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Commercial Fisheries: Understanding the influence of man-made structures in the marine environment

Report

Title: Commercial Fisheries: Understanding the influence of man-made structures in the marine environment
Author:
Howell Marine Consulting
Publication Date:
Pages:
9
Sponsoring Organization:
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
Technology:
Wind Energy
Stressor:
Habitat Change
Receptor:
Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Howell Marine Consulting (2023). Commercial Fisheries: Understanding the influence of man-made structures in the marine environment. Report for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
TY - RPRT
TI - Commercial Fisheries: Understanding the influence of man-made structures in the marine environment
AU - Howell Marine Consulting
AB - This document summarises the key findings from the “INSITEs Into Commercial Fisheries” webinar held on October 31st, 2023. Commercial fisheries are currently the most widespread activity at sea and the effects of the industry go far beyond the health of fish populations. The fishing industry is essential in supporting livelihoods and ensuring food supply as a primary protein source. It is the most valuable food commodity traded worldwide. The effects of MMS and decommissioning options, have diverse impacts on environmental, economic, and sociological factors, all impacting commercial fisheries.The EcoConnect project, showed that some fish species have seasonal abundance increases in areas of MMS. This is backed up by more recent FISHSPAMMS results that show MMS are often associated with elevated but localised fish densities, indicating MMS provide a niche habitat for fish populations in the North Sea. The FuECoMMS project investigates how carbon cycling and blue carbon varies in ecosystems around partially decommissioned MMS, especially within their 500m exclusion zone, where no fishing activity occurs, and fish appear to aggregate. Blue carbon stocks vary depending on sediment type around the partially decommissioned MMS but are significant in the exclusion zone.
DA - 2023/10//
PY - 2023
SP - 9
UR - https://insitenorthsea.org/webinars/
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Fisheries
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

This document summarises the key findings from the “INSITEs Into Commercial Fisheries” webinar held on October 31st, 2023. Commercial fisheries are currently the most widespread activity at sea and the effects of the industry go far beyond the health of fish populations. The fishing industry is essential in supporting livelihoods and ensuring food supply as a primary protein source. It is the most valuable food commodity traded worldwide. The effects of MMS and decommissioning options, have diverse impacts on environmental, economic, and sociological factors, all impacting commercial fisheries.

The EcoConnect project, showed that some fish species have seasonal abundance increases in areas of MMS. This is backed up by more recent FISHSPAMMS results that show MMS are often associated with elevated but localised fish densities, indicating MMS provide a niche habitat for fish populations in the North Sea. The FuECoMMS project investigates how carbon cycling and blue carbon varies in ecosystems around partially decommissioned MMS, especially within their 500m exclusion zone, where no fishing activity occurs, and fish appear to aggregate. Blue carbon stocks vary depending on sediment type around the partially decommissioned MMS but are significant in the exclusion zone.