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Fishing activity near offshore pipelines, 2017-2021

Within this study, we quantify the amount of fishing effort that is allocated at, or close to, a selection of pipelines by Dutch bottom fishing vessels. In the quantification, measures of uncertainty in the data collected that represents fishing activity, are directly implemented. The final product is a shapefile for the period 2017-2021, containing the pipeline trajectories including a buffer area, and the associated fishing effort and -intensity within these areas at a aggregation level of approximately 3800 m 2 (68m by 56m) grid cells. The results from this study show that the fishing activity in 2017-2021 of the beam trawl fleet are most relevant in the study area, and that fishing activity of otter trawlers, dredges and shrimp trawl is minimal, except for the area closest to land where shrimp trawl is present. The beam trawlers account for more than 95% of all fishing effort in the study area. From a risk perspective, these gears may be more important than otter trawlers or shrimp trawls too, as they tow heavy gears over the seafloor while otter trawlers and shrimp trawls tow much smaller metal plates and beams over the seabed at lower speeds, limiting the amount of pipeline surface they can damage. The results suggest no obvious avoidance strategy for pipelines is in place. The distribution of VMS pings in close vicinity of the pipelines is similar to areas further away from the pipelines. No direct ‘attraction’ of fishing activity to pipelines could be observed either, but indications of this would require further in-depth analyses.