2013 Historic CFP Reform - key points of the deal

A useful summary care off Chris Davies MEP on the deal struck last night KEY POINTS OF THE NEW EU COMMON FISHERIES POLICY

1. A legally-binding objective to rebuild fish stocks by 2020.

In setting annual quotas Fisheries Ministers have repeatedly exceeded the scientific recommendations, leading to a decline in stocks. The new policy includes a legally binding target to end over fishing (FMSY) by 2015 where possible, and at the latest by 2020, for all stocks. Europe's fish stocks could increase by 15 million tonnes.

2. Legal obligation to land fish caught and reduce discards

Fishermen have not been allowed to land fish above quota, and so have discarded perfectly edible fish as well as those not commercially valuable (1.7 million tonnes pa). The new policy reverses the procedure. Starting in pelagic fisheries from 2015, fishermen will by 2019 have a legal obligation to land 95% of all fish caught. In order to not to waste quota fishermen will be encouraged to make use of more selective gear.

3. Long term management plans

A long term management plan will be prepared for every fishery in accord with scientific advice and taking account of the unique circumstances. The aim will be to restore and maintain fish stocks above levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yields. Plans may include conservation measures for particular species.

4. Regionalisation

Micro-management from Brussels will be reduced. Day to day decisions about the running of particular fisheries, and conservation measures needed, will increasingly be taken by regional advisory councils including fishermen and scientists from all the countries involved in the fishery. This was a priority for the UK Government.

5. Sustainable fishing partnerships

European vessels fishing overseas have been accused of exploiting stocks and denying indigenous people access to local food supplies. The new policy insists that future fisheries agreements with third countries must respect democratic principles and human rights.

6. Strengthening environmental protection

The new policy requires the Common Fisheries Policy, for the first time, to support the EU's environmental policies and objectives, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Birds Directive, and Habitats Directive.

7. Reducing over-capacity

Europe has had too many boats chasing too few fish. The new policy emphasises the need for Member States to align their fishing fleet capacity with available fishing opportunities, at pain of risking interruption of some EU financial assistance.

8. Control and enforcement

The new policy requires establishment of an EU framework for control, inspection and enforcement, and seeks to promote cooperation to identify the most effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.

9. Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

The new policy strengthens the role of European Fisheries Control Agency in combating IUU fishing and promoting agreements with third countries to combat IUU fishing.

10. Fish Stock Recovery Areas

The new policy encourages EU countries to give additional protection to spawning grounds and sensitive areas where there is evidence of many fish below minimum conservation size

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CFP Reform Press Conference live at 10am -

It's the live press conference from Brussels on the biggest CFP reform since its inception - hopefully marking a turning point in the world of commercial fishing and paving the way for a better future for the fishermen of the UK and Europe!


Watch the press conference given this morning to oultine the new CFP - still plenty to talk about but it could have been a lot worse!

http://live.europarl.europa.eu/asx/ext/channel01.asx

RIP Jacob Cockle - Newlyn extreme surfer and photographer

Jacob Cockle, an amazing Cornish photographer and bodyboarder, drowned whilst swimming in Hayle Estuary yesterday.  Ex-Truro and Penwith college student, Jacob initially made a name for himself by photographing a series of extreme waves reported to be 80ft in some national papers being surfed by bodyboarders - much to harbourmaster Andrew Munson's displeasure!

The Daily Mail went to town on the story.

Behind the wave lies the South (Stone) Quay of Newlyn Harbour!

Jacob was a bodyboarder rather than surfer like this guy jumping in ready to ride the wave at the back of the opposing North Quay, better known as the Boneyard!...

with once in a decade opportunities like this!

Videographer Phil Lockley.

Fishing Livelihoods Must Not be forgotten in European Marine Sites Management

The NFFO is warning that industry must be given sufficient time to engage and present evidence in forthcoming consultations on European Marine Sites. IFCAs and the MMO are commencing consultations with respect to conservation features deemed highly vulnerable to certain types of fishing activity for coastal waters sites (<12nm off the coast).

The approach is being pursued by the management authorities in cases where assessments have not previously been completed and management applied following site designation.

This is in line with a revised process for English waters initiated by Defra last September which followed the threat of legal challenge from the NGOs ClientEarth and the Marine Conservation Society. The intention is to introduce management measures for features deemed highly vulnerable, so called “red” risk features, by the end of 2013. For those deemed as "amber", more detailed assessments are planned with any associated management introduced by the end of 2016. Details of the revised approach can be found on the Marine Management Organisation's website at: 

http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/protecting/conservation/ems_fisheries.htm

Dale Rodmell, Assistant Chief Executive of the Federation said: “The process must allow for evidence to be brought forward in order to corroborate the locations of features so that management boundaries do not unnecessarily impinge on fishing areas.”

“It is vital that management makes practical distinction between areas with the types of ecology that would be vulnerable to any new fishing incursions from those areas that have been fished extensively and have ecology that continues to exist in the presence of that activity. In such cases, fisheries that may have existed for decades or more must be recognised and special care taken to avoid unnecessary impacts to livelihoods.”

“NGOs who claim to be supporters of the livelihoods of inshore fishermen or wish to understand the local issues at a specific site ought to be able to recognise the reasonableness and common sense of such an approach and refrain from any abstract legal response to European Directives that are widely regarded as containing significant flaws.”

Courtesy of thew NNFF) news page.

Parliament proposes new compromises ahead of final round of CFP talks

The final round of negotiations in the fisheries reform are expected to take place this week, 28–29 May. The Parliament’s rapporteur today sent a letter to the Irish presidency proposing changes to the latest bid from Council.

While the Council claims that the new position they adopted 15 May makes significant concessions towards the parliament, MEPs do not agree.

”In spite of claims to the opposite, EU governments are moving in the wrong direction and are trying to wriggle out of putting the CFP on a sustainable footing. The latest Council mandate is even less ambitious in a number of key areas,” Green MEP Isabella Lövin said in a statement on Monday.

MEPs from the group Fish For the Future sent a letter to the Parliament’s rapporteur, Ulrike Rodust, calling on her not to accept the Council’s latest proposals without changes:

”For all that the Council claims to have moved towards Parliament the position it has taken is in too many respects far removed from that of MEPs. It omits key elements and substitutes legally binding commitments with platitudes. Were the CFP Basic Regulation to be adopted in this form it would be regarded as a severe disappointment and a missed opportunity.” the MEPs wrote.

Ulrike Rodust on Monday sent a letter to the Irish presidency with a number of key requests fo new compromises.

Trilogue negotiations with Council, Commission and Parliament are scheduled for Tuesday 28 May (18.30–21.00) and Wednesday 29 May (20:30–23:00).

CFP Reform watch.

Sue Lampard is looking for her sister - can you help?

Maybe a long shot but can anyone throw light on Sue Lampard's background - or more importantly the background of her sister whom she hasn't seen for over 30 years?

"My sister was born Carol Hand 18th Sept 1960 in Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex.

She was adopted in July 1961 and lived in Penzance (possibly Alverton or St Austell ) 

I have her birth certificate and the top part of adoption cert (looks like bottom part has been torn off) 

Our mothers name was Barbara Seabrook.

Her fathers name was Ray Kothe.

My BM refuses contact.

BM was married 2 my dad Tony Hand at the time of Carol's birth, which explains why his name is on Carol's adoption certificate.

He was the husband NOT the father. 

BM begged my dad for a divorce for 'the sake of the unborn child' 
Dad agreed and Carol was adopted at birth! 

My BM went on 2 have 2 more children with Ray which she kept.

She left Ray and had 3 more husbands after that! 

She now lives alone in a flat in Essex"

Information sent here please.