Effects of fishing on other species and habitats

A workshop on the effects of fishing on non-target species and habitats will be held in Anglesey, United Kingdom, from 7 to 10 December 1998. The event is organized by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, an Executive Agency of the British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). It will bring together participants in research projects in this area, funded under the EU's specific RTD programme in the field of Agriculture and Fisheries (FAIR).

Fishing is a major form of ecological disturbance to marine communities throughout the world. In the past, fisheries biologists have concentrated on studying the direct effects of fishing on stocks of target species and understanding the process of recruitment. There is now a growing appreciation of the ecological implications of the wider effects of fishing activities on marine organisms and their habitats.

The following issues will be covered during the conference:

- The physical effects of fishing gear on the seabed;
- Distribution of, and trends in, fishing activities;
- Ecological effects on benthic fauna;
- Long-term community changes;
- The effects of food subsidies in the marine environment;
- Interactions between fisheries and marine mammals;
- Technical measures to reduce the impact of fisheries;
- Conservation issues and priorities;
- Socio-economic implications of wider fisheries impacts.
For further information, please contact:

CEFAS Conwy Laboratory
M. J. Kaiser
Benarth Road
Conwy LL32 8UB
United Kingdom
Fax +44-1492-592123
E-mail: m.j.kaiser@cefas.co.uk