WCC 2016 Res 021 - Progress Report

The attached report is the outcome of work initiated on UUU fisheries, particularly in relation to the priority issue of Bycatch that Claudio Campagna and Yvonne Sadovy addressed in our roles as co-Chairs of the Marine Conservation Sub-Committee of the SSC (2013-2016) A major issue identified by marine Specialist Groups across many marine species was that of 'bycatch' (in its various forms such as discards, incidental catch, non-target catch, etc.) as a threat both directly and indirectly to a wide range of marine species. In the context of this resolution the South China Sea catches of (mainly) fish that are predominantly used for fish feed are un-selective, largely unsustainable and unmonitored (UUU) however this report covers a major region of the world, the South China Sea (Southeast Asia and East China Sea), where this kind of UUU fishing is very heavy and is a serious and growing problem for biodiversity. As such it is a significant contribution, through field work in China and Vietnam and desk top study of the current status and challenges of UUU associated with trawler fishing in the region.
The issue of catches for fish feed is being considered within China in relation to a more sustainable approach to developing the marine economy. These discussions are ongoing by the Chinese government and scientists.