New Challenges and Opportunities facing Marine Fisheries Science CONFERENCE VIDEO

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• published: 13 Sep 2012
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A short docu-film showing highlights from the conference "New Challenges and Opportunities facing Marine Fisheries Science" which presented new thinking in the science and management of fisheries which was held at Fishmongers' Hall, London, on Monday 31st October 2011. These are critical times for fishery science following proposals from the European Commission for a reformed Common Fisheries Policy reaffirming that all fish stocks must be brought to sustainable levels by 2015, whilst insisting that fisheries management must be based on sound scientific advice and must follow the ecosystem and precautionary approach. The reformed CFP will establish clear obligations for Member States regarding the collection and availability of data. It also notes that science-industry partnerships should be encouraged. This means that greater reliance will be placed on observations and data provided by the fishing industry. To discuss these and other challenges and opportunities in marine fisheries science, this international conference was held which attracted an impressive array of speakers including keynote speaker Sir John Beddington, the UK Government Chief Scientist. We were also honoured to be joined by Commissioner Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries who delivered an update on the discussions taking place in Brussels. Other speakers included Dr Carl O'Brien and Dr. Steve Mackinson from Cefas; Professor Ray Hilborn from the University of Washington; Free-lance fisheries consultant Scientist Dr Menakem Ben Yami; Professor David Sims of the Marine Biological Association, Professor Chris Frid of University of Liverpool, Professor Ciaran Kelly of the Marine Institute in Galway, Dr Beth Scott Univerfrom the University of Aberdeen and Phil MacMullen of Seafish. Dr Colin Bannister formerly Head of Fisheries at Cefas, summed up proceedings by leading a thought-provoking discussion as the closing talk. The conference was attended by a range of stakeholders including scientists, decision-makers, environmental organisations and the food service sector.