The North Sea Advisory Council
Agenda No. 3.0
Paper No. 3.1
Pulse Focus Group Meeting
9th September 2015
Report of Last meeting
For Approval
Pulse Focus Group Meeting
Stichting De Noordzee, Utrecht
19th May, 2015
Rapporteur:
Lorna Duguid
Draft (1)
1.0
Welcome and Introductions
1.1
The Chairman, Peter Breckling welcomed everyone to the meeting. He
introduced Jean Noel Calon who was representing Blue Fish, an organisation
that had recently joined as an NSAC General Assembly member.
1.2
There were apologies from Dale Rodmell of the NFFO.
1.3
Peter explained that the purpose of the meeting was to prepare a revised draft
of the Pulse Advice paper for the DWG to consider and thereafter to the Ex Com
for adoption. He thought that it was necessary to have the opportunity to have a
face to face discussion and not a WebEx as we needed to have a constructive
discussion with each other.
1.4
At our previous meetings scientific evidence was presented and at our second
meeting the first draft paper was discussed along with list of questions. Peter
was grateful for the Dutch Government and IMARES who had done a lot of work
to answer the questions. He noted that the summary of the questions and
answers was available on the NSAC website.
1.5
The draft advice had been discussed in earlier meetings and it was noted that
we now had proposed further changes and modifications, this was due to our
intention to reach a consensus. He was sorry if we had to repeat some of our
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discussions with people who did not attend previous meetings but we must try to
find a solution.
2.0
Agreement of Agenda
2.1
The agenda adopted.
3.0
Report of Last Meeting
3.1
The report of the last meeting was approved.
4.0
Update on Recent Developments from Member States
Netherlands
4.1
Pim Visser gave an update for the Netherlands. The government has
experienced some difficulty in following the required procurement requirements
for the research project. Procurement legislation may require them to advertise
the opportunity rather than giving the contract to IMARES.
4.2
It was noted that the Minister for Ireland had been pulse fishing at the end of
April.
4.3
The Netherlands Ministry had arranged an international workshop on Pulse
Fishing for the 2nd July 2015. This would be a workshop for international
scientists, NGO’s and fishermen etc. All attendees of the Pulse Focus Group
were welcome to attend. The meeting would be held in Ijmuiden and further
information would be provided once confirmed.
4.4
There was a rumour that shrimp had been withdrawn from Pulse Fishing. It is
permitted only if it is part of research programme, as this is pending they have
forbidden the use of it at the moment. It needs to be part of the research
programme and would be included in the forthcoming research procurement.
4.5
Some NGO’s had felt they were not fully informed about pulse fishing of brown
shrimp and this had led to an increase in resistance of pulse. The temporary
exemptions of vessels only impacts on 2 vessels; one was being refurbished and
other was located in a different area out with the Netherlands.
Germany
4.6
Peter Breckling gave an update for Germany. They were seeing an increasing
and growing resistance to Pulse which was driven by fishing companies
themselves. This increased potential for conflict would need to be taken into
account by decision makers. He noted that we could only ask the group’s
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participants to progress our advice and do everything to make sure that these
conflicts are contained. Fishermen had been stopped from taking court action
but this placed pressure on NSAC to produce advice quickly.
Belgium
4.7
Emiel Brouckaert provided an update. Two shrimp licences for scientific updates
had been issued, gear had been prepared for one and scientists will join the ship
and monitor. The second licence would be dealt with in the summer time. Results
were not expected until 2016. ILVO are also monitoring catches in the Dutch
fishery. They also refer on a regular basis to the Benthis project analysing impact
all over Europe, comparing traditional beam with pulse fishing. In addition there
are two post doctorate projects just being finalised. These are studying the
impact of pulse on other species, larvae and juvenile fish. They have requested
further funding to continue work on their projects.
4.8
Christine Absil noted that there was an exchange of information between ILVO
and IMARES. She asked if continuation of pulse effects was being done on a
national basis? ILVO was monitoring catches only. She noted that the PHD
projects were being funded by EFF and asked if they were specifically involved
in impact and was ILVO involved? She was keen to know about national projects
and national concerns and for the EU to provide an overview of what is
happening in other countries.
France
4.9
Antony Viera reported that for France there were no updates, just the same
position. There had been some discussion between UK and France but he was
not sure what the outcome of this was. The French position continues to be the
same, still against.
Denmark
4.10 There were no Denmark representatives at the meeting. It was thought that the
Danish government would be allocating pulse licences but this had not been
confirmed.
5.0
Development of NSAC Advice
5.1
The draft advice document was developed further and changes made directly to
the document.
5.2
The group discussed if a comment on reduced swept area should be included in
the benefits. It was agreed that a balance view should be presented and that we
should consider the Benthos report.
5.3
It was noted that Annex 1 of the paper lists questions that have been presented
during the development of the paper. Many of these had been answered at
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previous meetings or through reports provided. Peter Breckling asked that
member of the focus group look at the questions and answers to identify if we
needed any additional questions. Members would have 3 weeks to respond (9th
June). Questions will only be left in the appendix where answers have not been
provided.
6.0
Next Steps
6.1
The paper would be updated and circulated to the members of the Focus
Group prior to being presented to the Demersal Working Group.
7.0
Any other Business
7.1
There was no further business and the meeting was closed.
Actions
Action
Responsible
1. Information on the Pulse Fishing workshop being organised LD
by the Netherlands Ministry on the 2nd July 2015 would be PV
circulated once available. (4.3)
2. Comments regarding the Benthis project and swept area PV
would be provided to insert to the paper. (5.2)
IW
LD
3. Group members to check the questions listing (Appendix 1) All
and add any outstanding questions by 9th June. (5.3)
4. Circulate the amended advice paper to Focus Group LD
members. (6.1)
List of Attendees
Attendees
Organisation
Status
Christine Absil
Seas at Risk
NSAC Member
Peter Breckling
Deutscher Fischerei Verband
Chairman
Emiel Brouckaert
Rederscentrale
NSAC Member
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Jean-Noel Calon
Blue Fish
NSAC Member
Johan Nooitgedagt
Dutch Fishermen’s Association
NSAC Member
Lorna Duguid
NSAC
NSAC Secretariat
Heather Hamilton
Client Earth
NSAC Member
Stella Nemecky
WWF
NSAC Member
Antony Viera
CRPMEM
NSAC Member
Pim Visser
VisNed
NSAC Member
Inger Wilms
Co-operatieve Visserij Organisatie
NSAC Member
Philip Oberdöeffer
PO German Shrimp Fisheries
Observer
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