Towards a new fisheries effort management system for the Faroe Islands? Controversies around the meaning of fishing sustainability

The Faroe Islands are currently struggling to find their feet in a new context of
globalisation and changing international requirements on fishery management best
practices, as exemplified by United Nations protocols and agreements. We introduce
the Faroese fisheries effort management system for cod, haddock and saithe, which
represents an innovative attempt to tackle the challenges of mixed fisheries by
means of a combination of total allowable effort implemented through days-at-sea
and extensive use of closed or limited access areas. Subsequently, we present and
discuss controversies concerning the system’s ability (or lack thereof) to achieve a
level of fishing effort that produces long-term sustainability. Over the years the
system has proved able to evolve and overcome challenges, and the Faroe Islands
are currently considering adding a proper fisheries management plan to the system
to achieve fishing at maximum sustainable yield. However, finding support for this
plan presents a challenge due particularly to an enduring gap between the perspectives
of scientists and actors in the catching sector. Finally, we outline some actions
that could be taken to reduce the gap and hence facilitate reform of the system:
1) integration of the consultative/advisory process; 2) obtaining tailor-made advice for
the Faroese effort management system from the relevant scientific body; 3) establishment
of a transparent mechanism for monitoring and regulating fishing effort; 4) clarifying
the efficacy of the prevalent system of closed areas