Committee guide: Without common fisheries policy, there would be no more fishermen in EU

Parliament's fisheries committee is firmly committed to making the common fisheries policy work, says Alain Cadec.


1. What do you see as the committee's main achievements in the first half of the current mandate, and what do you see as its principle priorities for the remaining two and a half years?

The reform of the common fisheries policy was completed in 2013. As such, the first half of this legislature was devoted to implementing this reform. Parliament's fisheries committee is working on three key topics: maximum sustainable yield, regionalisation and compulsory landing.

Maximum sustainable yield is the cornerstone of the common fisheries policy. It consists of ensuring - on the basis of scientific assessments - sustainable exploitation of fish stocks. This principle must be integrated into the multiannual management plans which we have been working on since 2015.

A pilot project has already been approved for the Baltic sea with others soon to come for the North Sea, the Atlantic, the Channel, the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. This will help plan long-term management measures and therefore give fishermen visibility.

The second topic is regionalisation. This is about adapting certain technical rules of the common fisheries policy to the various regional specificities, while respecting a common framework. This concerns, for example, the size of fishing nets. The aim is to bring greater flexibility and encouraging development of innovative fishing vessels.

Since 2015, fisheries policy dictates that fishermen must land all their catches, even those that are banned from the market. This was set up to end ocean disposal, which generated a huge amount of waste.

However, this rule has caused many problems and hinders the competiveness of many fishing enterprises, which are not equipped for such a fundamental change. As such, the landing obligation is inapplicable. We need to relax this rule and help fishermen invest in more selective vessels.

2. What do you believe are the main challenges and issues facing the committee for the remainder of the current legislature?

By 2019, we must set up management plans for all European maritime waters. It's important to ensure a clear and predictable framework for fishermen, to allow for ecologically sustainable and economically competitive fishing.

This will also require updating rules on controls, with further harmonisation. In addition, we must start work on the future European fishing fund, which is set to succeed the European maritime and fisheries fund in 2021. And of course, Brexit.

3. What impact, if any, will Brexit and other events such as national elections in France, The Netherlands and Germany, have on the committee's work?

Brexit will have a huge impact on fisheries; many European fishermen fish in British waters. Ending free access to these waters would have grave socio-economic consequences for the fishing sector. Also, many UK fishermen are dependent on the European market to sell their products. I hope that during the negotiations, we can find a mutually advantageous agreement.

Parliament's fisheries committee issued a clear message: the issue of access to British waters for European vessels, and the issue of access to the European market for British products, are inextricably linked. In addition, fishing must not become a bargaining chip during the talks.

4. How can citizens become more engaged in what your committee does and how can you better communicate its work to voters and stakeholders?

Without the common fisheries policy, there would be no more fishermen in Europe. Thanks to the EU, a long-term management system has been established that allows sustainable fishing that both preserves fish stocks and ensures the competitiveness of fishing enterprises. This benefits consumers, who have access to quality fish products that are sourced locally and fully respect high environmental, social and health standards.

5. Are you concerned by the apparent reduction in the legislative output of the Commission in recent weeks and months due to the Refit exercise? Do you expect this to continue and will this impact on your committee's workload? If so, how?

The reduction in legislative proposals has had a limited impact on Parliament's fisheries committee.

Several dossiers are crucial for the proper implementation of the new common fisheries policy - for example, technical measures, multiannual management plans and updating control rules. We certainly aren't short on work.

Full story courtesy of The Parliament.

Seafood Cornwall Training newsletter and commercial fishing course news.

Check this months SCT newsletter.

The Seafish three-week Introduction to Commercial Fishing course is for new entrants to the fishing industry. The course consists of two weeks shore-based training (covering safety, gear and catch handling, net mending, rope work and navigation) and one week of mandatory safety courses (Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, First Aid, Health and Safety) and the Seafish Basic Fishing Vessel Stability course.

This induction course will suit both youngsters looking for a career at sea in the fishing industry and older candidates who are looking for a career change and interested in commercial fishing as an occupation. Based in Newlyn, Cornwall.

Can anyone identify the maker or the boat this model is based on?

PZ10 - Looking over the stem of the model from the Ship Inn, Mousehole.

Any information about the above model, which for many years was on display in the Ship Inn, Mousehole would be gratefully received. See additional views in the image gallery.

Live streaming the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Conference 2017

2017 Scottish Inshore Fisheries Conference

The fourth Scottish Inshore Fisheries Conference will be held on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th April 2017 at Eden Court in Inverness.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME

SIFC with the help of MindfullyWired will livestream the morning plenary speech led by Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity from 9-10am and the plenary talk Q&A from 12.35-13.45. People will be able to use the live chat function to ask questions & comment if they’re unable to be there. They’ll also be live tweeting Thursday afternoon & all of Friday using the hashtag #SIFC17

Join us on the afternoon of Thursday 27th April with a session to introduce the EMFF funded Scottish Inshore Fisheries Integrated Data System or ‘SIFIDS’ Project.  This project will focus on using new technologies and processes to improve data collection and use within Scotland’s inshore fisheries, with the intent of reducing the reporting burden on fishermen and improving the information base on which fisheries management decisions are made.   This session is then followed  by the official opening of the conference at an evening reception at Eden Court (17.30-19.00) and we welcome all delegates to attend this.

On Friday 28th April 2017, Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity will open the day, and delegates will also have the opportunity to attend sessions on a variety of subjects including fisheries management challenges and actions, Brexit, marketing the local catch and a session delivered by Norwegian colleagues on how they manage inshore fisheries. 

There will be ample opportunity for networking, visiting stands, speaking to representatives from a range of organisations, celebrating our fantastic seafood, and sharing experiences and knowledge in an informal setting on a wide range of issues.

Join us for both days or just register for one.

Free registration now open at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-inshore-fisheries-conference-2017-tickets-32082048270

How one UK start-up aims to stop illegal trawling and fishing.

What's an industry to make of this latest press release from ARC Marine, a south Devon based UK company servicing all requirements for artificial reef consultation, design and construction?

Read on:

A small Devon-based company aims to block illegal fishing boats and trawlers in the worlds’ oceans by deploying artificial reef structures on the seabed of marine-protected areas.

Virgin StartUp-backed ARC Marine has warned against a reduction in action against illegal fishing, a multi-million-pound activity, which is putting marine life at risk, normalising the catching of “blackfish”, and allowing those convicted of major crimes to continue fishing.

Commercial fishing is extremely vulnerable with 53% of the world’s fisheries fully exploited, and 32% over-exploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion.
At the current rate of fishing, the world’s seafood stocks will be depleted by 2048.
In the UK, only 4% of the surrounding waters are Marine Protected Areas (MPA).

“It’s a terrifying prospect to imagine all the species we currently fish for food becoming extinct within a few decades” says Tom Birbeck, ARC Marine’s co-founder. “So we have to act fast and reverse these trends.

“With pirate fishing becoming so widespread, we need to deter this practice in a way that doesn’t require constant physical policing.

“Our artificial structures can be interlocked to form large megalithic subsea structures, which would prevent towed fishing gear being used on the seabed where they are deployed.

“We like to call them ‘sleeping policemen’”.

Aside from preventing illegal fishing, ARC Marine’s man-made reefs provide a protective marine habitat for endangered and declining species, boost the stocks of overfished species and protect coastlines and underwater habitats from erosion – something that poses a significant risk to our environment.

“Considering that 93 per cent of CO2 is stored in algae, undersea vegetation and coral, preventing marine degradation is crucial to protecting the earth’s atmosphere.” Warns Birbeck.
Although there are established Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) in the UK, government bodies responsible for management have voiced concerns about small budgets and a lack of planning.

Marine conservation expert Prof. Callum Roberts at the University of York criticised the MCZs as useless “paper parks” that offer no real protection from the dredging and trawling that has devastated large areas of England’s seas for decades.

Chair of the environmental audit committee (EAC) committee, Joan Walley MP, complained about a lack of strategy in place to rebuild damaged habitats. He said the government must stop trying to “water down” its pledge to protect UK waters and “move much more quickly” to establish further protection zones and ensure they can be enforced.

Birbeck affirms that ARC Marine’s structures are the solution, able to act as “sleeping policeman” within MPA and MCZ designated areas:

“Our artificial reef structures can be connected to form massive subsea structures. These can cause considerable damage to towed fishing gear – which will deter pirate fishermen from entering the area as they don’t want to risk damaging their equipment.

“Boat users can also use our reefs as moorings, without the need for anchors which can also damage a range of marine habitats.”

Permanent seabed structures would allow government bodies such as the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to save time and resources on patrolling protected waters. It is impossible to police these areas 24/7 and the illegal fishing industry knows this. ARC Marine’s solution negates the need for regular patrols, thus saving time, money and resources – as well as offering a more carbon-friendly solution than fueling boats to cover the area.

GPS trackers for fishing vessels are currently voluntary. These devices record the location of vessels every 1-2 hours, but are unable to detect towed equipment.

Birbeck believes that his small Torbay start-up can tackle illegal fishing and become a world leader in ocean conservation. However, he says that the UK government must set a precedent when powers over fisheries are retuned to Westminster.

“With Article 50 now triggered, the UK government must set out its own regulations for phasing out bottom trawling and replacing the process with more sustainable fishing methods.

“By doing so the UK could become a world leader in sustainable fishing.”

ARC Marine is currently crowdfunding to build the world’s first multi-purpose, modular artificial reef and marine habitat. By being part of the crowdfunding campaign you can help secure the future of our oceans.

April Trawler issue from PECH - Committee on Fisheries.

Monday morning market mayhem!

This mornings dawning sky has a distinctly watery look to it...

though the harbour looking southwards looks benign enough, time will tell...

despite there being only the one beam trawler putting fish on the market this morning the landings board was full with fish from 18 boats..

including the netter, Ygraine...

and the port's pollack handline specialist, Sea Spray...

there were boxes as far as they eye can see...

big fish were very much in evidence including two good shots of ray...

and turbot from netters using different kinds of gear fishing different areas...

giving the buyers plenty to choose from...

many of the local fleet like the Brit are members of the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme - currently we are waiting for news of a Responsible Fishing Scheme for ports which will help guarantee the quality of fish and greatly simplify the amount of administration required to do so...

along with the netters several of the visiting fleet of big Scottish trawlers landed over the weekend - hence the ray being winged to ease the task of boxing such big fish...

with the boats fishing west of the Scillys some of its local residents have put in an appearance, like these zulus...

plenty of a fish far more familiar to the kilted Celtic cousins, whiting...

more signs that summer is on the way with an increase in the number of John Dory being put ashore...

other white fish like haddock...

and megrim are more familiar to the local fleet...

while a perennial favourite of the BBQ brigade are red mullet from the ex-French stern trawler, Nicola Anne...

another fish found further west, but a little magic is needed to identify these beauties...

fish inhabiting different locations tend to blend in with the bottom type they live on, hence the difference in colour exhibited by these Dover sole...

down the quay the Joy of Ladram takes on new nets...

chain saws make light work of sawing these big tree trunks...

being used to provide new quay fenders...

detail of the rubbing strip...

kind of dog-like features on some...

the skies over Mount's Bay were busy enough with passing air traffic it seems.