I. OPENING OF THE SESSION AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. The Twenty-second Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) was held in Windermere, United Kingdom, from 12 to 19 June 2002 under the Chairmanship of Mr Rudolf Müller (Switzerland). The Session was attended by 34 representatives from 20 Members of the Commission, by observers from one non-Member Nation of FAO and also by observers from two international non-governmental organizations. The List of Participants is given as Appendix B to this report.
2. The Session was opened by The Honourable Elliott Morley, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the United Kingdom, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. His opening address is included in Appendix D.
3. Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency, then took the floor and welcomed delegates to the Lake District. His address is included in Appendix D to this report.
4. The Secretary of EIFAC, Mr Heiner Naeve, welcomed the participants in the name of the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf, and Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General of the Fisheries Department. His statement is included in Appendix D.
5. The Chairperson of EIFAC, Mr Rudolf Müller (Switzerland) expressed his appreciation to the Host Government for hosting this, the second Session to be held in the United Kingdom. His address is included in Appendix D.
6. The Agenda which appears as Appendix A was adopted. The documents which were before the Commission are listed in Appendix C.
II. SYMPOSIUM ON INLAND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
7. The Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment was organized in conjunction with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC in Windermere, United Kingdom, from 12 to 15 June 2002. The Symposium was convened by Mr D. Gerdeaux (France) and chaired by Mr I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom). The Symposium was attended by 114 participants from 27 countries. The main documentation comprised 29 experience papers and 29 posters. The summary report of the Symposium is Appendix E to this report.
III. BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (Sub-Commission I)
8. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mr T. Brenner (Germany) informed the Commission of progress achieved in the activities agreed upon during the Twenty-first Session of the Commission. The report of the activities was submitted to the Session as document EIFAC/XXII/2002/Inf.5.
Eels
9. In August 2001, the Joint EIFAC/ICES Ad hoc Working Party on Eels (Convener: W. Dekker, Netherlands) met in Copenhagen, at the headquarters of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), to address the following Terms of Reference:
In response to the 1998 EC request on providing escapement targets and other biological reference points on European eel for management use, the Ad hoc Working Party should:
- assess trends in recruitment and their causes and the effects on stock and yield of the species;
- investigate the impact of fisheries on spawner escapement in selected systems;
- define relevant units where escapement targets would be applicable;
- where information warrants, propose preliminary biologically-based escapement goals for selected systems.
propose management actions leading to the required escapement; report progress in work on improvements in the scientific basis for advice on management of European eel fisheries; inter alia on:
- development of harvest rate models for eel fisheries in data-rich systems;
- assessment of density-dependent processes (growth and mortality) and their impact on spawner escapement;
- development of reference points for management use in data-poor systems;
- development of procedures to verify effects of eel fisheries management measures, in data-rich and data-poor systems;
- assessment of the (positive) impacts of management measures not directly related to exploitation, e.g. fish passes, habitat improvement, re-stocking, etc.
A total of 19 people from 10 countries attended the meeting.
10. The report was presented at the ICES/ACFM meeting in October 2001 and the Advisory Committee on Fisheries Management (ACFM) has provided advice to Brussels on the eel fisheries (ICES C.M. 2002/ACFM:03: www.ices.dk/reports/acfm/2001/wgeel/ wgeel01.pdf). The report is currently under preparation for publication as EIFAC Occasional Paper No. 36.
11. The general picture of the eel stock in Europe is one of declining trends: recruitment has declined in the 1980s and has remained low in the 1990s, with even lower records in 2001; the landings are in decline during a much longer period, in many countries. Current scientific knowledge is, however, inadequate to derive specific and detailed management targets. Application of general targets (escapement of at least 30 percent of the unexploited spawner production) is recommended. Implementation should take place on a river catchment basis. Potential causes of the decline (including natural causes as well as man-made: habitat destruction, migration barriers, overexploitation) have been reviewed and time trends documented. Although no conclusive evidence for individual or synergetic effects could be compiled, anthropogenic impacts have been shown to exceed reasonable provisional targets in many places and management actions in compliance with provisional targets are therefore urgently needed.
12. EIFAC noted that the Joint EIFAC/ICES Ad hoc Working Party on Eels had recommended at its 2001 session in Copenhagen (Denmark) that:
an international commission for the management of the European eel stock be formed, organizing monitoring and research on eel stocks and fisheries, and serving as a clearing house for regular exchange of information regarding landings and resource status and facilitating and coordinating management action; a recovery plan for the eel stock is compiled and implemented as a matter of urgency and that fishing mortality be reduced to the lowest possible level until such a plan is agreed upon and implemented; a provisional limit reference point is set at an escapement from currently available habitat of female silver eel of at least 30 percent relative to the unexploited state; to be achieved by exploitation regulations and/or habitat restoration measures, and monitoring of recruitment, stocks, fisheries and escapement at least be sustained at recent levels, until a stock recovery plan is agreed upon and implemented, including a comprehensive monitoring and research plan.
13. EIFAC endorsed the Terms of Reference that were prepared by the ICES/ACFM for the 2002 meeting of the Working Group, which are:
(i) describe the characteristics of an unexploited eel stock for use in setting management objectives (this may require analytical studies or empirical comparison between exploited and unexploited stocks);
(ii) quantify the effects and risks associated with exploitation and loss of habitat, and the corresponding effects of ameliorating management measures such as habitat restoration, the construction of fish passes, or re-stocking;
(iii) develop data-rich and data-sparse procedures for evaluating the efficacy of management measures;
(iv) assess the effect of fishing on the economic viability of local communities and management.
The Working Group will meet in Nantes, France from 2 to 6 September 2002.
14. The Commission was made aware of the poor state of the stock several years ago and management advice has been specified, but no action has yet been taken. In addition the Polish delegate informed the meeting of the decline of eel stocks in his country. He drew the attention of the Commission to the need for external funding to set up programmes for the sustainable management of eel populations in Poland. EIFAC therefore expressed its concern about the state of European eel stocks and the slow progress that has been made in drawing up a European-wide eel stock management plan. It also wished to draw the attention of the EC DG-FISH to the Working Group meeting in Nantes.
Fish Monitoring in Fresh Waters
15. There was little progress with the work programme of the Ad hoc Working Party (Convener: P. Hickley, United Kingdom) during the intersessional period. This situation resulted from the Ad hoc Working Party deciding to await initial progress by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) on their programme of new standards related to fish sampling. The main task for the Ad hoc Working Party at the moment is to contribute to the work of CEN and to assist in the development of protocols for fish monitoring with particular reference to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. CEN has commenced work on a draft standard entitled "Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods" and input from the Ad hoc Working Party will be required.
16. A meeting of the Ad hoc Working Party was held on 15 June 2002. It decided that the Ad hoc Working Party compile a decision making matrix on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods.
17. The delegation of the United Kingdom informed the Commission that a Symposium concerning the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) would take place at the Hull International Fisheries Institute (HIFI), Hull (United Kingdom) in early 2003.
18. Fish monitoring methods and techniques have a substantial bearing on the WFD compliance procedures. Consequently, it was decided that the aims of the Water Framework Directive Liaison Group be transferred to this Ad hoc Working Party.
Introductions and Stocking
19. In the previous period, members of EIFAC contributed towards the EU review on Analysis of the Environmental and Economic Impact of Operations to Reinforce the Aquatic Fauna of Fresh Waters for Fishery Purposes. This document is being updated and summarized to be made available in the near future. An analysis of the economic importance of restocking, in particular for Community aquaculture companies, was also carried out. A draft report is now being finalized for Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Romania which gives an overview of practices and issues in non-EU States.
20. The Commission was informed by Mr I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom) Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party that the code of practice for stocking and introductions was being updated and would be circulated to national correspondents in due course.
Mapping of Fish Distribution and Aquatic Habitat Quality
21. The Chairperson of Sub-Commission I reminded participants of the sad demise of Mr T. Lelek. Although there has been no action in this Ad hoc Working Party in the intersessional period, the Chairperson drew attention to the need for work to be continued under the original terms of reference and undertook to find a new Convener.
Management of Sturgeon
22. Following a recommendation of the EIFAC Executive Committee (EXCOM), at its meeting in Rome, 23-25 May 2001, and with the prioragreement of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the Commission established a joint EIFAC/GFCM Ad hoc Working Party on Management of Sturgeon. The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are as follows:
Mr M. Chebanov (Russian Federation) was appointed as Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party.
23. The Commission felt that specific attention should be paid to the review of the state-of-art of stock assessment methods and their suitability for sturgeon stock assessment, and to the specific role of aquaculture for restoration of natural stocks as well as a means to relieve catch pressure from natural stocks. Restocking and reintroduction programmes conducted elsewhere in Europe, having impact on fisheries management practices, should also be considered by the Ad hoc Working Party. The Ad hoc Working Party should also pay attention to Northern Aegean sturgeon stocks.
24. It was felt that better coordination between environmental and fisheries departments in member countries was essential for proper protection and management of sturgeon stocks, taking into consideration the social and economic situation of the commercial fisheries. Finally, partners for funding for conservation and enhancement projects are needed.
Other Matters
25. The Chairperson of EIFAC called for cooperation by national correspondents in replying to requests sent to them by Ad hoc Working Party Conveners.
Election of Officers
26. The existing officers of the Sub-Commission: Mr T. Brenner (Germany), Chairperson; Mr P. Fitzmaurice (Ireland), Vice-Chairperson; Mr K. Hensel (Slovakia), Rapporteur, were re-elected.
IV.AQUACULTURE (Sub-Commission II)
27. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mr L. Váradi (Hungary) reported on the activities and achievements of the Sub-Commission. The report of the activities was submitted to the Session as document EIFAC/XXII/2002/Inf.6.
Fish Diseases and their Control
28. The Ad hoc Working Party on Fish Diseases and their Control (Convener: R. Richards, United Kingdom) has not been active over the past two years. The Proceedings of the EIFAC/EAFP (European Association of Fish Pathologists) Workshop on Carp and Sturgeon Health Management (held in 1999 in Rhodos, Greece) are still being completed by Messrs R. Richards and R. Subasinghe, the Technical Secretary of the Ad hoc Working Party. The proceedings should be ready by 2003.
Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture
29. The Convener (Y. Avnimelech, Israel) has prepared a work plan for the elaboration of a comprehensive study on Aquatic Resources Utilization by Aquaculture. The main topics are: production and water statistics; resources economy; and aquaculture options. Competent experts have been identified as potential contributors from Eastern and Western Europe and also from Israel, however the Ad hoc Working Party has not yet succeeded in organizing an expert meeting. There is a good opportunity to hold it on 11 October 2002, consecutively with the FAO Expert Consultation on Land and Water Use in Aquaculture, which will be held in Rome from 7 to 10 October 2002.
Fish and Crustacean Nutrition
30. The proceedings of the EIFAC Workshop on Fish and Crustacean Nutrition Methodology and Research for Semi-intensive Pond-based Farming Systems, held from 3 to 5 April 1996 in Szarvas, Hungary, have been published as the 23rd volume of the periodical series of the Research Institute for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Irrigation (HAKI), Szarvas, Hungary.
31. Since 2001, the Convener (I. Csengeri, Hungary) has commenced new activities, which include the development of guidelines for Good Farming Practice, and the preparation of Hungarian standards for organic fish production. Exchange of information on standards of organic fish farming has also been started with Greek, Moldavian and Ukrainian colleagues.
32. The Commission agreed that this Ad hoc Working Party could be disbanded, and that the initiatives of the Convener could be integrated into the activities of the Ad hoc Working Party on Organic Fish Farming.
Organic Fish Farming
33. The Ad hoc Working Party on Organic Fish Farming was established during the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC in Budapest in 2000.
34. In order to obtain an overview of organic fish farming in Europe the Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party (V. Hilge, Germany) sent a questionnaire to the EIFAC National Correspondents. A scoping meeting of the Ad hoc Working Party was then held at Nürnberg, Germany, on 18 February 2002. A second version of the questionnaire is now being sent in order to obtain updated information that includes brackishwater and marine culture.
35. The Nürnberg Scoping Workshop was attended by individuals from the conventional trout and carp farming sector from Germany and Hungary, researchers from Germany, Hungary, Italy, and USA, and a representative of a certifying organization from Germany.
36. There is a great interest in a number of countries to develop organic fish farming. However, in some of these countries there is a lack of information on criteria and standards for organic fish farming, including specific aspects such as feed formulation, feeding and nutrition, environmental criteria, marketing and regulations. There is a general need for uniform principles for recognizing fish farms and farming practices which meet the criteria of organic fish farming. EIFAC reiterated the need for scientific bases for such criteria and related certification requirements.
Market Perspectives of European Freshwater Aquaculture
37. The EIFAC/EC Ad hoc Working Party on Market Perspectives of European Freshwater Aquaculture convened by L. Váradi (Hungary) was held on the premises of the European Community from 14 to 16 May 2001. The Ad hoc Working Party was attended by 26 invited experts, among them industry representatives, scientists, traders, journalists and FAO/EIFAC as well as EC officials. EIFAC endorsed the conclusions and recommendations of the Ad hoc Working Party. The presentations, discussions and recommendations of the Ad hoc Working Party have been summarized in a report, which has been published as EIFAC Occasional Paper 35 (ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/documents/eifac/Wgmarket/OP35.pdf).
38. Since marketing in European freshwater aquaculture is going to be a critical issue in the future, further actions are required to address marketing issues taking into account the recommendations of the EIFAC/EC Ad hoc Working Party. The International Conference on Aquaculture Economics and Marketing which will be held from 29 September to 2 October 2002 at Szarvas, Hungary, can be considered as a related follow-up action. In the programme of the conference special attention will be given to specific topics, which have been emphasized by the EIFAC/EC Ad hoc Working Party.
39. The Ad hoc Working Party will continue follow-up activities according to the recommendations of the EIFAC/EC Ad hoc Working Party.
Election of Officers
40. The following persons were re-elected: Mr L. Váradi (Hungary), Chairperson; Mr Y. Avnimelech (Israel), Vice-Chairperson; Mr J.P. Proteau (France), Rapporteur.
V. PROTECTION OF THE AQUATIC RESOURCE (Sub-Commission III)
41. The Chairperson of Sub-Commission III, Mr A.J.P. Raat (Netherlands) summarized the activities of the Sub-Commission, which were presented to the Session as document EIFAC/XXII/2002/Inf.7 Rev.1.
Effects of physical modification of the aquatic habitat on fish populations
42. In June 2001 an international Workshop on Ecohydrology was organized in Warsaw, Poland, within the framework of the EIFAC Ad hoc Working Party, with the following objectives:
43. The outcome of the Workshop is published in the International Journal of Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, volume 1 (3), year 2001. EIFAC emphasized the need for practical instruments based on conceptual frameworks of the ecohydrological approach of the management of inland waterbodies and referred to the conclusions and recommendations of the Symposium.
44. It was proposed that the Chairperson of Sub-Commission III approach the Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party, Mr M. Zalewski (Poland) to clarify progress of the Ad hoc Working Party.
Methodologies for rehabilitation of lakes and reservoirs
45. The Commission was informed that the Ad hoc Working Party is preparing a Manual on Rehabilitation of Lakes and Reservoirs for Fish. Almost all of the chapters have been written already and the editors (Convener: H. Lehtonen (Finland); I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom) and R. Müller (Switzerland)) met in Lammi, Finland in August 2001 in order to edit the texts. The aim to complete the work by the end of 2001 proved impossible because not all authors submitted their contribution in time. It is now planned that the work will be completed during 2002.
Prevention and control of bird predation
46. During the intersessional period there were several meetings of the EU-project REDCAFE (Reducing the conflict between cormorants and fisheries on a pan-European scale). In April 2001, an International Symposium "Interaction between fish and birds: implications for management", was organized by the Hull International Fisheries Institute, University of Hull, in collaboration with EIFAC. The proceedings of the Symposium will be published in 2002 by Fishing News Books.
47. Other meetings of REDCAFE took place in Lelystad (Netherlands) and Horsens (Denmark). In autumn 2002 a meeting will be held in the United Kingdom. The reports of these meetings will be distributed by the Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party, Mr E. Staub (Switzerland), to the National Correspondents. The final report on the REDCAFE project will be published in 2003.
48. In March 2002 the Conseil Supérieur de la Pêche (France) organized the "European Conference on the Great Cormorant: towards a European approach?" in Strasbourg. This meeting brought together stakeholders (fishermen, fish biologists and ornithologists) in a public debate. The proceedings of the meeting will be published by the end of 2002.
Influence of management practices on the environment
49. The main output from this topic area was the Symposium held in Windermere (United Kingdom) in conjunction with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC in June 2002 entitled "Inland fisheries management and the aquatic environment". The Symposium was convened by Mr D. Gerdeaux (France) and chaired by Mr I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom). It is intended that, following peer review, some of the papers presented at the Symposium will be published in "Fisheries Management and Ecology" or possibly as conference proceedings published by Fishing News Books. The editorial board will consist of Messrs D. Gerdeaux (France), I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom) and H. Naeve (FAO).
50. The Ad hoc Working Party on Influence of Management Practices on the Environment convened by Mr M. Aprahamian (United Kingdom) met after the Symposium to discuss implementations of the main findings of the meeting. It was agreed in the first instance to try and produce guidelines for biomanipulation and to work more closely with the EIFAC Ad hoc Working Party on Introductions and Stocking to ensure that the impacts of stocking/introductions on the wider environment are considered. The Session decided that the two Working Parties work closely together in order to provide updated guidelines on stocking and introductions for incorporating into national and local level policy.
Evaluation of ecological and human health effects from endocrine disrupting substances
51. GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection), at its Thirty-second Session in London, May 2002, discussed the future of this joint working group and noted that no new substantive information had come to its attention during the intersessional period. It was decided to remove the issue of effects of endocrine substances as a topic for the future agenda.
52. In the intersessional period the Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party, Mr P.-D. Hansen (Germany) attended the end-user workshop of the European Community Programme of Research on Environmental Hormones and Endocrine Disrupters (COMPREHEND).
53. In view of the withdrawal of GESAMP and in view of the workload of the Coordinator, it was decided to discontinue the Ad hoc Working Party. It was further decided that the Chairman of Sub-Commission III should have a watching brief on the new developments on the effects of endocrine disruptors on fish and fish populations. Mr A.J.P. Raat will inform Mr. P.-D. Hansen of the outcome and thank him for his involvement.
New activitiesEU Water Framework Directive (WFD)
54. In December 2000 the European Commission published the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The Directive has consequences for the management of surface- and groundwater in EU States. The WFD identifies the fish fauna as a major component in ecological water quality assessment of waterbodies. Fish-based monitoring and fish-based quality assessment methods have to be developed and implemented in ecological assessment programmes of the EU States. EIFAC is involved in several ways in the WFD:
Input of information and expertise:
Output of the WFD activities and implementation:
55. During the 2001 Session of the Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting in Rome an interim liaison group (Messrs I.G. Cowx and A.J.P. Raat) was established with the aim of exchanging information about the WFD. The liaison group prepared proposals for the Session. The Commission decided as follows:
Messrs I.G. Cowx and A.J.P. Raat volunteered to be members of the liaison group on the WFD.
Aquatic Environmental Hazard Assessment Criteria and Methods
56. The 2001 EXCOM meeting proposed that possibilities be investigated for the establishment of an Ad hoc Working Party on Aquatic Environmental Hazard Assessment Criteria and Methods, possibly in collaboration with related GESAMP activities.
57. The Commission noted that GESAMP Working Group 33 had prepared a document entitled "Environmental Exposure Models for Application in Seafood Risk Analysis". Mr R. Blust (Belgium), a member of GESAMP Working Group 33, had indicated interest in initiating a similar scientific effort focusing on European freshwater fish species.
58. It was decided that Mr R. Blust be approached again by Mr A.J.P. Raat to confirm his interest in convening an Ad hoc Working Party on the above.
Handling of Fishes in Fisheries and Aquaculture
59. EIFAC decided to establish an Ad hoc Working Party on Handling of Fishes in Fisheries and Aquaculture with the following terms of reference:
60. The Ad hoc Working Party should link its activities to those of relevant organizations such as the Fish Health Commission of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP). The Ad hoc Working Party should synthesize current information in a document on the basis of which EIFAC can consider whether it is useful to develop codes of practice on handling of fishes in fisheries and aquaculture, which can be used for regulation of practice in the EIFAC member countries.
61. Mr A.J.P. Raat (Netherlands) offered to convene the Ad hoc Working Party.
Election of Officers
62. The following were re-elected: Mr A.J.P. Raat (Netherlands), Chairperson; Mr D. Gerdeaux (France), Vice-Chairperson; Mr P. Gérard (Belgium), Rapporteur.
VI. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (Sub-Commission IV)
63. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mr I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom), informed the Commission of the progress achieved during the intersessional period. The report was available to the Session as document EIFAC/XXII/2002/Inf.8.
Communication and Education
64. Little has been achieved by the Ad hoc Working Party on Communication and Education (Convener: T. Brenner, Germany) during the intersessional period. It was considered that the inactivity was partly due to the fact that the issues of education and communication are more national than pan-European, and thus should be taken up at the local level. It was therefore recommended that the Ad hoc Working Party be suspended. However, any relevant information and appropriate material can be linked to the EIFAC Web site (www.fao.org/fi/body/eifac/eifac.asp) where appropriate.
Recreational Fisheries
65. During the intersessional period two main activities in the realm of this Ad hoc Working Party (convened by Mr B. Breton, France) have come to fruition. Firstly, the Nordic recreational fisheries surveys which was reported on during the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC in Hungary has been completed. The methodology was reported in Fisheries Management and Ecology Volume 8 issues 4/5. Subsequent to that the analysis of the results was submitted to Fisheries Management and Ecology for publication and this paper is now in the review process. Full documentation of the programme "Economic value of recreational fisheries in the Nordic countries" is available on www.norden.org. Surveys were also undertaken in other European countries such as Austria, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. These have been reported elsewhere as part of the activities of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA). It is recommended that the Ad hoc Working Party collates the output of these country programmes.
66. Secondly, EIFAC was represented at the Third World Recreational Fisheries Congress in Darwin, Australia, in May 2002. A number of EIFAC countries were represented and made a valuable contribution to the proceedings. The key issues discussed were resource allocation, impact of recreational fisheries on the environment, especially stock enhancement and habitat manipulation. Two workshops were held in conjunction with the Congress, these were on setting up an international society and on codes of practice for recreational fisheries. It was proposed that an international society, the World Recreational Fisheries Forum, be established and EIFAC representatives contribute to the European area. The need for an international Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries was expanded and it is recommended that EIFAC contributes to this Code of Practice through the Ad hoc Working Party. The Fourth World Recreational Fisheries Congress will be held in Norway in 2005 to be convened by Mr O. Aas (Norway).
Socio-economic Aspects of Inland Fisheries
67. Socio-economic aspects of inland fisheries were to a great degree covered by the Symposium held in connection with the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC in 2000. Scientific contributions presented in this context were published in 2001 as a special issue of Fisheries Management and Ecology (Volume 8, issues 4/5). The Ad hoc Working Party convened by Mr M. Sipponen (Finland) also investigated the possibility of producing methodological guidelines for socio-economic surveys of recreational fisheries. This followed on from the fact that a number of such surveys have been undertaken in 2000 and 2001 in several EIFAC member countries. Initial work showed that it may not be feasible to standardize such methods at this stage. The Ad hoc Working Party will continue to monitor new developments regarding survey work and methodologies.
68. The Ad hoc Working Party has taken advantage of the meeting of the Twenty-second Session to improve its networking capabilities. On this basis, it will aim at gathering and compiling information on recreational fisheries: definition of recreational fishermen, estimated number of fishermen, basic methods used for estimates. It will also aim at monitoring and gathering key information on ongoing research related to socio-economic evaluation of inland fisheries. It is recommended that a summary report of the information compiled be prepared for the next Session of EIFAC.
Election of Officers
69. The Chairperson Mr I.G. Cowx (United Kingdom), Vice-Chairperson Mr R. Marini (Italy) and Rapporteur Ms M.J. Collares-Pereira (Portugal) were re-elected.
VII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUB-COMMISSIONS
70. The Commission adopted the reports of the Sub-Commissions.
VIII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SYMPOSIUM
71. The Commission adopted the report of the Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment as summarized in Appendix E.
72. The Symposium considered biological, environmental, social and economic impacts of fisheries management of lakes and rivers. Fisheries management has produced clear benefits to the ecosystem and to stakeholders over and above benefits to the fishery itself. However, such activities as stocking and introduction can produce negative impacts, but this is not always the case.
73. The Symposium highlighted that traditional fisheries management is not always implemented successfully in European inland fisheries. At the same time, the trend away from traditional management of fisheries resources towards integrated management of the ecosystem emphasizes the need to develop new participatory approaches.
74. Many of the issues and approaches highlighted have fundamental implications to the EU Water Framework Directive because of the need to improve the status of fresh waters in the future. The implications of global environmental change should be recognized and given due consideration in future management approaches.
75. The Commission agreed on the following recommendations to Members:
76. The Commission also recommended to Sub-Commission I that new guidelines be developed for biomanipulation and that existing guidelines for stocking and introductions be updated and incorporated into national and local level policy. In certain species, such as the sturgeons, it was recommended that improved protocols for stocking be developed and implemented.
IX. SYMPOSIUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TWENTY-THIRD SESSION OF EIFAC
77. The Commission agreed that "Aquaculture Development - Partnership between science and producer associations" formed the topic for the Symposium to be held in conjunction with the Twenty-third Session of EIFAC. The Symposium should include consideration of the following themes:
78. Mr L. Váradi (Hungary) agreed to convene the Symposium which will be chaired by Mr K. Goryczko (Poland).
79. The outline of the Symposium Prospectus is included in Appendix F.
X. STRENGTHENING OF EIFAC
80. The role and functioning of EIFAC have not been fully evaluated since an historical review was presented to the Commission at its Eleventh Session in 1980 (EIFAC Occasional Paper 13). The Commission felt that there was now an urgent need to evaluate the role and functioning of EIFAC and to identify opportunities for its future. Therefore a Group was established to carry out an assessment. The terms of reference of this Group are:
81. Mr R. Müller (Switzerland) accepted to convene the Group and will identify and contact potential members. The Group should work primarily by correspondence and report to the next EIFAC Session.
XI. ANY OTHER MATTERS
82. No other matters were raised.
XII. ELECTION OF EIFAC OFFICERS
83. The following persons were elected as Officers of the Commission: Mr R. Müller (Switzerland), Chairperson; Mr K. Pintér (Hungary), First Vice-Chairperson; Mr P. Hickley (United Kingdom), Second Vice-Chairperson.
XIII. DATE AND PLACE OF THE TWENTY-THIRD SESSION OF EIFAC
84. The delegate of Poland confirmed the invitation from the Government of Poland to host the Twenty-third Session of EIFAC. The meeting should be held from 26 May to 2 June 2004 at Wierzba, Mazurian Lakeland.
85. The Executive Committee will hold its next meeting from 20 to 22 May 2003 in Rome.
XIV. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT AND CLOSING OF THE SESSION
86. The Report of the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC was adopted on 19 June 2002 and the Session closed at 15.15 hours.
