Using inferred drivers of discarding behaviour to evaluate discard mitigation measures

Abstract

Discards refer to the part of the catch not retained on board during commercial fishing operations, but returned to the sea. The proposed EU Common Fisheries Policy reform, to be implemented in 2014, sets out a gradual elimination of discards by reducing unwanted catches and ensuring that all catches are landed. To develop successful discard mitigation measures it is necessary to identify the reasons for discarding. Here we have developed a simple model that can be applied to data from observer programmes to establish the contribution of different drivers of discarding behaviour. The analysis makes inferences on the causes of discarding by partitioning discards into four categories based on the length of the fish and the associated regulatory restrictions. The drivers are defined as: fish discarded below the legal minimum landing size; fish for which there is no market and that do not have a MLS (minimum landing size); fish for which there are inconsistencies in market and sorting practices; and discards that can be attributed to fishermen’s responses to quota restrictions. The approach is applied to data generated from observer programmes from five European Member States. All of the inferred drivers contribute to the total discard quantity. Their relative contributions vary widely across countries, areas, gears and species.