How can you, as young consumers, influence marine research and fisheries management ? Jon Helge Vølstad Research Group Leader, Fishery Dynamics

First of all, by eating more fish!

Be Informed Consumers Increased environmental awareness by consumers can contribute to better fisheries management You can help support sustainable fisheries with the choices you make at the restaurant or the seafood counter. This requires that you as consumers have access to reliable information and documentation of fisheries to make informed decisions. Reliable information on fisheries resources must be based on research subject to peer review

Ecolabeling of fish Ecolabelling schemes can support sustainable fisheries An ecolabel is a tag placed on a product that certifies that it was produced in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way.

Background to Eco-labeling in Fisheries Many commercial fish stocks are fully exploited or over-exploited Incidental bycatches (e.g., marine mammals and birds) Implementation of conventional fisheries management has not always been effective Increasing awareness by consumers and public at large

Ecolabel tags Can help consumers make informed choices about what you are buying, so that those who wish to can support responsible food production. In essence, you can help create a market mechanism that promotes sustainable production methods. Examples of eco-labels –Nordic Eco-label –Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) –Seafood Watch

Eco-labeling should be based on sound science International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Institute of Marine Research (IMR) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) –Norwegian redlist (IMR, Universities, NINA)

A Severly decreasing trend in population size B Shrinking distribution area, fragmentation, or large fluctuations C Small, decerasing population size D Severly depleted population E Risc analysis – datasimulations Redlisting using IUCN’s criteria is based on variables and population models of risc of extiction. N Time Risc N N Time A B C D E

RE (Regionally Extinct) CR (Critically Endangered) EN (Endangered) VU (Vulnerable) NT (Near Threatened) LC (Least Concern) DD (Data Deficient) Threatened Redlist NE (Not Evaluated) NA (Not Applicable)

But it is not always easy to be a wise consumer! Cod, for example, is now listed as threatened on the global redlist In Norway, coastal cod stocks are listed on the national redlist, while Barents Sea Cod is in exceptionally good condition –it is the largest cod-stock in the world. As consumer, you need to know which of the stocks the fish you buy comes from

Consumer challenges Should you eat this cod? Do you know where it was fished? As consumer you can demand better labeling so you can make informed choices!

Scientifically based fisheries management Norway are leaders in research-based fisheries management, with focus on: Suistainable fisheries: –Fishing conducted in a manner that does not threathen the fish stocks ability to reproduce or it habitat The precationary approach: –Fishing quotas that take into account uncertainty in stock- assessment, with quotas that minimize the risk of obver- fishing

INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH TROMSØ DEPARTEMENT INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH MATRE RESEARCH STATION INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH AUSTEVOLL RESEARCH STATION INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH FLØDEVIGEN RESEARCH STATION Bergen: the IMR headquarters. Offices and laboratories in several buildings at Nordnes Institute of Marine Research 2 nd largest in Europe; ~700 employees

▶ Research and advisory programmes for the ecosystems Establish knowledge as a basis for the management of the marine resources and environment in: The Barents Sea The Norwegian Sea The North Sea The coastal zone

▶ Research groups that study interaction and human impact TROPHIC INTERACTIONS distribution of and interaction between species in the marine ecosystems FISHERIES DYNAMICS develops and implements methods to document fisheries, including bycatch of marine mammals and birds FISH CAPTURE fish behaviour and development of capture methods (responsible fishing) MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY chemical pollution

HÅKON MOSBY BUILT: GRT., L.o.a: 47,2 M OWNER: UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN BUILT: GRT. L.o.a: 56,8 M OWNER: NORAD G.M. DANNEVIG BUILT: BGRT. L.o.a: 27,9 M JOHAN HJORT BUILT: GRT. L.o.a: 64,4 M G.O. SARS BUILT: GRT. L.o.a: 77,5 M CRUISE ACTIVITY 2008 VesselDays at Sea G.O. Sars276 Johan Hjort253 Håkon Mosby255 G.M. Dannevig180 Dr. Fridtjof Nansen319 Hans Brattström216 Fangst200 Jan Mayen75 Chartered vessels947 Total2 723 Our most important tools for collecting data on the ecosystem ▶ The research vessels

Reference fleet – important source of data on fisheries Ocean reference fleetCoastal reference fleet

Fishery Dynamics Research Group Research on methods to quantify total catches of fish by species, including bycatch, discard, and unreported catch –Organize data collections from marine fisheries Research on Adaptive management of living marine resources –integrating different data sources and key ecological processes Research on fish taxonomy and biodiversity

Methods for Adaptive Management

Institute of Marine Research A great place to work International work environment –Extensive participation in international research programs –Collaboration with sister institutions worldwide Multi-disciplinary –Biology, oceanography, math, physics, chemistry, IT High scientific standards Combine theoretical studies with at-sea field work

Ambiton We will be international leaders in marine research and advisory services Ambiton We will be international leaders in marine research and advisory services Values All of our work will be based on integrity, pleasure in creative activity, cooperation and respect Values All of our work will be based on integrity, pleasure in creative activity, cooperation and respect Vision Knowledge and advice for rich and clean marine and coastal regions Vision Knowledge and advice for rich and clean marine and coastal regions

Thanks!