NOAA Issues Report from the National Electronic Monitoring Workshop

Time we had a conference along the same lines in the UK so that the thousands of 'catch data managers' (ie skippers) get to own and control their fishing data to give a much more accurate assessment of stock levels for quota and non-quota species and #takebackcontrol !

A diverse group of nearly 100 stakeholders gathered in Seattle in November 2016 to share information on what is working – and what challenges remain – in the implementation and integration of electronic monitoring technologies in fisheries observation.

This Second National EM Workshop was organized and planned by a steering committee of fishermen, managers, scientists, and fishery non-governmental organizations. It served as a follow-up to the First National EM Workshop, held in January 2014, which focused on encouraging the ongoing development of EM technologies.

The workshop featured ten panel discussions, organized both by region (Alaska, Atlantic HMS, Northeast, and West Coast) and topic (Considering Costs; Data Quality, Storage, and Retention; Emerging EM Programs; Program Design and Implementation; EM Program Enforcement and Compliance; and a workshop wrap-up).

The report includes:

A technical report summarizing the discussions and top successes, best practices, and challenges as identified by the individual participants.
A detailed transcript of the discussions and summary of EM program information by region.
Videos of the panel discussions.
A fact sheet outlining key takeaways from from the workshop.
All of us associated with EMInformation.com would like to thank the workshop’s steering committee and everyone involved in the preparation of this report.

Download Second National Electronic Monitoring Workshop Report

Links to overviews and written summaries of all the workshop panel sessions are available in the report itself, but we are also linking the panel videos here for your convenience:

Alaska Regional Panel Discussion	Moderator: Kelly Denit, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Sustainable Fisheries Panelists: Chris Rilling, Dan Falvey, Diana Evans, Howard McElderry, Nancy Munro	Session Video
West Coast Regional Panel Discussion	Moderator: Chris McGuire, The Nature Conservancy Panelists: Melissa Hooper, Brent Paine, Lisa Damrosch, David Colpo	Session Video
Greater Atlantic Regional Panel Discussion	Moderator: Dorothy Lowman, Pacific Fishery Management Council Panelists: Nicole Rossi, Geoff Smith, Ben Martens, MIke Russo, Amanda Barney, Mary Beth Tooley	Session Video
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Panel Discussion	Moderator: Chris Rilling, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center Panelists: Brad McHale, Terri Beideman, Morgan Wealti	Session Video
New Kids on the Block: Emerging EM Programs and Technologies	Moderator: Ben Martens, Maine Coast Fisherman's Association Panelists: David Gloeckner, John Wang, Todd Phillips, Josh Wiersma, Farron Wallace	Session Video
Data Quality, Storage and Retention Session	Moderator: Bill Karp, NOAA Fisheries, retired Panelists: Ben Martens, Brett Wiedoff, Tom Warren, Jennifer Mondragon, David Colpo	Session Video
Walking the Walk: Exploring EM Program Enforcement and Compliance	Moderator: Bill Tweit, WDFW, NPFMC Panelists: Joe Sullivan, Mariam McCall, Mike Russo, Dayna Matthews, Bob Hogan,	Session Video
Program Design and Implementation	Moderator: Kate Wing Panelists: Nichole Rossi, Mark Hager, Melisa Hooper, Dan Falvey, Kelly Denit	Session Video
Program Costs and Stakeholder Buy-In	Moderator: Randy Fischer, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Panelists: Jane DiCosimo, Lisa Damrosch, Chris McGuire, Claire Fitz-Gerald	Session Video
National EM Workshop Wrap-Up	Moderator: Erika Feller, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation An open discussion with audience participation, and featuring Bill Karp, Bill Tweit, Kate Wing and Randy Fisher	Sessi

Read the Government's Fisheries Sectoral analysis for Brexit

Dare to be be different - Roast hake for Christmas dinner!

For anyone up for something different to put in front of the family this Christmas - why not try one of the meatiest fish that swim in the sea?..

Even better, why not ask your fishmonger for some MSC Certified Cornish hake from the last landing of the year by skipper Phil Mitchell, star of the TV series The Catch and also one of the skippers featured in Bart's Fish Tales...

where Bart included this fabulous roast hake cutlet dish.  Stuck for a Xmas pressy for your fishy friends - Bart's Fish Tales is a great book that champions fsh from Newlyn like hajke and sardines amongst many others - a great read and superb range f recipes.

Final fish landings for 2017 in Newlyn - Happy Christmas to auctioneer Ian and all the buyers and market staff!

This mornings view down the harbour from the fish market is all very seasonal...

with the entire fleet in and tied up for the Christmas period...

it will be that last time the MMO takes a walk down the quay to check out the boats landing this year...

also, let's hope that thew lifeboats get to stay in berth until well into the New Year...

back inside, the final market for the year is stacked out, literally, with fish from three beam trawlers, two netters and a handful of inshore boats all expecting good prices for their last sales for 2017...

the guys on the New Venture went out of their way to see that all their fish was laid out and looking good ready for auction...

while a few of the punts had been busy with their handlines adding to this year's bass quota caught...

with the fridge well stocked with similar fish...

biggest of the beam trawl trips was the St Georges hoping for a repeat of the high prices of her last landing... 

followed by the  Sapphire III with some quality plaice...

and well over a ton of haddock - which, given that haddock tend to swim well off the bottom and need a trawl with a good headline height just shows how much haddock is on the grounds these days - a beam trawl's headline height is probably less than three feet most of the time!..

the other beamers to land were the Resurgam...

and the Lisa Jacqueline...

beautifully markings on this undulate ray...

while the big flats were a bit thin on the ground...

there were some prime specimen cephalopods with the imshores...

and cracking gurnards were landed by all the boats...

along with a few good JDs...

and probably the biggest eight-legger for the year...

while the netters, Govenek and Joy of Ladfram landed decent shots of hake between them...

Dr Smart, one of the more recognisable sights back on the market again...

congers don't come much blacker than these guys...

or flats bigger then these...

with no fish likely to be landed for nearly two weeks even the humble scad gets a look in...

along with a few smooth hounds or, 'pissers'as they are affectionately known in these parts...

top of the Christmas table must be the big, beautiful bass though...

always enough to tempt the buyers...

along with those big, meaty hakes...

and for those keen to try something affordable and different there were even a good few pot from all the trawl boats...

along with a selection of good gurnards, red mullet and plate sized JDs...

and even more from Dumps' final trip of the year...

down the qauy, Rowse's latest boat is still undergoing a massive refit...

and still waiting for the name change to Nimrod...

the old engine is out on the quay...

Suzie and a blaze of lights in the distance...

and aboard the St Georges...

while over in Penzance wet dock the boys have been at it all night making good the gear for the next trip.

A book as powerful as the forces that came together to claim so many lives, all but The Luckiest Thirteen

The Luckiest Thirteen by Brain Lavery published by Barbican Press

Gripping, just one of the words that readily springs to mind while reading this piece of little-known deep-sea fishing history. In many ways the book captures the industry at a pivotal moment in its history - one minute age-old traditions are being observed by all those involved in getting the newest big trawler in the fleet to sea and the next, elements of the more modern world it represents and way of life it heralds begin to compound and impact on the sea-going disaster that literally engulfs its giant hull.  Even though the book starts with the end as it were, every page builds and builds - like those slow heavy swells that fetch across the North Atlantic and make life on the heaving deck of a trawler so much harder - and so much more dangerous.

Christmas for many means the opportunity to curl up with a good book - order a copy now for anyone you know who would enjoy some real fishing history!

Oder your copy online here

PS: Don't forget if you are a student or work in education with your .ac.uk email address you can get six months Amazon Prime for free - take advantage now!

Oceans - the voice of the invisible.

Océans, la voix des invisibles - Interview de Robert - extrait #1 from Portfolio Production on Vimeo.

I am trying to get hold of a version of this video with English subtitles.  The film gives a voice to fishermen who feel overwhelmed by highly funded and powerful NGOs and other lobby groups who are being heard over and above their cries to be treated fairly.

Here, Robert, interviewed on a stormy, rain-soaked, wind-lashed quay in Guilvinec, Brittany speaks for them all.

Be in the know - the Cornish PO (CFPO) launches a monthly newsletter!

Looking Forwards - What's on the horizon for 2018?

Welcome to the first edition of CFPO's new quarterly digital newsletter. With the UK's future as an independent coastal state getting closer, we are working to ensure our fishing industry is profitable, sustainable and resilient. 2017 has been a busy year, and has concluded with the usual hectic December Council negotiations - with some disappointments, and some useful 'wins' for SW fishermen. More on this below. 2018 will see us continue to meet with MPs, Ministers and officials at the highest levels to steer a course through Brexit which will deliver security and prosperity for our members. This will also be a key year for work on discards - with full implementation of the Landing Obligation looming in 2019. Across the year we will be sharing digital and print newsletters to keep our members in the loop on our activity, share community news and policy updates. We'll also be launching a new CFPO website in January - your news, views and images are welcomed. To view the full, print edition of this newsletter CLICK HERE - and select 'full screen' on the bottom, right-hand corner. Read on for further detail from December Council, a full look back at 2017 and more. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year, Paul Trebilcock