Projects

The EMPAS project

The EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Marine Protected Areas) was undertaken by ICES 2006-2008. The clients were the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Isle of Vilm Branch (BfN) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU). The main aim of the project was to develop fisheries management plans for each of ten German NATURA 2000 sites (see Figure).

Figure: Ten nominated NATURA 2000 sites in German EEZ - four in the North Sea and six in the Baltic Sea. North Sea: 1 – Doggerbank (SAC); 2 - Sylt Outer Reef (SAC); 3 - Borkum Reef Ground (SAC); 4 - Eastern German Bight (SPA). Baltic Sea: 1 - Fehmarn Belt (SAC); 2 - Kadet Trench (SAC); 3 - Western Rønne Bank (SAC); 4 - Adler Ground (SAC); 5 - Pommeranian Bay with Odra Bank (SAC); 6 - Pommeranian Bay (SPA). For more information see: www.habitatmare.de

The EMPAS project has hosted three ICES workshops (WKFMMPA, Workshop on Fisheries Management in Marine Protected Areas): April 2006 for planning, April 2007 for mid-project review, and June 2008 for consolidation of results. A full-time staff member at ICES organised the workshops and worked intersessionally to collect and analyse information. The ICES advice derived from the results of the EMPAS project was based primarily on the 2008 WKFMMPA Report which incorporates the results of the two earlier workshops.

Participation at the workshops included experts from fisheries and from nature conservation agencies of many ICES countries, members of fisheries industry organisations, and members of international conservation groups. In addition, many diverse information sources were used.

EMPAS was a research project and its initial focus was to collect new information and bring together existing information in a consistent and integrated way, not to provide advice. This was intentional, because at the commencement of the EMPAS project, there was not sufficient information to serve as a basis for science advice that would meet ICES standards, neither with regard to options for fisheries management in marine protected areas in general, nor for the German Natura 2000 sites in particular. At the start of EMPAS it was unknown whether the project would be able to collect enough information to answer requests for advice.

EMPAS analysed and evaluated:

potential conflict – to what extent do specific fishing activities represent a significant threat to achieving the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites?
mitigation measures – which management measures would reduce these conflicts and how effective would they be at ensuring favourable condition in these sites?

The project was successful, so much so that ICES was able to provide advice on options for fisheries management that will help achieve the objectives of the German Natura 2000 sites. The process provide many useful lessons for EU Member States as well as other interested parties to consider when formulating management proposals for Natura 2000 sites (or similar MPAs) elsewhere.

Reports from the EMPAS project:

The EMPAS workshop report 2008 can be downloaded here: (WKFMMPA08)

The interim report 2006 can be downloaded here: (interim report 2006)

The interim report 2007 can be downloaded here: (interim report 2007)

The technical fisheries data meeting report 2008 can be downloaded here: (meeting report 2008)

An article describing and discussing the process used by the EMPAS project in developing fishery-management plans for Natura 2000 sites in German offshore waters can be downloaded here: EMPAS - Natura 2000 Article

Summary and advice derived from the results of the EMPAS project:

EMPAS Summary and Advice can be downloaded here.

The EMPAS sharepoint site for members: http://groupnet.ices.dk/EMPAS/default.aspx

For more information please contact:

Søren Anker Pedersen
Project Coordinator
ICES Science Programme
H. C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46
DK-1553 Copenhagen V, Denmark
Tel: 0045 3338 6700

E-mail: sorenap@ices.dk

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DK-1553
Copenhagen V
Denmark
Tel: +45 3338 6700
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