The uncertain future of the Norway lobster fisheries in the North Sea calls for new management strategies

Abstract

Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) is an economically valuable target species in the North Sea. Although individual Nephrops populations are scattered, the crustacean is managed regionally by the European Union (EU). The spatial competition for fisheries in the North Sea is growing especially due to expanding offshore wind farms (OWF) and newly implemented marine protected areas (MPA). Moreover, the Brexit affects the availability of EU fishing quotas and adds to the overall uncertainty EU fishers face. We compare landings and catches to scientifically advised quantities and perform an overlap analysis of fishing grounds with current and future OWFs and MPAs. Furthermore, we explore the German Nephrops fleet using high-resolution spatial fishing effort and catch data. Our results confirm earlier studies showing that Nephrops stocks have been fished above scientific advice. Present OWFs and MPAs marginally overlap with Nephrops fishing grounds, whereas German fishing grounds are covered up to 45% in future scenarios. Co-use strategies with OWFs could mitigate the loss of fishing opportunities. Decreased cod quotas due to Brexit and worse stock conditions, lowers Germany's capability to swap Nephrops quotas with the UK. We support the call for a new management strategy of individual Nephrops populations and the promotion of selective fishing gears.

Advancing fishery-independent stock assessments for the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) with new monitoring technologies

“…The Mediterranean Sea (FAO zone 37) in turn, contributes around 7% of total landings (FAO, 2020b). These fisheries are currently showing signs of decline in various regions (Ungfors et al, 2013;FAO, 2021b;Letschert et al, 2021). As such, there is considerable value in developing sustainable harvesting guidelines for accurately quantifying the distribution, abundance, and biomass of N. norvegicus populations over large geographic areas (ICES, 2016).…”

Limited spatiotemporal larval mixing of the Norway lobster from no‐take marine protected areas in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

“…MPAs have been proven impactful for the recovery and protection of the lobster populations in European waters (Knutsen et al, 2022;Vigo, Navarro, et al, 2023). As a species of commercial importance and under fishing quotas management in European water, the sustainability of the fisheries would benefit from no-take MPA implementations within other regions of Europe (Letschert et al, 2021). On a connectivity perspective, comparison of larval dispersal studies among others European MPA networks shall make a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms involved in similar or different patterns of connectivity among MPA networks.…”

Analysis of spatial conflicts of large scale salmonid aquaculture with coastal fisheries and other interests in a Norwegian fjord environment, using the novel GIS-tool SEAGRID and stakeholder surveys

“…As part of the shift from fossil to renewable energy sources presently taking place in Europe (Gusatu et al, 2020), the Norwegian government is planning largescale marine wind farms (Naerings-og fiskeridepartementet, 2022). Wind farms entail spatial conflicts with fisheries and conservation measures (Perrow, 2019;Gusatu et al, 2020;Letschert et al, 2021), as well as future offshore aquaculture facilities. Letschert et al (2021) described how designated Natura 2000 conservation sites and new, potential offshore wind farms in the southern part of the North Sea will overlap with present trawling grounds for the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) fishery in the area.…”

“…Wind farms entail spatial conflicts with fisheries and conservation measures (Perrow, 2019;Gusatu et al, 2020;Letschert et al, 2021), as well as future offshore aquaculture facilities. Letschert et al (2021) described how designated Natura 2000 conservation sites and new, potential offshore wind farms in the southern part of the North Sea will overlap with present trawling grounds for the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) fishery in the area.…”