The 23rd European Association of Fisheries Economists (EAFE) conference, hosted by BIM, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, welcomed over 100 economists, academics, fishermen and policy makers to Dublin Castle today for the second day of this important three day business and networking event from the 25th – 27th April.
Jim O’Toole, BIM’s Chief Executive outlined the importance of this event; ‘BIM is delighted to be hosting this important gathering of eminent International economists. At a time when our fishing industry is adapting to new measures under the Common Fisheries Policy, it is imperative we share the latest research and intelligence in this field to ensure we are successfully managing this valuable industry’
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘The socio-economics of adaptation in EU fisheries: Lessons from the new Common Fisheries Policy…and beyond’. The latest reform of the Common Fisheries Policy introduced strong measures such as the Landing Obligation, maximum sustainable yield for all species by 2020 and regionalisation of fisheries management, among other measures. These policies, along with other events such as Brexit, have the potential to significantly impact the viability of fishing fleets and fishing communities all across Ireland and Europe.
The event provides a forum for Irish and International Fisheries Economists to assess the impact of these events in order to find examples of best-practice in adapting to global challenges and the new institutional setting within EU fisheries.
Delegates will also hear from Sean O’Donoghue, Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Ireland, Gerard van Balsfoort, President of the Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association of Holland and Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations from the UK on the landing Obligation, the European Pelagic Sector and Brexit. The session will also include talks from BIM on gear selectivity adaptation, how qualitative research can improve economic policy uptake and sessions on access to fisheries and fishing rights, quota management in mixed fisheries and impact assessment of management plans.
The third day continues with a range of sessions including aquaculture management and commercialisation and a special discussion focusing on European small-scale fisheries, sponsored by the European Commission.
For more information on the EAFE conference, please visit EAFE Conference 2017. Key talks from the conference will be available on BIM’s website in due course.
Pictured at the 23rd European Association of Fisheries Economists Conference in Dublin Castle, hosted by BIM, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, are: Michael Keatinge, BIM Director of Fisheries Development; Barrie Deas, CEO, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations UK; Jim O’Toole, BIM CEO, Professor Daniel Bromley, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Sean O’Donoghue, CEO, Killybeg’s Fishermans Organisation, Gerard van Balsfoort, Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association; Miguel Pena Castellot, DG Mare; Professor Ragner Arnason, University of Iceland
