Video: Crystal Sea II film trailer
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Tuesday 5 November 2013
ICES charts the course towards integrated understanding of marine ecosystems
ICES will be taking a lead role in advancing the integrated scientific understanding of marine ecosystems, and in providing advice on the sustainable use and protection of these ecosystems.
Published: 25 October 2013
These commitments are documented in the new Strategic Plan, charting the course for ICES for the next five years 2014–2018.
"ICES is well known for providing evidence-based advice on fishery management. However, there is a need for science and advice to go beyond traditional assessments of the status of fish stocks. The new ICES Strategic Plan commits to building a foundation of science that depends on improving our understanding of marine ecosystems, and producing integrated advice needed by decision-makers that is based on timely and accurate data and information," said Paul Connolly, the ICES President.
The Strategic Plan was endorsed at the annual ICES Council meeting held in Copenhagen this week. The plan will be implemented through four coordinated action plans related to Science, Advice, Data and Information, and the ICES Secretariat, all of which will be finalized in February 2014.
The ICES Council of Delegates, representing the organization's 20 member countries, decided to further support the transition towards integrated ecosystem understanding by establishing a special Science Fund. A request for research proposals to be supported by this fund will be announced next month, and further information will soon be made available on the ICES website.
The delegates also agreed to forward a letter to the European Marine Directors outlining how ICES can contribute to the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU MSFD). ICES offers an efficient and responsive intergovernmental process that can generate routine science-based environmental advice essential for the successful implementation of the EU MSFD.
The EU MSFD, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), and the World Summit on Sustainable Development are interrelated legal frameworks that require an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems to support an ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.
The Council has also elected three new committee Chairs for a 3-year term starting on 1 January 2014: Yvonne Walther (Sweden) for the ICES Science Committee (SCICOM), Eskild Kirkegaard (Denmark) for the ICES Advisory Committee (ACOM), and, as of 1 November, Pierre Petitgas (France) for the ICES Awards Committee.
The Council is the principal decision and policy-making body of ICES, and is led by the President, Dr. Paul Connolly.
"ICES is well known for providing evidence-based advice on fishery management. However, there is a need for science and advice to go beyond traditional assessments of the status of fish stocks. The new ICES Strategic Plan commits to building a foundation of science that depends on improving our understanding of marine ecosystems, and producing integrated advice needed by decision-makers that is based on timely and accurate data and information," said Paul Connolly, the ICES President.
The Strategic Plan was endorsed at the annual ICES Council meeting held in Copenhagen this week. The plan will be implemented through four coordinated action plans related to Science, Advice, Data and Information, and the ICES Secretariat, all of which will be finalized in February 2014.
The ICES Council of Delegates, representing the organization's 20 member countries, decided to further support the transition towards integrated ecosystem understanding by establishing a special Science Fund. A request for research proposals to be supported by this fund will be announced next month, and further information will soon be made available on the ICES website.
The delegates also agreed to forward a letter to the European Marine Directors outlining how ICES can contribute to the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU MSFD). ICES offers an efficient and responsive intergovernmental process that can generate routine science-based environmental advice essential for the successful implementation of the EU MSFD.
The EU MSFD, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), and the World Summit on Sustainable Development are interrelated legal frameworks that require an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems to support an ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.
The Council has also elected three new committee Chairs for a 3-year term starting on 1 January 2014: Yvonne Walther (Sweden) for the ICES Science Committee (SCICOM), Eskild Kirkegaard (Denmark) for the ICES Advisory Committee (ACOM), and, as of 1 November, Pierre Petitgas (France) for the ICES Awards Committee.
The Council is the principal decision and policy-making body of ICES, and is led by the President, Dr. Paul Connolly.
Go East - Film crew update!
After leaving Newlyn around 2130 yesterday evening the trawler Crystal Sea II is still steaming East.
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| The average wave height at the Sevenstones weather station has been around four metres over the last 24 hours. |
Despite an easing of the wind over the last 36 hours the poor sea conditions on the grounds south of Newlyn where the boat would normally work at this time of year have forced skipper David Stevens to go east and chase cuttlefish off Brixham.
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| 10:00am and the wind speed off Land's end has reached near gale force approaching 35 knots |
With the weather forecast giving more poor weather and the wind speed currently climbing this should give the film crew a chance to find their sea legs!
Bristol Expo Fishing Show 2013
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| The GM7M vessel built by G. Smyth boats on display |
Skipper Expo Bristol October 2013 Maria Campbell Fisheries student at Plymouth University
As a fisheries student, I am more akin to academic conferences, however my current research angle is taking me to the various coastal towns mainly within the SW but also the wider UK interviewing fishermen and talking to local people about fishing. So when I found out an industry expo was happening in Bristol, I jumped at the chance to meet skippers as they perused the exhibitions. So, I volunteered my time and I got in!
The Skipper Expo Int. Bristol Commercial fisheries show kicked off last weekend. Over two days, hundreds of fishermen from England and Wales passed through the event with over 75 exhibitors.
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| Just some of the 75 exhibitors |
The Expo itself was a sensory overload of information on various aspects of fishing. From engines, electronics, safety equipment, creels and netting, to displays from various campaigns, e.g. Fishing for litter, management bodies, e.g. Inshore Conservation Authorities (IFCA) Devon and Severn, and the Marine Stewardship Council.
A GM7M vessel built by G. Smyth boats was on display in the hotel forecourt with the opportunity to board the vessel and talk to the designers. I learned of new creel design by both international companies and individual fishermen and family businesses designing their own via recycled materials. Succorfish, a provider of global marine and maritime monitoring systems were on hand to show me how their technology works and how it is being used for academic research and spatial analysis, an area I am passionate about. Being able to see real time information on a few screens while the designers take you through their application is not something I get exposed to often.
I had the chance to discuss map production with Tene maps, I spent a great amount of my time mapping information from the marine world and it was really interesting to see it on a commercial scale. As you walked into the arena, a poster displayed a photo of a fisherman who recently had a boat accident and was in the water for almost 45 minutes; he, for the first time had worn an FPD and talked of it potentially saving his life. The RLNI were there exhibiting the new FPD currently in use along with newly designed at sea gear in collaboration with Mullion Survival Technology. Seafish representatives took the time to guide me through footage of beam trawling in action and how new designs are helping the industry and discussed what they do to support the industry. Observing trawl door design, scallop gear set-up and gaining insights into engine design, maintenance and cost were fascinating.
A wine reception on the first evening included a fantastic fish supper, with an array of fish and fish dishes available. A toast to an incredible first day at the Expo! I thank Mara Media for such a great event in the SW, roll on Aberdeen 2014! I also thank them for the help I received in finding skippers to talk to regarding my research. I thank all the exhibitors and the fishers who took their time to answer all my questions and suggested further skippers to talk to. I think all I need to do now is get my own fishing vessel, well at the very least I learned enough about commercial fishing just to start thinking about it! As I sit here sitting on Plymouth Hoe writing this, watching some boats return from sea, I reflect on an amazing event in Bristol! Thanks Mara Media!
AAA
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Arklow Marine Services
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Audacious Marine Ltd
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Bee-Jay Scallop Gear
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Black Dog Marine
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Brdr Markussens Metalvarifabrik
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Caithness Creels
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Carapax AB
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Centa Transmissions
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Coastal Nets Limited
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C A Clase UK Ltd
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Monday 4 November 2013
First shot of sardines for weeks!
Shooting for the first time in weeks owing to the bad weather...
the local sardine boats LittlePearl
and Pride of Cornwall...
land to the fish market.
Time to sail for the film crew
Sailing for the first time aboard a fishing boat, second year film students from UCL London ready themselves for a gruelling six day trip aboard Crystal Sea II, the biggest trawler operating in the Western Approaches.
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