A two year project into the management of fisheries in marine protected areas (MPA) in the UK has shown that involving the fishing sector and stakeholders is crucial in promoting sustainability and effectiveness.
Led by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) together with partners, the Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and Bangor University, a series of workshops has culminated in the MPA Fisheries Management Tookit which lays out the key elements when establishing a participatory approach to management in MPAs.
Funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the project focused on enabling the fishing sector to engage with the management process, bringing its perspectives and knowledge to the table.
Declan Tobin, marine management team leader at JNCC, said that the project provided the perfect platform to bring key groups together. “It offered an opportunity for all to express their views and opinions on what matters most and how to ensure a fair and equitable approach to management into the future,” he said.
“The project has been a fantastic opportunity to share perspectives on how and why we all participate in MPA management and has produced some great resources which will hopefully help decision makers and stakeholders make the most of opportunities to come together,” added Nick Greenwood, principal marine conservation manager, marine conservation team, Marine Management Organisation.
