Tuesday 10 July 2012
Visitors
Who owns our fish quota?
 |
| Spanish 'flag of convenience' trawler towed in after breaking down by the Newlyn beam trawler Filadelfia. |
A Register of Quota Holdings - Now an Imperative
The requirement for a register of quota holdings (FQAs*) in the UK has now become an absolute imperative, if only to quell the waves of almost hysterical speculation in the press and Parliament.
The absence of a register of quota holdings is allowing bizarre speculation to run riot and to feed lazy journalists and those prone to conspiracy theories, in their unhealthy pursuits.
Manchester United, ‘quota barons’, Terry Wogan and who knows who else, have been implicated in what one overexcited legal commentator described as the ‘biggest property grab since the Norman Conquest’. This level of distortion and misrepresentation can only exist if there is no way of providing a definitive answer to the question, ‘So who does own UK fishing quotas?’
It is pretty certain that the truth about the pattern of quota ownership in the UK is going to be quite a bit less exciting that the press speculation has suggested.
It is doubtful whether there will be many surprises when full transparency is brought to bear on FQA holdings. For the most part, the individuals and groups which hold quota are likely to be the individuals and groups whose vessels fish those quotas – and whose allocations are mainly based on historical rights. Quota trading (in the form of sale of FQAs ) has in the UK become an important means of bringing quota to where it is required but the amount of quota trading is still likely to be at the margin – well under 10% annually is our best guess.
It is also worth bearing in mind that, with few exceptions, quota in the UK is managed through formally recognised producer organisations (which are owned and controlled by fishermen and vessel operators), or through government set limits, in line with pre-agreed rules.
But until the FQA register is published, there is nothing to stop even wilder speculation. Greenpeace, the Sultan of Brunei, Tesco, David Beckham – why not?
Once we have a register we can have a calm consideration, as part of a proper review of the quota management system, of what safeguards against over-concentration might be appropriate and how to balance quota security with flexibility to trade.
The dangers in this debate tend to lie at the extremes – with those (like the European Commission) who see quota trading as a panacea for fleet overcapacity, or those at the other end of the spectrum, who believe that trade in quota in any circumstances will lead directly to monopoly by outside interests.
The evolution of system of transferable and tradable quotas, linked to a system of devolved responsibility to producer organisations, from a more rigid system of centralised control, has in fact, brought undoubted advantages to the UK, for example in the ability to plan the fishing year and bringing quota to where it is needed. At the same time, a pool system of monthly allocations carries other advantages, notably the ability to change target species with relative ease. It is no accident therefore that some POs mix annual vessel allocations based on FQAs for some species with a pool system for others; and that the Government’s consultation last summer revealed that most under-10m fishermen are wedded to the flexibility that a pool system provides. All this suggests that the best quota system is one which provides maximum flexibility for regional and sectoral variation, within a framework of well thought through safeguards.
Perhaps this is all too complex for papers like the Sunday Times to grasp. It is journalists’ job to dramatise and simplify but when reporting and comment slips into a world of black and white and pantomime villains it is time for the industry itself to call for a halt,
A quota register is unlikely to completely end this type of misrepresentation but it would remove some of the scope for wilder, evidence free, assertions being made.
*Fixed Quota Allocation – an entitlement to a share of UK quota of a given species in a given area.
Monday 9 July 2012
Fishermen head to Brittany offer a sustainable fishery for sardines
Fishers heads to Britain offer a sustainable fishery for sardines
Two young chefs competition winners of the first "Sustainable Seafood" boarded with sardine fishermen of Southern Brittany.
Story courtesy of L'hotellerie-Restauration - translated by Google on the fly.
Lebigot Marie, a student of hotel school of Dinard and Regnier Damien, a young chef at the restaurant Lecoq-Gadby Rennes, two of the winners of the first national contest "Sustainable Seafood", just received their reward: they went to Guilvinec meet professionals in the fishing industry and discover the sardine fishery of ring net of Southern Brittany on the night of June 26 to 27 Contest "Sustainable Seafood"
This is to educate future generations of leaders and young professionals catering to the fragility of fisheries resources, as SeaWeb / Seafood Choices Alliance and the Ecole Ferrandi created this culinary competition in partnership with the hotel school of Dinard, the Relais & Chateaux and lounge Prorestel. By offering this meeting / discovery with industry players, the competition allows winners to complete their learning and to better understand the realities of the sector.
Visit the port of Guilvinec Hosted by Thierry Guigue, responsible for the producer organization "The fishermen from Brittany, "Mary and Damien have discovered one of the most dynamic Breton ports. " The Guilvinec is one of the busiest ports in the region and offers a wide variety of jobs , explains Thierry Guigue. This diversity is crucial to the economic and social fabric of the region. I am very pleased to welcome young leaders. It is important to discover the reality of these jobs to restoration professionals. "
After the harbor tour and museum Haliotika City of Fisheries, Marie and Damien find the auction and consignment of prawns. Thierry Guigue explains to young chefs daily functioning of the auction and the complexity of issues related to fishing: minimum size control, electronic auction down, prices of European withdrawal ...
Out at sea with the sardine fishermen from Brittany
A 21 h 30, the sardine fishermen from the port of Saint-Guénolé. Marie and Damien respectively embark on board the Queen of the Arvor and the Standard to discover the craft of bolincheur. Impressed, Marie said: " All night, the skipper seeking the shoals of sardines with its sonar. Once the bench is spotted, the sailors are all on deck, each in his place to perform the maneuvers. Purse is launching and around the bench. Sometimes bad luck, sardines and escape back empty purse. " The boats return at dawn. Marie and Damien attend the landing of sardines. Quantities vary from one boat to another. Part has already been sold during the night.
Damien has become aware of the difficulty of a fisherman: " I was never mounted on a fishing boat. I really discovered a fascinating job and very difficult. In the restaurant world, it is said that the schedules are hard but the sardine fishermen, themselves, working all night! "
An MSC certified fishery The sardine fishery of South Brittany ring net is certified MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) in 2010. This certification provides an assurance of a well managed and sustainable fisheries; it relates to fisheries targeting stocks in good condition, using methods friendly fishing and marine ecosystems with an effective management system. The ring net is a selective technique, it is a purse seine is held around the shoals identified.
Bringing together professionals to develop a sustainable fishing industry Initiate meetings between industry professionals to discuss issues of resource sustainability is one of the missions of SeaWeb / Products Alliance sea Contest, "Sustainable Seafood" in addressing the younger generation of restaurant professionals, contributes to these exchanges.
With their prize, winners get involved and leave with a strong understanding of the fishing trade, the complexity of the issues of fisheries and resource conservation. They discover fishing techniques and environmentally friendly are aware of those who have the will to apply them. On the occasion of the contest, the winners also contribute to the enhancement of species known or less popular but whose stocks are in good condition. So the other winners of "sustainable seafood products" discover other areas of other industry players, other issues: net fishing right in Belgium, professional fishing lake in Switzerland, Prud'homies Mediterranean ... They will also receive training in the kitchen with chefs association members Relay & Castles involved in the preservation of fisheries resources. The Seafood Choices Alliance is an international program of SeaWeb, environmental organization working to preserve oceans. The Alliance works with all professionals involved in fishing and aquaculture, to help develop a sustainable market for aquatic products.
www.allianceproduitsdelamer.org
 |
| Marie Lebigot aboard the Queen of the Arvor back fishing. |
 |
| Damien Regnier with the fishermen of the Standard. |
Lebigot Marie, a student of hotel school of Dinard and Regnier Damien, a young chef at the restaurant Lecoq-Gadby Rennes, two of the winners of the first national contest "Sustainable Seafood", just received their reward: they went to Guilvinec meet professionals in the fishing industry and discover the sardine fishery of ring net of Southern Brittany on the night of June 26 to 27 Contest "Sustainable Seafood"
This is to educate future generations of leaders and young professionals catering to the fragility of fisheries resources, as SeaWeb / Seafood Choices Alliance and the Ecole Ferrandi created this culinary competition in partnership with the hotel school of Dinard, the Relais & Chateaux and lounge Prorestel. By offering this meeting / discovery with industry players, the competition allows winners to complete their learning and to better understand the realities of the sector.
Visit the port of Guilvinec Hosted by Thierry Guigue, responsible for the producer organization "The fishermen from Brittany, "Mary and Damien have discovered one of the most dynamic Breton ports. " The Guilvinec is one of the busiest ports in the region and offers a wide variety of jobs , explains Thierry Guigue. This diversity is crucial to the economic and social fabric of the region. I am very pleased to welcome young leaders. It is important to discover the reality of these jobs to restoration professionals. "
After the harbor tour and museum Haliotika City of Fisheries, Marie and Damien find the auction and consignment of prawns. Thierry Guigue explains to young chefs daily functioning of the auction and the complexity of issues related to fishing: minimum size control, electronic auction down, prices of European withdrawal ...
Out at sea with the sardine fishermen from Brittany
A 21 h 30, the sardine fishermen from the port of Saint-Guénolé. Marie and Damien respectively embark on board the Queen of the Arvor and the Standard to discover the craft of bolincheur. Impressed, Marie said: " All night, the skipper seeking the shoals of sardines with its sonar. Once the bench is spotted, the sailors are all on deck, each in his place to perform the maneuvers. Purse is launching and around the bench. Sometimes bad luck, sardines and escape back empty purse. " The boats return at dawn. Marie and Damien attend the landing of sardines. Quantities vary from one boat to another. Part has already been sold during the night.
Damien has become aware of the difficulty of a fisherman: " I was never mounted on a fishing boat. I really discovered a fascinating job and very difficult. In the restaurant world, it is said that the schedules are hard but the sardine fishermen, themselves, working all night! "
An MSC certified fishery The sardine fishery of South Brittany ring net is certified MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) in 2010. This certification provides an assurance of a well managed and sustainable fisheries; it relates to fisheries targeting stocks in good condition, using methods friendly fishing and marine ecosystems with an effective management system. The ring net is a selective technique, it is a purse seine is held around the shoals identified.
Bringing together professionals to develop a sustainable fishing industry Initiate meetings between industry professionals to discuss issues of resource sustainability is one of the missions of SeaWeb / Products Alliance sea Contest, "Sustainable Seafood" in addressing the younger generation of restaurant professionals, contributes to these exchanges.
With their prize, winners get involved and leave with a strong understanding of the fishing trade, the complexity of the issues of fisheries and resource conservation. They discover fishing techniques and environmentally friendly are aware of those who have the will to apply them. On the occasion of the contest, the winners also contribute to the enhancement of species known or less popular but whose stocks are in good condition. So the other winners of "sustainable seafood products" discover other areas of other industry players, other issues: net fishing right in Belgium, professional fishing lake in Switzerland, Prud'homies Mediterranean ... They will also receive training in the kitchen with chefs association members Relay & Castles involved in the preservation of fisheries resources. The Seafood Choices Alliance is an international program of SeaWeb, environmental organization working to preserve oceans. The Alliance works with all professionals involved in fishing and aquaculture, to help develop a sustainable market for aquatic products.
www.allianceproduitsdelamer.org
Super-trawler up sets the Aussies
 |
| Video in support of the news story. |
A Federal Labor MP is concerned there is not enough information available for an informed public debate on a super trawler headed for Tasmania.
Seafish Tasmania plans to use the 142-metre factory ship, FV Margiris, to catch its 18,000 tonne redbait and jack mackerel quota in Commonwealth waters. A public meeting in Devonport yesterday heard opposition from environment, fishing and tourism groups worried that the ship will deplete fish stocks.
Do you know someone who wants to become a fisherman?
Do you want to become a fisherman?
Seafood Cornwall Training, Cornwall’s only dedicated fish industry training school, is running the last of a series of three, fully funded, Seafish Accredited Three Week Introduction to Commercial Fishing Courses, on the 30th July in Newlyn. The three-week course will provide new entrants to the industry with essential basic skills, a comprehensive safety induction and all the mandatory certificates they will need to start work on a fishing vessel.
The course consists of two weeks shore-based training in essential skills such as net mending and gear construction, ropes, knots and splicing, watchkeeping, navigation and stability. The third and final week will consist of a week of mandatory safety courses, including Sea Survival and First Aid.
Seafood Cornwall Training has been able to access funding from Seafish and from the European Fisheries Fund via the Marine Management Organisation, meaning that this course will be offered free of charge to all candidates.
Candidates will receive a Seafish 3 Week Introduction to Fishing Certificate for New Entrants to the Commercial Fishing Industry, as well as STCW 95 qualifications in Personal Survival Techniques & Elementary First Aid, Seafish certificates in Health & Safety, Fire Fighting and Prevention at Sea, Basic Stability, Basic Engineering and a nationally recognised Food Hygiene qualification.
To be eligible to attend this fully funded course, candidates must be over 16 and must be able to attend the full three weeks of training, commencing 30th July and finishing 17th August 2012.
Fishing is not your normal 9-5 job, but it rewards those who are willing and able to work hard in a challenging environment.
Seafood Cornwall Training would like to hear from you, if you would like to attend this free course, as there are a few “late notice” spaces available. Contact Sarah or Emma at Seafood Cornwall Training on 01736 364324 or visit www.seafoodcornwalltraining.
Seafood Cornwall Training would like to hear from you, if you would like to attend this free course, as there are a few “late notice” spaces available. Contact Sarah or Emma at Seafood Cornwall Training on 01736 364324 or visit www.seafoodcornwalltraining.
Sunday 8 July 2012
Sunday's sunny Sea Salt Sail
time to stop for a beer in the Fisherman's Arms........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)