Data deficient fisheries

There are many fisheries in both the developing and developed world where stock assessments are not feasible, yet they provide continuing yields for fisheries. These are referred to as ‘data deficient’ or ‘data poor’ fisheries.

In these cases the detailed scientific data needed to demonstrate a conclusive case for sustainability maybe not available, however these fisheries may still be able to demonstrate they are operating sustainably. They may also risk marginalisation and overexploitation unless they can find ways to demonstrate and improve sustainability.

The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries encourages the management of the world's marine resources on an ecosystem basis.

Traditionally, sustainability assessments in fisheries are carried out using some form of scientific assessment usually carried out by a government agency. More recently, assessments of individual fisheries have been made by independent organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council. Information on fisheries sustainability is also available through the Seafish Responsible Sourcing Guides, Fishonline operated by the Marine Conservation Society, Fishsource and other sources ( MRAG 2009).

Most of the information used in these sources originates from stock assessments carried out by national or international scientific agencies, and the management measures introduced by Governments, together with information from the scientific literature and the fisheries themselves. However, full assessments of fish stocks are not likely to ever be viable for every stock on grounds of expense and simply not having the manpower available. Full stock assessments can only be viable where there is sufficient trained manpower to carry them out, and sufficient revenue and taxpayer support to make them viable.

'Data deficient or 'data poor' fisheries need measures to be able to demonstrate and improve sustainability. This has led to the development of a number of 'risk assessment' methods for assessing these fisheries and their impact on stocks and ecosystems.

Seafish workshop March 2010

Seafish organised a workshop to examine these 'risk assessment' methods in relation to customer use, and to design a decision-tree-based approach for deciding which techniques are suitable for different circumstances. The information will be used to guide Seafish's role in assisting data deficient fisheries assessments.

Presentations     

• Moving on from conventional assessments and management methods John Cotter, FishWorld Science LTD
• Risk-based assessment techniques Crick Carlton, Nautilus Consultants
• Ecological risk assessment for effects of fishing Bill Lart, Sea Fish Industry Authority
• Data deficient stock assessment Paul Medley
• Multiple Indicator Methods Mike Smith, CEFAS

Reports

Since the workshop, John Cotter and Bill Lart have reviewed the literature and put together a guide to the Ecological Risk Assessment of the Effects of Fisheries

For further information visit:

Marine Stewardship Council

Seafish Responsible Sourcing Guides

Fishonline

Fishsource

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

For further information contact:

Bill Lart
Research Development Technologist
t: 01472 252323
e: w_lart@seafish.co.uk