Research & Development

Innovation

Leading the way

As a leading player in the commercial toothfish industry and as clients of an MSC certified fishery, we are committed to on-going research and development to reduce the impacts of our activities. We do this through funding the certification process and scientific research posts in the Falklands Fisheries Department and NGO’s such as SAERI, and we do it through constant evolving development of better fishing practices.

Our focus has principally been aimed at protection of the stock and other species that may be threatened by our activities, at crew welfare and mitigating our carbon footprint. These are continuously evolving as information is gained and better technologies developed

We are working on meeting the objectives of our 4-year strategic plan that formulated part our last MSC reassessment.

The seven elements of the plan include:

the development of a Habitats strategy
a By-Catch Strategy aimed to reduce all by-catch species, including bait, to below 5% of the total catch
to address perceived weaknesses in our stock assessment modelling as identified in an external review
to develop methods for better stakeholder engagement
to produce a targeted strategy to address the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem, particularly in relation to its trophic function incorporating all relevant specific measures

Take a look at some of our research and development projects

Overall benefits

The habitat of any species is key to its success, and therefore key to ours.

Over the past three years we have been working in collaboration with the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI) to learn more about the habitats that toothfish occupy.

Most recently, Dr Tabitha Pearman, began her project into the impact of longline fishing on benthic habitats through the identification, study and mapping of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) below 600 metres water depth.

There has been little research globally into these types of impacts, and the findings of this particular project will not only be significant for the Falklands longline industry in helping to protect VMEs and the local ecosystem, but will provide a basic framework and knowledge set that will benefit environmental protection globally.

Keep any eye on our News column for more information on Dr. Pearman’s work.

Making Commitments

One of the most predominant causes of unsustainable fishing stocks worldwide, is bycatch – unintentional catches of other marine species.

We have committed to reducing all bycatch species, including bait, to below 5% of the total catch.

Research into the location of “hotspots” of highest major bycatch, hook trials, the move to purchasing bait from MSC certified fisheries, and using the wealth of species data collected over the years to generate stock assessments of major by-catch species (notably grenadier) has led to the development of a by-catch strategy aimed at keeping by-catch to minimum levels in line with best practices

Reducing Danger

Addressing the problem of incidental seabird mortality was for a long time, the primary objective of the company.

Very early in CFL’s history, we knew we needed to reduce the number of seabird mortalities. We successfully resolved this through research, design and strict adherence to seabird-friendly fishing methods.

Partnering with the Falkland Island’s Fisheries Department, and Falklands Conservation, a National Plan of Action for Seabirds was developed in the early 2000’s, which was one of the first national responses globally to the incidental mortality problem.

The Falklands, at the forefront of seabird-friendly fishing, have lit a beacon for other fishing nations to follow.

Dr. Euan Dunn of RSPB

Prevention

We use and develop leading ways to reduce the risks to seabirds

Longlining fishing activity an present a serious danger to seabirds. They are attracted by the bait and the fish being hauled on board and there is a risk of them getting caught on the baited hooks and drowned. Worldwide concern for the decline in petrel and albatross populations has led to significant changes in fishing practices which are relatively simple and can be 100% effective in avoiding seabird mortalities:

Weights

Weights: these are placed along the line, helping it sink much faster during setting operations meaning seabirds have no time to target the baited hooks before they disappear beneath the surface.

Tori Lines

These consist of long lines with streamers attached deployed from the stern of the vessel which are towed along behind the boat during setting. The streamers ring-fence the hooked longlines and so discourage the birds from attacking the line.

Hook Removal and Disposal

We ensure that the crew are alert and properly trained in the factory to remove any hooks caught in the discards and to dispose of them properly preventing birds from getting hooked when feeding off the discards from the vessel.

Brickle Curtain

A simple mechanism around the hauling area consisting of rope lines connecting poles at right-angles to the vessel, preventing birds from becoming hooked as the line is winched up from the seabed. The device was developed by a former employee at CFL, Dr Paul Brickle, and is now used on vessels around the world

Looking Forward

Toothfish is one of the most valuable assets the Falkland Islands own. It is our responsibility, as a company, as part of our nation, to ensure that generations to come may benefit from it as we have.

As a long-lived species toothfish is vulnerable and its survivability could go into terminal decline if not well-managed and well-protected.

Key to that process is understanding its place in the ecosystem and having the information about its life-cycle, biology, distribution, migrations, stock structure and demography needed to refine strategic protective measures.

You can find out more about the research being conducted on the the biology and ecology of the toothfish, and their status, at the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department.

Toothfish Research Projects Update 2020Download 704 KB