Olrac-RTI : a new and operational apprach to holistic management of fisheries for multiple commericial species and ecosystem objectives : Part 1

The recently proposed Real-Time Incentives (RTI) fisheries management approach (http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/69/4/590) integrates mixed-fisheries targets and ecosystem objectives into a single „currency? for management measures. In this approach, fishermen would be allocated fishing-impact credits, called RTIs, to spend according to spatiotemporally varying tariffs, replacing the conventional landings quota. RTI-quotas and tariffs would be based on commercial stock and ecosystem targets, using a tested algorithm so that the spatiotemporal tariffs reflect our understanding of the exploited ecosystem. The fisherman could dynamically choose how to spend his RTIs, e.g. by limited fishing in sensitive areas and fishing longer in less sensitive areas. The RTI-tariffs would be gear and vessel-type specific. Olrac SPS has developed and manufactured a complete electronic logbook and vessel tracking and data recording and reporting system (Dynamic Data Logger, DDL) linked to an onshore data management system (Dynamic Data Manager, DDM). Olrac SPS is now developing a customised version of DDL-DDM to suit the requirements of the RTI approach. The system will provide the onboard software with the up-to-date tariff maps. Once a fishing trip has started the Olrac DDL will record the time the vessel spent in each of predefined RTI management rectangles. This information will be sent to the Olrac DDM and will be used together with any available VMS data to automatically calculate the amount of RTIs utilised by the vessel during its fishing trip. This amount will then be automatically deducted from the vessel?s annual RTI-account. Olrac DDM will also integrate the vessels? reported catch data from the Olrac DDL vessel units and combine them, using a tested algorithm, to update the spatial tariffs as appropriate, so that the updated tariff maps could reflect our understanding of the exploited ecosystem. Olrac DDM will also provide the managers with detailed and summary reports of RTI uptake and reported catches in time and space. This management approach provides fishermen with a practical and simple management regime, in contrast to the current micro-management.