Do you know what Bycatching is and how it’s killing thousands of endangered birds every year?
- In this bitesize read, we delve into the shortcomings of EU regulations in upholding bycatching mitigation…
- …and France’s responsibility as the second largest Exclusive Economic Zone (Source).
💧 What is Bycatching?
- The inadvertent capture of living creatures as a result of fishing.
- Bycatching poses an immense threat of life to seabirds, sharks, rays and sea turtles.
- In fact, more than 200,000 seabirds are caught by Europe every year, including 29 threatened species. (birdlife.org)
💧 How is Bycatching allowed to continue?
- As there is a severe lack of reporting and data collection on when bycatching takes place, this issue remains a problem in EU waters.
- Birdlife.org calls upon the Control Regulation to enforce compliance from fisheries, for whilst it is a requirement ‘’that bycaught species be electronically reported by fishers, it does not provide for any mechanism to ensure that this rule is actually respected.’’
- How can we expect change to take place if accountability from the source of these killings isn’t taken seriously?
💧 So, what can be done?
- Member states of the EU can require all vessels to install and use REM systems* so that sensitive species can be monitored.
- This will also control vessels’ compliance with rules of the CFP**
- The main takeaway here is that for successful mitigation of bycatching, there needs to be an infrastructure for holding direct influences accountable.
- However, as this accountability is lacking, NGO’s are stepping up to the plate to call for action and protect our diminishing yet wonderful species.
💧 Client Earth takes a stand
- Client Earth have taken up the baton with conviction and share a story of Ludovic, a French fisherman and surfer who used to share the waves with Guillemot birds in abundance. A real moment of sharing the earth with beings beyond humans.
- Shockingly, as an adult fisherman, Ludovic saw firsthand how devastating bycatching is for seabirds, with one haul killing more than 50 sea birds from entrapment in the nets.
- Client Earth are taking legal action against the French authorities and demanding that the EU enforces its laws which focus on protecting seabirds and victims of bycatching.
- The latest from Client Earth’s website: ‘‘Client Earth, Sea Shepherd France and Défense des Milieux Aquatiques have sued the French authorities before the Council of State for failing to monitor and protect seabirds from unselective fishing activities – at a time when several species are on the brink of extinction.’
- ‘‘The NGOs have filed a complaint before the highest administrative court (Conseil d’Etat)…‘ stating that France is in ‘’…breach of the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Technical Measures Regulation, and other European laws.’’
💧 Lingo Guide:
- * What is the CFP?
- The Common Fisheries Policy is the EU’s framework for managing fishing fleets and conserving marine resources. (source) https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/common-fisheries-policy
- ** What is an REM system?
- Remote Electronic Monitoring is a system of cameras, sensors and GPS units to track and document fishing activities. It exists to check what each catch consists of and ensure compliance with sustainable fishing regulations. (source) https://consult.defra.gov.uk/marine/remcall/
