Projects

BANS

Baltic and North Sea (BANS) project financed by the European Commission

Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in the European Union in terms of employment, economic and social contribution to coastal communities and sustainable management of marine resources. In line with the requirements of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission is particularly attentive to the situation of coastal fleets and is aware that adequate support is vital for the growth and prosperity of the sector.

It is therefore with great pleasure that the LIFE platform has become one of the beneficiaries of this initative and is now leading the project „Support measures for small-scale fishing in the Baltic and North Sea” , having as a main objective to strengthen the small-scale, low impact fishers networks in the Region.

To succeed in this vital task, local fishers’ organizations can rely on a Baltic and North Sea Coordinator with a strong background in fisheries management and policy representation, specifically employed to this end. LIFE staff are supporting, advising and coordinating small-scale fishers’ organizations and enabling effective cooperation with stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The project has already touched a number of Member States in the Region, including Poland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

The empowerment of small-scale fisher organizations is driven and assured within the framework of the project by focusing on several priorities:

Building the capacity of small-scale fishers in the region so that their voices and concerns are heard and heeded in regional fora, especially the Advisory Councils;
Collaborating regularly with small-scale fishers in the area to understand their situation, help them in identifying their needs so that they can define their common agenda & messages;
Facilitation in building common positions and organizing joint actions;
Encouraging small-scale fishers in the area to work together, to exchange experience and best practice;
Keeping small-scale fishers in the area informed of the policy developments at all relevant levels;
Advising on the solutions to the problems they face in daily operations

Fishermen in an exchange next to two beached vessels

A number of results have been achieved, including:

Numerous meetings with small-scale fishers’ organizations from the area of operation to understand their situation in-depth and support them as needed, both at meetings and in subsequent contacts – with a view to creating a functioning regional network
Active participation in numerous meetings and activities of Baltic Sea and North Sea Advisory Councils
Assistance in a successful bid for one organization to join Baltic Sea Advisory Council
Facilitation of 3 Member Organizations joining LIFE
Organization of a major Workshop aimed at getting small-scale fishers acquainted with the EU Institutions and decision-making process in fisheries, the nature of Advisory Councils, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, quota management systems and Landing Obligation (see media below)
Production of five short tutorial films corresponding to the main topics of the Workshop described above
Assistance in the elaboration by small-scale fishers concerned of an Action Plan for the Western Baltic cod stock in view of the 2017 ICES advice for the stock;
Assistance in the elaboration by small-scale fishers concerned of an Action Plan for Seabass, in view of 2017 ICES advice for the stock

Access the official mid-term report by clicking here.

Results so far (October 2017)

Conclusions from the workshop on ACs held in Hamburg on 2/10

LIFE_BANS_Final_Technical_Report

Useful links

DG Mare

Farnet

Helcom

Baltic Sea Advisory Council

North Sea Advisory Council

Tabacod Project

Media from the BANS events

View Gallery

Pilot Project ‘Support Measures for Small-Scale Fishing’ – Baltic and North Sea – Agreement Number MARE/2014/04 – SI2.727556

MAVA

Mainstreaming small-scale low impact fisheries in the Mediterranean: giving voice to the small-scale fisheries sector with the support of the MAVA Foundation.

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the richest marine environments worldwide but is also in urgent need of effective management solutions to protect its biodiversity and socio-economic heritage. Climate change, pollution, ill-fitted fisheries management models, shipping and tourism are putting pressure on the resources and on the everyday life of thousands of fishers who rely on fish to survive.

International and European high-level institutions, including the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and the European Commission, are fully aware of the need to implement effective strategies to tackle these challenges. At LIFE, we believe sustainable fishing should be put at the top of the institutional agenda as all efforts will be vain without the active involvement of small-scale fishers, the real stewards of the sea. For this reason, thanks to the financial support of the MAVA Foundation (http://en.mava-foundation.org/) LIFE is launching the project “Mainstreaming Small Scale Low Impact Fisheries in the Mediterranean” (2018-2021).

In line with the overall objectives of LIFE, it aims to bring small-scale fishers to the core of decision-making processes that affect their livelihoods. The project will build on the body of work and achievements of LIFE’s Mediterranean programme initiated in 2015, building the capacity of its Members to engage in the decisions that affect their livelihoods, as well as providing a dedicated voice for SSF in the Mediterranean region. With a Mediterranean wide perspective, the project will focus on 2 main geographical areas: the Alboran Sea and the Strait of Sicily. The project is articulated in a range of actions, including:

Improving the understanding of the small-scale fisheries sector
Valorising fisher’s local knowledge (on species, habitats, climate change)
Promoting governance based on co-management, including of Marine Protected Areas and other areas reserved for small-scale fishing activities
Building the capacity of fishers and their organisations to participate in policy and decision-making fora, including in the Mediterranean Advisory Council (MedAC), the European Commission initiated MedFish4Ever project, and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
Identifying and promoting best practices and discouraging bad ones through awareness raising activities, including exchanges, workshops, focus discussion groups and communications.
Building the capacity of LIFE as a legitimate body representing the interests of small-scale fishers through increased membership.
Reinforcing AKTEA – the women in fisheries network – through a number of ad-hoc actions and activities.

To achieve these ambitious objectives, local fishers’ organizations can count on the dedicated support of LIFE’s Mediterranean Coordinator and on two Project Officers with a good knowledge of Mediterranean fisheries and the decision-making processes that affect them. Their work is key to build synergies across the Region, touching upon a number of countries including Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia and non-EU states such as the Maghreb Countries and Turkey. LIFE staff on the ground and in the Brussels office are always available to support small-scale fishers’ organizations and enable coordination with other fishers organisations in EU and Non-EU Countries, with European institutions and other stakeholders. Thanks to the MAVA project, LIFE will be able to support small-scale fishing communities over the next 3 years and help them to shape and secure their future as part and parcel of a sustainable future for the Mediterranean Sea.