Using fishery-dependent data to inform the development and operation of a co-management initiative to reduce cod mortality and cut discards

Published source details Holmes S.J., Bailey N., Campbell N., Catarino R., Barratt K., Gibb A. & Fernandes P.G. (2011) Using fishery-dependent data to inform the development and operation of a co-management initiative to reduce cod mortality and cut discards. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68, 1679-1688.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Establish move-on rules for temporary, targeted fishing restrictions or closures when a catch or unwanted catch threshold is reached Action Link
	Establish temporary fishery closures Action Link

Establish move-on rules for temporary, targeted fishing restrictions or closures when a catch or unwanted catch threshold is reached

A replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 2008–2009 of four large, fished areas of seabed in the North Sea and North Atlantic off Scotland, UK (Holmes et al. 2011) found that establishing move-on rules for temporary, targeted fishing restrictions or closures when a catch or unwanted catch threshold is reached, resulted in reduced fishing effort and overall discards and landings of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. Data were not tested statistically. Of 144 temporary real-time closures implemented in 2009 there was a reduction in fishing activity (measured as change in number of fishing data points or pings recorded by the Vessel Monitoring System 14 d pre-closure to 14 d closure period) for 130, by 10–20 pings for the majority (105), estimated as a reduction of 10–40 h trawling. Fishing activity similarly increased when areas reopened. The reductions gave an estimated overall annual decrease in cod catch (landings and discards) of 707 t. Real-time area closures (equivalent to 7.5 square nautical miles; 21 days duration; maximum of 12 at any one time) were implemented in 2008/09 for Scottish vessels fishing in the seas around Scotland, divided into four zones, to control fishing effort and reduce cod mortality and discarding. Closures were triggered when cod catches exceeded 40 cod/hr and from monitoring analyses of landings and vessel monitoring data in each zone. Data were collected in 2008–2009 from landings, observer trips and Vessel Monitoring Systems that record activity of vessels fishing in and around the closure areas. Activity by non-Scottish vessels not required to adhere to closures was also recorded.

(Summarised by: Natasha Taylor)
Establish temporary fishery closures

A replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 2008–2009 of a large bottom fished area in the North Sea, off northeast Scotland, UK (Holmes et al. 2011) found that fixed temporary seasonal area closures had little effect on reducing fishing effort for Atlantic cod Gadus morhua during implementation, but real-time area closures reduced overall cod landings and discards. A reduction in the number of vessels operating within the fixed closure areas (45–69 days) was found in only one of three areas, compared to the 14 days before closure (during: 3 vessels, before: 8 vessels) and was lowest in the 14 days after closure (1 vessel), while for the other two closure areas, vessel activity was similar (during: 2–4 vessels, before: 3–4 vessels, after: 1 vessels). A fourth area closed initially for four months (1 December 2008 to 31 March 2009) was kept closed for at least a year because test catch rates of cod exceeded the threshold set for re-opening. In addition, separate real-time closures implemented in 2009 resulted in estimated overall annual reductions in cod catch (landings and discards) of 707 t. Seasonal (total of four) and real-time (maximum of 12 at any one time, closed for 21 days when cod catch rate threshold exceeded) closures were implemented for Scottish vessels in 2008 and 2009 to control fishing effort and reduce mortality and discarding of cod (activity by non-Scottish vessels not required to adhere to closures was recorded). Data were collected in 2008–2009 from landings and monitoring systems of vessels fishing in and around the closure areas.

(Summarised by: Chris Barrett)