Sunday 15 July 2018

Government’s fisheries paper: what it does and doesn’t say

On Wednesday, the UK government published its long-awaited fisheries white paper. While only accounting for a small part of the UK’s economy (less than 0.05% GDP), fisheries has political significance, is important to several coastal communities and had a high-profile during the EU referendum campaign.

In addition to the EU Withdrawal Act, the government will be producing separate legislation to manage post-Brexit fisheries. Today’s white paper is the first step in this direction. But its publication has been extensively delayed.

On the one hand the government has been held back by a lack of clarity over what it wants from fisheries policy. The politics of devolution has also been a stumbling block as fisheries is devolved, but it also intersects with areas which are reserved by the UK government, such as international engagement.

Given the delay, there was therefore a lot of expectation riding on this white paper to offer some clarity.

What the white paper says

One of the big complaints made by some in the UK’s fishing industry is that under the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, the UK doesn’t get a fair share of the catch from its own waters.

This is the basis for one of the key aims outlined in the white paper: a move away from the current system of ‘relative stability’ for sharing fishing opportunities, which is based on patterns of fishing in the 1970s. What will replace it isn’t exactly specified, although hints are made that zonal attachment (based on where fish stocks are over time) will be considered.

While this makes it clear the government’s approach is about rebalancing fishing opportunities in UK waters to provide a fairer deal for UK fishers, the white paper nevertheless acknowledges that reciprocal access to waters is important, both for the UK and the EU.

To this end, and given the UK’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the management of shared fish stocks, the government says it is open towards developing multi-annual agreements with the EU and other neighbouring coastal states.

On negotiations with the EU, the white paper sets out the government’s view that negations on fishing opportunities and reciprocal access to waters should be kept separate from the question of the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU. The EU is likely to see things differently here. This was illustrated earlier this year when the UK was negotiating the transition period.

The EU’s offer of continued tariff-free access to the single market was explicitly conditional upon existing fishing access being maintained. Fisheries opportunities, market access and the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU are all therefore seen as part of the same negotiating package. And there’s a wider question of diplomacy which means the two issues are intertwined, even if formally separate.

If your aim to strike a deep and special relationship with the EU, taking an aggressive approach to redistributing fishing opportunities isn’t going to make you many friends.

The white paper also restates government commitments to sustainability. Key principles to guide fisheries policy making, earlier made in its 25 year environment plan, are reaffirmed in the white paper.

This includes basing decisions on scientific evidence and an eco-system approach, and setting Total Allowable Catches and quotas based on the principle of Maximum Sustainable Yield.

This is laudable, but these are just aspirations. It remains to be seen what sort of statutory underpinning (if any) these principles will get. There are hints in the white paper of a forthcoming Environmental Principles and Governance Bill, but little detail on how this will enshrine key principles guiding post-Brexit fisheries policy.

What the white paper doesn’t say

While the white paper gives a flavour for the direction of post-Brexit fisheries policy, it is ultimately presented as a consultation document. This means government policy on a number of key areas in fisheries policy remains unclear, or reduced to a number of vague and non-committal “we will consider…” statements.

For example, our recent report on what the UK could learn from other non-EU coastal states argued that the government needed to institutionalise working relationships with the fishing industry and other key stakeholders and give them an active role in the fisheries policy-making process.

While the white paper recognises the value of partnership working and drawing on industry for the co-production of policy, there is little explanation about how this is going to be achieved or how (or even if) industry and other stakeholders’ interests will be formally incorporated into the policy process.

There also isn’t much recognition of the diversity within the UK’s fishing industry. While the two largest fishing federations, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, have broadly welcomed the white paper and seem to have been given preferential access to its development, there is a sense that the concerns of the small-scale fishing fleet have been ignored.

This is problematic as 78% of UK fishing vessels are 10 metres and under, and one of the major gripes this part of the sector has is that current fishing opportunities are not distributed fairly and disproportionately favour larger boats – in 2016 boats over 10 metres, which only account for 12% of the UK fishing fleet, landed 88% of the total catch into UK ports by value.

It was always within the UK’s discretion to address this, but Brexit arguably provided an opportunity to revisit this imbalance. There will be disappointment for many that the white paper states “we do not intend to change the method for allocating existing quota”.

As noted above, fisheries is a devolved competence and the nature of the UK’s fishing industry varies significantly across the UK’s four nations. But on devolution, the white paper has surprisingly little new to say.

There is the long-standing aspiration to work with the devolved governments to develop a UK-wide common fisheries framework, and a promise to involve representatives from the devolved governments in international negotiations, albeit with the UK government retaining a final say.

But beyond this there is little about at what level specific decisions will be made and how working within a common framework will work in practice. For fisheries policy to be successful, the UK and devolved governments will need to work together. But the Scottish Government has been quick to criticise the white paper and for the UK government’s apparent lack of engagement with them.

Overall, the white paper gives a useful indication for the sort of direction the UK government wants to take: a fisheries policy led by principles of sustainability and which aims to give UK fishers a fairer share from UK waters.

But it also highlights the amount of work left in developing a successful post-Brexit fisheries policy. While the white paper is presented as a consultation document, it has been in development for over a year and been extensively delayed.

By this point the consultation should be on something much more concrete. And a lack of engagement with the wider fisheries industry, the devolved government and other stakeholder, while the two large federations seem to have been given preferential access to the development of the white paper, hasn’t inspired much confidence in the consultation process.

By Christopher Huggins, part of the UK fisheries policy post Brexit team at the UK in a Changing Europe.

Saturday 14 July 2018

Seafish Annual Plan 2018-19

Seafish have published their 2018-2019 Annual Plan. Reading the plan will give vessel owners, skippers and others a chance to focus and formulate any questions they may have about their futures.

Seafish currently have an online survey page that they hope will give them a much better picture of the state of the industry today.

Everyone and anyone in the industry who feels they either have something to say or questions that they feel need asking should complete the survey:

Complete the survey by clicking the link here.

Vessel owners and skippers around the UK are being asked to participate in UK-wide research aiming to paint a clear picture of the performance of the fishing fleet.

Researchers from Seafish, the public body that supports the £10 billion UK seafood industry, will be travelling the length and breadth of the UK’s coastline gathering data on the financial and operational performance of the industry.

With a changing political environment, increasing weather variability and a public focus on sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood, researchers will canvas fishermen on how they see the industry, its future and the challenges they face.

There’s hope the 2018 Fleet Survey will reveal more positive news for the fishing industry after a strong performance in 2017 which saw total fishing income for UK vessels rising by £38 million. This was mainly driven by higher prices for many shellfish species.

Despite a rise in income, many fishermen highlighted the availability of fish, access to quota, fuel price, weather and other issues as potential threats to their businesses and their financial performance.

Read more: Icelandic Brexit boost as seafood relations look set to deepen with the Humber

The findings from the Fleet Survey, to be published in 2019, have the potential to influence policy and give an accurate insight into the health of the fishing industry. With the UK set to exit the EU next year, it is crucial skippers and vessel owners have their say on the state of the industry.

Steve Lawrence, Economics Project Manager at Seafish, said: “It’s vital we paint an accurate picture of the economic performance of the fishing industry and find out the biggest achievements and challenges fishers have met over the past year. This insight means we can keep all those involved in the sector fully informed on the health of the fleet. The report is also made available to policy makers and it is a good opportunity for fishermen to voice their opinion on the big issues affecting them.”

“We had a great response to last year’s survey, with over 400 skippers and vessel owners taking part. We hope to increase the number of people we speak to this year so that the insight we gather is as accurate as possible.

“We appreciate the continued support of the fishing industry across the UK and encourage all skippers and vessel owners to speak to our researchers. If we don’t hear from you then we aren’t able to promote your achievements and concerns to decision makers.”

Read more: One in five fish processing workers could be hit by hard Brexit - Seafish

All vessel owners can benefit directly from participation by requesting a free financial performance benchmark report which allows comparisons with the average performance of other similar vessels.

The survey is supported by the national federations and local associations around the UK. All information provided is treated as confidential and no individual vessel figures will be revealed in any report.

As well as the UK fleet report to be published next year, Seafish will publish its annual Quay Issues magazine later this year which includes stories and features gathered by the researchers as part of the survey.

Anybody interested in taking part in the survey should contact Steve Lawrence at Seafish on 0131 524 8663 or email steven.lawrence@seafish.co.uk.

To view other opportunities for informing Seafish and the results of last year’s report, visit the Seafish website.

Friday 13 July 2018

#TheLongSwim started at Sennen Cove.

Thursday evening, as the sun sets on Sennen...

the Cove's all-weather lifeboat returns after spending the day chaperoning extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh who began...

#TheLongSwim - the entire 348 miles that is the English Channel wearing only a pair of Speedos and a pair of goggles - from Sennen beach at that morning at 6am...

24 hours later with Lewis far out to sea heading for the Lizard his support vessel Aquila, with her largely novice crew, hove into Mounts Bay helping to celebrate Penzance being the country's first plastic 'No-Go Zone' town - and Lewis' swim is his brainchild in order to push the plastic-laden oceans issue to the forefront...

so it is more than fitting that his first day brought Penzance in view...

You can follow Lewis' daily progress on his blog as he swims his way up the channel like some migrating fish heading for home at Dover!

A fine forecast and sunshine galore for #FishyFriday in Newlyn

As the seasonal clock ticks on and July heads for August the sardine boats, skippers and crew brace are all anticipation for the start of the Cornish Sardine season - top boat, Pelagic Marksman is in the final stages of preparation...

while inside the fish auction space is at a premium on a very busy market with some inshore trawler landings stacked nine high to save space on the market floor...

just enough room for team Falfish to make one of their regular industry awareness tours of their favourite fish market...

Jekyll and Hyde like, there's always two sides to every turbot tail...

the mighty zulu, only found in abundance around the Scillys...

not a megrim, but which fish is it?...

MMO regs now dictate that fish boxes now also indicate whether hand or machine graded - hence the HG tally...

sometimes confused with turbot, a brilliant fish to eat - used to be very popular on British Airways long haul flights and Concorde...

any excuse for a cuddle...

the Dorys are proving elusive this week...

never mind the Three Lions coming home, the mackerel have finally arrived!!!

plenty of boat being picked up by the trawlers and beam trawlers - just as well given the number of crabbers working from the port now...

baby spurdog - born live with a yolk-sac attached...

not hands that do dishes...

there are Dover soles, sand soles and...

bass from the best bass fisherman in the port and his boat, Butts - Cod and his trainee had goodish day on the king of fish...

not great in the looks department but ray and skate make fabulous eating...

Newlyn's very own, old man of the sea, Dennis Pascoe washes out his fish boxes after a morning lining for bass - how many septuagenarians do you know start their day at 3am, and travel by boat for an hour and a half before they even start work?!!

the Rowney heads in through the gaps...

closely followed by...

the very Cornish Karen N...

won't be long before Nimrod takes on her fleet of pots and joins the res of the Rowse fleet...

unidentified object in white seen working in the port...

sister-ships berthing...

we know the heat of the desert sun often played tricks by creating mirages over the sand, so it is just possible this isn't the St Piran heading out to sea...

traditional and classic wooden boats are gathering off Mousehole for Sea Salts and Sail this weekend - one not to be missed as there is something for all ages and interests - not least plenty of live music, fine ales and a chance to bid on a superb painting...

‘The Rose of Argyll departing the Gaps’ by renowned local artist and member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, Tim Hall - the auction will take place on the main stage on Sunday around 5pm - bids can be made online up to midnight on Saturday 14th July. With the weather shpwing no signs of breaking the organisers are hoping for a great turnout of classic and ex-fishing wooden boats!

Thursday 12 July 2018

At this crucial time - Seafish are sending news direct from Brussels

Latest update from Brussels

Seafish has a representative in Brussels to ensure the timely and appropriate presentation of key information, evidence and analysis to the UK seafood industry emanating directly from the EU's institutions.

Areas of Work

Information

Seafish Brussels wants to make sure that UK's seafood industry understands the nature and decision-making mechanisms within the EU. There are downloads at the bottom of this page that explain the EU's decision-making process. Brussels Updates, periodic news roundups from Brussels, are also available for download on this page.

Engagement

EU level: Seafish Brussels engages with EU stakeholders to build alliances and work together in a wide range of activities at EU level

UK level: Seafish Brussels responds to the needs of the UK seafood industry updating them on current activities and issues while guiding them to select the most appropriate approach to best defend its interests in Brussels

Brussels Updates: news round-ups from Brussels

Read this months EU The Trawler online magazine.

Trawler The PECH Committee currently publishes a monthly newsletter called "The Trawler". In these newsletters you will find updated information on the committee's work and current issues in the fisheries world. You will also find an extensive list of the studies that our Policy department prepares regularly and information on forthcoming meetings of the advisory councils and other international events.

To see previous issues of The Trawler go here:

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Mid-week market in Newlyn

The Ajax might have spent the first few days of this trip vainly searching for fish - but things turned out differently come the end of the trip it seems with 400+ boxes on the market this morning skipper Alan's instincts paid off big time...

as the hake which made up well over 300 boxes of the trip...

included a good run size-wise...

right up to 5-6 kilo fish and bigger topping off the trip...

more than enough to raise a cheery smile and wave from some of the buyers...

Sid on the Karen of Ladram opted to work trammel nets...

for turbot...

and monk...

which provided half a box of much sought after monk cheeks - which you can sample at Nathan Outlaw's Port Isaac restaurant...

of course, with every trammel net turbot trip comes a box or two of crab paws - dependant on how many the crew take home of course!..

and the odd blue shark...

nice line in chic market-approved footwear this morning...

can't see Cefas Gary in them though...

quality JDs form the inshore boats...

along with a few red mullet...

and cracking tub gurnard...

after assisting with the stranded French yacht the previous evening the Ali Cat popped a few kilos of bass ashore...

and a handful of mackerel...

while the Harvest Reaper managed nearly a box of sand soles...

smart fishing from this handliner...

our main bass man, Cap'n Cod was on a roll with a string of top quality line caught pollack...

and some big bass again...

with fish flying fast out of the door...

Lionel was able to hose down the grading machine area...

early morning flight...

looks like the St Georges is back again...

bound away...

and living the dream...

half the house is missing - major refurb on the Resurgam...

looking for breakfast...

she's being named and numbered this week...

and her pots are nearly ready to go aboard...

stern on, two classic hulls, one built for speed...

beam-on, two more classic hulls, one built for speed...

not a breath this morning...

latest addition to the inshore fleet...

it's only a matter of days before the Cornish sardine season gets underway and the Vesta gets a chance to dip her net for the first time...

Breton yacht, La Galliarde...

everything shipshape and in its place...

as expected on a boat of such pedigree...

which has just taken part in the Plymouth Port Louis La Rochelle...

the team at Hope Ships are always on the lookout for help and support in any way so that they can restore the old local fishing boat, Ros Na Rioch...