Opening Statement by WWF
WWF and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation are working together to achieve better management of fisheries, for both fishers and the environment. We both agree that the current levels of bycatch of small cetaceans in fishing gear are unacceptable and that this bycatch must be reduced towards zero. Solutions will vary on a case-by-case basis depending upon the biology of the cetacean species and the fishing gear employed. We recognise the expertise of scientists and delegates of contracting parties and observers in the ASCOBANS framework and request the support of ASCOBANS in considering practical solutions. To achieve this a workshop should be convened at the earliest possible date to bring together scientists, fishermen, fisheries managers and conservationists.
The memorandum establishing such a workshop must make clear that all participants are acting to fulfil the objectives of the ASCOBANS agreement and that all will aim to address problem fisheries throughout the ASCOBANS area. Such solutions will also have an applicability beyond the ASCOBANS area. WWF and SFF believe that this issue can only be resolved on an EU level due to the competency of the European Community in fisheries management. It is therefore most important that the European Community be party to the bycatch workshop.
With respect to the Draft ASCOBANS draft Quadrennium Work Plan for 2000 –2004 – Document MOP3/Doc.10(s) 1a) & 1b), we are concerned that the development of bycatch mitigation measures does not well reflect the value of utilising the expertise of the fishing industry. The establishment of a workshop will go a long way to redressing this situation. The results of the workshop can then be collated into a report, considered at a national level and by the ASCOBANS 8th Advisory Committee. The outputs of the workshop can also be considered by other national governments outside the ASCOBANS Area and by the European Community as a whole.
The ASCOBANS Resolution on Incidental Take, Annex K MOP2, highlights the need for solutions to the unacceptable levels of bycatch of cetaceans in all EU member states’ waters and for EU member states’ vessels1
1Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC/3760/92 December 92) states that the Common Fisheries Policy shall provide for rational an responsible exploitation on a sustainable basis, taking account of the implications for marine ecosystems; in waters of EU member states, Article 12.4 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC requires Member States to establish a system to monitor the incidental capture and killing of cetaceans and to ensure that incidental capture and killing does not have a significant negative impact on the species concerned.