40. The Secretariat introduced the above-mentioned paper that was contained in document WECAFC/B-G/I/4. In presenting the paper the Secretariat highlighted the environmental features of the Brazil-Guianas Shelf, the impact of fisheries on the ecosystem and its productivity, the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystem and the relative importance of fisheries impacts on the ecosystem and its productivity.
41. The main conclusions and recommendations were that the effect of fisheries on the environment was considerable in the Brazil-Guianas region and can affect fisheries productivity, and that interactions between fisheries and the environment were difficult to define and quantify. The identification, monitoring and protection of critical habitats that were of importance for the functioning of the ecosystem and/or for the life cycle of exploited species was recommended. The scope of fisheries investigations should be broadened to include ecosystem considerations. Since all the countries in the subregion faced similar environmental impacts on their fisheries and the costs involved in addressing these impacts were considerable for any single country, regional cooperation was recommended to address environmental impacts on fisheries in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf.
42. In exchanging views on the subject and based on their empirical observations, participants, especially those from the fishing industry, were able to agree with some of environmental impacts mentioned in the paper. The Conference agreed that interactions between fisheries and the environment in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf were difficult to define and quantify, and that research should also focus attention on these issues rather than only on the fish stocks. In this regard, it was agreed that the paper was a good starting point.
43. In making his presentation on this subject, Dr Power referred to the findings of the study on food availability and predator presence in the coastal nursery areas for brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) conducted in the north coast of the Netherlands in 1986 by the Netherlands Institute for Fishery Investigation, and pointed out its relevance to the region. He emphasized the need to do similar studies on the stomach contents of Penaeid shrimp species in the various stages of its life cycle. The results of these studies should support the formulation of better management strategies for this fishery.
44. The Conference in thanking Dr Power for his presentation noted that research was an essential ingredient for sustainable fisheries and for the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
