Opinion – ‘Clean’ (sustainability)

Sustainability is assessed for three, non-additive, criteria, drawing upon the evaluations of others and our own time spent on board. The first, stock status is considered against the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, particularly the Guideline Indicators for Sustainable development. Similarly, the second criteria, gear selectivity, and third, wider environmental impact also use, as their starting point FAO information on the selectivity and wider environmental impact of different fishing methods, and then draw upon regional and local information.

We also give an indication of how controversial the scores given here may be. We welcome feedback on this.

1. Stock Status.

For reasons outside the control of the Beans, the fishery overall scores 2 – poor for stock status, which is likely to be the best stock status score currently attainable for many UK fisheries, including those that we support (for the reasons why, see here).

This means that the species that make up the bulk of their landings are not believed to be in danger of stock collapse (i.e they are above the presumed ‘limit reference point’) but no target reference point consistent with the FAO Code and guideline Sustainability Indicators have been set.

This is complicated by the diversity of species in the south-west, and the scarcity of formal (or indeed any) stock assessments for many of them. In addition it is not simply a matter of looking at

totals - a species in trouble might make up only a small part of the catch, but could add up to a significant problem multiplied across many boats. On the other hand many fisheries may catch occasional individuals of such species, but the major responsibility for the problem may clearly lie with another fishery, or indeed some other factor, such as climate fluctuations or change.

The table shows the species caught by the Beans, and the ICES and MCS FishOnline assessments for the local stock status (there are no MSC fisheries in the area with relevant information).