Worldwide review of bottom fisheries in the high seas

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper 522 (Rev.1)

Worldwide review of bottom fisheries in the high seas


by
Alexis Bensch
Fisheries Information Systems Officer
Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Rome, Italy

Matthew Gianni
High Seas Fisheries Consultant
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Dominique Gréboval
Senior Fishery Planning Officer
Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Rome, Italy

Jessica Sanders
Fisheries Officer
Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Rome, Italy

and

Antonia Hjort
FAO Consultant
Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2009

Download ZIP version  7.3Mb

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The views expressed in this information product are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-106403-0

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to:

Chief
Electronic Publishing Policy and Support Branch
Communication Division, FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy
or by e-mail to:
[email protected]

© FAO 2009

Bensch, A.; Gianni, M.; Gréboval, D.; Sanders, J.S.; Hjort, A.
Worldwide review of bottom fisheries in the high seas.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 522, Rev.1. Rome, FAO. 2009. 145p.

Abstract

The Worldwide review of bottom fisheries in the high seas provides states and other interested parties with a summary of the current status of high seas bottom fisheries worldwide based on the best information available, including responses to an FAO questionnaire sent to high seas fishing states, the European Community and relevant regional fisheries management organizations. It contains reviews of bottom fisheries in the high seas in the following regions: the North East and North West Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the South East and South West Atlantic, the North and South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Fisheries are described in terms of fleets, catch and effort, and main species caught, with due consideration being given to the location of fishing activities.

This document was prepared in response to the request by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and related consideration of the issue of bottom fisheries on the high seas by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 61/105 on Sustainable Fisheries adopted in December 2006. It also aims at assisting in the implementation of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas by providing background information and highlighting gaps in the available data. According to the findings of this review, 285 vessels were active in the high seas bottom fisheries worldwide in 2006. The total catch of this fleet has been estimated to about 250 000 tonnes valued at EUR 450 million (landed value). For various reasons discussed in the report, these are to be considered minimal estimates.

Contents


Part 1 (Download 191 kb)

Preparation of this document
Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Policy background
Definition
Scope
Methodology
The questionnaire
Part 2

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS

North East Atlantic Ocean (Download 1.5 Mb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
   high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information and bibliography
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
North West Atlantic Ocean (Download 387 kb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
  high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
South East Atlantic Ocean (Download 277 kb)
Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
  high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
South West Atlantic Ocean (Download 439 kb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
  high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
The Mediterranean Sea (Download 1.1 Mb - 729 kb )

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
  high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
THE PACIFIC OCEAN

North Pacific Ocean (Download 955 kb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
   high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information and bibliography
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
South Pacific Ocean (Download 691 kb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
   high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information and bibliography
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
THE INDIAN OCEAN

Indian Ocean (Download 1,1 Mb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
   high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information and bibliography
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

Southern Ocean (Download 744 kb)

Geographic description of the region
Management regime applicable to deep-sea bottom fisheries in the
   high seas
Description of deep-sea bottom fisheries in the high seas
Status of the stocks, bycatch and impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems
Conservation and management measures
Information and reporting gaps
Sources of information and bibliography
Summary table for 2006
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Part 3 (Download 556 kb)

CONCLUSIONS

Global estimates of the catch and number of vessels in 2006
Assessment and summary of information gaps presented in each region
Data and reporting recommendations
Future directions
Appendix A – Questionnaire on deepwater fisheries in the high seas:
                        national information

Objectives
Scope
Information requirements
Appendix B – List of countries that replied to the FAO Questionnaire
                        on deep-sea fisheries in the high seas