Keeping a finger on pulse fishing.

Brexiteers hail new law despite not needing to be outside EU to implement it.

As the UK officially completed its exit from the European Union late on New Year’s Eve, Brexiteers hailed a new domestic law implemented by Boris Johnson’s government that immediately bans EU fishermen from “pulse fishing” in UK waters.

“Excellent that [Defra] has banned pulse fishing in UK waters from 11:00pm yesterday,” Conservative MP David Jones tweeted on Friday. “A good example of the environmental, conservation and welfare improvements we can make after leaving the EU.”

Brexiteer and former MEP Martin Daubney tweeted: “A superb early win for the UK, as pulse fishing is banned from British waters the very minute we left the EU.”

However, despite the suggestion Britain’s exit released the country from the shackles of unwanted European fishing rules, the truth appears rather different.

What is pulse fishing?

With today's news that pulse fishing has been banned in UK waters we look back at a time six years ago when it was thought to be the way forward ticking all the right sustainable and environmental boxes...

 

This video was made six years ago.

The practice, which is controversial among environmentalists, sees electrical pulses being sent into the seawater to flush out bottom-dwelling fish like plaice and sole, causing them to swim into the path of trawl nets. 

Its backers say it is a friendlier alternative to beam trawling, where a large net is dragged across the ocean floor, destructively scooping up everything in its path. But its opponents say pulse trawling can fatally injure other species, which may not be part of the target catch.

Could the UK have banned pulse fishing earlier?

While timing the law to coincide with Britain’s exit gave the government a timely PR boost, the fact is such a law could have been implemented without ever leaving the EU.

France, which very much remains a member, banned pulse fishing within its territorial waters in the summer of 2019, months after the EU reached a deal enabling member states to immediately ban the practice within their coastal waters.

The move came amid anger among French fishermen, who said the practice by their Dutch counterparts – who pioneered the practice – leads to unsustainable stock depletions. What’s pulse fishing’s legal status in the EU? While Britain lags behind France in banning pulse fishing, it is only marginally ahead of the EU itself, which is set to implement its own ban in July, though it will apparently allow an exemption for six boats following pressure from the Dutch fishing industry. The bloc had previously allowed member states to equip up to five per cent of their vessels with pulse fishing equipment.

Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal leaves fishermen feeling betrayed and ‘sold out’

For fishermen from Cornwall to Scotland, EU membership and the decline of fishing go hand in hand. They voted for Brexit in droves. For these fishermen, Boris Johnson’s current rhetoric is galling and the feeling of betrayal is all around.

From the boats in Newlyn, England’s biggest fishing port by tonnage landed, to the fishermen’s cottages perched above the harbour, the feeling of betrayal is all around

For England’s fishermen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal is a betrayal because it allows some European Union (EU) boats continued access to Britain’s rich inshore coastal waters.

Johnson, who led the 2016 Brexit campaign, cast the Christmas Eve trade deal as a way to take back control of the United Kingdom’s destiny including as an “independent coastal state with full control of our waters.”

But in Newlyn, an ancient Cornish fishing port as far from London as Paris, there is anger that Johnson has let EU boats continue plying the rich 6-12 nautical mile inshore fishing zone.

“Boris the betrayer has slayed us and we won’t forget,” Phil Mitchell, the 51-year-old skipper of the 23-metre Govenek of Ladram, told Reuters aboard the boat. “We had the opportunity to actually take back control and we’ve passed it up.”

“They were happy to use us for their campaign and when push has come to shove, we’ve had the shove and we’ve been dumped on from a great height,” said Mitchell, a Brexit supporter who says a historic opportunity has been squandered yet again by leaders 290 miles (470 km) away in London.

From the boats in Newlyn, England’s biggest fishing port by tonnage landed, to the fishermen’s cottages perched above the harbour, the feeling of betrayal is all around.

The anger gives an insight into the motivations of the frenzied five-year Brexit crisis and the limits of the settlement that Johnson has tried to impose after the United Kingdom’s tempestuous 48-year liaison with the EU.

“We’ve been sold out,” said David Stevens, 46-year-old skipper of the 24.5 metre Crystal Sea twin-rig demersal trawler. “The most galling kick in the teeth for us is the continued access for EU vessels inside the 12-mile limit.”

“The industry was used as a pawn all the way through - held up as the reason to be leaving - yet they have thrown us under the bus,” said Stevens.

‘Brexit betrayal’

The cry of taking back control of British waters helped Brexiteers such as Johnson win the 2016 referendum in which 52 percent of the United Kingdom voted to leave.

For fishermen from Cornwall to Scotland, EU membership and the decline of fishing go hand in hand. They voted for Brexit in droves.

The United Kingdom’s fishing fleet has halved over the past 30 years to below 6,000 boats from more than 11,000. More than half of the UK fleet was built before 1991. The United Kingdom - surrounded by sea - is a net importer of fish.

The fishermen in Newlyn said they were betrayed by in 1973 when Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath led the United Kingdom into the European project, and that they are being betrayed on the way out too.

“In 1973, Ted Heath, he sacrificed fishing to get the deal to go into Europe,” said Stevens, a Brexit supporter who fishes for lemon sole, ray, and turbot. “Coming out of Europe, Boris has done the same, but it’s worse this time.” Johnson’s deal with the EU secures British trade with the bloc free of tariffs and quotas on goods, vital for industries much larger than fishing. But fish were among the final issues to be hammered out, with the EU negotiating hard on behalf of politically influential coastal communities in France and other countries that have fished British waters for centuries.

Johnson said the deal increases the quota for British fishermen equal to 25% of the value of the EU catch in UK waters, and will be phased in over 5 years.

“I can assure great fish fanatics in this country, we will, as a result of this deal, be able to catch and eat quite prodigious quantities of extra fish,” Johnson said on December 24 about the deal.

While the government has said some EU vessels will have access to some UK territorial waters for the 5-year adjustment period, fishermen said in practise EU boats will retain the rights forever.

Given the complexity of the deal texts, even maritime lawyers are uncertain of the full details. The agriculture ministry declined to immediately clarify the 12-mile limit rules.

For the fishermen, Johnson’s rhetoric is galling.

“Absolutely stomached - gutted to the core,” said Mitchell of Johnson’s deal which he said has given France what it wanted over fish.

“You sold us out - don’t lie to us,” said Stevens. “Just own up. Just tell us as it is: you sold us out. Don’t lie to us. If that was for the better of the country then fine - but just admit it.”

Fishermen suspect Johnson traded fish for other issues. While fishing alone contributed just 0.03% of British economic output, or 0.1% of UK GDP if processing is included, for the fishing communities of Britain it is a lifeline and a way of life that goes back thousands of years.

Excluding foreign vessels from the 6-12 mile limit was a ‘red line’ for fishermen as the coastal area is considered a nursery, both for fish and for fishermen learning the trade.

“All the optimism has gone - we’ve had four years of hoping we will get our fisheries back,” said Stevens. “Boris has betrayed us and it lies at his door - he owns it.”

Reuters | Posted by Ayshee Bhaduri

Cornish fishermen betrayed by Boris’ Brexit deal - Paul Trebilcock speaks on behalf of the CFPO.

 

"and it came to pass"

The Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation shares its reaction to the UK’s Brexit trade deal.

On Tuesday 29th December members of the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO) met to discuss the long-awaited Brexit trade deal. Despite the UK Government hailing the deal as a success, Cornish fishermen have been left feeling betrayed by Boris Johnson, as it now appears key promises made to the industry have been broken.

Paul Trebilcock, CEO of the CFPO - representing the interests of hundreds of fishermen across Cornwall - explains why his members have been left reeling from the deal:

“We’ve had our expectations continually raised by the Prime Minister, and MPs, for years now. Promises of full and absolute control of our waters and better fishing opportunities have been made time and time again only to be shattered at the final moment. For Government to say this is a good deal is hugely disappointing, it is certainly not the deal we were led to believe we would receive, and it has left Cornish fishermen feeling angry and insulted.”

Cornish fishermen were clear from the outset that the outcome of any Brexit deal would be measured against clearly defined priorities that were understood and agreed by the UK government.

Control of our waters

Full and absolute control of UK waters out to 200 miles (or the median line) was a stated objective for the UK. However, within the final deal, EU access to UK fishing grounds will, in effect, remain the same as now for a minimum of five and a half years - and most likely beyond, given the wording of clauses in the agreement. UK Government failed to deliver.

Particularly egregious for the inshore fleet, EU access will continue within the UK’s 6-12-mile limit. This was a clear red line for the UK, and seen as critical to many Cornish fishermen and their coastal communities. UK Government failed to deliver.

Fishing Opportunities

Zonal attachment (ZA) – whereby fishing opportunities are allocated proportionate to the stocks that sit within the EEZ of a country – for quota allocation was the stated UK objective. ZA-based opportunities were calculated by CEFAS and DEFRA using several robust scientific criteria. The fishing opportunities within the final deal do not reflect this method of quota allocation. UK Government failed to deliver.

Market Access

The free trade agreement means UK fish exports will not attract tariffs, which is a positive.

However, exports will now require catch certificates, health certificates and be subject to new border controls.

Our conclusions?

This was not a good deal for Cornish or British Fishermen.

Paul Trebilcock adds: “The anger and frustration of Cornish fishermen has been compounded by misleading statements from Government and the Prime Minister that this was a good deal for fishing. The Government should be clear that fishing was sold out in order to achieve a deal overall – expecting the industry to ignore the many, explicit promises to fishing communities that have been broken within this agreement has been received as insulting and naïve.

Prior to the announcement of this agreement optimism in the fishing industry was at an all-time high, as promises of an exclusive 12-mile limit for UK inshore fishermen, fishing opportunities based on zonal attachment and control over regulations were all promised by Prime Minister, Secretary of State and many MPs.

That optimism has been shattered by broken promises and betrayal by Boris Johnson and his Government in a ‘Ted Heath’ style moment that saw fishing sacrificed again.

The Cornish fishing industry has been used and abused; used as a poster boy and illustration of what the UK could gain through Brexit and taking back control. Abused by being sold out in the final analyses for others. Any shred of trust fishermen had in politicians will be difficult to ever rebuild.

The £100 million support package spoken about by Johnson and Gove is nothing more than a cheap insult and in truth is a pathetic attempt to cover what we and they know to be a betrayal of Cornish and British fishermen.

It has never been about money for fishermen it has been about a fair deal that secured control over our fishing waters and a fair share of fishing opportunities (quota) based on zonal attachment.

This is not the deal fishermen were promised and it is important MPs and the public understand this and are not misled by Government spin to the contrary.

The UK Government has a responsibility now to support the Cornish and wider UK fishing industry with actions, not words - proper control and regulation of EU fleets that will continue to fish within sight of Newlyn Harbour would be a good start!”

Cornish sardine fishing at the close of 2020.

 

With a break in the weather Cornish sardine fishing recommences after the Christmas break. Late afternoon sees the Golden Harvest closing er ring net alongside the boat before pumping the fish aboard. As the day closes, the smallest of the ring netters, Resolute lands a small shot alongside the fish market in Newlyn.

The 'Fish Export Service' is now available for fish and seafood exporters.

 

Fish exporters prepare now for 1 January 2021

Marine Management Organisation

The Fish Export Service (FES) is now live following successful completion of the trial and learn period. The system can now be used by fish and seafood exporters to create the validated documents they will require to continue exporting or to land directly into an EU port. This includes:

• Catch Certificates 
• Processing Statement 
• Storage Document 

Other related documents, such as Prior Notifications and Pre-Landing Declarations, are available online.

The new digital service is supported by a dedicated exports helpline, 0330 159 1989, which is available 24/7 with a team of expert advisers on hand to provide technical guidance and answer questions on the export process. Seafood exporters and fishers who intend to land catch in non-UK ports should register for FES, or sign-in, via this link.

For more information please see our ‘one stop shop’ and our virtual workshop FAQ available online here.

BREXIT DEAL: WHAT CHANGES FOR FRENCH FISHERMEN

Following intense negotiations, an agreement was finally reached with the United Kingdom, which preserves the activity of French and European fishermen in British waters. The agreement specifies that France has until June 1, 2026 to gradually achieve a 25% reduction in its fishing quotas in British waters. France has obtained preservation of access within 6/12 miles as well as in the exclusive economic zone until that date. This also concerns species that are not under quotas, such as sea bass, squid or scallops. 

Negotiations will start with the United Kingdom from January 1 to negotiate quotas for shared stocks. The European countries will come together quickly to work on this new balance, the details of which will only be known in the coming hours.

Support for French fishermen will be available in four forms:

1: Immediate cash flow aid measures for the sector

Fishermen and wholesalers will be able to benefit from a flat-rate aid of up to € 30,000 depending on their dependence on products caught in British waters.

2: Complementary and inseparable from emergency measures

For fishermen, temporary stops will be compensated at 30% of the certified reference turnover, including the remainder at the expense of the partial activity. For those who do not wish to have recourse to temporary shutdowns during this period, compensation for part of the loss of turnover in the first quarter for companies dependent on British waters. For wholesalers, compensation for part of the loss of turnover in the first quarter will be granted if the company is dependent on products caught in British waters.

3: Medium and long term measures

The extension of long-term partial activity for employees of companies dependent on British waters. A fleet exit plan for ships dependent on British waters who wish to stop their activity. State aid for restructuring under the company's job protection plan. The mobilization of the National Employment Fund for training courses lasting 6 to 12 months to validate the acquired experience or retraining in the maritime sector which today creates jobs, particularly the maritime industry. Investment aid within the framework of the recovery plan and the future European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). 4 / The implementation from January 2021 of support for fishing companies affected by Brexit, at national level and in the regions.

The conclusion of this agreement is good news for our fishermen. They will not be excluded from British waters as of January 1, 2021. Fishing has been at the heart of the difficult negotiations for the Brexit agreement and French fishermen have not been the adjustment variable of this agreement. These negotiations were tough but they allow us to build the future of French and European fishing. The conclusion of Brexit was only one step: the Government will very soon present the complete support plan for French fishermen.

Published by the French Government on 12/28/2020

"Post-Brexit deal: British fishermen slaughtered, French people satisfied"

An early response to the Brexit deal with regard to fishing from across the Channel:

After long months of negotiations, a Brexit agreement was finally signed Thursday between the European Union and the United Kingdom. In particular, it includes a diversely welcomed fishing section. For the French, it is a feeling of victory. For the British, it was catastrophic, as evidenced by fishermen from the small port of Hastings.

After Thursday's Brexit deal , the mood is not the same in Channel ports. On the British side, the pill is difficult to swallow. On the French side, however, we rub our hands. Because this trade agreement - which includes around forty very technical pages on fishing - clearly benefits the French sailors. If they will have to gradually return 25% of their catch to the British within five years, they will be able at the same time to continue to ply the waters of the United Kingdom, not far from the coast. In Hastings, in the south-east of England, Europe 1 met fishermen completely dejected by the text and its consequences.

REPORTAGE - "Feast" or "sacrifice": what do the British think of the post-Brexit agreement? - SEE BELOW:

"The government sold the fishermen to get a deal"

It must be said that this little brick town is entirely turned towards its port, which is also small, since it is only a street. Behind is the beach. No quays, huts on the sand in the middle of empty nets and no trawlers either, but about twenty fishing boats a few meters long. On board, sailors in yellow vests, who are as if stunned.

They tell of the impression of having been sacrificed, given as a bargaining chip so that the United Kingdom retains access to the European market. "The government sold the fishermen to get an agreement, so that the other countries are satisfied," said one of them, upset like the others. "Brexit is not going to change anything for us. We thought it would be better, but no."

"We get 25% of what? From our own fish?" And the famous 25% do not change the ambient gloom. Because that is not what the fishermen expected. Today it is possible for all vessels flying the European flag to fish 6 miles - approximately 10 km - from the UK coast. But in Hastings, we want foreign ships to be at least 20 kilometers away. For reasons of sovereignty, but also and above all because it is in this gap, between 10 and 20 kilometers beyond the shore, that the catches are the best.

The owner of the port of Hastings estimates that 70% of French fish come from this area. "Looks like they won. Our government gave in," sighs Paul Joy. "The French can come and fish 6 miles from the British shores, but we can't go fishing 12 miles from theirs. So we get 25% of what? From our own fish? I'm worried, we can't make a living . Not because of the quotas, but mainly because the fish are caught before they reach shore. They are caught by foreign vessels, in British waters. And it will continue for another five years. "

A "pressure tactic" on London On the other side of the Channel, the feeling is diametrically opposed. First of all, the 25% retrocession sounded like a victory, because British fishermen were claiming 60%, or even 80%. Then because it is not an annual but a progressive quota, to be reached by 2026, and it is distributed by country of the Union. Suddenly in France, the impact should be limited. "At the first calculation, we would be on -8% in total over six years at the national level", measures Olivier Le Nézet, president of the Brittany fisheries committee. "Afterwards, the regional variation remains to be calculated precisely according to the species, zones and armaments concerned."

And the five-year deadline does not scare the French fishermen, in a strong position vis-à-vis London, which cannot afford the luxury of getting angry with Europe and its powerful market, in which are in particular sold each year not less than 100,000 tons of fish caught by the British. "For them, it is essential to be able to continue to have access to the market", confirms Olivier Le Nézet. "The pressure tactic on the UK is obviously retaliatory measures on access to the common market in Europe." An essential safeguard to protect a strong sector in Brittany of 5.1500 sailors spread over 1.300 boats.

And in Hastings, fatalism echoes this French optimism. The general feeling is that in five years it will be too late to save the fishermen anyway. And that Thursday's agreement really signed the death warrant for English artisanal fishing.

"The Brexiters have had their Brexit", sweeps journalist Alex Taylor, a staunch supporter of attachment to the EU. © JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP Share on:

After ten months of negotiations, a post-Brexit trade deal was barely found. On the British side, opinions are divided on this agreement, between the relief of ending a political mess and the fear of having concluded a bad "deal" in future relations with the European Union.

REPORTAGE

It had been expected for four and a half years: the agreement for the UK's exit from the European Union was approved by both parties on Thursday afternoon . If Boris Johnson openly admits having dropped ballast on the sharing of fishing waters, his country will however have free access to the single European market, which rejoices the British Prime Minister. For many Britons, the deal is a relief, even in London, which voted largely against Brexit in June 2016.

"If I were European I would probably be fed up with us, to be honest." Smirking, Harry is a tall, red-haired perch, opposed to Brexit but resigned: anything is better than the political mess of the past four years. "I'm less afraid now that we have this deal. But it's still a very uncertain time. With the coronavirus, it's the worst time to have some kind of economic crash like Brexit, so it's not not very good. I will not forget this Christmas! "

"Brexit, always a bad thing"

This agreement therefore represents a last-minute gift for confined parties. "The Brexiters are happy, they had their Brexit", regrets the Franco-British journalist Alex Taylor, fierce opponent of Brexit and guest of Culture Media , Friday morning. For him, the British press is in any event "not objective" on Brexit, because "80%" supported the "leave" camp for the referendum of June 2016.

"We have regained control," headlines The Telegraph , quoting the Prime Minister. In a video taken over by British television, he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. "The post-Brexit trade deal is the feast promised to the British," argues Boris Johnson. Already, "BoJo" is committed to pitting the UK against the European Union in the race for economic success, reports The Guardian .

"In January, it will be terrible "

For Phil and Taron, convinced that the consequences of the UK's exit from the European Union have not been measured, this Christmas will have a bitter flavor. "I'm not sure this is the best deal for Europe or for us. In January, it's going to be terrible," says Phil, who doesn't plan to launch this topic at lunch: "Brexit is always a bad thing. "

"Johnson gave in on the fish"

If the subject will indeed be absent from many feasts, the media are still wondering about the content of this agreement: "Did Boris Johnson sell us to the European Union or did he brought home an excellent Brexit deal? "asks The Sun , a pro-Brexit tabloid.

Behind the smiles and the messages of victory, some indeed cringe. “Boris Johnson gave in to the fish to avoid a no-deal Brexit,” writes The Independent . For the leaders of the fishing industry, the verdict is final: "The Prime Minister sacrificed the fishermen to conclude this agreement", they affirm in this daily.

STORIES COURTESY OF EUROPE1.