Living Planet: What Brexit could mean for fisheries

Europe has long struggled with overfishing. The EU has set itself the target of fishing within scientifically advised limits by 2020. Now that the UK is set to leave the EU, their fishing regulations are less certain. In this interview with Debbie Crockard from the Marine Conservation Society in the UK, we delve into what Brexit means for Europe's waters.

Full story courtesy of Deutsch Welles.

Do we have an agreement on shared stocks post Brexit?

Here is a letter sent to Nigel Gooding at Defra, September 2017 after the UK had voted to leave the UK at a time when fishermen wanted to now what would a post Brexit world look like.. 

The question, was in response to the UK Government's stated aspiration to become a "gold standard" fisheries nation which seemingly hasn't, as yet, instigated the necessary infrastructure to facilitate an agreement on shared stocks and their management. This is something that should have been in place in the event of the fishing industries desired, "No deal"

"The EU referendum and the majority vote to leave the EU was met with jubilation from the UK fishing industry, and has been characterised by many as "a sea of opportunity". The BIG question now is in what manner this "sea of opportunity" is to be realised for the fishermen of the UK? The benefits of leaving the EU, and the infamous CFP are numerous; and should empower the UK Government to design, and implement a fisheries management system that works for both fish resources, and the fishermen that depend upon them. The business of fishing has never been plain sailing, and a "Fisheries Brexit" doesn't seem like being an easy affair either.

The media coverage of Michael Gove's recent visit to Denmark; where he gave "assurance" to Danish fishermen that they would still have access to UK waters post-Brexit, has been seen by many as yet another sell out of the fishing industry. Also, the reported clash between Michael Gove and Chancellor Philip Hammond over the use of fisheries as a bargaining chip in the wider Brexit negotiations has done little to lessen their fears. Both Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron have expressed that they will fight for their respective fishing industries to achieve the best possible post-Brexit deal. This has left many UK fishermen in a state of shock and disbelief, fearing now that the industry will once again be used as a pawn in achieving a favourable Brexit deal with the EU. It must be made absolutely clear that the UK post-Brexit WILL have an exclusive 200nm/ median line economic zone; and the UK fishing industry, finally will have exclusive access to the UK territorial seas out to 12 nm.  

The UK Government will have the absolute power to decide on who will be granted access, and under what conditions. Granting of reciprocal access to foreign vessels is a common practice in bilateral fisheries negotiations; where access can be granted on historical use of the area, quota swaps, and or, if there are exploitation pattern gains to be had in relation to catching older and larger fish.

It is a common acknowledgment within the fishing industry, that everything is paid for by what is caught in the net, and landed on the market. The main focus for the catching sector, irrespective of Brexit is to identify exclusive UK stocks, and quantify zonal attachment for stocks that are deemed to be shared. 

Realigning Relative State allocations in relation to ecosystem creep is of utmost importance; as a means of mitigating the possibility for chokes species such as NS hake, and area VIIE haddock and VIID cod. This is especially important in respect to the Landings Obligation/Discard Ban, which comes into full force in 2019. 

The UK government has commissioned work into mapping the extent of zonal attachment for stocks shared with the EU and other parties such as Norway/Faeroe. This is an assignment that the UK should not pursue alone, if there is to be any chance of reaching a consensus and ratification by all parts. This work needs to be undertaken in a joint EU-UK working group, and under the scrutiny of an unbiased third party such as ICES, and with observers from countries such as USA and Canada. ICES have informed that they have not received any request from the UK Government to assist in this important and necessary work on defining zonal attachment.

Should the Government decide to use UK fish resources as a bargaining chip, then it's important to quantify how much fish, and for what it is being traded for"

Do we have an answer yet from Defra? Where is the UK today on this crucial aspect of Brexit and the UK fishing industry?

Another sunny #FishyFriday in Newlyn.

Just the one trip of netted fish on the market this morning from the Govenek of Ladram...

while Gary was kept busy checking otoliths and measuring a selection of beam trawl fish from the Cornishman...

auctioneer Ryan was hard at work selling the rest of the boat's trip to the assembled buyers...

which the eagle-eyed will have spotted included young Mr Cleave from that tiny north coats port best known for its contrary TV character GP, illicit (fictional of course) weed cultivation and more recently the making of the Fisherman's Friends movie from whence they come...

with plenty of monk...

and ray to choose from all eyes were on...

Mr Cleave's buyer's book...

as the bidding moved towards the red mullet...

by-passing a box of good urchins...

Stevenson's porters are off already...

while George checks out his haul of red mullet...

while others contemplate another cracking day at the office...

it's time to grab the fish...

and load that insulated box of brill...

and other quality fish all bound for Port Isaac...

all done with a smile...

watched closely by the resident half ton of blubber...

on a much quieter morning weather-wise than of late...

there's an offer no fisherman could refuse...

a rolling stone gathers no moss, though it seems that a boat that doesn't does...

"back-to-back they faced each other"...

net boats like the Ocean Harvest...

and Ocean Pride constantly overhaul their nets...

it's a blinding morning in the bay...

and for those ashore a chance to visit the gallery and enjoy the Invisible Artifacts exhibition.

The Trawler - April 2019 newsletter

PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT FOR THE FISHING INDUSTRY

3RD APRIL 2019 IN BREXIT, DOMESTIC FISHERIES POLICY, EUROPE / COMMON FISHERIES POLICY

At a critical juncture in the Brexit process, around 70 parliamentarians gathered yesterday at an event in the Palace of Westminster, organised by the NFFO and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. The event was designed to provide a platform through which parliamentarians could express support for the fishing industry. Fisheries Minister, Robert Goodwill addressed the event, as did Shadow Fisheries Minister, Luke Pollard and Lib-Democrat Fisheries Spokesman, Alistair Carmichael.

The outlook for the UK fishing industry as the UK stands poised to leave the Common Fisheries Policy was presented by Barrie Deas and Bertie Armstrong of the NFFO and SFF respectively.

Representatives from all the major fishing regions and sectors and beyond attended and took the opportunity to brief local MPs and members of the House of Lords.

Fisheries Minister, Robert Goodwill, thanked his predecessor, George Eustice, who was also present, and made the following points.

As MP for Whitby and Scarborough and a former shipping minister, I know the importance of the fishing industry to coastal communities and the huge diversity in our fishing fleets across the country. The processing sector is also vital

I also have processing plants, such as Whitby Seafoods in my constituency.

Importance of the fishing industry

The marine fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors together contribute £1.57 bn to the UK economy and employ around 33,000 people. but it is not just those people employed in the industry who are dependent on it. In coastal regions throughout the UK, fishing is part of the fabric of the community, it is central to the culture and atmosphere of coastal towns. But over the last 40 years some of these towns have seen a decline.

Our exit from the EU will give us an opportunity to rebalance that – and benefit our fishing industry and coastal communities.

There is a huge diversity in our fishing fleets across the country. This reflects the diversity and richness of our fishing grounds.

There will be challenges and these will be different for each of the sectors, but our fishermen are absolutely right to look forward to life after the Common Fisheries Policy and the sea of opportunity that lies ahead.

Leaving the EU will mean taking control of our waters for the first time in 40 years, and giving the UK the chance to decide who can access our waters and on what terms. Let me be clear, automatic rights for foreign vessels to access our waters will end.

Leaving the EU gives us a golden opportunity to secure a fairer share of fish for our fishermen and set out a sustainable future for our fisheries.

There will be other opportunities too – to look at how we share out the additional quota we negotiate, to make fisheries management more responsive and flexible, to develop new, lucrative markets and to focus on marketing local and premium products. Also an opportunity to build on our relation Norway, Faroes & Iceland as other independent coastal states

Business readiness and trade

Getting a fairer share of the fish in our waters is just part of the story. Being able to sell that fish for a good price and get it to market quickly is critical.

A priority therefore is going to be ensuring that trade can continue as smoothly as possible and with minimal disruption – especially if we leave the EU without a deal later this month. The live shellfish sector is uppermost in our mind here.

Looking further ahead, the Government is also committed to securing the best trade deals for the UK, with concerted efforts being made with partner countries to transition existing EU-third country Free Trade Agreements.

We now have the necessary legislation in place to ensure that in a NO Deal scenario the same rules will apply from Day One as apply today and we will ensure that we have a functioning legislative framework in place.

The Fisheries Bill will enable us to amend policies over time and embeds our commitments to sustainability. In looking at developing our future fisheries policies, we’re keen to take our time to consult properly, pilot where appropriate and be mindful of unintended consequences. But also learn the lessons from the rigid and cumbersome CFP by being able to move faster.

It is vital that we are able to protect our waters to ensure that fishing vessels continue to fish legally and sustainably, to enable trade in fish to be maintained and to meet our obligations as a responsible, independent coastal state. The Marine Management Organisation is recruiting and training more marine enforcement officers and support staff. We are bringing in significantly increased levels of surface aerial surveillance.

NFFO Chief Executive, Barrie Deas said, after the event:

“This was a strong show of support for the fishing industry from our legislators. The support was from both houses of Parliament and across the party spectrum. There is a widespread recognition that we have been tied into the CFP for 40 years and that set of arrangements have worked systematically, from the outset, to our disadvantage. Different routes to leave the EU are under discussion but whichever one is finally taken, leaving the EU means that the UK’s legal status changes and we will become an independent coastal state, with regulatory autonomy and the freedom to negotiate as an independent party.

The EU will, of course do everything in its power to maintain the arrangements – on access to UK waters and quota shares - which have worked to its advantage and our disadvantage for 40 years. That is why it is so important for the fishing industry to have strong support in Parliament, and across the country and we move into the next stages of Brexit.

Full story courtesy of the NFFO

Listen to, the Tale of the Disappearing Crabs.

The crabber Tenacious featured in the programme in action in the Salcombe Crabber's Race - courtesy of Fishing News.

For anyone in the fishing industry this radio programme will appeal on several different levels - enjoy!

TQ8 8 - Salcombe in Devon

One radio producer, one randomly generated postcode, and an unheard story unfolding in a corner of Britain we wouldn’t otherwise know about.

Earlier this year, producer Polly Weston discovered a random postcode generator on the internet. It sparked a radical idea. Maybe by randomly generating postcodes, and then going there, we'd find stories which are being overlooked - stories of national importance which we never would have noticed without stumbling into them.

Each week, a new postcode is randomly generated. This postcode becomes Polly's patch. Near or far, populated or not, this is the area where she must go to make the programme.

Week one takes us to TQ8 8 - and into the heart of the mystery of the disappearing crabs.

Producer/Presenter: Polly Weston
Exec Producer: Jolyon Jenkins

National Coastwatch Institution - great work and all done by volunteers.

Ever since the Government saw fit to introduce the closure of coastguard stations around the UK...

 volunteers from the NCI have manned dozens of disused lookouts around the English coastline...

like this one at Cape Cornwall...

and this one at Gwennap Head above Porthgwarra...

manned by a total of 30 volunteers like Michael...

and his trusty companion Oscar...

that used to be home to Lands End Radio station through which all shore calls via the 'big set' radio went - it closed in 2000...

this short video captures the sterling work and comforting, reassuring voice that was so familiar to fishermen and other seafarers off the Cornish coast - especially during the winter months.