The Malta Independent on Sunday
Conservation biology research in aid of sustainable fisheries and safeguard of marine biodiversity
The second International Fisheries Symposium organised in Cyprus this November saw the contribution of six presentations by the University of Malta’s Conservation Biology Research Group (CBRG-UM). This symposium considered research on marine ecology, fish pathology and population health, impacts from various forms of pollution, the difficulties of artisanal fisheries and the improvement of species selectivity by commercial fisheries to reduce by-catch. Aquaculture of new marine organisms and reducing the impact on surrounding habitats was also considered. The event brought together various scientific stakeholders from different parts of the world.
The CBRG-UM presented research outcomes related to artisanal and recreational fisheries, biodiversity conservation, molecular genetic research applications in better identifying exploited and by-caught species and populations.
Experienced conservation biologist and lead scientist of the CBRG-UM, Dr Adriana Vella, PhD (Cambridge) was invited to be part of the international team composing the symposium’s scientific committee, to chair the whole session on sustainable fisheries and to give the opening session presentation. She was also honoured with an award presented to her in recognition of her scientific contribution to this sector at this international symposium.
Dr Noel Vella, CBRG-UM postdoc and Sandra Agius Darmanin, PhD student supervised by Dr Vella, also presented original research results highlighting how this research group is filling many gaps of knowledge necessary for effective natural re- source management.
Presentations at this event highlighted the decline of various species targeted and valuable to fisheries often due to lack of integrated and well planned management of concurrent anthropogenic maritime activities including diverse fishing efforts. It is clear that the Mediterranean native marine life is under serious threat due to increasing pollution (chemical, plastic, sound and light), resource exploration and extraction, climate change, alien invasive species and larger commercial fisheries activities.
The latter extract diverse species without the necessary best management practices designed around the life-history knowledge gained through research which reveals conditions under which each species and stock may be carefully exploited without depleting it completely. Various presentations also considered effective ways of mitigating overexploitation or waste in the fisheries activities. In fact, increasing selectivity of the catch to earmark only specific species of suitable sizes allowing others to survive and continue to contribute to the marine ecosystem is essential.
Nothing is infinite or indestructible in this incredibly beautiful Mediterranean Sea. A sea that attracts increasing numbers of tourists, cruising, fishing and trading vessels while also being considered an important global hotspot for biodiversity and spawning area for many species. Without immediate and responsible actions these valuable characteristics may be lost. A loss that may be prevented by working closely with conservation researchers to improve integrated coastal and international waters management.
The Mediterranean faces challenges due to the dichotomy between EU member and non-member states surrounding and affecting this sea and its status.
The GFCM is responsible in guiding Mediterranean countries toward sustainable fisheries by playing a crucial role in unifying efforts toward this important target.
This same target was reinforced during the FAO-GFCM high-level conference in Malta, last September, which allowed small-scale fisheries issues to be discussed and shared among various stakeholders prior to the signing of an international agreement on a regional plan involving small-scale fishers and the necessary research too.
The CBRG-UM presented some of its ongoing scientific research work at this event as well to increase awareness on the highly progressive steps being achieved locally in biodiversity conservation research which contributes directly to improving sustainability of fisheries.