The problem

There has been a large number of EU-funded fishery research and environmental research projects but relatively little effort given to identifying management lessons that may be learned by integrating the results from the two data sets. To make progress towards understanding and implementing an ecosystem approach to fishery management without needless duplication of effort, it is necessary to review and assess the relevance of work undertaken previously.

Overview:

IBEFish will prepare a synthesis of results and theoretical understandings gained in past projects with regard to the ecosystem approach in fisheries management. The project focuses on the roles and challenges involved in management. It will:

• Focus on the interaction between environment and fisheries and make practical recommendations for improving an ecosystem-based approach
• Emphasise the need for an enhanced knowledge base, as well as legitimacy and trust-building in management

Contribution to policy development:

• IBEFish will promote understanding of how decision-making in fisheries management can better identify potential environmental benefits or disadvantages of management options and their societal implications.
• It will provide recommendations for a more closely integrated ecosystem approach to fishery management which will contribute to long-term sustainability.
• A more effective, ecosystem approach to fishery management will enable EU Member States and their partners to meet their international treaty obligations, including the Code of Practice for Sustainable Fishing and the Convention on Biodiversity.

Project deliverables

• Conclusions of first partners’ meeting – February 2007
• Draft policy papers – April 2007
• Draft synthesis of policy papers – May 2007
• Submission of a special issue to the journal ‘Marine Policy’ – September 2007
• Policy brief – September 2007

Dissemination

• The broad dissemination of a number of policy briefs and short papers in professional journals outlining the opportunities for, and potential benefits to be gained from, an ecosystem approach to fishery management – September 2007
• A workshop for researchers working with similar problems in Leipzig – May 2007
• Submission of a special issue to the journal ‘Marine Policy’ – September 2007

Technical information

Project acronym: IBEFish
Project’s official full title: Interaction between Environment and Fisheries – a Challenge to Management
Research priority: Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: Details not yet available
Proposal/contract no: 044192
Start date: December 2006
Kick off meeting: January 2007
Completion date: September 2007
European Commission scientific officer: Petter Fossum, Petter.FOSSUM@ec.EUROPA.eu

Coordinator: Riku Varjopuro
Name: Research Programme for Environmental Policy, Finnish Environment Institute
Abbreviated name: SYKE
Address: P.O. Box 35, FI-00023 GOVERNMENT
Country: Finland
Tel: + 358 20 690 160
Fax: + 358 9 1603 9320
Website: www.environment.fi

Partners

Name: Institute for Fisheries Management and Coastal Community Development
Abbreviated name: IFM
Country: Denmark

Name: Human Ecology Section, University of Gothenburg
Abbreviated name: UGOT
Country: Sweden

Name: Division of Social Sciences, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research
Abbreviated name: UFZ
Country: Germany

Name: School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne 
Abbreviated name:UNEW
Country: United Kingdom