FISHERIES: Proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation

Latest news from Brussels regarding the implementation of the 'discards ban'.



Landing obligation and discards ban 

Ministers took stock of the preparations for the adoption by the Council of its position regarding a proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation. In addition, the Member States gave an update on the state of play of the preparation of discard plans at the regional level in line with the preparation of the implementation of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This allowed Member States to exchange opinions, experiences and information.


FISHERIES

Proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation

The ministers took stock of the preparations for the adoption of the Council position regarding a proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation (or "Omnibus" regulation) (18021/13). While generally supporting the Presidency compromise with a view to finalising the work before the end of this year, some Member States expressed diverging views about some key open issues,including the elimination of minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for the pelagic speciesin the North-East Atlantic and the introduction of exemptions for undersized marine organisms.

The Commission proposed the "Omnibus" regulation in order to help the future implementation of the discards ban, as agreed in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform. This proposal represents a temporary and urgently needed solution, which needs to be adopted by the end of this year. It consists of a series of amendments to a number of regulations establishing technical measures and control rules for the fisheries sector. The Council is preparing its position with a view to starting negotiations with the European Parliament in the second half of this year. The aim is the adoption of the regulation by the end of 2014.

One of the central objectives of the reform of the current CFP is the progressive elimination of discards in all EU fisheries through the introduction of a landing obligation (Article 15 of regulation 1380/20131). This is designed to make better use of the available resources, and to meet public expectation that the practice of throwing marketable fish back into the sea will be ended. High levels of discards are identified as an important factor behind the lack of environmental sustainability of the CFP.

The European Parliament and the Council agreed on the gradual introduction of the landing obligation with 1 January 2015 as the starting date for implementation. In order to make the landing obligation operational certain provisions within the current regulations on technical measures, management measures and control that run contrary to the landing obligation and oblige fishermen to discard fish must be removed or amended. However, this new framework certainly cannot be in place in time for the first group of fisheries to be covered under the landing obligation. Legislation is therefore needed so as to remove any legal and practical impediments to implementation on a transitional basis while this new framework is being developed.

As regards technical measures, several provisions contained in the current regulations contradict the landing obligation and oblige fishermen to discard. This means that minimum landing sizes, catch composition rules and by-catch provisions have to be amended. The EU control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the CFP also needs to be aligned with the landing obligation.

As the first group of fisheries will be subject to the landing obligation in 2015, the relevant provisions of the regulations on technical measures, management measures and control measures should be amended by this regulation in order to ensure the timely removal of legal obstacles to applying the landing obligation.

Implementation of the CFP: discard Plans

The Commission provided the Council with a document updating on the state of play of the preparation of discard plans by Member States. This concerns the preparation of related delegated acts, which are to be adopted before the end of 2014 (10217/14). During this meeting ministers expressed views on the current discard plans preparation so as to exchange experience on best practice and share information on key issues and concerns (10872/14).

Ministers from Member States currently chairing regional groups welcomed the preparation of discards plan agreed at sea basin levels (for instance: Baltic region, North Sea, Mediterranean, South Western Waters). In most of cases, these plans are to be forwarded to the Commission in the near future. They set out joint recommendations that the Commission convert into EU through the adoption of a delegated act before the end of the year. Many delegations recognised the added-value in the work carried out at regional level which addresses the specific issues relating to fish stocks and involves professional operators. However, some Member States highlighted the need to adopt common approaches on the various regional recommendations with a view to avoiding discrepancies.

The delegations also raised some key issues which had emerged during the preparation of the discard plans. These includes:

– the need to determine whether technical measures may be included in the regional discard plans; 

– the need to clarify and harmonise the interpretation of the de minimis rule included in the Basic Regulation; 

– solutions for handling damaged fish.

With the new CFP, there is a gradual introduction of a landing obligation for all fisheries (see previous point). On 1 January 2015 the following fisheries (in EU waters) will be subject to the landing obligation: small pelagic fisheries, large pelagic fisheries, industrial fisheries, fisheries for salmon and fisheries in the Baltic Sea.

The new CFP contains a number of provisions designed to facilitate the implementation of the landing obligation. These includes general flexibility provisions which can be applied by Member States in the context of the annual management of their national quotas. In addition, the new CFP

provides for specific flexibility tools used in multiannual plans, or in the absence of multiannual plans, in so-called discard plans (the validity of the plans is limited to 3 years). 

These flexibility tools are: 
– exemptions for species that have high survival rates when returned to the sea; 
– de minimis exemptions, under certain conditions, of up to 5 % of total annual catches (with a possibility of a higher percentage in the first four years).

It's #FishyFriday - don't forget the FishMish!

Heavy skies greeted early risers looking across the rooftops on Penzance seafront this morning...

as the town braces itself for the annual Golowan Festival which arrives in full force next weekend...

like a sleeping giant, it's just too early for any of the construction plant to be caught in action...

the huge scale of the seafront repairs on Newlyn Green...

can be gauged by the height of the workings...

here 4m wide footings have been laid in concrete well below the level of high water...

more summer visitors include the Stella Maris

no prizes for guessing what Nigel is going to be doing over the next few days while the sun shines...

many megs fill the market floor at this time of year...

the sight swimmers dread...

off for a breakfast foray...

barge and tug combination from Fowey lay to the Stone Quay...

and waiting for a flat calm before venturing with a deck cargo of cement - wouldn't pay to get those bags too wet...

more foreign visitors, this time from across the border in Devon, the Plymouth registered Stella Maris and the Teignmouth registered Gerry Ann.

A chance to support a local seafood venture - in North Devon

THE STORY SO FAR

Out of the love of oysters, and the shared experience they bring, The Glorious Oyster was born. Hello my name is Lyndsay and I'm the owner / operator of The Glorious Oyster. The Glorious Oyster has been operating as a mobile oyster and seafood bar traveling the country to food festivals and events for the past 18 months. We champion and promote local shellfish from local sustainable sources. In the spring of 2013 I relocated to North Devon and was able to take advantage of the local fishing industry and obtain locally landed crab, lobster and whelk direct from the fisherman; mussels and oysters from a farm just down the road from me; scallops and squid from a locally processing unit.

THE PROBLEM

For an area with a thriving fishing industry, which lands tonnes of brown crab, lobster, scallop, whelk and squid. Up to 80% of the areas catch can get shipped and sold out of the area before processing. The majority of dressed brown crab and lobster sold in shops and delis is from South Devon or Cornwall. In Westward Ho! a seaside village, just 10 minutes from where the majority of this glorious shellfish is landed, you can't buy your holiday favourites of local dressed crab, small tubs of whelks / mussels / cockles, oysters, dressed lobster.

MY SOLUTION

I am going to change this. I want to keep more of the local catch in the area whilst adding value to the local economy. The council has granted me my street trading license, now I just need to get trading. I want to enhance the seaside experience for everyone and purchase my friends, Katie and Kim's Kitchen horsebox to give it a new lease of life as a sustainably run oyster bar / seafood / street food / beach food shack in Westward Ho! Their beautiful little horsebox will be a unique attraction to the area. I will be staying true to The Glorious Oysters routes and will have a dedicated, hot and cold, oyster menu with a selection of my own dressings and local takes on traditional oyster dishes.

As well as this, there will be holiday favourites that you'd expect at the seaside as well as a lunch menu and daily specials. I'll also be harvesting laver and samphire and using this creatively in my food, as well as making my own range of cordials and juices. All championing and celebrating what the area has to offer.

I also plan to introduce bbq and picnic packs with everything you need in 1 handy box. The majority of shellfish I will be buying direct from the fisherman / farmer; cooking, processing, smoking, dressing it myself. When this isn't possible I will be buying direct from the local processing companies; this will be for scallop, squid and any wet fish.

SUSTAINABLE, LOCAL AND NOT JUST FOR PROFIT

Sustainability, a local supply chain and the local economy are important to me at home, and should be in business as well. I plan to be the first eating establishment in North Devon to have a sustainability rating from The Sustainable Restaurant Association. The SRA will carry out an audit on 14 key focus area of my business, across 3 sustainability categories; Sourcing Environment and Society. I will be giving either a 1, 2 or 3 star sustainability champion rating - The Michelin Star award of the sustainability world. To achieve the best rating possible, as much as I can source will come from sustainable, ethical and fair trading local companies. Disposables will be recyclable, re-usable, compostable and from renewable sources.
As a member of the North Devon Small Producers Alliance my breads, diary products, oils/vinegars, vegetable produce any meat products will come from other producers in the alliance. Charcoal for bbq smoking from a local charcoal maker, I will also sell their charcoal to accompany my BBQ packs. Tea and coffee will be from local blending companies who import the fair trade raw ingredients.

GETTING THEM YOUNG

I am always amazed at how many children and young people try oysters for the first time when I'm at food festivals, and I believe the key is getting to children early to promote, and get them involved with, food before any food prejudices begin to develop.
I'm a youth worker by profession and plan to link with local schools and facilitate workshops and demonstrations in what sea food the local area has to offer, as well as supporting students at the local catering college with employment.

WHAT WILL YOUR MONEY BE SPENT ON?

As mentioned I have been granted my street trading license, I now need a trailer to trade from. With the funds raised from this project I will be buying Katie and Kim's Kitchen horse box trailer. The horsebox is sat in Bristol waiting to be given a new lease of life down here in North Devon. Katie and Kim are friends of mine and I was involved with them at the start when they first converted the horsebox into a fully functional kitchen. I applied for my street trading license at the same time as they put their horsebox for sale. When I heard they were selling it, it just seemed fitting that I try to buy it, and keep it in the family so to speak.
As well as purchasing the horsebox the funding will go towards: transporting it down here, giving it a fresh like of paint and paying for 3 months worth of storage.

THE GLORIOUS REWARDS

As a thank you I've got a range of rewards waiting for you.
EVERYONE will receive A GLORIOUS THANK YOU, which will consist of a massive shout of thanks on Twitter and Facebook, your name on our driftwood wall of fame that will be displayed at the horsebox, and 2 free oysters when you visit the horsebox.

AND A GLORIOUS INVITE to a celebratory event to be held in Autumn 2014. This is planned to be held at Cafe Collective in Bideford. There'll be a Champagne, oyster and canape reception, music and a pay bar for cocktails and local craft beers and ciders.

In addition we'll be offering; oyster and food hampers, having an oyster bar at your event, commissioned artworks by International street artist Mau Mau & The Stencil Shed, The Wooden Spoon Press, oyster tasting experiences for you and friends, vouchers to eat at the horsebox, a boat trip to the local mussel beds, tables at my super club, a day boat trip to Lundy Island courtesy of Clovelly Charters, sponsorship of the horsebox for a year.....

HELP SPREAD THE GLORIOUS OYSTER LOVE - if you can't spare any cash, please spare me 10 seconds....... If you're not able to pledge YOU CAN STILL HELP!! If you like the sound of this project, help spread the word via your social media networks, tell people who you think might be interested in pledging, follow us on Twitter and Facebook and retweet and share our posts. Twitter @GloriousOsyter / Facebook TheGloriousOyster
With your help you can still enable this to happen.

THANK YOU ALL for taking the time to watch and read this.

TGO x

ADDITIONAL REWARD INFORMATION:

A GLORIOUS VOUCHER is a £10 voucher to redeem when you the horsebox. 

An oyster tasting experience: We can cater for more than 8 people for an additional charge. This will be held in a venue in North Devon, if you want us to travel to you please contact us before pledging to discuss further. We can arrange to have wine pairing as well, this will be at a extra cost. 

An experience day at the oyster & mussel farm: You'll also visit the oyster beds and purification unit and learn to shuck and all there is to know about oysters, and go home with a dozen oysters and an oyster knife. This is in North Devon.
Having The Glorious Oyster at your event / celebration: This is based on 3 oysters per person, cold and hot oyster menu available, we can cater for additional guests at an extra cost, if you live more than 50 miles away a fuel surcharge will apply, the date needs to be mutually agreeable with us both (I might already be booked - but you can contact me before you pledge to check I'm available, the catering menu will be agreed in advance. 

Couriering: There may be an additional charge if you live in remote or non-mainland areas of the UK. If in doubt please check first. Non perishable items can be courier outside the UK for an additional charge.

Ironic ale launched to support the mission

A new ale has been brewed to raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission charity.

Photo courtesy of the Cornishman

Ten pence of every pint sold of Sharp’s Brewery’s Honey Gold will go towards supporting fishermen and their families in hard times.

The new limited release beer is a golden ale at 4.2% ABV and flavoured with aromatic US hops and a subtle combination of ginger and honey.

It is now available on draught in trade outlets across both South West and South East regions with newly designed pump clips created to raise awareness of the charity.

Sharp’s brand manager James Nicholls, said: “Earlier this year we saw terrible weather conditions really impact local businesses here in Cornwall, with many of our customers affected.

“Being proud of our roots and home here in Cornwall we’re always looking at ways to support the community, so this was a great opportunity for us to do so.”

“Last year we raised more than £12,500 for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust with our Sharp’s Own, Special and Cornish Coaster – we’re hopeful to build on this success with our Honey Gold promotion and provide some much needed relief to affected fisherman.”

For more information about the work of the Fishermen’s Mission visit www.fishermensmission.org.uk

Read the full story here form the Cornishman 

Amazing resource - streaming live video research via satellite at sea!

The American research ship Nautilus streams live video feeds from four cameras while it is undertaking research projects. The boat is currently steaming to Gulfport for a crew change before continuing her summer survey and mapping of the sea bed off the west coast of Florida. One of the teams will be looking at the effects of the Deepwater Horizon rig oil spill on the habitat.

What makes this ship and its scientific work so different is the live and interactive video link they maintain via the internet. Anyone with internet access can post a question to the scientists on watch and can listen to members of the ship's technical and scientific crew on watch answer their questions live! 

How useful would that be if boats like Cefas Endeavour were able to interact with the fishing industry when carrying out their fisheries survey work?

Join the watch at 8.30 pm tonight and you can join in with a special Q&A with NOAA Sanctuaries' Dr. Billy Causey, who is the lead scientist for their Dry Tortugas cruise. He could have some interesting observations to make given the impending next round of MPAs and sanctuaries being planned for UK waters.

See more at: http://www.nautiluslive.org/#sthash.e2OLHcmA.dpuf

Go to the web site here and ask the guys a question!

The fleet is all at sea - a very quiet fish market this morning with most of the activity in Newlyn centred around restoring the sea front

With the spring tide almost done the netting fleet will be tang ice today and tomorrow, they are virtually the only boats in the post with most of the fleet at sea taking advantage of the fine weather...

one of the fastest fish in the sea is yet again proving somewhat elusive this month...

so fishermen are putting a mornings work in starting at 4am just to catch a few stone of mackerel...

the fish are a good size though with the bulk of them being large medium or 'large meeds' as they are known... 

with only a handful of small in the morning's landing...

there's more than a few hours work for the trawler men working on this hard ground gear - heavy rubber discs mean this trawl will be used to 'hop' over stony and hard ground - hence the name 'rockhopper' trawl...

one of the ports stern trawlers basking in the sunshine...

as the netter Ajax makes her way to the ice berth…

yet more pots have been retrieved by the crabbers after the winter storms...

while more evidence of the harsh winter weather can be seen on the coastal path between Newlyn Green and Wherry Town where the first stage in making good the path...

is almost complete...

while in front of Newlyn Green where the sea wall was breached so badly in the winter storms...

the scale of the repair work is huge as a fleet of earth moving kit has moved in…

and is now digging down well below sea level at high water...

the strength of the caisson can be seen here.

Newlyn Green sea wall repairs underway

The depth of the excavations for the sea wall footings can be seen in this clip - with sea water flooding the work even at half tide.