University of Malta webinar on ecosystem-based fisheries management

On Tuesday 8 October, the Department of Economics at the University of Malta in collaboration with the Work in Progress Seminar Series (WIPSS) will host a webinar titled “Public Perceptions of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management.” This event will highlight key findings emerging from research conducted by an international team of academics, led by Professor Marie Briguglio from the Department of Economics, as part of the EcoScope Project.

EcoScope (Ecocentric Management for Sustainable Fisheries and Healthy Marine Ecosystems) is a Horizon 2020 project that began in September 2021 and will continue until August 2025. The project aims to develop an array of accessible online tools that will serve as a support system for decision-makers and stakeholders, promoting the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) policies across the European Union (EU) and beyond.

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) promotes a more holistic and integrated approach to managing marine resources by recognizing the physical, biological, economic, and social trade-offs characterising the fisheries sector. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches, which often focus solely on stock assessments, EBFM calls for a comprehensive approach that integrates precautionary principles and broad stakeholder participation to maintain ecosystem integrity. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration to fill gaps in knowledge about ecosystem dynamics, including human impacts, and to develop decision-support tools for more effective fisheries management.

A core pillar of EcoScope’s research is understanding public perceptions and societal needs regarding fisheries management. In this context, surveys were conducted  across three European countries—the UK, Bulgaria, and Malta—gathering data from over 500 respondents in each country between September 2022 and August 2023.

The survey explored a wide range of topics, including fish consumption, food security, perceptions of fisheries' environmental impact, and preferences for ecosystem-based fisheries policies. It also examined the relationship between exposure to marine environments, fish consumption, and overall well-being. Additionally, experimental survey techniques were used to assess how much consumers value fishery products with EBFM attributes and the effect of knowledge about fishery exploitation on well-being. This webinar will provide insights for integrating socio-economic factors and stakeholder views into the fishery management process.

For more information about EcoScope, visit the project’s website at https://ecoscopium.eu/. The webinar is open to the general public, and those interested can register by emailing [email protected]. This event is also part of Malta’s Sustainable Development Action Days, running from 18th September to 8th October 2024, in support of European Sustainable Development Week.