1. Aim To develop and test a management system for implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Contributes to Defra project area MF10 ‘Impact of fishing on the marine ecosystem’ Duration: To 2012. Cefas with Universities of Wales, York, Exeter and Newcastle Ecosystem approach to fisheries Work informed, reviewed and guided by a User Steering Group

2. Relevance: Ecosystem approach to fisheries (i)create a fishing sector that is “managed effectively as an integral part of coherent policies for the marine environment” (Securing the Benefits & Charting a New Course, 2005) (ii)“promote sustainable fisheries consistent with a diverse and resilient marine environment” (Securing the Benefits & Charting a New Course, 2005) (iii)“(minimise) the impact of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem” (Common Fisheries Policy, 2002) (iv)support the “progressive implementation of an ecosystem based approach to fisheries management” (Common Fisheries Policy, 2002) The project will support the development and testing of a management system to:

3. Ecosystem approach to fisheries Approach: links objectives to targets and limits Targets and limits Y A N B Policy objectives Operational ObjectivesIndicators

4. Project objectives (phase 1- to 2009): Develop a provisional list of management objectives for fisheries and environmental management Review fishery impacts on the ecosystem and rank their significance Develop database and data handling systems and populate with data Agree fishery units (métiers) for classification of fisheries. Assign vessels and gear types to these métiers Ecosystem approach to fisheries Select indicators and associated reference points

5. Progress with phase 1 Management objectives catalogued and classified with input from USG Fishing impacts on the ecosystem reviewed and assessed in relation to objectives Data handling and processing systems established to support analysis of VMS data Métier classification adopted (to broadly follow DCR) and used for effort analysis Ecosystem approach to fisheries Selection of indicators and associated reference points in progress, and some tradeoffs are now being explored

6. Link changes in state to changes in pressure for biodiversity, fish communities and habitat Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed management system Assess contribution of each métier to total impact and identify alternate actions to meet target for total impact Ecosystem approach to fisheries Project objectives (phase 2a: 2009 to 2012)

7. Describe the consequences of alternate management options for the fisheries and the environment Recommend options for implementing an EAF in the Celtic Sea and western Channel Discuss outcomes with industry and identify options for meeting management objectives Ecosystem approach to fisheries Project objectives (phase 2b: 2009 to 2012)

8. Expected value of project The work will provide practical insight into the development, data demands, testing and application of a management system to support an ecosystem approach to fisheries Ecosystem approach to fisheries This insight will help to support the development of an EAF in the Celtic Sea and western Channel- and hopefully inform developments in other RAC areas