Sustainability of a creel based fishery for Nephrops in Danish waters (113183)

The project is a comprehensive investigation of the impact on both economics and environment of using creels insted of trawl to catch Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). The project is based on data from countries with well established creel fisheries and from an ambitios experiment on board a commercial Danish vessel. Increasing prices on fuel, coming fee on CO2, establishment of No-trawl zones, and increasing interest in sustainable food, may change the balance for the optimal gear choice and has initiated an interest at both fishers, buyers, and consumers for investigations of fisheries with low environmental and climate impact. The aim of the project is to document the factors essential for a conversion to trawl fishing for Norway lobster in Danish waters, including profitability, CO2 emissions and bottom impact. Hereby, we highlight both which vessels can be advantageously included in the fishery as well as the environmental benefits of such a change. The information will strengthen the public debate around Danish fishing and increase the decision-making basis for the individual fisherman, for the industry and for the administration, and thus promote the sustainable development of the fishing sector.

Norway lobster is efficiently fished with trawls and the Danish fishery has, on average, resulted in a first-hand value of 197 - 328 million DKK annually over the past 3 years (Fisheries Agency's dynamic tables). In 2022, 320 of the 328 million DKK landed, was attributed to members of the DFPO (Danish Fisheries PO), and at present DFPO members only use trawl in this fishery. Trawling affects the structure and function of the seabed and the associated bottom ecosystems. The extent of these changes varies with the intensity of fishing impact (Gislason et al, 2021). Alternatively, Norway lobsters can be fished in creels, which are cages that are baited and placed on the bottom. The quantity per fishing trip is considerably smaller than in trawling, but since the Norway lobsters in this fishery can be landed alive, they typically obtain a higher price (Frandsen et al, 2015).

Creel fishing for Norway lobster is typically seen in coastal waters characterized by rocks. This makes trawl fishing difficult and there has therefore been a natural geographical division between trawling and creeling. Older studies have shown that Norway lobster caught in creels have a significantly smaller climate footprint than spiny lobsters caught in trawls (Ziegler and Valentinsson, 2008). The existence of established creel fisheries in other areas demonstrates that these are profitable under those specific conditions (eg Leocádio et al, 2012). However, these studies are not directly transferable to Denmark for several reasons. In part, Norway lobsters live in relatively deep waters and in Danish waters these suitable fishing grounds are further away from harbours. Also, the countries' quota portfolio affects the proportion of the trawl catch that can be landed and thus both the economy and environmental impact of per kilo landed catch. In addition, there is only a limited local market for live lobsters in Denmark, and extra storage and transport of the lobsters can therefore affect both the price structure and the CO2 footprint. Finally, previous analyzes have shown that a major point in the profitability of a creel fishery is the expected catch rates (Frandsen et al. 2015). These are also not comparable between waters as they depend, among other things, on the size composition of the stock in question.

A central part of this project is therefore to ensure that the catch rates we achieve in the experimental fishery are as good as possible so that they can be expected to be representative of a well-established creel fishery. We do this by partly drawing on the experiences in Sweden (AP1), by fishing from a vessel that is rigged for efficient handling of many gears (AP2) and by using a camera sled to identify good fishing spots (AP3) . The experimental fishing will take place over 2 seasons so there is an opportunity to build up experience and adapt the fishing to Danish waters (AP4). Data from the experimental fishery will be included in the evaluation of the Norway lobster fishery (AP5), where creels and trawls are held against each other. The economic evaluation also includes an analysis of the market opportunities that reveal expected prices and volume, as well as an assessment of the environmental consequences of changing fishing methods, which includes both the physical impact on the seabed, bycatch, as well as resources and emissions associated with the fishing activity. The broad foundation of the project will ensure that dissemination of results takes place continuously and through several different channels with different target groups. In addition, a video demonstrating the fishing will be produced at the end of the project. The target group for this will be fishermen and buyers. A trawl fishery for Norway lobster can be included as a supplement to the existing trawl fishery. Lobster is a quota species, but in the past 5 years only between 35 and 63% of the quota in the Kattegat and Skagerrak has been utilized (Fishkeristyrelsen's dynamic tables, fishery statistical yearbook). If the results of the project show that the creel fishery is a profitable alternative, conversion of e.g. gill netters may lead to increased fishing pressure on this species, but due to the low quota utilization this is not considered to challenge the sustainability of the stock. Such a change in gear utilization may thus increase the yield of Norway lobster but with reduced environmental and climate impacts.

Funding
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Danish Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (EMFAF).

Research area: Fisheries Technology
Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management