabed sediment map covering the study area. These were then appended by the fishermen with key fishing grounds and habitats important for fisheries. Digitisation of the fishermen s maps into a GIS database resulted in a comprehensive series of maps detailing the seasonal activities of the fishing industry in the North, Central and South zones of the Thames Estuary. The supporting information presented in the questionnaire revealed details about these fishing areas such as target species, fishing method and seasonality. Further analysis of this spatial data allowed the researchers of assign a subjective value of various areas due to level of activity. These areas were described as Prime and Very/Fairly Important grounds. A number of procedural issues were highlighted by this study concerning the complexity of recording fishing activities of an industry that pursues a variety of species using a variety of methods depending on season. These appeared to be addressed by careful notation of the respective gear activity areas indicated by the fishermen and by systematic recording of the seasonal information. 9 P a g e

16 2.2.3 Case Study FisherMap The Finding Sanctuary project is the first of the four regional MCZ projects in England. These projects aim to recommend a network of MCZs in English Territorial waters and UK Offshore waters (excepting those adjacent to Scotland) to the UK Government by October Nested within the Finding Sanctuary project was the FisherMap study which aimed to collect spatial activity data and knowledge information from commercial fishermen in Devon, Dorset and Somerset. The FisherMap study, funded in part by a 100, European Fisheries Fund grant, adopted and developed techniques used in the Greater Thames Fishery Survey where fishing areas are marked on charts and information recorded for each area. The information gathering and mapping work was undertaken by three Liaison Officers, ex- fishermen, or those acquainted well with the fishery, who had a wider understanding of conservation and fisheries interactions. The liaison officers were employed to meet with working fishermen in the ports to carry-out the mapping work, to improve understanding of the wider Finding Sanctuary project, and to provide feedback from stakeholders to the project office. The FisherMap study attempted to collect a range of information on the spatial and temporal distribution of fishing activities, wider information drawn from fishermen s ecological knowledge and suggestions for the siting of protected areas (Table 1). The mapping work was carried out on transparent acetate films placed over copies of background charts which then could be accurately transferred to the GIS later. The additional information was gathered using questionnaires designed to standardize the data collection process. Table 1. Information collected during FisherMap questionnaire and mapping interviews Information Type Details Spatial Personal Information Contact details Occupation Years experience Full or part-time Current Fishing Activity and Related Information Vessel information Range of operations (distance from port) Area of activity by gear type and target species Seasonal information on activity Ecological Location of nursery, juvenile or spawning grounds Protected Area Location of areas that should be protected In order to determine collective fishing activity patterns over wide geographical areas the individual fishermen s activity information was pooled to produce summary maps by sector, gear type and target species. These maps formed the basis of a validation stage where they could be commented upon at port meetings. These group meetings took place at a number of key ports where large numbers of vessels operate from and which are central to surrounding smaller ports. The aim of the validation meetings was to determine whether the summary maps produced from multiple individual fishermen s data accurately represented the activity of the wider fishing industry in those areas. The group meeting approach appears to have mixed success with variable attendance and participation levels (des Clers et al. 2008). In total 95 fishermen were interviewed by FisherMap in Devon and Dorset. The study was unable to determine the total number of active vessels operating within the two counties at the time of writing but 10 P a g e

17 attempts were being made to address this by collating M&FA, and SFC vessels lists. Without this information it was difficult to assess the representativeness of the survey. The results of the FisherMap study have been presented as a series of summary maps on a GIS accessible via the internet. The summary maps for fishing activity off of the North Devon coast which had been validated by Bideford and Ilfracombe were available at the time of writing. Based on participation figures presented in the study s final report (des Clars, 2008) these maps are based upon the information of 15 individual fishermen. Analyses of the FisherMap results revealed strong territoriality among the static gear (potting) fleets with individual fishermen laying claim to or habitually using certain fishing grounds. The patterns of activity in the mobile gear sectors and netters targeting finfish were linked to seabed types and bathymetry. The summary maps displayed the relative use of fishing grounds as density maps. These maps highlighted areas used by multiple vessels in relation to those areas used by few. This was the only quantitative data collected about fishing activity in this study. Perhaps the greatest challenge that the FisherMap study and the liaison officers faced was the issue of trust. In June 2008 Lyme Bay was closed to mobile gear by a Statutory Instrument after a long-running campaign by conservation NGOs and after advice from Natural England (NE). This resulted in a number of fishermen s representatives withdrawing support for the Finding Sanctuary project which was partially funded by NE. The level of feeling amongst fishermen ran high for some time during this period and the liaison officers encountered degree of distrust and a reticence to participate. 11 P a g e

18 2.2.4 South Wales Fishing Activity Study A combined interview and mapping approach was adopted in a small study mapping fishing activities around the South Wales coast (Woolmer, 2008). This study was initiated by South & West Wales Fishermen s Association in response to future developments in marine fisheries management particularly the advent of Marine Spatial Planning and the development of Marine Conservation Zones highlighted in the Marine and Coastal Access Act. These are likely to be implemented as Highly Protected Marine Reserves in Wales. The increasing development of offshore power generation around the Welsh coast and the need for large areas of seabed for these developments was perceived as a potential threat to many of the member s livelihoods. The availability of detailed information on the current areas of fishing activity should enable better informed siting of these developments and the minimisation of economic impact to the industry. Due to resource and time constraints it was not feasible to survey and interview large numbers of individual fishermen. Discussions with the fishermen s association resulted in a shortlist of expert fishermen from selected areas around the coast. These areas were centred on the main fishing ports and resulted in partitioning of the South Wales coast into 8 sectors. To be considered for the shortlist the fisherman had to have been fishing within sector for over 20 years and ideally had been involved in a number of fisheries. The selected group of expert fishermen provided detailed information on the spatial and seasonal patterns of fishing activities in the area around their home ports in a series of structured interviews. A standardised list of fishing methods was developed with the help of the fishermen s association. Admiralty charts covering each fisherman s area of operation which were appended with the location and spatial extent of each method in operation. Further information on seasonality and other observational information were appended to each individual activity area or polygon. This resulted in a series of detailed maps and a GIS database containing the spatial, seasonal and other important information. The study revealed a complex mosaic of fishing activities occurring around the South Wales coast. The recording of contextual information in the survey revealed that many of fishing activities occur on a seasonal basis; many of the small inshore fishermen in the area of the study pursue a number of fisheries throughout the year utilizing a number of complementary methods responding to the dynamic nature of their target stocks and the marine environment. The spatial resolution of the information was highly variable depending on the fishing activity being recorded; methods which targeted specific seabed features such as fixed nets and, rod and line fishing tended to have relatively well defined spatial extents, mobile gear fisheries tended to occur over wider areas wherever suitable ground occurred. A method of partitioning these broad areas into a series of smaller segments may have teased out more information from these broader areas. This approach combined with a system of quantifying the relative importance or areas most visited as adopted in the MLPA example would provided a more comprehensive dataset but would have necessitated a greater number of interviews with those fishermen prosecuting these mobile gear fisheries rather that single experts. 12 P a g e

19 2.2.5 Conclusions The consultative approach to gathering spatial fisheries information has the potential to produce comprehensive and detailed activity maps. The examples reviewed, while appearing similar in approach, varied in scale and focus of survey in response to objectives and resource constraints. There were a number of important considerations for the design of a consultative activity mapping exercise: the resolution and spatial scale at which information is recorded; collection of historic as well as current activity information; ensuring that constituency of participants represents the fishery or fleet; the inclusion of a feedback/validation stage; the validity of quantitative data or indices, and; the problem of trust issues. The MPLA survey attempted to engage with a targeted group of high line or successful fishermen and use their activity information as representative of the whole fleet over relatively wide areas. The Thames Estuary survey took place over a smaller, but still significant, spatial scale and targeted operators from a variety of fisheries using their information as representative of the whole fleet. The FisherMap project followed a similar approach using composite individual information to draw inferences on whole fleet activity. The South Wales survey, constrained by time and resource limitations, targeted experienced fishermen to gather information about general fishing patterns of the whole fleet and not only the individual fisherman. Although it is difficult to conclude which approach produced the most accurate information without validation using other independent data, the individual recording approach has the potential for very high resolution recording of shellfishing activity. The use of maps and chart to record individual fishermen s areas of activity provides a means to produce high resolution spatial data. This may be particularly important if the information is to be used to inform conservation management within sites that have sensitive seabed features. This type of data could be accurate to <100 m if necessary. This level of resolution is unlikely to be necessary for many MSP purposes but could be important in resolving perceived fishing activity conflicts with nature conservation objectives. The temporal resolution of the activity information collected varied between examples. All examples, with the exception of the South Wales study which focused on current and historic activity, provided a snapshot of current activities with contextual seasonal information. This approach does not account for the dynamic nature of fisheries responding to changes in stock levels and market demands. If a comprehensive understanding of the spatial activities of the shellfish fishing industry the inclusion of a temporal aspect to the information gathering is essential. With the exception of the South Wales study, each of the examples adopted a strategy of determining fleet activity patterns from a composite of individual activity information. This approach may result in information gaps where sectors demonstrate strong territoriality as reported for the potting sector during the FisherMap study. This may be less of an issue when surveying mobile gear fleets as their activities often take place over wider areas and may not exhibit territorial behaviour. Where this may be an issue care should be taken to address possible information gaps in the validation stage. 13 P a g e

20 The validation or verification of analysed activity maps by fishermen was an important component in all studies giving them an opportunity to identify and address areas of information shortfalls. Validation stages in the previous studies have solely relied on the views of the fishermen operating in the survey areas. An alternative method would be to compare activity patterns with independent datasets, possibly from regulators and managers. Attempts to produce quantitative fishing intensity or economic multipliers produced mixed results. The MPLA study s Importance indicator was considered by reviewers to be rather too subjective and a source of confusion to participating fishermen. An attempt to classify Prime Grounds was made by the Thames Estuary project based on numbers of vessels operating in a particular area. Numbers of vessels using particular grounds was the only quantitative data on relative fishing activity collected by the FisherMap survey. This is a useful indication of relative seabed use but may not reflect actual fishing effort which may be decoupled from simple geographic aggregation. Ideally an effort or value multiplier should be employed if these studies are to be used to inform MSP and MCZ projects especially when it is necessary to identify those areas most important to the industry. Both the MPLA study and the FisherMap project reported trust issues with prospective participants being suspicious of the motives and organisations behind the surveys. The situation was particularly difficult for the FisherMap liaison officers due to the Lyme Bay scallop closure which occurred midway through their project. Although not connected to the FisherMap project, the closure was associated with Natural England s advice on the matter to the government, and as NE were a significant funding partner to the FisherMap project. Feedback from fishermen participating in the South Wales survey indicated a distrust of the conservation agencies and an unwillingness to share information for fear of the introduction of closed areas. In order to address the issue of trust future studies may have to establish data ownership with the participants and develop agreements for its use. Given the importance of this information to the short and long-term security of the industry it may be desirable for industry bodies to either undertake data collection or work in partnership with regulators to the same ends. 14 P a g e

21 Table 2. Comparative table of spatial fishing activity recording methodologies. Method Data Range Compliance Monitoring and Surveillance Approaches Activity (if linked to database) Date/Time Vessel Monitoring System Vessel Speed Vessel Heading Location Activity Date/Time Overflight Surveillance Location Effort (after analysis) Activity At Sea Sightings Date/Time (Royal Navy and UK Fisheries Location Protection Vessels) Effort (after analysis) At Sea Sightings (Sea Fisheries Committees) EU Logbook Scheme SFC Permit Returns M&FA Shellfish Activity Returns Activity Date/Time Location Effort (after analysis) Activity Date/Time Catch Data Effort Data (inc gear information) Area (ICES rectangle) Activity Date/Time Catch Data Effort Data (inc gear information) Area (ICES sub- rectangle) Activity Date/Time Catch Data Effort Data (inc gear information) Location (ICES sub- rectangle) Consultative or Voluntary Fisherman Recording Interview and mapping approach (e.g. FisherMap) Activity Date/Time Catch Data Effort Data (inc gear information) Location Spatial Resolution Medium (3 x 3 km) High (<1km) High (<1km) High (<1km) Low (20 x 60 nm) Low (10 x 20 nm) Low (10 x 20 nm) Variable but potentially High (<1km) Spatial Management Application Include <10 m vessels Include <15 m vessels Broad-scale MSP plans Offshore MCZ selection No No MSP plans Offshore MCZ selection Site management MSP plans Offshore MCZ selection Site management MSP plans Inshore MCZ selection Site management Broad-scale MSP plans Large MCZ selection Broad-scale MSP plans Large MCZ selection Comments VMS systems have the potential to provide high resolution information. Current implementation requires post capture analysis and interpretation to produce 3 x 3 km activity and effort maps Yes Yes Coverage is focused beyond 6 nm fishery limit Yes Yes Coverage is focused beyond 6 nm fishery limit Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Broad-scale MSP plans Large MCZ selection Yes Yes MSP plans Inshore MCZ selection Site management Yes Yes Coverage limited to within 6 nm fishery limit Requires >4 years data to provide adequate data Variable implementation since the introduction of M&FA shellfish returns (MSAR1) There have been concerns over the quality of information collected leading to some SFCs continuing their own permit return schemes Has been shown to have potential to record accurate spatial information on: o fishing activities o stock information o seabed features Approach not fully developed or assessed Information gathered not verified in many cases Trust issues may result in disengagement from studies Often insufficient effort or value data collected 15 P a g e

22 3.0 Shellfish Industry Development Strategy (SIDS) Activity Mapping Approach and Methods It is clear that the only realistic option to rapidly gather spatial inshore shellfish fishing activity information with sufficient contextual and quantitative data, at reasonable cost, is through a consultative approach working with the fishermen involved. Drawing on the lessons highlighted by previous studies we have attempted to develop an approach based upon a mapping exercise given structure by a standardized questionnaire and supported by a guidance document (Appendix I. SIDS Questionnaire and Guidance). There is a requirement for the SIDS activity mapping approach to be as comprehensive as possible in order that it addresses the information requirements of a wide variety of potential management and planning processes. It is envisaged that shellfish fishery data will be used in a variety of spheres: to inform fisheries management; influence and develop marine spatial plans; be used in the site selection of MCZs and in economic impact assessments. Given the variety potential uses of this data it is necessary that a sufficient scope of information is recorded. This need for detailed information is balanced by the realities of resource and time constraints; this work can be time consuming and requires expertise from a number of disciplines. 3.1 Scope of Information Recorded Table 3 presents the scope of information recorded during the current study. Recording the spatial extents of shellfish fishing activity provides the core of the information. Once the spatial extent of an activity has been established there are a number of types of contextual data and information that can be assigned to that area. In addition to recording the extent of current activities, the SIDS approach also records the extent of historic activities. This information may be essential if shellfish fishing activities are not to be constrained and prevented in responding to the dynamics of the environment and target species. Table 3. Summary of information and spatial data that will be collected during the SIDS trials ( indicates that the data can be mapped) Information Contextual Quantifiable Spatial Data Current Fishing Areas Notes on each area Intensity (numbers of vessels or activities can be derived) Historical Fishing Areas Notes on each area Intensity (numbers of vessels or activities can be derived) Gear Information Gear type Gear multiplier such as number of pots/dredges Proxy Effort Data Estimate of number of days per annum fishing occurs in a mapped area Seasonal Fishing Patterns Months in which fishing takes place in individual areas Other Areas Essential for e.g. nursery and spawning Fishery grounds Fishermen s Local e.g. seabed types, presence Knowledge of other species and wildlife Vessel Information Key vessel statistics: length, engine power and VCUs 16 P a g e

23 3.2 Proxy Effort Data Effort Estimates In order to be able to carry out further analyses on spatial activity data to determine fishing patterns and relative importance of areas to the fleet a quantifiable metric is required. Previous studies focused on MPA siting have employed various approaches to derive importance of different areas to the fishing industry with a varying degree of success. A clear lesson from previous studies is that there is a need for the metric to be clear and unambiguous (see comments on relative important indicators in Wilen & Abott, (2006)). Other studies, notably FisherMap, have utilized fishing intensity defined as the number of vessels using an area, as a means of determining fishing patterns. This approach is possible without recording a further metric but does not account for differences in fishing effort occurring between areas; presence of a fishing activity may not reflect the amount of effort. Economic value of particular areas can be derived from the value of landings and fishing effort data. These calculations are central to Economical Impact Assessments carried out in relation to Strategic Environmental Assessments for example examining the effects of siting offshore developments such as wind farms. Relative effort data also provides a measure that to inform future marine spatial plans of the most important fishing areas. Where this effort data is missing or deficient, as is often the case, there is a need for a proxy that can be used to indicate relative effort. After some consideration of alternatives it was decided that in order to record relative effort individual fishermen would be asked to indicate the number of days spent working within each of their fishing grounds or areas in their fishing year. This is a conceptually straightforward approach for the fishermen to base an estimate on as from experience they can estimate how many days that they loose from bad weather and how often that they would go to sea during a month. This data can be analysed and presented as a metric of relative effort for the survey area on a variety of spatial scales or management units such as 1x1 grid cells, e.g. total fleet effort/effort within grid cell. 3.3 Fishing Intensity Vessels/Activities per Spatial Unit Where effort estimates are not available, such as when recording historic activity, it is possible to derive a metric of fishing intensity based either on number of vessels operating or fishing activities occurring within a defined spatial area or management unit, e.g. vessels per km Spatial Resolution It is possible to record the extent of individual fishermen s fishing activity and the locations of specific sites to a very high resolution. By plotting information onto charts that the fishermen routinely use such as Admiralty charts it is be possible for participants to indicate with a high degree of confidence and resolution their fishing grounds and areas. Experience gained from the mapping study in South Wales (Woolmer, 2008) suggested that the participants tended to indicate wide areas as area of operation but these areas contained a number of discrete areas which were utilized by the fishermen at different times. In order that the individual fishing areas are recorded their importance has been stressed in the SIDS survey questionnaire and guidance. Although it is desirable to record these smaller areas where possible there can be a reticence on the part of the fishermen to highlight their particular fishing marks. In order to protect individual fishermen s commercially sensitive information such as the location of their key fishing marks and tows the complied data can be summarized in the form of a lower resolution grid. For example, a grid of 1 x 1 km that presents the dataset at an adequate resolution for the majority 17 P a g e

24 of management purposes protects or masks commercially sensitive information provided by survey respondents. Grids of any size can be utilized to summarize the survey data; other resolutions that may be considered are 400 th ICES sub-rectangle (approx 3 km) or 1 x 1 nm. Where information is required at higher resolution, to inform within site management, a custom database query can be carried out. Adopting the grid cell approach to summarize data rather than record the data ensures that the baseline data contains a high resolution dataset that can be utilized for a variety of purposes in the future and can be summarized to an appropriate resolution to meet the needs of each one. 3.5 Trial Participants Although the ideal scenario is one where all fishermen participating in a particular fishery are consulted, practical considerations preclude this approach. Previous mapping studies have demonstrated the advantage of consulting the most successful (based on landings) and experienced (years in the industry) fishermen in regard to wiliness to engage and the knowledge that they bring (A Scholz et al, 2004, 2007). The need for engagement with a broad spectrum of fishers has also been highlighted to ensure that the smaller operators such as those working inshore grounds utilised by smaller vessel are recorded (Wilen & Abbott, 2006). The SIDS survey methodology has adopted an approach that aims to include information from a cross-section of large and small operators in the target fleets with priority given to the most experienced fishermen. Although local fishermen s organisations and sectorial groups will provide the primary focus for the contact and engagement with individuals fishermen outside of these groups who are involved in the fishery will also be given the opportunity to participate. This approach has the benefit of focusing effort onto as broad a base of fishermen as possible which will include a comprehensive selection of vessel sizes working within the geographical extent of each survey. 3.6 Scope of SIDS Fishing Activity Trials The two SIDS trials will include a mobile gear fishery and a static gear fishery in order to establish the particular logistic and technical issues related to collecting activity information from these sectors. The mobile gear fishery survey will focus on a scallop fishery operating over a wide geographic area in Cardigan Bay and around North Wales. The static gear fishery survey will focus on a small fleet operating from Eastbourne in Sussex. This fleet targets a mixed molluscan and crustacean fishery using a variety of static gears. 18 P a g e

25 4.0 Mapping Trial 1. Eastbourne Shellfish Fishery (Static Gear) 4.1 Background Approximately 25 fishing vessels are registered in Eastbourne operating from the beach and from Sovereign Harbour. Shellfish fisheries have traditionally been important to the fleet and are currently subject to increased effort in the face of recent whitefish quota restrictions. The most important shellfish fisheries are the lobster and brown crab pot fishery and a large whelk fishery. A seasonally important cuttlefish fishery is also targeted using pots and fixed nets. A key issue for the static gear fishermen operating off Eastbourne is the increased mobile gear effort by vessels from nearby ports on the same grounds. This has raised concerns of gear conflict and of potential habitat damage by beam trawls. The reefs off Eastbourne targeted by the lobster and crab fishermen are made up of a mosaic of friable chalk bedrock, mudstones and boulder structures. Eastbourne fishermen have recently participated in seabed habitat mapping studies with Seafish and Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee, and were also keen to participate in the current study. 4.2 Pre-survey Planning In order that a representative cross-section of the Eastbourne fleet engaged in shellfishing were consulted, and the time spent at the port was used most efficiently, it was necessary to identify key fishing vessels and the contact details of the skippers. The Marine and Fisheries Agency UK fishing vessel lists were consulted to produce list of potential vessel operating from Eastbourne (MFA, 2009). Sussex SFC and Graham Doswell of the Eastbourne Fishermen s & Boatmen s Protection Society (EFBPS) were able to draw up a short list of vessels active in shellfish fisheries and provided contact details for the skippers. From a total of 25 vessels a shortlist of 13 vessels were identified as being actively targeting shellfish in Eastbourne. An initial suggestion of a workshop type event or a drop in period based at the Eastbourne Fishermen s Club was thought likely to receive little attendance as the fishermen have numerous other responsibilities and their availability is dictated by the weather. It was suggested by EFBPS that the preferred approach was to visit individual skippers at the port when landing for the day. During these discussions both Sussex SFC and Graham Doswell offered to facilitate in meetings with individual fishermen. Further discussions with Sussex SFC and EFBPS informed the likely spatial scope of the survey which enabled the sourcing of relevant Admiralty charts (Figure 1). 19 P a g e

26 Figure 1. Scope of the mapping survey area reflecting spatial range of the fleet s operations determined from discussions with EFBPS and Sussex SFC Hastings Bexhill Newhaven Eastbourne 3 Mile Limit Beachy Head 6 Mile Limit 12 Mile Limit 4.3 Fishermen Mapping Interviews An information pack containing a cover letter explaining the objectives of the SIDS project, background information on current issues driving the requirement for spatial information and the objectives of the Eastbourne survey was produced for each participant (see Appendix I. SIDS Questionnaire and Guidance & II). The information pack contained a guidance document that presented a step-by-step guide to the mapping process with worked examples of the accompanying questionnaire. This material, whilst not essential for the interviews, allowed individual fishermen to fully understand the process and provided the means for them to complete the questionnaire and produce maps in their own time should they wish. Individual fishermen on the shortlist were contacted by Graham Doswell ahead of the port visits with the intention of bringing the survey to their attention and to gain their agreement to participate. The information packs were available for those who required them. The Eastbourne fishermen generally land their catches into Sovereign Harbour alongside their berths close to Atlantic Drive and Harbour Quay. These two sites are within a few minutes walk of each other and so made the port visits logistically straightforward. The mapping survey took place over 3 days where vessels were either met at landing times or on the days when weather prevented fishing at the berths. All the fishermen approached were willing to participate and the majority of interviews took place in the vessels wheelhouse where reference could be made to chart plotters. In cases where vessels were not fishing during the survey period Graham Doswell arranged offsite meetings; one fisherman was interviewed in the boat yard where his vessel way undergoing maintenance, one interviewed at his storage shed and two fishermen were happy to be interviewed in their homes. The interviews centred on the individual fisherman indicating their fishing areas on the chart. This process naturally fell into a question-answer routine where the fisherman was prompted for details about specific areas in order to complete the questionnaire fields. Once the interview was underway and the survey requirements and process was understood by the participant the interview could be completed 20 P a g e

27 relatively quickly with minimum prompting. The length of each interview ranged from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on how wide ranging the discussions were. The questionnaire complemented the mapping process providing a structure to what could potentially be an open ended discussion. It is important that the survey is not too onerous a task as very often the fishermen are approached at the end of a strenuous day at sea and in all likelihood are looking forward to going home. Although the Eastbourne fishermen were happy to participate in the mapping survey share their local knowledge, there was however an initial reticence by some skippers until it was made clear that this was an SAGB facilitated study through SIDS and that the data would not be used or distributed without their permission; their concern was that the information could be used to constrain their operations. This was a common refrain heard throughout the survey brought about by a series of quota restrictions, relicensing and news stories about MPAs and MCZs, the Lyme Bay closure in particular. 4.4 Results Of the 13 skippers and vessels shortlisted by EFBPS and Sussex SFC 10 were successfully surveyed during the trial. The remaining 3 skippers were unavailable due to a combination of holidays and vessels being located at other ports for maintenance. The areas where these vessels are known to operate have been recorded as area where there is a known shortfall in information. The individual fishermen s mapped areas were entered into a GIS as polygons at chart resolution and appended with the questionnaire information. The resulting database table contained 36 individual polygons each representative of an individual fishing ground or area of operation of a particular fishing vessel (Figure 2). The mapping approach adopted for the trial enabled the successful collection of the target information outlined in Table 3. Figure 2. Map displaying the overlapping individual fishing areas by activities indicated by the Eastbourne fishermen during the survey. Activities were designated individual colour codes to facilitate data entry, e.g. whelk potting areas are light blue in this chart. Areas where there are information gaps are indicated by empty grid cells. 21 P a g e

28 4.5 Summary Key observations made during the survey and individual interviews: Liaison with the local fishermen s association was important in developing contacts and participation in the study, Liaison with the SFC was important in understanding local issues and identifying active vessels, Facilitation provided by both the fishermen s association and the SFC was important in garnering trust of individual fishermen, The questionnaire complemented the mapping component of the survey by providing a clear structure to each interview, Although guidance was produced to enable individual fishermen to complete the questionnaire and mapping survey themselves face to face interviews are more likely to gather a range of information 22 P a g e

29 5.0 Analysis of Eastbourne Shellfish Fishing Activity 5.1 Combined Current and Historic Shellfish Fishing Activity Patterns Figure 3 displays the distribution of static gear shellfish fishing activity taking place within the survey area during 2008/9. An index of relative effort (ratio of total/mean days per km 2 ), calculated from skippers own estimates of number of days spent fishing within each of their areas indicating that the inshore zone directly off Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay inside of the 3 mile limit is most important for the shellfish fleet. Figure 4 displays a composite of current and historic static gear shellfish fishing activity known to have taken place within the survey area. It is clear that there is very little difference between the distribution current and historic activities of the Eastbourne fleet. As historic effort information was not collected the sum of incidences of activities taking place was used to provide an indication of fishing patterns. There is a clear similarity between incidence of historic activity and current effort. Figure 3. Relative shellfish static gear fishing effort (total/mean days) derived from fishermen s estimates of days spent fishing in each area per annum. The grey hatched areas indicate fished areas where information gaps occur. Shellfish Fishing Relative Effort Ratio of mean effort / total effort 18 to to to to 14 9 to 12 8 to 10 6 to 8 4 to 6 2 to to 2 Figure 4. Total historic shellfish static gear fishing activity (incidence of activity - square km ) derived from fishermen s reports of undertaking activity within each area. Historic Shellfishing Activity Activities per 1x1 km Grid Cell 9 to 10 (9) 8 to 9 (19) 7 to 8 (35) 6 to 7 (38) 5 to 6 (45) 4 to 5 (43) 3 to 4 (110) 2 to 3 (134) 1 to 2 (204) 23 P a g e

30 5.2 Current and Historic Lobster and Crab Potting Activity Patterns Figure 5 shows the current extent of the lobster and crab potting activity in the survey area off Eastbourne during 2008/9. The effort estimate data highlights key areas for this fishery east of Beachy Head. The heterogeneity in effort data in the inshore areas to the north of the bay suggests highly stratified effort. This pattern is repeated in the historic activity data where this area is subject to similarly patchy pattern of activity. Figure 5. Total crab and lobster potting effort (days - square km ) derived from fishermen s estimates of days spent fishing in each area per annum. The grey hatched areas indicate those areas where data is lacking and where lobster and crab potting is also known to occur by vessels from Eastbourne. Total Crab and Lobster Potting Effort Estimated Days Operation per Annum 500 to 550 (1) 400 to 450 (11) 350 to 400 (2) 300 to 350 (2) 250 to 300 (199) 200 to 250 (23) 150 to 200 (17) 100 to 150 (43) 50 to 100 (7) 1 to 50 (20) Figure 6. Historic lobster and crab potting activity (vessels operating - square km). The grey hatched areas indicate those areas where data is lacking and where lobster and crab potting is also known to occur by vessels from Eastbourne. Historic Lobster and Crab Potting Activity Vessels Operating per 1x1 km Grid Cell 5 to 5 (1) 4 to 5 (9) 3 to 4 (25) 2 to 3 (54) 1 to 2 (236) 24 P a g e

31 5.3 Current and Historic Whelk Potting Activity Patterns Figure 7 shows the current extent of whelk potting activity in the survey area off Eastbourne during 2008/9. The effort estimate data highlights key areas for this fishery directly off Eastbourne with outlying areas to the west. Anecdotal reports suggest that some larger catamarans may travel to midchannel grounds outside of this survey area. The historic activity data indicates further areas to the west of the survey area. These areas are currently closed under a handshake agreement between local boats to allow stocks to recover. Figure 7. Total Whelk Potting effort (days - square km ) derived from fishermen s estimates of days spent fishing in each area per annum. Total Whelk Potting Effort Estimated Days Operation per Annum 500 to 550 (18) 400 to 450 (30) 350 to 400 (4) 250 to 300 (122) 200 to 250 (19) 150 to 200 (90) 100 to 150 (32) 50 to 100 (155) 1 to 50 (42) Figure 8. Historic Whelk Potting Activity - (vessels operating - square km ). Historic Whelk Potting Activity Vessels Operating per 1x1 Grid Cell 5 to 6 (18) 4 to 5 (30) 3 to 4 (97) 2 to 3 (210) 1 to 2 (204) 25 P a g e

32 5.4 Current and Historic Cuttlefish Netting and Potting Activity Patterns Figure 7 shows the current extent of cuttlefish netting and potting activity in the survey area off Eastbourne during 2008/9. These activities take place close inshore in Pevensey Bay and south of Beachy Head. The effort estimate data highlights two key areas for this fishery within these areas. The historic activity information suggests that this is a relatively small scale fishery confined to a small area. Figure 9. Total cuttlefish netting and potting effort (days - square km ) derived from fishermen s estimates of days spent fishing in each area per annum. Total Cutllefish Netting and Potting Effort Estimated Days Operation per Annum 80 to 100 (12) 60 to 80 (16) 40 to 60 (49) 20 to 40 (8) 1 to 20 (0) Figure 10. Historic cuttlefish netting and potting activity (vessels operating - square km ). Historic Netting and Potting Activity Vessels Operating per 1x1 Grid Cell 2 to 2 (15) 1 to 2 (70) 26 P a g e

33 5.5 Spatial Economic Analysis of Eastbourne Shellfisheries A key step in a MCZ designation process is likely to be some form of economic impact analysis and if the fishing industry is to be adequately considered accurate economic data needs to be available. Similarly, economic information may be used to influence the siting of other offshore developments within a MSP process. An attempt to assign a monetary value to each 1 x 1 km grid cell was made based on the estimated effort (an estimate of number of days on which fishing took place in an area per year) produced during the survey. The estimated effort data recorded during the survey was used to calculate the proportion of total fleet effort assigned to each 1 x 1 km grid cell. These proportions were in turn applied to 2007 Eastbourne shellfish landings values ( ) derived from M&FA port statistics providing a monetary value for each grid cell. Figure 11 presents the spatial economic analysis for the combined static shellfish fishery operating from Eastbourne. Value of grid cells ranged from 89 square km to 5332 square km. The highest value areas were shown to be those in shore areas off Eastbourne and south and east of Beachy Head. This analysis is of the combined value of the three main static gear shellfish fisheries operating in the port and reflect the effort and activity patterns described previously. Figure 11. Spatial economic analysis of shellfish production areas off Eastbourne derived from 2007 M&FA landings data and estimated effort data provided by fishermen. Value of 2007 Shellfish Landings per 1x1 km Grid Cell 5,000 to 5,500 (2) 4,000 to 5,000 (11) 3,000 to 4,000 (69) 2,000 to 3,000 (89) 1,000 to 2,000 (231) 500 to 1,000 (83) 0 to 500 (119) 27 P a g e

34 By repeating this process using estimated effort for particular activities the economic value of areas for individual fisheries can be calculated. Using the estimated effort data for the lobster and crab fishery proportions of total lobster and crab effort were calculated for grid cells and applied to M&FA landings data. Figure 12 demonstrates the relative values of grid cells to the Eastbourne lobster and crab fishery. Values per grid cell ranged between 145 square km to 2292 square km. Figure 12. Spatial economic analysis of lobster and crab production areas off Eastbourne derived from 2007 M&FA landings data and estimated effort data provided by fishermen Value of 2007 Lobster and Crab Landings per 1x1 km Grid Cell 2,000 to 2,300 (1) 1,600 to 1,800 (11) 1,400 to 1,600 (2) 1,200 to 1,400 (28) 1,000 to 1,200 (180) 800 to 1,000 (16) 600 to 800 (17) 400 to 600 (43) 200 to 400 (7) 0 to 200 (20) 28 P a g e

35 5.6 Fishery Sensitive Areas Migration Routes and Nursery Grounds In addition to information on fishing activities the fishermen were also asked to indicate areas that they considered important to support their target species such as spawning grounds or nursery areas. Figure 13 shows two such areas identified by the Eastbourne fishermen. The offshore area was considered by them to be a female brown crab east-to-west migration route. This migratory behaviour was commonly mentioned during the interviews and is supported by scientific tagging studies which recorded an eastwest brown crab migration in the English Channel (Bennett & Brown, 1980; Latroite & Le Foll, 1989). The inshore area in Pevensey Bay was considered by a number of fishermen to be a brown crab nursery ground as many small animals were found in pots in the autumn. This may be related to seabed habitats in this area or a change in the behaviour of the small animals causing them to be attracted to the pot bait. Figure 13. Fishery sensitive areas identified by Eastbourne shellfish fishermen. The inshore area was thought to be important for juvenile brown crab and the offshore area is a female brown crab East-West spawning migration route. Fishery Sensitive Areas Nursery Ground or Migration Route (671) 29 P a g e

36 5.7 Linking Fishing Activity with Seabed Habitats The distribution shellfish fisheries can be strongly influenced by the habitat requirements of their target species; lobsters require broken rocky ground with sufficient crevices and holes to provide shelter, whelks, although widely distributed, are predominantly found on soft sediments and gravels. Seabed habitat maps for the fishing activity survey area are currently in development by Sussex SFC but were not complete at the time of this study. Nevertheless Sussex SFC made available a dataset of seabed bathymetry which was analysed in the GIS and mapped using a series of contour lines. From this bathymetry map it was possible to determine areas of rocky reef and broken ground (Figure 14). These areas have been subject to a series of video ground truthing surveys carried out by Eastbourne fishermen and Sussex SFC using Seafish guidance (Woolmer, 2009). Figure 14. Seabed bathymetry of survey area with general areas of rocky reef habitat complex indicated. Eastbourne Area of reefs and outcrops Beachy Head Area of reefs and outcrops In order to compare fishing activity with seabed habitat distributions the Total Historic activity data layer was overlaid on to the seabed bathymetry data in the GIS. The resulting map clearly shows that there is a high incidence of activity in the rocky reef areas (Figure 15). These areas are known to be a complex of chalk reefs and outcrops interspersed with sandy sediments which presumably provide supporting habitats for a number of target species. 30 P a g e

37 Figure 15. Total historic shellfish static gear fishing activity data overlaid on bathymetry data. Of note is the correspondence of incidence of activity with the reef complex areas. Historic Shellfishing Activity Activities per 1x1 km Grid Cell 9 to 10 8 to 9 7 to 8 6 to 7 5 to 6 4 to 5 3 to 4 2 to 3 1 to 2 Eastbourne Area of reefs and outcrops Beachy Head Area of reefs and outcrops 5.8 Validation of Fishing Activity Analyses by Fishermen In order to determine whether the analyses of fishing activity reflected the patterns of fishing understood by the fishermen a series of summary maps was presented to EFBPS. The maps were examined with experienced fishermen of EFBPS who were able to highlight areas where information gaps existed. The final maps (Figures 3-10) were considered to accurately represent current and historic fishing patterns of the Eastbourne shellfish fleet. 5.9 Validation of Fishermen Derived Data with Independent Observational Data Sussex SFC has been instrumental in developing a fishing activity and effort monitoring programme based on fishing vessel and activity observations from fisheries patrol vessels (Clark, 2004; Eastwood, 2006). This standardised approach has been adopted by a number of English and Welsh SFCs and provides an objective observational dataset that can be used to validate fishing activity information derived from fishermen interviews such as the current study. Fishing vessel sightings from the Sussex SFC patrol vessel FPV Watchful had previously been analysed and spatial information on fishing activity and relative effort information produced (Clark, 2008). This data was made available to the current study and was extracted to the 1 x 1 km grid used for the fishing activity mapping survey (Figure 16). 31 P a g e

38 Figure 16. Fishing Effort (sightings - patrol ) derived from observations recorded from Sussex SFC patrol vessel. SFC Total Shellfish Fishing Effort Sightings Relative to Patrol Effort 135 to 153 (6) 120 to 135 (12) 105 to 120 (6) 90 to 105 (69) 75 to 90 (29) 60 to 75 (66) 45 to 60 (30) 30 to 45 (81) 15 to 30 (56) 0 to 15 (181) Figure 17. Total historic shellfish static gear fishing activity (incidence of activity - square km ) Historic Shellfishing Activity Activities per 1x1 km Grid Cell 9 to 10 (9) 8 to 9 (19) 7 to 8 (35) 6 to 7 (38) 5 to 6 (45) 4 to 5 (43) 3 to 4 (110) 2 to 3 (134) 1 to 2 (204) A visual comparison of the spatial extent of the observed distribution of fishing vessels engaged in shellfish fisheries in Figure 16 with the composite data of shellfish fishing activity derived from interviews with fishermen in the current study in Figure 17 reveals that there is clearly a strong agreement in spatial extent of activity. 32 P a g e

39 In order to establish whether a formal statistical relationship exists between these dataset a Chi-square test was carried out on presence/absence data for each 1 x 1 km grid cell. The chi-square (X 2 ) statistic was used to investigate whether the distributions of presence or absence of fishing activity differed from one another. The results presented in the text box below indicate that the spatial extent of fishing activity derived by both approaches were very similar. Statistical analysis (Chi-square statistic) Null hypothesis = the datasets of fishing activity distribution data are independent Chi-square (with Yates' correction for continuity) observed value: P value: < Significance: Chi-square (with Yates' correction for continuity) critical value (df = 1): Result = Null hypothesis is rejected; the datasets of fishing activity distribution data are dependant Further validation work with Sussex SFC will take place on individual fisheries as current data becomes available. It is expected that analyses of these datasets will repeat the results of the current statistical tests. It was not considered to be appropriate to compare SFC relative effort data with the current effort data produced by the current study. The SFC data is historic data covering the years and a number of changes in fishing practices, particularly in the whelk fishery, have occurred since this data was collected resulting in changes in patterns of effort that are apparent in the data from this study (Figure 3) Summary and Conclusions The fisheries data gathered during the SIDS survey of the Eastbourne static gear shellfish fishery enabled a series of spatial analyses resulting in the production of a series of GIS maps presenting information on: Current fishing activity; Current fishing effort; Historic fishing activity; Historic fishing intensity; and Economic value at 1 st sale of individual areas. By inclusion of other environmental datasets it was possible to link fishing activities with seabed habitats and features such as reef structures. Statistical analysis using independent sightings data established that the spatial activity data produced using the SIDS approach was accurate independently verifiable. This result confers a high degree of confidence to data produced by the SIDS mapping approach. 33 P a g e

40 6.0 Mapping Trial 2. Cardigan Bay and North Wales Inshore Scallop Fishery (mobile gear) 6.1 Background The inshore (<12 nautical miles) scallop fishery in Cardigan Bay and around the North Wales coast is prosecuted by vessels operating from a number of ports around the North Wales and North Western SFC district. The NWNWSFC issued a total of 43 permits for < 10 m vessels and 16 permits for >10 m vessels 8 of which were limited to North Wales during the 2008/9 scallop season. Sea fishery officers expect that a minority of these permit holders will have actually operated within the SFC district (< 6 nautical miles) during this period favouring other fisheries (pers. com. Bill Cook NWNWSFC). The scallop grounds extending beyond the 12 mile fishery limit are chiefly targeted by larger (>15 m) vessels. A number of >15 m vessels have permits to fish between 6-12 miles, these vessels are subject to legislation requiring their use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and, with the exception of the 2 Welsh >15 m vessels operating under grandfather rights between 3-6 miles, as activity and effort data may be derived from the VMS data, were not included in the study. Significant recruitment success has resulted in large stocks of scallops in the Cardigan Bay. Since 2007 the stocks on the Cardigan Bay scallop grounds have been subject to increased attention from local and nomadic vessels from elsewhere in the UK. A number of these nomadic vessels cite that they have been displaced from their traditional fishing grounds in Lyme Bay and Falmouth Bay. Others have travelled from Scottish grounds attracted by the high landings being reported in the bay. The North Wales scallop grounds have been traditionally important for the inshore vessels based on the Llyn Peninsula and Anglesey. These vessels are able to work these grounds when weather precludes travel to Cardigan Bay scalloping grounds. The spatial extent of the inshore scallop dredge fishery vessels is, in part, dictated by a series of regulations enforced by NWNWSFC. A large proportion of the inshore scallop grounds are within or adjacent to designated European Marine Sites which has resulted in the closure of some areas to protect sensitive seabed features such as horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) reefs and species rich gravels. These closures have resulted in vessels from the north of Cardigan Bay routinely travelling to its southern extent where grounds remain open. There is currently significant pressure being brought to bear on regulators to implement further closures by conservation NGOs and government agencies which could significantly impact the inshore scalloping fleet. Further closures would result in the inshore vessels being forced to travel offshore to fish or travel further around the coast to open grounds with increased fuel costs and exposure to increased risks during bad weather. Fishing from small vessels in Carmarthen Bay is particularly weather dependent as there is a lack of shelter and there are few safe havens should a vessel need to seek one. The primary aim of this case study was to trial the survey approach on a mobile gear fishery with the secondary aim of gathering spatial activity and relative effort data from the Welsh inshore fleet that could be used to inform management of the fishery. These aims fit within the overarching aims of the SIDS project which aims to promote long term management of stocks and supporting ecosystems and from socio-economic and environmental perspective. 34 P a g e

41 6.2 Pre-survey Planning Interviewing all of the fishermen involved in the scallop fishery in the survey area was logistically beyond the scope and time scale of the study due to the number of vessels involved in the scallop fishery and the wide geographic distances separating their home ports. Based on the assumption that the information provided by a representative set of participants would reflect the wider activates of the scalloping fleet a result a subset of fishermen was approached to participate. In order that a representative cross-section of the inshore fleet engaged in scalloping within the survey area were consulted and the survey effort was most efficiently focused, key fishing vessels and skippers were initially identified and contacted with the assistance of fishermen s representatives from Welsh Federation of Fishermen s Associations (WFFA), the Llyn Fishermen s Association (LFA), and through members of the National Scallop Group 2. As the survey progressed further vessels and experienced skippers were recommended by the participating fishermen. Care was taken to ensure that a wide geographical coverage and a wide variety of vessel sizes were included in the survey. Discussions with experienced scallop fishermen and the fishermen s associations informed the likely spatial scope of the survey which enabled the sourcing of relevant Admiralty charts (Figure 18). Figure 18. Scope of the mapping survey area reflecting spatial range of the fleet s operations determined from discussions members of the scalloping industry and the fishermen s associations. Holyhead Conwy Caernarfon Pwllhei 12 Mile Limit 6 Mile Limit 3 Mile Limit Aberystwyth Cardigan Fishguard 6.3 Fishermen Mapping Interviews The information pack developed during the previous case study was made available to every participant. The pack contained background information on current issues driving the requirement for spatial information and the objectives of the survey. The information pack also contained a guidance document that presented a step-by-step guide to the mapping process with worked examples of the accompanying questionnaire. 2 The National Scallop Group was established in 2008 to examine on a UK basis the problems facing the industry. The group, facilitated by Seafish and SAGB, is made up of fishermen and their associations, statutory bodies including conservation agencies and other stakeholders. 35 P a g e

42 Interviews with fishermen were carried out over the spring of 2009 with a combination of port and home visits. Interviews in North Wales focused on individual fishermen operating from the key ports of Caernarfon, Holyhead and Pwllheli. These were identified and contacted by Mike Parry of the LFA ahead of the port visits with the intention of bringing the survey to their attention and to gain their agreement to participate. The information packs were made available for those who required them. The inshore scallop fishermen generally land their catches into their home ports making it necessary to travel to multiple ports. The North Wales ports were targeted over a period of a week to ensure that interviews could take place whenever individual fishermen were available. During this period high winds and rough seas resulted in many skippers of the smaller vessels being available. Further interviews were carried out at other ports and fishermen s homes in the south of Cardigan Bay on an ad hoc basis. Although the survey was being carried out by SIDS and facilitated by industry representatives there was an initial reticence to participate by a number of skippers until it was made clear the individual information given by them would remain confidential and that the final data would be held by the SIDS manager at SAGB. There was a general unwillingness to provide information to regulators and in particular the conservation agencies. This distrust appeared to have resulted from a number of area closures in the preceding decade. Despite these issues all of the fishermen approached were willing to participate and provided detailed information on their activities. The interviews took place in a variety of venues including pubs, cafes, boat yards, fishermen s homes and vessel wheelhouse. The interviews followed the process developed during the Eastbourne survey with each fisherman indicating their fishing areas on the chart prompted by a question-answer routine where the fisherman was prompted for details about specific areas in order to complete the questionnaire fields. Once the interview was underway and the survey requirements and process was understood by the participant the interview could be completed relatively quickly with minimum prompting. The length of interview varied from 20 minutes to 1 ½ hours depending on how wide ranging the discussions were. 6.4 Results Of the 10 skippers and vessels shortlisted 9 were successfully interviewed during the trial. The remaining skipper was repeatedly unavailable either at sea or due to other commitments. As the survey focused on a subset of potential vessels areas where these vessels are known to operate have been recorded as areas where there is a known shortfall in information. The individual fishermen s mapped areas were entered into the GIS as polygons at chart resolution and appended with the questionnaire information. The resulting database table contained 78 individual polygons each representative of an individual fishing ground or area of operation of a particular fishing vessel (Figure 2). 36 P a g e

43 Figure 19. Map displaying the overlapping individual fishing areas indicated by fishermen during the survey. Areas where there are information gaps are indicated by empty grid cells. Holyhead Conwy Caernarfon Pwllhei 12 Mile Limit 6 Mile Limit 3 Mile Limit Aberystwyth Cardigan Fishguard 6.5 Summary and Lessons Key observations made during the survey and individual interviews: Trust issues were paramount within this fishery and it was important to develop trust through assurances of confidentiality and data use, and by clearly stating the aims of the study. Liaison with the local and national fishermen s representatives was important in planning and in securing participation in the study, The questionnaire complemented the mapping component of the survey by providing a clear structure to each interview and directing discussions to details on particular areas, Large mobile gear fisheries such as this one result in the participation of vessels from a wide geographic area which presents logistical problems for the surveyor, The targeting of a subset of vessels necessitates the informed identification of a representative group of participants, The quality of charts used during mapping process must be very good, ideally Admiralty charts, as poor quality copies or GIS print outs of coastlines could not be easily interpreted. 37 P a g e

44 7.0 Analysis of Scalloping Activity in Cardigan Bay and North Wales This study focused on Welsh vessels operating from ports around Cardigan Bay and North Wales and did not assess the activities of vessels from other areas. Nevertheless, discussions with fishermen operating in the fishery suggest that the results of the study are likely to reflect the activities of the wider <15 m inshore scallop fleet operating in the survey area. Based on this assumption a number of analyses were undertaken to determine the spatial extent and relative effort of vessels engaged in scalloping in Cardigan Bay and North Wales. 7.1 Combined Current and Historic Scallop Fishing Activity Patterns Figure 20 displays the distribution of current scallop dredging activity in Cardigan Bay and North Wales occurring during the 2008/9 season on a 1 x 1 km grid. Areas around North Wales were widespread and locally important to vessels from Caernarfon, Holyhead and Pwllheli. The main focus of the scallop fishery during the 2008/9 season was located in the centre and south of Cardigan Bay. Vessels from a number of ports including those from North Wales and Anglesey targeted this area. An index of relative effort (ratio of total/mean days), calculated from skippers own estimates of number of days spent fishing within each of their areas indicated that the level of effort varied widely but with a focus to the north and west of Cardigan. Anecdotal reports from participants indicated that the area of high effort was also the focus for the nomadic fleet including >15 m vessels operating between the 6-12 mile limits during 2008/9. Figure 20. Relative inshore scallop fishing effort (total/mean days) derived from fishermen s estimates of days spent fishing in each area per annum. The empty grids indicate fished areas where information gaps have been identified. The blue shaded area indicates the approximate area of activity beyond the 12 mile fishery limit. Solid grey polygons indicate areas closed under NWNWSFC bylaws. Scallop Fishing Relative Effort Ratio of mean effort/total effort 3 to 3.5 (35) 2.5 to 3 (398) 2 to 2.5 (35) 1.5 to 2 (104) 1 to 1.5 (179) 0.5 to 1 (408) 0 to 0.5 (902) 38 P a g e

45 Figure 21. Historic inshore scallop fishing activity (vessels per 1 x 1 km grid cell). Solid grey polygons indicate areas now closed under NWNWSFC bylaws. Historic Scallop Dredging Activity Number of Vessels per 1x1 km Grid Cel 10 to 11 (6) 9 to 10 (16) 8 to 9 (26) 7 to 8 (127) 6 to 7 (238) 5 to 6 (267) 4 to 5 (230) 3 to 4 (566) 2 to 3 (835) 1 to 2 (1661) Figure 21 illustrates the distribution of historic activity of the inshore scallop fishery operating in Cardigan Bay and North Wales. Foci of activity occur northeast of Anglesey, along the north Llyn coast and in the south of Cardigan Bay. A number of areas of historic activity are recorded along the south Llyn coast and in Tremadog Bay that were absent from the current fishing patterns presented in Figure 20. Figure 22 better illustrates these areas and the Modiolus box along the north Llyn which are now closed under NWNWSFC bylaw to protect sensitive seabed habitats. Those areas that remain open are locally important to vessels operating from Caernarfon, Holyhead and Pwllheli as they can be worked during periods of disturbed weather when steaming between ports and the Cardigan Bay grounds is considered to carry a high risk. 39 P a g e

46 Figure 22. Historic inshore scallop fishing activity around the North Wales coast (vessels per 1 x 1 km grid cell). Solid grey area indicates areas now closed under NWNWSFC bylaws. Historic Scallop Dredging Activity Number of Vessels per 1x1 km Grid Cel 10 to 11 (6) 9 to 10 (16) 8 to 9 (26) 7 to 8 (127) 6 to 7 (238) 5 to 6 (267) 4 to 5 (230) 3 to 4 (566) 2 to 3 (835) 1 to 2 (1661) The main focus of historic activity for the scallop fishery in the survey area is the large (2703 km 2 ) area to the south of Cardigan Bay. This area had been targeted by each of the vessels participating in this survey. Figure 23 illustrates the detail of activity and the historic importance of the inshore areas off Cardigan and Aberporth. Figure 23. Historic inshore scallop fishing activity (vessels per 1 x 1 km grid cell). Solid grey area indicates areas now closed under NWNWSFC bylaws. Historic Scallop Dredging Activity Number of Vessels per 1x1 km Grid Cel 10 to 11 (6) 9 to 10 (16) 8 to 9 (26) 7 to 8 (127) 6 to 7 (238) 5 to 6 (267) 4 to 5 (230) 3 to 4 (566) 2 to 3 (835) 1 to 2 (1661) 40 P a g e

47 7.2 Fishing Activity in Relation to European Marine Sites Many of the area closures are related to the protection of Special Area of Conservation site features such as sensitive seabed habitats. Figure 24 illustrates the location of these protected areas in relation to historic scallop fishing activity. Of note is the high level of historic fishing activity in the Cardigan Bay SAC in the south of the bay. Figure 24. Historic inshore scallop fishing activity (vessels per 1 x 1 km grid cell) in relation to Special Areas of Conservation (Opaque grey areas) within the survey area. Historic Scallop Dredging Activity Number of Vessels per 1x1 km Grid Cell 10 to 11 (6) 9 to 10 (16) 8 to 9 (26) 7 to 8 (127) 6 to 7 (238) 5 to 6 (267) 4 to 5 (230) 3 to 4 (566) 2 to 3 (835) 1 to 2 (1661) 41 P a g e

48 7.3 Linking Scallop Fishing Activity with Seabed Habitats A key influence on the distribution of scallop fishing activities are the distribution of the seabed habitats supporting the target species. A number of broadscale marine landscape maps have been produced for the Irish Sea notably the MESH data layers 3 and a series of studies carried out by the National Museum of Wales (Mackie et al, 1990; 1995). Most recently however, the EU funded HabMap project has produced, using modelling techniques, a series of predictive biotope maps (Robinson et al, 2007). The JNCC biotope hierarchical classification system uses physical and biological characteristics to describe seabed communities. The HabMap work predicts these biotops at a higher level and is mainly concerned with physical characteristics. Although these maps are continuing to be developed, a current version (Robinson et al, 2007) has been used to demonstrate the relationship between scallop fishing activity and seabed habitats. The majority of activity is shown to have occurred over the Level 3 SS.SMx.CMx circalittoral mixed sediments (Figure 25). This biotope includes a series of mixed sediment habitats below m (the circalittoral zone. Habitats likely to be found in these areas may include well mixed muddy gravelly sands or very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles and pebbles embedded in or lying upon mud, sand or gravel (Connor et al, 2004). Figure 25. Historic inshore scallop fishing activity overlaid on the HabMap predictive biotope map (after Robinson et al, 2007). Predicted Level 3 Biotopes SS.SSa.IMuSa IR.HIR.KSed SS.SMu.CSaMu.LkorPpel SS.SMx.CMx CR.HCR.XFa IR.MIR.KR SS.SMx.OMx SS.SCS.CCS SS.SMx.IMx SS.SCS.ICS CR.MCR.EcCr IR.HIR.KFaR SS.SMp.KSw SS SS.SSa.IFiSa CR.MCR.SfR SS.SSa.CMuSa CR.MCR.CSab CR.HCR.FaT SS.SSa.OSa SS.SMu.ISaMu SS.SMp.SSgr SS.SMp.Mrl IR.LIR.K SS.SBR.SMus SS.SBR.PoR SS.SMu.OMu SS.SMu.SMuVS CR.MCR.CMus CR.MCR.CFaVS IR.MIR.KT SS.SMu.CFiMu SS.SCS.OCS A further analysis of the presence of scallop fishing activity (at a grid cell resolution) occurring over or close to each of the predicted seabed habitats was undertaken. In total 19 level 3 biotopes coincided with historic activity (Table 4). The main biotopes over which scallop fishing had occurred were found to be SS.SMx.CMx Circalittoral mixed sediments (2990 grid cells) and SS.SSa.IMuSa Infralittoral muddy sand (706 grid cells). 3 MESH data layers are available from the project website: 42 P a g e

49 The high incidence (90 grid cells) of scallop fishing activity occurring over the Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities biotope, an infralittoral rock biotope and is a misleading result as this type of biotope is generally avoided by scallop fishermen because of the risk of loss or damage to their gear. The result is likely to be a function of the scale of the 1 x 1 grid cell used in the analysis and errors inherent in the HabMap model (75% confidence for Level 3 biotopes); the predicted biotopes may occur within the 1 x 1 grid cell but not be targeted by vessels engaged in scallop dredging which may work up to 1000 m away. Table 4. Ranked table of Level 3 biotopes in which scallop fishing has occurred in Cardigan Bay Level 3 Biotope Code Habitat Description Scallop Fishing Activty 1 x 1 km Cells SS.SMx.CMx Circalittoral mixed sediment 2990 SS.SSa.IMuSa Infralittoral muddy sand 706 IR.HIR.KSed Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities 90 SS.SMu.CSaMu.LkorPpel Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus in circalittoral sandy mud 48 SS.SMx.IMx Infralittoral mixed sediment 28 SS.SCS.ICS Infralittoral coarse sediment 22 CR.HCR.XFa Mixed faunal turf communities 19 SS.SCS.CCS Circalittoral coarse sediment 16 IR.MIR.KR Kelp and red seaweeds (moderate energy infralittoral rock) 11 SS.SMU.CSaMu Circalittoral sandy mud 8 SS.SSa.IFiSa Infralittoral fine sand 8 SS.SSa.CMuSa Circalittoral muddy sand 6 SS.SSa.CFiSa Circalittoral fine sand 5 SS.SBR.PoR Polychaete worm reefs (on sublittoral sediment) 4 SS.SSa.OSa Offshore circalittoral sand 4 SS.SMx.OMx Offshore circalittoral mixed sediment 3 SS.SCS.OCS Offshore circalittoral coarse sediment 2 SS.SMp.KSwSS Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment 2 This analysis demonstrates the potential to link spatial fishing activity data with seabed habitats. This approach provides key information for developing spatial management plans and can be used to highlight areas where there may be a conservation concern. Importantly from a scallop industry perspective this information can demonstrate that the majority of their activities operate over habitats that may be more resilient or more able to recover from disturbance. Where areas of concern are highlighted further investigation including, targeted seabed surveys, may allow managers and fishermen to determine the nature of sensitive seabed habitats and whether fishing is taking place close to them. 43 P a g e

50 7.4 Validation of Fishing Activity Analyses by Fishermen In order to determine whether the analyses of fishing activity reflected the patterns of fishing understood by the fishermen a series of summary maps was shown to a number of the most experienced fishermen. The maps were discussed and examined alongside these fishermen who were able to highlight areas where information gaps existed. With the exception of an area of information deficit in Cardigan Bay (see Figure 20) the analysis maps were considered to represent current and historic fishing patterns of the Welsh vessels involved in the inshore scallop fishery. 7.5 Validation of Fishermen Derived Data with Independent Observational Data It was not possible to use SFC sightings data for validation as the sightings database for the Cardigan Bay scallop fishery is rather too small for the purpose. The sparse sightings data is a result of the short time the programme has been operated by NWNWSFC and the reduced patrol effort resulting from a combination of regular bad weather in the survey area and a lack of shelter in the patrol area. Other datasets were investigated but those that were available were based upon VMS data from >15 m vessels. It may be possible to validate the data set from M&FA overflight data but time constraints precluded the pursuit of this data. 44 P a g e

51 8.0 Discussion There can be no doubt that if the shellfish fishing industry is to be represented in future marine spatial plans and in the MCZ siting projects it needs to ensure accurate and detailed information about its activities exist. Currently there is a paucity of such information especially in the inshore area between 0-12 nautical miles and the shellfish fishing industry cannot rely upon fisheries regulators to collect this information. The spatial resolution of logbook information is insufficient for the tasks in hand and this coupled with serious concerns about the validity of M&FA logbook data and the 30% return levels in some areas make this approach appear woefully inadequate. The SFC permit return data, even in those districts where there is continuity of recording, is too low resolution to be utilized in a MSP or MCZ context. Observational and surveillance data, although potentially accurate, is considered too patchy in the inshore zone to provide reliable spatial activity data in many areas. The development of the SFC fishing activity surveillance programme will no doubt provide a useful and comprehensive dataset in the future if it continues under the IFCAs. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few districts, the current time-series is insufficient to address current requirements; a minimum of 4 years sightings data may be required to undertake a meaningful activity and effort analysis (Rob Clark, Sussex SFC, pers. com.). Likewise, the advent of VMS in certain fisheries such as the Solway shellfish fishery will produce extensive and accurate spatial activity data in the future. The most viable option, where data gaps exist, for the rapid production of current and historic activity data is the consultative approach with the shellfish fishermen as adopted in the current study and likely to be adopted by the regional MCZ projects as a development of the FisherMap stud. The SIDS approach employed in the two mapping trials produced high-resolution spatial data on the fishing activities of two operationally different shellfish fishing fleets. 8.1 The SIDS Approach The methodology developed in the current study while conceptually similar to those employed in other studies differed in the scope and focus of the fishery information recorded. The current study s approach of collecting quantitative effort data and its focus on historic as well as current activity data produced a wealth of data for the fishing activity mapping process. By undertaking two separate trials on static and mobile gear fleets the SIDS trial studies were able to determine differences in approach required when surveying these sectors. Where possible the results of these trials were verified and validated by experienced fishermen and by comparative analysis with independent sightings data. The mapping process adopted during the trials was well received by all participants who found it conceptually straightforward and easy to participate. The use of the questionnaire proved to be useful in providing structure to the interview process and helped direct interviewees to the information requirements. The datasets resulting from the mapping interviews provided comprehensive spatial, quantifiable and contextual information. The resulting summary maps successfully present the spatial extent of the inshore shellfish fishing industry in both study areas. 45 P a g e

52 8.1.1 Data Gaps and Alternative Strategies During the current trials areas of missing data were able to be identified during the validation stage when receiving feedback from fishermen. As the trials focused on mapping individual fishermen s fishing grounds these information gaps were always related to the activities either local vessels not included in the trial survey or vessels from other ports working in the survey area. The scallop fishery in Cardigan Bay has attracted a number of new entrants to the fishery and vessels operating from distant ports, both these factors resulted in the identification of an information gaps. The distribution of static gear fishery, particularly the lobster and crab potting vessels, off Eastbourne demonstrated some territoriality with certain fishermen having locally recognised areas. A similar behaviour was reported in Dorset by des Clars et al (2008) during the FisherMap study. Where high levels of territoriality or informal spatial resource allocation exist there is a high risk of failure to fully map fishing grounds. This is especially likely when the survey is unable to interview sufficient numbers of fishermen because of resource limitations or participation issues. This risk is likely to be highest for static gear fleets targeting species that are habitat dependant such as lobsters, crabs and other crustacea. Experienced fishermen were able to identify areas of missing data during the validation stage of the current trials. By adopting the simple step of asking validation stage participants to indicate other areas where fishing occurs by vessels not in the survey. It may be possible to identify these vessels which would enable the surveyor to address the information shortfall. This approach may be most applicable to static gear fisheries operating at a local level. In the case of mobile gear fisheries operating over wide areas such as the Cardigan Bay scallop fishery it will not be possible to identify individual vessels but it should be possible to develop a general understanding of the extent of activity in order to direct further interviews survey effort. A preventative measure to avoid insufficient survey effort or failure to target key vessels should be adopted in future mapping work; although undertaken during the SIDS trials, one of the first steps in pre-survey planning should be to establish a list of acting fishermen and vessels within the target areas. This was done fairly straightforwardly in the SIDS trials working from M&FA databases, and through local SFC and fishermen s association representatives. Without this information it is difficult to assess just how comprehensive or representative the mapping survey work is Independent Validation of Mapping Data The results of the validation analysis of spatial data produced during the SIDS trials with independent observational data confirmed that the datasets were statistically dependant. This is believed to be the first time that a statistical link between consultative fishing activity data and an independent fishing activity dataset has been established. This is a landmark result as it provides confirmation that fishermen derived mapping data can be reliable and accurate ensuring that, if collected correctly, such data can be used to inform marine planning with a degree of confidence. Further work is planned with Sussex SFC to examine the relationships between data produced in the trial for individual fisheries and observational data. This result is important in confirming the validity of spatial activity data derived from consultative mapping approaches such as the SIDS methodology. Additional analyses should be undertaken where suitable datasets exist to further establish the accuracy of the approach. The lack of independent sightings data in Cardigan Bay highlights the problem of patchy and insufficient monitoring programmes inside of 12 miles. 46 P a g e

53 Given the importance placed on the FisherMap project in influencing the approaches of the regional MCZ projects it is recommended that a similar type of analysis is undertaken on the FisherMap outputs using Devon SFC and M&FA sightings data The Importance of Historic Activity Information The differentiation of historic from current or recent shellfish fishing activity may be a key factor in providing information to future MSP and MCZ projects. The marine environment is notoriously dynamic and key commercial shellfish species demonstrate a corresponding variation in distribution and in abundance; areas that were important fishing grounds 10 or 20 years ago may not be currently important but may be once again in the near future. The distribution of activity in the Eastbourne whelk fishery is a good example of this process (Figure 7 Figure 8). An area south of Beachy Head had been subject to what was anecdotally described as a high level of effort for some years, responding to reductions in landings from this area the Eastbourne whelk fishermen agreed among themselves to instigate a voluntary closed area until stocks recovered. Currently, the focus of the whelk fishery is to the west of this historically important area as shown in Figure 8. Changes in the legislative landscape are an equally powerful defining factor on the spatial extent of fisheries. The introduction of a number of area closures under bylaw in Cardigan Bay and around the Llyn Peninsular has been shown to have affected the extent of scallop fishing in these areas (Figure 21). If future shellfish fishing opportunities are not to be constrained historic fishing grounds not in current use need to be considered in the development of marine spatial plans and particularly in the siting of MCZs The use of Effort Estimates and Value Multipliers Effort data allows the determination of relative levels of area usage and enables a series of analyses including the application of value multipliers. Effort data is crucial in understanding the spatial complexities of fishing activity that other non-effort based approaches cannot. The fishing intensity approach adopted in previous studies has been acknowledged to lack the capacity to adequately provide the necessary information to enable economic analysis (des Clars, 2008). The approach adopted in the SIDS trials of collecting estimated effort data for each individual fisherman s fishing area provides a useful proxy for surveillance or monitoring data. The production of effort data or and effort proxy makes a number of useful analyses possible and provides data that enables other spatial management techniques. The use of estimated effort data enabled the production of relative effort maps for the areas of both trial surveys (Figure 3 &Figure 20). Although the metric is based on individual fishermen s estimates standardisation of pooled estimates allowed the production maps representing relative effort of the whole fleet. Feedback received in the validation stage was encouraging with the patterns of relative effort presented on the summary maps being in agreement with the perceptions of experienced fishermen. It would be useful to further validate effort data produced using this approach with independent observational effort data such as the SFC surveillance data. This was not possible during the current study as only historic data was available. 47 P a g e

54 The ability to assign an economic value to fishing areas has been highlighted as a key output of fishing activity mapping projects to inform the siting of MPAs and has been attempted using a number of approaches elsewhere (Klein et al, 2008). The availability of relative effort data enables the calculation of relative values for individual areas as was attempted during the Eastbourne mapping study. In this case M&FA port landings data and value estimates were used to calculate relative values for 1 x 1 km grid cells (Figure 11 & Figure 12). Feedback from fishermen during the validation stage suggested that although the pattern of economic importance was correct the total values were too low. This reflects shortcomings in the M&FA landings data and not the analysis or mapping approach. The availability of accurate or at least representative landings or economic data for the subject fishery is vital if MCZ siting decision making is going to be influenced by such information and alternative sources of data may have to be sought. In cases where this information is not available it could be obtained by a survey of participating fishermen and key shellfish buyers and processors. Recent attempts to produce seabed sensitivity maps, such as those developed for Welsh waters by CCW (Hall, et al, 2008), rely on estimates of fishing effort or intensity. If these or other risk assessment techniques are to be applied in a MSP context they will require accurate fishing activity and effort data such as is developed by the effort estimates in the SIDS trials Trust Issues and the Importance of Industry Associations During the surveys there was often an initial reticence on the part of fishermen to participate with the survey until it was made clear that the work was being carried out by an industry body on their behalf. There appeared to be a wariness of statutory conservation agencies and conservation NGOs and their association with local area closures. More widely, the Lyme Bay and Falmouth Bay closures have made shellfish fishermen aware of the potential threats to their livelihood presented by conservation based area closures and future surveys may encounter a reticence to engage. The local and national fishermen s associations and their representatives played a vital role as a point of contact and as liaison between the study and the fishermen in the ports. These individuals and organisations ensured that the participants were well informed about the objectives of the trials and as a result many and reluctance was dispelled. Without their involvement and willingness to participate it is unlikely that the trials would have been as successful. Stakeholder involvement is proposed in the Marine and Coastal Access Act to be a cornerstone in the MCZ site selection process and increasing efforts are being made to promote fisheries co-management approaches by fishermen s groups and some conservation NGOs. There is a clear need for well supported local representation if the industry is to engage with these initiatives. The Eastbourne fishermen s association (EFBPS) is a wholly voluntary organisation and receives no support for its officers other than provided by members. If the fishermen s associations and their representatives are to address future demands on their time it is likely that they will require some level of financial and logistical support Need for Clarification of data Requirements for MCZ Process A prerequisite during the design and planning of a consultative survey is a clear set of objectives and data requirements. Without this fundamental information there is a likelihood that insufficient data will be collected or that effort and resources are expended in collecting superfluous information. At the time of writing this study has been unable to obtain a clear set of data or information requirements necessary to inform the MCZ process from either of the English or Welsh statutory 48 P a g e

55 conservation agencies. There is currently a great deal of development work continuing in the development of the MCZ site selection process including how that socio-economics will influence their siting (pers. Comm. Tom Hooper, Finding Sanctuary). There is an urgent need for clarification of these details if the shellfish industry is to be prepared to engage fully with the MCZ process Recommendations for Future Fisheries Mapping Surveys It is clear that there is a need for spatial fishing activity and effort information and it is likely that surveys similar to the FisherMap project will be undertaken as part of the regional MCZ projects. In its present form FisherMap does not adequately collect many of the key data requirements that would adequately represent the interests of the shellfish industry during the MCZ siting process or future marine spatial plans. During the current study a number of approaches, such as recording historic and effort data, have been demonstrated that would if, incorporated, address these shortfalls. If future surveys are to successfully produce accurate and detailed fisheries activity data adequately representing the interests of the shellfish industry there are a number of key issues not fully addressed in previous studies that should be considered: Quantitative metrics, particularly effort data, should be collected to enable further statistical analyses. The collection of historic fishing activity information is vital if a full picture of fishing patterns is to be developed and if the shellfish industry s future operations are not to be constrained The inclusion of a broad scale mapping step during any validation stage recording the activities of non-surveyed vessels in order to identify data gaps and provided basic information on extent of fishing activity. Pre-survey planning should be to establish a list of active fishermen within the survey area to enable the assessment of: o Representativeness of survey participants. o The adequacy of survey effort and scope. Early resolution of trust issues by establishing fishermen s associations, industry bodies and representative as part of the mapping project. Involving skilled interviewers who are experienced in developing dialogue with the fishing industry and ideally involving the industry directly in the validation of the process. 49 P a g e

56 References Airamé, S., Dugan, J.E., Lafferty, K.D., Leslie, H., McArdle, D.A., and Warner, R.R., Applying Ecological Criteria to Marine Reserve Design: A Case Study from the California Channel Islands. Ecological Applications Ball, I. R., and H. P. Possingham MARXAN version The Ecology Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane. Available from (accessed November 2008) Ball, Ian and Possingham, Hugh, MARXAN (v1.8.2): Marine Reserve Design Using Spatially Explicit Annealing. A Manual Prepared for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. 69 pp. Banks, S.A., Skilleter, G.A., and Possingham, H.P., Intertidal Habitat Conservation: Identifying Conservation Targets in the Absence of Detailed Biological Information. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Bennett, D.B. and Brown, C. G., Crab (Cancer pagurus) migrations in the English Channel. J. Mar. biol. Ass. U.K Connor, D W., Allen J.H, Golding N., Howell K.L., Lieberknecht L.M., Northen K, and Reker, R., The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version JNCC, Peterborough (Internet Version) Available from (accessed May 2009). Clark, R.W., Towards establishing a tool to provide baseline data on the fisheries within the Sussex Sea Fisheries District in Richards and Foster Ed., 2004 Mineral Industry Sustainable Technology Programme Final Reports Clark, R.W., Sussex inshore fisheries. Part I: the inshore fisheries off the Sussex coast: a description of the methods and spatial extents, Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee Report. Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex. Defra, Review of Marine Nature Conservation Working Group report to Government. Defra. DEFRA, 2007 a. A Sea Change - A marine bill White Paper. March 2007 des Clers, S., Dat, C., Carrier, S., Survey of Greater Thames Estuary Fisheries Knowledge. Report to The Essex Estuaries Initiative, pp 38. des Clers, S., Fishermen s Maps. Coast Map News, Available online (accessed November 2008) Eastwood, PE., Building GIS and Environmental Data Management Capabilities of the Sea Fisheries Committees. Available online Accessed November 2008 Geselbracht, L. and Torres, R., Florida Marine Assessment: Prioritization of Marine/Estuarine Sites and Problems Adversely Affecting Marine/Estuarine Habitats and Associated Species of Greatest 50 P a g e

57 Conservation Need (Interim Report). Available online at Accessed November Hall, K., Paramor, O.A.L., Robinson L.A., Winrow-Giffin, A., Frid C.L.J., Eno, N.C., Dernie, K.M., Sharp, R.A.M., Wyn, G.C.& Ramsay, K., Mapping the sensitivity of benthic habitats to fishing in Welsh waters - development of a protocol. CCW (Policy Research). Report No: 8/12, 85pp. Kevin St. Martin, Bonnie J. McCay, Grant D. Murray, Teresa R. Johnson and Bryan Oles Communities, knowledge and fisheries of the future. International Journal of Global Environmental Issues Klein, C. J., A. Chan, L. Kircher, A. J. Cundiff, N. Gardner, Y. Hrovat, A. Scholz, B. E. Kendall, and S. Airame Striking a balance between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic viability in the design of marine protected areas. Conservation Biology Latroite, D. And Le Foll, D Données sur les migrations des crabs tourteau Cancer pagurus et araignée de mer Maia squinado. Oceanis Mackie, A.S.Y., Oliver, P.G. & Rees, E.I.S Benthic biodiversity in the southern Irish Sea. Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Systematics from the National Museum of Wales. BIOMÔR Reports pp. MFA The United Kingdom Fishing Vessel Lists Marine and Fishery Agency Publication. Available online Accessed April 2009 McCay, B. J., Pomeroy, C.,St. Martin, K., & Walker, B. L. E., Peer Review: Ecotrust MLPAI Products Available online at Accessed November Mills, C. M., Townsend, S. E., Jennings, S., Eastwood, P. D., and Houghton, C. A Estimating high resolution trawl fishing effort from satellite-based vessel monitoring system data. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: Possingham, H., Ball, I., and Andelman, S., Mathematical Methods for Identifying Representative Reserve Networks. In Ferson, S. and Burgman, M., eds. Quantitative methods for conservation biology. Springer-Verlag, New York. pp Robinson K., Ramsay K., Wilson J., Mackie A., Wheeler A., O Beirn F., Lindenbaum C., Van Landeghem K., McBreen F., Mitchell N HABMAP: Habitat Mapping for conservation and management of the southern Irish Sea. Report to the Welsh European Funding Office. CCW Science Report Number 810. Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor. 233 pp plus appendices. Sala, Enric, Aburto-Oropeza, Octavio, Paredes, Gustavo, Parra, Ivan, Barerra, Juan, C., and Dayton, Paul, K., A General Model for Designing Networks of Marine Reserves. Science A Scholz, K Bonzon, R Fujita, N Benjamin, N Woodling, P Black and C Steinback Participatory socioeconomic analysis: drawing on fishermen's knowledge for marine protected area planning in California. Marine Policy P a g e

58 A Scholz, C Steinback, S Kruse, M Mertens, M Weber Commercial and recreational fishing grounds and their relative importance off the North Central Coast of California. Report to the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. pp 91. Stewart, R.R., Noyce, T., and Possingham, H.P., Opportunity Cost of Ad Hoc Marine Reserve Design Decisions: An Example from South Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series Wilen, J., Abbott, J Discussion of Ecotrust Methodology in: Commercial fishing grounds and their relative Importance off the Central Coast of California. Report submitted to the California Marine Life Protection Initiative. pp 11. McCay, B. J., Pomeroy, C.,St. Martin, K., & Walker, B. L. E., Peer Review: Ecotrust MLPAI Products Available online at Accessed November 2008 Witt, M. J., Godley, B. J., A Step Towards Seascape Scale Conservation: Using Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) to Map Fishing Activity. PLoS ONE. 2007; 2(10): e1111. Accessed online December Woolmer, A. P., Using Fishermen s Knowledge Base to Map Fishing Activity in South Wales. Report to South & West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd, pp P a g e

59 Appendix I. SIDS Questionnaire and Guidance Shellfish Industry Development Strategy National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping Fishermen s Questionnaire and Guidance The aim of this study is to produce a series of charts of the sea areas that are essential for your fishery. These will include areas such as; Fishing grounds or areas that currently worked by you; areas that you have historically worked and may return to in the future, and; spawning grounds and nursery areas essential for the continuation of your fishery The information that you provide will ensure that your interests are represented in future Marine Spatial Plans, the siting of Marine Conservation Zones and other offshore developments that may otherwise affect your fishery. All information provided by individual fishermen will treated as commercially sensitive and will remain strictly confidential

60 Shellfish Industry Development Strategy National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping - Questionnaire Step-by-Step Instructions to Mapping Process 1. Background Information: Enter the necessary information about yourself, your vessel and your gear e.g.,

61 Shellfish Industry Development Strategy National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping - Questionnaire 2. Mapping your fishing grounds: a. On the charts simply outline your separate fishing areas or fishing grounds. (These areas may be groups of tows or areas of known habitat containing your target species) b. Label each area with a number Be as detailed as you can - try not to outline large areas that contain many areas e.g. This chart only has a single large area indicated X Spawning Ground 1 e.g. This chart shows the same large area split into 4 actual fishing areas 2 Spawning Ground 4 1 3

62 Shellfish Industry Development Strategy National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping - Questionnaire 3. Key supporting information: For each of your fishing areas indicate: The estimated number of days that you visit and fish within each area per year Months of the year that you fish within each area Whether you are recording current or historical activity 4. Additional Information: Fishery information: Your knowledge of your fishery is better than anyone else. You may wish to provide further information on Your fishery Fishing grounds Target species Other information: Fishermen are at sea for much of the year and observe many important events and notice seasonal patterns in their target species and other wildlife.

63 Shellfish Industry Development Strategy National Shellfish Resource Base: Shellfish Production Waters Mapping - Questionnaire 5. Fishery Conservation Areas: You may know of areas that are important for your fishery but that you do not fish. These could be nursery or spawning grounds. By indicating these on the chart and adding information to the form these can be included in the formation of future plans and management

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