Image: Ministeries van EZK / FIS

Code of conduct for the shrimp chain

Martin Scholten, principle advisor for Wageningen University & Research recommends developing a code of conduct for the shrimp chain to secure the industry's future as a respected and reliable partner.

Photo: duurzame-noordzee-garnaal

The entire shrimp sector – supply, auction and processing – asked Scholten last month to help with a realistic plan for the future. Due to ongoing discussions about ecological impact and on top of that the imposed need to reduce nitrogen deposition, these are turbulent and uncertain times for shrimp fishing. The future is at stake. Currently, fishing is only possible and permitted in trusted Natura 2000 waters through a tolerance decision. And that tolerance decision issued by the government is being challenged by social organizations.

Last Wednesday, representatives of all producer organizations, fish auctions and trade met with advisor Scholten in the so-called Shrimp Consultation about the route to keep the fisheries licensed. Scholten advises constructive consultation, emphatically not a legal battle.

“It is about a meritorious future for entrepreneurs who are also prepared to invest if that is desirable in order to retain a permit. So indeed: being prepared to adjust the fishery, further minimizing impact and by-catches, but at the same time also receiving guarantees that good catch specifications remain accessible,'' says Scholten.

Six years ago, civil society organizations were optimistic when the shrimp fishermen received a new license under the Nature Conservation Act. And now the tolerance decision for and the appropriate assessment of the shrimp fishermen are being challenged. Why is that tilted?

Scholten could not be very specific on Wednesday. Words are carefully chosen. But he is thinking of developing a code of conduct, which would also show that fishermen, for example, are willing to take care of the seabed and nature in word and deed. “Fishermen will have to gain confidence by showing that you are of good will, not only on paper and according to the rules, but above all in practice. Say what you do, and do what you say. You can also be held accountable for that, and you will also have to address each other within the shrimp world. There is only room for serious, careful entrepreneurship, and no longer for entrepreneurship that pushes the boundaries.”

<-- Photos: visserijnieuws / vissnerij

This code of conduct as a basis for consultation with the government and social organizations does not only apply to the suppliers, but to the entire shrimp chain, including the auctions, processors and trade.

Scholten thinks it is important to share the insight that shrimp fishing is a relatively small-scale fishery with family businesses that can adapt and is willing to do so if given the opportunity. “Simply closing areas for fishing and compensating for this by buying out fishing capacity is no way to a profitable, sustainable shrimp fishery. This does not benefit the fishermen who want to continue, but it also does not do justice to the knowledge we have about the diversity of the sea. Both in terms of nature and fishing area. With common sense, the two can be connected, by also leaving each other space from perspectives for sustainable fisheries and nature restoration'', describes Scholten.

Don't linger

On the part of fishermen, Scholten hopes and expects that people will not get stuck in terms of dissatisfaction, impotence and unlawfulness against imposed restrictions. “Because such an attitude will ultimately also lead to less understanding of shrimp fishing among governments and social organizations. No, we see a sustainable and meritorious future with the Shrimp Council, and that should be the basis for the consultation. However understandable the emotions and sentiments may be, I do have reservations about and concerns about signals from the shrimp fishermen. We should not beat the bottom of a good and respectful consultation, as if it no longer makes sense to work towards a sustainable future of shrimp fishing. That is precisely what we need to reverse. From the socio-economic and cultural value of shrimp fishing for Lauwersoog/Zoutkamp, Harlingen, Wieringen, Texel, Goeree-Overflakkee and Zeeland, it is worth every effort!''

Principles

Scholten Wednesday afternoon after the Shrimp Council:

“There is a good basis for winning trust and favor in discussions with government and civil society organizations and for developing the future together instead of negotiating restrictions".

Source: visserijnieuws

The starting point of the code of conduct is a meritorious prospect for fishing in a natural sea with valuable prospects.

With the basic principles:

• Care for the seabed and nature,
• Room to do business appropriately and to innovate for that purpose,
• And give and receive trust

Source: visserijnieuws (translated from the original in Dutch)

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