What extra fish do you need?!

This summer, The Great British Inshore Fishing Survey was launched by the Lyme Bay Fisherman’s CIC. This initiative provided all small-scale fishermen across England, Scotland, and Wales the opportunity to have their voices heard and to let the Government know what was needed to improve the lives and livelihoods of small-scale fishermen, their families, and communities.

Click on here to complete the survey>

The survey ran throughout the summer, with its findings compiled into a report that was then launched at a parliamentary event for MPs in early September. There was significant disappointment around the coast following the new EU deal, which hadn't delivered the exclusive 6-12nm area for UK fishing, or more fishing opportunities. Additionally, new MPA rules were also on the horizon, threatening to displace fishermen.

For too long, inshore fishing fleets—often the iconic beating heart of their coastal communities—hadn't had their voices heard or had access to policymakers. As a result, policy was largely developed and made for them, not with them. The small-scale fleet continued to struggle with engaging in regulator consultations, which were often held during office hours and fishing days, leaving fishermen to choose between missing a day at sea and earning, or attending a meeting.

The survey, which was aimed at small-scale inshore fishermen across England, Scotland, and Wales, sought views on multiple areas of national competency, including fishing opportunities, national and inshore fisheries monitoring, management and enforcement regimes, vessel safety inspections, and crew training.

Despite accounting for 79% of the total number of fishing vessels in the UK, under 10-meter vessels only accounted for 5% of landings by tonnage. Since 2008, the under 10-meter fleet had been reduced by almost 25%, nearly double the losses of the larger over 10-meter fleet. With the inshore fleet in accelerated decline, there was a real concern that it could disappear completely within a generation. The survey and subsequent report looked to help