2014 was an important year for reviewing the management of Ascension’s marine environment. In order to address concerns about management of Ascension’s fishery, Ascension Island Government (AIG) put the fishery on hold while deciding upon the best management route. A Fisheries Directorate was set up and Director of Fisheries appointed. Additionally, the AIG Conservation Department was awarded a Darwin Initiative grant to implement the Ascension Island Marine Sustainability project, which is collecting the data required to inform any marine management decisions. In June 2014, AIG also awarded the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) a contract for conducting an independent review of Ascension Island’s fisheries management. |