CREAM

Coordinating research in support to application of EAF (Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries) and management advice in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The Coordinating Action (hereafter 'the project') will establish an effective collaboration network among key role players in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries research and management. The participants in the project include national research institutes from Mediterranean and Black Sea countries with a long history and active participation in fisheries research and assessment, who provide advice to national, regional and international fisheries management organisms. The project will seek the active collaboration of regional and international fisheries management organisms as external participants in the project, in order to identify the gaps (in terms of data, knowledge, training, coordination) which hamper at present the full application of the Ecosystem Approach in the management of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries. The project will have a strong training and capacity building component in order to help harmonize data collection and methodologies used in fisheries assessment and management in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The project will serve to establish the guidelines for the application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, both in EU member states and third countries. The project is organized in 6 workpackages: i) Project Coordination ii) Review of current knowledge in data collection and methodological practices in assessment and management iii) Identification of data needs, quality, harmonization, methodologies and models for EAF iv) Establishing coordination with the assessment and management international/regional bodies v) Training and capacity building. Symposium. Dissemination component vi) Strengthening the scientific basis of EAF application in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU researchers drew up guidelines for applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) in the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. This approach involves the conservation of ecosystem structures, processes and interactions through sustainable use.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

European countries are committed to adapting an EAF. However, there are currently gaps in this approach that hamper its full implementation in the management of fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

The aim of the CREAM project, funded by the EU, was to identify these gaps in order to implement the EAF. The project successfully established an effective collaboration network among the key players in fisheries research and management within the two regions concerned.

Main actors in fisheries assessment and management in the Mediterranean and Black Seas reviewed the short comings of data and methods applied and how to overcome them. They also examined how best to improve the coordination of the fisheries research of European and International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPCs).

CREAM evaluated the capacity to address EAF issues in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In general, the highest scores were recorded for knowledge related to fishing fleet structure/behaviour as well as on fish species/habitats. The lowest scores were attributed to knowledge of modelling, and socioeconomic and management issues.

The results provided a global picture at a wide geographical level, giving useful information that enabled the implementation of the EAS to be properly addressed.

CREAM also organised a workshop titled Scientific strategy for a global approach to promote regional EAF in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Its findings included the fact that the EAF's network vision should also promote the recovery of ecosystems and the rebuilding of marine commercial stocks and predatory fish species.

Two international EAF training courses were held to train the scientists and advisors involved in fisheries assessment in the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. Sustainable fishing has been a long-standing priority for the EU, so every step closer to achieving this will be welcomed by policymakers, industry and consumers alike.

The CREAM project successfully established organisational procedures for the creation of a permanent network of fisheries scientists and management bodies. This strengthened the scientific basis of EAF application in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries. By integrating non-EU countries, it ensured that the foundation of an EAF for the two regions also reaches third countries.