Mixed fisheries are a “governance headache” worldwide. NRDC and Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute organized a webinar "EU's exploration in mixed fisheries management: Fleet and Métier-based approach" on July 7, the first-ever introduction of this concept to China. Métiers, commonly utilized in EU, can help address a wide range of issues in mixed fisheries management. 

Small fishing community in Ireland @Claire Moore 

Ms. Claire Moore, the team leader of Demersal Fisheries Assessment and Advice at the Marine Institute in Ireland and former chair of the ICES Working Group on Mixed Fisheries Advice, emphasized the importance of understanding fleets, which are groups of vessels sharing similar characteristics, and métiers, representing operational groups using similar fishing methods to target similar species assemblages. This approach simplifies the complex interactions in mixed fisheries, allowing for structured information that supports modeling and comparison of management scenarios. 

Leading fishery experts from Ocean University of China and Shanghai Ocean University spoke highly of the Métiers introduction, especially as China develops its Total Allowable Catch (TAC) management plan for mixed fisheries. A metier-based approach for TAC management offers a more informed and sustainable way to manage fisheries. The webinar attracted over 130 participants, including policymakers, enforcement officers, scientists, fishery cooperative managers, and NGOs.