Final Report Summary - AFRAME (A framework for fleet and area based fisheries management)
The AFRAME project aimed to develop a framework to integrate single fish species' assessment and advice on vessel groups and fisheries. Therefore, focus in the fishing sector was switched from a biological unit, namely the stock, towards social units, namely the fleet or fishery. Moreover, indicators were defined to facilitate the setting of management targets. The project also formed a basis for further scientific discussions and included stakeholders' perspective in relation to the proposed developments.
Firstly, a common database was established, to assist in the classification of fishing vessels. Fleets and fisheries were identified using methodologies which had been developed as part of previous research efforts and European guidelines. The complexity and heterogeneity of different cases were incorporated in the proposed integrated approach.
The fleet and fisheries' forecast (FCUBE) method was subsequently initiated based on the latest developments of bio-economic simulation. Numerous hypotheses were tested to estimate future effort allocation schemes under changing conditions. It was also attempted to model fishermen behaviour within the AFRAME activities.
The project was organised in distinct, yet interrelated work packages (WPs) with the following objectives:
1. to coordinate the work and expertise exchange and properly manage the project in a participative way. This WP involved the organisation of internal meetings and workshops for the preparation and assessment of deliverables, as well as the development of a project website.
2. to apply the proposed managerial methodology in specific North Sea locations. Data was firstly collected to assist in the completion of FCUBE, which was subsequently implemented in the area. Therefore, decisive improvements in the development of the generic method were feasible while knowledge concerning the North Sea was produced.
3. to apply the management framework to selected fisheries in the Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay, which included intense international collaboration of the involved parts. Fleets' characterisation was standardised and the main stocks to be considered were listed and indentified. Moreover, economic data became available on an aggregated basis.
4. to implement FCUBE in chosen areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Data on fisheries, fleets and selected stocks was systematically compiled and reviewed for the first time in this region; as a result the task required significant human resources' allocation. The framework applicability was notably expanded through its implementation in local fisheries, which were not controlled by total allowable catch (TAC) limitations.
5. to review and develop methods for the improvement of the definitions of vessels and fishing locations with respect to their information requirements as well as to develop and test a robust proposal for management advice. This WP depended on the feedback from FCUBE implementation and on information regarding the performance and robustness of the developed rules; thus close collaboration with the preceding WPs was essential.
6. to identify and examine approaches regarding fishery management advice based on stock assessment information and other indicators. An extended literature review was undertaken in order to determine features of indicators that were applicable within the context of managing European mixed-fisheries. It was noted that relevant experience was not available; therefore all utilised approaches had to be based on theoretic analyses.
7. to evaluate stakeholders' perceptions on fleet and fisheries, to form realistic assumptions about related data and behaviours and to enable the effective use of scientific advice. Selected ports within the examined areas were visited and fishermen were interviewed to accomplish these objectives. The ports were selected so as to have a wide representation of fisheries and vessel sizes as well as to be small enough for the fishermen to know each other boats.
Firstly, a common database was established, to assist in the classification of fishing vessels. Fleets and fisheries were identified using methodologies which had been developed as part of previous research efforts and European guidelines. The complexity and heterogeneity of different cases were incorporated in the proposed integrated approach.
The fleet and fisheries' forecast (FCUBE) method was subsequently initiated based on the latest developments of bio-economic simulation. Numerous hypotheses were tested to estimate future effort allocation schemes under changing conditions. It was also attempted to model fishermen behaviour within the AFRAME activities.
The project was organised in distinct, yet interrelated work packages (WPs) with the following objectives:
1. to coordinate the work and expertise exchange and properly manage the project in a participative way. This WP involved the organisation of internal meetings and workshops for the preparation and assessment of deliverables, as well as the development of a project website.
2. to apply the proposed managerial methodology in specific North Sea locations. Data was firstly collected to assist in the completion of FCUBE, which was subsequently implemented in the area. Therefore, decisive improvements in the development of the generic method were feasible while knowledge concerning the North Sea was produced.
3. to apply the management framework to selected fisheries in the Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay, which included intense international collaboration of the involved parts. Fleets' characterisation was standardised and the main stocks to be considered were listed and indentified. Moreover, economic data became available on an aggregated basis.
4. to implement FCUBE in chosen areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Data on fisheries, fleets and selected stocks was systematically compiled and reviewed for the first time in this region; as a result the task required significant human resources' allocation. The framework applicability was notably expanded through its implementation in local fisheries, which were not controlled by total allowable catch (TAC) limitations.
5. to review and develop methods for the improvement of the definitions of vessels and fishing locations with respect to their information requirements as well as to develop and test a robust proposal for management advice. This WP depended on the feedback from FCUBE implementation and on information regarding the performance and robustness of the developed rules; thus close collaboration with the preceding WPs was essential.
6. to identify and examine approaches regarding fishery management advice based on stock assessment information and other indicators. An extended literature review was undertaken in order to determine features of indicators that were applicable within the context of managing European mixed-fisheries. It was noted that relevant experience was not available; therefore all utilised approaches had to be based on theoretic analyses.
7. to evaluate stakeholders' perceptions on fleet and fisheries, to form realistic assumptions about related data and behaviours and to enable the effective use of scientific advice. Selected ports within the examined areas were visited and fishermen were interviewed to accomplish these objectives. The ports were selected so as to have a wide representation of fisheries and vessel sizes as well as to be small enough for the fishermen to know each other boats.
