Examining Changes in Irish Fishing Practices in Response to the Cod Long-Term Plan

In 2009, there were marked changes in Irish demersal fishing effort owing to the implementation of a new cod long-term plan (CLTP). This replaced previous top-down cod recovery plans, first implemented in 2002, that set days-at-sea limits for fishing vessels. The new plan specifies a harvest control rule, annual effort ceilings for EU Member States, and rules for adapting fishing effort. It encourages cod avoidance, but leaves Member States to allocate effort between individual vessels. During 2009, effort was allocated through a series of pilot schemes in Ireland. These can be considered as an evolution towards co-management. Industry and state authorities worked closely together to develop strategies for effort management and cod avoidance. The impact of recent effort-management measures on the Irish fleet, fishery, and metiers affected by the CLTP is evaluated. Vessel movements within and between metiers are described and discussed, and unintended impacts resulting from the implementation of management schemes are highlighted. In future, possible fishers' responses to policy initiatives should be considered prior to implementation to minimize potentially adverse consequences.