Managing Fisheries in a World of Shifting Stocks: Integrating Biological, Policy, Behavioural, Social and Economic Aspects

This session will convene discussions on current advances in fisheries management adaptation in response to changes in distribution and productivity of fish stocks due to climate change. These changes are wreaking havoc in established regulations, scientific advice and fishing dynamics, particularly for stocks moving across jurisdictional boundaries and/or fisheries with different sectors or communities competing for access. We invite proposals for talks on case studies as well as broader themes, focusing on governance, policy, human wellbeing, knowledge creation, modelling and data acquisition challenges across a range of regions and/or examples, focusing on problems as well as solutions. Abstracts for contributed talks that bring together perspectives based on multiple disciplines will be prioritised. The session will include a multidisciplinary group of invited panellists to kick off the event, followed by contributed talks, and will conclude with an interactive Roundtable discussion, with the aim of identifying key themes leading to a perspective paper.

Organizers:

Catherine Longo, Marine Stewardship Council, [email protected]
Olaf Jensen, UW Madison
Kanae Tokunaga, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Tarub Bahri, Food and Agriculture Organisation
Jacqueline Vogel, Environmental Defense Fund
Juliano Palacios Abrantes, University of British Columbia

Managing Fisheries Bycatch of Threatened Species

Fisheries targeting relatively productive species can harm incidentally caught bycatch species with low fecundity and other life history traits that make them vulnerable to anthropogenic mortality. There has been increasing concern over the sustainability of bycatch mortality of marine megafauna given their vulnerability to exploitation, ecosystem-level cascading effects from declines in abundance, and reduced population fitness from fisheries-induced evolution. This theme session provides an opportunity to identify key criteria for developing evidence-informed, integrated fisheries bycatch policy that promises to achieve ecological and socioeconomic objectives of bycatch management strategies.

Organizers:
Eric Gilman, Pelagic Fisheries Research Center, [email protected]
Milani Chaloupka, Ecological Modelling Services Pty Ltd and Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Queensland
Petri Suuronen, International Seafood Consulting Group (ISCG), Finland, [email protected]

Management, Governance, Scientific and Socio-economic Attributes Driving Successes or Failures in Meeting Fishery Objectives

Fisheries vary along a wide range of attributes, which may influence the extent to which numerous fishery objectives are met. Some attributes may enable some objectives to be met while others may impose barriers. The variability in attribute profiles between fisheries makes it challenging to identify strong influences of specific attributes and achieve success across multiple objectives. In this session, we bring together different approaches used to evaluate the potential influence of broad fishery attributes on meeting fishery objectives and strengthening fisheries management. To achieve this, we invite presentations that address fishery objectives, expert survey or data synthesis studies across multiple fisheries, decision-support tools that may help to identify promising actions to take, and seafood certification and ratings systems that specify criteria related to both fishery attributes and specific objectives. Presenters will each place their findings within the session’s aims of better understanding linkages between fishery attributes and objectives.

Organizers:

Michael Melnychuk, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), [email protected]
Dowling Natalie, CSIRO

Management of Recreational Fisheries Accounting for Social Benefits, Economic Value, and Biological Sustainability

Recreational fisheries can represent a significant source of fishing mortality, have impact on ecosystems, and interact with commercial fisheries and other users of the marine environment. However, the evidence needed to manage these fisheries is often limited and difficult to collect. This theme session is an opportunity to share experiences and critically examine approaches developed across the globe. Participants will verify the role of recreational fisheries, identify how to incorporate recreational fisheries survey data into assessment to improve scientific advice, discuss effective engagement and co-management approaches, and explore different models for management of recreational fisheries considering biological, economic, and social goals.

Organizers:

Estanis Mugerza, AZTI, [email protected]
Abigail Lynch, U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center
Kieran Hyder, Cefas

Making a Case for Ending Bottom Trawling

Bottom trawling is a very common and highly destructive type of fishing gear, imposing significant ecological, social and economic costs. Decisions on trawl fisheries management pose notable policy challenges. During this symposium, we report on our biological, socio-economic and policy research into bottom trawling. We present an analysis of the bias in trawl studies by spaces and species. Our biological studies probe (i) how many fish species are caught and (ii) how trawling affects threatened species. Our socio-economic studies investigate (iii) what brings people into bottom trawling, why they stay, and what makes them leave and (iv) probes the costs and benefits to different actors in bottom trawl fisheries and associated industries. Our management and policy studies examine (v) what happens in areas where bottom trawling is excluded and (vi) how bottom trawling undermines global agreements.  We invite colleagues to consider how our research influences the agenda for bottom trawling.

Organizer:

Amanda Vincent, Project Seahorse, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, The University of British Columbia, [email protected]

Leveraging Fishery-dependent Data in Stock Assessments and Fisheries Management: Working at the Interface of Observer and Electronic Monitoring Data

Fishery-dependent data is used to inform fisheries managers and stock assessments across the globe; however, the types of data collected and the structure of monitoring programs is diverse and best practices for incorporating these data into stock assessments is a topic of broad interest and discussion. In particular, the expansion of electronic monitoring (EM) creates challenges for incorporating data from both observer and EM data streams in stock assessments. This session will focus on optimizing the incorporation of EM data with observer data in stock assessments. Through a mix of formal research presentations, breakout groups, and expert panel discussions, this session will explore how to effectively integrate multiple data types into stock assessment processes and other analyses to support management.

Organizers:

Mark Grant, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, [email protected]
Jennifer Cahalan, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

Learning from Each Other to Build Effective Networks for Innovative and Effective Governance to Sustain Iconic Diadromous Fishes

The complex life history strategies of diadromous fishes, using both ocean and freshwater habitats and often crossing political borders makes them particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities. The development of successful governance models acceptable to all stakeholders poses a challenge but it remains a priority for sustaining these often-iconic species. This session will present a range of examples of existing multi-user collaborations in the assessment and management of diadromous species from around the world. This would be the starting point for a post-session review describing and discussing the species- or situation-specific challenges and commonalities of multilateral collaborations for diadromous species. Thus the session will leverage the collective knowledge to identify, plan, and initiate select case studies to establish knowledge exchange frameworks to support multilateral collaboration and the conservation of diadromous species.

Organizers:

Estibaliz Díaz, AZTI, [email protected]
Jan-Dag Pohlmann, Thünen Institut
Hilaire Drouineau, INRAE
Matthew Gollock, ZSL
Thomas Pratt, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Kenzo Kaifu, Chuo University
Kristen Anstead, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Alan Walker, CEFAS

Innovations in On-Demand Fishing

This full-day session will focus on the latest advancements, obstacles, and problem-solving pertaining to on-demand fishing. On-demand, or “ropeless,” systems eliminate static rope in the water column compared to fishing with traditional pot/trap gear designs. In traditional methods, gear is tied to a rope that is attached to a buoy at the surface of the water. The main characteristic of on-demand gear is that it doesn’t need this tether between gear and buoy. The presentations in this session will give attendees relevant background information about on-demand technologies, its purpose, as well as implementation and testing-related challenges. Through additional formal presentations, the session will also provide an overview of specific global case studies of on-demand fishing. After the presentations, there will be roundtable conversations where attendees and presenters may explore the innovations of on-demand fishing and what is necessary to increase success in the future.

Organizer:

Kristen Long, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, [email protected]

Incorporation of Ecosystem Information into Fisheries Management Decisions

Failure to translate ecosystem science into management action can result when information is not conveyed to the appropriate management body or because of the nature of the information or the quality of the communication. We welcome contributions on products and processes that have been used to improve the conveyance of ecosystem information into the fisheries management process, especially those that have been used to inform tactical fisheries management decisions. We encourage studies that propose and/or compare products, processes, timing, visualization, and targeted audiences, as part of the management cycle. The end goal is to identify decision points, tools, and types of information that maximize uptake into fisheries management decisions and to identify the scales and contexts in which the various approaches work best. The formal presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion among fisheries managers and policymakers to discuss the possibilities and challenges of applying the work presented.

Organizers:

Ivonne Ortiz, University of Washington, [email protected]
Stephani Zador, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Beth Fulton, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Gespe-gewa’gi: Mi’kmaw Fisheries and Their Connection to the People, Their Traditions and Homeland

The Mi’kmaq have fished and stewarded the waters in Mi’kma’ki for millennia, but mismanagement, conflict, and infringement of Treaty-protected rights have limited the extent to which Mi’kmaw can continue to fish and steward these waters. A resurgence in science, conservation, and fisheries development is changing that, which will be showcased in this special session featuring the screening of 3 episodes of Gespe-gewa’gi: The Last Land (Season 2). The episodes will include stories from Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG) and Sipekne’katik First Nation harvesters. Following the screening, harvesters, community leaders, and researchers from the communities featured in the screening will take the stage for a panel discussion on updates since filming, and for a Q&A with audience members. Participants will be invited to join the panelists and organizers in a feast that will showcase sustainably farmed salmon and traditional Mi’kmaq food prepared by award-winning Chef Ray Bear.

Organizers:

Megan Bailey, Dalhousie University, [email protected]
Marina Miller, Rezolution Pictures
Lisa Roth, Rezolution Pictures
Alanna Syliboy, Mi’kmaw Conservation Group
Ray Bear, Self-employed Chef
Fred Metallic, Listuguj First Nation
Adam Jerome, Mi’gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association,  Gesgapegiag First Nation, QC
Tanya Condo, Mi’gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association,  Gesgapegiag First Nation, QC
Heather Condo, Rezolution Pictures