An indicator-based approach to assessing the environmental performance of European marine fisheries and aquaculture

Zenetos, A, Streftaris, N and Larsen, L, H (2003) An indicator-based approach to assessing the environmental performance of European marine fisheries and aquaculture. Technical Report. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Summary

Fisheries and aquaculture affect the coastal and marine environment in several ways. Marine capture fisheries pose a main threat to marine biodiversity as the recently published EEA report on Europe’s biodiversity shows. The common fisheries policy (CFP) of the European Union has failed to keep fisheries sustainable. The reform of the CFP is delayed. A biodiversity action plan on fisheries has been developed by the European Commission as well as a communication on the integration of environmental protection into the CFP. Both policy documents foresee the development of a set of indicators to measure the implementation of policy actions. The European Environment Agency has decided to directly address this emerging issue of fisheries/aquaculture impact on the environment for possible inclusion in the development of a core set of indicators covering the whole driving forces–pressure– state–impact–response (DPSIR) assessment framework from driving forces in the fishing and aquaculture industry; through pressures from fleet capacity; to status of fish stock; impact on species and habitats; and finally on measures taken to minimise the impacts. A review of fisheries and aquaculture indicators developed by international and regional fisheries and environmental organisations has been undertaken for this report. Based on this review, a list of 52 potential candidate indicators has been compiled, of which 29 are being recommended for a core set of DPSIR indicators on fisheries and aquaculture for coastal and marine as well as inland waters. A storyline has been developed to link these indicators to each other and to relate them to policy objectives. The data availability for the proposed indicators has been investigated and data sets and their sources have been compiled in 31 data sheets. This report forms the basis for EEA’s present and future development of indicators on fisheries and aquaculture and their related indicator fact sheets. The first four indicators have already been published in Environmental signals 2002 (European Environment Agency, 2002) and further indicators have been produced for the report being prepared for Environment Ministers Conference in Kiev in 2003. International and regional fisheries and environment organisations will undertake an evaluation of the proposed indicators during a joint EEA/DG Fisheries/ DG Environment workshop on fisheries indicators in autumn 2002.

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