Fishing on a Postage Stamp From ticklerchain to pulse Why How by Whom When North Sea RAC Demeral Working Group 21 February 2013 Pim Visser, VisNed bald 1NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013

Traditional beamtrawl with tickler chains NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013bald 2

Less impact beam trawl with pulse gear NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013bald 3

Small scale brown shrimp fisheries NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013bald 4

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Demonstration set up bald 5

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Overview Over 10 years of development, trialphase until 2006, – Long troublesome process until away from subsidies – HFK development as catalyst – Derogations needed from EU first 22 vessels , 20 additionals in for extra research – 38 Beamtrawl, 4 Brown Shrimp 3 Marelec, 10 Delmeco, 29 HFK Main Driver Fuel Costs – Traditional beam trawl can not survive at € 0,45++ – Better quality catch Now E+ Additional driver Ecology – Less drag, less benthos bald 6

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Steering Group Public Private Co-operation Participants: Policymakers; Scientist; Industry; NGO’s Objective: working together to a permanent or more extended authorisation of pulse trawling Three working parties (Industry €) – Further development and monitoring – Communication – Control & enforcement bald 7

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Scientific Assesment Research results to EU-CIE and reviewed by ICES Positive respons from ICES but with recommandations for extended research (2006 en 2009) Newest research (November 2011) handed to EU-CIE Research on cod (spinal damage) carried out in Norway with farmed cod Comparative studies: – Differences between traditional beam trawl and pulse trawl – Characteristics electric field in lab-setup and at sea DG Mare asked for assesment by STECF regarding all studies Availability of studies: bald 8

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 STECF conclusions Plenary meeting April 2012 Brussels Report at: Conclusions Ecological concerns raised by ICES, have been addressed. – One issue remains (avoidance mortality of cod). If more beam trawlers use pulse gear it will reduce catches and fishing mortality for (non)target species and benthic organisms. Critical for lifting the derogation is control and enforcement Current characteristics for pulse trawling are not appropriate to prevent unregulated/harmful practices/technologies. To tackle the problem of control and enforcement: – the Dutch certification system can be a basis for an appropriate regulatory framework bald 9

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 STECF recommendations Control & enforcement should be resolved before increasing the number of beam trawlers using pulse trawls Extension of the area not before an impact assessment on the effects of the pulse trawl In particular when species not subject to a prior study, such as Nephrops, could be catched. Application of pulse technology in other gear types only after an assessment on the effects of the new pulse gear on the ecosystem. In particular when species not subject to a prior study are involved. bald 10

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Control & enforcement Fisheries Department asked Imares to make proposals for management, control and enforcement regarding puls trawling Objectives: safe for users, controllers and environment Co-operation between scientist (Imares, ILVO), fishery inspectors (NVWA), Shipping Inspection and suppliers/designers Proposals for: – Legislation – Certification – Control and inspection – Enforcement Carry out a pilot about Control & inspection in JDP Final report July 2012 Certification by RINA bald 11

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Control & enforcement Legislation, General measures: Goes much further than the current derogation For the use of pulse gear, electricity, etc. Presence of certificate / technical description Logging of important electronical information>on line Avoiding unwanted experiments and developments Certification Complete description of all parts of the pulse trawl gear Manual for users and inspectors, including safety rules Safety check and inspection logbook Maintenance esp insulation bald 12

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Agenda 2012 and beyond Research – Monitoring programme for 2 year, 20 vessels (Dutch industry) – Special attention for questions about cod – Exclude / reduce negative effects such as spinal damage (cod) Organising controle & enforcement Continuous development – Pulse fishing is new, improving the gear by experience – If possible: also assesments for using pulse in other fishing gears and in other fishing areas. bald 13

NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013 Negatives Arguments – Damaged fish (horrible pictures) – Catch efficiency – Now fishing in previous non accessible areas Who are against – Fishers in NL, UK, F – Same member states are reluctant or against What is our answer – Historical evidence on damaged fish (baseline) – Preventive measurees cod by catch – Open approach, come aboard! bald 14

NSRAC involvement Establish NSRAC wide focus group to form an opinion Participate in a study event facilitated by Dutch Authorities and Industry NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013bald 15

Mare Liberum and/or Multiple use of North Sea? NSRAC Dem WG Amsterdam 21 February 2013bald 17