Marine spatial planning: fisheries measures in a N2000 area in the Belgian Part of the North Sea

The Belgian Part of the North Sea (BPNS) is a relatively small (3454 km²) and shallow area. Nevertheless, the area is intensively used by a dozen of activities, including aggregate extraction, fisheries, wind energy development, shipping and dredging. In March 2014, Belgium approved a legally binding marine spatial plan (RD 20 March 2014). This plan provides a long term vision for the BPNS, translated into concrete objectives for the period 2014-2020. Within this plan, zones are delineated in which specific rules apply with respect to various human activities. For commercial fisheries, four areas are delineated within the marine protected area “Vlaamse Banken” in which a number of restrictions will be in force. To access the possible consequences of such measures on existing habitats (restoration) and on the fisheries sector (loss of fishing grounds), a detailed overview of fishing activities in the area is required, including fleet dispersion (per state, fishing gear and species), as well as information about the target species over the past 3 years. This information was collected based on VMS & logbook data over the period 2010-2012. The analyses highlighted which métiers will be impacted most by these fisheries measures. Possible conflicts might arise in zone 1 and 2 for the Belgian shrimp fishery, zone 1 for the Dutch shrimp fishery, and zones 2, 3 and 4 for the Dutch beam trawl fishery, Fisheries measures might have an influence on the catches of shrimp, sole, plaice and flounder in the BPNS.

Publication year:2014