The diversity of stocks, fisheries and fleets in this region renders effective management challenging – a situation which is further complicated by potential changes to fishing rights following Brexit, changing environmental conditions, and reduced fish growth and reproduction in the area.
By integrating social, ecological, and economic considerations into our predictions, SEAwise has worked to offer well-informed recommendations for the implementation of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the Western Waters.
Below you can explore a range of topics related to the Western Waters case study’s socio-ecological system.
Clicking the icons on the left-hand side will allow you to explore each topic in more depth. The filters on the right-hand side will allow you to see how this picture might change under different climate change scenarios and fisheries management strategies.
Provided here also is an indication of how certain SEAwise is of these trajectories, alongside helpful links to more detailed SEAwise outputs to explore the underlying topics further.
FILTERS
Assumes a trajectory of moderate warming, driven by lower emissions, resulting in less severe impacts.
Assumes a trajectory of more extreme warming, driven by higher emissions, resulting in more severe impacts.
Assumes a continuation of the current trajectory of fisheries management.
Assumes the adoption of a more flexible PYG approach.
Assumes a strict MSY approach with full implementation of the Landing Obligation.
Ranging from the semi-enclosed Irish Sea to the exposed continental shelves of the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay, the Western Waters region is characterised by its diverse marine environments that play host to a broad range of fish stocks and fisheries.
SEAwise has analysed the implications of environmental change on fished species, and assessed how different management measures designed to deal with such changes could impact fisheries and the wider marine ecosystem – predicting their influence on catches, carbon emissions, seafloor impacts, fishing-related litter, and bycatch rates.
Alongside this, we have examined the potential effects of management strategies on stakeholders.
Within the Glossary you will find definitions that are frequently used in the EBFM Tool.
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A droplet legend is used throughout the EBFM Tool to convey the relative status of different categories in the EBFM Tool (e.g. how well fish stocks are faring) and expected changes in these categories, based on various future management and climate scenarios. The legend is intended as a visualisation tool for communicating trade-offs, and is indicative rather than absolute.