ICES Advice 2009, Book 9 1

9.3.2.1 NEAFC request to continue to provide all available new information on distribution of vulnerable habitats in the NEAFC Convention Area and fisheries activities in and in the vicinity of such habitats

NEAFC requests ICES to continue to provide all available new information on distribution of vulnerable habitats in the NEAFC Convention Area and fisheries activities in and in the vicinity of such habitats. ICES Response: Westwards extension to North West Rockall closure In 2007, ICES advised a revision to the current demersal fishing closure on NW Rockall (NEAFC Recommendation IX 2008, EC Regulation No 40/2008), on the basis of new cold water coral data collected by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in collaboration with the Scottish Government Fisheries Research Services and the University of Plymouth. New fisheries data have now been made available to ICES for the Rockall Bank area, originating from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (see Figure 9.3.2.1.1). This Scottish VMS data shows all vessels (both Scottish and international) which entered Scottish waters between 2007 and 2008. The VMS records were filtered by gear (bottom trawling) and speed, so that only vessels travelling between 2-4 knots are shown (note that this filter may include some vessels travelling slowly in the area, but not fishing). The data do not include vessels that did not enter Scottish waters, and therefore an absence of VMS data in the NEAFC Management Area (beyond 200 miles) does not necessarily mean an absence of trawling activity. These data were used to review the proposal to extend the NEAFC/EU closure of NW Rockall Bank (as advised by ICES in 2007). These areas are shown in blue hatch in Figure 9.3.2.1.1. The existing demersal fishing closure boundary is shown in red. Records of cold water corals (collated by OSPAR, but using information provided by ICES) are also shown in Figure 9.3.2.1.1. The VMS data were used in conjunction with information provided by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) on Scottish vessel activity in the area and likely benthic habitat distribution within the proposed extension. No new scientific surveys of benthic habitats on Rockall Bank have taken place since 2008.

2 ICES Advice 2009, Book 9

Figure 9.3.2.1.1 Fishing activity over Rockall Bank during 2007 and 2008, for those vessels which landed catch in

Scottish ports. The proposed extension can be broken down into three sections (A, B and C) as indicated on Figure 9.3.2.1.1. Section A of proposed extension: UK surveys in 2005/2006 indicated the presence of biogenic reef in this area. Fishermen’s records of suspected reef locations (see ICES advice 2007) also appear to support boundary extension here. Scottish VMS data and discussion between ICES experts and a representative of the Scottish fishing industry suggest that this area is now subject to considerable demersal fishing effort. Coral communities are therefore likely to have been damaged in this area. Section B of proposed extension: Fishermen’s records of suspected reef locations (see ICES Advice 2007) appeared to support some degree of boundary extension in 2007. No additional coral records (negative or positive) from scientific surveys are available. Discussion in 2007 between ICES experts and a representative of the Scottish fishing industry suggested coral presence in this area, probably explaining the absence of VMS records in this section. Subsequent discussion in 2009 between ICES experts and a representative of the Scottish fishing industry now suggests that the seabed in much of this section may be deep mud, not coral. The VMS records that are available indicate that limited trawling occurs along the outside edge of the existing closure boundary. Section C of proposed extension: Historic records supported the proposed boundary extension advised by ICES in 2007. New Scottish VMS data suggests some demersal trawling in this southern part of the proposed extension. ICES notes the contradictory data provided on potential coral distribution and fishing activities in the proposed extension area to the west of the current Rockall closure over the last four years. Further data on coral distribution is required to refine the boundary of this proposed extension. In the absence of this data, ICES advises that should NEAFC or the European Union wish to take a precautionary approach to conserving possible coral habitat, then the area proposed for closure in 2007 (particularly sections B and C, which do not appear to have sustained much trawling activity as yet) be closed to demersal fishing activity. ICES notes that the VMS tracks used in providing this advice also appear to show that trawling is occurring within the boundary in the north, north-west and south-east of the current closure.

A B

C

ICES Advice 2009, Book 9 3

East Rockall closure In 2007 ICES advised that a decision over a proposed closure at East Rockall Bank be postponed until further information was available on this area of complex seabed substrate. Information on this area, based on UK Government surveys of the area in 2005/2006, has subsequently been published that showed that this area supported patches of intact Lophelia pertusa reef along with a mixed substratum of boulders, cobbles and pebbles, and exposed bedrock. VMS records from 2002 had indicated considerable demersal fishing over East Rockall, although in contrast, 2005 records suggested little trawling activity in this area. New VMS data have now been made available to ICES for the Rockall Bank area, originating from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (Figure 9.3.2.1.1). This data indicates active demersal fishing by vessels entering Scottish waters between 2007 and 2008 over significant areas of East Rockall bank. Some sections targeted by trawlers coincide with coral records from 2005/06 surveys; however, areas towards the eastern and western edges of the boundary appear to support corals that are less likely to have affected by demersal trawling operations. ICES considers that there remains sufficient justification for a closure to protect coral reefs on East Rockall, though modifications to the boundary proposed in 2007 would need to be made in light of this new fisheries data. In addition, ICES has been informed that a scientific survey commissioned by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) on the distribution of EC Habitats Directive Annex I reef habitat (bedrock, stony and biogenic reef) is planned over East Rockall (and Anton Dohrn seamount) in summer 2009. ICES recommends that a decision on a closure at East Rockall should continue to be deferred until analysis of the data to be collected in 2009 is completed. Source of Information ICES. 2009. Report of the ICES-NAFO Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC), 9–13 March 2009. ICES CM 2009/ACOM:23.