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Frequently Asked Questions
Invest in Fish South West sounds similar to the European Commission’s Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Will it work closely with the RAC? The Invest in Fish South West initiative is currently developing a tool to evaluate the environmental, social and economic benefits of different fisheries management options in the South West region. The hope is for this tool to be accepted by the RAC and, in turn, used to direct other regional fishing policies around Europe. Won’t IiFSW result in just another talking shop? Absolutely not. Invest in Fish South West has already moved past simply discussing issues. Much time and effort has been spent collecting the regional fisheries data and surveying stakeholders to understand their opinions on the best way to manage the area’s fisheries. The project will now use professional facilitators to ensure the steering group’s internal dialogue is constructive and that the group collectively builds a sound and coherent strategy. Why create a regional strategy – won’t it be contested by France, Spain and Ireland? Invest in Fish South West understands that it is building a strategy for a shared fishery and, in order for it to be effective, this strategy will need the support of France, Ireland and Spain. Due to funding and the scale of the project, it is not possible to include these Member States fully within the Invest in Fish South West processes. However, stakeholders from these countries will be consulted within the framework of the North-Western Waters Regional Advisory Council. The project is also more than happy to share its process, including the bio-economic model, with these neighbouring states for use within their countries.
What is the bio-economic model? Basically, the bio-economic model is a tool for evaluating the costs and benefits of various fisheries management options for the region. At the heart of the Invest in Fish South West model is a sophisticated computer program designed to simulate the existing South West fisheries and the economies that depend on them. Different management scenarios are run through the model using the most recent biological and socio-economic data. These scenarios will show the outcomes of different proposed fisheries management options and how they might affect the region’s fisheries and economies (including the French, Irish and Spanish fishing fleets), as well as the physical marine environment, over the next five, ten and fifteen years.
Isn’t this project just a political way of preparing the South West for inevitable cutbacks and decommissioning? Not at all. Invest in Fish South West is determined to find a way to secure a prosperous future for the fishing industry and the marine environment. The first two years of the project have been spent obtaining the best regional fisheries data and collecting stakeholder’s opinions on how the seas could be managed most effectively. This information will be used to evaluate the costs and benefits of different fisheries management options, ensuring that the project members collectively decides a strategy that offers the best balance to the marine environment, the regional economy and local communities.
What are Invest in Fish South West’s thoughts on transitional aid? Invest in Fish South West believes that developing a sustainable future for South West fisheries will require radical changes that will ultimately affect fishermen, the regional economy and local communities. One of the project’s prime aims is to rigorously identify any associated short-term costs.
If fish stocks are at sustainable levels in the South West, then what’s the purpose of Invest in Fish South West? If we’re talking about the sustainability of fish stocks in the Celtic Sea, western Channel or Western Approaches, the European Commission has put in place stringent policies to ensure fish stocks are at sustainable levels. But we all must ask: for how long will these measures sustain fish stocks and at what detriment to our fishermen and communities? A sustainable fishery, in the truest sense, must consider not only fish stocks, but also the communities that depend upon this resource, the regional economy and the broader marine environment.
Wouldn’t we be better just pulling out of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)? The CFP exists to co-ordinate fisheries policy across seas in which many countries have an interest. Some may argue that the idea is sound but that the policies need overhauling. The evolution of CFP is seeing much greater emphasis on devolved and regional fisheries management and stakeholder involvement. Invest in Fish South West is an opportunity for the UK to lead the way in shaping these regional decision-making mechanisms.
Does Invest in Fish South West support the Marine Bill? Invest in Fish South West is a collective process involving stakeholders with different interests and varying opinions on current policies. The project, therefore, does not have one underlying view towards specific bills or strategies at this point in time.
Invest in Fish South West sounds similar to the European Commission’s Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Will it work closely with the RAC? Invest in Fish South West is independent of the RAC, although they both benefit from ongoing dialogue and will exchange important regional knowledge. Naturally some steering group members from Invest in Fish South West also sit on the Regional Advisory Council.
The Invest in Fish South West initiative is currently developing a tool to evaluate the environmental, social and economic benefits of different fisheries management options in the South West region. The hope is for this tool to be accepted by the RAC and, in turn, used to direct other regional fishing policies around Europe.
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