Sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean, Seabirds point of view ---- Multiple choice and exercises ----
Sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean, Seabirds point of view 1. Marine environment: understanding fisheries playground... 4 1.1. Marine ecosystems an overview... 4 1.2. The Mediterranean, a sanctuary of marine biodiversity... 6 1.3. Seabirds life history & ecology... 7 1.4. Mediterranean seabirds... 10 2. Oceans and mankind: the need to find a balanced... 11 2.1. Marine ecosystems under pressure... 11 2.2. The role of fisheries... 13 2.3. Seabirds conservation concerns... 18 2.4. Seabird-fishery interactions... 20 2.5. Seabirds and discards... 22 2.6. Bycatch on seabirds... 25 3. Relevant fisheries and environmental policies... 32 3.1. Fisheries-related policies... 32 3.2. Policies related to the conservation of the natural heritage... 35
3. Relevant fisheries and environmental policies 3.1. Fisheries-related policies Chose the right statement about Ecosystem Based Management (EBM): A. EBM is an increasingly adopted model of management that considers impacts of fisheries on the whole ecosystem, and not only on fish stocks. B. EBM is an old concept that was useful to manage ancient fisheries, but that is unpractical to regulate the currently highly developed fishing fleets of nowadays C. EBM is an attractive idea for its short-term potential benefits, but would lead to a collapse of fish stocks in the long-term, as the focus is in the ecosystem, and not in the fishing resources D. EBM has been successfully adopted in fisheries regulation over the last century. A. EBM is an increasingly adopted model of management that considers impacts of fisheries on the whole ecosystem, and not only on fish stocks. By protecting the ecosystem, it also protects the well-being of fishing resources and pursue their long-term profitability. About Fisheries Management Organizations or Arrangements (RFMO/As) - choose the incorrect answer: A. RFMO/As promote international cooperation in fisheries management. B. RFMO/As adopt management decisions at regional level irrespective of the countries fishing in these regions. C. RFMO/As were created under the umbrella of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). D. RFMO/As were created with the main aim of solving fisheries bycatch, including seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and sharks. D. RFMO/As are expected to deal with bycatch, but their aim is wider, namely coordinating fishing management at regional scale, facilitating intergovernmental cooperation. 32
GFCM stands for (choose the right answer): A. General Formation for Communications and Marketing. B. General Functioning Citizenship for the Mediterranean. C. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. D. General Fisheries Commission for the Market. C. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. Choose the wrong statement regarding bycatch and international policies: A. The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) pays particular attention to seabird bycatch. B. The European Union is a leading organization in tackling seabird bycatch. C. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is a pioneering example in tackling seabird bycatch. D. In the Mediterranean seabird bycatch has received very little attention from either national or international management organisations. B. The European Union produced a seabird bycatch action plan in 2012, but this is based in limited information and little work has been done since then to implement it, relative to other regions of the world where the problem has received more attention, particularly in CCMLR. 33
Regarding the new EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), approved in 2013 (chose the wrongstatement): A. The new CFP aims to apply an Ecosystem Based Management approach (EBM) B. Is associated to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which provides funds for the fishing sector and promotes practices respectful with the marine environment. C. The new CFP promotes discarding practices, as they are beneficial to seabirds and other marine organisms. D. The new CFP promotes the development of aquaculture as an increasingly important activity that complements fishing products. C. In fact the new CFP promotes the reduction or disappearance of discarding. 34
3.2. Policies related to the conservation of the natural heritage Which of following European Directives is false? A. Habitats Directive. B. Birds Directive C. Natura 2000 Directive. D. Marine Strategy Framework Directive. C. The Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas, but is not a Directive. It is regulated under the Habitats Directive, and is also related to the Birds Directive. Natura 2000 plays a major role in the EU conservation strategy. Which of the following statements is correct? A. Natura 2000 guarantees the full protection of designated sites, where human activities are not allowed. B. Natura 2000 is a network of protected sites identified for their value to animals, plants and their habitats. C. Natura 2000 is a thematic park where wildlife is kept in captivity for educational purposes. D. Natura 2000 is restricted to coastal and terrestrial habitats. B. Natura 2000 is a network of protected sites identified for their value to animals, plants and their habitats. It promotes the conservation of these values, but at the same time seeks to make it compatible with human activities. Its extension to the marine environment has been lagged relative to land, but several marine sites have been designated in recent years. 35
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is (choose the correct answer): A. An international law for the conservation of the high seas worldwide. B. The EU policy to manage fisheries. C. A Mediterranean regulation for marine conservation. D. A EU regulation directed to protect marine biodiversity. D. A EU regulation directed to protect marine biodiversity. 36