The UK Fisheries Economic Network (UKFEN) recently issued best practice advice for economists and industry analysts looking to assess the possible economic impacts of restricted fishing areas.
The guidance document has been completed after a UKFEN (set up by Seafish in 2011) workshop held in March this year which brought economists and organisations together to discuss the restrictions of fishing grounds such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and windfarms.
Hazel Curtis, chief economist, Seafish said: “A key aim of this guidance is that less time might be spent discussing the methods and findings of impact assessments, making more time available for deciding how to mitigate and effectively address impacts, if the proposed restrictions are implemented. UKFEN members believe we have devised an approach that is well supported and understood by industry and by our peers and we hope the guidance will be put into practice.”
Seafish has already tested its effectiveness - economics intern Jack Emmerson was asked to follow the guidance while assessing likely business impacts of a proposed windfarm development at Hornsea, finding that the document is a helpful guide on approach and methods.
The organisation has planned a further workshop for early next year to update the guide when new information and data will become available.
