Pre-Assessment of the East Coast Brown and Pink Shrimp Fisheries

1. Pre-Assessment of the East Coast Brown and Pink Shrimp Fisheries Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk Matt Green, Jackie Hill, Bryony Pearce, Tania Woodcock, Sheryl Earnshaw & Kirsty Ball. 2011.

2. Pre-Assessment of the East Coast Brown and Pink Shrimp Fisheries Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk Matt Green, Jackie Hill, Bryony Pearce, Tania Woodcock, Sheryl Earnshaw & Kirsty Ball. 2011.

3. Contents • Purpose of a pre-assessment • Brief recap of MSC principles • Brown shrimp fishery • Scores • Key recommendations • Stock • Non-target species • Habitats and Ecosystems • Management • Pink shrimp fishery • Scores • Key recommendations Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

4. Purpose of a Pre-assessment • A provisional assessment prior to full MSC sustainability assessment and ecolabelling • Based on client and background information • To provide GUIDANCE to improved sustainability to meet MSC criteria • To inform the management plan Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

5. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard Aiming for GOOD PRACTICE A score of 80 The MSC scoring system (Clark, 2008) Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

6. Brown shrimp pre-assessment scores • Standards for MSC certification not met in 17 criteria • Improvements required in 7 criteria Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

7. Brown shrimp pre-assessment scores • It’s not all bad! • Some measures already in place – formalise them • Improvements to data capture • Documentation – management plan Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

8. Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

9. Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

10. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock 1.1 Undertake stock assessment Assessing stock status in shrimp is known to be problematic for several reasons: • shrimp abundance in one year does not give information about stock in the following year • probably because >1 generation per year • Short life-span • high variability in local catches The ICES WG have discussed 3 other potential approaches to stock assessment • Surveys using standardised catches from commercial vessels • Ad hoc regulation - set reference points based on LPUE data and implement a ‘traffic light’ system of management measures (currently employed in the Dutch North Sea shrimp fishery) • Use indicators of stock status such as a combination of size distribution, maximum length, number of berried females Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

11. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock Ad hoc shrimp fishery regulation • Based on already established EU reporting system of log-books and landings data • A sub-set of shrimpers provide catch and effort data • Averages are calculated and distributed within a short time frame • Reference points (minimum monthly LPUE) can be established using expert judgement (a rule of thumb e.g. 75% of average) and previous LPUE data • Implement a ‘traffic light’ system of actions e.g.: LPUE is high => free fishing LPUE is moderate => fishing on higher effort limited LPUE is low => danger for stocks => fishing restrictions Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

12. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock Surveys using standardised catches from commercial vessels • simultaneous standardised catches on as many commercial vessels as possible • first survey in May/June to catch recruitment wave (10-20 mm), may need special licence for smaller mesh sizes • second survey in summer, July/August, this recruitment cohort will now be 30-45 mm in size • trawl information collected for each haul (duration, location) • employ sieving procedures to identify biomass of different cohorts • sub-sampling by scientists for more detailed investigation of stock structure • also collect information on egg-bearing females • simultaneous recording of by-catch to identify areas with high by-catch • for first year it may be necessary to undertake more regular sampling Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

13. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock A combination of indicators of stock status • no. of egg bearing females • size composition • maximum length • size distribution of area • predator biomass • environmental conditions Gives real insight into the drivers of population but Must be carried out by scientists and lack of clarity on how to interpret data or base management actions on these parameters Need to discuss and seek advice on best way forward Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

14. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock 1.2 Develop harvest strategy • set reference points on basis of survey data or other • set reference points based on LPUE data • implement ‘traffic light’ system of management measures as in Dutch fishery 1.3 Establish fishery management group • the producers • IFCA representatives • Cefas representative (link FMG and WG?) • with advice from ICES Working Group 1.4 Seek expert advice • ICES Shrimp working group • Dutch shrimp fishery experiences (Management plan in information pack) • Cefas has participated in the ICES Crangon working group (Andy Lawler) Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

15. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock Dutch shrimp fishery management measures Feb 2011 • Weekend prohibition and fishing times • The indicator for the stock status is Landings Per Unit Effort (LPUE) in kg/hr • Every 4 weeks the average LPUE is calculated from a selected sample of fishing vessels • Traffic light system of measures depending on average LPUE. For example if LPUE falls below X fishing is limited to a maximum number of hours per week • Separate traffic light levels weeks 1-24 and weeks 25-52 to allow for seasonal differences in catch • Maximum percentage of 15% for shrimp residue for each landing • Minimum net mesh size • Use of sieve nets • Development of alternative fishing methods • Recognised rinsing/sorting equipment and recognised handling methods (all documented) • By-catch monitoring • Endangered species monitoring • Closed areas for shrimp fishing • Maximum vessel capacity • Use of prescribed fishing gear only Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

16. R1: Monitoring and Management of Stock 1.5 Improve landings per unit effort data • hours actually fished not days at sea • North Sea fishery advised by ICES to address LPUE data collection (different systems, landings only, data collected) 1.7 Minimise undersized shrimp mortality • formalise mesh size of cod end with signed agreements • investigate other methods such as processing and handling in Dutch fishery 1.8 Implement a management plan • formal document of stock and harvest strategy measures • systems of recording, reporting and feedback • traffic light management measures, seasonal closures etc Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

17. Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

18. R2: Monitoring and Management of Non-Target Species 2.1 Improve Fishing Selectivity • formalise the mandatory use of sieve nets in management plan • obtain signed agreements • monitor developments in other fisheries Electric beam trawling for Crangon – ILVO • 35% less by-catch • 75% less bottom contact Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

19. R2: Monitoring and Management of Non-Target Species 2.2 Collect biomass data for by-catch • necessary to determine which by-catch species count as ‘main’ (≥ 5%) • consider seasonal and/or spatial surveys + independent observation 2.3 Monitor ICES status of non-target species • regular checks to determine changes in definitions for vulnerable (‘main’) species, currently only cod is considered vulnerable but several unknown • formalise process in management plan • responsibility of the fishery management group Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

20. R2: Monitoring and Management of Non-Target Species 2.4 Reduce juvenile fish by-catch • collect information on where and when juvenile (plaice in particular) catch is high • There may be funding available, e.g. EFF, to carry out surveys • implement technical measures (seasonal/area closures, gear/handling procedures) 2.5 Investigate and improve survivability of discards • No research carried out as far as we could tell • But automated catch handling equipment used in some modern vessels may improve survivability by reducing catch handling time • introduction of agreed a handling methods known to improve the chance of survivability, as has been used in Holland such as using high levels of running water to return by-catch to the water and releasing fish directly into the water via a chute underneath or at the side of the boat • Research required 2.6 Monitor and record ETP species • formal monitoring and recording required • identification cards for all boats • logbooks Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

21. R2: Monitoring and Management of Non-Target Species 2.7 Implement a management plan for non-target species • will be determined by outcomes of points 2.1 – 2.6 • may require closed areas or seasonal closures • or a ‘traffic light system’ of management • recording, reporting and feedback mechanisms essential Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

22. Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

23. R3: Monitoring and Management of Habitat and Ecosystem 3.1 Identify and map habitats in fishing area • impacts of Wash shrimp fishery on local seabed not well understood • develop habitat maps of the areas fished to identify areas not considered highly vulnerable (e.g. sand) and areas that may be • use of VMS to improve data capture • some existing broad scale maps available 3.2 Improve fishing effort data collection • as required for other issues anyway (improved LPUE data) • match up habitat with fishing effort • Dutch fishery using VMS ‘black box’ system for data collection 3.3 Implement management measures • develop specific management measures to protect vulnerable habitats and ecosystems • consider seasonal and/or spatial closures Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

24. Key Recommendations for the Brown Shrimp Fishery Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

25. R4: Management 4.1 Develop a management plan for the fishery • sign agreements and set up a Producer’s Organisation • independent inspector monitors compliance and reports to management group • information management for assessment, monitoring and feedback • documentation 4.2 Establish fishery management group • develop, formalise and monitor implementation of management plan • central point of contact • regular reporting Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

26. Pink shrimp pre-assessment scores • Standards for MSC certification not met in 22 criteria • Improvements required in 2 criteria Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

27. Recommendations for Pink Shrimp All brown shrimp recommendations apply with the additional issues of: • Almost no data collected for this fishery • Impact on sensitive ‘Annex 1’ habitat, Sabellaria spinulosa’ reefs to be assessed and management plants put in place • Lack of expert advice but MSC certified fisheries e.g. Canadian offshore pink shrimp fishery BUT habitat in UK may need extra consideration • With only ONE vessel ‘ideal’ opportunity to develop best practice at minimum cost Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk

28. Any Questions? Marine Ecological Surveys Limited 3 Palace Yard Mews Bath, BA1 2NH Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442211 Email: marine@seasurvey.co.uk www.seasurvey.co.uk