Committee on Fisheries in Brussels - live feed!

Listen live from Brussels - the outcome of this meeting will affect every fisherman in the EU!


Listen to the points being made at around 15:09 - very relevant to many of the current issues like small scale fishers and the commissioning of independent research not involving NGOs - 


http://live.europarl.europa.eu/asx/ext/channel11.asx


This week's agenda:

There are well over 3,000 amendments to the proposals!!!!

• Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:30 - 19:00
• 1.0 Adoption of agenda
• 2.0 Approval of minutes of meeting of: (PE504.109)
• 3.0 Chair’s announcements
• With the Council and Commission
• 4.0 (PECH/7/08042) European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (repeal of Council Regulations (EC) No 1198/2006, (EC) No 861/2006 and (EC) No XXX/2011 on integrated maritime policy)
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• 5.0 (PECH/7/08867) Amendment of Council Regulation (EC) No 1342/2008 of 18 December 2008 establishing a long-term plan for cod stocks and the fisheries exploiting those stocks
• 6.0 (PECH/7/10652) Establishing a long-term plan for cod stocks and the fisheries exploiting those stocks

• • 7.0 (PECH/7/10149) Amendment of Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of European eel stocks
• Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:00 - 09:30
  • In camera
  • 8.0 Coordinators’ meeting
• Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:30 - 10:30
• With the Council and Commission
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• 9.0 Exchange of views with Maria Damanaki Commissioner on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
• Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:30 - 12:30
• *** Electronic vote ***
• 10.0 Formal mandate: decision to open negotiations and the team of negotiators(2011/0194(COD))
• 11.0 Formal mandate: decision to open negotiations and the team of negotiators(2011/0218(COD)) 
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• 12.0 Formal mandate: decision to open negotiations and the team of negotiators(2011/0195(COD))
• 13.0 (PECH/7/10282) Technical and control measures in the Skagerrak and amendment of Regulations (EC) No 850/98 and (EC) No 1342/2008
• 14.0 (PECH/7/10255) Amendment to Council Regulation (EC) No 812/2004 laying down measures concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries and amending Regulation (EC) No 88/98
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• 15.0 (PECH/7/10302) 2011 discharge: EU general budget, Section III, Commission
• 16.0 (PECH/7/10547) 2011 discharge: Community Fisheries Control Agency
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• *** End of electronic vote ***
• 
  
• 17.0 (PECH/7/09881) Establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
• • 18.0 (PECH/7/10861) Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in the Union
  • 
    
• Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:00 - 18:30
  • With the Council and Commission
  • 19.0 Public hearing on "Deep Sea species: Towards a sustainable fishery"
  • 20.0 Any other business
  • 21.0 Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions
  • 
    
  • 22.0 Next meeting(s) (PECH(2013)0320_1) Wed, 20 Mar 2013
  •  

The other Newlyn, down under!

WALKING through Newlyn, it is impossible to tell an out-of-control B-double caused a scene of carnage just a few months ago in the town.

In fact, even one week after a stock truck crashed through the Antiques and Cottage Garden Nursery on the main road, there was little trace of the potentially fatal crash.

For antique shop owner John and Faye Hungerford, that can be put down solely to the generosity of Newlyn’s residents.

Local CFA members and even those keen to just lend a hand spent hour after hour banding together to help the Hungerford’s get back on their feet.

The truck had destroyed a shed, destroyed about $30,000 in antiques and came to a halt just metres from the bedroom where the couple were sleeping. “It’s a lovely, tolerant, understanding town is Newlyn,” said Mr Hungerford, a resident of 17 years. “Everybody is so generous not only with their time, but their friendship as well.” Mr Hungerford said unlike a few surrounding towns, Newlyn was continuing to grow. He said there was the perfect mix of old timers and those who had recently moved to the area. “It’s a country hamlet in a phase of transition,” said Mr Hungerford.

The basics:

Municipality: Hepburn Shire Population: 318

First settled: 1853

Main industries: Agriculture, grazing

Claim to fame: AFL star Brad Sewell played junior football with Newlyn in the Central Highlands Football League. The Hawthorn premiership player comes from a strong football family, with younger brother Myles a a triple premiership player with North Ballarat roosters in the VFL and Adam the coach of the Newlyn Cats.

Five fast facts:

1. Newlyn was named after the fishing village of Newlyn in Cornwall, England.

2. The town was put on the map in November last year when a semi-trailer truck crash through the historic antique shop, missing the adjoining house my metres.

3. The Newlyn Football Club has not won a senior premiership for 10 years. Only three different clubs have won it since the Cats last reigned supreme in 2003.

4. The original Newlyn Reservoir was completed in 1871. Enlargement of the storage to its current capacity of 3125 megalitres was completed in 1961.

5. The Restorers Shed and the Hall were established in 1886 and form the current Antiques and Cottage Garden Nursery.

Five things to do:

1. There are a number of hidden watering holes around Newlyn in which to cast a line, not to mention the expansive Newlyn Reservoir. Why not dust off the fishing rod, find yourself some bait and cast away.

2. Looking to get lost? Well the Tangled Maze is the perfect place. Located between Newlyn and Creswick, the Tangled Maze is a full-living shrub maze set among a tranquil nursery. In addition to the maze, there is also mini golf to keep the kids entertained.

3. If you are looking to get your share of culture and art then the Divayevo Arts Heritage Heritage Centre is the perfect place. Located in Barkstead, less than 15 kilometres from Newlyn, it is great spot to indulge the senses

4. One can't mention things to do in Newlyn without naming the Antiques and Cottage Garden Nursery. Run by husband and wife John and Fay Hungerford for the last 17 years, it has an extensive list of wares dating back to the 1700s.

5. A bit of exercise never goes astray. Why not head down to the local recreation reserve, the home of both Newlyn's football and cricket teams. If team sport isn't your thing, running a few laps of the oval would never hurt.

BLUE CHARITY BUSINESS… IN BRUSSELS 2013 - Week 7

What a week!

The Global Ocean Commission, with PEW in the background and Global Ocean Legacy, Fish Fight 2.0, Bloom Association and finally Brussels Business, all just one week after the European Parliament vote on its position on the CFP reform. It has been a week of intense activity for Blue Charity Business. We would like to decode it for you, in the light of information we collected to write the Blue Charity Business report published in November 2012. Just as for the Blue Charity Business report, the aim of this note is not to condemn US charitable foundations or environmental NGOs. It aims to connect objective but scattered evidence in order to improve transparency and fairness in the CFP reform process and, most importantly, in its future implementation.

MPAs and MCZs - European Marine Sites Implementation Group meeting

The MMO@The_MMO Fisheries in European Marine Sites Implementation Group meeting and information notes from 14 January meeting bit.ly/QQNVpK

The Real Fish Fight starts now!

Never mind hughs fishfight contacts get your complaints into channel 4 about how biased and ill informed aswell as lies this programme told,dont hesitate its ur future 

http://www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us

We need to start getting this page shared guys,theres fishermen allover the country in agreement together now,hughs ignorence is destroying your future,lets use this page to fight back,even get hugh fans on here for friendly debate,please post all your points on here ive seen people making over the past few weeks, fishermen stand tigether for once against this guy,langoustine,whitefish,pelagic,beam,scallops,lets do something about it. Chaz bruce

The Real Fish Fight!


This campaign is reaching out to everyone connected to the fishing industry, processors and fish n chip shops also,were fed up of this bad reputation and getting our names tarnished by hughs fish fight and other anti fishing campaigns,come tell us your views and show that uk and ireland has a proud fleet of fishermen,and we wont tolerate these lies spread on ch4 etc

Hugh's Fish Fight This time next week we'll be putting together the final preparations for our march on Westminster. Join Hugh on Monday 25 February to show the government we want more marine protection: http://www.fishfight.net/


Scott Wharton on Facebook:

Could not believe what I watched last night when a man with so little knowledge of the facts is allowed to slander our industry in the way he did. It is unbelievable how a programme can be aired in the manner it was before having facts. I think the time has come for our industry of all sectors and regardless of size of vessel to come together and start counteracting some of these ridiculous accusations made by celebrity chefs who can no longer make their restaurants pay so then decide to earn extra money by trying to destroy our great industry by using their celebrity status in way of misleading the public and losing public confidence. Any sector within the industry thinking their future will be secured by these green parties and celebrities will soon realise the reality as each sector gets picked off one by one. The time has come for our industry to pull together and put our money where our mouth is and start to hit back for our future and our childrens.

Nick PrustNeed a volunteer from each port along the devon, cornwall and dorset coasts to private message me please Time to stand up and be counted

Seafish response to Fish Fight 3

This comes a day after Seafish posted this report on a three year scallop programme!


Seafish is urging supporters of Hugh's Fish Fight to pause and consider the marine environment in a wider context, especially in consideration of how we produce food on land following a focus on the issues around Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) during the first episode of Hugh's Fish Fight 3 last night (14 February).


The programme, which in Seafish's view, failed to present a complete picture of the lengths the modern day fishing industry has gone to in order to protect the marine environment, called on viewers to march on Parliament on February 25th and demand the implementation of more MPAs from the Westminster Government.

Seafish however is urging caution to campaigners and asking for them to fully inform themselves of the facts before jumping on the latest celebrity led bandwagon.

Mark Gray, Head of Responsible Sourcing for Seafish, said:

"Seafish supports the concept of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which can play an important role in protecting the biodiversity and productivity of our seas. However, MPAs need to have clear and measurable objectives, as MPAs designed for fisheries management may be quite different to those designed to protect marine biodiversity. When badly designed, areas closed to fishing can have unforeseen negative effects by displacing fishing activity elsewhere.

"Fishermen have been working alongside governments, scientists and environmental groups for years in order to establish Marine Conservation Zones of varying purposes and continue to do so.

"It is important therefore that people understand that MPAs must have a proper scientific based approach to their set-up before they can be implemented otherwise we could threaten the economic and social prosperity of the UK without making any significant strides in environmental improvement. "

The facts behind scallop dredging must also be understood. Mark Gray said:

"Over 98% of UK landed scallops are caught by vessels using towed fishing gear. There is a misconception that scallop fishermen tow dredges or trawls over every bit of the sea bed. In fact, fishermen know where the species are found and make rationale decisions about where to go scallop fishing.

"Seafish continues to work closely with UK scallop fishermen. Through research and co-operative projects, we support the adoption of techniques and technologies to minimize environmental impacts. Through the adoption of best practice, we believe that ultimately it should be possible to ensure a responsible and sustainable future for this valuable industry."

Seafish, which worked with producers Keo Films to provide footage and advice during the making of the series, was disappointed but not surprised at the content of last night's programme. Given the importance of the issue, and the way it had sought to portray scallop dredging in particular, Seafish has produced a pack of information for followers of Fish Fight to look through and arm themselves fully with the facts on MPAs, dredging and other important areas likely to be highlighted by the programme in an effort to bring some semblance of balance to a debate.

The information can be accessed via the Seafish website and ranges from responsible sourcing guides, to scallop dredging maps and Seafish's independent guide to MPAs

Scottish fishermen criticise ‘Hugh’s Fish Fight’ for inaccurate portrayal of scallop fishing

An inaccurate and negative portrayal of scallop fishing that will be aired as part of the ‘Hugh’s Fish Fight’ Channel 4 TV series has come under stinging criticism from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.

The SFF fears the three-programme series, which begins tonight, will offer a totally imbalanced and distorted view of the scallop fishing sector, which supports many jobs and provides consumers with a much valued and sustainable food resource Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said: “Scallop fishermen depend upon abundant scallop stocks and a healthy marine environment and are committed to the protection of marine biodiversity.

Scallops prefer to live in less sensitive habitats such as sand and gravel, which are naturally dynamic environments due to the movement of water on the seabed from currents, tides and waves and this is where scallop fishermen concentrate their efforts. Scallop fishermen avoid areas where there are unusual marine features and fully support the need for protecting ecologically important habitats and species. Scallop fishermen have also pioneered the use of state-of-the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) technology to aid this process.

“The scallop industry has been involved in a number of environmental initiatives in recent years such as the development of a ‘Good Practice Guide for Scallops’, which includes the commitment to work in partnership with fishery and conservation managers, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies to ensure that scallop fishing activities avoid damage or disturbance to sensitive seabed habitats and protected sites. We have also been proactively involved in a number of gear trials with different styles of dredges to improve the selectivity of the gear and mitigate any impact on the seabed. “Scalloping only utilises a very small part of the seabed with vessels consistently fishing the same areas decade after decade. To imply that the scallop sector causes wide scale damage is both disingenuous and disproportionate.

“The suggestion by some celebrity chefs that we should eat only hand-dived scallops is wrong and totally impracticable as only 2% of scallops are harvested by divers, which would deny the vast majority of consumers the opportunity to enjoy this superb and sustainably caught seafood, leaving the availability of scallops to only a rich elite. 

The scallop sector is also very important to our economically fragile coastal communities, employing 600 fishing sector jobs and 750 processor jobs all around the coast.”