We have held two participatory workshops with the collaboration of the fisheries sector in the framework of the European project “Coordinated strategy for the assessment, monitoring and management of cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast sub-region” (CetAMBICion), under the name “Fisheries and Cetaceans: an inclusive conversation on good practices and solutions for... Read more »

We have held two participatory workshops with the collaboration of the fisheries sector in the framework of the European project “Coordinated strategy for the assessment, monitoring and management of cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast sub-region” (CetAMBICion), under the name “Fisheries and Cetaceans: an inclusive conversation on good practices and solutions for the sector”, to address the existing problems regarding the interactions between fishing activities and cetaceans, and finding possible solutions to mitigate the accidental capture of these mammals.

The first workshop, attended by 33 people, was held last April at the University of the Algarve (UAlg) and aimed at fishers’ associations from the country’s southern coast, such as Barlapescas (Barlavento Fishing Shipowners’ Cooperative), Olhãopesca (Organization of Algarve Fisheries Producers) and QUARPESCA (Quarteira Fishing Shipowners Association), who have already been participating in the CetAMBICion pilot projects involving acoustic deterrent devices.  In addition to the fisheries associations, representatives of academic and research institutions, non-governmental organisations and competent authorities, such as the National Maritime Authority, were present. The Portuguese partners of the project also participated: the Directorate General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), the University of Algarve (UAlg), the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

The second workshop was held in June at the headquarters of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) in Oporto (Portugal). It was attended by 22 participants, some of which represented fishing associations from the Portuguese west coast, such as Apropesca (Organisation of Artisanal Fishing Producers) and APX (Portuguese Association of Xávega), who also contributed with a lecture with the aim of sharing their perspective regarding the fisheries-cetaceans’ interactions. Like what happened in the workshop that took place on the southern coast of Portugal, representatives of academic and research institutions, non-governmental organisations and competent authorities were also present, as well as the Portuguese partners of the project.

These workshops are intended as an open space to share experiences and knowledge between the different sectors to find mechanisms to adopt different solutions to national fisheries.

THE PROJECT

The CetAMBICion project, coordinated by the Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) and involving 15 partners from Spain, France and Portugal, aims to strengthen collaboration and scientific work between the three countries to estimate and reduce cetacean bycatch in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast sub-region, in close collaboration with the fishing sector.

The initiative is part of the European Commission’s DG ENV/MSFD 2020 (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) call and the objectives are also aligned with the Habitats Directive and the Common Fisheries Policy.