Development of a responsive fisheries management system for the Portuguese crustacean bottom trawl fishery: Lessons learnt. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva, Cristina; Mendes, Hugo; Rangel, Mafalda; Wise, Laura; Erzini, Karim; de Fátima Borges, Maria; Ballesteros, Marta; Luis Santiago, Jose; Campos, Aida; Viðarsson, Jonas; Nielsen, Kåre N.
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 52(2015)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Responsible Fisheries Management System -- Common Fisheries Policy -- Fishery dependent indicators -- Stakeholder involvement; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2014.10.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: A prototype for a Responsive Fisheries Management System (RFMS) was developed in the context of the European FP7 project EcoFishMan and tested on the Portuguese crustacean trawl fishery. Building on Results Based Management principles, RFMS involves the definition of specific and measurable objectives for a fishery by the relevant authorities but allows resource users the freedom to find ways to achieve the objectives and to provide adequate documentation. Taking into account the main goals of the new Common Fisheries Policy, such as sustainable utilization of the resources, end of discards and unwanted catches, a management plan for the Portuguese crustacean trawl fishery was developed in cooperation with the fishing industry, following the process and design laid out in the RFMS concept. The plan considers biological, social and economic goals and assigns a responsibility for increased data collection to the resource users. The performance of the plan with regard to selected indicators was evaluated through simulations. In this paper the process towards a RFMS is described and the lessons learnt from the interaction with stakeholders in the development of an alternative management plan are discussed. Highlights: Responsive Fisheries Management System (RFMS) is based on results-based management principles. The RFMS prototype was tested on the Portuguese crustacean trawl fishery. A management plan was developed with cross-national stakeholders involvement. RFMS is in agreement with the new Common Fisheries Policy.