Fishermen needs good science and science needs good fishermen.

Research based on accurate data serves the industry best - Gary and Spike keep that flow of data working for Cefas on the market in Newlyn collecting data daily!

The more closely fishermen work with scientists and other the better they industry will be served in creating a solid working environment that respects the work done by both sides. 

This online survey will help that process by improving and understanding better the needs of those in the fishing industry.

This questionnaire should take no longer than 20 minutes and the data that you provide will be remain anonymous. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between fishermen and the governing and scientific bodies in the fishing industry. To do this you will be asked a series of questions about your role in the fishing industry, your opinion of various governing and scientific bodies, your opinion about various management practices and your interaction with these bodies. This will provide our study with vital information about current issues in the fishing industry and how relationships between fishermen and governing and scientific bodies can be improved for the benefit of all stakeholders.

All information that you provide will remain anonymous, and your details will not be shared in a way that could identify you as an individual.

I'd love to help out, take me to the study please

How some fishermen are creating their own database of catch data to protect their livelihoods,

Despite the setback in this years Fisheries Council TAC carve-up - which must have had both Cefas & Defra spitting feathers that the evidence submitted about SW haddock, way above what is the EU norm, was ignored - there are examples elsewhere that show how fishermen can work together, create and most importantly, own their fishing data to argue their case.

Meet Chris Brown. He’s a Point Judith fisherman, adopting game-changing technology to make his catch more sustainable.

There's always been a lag time between getting accurate catch data to the folks who make catch limit decisions – before fish populations change. And that has a serious impact on fishing stocks. But technology and fishermen are changing all that.

Thanks, Chris McGuire, Capt. Chris Brown, Timothy Mooney for help making this come together! 

Mapping fishing effort: Combining fishermen’s knowledge with satellite monitoring data in English waters

Just published! - bring on the day when fishermen can use mobile technology to easily record fishing effort for the purposes of managing effort and directing management by region for and with the MMO.

Fishing activities are complex and vary greatly across different ports, seasons and gear types. Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are required in the UK only on vessels ≥12 m long (EC No. 1224/2009), which represent 15% of the UK fleet size (MMO, 2014). Prior to 2002, VMS were limited to vessels ≥15 m (10% of UK fleet size). As most fishing vessels are not required to carry VMS there is a paucity of data describing the spatial distribution and intensity of effort by smaller, generally “inshore” fishing vessels at the resolution required for setting Marine Protected Area (MPA) conservation objectives (Hinz et al., 2013).

For more info see the publisher's site here: