Description
Marine fisheries within the France (Channel) England region support approximately 4000 vessels, 27% of the UK and 28% of the French fishing fleets. The regions also host many fishery-dependent communities, with significant input to the local economy and employment rates.
Under current EU policies, including ones set to be drafted into UK legislation, France and England seek to improve sustainable management of marine resources and to build resilience in the face of climate change and increased human activity within these waters.
FISH INTEL will use innovative underwater tracking technology to build a comprehensive picture of fish movements and the habitats individual species prefer.
It will also contribute to a growing amount of data assessing the impact of fishing, climate change and other human activities – such as the development of offshore renewable energy sites and offshore mariculture in the Channel region.
Ultimately, it is hoped the data and research gathered through this project will enable authorities across the region to implement Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) programmes with the aim of enhancing the condition and water quality in these habitats, as well as enabling activities – such as fishing, civil engineering projects and extract industries – to function in a sustainable way.