Habitat mapping around the Isle of Man Juvenile lobster escape gaps Crab, lobster and whelk stocks planned research Questionnaire survey (whole industry)
Habitat mapping around the Isle of Man Habitat survey in August 2008 155 stations within the 12 nm limit (spacing between stations 2.7 nm) Why do we map habitats? Extend and status of fishing grounds up to the 12 nm limit Requirement for the MSC accreditation for Queen scallops to provide evidence about the health of the fishing grounds
Habitat mapping around the Isle of Man 15 minute tows with continuous video footage + still image every 10 seconds CTD profiles to measure Depth, Temperature, Salinity and Chlorophyll level (algae)
Habitat mapping around the Isle of Man King Scallops (Pecten maximus) Queen Scallops (Aequipecten opercularis)
Habitat mapping around the Isle of Man
Juvenile lobster escape gaps Port St Mary (PSM) Ramsey (RAM) Location Gap Traps hauled PSM large 34 PSM none 47 PSM small 26 RAM large 58 RAM none 58 RAM small 59
Juvenile lobster escape panels None = 80% below MLS Small = 43% below MLS Large = 23% below MLS
Juvenile lobster escape panels Undersized lobsters are still retained despite escape gaps Escape gaps should not be viewed as an alternative to measuring lobsters Other stock protection measures need to be continued to secure viability of stock (i.e. returning berried females and V-notching)
Crab, lobster and whelk stocks planned research On the way First stock assessments using log-sheet data Annual update on stock status Planned over the coming weeks Collection of baseline biological data (surveys and questionnaires) On the horizon Tagging of crab and lobsters (population size and monitor migration patterns) Stock genetics (Are crab and lobster populations relying on local larvae?)
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) We need your assistance, although a lot of information has been collected over the past years, we still have gaps in our knowledge about the industry. With this questionnaire we also want to engage you more within the marine science process. What do we want to know and why?
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) In which areas do you fish for which species? Which areas have been the most profitable over the past 10 years? We want to identify which areas are important for the different sectors of the industry.
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) What is your perception of catches and the industry as a whole today in comparison with the past (10-30 years ago)? We want to get a better picture of the time before DAFF started to collate fisheries data.
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) What influences your decision where you fish and the time you spend fishing e.g. weather, fuel costs, previous catches etc. We want to identify what drives your decisions to be able to better predict future changes in fleet distributions.
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) We want to know your opinion and your level of involvement in management decisions (past and present). In particular we would like to know your views on the closed areas at Port Erin and Douglas Bay. i.e. have you been consulted, do you think the closed areas have been effective etc. Also we would like to know if you have noticed changes in the stocks since the closures are in place.
Questionnaire survey (whole industry) We are aiming to speak to all fishermen which are or have been involved in the industry. We will be contacting you shortly to arrange suitable dates for these interviews. If you know of anyone we should talk to with respect to historic information about the industry please let us know. We are here to help you safeguard your resource. Without your help we are unlikely to succeed. Please do get engaged.
Thanks for listening Dr. Hilmar Hinz School of Ocean Sciences Askew Street Menai Bridge Anglesey LL59 5ER Tel. 01248 388124 E-mail: h.hinz@bangor.ac.uk