A conference on new thinking in the science and management of fisheries will be held at Fishmongers’ Hall, London, Monday 31 October 2011.
The European Commission has recently issued proposals for a reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), reaffirming that all fish stocks must be brought to sustainable levels by 2015 and insisting that fisheries management must be based on sound scientific advice and must follow the ecosystem and precautionary approach.
The reformed CFP will establish clear obligations for Member States regarding the collection and availability of data. It also notes that science-industry partnerships should be encouraged. This means that greater reliance will be placed on observations and data provided by the fishing industry.
To discuss these and other challenges and opportunities in marine fisheries science, the Fishmongers’ Company is hosting a one-day conference on 31 October in Fishmongers Hall, London. An impressive array of speakers has agreed to take part, with the keynote speech to be given by Sir John Beddington, the UK Government Chief Scientist.
Dr Carl O’Brien and Dr Steve Mackinson of Cefas, will be discussing the thinking behind the need to review current approaches and how industry data might be utilised.
Professor Ray Hilborn from Dalhousie University, who famously called a 2006 paper projecting the collapse of global fisheries by 2048 “just mind-boggling stupid”, will participate in the conference during a live video link session. Prof Hilborn will provide a global perspective on rebuilding marine resources
Other speakers include: Professor David Sims of the Marine Biological Association, Professor Chris Frid of Liverpool University, Professor Ciaran Kelly of the Marine Institute in Galway and Dr Martin Pastoors of the Centre for Marine Policy in the Netherlands.
Dr Colin Bannister formerly Head of Fisheries at Cefas, will sum up the proceedings.
Nigel Cox, Clerk (CEO) of the Fishmongers’ Company said: “We are looking forward to bringing together a broad range of participants to discuss these vital issues and are delighted that there has already been such a good response from the scientific community. The Fishmongers’ Company is keen to promote calm, rational, science-based discussion of the big questions affecting fish and fisheries in the UK and internationally.”
