340
J. Robertson et al.
2) levels of illegal catches and by-catches are properly estimated and included in
the calculations of fish stock status, and
3) a precautionary principle is applied at the ecosystem level
The management of fisheries data for the North Sea is unsatisfactory. Whilst efforts are
being made to integrate oceanographic and ecological relationships, there is no real
investigation of food requirements of fish (other than Greenstreet et al, ibid) and
integration of this with all other data. GIS presents great opportunities to develop an
overview of the North Sea in micro and macro detail with all known data meshed with
various interactive programmes to give true pictures of the resource both as a historical
review in helping to model how and why it was, with up to date geostatistical
comparisons between the animal kingdom to calculate future resource strength (see for
example Meaden and Chi (1996) who make some suggestions). An information system
per se is not what is intended here, but rather a fully integrated data holding system at
the first tier with predictive and analytic programmes allowing data manipulation
above this with clear visualisation of the area for resource management purposes.
Much data exists which is impossible to access due mainly to bureaucratic creep or
national political interest protection. We need a more open and truthful system of data
sharing to allow a greater range of experts to analyse the data and this may open better
possibilities for understanding the consequences of fishing mortality. Satellite
monitoring of fishing vessels within EU waters will start in 1998 with over 25m
industrial trawlers. Such information will eventually allow real time assessment for
resource management within a GIS system.
We should like to recommend that i) a workshop to examine the widespread
consequences of changes in the fishing practises in the North Sea should be held in the
near future and made open to industry, EU Member State scientists and policy makers
and other interested parties particularly fishery stakeholders and ii) a fishing industry
consultation workshop be established quickly to consider and formulate a Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations in the North Sea. The Code would provide
an opportunity to address the controversial and difficult issues (i.e. over quota catches
and juvenile fish discards amongst others) by involving the industry and fishers from
each of the Member States represented. Long term, cost effective practises would be
established replacing existing practises with those that meet goals of sustainable
fishing and which are genuinely acceptable to those whose livelihood is in fishing. iii)
a workshop to explore the possibility of setting up a fully integrated GIS for the North
Sea fisheries be undertaken soon.
Acknowledgements
We warmly appreciate the help and assistance and discussions with a range of
individuals and organisations which include: Dr S Barlow, International Fishmeal and
Oil Manufacturers Association; Mr Schougrrd, Association of Fish Meal and Oil
Manufacturers, Denmark; Dr R Bailey and Dr H Sparholt, International Council for
J. Robertson et al.
2) levels of illegal catches and by-catches are properly estimated and included in
the calculations of fish stock status, and
3) a precautionary principle is applied at the ecosystem level
The management of fisheries data for the North Sea is unsatisfactory. Whilst efforts are
being made to integrate oceanographic and ecological relationships, there is no real
investigation of food requirements of fish (other than Greenstreet et al, ibid) and
integration of this with all other data. GIS presents great opportunities to develop an
overview of the North Sea in micro and macro detail with all known data meshed with
various interactive programmes to give true pictures of the resource both as a historical
review in helping to model how and why it was, with up to date geostatistical
comparisons between the animal kingdom to calculate future resource strength (see for
example Meaden and Chi (1996) who make some suggestions). An information system
per se is not what is intended here, but rather a fully integrated data holding system at
the first tier with predictive and analytic programmes allowing data manipulation
above this with clear visualisation of the area for resource management purposes.
Much data exists which is impossible to access due mainly to bureaucratic creep or
national political interest protection. We need a more open and truthful system of data
sharing to allow a greater range of experts to analyse the data and this may open better
possibilities for understanding the consequences of fishing mortality. Satellite
monitoring of fishing vessels within EU waters will start in 1998 with over 25m
industrial trawlers. Such information will eventually allow real time assessment for
resource management within a GIS system.
We should like to recommend that i) a workshop to examine the widespread
consequences of changes in the fishing practises in the North Sea should be held in the
near future and made open to industry, EU Member State scientists and policy makers
and other interested parties particularly fishery stakeholders and ii) a fishing industry
consultation workshop be established quickly to consider and formulate a Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations in the North Sea. The Code would provide
an opportunity to address the controversial and difficult issues (i.e. over quota catches
and juvenile fish discards amongst others) by involving the industry and fishers from
each of the Member States represented. Long term, cost effective practises would be
established replacing existing practises with those that meet goals of sustainable
fishing and which are genuinely acceptable to those whose livelihood is in fishing. iii)
a workshop to explore the possibility of setting up a fully integrated GIS for the North
Sea fisheries be undertaken soon.
Acknowledgements
We warmly appreciate the help and assistance and discussions with a range of
individuals and organisations which include: Dr S Barlow, International Fishmeal and
Oil Manufacturers Association; Mr Schougrrd, Association of Fish Meal and Oil
Manufacturers, Denmark; Dr R Bailey and Dr H Sparholt, International Council for