Regional Fisheries Management : how to make it work for fisheries and the environment? Committee of the Regions - September 29th 2009 Regional fisheries management : seeking sustainability in coastal fisheries The example of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France. Simon WOODSWORTH Biodiversity Policies Project Manager, Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Council Ex-Coordinator of the CRPMEM Languedoc-Roussillon
Presentation Introduction : a global overview of the situation (maps, figures and pictures) Sustainability concept in the fishing sector Governance principles in regional management processes Regional ecosystemic management : fisheries and biodiversity conservation A regional vision for the coming CFP?
A historical evolution Golfe du Lion Fond cartographique Clara Hénissart, 2006.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region
The Languedoc-Roussillon region
The Languedoc-Roussillon region (2007) In the Languedoc-Roussillon : - 55 % of the population is located on the coasts (16 % of regional territory), most attractive region in France - 677 fishing vessels (14 % of national fleet) - 1.893 fishermen (15 % of french fishermen) - 17.000 t. of fish landed = 40 million euros, Sète first french fishing port of the Mediterranean in volumes. Source : OFIMER, 2007 ; FAF PECHE 2009
What is the concept?
Sustainability concept Equity Economic development Viable Sustainable development Social Environment Livable
Sustainability concept in the fishing industry Resource Sustainable fisheries? Production Markets
How can it work on a regional scale?
Regional integrated management of marine resources Resources Production Markets Management of species and exploited stocks Study of natural habitats quality Restaure altered sites Management of marines zones Manage impact of production Foster multispecific fisheries Manage production costs Encourage evolution of jobs Contribute to the evolution of working conditions Promote products Control prices Bring confidence to customers and find new commercial solutions Insure long term profitability
A collaborative network Resources Production Markets -Professionals : Prud homies, CLPMEM, CRPMEM, CNPMEM, SRCM, OP - Scientific community : IFREMER, Réseau de Suivi Lagunaire, Cepralmar, Universities (Perpignan Via Domitia, Montpellier I & II, etc), - Legal autorities : European Commission, State (DRAM LR, DIREN LR, DDAF, etc.), Natural Parks, CELRL, Marine protected areas, Natura 2000sites, etc. - Local authorities : Direction «filières maritimes», «développement économique», «Environnement» of local authorities, Syndicats Mixtes - NGOs : Pole Relais Lagunes, CEN LR, Voiles de Neptune, etc. - Marine stakeholders - Producers organisations (AMOP for ex.), - Fish markets - CLPMEM, CRPMEM, CNPMEM - OFIMER - Cepralmar - Local, national and international customer network - Factories - Training sessions (Lycées de la Mer) - IFREMER (economic studies and surveys) - European Commission, State and local authorities - European Commission, State and local authorities - AMOP, Producers organisations - CLPMEM, CRPMEM, CNPMEM - OFIMER - Cepralmar -Products promotional networks (I.D. Mer, CEVPM) - Certification partners (Bureau Veritas, MSC) - Communication Agencies
A regional experience : co-decision or co-management?
The European political and legal framework in the Mediterranean December, 2006 : the Mediterranean CFP - The Council Regulation (CE) n 1967-2006 : a first step to allow regionalisation - Art. 18 and 19 of the Regulation : management plans and protected fishing areas
The regional governance system developped 1. Legal framework : Regulation s requirements and State guidance 2. Triangular regional governance system : - Member State : interregional coordination and external relations - Scientific community : data, advice, evaluation and expertise - Fishermen (through their organisations) : field consultation and technical propositions - Other main points : regional and local authorities support (from local to European scale), fishermen s national organisation advice and technical support
3. A co-decision process Step 1. Framework Step 2. Co-elaboration of measures Step 3. Interregional coordination Step 4. Member State validation Step 5. Scientific evaluation (now) Step 6. European validation Step 7. Implementation and control of measures An integrated and collective process for decision and action
Main lessons learnt Main requirements : - a clear understanding of the desicion system and stakeholders role Transparency for equity - a clear understanding of scientific data and imperatives - a collective worktask enabling discussion - a final proposition by Member States Information and rigour Consultation and concertation Democracy
A crucial level of consultation and concertation Fishermen s professionnal organisations : - defend and represent the interests of the fishing sector - both bottom-up and top-down approaches - seek for a sustainable level of explotation (licences, management plans) - anticipate legal evolution (pro-active situation) = a necessary implication Source : CNPMEM, 2009
Ecosystemic management for biodiversity conservation
Local stearing committee = COPIL (example in Brittany) Fundamental principle : all stakeholders elaborate together the management measures Source : Agence des Aires Marines Protégées, 2009
Natura 2000 : 4 differents tools REGULATIONS Existing regulation (i.e CFP, national) & new regulations decided with stakeholders for management of human uses. Controls done with existing vessels. ADMINISTRATIVE PLANS Existing Administrative plans (i.e. : improvment water quality -SAGE), management of aquaculture (schéma des structures), organisation of activities (SMVM), management of fishing activities (i.e : regional and local management plans) CHARTER / CONTRACTS Contracts specifically developped for Natura 2000 and charts. Not compulsory. Financial compensation for contract. IMPACT ASSESSMENT Discussed and built with professionals Source : Agence des Aires Marines Protégées, 2009
RAC/UE consultation to link CFP and Natura 2000 measures transmission Transmission & presentation by French MPA Agency Formal request RAC Final proposal Source : Agence des Aires Marines Protégées, 2009
The future : a regional management for the CFP?
Needs and fears towards the CFP reform - Good points of Green Book : - Responsabilities to the sector, without ITQ when possible - Insure distinction in : - subsidies according to the fleet s nature ; - management measures according to environmental efforts. - Needs identified by the sector : - Importance of the role played by the RAC : proposition for decision - Financing for management plans studies (EFF not sufficient) - Better diversification of fishing activities (e.g. pescatourism) - Evaluating impacts of all marine stakeholders (recreational fishing, illegal fishing etc.)
Regional opportunities and threats - Opportunities : Quota decision and management system does not work properly Scientific data often lacks Collective proposition and management system New decision system based on regional empowerment Ensure financing of studies in collaboration with fishermen Regional involvement : participation for action Co-management for a concerted decision - Threats : Political management of fisheries, uncertain financing for research, lack of control by Member States, RACs role in question.
Thank you for your attention Multiple credits : CRPMEM Languedoc-Roussillon