Philippe BOISNEAU*, PhD., Nicolas MICHELET*, Nicolas STOLZENBERG*, Didier MOREAU, Marc-Adrien MARCELLIER

Transcription

1 FRESHWATER, FISH, AND THE FUTURE: CROSS- SECTORAL TO SUSTAIN LIVELIHOODS, FOOD SECURITY, AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. The patterns devised by French inland commercial fishermen to maintain their knowledge, expertise and heritage values to face serious crises affecting aquatic environments: a strategy for safeguarding Philippe BOISNEAU*, PhD., Nicolas MICHELET*, Nicolas STOLZENBERG*, Didier MOREAU, Marc-Adrien MARCELLIER * National Committee for Freshwater Professional Fishing (CONAPPED, France) EQUALOGY

2 Number of fishermen GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON INLAND FISHERIES Fishing firm managers Evolution of number of professional inland fishermen in France from 1950 to 2004 (source: Changeux, in Keith, Persat, Feunteun & Allardi, 2011) Employees

3 Evolution of number of professional inland fishermen in France since

4 Major threats on European commercial inland fisheries: Fish stocks collapse (diadromous species) & restrictions on fishing activities Water and fish contamination (PCBs...) & bans on fish sales Rapid changes in ecosystems and fish populations in a context of climate change Lack of constant strategies regarding fishery management and product marketing Short-term decision making and individualistic behaviour as a consequence of blocking or lack of support from the authorities

5 Collaborations on various scientific programmes: Biometric characterization and parasitic infestation of silver eels Annual abundance index since 1987 Flow estimates from 2001 to 2012 INDICANG: Indicators of abundance and colonization of the European eel Prediction of the downstream migration of silver eels Modeling of the eel departure to the ocean & first data on ocean migration behaviour (EELIAD)

6 After years of sterile discussion with French government, main strategy based on the Common Fisheries Policy reform, 2013: Non-monetary approach:proposal of Inland Fisheries Advisory Council Monetary approach: proposal of amendments to the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (2013) including financial support to: environmental services provided by inland fishers development of new commercial activities (including economic outlets for invasive species)

7 These approaches failed in spite of: support of the Committee on Fisheries of the European Parliament & other members of Parliament collaboration with other professional fishing organisations in Europe (Sweden, Finland, Netherlands) Contribution to environmental amenities not authorized for remuneration (while it is the case for agriculture) > main solutions for inland fisheries = to be accompanied by plans for temporary or permanent cessation of activity or (in the case of the European eel) joint EU funding for restocking

8 International Guidelines on securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication endorsed in 2014 by FAO s Committee on Fisheries What about its implementation in developed countries, especially in Europe? European inland professional fisheries = vulnerable and marginalized groups Be careful to not focus on developing countries: exclusive South focus = excuse for industrialized countries not to implement these Guidelines

9 In 2015, what stage are we at for European aquatic habitats restoration and halieutic resource management with the ecosystem approach? (promoted in 2010 by the UN Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and reminded by FAO s Guidelines in 2014) Professional freshwater fishermen = direct indicators of sector-based policies consequences which do not respect the principles of such a systemic approach What place can inland commercial fisheries take in such an ecosystem approach before it is too late?

10 We are the Amazon Indians of the old Europe. When & how can FAO and other decision-making organisations as well as scientific bodies present these days in Rome help to save our European fisheries and their cultural heritage from extinction?