Annex 3: MCD 2014 – Sustainable fisheries

12th Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the WaddenSea
Tønder, 5 February 2014

Ministerial Council Declaration, Annex 3

Framework for Sustainable Fisheries

Draft Version 12 December 2013

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Annex 3: MCD 2014 – Sustainable fisheries

Framework for Sustainable Fisheries

Natural capital and ecosystem services can not be replaced by other forms of
services and capital (financial, economic, social). This does not mean that no
biomass may be taken from the system.
Fishing is only possible if it can be demonstrated that it will not adversely affect the
integrity and function of the ecosystem and in the case of the Wadden Sea also fully
complies with the Guiding Principle.
Principles of sustainable fisheries
The Wadden Sea Board has identified the following catalogue of principles, required
for the implementation of sustainable fisheries:
Appropriate assessment
The use of regular appropriate assessments (or equivalent impact assessments)
should be applied to all fisheries in the Wadden Sea. These assessments must
be based upon nature conservation objectives, specified to the extent possible,
scientifically robust, trilaterally comparative and transparent. The use of regular
impact assessments by all Wadden Sea regions would also level the playing
field and may facilitate the dialogue between the fishery managers, the industry
and environmental NGOs at a trilateral level.
Fishing gear/best practice
The application of appropriate fishing gear and best practices is another
essential element in operationalizing sustainable fisheries, in particular with the
aim of reducing impacts on the bottom and reducing by catch. Best practice is
understood to be a combination of fishing techniques and fishing effort, leading
to the lowest possible impact. A detailed analysis of fishing gear (application, site
specific impact) should be part of the dialogue with the stakeholders.
The fishing industry should be encouraged to develop more sustainable
techniques and practices.
Closed areas
Closed areas are a management option for sustainable fisheries in the Wadden
Sea Conservation Area, in particular to allow natural processes to proceed in an
undisturbed way, to achieve the conservation objectives and biodiversity and in
cases where there is insufficient knowledge about impacts. Sufficiently large
closed areas can also serve as reference and recovery areas.
Monitoring/control/black box
This includes monitoring of fishing activities and the status of fished and nonfished areas. The fisheries sector is co-responsible for monitoring. Black boxes,
or equivalent systems, are an important precondition for co-management,
including nature protection.
Stock assessment
Regular stock assessments must be carried out as a basis for fisheries
management. This is an essential element for sustainable fisheries. Fishing

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Annex 3: MCD 2014 – Sustainable fisheries

impact should be such that stable food webs are restored and maintained,
supporting natural populations of predators.
Appropriate knowledge<>responsibility of all parties involved
In the process of operationalizing sustainable fisheries, use must be made of
best available knowledge. There is a responsibility of all parties involved in
supporting knowledge about the status of the ecosystem.
Best practice pilots (learning by doing)
Transition towards sustainable fisheries also implies that there must be ample
possibilities for testing new methods and practices. Knowledge gained in pilots
must be spread among all parties involved.

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