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Results Forum News 33 article: ACAP- coordination of by-catch fisheries issues in the South Atlantic Purpose The project will result in a co-ordinated and unified UK and named UKOT policy to address Fishery by-catch issues. The UK recently ratified the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels on behalf of metropolitan UK and four UKOTs, or three and an OT Dependency to be exact. Amongst DEFRA, JNCC, FCO and the UKOTs we have very considerable knowledge and skills with which to address the many issues that arise from such a multinational agreement but we have no mechanism for bringing those skills together. This project will deliver policy which can be agreed amongst all parties; it will help the OT's to fulfil their environment charters and it will, quite importantly, ensure that the UK is seen as a, if not the, leading signatory to ACAP. More important, however, than any or all of those reasons, it will make certain that the great range of skills that exist are brought together to the benefit of the environment and biodiversity of each of the Territories. None has all the skills or resources, some have more than others but with this project financed all will benefit equally under the experienced management of the JNCC.
Outputs
- An ACAP implementation plan for the relevant UKOTs that ensures most effective and efficient use of resources.
- Production of ACAP reports as required by the Secretariat.
- Drafting a policy document that can be adopted by the UK metropolitan and relevant UKOTs to address by-catch issues and assist in fulfilling objectives under their Environmental Charters.
Main Activities - Compile and validate all data on albatross and petrels and make available in suitable formats for UKOT, UK and ACAP use.
- Co-ordinate amongst UKOTs and UK on ACAP issues.
- Fulfill ACAP reporting needs for UKOTs
- Draw up and manage an ACAP implementation plan for the UK and UKOTs.
- Attend relevant ACAP and RFMO meetings.
- Work with the International IUU task force on developing its policy as it pertains to the South Atlantic UKOTs.
- Assist the UKOTs to implement their Environment Charters with respect to Albatross and Petrel Conservation.
- Assist the development and implementation of the FAO's IPOA for sharks and rays.
Stakeholder Analysis The stimulus for this post came as a result of the 2006 ACAP workshop held in the Falkland Islands and was a significant recommendation coming from that meeting. All involved parties were represented except DEFRA (directly) but they have since expressed strong interest and in fact willingness to provide the bulk of funds. Critical Assumptions Risk: Insufficient buy-in by stakeholders leading to reduced efficacy.
Probability: Low
Impact: Medium
Management: Clear lines of communication to ensure that all relevant sections of stakeholder departments are engaged and supportive. Wider Significance The higher-level benefits of the project will be to maximise the environmental advantage of the UK ratifying ACAP and including in that ratification the named UKOTs. To ensure that the expertise existing in wider Fisheries Bycatch issues is best shared amongst the partner organisations and across the international community. By fulfilling both of these, the position of the UK in several international fora is strengthened, e.g. CCAMLR and ACAP. Development of a co-ordinated approach to by-catch issues and reporting will assist sustainable development of the fisheries and tourism in all of the relevant UKOTs. Other Information Funded by FCO/DIFD Overseas Territories Environment Programme, project number XOT401 Multilateral Environmental Agreements The Convention on Migratory Species - already extended. The Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels - already extended. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources - relevant to.
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