Publication Abstract

The role of technical measures in the recovery of the UK sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fishery 1980 - 2002

M.G. Pawson and G.D. Pickett

In the early 1980s, catch rates of sea bass in the inshore fisheries around English and Welsh coasts were decreasing rapidly, and it was shown that growth overfishing - allied to erratic recruitment - was threatening the sustainability of the stock and its fishery. A yield per recruit assessment based on regional exploitation patterns demonstrated that a substantial increase in the age at first capture would improve long-term yields and boost recruitment to the spawning stock, with different levels of gain and loss in the existing regional fisheries. A public discussion paper explaining the management objective, to increase the age at first capture from an average of 3 - 5 years, depending on region, to a minimum of 5 years (36-38 cm TL), its scientific rationale and means of achievement was widely distributed. Thirteen regional consultation meetings were held with stakeholders to judge the practicality and likely impact of introducing appropriate technical measures. We describe the introduction and effectiveness of a national MLS of 36 cm and complementary mesh size regulations for enmeshing nets (both later adopted at an EU level), and seasonal closures of 37 inshore nursery areas where bass <36 cm were considered to be particularly vulnerable to exploitation; development of a framework for the evaluation of this conservation package before and after its introduction; demonstrate that it has improved the exploitation pattern in the bass fisheries and provided biological and economic benefits; and discuss the acceptability of these technical measures by stake holders and the effectiveness of their enforcement.

Reference:

M.G. Pawson and G.D. Pickett, 2003. The role of technical measures in the recovery of the UK sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fishery 1980 - 2002. ICES CM 2003/Z: 06. 14pp. ICES Copenhagen.