France and UK: English Channel Handline, Bottom Gillnet, Bottom Trawl, Midwater trawl

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1 And Black Seabream Spondyliosoma cantharus Image Scandinavian Fishing Yearbook/ France and UK: English Channel Handline, Bottom Gillnet, Bottom Trawl, Midwater trawl October 21, 2014 The Safina Center Seafood Analysts

2 2 About The Safina Center The Safina Center (formerly Blue Ocean Institute) translates scientific information into language people can understand and serves as a unique voice of hope, guidance, and encouragement. The Safina Center (TSC) works through science, art, and literature to inspire solutions and a deeper connection with nature, especially the sea. Our mission is to inspire more people to actively engage as well-informed and highly motivated constituents for conservation. Led by conservation pioneer and MacArthur fellow, Dr. Carl Safina, we show how nature, community, the economy and prospects for peace are all intertwined. Through Safina s books, essays, public speaking, PBS television series, our Fellows program and Sustainable Seafood program, we seek to inspire people to make better choices. The Safina Center was founded in 2003 by Dr. Carl Safina and was built on three decades of research, writing and policy work by Dr. Safina. The Safina Center s Sustainable Seafood Program The Center s founders created the first seafood guide in Our online seafood guide now encompasses over 160-wild-caught species. All peer-reviewed seafood reports are transparent, authoritative, easy to understand and use. Seafood ratings and full reports are available on our website under Seafood Choices. TSC s Sustainable Seafood Program helps consumers, retailers, chefs and health professionals discover the connection between human health, a healthy ocean, fishing and sustainable seafood. Our online guide to sustainable seafood is based on scientific ratings for more than 160 wildcaught seafood species and provides simple guidelines. Through our expanded partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, our guide now includes seafood ratings from both The Safina Center and the Seafood Watch program. We partner with Whole Foods Market (WFM) to help educate their seafood suppliers and staff, and provide our scientific seafood ratings for WFM stores in the US and UK. Through our partnership with Chefs Collaborative, we created Green Chefs/Blue Ocean, a free, interactive, online sustainable seafood course for chefs and culinary professionals. Our website features tutorials, videos, blogs, links and discussions of the key issues such as mercury in seafood, bycatch, overfishing, etc. Check out our Fellows Program, learn more about our Sustainable Seafood Program and Carl Safina s current work at The Safina Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization based in the School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, Long Island, NY. admin@safinacenter.org

3 3 About Seafood Watch Monterey Bay Aquarium s Seafood Watch program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wildcaught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from The program s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of Best Choices, Good Alternatives or Avoid. The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes. Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports in any way they find useful. For more information about Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling Disclaimer Seafood Watch and The Safina Center strive to ensure that all our Seafood Reports and recommendations contained therein are accurate and reflect the most up-to-date evidence available at the time of publication. All our reports are peer-reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science or aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or of The Safina Center or their recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch and The Safina Center are solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. We always welcome additional or updated data that can be used for the next revision. Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports are made possible through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and other funders.

4 4 Guiding Principles The Safina Center and Seafood Watch define sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished 1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Based on this principle, Seafood Watch and the Safina Center have developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wild-catch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are: How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem? Each criterion includes: Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and the Safina Center s online guide: Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife. Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they re caught. Avoid/Red: Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. 1 Fish is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates.

5 5 Summary This report provides analysis and recommendation for black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) caught in the English Channel by the United Kingdom and France. In France, black seabream are caught in a targeted mid-water trawl fishery and as a minor catch in bottom trawl fisheries for various demersal species. In the UK, the black seabream fisheries are very small; they are primarily caught with bottom trawls, but also with handlines and bottom gillnets (includes gillnets, tangle nets, and trammel nets). Black seabream are found in the northeast Atlantic from Norway south to the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands. Black seabream are hermaphrodites, first maturing as a female at 2-3 years old, and later changing sex to male. Very little information is known about the abundance of black seabream in the English Channel, but there is no indication that the species is depleted. In all fisheries, some species of concern are caught. In the mid-water trawl fishery, some European horse mackerel are caught, and overfishing is currently occurring on this species. As well, there is some potential for common dolphins to be caught. The French bottom trawl fishery and the UK fisheries catch Atlantic cod and European sea bass, which have low abundances and are experiencing high fishing. The European Union, France, and United Kingdom, all have management strategies in place to protect fisheries in their waters. However, very few strategies have been implemented specifically for black seabream. When black seabream are caught with mid-water trawls and handlines, there are no or minimal impacts on bottom ocean habitats. However, the gillnets that catch black seabream cause some damage to bottom ocean habitats, and the bottom trawls cause moderate-high damage. Overall, black seabream caught in the mid-water trawl, handline, and gillnet fisheries are rated "yellow" or "good alternative" while black seabream caught with bottom trawls are rated "red" or "avoid".

6 6 Table of Conservation s and Overall Recommendations Species / Fishery Black seabream France English Channel - Trawl, Midwater Black seabream France English Channel - Trawl, Bottom Black seabream United Kingdom English Channel - Gillnet, Bottom Black seabream United Kingdom English Channel - Handline Black seabream United Kingdom English Channel - Trawl, Bottom Criterion 1 Impacts on the Species Under Assessment Criterion 2 Impacts on other Species Criterion 3 Management ness Criterion 4 Impacts on Habitat and Ecosystem Yellow (2.64) Red (1.73) Yellow (2.45) Green (3.87) Overall Recommendation Yellow/Good Alternative (2.567) Yellow (2.64) Red (1.06) Yellow (3.00) Yellow (2.60) Red/Avoid (2.162) Yellow (2.64) Red (1.27) Yellow (2.45) Yellow (3.12) Yellow (2.64) Red (1.41) Yellow (3.00) Green (3.57) Yellow/Good Alternative (2.252) Yellow/Good Alternative (2.516) Yellow (2.64) Red (1.06) Yellow (2.45) Yellow (2.60) Red/Avoid (2.055) Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact. Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4). Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score > , and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High 2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score <=2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High 2, or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores. 2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High for either factor under Management (Criterion 3).

7 7 Table of Contents About The Safina Center... 2 About Seafood Watch... 3 Guiding Principles... 4 Introduction... 8 Assessment Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment Criterion 2: Impacts on other species Criterion 3: Management effectiveness Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem Acknowledgements References Assessment of main species not included in body of report... 50

8 8 Introduction Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation This report evaluates black seabream (Spondylisosoma cantharus) caught in the English Channel by the United Kingdom and France. Black seabream are caught with mid-water trawls, bottom trawls, bottom gillnets (includes gillnets, tangle nets, and trammel nets), and handline gears. Overview of the species and management bodies Black seabream are a member of the Sparidae family, which includes the seabreams or porgies. They are one of two Sparidae species commonly found in northern European seas (the other being the red seabream). Black seabream are found in the northeast Atlantic from Norway and the Orkney Islands south to the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands. They are typically found in groups on rocky and sandy bottoms and seagrass beds at depths up to 300m (Pajuelo and Lorenzo 1999). Black seabream can live up to 15 years and grow up to 60 cm in length. Black seabream display protogynous hermaphrodite behavior; they first mature as female and once they reach 30-40cm they change sex to male (Vause and Clark, 2011). Black seabream primarily feed on seaweed and invertebrates. Clawed crustaceans likely prey on black seabream eggs. Adult black seabream have few natural predators; they are sometimes eaten by marine birds and mammals (Vause and Clark 2011). Commercial fisheries for black seabream are relatively small. There are some small targeted fisheries for black seabream, but they are also caught as a minor component in fisheries for various other demersal species. Both France and the United Kingdom (UK) are part of the European Union, which implements management strategies based on the Common Fisheries Policy (European Commission 2009). The French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for management of marine fisheries in France while the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) helps shape and implement policy in the UK (CEFAS 2013)(Peacock 2012). In addition, Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are tasked with ensuring sustainable management of UK inshore sea fisheries resources at the local level (Southern IFCA 2013b). Few management measures are in place specific to black seabream. Production Statistics In 2011, 248 tonnes (t) of black seabream were caught by the UK and 3,330 t were caught by France (FAO 2013). The UK and France contributed about 43% to the worldwide landings of black seabream in 2011, which totaled 8,358 t. Other countries that are major producers of black seabream include Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Senegal, and Spain (FAO 2013). Since 2000, catches of black seabream by France have ranged from t, with around 1,500-3,000 t caught in the English Channel. Around 50-60% of the French English Channel black seabream catch was taken with pelagic or mid-water trawls from , while 25-30% was taken with bottom trawls. Catches by the UK have varied from t, with the majority of the catch (99%) taken in the English Channel (STECF 2013). In the UK, small amounts of black seabream are caught by bottom

9 9 gillnets (<5% of total catch) and handline gear (<1% of catch) when they are in shallow water to feed before breeding (STECF 2013)(Sussex IFCA 2013a). However, the primary gears used to catch black seabream are bottom pair trawls and otter trawls when the fish move on to their breeding grounds (Sussex IFCA 2013a). Importance to the US/North American market The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not report any imports of black seabream into the U.S. from the UK or France (NMFS 2013). Common and market names Common names include black bream, seabream, and porgy. French names for this species are Dorade grise and griset (Carpentier et al. 2005). Primary product forms Black seabream is usually baked, steamed or pan-fried whole. It is a popular and prized species used in Mediterranean cuisine.

10 10 Assessment This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score <=2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical. Criterion 1 Summary BLACK SEABREAM Region / Method Factor 1.1 Inherent Vulnerability France English Channel Medium Trawl, Bottom France English Channel Medium Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel Medium Gillnet, Bottom United Kingdom English Channel Medium Handline United Kingdom English Channel Medium Trawl, Bottom Factor 1.2 Abundance Factor 1.3 Fishing Mortality Criterion 1 Score 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644)

11 11 Criterion 1 Assessment BLACK SEABREAM Factor Inherent Vulnerability Scoring Guidelines Low FishBase vulnerability score for species 0-35 OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, e.g., early maturing (<5 years), short lived (< 10 years), small maximum size, and low on food chain. Medium FishBase vulnerability score for species OR life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable or resilient to fishing, e.g. moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain. High FishBase vulnerability score for species OR life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, e.g. long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top-predator. France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel, Handline Medium The FishBase vulnerability score for black seabream is 52 out of 100, which indicates black seabream have a medium inherent vulnerability to fishing (Froese and Pauly 2011). The life history characteristics of black seabream also suggest a medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. Black seabream can reach 60 cm in length and live up to 15 years. Black seabream are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they first mature as females and later on change sex to males. They sexually mature as females at 2-3 years old and at a length of approximately 20 cm (Sussex IFCA 2013a). At around cm, they change to males (Sussex IFCA 2013a). Depending on their size, females can lay between 31,000 and 554,000 eggs. The eggs are laid in nests, dug by the males, on the bottom of the seafloor (Vause and Clark 2011). Factor Abundance Scoring Guidelines 5 (Very Low ) Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass.

12 12 4 (Low ) Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 3 (Moderate ) Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. 2 (High ) Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. 1 (Very High ) Population is listed as threatened or endangered. France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel, Handline Moderate No formal population assessments have been completed for black seabream in the English Channel, and no target abundance reference points or conservation goals have been specified (Vause and Clark 2011)(Carleton et al. 2009). Black seabream only have a medium vulnerability to fishing, but they undergo a sex change from female to male, which may have important consequences for their sustainability. Between 1977 and 1979, the modal size of the black seabream decreased from 37-38cm to 28-30cm due to the expansion of the fishery and fishing practices that selectively target larger fish, which are predominately males. The selective removal of the larger males has the potential to affect the sex-ratio of the population and thus reproduction and repopulation (Sussex IFCA 2013a). Current information on the size structure and sex-ratio of the population is not available. Due to a lack of information, the abundance for black seabream in the English Channel is considered "unknown" and this factor is ranked "moderate concern". Factor Fishing Mortality Scoring Guidelines 5 (Very Low ) Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the mortality of species is negligible ( 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality) (Low ) Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught).

13 (Moderate ) Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. 1 (High ) Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. 0 (Critical) Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing. France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel, Handline Moderate No fishing mortality reference points or targets have been established for black seabream in the English Channel. The fishery in the English Channel expanded in the late 1970s and early 1980s, causing a decrease in the size of black seabream (Pawson 1995). Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that black seabream are being overfished. Since 2000, catches of black seabream by France in the English Channel have fluctuated between 1,500 and 3,000 t and catches by the UK have ranged between 182 and 377 t, with no overall trend emerging (FAO 2013)(Carleton et al. 2009)(STECF 2013). Since fishing mortality on black seabream in the English Channel is unknown, this factor is ranked "moderate concern".

14 14 Criterion 2: Impacts on other species All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score <=2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical. Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix A. Black seabream Region / Method Factors Factor 2.4 Discard Criterion 2 Score Lowest Scoring of Lowest Species Rate Modifying Score ((Discards+ Other Species Subscore Bait)/Retained Catch) France English Channel, Trawl, Bottom Atlantic cod and European sea bass (>100%) Red (1.06) France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater Atlantic horse mackerel (<20%) Red (1.73) United Kingdom English Atlantic cod and (40-60%) Red (1.27) Channel, Gillnet, Bottom European sea bass United Kingdom English Atlantic cod and (<20%) Red (1.41) Channel, Handline United Kingdom English Channel, Trawl, Bottom European sea bass Atlantic cod and European sea bass (>100%) Red (1.06)

15 15 For the French fisheries that catch black seabream, information from at-sea observer programs, as well as expert input, was used to identify the main species in these fisheries. In the French mid-water trawl fishery, black seabream is the main target species. Limited at-sea observer data for this fishery in 1996 indicates that the main other species caught in this fishery is European horse mackerel (21% of catches) (Morizur et al. 1996). More recent at-sea observer data ( ) for mid-water trawls that target either black seabream or European sea bass indicates that catches of others species are very low (<5% of total catch), but data specific to only the black seabream fishery is not available. The most commonly reported bycatch species were Atlantic mackerel. European horse mackerel, whiting, starry smoothound, John dorry, and red gurnard (Fauconnet et al. 2011)(Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012). For this criterion, we chose to evaluate European horse mackerel because there is a concern about current fishing levels on this species and it may be commonly captured in the black seabream mid-water trawl fishery. European sea bass was not evaluated because black seabream and European sea bass are not commonly caught together in mid-water trawls (they are separate fisheries) (Morizur et al. 1996)(Fauconnet et al. 2011)(Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012)(Cornou et al. 2013). In mid-water trawl fisheries in the English Channel, there is concern about incidental catches of the shortbeaked common dolphin, so this species was also evaluated. However, catches of common dolphins seem to mostly be a concern in the fisheries that target European sea bass (ICES 2014d), and less of a concern in those for black seabream. Identifying the main species caught in the French bottom trawl fisheries that catch black seabream was challenging because they are caught as a minor component (1-2% of total catch) in several different demersal fisheries, and at-sea observer coverage rates in these fisheries are low. They may be frequently caught in fisheries with whiting, cod, and European sea bass, and other species that may be caught include horse mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic herring, dab, pouting, red mullet, gurnard, European plaice, dogfish, and some skates and rays (Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012). Within this criteria we chose to evaluate the major species that are likely caught with black seabream, as well as species of concern; these included: whiting, Atlantic cod, European sea bass, horse mackerel, and skates/rays. Species not evaluated were either in good condition in the English Channel, likely only caught with black seabream rarely, or had no data with which to evaluate their status. Quantitative information on other retained and bycatch species caught in the UK black seabream fisheries in the English Channel is not available. The main species that are reported caught in the UK black seabream fisheries are Atlantic cod, European sea bass, wrasse, and skates and rays (gillnets and trawls only) (Carleton, et al. 2009). Most bycatch species are retained and landed; however, juveniles are typically discarded due to minimum landing sizes. The percentage of the catch that these species comprise in the black seabream fisheries is unknown. The lowest scoring species in the French mid-water trawl fishery was European horse mackerel, because overfishing on horse mackerel is occurring. The lowest scoring species in the French bottom trawl fishery and the UK fisheries were Atlantic cod and European sea bass because these species are at low abundances and fishing levels on these species are too high. Discards (amount of fish thrown back to

16 16 sea) are high in the bottom trawl fisheries, moderate for the gillnet fisheries, and low for the mid-water trawl and handline fisheries. Criterion 2 Assessment ATLANTIC COD Factor Inherent Vulnerability Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above) United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High The FishBase vulnerability score of Atlantic cod is 71 out of 100, which indicates that this species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing (Froese and Pauly 2011). Atlantic cod can live up to 25 years and grow to a length of 150cm. They reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years of age and at a length of 68-78cm. Cod broadcast spawn in the eastern English Channel from January through April. A female can produce 3 million to 6 million planktonic eggs during each spawning (Vause and Clark 2011). Atlantic cod are highlevel predators within the food chain. Factor Abundance Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above) United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High The abundance of Atlantic cod for the North Sea and Eastern English Channel population reached a historic low in Since then, the population of Atlantic cod has gradually improved, though recruitment of Atlantic cod (amount of new fish entering the population) has been low since 1998 (ICES 2013a). From 1998 to 2012, the abundance of cod remained below the limit abundance reference point of 70,000 t, established by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). In 2013, the abundance of Atlantic cod reached the limit reference point but is still below the precautionary abundance reference point (150,000 t) (ICES 2013a). No estimate of the abundance/biomass at maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) is available, but the precautionary abundance reference point set by ICES is generally less conservative than BMSY. Therefore, although abundance is at the limit abundance reference point established by ICES, abundance is likely still well below BMSY (i.e., < 50% of BMSY) and thus Atlantic cod is considered overfished or depleted by Seafood Watch standards. For the Celtic Sea

17 17 Atlantic cod population, which includes the Western English Channel, abundance of cod has increased since a low in the early-mid 2000's and now is above both the limit and precautionary abundance reference points. However, the population has started to decline again in recent years due to poor recruitment and fishing mortality on this population continues to remain above a sustainable level (ICES 2014a). Since Atlantic cod are considered depleted in the Eastern Channel, this factor is rated "high concern". Factor Fishing Mortality Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above) United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High There have been strict total allowable catch limit (TAC) regulations in recent years for Atlantic cod, which has limited catches of this species. Since 2000, due to the reduced catch limits, the fishing mortality of Atlantic cod has declined, but still remains above a sustainable level. The most recent population assessment for Atlantic cod in the North Sea and Eastern English Channel indicated that fishing mortality is around 0.4, which is above the fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) proxy of 0.19 (ICES 2013a). Fishing levels also remain above FMSY on the Celtic Sea cod population, which includes the Western English Channel (ICES 2014a). Since overfishing is occurring, but management measures are in place, this factor is rated "high concern". EUROPEAN HORSE MACKEREL Factor Inherent Vulnerability Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above) France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater Medium The Fishbase vulnerability score for European horse mackerel is 53 out of 100, indicating this species has a medium vulnerability to fishing (Froese and Pauly 2011). They may grow up to 70 cm in length and reach sexual maturity at an early age (3-4 years) (Froese and Pauly 2011). Horse mackerel recruitment (amount of new fish entering the population) is characterized by infrequent large year classes (ICES 2014f)(ICES 2014g). Factor Abundance Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above) France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater

18 18 Moderate The 2014 assessment of the North Sea horse mackerel population, which includes the eastern English Channel, indicates that abundance is at a low but stable level. Scientists believe abundance is likely below the target level, but no formal abundance targets or reference points have been defined (ICES 2014f). For the western horse mackerel population, which includes the western English Channel, horse mackerel abundance declined from 1988 to 2001, reaching a low. Abundance then increased some, but has declined again in recent years. The 2013 abundance is near the 2001 low abundance level, and is expected to decline further in Formal abundance targets/reference points have not been defined for this population either (ICES 2014g). We have awarded a moderate concern score for both populations because it is uncertain if they are overfished/depleted and horse mackerel have only a medium vulnerability to fishing. Factor Fishing Mortality Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above) France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater High For the North Sea horse mackerel population, which includes the eastern English Channel, fishing mortality targets have not been defined but exploratory assessments suggest current fishing levels are likely well above target levels (3-6 times higher). The majority of the horse mackerel catches on this population occur in the eastern English Channel (ICES 2014f). Scientists have advised that a significant reduction in catch of greater than 20% is needed for Total allowable catch limits are set for the North Sea horse mackerel population, but a management plan is not in place (ICES 2014f). For the Western horse mackerel population (includes Western English Channel), fishing levels were sustainable during most of the 2000's. However, in recent years fishing levels have increased to above the fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield (FMSY), indicating overfishing is currently occurring (ICES 2014g). Catch limits are in place for this horse mackerel population and a management plan is in development (ICES 2014g). Limited at-sea observer information specific to the black seabream midwater trawl fishery in 1996, indicated that European horse mackerel made up 21% of the total catch, with most being retained (Morizur et al. 1996). More recent observer data for mid-water trawl fisheries targeting either black seabream or European sea bass, indicates they make up <5% of the total catch, but the proportion of the catch they make up on trips targeting only black seabream is not reported (Fauconnet et al. 2011)(Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012). We have awarded a high concern score since fishing levels on horse mackerel are high and mid-water trawls account for most of this mortality. EUROPEAN SEA BASS Factor Inherent Vulnerability Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.1 above)

19 19 United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High The FishBase vulnerability score for European sea bass is 57 out of 100 which indicates they have a high inherent vulnerability to fishing (Froese and Pauly 2011). European sea bass can grow up to 1m in length and live up to 25 years old. Males reach sexual maturity between 4-7 years of age and at a length of 31-35cm. Females reach sexual maturity between 4-8 years and at a length of 40-45cm. Bass spawn in the English Channel from February to June and a female can lay up to 2 million planktonic eggs (Vause and Clark 2011). European sea bass form spawning aggregations and also exhibit high site fidelity, which increases their vulnerability to overfishing. They are high-level predators within the food chain. Factor Abundance Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.2 above) United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High Despite having biological sampling information on European sea bass since 1985, target abundance reference points/goals have not been determined (Carleton et al. 2009)(ICES 2014e). The recent 2014 assessment of the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, English Channel, and southern North Sea European sea bass population, indicates that abundance increased from 1990 to the mid-late 2000's, but that abundance has rapidly declined in recent years and is now near the lowest observed abundance (ICES 2013b)(ICES 2014e). Recruitment (amount of new fish entering the population) has been declining since the mid-2000's and has been very low since 2008 (ICES 2014e). Because European sea bass have a high vulnerability to fishing and abundance relative to abundance reference points is unknown but abundance is rapidly declining, this factor is rated "high concern." Factor Fishing Mortality Scoring Guidelines (same as Factor 1.3 above) United Kingdom English Channel, Handline High Prior to 2014 fishing mortality targets/reference points were undefined for the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, English Channel, and southern North Sea European sea bass population, though there were indications

20 20 that fishing levels were above sustainable levels (ICES 2013b). The recent 2014 assessment defined a fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) target, and determined that fishing levels on European sea bass have been above this target level for the entire evaluated time series, , indicating overfishing is occurring. Fishing levels have been increasing and current fishing levels are 2.5 times the FMSY level (ICES 2014e). Scientists have advised that a management plan is urgently needed to develop strategies to substantially reduce fishing on this species, and that landings (retained catches) should be reduced to around 1/4 of their current level (ICES 2014e). In the UK and France, pelagic trawls account for 37% of retained European sea bass catches, bottom trawls 21%, gillnets 13%, and lines 12% (ICES 2014e). There is a European wide minimum landing size of 36 inches for this species and additional national restrictions are also in place. In France and the UK, there is a 5 t per week bass limit for trawling vessel between January 1-April 30, and in the UK there are 37 key sea bass nursery areas that are closed to sea bass fishing (Carleton et al. 2009)(Seafish 2013) (MMO 2013c). However, total allowable catch (TAC) limits have not been established for European sea bass. Because overfishing on European sea bass is occurring, this factor is rated "high concern". ALL SPECIES Factor 2.4 Modifying Factor: Discards and Bait Use Scoring Guidelines The discard rate is the sum of all dead discards (i.e. non-retained catch) plus bait use divided by the total retained catch. Ratio of bait + discards/landings Factor 2.4 score <20% % % % % 0.8 >100% 0.75 > 100% Some information on discards (fish thrown back to sea) in the French fisheries is available from at-sea observer programs, though observer coverage rates are low ( % of total days at sea). Discard rates (discards/retained catch) range from 57% to 167% for demersal trawl fisheries in the English Channel (Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012). Because discard rates for several demersal trawl fisheries were estimated to be greater than 100%, we have awarded the lowest score.

21 21 France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater < 20% Some information on discards (fish thrown back to sea) is available from at-sea observer programs, though observer coverage rates are low (1.5% of the total fishing days at sea). Discards rates (discards/retained catch) for mid-water trawls fisheries targeting either black seabream or European sea bass have been reported to range from 1-17% in The most commonly discarded species were whiting, Atlantic mackerel, horse mackerel, Atlantic herring, and starry smoothhound (Fauconnet et al. 2011)(Cornou et al. 2013)(Dube et al. 2012) % Discarded and retained catch information available from the English and Welsh fisheries in ICES sub-area VII, which includes the English Channel as well as the Celtic and Irish Seas, was used to provide an estimate of the discard to retained catch ratio for this fishery. According to the mean annual estimates of fish numbers discarded and retained in ICES sub-area VII by English and Welsh fishing vessels from , the discard to retained catch ratio for netting gears, including trammel, tangle, and unspecified gillnets, was 57 percent (Enever et al. 2007). United Kingdom English Channel, Handline < 20% Data on discards (fish thrown back to sea) and bait use was unavailable for the handline fishery. The most common fish baits used to catch black seabream are mackerel, herring, squid strip, and sandeel (British Sea Fishing 2013). According to a 2005 global review study, the average discard/retained catch ratio for handlines is 2% (Kelleher 2005). Given that handline fisheries tend to be fairly selective and that fish can often be returned back to sea unharmed, a discard rate of less than 20% is assumed. > 100% Discarded and retained catch information from the English and Welsh fisheries in ICES sub-area VII, which includes the English Channel as well as the Celtic and Irish Seas, was used to provide an estimate of the discard to retained catch ratio for this fishery. Black bream are caught with both pair trawls and otter trawls. According to the mean annual estimates of fish numbers discarded and retained in ICES sub-area VII by English and Welsh fishing vessels from , the discard to retained catch ratio for bottom pair trawl, mid-water trawl and mid-water pair trawl, was 75 percent (Enever et al. 2007). However, for otter trawl gear, the discard to retained catch ratio was 182% (Enever et al. 2007). Therefore, we have rated the discard rate as >100%.

22 22 Criterion 3: Management effectiveness Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of non-retained species (bycatch strategy). The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and <=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score <=2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High = Red or High Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical. Criterion 3 Summary Region / Method Factor 3.1 Harvest Strategy France English Channel 3.00: Moderate Trawl, Bottom France English Channel 2.00: High Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel 3.00: Moderate Gillnet, Bottom United Kingdom English Channel 3.00: Moderate Handline United Kingdom English Channel 3.00: Moderate Trawl, Bottom Factor 3.2 Bycatch Management Strategy Criterion 3 Score 3.00: Moderate Yellow(3.000) 3.00: Moderate Yellow(2.449) 2.00: High Yellow(2.449) All Species Retained Yellow(3.000) 2.00: High Yellow(2.449) There are minimal management measures in place specific to black seabream. The only European Union regulation in place for this species is a restriction on the mesh size of trawls with a catch of 70% black seabream or greater. However, a few additional regulations have been implemented in the UK. No catch limits or management plans have been established for black seabream, and limited research on black seabream is conducted. Because of this, the Harvest Strategy for the French mid-water trawl fishery that only targets black seabream is rated as "high concern". For the other fisheries, the Harvest Strategy is "moderate" because these fisheries catch smaller amount of black seabream and they target/catch other species that are assessed and managed. Bycatch in the UK gillnet and trawls fisheries is rated "high concern" because although some bycatch measures are in place, there is no or minimal collection of bycatch data. For the UK handline fishery, all

23 23 species are considered to be retained, so bycatch management was not rated. Bycatch management in the French fisheries scores "moderate" because some bycatch measures are in place and some bycatch data is collected. Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy Scoring Guidelines Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ineffective, moderately effective, or highly effective. 5 (Very Low ) Rated as highly effective for all seven subfactors considered. 4 (Low ) Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of rated highly effective and all other subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 3 (Moderate ) All subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 2 (High ) At minimum, meets standards for moderately effective for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of, but at least one other subfactor rated ineffective. 1 (Very High ) Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of rated ineffective. 0 (Critical) No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring. Factor 3.1 Summary Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy Region/Method Management Recovery Strategy and of Species Impl. of France English Channel Trawl, Bottom France English Channel Trawl, Midwater United Kingdom English Channel Gillnet, Bottom Scientific Research & Monitoring Record of Following Scientific Advice Enforcement of Regs. N/A Ineffective Track Record Stakeholder Inclusion Highly Highly Highly Factor 3.1 Score 3:00 Moderate 2:00 High 3:00 Moderate

24 24 United Kingdom English Channel Handline United Kingdom English Channel Trawl, Bottom Highly Highly 3:00 Moderate 3:00 Moderate Factor 3.1 Assessment Subfactor Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species. All the countries that are a member of the European Union (EU) implement the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in community waters. The CFP has been in place since 1983 and functions as the forum to define a common baseline for sustainable fishing. It also prevents and resolves disputes on how EU members will share marine resources (European Commission 2009). Recently the Common Fisheries Policy was reformed (European Commission 2014b). The French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for marine fisheries in France. There are minimal management measures in place specific to black seabream. The only European Union regulation in place for this species is a restriction on the mesh size of trawls with a catch of 70% black seabream or greater (Peacock 2012). No catch limits or management plans have been established for black seabream, even though the Common Fisheries Policy provides a solid framework for the potential management of all European fisheries (Peacock 2012). There is very limited information collected on black seabream, so the status of this species is uncertain. In the French bottom trawl fisheries, however, black seabream are primarily caught as a minor bycatch species in fisheries targeting other demersal species, such as whiting and cod. Therefore management measures for these species and other demersal species are mainly influencing catches of black seabream. Catch limits are in place for Atlantic cod, and a long-term management plan that includes fishing effort controls is in place for the North Sea/eastern English Channel population to rebuild this species (ICES 2013a)(ICES 2014a). Catch limits and a management plan that has been considered precautionary are in place for the North Sea/eastern English Channel whiting population (ICES 2014b). A management plan is not in place for the Celtic Sea/western English Channel whiting population, but catch limits are in place (ICES 2014c). Another important species that is also caught in the French bottom trawl fisheries is European sea bass. While some regulations are in place for European sea bass, a recent assessment of European sea bass indicates that overfishing has been occurring on this species

25 25 since the 1980's and that the population is rapidly declining in recent years. No catch limits are currently in place for European sea bass (ICES 2014e). Because a variety of species are caught in the French bottom trawl fisheries and management effectiveness is mixed, we have awarded a "moderately effective" score. France English Channel, Trawl, Midwater All the countries that are a member of the European Union (EU) implement the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in community waters. The CFP has been in place since 1983 and functions as the forum to define a common baseline for sustainable fishing. It also prevents and resolves disputes on how EU members will share marine resources (European Commission 2009). Recently the Common Fisheries Policy was reformed (European Commission 2014b). The French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for marine fisheries in France. There are few management measures in place specific to black seabream. The only European Union regulation for this species is a restriction on the mesh size of trawls with a catch of 70% black seabream or greater (Peacock 2012). No catch limits or management plans have been established for black seabream, even though the Common Fisheries Policy provides a solid framework for the potential management of all European fisheries (Peacock 2012). There is very limited information collected on black seabream, so the status of this species is uncertain. Although limited management for black seabream is in place, because there is no indication this species is being depleted, we have rated this factor "moderately effective". United Kingdom English Channel, Handline All the countries that are a member of the European Union (EU) implement the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in community waters. The CFP has been in place since 1983 and functions as the forum to define a common baseline for sustainable fishing. It also prevents and resolves disputes on how EU members will share marine resources (European Commission 2009). Recently the Common Fisheries Policy was reformed (European Commission 2014b). The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) helps shape and implement policy in the UK (CEFAS 2013)(Peacock 2012). In addition, Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are tasked with ensuring sustainable management of UK inshore sea fisheries resources at the local level, within 6 nautical miles of the shore (Southern IFCA 2013b). Few management measures specific to black seabream are in place. The only European Union regulation for this species is a restriction on the mesh size of trawls with a catch of 70% black seabream or greater