Applying a natural capital approach to fisheries management

Marine Conservation Research Group
Natural capital approach to fisheries management
Title: Applying a natural capital approach to fisheries management
Funded by: Defra
Dates: December 2023 – February 2025
Project partners: Defra; Marine Management Organisation
Location: Celtic Sea and Western Channel
University of Plymouth staff: Dr Sian Rees ; Ms Riley Bibaud ; Mr Tom Mullier ; Dr Matthew Ashley
 
 
 
 
 
Working with Defra’s marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) Programme, the Marine Social Science Research Unit (MSSRU) has been working alongside Defra and the MMO to explore the evidence base and potential to apply a natural capital approach (NCA) to fisheries management plans (FMPs) using the Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic fishery as an example study.

Aims of the project

Delivered across three reports, the MSSRU team will:
  1. Synthesise the current economic, environmental, and social evidence for the Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic fishery, and identify additional evidence needed to guarantee a robust evidence base to take an NCA in developing this FMP.
  2. Identify the key essential fish habitats for each of the FMP species at different life-history stages, including where these are located within the FMP area. The capacity of these habitats to provide ecosystem services will be explored, as well as the sensitivities to current and future pressures, and existing management measures.
  3. Discern who benefits from the ecosystem service flow in the FMP area from target stocks and associated essential fish habitats to better understand the existing beneficiaries within the system, as well as who will benefit (or potentially be disadvantaged) from proposed management interventions.

Partners

Marine Social Science Research Unit

We co-create and deliver robust social science research in partnership with statutory nature conservation agencies, sea users, NGOs, government departments and international organisations
Supporting the sustainable and fair use of marine ecosystems through social science research methodologies that directly inform marine environment governance at international, regional, national and local scales.
Cornwall beach at sunset with surfers