European Union Common Fisheries Policy Research Articles

The North Sea and Svalbard Fisheries Management Regimes in the Context of Brexit: Divergence and Implications

The North Sea fishery has maintained sound and stable cooperative management over the past four decades. European Union (EU) countries exchange quotas with Norway for fish stocks in their respective fisheries jurisdictions within the framework of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (EU CFP) and the Agreement on Fisheries between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway. After beginning the Brexit process with a concomitant transitional arrangement, the United Kingdom remained in the EU CFP until the end of 2020. From 2021 onward, the United Kingdom became a completely independent coastal state outside the EU CFP framework. In this context, the long-standing and stable fisheries access and quota exchange system between Norway and the EU will face tensions. The differences among the United Kingdom, the EU and Norway in fisheries also involve quotas and access to the Svalbard Protection Zone. Norway even intends to expand the fisheries conflict to the Arctic Council. To prevent the adverse consequences of conflict spillover and to achieve sustainable development of fisheries and win–win cooperation in fisheries management, the United Kingdom, the EU and Norway launched a series of actions on fisheries issues. In tripartite negotiations, each party has its advantages. Ultimately, win–win cooperation in the fisheries game is the three parties’ expected outcome.

Initial experiments to assess short-term survival of discarded plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) caught in trammel nets during winter season

European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is a key species in commercial fisheries in the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea. The reformed European Union Common Fisheries Policy includes the possibility of exemptions from the landing obligation for “species for which scientific evidence demonstrates high survival rates”. Discard survival from set-net fisheries is poorly studied. Trials were conducted on two commercial fishing vessels over seven trips from November to February 2017–2018 in the Baltic Sea. The nylon trammel nets had a nominal bar size for the inner/outer wall of 75/350 mm and 85/400 mm. Soaking time was 23–47 h, water depth 7–18 m, and deck temperature was −0.1–6.0 °C. Following commercial practice, the trammel nets were hauled back onto the vessel, after which netting and fish passed through a net hauler onto a steel sorting table where the entire fish catch were manually untangled by the fishers and plaice collected by scientists. We used a storage system for housing the captured fish inside fishing harbours during observations. Catch-damage-index (CDI) and Reflex Action Mortality Predictor (RAMP) scores were used to assess fish condition immediately after capture and at the end of observation periods. All plaice below 40 cm were sampled with a total number of 118 individuals from 13 fleets (several nets joined together). The fish were assessed for short-term survival for 4–10 days with full survival (100%). The majority of fish exhibited no reflex impairments. Minor bruises, fraying, and net marks were frequently observed on captured fish. The overall condition of the fish did not change during observation periods.

Fishing against the odds: fishers\u2019 motivations to carry on fishing in the wake of the hindering EU Common Fishery Policy\u2014a case study in North Shields, UK

The UK’s fishing industry has contracted considerably since 1972 due to overfishing, increased fuel prices, and implementation of the European Union (EU) Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Despite this decline affecting the industry at large and the incomes of fishers, some fishers have carried on, or even freshly started or returned to the business. Why have these fishers done so despite the challenges they encounter in the fishing industry? In this article, we investigate why some fishers still choose to fish in the wake of all the EU regulations designed to control overfishing by reducing the size of the industry and discouraging entry by taking measures that affect revenues. Our data are collected through ethnographic research involving participant observation and interviews with fishers in North Shields, England. Based on our findings, we argue that the decision to carry on fishing, or even to return, is predominantly based on so-called intrinsic motivations, rather than on cost-benefit calculations, and stems from three interlinked basic human emotional needs which fishing seems to fulfil: the need to connect (sometimes also defined as the need to relate or belong); the desire for autonomy; and the desire to show competence (and have that competence recognized by relevant others). As such, the findings offer a fresh way to explain fishers’ decisions, based on a deliberated choice, to remain or leave the sector, and to understand and interrogate the challenges confronting present-day fishing both on a local level in the UK and also for Europe at large.

International politics must be considered together with climate and fisheries regulation as a driver of marine ecosystems

Seafood is an essential source of protein globally. As its demand continues to rise, balancing food security and the health of marine ecosystems has become a pressing challenge. Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) has been adopted by the European Union (EU) Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to meet this challenge by accounting for the multiple interacting natural and socio-economic drivers. The CFP includes both the implementation of regulatory measures to EU stocks and the establishment of bilateral fisheries agreements with neighbouring countries, known as sustainable fisheries partnership agreements (SFPAs). While the effects of fisheries management regulations are well acknowledged, the consequences of the SFPAs on EU ecosystems have been commonly overlooked. Here we investigate the development of the Gulf of Cadiz marine ecosystem over the last two decades and found evidence of the impact of both policy interventions. Our findings reveal the effectiveness of regulatory measures in reverting a progressively degrading ecosystem, characterised by high fishing pressure and dominance of opportunistic species, to a more stable configuration, characterised by higher biomass of small pelagics and top predators after 2005. Knock-on effects of the EU-Morocco SFPA and climate effects were detected before 2005, resulting in increased purse seine fishing effort, lower biomass of pelagic species and warmer temperatures. This southern EU marine ecosystem has been one of the latest to introduce regulations and is very exposed to fishery agreements with neighbouring Morocco. Our study highlights the importance of taking into consideration, not only the effects of in situ fisheries regulations but also the indirect implications of political agreements in the framework of EBFM.

Six steps to produce stock assessments for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive compliant with Descriptor 3

Abstract In the European Union (EU), the ecosystem approach to fisheries is implemented through several directives and polices, which are overarched by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The MSFD requires the assessment of the environmental status of exploited fish and shellfish stocks, among others, to advise the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) on sustainable catch options. The stock assessments for the CFP and the MSFD are supposed to be congruent, yet they differ in several substantial subjects. While the annual CFP assessment is based on two indicators, fishing mortality (F) and spawning stock biomass (SSB), in its Descriptor 3 (D3) the MSFD requires the assessment of three criteria (F, SSB, and age or size structure) within a six year period. Assessing exploited fish and shellfish stocks under the MSFD by using existing CFP assessments has therefore been a half-completed task, which had to be fulfilled by the member states of the EU. This paper suggests six easy steps, referred to as “quick wins” (QW), which are based on existing information from CFP stock assessments. The implementation of these six QW would allow for assessments of exploited fish and shellfish stocks that are compliant to D3. These QW are to (i) assess length/age structure within a stock, (ii) analyse and assess selectivity by fisheries, (iii) use all available information to assess a stock, (iv) use response indicators to assess environmental targets, (v) provide integrated stock-specific advice, and (vi) provide assessments with a mid-term perspective over a-period of six years. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) combines the infrastructure and expertise to produce stock-specific assessment products tailored to the requirements of MSFD D3. Thereby, ICES could provide a valuable service to EU member states in the north-east Atlantic region by providing scientifically validated, quality-assured, and MSFD-compliant single-stock assessment products. This would be a big advancement towards implementing the ecosystem approach to fisheries management within Europe.

Spatiotemporal analyses of tracking data reveal fine-scale, daily cycles in seabird–fisheries interactions

Abstract Human fisheries provide scavengers with abundant and predictable feeding opportunities that may schedule their behavioural patterns. Using miniaturized global positioning system (GPS) tracking technology, we evaluated how Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii), a Mediterranean endemic seabird that makes extensive use of feeding opportunities provided by fisheries, co-occurred (i.e. presumably interacted) with the most important fishing fleets operating off the NE Iberian Peninsula (i.e. diurnal trawlers and nocturnal purse seiners), both in space and time. Results showed that individuals were able to adapt their distribution and activity patterns to the scheduled routines of these fisheries. Waveform analyses based on co-occurring positions revealed that most interactions with trawlers occurred during the afternoon (16:00 h GMT + 1) when discarding occurs as vessels return to port. In contrast, gull-purse seiner interactions largely occurred at night (between 02:00 and 04:00 h) coinciding with the setting and hauling of the nets. Moreover, we found an individual component in seabird–fishery interactions, showing that there may be differential use of fisheries by individuals within the population. In addition to implications for our understanding of the behavioural ecology of this species, these results may have important management implications, particularly under the current European Union Common Fisheries Policy scenario of largely restricting discards.

Seasonal variation in the survival of discarded Nephrops norvegicus in a NW Mediterranean bottom-trawl fishery

The landing obligation in the revised European Union Common Fisheries Policy allows for exemptions to obligatory landing of the entire catch for species for which “high survival” of discards can be demonstrated. Nephrops norvegicus is an important target species in many fisheries across Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, NE Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Historically, Mediterranean fisheries have had a high discard rate of small-sized Nephrops, and it is suspected that this unwanted component of the catch may have a high survival potential that is comparable to those of other EU fisheries, where survival rates of up to 0.56 have been demonstrated. However, to date, no investigations have confirmed a high discard survival rate for Nephrops in the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the environmental, technical and biological characteristics that could affect Nephrops survival have been shown to be substantially different from those in the survival assessments conducted in the NE Atlantic and the North Sea. To address this knowledge gap, this study was conducted to determine the survival of Nephrops discarded from trawls in the Mediterranean Sea. The survival and vitality status of the discarded Nephrops removed from trawl catches were monitored onboard and for 14 days in the laboratory. The results showed seasonality in survival, with the highest survival rate in winter (0.74; CI: 0.7−0.78), lower survival in spring (0.36; CI: 0.31−0.41) and the lowest survival in summer (0.06; CI: 0.04−0.09). Survival was monitored to the asymptote in all cases, and season and vitality status were shown to have statistically significant relationships with survival.

Introduction: External Aspects of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy

The European Union (EU) is a unique international organisation. Its constituent treaties establish a regional legal order separate from international law but also integral to the legal systems of its Member States. EU law has supremacy over the domestic laws of the Member States. The EU also possesses international legal personality and is empowered to enter exclusively into binding legal relations with non-EU States (hereinafter third States) on behalf of its twenty-seven Member States in respect of those matters over which it enjoys competence. The exclusive competence of the EU extends to the conservation and management of marine living resources, which has allowed it to play a significant role in the development of fisheries law and policy. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a set of rules agreed by Member States for regulating the conservation and management of stocks in so-called Union waters – the combined waters of the EU’s constituent Member States – as well as the regulation of fishing vessels flying the flag of an EU Member State in the waters under the jurisdiction of third States or on the high seas. In broad terms, it treats the waters and resources therein as a common resource and EU nationals enjoy equal access to waters and fishing opportunities, subject to some legally defined exceptions or conditions. The CFP was introduced in 1970, and been subject to periodic reviews and reform. he CFP has four main policy areas: fisheries management, market and trade policy, structural funding, and international policy. Alongside internal rules harmonising regulations between Member States, the CFP also has an important external dimension. It is this aspect of EU fisheries law which is the focus of this special issue. This introduction provides necessary context on the EU external fisheries policy and identifies some key issues that are explained in more detail in the other papers to this special issue.

Escapement patterns of red mullet, sole, horse mackerel and hake facing two trawl selective devices

The landing obligation implemented under the European Union Common Fisheries Policy prompted the development of selective devices for fishing gear to reduce unwanted catches. In the Bay of Biscay, a collaborative project between scientists and fishermen evaluated catch rates and length frequencies of caught species from two innovative trawl devices, which were compared to the gear that is currently used in the fishery. The experimental designs were: (1) a 90 mm square mesh bycatch reduction device inserted in the tapered section (SMBRD) and (2) a 70 mm T90 mesh codend and extension (T90). Each selective device was tested separately using the twin trawl method for catch comparison on board commercial vessels: SMBRD was tested on board vessels targeting Nephrops and T90 on board vessels targeting demersal fish. This study focused on hake (Merluccius merluccius), which is an important bycatch species, red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) and common sole (Solea solea), which have high commercial value, and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), which is nearly never discarded. Horse mackerel and hake escaped through the two devices tested, resulting in fewer unwanted catches in the selective trawls without commercial loss. For sole, more individuals were caught with the SMBRD than with the standard gear. The T90 resulted in the escapement of most red mullet across its entire length range observed, resulting in significantly lower Catch Per Unit Effort of landings and unwanted catch, probably due to unsuitable mesh size and shape for that species. These results have direct application for multispecies fisheries in which fishermen have to appropriately select devices according to the specific characteristics and species composition of their fisheries.

Using acoustic telemetry to estimate post-release survival of undulate ray Raja undulata (Rajidae) in northeast Altantic

The landing obligation introduced in the reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy requires landing all catches of species under quota. However, exemptions may be granted for species for which “scientific evidence demonstrates high survival rates”. Captivity experiments are often used to determine fish survival rates, but they are difficult to perform for large species such as rays due to the limited storage capacity of tanks. Thus, little information is available on ray survival after release despite an identified potential for high survival. We used acoustic telemetry to study rays discarded from a coastal bottom trawl fishery in their natural environment and present a new ad hoc approach to derive a minimum survival rate. After capture under commercial conditions in a semi-enclosed bay, 144 rays were tagged with a miniature acoustic transmitter. Survival was assessed based on detections from 15 acoustic receivers deployed in the area and a mobile reception antenna. Then, combining detection data with information on currents provides useful results from a management perspective, as at least 49% of the rays were found to have survived the first 14 days after released, and because the only factor identified that likely decrease survival (i.e. smaller individuals) cannot be improved easily by changing fishing practices.

Survival of discarded plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) from Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) otter‐trawl fishery

The introduction of landing obligations in the European Union common fisheries policy, has increased the focus on discard survival. Since species with scientifically proven high survival rates may be exempted from the landing obligations, the economic significance for the fishing industry is large. Landing obligations include individuals below the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS), which are not allowed to be sold for human consumption. The Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) fishery is a high value fishery, but with a substantial amount of bycatch of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) below the MCRS. In the present study, observations were made on the short‐term survival of plaice at or below the MCRS, discarded from a small otter board trawler targeting Nephrops in Skagerrak (ICES 3a). The average short‐term survival of plaice was 15% at haul level, ranging from 0% to 39%, after 10 days of captive observation. Survival significantly decreased with time on deck and the retention of debris in the codend (p < 0.0001), while survival was not correlated to size. Vitality assessments, using a combined reflex impairment and injury score, were tested as predictor of survival and were significantly associated to survival (p < 0.0001) both for individual fish and when grouped by hauls. Seabird predation behaviour was assessed and it was estimated that seabirds predated or pursued 85% of discarded plaice below the MCRS.

Socio-economic impacts of the landing obligation of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy on Galician (NW Spain) small-scale fisheries

This paper analyses the impacts of the new LO policy on small-scale fishing fleet under the TAC regulation in Galicia, namely focused on Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Rays (Rajidae). The paper shows that, as in much of the North Atlantic small-scale fisheries, the volume of discards of these species is relatively small, at 0–5% of the total volume of catches. However, while the volume of discards may increase as quotas allocated to a fleet are exhausted, discards by the small-scale fleet are managed by a combination of effort and minimum size. The main reason given by fishers is that small-scale fishing is highly selective and has a discard ratio significantly lower than that of industrial fishing.Regarding the impacts of the landing obligation (LO), this paper shows that 88% of the Galician small-scale fishers interviewed who harvest species (Atlantic mackerel, European hake and ray) under the European Union TAC regulation. Indeed, 60% of the fishers indicated that the implementation of the LO would mean they would leave small-scale fishing. The main incentive to avoiding discards lies in changing the system of TACs and quotas (based on the principle of relative stability of the EU), promoting small-scale fishing and increasing de “de minimis” exceptions. The fact that many small-scale fishers are not willing to accept the LO highlights the lack of information and dialogue on the part of authorities regarding the impact of the LO on small-scale fishing.Regarding the economic and social impact of the LO on Galician small-scale fisheries, the economic loss for the fleet which harvest species under the TAC regulation is estimated to be 58,753,632 EUR per year. In macroeconomic terms, the direct economic loss will lead to lost income taxes plus the cost of unemployment payments to affected fishers. In microeconomic terms, given the high dependence on fishing revenues of coastal communities, the household incomes of around 3000 small-scale fishers (nearly 11,000 people taking into account family members) would be negatively affected. The effects on other economic branches supplying goods and services to small-scale fisheries are excluded from this estimate. This impact would further aggravate the social and economic crisis of the Galician small-scale fishing sector, which has lost 17% of its fishing vessels and 20% direct employment in the last decade.

Comparing economic and biological management objectives in the commercial Baltic salmon fisheries

This paper compares two fisheries management objectives recognized in the literature and applied in practice: maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and maximum economic yield (MEY). The European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets the minimum target of fish populations at the MSY level, defined as the stock level that maximizes the fish catch. Although MSY is useful in nudging over-harvested stocks back to biologically sustainable levels, the CFP requires the harvested stocks to be maintained above levels that can produce MSY without addressing the exact definition of “above MSY”. One possibility for maintaining fish stocks above MSY is to apply the maximum economic yield (MEY) that maximizes the discounted net present value of the fishery. Comparison of the economic and ecological outcomes of the two objectives in the Northern Baltic salmon fishery is conducted by applying a dynamic optimization model coupled with age-structured salmon stock dynamics. The results are further tested for the changes in stock-recruitment parameters, and related to the precautionary management target of reaching 75% smolt production capacity. A sensitivity analysis for the economic parameter values is conducted. The results show that as a target, MEY performs better than MSY in both conserving the stocks and providing economic viability for the fishers. Targeting MEY while keeping MSY at hand as a minimum biological objective was found to be a pragmatic objective that is in line with the goals of the CFP and the EU Blue Growth Strategy.

Fisheries Exploitation by Albatross Quantified With Lipid Analysis

Mortality from incidental bycatch in longline fishery operations is a global threat to seabird populations, and especially so for the albatross family (Diomedeidae) in which fifteen out of twenty-two species are threatened by extinction. Despite the risks, fisheries remain attractive to many species of seabird by providing access to high-energy foods in the form of discarded fish and offal, target fish, and baited hooks. Current policy regarding fisheries management is increasingly aimed at discard reform, exemplified by a discard ban initiated in the European Union Common Fisheries Policy in 2014. While there is global agreement in the importance of minimizing the waste inherent in bycatch and discards, there is also growing concern that there is also a need to understand the extent to which marine animals rely on fisheries-associated resources, especially at the colony and individual levels. We used a novel adaptation of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA), to quantify fisheries-associated prey in the diet of two threatened North Pacific albatross species. Diet was estimated with QFASA using multiple lipid classes from stomach oil collected from breeding Laysan and black-footed albatrosses across multiple breeding seasons. Prey-specific error was estimated by comparing QFASA estimated diets from known “simulated” diets, which informed the level of precaution appropriate when interpreting model results. Fisheries-associated diet occurred in both albatross species across both the incubation and chick-brood stages; however, neither species relied on fisheries food as the dominant food source (consisting of <10 % of the total pooled proportional diet in each species). While total diet proportion was low, the incidence of fisheries-associated resources in albatross diets was highest in the 2009-2010 breeding season when there was a strong central Pacific El Nino. Additionally, the diets of a few individuals consisted almost entirely of fisheries-associated food, indicating that some birds might specialize on this foraging tactic. QFASA proved a tractable method for estimating the importance of fisheries-associated resources in albatross diet, and, as a tool, has the potential to enable long-term monitoring of diet and fisheries reliance of breeding colonies in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Setting of total allowable catches in the 2013 EU common fisheries policy reform: possible impacts

Fisheries in the European Union (EU) are managed through the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which has been revised in 2013 to achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for all commercial exploited stocks and ban discards, amongst other aims. One of its core instruments to achieve stock conservation objectives in the North-East Atlantic are Total Allowable Catches (TACs). These are agreed annually by the Council of the EU, informed by scientific advice but usually based on perceived short-term socioeconomic impacts. The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of major policy decisions and consequent changes in the basis of scientific advice on TAC decisions. TACs set were compared to maximum advised catch levels between 2010 and 2017, in order to determine to what extent the EU adheres to scientific advice. The results show that EU fisheries ministers persistently set fishing opportunities above those given by MSY based scientific advice. Since 2010, 60% of the TACs analysed were constantly set above the advised levels, but departure from the advised tonnes peaked at around 40% in 2013, during the CFP negotiation, and again in 2017 due to the introduction of the landing obligation. More importantly, the observed decreasing trend of overfishing that had been achieved in Europe has been halted since 2011–2012. Finally, there was no impact of ICES’ adoption of the MSY approach in EU TACs decision-making.

Exploring the economic viability of a mesopelagic fishery in the Bay of Biscay

Abstract The study analyses the economic viability of the mesopelagic fish exploitation. Operating characteristics of the selected bottom-trawl fleet operating in the Bay of Biscay were analysed on a trip basis, from the technical, financial and market perspectives. The results show that, while this activity is technically possible, it cannot be considered a viable financial alternative to the existing commercial fisheries. However, the landing obligation of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy, to become fully operational in 2019, provides an economic incentive in the form of alternative trips. The fishing effort is to be limited by this regulation. Thus, the discouraging opportunity costs of fishing mesopelagic species might be alleviated by the effort limitation. Additionally, the existing markets might expand, and new opportunities for commercial fisheries of mesopelagic species might be created. The sustainability of exploitation and its impact on the ecosystem services associated with these species should be considered in their management.

Seasonal and annual differences in the foraging ecology of two gull species breeding in sympatry and their use of fishery discards

Niche segregation between similar species will result from an avoidance of competition but also from environmental variability, including nowadays anthropogenic activities. Gulls are among the seabirds with greater behavioural plasticity, being highly opportunistic and feeding on a wide range of prey, mostly from anthropogenic origin. Here, we analysed blood and feather stable isotopes combined with pellet analysis to investigate niche partitioning between Audouin's gull Larus audouinii and yellow‐legged gull Larus michahellis breeding in sympatry at Deserta Island, southern Portugal, during 2014 and 2015. During the breeding season there was considerable overlap in the adults’ diet, as their stable isotope values of blood and primary feather (P1) did not differ, and their pellets were comprised mainly by marine fish species. However, Audouin's gulls presented higher occurrences of pelagic fish, while yellow‐legged gulls fed more on demersal fish, insects, and refuse. SIAR mixing models also estimated a higher proportion of demersal fish in the diet of yellow‐legged gulls. We also found differences between the two gull species in chicks’ feathers, suggesting that Audouin's gull adults selected prey with lower carbon isotope values to feed their young. Secondary feather (S8) of Audouin's gull presented higher isotope values compared to yellow‐legged gulls, indicating different foraging areas (δ13C) and/ or trophic levels (δ15N) between the two species in the non‐breeding season. During both the all‐year and non‐breeding periods the yellow‐legged gull showed a broader isotopic niche width than Audouin's gull in 2013, and in 2014 the two gull species exhibited different isotopic niche spaces. Our study suggests that both gull species foraged in association with fisheries during the breeding season. In this sense, a discard ban implemented under the new European Union Common Fisheries Policy may lead to a food shortage, therefore future research should closely monitor the population dynamics of Audouin's and yellow‐legged gulls.

Bioeconomic assessment of a change in fishing gear selectivity: the case of a single-species fleet affected by the landing obligation

The European Union Common Fisheries Policy has established a discard ban, which states that fish below a reference size cannot be sold directly for human consumption. In a fishing effort-regulated fishery, the discard ban can result in extra handling, storing and landing costs. In an output-regulated fishery, this policy might also limit the effort levels as all the catches count against the quota. In both cases, this regulation can reduce the economic performance of the companies, even in single-species fisheries. A possible solution is to increase the mesh size, thus retaining fewer small individuals. To study this option, a bioeconomic simulation of a change in the gear selectivity from 100- to 120-mm minimum mesh size (MMS) was performed. The results show that the private perspective (profits) does not change. Furthermore, due to the lower retention of 120 mm MMS, the efficiency of a fishing day was reduced by 5% and 2.5%, from the point of view of capital and labour productivity, respectively. In contrast, gross revenues increased by 1.5% and crew compensation by 2%. Given a societal benefit of this change in the mesh size, this gain could be re-distributed to provide an incentive for selectivity improvements.

Tracing a pathway to success: How competing interest groups influenced the 2013 EU Common Fisheries Policy reform

Adaptation of environmental policies to often unexpected crises is an important function of sustainable governance arrangements. However the relationship between environmental change and policy is complicated. Much research has focused on understanding institutional dynamics or the role of specific participants in the policy process. This paper draws attention to interest groups and the mechanism through which they influence policy change. Existing research offers conflicting evidence in regards to the different ways in which interest groups may affect change. This paper provides an in-depth study of the 2013 European Union Common Fisheries Policy reform − a policy change characterized by active interest group participation. It traces the activity of interest group coalitions to understand how they achieved influence under a changing policy context. The study involves interviews with interest group representatives, policy experts and decision-makers, document analysis of interest group statements and EU legislative documents. Findings identify the important role of coalition-building and informational lobbying for environmental interest group success in exploiting favorable sociopolitical conditions and influencing reform outcomes. An insight on interest group influence and its conditions contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics of the environmental policy process as well as its implications for policy adaptation to environmental change.

Untying the Mediterranean Gordian Knot: A Twenty First Century Challenge for Fisheries Management

Management of fisheries in the Mediterranean basin has often been described as a unique and complex challenge, due to their multi-specificity, the diversity of gear-types, and the number of nations involved. This perspective has gone hand-in-hand for decades with a lack of strong political will from decision-makers, who have been unwilling to put Mediterranean fisheries management high on their agendas. Over time, exploitation rates of demersal stocks have increased and in 2016, 97% of shared stocks assessed in the Mediterranean were reported to be overfished. An alarm bell about the chronic overfishing of Mediterranean fish stocks was rung by European policy makers in 2015, exactly 20 years after the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization mandated that states should ensure the sustainable use of fishery resources. In this perspective, we: i) review the context of fisheries management in the Mediterranean; ii) identify the potential factors that may have hindered management and; iii) discuss how the reformed European Union Common Fisheries Policy and the binding commitments laid down in its text may lead to knock-on effects for fisheries management in the international Mediterranean context, if properly implemented. In this line, we also present the example of demersal fisheries management in the Strait of Sicily, which may represent a starting point for science-based management in the Mediterranean