Report of the RCM North Sea and Eastern Arctic 2009

Report of the RCM North Sea and Eastern Arctic 2009

EU DATA COLLECTION FRAMEWORK (DCF), REG. 199/2008, 665/2008 AND DECISION 2008/949/EC

Report of the

RegionalCo-ordination Meeting

for the North Sea and Eastern Arctic

(RCM NS&EA)

2009

IFREMER

Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France

15-18 September 2009

Table of Contents:

1Introduction

1.1Background

1.2Legal requirements

1.3Terms of Reference

1.4Structure of the report

1.5Participants

2Review progress in regional co-ordination since the 2008 RCM (follow-up of recommendations) and 2009 Liaison Meeting report

2.1Follow-up of 2008 RCM NS&EA and 2009 Liaison Meeting

2.2Feedback from ICES

3Harmonise and coordinate the regional aspects in the NP proposals 2010

3.1Economic variables

3.2Métier related variables

3.3Stock-related variables

3.4Recreational fisheries

3.5Reference period for National Programmes 2011-2013

4Follow up of the STECF proposal to enlarge list of sharks

5Quality issues

5.1Regional databases

Motivation

Proposed exercises

Deliverables

Working procedure

5.2COST project

5.3WKPRECISE

6Technical tables for reporting planned and achieved actions under the DCF

7Studies, pilot projects and workshops

7.1Stock-based variables

7.2COST corrective and evolutive maintenance

7.3Proposed economic study of recreational fisheries

8Work schedule DCF 2010

9Any other business

9.1Share-point facilities

9.2Data on métier fishing for Crangon crangon

10Venue and dates of next meeting

11Summary of recommendations

12References

Annex 1: Agenda

Annex 2: List of participants

Annex 3: Working document on discard rates from dredge fisheries

Annex 4: Stock-based sampling

Annex 5: Overview maturity sampling

Annex 6: List of agreements for stock related variables made within the RCM NS&EA

Annex 7: Overview of sampling fishing activities on a regional level

Annex 8: Template for métier descriptions

Annex 9: Template for bilateral agreements

Annex 10: Species classification

1Introduction

1.1Background

The EU Data Collection Framework (DCF; EC 2008a, 2008b, 2008c, 2008d) establishes a framework for the collection of economic, biological and transversal data by Member States (MS). It was intended that this programme would provide the basic data needed to evaluate the state of fishery resources and the fisheries sector. Although the legal framework and implementation rules set out the detailed requirements of the programme specifically require MS to demonstrate co-operation and task-sharing, no mechanism was specified in the former DCR (Council Reg. 1543/2000, COM Reg. 1639/2001 and 1581/2004) to achieve this.

Since the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is one of the main users of the data collected by MS, the Planning Group on Commercial Catch, Discards and Biological Sampling (PGCCDBS) was set up to look at ways of ensuring co-ordination and cooperation in the collection of biological data. The PGCCDBS recognised that there was a need to develop regional groups where issues relating to the fisheries and data collection within the region could be more effectively discussed and cooperation developed. At its 2004 meeting (ICES 2004), PGCCDBS recommended the formation of regional planning groups based approximately on areas for the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs).

As the problems and issues in the Atlantic, North Sea & Eastern Arctic, Baltic, Mediterranean & Black Sea and other regions are very different, the need to co-ordinate the DCF on a more regional basis was agreed. Regional co-ordination greatly increases the efficiency, effectiveness and integration of the various DCF National Programmes (NPs). Regional Coordinating Meetings (RCMs) are held annually and involve National Correspondents and both biologists and economists from each MS involved in the DCF programme. The key objectives of the RCMs are to identify areas for standardisation, collaboration and co-operation between MS.

A Liaison Meeting (LM) between the chair of SGRN, the chairs of the different RCMs, the Chair of the PGCCDBS, ICES and the Commission is being held annually to analyse the RCM reports in order to ensure overall co-ordination between the RCMs. On the basis of the reports, the LM makes recommendations to the Commission. However, the DCF does not include non-EU countries such as Norway and Russia although these countries make an important contribution to the fisheries within the remit of the RCMs. Originally, the relevant areas for the RCM North Sea and Eastern Arctic (RCM NS&EA) are ICES Sub-areas I, II, IV and ICES Divisions IIIa and VIId, from 2009 onwards ICES Sub-areas XII, XIV, ICES Division Va and the NAFO areas are included in this RCM. These areas were taken over from the RCM North Atlantic. Again, the RCM NS&EA agreed that it was important for Norway and Russia to attend its meetings and to be able to participate as equal members of the group. Furthermore, RCMs are expected to collaborate with other bodies or organisations such as ICES and STECF.

1.2Legal requirements

Within the new Data Collection Framework, the role of the RCMs and their tasks in regional co-ordination are clearly defined:

Council Regulation 199/2008

Article 5: Coordination and cooperation

1. Member States shall coordinate their national programmes with other Member States in the same marine region and make every effort to coordinate their actions with third countries having sovereignty or jurisdiction over waters in the same marine region. For this purpose the Commission may organise Regional Coordination Meetings in order to assist Member States in coordinating their national programmes and the implementation of the collection, management and use of the data in same region.

2. In order to take into account any recommendation made at regional level at the Regional Coordination Meetings, Member States shall where appropriate submit amendments to their national programmes during the programming period. Those amendments shall be sent to the Commission at the latest two months prior to the year of implementation.

Commission Regulation 665/2008

Article 4: Regional co-ordination

1. The Regional Coordination Meetings referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 shall evaluate the regional co-ordination aspects of the national programmes and where necessary shall make recommendations for the better integration of national programmes and for task-sharing among Member States.

2. The Chair of the meeting shall be designated by the Regional Coordination Meeting in agreement with the Commission for a two year period.

3. The Regional Coordination Meetings may be convened once a year. The terms of reference for the meeting shall be proposed by the Commission in agreement with the Chair and shall be communicated to the national correspondents referred to in Article 3(1) three weeks prior to the meeting. Member States shall submit to the Commission the lists of participants two weeks prior to the meeting.

Commission Decision 2008/949/EC

CHAPTER III: Module of evaluation of the fishing sector:

A. COLLECTION OF ECONOMIC VARIABLES:

2. DISAGGREGATION LEVELS:

(4) In cases where a fleet segment has less than 10 vessels:

(d) Regional Coordination Meetings shall define homogeneous clustering methodology at the level of supra regions so that economic variables are comparable.

B1. MÉTIER-RELATED VARIABLES:

2. DISAGGREGATION LEVEL:

(1) In order to optimise the sampling programmes, the métiers defined in Appendix IV (1 to 5) may be merged. When métiers are merged (vertical merging), statistical evidence shall be brought regarding the homogeneity of the combined métiers. Merging of neighbouring cells corresponding to fleet segments of the vessels (horizontal merging) shall be supported by statistical evidence. Such horizontal merging shall be done primarily by clustering neighbouring vessel LOA classes, independently of the dominant fishing techniques, when appropriate to distinguish different exploitation patterns. Regional agreement on mergers shall be sought at the relevant Regional Coordination Meeting and endorsed by STECF.

(4)For the purpose of collection and aggregation of data, spatial sampling units may be clustered by regions as referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) 665/2008 after agreement by the relevant Regional Co-ordination Meetings.

3. SAMPLING STRATEGY

(1)For the landings:

(a)The Member State on whose territory the first sale take place, shall be responsible for ensuring that biological sampling occurs according to the standards defined in this Community Programme. If necessary, Member States shall co-operate with the authorities of non EU third countries to set up biological sampling programmes for the landings carried out by vessels flying the third country’s flag.

(d)Precision values and ranking system are referenced at the same level as the sampling programmes, i.e. at the national métier level for data that are collected through national programmes and at regional métier level for data that are collected through regionally coordinated sampling programmes.

(f)When sampling a fishing trip, the species shall be sampled concurrently as follows:

–Each species within a region as defined in Appendix II, shall be classified within a group according to the following rules:

•Group 1: Species that drive the international management process including species under EU management plans or EU recovery plans or EU long term multi-annual plans or EU action plans for conservation and management based on Council Regulation No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the common fisheries policy;

•Group 2: Other internationally regulated species and major non-internationally regulated by-catch species;

•Group 3: All other by-catch (fish and shellfish) species. The list of Group 3 species shall be established at the regional level by the relevant regional co-ordination meeting and agreed by STECF.

(2)For the discards:

(c)Precision values and the ranking system are referenced at the same level as the sampling programmes, i.e. at the national métier level for data that are collected through national programmes and at regional métier level for data that are collected through regionally coordinated sampling programmes.

B2. STOCK-RELATED VARIABLES:

5. EXEMPTIONS RULES

(1)The national programme of a Member State may exclude the estimation of the stock related variables for stocks for which TAC's and quota have been defined under the following conditions:

(a)The relevant quota must correspond to less than 10 % of the Community share of the TAC or to less than 200 tonnes on average during the previous three years ;

(b)The sum of relevant quotas of Member States whose allocation is less than 10%, must account for less than 25 % of the Community share of the TAC.

(2)If the condition set out in above point 1(a) is fulfilled, but not the condition set out in point 1(b), the relevant Member States may set up a coordinated programme to achieve, for their joint landings, a joint sampling scheme, or Member States may individually set up other national sampling schemes leading to the same precision.

(3)If appropriate, the national programmes may be adjusted until 1st February of each year to take into account the exchange of quotas between Member States:

(4)For stocks for which TAC's and quotas have not been defined and which are outside the Mediterranean Sea, the same rules established under point 5(1) apply on the basis of the average landings of the previous three years and with reference to the total Community landings from a stock;

(5)For stocks in the Mediterranean Sea, the landings by weight of a Mediterranean Member State for a species corresponding to less than 10 % of the total Community landings from the Mediterranean Sea, or to less than 200 tonnes, except for Bluefin tuna.

C. COLLECTION OF TRANSVERSAL VARIABLES

2. DISAGGREGATION LEVEL

(2)The degree of aggregation shall correspond to the most disaggregated level required. A grouping of cells within this scheme may be made provided that an appropriate statistical analysis demonstrates its suitability. Such mergers must be approved by the relevant Regional Coordination Meeting.

Appendix II: Geographical stratification by Region

Footnote: Sub-regions or fishing grounds are established by Member States for the first programming period (2009-2010); they may be redefined by Regional Coordination Meetings and agreed by STECF if necessary. This level should be consistent with existing geographical divisions.

Appendix VIII: List of transversal variables with sampling specification

Hours fished 2

Number of trips 2

Number of rigs 2

Number of fishing operations 2

Number of nets / Length 2

Number of hooks, Number of lines 2

Numbers of pots, traps2

Soaking time 2

Footnote:

2) Some adjustments could be proposed by Regional Coordination Meetings

1.3Terms of Reference

Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 665/2008 stipulates that The Regional Coordination Meetings referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 ( Data Collection Framework, DCF) shall evaluate the regional co-ordination aspects of the national programmes and where necessary shall make recommendations for the better integration of national programmes and for task-sharing among Member States.

To achieve this goal, the RCMs in autumn 2009 are requested to:

1. Review progress in regional co-ordination since the 2008 RCM (follow-up of recommendations) and 2009 Liaison Meeting report
2. Harmonise and coordinate the regional aspects in the NP 2010, and prepare the ground for better regionalharmonisation and coordination ofthe NP proposals 2011-2013, as foreseen by Article 4 of theDCF, with particular emphasis on the following:

2.a. Economic variables[1]

Short presentation of the main outputs of the SGECA meeting 09-02 on quality issues: impact on future NPs.

For the Baltic and Atlantic: Presentation of main outcomes of economists' discussions in the North Sea RCM.

Fishing fleet (homogeneous clustering methodology at the level of supra region; homogeneous understanding of the definitions and protocols to achieve the goals; quality issues

2.b. Métier-related variables

2.b.1. Ranking system - regional harmonisation of the métiers at level 6, especially regarding mesh size ranges per gear type; refinement of the 2008 regional view on fishing activities; creation of a regional ranking system to assess the Member States obligations and demands for derogation

2.b.2. Landings - sampling agreement for landings abroad; discussion/agreement on concurrent sampling; agreement on merging of métiers for sampling; sampling intensities and data quality

2.b.3. Discards - creation of a regional overview of the discard sampling programmes, identification of gaps and discrepancies for optimising the spatial, time and métiers coverage. For the latter,special attention should be given to identifying the key métiers important for sampling and providing scientific justification for not sampling certain métiers for discards

2.b.4. Recreational fisheries - review of the actions proposed in the NP proposals, proposals for regionally co-ordinated actions)

2.c. Biological stock-related variables - sampling intensities and data quality; identification of stocks suitable for international age-length keys and task sharing for ageing; possibilities for extension to regional collection of data for maturity, sex-ratio and mean weights; ensure that exemptions for biological sampling do not exceed 25% of quota/landings for stock; list of Group 3 species

2.d.Transversal variables - common understanding of effort definitions

1. Propose actions and where possible conclude regional agreements on the collection of data outlined under ToR2
2. Where relevant, propose adaptations in the NP 2010 inaccordance with Article 5(2) of Council Regulation 199/2008 and propose coordinated actions for the NP 2011-2013 in accordance with Article 5(1) of Council Regulation 199/2008
3. Information on the follow up of the proposalof STECF to enlarge the list of sharks in Appendix VII of Commission Regulation (2008/949/EC)
4. Quality issues -regional databases (identify lead MS for progressing on the regional database issue in partnership with other MS), progress on the COST tools and anticipation of their use at national level; outcome of the WKPRECISE workshop
5. Consider the proposal by STECF/SGRN of a unique set of tables for reporting planned and achieved actions under the DCF, and make suggestions for modifications, if needed, before the new guidelines for NP 2011-2013 are finalised.
6. Studies and pilot projects
7. Work schedule for RCMs and SGRN for 2010
8. Any other business: This point can include issues relevant for each different RCM.

The initial agenda of the meeting is included in Annex 1.

1.4Structure of the report

The structure of the report mainly follows the ToRs, starting at section 2. However, section 3 encompasses the ToRs 2,3 & 4.

• Section 2 : ToR 1 and feedback from ICES
• Section 3 : ToR 2,3 & 4
• Section 4 : ToR 5
• Section 5 to 9 address ToR6 to 10 respectively

1.5Participants

Name / First name / Country / Function
Alpoim / Ricardo / Portugal / biologist
Armesto / Ángeles / Spain / biologist
Bengtsberg** / Rickard / Sweden / economist
Bjelland / Otte / Norway / biologist
Bland / Barbara / Sweden / biologist
Cervantes** / Antonio / EU-Com / EU-Com
Coull / Ken / UK-Scotland / biologist
Course / Grant / UK-E&W / biologist
Davidjuka** / Irina / Latvia / economist
Degel / Henrik / Denmark / biologist
Eicaite** / Ovidija / Lithuania / economist
Garnsworthy** / John / UK / National Correspondent
Hansson / Maria / Sweden / biologist
Justin / Ingrid / France / National Correspondent
Kuzebski** / Emil / Poland / economist
Lees** / Janek / Estonia / economist
Lorenzo / José / Spain / biologist
Morgado** / Cristina / ICES / ICES representative
Nermer / Tomasz / Poland / biologist
Ranner / Herwig / EU-Com / EU-Com
Ringdahl / Katja / Sweden / biologist
Souffez** / Arnaud / France / economist
Storr-Paulsen / Marie / Denmark / biologist
Stransky / Christoph / Germany / National Correspondent
Tétard / Alain / France / biologist
Torreele / Els / Belgium / National Correspondent
Traguany** / Jacques / France / economist
Van Beek / Frans / The Netherlands / biologist
Van der Stelt / Dirk-Jan / The Netherlands / National Correspondent
Verdier** / Pierre / France / economist
Vermard / Youen / France / biologist
Verver* / Sieto / The Netherlands / biologist
Vigneau / Joël / France / biologist
Virtanen** / Jarno / Fin / economist
Warnes / Steve / UK-E&W / biologist
Willems / Wouter / Belgium / biologist
* Chair
**Part-time

Institutional affiliations and contact details are given in Annex 2.

2Review progress in regional co-ordination since the 2008 RCM (follow-up of recommendations) and 2009 Liaison Meeting report

2.1Follow-up of 2008 RCM NS&EA and 2009 Liaison Meeting

The recommendations from the 2008 RCMs have been considered by the Liaison Meeting (Anon. 2009a).

Métier variables: Fishing activities & sampling coverage
RCM NS&EA 2008 Recommendation / OTM_SPF_32-69_0_0 & PTM_SPF_32-69_0_0: The RCM NS&EA recommends that France and The Netherlands should formalise a bilateral agreement for sampling the landings, as the majority of French catches is taken by Dutch crews operating on French flag vessels and landing in The Netherlands.
Follow-up actions needed / Establish a bilateral agreement to be provided to SGRN.
Responsible persons for follow-up actions / France and The Netherlands.
Time frame (Deadline) / January 2009

LM endorsed this recommendation, however, the bilateral agreement has not been established yet. The agreement will be settled by The Netherlands and France before the National Programmes 2010-2013 are finalised