European Sustainable Fishing debate.

Let's talk about sustainable fishing. We should also say sustainable fisheries, because you see that there is indeed no universal criterion for defining once and for all how to protect all oceans and seas.

Those who think that sustainable fishing is a simple trick to implement must take into account the fact that fish have the annoying habit of moving without regard to borders.

A billion people depend on fish in Asia Pacific

To find one's way, I propose three simple principles. The first, rather intuitive, is based on the state of the stock and on the ability of a species to reproduce in the best conditions, without the stock becoming depleted or, worse, tends to disappear. Obviously this criterion is different depending on the species and the maritime areas concerned. To take a simple example: one billion people depend on fish in the Asia-Pacific as a source of protein, and the region concentrates 80% of fishers and farms. The control of the situation is therefore much more sensitive to this geopolitical scale than in Europe.

Second parameter, largely as complicated to control: the environmental impact. For example, it is verified that fisheries limit their use of fossil fuels, sort their waste, provide the crew with good living conditions on board, employment, training and safety and pollute little.

Finally, biodiversity must be preserved and the survival of a species must not, for example, lead to the destruction of a coral reef.

It will be understood that protecting the oceans is the crossroads of multiple parameters that must, moreover, necessarily be shared on an international level. And in fact, I would say that beyond the institutions, only the sum of the investments and the energies of humans who are convinced and committed can protect the oceans.

From consumer to committed actors

In these conditions, the consumer can become engaged actors! But he will have to be very attentive and creative. Attentive, first at the time of purchase, since according to a survey published shortly before Christmas by the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir , a large part of the fish present today on the stalls of supermarkets are not from sustainable fisheries, including cod, sole and bass. And even if some major players in the mass market have set to work to become virtuous, we are talking about 2022 or even 2025 objectives. The consumer would therefore be well advised to take an interest in two reliable labels today. : the French eco-label "Sustainable Fisheries" and the international MSC label for Marine Stewardship Council.

But the most active and effective solution is CO-KING! Why ? Well to stop consuming the same thing all the time. So let's tackle some horse mackerel, conger, gurnard, mullet or cuttlefish recipes and make sure it's the right season to buy them. How? And by downloading the most effective free application that is: Mister Goodfish created in 2002 on an associative and European basis and which is summarised by: Good for the sea, good for you!



From an article by Pierre Hivernat, Director of the editor of Alimentation Générale at FranceCulture.

CFPO Episode 3 - Brackan

The backbone to sustainable fishing is strong, accurate science. Here at the CFPO we welcome scientists on board our vessels to help build a clearer picture of the health of our fish stocks. Although many fishermen were mistrustful of the work carried out by scientists involved in fisheries research many have now come to see that without accurate data the industry as a whole cannot fight those organisations who seek to curtail their fishing effort in the light of biased data taken from third party agencies. There are over 7000 UK fishing vessels - each one is potentially capable of contributing to a national bank of fishing data - citizen science is the most cost effective and efficient way to empower the industry.

Come and hear once such advocate for citizen science as skipper Brackan along with researcher, 'Spike' Searle aboard the Spirited Lady III both give us a glimpse of life on an over-10m fishing vessel and explain why sustainability and science are so important.

CFPO film prodiced by Nina Constable Media (https://www.ninaconstable.co.uk/) & Mindfully Wired Communications (https://www.mindfullywired.org/).

CFPO video number two - Cadgwith Cove's ever-smiling Danny Phillips tells all.

Danny Phillips is the second in the CFPO film series. Today, we make our way into the heart of Cadgwith cove where fishermen rely on each other to keep 16th century fishing traditions alive.  Cadgwith should figure on anyone's Lizard itinerary - an eclectic mix of centuries old cove working practices woven together by cliff paths, a boat-strewn beach and superbly run pub in the form of the Cadgwith Arms.