NEAFC request on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures in relation to long-term biodiversity/ecosystem benefits of NEAFC’s closed areas and areas restricted to bottom fishing (replacing advice provided in October 2023)

ICES advises that the VME closures in NEAFC regulatory areas (RAs) achieve long-term sustained in situ biodiversity/ecosystem benefits as long as these closures remain in place. All VME closures in NEAFC RAs contain biodiversity attributes as articulated in the guidance of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Decision 14/8, Annex III, Section B (CBD, 2018).

ICES advises that the restricted bottom fishing areas in NEAFC RAs achieve in situ biodiversity/ecosystem benefits as long as no bottom fishing activities occur. NEAFC RA 1, RA 2, RA 3 and RA 4 contain biodiversity attributes as articulated in the CBD guidance (CBD, 2018, Annex III, Section B). The restricted bottom fishing areas are potentially opened to exploratory fishing. Any bottom fishing in these areas may preclude them from satisfying sustained governance for long-term biodiversity benefits.

ICES conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence sources available and relevant to evaluate the biodiversity/ecosystem benefits of NEAFC management measures for VME closures and restricted bottom fishing areas. ICES is not aware of any additional information currently available for NEAFC RAs. Other information of relevance may be available for other regions.

ICES advises that the current maximum fishing depth with bottom contacting gears in NEAFC RAs is around 1 400 m. The observed maximum fishing depth is not restricted by current management measures, and it is likely that technical and economic considerations are currently the limiting factors. The potential maximum bottom fishing depth can technically exceed 1 400 m. ICES is not aware of any fisheries resources that could support an economically viable commercial bottom fishery at such depths in NEAFC RAs.

ICES advises that, if physical attributes such as a bottom depth limit are to be used to inform the definition of OECMs, they should be used in conjunction with evidence of biodiversity attributes to achieve long-term biodiversity/ecosystem benefits.