WSNL 1997-2

Recommendation and Conclusions of the Seminar on Co-management

Cooperation in Management of the North Sea and Wadden Sea Fisheries

Groningen, The Netherlands, January 9 and 10, 1997

RECOMMENDATION Co-management should be given proper attention and an important role in the policy process at all levels (local, regional and national) and in all aspects of integrated management of fisheries and marine environment. CONCLUSIONS OF THE SEMINAR 1. The management of fisheries, in general, suffers from insufficient results, notably in sustaining both fish stocks and the wider marine ecosystem in the North Sea and Wadden Sea. 2. There are several reasons for the insufficient results of the fisheries management. Three of the most important reasons are: - the lack of support of the users of the system for management, - the limited possibilities of influencing it, - the lack of inclusion of environmental aspects in management. 3. In the current state of European fisheries, co-management is not an option; it is a necessity. 4. Definition of co-management: Co-management implies the involvement of stakeholders in the making and implementation of decisions about the management of fishery resources. It has two main ingredients: consultation and delegation. Consultation between the central administration and the user groups over the contents of the management strategy and the delegation of specific management functions to responsible user group organizations. But, neither of these is sufficient on its own. It requires a more holistic approach and a more closely integrated relationship between the administration and the fishing industry and other stakeholders, in which there is a commitment to cooperation and co-responsibility throughout the policy process. 5. In relation to the responsibility towards the society and its citizens on issues that they find relevant s.a. environmental aspects, co-management should lead to effectiveness of keeping stocks alive and taking away fears. Co-management should strive for an integrated approach, besides providing for consensus and legitimacy. 6. Co-management is a "state of mind" shared by government and user groups alike; as such, it cannot simply be legislated into being. The development of this state of mind is an essential, but difficult, and time consuming process. 7. Co-management is, at the moment, only practiced as fishery management systems on a national or local level. For the supranational level, co-management has to be developed further. 8. In reality, there are no examples of pure self-management in the Wadden Sea fisheries. It is, therefore, recommended to use the term "co-management" for both cooperation in management of the North Sea and the Wadden Sea fisheries. 9. The consultation phase is a very important element. It is the basis for commitment to and compliance with regulations and is, in that way, a basis for the co-management process. Governmental authorities should initiate the consultation phase by inviting all the relevant parties to the table in a sphere of social equity and based on integrated policies. It is essential that the process be transparent and proper timing be chosen. The agenda with the setting of goals and targets must be made clear. Also, attention must be given towards the criteria by which that system can be evaluated. 10. Co-management concerns in the consultation phase as well as in the delegation phase, representation of stakeholders and independent experts and also representation of environmental organizations. 11. In the co-management systems that are practiced, the range of sanctions of the government, in case of infringements of regulations, may be too limited. This is, also, the case with the capacity of the usergroup organizations to discipline their members. 12. It is a matter of discussion whether co-management can do without user rights (individual transferable quotas). The establishment of user rights and control as a prerequisite for an efficient co-management is suggested. 13. A co-management plan should be respected for the time set, by all interest groups. 14. Although legislation is not the same in the European countries, there is, at the moment, no zero-point situation. There are common principles and directives and, also, a history of talks and meetings, so, generally, there is a basis for starting co-management projects. Particularly in the Wadden Sea, the overall goal which has already been agreed upon is the development of the areas as a nature area. That means that fisheries have to be integrated in the ecosystem management. 15. The present system in the Dutch Wadden Sea includes the consultation and the delegation phase of the co-management instrument. In the delegation phase, the environmental organizations are not included. The present systems in the Danish and German Wadden Sea include only some elements of the consultation phase. 16. To develop a proper co-management plan, application of the following principles are required: - identification of stakeholders and their responsibilities, - management system must have clear policy objectives, - identification of criteria by which the success of management/policy can be evaluated.

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