The Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO) has appointed Emily Theobald as its new Science and Policy Lead, marking a significant milestone in placing science and sustainability at the heart of Cornwall’s fishing future. Combining strong scientific expertise with a real-world understanding of fisheries management, Theobald will work closely with the newly launched Cornwall Fisheries Science Board (CFSB) to translate evidence into practical, day-to-day action for the fishing fleet.
A Collaborative Board Built on Expertise
The CFSB formalises a long history of collaboration between the CFPO and scientists, bringing together fishermen, technical scientific experts, and policymakers. Chaired by Barrie Deas, the board’s members include representatives from government and scientific bodies such as Cefas, the MMO, Defra, ICES, Cornwall IFCA, and The Fishmongers’ Company, alongside active fishermen and CFPO leadership. This diverse membership harnesses both the technical capabilities of scientists and the generational, on-the-water knowledge of Cornish fishermen.
Core Objectives: What the Board Hopes to Achieve
Closing the Gap Between Science and Practice: The CFSB aims to ensure that scientific data collected at sea is quickly translated into real-world management decisions.
Driving Industry-Led Science: The board operates on the principle that data must be timely, relevant, and practical, with the fishing industry playing a central role in both research design and data collection.
Balancing Ecology and Economics: A primary focus is ensuring that all management decisions protect the health of the ocean while respecting the economic reality of the fleet, ultimately delivering clear benefits to coastal communities.
Direct Help for Fishermen: Key Initial Projects
The board is already launching targeted projects designed to support fishermen navigating modern operational challenges:
Crawfish: Recognising this as a valuable but data-poor fishery, the CFSB is launching a data collection programme in the 2026 season involving 10 vessels across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to track bio-metric data, discards, and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE).
Pollack and Dover Sole: The board is evaluating whether current commercial and recreational datasets are adequately informing Pollack stock assessments. For Dover sole, they are seeking guidance on genetic sampling to better inform the 2029 benchmark assessments and address complex quota allocations that cause "choke" risks (where a lack of quota for one species restricts a vessel's overall fishing activity).
Mixed Fisheries & Innovation: The board is exploring the use of emerging technologies, such as onboard camera systems, to improve gear selectivity, understand catch composition, and reduce unwanted catches in complex mixed fisheries.
Octopus: With increasing octopus populations creating both new income opportunities and challenges for existing shellfish fisheries, Emily Theobald is actively designing a coordinated data collection methodology to inform future management without duplicating existing regulatory efforts.
Local and National Impact
Locally, the CFSB will provide a robust evidence base to support long-term coastal resilience and sustainable growth for Cornwall's diverse and innovative fleet**. Nationally, this science-first approach will elevate Cornwall's role in evidence-based decision-making, ensuring the local fleet is highly influential in shaping future domestic and international fisheries policies.
To fund this critical work, the CFPO plans to leverage opportunities like the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, aiming to deliver collaborative projects that align with government fisheries management plans. Through transparent communication across podcasts, social media, and a proposed Cornwall Fisheries Science Board Conference, **the board will ensure that the voices and needs of local fishermen remain central to the national scientific conversation.
Read the latest April 2026 meeting minutes below:
