Strategic Approach to Sustainability

Tender description

International and Irish policy requires fisheries sustainability issues to be addressed and, as highlighted in the 2006 report of the Irish Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group, growing environmental concerns about the state of fish stocks and the impact of fisheries on the marine environment will become a major factor in determining consumption trends. The Irish fishing industry has taken important steps in dealing with these issues with the introduction of environmental management systems and responsible fishing schemes which promote positive environmental aspects of the Industry which are achieved at a national level. Of fundamental importance to the long term survival of the fishing industry, fish stock sustainability in a multinational shared resource is predominantly dealt with under EU common fisheries policy making it more difficult to achieve at a national level. Based on fish stock, environmental, and ecosystem sustainability, the globally recognised MSC standard is growing dramatically, particularly in European retail and fisheries sectors and engagement with the MSC programme is essential if Ireland is to remain competitive. A number of fish stocks identified in the current Marine Institute stock book are considered to be in good health and some Irish fisheries targeting these stocks could potentially be sustainable. This project proposes to carry out a macro-analysis of all relevant Irish fisheries to identify potentially sustainable fisheries and weaknesses and gaps in others which are not considered to be sustainable. In addition a selection of fisheries across a range of fishing methods and species will be pre-assessed against 31 performance indicators of the MSC fishery assessment methodology. This analysis will be used to develop fisheries management strategies with clear stock, environmental and management targets towards sustainability. Results of the project will also assist future projects on pre-assessment or full certification of Irish fish