Reducing unused licences (latent capacity) in the English 10 metre and under fishing sector

Fishermen of England - #Defra want to hear from you!

Overview

They want to know what you think about current levels of latent capacity in the English 10 metre and under finfish and shellfish sectors. They would also like your views on how to reduce latent capacity to help to solve any problems.

Latent capacity means the number of licences issued to allow fishing for quota species, which are not used. It also describes licences issued and used to catch 300kg quota species or less a year. The term is also used for rights (entitlements) to catch shellfish, which are not currently used.

This is part of their work to make the English inshore fleet more sustainable.
Please see consultation letter and document below.

They welcome your views and comments on the proposals. Responses can be made:

•  via email to: fisheriesreform@defra.gsi.gov.uk or

•  in writing to: Domestic Reform Team, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Planning Division, Defra, Area 8A, 9 Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR.

Why They Are Consulting

They are launching a consultation because it is widely considered that, if it is not addressed now, the issue of latent capacity in the 10 metre and under fishing fleet could become a problem for quota availability and management. They are also proposing to take measures in the under 10 metre shellfish sector, as any increase in effort has the potential to prove damaging in terms of sustainability of these species.

Consultation Document

Download Consultation on reducing latent capacity in the English 10 metre and under fishing sector

At the Gap2 Channel Scallops Conference #GAP2Scallops

Penlee lifeboat out on a shout

Waiting for the tide to drop...

two beamers on this morning's market...

the William's big shot, unusual to see that many JDs at this time of year...

the stuff of nightmares....

and a distant cousin...

of the salmon...

it's that time of year when many fish are full of roe...

but which fish is this?...

with one eye on the auctioneer...

buying gold on the market...

and more top quality fish...

ready to go...

making tracks for the transport network...

the IRB is first away as the lifeboats get a call...

to go out on a shout - La Mouette or Molly May as she is now known had been taken to Mousehole Island by the skipper to sort a problem with her rudder when she drifted away and left the skipper stranded...

 the IRB picked up the red-faced skipper...

and the Ivan Ellen towed his boat back to Newlyn...

all quiet on the Admiral Gordon this morning.

"Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) or ‘pirate’ fishing" - what are the risks?

Released today in a detailed joint ‘Advisory Note’ launched today, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and WWF-UK inform UK industry, retailers and brands of the risks associated with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) or ‘pirate’ fishing.


Background:

– Global losses due to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing are estimated to be between £6.5 billion and $15 billion each year. This is estimated to represent between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish (MRAG and University of British Columbia 2009, Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing).

– The EU IUU Regulation, which came into force in 2010, aims to keep illegally caught fish out of the EU market by requiring catch certificates for seafood imports and exports. It also bars the import of fish from states and vessels known to be involved in IUU fishing. The Regulation and the EU’s enforcement of it are unique globally.

– The EU is the largest seafood importer in the world by value, importing 24% of the global total. (DG MARE 2014, The EU Fish Market 2014 edition).

– The value of illegally caught fish imported into the EU was estimated to be in the region of €1.1 billion, prior to the EU IUU Regulation coming into force. (European Commission 2007, European Commission Staff Working Document SEC – 1336).

The guide offers expert advice on risk assessment and risk mitigation, and encourages action to prevent IUU fishery products entering UK supply chains, which is costly on a number of levels.

IUU fishing involves methods and practices that violate fisheries laws, regulations or conservation and management measures. Activities can include:

– Fishing in restricted areas or during closed seasons;

– Targeting protected or unregulated fish species;

– Using banned fishing methods and fishing without a licence.

The effects of these activities lead to damage to the oceans and species, as well as global financial estimated to be between US $10 billion and US $23.5 billion each year, representing 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish. There is often also a strong link between IUU fishing activities and human rights abuses on-board fishing vessels.

Eight key recommendations suggest actions for business and industry to provide much needed impetus. BRC, EJF and WWF-UK want to promote greater understanding and transparency to support global initiatives and policy developments that would further reduce risk of IUU products entering the UK. The recommendations include:

– Increased transparency and traceability of fish supplies;

– All large fishing vessels to have a unique identification to enable satellite tracking;

– Improve port controls to prevent influx of ‘pirate’ fish supply;

– EU to centrally coordinate database of fish catches.

As the world’s largest market for imported fish and fishery products, the EU has the potential to change behaviour through commercial incentives and international trade. The EU’s enforcement of the IUU Regulation is unique globally, but it is currently being unevenly implemented by Member States and more needs to be done in the UK, too, to ensure its full success. Steve Trent, Executive Director of EJF, said:

“We’re delighted to be working alongside the BRC and WWF-UK to promote the steps needed to eradicate ‘pirate’ fish products from UK supply chains. Knowing where, under what conditions and by which vessel, seafood is caught is a fundamental step towards building legal, sustainable fisheries. It is time for major retailers, brands, importers and suppliers to take determined, decisive action. Companies have the power and the right to demand accountability and require suppliers to provide information on where products come from.”

“We urgently need transparency and traceability in the seafood supply chain, and to secure better governance that ensures the protection of our global seas and oceans. The technology and management instruments now exist to do this and, crucially, they are economically feasible. What is needed now is the full engagement of the corporate sector, alongside government and other key stakeholders. In taking these actions it is valuable to recall that pirate fishing vessels are devastating fish stocks and all too often stealing from some of the poorest people on our planet.”

Tracy Cambridge, Fisheries and Seafood Manager of WWF-UK, said:

“Closing down markets to ‘pirate’ fish is the fastest way to eliminate the indiscriminate destruction IUU fishing wreaks on coastal communities and the marine environment on which they depend. Limiting the market invariably limits profit opportunities, thus taking away the financial incentive that drives IUU fishing.”

“This joint advisory note can empower UK importers, processors and retailers to play an increasingly leading role in bringing this destructive trade to an end.”

Designing and implementing an effective process to ensure due diligence in preventing pirate fish entering their supply chains provides a valuable opportunity for UK retailers and brands to support the global fight against IUU fishing while also reducing potential reputational and legal risks in seafood supply chains.

As well as helping to secure the future viability and health of global fisheries, the recommendations provided by the BRC, EJF and WWF-UK support easier monitoring of working conditions aboard the world’s fishing fleet and help ensure that products created under exploitative conditions are not allowed to enter the EU market.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said:

“We wanted to take a lead on this, working with informed partners EJF and WWF, to make a real difference in tackling the huge problem of illegally caught fish, estimated globally to cost up to $23bn . Our practical guidance will help all retailers and manufacturers ensure this fish does not enter our supply chains. This is a great example of British retailers using our expertise to influence global sourcing for the benefit of all and hope the principles will be adopted by other food companies abroad”

The European Union IUU Regulation, which came into force in January 2010, is designed to prevent IUU fishery products from entering the EU market. Prior to the Regulation, an estimated €1.1 billion of illegal fish entered the EU each year. The Regulation requires catch certificates for seafood imports and exports and bans the import of fish from states and vessels known to be involved in IUU fishing. As the largest seafood importer in the world by value, the EU has the potential to change behaviour through commercial incentives and international trade. The EU’s enforcement of the IUU Regulation is unique globally, but it is currently being unevenly implemented and more needs to be done in the UK to ensure its success.


EJF: Alexandra Sedgwick, Communications Coordinator, Alexandra.Sedgwick@ejfoundation.org

AIS track news.

After steaming 150 miles west of Newlyn, the Karen of Ladram has joined the Newlyn netters Ajax,,,

Britannia V,  and fellow Padstow pal the Charisma...

and has shot her hake nets for the first time on her maiden voyage...

much further west, a small fleet (not showing on the AIS right now) of five huge Russian pelagic boats are fishing...

 cloder to homer the Penlee lifeboat was on night manouvres on exercise.

Help Sarah Weldon row round Britain and support her 'What Not to Eat at Sea' Live Tour - great educational opportunity to spread the good word about fish

Great British Viking Quest Expedition

The Great British Viking Quest begins in Henley-On-Thames, on the River Thames, England's longest river, on May 28th 2015. From Henley-On-Thames, Sarah will row to Tower Bridge, London, searching for clues of our Viking past.

From London, Sarah sets out, anti clockwise around the coast of Britain, stopping off at points of significant Viking interest. A more detailed map and live tracker will be on the website shortly. This single-handed circumnavigation of Great Britain by rowing boat will finish in Henley-On-Thames in September 2015.

'What Not to Eat at Sea' Live Tour

Throughout the Great British Viking Quest, Sarah will host impromptu comedy science shows around the British Coastline as part of the 'What Not to Eat at Sea' live tour. A quirky, but educational look at what food she'll be packing for her 14 week, solo ocean row around Britain, the role of microbes on food, superstitions about food on boats, and various sailor's ailments at sea. She'll also share anecdotes about learning to row, and how she put on four stone in weight in preparation for life at sea.  Funds raised go towards the running of Oceans Project and the provision of education to children worldwide. 

TOUR DATES & TICKETS

The Boat

The Oceans Project ocean rowing boat was custom built by Rannoch Adventure, based in Burnham-On-Crouch on the Essex coast of Great Britain. The boat is the sister boat to Guinness World Record setting 'Soma', used by Charlie Pitcher to set a world record for fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 2013. 

Southern IFCA is offering an exciting internships for 2015 = apply now!

Southern IFCA is offering an exciting opportunity for five volunteer internship placements during summer 2015. The successful applicants will lead the delivery of individual projects directly informing inshore fisheries management as part of the Authority’s ongoing duties. 


The Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) are tasked with the sustainable management of inshore sea fisheries resources in the Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight areas. Southern IFCA is offering an exciting opportunity for five volunteer internship placements during summer 2015. The successful applicants will lead the delivery of individual projects directly informing inshore fisheries management as part of the Authority’s ongoing duties. 

Internships will last for a period of six weeks between June and September, depending on the project, with an approximate commitment of 20 hours per working week. Working hours and location will be flexible; however volunteers will be required to work from the Southern IFCA office for a minimum of one day per week. Volunteers will be supported by a project mentor and as part of the placement Southern IFCA will provide training opportunities in key areas the enable volunteers to develop their experience and understanding of inshore fisheries management. 

The five projects identified are: 

 The Solent Native oyster (Ostrea edulis) stock assessment;  Sandown Bay Black bream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) nesting survey;  Poole Harbour Peacock worm (Sabella pavonina) mapping;  Poole Harbour bivalve stock assessment; and  Assessing long term trends in shellfish landings. 

Information about the five individual project opportunities, together with the experience, knowledge and skills required can be found in the individual project role profiles. The Southern IFCA Policy and Guidance for Engaging Volunteers describes what volunteers should expect from Southern IFCA and how volunteers should conduct themselves whilst involved with the Authority. 

To apply for the placements applicants should send a copy of their CV together with a letter outlining which project(s) they would be interested in applying for and explaining in no more than 1000 words why they would be suitable for the role. Applications should be sent to the Southern IFCA office by email or post by 12 noon on Thursday 27th February 2015. Full information on the interview arrangements will be sent to those candidates who have been 


Please click here for details(below). For policy guidance for volunteers please click here. 

Closing date for applications is 27 February 2015.