Fishermen and other industry representatives from the South West spent over four hours talking through the points on the agenda (below) in order to get the partnership off the ground. The predominant pelagic fishery in the Bristol Channel and Western Approaches is sardines. Many attendees were members of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, who were out in force and hoping that, with their well established MSC Certified Fishery, they will be ahead of the game in creating a successful partnership. The fishery relied heavily on data from the annual Cefas Peltic survey, for which the CSMA is eternally grateful.
During the meeting there was some interest over whether or whether not there was or is a smelt (argentine) fishery in ICES Areas 7e,g and h - it seems not a fish that most fishermen present had ever seen in their nets. Despite their presence in significant numbers, mackerel will be covered by another FMP. One outcome desired by those at the meeting was to ensure that other FMPs impacted on or impacted by should be a part of the discussions going forward. There was a unanimous desire to avoid situations that have occurred in the past where decisions pertaining to fisheries for bass, pollack and crab have caused real hardship on fishermen, not only economic but also social and health wise. Bad decisions have real consequences for fishing communities - in Cornwall a recent report commissioned by the CFPO showed that for every single fisherman at sea there were 15 jobs supported ashore.
The agenda also set out to create a dialogue between the industry, the Welsh Government and the MMO in order to create a pelagic focussed FMP, one of 43 now being created in the UK.
Taking advantage of the historic Kings Arms next to the community hall, many of the attendees continued an informal discussion after the meeting highlighting the value of face-to-face networking with all sectors of the industry, normally based many miles apart!
Why a pelagic FMP?
Fish are a vital resource, and sustainable management practices are crucial to ensure healthy populations for future generations. The Celtic Sea and Western Channel Pelagic FMP will establish evidence-based action plans to achieve this goal. By working together, we can create a plan that considers the needs of the fishery, the health of the ecosystem, and the well-being of coastal communities.
The partnership will hold three in-person meetings over the next year, with the possibility of additional online meetings or visits to local ports. During these meetings, we will:
- Gain a shared understanding of the fisheries, the ecosystem, and the communities they impact.
- Discuss and develop a vision and objectives for the FMP, including potential management options and areas for further research.
- Share knowledge and expertise to ensure all relevant perspectives are considered.
- Actively seek participation from underrepresented groups to ensure a balanced partnership.
- Work collaboratively to develop a draft FMP for submission to Defra and the Welsh Government in 2025.
The partnership are committed to open and transparent communication. Meeting agendas and summaries will be circulated to all partners, and information provided during meetings will be used to inform the FMP.
Emma Plotnek, a director of a fishermen's organization (FITF), attended the meeting, here's a summary of her experience:
- FITF just wants the FMP process to work well for everyone involved..
- FITF supports fishermen leading these meetings in the future.
- The government staff running the meeting did a good job considering fishermen's perspectives.
- This well-resourced team has a chance to develop better practices for future meetings.
- Socializing after the meeting is important for building relationships and trust.
- Everyone involved, despite their differences, shares common goals for healthy fisheries and coastal communities.
