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Cascading ecological effects of eliminating fishery discards

Author

Listed:
  • Michael R. Heath

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Robin M. Cook

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Angus I. Cameron

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • David J. Morris

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Douglas C. Speirs

    (University of Strathclyde)

Abstract

Discarding by fisheries is perceived as contrary to responsible harvesting. Legislation seeking to end the practice is being introduced in many jurisdictions. However, discarded fish are food for a range of scavenging species; so, ending discarding may have ecological consequences. Here we investigate the sensitivity of ecological effects to discarding policies using an ecosystem model of the North Sea—a region where 30–40% of trawled fish catch is currently discarded. We show that landing the entire catch while fishing as usual has conservation penalties for seabirds, marine mammals and seabed fauna, and no benefit to fish stocks. However, combining landing obligations with changes in fishing practices to limit the capture of unwanted fish results in trophic cascades that can benefit birds, mammals and most fish stocks. Our results highlight the importance of considering the broader ecosystem consequences of fishery management policy, since species interactions may dissipate or negate intended benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael R. Heath & Robin M. Cook & Angus I. Cameron & David J. Morris & Douglas C. Speirs, 2014. "Cascading ecological effects of eliminating fishery discards," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4893
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4893
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    Cited by:

    1. Gullestad, P. & Blom, G. & Bakke, G. & Bogstad, B., 2015. "The “Discard Ban Package”: Experiences in efforts to improve the exploitation patterns in Norwegian fisheries," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1-9.
    2. Veiga, Pedro & Pita, Cristina & Rangel, Mafalda & Gonçalves, Jorge M.S. & Campos, Aida & Fernandes, Paul G. & Sala, Antonello & Virgili, Massimo & Lucchetti, Alessandro & Brčić, Jure & Villasante, Seb, 2016. "The EU landing obligation and European small-scale fisheries: What are the odds for success?," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 64-71.
    3. Julien Collet & Samantha C Patrick & Henri Weimerskirch, 2017. "A comparative analysis of the behavioral response to fishing boats in two albatross species," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(5), pages 1337-1347.
    4. Villasante, Sebastian & Pierce, Graham J. & Pita, Cristina & Guimeráns, César Pazos & Garcia Rodrigues, João & Antelo, Manel & Da Rocha, José María & Cutrín, Javier García & Hastie, Lee C. & Veiga, Pe, 2016. "Fishers' perceptions about the EU discards policy and its economic impact on small-scale fisheries in Galicia (North West Spain)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 130-138.
    5. Jordi Guillen & Steven J. Holmes & Natacha Carvalho & John Casey & Hendrik Dörner & Maurizio Gibin & Alessandro Mannini & Paraskevas Vasilakopoulos & Antonella Zanzi, 2018. "A Review of the European Union Landing Obligation Focusing on Its Implications for Fisheries and the Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-12, March.
    6. Fauconnet, Laurence & Rochet, Marie-Joëlle, 2016. "Fishing selectivity as an instrument to reach management objectives in an ecosystem approach to fisheries," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 46-54.
    7. Trenkel, Verena M. & Hintzen, Niels T. & Farnsworth, Keith D. & Olesen, Christian & Reid, David & Rindorf, Anna & Shephard, Samuel & Dickey-Collas, Mark, 2015. "Identifying marine pelagic ecosystem management objectives and indicators," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 23-32.

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